If you could go back in time....

[oldbeforem]

I'm 32, few greys but I really am starting to feel like I've lost my sparkle, already!

I'm dreading looking and feeling older. I was with my Mum this weekend and she said she wished she'd made an effort to stay slim when she was my age as it's so much harder to get in shape at her age.

If you could go back, what do you wished you'd done or taken more care of in your 30's? Or what have you done that you feel has made a difference?

I wish I hadn’t got so fat in my third pregnancy. I ate loads of crap, had a big baby, I think influences by the crap diet, and wrecked my stomach muscles. They will never be the same.

I have always worn spf since I was a teen which I am grateful for now as at 38 I don’t have many wrinkles.

parps for the eye spf just get a day moisturiser that can be extended to around the eye and don’t forget to do it. I like Clinique city block spf 25 , specifies it is fine for around the eyes. Also like trinny bff which seams ok round my eyes.

For the person

I wish I’d given up alcohol years ago (or never started drinking). I have given it up now, but think of all that money; those calories, and how ageing it is...

I’d have also been more careful about covering up in the sun.

I’d have had all the work necessary to put right the work of an unscrupulous dentist, who filled all of my back teeth in my teens. He did it to everyone- I think it was a nice earner for him.

And I would have insisted that my Dr listened to me regarding my hip pain.

olivehater, thank you but Clinique city block is for applying after moisturiser, no?

It is a moisturiser. Sometime I mix it with or use after a basic moisturiser if my skin is quite dry.

Read this review. It is very insightful. It loses a star as it’s spf 25 not 30 but their spf 40 has citrus peel in it which isn’t good for sensitive skin.spf 25 is fine if you are generous with it.

www.beautypedia.com/products/city-block-sheer-oil-free-daily-face-protector-broad-spectrum-25-spf/

Ah, I didn't realise that. My skin's dehydrated though, so I don't think it'd suit me, not to use on its own anyway.

I have dry sensitive skin and love it as it is mineral only and doesn’t irritate around my eyes. It’s the one thing I always go back to.

Pelvic floor exercises I get mid cycle post-wee extra wee. I'm 43.

I agree with your mother. Stay on top of weight and look after you teeth.

I'm not sure, the only thing different about me now is I'm a bit fatter and more wrinkly but I'm fatter due to an illness, which has also made me a bit low in mood and I'm a bit more lined due to age not lack of skin care. I've stopped smoking and I'm going back to how I used to dress, as I'm feeling 'fuck it' I'm a size bigger but in the scheme of things I still look okay. I trued to look more sophisticated but I'm bored of it. I want patterns and prints and bright colours like I used to wear.

I would change one thing actually, I'd have dyed my hair a fairer shade of brown, as I'm struggling with it now, it's too dark and I just can't seem to get it a more natural shade.
What's made a difference as I age is better underwear, and better quality clothes, when you're young and reasonably firm you can wear cheap clothes, as you age and things move which never previously moved you need more structure, or thicker fabrics or just a better cut, bigger knickers are good too as I found thongs started to cut into my hips which aren't particularly fat but I wanted a smoother look so bought some hipster short type knickers.

I've kept my weight healthy, I'm pretty fit and don't have a single filling (I'm 40 in a couple of months) but I wish wish wish wish wish I had not gone on sunbeds when I was young. I was vain and stupid and my skin has paid the price. Frankly it will be a miracle if I don't get cancer.

I also smoked (again, stupid), but the damage from that seems to have been minor compared to the sun damage.

@mistermagpie how often did you go on them? I've been guilty of using them sporadically when younger and silly!

Probably once a week or so, maybe twice if I had a big night out coming up. But that was over the course of a couple of years if I'm being honest - so I'd say it adds up to quite a lot. The irony is that I hate sunbathing and barely have ever been on a beach holiday in my life!

The skin on my face could be worse but I have the chest and hands of a much older woman, I've worked hard over the last decade with skincare and so on, but there is only so much you can do.

Wish I'd plucked up the courage (and had the money) to get invisalign braces sooner. I always had a wonky smile and I am soooo happy to have got rid of it!