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?

I am 42 nearly and had a bit of a wake up at forty. I'd had a rough patch and really neglected myself and my skin was showing it.

I recently read Caroline Hirons skin book and the main things I've taken from it are to do things morning and night, don't use anything foaming on your skin,double cleanse at night. I bought my stuff from the ordinary and they've shown great results so far.

I also do a skincare sandwich in the morning - cleanse and then spritz face,add in serum and then moisturiser on top.

I am embarking on a getting fit challenge now. I have really neglected my body and I want to make it strong and healthy.

I'd love to get my colours done too. I'm also transitioning my hair to an ashier shade of blonde to tone in with my Greys a bit more.

I've settled into a simple makeup routine too, and this just makes me feel more put together. Not everyone likes makeup though.

I think I might get my colours done if I can find somewhere to do it!

@CookieDoughKid your skin is incredible! Please can you tell me more about what you use?

I'm late 30's and my mum went through this overhaul at 40. So every year for about 15 years she has bought me a bottle of v.good SPF50. I was offended at first, but the upshot of it is I have spent 15 years religiously using it.
It is non greasy and sits well underneath makeup www.boots.com/avene-very-high-protection-fluid-spf50-sun-cream-for-senstive-skin-50ml-10246612

I'll be doing the same for my kids!

@Sunnysidegold oh dear why nothing foaming? I love a foaming cleanser in the eve!

Interesting thread.
I am lucky that I work for a drugstore so get things on discounted prices when they are discontinued (the only thing my budget allows as, yep, working for a drugstore ) but that also means I dont have a set brand!
The upside is, I get to try a lot of things I normally wouldn't be able to afford so it makes me actually have a skin care routine as previously I never even contemplated it due to cost!
Anyway, I currently lightly exfoliate in the shower, then eye cream (some with cica, some with retinol, some with q10. All have been good i suppose bit I am lucky to have good genes so its more maintenance than overhaul) and moisturise. A tip i have is once you have rubbed in the eye cream, swish a bit over your lips, it stops the fine lines around the mouth.
I also use micellar water to cleanse at night.
No make up
My eating habits are utter shit and I seem to live on coffee, energy drinks and curry
I wear black for work which is slimming but I basically hit 10k steps 5/7 days so that has meant since starting I have lost over a stone in weight (1.5 yrs ish)

Oh I also take a multi vit and magnesium supplement each day.
My 'routine' / maintenance takes less than five minutes a day. I don't think I could fit in or be arsed with anything more than that!

I'm 56 now but when I was 47 I thought, "You're getting towards 50 now and it's time to decide how you're approaching that. Shuffling into my 50s in a dressing gown and slippers... Or 'upping my game' and making the most of things (before EVERYTHING has gone to pot)?

I'd never had ANY confidence with my clothes even though I've always been slim. I was just wearing black trousers to work everyday with a top and cardigan and a boring pair of shoes. I never wore skirts or dresses.

So, over a period of a year, I bought a whole new wardrobe - it was a bit hit and miss but mostly successful. For the first time in my life, I was loving getting dressed up without feeling self-conscious.

I didn't do anything special with my face or hair but wouldn't mind now as WFH and two years of lockdown plus other stuff has left me needing a boost.

Luckily, my hair hasn't gone grey yet - so I don't know how I'll deal with that when it happens. I've never dyed my hair and only had it cut 3 times in 33 years.

@Hungry625f I use Dermatica. See my referral for a discount www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/GYELLR but there is a lot of research on retinol which is what Dermatica is based on. For me, it has been a worthwhile investment.

@GorgeousGoldies

This is a great thread - loads of ideas. I’m surprised about the recommendations for running (although I do run 3x a week), I thought it had a bad reputation for ageing your face! Great for your bum and legs though.

I’ve introduced vitamin C to my routine every morning, and retinol at night (building up at the moment from twice a week). These have both plumped up my skin. Are you supposed to use retinol around your eyes though?

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good daily SPF? I just use a moisturiser containing factor 15, but would like to try a better one.

Speed walking is better than running. Running is bad for your knees

I have a history of bad knees but my PT looked at my running technique and made a couple of suggestions which means I haven’t had any problems in the 6 months since I took up running, apart from the first couple of weeks before taking her advice. Knee problems can be minimised by the right trainers and good technique.

I’m 44 and look much better than I did a couple of years ago. Lost over 3 stone, becoming more toned through exercise and have some muscle definition for the first time ever. Even when I was younger and tiny I never had any definition. I also have a new hair style and colour which is much more flattering on me. My skin has improved from improving my skincare routine and wearing less make up since lockdown. Most days I don’t wear any now. When I do wear makeup I actually wear slightly less than I used to and look better for it. I have given up foundation completely and just use some concealer and powder to set, along with eyeliner, tinted lip balm, blusher and maybe some mascara. I always thought I would need more make up, not less but my skin looks fresher and foundation was beginning to look too heavy on me now. I do have lots more wrinkles around the eyes but that’s just one of those things of getting older

[quote CookieDoughKid]@Hungry625f I use Dermatica. See my referral for a discount www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/GYELLR but there is a lot of research on retinol which is what Dermatica is based on. For me, it has been a worthwhile investment.[/quote]
Sorry if I missed it but I am wondering your age.

I think my issue is thinning skin - I'm 45 and it was good till about 42 just using cheap stuff. I suspect retinol won't help with that though.

@Lampzade my ‘running’ might be considered more like speed walking anyway 😂

My best advice is to develop a skincare routine and stick to it religiously. This means glycolic acids, retinol, a good cleanser and quality make up products. Also and I can't stress this enough wear SPF!!!!

I’m 45. Contrary to popular myths because retinol can cause peeling, retinol actual thickens skin by stimulating and this increasing collagen and cell renewal. The research and test studies back up the results. It’s practically the one of the very few proven ingredients to actually work.

I was a chemist previously so I only like to spend money on proven products.

@CookieDoughKid what are your go to hair and beauty buys please?

And also invest in quality products which may be on the pricier side but much better to do that than have bits and bobs of various things which don't really work effectively or aren't the best for your skin. This counts for make-up products aswell. A good primer and foundation can work wonders!

Yes at about 40. I had had a job promotion confirmed and finalised. So that put me in a good mood. NO Botox or anything like that.
Much more exercise, walking and swimming. Also went out for simple drinks more with DH.
Making the decision to change livened us both up. He developed a new interest as well.
I have light brown hair so had it coloured to hide the grey for a few then let it grow out with highlights/lowlights.
Realised I had got frumpy.

My inspiration was the series Good Housekeeping about real women my age and careers. Not Geri Spice.
Chose classic clothes which at the time were more colourful. I wore "The Red Suit" till the buttons wore down! Boxy jacket wideish skirt above the knee. Aahh!

ps. Got properly measured for bra size and bought better quality. It is not an extravagance.

At 42 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it was the kick up the arse I needed to take control of my diet and lifestyle. This was now 2 years ago and I’ve lost over 7st and kept it off and I’m in remission. I do look different and I dress different (now size 10-12). For me it happened during lockdown so I did shock some people when we returned to school runs and lockdown was lifting.

@CookieDoughKid

I’m 45. Contrary to popular myths because retinol can cause peeling, retinol actual thickens skin by stimulating and this increasing collagen and cell renewal. The research and test studies back up the results. It’s practically the one of the very few proven ingredients to actually work.

I'm 45 as well and avoid anything that might aggravate my skin. Mum looked younger than she was till 80! But I might tentatively try retinol then.

I don't know if it's insomnia making my skin look more fragile, I think it's possible.

I first went for a Grade 1 when I was 45 and dyed it both green and purple on occasion.

Hair’s a bit longer at the moment but only just reaching the stage where I might need to find my hairbrush.

This is a super thread
Am interested in the supplements

Getting your colours done is really a game changer. Plus a style analysis and make up tips, helps do much with confidence which is half the battle - eg Emily is affordable and relatable & shares tips on Instagram www.stylemehappy.co.uk/

Following . These tips are really good. Really lost my way and feel in such a rut with clothes particularly. Suffer with Rosaeca too so skin super sensitive

I have just turned 40 and feels a bit crap about myself so this thread is great. I started working on myself in the past 6 years when dc went to school.
I started running/exercising regularly and lost 2 stone.
I get my eyebrows done regularly.
I get my hair highlighted and cut regularly
I get regular facials.
I signed up to skin and me. This has really changed my skin. I used to get bad spots and adult acne. This has all gone and I feel confident going make up free for the first time ever.
I religiously wear factor 30 moisturiser in the mornings.

Future things I am going to do
Change my skin and me prescription now the focus needs to change
Start using retinol
Start taking vitamin c and collagen tablets
I am having an operation to remove my hooded eyelids and dark circles under my eyes.

All the usuals I would say, hair, nails, brows. A skincare routine. People on here rate Caroline Hurons.
Try seven skins and retinol, a weekly peel like lactic acid, a dermo roller, gua sha massage. Drink more water. Eat well. Vitamins.

Wearing the wrong colours can literally drain the life from your face. You don't have to do it professionally. Just hold the fabric under your chin next in front of a mirror with good light. Do you look well? It's your colour. Or do you look like it are going down with something- bin it.

More time on your hands ? Facial exercise/ yoga. Loads on your tube.

Running, strength exercises will make you look and feel better and that is 95% of the battle there!

Money no object? Botox, regular professional facials. One of those expensive facial devices like a massager or light therapy.

Stop drinking and smoking if these are your issues. If you can't quite quit the wine then then lots and lots of vitamin C.