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.

Lots of good tips on here. Mine only really works if you have hair like mine (fine, thin, light coloured)- I've given up using conditioner. When you are young, it gives a gloss/bounce, when you are older, it causes it to hang down limply I've found. My hair is just below the shoulders, I cut it regularly and don't use conditioner. If it frizzes, or needs smoothing, just use something after/during drying like two squirts of one of those oils/products to smooth things, but hardly any. If you want instant lift, use Batiste dry shampoo (I see someone else is a fan!)- I use the white ordinary one but you can get it in dark/brown colours, and it gives great root lift and your hair looks less greasy and lank. If I'm going to appear at an important meeting/need to impress, I always use the dry shampoo even if I've just washed my hair.

I don't fuss too much which shampoo I use, tbh, I do use silicone ones as well as non, whatever's cheap but gives it bounce/doesn't weight it down.

For skin, I use tretinoin from a pharmacy in Andorra. It has made a visible difference to lines, and my skin looks so much better generally. Always use factor 50 too.

61 today! I have noticed my hair thinning but it is not such a problem as it was very thick before!

My main concerns are lashes and brows. Though my hair is chestnut (now dyed of course) my lashes and brows appear blonde and the tail end of my brows has disappeared. Haven't got around to dyeing my lashes but have some mascaras that don't irritate. My scalp is very itchy but no flakes so I am careful what shampoos I use.

I do use foundation but often put a drop of moisturiser with it or use a tinted moisturiser.

I am looking for cream blushers/bronzers as although I have combi skin, I put some power and blush powder on and did look Matte.

I have aches and pains but really must get out more!

Sort of this length

Very jealous of those who can have fringes and shoulder length hair - I just don't have enough hair for that! I looked into extensions but apparently you need more hair than I've got to cover them. I think I'm fast heading towards wig territory....

Hi all, I'm 52 and have some days better than others! @AnotheChinHair great post! It may be worth taking vitamin D supplements as a deficiency can cause hair loss and bone pain (amongst other symptoms.) Most of us are deficient particularly in the U.K. in the winter months. I have thyroid disease and was prescribed them by the doctor and it definitely made me feel a little better.
I use Boots lift and luminate foundation which I quite like and just use a little powder on my eyebrows.
Happy Birthday @52today, you look fab!
I'm loving everyone's recommendations on here

MaudesMum I once went to a conference on a topic which was very dominated by middle-aged women, there were about 200 women at this conference (in the UK) and I noticed that every single one of them except me had either a bob or short hai! It was spooky. I know it's practical, and a good solution to thinning hair, but I still like a bit of length myself.

For those with receding hairlines, you can use Minoxidil, it is available over the counter but you could get advice from a private hair loss clinic- I was in touch with one for a family member and they were recommended a stronger dose and other things that helped.

I started the body coach 90 day plan in the first lockdown and I've now got leaner and am much fitter with muscle definition. I've just turned 50. There's now an app for apple devices which I've now subscribed to. I enjoy the 30 minute HIIT workouts as they're over and done with quickly. There are some lovely recipes on there too. I'm on HRT and take a well woman supplement every day. I feel better than I've done in years!!

Hello my tribe!!! I am 50 today!

My hair is ok but I had very aging frown lines and crows feet, so I had a load of Botox and filler. I still look exactly like me, but without a habitual scrunched up resting bitch face.

Foundation - Boots No7 airbrush is oil based and sits nicely. I’ve been introduced to magnetic lashes, which I love. Less irritating than loads of mascara.

Hello all. I'm 52 so this looked interesting to me!

My hair has always been fine but with a lot of volume I always had very short hair but started to grow it a few years ago - it's now well past my shoulders which I find helps with how it looks. I found hrt kept the volume (or maybe it's a coincidence?). I also dye it with colour effect from Superdrug it's a liquid you put on when washing your hair and it covers the grey beautifully. My hair is naturally light brown but thanks to the dye it is now red and I get lots of compliments on it. Very cheap as well only £1.99 and I get 2-3 weeks out of each bottle as I only use it a couple of times per week.

In terms of skin I just use a basic moisturiser (Vaseline intensive care or whatever is available in the chemist). I use an eyeko mascara which works well for me.

Eyebrows have vanished I used to get them dyed in a salon but obviously that's not possible now. So I have a little tube of dye with a mascara type wand in it (it was for hiding root regrowth) which I put on and rub in. Not very technical but it gives me eyebrows back again!

55
Exercise as much as humanly possible ...and then some
Eat ONLY healthy food
Vape cannabis at night to aid sleep✅

Happy birthday separateatone have a great day🥳

I turned 50 last April and find that eating plenty of healthy oils like you get in salmon and avocado really help with skin and hair.

I think I'm post menopausal as no period for 14 months now .

I’ve got very fine frizzy, knotty hair so I was using conditioner every day which made it look and feel greasy. I now use a shampoo bar (I use a Lush one) and no longer need to condition every day. My hair is so much shinier and feels thicker too. No knots, frizz or itchy scalp/dandruff either. Something to try before the more expensive options?

Minimum of 30 mins cardio plus weight lifting 5/6 days a week massively reduced my aches and pains/stiffness. I also take cod liver oil supplements (old school!).

Drinking plenty of filtered water daily with an electrolyte pill and having a few juice fasting days a month has also been a game changer.

I use coconut oil on my face, neck and chest at night. I have very dry skin normally due to hypothyroidism but it feels now amazing and I am told regularly I’m ‘glowing’ due to this, the exercise and the hydration no doubt. Coconut oil is also handy for dryness down below .

@Separateatone

Hello my tribe!!! I am 50 today!

My hair is ok but I had very aging frown lines and crows feet, so I had a load of Botox and filler. I still look exactly like me, but without a habitual scrunched up resting bitch face.

Foundation - Boots No7 airbrush is oil based and sits nicely. I’ve been introduced to magnetic lashes, which I love. Less irritating than loads of mascara.

Happy birthday twin! It’s a rubbish day for a b’day isn’t it?! Hope you’re having fun!

Hello all - 51 now and (toots own trumpet) often get told I look younger.

In the past decade or so I’ve discovered skincare thanks to social media. In the morning I exfoliate, and then layer Niacinimide, Vit C and a plain moisturiser and caffeine eye treatment. In the evening it’s double cleanse then Glycolic acid toner, eye cream again, retinol then night cream (Aldi at the moment)

Contrary to others I find I wear much more makeup than I ever did but I feel it makes me look warmed up and groomed. There’s loads of 50+ you tubers/instagrammers for inspiration.

Hair is such a dilemma - as a brunette it’s very difficult to adopt the grey as the transition is just so obvious. I started getting ash blonde highlights to ease the way but bloody COVID has prevented the completion of the process. I use the spray root touch up to cover the worst.

For at home weight based workouts I use Sydney Cummings on YouTube. She does daily workouts, no frills but effective and she’s not too annoying!

My eyes are terrible all puffy and not going down at all they look like Noel Gallaghers. I use to have bigs eyes they are so dry no eyes drops are helping.

Argos do good hand weights at a reasonable price but they’ve had supply problems all year - worth checking to see if your local store has any in though.

I second the eyebrow dye, it makes a huge difference. I buy Refectocil (think that's the name) from Amazon. I got it in grey to tone in with my natural greying hair, but oddly it tints my brows back to their natural dark ash blonde, which is just perfect for my colouring. Don't wear much makeup, particularly at the moment, but for me the most important things are a good concealer to even skin tone, and decent brows.

I’m 66 in a few days. I hated my adolescence with extremely greasy hair and awful acne.....it’s paying off now though as I still have good hair and skin.

Keep my hair just longer than shoulder length - I was reluctant to grow it but my hairdresser convinced me and she was right. Try to keep it a very dark purplish colour (lockdowns permitting).

I find that what I put on my face doesn’t really make much difference but drinking plenty of water and eating fruit always makes my skin brighter and more plumped. If it does get dry I do use a small amount of Elemis Marine Cream just as and when needed. Never wear foundation or anything that coats my skin.

I also carry a little more weight than I used to. A few extra pounds can do wonders for your face....it’s just about getting the balance right.

I'm 58 and post menopausal.

Lucky in that I've always had a lot of hair so I haven't noticed any thinning although it has a tendency to frizz. Shampoo and conditioner is Herbal Essences one in the pink bottle which protects colour. Before drying I use Colour Wow Dreamcoat which cuts down the frizz. Ive had it dyed for years, and just recently have gone a lot lighter blonde so that the grey blends in.

Drink loads of wate r. I find my skin is getting drier and more sensitive so hopefully this will help. Using less perfumed or unperfumed products to cut down on irritation. REN are good for this.

After putting on weight over lockdown I took myself in hand at the beginning of September and went to my local Slimming World group where I found I was the heaviest I'd ever been. That, coupled with weekly Zumba and ballet classes has got me 1.5 stone lighter so far. The exercise particularly has helped with aches and pains. I take one a day cod liver oil with Evening Primrose tablets for bones and joints.

I'm noticing with my skin getting drier that my usual foundation makes me look like I'm wearing a mask. Leaning now towards wearing a tinted moisturiser or B&B cream.

Bookmarking this thread as there are some great tips on here!

To be honest, it's what you put in your body that will affect your appearance. I have been vegetarian for 37 years and vegan for three and I am approaching 50. My hair is long and blonde and voluminous and I have never coloured it. I run about 20km per week, my periods are light and pain-free. Also drink plenty of water!

@Jaxhog

I'm over 60 and have had thinning hair for years. I didn't do HRT, but my sister did; it didn't help her thinning hair but ruined her teeth.

I've tried minoxidil and got heart palpitations as a result, so stopped. The only thing I find that helps is Batiste dry shampoo. It now comes in dark brown which darkens and thickens your roots. Brilliant stuff. My hairdresser cut my hair very short, which looked great.

The best thing regarding foundation is wearing a high SPF tinted moisturizer (Clinique) all the time. Sun kills your skin. This also helps with rosacea.

Why would hrt ruin your teeth?

I hear you! Lots of great advice but on a practical note greying eyebrows I've recently conquered with cheap at home dye - it's really easy and such a small thing to change but one less depressing thing to look at in the morning!

Interesting about HRT and teeth as I had a friend say the same and she stopped it because of that.

I've been using trentoin for a few years bought from Spain, great for skin tone and fine lines but now gravity is beginning to affect me in the neckline/jowels so am considering some fillers or botox. I read if it's applied closer to the bone rather than under the skin, it stops moving around so much which is when people assume it's needing topped up and have too much, resulting in pillow face.

I have purchased Refectocil #3.1 - Light Brown Cream Hair Dye for £6

Come on, recommend me an oil free decent coverage CC cream with spf, around £30 (my ELDW foundation is Fresco)