Beauty are we fooling ourselves?

[Fairyliz]

I am in my 50s and have been a beauty junkie for over 40 years! During that time I must have spent thousands of pounds on hundreds of products for hair, face and body, ranging from the very cheap to very expensive.
However if you met me you would just see an ordinary looking woman who looks her age. I dont look gorgeous or particularly young for my age. In fact what I look like is very similar to my mum at my age and she has spent very little on beauty products.

So at the end of the day is it all down to genes and the products are a waste of time? What do you think?

[lurkingaround]

Yes to fooling ourselves. Well done beauty products maketing and advertising. Except for sunscreen.

Genes, good diet, no smoking.

[InternationalPower]

I agree. I think there is value in taking care of ourselves, plenty of sleep, exercise, good food, regular haircuts, taking time for ourselves and our relationships - looking presentable rather than neglected, well rather than knackered, happy not miserable, but lotions and potions, even if they do make a slight difference it's nowhere near enough to justify the time and money spent on them.

I know a genuine smile on my face makes me look a million times better (and younger) than any amount of face cream

[InternationalPower]

And absolutely no smoking lurking. Everyone I know who smokes looks at least 10 years older than they should. I'm surprised the anti smoking people don't use this more

[IsabelleRinging]

Yes, and alcohol is massively aging too!

[Antidote]

I agree, smiling helps. Nowt so aging as a boot face! I do think that a few potions or a bit of make up can help you feel confident, which helps you look better but not necessarily younger.

[lurkingaround]

And apparently sugar is almost as bad as smoking. Which is flipping disastrous not good news for me as I am a sugar desserts biscuits chocolate fiend rather partial to a little sugar.

[Roshbegosh]

Stress is ageing I think. I am a firm believer in making an effort though, if I leave my haircut and colour too long I look dreadful and a bit of blusher, lippy and mascara makes a world of difference. Maybe I have been had over the years with products, in fact without a doubt, but it makes me feel better to look the best I can. I wouldn't pay silly money for moisturisers and serums etc though, sunblock is the key thing.

[Eliza22]

Genes have the greatest influence, I think. However, my sister and I are very close in age. She tans well (and loves to) and I'm milk bottle white and do the Garnier Body, when I need colour, as the sun brings me out in a rash. I have always read up on stuff I use on my skin, wear makeup and spf++. Every single day. My sister is the first to say, I have fewer lines and just generally look my age but "well". So, I'm not sure.

I've never smokes but like a drink and have a sweet tooth so, I guess I could try harder

[Kezztrel]

I tend to choose face creams that have an instant effect by making my skin look well moisturised and glowy - dry, dull skin is ageing. But I don't believe they'll have any long term effect on the ageing process. Not many people do, do they?

[celticclan]

I looked young for my age was still being asked for id at 31 and then I got pregnant and aged 20 years overnight. People don't recognise me, I went from youthful teenager to middle aged frump in a matter of weeks. Nobody tells you that!

[lurkingaround]

But Kezztrel people obviously do believe the fuzzy promises! Look at the fortunes the skin are companies make. They are very persuasive, even I've been known to succumb to their magic wand.

[Kezztrel]

I guess some people do believe it partly, but the blurb is so obviously pseudo-science 99% of the time that I reckon a lot of people are sucked in more by the promise of an instant beauty fix (smoothness, radiance etc, which just come from decent moisturisation) and by sleek packaging, nice smell, the luxury of high end products. Rather than thinking that they'll make a huge difference twenty years down the line. I could be wrong.

[lottieandmia]

Genes is a big part of it certainly. But the sun is the main thing that causes aging and smoking comes second to that. UVA rays damage skin all year round so it's important to use a sun screen in winter too.

That said, I think you can spend thousands on any kind of cream or treatment but that doesn't mean it will get results. IME, people often overlook the fact that you need effective exfoliating treatments regularly to get the dead skin cells off, rather than putting endless products on iyswim. If you do that your skin will be more receptive to the products anyhow. I think microdermabrasion and face peels give excellent results for the money.

[Mosman]

As a smoking chocolate addict I need all the creams I can get - especially living in a sunny climate.

[hattymattie]

Agree with this - although I'm still quite addicted to Clinique. My mother has used Nivea all her life and looks amazing!

[MonstersDontCry]

I agree. I think all you really need on your face is a moisturiser with sunscreens.

[Elliptic5]

Had to have a little think about how to "smoke chocolate" Mosman , think I've sorted it out in my head now .

[Mosman]

I have no doubt smoking chocolate could be done and would be bloody fantastic

[forehead]

I think all these think help, but it basically boils down to genes.
I use astral cream( which is cheap).
I use a cheap facial scrub once a week.
I am in my late 30's and I do not have any wrinkles.
However, I do not smoke ,which definitely ages you
I also make sure that I sleep well.
My dm is in her 60's and does not have any wrinkles
It is definitely about genes. However, we can do things to improve our appearance.

[Kezztrel]

Agree re. exfoliation Lottie. I only started doing it properly a year or so ago and it's made a huge difference to my skin - it's much brighter, more glowy and nowhere near as dry or flakey.

[Rooners]

I think it's all a big con, yes.

Certain amount to be said for feeling nice about yourself of course

But I have never bought face cream or anything promising to make me stay young. I think it makes me stupid if I do that. I'd rather be old than stupid.

[ZaraW]

The whole beauty business is a con isn't it? When I was young(er) I used to belive the write ups in the magazines for the latest and greatest products. It was only years later after reading that they promote these products irrespective if they were any good or not as they need the revenue from their biggest advertisers.

I no longer read womens magazines and feel a lot better for it. I now indulge in Lonely Planet magazine.

[RockMummy]

I agree that it's a con too. IMHO genes make a huge difference, also health has a major impact. The important things a person can do is sleep well, lay off the booze and fags, eat a moderate amount of decent food, drink water and look after their mental and physical health. So now I shall get off the computer and try to take some of my own advice!

[Ledkr]

I'm ashamed to say that my skin was my main priority for stopping smoking so I agree they should make more of it.