If you’ve ever watched the television series Shark Tank, you know that Kevin O’Leary (aka “Mr. Wonderful”) becomes quite testy when an entrepreneur pitches a product designed to hide or enhance a woman’s physical attributes.

Claiming “false advertising,” O’Leary dropped out as a potential investor after the owners of Hold Your Haunches pitched their “gravity-defying” leggings lined with compression fabric that lifts and firms the buttocks.

He did the same after hearing a pitch for hair extensions, which he contends deceive unsuspecting suitors into believing a woman’s hair is her own, setting them up for disappointment after the third or fourth date.

If women choose to wear hair extensions or padded bras, or get Botox treatments, are they engaging in false advertising? Or are they expressing their true, authentic selves and aligning the outside with the inside? Are beauty products for older women false advertising?

The Bra Debacle

I’m flat-chested. As much as I’ve begrudged being considerably less endowed than some of my female counterparts, I’ve never considered getting a boob job. However, I do wear slightly padded bras that give enough lift and shape to take me from an AA to an A.

This simple garment works for me, boosts my confidence and makes me feel ready to tackle the world! Is it inauthentic or “false advertising” if I feel like my best self when I wear a padded bra?

On the other hand, there are women who wear minimizing bras or undergo breast reduction surgery to minimize the size of their breasts. Is that “false advertising” or inauthenticity?

A Gray Area

When it comes to hair color, many women proudly flaunt their silver locks. “Silver is the new blonde,” as they say. I love the confidence and sophistication they exude, and I’ve considered letting my gray grow in, but I’m not there yet.

Wearing my long brown hair or throwing it up in a ponytail keeps me in my comfort zone. That and some make-up sends my confidence meter from zero to nine in an instant! Does that make me an imposter?

Alternatively, many women today are adding bursts of color to their hair – pink, purple, blue or green! Is it “false advertising” that they want to play with their hair color and have a streak of magenta? Or is it rather an authentic reflection of their inner playfulness?

Undercover Top

Then, there’s the issue of whether to cover aging skin, especially on the arms, shoulders and décolletage. I recently engaged in a conversation called Finding Yourself and Not Wearing Sleeves.

The topic was of interest to me because I recently designed an athletic top with stretch-mesh sleeves as “the perfect alternative to sleeveless tanks.” My Tenáz Tops not only cover crepey skin, but they make the arms and shoulders look firm and toned while keeping the skin cool and dry.

This Sixty and Me conversation garnered a variety of viewpoints from our community. Some expressed that they were not at all concerned about the look of their aging skin, and that they wore it with pride.

Others shared feelings of self-consciousness and described the various ways in which they try to cover up. And both perspectives are perfectly authentic!

Finding Your Authenticity

It seems that by the time we reach our 60s, we choose what makes us feel comfortable and confident in our own skin, whether this means covering up at times, leveraging the latest anti-aging products or joyfully revealing our natural beauty. There is no right or wrong. Whatever path you choose is your version of authenticity, of being the real you.

So, to “Mr. Wonderful” I say, “Feel free let your bald head sparkle in the sunshine.” And if you’d like to wear a hat or a toupee, or have hair plugs implanted, we will not think less of you.

And when the day is done, and we remove our makeup, hair extensions, shapewear and/or padded bras, our loved ones will hold us and cherish us for who we are and for all our flab, flair, foibles, fears and fearlessness.

Are most beauty products for older women “false advertising?” What do you think of the assertion of “false advertising” when it comes to shapers, hair color (wigs, extensions, etc.), breast implants, facial fillers and other beauty enhancements? What is your approach to embracing the aging process? What makes you feel authentic or your very best self? Please share in the comments below.