What is the most impactful thing you've done to turn back the clock (non surgical)

[PassportPhotosAreHorrific]

Tldr version: What's the most powerful way you've found to turn back the clock sans surgery (I'm not getting a face-lift)? Creams, pills, those weird light masks, massage?

Longer version (an SOS): my work was in the public eye until about seven years ago, and since then, I've had children and moved to the country. All good, v happy.

However! I have some new projects in the pipeline and need to make myself look a lot better by next summer. I thought I was doing okay but recent passport renewal photos showed me that I'm looking HORRIFICALLY mumsy. 😬

Really don't want people to die of shock when I emerge from my bucolic chrysalis next year, so please, please help. 😩

Yoga to maintain flexibility. Moving with ease seems to indicate youthfulness! I'm thinking of those ppl that I know who are 40s and 50s.

Stopped drinking alcohol, started jogging regularly. Also a decent skincare routine!

Tret all the way! As you said you’re a bit of a novice with all the skincare stuff I highly recommend Skin & Me. They send you out a prescription tret cream plus they have suitable cleansers, moisturisers, SPF and vit c if I recall rightly and they lay it all out for you really easily what to use when. Rolling subscription so you don’t even have to think about it, just plops onto the doormat. Results take a good while but just be consistent.

Fake tan
Whitened teeth
Serum

Botox, sleep, trying to keep stress minimal, water, fruit and veg, keep out of sun, don't drink, smoke or take drugs.
I know so many people who lived the tanning/smoking/drinking/all nighter life through their 20s/30s and it's caught up to them very suddenly.

All the above and smiling more. Actually being happy. Whether that is spending time with people you love, doing fun projects, having a hobby or laughing more.

I noticed that those that smiled had what I call “smile lines” on their eye creases and lips and looked younger.

@Orangeandgold Yes to smiling! And laughing and surrounding yourself with good people. Makes such a difference.

Hair appointments every three months, block booked a year in advance, from age 35 onwards.
otherwise you never get round to it and it shows at this age.

Enjoy yourself. Nothing looks more ageing than a middle aged woman obsessing about how she looks.

I find that wearing bright or light colours near my face seems to make a big difference.

I'm feeling motivated! Thanks all.

Have ordered tretinoin, SPF, collagen and vitamin pills. And I'm going to do a fucktonne of exercise.

Wish me luck!!!

No alcohol
No caffeine
Great skincare
Facial every six weeks
Exercise 4 times a week

Following for ideas, some great tips here!

No alcohol. Castor oil.

Following for much needed tips!

will try the alcohol one for sure

I think hair can make a massive massive difference personally.

I think vitality comes from the inside out and definitely notice a difference in my look and demeanour when I'm:

• eating a diet of mainly nutritious whole foods
• drinking plenty of water
• doing some gentle exercise every day
• keeping a relatively consistent sleep schedule

Basic & boring but it seems to work, and in my experience has made noticeably more difference than lotions and potions.

I have a friend who’s aged really well - she doesn’t look especially young for her age (60-ish) but is always fabulously glowy, with a really fresh complexion. As she’s a clinical nutritionist I just assumed it was mainly diet-related. Turns out it’s Botox 😂.

Another vote here for the basics: plenty of water, good sleep, exercise and limiting alcohol. They’re the four really impactful things that make a difference, for better or worse, in how I look and feel every day. And a good haircut is confidence boosting.

I want to add to my previous comments with what I do to stay healthy and alive lol, that sure all of these ideas may be good (except the skincare routines and cosmetic procedures, I don't want any of those additional chemicals being absorbed or leached into my endocrine system, personally)

BUT a HUGE part of it is how you see yourself. We are ok, we are GOOD when we are wrinkly, fuzzy, baggy, heavier, or more bony, or grey. We are allowed to be these things. Showing an older stomach, an older thigh, an older face, it's all YOU and you are valid. Lucky to be alive. Your worth isn't increased by a filter, or anyone else's gaze (although both can feel good of course).

The message of society is that we are somehow lesser; or a project to be "improved". When actually that regresses our inner strength, it distracts us from our worth. It moves our vision from building happiness, from noticing the tiny things that weave together to make what is really important.

Well actually, I have bad hips and posture because this amazing body produced my children. My hair is grey quite young because I have weathered a lot of awful stress, and here I am still. How amazing. I am strong and proud of that and I refuse to pretend I'm younger than I am, for whom does that benefit? Not me, not my children, I want them to grow to realise that their authentic selves are more than enough. That a lipstick marketer doesn't get to shit-talk their natural lips the second they go on insta or look in a magazine, that cutting their eyebrows with a literal blade is somehow preferential to their own lovely eyebrows.

The most beautiful women I know work in a library with no makeup, same clothes every day, very very knowledgeable woman. Or have the perseverance to ride out their disabilities and continue to be thoughtful towards others even during their pain and people's misunderstandings. Or are able to listen to their children with a soft eye and an open mind. THEY are examples of beauty to aim for, that cannot be tweaked into an improved state, and how I wish they knew it on a deep level.

We are ALWAYS enough, just as we are.

Lost weight, tinted eyebrows, stopped wearing eyeliner, chose a bright lipstick.

I have nice hair but it’s too expensive to maintain so will have to settle for slightly worse balayage in future.

Could get your colours done.

Being with someone you truly love and having a job you love (and low alcohol consumption/fasting..eg no food before lunch/Body Pump!)

I got my shoulder length spindly hair chopped into a bob and it changed my vibe. I definitely think I look younger and I don't need to style it as I just kind of flop it around.

I quite drinking alcohol in 2019 and you can tell. I have gestational diabetes with my youngest and went off sugar and I looked so much better but went back onto it when she was born.

I drink about a million litres of water each day and go to bed early. My skin care is simple, moisturiser with high factor in the morning, very rich night cream at night. I don't sunbathe and stay out of the sun.

I watched a YouTube tutorial on how to do your make up like Angelina Jolie and I adapted it to my face. I'm sure anyone could. In my 20s I was obsessed with slathering as much foundation on every square millimetre of my face. Now I cover my bad spots, blend and leave the rest of my natural skin on show, where possible.

I don't dress according to fashion but what suits me and will wear some funky accessories like cool earrings or a flash of electric blue kohl eyeliner on the inside rims of my eyes (it does look good!). I do bold lips now.

I definitely think I look better than I did in my 20s or 30s. It comes from within though, physically and emotionally. People can tell when you've found your groove.

Following