We can rebuild this woman - can't we?

[LuxuryWoman2017]

Oh, where to start?
I'm not far off 50, menopausal, feel a bit dowdy right now, a bit overweight, and just in the process of splitting with my partner of 18 years.

I need a boost, a big one, I'm not ready to write myself off yet and I need an overhaul.

I've just started low carbing, hopefully I'll drop a few pounds fairly quickly. My face is frankly starting to look baggy and I'm not completely against the idea of a little drop of botox.

My waistline is a mess, a stomach full of stretchmarks, veins on my legs (although they are slim and a good shape)

Good points, I have excellent hair which can be prone to frizz, but it's strong and I have plenty of it. quite nice eyes, great well behaved boobs, no sagging and just the right size to give me shape without being in the way or hard to dress.

teeth, grim frankly.

nails, very good.

hands, starting to show signs of age

Feet, a horror story

skin tone slightly blotchy although better since I quit drinking to excess.

I'm not one for being prodded or poked, can't bear the idea of a spa.

I guess I know what I need to do but perhaps a few new ideas and a bit of encouragement wouldn't go amiss.

I tend to stick with safe, classic styles but really I am attracted to slightly slouchy, clothes, by which I mean relaxed I suppose.

I can probably invest around £1k in myself. Help!

I would keep going with the diet and start walking too, to shape up. I would improve the "grim" teeth, do they need whitening perhaps? I would also probably get my leg veins done too, I got mine done last year, best thing I ever did.

I don't think the teeth are in good enough condition to whiten, I probably need to spend thousands on them tbh, crooked, lost a couple of back ones, gappy - all due to some poor dental work a few years ago. It's really very depressing.

I think I'll look into the vein treatment, will certainly continue with the diet, I lost 3 stone a few years ago and never looked better but carb creep happened and I went back to my old weight.

I would go for Botox, good eyebrow shape/tint and maybe lash extensions. Any or all of these will give an instant boost (well two weeks for Botox to work) and keep you motivated whilst doing the more boring stuff like walking 10,000 steps and drinking more water. I have also found stretching apps useful.

I didn't think about eyebrows, that's a good idea and not too expensive.

Hair needs aa bit of gloss too, must research best products.

Hands need work, I'll spend money on excellent products but I'm never convinced they are any better.

Spend the money on your teeth.

Yeah, I know, I don't think I'll ever be truly confident until they are sorted but I don't really know where to start. I have gum recession too. Perhaps a chat with a dentist is the first move, I'm just scared it will cost more than I have.

Get a few opinions on your teeth, there are newer techniques and things they can do. This will make a much bigger difference in making you laugh ok youthful

I imagine that, as you have nice hair and eyes, your teeth must be letting you down big-time.
Throw yourself on the mercy of your local NHS dentist. If the treatment turns out to be a bit pricey, you might be able to pay in interest-free instalments.
You have a lot going for you otherwise, OP. Good luck!

Consider going on holiday and getting your teeth fixed somewhere cheap? My friend had hers done in India and said the dentist and work done was amazing.

Perhaps an NHS dentist is the first port of call, I could probably up the budget a bit I guess. I've been looking at something call BOST a treatment for gum disease but it seems a bit untested and I can't find much info.
So dentist first then even for a good clean and advice.
Haircut to work with what I have
Eyebrows
a good handcream
and Botox

I think it's easier to overlook things in people if they are generally confident so perhaps the 'easier' things will help with that until I have a plan for the bigger things

Try Budapest for your teeth. Two people I know had amazing dental work done there for half nothing. They also enjoyed the city!

Find a good dentist, speak to friends/colleges about theirs, and invest tge money in your teeth.

Re hair, mine has improved with oil applied while it's wet. Current skint status means I'm on Body Shop coconut oil rather than a more expensive option. Also I saw a type on here about applying conditioner before shampoo. That has made a difference too.

I'm scared dubious of using botox and use Clarins Beauty Flash Balm instead, when I remember.

And yes, yes, YES to walking and excersise in general to aid/compliment the diet.

I'll try the conditioner first tip, thanks. I'm a fan of oils so will investigate the best ones to use.

It's not about looking younger as such, more good for my age and far less knackered and maybe slowing down further decline.

Will try to find courage for a good dentist.

I think I need better quality make up too.

Try a Bobbi Brown counter for a free makeup lesson. I go whenever I need a pick me up and have never experienced pressure to buy.

If you get Tax Credits your dentistry is on the NHS, so that might be a place to start.

Watching with interest as my circumstances similar.

I think we have to invest more in ourselves as we get older anyway. I now get my hair done regularly (I loathe it) and eyebrows waxed and tinted. The one thing I do which is my must-have is eyelash extensions. I can live with the rest of it going to pot if my eyelashes are done.

You don't have to spend a lot on make up to get good products. MUA is very well rated, for instance.

Pedi egg and flexitol for feet.

Sally Hansen airbrush legs spray on stuff hides a multitude of sins and especially veins. Try it before you invest in treatment.

Walking, Pilates and body pump for exercise.

£150 on Botox will be money very well spent.

I use MUA and like the eyeshadow palettes very much, I think a better lipstick would help though, something with staying power but non drying if such a product exists.

My shopping list is growing! some good footcare, handcream, lipstick, oils for hair and face and perhaps a good toner - Nip Fab is supposed to be good I hear and within budget.

No tax credits so the dentist is down to me, I read Vit C and Q10 is worth trying for gum recession, can't hurt anyway.

I'm a little nervous of Botox but more nervous of my reflection these days, I miss the days when the mirror gave me no fear, it all went downhill around 43 - I looked amazing at 40, honest! The decline was fast and shocking, a lot of that due to stress I think plus far too much booze to get me through the difficult days but I have a handle on that now thank goodness.

I'd definitely go with the other posters who say concentrate on the dental work - I had all my front teeth crowned, top and bottom, a few years ago, and the difference it's made to my whole face is amazing (probably because I'm not afraid to smile now ). I was fortunate enough to have come into a bit of money, so was able to do it, but you might not need such extreme measures!

Re the gum recession, get a hygenist appointment and take their advice, as there's certainly a lot you can do to minimise it, although it is another of the perils of old age (that's where the expression 'long in the tooth' came from - as your gums recede with age, your teeth appear longer as more is exposed).

The hygienist is a good idea as a starting point I guess. I'm a happy, smiley person by nature and I hate having to keep my mouth shut as much as possible, probably look older too - old and moody.

This morning, working with what I have in already, have done an aspirin mask, washed my hair conditioner first, oil pulled, and um, did a bit of 'hedge trimming', not that I expect anyone to inspect the garden anytime soon, but for my own esteem

Do the teeth. I had to face up to the fact that my teeth were too crooked for my smile to ever be attractive a few years ago. I spent about 4,300 and paid in monthly installments. Work not finished yet but I only have one more payment to go. During this time I have definitely spent less on clothes. But what I have is more flattering. I see a periodontist and orthodontist and a dentist! It is expensive but it's worth more than strappy sandals or lipsticks.

Teeth and feet should be easy to sort - dentist/hygienist and chiropodist.

I think crooked teeth tend to bother the owner more than they bother other people - I've been amazed at the number of my acquaintances who've hit 40 and got their teeth "fixed" - there was nothing wrong with them in the first place! Unless the crookedness is causing dental problems (or real psychological distress) I wouldn't bother fixing that - but do get something done about gum disease and staining and any fillings that need work.

I think I can pretty up my feet myself with a good cream and take more care of the toenails.
I will certainly have a chat with a dentist and be honest about my budget. It is causing me distress but I do sometimes wonder if I am blowing it out of proportion, people don't stare at me in horror!

Eyebrows and trim at the weekend, a couple of new tops maybe.
I must look into acid toners too.
I have a lovely little shopping list to take care of.

Thanks for your thoughts so far,, I do appreciate them.

Botox isn't something to be afraid of. It's remarkable stuff. Especially on the 11s.