Mid 30's.....but feeling old!

[OutwardBound2016]

I'm 36 but have recently become a bit obsessed with looking 'old'. I'm in reasonable shape but at home with you my DC's all day so constantly feel (and look) a bit haggard. Was there anything that you started doing at this age which made you look younger and fresher before hitting the big 4-0?

[Pisssssedofff]

Botox and growing my hair and going very very expensively blonde

[fiorentina]

I had this recently although I work so have a smart wardrobe but overhauled my casual clothes to avoid frumpiness with new shape jeans, tops etc. Facially I looked knackered, cut my hair, highlights, acid cleansing to improve my skin tone, smartened up my make up routine, ensured I kept on top of eye brows and other maintenance more frequently including body moisturising as my skin has dried out a bit. I feel bit less haggard.

[OutwardBound2016]

I am trying to grow my hair too, weirdly I feel shoulder length hair is making me look older (even though the opposite is meant to be true). Fiorentina, any body lotion recommendations?, I am so crap with using it as I hate feeling greasy!

[fiorentina]

I love Origins ones for making me feel nice as well as their body scrubs.

Definitely not saying short hair makes people look younger, mine is a long bob now and I have been making it wavy not straight which is good for me!

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Drink lots of water, get as much sleep as possible, go for natural makeup (bared faced I look pretty haggard for forty ) I find primer, blusher and illuminating face lotion give a dewy look and blur everything. I put mascara just on top lashes so eye bags are not accentuated and under eye concealer is great.
The usual suspects are ageing; sun, smoking and alcohol, all my favourite things..
And remember you're not allowed to moan about looking old until you're at least 50.

[OutwardBound2016]

Good tips, I'm going to try hard to drink more water and use body lotion. I also need to sort my thick, coarse, curly hair out....that's slightly more difficult!

[BinRaidingRaccoon]

Your hair sounds like mine in terms of texture. I used Olaplex on it last week, and that's helped a bit with the wiriness.

[OutwardBound2016]

Bin, was the Olaplex good? I'm considering drastic (and expensive) action as I have tried every home treatment to no avail. I have also been looking at a Keratin straightening treatment....

[signalred]

Lots of sleep, no sugar and Botox

[BinRaidingRaccoon]

Pretty good. Mine's like steel wool sadly, and as wide as my shoulders after a v humid day here. I left it on overnight to soak in.

I'd second no sugar - my skin looked great in the 2 months I sacked off sugar and wine my skin was great. Alas, my willpower was not great.

[Pisssssedofff]

Olaplex is bloody marvellous stuff, I wish I could smooth it on daily

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

Is that Olaplex no. 3? There seem to be different stages of it sold online..

[OutwardBound2016]

I also have triangle shaped hair, attractive! I really think my crap hair is the main cause of my haggard look, I envy people who can wash and go.

[KateLivesInEngland]

I'm 32 and crap at hair. I'm getting better though! Still mum bun central though.
Facials and professional skin care is something I've never done but I'm definitely going to start soon! I've always moisturised well but that's about it. The salon I use has a June offer on mini facials so I'm defo going for it!!
I'm in the market for some new make up so that's another hurdle to attempt soon. I'm crap at most beauty stuff tbh. I can scrub up well when off out but I just can't do it in the day, I don't have the inclination.

[Pisssssedofff]

Yes olaplex 3 is on groupon at the moment, the first two stages are in the salon for £20

[BinRaidingRaccoon]

No 3, think one and two are for use when dyeing (which I also need to do).

Triangle hair isn't great, I need to get it thinned out a bit really. Scared of it turning into scary 90s layers though!

[Racheyg]

Hi op ,

I'm 33 and have recently changed (overhaul) my style. I found that a really good haircut and colour worked.

I went from long mid brown hair with block fringe to blonde long bob. Have had many compliments and some say I look in my late 20's (I think the are just being nice)

Oh and maybe a slight tan?

[FrustratedFrugal]

Being a sleep-deprived SAHM wrecked my style. Updating my wardrobe, haircut (more highlights) and makeup routine (more natural no-makeup look) helped immensely and at 43 I feel younger than I did at 35. Make sure that you are not accidentally dressing too old!

[OutwardBound2016]

I have been thinking about going lighter but the maintenance scares me! I'm wondering if half a head of foils will be enough to lighten the lot (currently mousy brown with a good smattering of grey...)

[Pisssssedofff]

You can always add more if it's not enough

[rollonthesummer]

Drink lots of water, get to your optimum weight, get enough sleep, buy a good foundation, a good bra and a decent pair of well-fitting jeans. Give up booze and exceed use regularly.


I, of course, do all of these things!!

[Redlocks28]

A boob job and regular highlights!

[LimeMoon4]

I had this a couple of years ago. I work in an office with lots of smart young people and suddenly felt old and frumpy in comparison. I have a nice figure but have always felt comfortable in loose fitting rather shapeless clothes. I used to leave my hair to dry naturally (and therefore limp and lifeless) and applied my make up on the way to work

I overhauled my wardrobe and bought some well fitting and flattering clothes including a couple of dresses (for some reason I felt ridiculously self conscious wearing them into the office for the first few times!). I properly dry and straighten my hair (most of the time unless I'm running really late) and have lots of lovely highlights to hide the grey

My other big change is that I now have regular facials, something I never thought I would do. I've always had horrible greasy spotty skin and as a teenager/young adult I couldn't afford decent skincare plus I was always too embarrassed for anyone seeing my skin close up. I've bitten the bullet now and whilst I still feel rather self conscious about someone 'examining' my skin and the cost (which I'd never admit to my mother ) my skin is much better! I've changed my foundation too and try to make more of an effort with my overall make up.

I feel I look better, and psychologically I feel better, and that's what counts!! Plus drink lots of water and exercise! If I was brave enough I wouldn't rule out Botox and a boob job