can you tell by looking at a face what's wrong with it and what needs done to make it look better again?

[Booyhoo]

sorry for shit title. i just couldn't think how to phrase it any better.

what i'm asking is if i posted a photo of myself 5 years ago and one now would you be able to tell me what has gone wrong and how i get back (if possible) to how it looked before? i know i haven't been looking after my skin or health at all in the last 4ish years but i dont have a clue how to get back to the way i used to look. i sent a photo of myself to my friend this morning (showing her my lawnmower haircut) and i was really gutted with how much i've changed.

so if i posted photos could anyone advise based on just looking?

I'll get this in before you post pictures- if you drink it's very ageing. Smoking too, but that tends to create wrinkles rather than change your face shape iyswim. .

I'm sure we could tell you what is different and suggest remedies. Also I'm sure it's not as bad as you think

I'm sure we could help, yes

Can't see any photos. Post them and let us have a look.

i hardly drink at all now. maybe a few west coast coolers every few months, whereas back then i was binge drinking every weekend . i also haven't smoked in the last 4 years- before that was a weekend smoker.

ok im going to be brave and upload the photos. hopefully wont take long.

you have a nice face

hair might be a bit dark though...i think that as we get older our skin tone changes and our hair could do with being in someway correspondingly lighter
not blonde etc but maybe not quite so all black?
I think it's aging you

Right I can see your pics and you look lovely on both. I think you have more makeup on the first photo and your fringe is different but you don't have lots of lines. Stop worrying and buy a new foundation

ok have photos up. the short hair is 5 years ago. the other two are today and a few months ago.

i've just put more of that dark brown in my hair last night!

It's not often I say this but loved your hair shorter and with the fringe.

If I wasn't so lazy (and damn time pressed) I'd cut mine. I have long hair and wear it tied back all the time which I think can be ageing.

Gosh you're pretty. In all the photos.

oh namechange dont encourage me! i've been toying with the idea of going short again based on that photo! hmm. have an appointment for cut and blow dry tomorrow! could be dangerous.

ok so you dont think i look haggard now? i can see a change but cant pinpoint it. bags under eyes maybe?

any remedies for that?

oh freddie! i already know you fancy me

Silly bint! You're lovely in all the photos! The lighting is better, 'kinder' in the short hair photo, and you don't look smoke and drink pickled in any of them.

The short hair is lovely, but... I got my hair cut into a bob after having it to my bra strap and I hate it probably because I'm old but it is a pain. I have to wash it and straighten it and BBH it every day because otherwise it looks crap. At least with it longer I could put it up.

Hmm ok, in the earlier picture you have a light sun tan, which suits you.

Also, your hair is shorter and more of a style, which again takes years off. It has more shine (possibly due to the flash) and seems a little lighter. It suits you around the jawline, your jaw is a lovely feature

The earlier pic has more colour - warm skin, pinkish lips - whereas the recent pics look like you live in monochrome!

So I would say:

Hair cut shorter to frame your jawline, more height on crown

Lighten the colour, shine conditioning treatments

A bit of that lightly-tanning moisturiser to build up a gradual tan

Mild glycolic treatments to enliven skin maybe? Your skin looks good but might help

Wear brighter colours, introduce a bit of subtle colour to your lips/cheeks, something fresh and pinkish rather than glam

Avoid wearing too much eyeliner under the eyes, can drag the face down (definitely watch Lisa Eldridge's videos on her website, they're fab, inspiring & v soothing)

You don't have much work to do! Sleep and fun will have the biggest effect. You look more relaxed in the earlier pic, wide-eyed, energised. That counts for a lot.

You don't look haggard at all! Natural ageing means your brows and jowls start to drop but that's totally normal and there's only a slight nod to that (and only if you compare the pics v. Closely, not if you just looked at the recent pics). I think the side parting suits your face in the old pic, I like the short bob too.
Agree with the person up there who said you look more 'done' in the old one so it's not really a fair comparison.
Nothing to worry about at all!

i do live in monochrome! it's safe you see. navy, black and grey everyday.

the last 4 years have been so stressful and i finally feel ready to get back to the me i was before which is why i'm asking for help. so yes i probably do look more energised in the earlier one. and yes to needing more sleep.

ok.lisa eldritch. pink and fresh make-up. brighter clothes. shorter, lighter hair (can sort the short tomorrow if i'm brave enough! ) no heavy eye make up. light tan.

thank you all!! you have really helped.

you might see me around s&b a bit more often til i get this sorted.

mermaid it's a theory. Certainly Mormons age very well and there is a certain puffiness associated with drinking more than the odd glass regularly.