What thing (style or beauty) do you wish you’d done or discovered sooner?

[Del1lahdaydream]

I always insisted on having long hair, even though my hair is fine and gets really straggly, thin and lank once it gets to shoulder length. Although I’d love the kind of thick hair that looks good long, I definitely don’t have it!

Anyway, after over 30 years of wearing my hair in a rubbish looking ponytail because it looked crap down and I refused to go short, I finally took the plunge and got my hair cut to chin length. It looks so much better. For the first time ever my hair looks thick and healthy, and it actually suits me so much more than longer hair, to my surprise.

The other thing is getting a few really dark, sticky out moles removed. I had them done privately and it cost quite a lot but really improved my confidence and I wish I’d spent the money and done it years ago.

I like the theory of microbladed brows but most examples I've seen (inc. MN threads) are just terrible. Too big and blocky.

Quintella it really does depend who does them. I’ve seen some shockers too! I’ll post a photo of my eye and hopefully my quite normal looking eyebrow.

@JoyceDivision and managedmis

Sorry only just seen this!

Joyce that sounds great thanks, I'm going to give it a go, I haven't been impressed with my current eye cream.

So the vaseline face smothering slug effect, its something I kept reading about on the Reddit skincare addiction sub and skin care blogs as being revolutionary, but I was very skeptical. Anyway, I gave in and it is revolutionary, no exaggeration.

My skin is (or used to be) dry in places, with some spots, can sometimes get oily t zone. I don't have eczema. Yeah it can get on my pillow a bit, but I change my pillowcase everyday anyway. It doesn't get in my hair, I tend to brush my hair back from my face before bed, but the Vaseline doesn't tend to melt or migrate. It stays where its put.

Nope it absolutely doesn't cause spots (which was my main worry) my skin has been completely clear, not one single spot since I've started using it.
Vaseline is one of the least comodogenic products you can find. You do need to apply it after your nightly skincare routine though, as it sort of locks in your skincare, so if your face is grubby it will lock in the grub and then probably would cause spots.
In the morning I double cleanse with black mud soap and it comes right off. Its made my skin so clear and perfect, I've honestly been amazed .

@anofficeratleastonerankhigher it was on Groupon. Was £29 for a 3 hour 1-2-1 lesson. Was defo worth it.

There was plenty of make up lessons available in my area on Groupon (Glasgow)

Also interested in where or how you would get your colours done?

And for poster who mentioned botox. Where on fave did you get it done? I am 100% planning this once baby arrives (currently 36 weeks and on home stretch.... Whoohooo)

Another thing I done last year, and it's not for everyone, was I got my lips done. Got 1ml injected lol totally changed my whole face and a year down line they still look great (and are nowhere near a duck look)

@nevernotstruggling it does sound crazy but its great

Stopped using shampoo. My hair looks naturally 10 x better, even if I don’t blow dry it!

• exercise is the big thing, especially weights. I was about the same size 20s as well, but with wobbly thighs and flat butt. Look much better now in my 40s, everything is toned.

• acid toners, I don't need to wear any foundation and get compliments for my skin.

• eyebrow tattoo. Mine were so sparse dying them made no difference. Now I have eyebrows, all the time, and they look totally natural.

• eyelid lift. I don't have wrinkles yet, but always had droopy lids making me look old and tired. No point using any eyeshadows as you couldn't see them anyway. Extremely happy with the result, should have done it years ago.

Thanks @sheshootssheimplores . They are way to big to remove by myself and kind of "rooted" (gross). The GP has said they are benign so maybe they are SK growths. Either way, i would like them gone!

I'm far from fully happy with how i look but things which have helped a lot are:

• massively improving my diet - i never eat sugar now and actually have grown to dislike it
• no carbs with evening meal - just protein + salad / veg
• working out - tbh my body is better but the main benefit has been the self confidence boost, i definitely walk taller and feel happier
• teeth whitening - i use Crest strips about twice a year, significant improvement
• a good skincare routine. The Ordinary has worked well on my skin.

This thread is great. Am off to check out kettlebells..

What a brilliant thread! I'm also very glad I got my brows (very lightly) microbladed, because my natural brows were so weirdly placed on my face that it took me ages every day trying to get them in the right place with a pencil. Now I can just deepen the colour a bit which takes ten seconds. Thanks for all the dumbbell info - I've been wanting to start weight training for ages but not known where to start.

Thanks soola

Mine are tear trough fillers, (18 months ago i couldn't look in the mirror without wanting to cry at my dark circles) botox, soolantra and ipl for rosacea and getting my colours done - thanks to mumsnet.

This thread has inspired me to do weights.

What do tear trough fillers do?

This is a great thread.
I'm early 50 and kind of did a makeover on myself. All I love.

Laser eye surgery. Wore glasses daily for almost 40 years. Good riddance.

Pixie hair, but bleached. Cross between Judi Dench and Helen Mirren.

I quit alcohol 16 months ago. Wish I'd done that years ago.
This led to - losing 20 lbs.
-losing under eye bags.
-losing chronic tiredness
-saving money for the aboves.

I'm going to start weights thanks to this thread. I prefer to exercise at home.

@hollieberrie May I ask where you purchase your crest strips from if you are in the UK?

I want tear trough filler but I'm too scared lol

I had tear trough filler two months ago and was a bit underwhelmed to be honest. She said the best thing to do is not to have tear trough done us isolation but to also have fuller in the upper cheek as that’s the day we lose as we age. So if I go again I shall do that.

Stupid typos. You get the gist hopefully.

So with my dr she warned me that 90% of her patients came back for a top-up treatment for tear trough fillers, i think she underfills on the first appointment and then corrects when its had a chance to settle. Flashbac nothing to be scared of, didn't hurt.

@BeesKnees9 yes they're not easy to find! I had a bad experience on eBay with some fake ones (I realised and didn't use them) but no probs the last couple of times with ones I bought from a website. I'm away for a few days but will look on my home pc later in the week and DM you the website.

Exercise for me too. Weights, running, cycling.

Mine are eyebrow tinting and lip fillers.

I had no top lip at all, whenever I spoke or smiled it was just skin and I hated it.
Started getting small amounts of filler and it’s changed my whole face. I can smile and wear lipstick for the first time ever and I love it!!

hollie how did you cut out the sugar? Gradually or cold turkey? I desperately need to do this.

Very inspiring to hear about people being fitter and leaner in their 40s than their 20s!

Investing time effort and energy in a good comfortable chic casual wardrobe.

I used to have amazing “going out dresses” but felt rubbish just popping out to the shops or pottering round town because my casual stuff was all ill fitting and mismatched or “too sporty”.

So I’d be turning heads on a Friday night but looking odd in a mismatched puffer anorak and trainers and bootcut jeans on Saturday daytime.

Now I’ve cracked the perfect “ankle boots with a bit of a heel, slim jeans, smart coat” formula for me (jeans black and fitted, boots taupe or black or sandy coloured l, wool coat in navy or black) I feel great just pottering around town on errands.

(I’m top heavy so the “converse and jeans and t shirt look” always looked frumpy on me)

Also I’ve never really not paid attention to this but agree with pps to focus on the basics - teeth weight skin good hair.

@hollieberrie please can you dm me the link for the Crest strips too? x