Looking your best as you approach 40...

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

So I've got a year to go to my 40th. My 30s has been all about huge changes - physical, emotional and career - due to 4 pregnancies, 3 babies, 3 years of breastfeeding and associated weight loss and gain.

The birth of my youngest a year ago brought unbelievable sleep deprivation and has aged my face significantly. I used to look young for my age but I look every day of my 39 years now!

I want to hit my 40s in a much better frame of mind - it's going to be the selfish decade where I reclaim a lot of "me".

So I want your tips on how to get myself looking and feeling better. The baby steps I've made so far are:

1. Good cleanse/serum/moisturise routine in place for the last 2 years but nothing more - no variants beyond my morning and night routine
   
2. finally found a hairstyle that suits and I think I can keep
   
3. started filing and clear varnishing my bitten-for-30-years nails so they're starting to look better (though still very weak
   
4. 2 litres of water most days
   
5. good exercise routine
   
   What else would you suggest I do?

[HappyGirlNow]

Fillers. Sorry that may be too extreme for you but I was so unhappy approaching 40 as I felt like my face was collapsing - started having fillers and I love it! It's like scaffolding for your face and done well it's very natural.

I also have light botox (dislike frozen face look).

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

I suspect that's too far for me I reckon there's quite a bit I could do before then to be honest - I don't wear make up except on special occasions and may need to try a daily make up routine, I don't do any fancy skincare, my clothes are a post-babies disaster etc. So probably things I can try first though.

I might get to that at some point though

[daisydalrymple]

Almond oil to rub in cuticles and hand cream every night. Leave hand cream by each sink you wash hands at plus a tube in your bag.

Spf++ for face if not already doing

[Annarose2014]

Chemical exfoliants. They really make you look fresh. Look for brightening toners.

[Colaslushie]

Marking my place as I'm the exact same age as you OP and having similar feelings of wanting to get it together a bit more by this time next year.

Some things that I've been using recently that have made a MASSIVE difference to my skin are Deciem hylamide sub-q serum, NIOD lip bio-lipid concentrate and fountain molecule supplements (I take the beauty one, the Hyaluronic one and the phyto-collagen one). There was a dramatic improvement in my skin within days of starting to use the hylamide, I honestly couldn't believe how much fresher and brighter my face looked. It's amazing stuff, I can't live without it now. The NIOD lip concentrate really does make your lips look fuller and smoother, I'm totally addicted to this too. And the fountain molecules basically do the same thing. Again within days of starting using them, my skin looked plumper and smoother and brighter.

It's been about 2-3 months since I started using these products (started the phyto-collagen molecule 4 weeks ago) and I swear to god, my face looks better than it has in years. It hasn't made me look younger as such, but it has had the bizarre effect of making me look as pretty as I did in my 20s

Sorry for the embarrassingly over enthusiastic rambling, I just can't get over how good Deciem products are and it's making me really evangelical about their stuff. So yeah, use all of those things and you should start to look a million times better, pretty much overnight!

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

Hmmm, it looks like my skincare needs a boost - thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at the toners and deciem.

Hadn't thought about hands but they are looking a bit crepey now I look at them properly so I think hand cream needs to become part of my routine.

[Inkspellme]

maybe a treat of a personal styler to revamp your wardrobe? or maybe getting your colours done ? I think these things can make you feel more confident and that can show in your appearance.

I found a mild facial exfolliant really improved the brightness of my skin and helped me look younger.

[PrimalLass]

This code is working for 20% off on the Deciem site: QiXi2015

I'm going to order the serum and beauty molecules. Thanks Colaslushie.

[pomegranatesandfilms]

Glycolic acid 8-15% will improve your skin no end. Also I have been using retin A for a couple of months now and the results are amazing.

I was looking really haggard as had my third at 39 - really, really old! I bumped into a friend yesterday she said I looked so young nothing like 42. . I haven't had a compliment like that before I started using these products. I do look at least 5 years younger.

[PrimalLass]

Actually, you can get TopCashBack and use that code.

[pomegranatesandfilms]

Ps I use them on my hands and neck too -great improvements. They are not expensive. Glycolic £10-15 and tube of retin A £14( you can get it cheaper) I do not use any expensive skincare products - you just don't need them.

[BlueEyedWonder]

I will be 40 in October 2016.
My 30s have also been full on: raising 2 children, progressing a career, working hard at marriage and coping with anxiety and depression.
With regards to skin care, I have gone back to Clinique 3 step except at
night I use the turnaround night
cream rather than the regular moisturiser. My skin feels clean and soft.
I have completely overhauled my wardrobe in the past 12 months or so. I have overshopped in the past to cope with negative emotions and this is a trait I will not be continuing in my 40s. I was ruthless, only keeping what fits, what I wear and what makes me feel good. My motto is now buy better buy less.
In my 30s I've discovered a love of running which I used to do back in my school days. It helps keep my weight steady balanced with sensible eating. I also go to a weekly circuit training class.

[pomegranatesandfilms]

Also make sure you are eating a healthy diet as you need it to keep your skin looking good. I live on avocados, olive oil and pomegranates, homemade almond milk etc.

[ProjectPerfect]

I turned 38 earlier this year and decided l didn't want my journey in to my 40s to be one of trepidation so I've sort of undertaken a life overhaul and started making the changes now so I can embark on my 41st year knowing it's my best ever.

I've looked at body, mind, family, finance & career started overhauling the lot but in relation to body I've done the following:

Laser hair removal with lumea
I see a (really really) decent brow lady - none of this penciled in shite - they are less sparse, tinted fortnightly and look amazing - it takes years off me.
Improved skin regime including double cleanse and glycolic
Manicure/pedicure every week
Yoga every morning at 5am
At least two litres of water per day.
No alcohol in week
Lost half stone - one to go
Cleared out all the rubbish from my wardrobe. I wear my best and enjoy it.

All that has made me feel so much better but honestly the thing that has transformed me is the Botox and lip filler

[BlueEyedWonder]

I meant to mention beauty. I'm not ready to consider fillers or botox. It's just not for me.
I'm currently using a Clinique light foundation but am tempted to trawl the beauty halls and try a few others.
I'm keeping make up very simple and understated. Mascara, cream blush (better than powder as I get older I think), lip gloss or lip crayon.
I'm going to book a pedicure as my feet are in need of some tlc. I keep my finger nails short and rounded. I've discovered Dior nail glow which gives them a really bright healthy look.

[Kennington]

Get a highlighter cream
Since usin- for a couple of years now, I am told I have great skin and look young and not tired...!

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

Some awesome ideas here, and posts resonating very much with how I feel

I've started the wardrobe overhaul and am currently on holiday taking note of what world and doesn't on many women of different sizes and shapes and ages and nationalities.

I'm about to head in to the spa for an anti-aging facial but will be back to ponder your posts and probably ask more questions!

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

Nails - I was so proud of myself for going to the effort of painting my finger and toe nails fun colours for holiday (I normally never do anything other than clear) and then felt totally unclassified next to the gorgeous Italian lady yesterday with clear varnish on her fingers and a deep pl on her toes. In my head, I stomped my foot and wailed "I wish I could get it right like her!"

Eyebrows - yes! When I make time to get them tamed (mine are full but can get straggly and unkempt) I look so much better. I need to remember this!!!

[dontcryitsonlyajoke]

Unclassy, not unclassified

Really going for facial now, promise!

[kellohitty]

Pomegran where do you get your Retin A from? Heard about Retin A years ago but would now like to try it

[Panzee]

Marking place. I'm 40 next year and look it. Loving the ideas. Shame I'm skint but I can drink water and do early morning yoga! My skin is red and spotty so I've gone oil free, using Clinique I bought with my Boots points.

[sanityforlunch]

I have ten years on you and I reckon I look better now than I did when I was 40. I have been sorting through old photos and thought I looked ok at the time but even though my skin was better ie no wrinkles, overall I looked mousy and frumpy.

So what's changed? I have grown my hair long, whitened my teeth and wear better fitting fashionable clothes. I have managed to stay slim which helps.

Basically it is just about making a bit more effort.

[Browtox]

Botox. Pure and simple. Changes your life.

[NearlySchoolTime]

Marking place as I turned 40 last month and had DD three months ago. Hoping to get some good ideas here! Thanks for starting the thread, dontcry, and enjoy the facial.

[alwaysalaughtobehad]

Marking place too! The best thing I've done in the last few years is go for the free personla stylist appointment at Debenhams. They typically put me in clothes I never thought I'd wear and I always end up buying stuff I feel good in!