Check any shopping mall and you’ll see identical long manes on moms and their college-bound daughters. And whether you like it or not, most men do prefer long-ish hair (just ask any dating service counselor).

Spurred on by glamorous celebs in their 40s, 50s, and 60s like Demi Moore, Christie Brinkley, and Goldie Hawn, we’re actually growing our hair at the age we used to think about cutting it. I know from years of working on shoots in studio that even stars and ex-supermodels deal with age-related thinning, dryness, and damage from color, highlights, blow-dryers, and flat-irons. Extensions (a well-kept secret of many) are really expensive and annoyingly difficult to maintain (plus can you imagine a man running his hands through your hair and coming away with what looks like a pelt?).

Like us, they’re always looking for repair products and solutions to keep the scissors at bay. These three and the changes they encourage will improve the quality of your hair. Grab them in multiples before your friends snap them up — they’re that good.

1. Shampoo less frequently and use a dry shampoo like Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser ($29 at sephora.com) to freshen your scalp and hair, plus add lots of volume between washes. It doubles the look of your hair better than any thickening spray and eliminates the stress of daily heat-styling. This is now my all-around favorite styling product.

I think it was the fabulous Bette Davis who said growing older is not for sissies. Well, it’s not for fashionistas who like their trends with a second-skin fit, either.

But now that Spanx has taken over our universe, even late night Ben & Jerry binges and pasta-crazed vacations in Italy don’t keep us from our pencil skirts and matte jersey DVF dresses.

There’s a real sense of communal joy when women talk about body-shapers now. Instead of embarrassed whispers of “do I look fat in this?” we’re whooping it up in the dressing rooms at Saks and Bloomies. We’re sharing our latest control-garments the way we used to trade info about gynecologists and colorists.

Of course it helps that the word “girdle” is never mentioned. I came late to the party, preferring teeny thongs and lacey demi-bras no matter what the outcome.

Then one day last May beneath my Dolce & Gabbana sheath was a little pooch I couldn’t deny.

Maybe Susan Sarandon or Kim Cattrall could have pulled it off, but I slipped on my first Spanx Hide & Sleek Full Slip ($72, pictured) and was reborn.

Are they sexy? Well, the slips and camis are, especially in black. But the panties and bodysuits are more empowering than sensual, so choose your poison and know when to wear what.

Recently I did a little investigative undercover work and found some new favorites. Try what I consider these five essential pieces and let me know what you think. All are available at department stores right now:

Yummie Tummy Hip Length Shapewear Tank ($62)

A perfect layering piece to sandwich between others and wear out over jeans; the flattening tummy panel is undetectable to the eye. Get it in chocolate and navy and no one’s the wiser.

Sassybax Torso Trim Camisole with Underwire ($75)

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, and yet another condition is so prevalent that certain stores should be labeled “dangerous to your health.”

That plague is shopping fever.

Resistant to economic strain, relationship turbulence, and toxic workplace politics, it’s easy to catch in late August or early September.

A diagnosis becomes apparent via your credit card statement weeks after symptoms first appear. At this time you may seem to have developed selective amnesia.

“I didn’t buy this did I?”

There is no cure. As a beauty and fashion editor, I see collections months before they arrive in stores, so by the time they do, I’m nearly over it (having mentally worn and rejected nearly every trend). Shoes and bags are irresistible since they genuinely give last year’s wardrobe and jeans a new look with the least amount of effort, but a few trendy clothing items can also provide a fast update.

For now, the shopping list is short, sane, and in the safe black hue of 90 % of my closet (I can’t splurge until I’m truly in love with an item) but stay tuned:

A High Heel Black Bootie

I thought I’d never want these again, but ankle-cropped booties do look great with opaque tights and tailored skirts, dresses, or stretch pants like the ones below. Open-toe versions are the hotties in this category. Manolo Blahnik’s black patent booties are fabulous at $785 but I ended up with a KORS Michael Kors croc-embossed pair for $380. I visualize them as lasting one season — not a major commitment.

Black Stirrup Pants