please help me to look less 'aged'

[Winniethewylde]

I'm 38, mid divorce and feeling really really shit about myself.

I'm in pretty good shape and exercise regularly, have regular haircuts, colour kept up etc and wear a little bit of make up which I think suits me but I'm starting to feel really, you know, haggard. My skin looks dreadful, I'm exhausted and totally stressed out and the strain is definitely showing. I have lines all round my eyes, dark circles and well, I just feel/look terrible.

Can anyone recommend any wonderful products which will make my skin glow please? I don't have a huge amount of spare cash so although I'd love it caci is out!

Eating salad, quality greens in particular, does my skin a lot of good.

Also green soup. Do you have an (unkempt) garden? If so in the spring young dandelion leaves (organic!) are v good.

I am 35 this year and a size 8 (I have always been thin). It used to suit me as I am/was a bit elfin, but lately I have begun to think I look so haggard and drawn. My face looks so pinched and bony.

I think being a bit plumper can actually look better once you're not young any more.

Exactly that heron, I've always been small but now I look at my mum, who is very slim too, but she looks so drawn and I'm thinking a few pounds on would probably help too. Would that help my wrinkly neck turkey neck too?

A few of you mentioned having a good quality cleansing routine using better products, how did you go about discovering what suits your skin? I don't want to spend loads on say, Liz Earle, and find it doesn't suit my skin?

A new haircut could take years off you. Have a look at your friends/colleagues and ask the ones whose hair really suits them where they get their hair cut.

And save up some cash/ask for money for your birthday and get a wardrobe update with a personal shopper at Debenhams. The right clothes take years off you too.

I think I looked the youngest last year when I was so close, but not quite, to my ideal weight.

Now I'm 8kgs heavier and looking older.

Then again, I have never been in my ideal weight since, well, a fleeting time in high school. So I wouldn't know if I will look even younger in my ideal weight.

I'm so pleased that someone has posted this. It's me! (Though not mid-divorce which must take it's toll though hopefully post-divorce will be a fresh start). I'm approaching 40 and have really noticed it in my appearance lately. I'm pretty rubbish with hair and make up so can't fake my face very well and my body is definitely heading South! I know you can't defy nature but I really am helping it do it's worst! Please keep up with the inspirational advice! I've just got myself a pint of water and a handful of nuts and am feeling better already!

Hi Winnie. What is your skin type? I am a cleanser addict so might be able to recommend something for you. Do you have any sensitivity or are you allergic to anything?

I started with cheaper products (Superdrug, Body Shop, Boots Botanics) and then sort of worked my way up. I never really react to anything though, so I'm quite lucky in that respect. There's no need to spend a fortune, really.

I have an oily t zone and dry ish cheeks, don't suffer with many spots. I have quite sensitive eyes and under eyes (that are quite wrinkly) and I take my make up off with coconut oil as even simple type make up removers make my eyes sting and water.

You could go all over with the coconut oil as a first cleanse. Then following it up with something like a clay cleanser, which would be good for any oiliness without drying? Bravura make a good one, as do REN. Alternatively, you might prefer a creamy/milky one. I like the Boots Botanics one for sensitive skin (I think it's called "calming". Not at home at the moment so can't check), and the Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud cleanser is nice too, but more expensive (M&S stocks it).

I'm 36 - and I find drinking lots of water (at least 2litres a day) does wonders for my skin.
I also use the overnight Superdrug serum, and alpha hydrox. I use astral cream as a moisturiser - so don't spend loads on face care - but have found since using these products and drinking the water, my skin has looked better than it has in years.
Recently people have been complimenting me on my skin - and a new woman at work thought I was 10 years younger .

I did really well all day yesterday then had a phone call with some work news that didn't make me very happy. Ended up drinking the best part of a bottle of wine and eating a pot noodle.... I don't think I'll look in a mirror today! On the plus side I feel much more determined to eat really healthily today. 😃

For some reason, I ate so badly today. Timtams, Mi Goreng, chocolate covered orange thingie from Aldis, etc. I also slept and procrastinated a lot.

I'll do better tomorrow.

Sleep is good 😃

Winniethewylde- I have a set of the Liz Earle cleanse/tone/moisturise routine (about 1/3 full) I'll happily send it to you free if you want to try it?