Help me improve my appearance!

[careermumofone]

In normal times I don’t feel too bad about how I look but I’m having a bit of a crisis of confidence.

Partly it’s because I can’t get my hair done properly - I did it with a home dye and it’s not great. Partly it’s a few extra pounds from Christmas. Partly it’s having a busy job in the NHS, two kids under 5 and starting to see wrinkles that bother me for the first time. But I’m really feeling down about how I look and started googling cosmetic surgery last night!

I just wondered if you have any tips for improving your appearance? Do you take any supplements, recommend any good skincare products etc? I’d love to start a few new habits that make me feel better about how I look. Thanks!

It’s a good time to start retinol or tretonoin off dermatica/skin + me while it’s so dark all the time. Other than that it’s healthy diet, no fags, no booze and daily sunblock.

I’ve just thought, I take a Sainsburys multi vit & iron before bed so the iron absorbs.

Daily sunblock
Good (basic) skincare routine
Drink lots of water
Limit Alcohol / Caffeine / Sugar
Don't smoke
Eat oily fish and avocado
Get some fresh air and exercise

No alcohol
No cigarettes
Reduce caffeine
Moisturise day and night - I use Tropic but I know it's frowned upon on here
Hand cream

To be honest it sounds like you are doing an amazing job in a very difficult situation

A tiny amount of facial self Tanner can work wonders …

Concentrate of overall health and wellbeing - your skin will improve and your confidence will improve.

• think about your alcohol intake
• if you smoke then stop - that is the worse thing of all!

-eat lots good fats - avocado, salmon and other oil fish, nuts

• drink lots water
• prioritise sleep
• have a skincare routine - no need to be fancy - personally I like an oil based cleanser
• wear factor 30 plus SPF
• take time self care - have a bath with candle, read, meditation ( headspace app), yoga ( yoga with Adrienne - feee)

-get some exercise - even 20 mins walk is better than nothing -- go through your wardrobe, chuck out or donate whatever doesn’t fit, worn beyond repair.

• find something to wear that makes you feel great - for me is my 50’s velvet coat , a new pair jeans that fit.
• keep your mind going - reading, movies

-remember that you are a hero - you work nhs.

I just add some accessories - scarf at this time of year or clunky beads in summer. Cheers me up and makes me smile = look a hellofa lot better.

Op, are you eating properly?.

Fluffycloudland77 That is such a good tip about the multivitamin at night! My main reason for taking it is low iron levels but I knock it back first thing in the morning with a bucket of tea which is no good. My app has just gone off to remind me to take it, but I’m going to alter the alert to bedtime. Thank you 😊

A tiny amount of facial self Tanner can work wonders …

I agree with this! I use the Clarins one (works by mixing a drop in with your moisturiser) and it’s fab. Just takes the edge off my winter pallor!

You’re welcome @SydneyCarton. It took me an embarrassingly long time to realise iron should be taken at night. When I pull my eyelid down to put my lenses in now it’s red not pale pink. Not an exact test but there you go.

Fluffycloudland77 Oh god, I just checked my eyelids when I put in my lenses . Will definitely be switching to nighttime vitamins and mainlining steaks 🤣

Drink fucktons of water, and stop or lower your consumption of wheat, sugar and dairy in that order. You'll be less bloated and more energised with great glowing skin.

Having just looked at my eyelids I’m off to shop for vitamins!

Things that help me...
So much water you pee way too much!
Cleanse your skin
Dry body brush twice a week pre shower
Eating well and at regular intervals
Well filed nails and moisturised cuticles/hands (haven’t had my fortnightly nail app since March)
Deep conditioning your hair once a week and always dry it afterwards

SPF every day from today. For forever. Decent level of 25 plus.
Retinol serum at night
Vitamin c serum in the morning, then SPF.
Fake tan, very lightly applied

@Fluffycloudland77

I’ve just thought, I take a Sainsburys multi vit & iron before bed so the iron absorbs.

What is the difference to taking it in the morning? I take the same multivitamin but always have it in the morning.

The iron needs an empty stomach to be absorbed & no tea/coffee/red wine an hour before and after.

I only have one double shot latte when I get up so by bedtime I’m 4 hrs away from dinner and I haven’t had any tannin in drinks.

@Fluffycloudland77

The iron needs an empty stomach to be absorbed & no tea/coffee/red wine an hour before and after.

I only have one double shot latte when I get up so by bedtime I’m 4 hrs away from dinner and I haven’t had any tannin in drinks.

Every days a school day! I have to say I sometimes feel a bit ill if I have my vitamins on an empty stomach in the morning, but I guess first thing in the morning empty and a few hours after dinner empty are different things.

Thanks everyone - lots of useful tips here! Have ordered some facial tanning drops and SPF and need to try and clean up my diet this week. I just wish the hairdressers would open soon...