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!

Thanks for that reassurance Truckingalong I'm a bit nervous as it's new to me but I'm excited too at the thought of looking a bit fresher, less tired. I will take time to research the right place to go.

In the meantime, I have a good heel and foot cream, some face toner and a few other goodies to play with this evening. Haircut needs booking and a fresher colour.

I've read that some hospitals will do dental work - students do the work but under close supervision - might be worth investigating?

Eyebrows are done cheaply and can make a difference. My DD17 had then done once last year before her prom. Nothing drastic, just a tidy up but they did look good! And only £5

Skin: get some Hyaluronic Acid to plump up your skin. I've just started using some of The Ordinary products. Most are £5-7 with their all round "Buffet" costing £12.80. You can email victoriahealth.com to ask for a suggested regime. I like the results I've seen so far!

And make sure you're wearing the right size bra! Search for bra intervention threads in MN

I will get my brows done tomorrow and probably my chin threaded or waxed (age ain't kind)

I hear great things about the Ordinary products so it's helpful to hear you are impressed and wow, so cheap, can't go wrong.

I do have lovely bras and knickers, I'm lucky to have great boobs, no worries there.

Low carb is going well and the heat dulls the appetite, drinking loads of water so hopefully be bit trimmer soon.

Ready to face the single life with great shoes and a swishy 'do'

I don't think it is just a question of money but you obviously want to pamper yourself a bit more and invest in your personal care. I think you need to rediscover the pleasure of caring for yourself and everything will improve. I would recommend mani/pedis, maybe spray tan which would help your legs and a facial. Then hygienist and dentist. Good luck

Oh and skincare, double cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturise. And new shoes always!

I don't think it is just a question of money but you obviously want to pamper yourself a bit more and invest in your personal care

Hell yeah, I've put myself last on the list for years, like many women do with kids and bad relationships, no more though.

Any ideas for the chest and signs of ageing there or just moisture?

Great boobs and a swishy do, what more could you want?!

Great boobs and a swishy do, what more could you want?! grin

it's a start, but there is much work to be done, I'm not quite ready to be completely invisible to the world.

Regarding the decolletage, use factor 50 (always!) on your face and take it down your neck to any area which will be exposed. The ordinary buffet and retinol are good, Dr Sebagh if you have more money. Get down to under 25 BMI, will help the leg veins and feet, as well as your general health. Getting your brows shaped and facial hair removed will make a big difference and it doesn't cost much. I also like YSL mascara for brows, not sure of its name.

La Roche Posay is a good sunblock and sometimes 3 for 2 at Boots.

Does anyone know if the sun blocks mentioned are better than Clinique pls? That's what I use for face etc but am willing to be told if it's not the best option.

As has been said, your main investment should be your teeth.

What exactly is the problem? If it's staining, a trip to the hygienist will sort you right out - I think it's £37 on the NHS.

Pilates is AMAZING but also HELL. I started 5 months ago and feel 10 years younger. It's really blasted my love handles.

If I had to prioritise, I'd do the hair yourself at home. Get a round metal brush or 3 and start blowing it out yourself.

Good luck.

It will take more than £37 to sort my mouth out no, I had some dental work done a few years ago, my teeth were fine then but the dentist suggested removing a tooth for aesthetic reasons, I thought it would make me look better ironically. within a few weeks my teeth starting moving and now they are a bit splayed, some light staining as well here and there and I also was told I had severe gum disease which he gave me root planning for, this wasn't good for my gums and they have been receding at a rate of knots since.

I plucked the courage to see another dentist who said I really didn't have much gum disease, just mild and it could be helped but then one thing and another and here I am. Half tempted to get them all out and have false teeth, at least they would look ok.

In fact if I were several older I would go for full dentures tbh, but I'm not that old and I don't want to rule out a snog or two in the future. It would make me feel terrible to have false teeth, having said that perhaps there are newer better options for this?
Maybe I have blown it out of proportion though - not sure, I am sure it's making me miserable.

several years I meant.

If you have alternative options I wouldn't have your teeth out just yet. I'd try to work with what I've got.

If you're out of options you can always consider implants rather than dentures. They are expensive though.

Definetely don't have all your teeth out far too extreme. Modern dentistry is miraculous as others have mentioned a trip to Budapest or Turkey and your teeth can be sorted for a fraction of UK prices. Invest in yourself.

Get your teeth chemicalled whitened at a cosmetic dentist. A proper clean and polish from a regular hygienist 1st and then go get them whitened. It will instantly life you!

I'll certainly take good advice on my teeth and won't rush into anything. Implants will be beyond my budget but as you say new techniques are around and I'm still thinking about BOST treatment.

Flexitol on my feet, nails done and look great. Conditioning hand cream applied. It's just the start

Not sure what style of hair you have but what about a fringe and some high/lowlights. Fringes hide alot. Highlights can throw light back onto the face and illuminate any shadows.

Yes teeth are top priority.

Clothes: buy classics and the best you can afford. I'm thinking white shirt/decent jeans/ good leather boots. Decent bra, no VPL knickers. Classic longline cardigan, neutral colours - no crazy patterns. M&S are good for staples. Jazz up with cheaper classic dress jewels.

Look after your hair, nails and make up and it'll make you feel a million dollars.

Ooo and fake tan (the type that you put on each day like a moisturiser and the colour builds)

Enjoy! X x

Btw I'm sat here with my hair scraped back, old knackered too and baggy pants

I have a swishy do, most I've spent on my hair for years.
I bought some colgate max white which came with a free Revlon lipstick.
I have a menu for treatments.

I've had a mojito.

Feeling a bit more like my old self 😀

I'm 47 almost, and a great little tip someone told me was to rub whatever's left of your serum and/or moisturiser on your hands twice a day. It's really improved mine.

Yes that's a good tip, it's the remembering habit I need to crack.

The max white was painful in my mouth which was a shock.
The free lipstick is fantastic, long lasting and very moisturising, available in Boots.