Aging Gracefully

No injections. Everything I use and what it does.

Today’s note is my much-requested skin routine. I can’t talk about it without going deep, because ultimately, for me, the conversation becomes about beauty—and aging gracefully.

I’ll go full Taurean North Node and share my thoughts on beauty, and then on aging gracefully. To me, beauty is absolutely essential—but not in the traditional sense we’ve all been fed. Beauty drives every aspect of my life: design, art, fashion, literature, film, spirituality, self-care, skincare... it is my greatest inspiration. But not in a vain sense—in a Venusian one.

Let’s unpack the difference. Venusian beauty originates from the classical association between the planet Venus and the Roman goddess of the same name, who ruled over love, beauty, fertility, and attraction. In astrology, Venus governs what we value, how we relate, and how we experience pleasure—especially through the senses. This is most strongly expressed in the sign of Taurus, an earth sign that emphasizes physicality, embodiment, texture, and earthly rhythm. When integrated, Taurus energy isn’t concerned with trends; it’s anchored in the delectable, steady enjoyment of the present moment. Through this lens, Venusian beauty is about owning what’s natural and being in your body, in your senses, and in your self-respect.

This is what separates Venusian beauty from vanity. Venusian beauty is not performative. It doesn’t conform to the societal pressures of the beauty, fashion, or media industries. It doesn’t shift or contort to impress or seek validation. Instead, it’s about creating harmony between your inner and outer worlds. While vanity centers on appearance as a form of control or social currency, Venusian beauty is a process of self-care, adornment, and presence with what is.

Now, there are two main interpretations of the phrase aging gracefully:

• Mainstream media often defines it as staying youthful-looking for as long as possible—managing wrinkles, maintaining a fit body, and having “good skin” without looking like you’re trying too hard.

• Holistic and European perspectives define it more as embracing aging with dignity—caring for yourself through lifestyle, skincare, and posture, while allowing natural changes to unfold without heavy intervention.

I fall in the middle.

All of this is to say that in my approach to beauty, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I approach it the way I approach everything in my life. In TBM terms: I find my authenticity, build self-worth from that place, and lead from there. I believe that the more we understand internally what makes us truly authentic, the more clearly we can express and honor that externally.

Now that I’m forty, the pressure to consider injections is louder than ever (especially if you live anywhere near L.A.). But authentically, they just don’t resonate with me. So below, I’m sharing my personal approach to beauty and aging gracefully—both inside and out. I’ve only included the heavy hitters (and links) that actually move the needle for me, so you’re not overwhelmed by an endless product list. And each describes what it does.