help! I feel and look old!

[whiskersonkittens80]

I'm only 36 but I've been mistaken for younger.

And due to a company restructure, there's me and 3 new staff who are all 25 or under, no kids, skinny etc.

So it's made me much more conscious of my appearance. I'm 4 stone overweight, my skin looks dull, my hair can never look sleek, my nails are a mess (I cant do them myself and every salon seems to be currently full til august??) and in this heat, due to my weight, I'm covering myself up in dark clothes and feeling unstylish and sweaty.

How can I look more polished and fit in with the young 'uns?

Don't try to fit in with the young team.
If you want to get more groomed, do it.
Skin - drink lots of water, exfoliate. The Sanctuary used to do a brightening facial in a box you could do at home which I liked.
Hair - get a good cut and colour if you like.
Nails - use some good and cream and stick on a clear base coat until you can get them done.
Wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good.
Be kind to yourself. You have something they don't - experience ☺

Don't cover up, for a start. Why should you be ashamed of your body? Wear a sleeveless top and light colours if you want. It's nobody else's business. Simple shapes and colours (white, cream, pale blue, navy, olive etc.) look more polished than prints.

Also, you are only 36. Don't write yourself off! I wish I were 36 again (46 this year).

op should have said I'm mistaken for being older not younger :(

thanks for the kind words

Drinking water does absolutely nothing for your skin.

Start with antioxidant rich skincare regime including retinol.

Botox for upper third.

Drop the sugar

Back to the old you in no time :)

Agree with Nettle, embrace what you have and don't compare yourself with them. Life will catch up with them when they're older too.

Stop covering yourself up in dark colours in the heat. I can guarantee that is making you look worse because you will be hotter than if you wore lighter, cooler clothes. I've just turned 45 and could lose 2-3 stone and I wear sleeveless tops, cropped trousers, summer dresses etc because life is too short to be hot and sweaty.

Get a good hair cut and some clothes that make you feel good and cool when it's warm. Cut back on snacks (if you need to). If you're not happy with your nails, cut them short, rub in some cuticule cream and leave them unpainted rather than them looking messy.

I think eating well and cutting back on booze made a huge difference to me. Also making sure I got out in fresh hair for an hour a day. I started walking to work and list a big if weight. I'm 49 and look younger.

I wear a bit of tinted moisturiser and use boots facial gel and a flannel on my face to cleanse.

Come over and join us on the low carb bootcamp threads, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel about yourself, so that getting rid of the excess weight is just a welcome side effect.

Hope to see you over there

For your skin, start by reading this

www.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.html

Thanks so much! I don't know if I could give up either sugar or carbs. I'm the fussiest eater of anyone I know (it's a family thing, we're all the same) but I know I need to make changes. Work is 1.5 hours away in the car so I don't think I could walk it I'm afraid. I'll look at the skincare suggestions though, thank you

So you spend three hours a day driving? That sounds like hell. I don't know how that could be changed but you have my sympathy.

I guess I'd try and start with a few quick wins e.g. experimenting with colour, which can make a huge difference and doesn't involve any major life changes.

Your colleagues aren't that much younger than you are and they'll have just as many insecurities and problems as the rest of us. You don't have to try and keep up but you may find you can pick up some tips. I'm nearly twice the age of some of my workmates and I certainly don't copy them but I do compliment them if they look good in something and always ask where it's from. We often talk about clothes and fashion and I've nicked one or two of their more wearable ideas!

Drinking water does absolutely nothing for your skin.
Perhaps not your skin but mine gets dry and I notice a huge difference when I drink more water.
It's cheap enough to try in any case .

It's OK to be YOU or at least "the best, most confident YOU". Don't feel you have to look like the 25 yr olds; you dont need to. You are an individual and need to feel good about yourself. I think attractiveness comes not from a uniform look, anyway. Drinking more water doesnt do it for me and I spend all day in the bathroom. I bought one of those Foreo Luna things for cleansing and that's made a big difference. My skin feels cleaner and clearer and i need less makeup, to be sure. Try to get some exercise (must be hard with all that driving); all food in moderation and good quality sleep.

Tell yourself you're OK...a work in progress and enjoy being 30 Something. Time does fly!