More of an 'am I being vain' - about ageing and looks!

[palebluesky]

Hello :) I'm now 36 and sadly, looking at myself honestly, really don't look great. In all truth and honesty my mum didn't age very well and nor have I.

I was never Kate Moss but I did have a nice face and lovely hair once. Now, though, it's gone.

My hair is dry, dry, dry no matter what i do. So is my skin. I've tried natural ways of addressing the flakiness but it just makes it look greasy. I have furrows in my brow and black hairs sporadically growing out of my neck!

The worst thing is there's little I can do. Makeup makes me look worse! But I long for a glowing complexion and shiny swishy hair like the old days

I know it's vain but seeing some lovely young women on the train home made me realise how faded I am. AIBU? :)

Next time you get highlights ask your hairdresser to use Olaplex, or go to a salon that does. It's a very intense conditioning treatment and basically "resets" the cuticle. Your hair will be glossy and in very good condition (I have had it done)

Hi op, it sounds like you may have sebhorreic dermatitis around your nose and mouth. I googled the heck out of it a few months ago and the two things that were recommended above anything else on many websites were salicylic acid for the flakes and zinc soap or cream for the red patches. I haven't tried the zinc stuff yet but dermalogica daily microfoliant has got rid of my flakes. It's uber expensive but lasts forever.

Sorry if this has already been said but have you had your iron levels checked recently? My hair had always been in good condition, thick and shiny but it got very dry and dull a while back. I had a blood test (for an unrelated reason) and found my iron was very low. Started taking the tablets and within a month or two my hair was back to normal. Re skin, I'm not a big believer in miracle creams but high dose Vitamin D3 made my skin glowy. A friend of mine with beautiful skin swears by Efamol which is evening primrose oil.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is incredible for 30-something hair. Paula's Choice skincare is fab for 30-something skin. Drink 3 litres of water daily. Take Biotin supplements and smile lots.

wait till you're 46 mwwwahahahaha!

seriously I wont lie - aging sucks

For hair I used Garnier Ultimate Blends Marvelous Oils plus the maple mask once a week and I use a new look hair serum as well when I dry

it does help (mine is quiet gray now) keep it soft

Pluck neck hairs and use a nice shiny face primer - I use L'oreal Pure Light - no make up (clogs the lines up)

I am a couple of years younger than you but since having DS I have found the same problems you do. I echo Olaplex, and you can take away the no. 3 to keep topped up at home. I also eat lots of salmon and good fat and exercise as much as I can. Drink tonnes of water too.

With regards to skin care, moisturise regularly, and I've recently discovered Keeome hydration masks which when used once a week help. They aren't cheap though.

Regarding the lines, I too had them, and I'm not ashamed to say I have gone for Botox "sprinkles" and microdermabrasion. Some of my friends do it, some don't, but the light adminstering of botox definitely avoids the Spock look and freshens my face up.

^the last recommendation is very un-mumsnet though so am prepared for a flaming!

oh no Microdermabrasion is great - really makes your skins nice