HELP! Suddenly I look really old.

[gramercy]

Caught sight of myself in a mirror this morning - and have to admit that I look like a very haggard Sandi Toksvig.

I've always looked young for my age, but now, in my mid-40s, I look ancient.

I am very pale with fair hair, and all of a sudden about a million lines and wrinkles have appeared. My face is also always going red which is really attractive (not!).

I see someone like Orla Brady from Mistresses who is 49 and I want to weep: I look nothing like that.

What can I do? Any make-up tips? I know I can't stop the march of time but would anything make me look less grim?

Sorky - you have convinced me on the botox - you look lovely.

How much do you pay if you don't mind me asking?

You are lovely looking Sorky! I'm no expert (apart from on myself) and doing it from a photo is hard, but I think you are Spring. I think you may look best in deep or bright green, like emerald and jade, deep claret/aubergine/ruby, and lighter earthy colours, rich browns/plums/golds and some yellows? That probably doesn't fit the diagnosis though. I'm an autumn (I think) but the lists of colours they give are bit woolly. I just know what suits me and what doesn't.

Look here

Sorry, crap linkage.

Hang on...

Can't make a link work today for some reason. Just google colour analysis seasons!

Thanks for that FN, I'm gravitating towards Aubergine's, deep purples and greens as I get older.

Can a Spring wear black or white?

I have received a few compliments when I wear soft greys, which again I've always avoided like the plague.

Re: Botox

£60 for one area (eyes) I have this done every 3 months and it makes a huge difference. (for 2 areas it's £110, for 3 it's £140)

I had my frown lines and forehead done in December and they haven't come back.

I can still move my eyebrows, but weirdly there are no lines, which seems a bit freaky to me. It should've worn off completely.

It's cheaper because I know the Doctor very well. Salon prices are a lot higher.

Right, better go make my photos private :)

Just the one eye?

I would think black, if you were in evening make-up, but maybe not white? I can do white with a tan, but it's not good otherwise.

I look dismal in pale grey, peach, flesh and light beige, strong yellows and oranges, and I look positively like a jaundiced cadaver in pale blue or grey/green. Can't do wishy-washy. But I look nice in strong/dark blues and greens, warm earthy colours, dark charcoal and deep jewel colours. Then again, it depends on the time of year and whether I have a tan and am wearing make-up.

Great thread! I just had a look at the seasonal colour analysis but I don't seem to fall into any of the categories. I have mid brown hair with red in it, dark brown eyes and very pale skin with pinky undertones. Does anyone else have a similar colouring and know what colours suit this?

pmsl no BOTH eyes

it's just classed as one area heehee

You know, I think I'm going to get the colour-thing done, then I'll know for certain & I can stop guessing and making expensive mistakes.

House of Colour seem to get good reviews on here, will check them out.

Couldn't really find anything via google, just people advertising their colour-me businesses

Thanks again FN.

Who's next?

Suze that sounds a bit like me, though my eyes are going lighter/greener as I get older. I think I'm autumn but I'm not 100%.

I prefer to just use the seasons as a loose guide and experiment with different colours next to my face, and learn through experience.

[http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bobbi-Brown-Living-Beauty/dp/0755316290/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top This] has been my bible for correcting redness, dryness and dark circles. You can see my review on here about having to relearn skincare and makeup as I've got older.

Touche eclat is amazing but only layered over another concealer. You need a yellow-based concealer that is for under eyes to correct the colour, and then layer touche eclat over the top - the light-diffusing particles - well, diffuse the light - which confuses the eye.

Re hair, I haven't seen any pics on here but generally speaking long hair is ageing - there are a few people for whom it is more youthful, but I'm not one of them. I have curly hair which is fine in texture but thick in quantity, and I need to have it layered otherwise I look like a clown - flat on top and sticking out at the sides. The key is to make sure that the back isn't too long in proportion to the front o/wise you end up with a mullet. The back of mine just reaches my collar. You also need to keep the layers on top long, with most of the layering at the ends.

Honestly, my hair looks fine. It does, really.

BettyTurnip you sound a bit like me as well, though I'm sort of pinky/whitey/sallow.

here

and this is a great one - very thorough.

"Read somewhere recently that your 'first thing in the morning' face at 30 is your 'all-day' face at 40."

Holy crap bluejeans that's not good.

Thanks for the advice: that Bobbi Brown book looks good.

Am I too late for you to do my colours? (I've been playing Barbies!)

I have very pale skin, fair hair which is just below shoulder length - sort of a few layers and no fringe. Blue eyes. I suppose I have the same colouring as Gwyneth Paltrow (but I don't look anything like her!!).

I'm quite thinnish, which may be good figure-wise but hasn't done my face any favours, I fear.

It's tricky. You are either spring or summer but it depends which site you look at.

I think I'm a spring - but turquoise? light blue? I would never wear those colours - I feel a knitted item from Woman's Weekly coming on... But who knows? Perhaps I would be transformed if I were to wear some pastels.

I was convinced I was Autumn but I'm starting to feel a bit on the Springy side now. It's a style minefield ladies.

Ignore my advice to self-diagnose. I was clearly talking out of my arse. Get thee to a professional practioner for a formal diagnosis.

Thanks for links, need more colour in my wardrobe as I always seem to plump for black as default colour choice. V draining once you're in the arse end of your thirties. Great advice re purple eye circles too. Had to laugh at the Rick Wakeman comparisons, poor OP!

I've booked to get my colours done!

will report as to the trauma...please God don't recommend yellow

I think there are certain strong bright yellows that would look fab on you! Still vote emerald green and ruby and aubergine though. Can't wait to find out! Can you go armed with close-ups of all of us while you are there please?

Apparently there are some very good threads archived on this in S&B.

Ahem

Why aren't you listening to me? I need you to come and admire it now before my nice blow-dry gets rained on.