How to sort my face out

[Flump2000]

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to improve my face from looking like a corpse? I've got bags under my eyes (13 month old baby and 38 weeks pregnant so that won't improve any time soon) but my skin just looks grey and miserable. I'm 28 but my skin looks about 280. I'm drinking a good 4-5L water a day so I'm staying as hydrated as possible. I'm thinking of getting

• facials, could probably justify 1 a fortnight if anyone has any recommendations of what I actually need
• lash lift (blonde so lashes are non visible at the best of times and my mascara just marks under my eyes)
• eyebrows microbladed
• considering brow Botox but wary of falling down the frozen face hole

Anything else anyone could suggest to make me look less rough? Or any other suggestions of just how to feel/look less grim?

Having spent hundreds over the years on miracle creams, the only thing that's worked for me is collagen supplements and dermabrasion/any skin treatment designed to encourage collagen renewal.

The other thing is diet. Fresh fruit and veg etc

I would say from your list eyebrows would be a good one to do as they frame your face. Other than that perhaps a good illuminating moisturiser and I always whack on some bronzing oil on my face which helps. Eye cream too if you have it.

@loveisagirlnameddaisy

Having spent hundreds over the years on miracle creams, the only thing that's worked for me is collagen supplements and dermabrasion/any skin treatment designed to encourage collagen renewal.

The other thing is diet. Fresh fruit and veg etc

Please can I ask what Collagen supplement you use? Seriously in need of help !

@loveisagirlnameddaisy

@loveisagirlnameddaisy

Having spent hundreds over the years on miracle creams, the only thing that's worked for me is collagen supplements and dermabrasion/any skin treatment designed to encourage collagen renewal.

The other thing is diet. Fresh fruit and veg etc

Ah currently eating pop tarts reading this, better have an apple to cancel them out! Will definitely look into dermabrasion treatments though thank you!

@DarlingCoffee

I would say from your list eyebrows would be a good one to do as they frame your face. Other than that perhaps a good illuminating moisturiser and I always whack on some bronzing oil on my face which helps. Eye cream too if you have it.

Yeah I had my brows microbladed just before getting pregnant with my first but I couldn't get my top up as I was pregnant straight away. They definitely made a huge difference though!

Re: collagen, there are quite a few out there, I take the marine collagen in liquid sachets. I'm taking the Sam Faiers one at the moment called Revive. There's another brand called Absolute which I was considering.

It's not cheap though, about £55 per month, I think.

@loveisagirlnameddaisy

Re: collagen, there are quite a few out there, I take the marine collagen in liquid sachets. I'm taking the Sam Faiers one at the moment called Revive. There's another brand called Absolute which I was considering.

It's not cheap though, about £55 per month, I think.

Thanks Will have a look. Has anyone tried Immedeen? Cant work out if it contains collagen or not?

A good basic skincare routine as well, so always take make up off, exfoliate once or twice a week, use moisturiser and always wear an SPF. I don't think you need to spend a lot of money on products but being consistent and looking after your skin will really help.

I'm blonde and struggle with the same "blahness". Things that work for me:

Plenty of fruit and veg in diet, less carbs especially bread, keep dairy, sugar and caffeine to reasonable levels.

Definitely microblading, could also look at semi permanent lash enhancing makeup - find a reputable artist! Otherwise lash tint at home - quick and easy.

Skincare - pixi glow tonic toner is amazing. Find a moisturiser with spf which suits you ( I like zelens or Elizabeth Arden). And the ordinary low strength retinol or any other you prefer. For eye bags you could try a caffeine based eye cream - check cult beauty and filter by price as well as rating if budget is a concern.

A good tinted moisturiser - I'm still looking for the perfect one. But I love becca's backlight primer (it's not particularly primer-like in my opinion, just gives a lovely warm and subtle glow), I wear it daily, no foundation, along with their under eye brightening corrector, a touch of cream blush and very, very minimal eyeshadow (urban decay naked basics palette). Sometimes the ysl touché eclat high cover concealer (it's not really high cover) - a little goes a long way! And curl eyelashes. Very light contour can help if you can be arsed. And a finishing powder like hourglass, again if you can be arsed. A subtle tinted lip balm and you're good to go!

Healthy diet with lots of fresh fruit & veg.

Sleep - go to bed as early as you can, I know with a new born this won't be so practical.

Exercise - get out in fresh air every day with your toddler and new born, once you're back on your feet. A good stretch of the legs and lungs is good for the soul.

Oh! Also, exercise. I know, yeeeeuch.

I count sex, walking, dancing and yoga with toddler as exercise though so it could be worse I guess...

The sugar won’t help, you’re literally taking a hammer & chisel to your collagen.

There’s no hard scientific proof collagen supplements work, studies have shown you excrete it in your urine straight away. Your body has no idea you’ve taken collagen it just knows it’s got extra protein to digest but it’s not going to lay it down for storage like it will with carbs/fat.

It’d be great if it did because we’d all take it at menopause when you lose 30% of your collagen & stay looking young.

There is proof red light led stimulates collagen production, also tretonoin cream.

From within
Lots of water
Good diet- lots of fruit and veg, low carb low sugar
Exercise
Lots of sleep

Skincare
Cream face cleanser
Exfoliant (chemical, like pixi glow tonic)
Moisturiser
Facial SPF
At night - a retinol (you'll thank yourself in 10 years)

cosmetics
Eyebrows done
Eyelashes tinted, lifted or extensions?
Good haircut

You sound anaemic. Diet plays a massive part.

Thanks everyone! Very expensive weekend buying loads of bits inc pixi glow, retinol, spf 50 and booking my brows and lash lift (although can't get them done until baby is here). Got a manicure & pedicure yesterday and have my hair booked for next week (also treat myself to some "good" shampoo, conditioner & hair oil). Can't wait to try it all out (and even if it makes no difference at least I can't afford to leave the house all of December now 😂).

If your lashes are blonde, getting them tinted would make a more visible difference than the lift. That's without make-up on anyway.

@Polecat03 yeah I've booked for a tint too (annoyingly the only part they said I couldn't have when pregnant) but hoping it will make a noticeable difference!

I think things like facial massage and exercises make a visible difference and cost nothing, too. My face always looks a bit revived and 'lifted' when I take the time to do a really thorough massage with my cleansing oil in the evening.

images.app.goo.gl/kYgHBAGbay1Fxs9F8