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?

@jesusmaryjosephandtheweedonkey I recommend The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Hair Serum if you are concerned with hair thinning. This encourages new growth and thickening. I’ve read up that scalp conditioning is important for good hair which makes sense when you consider where hair comes from and how it grows. So I prefer to go back to basics and treat my scalp first. I saw improvements and hair growth after 4 to 5 months daily use and as with any treatment, you have to be patient. Consistency is key. I also am a fan of Bodyshop products for hair conditioning but find using less product is better. I only wash my hair twice a week as I like natural oils to make my hair glossier than products.

In terms of morning skincare, I have a very simple regime. I use Elemis ProCollagen cleansing balm,. This is expensive, there’s no real skin benefit in this balm but I like how it feels. I alternate with Aldi face washes to keep the costs down. then I use a few drops of Skinceuticals Ferulic Acid which is a vitamin C product and antioxidant. Great for fine lines, plumping etc. Not every Vit C product does what it claims, Vit C is highly unstable . It needs to bottled correctly and stablilised for it to be effective. Pointless paying for cheap vit C products that are ineffective, you might as well pour money down the drain. Skinceuticals is THE gold standard but £85 a bottle. it does last for ages though and you only need a few drops at a time. I then Follow by Nivea spf50 sun kids and this costs a fiver for 50ml. This spf50 is absolutely brilliant, cheap, effective and NON greasy! I slather this spf on!

My evening routine is really simple. Wash face, then 2 pumps of Dermatica before sleep. If face is feeling dry, I like a simple moisturiser like Khiels Ultra Facial before Dermatica.

In summary spend £££ where it really matters. Buy the best you can afford on high end ingredients whose companies spend millions on research and testing. Read up about it. You know you are then getting cutting edge products that even Dermatologists use and can give yourself a fighting chance to look good. But buy cheap where it matters less such as face cleansers. That’s what I do. Can’t stop aging process but you can shave off years!

@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.’

Absolutely.

I signed up for discounted Dermatica prescriptions a year ago. Skin is fab, tighter and brighter somehow.

There was a thread here quite recently with codes. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjrnICC9n1AhWDZMAKHV7RCMUQFnoECAsQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2FTalk%2Fstyleanddbeauty%2F4442508-Help-finding-products-to-disguise-my-crap-skin&usg=AOvVaw0HyMWsZpj3CzhD3Kxq_BIf

Sorry . A link that works.

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/styleandd_beauty/4442508-Help-finding-products-to-disguise-my-crap-skin

A big one I rarely see mentioned is water intake. You can look on youtube for “I drank __ water for a month” before and afters, the right amount of water plumps up your skin, smooths out wrinkles, evens out your skin tone and your brain functions better!

@FiloPasty

Oh I’m so in!

In need of a total overhaul too.

I got a Nu face roller thing for Xmas but haven’t used it yet @Wond3rment can you give me some tips?

I’ve been to see the dentist and am signing up for Invisalign as my bottom teeth are crowded and seem to have got so much worse.

I also got a Philips lumea for Xmas so need to factor that in.

I’m very tempted to join the local gym to start doing some yoga and more walking, I’ve been ill in the past 2 years and I really need to restart more movement in my life - am tempted to get a dog just so I have to walk!

Food I’ve got better since I ordered an Oddbox as I’m making sure I eat fruit/veg each day so it doesn’t all rot and become a waste of money.

I also really want to get micro blading done. I had a consultation a few years ago but couldn’t do it as I was breastfeeding at the time. I think I’ll reward myself if I can lose half a stone.

Interested in getting the boots retinol I used to love their skincare when I was younger.

I may be biased as I'm a microblading and PMU artist. But Honestly getting microblading or powder brows done is a total game changer. It is the reason I went into the profession because of the positive difference it made to my face.

However - make sure you go to a reputable and recommended artist as microblading isn't suitable for everyone. So you need someone experienced and very honest who can advise correctly.

Also watching this thread with interest. I am 42 and finding it hard to look and feel good in my 40s. It's also a big psychological thing, I hate that I'm no longer young and I need to get over this

I have been running most days in January and it's definitely made a positive difference to my mind. I have also been trying to eat more sensibly. I took a pic in my bra and pants on jan 3rd. On feb 3rd I'm going to take one for comparison. Eek

Following with interest! I have loads of products but no real routine…

Start fom the inside out.

Diet, drink mostly water, eat mostly plants, etc.

Exercise, start where you are, but aim to include each of cardio, strength and flexibility activities.

Revamp your sleep and relaxation, if that's an issue. Darkness, quiet, screenfree time, meditation etc.

Take a multi-vitamin/mineral specifically for 40+ women, at least until the benefits of the above start to kick in.

Make sure you're up to date with all medical screening, dental checkups and opticians appointments - and follow through on their advice!

Only then worry about cosmetic stuff: hair, beauty, clothes, makeup, I don't really know this bit ...

[quote GorgeousGoldies]@Lampzade my ‘running’ might be considered more like speed walking anyway 😂[/quote]
Ha ha

Oh blimey there’s so much to do! Had a haircut though first since April. Look a bit more human. Baby steps.

RE: NuFace, I got one and it broke within 3 months and they wouldn't refund or exchange it. Avoid!

I dropped off my own thread as got caught up with kids!

So many good ideas here. I do follow the princessing ones but feel I need something different - an overhaul rather than maintenance!

Also very interested in this thread.

One change I’ve made is that due to health reasons ( genetic condition) I had to give up alcohol. At the same time I moved to a lower carb diet. Didn’t make any other changes but after about 3 months had friends randomly asking me what I’d done as skin and figure looked so great. I didn’t even drink much before particularly either. Not an easy one but has definitely made a difference to me!

Lovely ideas here about grooming skincare and clothes.

Undies are more important now. Better quality clothes all round, fewer trousers or jeans. I have never had so many variations in skirt lengths in regular use, as I have now, delightful.
We eat earlier in the evening than many families. It gives us a couple of hours to do something definite, hobbies, DH is rediscovering cooking, I sew.
TV; we tend to watch specific programs then switch off. That doesn't mean only serious things, DH likes Last of Summer Wine.

Sometimes we sit and talk.

Life seems less stressful. much better.

Running and getting my endometriosis sorted (Mirena coil worked for me). I look good at 43 and like a bucket of shit at 39!

I am half way through this. The main things that have helped:
Acid toners, decent moisturiser-my skin looks great now.
Lost weight-I had six stone plus to lose when I started at 38 I looked like I was in my late forties, the fact that clothes are limited in over a size eighteen and unfortunately seem to be made with a different type of customer to myself in mind. Now 40 with still two more stone to lose I look my age now with plenty of choice in a size fourteen.
Really looking at the clothes I wear-I realised that I was aging myself by wearing hoody’s and jeans all the time. So I looked back to my late twenties and early thirties when I dressed and felt really good and realised that nice skinny/flared jeans with a
nice top/sweater and vans/converse or a tea dress and dm’s work for me. As well as a few decent coats.
Gradually going blonde-I went grey early and have finally had to accept that my original hair colour
no longer suits me. So having high lights has really helped, I look a lot brighter.
Modernish hair cuts-I have generally stuck to short easy cuts, but I found when I needed a trim and just told the hairdresser to do what she wanted, she gave me a very dated feathered at the front bob that aged my whole look by five years that a more blunt 90’s style bob works so much better. I don’t suit long hair, would love it but it does nothing for me.
Make up-I wear much more now, just to set myself up for the day, and for confidence. Still the same sort of products and colours I always used but updated looks.
Exercise-gave myself the month off in January and you can really tell!
Looking into Botox, but I don’t earn loads and the up keep is putting me off.

Any other skincare recommendations? Anyone tried the Aldi acid toners? Happy to spend more but don’t want to if I don’t have to…

Has anyone had laser eye surgery or lens replacement surgery in their 40’s? I feel like a frump and am working on the diet and exercise but would love to ditch my glasses at least part of the time. Tried contacts but really struggled to get them in (imagine Rachel from Friends when she has eye drops but much less glamorous ).

I'm 1.4 years into my mini makeover, now 49 years old. Approaching my big 50 isn't so scary anymore.

I started Fast800 in Oct 2020 as I was at a brink of T2 diabetes. It was incredibly effective, I lost 2.7 stone eventually and it has transformed my eating habits. I now eat liberal low carb which I find very enjoyable and my weight has remained stable.

I'm also completely sugar free, including artificial sweeteners. It was the scariest thing I had to face but the best life changing decision I've ever made. I don't hate my face at the hairdressers mirror anymore and I've had other unexpected skin wins too. For instance my heels are now smooth (used to have really dry cracked heels before) and I haven't had a single flair of excema since cutting out sugar. I used to get flair ups on my arms or legs during every cold spell before.

Using vitamin C serum - I had a brown pigment spot on my cheek, about the size of a 20p coin. It has now completely gone. I use Lumene Vitamin C serum in the mornings before moisturiser.

The second lockdown forced me to outgrow my fringe, I used to have a fringed bob which I loved but looking back it was quite mumsy haircut. I still have a bob but with a simple side parting which has lifted how I look.

I now also lift weights and do yoga 5-6 days a week. I do these at home, first thing in the morning and only about 30 minutes per session per day. I'm not muscular at all but my body composition is much better, my core has definitely improved which in turns gives me a better posture.

oh i can so relate! I turn 40 this year and wanted to try and look my best so here is the good and the bad....
-Permanant eyeliner (£300 but lasted so far 3+ years with varely any fade - best thing ever) and eyebrows done (this needs touching up annually i find at around £150 a time),
-good haircut and colour (pair just below shoudler, sweeping fridge and honey highlights - 150 a time 3 times a year)
-botox once a year on 11s and forehead (should probably do twice a year but keeping costs down atm - i notice when all the botox is all worn out the lines are less than when i first started doing it 4 years ago £160 a time)
Skincare i honestly just use a teens acne facewash, but i swear by the orgdinay aha/bha face peel (once a fornight) and i use a retinol cream at night and cerave face cream morning and night.

So i spend a fair bit on the above however i save elsewhere - i am a minamilist dresser 90% of time i wear a nice black tshirt, dark slim jeans and black leather ankle boots. (i do have other things liek shorts wear for sports, a handful of dresses for occasions and a few hoodies and shorts for when camping or on hols etc)

Make up i'm a minamlist as well, i use a bobbi brown pressed broncing power on eyelids and cheeks to add a tad of warmth to my face, sometimes if going out to the office or an event i'll wear massaca or subtle fakies, and some fournation on t section.

Where I let myself down constantly and sometimes i feel like all the above is like putting lipstick on a pig is my body and weight, I've yoyo dieted so much my body is overweight and like uncooked bread dough SIGH. I really, really want this to be the year i can start looking after myself better, eatting and exercise wise, i'm just so busy with work and kids etc the only things i get a bit of job from is food and chilling in bed. I look so much better slimmer (and my slimmer a 12-14 is probably a lot of peopel's too big!) so yeah i'd love to give myself the gift of a stonger, healither body and lifestyle where i'm not ashamed of myself.

Hi where do you get your dresses from?

I've made myself over on a tight budget.. and with two young kids. This is what I did at 43. Im still working on myself but here you go..

Make a Plan

Work out who you actually are. What your legacy will be..what you actually like... Set yourself a timeline and targets. 12 Weeks is enough time to completely reinvent yourself.

Work on your mind. I realised the most import thing for me to do was to firstly work on my discipline and mindset.

Sign up to spotify for a free trial and read a self improvement book every week. 7 Habits of highly successful people and No Excuses are a good start. They will help you hatch a plan. I listen to audio books when driving, running, or working out. Washing the dishes or cooking. I don't waste anytime.

Sign up to instagram and follow positive people that inspire you. If you don't have mentors around you, find them on there everyday.

Listen to new music what is in the charts. Keep relevant.

Manage your time.

I have two young kids, no childcare and run a business. To fit it all in I realised I had to get up early. I started getting up at 5am and going to bed at 10pm.

Shut out the Negative

News, politics, people- unless something will actually help you become the person you want to be- forget it.

Work on your CV. Remember who you are and what you have achieved. What is next for you? It doesn't have to be work related. Could be anything.

Face your fears. I hated taking photos of me so I decided to set up an instagram page and blogged my journey. Not only did I become more accountable to myself but I became more confident. My insta was purely about me- no kids, family or friends.

Age is a number. It is also an excuse for some people to not push themselves or live their lives to their maximum potential.

Body:

Intermittent fasting- Look at Dr Berg's video's on youtube. He explains it all. If you are overweight it can be a game changer. There's also free fasting apps on line to help you.

Mediterranean diet - from my research - this is the best for health, weightloss and longevity. Shop at Aldi. I started growing my own herbs for salads too. Basil etc for cooking. Can do it on your window.

Protein.. over 40 you loose muscle mass which can make you look older. If you are over weight id start with a diet protein shake and replace a meal with it.

Lift weights- Cardio is good for your mental health and heart but after 40 you are better off lifting. All the experts say cardio is useless in your 40's. You just get lean and have no shape. I log into Caroline Girvan's youtube videos every morning before the kids get up. If you can afford to sign up to a gym and lift weights. Walk 10,000 steps a day.

Take a hair nails and skin supplement. I actually used nioxin as shampoos and supplements as my hair was incredibly thin. I also take cod liver oil.

Drink coffee before working out - preferably black. I start my day double espresso and then workout. It helps you burn more energy.

Ebay old stuff and invest in some good fitness gear. Bo+Tee have really lovely leggings that make your bum look incredible. They are expensive but worth every penny. I bought some New Balance white trainers too.

A great pair of jeans, a blazer and a tshirt always looks smart/casual. You can do a school run with converse trainers or step it up with mid heels. Blazers are back! Great for arms too. Look at styleandbeyond.com for designer copies. Zara is good for blazers too. I got rid of all my flowery joules stuff and invested in a Gucci Belt (gg). Second hand ebay.

I also invested in a good leather jacket from All Saints. I sold my old frumpy clothes to buy it. Personally I avoid floral stuff as it reminds me of my mother but I have friends who look great wearing it. Just me. I feel frumpy.

Blonde highlights compliment more mature skin. I have a blonde bob but im thinking about getting a few extensions to give me a bit of volume and a LOB look. I use velcro curlers for a bit of a lift too.

Nails - gel nails are good. I have pointed french atm and tend to have a dark red for winter.

Wash your face with very cold water in the morning. Face creams morning and night Retinol & Collagen - Home Bargins has an array reasonably priced.

Teeth whitening - Crest whitestrips are available now online - They are shipped from the US and are really good and a fraction of dentistry whitening.

Makeup - go and get a makeup lesson or watch a you tube video.. depending on your budget you can buy it all on line. I use Nars.. I use cream make up instead of powders now.

Get your eyebrows shaped. Consider false lashes? I only wear them for nights out though..

Shave and Wax... I started getting everything below waxed. I feel cleaner and sexier.

I hope this helps. I remember googling myself for posts like this. My goal is to be my best self, your goals maybe different.

Never give up on yourself. Good luck!