Has anyone had a big Makeover / look very different post 40

[Changeafter40]

I didn’t know if best in S&B but went with chat for traffic.

Want to reinvent myself after really tough fe years - look haggard and old.

Has anyone done this post 40? Any advice?

No advice but I'm in the same boat so will be following with interest :-)

I appear to have inadvertently had a makeunder and look shitter than I ever have. However, my best friend took up running at 42 and as part of the avoiding grey thing, got highlights. She is now a slim(mer) much more toned, blonde marathon running 48 year old and looks incredible.

Following with interest!

Well thanks for the solidarity!

We have running to add to our list

I’ve been Googling Amanda Holden, Geri Halloween and myleene klass. None at all haggard and old before but definitely all look better now!

Eesh hailliwell

I haven’t specifically but just wanted to say if it’s what you want to do then go for it!

If it were me I think I would start with looking at a budget you can afford to maintain this look and then see what’s reasonable. How about

a new hairstyle and colour.
Teeth whitening
Have a personal shopper experience to find new clothes
Review all the clothes you already have and see what you can do with them to make them modern/remove any you think aren’t the new you.
Start/maintain your exercise regime

I also think it’s a mental thing too, what can you do to reinvent yourself socially?

Retinol is your friend (I know others use Botox). Also running and planks (the exercise).

I'm 44 and until last year I had incredibly long hair. I cut it off to my chin. The reasons are a bit complex but I feel and look much better for it. I also started wearing clothes that were less corporate and classic, and went a bit more rock chick. I like it. I've also taken up swimming and don't wobble as much as I did (although I still have weight to lose).

Kind of

I adapted to my new self a bit.

Went blonde - after a while life as naturally medium brown with highlights. I'm not grey yet but cool ash blonde does suit me better ( I have pale skin and blue grey eyes). As my skin started to look paler the dark hair actually made me look more washed out.

I took skin care seriously. I always was diligent at SPFS and moisturizer - but now use acid toners, retinol and serious SPF (50) - it has paid off and my skin is very good.

My weight is now more of a struggle - I'm slightly overweight and currently having to low carb and fast to lose some. I have a wardrobe of lovely clothes that I can't wear. This is the effect of hormonal changes and I think over time becoming insulin resistant ( not fully diabetic though).

Facially I look better than my 20s or 30s ( in my view) - figure not so much - but hopeful I can get to a better ( and sustainable) place there.

I make time to do things that bring me peace and joy - sea swimming and running / being in nature.

Those people have all had work done to their faces. Amanda Holden particularly looks quite odd now. They're also all very wealthy. They don't look like that thanks to a bit of a makeover!

@Changeafter40

I’ve been Googling Amanda Holden, Geri Halloween and myleene klass. None at all haggard and old before but definitely all look better now!

They also have a lot of money and time to spare!

I like this idea. Where can I buy retinol please?

I'm 45 and have cut my hair to a long bob and had a better colour (dark blonde).

I'm not a runner, but for reasons not to go into here, I have committed to run a marathon later this year. 😬

Am currently on week 7 of C25K. As a consequence I feel like I'm starting to look and feel better. Before Christmas peri mood swings were getting worse but this month has been fine (ish!).

Once the running weight starts to come off I intend to upgrade my wardrobe a bit. Will follow in here for ideas! Good luck OP 👍

I've improved my diet, started running regularly and weight training since turning 40. I think maintaining a strong, healthy body is the key to looking good as you age. It's also great mentally to feel like you're treating yourself well iyswim.

Highlights and new clothes are great, but looking after yourself healthwise is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Ps my hair tends to hang around my face with no body so I have been using my straighteners to curl it a bit. Am now reaching the conclusion that effort is required in my part to maintain looking nice!!!! 🙃

Not a big makeover but I am trying to make an effort. Things that have helped:

• retinol - I like this boots one www.boots.com/no7-advanced-retinol-1-5-percent-complex-night-concentrate-10273192

• invisalign teeth straitened and whitened, about 4k

• microbladed brows. I have very light hair and so it looks like I have no brows. I've had them done very lightly so they look natural, but frame my face in a way that takes years off

• better quality coats, shoes

• understanding my style a bit better and sticking to it

• 16:8 fasting!!!

@Hungry625f that makes it sound so easy but Invisalign looks so joyless for the period you have to do it that I can't bear to take the plunge! I wish I could though :-)

@GoldilocksZone I cheated and only used them at night 😬 I became pregnant and had really bad sickness, to the point I couldn't tolerate them during the day. It was fine!

The two things that have made the greatest difference to me are my teeth and eyebrows, oh and probably a full head of highlights to hide the grey!

I really want a big transformation too! Watching with interest!

Am with you OP and goldilockszone.
Can I join in for tips?! Got a bit ground down recently and am looking apalling! Have booked a cut but colour costs a fortune it seems!
How do you eat decent food when cooking for picky children?
How do you dress interestingly but not,‘I’m ancient so I’m wearing something shapeless with massive jewellery’
Maybe I should change the bleached baggy jeans and jumper.😀

@Hungry625f omg if I could get away with just night time id be much more inclined - good for you!

I suppose I “staged a bit of an intervention” in my 40s and am actually much happier with how I look now (I’m 55 - this wasn’t a rush job…). What worked for me:

Invisalign. Yes it was a commitment, and a pain in the arse, but I’d got so self conscious about my teeth I was determined to see it through.

Running.

Yoga. Surprisingly effective for posture and flexibility.

“Getting my colours done” - something I’d always been slightly sceptical about but a massive game changer.

Analysing my body shape and “style” which led to buying better quality stuff generally.

Going to a decent hairdresser for proper colour advice.

Low carbing.

Following the skincare advice on here. What I do is a lot simpler (and cheaper, I suspect) than some routines that are recommended but my skin’s better than I thought it would be.

I’ve being doing a few things but it’s not holding back the ageing process to the extent I had hoped.

I think teeth whitening and straightening makes a huge difference but I have dentist phobia which means my guns are in serious trouble and the work I need is growing by the month.

The hormonal weight is real, January was a wash out for me

The things I have invested that I’m reasonably happy with: mircoblading brows, a little Botox on 11’s and crows feet, hair done every 7 weeks. SPF30 everyday and SPF50 in summer for about 10 years.

I have very strong laughter lines (crevices) below my crows feet onto my cheeks that Botox cannot be used for. I don’t get any visible benefits from retinol. These lines really bother me. How do I address it?

The hormonal impact on my poor neck, very ageing.

I also use NuFace which I think is good

I took my skincare very seriously and now use retinol and spf50. See my before and after pictures 4 months apart. The after picture does have my eyebrows coloured in and concealer for eye bags but both pictures I am wearing NO other makeup. So no foundation. It is custom formula and you should read up about it.i have a £5 discount code if interested, www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/GYELLR