What one thing has made the biggest difference to how you look?

[ToQueendomCome]

I'm in my late 40s and I'm looking and feeling better than I have in years (possibly ever!)

I'm now wondering what else I can do to keep going in this direction - to keep improving with age.

What's the one thing you've done or do that you think makes the biggest positive difference to the way you look?

I'm struggling to answer this myself tbh! I'd suspect it's a combo of being happy and fulfilled (quite a change from being the stressed out workaholic control freak that I was!), 18:6 fasting and a plant-based diet... but who knows really?!

Following with interest.

Depends what area you're looking at,

Maintain a healthy weight.
Good hair, get it done professionally

For make up, mac silver strobe is astonishing, a male friend actually asked me if I'd had work done as I looked "radiant" you just put it on under your make up.

Watching with interest. Bluntness why does the Mac product do and how do you use it please?

I'm reading the Age Well project and it's really interesting for people of our age or how to minimise negatives as we age. Sounds like you're off to a good start!

Agree re weight bluntness I've just lost just over a stone that I'd put on in the last year following an op and I'm surprised how much of a difference it's made to how I look and feel simply being back to my usual fighting weight.

Celeriacacaca that sounds interesting! I'll check that out, thank you.

I think there are a few basic things people can do that don't cost a lot and take very little effort, but makes huge difference to how you look and feel.

-Drink lots of water
-Exercise
-Eat at least 5 fruit/veg portions a day if not more

Simple skincare and grooming can make a big difference too.

-Cleanse tone and moisturise
-Always remove makeup at the end of the day
-Good hair cut (and colour if desired)
-Keep brows tidy and well maintained. I have them tinted and threaded monthly.
-Keep nails tidy. I don't get mine done professionally I just do a simple manicure myself every couple of weeks
-Make time every so often to have a relaxing bath or shower and exfoliate and give yourself a good scrub, remove dead skin from feet, face mask, hair treatment etc.

Agree with all PPs' suggestions, and would add:
Yoga

Well fitted bra and an improved posture by sitting up straight.

Yoga for posture.

Skincare! Water, sleep, moisturise.

Healthy weight, well fitted bra, clear skin. Those are my 3 basics.

Botox

Botox
Teeth whitening
Decent hair
Healthy weight/good diet
Minimal alcohol

Natural looking eyelash extensions-

Definitely lots of sleep

In my case, bra.
Hair, when I bother.

Great skincare routine, retinol, AHAs, acids, etc, Vitamin C, sunblock. Light Botox depending on preference but can take 10 years off within a couple weeks.
As @Bluntness100 says, reflective primer for a "glow within" look.
Good vitamin regimen, focusing on promoting skin health, so vit C, zinc, biotin, CoQ 10, vit e and collagen.
Keeping hair as healthy and shiny looking as possible.
Nails done regularly, ie manicure, shellac.
And exercise.

Yes a professional teeth whitening session works wonders too..

All the above plus, in my case, a really nice pair of glasses. I ook back at old photos of me and cringe.

Oohh! Forgot teeth, I've straightened mine recently. My smile definitely looks better than before.

now in the correct thread

Exercise, running to be exact.

My skin glows now, probably because when I run every pore opens and gets flushed out.
My posture is better, the small of my back is much stronger, and I’ve lost a stone without counting a single calorie.

However, I spend much more time on pedicures, hard skin etc.

I'm 43, had very fine hair, sparse brows & lashes, & bad nails.

So I started taking one Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron 20mg capsule and a Perfectil Skin, Hair & Nails vitamin every day.

A few months later & my fringe has grown, I have perfect nails, my lashes are thicker & my brows look fuller! I'm really pleased.

Apart from that I recommend a moisturiser with spf15 at least in it; & a good anti ageing serum underneath. Like Clinique smart repair serum.

Also maintain good posture as many women get in the habit of stooping & wear a decent bra.

Posture! This is the one thing that ages you more than anything. Especially in your 50s/60s. After years of pram pushing, start working on it as early as possible. In my 60s now and it's hard to maintain a straight back.

Losing some excess weight and having laser eye surgery.