For heaven’s sake....I’m old!

[MissKittyBeaudelais]

Ok. So all of a sudden, I look old. My eye sight is going so, I thought I was doing ok. When I leave the house in the morning I think I look ok. However, I’ve recently had a few impromptu photos taken outside, in broad daylight and Jesus...I look terrible.

I’m 57 so, I KNOW it’s only a matter of time but even so, my usual facebases are looking heavy and showing wrinkles I didn’t know I’d earned.

I’ve got Chanel Les Beiges and Laura Mercier Oil Free TM. So, do I just except it’s OVER and start to disappear from public life OR... is there anything I’m missing?

* Accept it’s over

Who doesn’t look terrible in broad daylight on the hottest day in living memory?

I am 47. Here is my top tip: Origins Gin Zing tinted moisturiser topped up with Nars Laguna liquid bronzer. And concealer where you need it. Also a bit of cream blusher. Really light and does not settle in the wrinkles!

I’ve been mixing Utan skin idol in with my foundation or sometimes wearing it on its own. I’m 53 and it’s made my skin look fresh and dewy.

I bought it on a whim and am going to stockpile it is marvellous!

First time I used it my husband thought I’d had a ‘procedure’!

Only a teeny tiny amount is needed.

@Iamthewombat oh that’s funny we both recommended a liquid bronzer!

It is true though, they do make your skin look fab!

I agree with "iamthewombat" I'm 26 and often find myself cringing at photos of me at super sunny times.
The biggest difference I found was having a "professional makeup class" at MAC I was just applying makeup wrong and I looked so different (especially in the daylight).
I'd definitely recommend having a makeup class if you wear it/ haven't had one before!
I'm sure you look lovely either way, but I had a huge sore in confidence after!

Thing is, I haven’t had a haircut in a while because I’ve NO idea what to do with it. My face used to be quite round....thanks to the menopause, the only things that are round now are my backside and gut.

I got a tiny sample of Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude SPF30 and have been using it this week. I thought I looked better... 😬. Not so. I can cope with looking shit without my “face on” but looking shit WITH it on😡😡😡

Les Beiges did nothing at all for me - am 55. Much inferior to vitalumiere.

I feel your pain - I never think I look good, or even not shit.

Botox.

I tried double wear but thought it made my skin look like a mask in photos. I binned it.

Go to a younger hairdresser and ask what she suggests? That’s what I do. She’s got much more imagination than me.

I found the Laura Mercier oil free too drying and switched to another product. There’s a Dior foundation that’s good & By Terry do one in a pump with a brush attached, I just use it where I want more coverage. Are you trying to even out skin tone or hide broken veins/redness?

I am buying that Utan stuff Soola recommended. Just looked at reviews online.

I gave up make up for a month because I could tell there was a problem but was too close to it to be able to see what it was. Once I’d had a break, I spotted it straight away - in my case, foundation.
I recommend it.

I've just started Botox, made all the difference

I like estee daywear tinted moisturiser mixed with a touch of benefit high beam. Lovely! I’m 47

@Iamthewombat use a teeny tiny amount. The first time I used it I applied too much and it wasn’t a good look, almost like one of those face filter apps that young people use on Facebook only in real life it was very odd!

I find it works best with a sponge or beauty blender after mixing it with my foundation/bb cream or whatever I’m using.

If I wear it on its own it’s when I already have some colour to my face from using fake tan and again use very sparingly and I then use with a brush. Start in the middle and blend outwards.

I always use a primer. My current favourite is the Dior backstage one as it was designed for hot conditions.

I'm also going to try Utan Skin Idol. Reviews are amazing and it's slightly reduced at Superdrug right now.

I'm 49. I've managed to lose quite a lot of weight over the past 12 months but that means my face has gone from looking younger than I am to looking haggard and saggy. The age-old dilemma I guess of face versus body. I am desperate for something that will stop my face looking like an old crone's. Saying that, I had cycling shorts on yesterday (at the gym ) and I caught myself in the mirror and thought "fuck, my knees have wrinkles, I look like my mother!". Getting old really sucks.

Oooh, lovely! Some tips and more replies than I’d I’d hoped for because ageing (or worrying about it) isn’t “naice” is it? It’s all a bit self-indulgent.

@Iamthewombat, I’ve never tried the heavy duty Double Wear. This one’s called Nude and is very watery and light. Need to try it a bit more before I buy or not. It’s OK til I put a bit of bronzer on. Then, it already looks too much. @Soola, I’ve never heard of Utan but will look it up.

@HundredMilesAnHour 😁 I gave up on my legs two years ago when my lovely son told me that I needed to stop wearing shorts. Then, a “friend” told me I was getting fat and that she was the only one who’d tell me (others had commented 😐) so, now I ear chinos (light and baggy) and linen shirts in this weather. I DO need to lose a stone. I’m 5ft6 and 11st but.... I think it’ll be the final nail I. The coffin, so to speak, for my face.

I’m off out now, to walk the dog so a “no makeup” photo in daylight will be taken and duly posted on my return. Answers appreciated with further suggestions but, please be kind 😎

OP , in no particular order - I never wear shorts now - a nice skimming dress is much cooler and looks much smarter . You just get to an age when shorts are a no no . I am older than you and have Botox every 6 months and it makes a huge difference . I have also had fillers in my nose to mouth lines and that really makes a difference to your face. I do not have a frozen face and people don't know I have Botox until I tell them . It's worth thinking about and is as common now as nails and eyebrows . I've started using Still Stay All Day® 10-in-1 HD Illuminating Beauty Balm with SPF 30 and it works just fine without foundation . Oh and yes, we all look shocking in direct sunlight !

Just wear the shorts. 11 stone at 5’6” is not fat, and the woman who told you that you were getting fat, and she was the only one noble enough to tell you, is not your friend.

I really don't hold with this choose your face or body business. I've lost a pretty huge amount of weight over the last year, and the last three months in partiy, and my face is looking better than it ever has in my life.

I've really learnt about skin care from the brilliant threads on here and the Reddit SkincareAddiction sub.
I now have a skincare routine which gives me flawless skin, 100% of the time for the first time in my life (still shocked every time I pass a mirror). I am also now using prescription retin-A too, which is an utter miracle worker.

Not to mention how much healthier I am for losing weight, eating a nutritious diet, drinking loads of water and all that. I feel so much better in myself.

OP what's your skincare like? Have you tried acids?

I also do not believe you can't where shorts after a certain age, ffs.

I am a huge believer in wearing what you want to at any age, if you think you can't/shouldn't, in the nicest possible way you have a self esteem problem, not a body or age problem.

I wear stuff now I'd never had the confidence to wear when I was younger, and I think all the stuff often criticised as "mutton" (utterly vile phrase) often looks a lot better on mature women who have the confidence, poise and don't give a fuck to really rock it.

So work on your don't give a fuck, give your DS a loooooooooong lecture on the misogyny of criticising what women wear (why on earth dies he think its his place to tell you what you can and cant wear?!? ) and tell your "friend" she's full of hot air.

You only get one life, that's way too little time not to do ad wear what makes you happy .

Urgh typos, sorry its late here!

Right, I will also say that you are NOT old (or fat for that matter), and focussing on anti-ageing is NOT self indulgent

Then, a “friend” told me I was getting fat and that she was the only one who’d tell me (others had commented 😐) Christ, if these are your friends I'd hate to hear what your enemies would say!

Do you like and trust your hair stylist? If so, I'd go and have a chat with him/her about your hair. I was chatting my stylist on Weds and she was talking about how an important part of her job is to advise clients on what sort of style/colour will suit them. If there are women whose look you admire you could use photos of their hair as a starting point (bearing in mind that their hair might be a lot different than yours, so the style you're admiring might not work).

As for shorts, I've always hated my legs, so never wear them, but I'm a big believer in wearing what you like and feel comfortable in.

As for your face, I think I'd go and have a consultation about products. As we age we need to use different products and unless you work in the beauty industry it's hard to keep on top of what's new and good and really works.