I woke up this morning and I look OLD....help me

[peppaforpresident]

Has been a heck of a six months: serious family illnesses, job trauma, money worries. Add in 2 DCs age 3 and 1 and I looked in the mirror this morning and screeched at my appearance. I look tired, wrinkled and like an old woman. And I'm only 41.
I know in the context of what's going on that to whinge on about what I look like is facile (Certainly that's DP's view). But.....it's just SO depressing.I don't want to look this bad already. What can I do? Have been trying to cut down on sugar for the past 2-3 weeks after saw the clean and lean diet promoted everywhere; have been doing 2 x 30 mins boxercise classes a week for the past few months, but - dear lord, I'm scaring myself when I see myself.
Save me mumsnetters please. Or at least teach me how to accept what I look like and be positive about it...
runs to cover over all mirrors/shop windows etc

I'm only 31 but have noticed recently I'm looking a heck of a lot more haggard than I did a year ago. I think I need more sleep, a better skincare routine and to eat more healthily. Easier said than done though! Even little things do make a difference - like splashing my face with really cold water first thing, using eye cream then a concealer to brighten the dark circles, minimal make up (but always mascara to make me look awake - am starting to use eyeliner a lot more too of late!)

Don't look in the mirror and grimace - smile at yourself and it instantly takes a few years off! :)

I always thought that, but when I smile you can see all the lines in my cheeks and around my eyes. Awful! Really made me think Posh Spice is on to something...
I'll try the cold water (brr!) and eyeliner sounds good. I'm hopeless at putting liquid eyeliner on - what's the trick...?

I stared the oil cleansing method about 6 months ago and skin has never looked better. I use rosewater as a toner every day too (very dry, sensitive skin) my T-zone used to be prone to horrible scaliness but that has vanished with OCM.

My skin absolutely adores Astral moisturiser too - makes it so plump and hydrated looking

Agree about mascara - makes you look so much more awake!

I've never heard of Astral moisturiser lotta what is it?

It's a cheapo moisturiser that you can use on face and body. It's in a bright blue tub and you can get it in Boots/Superdrug/Tesco for about £4 for a medium size tub. Fabulous stuff but avoid if you are prone to oil!

See I tried OCM and really really wanted it to work but it did nothing for my spots at all so I stopped. Still have half a bottle of castor oil lurking in my bathroom cabinet! I will look out for Astral moisturiser, I love a bargain

I can't use liquid eyeliner peppa so use a gel type one which you paint on from a pot (much easier than liquid) which is quite long-lasting or a pencil if I am in a rush (which is most of the time!)

twolittlemonkeys, I love it so much that I would never be tempted by super-duper-fancy-pants moisturisers because I can't imagine any of them would do better! I hope it works out for you and that you love it too! It is very thick though and some people find the smell a bit strong. You can get tiny pots of it for about a quid so maybe try one of them first so you don't waste it if you don't like it

What is OCM? (no wonder I look old?). And lotta what is a gel one? I worry that I'm always dragging skin when put pencil on so want to stop that but is painting on really easier?

Lack of sleep is an absolute bitch for looks, I find. I'm 38 and spent all of last year nearly weeping every time I caught sight of myself in a mirror. I looked OLD, tired, wrinkled and just generally crap. Since getting a reasonable amount of sleep again (and having the time to go and get my hair cut/coloured regularly), I look like my old self again (or young self!).

You've had a rough few months - it's taken it's toll. But it doesn't mean you've done irreparable damage. You just need sleep and a lack of stress and hopefully you'll start to look more like yourself again.

Quick fix - make sure you wear make-up. It won't fix everything, but it will make you feel a bit better. Mascara, bronzer and lip gloss, at the very least, can really help.

juneau I think you're right on the lack of sleep. DC2 has only just started sleeping til 5.30 - before that would wake up regularly at 4.30 for a bottle. I know I know - but was so tired would give in so cd at least try to put her back. Made it to 5.45 today so perhaps there is hope. And I have to work in evenings to catch up with stuff I don't get done in day...
goes off to put mascara on

Hi Peppa,

I am a make up artist so might be able to help with a gentle nudge. firstly whatever you do don't plaster yourself with a ton of make up and think it will make you look younger, maybe in a photo yes it will, but for everyday life it will not.

Most people do not look after their body well enough and most fall down on liquid intake. do you drink enough water a day? Not tea, coffe, wine.. but water (poss wth a bit of juice to help) if it is under 2 litres a day the you need to start making that your goal. It will not bloat you, it will help your body clean out toxins and help your skin be more hydrated and respond better.

The next thing to look at is what you eat. Do you manage your 5 a day? If not start now. Ditch any junk food, best of all try a healthy detox which again will help your system restart and clear out toxins, you will end up a bit slimmer, but also your skin, hair and nails will look fab. Do you take a good daily multi vitamin?

Next is a good skin care routine. No particular make to bandy here. Don't be sucked in by crazy promises. An anti aging cream only has to have sunscreen in it to legally be classified as anti ageing, all the rest is mostly hokum. Find a routine within your budget, that you like the smell texture and feel of and use it religiously. cleanse, tone and moisturise... after a few weeks if you do the rest too your skin will be feeling much better.

Lastly go and get a nice haircut. If you are brave enough find a salon with someone you can really trust and discuss with them how you feel and that you need a change. Get some pics together of looks you like and leave yourself in their hands. a touch of colour may help, a new style or just to feel the smartness of a fresh cut.

HTH a bit, good luck x x

Have you thought about a colour for your hair? I know that I feel "brighter" when I've got my hair colour freshly done

And I'm sure you look great btw - don't be too hard on yourself

Sharkets advice is full of beauty myths.5 a day was invented by the gmt as a random number. You don't need to drink more water. When your body needs it it will be thirsty. Any excess is excreted.

Detoxing has been well documented as absolute science bunkum

@Toxins". FFs

Curry and sharklet thank you for the encouragement. I have a haircut booked for next week so maybe I shd ask for a colour too