Jennifer Chiu
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The thing I'm finally doing at 40 👉 👀

The thing I'm finally doing at 40 👉 👀

5 beauty mistakes I wish I knew sooner, the extreme thing I'm doing for my health and why I'm finally taking my 40s seriously.

Jennifer Chiu
January 15, 2026

Hi beautiful,

The time has come…

I'm officially turning 40 next month. 🤯

Like what? How did that happen?

If you're an 86 baby, I see you 👋

I've been doing a lot of thinking about entering my 40s and it's been a mix of good, awkward, and straight up uncertainty.

So here we are, finally doing something about it.

This week I’m spilling:

🙅🏻‍♀️ The mistakes I was making with my skin (and how I fixed them)
🔥 Why I’m doing something extreme in my house
💫 The reading that changed everything about how I see this year

20s: doing what I thought I should

40s: doing what actually works

The mistakes I made…

My skin has been holding grudges. 😠

I already started noticing things in my mid 30s when it came to my skin.

Here are the things I wish I knew before my face started giving me signs.

1. Why I skip heavy matte foundation
I used to pile on heavy foundation thinking more = better but it just made me look cakey. I switched to this luminous blurring foundation (shade 3.5) with this brightening concealer (shade 2 neutral) and it's so lightweight but still gives coverage. My skin has that IRL filter with this combo. ☀️ Tip: Less product = more natural glow.

2. The color mistake I made for 20 years
In my 20s I'd mix and match lip and blush colors and look a mess. Now I'm monochromatic with this blurring powder blush (shade 44 is perfection) and this plumping lip oil in pitaya. It’s crazy what a good lip + cheek combo can do!
Tip: Match your lip and cheek tones for instant polish.

3. My mom was right (she's 65 and looks 45)
My mom told me your 20s products don't work the same in your 40s. She swears by this Japanese clarifying cleansing foam (which she’s probably used for over a decade!) and this multi-active glow serum help make her skin glow. Girls, the shake to activate serums are back, and they are better than ever!
Tip: I use this sonic cleansing brush everyday, so affordable and I’ve had it over a year!

4. The serum everyone keeps asking me about
Babe, you should have started this yesterday. 😅 I've noticed a dramatic difference using this 7% ectoin serum combined with the pro collagen peptide moisturizer. This is going to change your skin. Friends say to me “How do you not age?!" but girl, I do age, I feel 70 but I'm not gonna let my skin look it.
Tip: Layer serums under moisturizer for maximum hydration.

5. Red light changed my life
People keep asking if I got work done, I tell them it’s red light therapy. It has helped my skin so much. I use this LED red light mask while watching TV and I’m absolutely in love with my Japanese infrared spa styler. My skin looks tighter and my hair is stronger and shinier (after heat styling!) 🔥 Tip: Use your red light mask while doing anything else, it's only 10 minutes!

My body was over it…

Something shifted when I hit 40.

Exhausted but can't sleep. Hormonal moods (sorry, not sorry) and zero energy by 3pm. 😩

But here's what's actually helping.

1. The workout that doesn't feel like work
I play tennis twice a week. It's cardio that's actually fun, my arms look toned, and the mental clarity after is better than therapy. I’d much rather play tennis than go for a run. Find your tennis, or whatever it may be.
Tip: Calendar it like any other important meeting.

2. The research that convinced me to do something wild
I watched a video about saunas at 2am and the research blew my mind. Better heart health, glowing skin, deeper sleep, less inflammation, mental clarity. Ok installing one in my house might be extreme so I'm starting with this infrared sauna blanket instead. Baby steps!
Tip: Start with 10 minute sessions, don't be a hero.

3. The cold plunge trend I'm skipping
I know cold plunges are everywhere right now, but after trying it a few times? Not for me. My Chinese mom would say "you're letting too much cold into your body, keep your body warm and the only time you should be cool is when you're sleeping!" Mom knows.
Tip: Listen to your body, not every wellness trend is for everyone.

4. The sleep game changer I needed
I thought 8 hours = good sleep. Yes…BUT! I started taking this mind + muscle magnesium powder before bed (it dissolves in water and actually tastes good) and the difference in my sleep quality is wild. I'm getting actual deep sleep now and waking up less groggy. This is my sleepy-girl mocktail.
Tip: Take magnesium 30-60 minutes before you want to sleep.

Sometimes they say exactly what we need.

I almost cried…

Picture this:

I asked my 5 year old… 👦🏻

"Sweetie, do you think mom looks better with makeup or without makeup?"

He said, “Without mama, you're beautiful, just like Elsa." 🫠

I almost cried. 🥹

Here I am, about to turn 40 next month and my son just gave me boost I really needed.

So I must be doing something right. lol.

When I was 20, forty sounded old. Now that I'm here? I feel young, like I'm just starting. ✨

But the last few years? They were exhausting. Two young kids. Burnout I kept ignoring. Pushing until there was nothing left.

Being a mom means always tired became my normal and I don't want that anymore.

Then I read this horoscope (stay with me). It said the last 3 years for Pisces were rough, really rough. And this year? Things shift in our favor. ♓️

True or not, it gave me permission to believe there's light ahead.

This year I'm doing things differently: