To ask for your six week beauty hacks?

[SoonToBeinSpotlight]

NC for this.

I am getting married in six weeks, which I'm very happy about!
But I'm forty six years old, peri, and feel like I'm fighting aging back by the minute! Skin dulling, hair thinning, and I'll swear jowls have just started appearing in the last three weeks!

Yes, I know beauty isn't everything - I have plenty of substance, confidence, intelligence etc beyond this, so please no need for sanctimonious replies..... but I would like to look my best on my special day!

So, question is what are your tips for a quick boost, that can work within six weeks? Supplements/ foods/ make up tricks/ health-boosting micro habits? Anything that will help give my eyes, skin, hair and ME a shine or a lift?

Thank you for all ideas and recommendations!

Increase your water intake as much as you can, makes such a difference to my skin.

Congrats OP, my wedding is in 5 weeks and I'm also panicking! I'm going to aim to eat well, take a multivitamin (already do), use Olaplex on my hair and get it cut and coloured the week of the wedding, go to the gym a couple of times a week and get as much fresh air and sleep as I can. I also love chemical exfoliants, REN Ready Steady Glow works well for me, it makes my skin look much brighter. Try this ASAP though as it can be harsh and you don't want to be having a reaction near the wedding. I'm going to get brightening eye drops and a spray tan.

Oh yes, thank you. I know that's a good idea but often forget. I think I need to get one of those big bottles to carry around all the time to encourage me. Would be a good habit to keep for ever, even. Thanks!

While we're at it, I'm getting married in the sunshine. Any suggestions for suncreams that don't make you look pasty or greasy? I'm afraid I'm going to look like a sweating lobster!

Go to a good hairdresser and plan your wedding hair now. Be open to extensions or hair pieces. Nothing makes as much difference to your appearance as great hair imo.

Oh congratulations to you too! It's exciting isn't it!
Quite right about trying things early - I'm a bit afraid of shaking up my routines/ body! At least I know I'm presentable as I am- I can just imagine taking some new thing and a big zit or rash turning up!

Great ideas, and loads of things I haven't heard of - will definitely check them out... and good luck with yours!!

6 weeks of drinking a lot of water is the best thing you could do for hair, skin, everything!
Congratulations xx

Collagen supplements might be worth a try - I was doubtful but a friend in her 50s has been amazed at the difference they've made to her skin.

For sunscreen try biore watery gel/essence. Its spf 50++++ and sits very nicely underneath makeup etc. Its a chemical sunscreen though rather than physical just fyi!

If you're having professional photos taken see if they have advice about the suncream, I think I read that it can react with the flash or something!

Start drinking lots of water immediately- the best habit is hydrate yourself from immediately waking up to before bed. Aim for a minimum of 3 litres. You’ll pee a lot initially but your body will get used to it after a few days.

I have a pint of water with half a lemon squeezed into it first thing every morning, it’s a miracle worker trust me.

Reduce caffeine intake to 1 cup in the mornings ideally

Start on WellWoman supplements or similar supplements, take one each day with your breakfast or lunch. I also take an additional high dose of vitamin C and D too.

Veg veg veg veg fruit fruit fruit.

If you wear make up or not ensure you are double cleansing at night then follow with a Glycolic toner (The Ordinary / Pixi Glow tonic). Leave a minute or two then continue with serums and moisturisers. Acid Exfoliation done gently will work wonders in 6 weeks. A hydrating moisturiser will plump up skin.

Decrease your alcohol intake, in fact cut it out altogether if it’s possible. Same for carbonated fizzy drinks to minimise bloating etc.

Stop smoking if you do, 6 weeks you won’t see too much of a difference other than you’ll smell better but the health benefits long term are worth it

Consider teeth whitening if they’re a little dull it’s a great anti aging trick

Go to bed early/ ensure you get good quality sleep to brighten those dull eyes.

Eye cream is a must too, no idea of your finances so invest in the best skincare within your budget. Don’t over complicate with too many lotions and potions otherwise you risk your skin breaking out.

Eye brows threaded if they’re not done already

I found cutting out sugar completely made my hair shine like glass, it was a shock but I did go very ott with it though not sustainable long term.

Have a good hair cut, not sure on your colour/greys situation but if it’s a thing obviously you’ll have that booked in for before the wedding, right?

How are your nails? Manicure? Pedicure? Natural soft polish colours for a wedding.

Do you work out? Swim? If you have a gym membership get it used.

Body glove for exfoliating in the shower.

Also a couple of drops of Tan Luxe in your moisturiser a day or two before the wedding! I'm very fair and this does wonders making me look more glowy

Oh wow - so many great suggestions- thank you! I went out for a good walk, inspired by one of the first posters and came back to find lots more great ideas!

I have pretty bushy, totally untrained eyebrows.... I'm a bit scared of threading and ending up looking plucked or like a totally different person, but do you think it's worth a try? Does it just tidy things up? Or change the shape/ thickness?

I do have a hair appointment booked a few days before for my regular highlights, so I'm confident with this. But I'm getting married abroad, so have a hair and make up person booked who I've never worked with before. I don't normally wear a lot of make up, so I'm hoping I'll get a 'lift' but still look and feel like me!

Thank you for all the positive ideas - it's making me feel excited and more confident!

Oh and love the idea of a manicure. I almost never have those and hadn't planned it, but I can imagine that would help me feel special and give me a little shine.

Definitely get a manicure, they'll take photos of your hands with the rings etc! I get my eyebrows done routinely so have confidence in my eyebrow lady. I'd book in somewhere now so it's not too close to the day. My eyebrows look really natural though, I just get them tidied up and tinted, not HD brows etc. Ask your friends for local recommendations, you could just ask them to use tweezers and show you periodically to make sure they don't go too far (they shouldn't though). Do you get your eyelashes tinted? That works wonders for me. I usually get a lift too but don't recommend this if you'll be using strip lashes on the day.

Do you use a night cream? The M&S Formula one is fantastic.

Posture! It'll do you good long term and if you get into the habit now, you will automatically do it on the day and look better in photos.

Have your teeth professionally whitened.

Eyelash extensions.

Have your eyebrows professionally done.

A good facial now and then before the wedding.

Drinking water.

Manicure.

Spray tan (now as a test run and then again before the wedding)

I'd get Botox in your shoes but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Yet another vote for lots of water! I’ve upped my veg intake with smoothies (equal parts spinach, banana and frozen mango, watered down with milk or water) which is helping. Sleep. I‘m a skincare addict but I’d advise caution with acid exfoliants or anything with strong ‘actives’ as these could cause a reaction or purge which you might not get past in time. Niacinamide is a nice gentle one to help with brightening, and Korean skincare products/routines are usually quite gentle and nourishing. Washing your face with a flannel helps too!

I'd rather split with my fiance than attempt one or two of these posts - they sound miserable

Water, collagen supplements, super facial with dermaplaning and microneedling and a good skincare routine with hyaluronic acid and peptides.

Filler for the jowls and a bit of lift and carnivore diet. No amount of water or supplements are going to make the same difference that these two do.

I’d go get a microdermabrasion, the one with crystals and look at skin booster injections given the short time period. I doubt supplements will work that quickly. Some shots of hylauronic acid in your face should give you a luminous glow and you can get them that also provide a bit of structure too. For hair Kerastase works the best for me as much of the range according to your hair type as you can afford. The overnight serum is seriously good as are the oils if you don’t want to buy anything else. If you don’t fancy the serious exfoliator mentioned above, the e cooking face peel is excellent as is the ordinary peel (red liquid in a bottle) once a week. Hope that helps

I had weekly facials for the 6 weeks prior to my wedding. I’ve had problem skin since mid-twenties and it really helped. It took the congestion away and the texture was much smoother and make up Sat much better.

I haven't eaten refined sugar for about two months and my skin is glowing. That and no alcohol and lots of water.

Also vitamin C serum first thing every morning.

I had a facial this week which included ultra sound cleaning. My skin looks amazing! So hydrated and shiny and healthy. Highly recommend!