40 and feel like my face is finally catching up with me :(

[JessiCake]

I turned 40 last year.

Until a few months ago, I don't think I looked my age. Not just wishful thinking! - people who didn't know my age regularly looked astonished when they found out I was turning 40 soon (it was lovely...!) I probably look(ed) about 6-7 years younger than that, on a good day, 3-4 years younger with a hangover!

But now, quite suddenly, I feel like it's all coming home to roost.

I still have very very few lines or wrinkles - one quite deep one between my eyebrows is literally it, none on my forehead at all and none around my eyes. I've never smoked and avoided the sun most of my life, which has helped.

BUT... I have these days begun to notice this AWFUL pouching under my chin... I hate it. I don't have any idea what to do about it but I fear in a few more years I will have a turkey chin! It doesn't wobble or anything (yet) but it is distinctly pouchy. I am not overweight and my face is in fact quite thin so I don't think it's fat, as such, just (sigh) drooping.

And now my eyelids.. wtf has happened to them! I've been getting a decent amount of sleep (I have a 4yo daughter so I never get AS much sleep as I want, obv) but I look permanently knackered in the eye area. My eyelids look really red/purple and slightly puffy even though I have no cold or allergies. Again, I think it's just time catching up with me.

I've recently started to take care of myself a bit better (4 years of bad diet - too much sugar - and too little sleep, no exercise etc after having DD) and am

1. walking much more
   
2. eating WAY better - good fats, less sugar, more protein, more veg/fruit
   
   But I feel a bit rubbish about myself tbh. I feel frumpy and dreary and the changes to my face are making me feel crap!! I don't want to look 30 but I'm a bit shocked by suddenly looking 40!
   
   What can I do? Today I bought an eye primer (Laura Mercier) as I feel lilke I really need something to help my eyelid issue. My skin is otherwise really pretty good, I have noticed less glow but it's really pretty decent and I usually try to whack on a light-reflecting highlighter (Becca) as so far I've (probably kidded myself) that I don't need foundation.
   
   Should I put on blusher daily? Mascara? I work from home and just do the nursery/school run so I hardly need to look like a glamour puss but I do want to feel 'nice' and like myself iyswim. I used to care a lot about how I looked but I have no time for myself these days and it gets me down when I have time to think about it!
   
   I use pretty good skincare with anti-ageing ingredients but are there specific products any of you ladies swear by?
   
   I'd really just appreciate some tips on how to get a bit of oomph back into my look and how to keep the ravages of time a bay a bit more successfully.
   
   Thanks hugely.

[Mimilondon39]

Hi there I'm sure you're not frumpy at all - sounds like you just don't have much time for yourself. I actually try not to wear makeup unless I'm going out as I think my skin needs to breathe but I do like the Laura Mercer tinted moisturiser and Bobbi Brown eyeliner for social occasions. Drinking water is good as is fresh air and exercise but you know that anyway - also remember that lots of images you see of others are airbrushed so try not to compare yourself. Easier said than done I know!

[JessiCake]

Aw thank mimi!!
I probably need to make more effort with my clothes on the frump front - I feel SO much better for example if I just pop on a nice necklace or a scarf (I have some fab ones that I used to wear all the time but which tend to get forgotten in the rush to get out the door!)

I've started to tone up a bit and lose some flab from my walking which is helping my confidence a bit, I tend to hide in a baggy navy cardigan otherwise! Now I feel at least that I can wear a non-baggy navy cardigan (!)

I feel better with eyeliner as my eyes are small (as well as red and puffy now!) but only wear it for going out as I never find one that I can be quick with (when I go out I tend to use a strong shadow as a liner with a liner brush)... I like Bobbi Brown so will have a look at the eyeliners, are they pencils?

Thanks so much!

[whitesklyer]

It sounds like you are doing all the right things regarding nutrition, exercise and skincare. Bet you are gorgeous and just being hard on yourself. Agree with Mimil re water and fresh air. Relax you are only 40! (wish I was)

[JessiCake]

whiteskyler, you're extremely kind (and over-generous!)

I guess I will just keep making my new efforts and hope it all helps a little. Perhaps it's also a little bit that I can no longer get away with my usual every-day standard of grooming and need to build in a little bit more time to make an effort. For example I find I really look older if my eyebrows get out of shape but I tend to let tweezing slide (because I'm a bit lazy and hate it)...

[plotmissinginaction]

I feel the same as you. I am so down about it. I was fine until very recently. Feels like I woke up one morning and suddenly looked like shit. I've no solutions sorry, I am in the same boat. I've a hair cut booked but it's my face that's bothering me. I just look haggard. It's grim.

[Mimilondon39]

Good brows and nice hair can make a real difference and an SPF is essential. I'm 42 and I really think most of my friends look better now than they did in their early 20s - we know what we like to wear now and - hopefully - what suits us too. I booked a session with a stylist last year who came to help edit my clothes - useful to have the eyes of an expert although an honest, stylish friend could be almost as good... eyeliner wise yes I think brown eyeshadow is best - looks less done!

[Autumntactics]

Me too, my eyes feel all droopy. I didn't think I'd be bothered but seems I am.

[skinnyamericano]

Drink loads of water - 2 litres at least a day. Stop eating sugar, it's incredibly ageing.

Wish I could follow my own advice!