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?!

Botox

@minipie I had mine done abroad (only upper) for 1200 EUR. Surgery on Wednesday, stiches out Monday morning - flew back Monday afternoon without any funny looks. I understand lower might bruise more though.

Thanks Katharina. May I ask where you had it done?

Sure, I've posted about this before:
erahaigla.ee/en

Thanks will have a look

Cheek fillers, helped bags under eyes disappear too

I’m 40 and also fast to keep my body a healthy weight and I enjoy running it gives me time to think. Recently I had fillers around my mouth and 0.5mls of lip filler in my top lip. My lower lip is quite full and I’ve always disliked my top lip. But, I’ve never been brave enough to do anything about it until now. It’s very subtle but has made a huge difference and I now wear lipstick which I never have for years and my mum says I smile more. ( I like the posture tip, I agree this is something I need to work on)

Similar age...

Watching with interest!

Although I have to say getting loads of very good sex always made me look radiant and people would comment!

Sadly I am single...

Definitely makes a different. Has to be fantastic sex though. Hard to find.

Here are my new improved lips.

Getting hair professionally colored

Botox

Facial oil, eye brow threading and mac strobe cream.

Microbladed eyebrows .... not many things, and I have tried a lot of things, have such an immediate and positive impact.

Then weight, sleep, gut health, varied and healthy diet, clothes, water, good skin care, good hair cut and colour.

Loosing weight, light make up. rather than au naturel, which was fine in my 20s, not so much now. I'd also say not taking yourself too seriously, not moaning all the time and fostering a positive attitude help. Nothing worse for your looks than to feel thunderous and judgmental. Practicing gratitude makes me feel and look more together and relaxed.

Interested in face yoga and having colours done. I wish I could find a good bra fitter too.

Learning how to properly manage my curls and ditching the hairdryer and straighteners. My hair is healthy and shiny now and as a bonus it takes about 2 mins to scrunch in product and leave to dry naturally instead of all that time spent styling it.

Yes yes yes to learning to manage curls too. For me that's not an age thing. I learnt to manage my hair in my 30s but I have a glorious shiny bouncy mop. Its probably my best feature.

Less extreme teeth whitening, more extreme botox. Both completely changed how I felt about myself. I would recommend teething whitening to anyone. I used the one with the trays from the dentist and used overnight. Absolutely worth the money.

I have more money to spend on myself now at aged 60 and more time. I can get my hair done more frequently and buy clothes whenever I like but the single biggest thing I have done is join Park Run. It’s free and very friendly- I have lost weight, got much fitter , don’t think about food as much and have made new friends.

I got my upper eyelids done (upper blepharoplsty) and it's made a massive improvement. Cost £1300 in a private hospital in Ayrshire in Scotland so the price of a few filler treatments.
Also losing a stone in weight. I was never massively overweight but now I'm just under 9 stone I feel clothes sit so much nicer on me.
Your lips look lovely and natural @LollyBeebee123

Great thread, taking notes. The one thing that made a difference to me is a facial buffer sponge thingy from the pound shop. I don't wear make-up but I look so radiant and smooth after using it which might be psycholocical.

trumpisaflump thank you, I’m so pleased with them. I’ve been thinking about having my eyelids done too. I also live in Scotland so could get to Ayrshire. Which hospital did you use and which surgeon? I’ve been wanting to do do this for a little while but I’m nervous about it. I’d feel more comfortable if I had a recommendation. Could you send me before and after pics? Thanks

Eyebrow threading (at one of the Blink salons in London. All are good) is an instant face- and game- changer.

If we're going top 2, then I would say throwing a lot of money at a very expensive dermatologist who cured my acne, mostly got rid of my horrible rolling acne scars and has given me the kind of radiant, smooth, even toned skin that strangers comment on!

Ooh yes eyebrows. I just used to fill them in when they started falling out but then but then worked up the courage to go get them threaded (definitely not something I would do normally and was also embarrassed about the state of them)

The threader (is that the word?) was just lovely. She even showed me how to fill them in "properly" and said she would thread them for free when they grew back. Still waiting for that to happen but she was so kind. I was so glad I did it.

I’m really interested to know more about face yoga! Links please?
Also how did everyone who had lost weight done it? I really really need to lose about four stone but feel completely defeated at the thought of it.
I think alcohol and sugar are the biggest ageing factors, along with lack of hydration and poor diet. I really believe fizzy drinks are the devil too. I’ve never drunk them.
A good SPF and good skincare are vital, but doesn’t need to be high end.
Also as you age your character shows in your face, so doing inner work is important too.
Also a big fan of yoga.

If you have 4 stone to lose it seems a daunting process. but if you stop thinking about the end goal and break it down to 2 pounds at a time, or half a stone at a time, it makes it easier.

Don't go on a diet. If you go on a diet at some point you go off them. You have to change your habits forever, lose the bad ones, establish the good ones. I used to be an all or nothing person. Go on a diet, slip up and then say, what the hell I've blown it, and eat more. Take the long term view. Don't put a time limit on loss, for a holiday for instance. Eat healthily in the main, with the occasional treat. If you have overdone it one day, pull it back on the next, until eventually the good days overtake the bad.

If you change your eating habits over a long period of time your taste buds change. I have not eaten chocolate for 3 years. I have not denied myself it, I no longer have a sweet tooth, although I like an ice cream or cream tea every now and then. It then becomes easier to maintain a stable weight.

There are no good or bad foods, it's your attitude to them. All food is fuel for the body, but some of it is better than others. Choose the better fuel most of the time, and don't overfill the tank.

Exercise. If you hate gyms, walk for 20 minutes, build it up. Put music on, dance like a crazy woman for 20 minutes. You sweat but it feels good. Check out free videos on You Tube. Jessica Smith and Lucy Wyndham-Read put out a lot of free content if you want to exercise at home.

Losing weight is ultimately a mind game. You are given one body, it's your most precious thing, treat it well and do your best for it and it will do it's best for you. All I know is that consistently eating well and moving more most of the time has reaped dividends for me. Niggly little ailments have cleared up, I feel more positive about life, I now have options I didn't have before because losing weight has opened up opportunities for me. I am not afraid to make a stand or be heard, or get noticed. Before I kept my eyes to the floor metaphorically and now I am eyes wide opened and fully engaged.

A bit of an essay, but a PP did ask.