Can I ask what things actually make you look better?

[newlabelwriter]

So I’m having a break from alcohol and sugar, drinking more water, exercising more and generally eating less and unsurprisingly looking and feeling much better in myself. Just wondering what else makes you look and feel better? My hair and nails still not great so any tips there be gratefully received. I’m mid forties in case that’s of any interest.

I think that well fitting clothes immediately make me look and feel better.
I also look instantly better if I straighten my hair.

Fish oil tablets helped enormously for bringing down inflammation, and seemed to help skin. So did Vitamin D and extra water. (Boring advice, that one, but it’s true.) I have ditched foundation in favour of tinted moisturiser. I have been religiously double-cleansing with an oil or a balm - they don’t have to be expensive, and in fact, I really don’t recommend expensive things that get washed off straight away. (Check out Curel at Boots for a lovely Balm & their Cleansing Foam is divine too. Definitely not at all stripping or drying.) The balm/oil breaks up sunscreen and makeup and then you need to wash the oily balm off with a gentle foaming cleanser and a cloth. Since I’ve been doing this, my skin has been poreless. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a breakout and I don’t need other products now, like masks, etc. (I do them for home spa spoiling days though...) I also recommend wearing sunscreen every day.

These are great, thank you. I don’t take any supplements so really interesting to hear what’s working.

How long have you been taking a break from alcohol and sugar OP? It can take a couple of months before hair and nails start to look good. It could also be due to iron deficiency, do you know your ferritin level? Low iron often means hair falls out and nails split, the blood goes to other more important organs and bodily functions rather than hair and nails!

Fake tan, but the everyday moisturiser type.
Waxing facial hair, keeping eyebrows trimmed. And a good haircut but sadly that’s on hold due to covid. A nice bright lip stain and some decent mascara each day
Generally drinking more water. Less salty food.

A good nights sleep
Low stress levels

I use warm olive oil on my hair about once a month. I use about a quarter of a cup and massage it all over and then stick a towel on my head for hours, even overnight a few times. It then needs a very thorough wash.

No alcohol is the biggie. Skin, eyes, hair and weight all drastically better.

I ditched foundation for a tinted BB cream - I use Trinny London BFF.

Apply more concealer than you think you need, with a brush.

Crest strips to whiten your teeth.

Softer eye makeup. I ditched the black eyeliner and now use Stash by Urban Decay, or a soft brown.

Cream blusher rather than powder. I use Nars.

Lots of sleep, natural makeup, hair straightened. I think I look at my best when I've had lots of sleep, have been eating a healthy diet and wear a relaxed, sporty kind of outfit like a long sleeve sports top, leggings and trainers. It just makes me look so fresh.

I started a subscription to Dermatica last year for acne and my skin is the best it has ever been - not just stopping the spots but texture, dark spots etc. You can also get formulations for ageing and other issues. I didn’t expect much but it has been amazing. What I need to do is lose a few pounds as I’m carrying weight in my face that makes me look worse.

Vitamins for hair and nails.

Regular manicure for nails... nothing major, just push back cuticles and file.

Try introducing some prebiotic and prebiotic foods to your diet... I always feel so much better doing that.

Things that make a difference to me are;
Fake tan (very light in a moisturiser during the winter)
Eyebrows dyed a shade darker (Just for men beard dye!)
Hair blow dried- just the front if needs be, only takes a few minutes
Face exfoliated weekly with an acid peel to remove dead skin (I use The Ordinary red one)
A bit of mascara always makes a difference too.
I think these things are different for each of us though, you probably already know what makes you look your best.

Thanks for the just for men tip!!
I think wearing heals makes me look better as I am short.
Tan
Teeth whitened

You have great willpower op. I would love to ditch all those things

Thank you. Can I just ask for those of you who use fake tan which one you use? I haven’t used one for years.

not drinking alcohol regularly does help.

Posture. Walk like you own the world. Instant.

I eat a load of crap but have good skin but am careful around the sun & hardly drink. Do take a load of supplements & shove lots of things on my face though.

Fresh air.

I really want to try the crest strups but I cant locate them anywhere? Does anyone know where sells them?

What makes me look better is
Sleep
Keeping weight down
Not being stressed
More expensive make up.
I do need a new cleansing routine though. Currently just using oil and water.

crest strips here

A base tan. I self tan with a natural looking product once a week without fail, even in the winter
A big blow dry with well conditioned, nicely coloured hair
Natural make up and nails, I don’t suit lipstick or eyeshadow but I do wear false eyelashes, natural looking ones from Benefit
Eyebrows dyed
Ren glycolic facemask - amazing stuff, I use twice a week, my skin looks fantastic (I’m 46)
V subtle ‘baby’ Botox once every 6 months
Lots of sleep and water
Daily exercise, Yoga and meditation
Good food, I’ve been a vegetarian for decades and I’m convinced that it makes me look and feel healthy
Well cut, tailored simple outfits
Being toned and in good shape but not too skinny, I look better curvy
A good skin care routine with products containing active ingredients that actually work such as Tretinoin, Retinol, etc

Fitted clothes not loose, baggy shapeless ones.

@SomeRandomerOnBumsnet

A base tan. I self tan with a natural looking product once a week without fail, even in the winter A big blow dry with well conditioned, nicely coloured hair Natural make up and nails, I don’t suit lipstick or eyeshadow but I do wear false eyelashes, natural looking ones from Benefit Eyebrows dyed Ren glycolic facemask - amazing stuff, I use twice a week, my skin looks fantastic (I’m 46) V subtle ‘baby’ Botox once every 6 months Lots of sleep and water Daily exercise, Yoga and meditation Good food, I’ve been a vegetarian for decades and I’m convinced that it makes me look and feel healthy Well cut, tailored simple outfits Being toned and in good shape but not too skinny, I look better curvy A good skin care routine with products containing active ingredients that actually work such as Tretinoin, Retinol, etc

What’s baby Botox? I’ve never heard of it before?

Sleep, water and exercise! Also moisturizer. My favourite fake tan is Clarins - expensive but worth it.

Adequate sleep. Stopped late nights for tv when IPlayer came in, made a difference.

Yes lots of sleep def helps. Sleep loads better since not drinking