What's the single best thing you've ever done (or bought) to improve how you look?

[ReallySpicyCurry]

Bit of a shallow one perhaps, but I'm looking a bit matronly and old before my time these days, thanks to toddler & lack of sleep. My hair and nails were wrecked due to pregnancy - I was really unwell with hypermesis- and haven't really recovered. Toddler is two now and we're having no more children, so it's time to focus on myself a bit. I'm also crap at doing my hair so have entered the wonderful world of YouTube tutorials

So throw it at me- what's the best thing you've done?

Had my brows microbladed.
I was sick of pencilling them on every morning, and it saves me so much time.
Even if I don’t have any makeup on, I look more ‘polished’ than before.

I adore the treseme hair masks. Come in a tub and just slather it on. I sleep in it, then wash it out in the morning. Really thick long hair but it lasts ages.
Also got some gel socks, which I wear whilst I'm tidying the house every day and my feet feel amazing after. I've really neglected my feet since getting pregnant and now baby is 1, and they're just so dry and horrible to look at but these socks made such a difference they felt soft as anything after two days!

Facial piercings.

@itsamadmadworld what do you put over your head to stop it getting everywhere?

Gel socks? See this is what I mean, stuff I wouldn't have a clue about!

My brace

I need to know more about gel socks!

Mines probably a bit extreme but a tiny bit of Botox and 1/2 ml lip filler. I felt just a bit grey and old before and it perked me right up. It’s def not noticeable as my mums dead against it and would never let me hear the end of it if she had figured it out (I’m 40 )

Lost some weight, cut my hair in a shorter blunter style - looks much tidier and polished now and taking more time and care on the clothes I buy. I very much used to just buy whatever was easiest but now I look around and buy something I actually like and know I will wear.

I've been there!

Number one thing I did was lose weight, clothes just fit better and my confidence soared.

Number two, I didn't have much money so I became an expert charity shop hound - I only allowed myself to buy something if it was designer/a couple of steps above my normal price range. I tried things I'd never thought of wearing, weeded a lot out, and now have loads of great pieces. Now we're doing better financially I'm filling in the gaps with new quality clothes. Example of a great find was my tomato-red trench coat, I'd never have thought of buying it, but now it gets me compliments everywhere I wear it.
(Bargain hunting also helped me lose weight, I diverted my "pop into the bakery for a treat" money and emotions to it)

Number three was getting serious about growing out my hair, sticking to it, and finding a colour that really suits me.

For nails, I was in the same boat, I used a strengthener and a clear coat of varnish every few days, don't let them get so long that they chip.

Dying eyelashes and eyebrows.

Roaccutane. Got rid of the permanent acne on the chin and around my nose and now my skin ia fab and I don't need foundation.

I also get my hair dyed. It's pretty glossy and always looks healthy. Eyebrow wax (usually), nice moisturiser and my nails are always long and nicely shaped. I also have learned to dress for me in the things I like, that suit my shape. It makes a huge difference and people have told me I always look nice in my clothes.

Ok, not 1 thing, but these are my staples. The roaccutane was the best thing I ever did and I wish I hadn't waited until my late 30s to do it!

Lose weight and take iron supplements. I don't find myself reaching for carbs for energy and I look much better for not being constantly knackered.

Only buying very good quality clothes and shoes.
Wearing a BB cream every day.

If you're looking matronly, is it because of your boobs?
I found that after I had kids my boobs and hips were an entirely different shape and size. I needed new bras in particular.

Sleep enough. If you possibly can. Prioritise it.

Slather on some cream at night. Any cream so long as you are not allergic to it. Put on SPF on every bit of exposed skin if you are going outside for more than a few minutes.

Sort out make up. I don't wear elaborate make up, but some people suit more. Get professional advice on it.

Try to stay within a healthy weight for your height. Preferably the upper end of the healthy weight. Skinny is aging, but overweight can be 'matronly' quickly. I know, I'm getting 'matronly' now and need to lose a few pounds.

Eat healthy-ish but allow yourself treats. Enough protein, 5 a day plus, lots of water or tea (not too much coffee), enough fat (low fat equals aged look). Use an online calculator for calories and macros. Take the odd vitamin.

Exercise. Find something you'll stick to and do it.

Give up on trying 'fashionable' clothes if you don't have the body for it anymore. Find 2/3 outfits which suit you and stick to them. I like fashion but I recently realised that most of it just doesn't suit my post DC body shape or my colouring or short stature. I now wear jeans (whatever style is around) and navy t shirts, or not-too-tight mini dresses with opaque tights. I 'experiment' with shoes instead. This is just me though, maybe not for everyone.

This may not apply to you OP but when I lost weight I looked 10 years younger. Just a stone, I went from 10st to 9st.

I also bought more flattering clothes

I re-read your OP, sorry I didn't realise you have a toddler and little sleep and you are probably lacking nutrients.

If there's any way you can get enough sleep and eat well, I think that would help you most. You need to recover.

Sometimes I think an attitude of not giving a fuck helps. I'm happiest when camping with only soap, river water , and SPF on my skin. Or walking around my local area in the sun with old clothes covered in mud from having been gardening. I'm not getting changed to go to the spar!!

A proper skincare routine. I’ve always never really bothered, or just used supermarket products. For the last year I’ve been following a routine twice daily and then since lockdown stepped it up with dermatologist recommended products ie toner with niacinamide for hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid, retinoids, azelaic acid, vitamin c etc. It’s not been expensive either, due to brands like The Ordinary and Beauty Pie.

I also got Botox for my ‘frown’ lines and now look like I’ve just had the best sleep of my life.

I started eating low carb, lost three stone and went from a 14-16 to an 8-10. Clothes look sooooo much better on me now. Also, as part of that I upped my water intake by a massive amount. I drink at least 3 litres a day and my skin's never been better.

Botox.

Aligners (clear braces). Only 2 months in but look better already. Wonky teeth age badly!

I had my brows microbladed after years of overplucking.

Have to pay 200/year for top ups but its worth it

Lost weight!! I look and feel 10 years younger

Triumph bras have perked me up! They give me the best shape

Most of my friendship group would day invisalign braces, they have perfect straight white teeth and look incredible. I can't afford that unfortunately

At the start of lockdown i thought I'd try and Hollywood browzer dermaplaning tool and it's made a huge difference. I was starting to get some dark hairs on my jawline which I was really down about but removing those along with the peach fuzz and the dead skin has been great. My skin glows these days