10 Beauty and Style Tweaks Worth Making in 2022

4. Try a sweater dress instead of sweats

While we’ve developed a fondness for joggers, leggings and track pants and their fleecy partners, some of us are itching to look more pulled together and “dressed.” Knit dresses that slip over curves without clinging could be your best alternative to athleisure. Choose a contemporary midi length that partners easily with any kind of boot or bootie, in a style that flows straight from bust to mid-calf, like the Ava & Viv Plus-Size Balloon Long Sleeve Sweater Dress in Blue ($35, target.com), the Who What Wear Women’s Plus Long Sleeve Dress in Red ($40, target.com) and the H&M Rib-Knit Dress in Black ($60, www2.hm.com/en_us/), or opt for a modified wrap with subtle waist definition like the Donna Ricco Crossover Midi Sweater Dress in Black ($109, macys.com).

(Left to right) Olay Regenerist Shea Butter + Peptide 24 Rich Cream; Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50; Cover Girl Clean Fresh Skincare Dry Skin Corrector Cream

Target; Ulta Beauty; Target

5. Try a new version of your favorite face cream

If you’re browsing the skin care aisle don’t be surprised to find some makeovers. Two or three times a year, drugstore moisturizers get a few tweaks. You’ll see new “superhero” ingredients called out on the package, changes in the look of the jar or pump, innovative additions to an existing line or a completely new line from a brand you love and trust. Sure, it’s a way of enticing us to buy, but improvements do deliver better formulas that solve problems for mature skin. Who’d say no to that? Three worthy examples to check out: Olay Regenerist Shea Butter + Peptide 24 Rich Cream ($29, target.com), a luxurious cream for very dry skin that feels and behaves like the $400 stuff; Cover Girl Clean Fresh Skincare Dry Skin Corrector Cream ($15, target.com), vegan and cruelty-free and packed with hyaluronic acid, shea butter and jojoba; and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer SPF 50 ($26, ulta.com), a hydrating hybrid with the high SPF we all need.

(Clockwise from left) Kitsch Sand Assorted Textured Scrunchies Set; The Hair Edit Leopard Pleated Band Headband; GIMME Beauty Fine-Hair Multi-Color Neutral Bands; Yetasi Black Leather Knotted Headband

Ulta Beauty (3); Amazon

6. Stock up on hair accessories

If you’ve been on the fence about wearing hair ornaments at 50 give them a whirl. Elastics, scrunchies, headbands and clips offer a quick fix but need to be worn in a sophisticated way — one at a time. The secret is to choose items that don’t look cute, girly or too bedazzled with gems, pearls and beads. Simple scrunchies and elastics in neutral colors like the Kitsch Sand Assorted Textured Scrunchies Set ($10, ulta.com) and GIMME Beauty Fine-Hair Multi-Color Neutral Bands ($10, ulta.com) make pulling medium to long hair into a ponytail, knot, bun or twist stylish and damage and indent-free. Tone them to your hair color for the most sophisticated look. Headbands are trickier but you can’t go wrong with one in tortoise, leather or leopard, like the Yetasi Black Leather Knotted Headband ($15, amazon.com), which also comes in an elegant gray, or The Hair Edit Leopard Pleated Band Headband ($12, ulta.com).

(Left to right) Glossier Lidstar in Lily; It Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Eyeshadow Stick in Epic Amethyst; Anthropologie Pilcro Plus Cowl Neck Sweater in Lavender; Kiyonna Plus Promenade Top in Orchid; Jones New York Dolman Sleeve Tunic Top in Deep Lilac

Glossier; Nordstrom; Anthropologie; Nordstrom (2)

7. Buy feel-good purple

Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is Very Peri, a universally flattering and uplifting blue with violet undertones. But is it a good buy or just a trend? Let’s just say there are a lot of wishy-washy, watered-down versions of this hue that look too gray. However, riding on the coattails of periwinkle are clear lilacs and lavenders and super-saturated magentas, violets and vibrant pinks. Look for them as new shipments arrive in stores and online. For now try a creamy eye shadow like the It Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Eyeshadow Stick in Epic Amethyst ($24, nordstrom.com) or Glossier Lidstar in Lily ($18, glossier.com) on lids; a  pullover like the Anthropologie Pilcro Plus Cowl Neck Sweater in Lavender ($98, anthropologie.com) or the Jones New York Dolman Sleeve Tunic Top in Deep Lilac ($60, nordstrom.com); or a draped blouse like the Kiyonna Plus Promenade Top in Orchid ($64, nordstrom.com).

8. Find your most flattering basic T-shirt

Most of us buy the same basic crewneck tee year after year without analyzing whether it’s doing our body any favors. Taking the time to find the right style (and spending a little more) pays off in a longer-looking neck and torso, better fit at the bust, and a fabric that’s lightweight but opaque enough to be bra-proof. Four splurge-worthy long-sleeve versions make the cut. Try the J.Jill Pima 3/4-Sleeve Scoop-Neck Tee in Navy Blue, Black or White ($39, jjill.com), longer, with a curved hem and wide, shallow scoop; the Banana Republic Fitted Ribbed Boatneck Tee in Charcoal Grey, Black or White ($35, bananarepublic.gap.com), with a soft stretchy feel; the Old Navy Long-Shoulder Luxe Oversized Tee for Women in Date Palm or Black Jack ($23, oldnavy.gap.com), with drop shoulders and a wide crew neck; or the L.L. Bean Women’s Pima Cotton Tee, Long-Sleeve Squareneck Tunic in Royal Plum or Violet Chalk ($30, llbean.com), with a chic square neck. You’ll want more than one.

(Left to right) Old Navy Extra High-Waisted PowerSoft Light Compression Hidden-Pocket Leggings for Women in Black Multi-Floral; Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II 7/8 Tight in Electric Fuchsia; Victoria’s Secret Flow On Point Essential High Rise Legging in Beige Leopard

Old Navy; Athleta; Victoria's Secret

9. Go ahead and buy print workout leggings

Most of us stick with basic black when it comes to leggings, sports bras and gym tops. It does the slimming trick just fine and simplifies our choices. But who can help eyeing the bolder colors and leopard or floral prints? Just by changing the leggings you can update your usual pieces. Choose a pattern with a black background or some black in the print, like the Old Navy Extra High-Waisted PowerSoft Light Compression Hidden-Pocket Leggings for Women in Black Multi-Floral ($40, oldnavy.gap.com) and Victoria’s Secret Flow On Point Essential High Rise Legging in Beige Leopard or Black Lois Floral ($20, victoriassecret.com/us), or opt for a solid bright like the Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket II 7/8 Tight in Electric Fuchsia ($98, athleta.gap.com) for a statement accent that still works with your black tops.

(Left to right) Kris Jenner, Reba McEntire and Emma Thompson

Karwai Tang/WireImage; Taylor Hill/Getty Images; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

10. Add fringe benefits

Bobs with bangs are really taking off as the hot haircut for 2022, but in truth bangs are the answer to just about any hair look, from short crop to long. They make sparse hair and hairlines appear thicker, hide forehead creases and give even damaged hair a healthier look thanks to frequent trims. You can’t lose. A long side-swept bang cut on an angle is easiest to maintain and grow out, while a full feathery fringe adds a contemporary look to long hair and lobs, frames the eyes to highlight them and restores structure to the face.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.