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 have something to share:

I have grey personal hair.

I don’t know what to do.

Grey pubes have to go - sorry!

My hair is thicker at 59 than 29. I am being treated for B12 deficiency which has improved it.
It was always fine. I condition it and then wash it.

Do I dye them? I’ve tried home wax and it was very very emotional.

@Separateatone

I have something to share:

I have grey personal hair.

I don’t know what to do.

Mine have fallen out - thank your lucky stars you still have some !!

Although, possibly, they have just migrated to my chin..... what's with that? Why oh why is there one long white curly hair that appears overnight in exactly the same place..... ugh.

57 in February and after a disastrous attempt at home hairdressing during lock down in Spring, ended up with a buzz cut.
It's been life changing as I never stress about how it looks anymore, and I keep it silver grey to avoid the ageing 'salt and pepper' natural colouring. Skinwise I feel constantly dehydrated so use a vats of basic skin cream ( Nivea, Astral, nowt fancy).
I am also at my most contented and the happiest I have ever been. Its knocked years off my face.

I find that if my hair is highlighted then it looks less thin at the scalp. And try changing how you wear your hair around your face. A bit of layering or a fringe adds a bit more volume to the hairline. Starting the layering or fringe further back on the head can also help. And also changing where your parting is.

I keep a very simple skin care routine and just use Estée Lauder face wash and moisturiser. Don't normally wear foundation, but when I do the best foundation for me is Chanel Vitalumiere Light as it is so sheer and flattering.

My favourite brow pencil is NYX eyebrow powder pencil.

Sorry, that's Vitalumiere Aqua.

About 7 years ago I lost an inch of hair from my fringe. Went to the GP, iron at the lower end of normal so just told to take iron. No follow up, nothing.
Stopped taking iron when I read that it can cause cancer if taken unnecessarily.
Recently I started taking B vitamins and D, and i have about 10 hairs now growing where there hasn’t been any in all this time.
I know 10 isn’t a lot but I’m hopeful !

No alcohol
I don't eat any meat or animal dairy (but do eat fish and eggs)
Take a vegan vitamin, a teaspoon of flaxseed and have just started on silica.
Use olaplex once a week and elasticizer on the other days (10 minutes in the morning, or overnight).
Hair is still 95% dark, but stopped dyeing it 5 years ago, have grown it long. Always 'do' eyebrows which are still dark, but less dense than they were, use a cheap wax and powder kit. Always blusher.
Revitalsh - gutted to find my previously nice eyelashes were thinning so bit the bullet with this stuff, it really works, a year on I use it twice a week only.
Having been very oily my skin is still not dry now, so use a mineral foundation plus industrial stick concealer to cover up very red scars from years of spots.

@52today

Here you go

you look great.. look at your skin ❤️

I'm so happy to have found this thread... I'm 51 nearly 52.. I'm starting HRT gel tonight... and this is what I bought just a few days ago....

fingers crossed 😊

I second hair extensions.
It doesn't have to be the expensive high maintenance ones either.
They can be good quality cjup in ones.

Women of colour have been wearing weaves extensionsand wigs for years and no-one bats an eyelid. In fact they look great.
I wish they would become more popular with
All women.
Sometimes no amount of loruins and potions will help and a bit of artificial help is what's required.

I'm 56.

I'm lucky not to have any issues with thinning hair (mine seems to be thicker than ever!) but it's definitely drier and frizzier than in the past. It's nicer and less frizzy if I wash it infrequently - about every 4-5 days. I tried to go grey during the first lockdown but unfortunately it turns out I'm nowhere near grey enough yet.

I also find that less is more with skincare and makeup - I use a cheap moisturiser and (rarely) a very translucent Boots no 7 foundation.

I am most of the way through menopause and after 3 years of being constantly hot (and therefore gaining no weight because my body literally wanted to burn up every gram of carbs that I ate) I'm definitely seeing physical changes in the last 6 months. I've gained a couple of kilos for the first time in my life despite increasing my exercise to at least an hour a day.

I also have knee problems (a cyst) and bizarrely find that walking uphill or downhill is much less problematic for my knee than running or walking on the flat. Cycling works too, but I had a bad accident a year ago and it made me realise that you dont bounce nearly so well in your mid 50s :(

51 here. I drink a LOT less alcohol than I used to. I can’t cope with the after effects and it makes me look awful. I run at least 5K three times a week and that has improved my figure and appearance in general. I have my hair coloured at the hairdressers and recently she gave me a keratin treatment which was relatively expensive but has been fabulous. I use a Boots whitening kit for my teeth now which has also been good. I still wear make up otherwise my eyes disappear but overall I am accepting of the fact that I’m getting older and just won’t look like I did years ago. I still love clothes and spend as much as I ever did so hat isn’t changing!

Magnesium tablets, helped my sleep quality dramatically, plus no more vague aches and pains. I take H&B own brand 250mg.

Early 50s. Started HRT about 6 months ago but for moods/night sweats more than anything.

Exercise! Especially weights.

I've been taking liposomal vitamin C for about 3 years. My skin has always been pretty good but this seems to have made a difference.

I've used the Nuface mini machine pretty much daily for the last 4 years or so. It has not made any massively obvious improvements but has not let anything sag and my hooded eyes seem marginally better than they were 4 years ago.

Elemis pro collagen cleansing balm used morning and evening has proved very good. I was always a bit lax about cleansing. I enjoy using lotions and potions (always have) but the cleansing seemed to make a difference.

I've stopped wearing foundation. A swipe of powder on the T zone is all I will use now. If I am going on a special night out (remember those?!) I might add a bit of foundation to some moisturiser but mostly I don't bother. I keep make up a bit more minimal, too.

UK Lash eyelash serum improved my lashes (which are short and straight).

Elemis pro collagen hydra gel eye masks are THE BUSINESS. (Sorry, I not employed by Elemis, honest). I use them once a month but they make an immediate and noticeable difference and I would not hesitate to use them before an occasion where I want to look my best. They say leave them on for 20 minutes but I normally stick them on and forget about them for an hour.

I have fine hair which I keep short. Was getting quite a bit of breakage around the front hairline but stopped using shampoo and this has stopped that. I use conditioner daily, since I have to wash my hair after doing sweaty exercise.

I’m not sure if my advice is any use at 47 but I’ll try and help with hair. I’ve thickened my hair back up using Minoxidil (just a cheap generic version). I’m also taking some supplements but I think the Minoxidil is the thing that’s creating all the new hair. So I’ll recommend that to you.

Plus a low carb diet 👌

My top tips for 50+ skin/hair/make up are:-
Skin - RetinA cream, + Ordinary’s niacinamide, Vit C, squalane oil.
Hair - frequent changes of products work for me, + microfibre hair towel, Parlux hairdryer, Afro comb & vent brush - all help to minimise frizz and add volume. I wash every 3 days.
MakeUp - By Terry Click Expert foundation and concealer work fantastically for me. I use more concealer and less foundation. You need an in-store shade match (SpaceNK did mine). Careful blending and a magnifying mirror to check are essential, especially if your eyesights fading like mine!

It's a 10 miracle leave in stuff ... makes my hair feel great... and Aveeno shampo & conditioner is just lovely..

I've had weaves .. they are life changing to your appearance.. but hurt like hell 😂 but lord do they look magnificent 💕

I'm 'only' 44 but I have honestly discovered the best trick is 3 litres of water per day. I drink tea on top of that abs no you don't need the loo all the time. It's amazing for your skin

HRT all the way.
I’m 56 and have been using it for 2 yrs. I am still trying to get testosterone prescribed but Covid has got in the way.
I use Lancôme Sourcils Styler Brow Mascara for blond brows that are getting blonder. And Lancôme mascara, eyelashes have always been blond.
I have always had fine, frizzy hair but plenty of it. It has thinned a bit this year but I suspect that it’s stress related alopecia. I have been using Davines hair products recommended by hairdresser. They are very ethical based products from Italy.
I recently started using Trinny London makeup and I love it. Quick and easy to apply and looks good on older skin. The bb cream is often enough and the miracle stuff gets rid of the fine lines I have.
I have worn spf on my face year round since my late twenties so have a good skin. I don’t have a particular skin care regime. I tend not to cleanse, other than with mycella water. I think allowing your skin to produce its own oils naturally is probably better for it. Same with my hair, I wash it once or twice a week to allow the natural oils to condition it.
I have a long, layered bob style, and have it lightened (highlights) with non bleach tints. They lift the natural colour so are less harsh. It’s a lovely rich honey blonde at the moment, a lot kinder than ash blonde or brassy highlights. I have some white hairs that blend in rather than making my hair look grey.
I’ve lost a fair bit of weight over the last year which is a bonus but has left me with a saggy neck but in light of covid a small price to pay.

Does anyone know of an eyelash serum that actually works but doesn’t cost £££ please?

Are there any weights workouts anyone can recommend on YouTube? I have the weights but wouldn't know what exactly I should be doing.