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?

[LemonPeculiarJones]

Aw sorry you've had a tough four years Booyhoo

Grand that you're ready to get back to you - a bit of a make-over, some pampering, frivolity and colour therapy can really help lift the spirits

I've got primrose yellow nails this week. Cheers me right up.

[TolliverGroat]

I think a lot of it is down to better lighting in the earlier photo

[SundaySimmons]

None of us look the same as we did five years ago! Well maybe Madonna!

Your hair is dragging your face down. Either softer layers around the face or shorter and a soft fringe.

You have very good features and bone structure. A bit of warmth to your face with a tinted moisturiser or a foundation, blusher and a soft colour on your lips like a tinted balm. Definately not a heavy lipstick. You have lovely eyes and a bit of mascara and eyeliner for definition if you really feel you must.

If you feel you look crap you will look crap as stress and unhappiness shows on how face no matter who much we try and hide our feelings. You are good looking, so hold your head up high and smile often.

[Booyhoo]

it was better lighting in that photo but i do know myself that my skin and face seems to have changed and not for the better in teh last few years. i notice it when doing my make-up and not feeling happy with the result because i notice puffier bits and eye bags that never used to be there.

[happybubblebrain]

I think you look better now, not that different from 5 years ago, but you look more intelligent and sophisticated now. I prefer your hair longer.

I agree with the others that a slightly lighter hair colour and a slight suntan would make you look even better, but you look great so don't worry, you really don't need to change anything.

[Booyhoo]

i think i'm going to go for the chop tomorrow. i might as well, since it's already booked.

[NomDeOrdinateur]

You look nice in all of the photos, but I have a few suggestions that could help you to look your best:

1. Hair: your parting is too far to the side in the most recent photo - it draws attention away from your nicest features. Also, you really suited the shorter hair and the fringe - I agree with other posters that a similar style would be more flattering than your current one. Finally, maybe lighten your hair a tad if it's darker - I can't tell if it's just the lighting, as digital cameras do give everything very stark colouring.
   
   
2. Make-up: eyeliner is too thick and too dark. Try a steely grey or an aubergine (Avon Supershock Pencil in Blackberry would probably look lovely on you, and is about £2 on ebay) - apply thinly with a sharp pencil, then smudge slightly with a lip brush. The pinky blusher and lipstick in the first photo really suit you - maybe try a Bourjois pink blusher and a pink Revlon Lip Butter? Blusher makes a big difference, IME. I also agree with the others that you suit a sun-kissed look, so maybe consider gradual tanner/BB cream/"warm" toned foundation. A brush for foundation makes a huge difference to the finish - I recommend the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, it makes my skin look airbrushed even with cheap, low-ish coverage foundation.
   
   
3. If possible, increase your water intake, make-up free time, and get the best sleep that you can. Exercise that raises your heart rate is also great for your skin's appearance - maybe try 30 Day Shred on DVD? It's also worth making sure that your cleansing products are as gentle as possible - I use grapeseed oil to remove make-up and honey (cheap, squeezy bottle) to cleanse my face, and it's improved the evenness and texture of my skin a lot. The Glycolic Night Treatment from Bravura London is also great if it suits your skin, but you do need sunscreen every day if you're using it.
   
   Hope that helps!

[NomDeOrdinateur]

Also, caffeine and sleeping on your front can make your face look puffy - do either of those apply? (Not that your face looks puffy to me, but you mentioned it.)

And a blob of this in MY my foundation makes a big difference to how healthy my skin looks - might be worth a shot?

[NomDeOrdinateur]

(Oooh-er, "MY my foundation"...? Don't know what happened there!)

[Nagoo]

Your eyebrows were more groomed in the 'before' picture.

[defineme]

I have photo from last August -I look 10 years younger, but that's the tan, the fact I put leave in conditioner on every day when I'm in the sun, and I was very happy as on holiday!
You're just knackered and comparing yourself to a very flattering photo. You're also beautiful-really lovely-right now.

I find a tinted moisturiser and very fine few highlights help.

(I also think your old hair was a little dated-sorry-I appear to be in the minority so feel free to ignore)

[Booyhoo]

yes i drink too much tea and i always sleep on my front- how do i get round that one? i've heard rumblings about silk pillowcases but is that a gimmick?

thanks you all for more tips.

i wont ignore you defineme do you think there is anything i could do with my hair that isn't as dated?

[Booyhoo]

i meant silk pillowcases to stop my face creasing- not to get me to turn over onto my back! although that might be helpful too

[Nehru]

I look at loads if women and think they need Botox.

I know.

[Nehru]

Your hair needs whoofing up a bit.long hair too draggy. That fringe- no.
It's too close to your head

[Nehru]

Agree short nice. But you're all tanned too. That MOGHT be why

[peachypips]

I agree- you are lovely! I think you need a warmer brown in your hair- slightly lighter with more caramel tones, but not very much lighter. A blunt fringe suits you better than the side fringe I think.
But you don't look much older at all!

[NomDeOrdinateur]

Have you tried switching to caffeine free alternatives to tea? Rooibos is nice, and so is peppermint. Green tea is also very good for skin, but not in large quantities as it's also high in caffeine AFAIK. White tea with lemon is nice too, and apparently very good for you.

Some MNers tried the silk pillowcase trick, but I seem to remember that the feedback was pretty divided. Could you try to train yourself into sleeping on your side, at least? I managed to by "hugging" a pillow at night, and my face is definitely less puffy now!

[Booyhoo]

good idea to hug a pillow! i will try that. i think that will be teh hardest one to change tbh as i really do only fall asleep on my front and always with my face on the same side if that makes sense (so one side probably more puffy than the other)

ive decided i'm definitely getting the hair off tomorrow. i'm bringing that photo with me to show them what i want.

will try some of those tea recomendations too.

the tan in that photo was fake but i cant remember which one. i dont sunbathe or tan at all. factor 50 if the suns out at all.

[namechangea]

Did you go for the chop?

[Royalmailer]

There is literally nothing wrong with your face.

I am very jealous of your lovely straight hair but think it looks miles better in pics 2 and 3 (ie with a fringe) than in one.

[VenusUprising]

Boohoo, I think you look fine.

I also think you need to avoid dark make round your eyes, and you need to wear coloured clothes also.

I think you are a HOC winter, so you should wear strong cool colours. Get a few shocking pink and royal blue scarves.

There's a thread about House Of Colour Winters on here, and it's given me some tips, as I have similar colouring.

I also recommend a slight tan moisturiser, and a few toffee coloured lights in your new shorter hair..

Sorry you've had a few stressful years.

Isn't spring wonderful though, you feel like you're emerging from the dark tunnel :)

[Booyhoo]

i did go for the chop! pic on profile. you're all right about the too dark hair. i think the fringe is too solid in my new do but it was all she could do with it for teh time being as i hacked it myself the other night so we're going to let it grow out a bit and then she's going to make it a bit less heavy or something

thanks for the tip about house of colours trhead!

[MrsLettuce]

See, I think your new hair is fab with the heavy, blunt fringe. You are very attractive and there's nowt whatsoever wrong with your face.

Also, I think the very dark hair suits you. That with the fringe is preventing mumsy.

Silk pillows are good.

[Nehru]

i agree it is still too heavy - a bit lego - cut up into it a bit