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.

Getting my eyebrows waxed and tinted once a month

Lifting weights / kettle bells

Having my hair Brazilian blow dried once every 3 months

Drinking 2 litres of water a day (the best skin care ever)

Taking vitamin D - my nails are finally strong

Are Brazilian blowdrys just for defrizzing hair. I'd love something like that but that added volume at the roots.

@Quintella I have thick, wavy hair and it de-frizzes it beautifully without losing any body. I can even let it air dry and it still looks great 😮

Well done Manage

I can second the weights/kettlebells. My body now in my early 40s is so much stronger toned and leaner than when I was half my age. My posture is better too. Running helps too. As a pp mentioned it’s the confidence it has given me. I feel strong inside for doing it. Can’t recommend it enough! Fitness blender is great for weight/kettlebell workouts. Even if I only have 5 mins spare I can do a decent workout to kick my metabolism.

Almond oil on my skin has transformed it from dry/dehydrated to soft and smooth (my £1 bottle of ktc oil lasts a year).

Wearing things I love rather than just safe clothes.

This is a great thread btw.

KavvLar sorry, I didn't see your question upthread until just now.

I went to a specialist clinic, I took up one of the (I think numerous) offers they did in the summer months - in the summer laser can be a bit of a faff as you have to wear SPF on the lasered part for weeks afterwards, so fewer people want it done during the summer months and will wait until winter. So I got a good 40% off offer.

I paid upfront for 8 sessions (8 sessions were I think only about £50 more than 6 sessions) with no time limit, with the offer it was about £700 in total (bear in mind I live in London...)

It was a LOT for me to pay upfront but I had probably been spending roughly £400 a year on leg waxes at £50 a time (again, in London...) which were totally wasted money.

I have the perfect combo of pale skin and dark hair so it was instantly effective and in all honesty I was down to about 20% of the previous hair within about 3 or 4 sessions. I spread the last 4 sessions out over the next year-ish, just to keep on top of any that hadn't been zapped. It's not TOTAL hair loss as in for ever and ever but the re-growth for me is so incredibly slow and so fine it may as well be total.

These days I shave my legs about once a month maximum and it's only shaving off a few sparse hairs here and there. I actually don't bother shaving at all in winter as the hairs are so sparse it's not noticeable to anyone even if I go swimming or something.

Honestly it's the best money I've ever spent. I don't spend much on my head-hair, I don't colour for example, so I don't really know why I didn't save up a bit sooner and get it done years ago. The upfront cost just felt too daunting.

Oh, several years previously I did have laser on my upper lip and chin too as I was getting very hairy :( It was hugely hugely effective too but not AS effective, and took more sessions. Cheaper though, only £50 per session and I didn't have to pay upfront. Hairs there have started to come back a bit though so I think I will need to top up with a couple of sessions in a year or less.

Hope that helps!

@TipseyTorvey AIBU to ask you about your skincare routine? Sacyclic acid, glycolic acid and retinol mean nothing to me : what products are you using as part of your routine? Help me, I'm wizened

Loving this thread, I'm picking up so many hints and tips.

I'm definitely going to try doing some weights at home, in addition to doing Zumba one night a week and also ballet one night a week.

Also going to pay closer attention to my diet.

And get my colours done.

I have started seems rollering my lips this week. Very very lightly but daily. I’m going to see if this leads to any plumpness down the line.

Derma-rollering 😬

I'm very low maintenance but i wear perfume everyday and it definitely makes me feel better.

Dumb question (pardon the pun) but do you buy 2 weights or 1?

I wish I’d known how to measure for a bra properly (i.e. not to add four inches to my under bust measurement). It would have saved me about 15 years of wearing ill fitting bras

Oh yes that, TooMuch. Years in 36DD with four boobs and bra band around my neck, when I was really a 30FF all along.

Cleansing properly. I understood my mistakes only in my late 20s!

Shameless placemark

Thanks, EatenByDinosaurs for your detailed response! I thi k you're in the dedicated Vaseline thread too?!

Another one who can vouch that sugar makes you look younger.

It's tough at first but after a whole you don't even fancy sweet stuff at all. Skin is definitely way better since quitting it.

Thank you @HepburnKNotA
Sorry, I've only just come back to the thread. I love grapefruit too so will definitely look into that. So, cheers for getting on your soap box so to speak

You're welcome managedmis and yes I am on the Vaseline thread too

Fantastic thread, well done OP!
I've picked up some brilliant tips from you all, thank you.

Teeth whitening strips - used Crest in the past but have also tried out Mr. Blanc, which worked pretty well too.

Eye lash extensions. Got them done for a recent holiday and they were a life changer. Sat around the pool with no make up on I usually feel quite exposed but these made me feel more made up. Also made getting ready in the evenings a lot quicker. Cost started from about £30 and they lasted about 2 and a half weeks.

Deffo considering saving for laser after all the comments here - wanted it for years but as PP said, the initial cost seemed daunting but going to bite the bullet now!

Using a clear mascara before my black one. Makes my lashes look so much better

Dyson Airwrap- it's made my fine but wavy hair styled and healthy. Expensive but worth every penny!

Philip Kingsley elasticizer- gorgeous!

Microblading- mine are very subtle but make me look done with little makeup

No foundation days - this is a new thing for me but my skin is glowing

Retinol - lifechanger! I've just tested one for boots (I think it'll be No7). Absolutely love it! I've just replaced it with the ordinary which I'm hoping is as good

Decleor- my skin adores it and I luckily am aging well ( very few fine lines so far)

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

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.

Can you expand on this? I've never cracked this!

Having my painful, ugly varicose veins treated with laser surgery. So much better and made such a difference to life.

Other simple things_ Ultrabland (Lush) for acne. Henna from there also