Countdown to 70: Marla’s Honest Tips for a Beautiful Life
As I turn 70, I’ve been reflecting on the many roles I’ve played: high school teacher, arts administrator, makeup artist, and for the last three decades, a business owner in the beauty world. I started my own business so I could be home with my boys, and over the past five years, I’ve evolved that business into something that truly lights me up—teaching makeup, color, and style lessons in a lovely, inspiring studio three to four days a week.
A client recently told me she felt comfortable and energized in my studio, and that’s the greatest compliment. I don’t have a five-year plan or exit strategy—just gratitude. As long as I’m healthy and blessed with kind clients, I’ll keep going.
In celebration of this milestone, I put together 14 honest tips I’ve learned on my way to 70. I’m sharing a handful of my favorites here—and you can read the full list inside my private Facebook group, where I post beauty tips, product favorites, and encouragement for feeling your best at any age.
Tip #9: Keep Moving
In all of these decades, I’ve always been active. I did lots of dancing in my 20s, aerobics in my 30s, and in and out of gym workouts. In January 2012, my trainer, Sonya Hampel, told me I was going to do 57 pushups for my 57th birthday. I couldn’t even do one! Well, I did reach my goal, and that taught me never to say never.
It takes a great trainer to lead you in the right exercises for your body issues and give you accountability. I quit exercising during COVID and I felt awful. Jessica Fox led me back to my “best me” by restarting training with her again in the fall of 2021. When I first started training with her again I couldn’t even do a proper lunge and felt so low. That’s why a trainer is so important. I need that accountability, encouragement, and guidance.
It’s the number one investment I can make to stay healthy. I don’t do crazy hours of workouts but 35 minutes three days a week for strength training, and recently I added 70 minutes of walking a week. Because of Jes, I’m going into 70 years feeling great.
Tip #10: Wear the Ripped Jeans
Aging isn’t about fading away—it’s about shining brighter. Embrace your style evolution, wear your confidence, and let your true self radiate.
I’ve always been a little conservative with my style and have made numerous fashion faux pas, like in the 90s buying the suit with the huge shoulder pads and bedazzled lapels! I can’t dress like I’m twenty anymore, but I can be stylish and follow the trends without going overboard.
Wear the ripped jeans. I had to be talked into going there. You inherently know your fashion personality, but it’s okay not to dress like the storybook grandma with cardigans, baggy skirts and granny shoes.
Tip #12: Hair is Your Crowning Glory. Change is Good
I’ve always thought you can have healthy skin, perfect makeup, and a stylish wardrobe, but your hairstyle is your crowning glory. It can make or break your look.
Boy, I’ve had so many hairstyles—from stringy hippie blonde hair in the 60s, Farrah Fawcett flip bangs in the 70s, and permed hair in the 80s. I believe in hair color, but it’s good sometimes to get professional opinions about the best hair color and style for your coloring and face shape.
Going gray is always an option, and frankly, I’m just not ready to go there yet!
Tip #13: Don’t Forget the Eye Cream
Take the time to create a great skincare regimen. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on skincare, but study up on great products for your skin type.
Always, always use sunscreen and a great eye cream. It only takes a couple of minutes morning and night to treat your skin. I never had a facial until after I was 60 but it’s also good to find a great esthetician and treat yourself to facials when you can.
(That’s me without makeup below after a professional microdermabrasion treatment.) Although I’ve never had “work” done or used Botox or fillers, there are lots of options out there that are safe—but nothing replaces a great home skincare regimen.
Oh, and don’t sleep in your makeup!
Tip #14: Buy the Shoes
When I was 23 and teaching high school, I went on a trip with one of my students and her mom for a competition. We took some time off to do a little shopping and I remember finding a pair of sandals I really liked. They were $40 and that was a lot of money in 1978.
I hesitated, and I remember Peggy, the mom, telling me, “Buy the shoes. It’s okay to treat yourself every now and then and not feel guilty.”
I bought the shoes and wore them for years. Yes, we sometimes need to stick to a budget, but it’s okay to buy something occasionally that makes you feel special—without guilt or permission.
Here’s to being 70 and still growing, glowing, and saying yes to what matters (and no to what doesn’t). I hope these tips encourage you to honor your style, invest in your wellness, and embrace every season with honesty and grace.
