The Age of Becoming: How 56 & Beyond Can Be Your Boldest Chapter Yet
Remember the significance of reaching a milestone birthday? Turning 10 and finally joining the ranks of double digits, officially becoming a teenager at 13, or hitting 16 when the world opened up with a driver’s license in hand. Then there was 18—the age of independence, where you could vote, head off to college, and start shaping your future. And who could forget 21, when you could finally toast to adulthood, or 25, when renting a car was the last barrier to cross? Each of these birthdays was a milestone, filled with excitement, possibility, and a sense of achievement.
But then what? As we approach 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and beyond, that excitement often turns into something else. I’ll be honest—I was afraid of turning 50, like I might fall off a cliff. It felt as if society was holding up a "Thelma and Louise" sign, where age was the edge of a precipice I was destined to drive off. But what if, instead of falling, we get to design a life worth living? What if, instead of letting these numbers define us, we began to turn them into adjectives that celebrated who we are becoming each year?
Rewriting the Book on Birthdays
Imagine turning 40 and calling it your "Fierce Forty"—a year where confidence blossoms and self-assuredness becomes your defining trait. Or reaching 50 and embracing it as your "Fearless Fifty," a time to break boundaries, take risks, and live boldly. What if 60 became your "Savvy Sixty," where wisdom and daring converge, pushing you to explore new possibilities? And why stop there?
Imagine your 70s as the "Spirited Seventies," where accumulated knowledge fuels bold new adventures. Your 80s could be the "Daring Eighties," a decade where you break the mold, embracing the freedom to live as you choose. And how about the "Next-Level Nineties," where grace, courage, and the wisdom of experience redefine what it means to age and live life to the fullest?
Instead of seeing these years as milestones to dread, let’s transform each birthday moving forward into opportunities to grow, evolve, and take on life’s next big challenges.
As I celebrate my 56th birthday today, I’m reminded that this day is a celebration for all of us who are committed to growing, evolving, and blooming beautifully at every stage of life and I celebrate those who are boldly living!
The Awakening: Embracing the Perennial Spirit
As I journeyed through some of these milestone years, each one reshaping my identity and purpose, I encountered a harsh truth: society often suggests that a woman’s worth diminishes with age. We see it in the way older actresses are overlooked for roles, replaced by younger faces, and in how accomplished women are often sidelined or made to feel invisible once they reach a certain decade of life. This pervasive message tells us that after a certain point, we are no longer useful, no longer relevant.
But then, on the eve of my 49th birthday, I stumbled upon a concept in a Telegraph article that would forever change how I viewed aging and vitality: the concept of being a Perennial coined by Gina Pell.
Perennials aren’t just plants that bloom year after year—they are women who continue to grow, thrive, and remain significant at any age. These are the women who defy societal expectations, who are "ever-blooming, relevant people of all ages who live in the present time, know what’s happening in the world, stay current with technology, and have friends of all ages. They get involved, stay curious, mentor others, are passionate, compassionate, creative, confident, collaborative, global-minded risk-takers who continue to push up against their growing edge and know how to hustle."
This idea resonated deeply with me, offering a new lens through which to view my own journey and the journeys of those around me. Aging is no longer something to be feared or hidden; instead, it is a journey of continuous growth where we can remain vibrant, relevant, and ever-blooming at any age.
This is the mindset I carry forward now, and the inspiration I hope to inspire within you.
A Call to Action: Join the Perennial Movement
Today, I’m not asking for traditional birthday wishes—I’m inviting you to celebrate with me by sharing a picture that captures your most vibrant, unstoppable self.
Show us what being a Perennial looks like through your eyes here using the hashtag #PerennialBeauty and tag @GenuistBeauty, and let’s fill our feeds with images and stories that inspire and defy age.
This isn’t about growing older; it’s about glowing bolder as we share the undeniable truth that beauty has no expiration date and that each chapter of life offers a new chance to radiate with even more brilliance.
Genuist Beauty: A Reflection of Your Ever-Evolving Journey
Genuist Beauty isn’t just another beauty brand—it’s a celebration of the values we hold dear, a commitment to honoring the unique path each of us walks. Developed for women who seek beauty that reflects their truest, authentic selves, our products are designed not to conceal, but to illuminate that radiance that comes from within. This is for every woman who desires to shine on the outside as brightly as she feels on the inside.
Our tagline, "Beauty for the Forever Blooming," perfectly captures this sentiment, and Genuist Beauty is about more than just looking good—it’s about embracing your story, your evolution, and the beauty that grows richer with each new chapter of your life.
Every product we create is crafted with the intention of enhancing your natural beauty, and celebrating your journey with authenticity. At Genuist Beauty, we believe in beauty that transcends time, empowering you to bloom beautifully at every age and stage of life.
A Perennial Pledge: Alyson’s Birthday Wish
On this special day, as I celebrate another year of life, my deepest wish is for each of you to embrace the Perennial spirit within. Join me in this celebration by sharing a photo that captures what being a Perennial means to you—use the hashtag #PerennialBeauty and tag @GenuistBeauty.
I pledge to continue bringing you stories that resonate, products that empower, and inspiration that lights your way forward. Together, let’s turn every year into a celebration of the beauty that comes with age—honoring each milestone, cherishing every story, and embracing the endless possibilities that await us.
My wish is for all of us to move forward with courage, to bloom brilliantly, and to live with unshakable purpose, today and always. This is our journey, one we’ll walk together, forever blooming.
Also, be sure to follow our journey in Paris and the photoshoot that celebrates the Perennial movement and the launch of Genuist Beauty here.
