IN JUNE OF 1984, two music stars went supernova. Bruce Springsteen released Born in the U.S.A., a collection of songs made to rouse entire stadiums; seven of them, including “Dancing in the Dark” and “Glory Days,” reached the top 10 of the pop chart.

At the same time, Prince, creator of the Minneapolis R&B sound, released Purple Rain (and a month later, the film of the same name). “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy” both reached No. 1. Watching their songs battle for radio prominence was far more engaging than the summer’s other head-to-head race: Ronald Reagan vs. Walter Mondale. —Rob Tannenbaum

of Americans in their 50s have at least one tattoo.

SOURCE: PEW RESEARCH CENTER

FITNESS

ANOTHER SOCIAL MEDIA health trend! This one refers to any lower-impact, lower-intensity at-home exercise that raises the heart rate in a pleasurable way. Example: strolling on a walking pad in front of a favorite film, iced coffee in hand. Sounds great in theory (and on TikTok), but is it ridiculous?

Well, it’s a start, says William Yancy, M.D., medical director of the Duke Lifestyle and Weight Management Center. Mellow exercise beats slumping in front of the tube. “If you’re able to maintain the new behaviors and are satisfied with your progress, then I see all pros and no cons.” The caveat: “If you are trying to lose weight or increase your fitness and not making progress, then additional changes may be necessary at some point.” —Kimberly Goad

BEAUTY

ONCE CONFINED to high-end beauty lines, face serums have now started appearing on drugstore shelves. Their tiny bottles even contain some of the same ingredients found in the pricey stuff—if in lower concentrations.

Not to be confused with moisturizer, serum is a lightweight water- or oil-based liquid with active ingredients known to address skin issues like fine lines, discoloration, dryness and dullness. One ounce of serum from luxury brand La Mer goes for up to $440; the ones you can find from popular brands like L’Oréal, CeraVe or Neutrogena are generally in the $20 to $35 range. 

Experts say the best serums for people in their 50s contain antioxidants like vitamin C to boost collagen production and promote skin repair. Other ingredients to look for are hyaluronic acid for moisture and niacinamide to fade dark spots. Some formulas even contain chemical exfoliants like lactic acid to slough off dead skin cells and reveal a more radiant complexion.

Serums are to be used sparingly, so try applying just a few drops in the morning on a clean face, right before adding moisturizer. Or, if you opt for a serum with retinol or exfoliating ingredients, use at night before bed—and slather on the sunscreen the next day, since those ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. —Anissa Gabbara