75 and Never Wore Sunscreen? A Fierce Aging Conversation on Daily SPF, Starting Late, and the Power of Less

In this Fierce Aging episode, Nikol sits down with Helene, a vibrant 75-year-old who boxes, deadlifts, and only started a skincare routine at 70 — and who admits she has never worn sunscreen. Nikol makes her own stance clear (daily SPF for everyone, mineral formulas preferred) while celebrating Helene's energy and creating a soft, age-honoring makeup look that deliberately skips concealer to prove that less really can be more.

Key takeaways

1. It is never too late to start caring for your skin — Helene began a real skincare routine at 70 and says both she and her husband noticed the difference in her complexion.
2. Nikol encourages daily SPF for everyone and favors modern mineral sunscreens that feel lightweight and leave no white cast, while framing Helene's no-sunscreen habit as one woman's story rather than advice.
3. Starting strength training in your seventies is realistic — Helene took up deadlifting and boxing with a trainer who was meticulous about form and back protection, and she calls it the most fun exercise she has ever done.
4. Nikol's age-celebrating makeup approach proves you do not need every step: she skips concealer entirely on Helene, relying on color correctors and a brightening powder to keep the look sheer and natural.
5. A silk pillowcase is one of the simplest skincare upgrades Nikol recommends — it protects skin, hair, brows, and lashes while you sleep.
6. The Fierce Aging philosophy is about enhancing and celebrating your age, not erasing it — Nikol encourages women to take only the steps that serve them and skip the rest.

What happens when a 75-year-old who never wore sunscreen sits in Nikol's chair?

The title of this episode stops most viewers mid-scroll — and that is exactly the point. Nikol's Fierce Aging series is built around candid conversations with real women who are living life on their own terms, and Helene delivers one of the most memorable moments in the entire series when she casually mentions that she has never owned a bottle of sunscreen. Nikol's reaction is equal parts laughter and genuine surprise: "You know the sunscreen police is going to lose it."

But the conversation is about far more than SPF. Helene is 75 and splits her year between Missouri and Florida. She works out at least three times a week — boxing, deadlifting, yoga — and only started paying attention to her skin at 70 after discovering skincare content on YouTube. She is the kind of woman who proves that age is not a countdown but a season, and Nikol uses the conversation to explore what it looks like when you decide to invest in yourself later in life rather than earlier.

Alongside the interview, Nikol creates a complete makeup look on Helene using face products, eye color, and lip finishes from the Nikol Beauty line. The tutorial is deliberately pared back — she skips concealer entirely — to demonstrate that a confident, polished look does not require every step in the book.

Why does Nikol encourage daily SPF even for women who have gone decades without it?

Nikol's position on sunscreen is one of the most consistent messages across her channel: she encourages every viewer to wear a daily SPF, regardless of age, skin tone, or how much time they spend outdoors. Her reasoning is straightforward — sun exposure is cumulative, and even small everyday moments like walking to the car, sitting near a window, or running errands add UV damage over months and years.

What makes the conversation with Helene compelling rather than preachy is Nikol's willingness to acknowledge that Helene's skin looks beautiful despite seventy-five years without sunscreen. She does not pretend otherwise. But she is also honest about the stakes: ultraviolet radiation is the single largest driver of visible aging, responsible for collagen breakdown, hyperpigmentation, thinning of the dermis, and an increased risk of skin-health concerns that a board-certified dermatologist should evaluate.

Nikol frames her SPF advice as general guidance rather than a medical prescription, and both women mention recent dermatologist visits — a reminder that professional evaluation matters more than any product recommendation. Her practical suggestion to Helene is simple: try a modern mineral sunscreen. The formulas have advanced dramatically, and the heavy, greasy, white-cast experience that turns so many people off is a relic of older chemical formulations, not a feature of the category.

For a deeper look at how Nikol integrates sun protection into a full routine, her guide to reapplying sunscreen over makeup covers the logistics step by step, and her affordable drugstore skincare picks include three SPF formats (mist, stick, and tinted fluid) matched to different moments in the day.

What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen — and why does Nikol prefer mineral?

Nikol tells Helene that the reason many women dislike sunscreen is the smell, weight, and greasy feel of older chemical formulas. Her preference is mineral sunscreen, and she explains why in practical rather than scientific terms: mineral filters sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays, while chemical filters absorb into the skin and convert UV energy to heat. For mature skin that tends toward sensitivity, dryness, or rosacea, the surface-level approach of a mineral formula is generally gentler.

The key point Nikol makes to Helene — and to viewers — is that the sunscreen category has changed. If your last experience with mineral SPF was a thick, chalky paste that sat on top of your skin like paint, you owe the category a second chance. Modern tinted mineral sunscreens feel closer to a serum than a cream, and they double as a skin-evening base layer that can replace or reduce the need for a separate foundation. Nikol's own morning routine starts with a mineral SPF as her base, and she treats it as so fundamental that she does not include it as a filmed step in her tutorials — she expects it to already be on.

For a full breakdown of which ingredients to look for on the back of a sunscreen bottle, Nikol's guide to the best skincare ingredients for mature skin covers zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and the supporting cast of actives that matter most after fifty.

How did Helene start deadlifting and boxing at 75?

Helene's fitness story is one of the most inspiring threads in the episode. She found a new trainer last summer who simply said, "I think you can do it." They started with lower weights, focused on meticulous form to protect her back, and built up gradually over a couple of months. The routine was structured as repeating three-minute sets: deadlift, box, do a third activity, then cycle back through. Helene calls it the most fun she has ever had with exercise.

When she travels to Florida for the winter, she switches to working out with a trainer at a local gym and having a yoga instructor come to her house once a week. She also tried Osteo Strong for bone density but found the drive to Sarasota impractical. Her goal is simple: keep moving in some form at least three times a week, whether that means a structured workout, an active day of planning and errands, or yoga at home.

Nikol asks whether the fitness changes have affected Helene's energy and outlook. Helene's answer is measured — she thinks it helps, and her goal is less about transformation than about finishing what she calls "the season" in good shape. She does not put herself on a timeline or think about "back nines." She plans for the current season, adjusts when she moves between Missouri and Florida, and keeps going.

The conversation is a quiet reminder that starting something new in your seventies is not about making up for lost time. It is about deciding that the current chapter is worth investing in. As always, Nikol notes that anyone considering a new fitness routine should check with their own doctor first.

What convinced Helene to start a skincare routine at 70?

YouTube. Helene is direct about it — she discovered skincare content online and decided to start taking care of her skin at seventy. Before that, she says she was "lucky if I went to bed with my face washed." The honesty is part of what makes the conversation resonate: there is no pretense that she has been doing a twelve-step routine since her twenties.

Her biggest takeaway from the change is that she feels better and looks better when she takes the time. Her husband noticed the improvement in her skin, which surprised her — she did not think he was paying attention. The psychological shift matters as much as the physical one: taking the time to care for yourself changes how you feel when you walk out the door, even if you are not sure other people notice.

Nikol adds a practical tip during this part of the conversation: switch to a silk pillowcase. It is one of the simplest upgrades you can make for your skin, hair, brows, and lashes. Cotton pillowcases create friction that can tug at delicate facial skin and pull on lashes, especially if you are using growth serums or have thinning brows. A silk surface lets everything glide, which means less mechanical stress overnight. Helene's mother apparently slept on silk pillowcases her entire life, but Helene never adopted the habit — until now.

If you are building your own routine from scratch the way Helene did, Nikol's complete skincare-and-makeup guide for women over 50 walks through every step from cleanser to setting spray, and her article on at-home skincare tools covers devices that can accelerate results without professional treatments.

What products did Nikol use for Helene's age-celebrating makeup look?

Nikol builds Helene's look around the principle of enhancement rather than coverage. She starts with hydration and an eye primer, works through the eyes first, then moves to the complexion — and deliberately skips concealer at the end because the color correctors did enough on their own. Here is the full product lineup:

For the brushes, Nikol works out of the Essential Makeup Brush Kit — ten brushes, all vegan — supplemented by the Angled Concealer Brush and the Foundation Buffing Brush. She also uses oil-free alme pads to clean up any eyeshadow fallout without disturbing the skin underneath.

How do you recreate Nikol's soft eye look step by step?

The eye portion of Helene's look is designed to be soft, slightly shimmery, and completely free of harsh lines. Here is the sequence Nikol follows:

1. Prime the eyes. Using a concealer brush, apply Eye Primer from the base of the lash line all the way up to the brow bone. This removes discoloration, creates a smooth canvas, and ensures eyeshadow reads true to color.
2. Shape the brows. With the Skinny Brow Pencil in soft gray, follow the existing brow shape and add pigment where it has faded. The goal is definition, not a drawn-on look.
3. Apply the base shadow. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, press the middle shade from the Naughty Nancy palette across the lid. This shade has a soft sheen — not matte — to give life to the eyes.
4. Add a wash of light. Flip the brush and sweep the lightest shade across the lid and up toward the brow bone. This creates dimension without intensity.
5. Define the crease and outer corner. With a tapered blending brush (almost pencil-shaped), apply the darkest shade at the outer corners and work it into the crease. Do not worry if it looks too dark at this stage.
6. Blend everything together. Using the eyeshadow blending brush in gentle swirling motions, melt all three shades into each other. This is the step that eliminates demarcation lines and creates a seamless gradient.
7. Line the upper lash. Apply navy waterproof eyeliner right at the base of the lash line, dragging toward the outer corner with a light stroke. Navy is a softer alternative to black that pairs beautifully with warm neutral shadows.
8. Smudge the liner. Using a short smudge brush, drag across the liner to soften it. There should be no jumps or hard edges — just a diffused line of color.
9. Balance the lower lash. Apply the same navy pencil to roughly three-quarters of the lower lash line, then smudge with the same brush. This gives the eye balance without heaviness.
10. Finish with mascara. Apply Volume Up Mascara to the upper lashes. The specialized wand grabs the fine baby lashes that standard brushes roll over, giving visible lift and fullness.

The entire eye look uses three eyeshadow shades, one liner, and one mascara. Nikol's point is that you do not need a complicated palette or a dozen steps — a few well-chosen products applied with intention create a look that is both polished and age-appropriate.

Why did Nikol skip concealer — and when can you skip it too?

One of the most notable choices in this tutorial is what Nikol leaves out. After applying the Just Peachy Color Corrector under the eyes and setting it with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder, she pauses, evaluates Helene's skin, and decides that concealer is unnecessary. The color corrector — which contains shea butter and has a slightly luminous finish — has already neutralized the darkness and the BB Cream has evened the overall tone.

This is a philosophy Nikol returns to throughout the Fierce Aging series: less is more when it comes to mature skin. Heavy layers of concealer can settle into fine lines within hours, creating the opposite of the smooth, youthful effect you intended. By using a targeted color corrector (green for redness, peach for darkness) and a sheer BB Cream buffed in with a swirling motion, you address the specific concerns without blanketing the entire face in product.

You might be able to skip concealer if your color correctors are doing the heavy lifting, your BB Cream or foundation provides enough coverage to unify the tone, and you set the under-eye area with a finely milled brightening powder. The test is simple: apply everything else first, then look in a mirror and ask whether the concealer step would add or subtract. If the answer is "it would look the same or heavier," skip it.

What are the most common mistakes women over 70 make with skincare and sun protection?

1. Assuming it is too late to start a skincare routine. Helene began at 70 and saw visible results. Skin responds to consistent care at every age — improved hydration, better texture, and reduced redness are possible within weeks of starting a basic routine.
2. Avoiding sunscreen because of a bad experience with an older formula. The heavy, greasy, white-cast sunscreens of the past are not representative of modern mineral options. Nikol describes today's formulas as lightweight, invisible, and even beautiful on the skin.
3. Thinking that indoor time means no UV exposure. UVA rays penetrate windows, and everyday moments — walking to the car, sitting near a sunny window, running errands — add cumulative damage over months and years.
4. Applying too many layers of coverage instead of targeted correction. Nikol's approach with Helene is strategic: green corrector on redness, peach corrector under the eyes, a sheer BB Cream to unify, and a brightening powder to set. Four thin layers do more than one thick layer of foundation.
5. Skipping the eye primer. On mature skin, eyeshadow without a primer fades within hours, creases into fine lines, and reads muddy rather than vibrant. The primer step takes thirty seconds and extends the life of the entire eye look.
6. Using a cotton pillowcase and wondering why skin looks creased in the morning. Silk reduces friction on the face, hair, brows, and lashes. It is one of the simplest overnight skincare upgrades, and it costs less than most serums.
7. Stopping physical activity because of age-related concerns. Helene's trainer started her with low weights and meticulous form, and the progression was gradual. Movement supports circulation, which supports skin health — the two are connected.

The bottom line

Helene's story is proof that it is never too late — to start a skincare routine, to try deadlifting, or to sit in a makeup chair and discover that you look beautiful with less product than you expected. Nikol's Fierce Aging series exists to celebrate women exactly where they are, and this episode delivers on that promise: an honest conversation about sunscreen (wear it, mineral preferred, see your dermatologist), a fitness journey that started at 75, and a makeup tutorial that reminds you the best look is the one that lets your face — not the product — be the star.

Ready to build your own age-celebrating look? Start with Nikol's best-sellers, explore the color correctors that made concealer optional in this tutorial, or browse the full classics collection for everyday staples.

Frequently asked questions

Does Nikol recommend wearing sunscreen every day?

Yes. Nikol encourages daily SPF as general guidance for everyone, noting that sun exposure is cumulative and adds up even from small everyday moments like walking to the car. She favors modern mineral sunscreens that feel lightweight and no longer leave a white cast. For personalized advice about your skin's health, she points viewers to a board-certified dermatologist.

What does Nikol say about mineral versus chemical sunscreen?

Nikol prefers mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) because they sit on the skin's surface, start working immediately, and are gentler on sensitive or reactive mature skin. She says many women dislike sunscreen because of the weight and smell of older chemical formulas, and that modern mineral options have resolved those complaints. This is her general preference shared as guidance, not a medical claim.

Is it too late to start skincare or exercise in your 70s?

Helene's experience suggests it is not. She began a real skincare routine at 70, took up deadlifting and boxing at 75, and works out at least three times a week. She reports feeling better, looking better, and even receiving compliments from her husband on her skin. Nikol always notes that anyone starting a new fitness routine should check with their own doctor first.

Why did Nikol skip concealer in Helene's makeup look?

After applying the Just Peachy Color Corrector under the eyes, buffing in the BB Cream, and setting with Nikita Banana Brightening Powder, Nikol evaluated Helene's skin and decided concealer was unnecessary. The color correctors had already neutralized darkness and redness, and adding concealer would have created unnecessary heaviness. Nikol emphasizes that less is often more on mature skin, where thick layers can settle into fine lines.

What is the Fierce Aging series about?

Fierce Aging is Nikol's YouTube and blog series that celebrates women and their age rather than trying to make them look younger. Each episode features a real woman — from her forties to her seventies and beyond — and pairs an honest conversation about aging with a makeup tutorial designed to enhance natural beauty. The philosophy is that confidence comes from embracing your age, not erasing it.

Why does Nikol use navy eyeliner instead of black?

Navy is a softer alternative to black or charcoal that adds definition without harshness. On Helene, Nikol chose it to complement the blue jacket she was wearing and to bring a spring-ready freshness to the look. Navy pairs especially well with warm neutral eyeshadow palettes like Naughty Nancy and works beautifully on women with lighter eye colors or those who find black liner too stark.

What is the benefit of using a silk pillowcase for mature skin?

Silk creates less friction than cotton, which means less tugging on delicate facial skin, brows, and lashes while you sleep. Over time, this reduced mechanical stress can help minimize sleep creases, protect thinning brows, and extend the life of lash serums or growth treatments. Nikol calls it one of the best skincare secrets and recommends it as an easy, affordable upgrade that benefits both skin and hair.

Can color correctors really replace concealer?

In many cases, yes. Nikol demonstrates this directly in the episode: the No Redness Beauty Stix (green) cancels redness across the face, while Just Peachy (peach) neutralizes under-eye darkness and covers sunspots. When these targeted corrections are followed by a sheer BB Cream and set with a brightening powder, the result can be even and natural enough that concealer adds nothing. The key is using the right corrector color for the concern — green for redness, peach for darkness — rather than trying to cover everything with one product.

What advice does Helene give to women approaching 50?

Helene has two daughters approaching 50, and her advice to them is to spend less time in the sun — both for their health and for their skin. More broadly, she encourages taking the time to care for yourself, whether that means starting a skincare routine, finding a form of exercise you enjoy, or simply making space in your schedule for maintenance. Her core message is that you are "working on the end game" and that finishing the journey in good shape requires deliberate effort.

Where can I find more Fierce Aging episodes and mature makeup tutorials?

Nikol's blog features multiple Fierce Aging conversations alongside detailed tutorials. For a full morning-to-night routine, see her complete skincare-and-makeup guide for women over 50. For skincare science, read her breakdown of the best ingredients for mature skin. And for at-home treatments between appointments, explore her guide to the skincare tools she uses instead of Botox and fillers.