Ten Ways to Look Younger

Easy and (almost) painless ways to take a decade off your age. No knives, epic costs, or recovery time required. Yes, really.

2. TRX STRENGTH TRAINING
Mention the words “lean muscle mass” and almost any fitness-savvy person will likely launch into a passionate soliloquy about how important it is to your overall well-being. But even the less-ripped among us are probably aware of the research findings: Lean muscle mass increases metabolism, boosts stamina, builds strength, and supports longevity. But the other (far more important) fact is that developing it can require an enormous time investment.

“People just don’t have a lot of time,” says personal trainer Andrew Lombard of Revolution Fitness. “They’re looking for a workout they can come in and do just on their lunch break, and still get noticeable results.” So for those more concerned with time crunches than oblique crunches, Lombard suggests a workout on the TRX Suspension Trainer.

The mechanics behind the TRX are simple: Two heavy-duty nylon straps are anchored to a single point, allowing the user to go through a sequence of movements, called progressions, while leveraging body weight to create resistance. But what’s remarkable about the TRX is how efficient it is. Because you need to use your core to continually stabilize yourself as you’re working other body parts, it’s a constant abdominal workout (making additional ab exercises unnecessary). And unlike weight training, the machine also increases flexibility and aerobic capacity as it builds lean muscle.

“The complete workout, from warmup to training to cool-down, takes 45 minutes,” Lombard explains. “You’re pushing yourself, but staying in control and using the exercises in a way that’s safe but challenging.”

Our test-drive clocked in at precisely 47 minutes (including time for plenty of instructions from Lombard), and left us gratifyingly sore and tight for three days following the workout — which had us wondering what miracles several sessions could work. $240 for 12 lessons over 6 weeks; Revolution Fitness, 209 Columbus Ave., Boston, 617-536-3006, revfitboston.com.

3. BALAYAGE HAIR COLORING
Sure, we’ve been briefed on the less-glamorous points of dealing with that sometimes-cruel power couple, Mother Nature and Father Time. But no one, and we mean no one, warns you about the seemingly endless game of “hide the roots” that comes after stepping into the world of hair coloring. As the years roll by, trying to keep up your hair color can leave locks dull, lifeless, and looking older than they ever did precoloring.

To break the cycle, the France-born balayage process does away with the most notorious culprit when it comes to demarcated root lines: the foil. Instead, color is applied to the hair with a brush using gentle, sweeping motions — lighter near the roots and heavier at the midlength and tips — to mimic the way sunlight would hit the strands. And since the balayage process uses less product on the hair, not as much of your mane is affected by chemicals, which reduces the possibility of cuticle damage from overdyeing.

“Balayage adds a more-youthful look, because it appears to be more natural,” says Lisa Evans, a veteran colorist at Salon Mario Russo’s Newbury Street location. “It gives a more-organic and healthy look than foils, with less overall upkeep.” Evans also points out that the process eliminates the possibility for cookie-cutter color results: “Because the product is applied freehand to the hair, you’re getting a personalized color. If you and a friend spent the day at the beach, your hair wouldn’t look the same when you got home.” $185–$350; Salon Mario Russo, 9 Newbury St., Boston, 617-424-6676, mariorusso.com.