I look so old! What to do about my eyes?

[TickledOnion]

Sitting in the hairdressers today staring at my face in the mirror with a mask on, I realised that my eyes really age me. I’ve never used any anti-aging product and don’t have a clue where to start.
Please help.

Falafell I don't think anyone on this thread is your actual mate

One of the key things is keeping the under eye hydrated, dry skin really does empathise fine lines and darkness.

Hydraulic acid is great, it’s super plumping and hydrating. You can get lots of inexpensive creams and serums in places like boots - doesn’t have to be expensive to make a difference.

Quick fixes would be a brow tidy, strong natural shape with a bit of natural tint - again this is something you can easily do yourself or save yourself the hassle and go to a salon for about 15 quid brow tidy and tint.
Curl your eyelashes and use mascara to open them.
Hydrating cream / serum morning and night. Perhaps some concealer / brightener to lift your face - Mabelline have a cult concealer for about £8. You only need to dab in the bag area and the upper edges to give some brightening.
You tube it, there’s lots of easy techniques use very little make up - wearing too much make up under the eye without adequate hydration is a sure fire way to creasing and added dryness.

Long term is really only Botox and or filler. But lots of improvement can be made with good products, facials (home or beautician), a brow and lash tint and a bit of effort.

@Wishmeluck99 yeah obviously, just hate that 'mate' thing you see women using now online, it's so fake

Ohh great tips Ohpulltheotherone

'Mate" is what two lads or blokes call each other.

CeraVe eye cream. It's about £12 and is amazing. I'm 54 and have been using it for a couple of months and definitely notice a big difference 😊

Falafell It was intended to be fake on my part rolls eyes

Falafell - mate - with all due respect, can you stop derailing the thread please? We all see you, but would rather focus on the OP and the tips on here. Cheers.

I think you look absolutely fine op but if you feel like you'd like to try something then as a pp has said, body shop drops of youth eye serum is great stuff. I've tried all sorts and this is the only one that has made any difference

@Ipreferwinter

Stop with the Botox and fillers suggestions!! Do you people work on commission???

They make people look weird and they are so unnecessary.

No they really don’t - they make some people look weird.

They make others look and feel better.

I guarantee you wouldn’t know I have had fillers.

There are plenty of women and men who use injections that you’d never know unless they told you.

Those who have very obvious filler have either a) gone to a low grade practitioner (ie a beautician and not a Dr) who isn’t particularly skilled or b) they like the exaggerated aesthetic and that’s the look they are going for.

I don’t think anyone needs non surgical aesthetics but I wouldn’t say that they’re a bad thing, they can be life changing for some.

There are plenty of women and men who use injections that you’d never know unless they told you.

Agree with this! When done well, you are unable to tell (except sometimes for very tiny subtle hints you'd only know if you've had it done yourself).

That’s fine, but injections aren’t for everyone or the look/upkeep that many of us want. It’s just a shame (imo) that the first thing that some posters have suggested is fillers and Botox - as if the priority for the OP should be to remove or significantly reduce her perfectly normal wrinkles.

OP you have lovely eyes as others have said. If I had yours I would be contrasting with a dark eyeliner or trying out a coloured eyeliner for fun. I have brow envy of your great shape eyebrows. Mine had just completely disappeared by the time I was 43! You could fill yours in a bit with whatever to define and emphasise them a bit more but the natural shape is already great and you’ve got a lovely fluffiness to them.

OP, I say get started with a good moisturiser for under your eyes, and also on your face. Try a few to see which you prefer. It should make a difference and make you feel better (there is nothing wrong with you btw!). Try Boots or Superdrug, look online to see which products have good reviews.

Make sure you wash your face with a good cleanser every morning and evening before you go to sleep. You could also try a sleeping moisturiser for overnight use if you have dry skin.

And, if you feel brave, you could try some glycolic acid and retinol. Do some research online, and speak to sales assistants on beauty stands in Boots, a department store etc for tips, as these need to be handled carefully.

For the long term, if you can, I'd try to cut out the processed carbs. When I don't consume these, my skin drastically improves (and so does my mental health and energy levels). Stick to lean meat, and veg and fruit (try to limit fizzy drinks, crisps, cakes etc). It's hard, but once you're over the hump, you should feel much better.

And exercising gives my face a real glow when I keep up activity levels. Highly recommend walking and strength based exercising at home.

Hope this helps

Do you wear make up op?

@MaMelon

That’s fine, but injections aren’t for everyone or the look/upkeep that many of us want. It’s just a shame (imo) that the first thing that some posters have suggested is fillers and Botox - as if the priority for the OP should be to remove or significantly reduce her perfectly normal wrinkles.

Thank you, you put it better than I did

I guess I sounded a bit hysterical.

I've just seen too many friends ruin their good looks and expressive faces with this stuff. Even the wealthy ones who can pick and choose where they go. It makes me really sad that so many get the message that ageing is a sin. And none of them look younger, just 'done'. Maybe that's the point?

I'm hoping this will be reassuring to you, OP!
I'm nearly 41! This is me without makeup or eyebrow pencil. Please don't worry. You have nice eyes.

Personally, I religiously moisturise and wash my face, without fail. I use expensive moisture - L'Occitane divine cream at present - and I stay out of the sun. I also pencil in brows since mine have become very patchy, probably due to stress.

With photo

* this is me without eyebrow pencil or any makeup!

[quote Ipreferwinter]@SalsaLove

Because ageing isn't an illness.

And people do look weird with Botox and fillers, they don't look 'younger' or 'fresher' they look like someone the same age who has had 'work' done.[/quote]
Not necessarily. I kept my crows feet, forehead wrinkles, etc, but have my 11s and bunny line notices. I have a strong nose (which a like) but I look very stern. Twice a year small bits of Botox in that very particular area is great if that is the part that bothers you. I am 52 and look it, but like a less stern version.

Here is a pic on the importance of sunscreen. This pic is from the Harvard journal of medicine. It’s a truck driver and the side that looks super wrinkled is the side that was next to the window while he drove—sun damage through a window. Sun damage is serious. Wear sod 59 every single day no matter the weather.

This is a bad pick and last botox was in Jan. I will wait until Aug and do again.

Again, fine if that’s the route that the OP wants to go down, the look she wants to achieve, the money she wants to spend and the commitment to injections she wants to make - but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a 40-something woman with gorgeous eyes having some wrinkles around them.

I'm happy with my eyes but think I could use some rhinoplasty. Or would contouring do the trick?