Help Help Help - I've aged so much!

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

God I need help. not yet 40, just lost a bit of weight and whilst happy about that I've aged so much! I look at least 45. It just doesn't seem like me when I look in the mirror and see all the wrinkles, droopy eyes, eyebags etc staring back at me!

Help needed on two points - anti - ageing strategy, creams, botox? etc

How to just accept growing my rapidly declining looks without feeling so bloody down about it!

I'm new to this board and anti ageing, I know I should have started years ago. I have sensitive skin and have just stuck with the same cheap moisturisers I know I can tolerate for years. Also makeup - I need new makeup no doubt, where can I learn about that?

Really appreciate any advice out there!

[AmandaPandtheNightmareMonsters]

What make up do you currently use - the experts on here will want to know...

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

Cheap Loreal foundation - luminere or something I think - no concealer as my skin is really clear but I think I need something for under my eyes now which does accentuate the wrinkles. I have a bare minerals bronzer which I really like and a loreal deep bronzy red blusher. It's my eyes which I really need to change - my make up looks too heavy now - eyeliner and eyeshadow - plummy colours (It used to look great :( ) Light shimmery lipstick (I have quite full lips dark shades look too much)

I have longish blonde hair (dyed) and wonder if this is ageing me - though I always felt so drab when I went darker. God I'm so depressed...

[Mumelie]

Feel your pain - it happened to me too! I lost a few stone and aged 10 years overnight - esp my eyes. My dyed blonde hair has gone a little darker with lowlights which has helped reduce the shadows.
I just got colour matched at the No7 counter and the foundation they sold me does look a lot better on my skin than what I had, much lighter in texture. Maybe try that.
Hope someone can come along an recommend something to conceal the undereye bags/wrinkles/dark circles [shocked]

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

mumelie thank you for the sympathy and advice.

Life's a bitch isn't it! Was looking forward to showing off my new figure on a night out this weekend then realised I have turned middle aged over night!

[evertonmint]

What's your skincare routine?

[Vintagebeads]

On the concealer,I used Touch Eclait for ages and I now use the Aldi concealer pen,I noticed no difference in coverage,so it makes the Aldi one great value.
It would suit you as you have clear skin,and it helps brighten under the eyes.

[feelinlucky]

Hi op, I also feel your pain. I absolutely look my best and get compliments when I've exercised, drank plenty of water and had a good sleep. My skin looks amazing after a good cardio workout. Also, have done Botox if you're not against it. I love it. The only downfall is I can't always afford it. It doesn't make a crazy difference but definitely contributes to the overall look. I only have my elevensies and it does make me feel a whole lot better. I've used all manner of moisturisers but nothing beats oil of olay. A good primer under your foundation and always put concealer/highlighter under your eyes. I am a complete aldi's own convert.

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

Thanks all. everton i don't really have one, remove makeup with cleanser on a night, moisturise ( oil of olay everday stuff) on a morning. I need to get around to exfoliating as I know it makes a difference. vintage i don't have an Aldi locally but will try and seek one out for the concealer, does it look like touche eclat, will I know which one it is?

feelin I'm doing the exercise and water, I could definitely use more sleep!

I'm not against botox but was hoping i'd get past 40! The worst area is directly under my eyes, assume there was a fat pad there and now I lost weight it's several deep wrinkles when I smile. Can they inject the skin under the eyes, looks delicate?

How much does it cost, how long does it last? I imagine it's addictive.

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

Have taken a load of selfies ( updating profile pic on Linkedin) horrifying! Having looked through them, the blonde has got to change, looks too much now. Bugger as I only had it done last week!

Christ how can this happen so quickly, misspent youth catching up with me and too little care too late? I should have listened to my mother!

[GobblersKnob]

Buy this and do it every day without fail.

[Lagoonablue]

Cut your hair shorter? Have a fringe? Can often work wonders.

[Littlefiendsusan]

Yy to the fringe suggestion,I've been told I look younger with my new fringe (took the hairdresser a while to get it how I liked though) ,and my wrinkly forehead is hidden.

Intrigued about your nn op, is it Bb inspired?

[Vintagebeads]

The Aldi one is like touche eclait,it's in pen all black.
The thing with Aldi is they don't do selection,in anything so you will have no problem mixing it up with something else.

[sighbynight]

I have recently found that changing the light above the bathroom mirror for a lower wattage bulb has made me look much, much better. And inexpensive compared to botox.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

Gobblers, am intrigued seeing that link; I've often looked in to facial exercises as Botox is never going to be an option for me, but whichever system you look at there always seems to be someone claiming it made their face worse, or that the guru has had surgery.

How long have you been doing it? Does it really work?
(Sorry to hijack, op).
Oh, and can you plump out sunken eyebags?

[Vibbe]

Touche eclat is not really a concealer. It's more of a highlighter.

It would be far easier to help if you showed a picture. But I also completely understand why you might not want to on a public forum.

Loads of makeup artists like Wayne Goss, Lisa Eldridge and so on have done videos of makeup for mature skin. I'll find some links if you want them.

General ideas could be:
Push liner instead of eyeliner. I can find a link to a video if you don't know what it is.
Lighter eyeshadows - not too light though.
Eyeshadows with less glitter.
Blusher that matches your lipstick - a lighter colour can look more youthful and the two things matching more will tie the whole look together.
Lipstick that's a tone darker than your lips ('my lips but better' kind of colour) - and without too much shimmer.
Maybe your brows could do with colouring and shaping. The older we get, the thinner the brows tend to get. So brows in the right colour and not too thin can look very youthful.
A proper concealer (there are videos on the internet for concealing).
Highlighting and contouring (videos can also be found for this).

If you're not using SPF on a daily basis, you should - even if some damage has already been done.
And the ingredients and other things that actually make a difference: www.carolinehirons.com/2010/08/beauty-mouth-dissects-anti-ageing.html

[BigDomsWife]

I started using 100% organic Argan Oil and ditched the chemical rich moisturisers. For me it has worked, Im told I look younger and feel young. You can use it on your Hands, face Neck as well as Hair, for the Mummy Tummy stretched skin. It is the Beez.

[Mumelie]

Yes yes to a fringe - I'm having one cut in next week - cheaper than Botox (for now)!

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

sighby i have considered getting rid of all the mirrors. Thanks for all the responses and links. Will look into the facial exercises. If I can do then at the same time as clenching my pelvic floor I'll solve two problems at once.

Thank you for the makeup tips vibbe I'll get on youtube and do some research. I do paint on my brows but think they are too dark and harsh at the mo.

I've spent 5 years growing my hair out from a short cut but will have a look at a fringe, anything that will help!

little yes bb, i know it's wrong isn't it. No spoilers please I'm only on series three!

Lots to look into tomorrow, can't turn back time but hopeful now I can make some improvements thanks :)

[HappyGirlNow]

Jesse, I have one word for you - FILLERS! Get them in your cheeks, they'll lift your whole face and get rid of the crepey skin. I'm 40 and that was exactly my problem too.. Seriously, it's amazing. Botox won't help loss of fullness..

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

Thank you! As you're happynow assume they worked. Will also look into. This is my new favourite board on MN will be hanging out here lots!

[HappyGirlNow]

It's amazing and instantaneous! Best thing ever

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

How much? How long do they last and where do you get them done?

[HappyGirlNow]

It was £300 for cheeks and she used a little of that to inject the sides of my mouth as they were downturned. I had mine done 3 months ago - believe it lasts 8 months to a year. It's a skin rejuvenation clinic run by a nurse.

[Jesseismysecretcrush]

Thanks happy will investigate. Right I'd better earn some money!

First plan of attack:

Exfoliate
Better face cream
Concealer
Make up lessons ( youtube)
More sleep
Tone down hair colour, look into new cut.
Look into facial exercises.

I will do all of above and some new selfies in a month to assess difference - thinking this will be a fun experiment.

If still shocking look into botox and fillers!