Women under 50 need not respond

[AnotheChinHair]

Sorry for such an ageist subject title, but I am often drawn to threads that ask for foundation, shampoo, etc. recommendations and then realise that the OP and respondents are in their 30s and feel like I need some discussion with women my age.

My hair has changed, my skin looks different, my body aches, my eyebrows are faint and full of greys... I was wondering if you're 50 or over, could you share your wisdom on how you've adapted your grooming?

I'd be particularly interested in hair products (my hair is fine, prone to frizz and def. thinning and receding), my skin is still combination I think, and I would like to find a long lasting oil free full/medium coverage foundation that doesn't look dry around my eyes (currently using ELDW), and also supplements that make you feel and look better.

I have a horrible carb face after the sugar excesses of Christmas, and I have stopped drinking alcohol as I clearly don't tolerate it anymore.

I should exercise more but my knee hurts.
Recently started hrt patches and that has helped with night sweats.

Hope others can share what's been helpful.

I use guinot hydra finish cream, its not a foundation but works like one. Comes out lilac and then reacts with your skin to match its colour. Ive tried most mentioned here and my skin reacts to all of them. It has no alcohol or oil and can be layered for more coverage. Tried so many foundations, bb and cc creams and keep going back to it.

Max factor masterpiece mascara is another one I keep going back to as well, all the others I've tried either make my eyes water or break my lashes.

And Hourglass powder on my t-zone keeps any oiliness at bay.

Hello, not sure how I missed this before, but you might be interested in a thread where I asked for hair help last week. As in, lack of hair on my head. A couple of extremely detailed replies among them, so might want to go and have a look.

Meanwhile, I’m here to post on whether anyone has had luck using IPL at home for all the hair I DONT want to have

Oh, I meant to add another couple of things I do to (try and ) look young..

Nivea two in one lip scrub and balm. It looks like a usual lip balm stick on sight but it has particles in it that exfoliates your lips, then when you rub your lips together, it turns into a balm.

I use it twice a week and it is great for smoothing dry wrinkled lips (which can look ageing) and keeping lipstick on.

I also take omega 3 fish oil capsules for skin hair and nails.
I need a grey pencil for my brows though......

@lborgia

Hello, not sure how I missed this before, but you might be interested in a thread where I asked for hair help last week. As in, lack of hair on my head. A couple of extremely detailed replies among them, so might want to go and have a look.

Meanwhile, I’m here to post on whether anyone has had luck using IPL at home for all the hair I DONT want to have

Could you give the name of that thread you started? Or a link? I'd really like to read it.

Armani luminous silk foundation is excellent - looks natural and lasts all day. Expensive, but you only need a tiny amount - one bottle lasts me a year. I apply it with fingers, then buff with a brush.

Bobbi Brown colour corrector (not the concealer, with I find too thick).

Tiny amount of powder on the T zone only.

Just a fitness one if it hasn't been mentioned: rebounding, much easier on the joints, good for the lymphatic system and 20 mins bouncing is the equivalent of 1 hour running (apparently)... I love it and I hate all exercise!

I didn't buy a special rebounder, my kids had a mini trampoline so use that.

Bobbi Brown has a lovely grey, quite waxy, eyebrow pencil. I'm ancient with blonde/grey hair and pale skin, and this gives my brows very subtle definition but looks natural. I used to use shade "Blonde" but "Grey" it is now!

@DameCelia

Hi OP, 56 here. 1 HRT, give it time. A lot of the things you mention are hormone related. 2 Minoxydil is the only thing clinically proven to help hair loss. 3 a really good hairdresser should be able to advise on a style that suits your new hair texture (and face). 4 exercise, exercise, exercise. Try lots of things until you find something that you'll stick to. 5 Pilates or yoga to keep you supple, moving stiffly will make you look and feel older. 6 lift weights. Absolutely essential for burning calories and protecting your body as you get older. Muscle loss after menopause is shocking, fight back. 7 ditch the ELDW, does no-one any favours unless they are under 20, with perfect skin (when they don't need it anyway). I use IT cosmetics cc cream diluted with moisturiser. Find something lightweight that lets your skin show through. 8 drink three times as much water as you think you can. 9 you look like what you eat, stodgy white carbs ? Sorry if that all sounds a bit harsh! It's what I've done to keep me feeling like me.

Not RTFT yet but I wanted to say this sounds like very good advice. What's ELDW though?

@likeamillpond - Here you go!

Re frizzy hair - I have started wearing a silk turban (from Silke) at night in bed. Wake up with no frizz whatsoever.

Thanks for the eyebrow tips, mine have gone very fair and sparse but I don't want to go down the microblading or laminated route.

Estée Lauder Double Wear

Not a CC cream but I discovered La Roche-Posay Effaclar BB Blur which is the most extraordinary cream which makes my (fine) lines completely disappear. I mix it with moisturiser if I want it more like a tinted moisturiser.

@AnotheChinHair

Sorry for such an ageist subject title, but I am often drawn to threads that ask for foundation, shampoo, etc. recommendations and then realise that the OP and respondents are in their 30s and feel like I need some discussion with women my age.

My hair has changed, my skin looks different, my body aches, my eyebrows are faint and full of greys... I was wondering if you're 50 or over, could you share your wisdom on how you've adapted your grooming?

I'd be particularly interested in hair products (my hair is fine, prone to frizz and def. thinning and receding), my skin is still combination I think, and I would like to find a long lasting oil free full/medium coverage foundation that doesn't look dry around my eyes (currently using ELDW), and also supplements that make you feel and look better.

I have a horrible carb face after the sugar excesses of Christmas, and I have stopped drinking alcohol as I clearly don't tolerate it anymore.

I should exercise more but my knee hurts.
Recently started hrt patches and that has helped with night sweats.

Hope others can share what's been helpful.

At the risk of sounding daft, what does ELDW stand for ? Great thread, by the way.

I think it’s Estée Lauder double wear

I am 57. On HRT for bones mainly. I hoped it would help my hair which has been dire ever since getting Hashimotos but it hasn’t made any difference, if anything my hair is worse. It has thinned a bit, and was very fine to start with although I had a reasonable amount of hair, but the thinning isn’t the issue, the problem is that it doesn’t grow. It literally won’t grow more than three inches or so on the top. I have virtually no grey, and I don’t colour it , I don’t use any heated appliances, so I don’t think it is breaking, I am baffled.
I tried Viviscal but it gave me hives.
My vitamin d was extremely low, just under 20, but I have taken supplements all through this year- hair the same. I don’t know what my iron/ferritin levels are at the moment.
I am on levothyroxine , my levels are ok.
It makes me miserable, and I feel frumpy , but I don’t know what else to do.
Skin is ok, I need more moisture than I used that’s all.
Weight goes up and down but I really need to address my fitness and strength. I struggle with constant tiredness which doesn’t help. I look doughy.
Main thing is the hair though. I don’t think I could have extensions as it isn’t long enough. 😢

I sympathize with the dodgy knees OP which I suffer from myself! Look on YouTube for Pahla B’s free ‘knee friendly’ excercise classes ( strength/cardio etc and different lengths of time). They are aimed at mature women, her slogan is ‘Make peace with your menopausal body’ and the movements are not hard.

@SirVixofVixHall have you tried taking biotin for your hair?

Taking it has made my hair grow really quickly- it's definitely worth a try.

@SirVixofVixHall you could try massaging rosemary oil onto your scalp. Apparently it is brilliant for hair growth.

I'm 55 and still not completely in the menopause. I'm wondering if this is why I'm not suffering too much!
I've always had very thick hair and it hasn't thinned at all. My eyebrows are still black and ib just make them abit thicker with some pencil. I used to pluck them into tiny thin lines when I was 12! No particular aches or pains either. I've always worn goid quality foundation and looked after my skin. My skin is the calmest its ever been. Getting a dog and walking everyday makes me feel good most of the time. I'm still fighting the flab though.

I’m over 50 also used to wear ELDW then went onto Channel Illuminati and swore by it. During early lockdown I discovered Dermacol and absolutely love it, costs about £8.00 on line. I put a shine setting spray over the top and get loads of compliments.
Reading your OST hoping for answers for myself.

Benefit gimme brow is a good product. It has a brush like that of mascara and goes on subtle.

Great thread, thanks!