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.

Great thread thanks op. Have only skim read so far but going to have a good read and make a list, i am spending january trying to lose weight and no alcohol so maybe nice to treat myself to some new beauty products. Going in search of collagen tomorrow, but any recommendation for semi permanent eyebrows? I have hardly any left and they are very thin!
The only recommendations i can think of so far are the huda lipsticks ( most lipsticks only last a few minutes and these are the best i have found so far)
And clarins face sunscream factor 50. I walk alot and my face reddens quickly and live somewhere warm, this one is not white and chalky and goes one easily.

SirVixofVixHall, you said a couple of pages back that HRT had made your hair thin. Some types do this, while others protect against it. I was on Femoston-Conti specifically because a dermatologist recommended it to help with hair loss, which I've suffered for years (Minoxidil has helped slow it down too). If you are in London, ask for a referral to the dermatology department at St Thomas's hospital. Elsewhere, I would have thought any reputable dermatologist or trichologist could advise.

I had to come off the HRT this year because of a breast cancer diagnosis. How I miss my HRT! It delays menopausal symptoms rather than curing them, so I'm belatedly going through the whole lot now.

Just to add, VIx, a dermatologist/trichologist should be able to help with your hair not growing beyond a certain length. I would definitely recommend you get blood tests to check your iron, vitamin D and folate - all of which can have an impact.

I know what it’s for, I just don’t get why eating it will make any difference, any more than eating moisturiser or retinol
Because moisturizers and retinol are not produced by the body, a moisturizer is just a topical emollient to soften the surface of the skin. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative which works by chemically exfoliating the skin, stripping away the upper dead layers to reveal the fresher skin underneath. So in that form it is applied topically for the best effect. Collagen is a protein naturally found in the body which decreases as we age so ingesting it is building levels up again in the bloodstream.

What DameCelia said, I used to do most of this but being worked into the ground and feeling anxious and stressed out i've really let it slip, must get back on the wagon soon.
As my hair is still OK I think it must be the HRT. I'm 64 now and have longish quite thick hair. For safety's sake I moved over to Mirena coil and Oestrogel recently, hope this continues to work as well as the old Kliovance pills did. The (NHS I was lucky) g;ynaecologist I saw told me his oldest patient on HRT is 94, and doing well.

Inspired by this thread off today for an appointment with a dermatologist. My skin is now permanently red and horrible and dont always want to cover up with full on make up! First looked and had to wait six months, then late afternoon one came up for todays so delighted since would probably have let it go.

notwavingbutdrowning5 thank you. I don’t think the HRT has necessarily made my hair thinner, more that I hoped it would have a positive effect but it hasn’t. It has got worse in the time I’ve been on HRt but that may be due to something else, as I already had the growth problem. I am on Oestrogel/ Ultrageston .
My vitamin D was exceptionally low but I have been taking it religiously this year, it hasn’t been re tested yet because of Covid. I don’t know what my iron and folate levels are.
I would say I have some thinning and my hair has always been fine in texture, but the main problem is that in places it does not grow at all beyond two or three inches. I think it must shed too early ? As I don’t think it is breaking off.

SirVix, the hairs that are not growing beyond 2-3 inches might be a hair loss issue - apparently before a hair follicle dies, it narrows and the hair gets weaker and doesn't grow very long. I would definitely recommend Minoxidil (Regaine for Men - not the women's) to counteract this. But I am not a professional, so it would be best to book an appointment with one if you can.

I am worried about Minidoxil, side effects etc.
But now I am scared as if all these follicles die then I will be bald, as it is at least a third of my hair.

I'm 50 and I use the no7 lift and luminate foundation, it's very good. It gives good coverage and doesn't age you.

I also have a laura mercier foundation aimed at older skins and it's good too but no better than the no 7.

understand it either.
I

@kingkuta

I know what it’s for, I just don’t get why eating it will make any difference, any more than eating moisturiser or retinol Because moisturizers and retinol are not produced by the body, a moisturizer is just a topical emollient to soften the surface of the skin. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative which works by chemically exfoliating the skin, stripping away the upper dead layers to reveal the fresher skin underneath. So in that form it is applied topically for the best effect. Collagen is a protein naturally found in the body which decreases as we age so ingesting it is building levels up again in the bloodstream.

Ah that explains it.. thanks

That's interesting about the Perricone diet. I am on a very similar diet for another health reason and have been (mostly on rather than off) for years (no dairy or gluten or mean, just salmon, veg, fruit) and really have no wrinkles at 50. I have been wearing sunblock since 15 (not all the time but probably 70%). Compared to my sisters my face looks younger. My hair is much greyer though so it's swings and roundabouts!

I've been watching Dominique Sachse YouTube videos great tips for over 50s

I'm 55. I don't wear a huge amount but always wear a few things:
I like garnier BB tinted moisturiser, plus some cover up where needed.
Good mascara.
I like the cheek/lip tint stick by Milk but any would do.
Smokey eyes when going out!
I had a face peel too which evened it out a bit.
This sounds a bit more glam than I am 😬
Xx

PS - I just slap the BB on with my hands!
Also, am a fan of Paul Mitchell finding pomade as it adds a bit of lustre to my hair.
X

Foaming pomade ffs.
That's enough posts from me.

God this thread is depressing!

I’m either very lucky or oblivious

I'm 59. No oil painting - stiff and overweight - but I have thick , glossy hair. I recommnend Aussie shine shampoo, and avocado (to eat). I started having avocado with poached egg on toast during the last lockdown (fills you up so no snacking) and I noticed the effect on my hair after a week or so - it's really shiny. (And I've started day about, pilates or yoga to try to unstiffen myself!)

@Kintsugi16

God this thread is depressing!

I’m either very lucky or oblivious

I think it's all very positive!

I thought it was positive too. You are lucky if you don’t need to deal with what may of us have to.

I'm 59 and have been menopausal for 8 years.

The part of the op that caught my eye was the sparse white eyebrows. I had those and they made me look older than my mum. I had them microbladed, not black slugs but a mix of dark browns and reddish tones to match my hair in a natural arch and they look amazing. It hurts and it's expensive but it's worth every penny. Now my eyebrow maintenance is just defuzzing with a trimmer when the white fluff appears.

Since turning 50 I've gone from a pixie crop to a bob (very ageing) to mid length wavy layers in caramel tones. I only wash it once a week and use Phillip Kingsley elasticizer every time and it's thick, silky and shiny.

I take a daily collagen supplement for my skin, also biotin for hair plus cod liver oil. Opting fancy, just whatever is cheap on Amazon I have regular mini-botox to open up my eyes and lift my sagging eyelids. I use The `ordinary retinol every night and a vitamin C serum every morning.

I've cut back massively on alcohol over the last three years but can't say I feel any better for it. ☹️ But I'm hoping my liver will thank me.

I used to be a real gym bunny but over the years have lost my bounce and energy for that. Now I walk at least 10,000 steps a day and do a lot of yoga. I'm heavier and thicker waisted than I used to be but I feel fantastic and so far have been spared the aches and pains a lot of women my age suffer.

Apologies, I have re-read through and there’s some positives and good advice.

Confusedandshaken you’re looking good.

I think the key is to spend time and money on maintenance. Throwing money at makeup and nails just doesn’t work. I wear minimal makeup now so look natural despite spending time on myself.

@DianaT1969

I should have mentioned, I don't leave it fully salt and pepper. I had fine highlights on the top section about 3 months ago and use a warm blonde wash in wash out toner occasionally. There are no roots, no demarcation.

DianaT1969 Please can you share which toner you use? Thank you

Well Woman multi-vit,Nivea, Kerastase hair stuff, MF foundation/mascara, Burts Bees lip balm and that is me done.Walk the dog 3x a day....need to move more but was napping like a ninety year old this afternoon...just bored with Lockdown I think.