Loida Lewis, a lawyer and businesswoman, recently shared her secrets to a vibrant life in her book, *Look Younger When You’re Older — No Botox, No Surgery*. Her journey, however, extends far beyond beauty; it’s rooted in a life of extraordinary achievement and resilience.
Lewis is the widow of Reginald Lewis, a pioneering African-American businessman who transformed Beatrice Foods – the company behind beloved brands like Swiss Miss – into a billion-dollar empire, TLC Beatrice International Holdings Inc. After his untimely death, she skillfully led the company before ultimately selling it in the late 1990s.
A legal trailblazer, Lewis was the first Asian woman educated outside the US to pass the New York State Bar. She’s also the author of *Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?*, a memoir detailing her life, love, and career. It was during the book tour for this memoir that she consistently encountered disbelief when revealing her age.
“I was met with shock and awe every time I revealed that I am 80,” Lewis recounted. People were captivated, constantly asking about her lifestyle and the methods behind her youthful appearance and enduring energy.
Her new book delves into her beauty regimen, offering a surprising mix of luxury and practicality. While she appreciates high-end brands like Chanel and Guerlain, she also champions the effectiveness of a local Filipino product, Eskinol, as a makeup remover.
Beyond specific products, Lewis emphasizes foundational habits like consistent hydration – drinking plenty of water and using facial mists. Her approach isn’t merely about aesthetics; it’s a holistic philosophy encompassing mind, body, and spirit.
This isn’t a typical beauty guide from a figure known for her business acumen and philanthropic work. Lewis explains that the book represents her overall life philosophy, dedicating a chapter to her spiritual life, including cherished prayers and Bible verses.
She also details her practice of Zen meditation and reflects on the importance of relationships with friends and family, as well as her commitment to various causes. The book offers a candid and comforting guide to navigating life’s later years, written in a warm, conversational style.
“In the end, we are body and soul,” Lewis asserts. “You cannot only work on the body, you have to work on the soul. Do good things.” She stresses that there are no quick fixes, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort and dedication to each aspect of her recommended approach.
Lewis didn’t shy away from addressing current events, offering a strong opinion on recent US immigration policies. As a Filipino-American, she expressed deep concern, stating that the President’s actions were “out of his mind,” unconstitutional, and a violation of basic decency.
She didn’t mince words, describing the policies as “uncouth,” “rude,” and “all of it,” revealing a passionate commitment to justice and fairness.
Ultimately, Lewis’s book is a testament to a life lived fully, a blend of practical advice, spiritual insight, and unwavering conviction. It’s a reminder that true vitality comes from nurturing both the body and the soul, and from living a life of purpose and meaning.
