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?!

Smile ...it instantly transforms your face.

Body weight exercises are good, but if you have a chance, book a session at the gym and go through the machines and/or free weights. Faster results.

An undercut pixie and a few ear piercings have felt liberating, though I may have had those to rebel against my Mum. I'm 48. (She hasn't noticed.)

Quitting smoking has made a massive difference not just to my health but to my skin too.

Cutting my hair back into a pixie and wearing less makeup. I’ve decluttered most of my makeup and now use primarily Trinny London pots other than my brows, mascara and eyelid primer. Takes me about 20 mins all in to do hair and makeup but I always feel lovely and fresh

Before I had lip filler I used to wear essentially a full face of makeup - but not a heavy base, rather intricate eyeshadow looks and lashes. I used to get loads of compliments on my makeup, strangers would ask me for eye product details, my insta pics would get lots of likes etc. I mean on a daily basis I would get a staggering amount of makeup compliments, and I live in London which isn’t know for being social.

But after filler I feel like my face looked ready to leave the house without applying as much makeup/eyeshadow. I don’t even know how to nicely apply eyeshadow like I used to, I’m actually awful now.

I lost some weight (I was 46), which had accumulated and made me feel quite down and unwell for a few years. When the weight came off - and it flew off - I felt generally better, looked better and was quite fit. I was also more confident.

Other things that have made a difference: hair do. Of course that didn't last (I had it cut in a different style), and I've changed it several times since but I do remember a cut that was gorgeous.

How did it fly off, Blue Russian, may I ask. Trying to loose the 1 stone in four months weight gain from stopping smoking and a hysterectomy double whammy.

I lost about three stone in six months. I became a lot more active, walked everywhere that I could, didn't use a lift at work did some exercise at home (when I was alone), ate well. I didn't notice anything different after a month but after two months, the weight loss was noticeable. At three months I was quite pleased with my figure but I continued to lose a little weight for a while after that. I was well toned too. It wasn't difficult, however I do have to say that me being big for a while was not normal for me and definitely not healthy, I was sluggish.

I'm 50 - how did that happen? - and while I won't say I'm still in my prime, I like to think I still look OK.

I agree with a lot of the comments here, and with 3 in particular:

1. Prescription strength tretinoin/retin A. When I say prescription strength I mean it would be in GB, but you can get a tube for about 17 Euro OTC in a Spanish farmacia. Ask for 'Retirides'. Great stuff which renders all those pricey 'state of the art' skin creams superfluous.

2. Sleep. Lots of it. I need my full 8 hours and try to avoid mirrors when I don't get it.

3. Babyliss Big Hair. I've got a shed-full - almost literally - of hair implements but this is the only one that can be relied upon to do the biz for my crap fine hair.

Can I ask you here you get the prescription retinol from?

I got it in Spain - 1% Retin A - which would require a prescription in the UK - is available OTC in Spanish pharmacies. It costs about 17 Euro for a tube which lasts ages if you dilute it with another cream (which you should if your skin isn't used to it). Ask for 'Retirides'.

I get my retin a from Dermatica. Its an online prescription service and I receive it monthly.

Botox, keep my hair big and bouncy, maintaining its colour, teeth whitening, a decent bra, a light tan, keeping an eye on fashion ( for my age, I hasten to add😀) wearing heels if I go out, even a low heel as it makes you walk differently and make-up.

Have a look on ebay, I think I have seen it on there Iced Purple.

Sue51, do you not have to have a prescription for it before Dermatica dispense Retinol?

Have a look on ebay, I think I have seen it on there Iced Purple.

I travel to Spain quite frequently and can get it there OTC for 17 euro.

Bluerussian Dermatica have an online dermatology service and you have to fill in a questionnaire and upload photos of your skin. They start with .25 and check after a month or so before moving up to .5 and send a tube of the stuff monthly.

direct acids

Soooo... the things I'm trying or have looked into from this brilliant thread so far:

Invisalign: have an appointment set up to see if I'd be suitable, the cost etc

Teeth whitening: turns out my teeth have retained most of the whiteness from the excruciatingly sensitive whitening I had decades ago. My dentist showed me they're already whiter than average and only two shades down from the whitest possible. So that's some money, time and pain saved and a confidence boost too!

Eyebrow threading: will be asking friends for local recommendations

My skin is currently great (v few fine lines, little pigmentation) so I'm putting retin on my longer term list of things to consider if/when it feels my skin to do with a boost.

No urge to have Botox atm... I don't hate it but thus far, I've never seen it make a difference in a way I'd personally value. My friends who have botox don't look more youthful or vibrant, they just look a bit less lined - that's when it's been done well. When it's done poorly or for many years they look strangely older, eg waxy and/or more lines or drooping elsewhere than I suspect is natural for them.

Another thing I think has made a big difference to me is having an Food allergy/intolerance test (I used Cambridge Nutritional Sciences) - I discovered the unlikely source of my regular stomach bloating and pain! I wish I'd done it much sooner.

Oh and have been looking into tongue posture (Mewing?) I cant decide what I think of it!

Hard to name one thing but most important for me would be exercise and healthy eating, cutting out crap and snacks from diet.
After that yoga, decent hair cut and colour and having my eyebrows and upper lip waxed.

My two cents ... the combo of spray tans (from a professional who does an excellent light handed job), losing the extra stone, cutting booze and retinol have made the most difference. I've had botox once and wont bother again- it makes next to no difference overall, a bit less liney but you're not brighter or better looking really.

Anyone got a "beginner's retinol" recommendation?