Gamer changers in style and beauty

[checkedcloth]

I’m currently stuck at home with a broken ankle and spending lots of time browsing lovely things such as Veja trainers, Dyson air wraps and Dempsey Pjs.

I’m 45, confirmed menopausal and along with a broken ankle am feeling crappy.

What’s your ultimate S&B game changer? I want to treat myself and use this time to work out how to go about it.

Thanks!

Olaxplex no 3
Gel nails
Lvl Lashes
Silk pillow case
Silk dressing gown
Nice leather handbags and SLGs
Tonnes of silk and cashmere tops
Custom made jewellery I love it and buy some with every bonus it makes me feel so deluxe 😍

Dyson Airways depend a lot on hair type I found it didn't do much for me.

I think Tretinoin has made a massive difference to me (prescribed - I get it from Dermatica). In the last week, two different people said I looked ‘glowy’ which never happened before

It’s maybe not a big ‘treat’ in the way you mean, and it’s a long term thing but definitely worth looking at!

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and Olaplex 3 are really good for my hair (I use both together a couple of times a week).

Clothes-wise I think really good quality basics always make me feel good - nice soft fabrics and so on. I love Derek Rose PJs btw if you’re in the market for PJs.

I hunt Vinted/EBay for good quality clothes at affordable prices - better for the environment and my bank balance.

Hope your ankle feels better soon!

Alpha-H liquid gold glycolic acid. Nothing makes me look fresher!

Not a product, but i got my thick wavy curly-ish hair cut in to a big 70s shape last year after 30 +/- years of straightening long hair. I have an extra 2 hours a week now. I used to have to re-straighten my hair every morning because it just got "thick" again.

Now i feel more myself, less conventional.

I mix a bit of gold liquid highlighter in to my makeup to lift the coverage.

Watching this with absolute interest.

I do nothing for my skin other than trying to use hot cloth cleanser to take my make up off and cut the cuticles on my nails.

I would love something that might make a difference to my skin or hair that I don't have to remember to do every single day.

Oh this is great thank you all. @Wiennetta I used to use tret some time ago, I became really sensitive to it unfortunately.

@ShirleyBadass how frequently do you use Liquid Gold? I have some - I’m using it twice a week, not seen anything different yet though.

Ah that’s a shame @checkedcloth - it doesn’t work for everyone!

I’ve also just discovered Argireline and having good results with that so far.

@checkedcloth

Oh this is great thank you all. *@Wiennetta* I used to use tret some time ago, I became really sensitive to it unfortunately.

@ShirleyBadass how frequently do you use Liquid Gold? I have some - I’m using it twice a week, not seen anything different yet though.

I alternate between that, retinol and a sleep serum so every 3 days.

I find the trick is to really soak the pad! Which is annoying as it uses more but it does make a difference!

I'm afraid mine aren't the fun kind but they've made more difference to me than any fancy product:
Exercise every day.
Watch your weiight
Cut down the sugar.
Cut down the booze.
Sleep.

L'Oréal Steampod keeps my curly frizzy hair under control.
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment.
RetinA
Quit alcohol
Yoga three times a week
Cycling, Cross Rope
Meditation

Second tretinoin but I get it overseas and skin will get worse before it gets better. I don't use any skin products except tretinoin and very basic moisturiser.

My opinion is probably a less popular one, but it would include not buying stuff. My game changer was really to understand what suits me and what I like to wear. The biggest game changer was auditing my wardrobe, trying new, different styles and getting ruthlessly rid of colours that drained me out. My mum had her colours done (very 80s, I know) and now sticks to her colour palette rigorously. Not only does everything in her extensive wardrobe match, but she looks great. The colours really complement her skin and hair.

I get fitted for bras - that's also a game changer. Getting well-made underwear and basics.

Bit of a longer project probably than what you can do while convalescence, but those things actually changed things for better.

If I had to name an item, warm cozy slippers.

Vitamin c
Elemis collagen oil
Revitalash

'I'm afraid mine aren't the fun kind but they've made more difference to me than any fancy product:
Exercise every day.
Watch your weiight
Cut down the sugar.
Cut down the booze.
Sleep.'

Totally agree that all this is at least as important as using the right products. Add in plenty of fruit, veg and water. No it's not a load of fun but my gosh it works

Consistency, that’s the game changer.

With regards to exercising, using skin care and your wardrobe.

I always fall off the bandwagon so I have no hope

Thanks all, I agree that underneath buying the good stuff there is a fundamental need to eat, sleep and drink well.

With the liquid hold pour a few drops on your hands and splash it over like if you were applying moisturiser. Don’t use a cotton wool pad

Drinking all.the.water does way more for my skin than anything else I have ever tried.

Agree with PP about a proper bra fitting. In my early 20's I was in despair and read an article in 'Cosmo' by June Kenton, asking for anyone contemplating a breast reduction to try a properly fitted bra first. My first fitting at Rigby & Peller honestly changed my life

Yoga has taught me a lot about my body works, especially how to trace any little niggle back to its cause. It's inevitably caused by something I am doing, often something very small, done often. The first sign of pain that I can notice will at the other end of the muscle to the cause so it's really not so simple to trace cause and effect.

Especially when you are healing from a broken ankle, @checkedcloth is a brilliant time to start working on other parts of your body. Breathing well. Very gently, moving your hands, arms and shoulders.

Once your bones are healed, gentle movement will help your recovery in lots of ways, so you come out of rehab in your ankle with all your body working better.

Silk pillowcase - I have less lion hair in morning

Dyson hairdryer
My Neom mini pod and Aromatherapy Associates Atomiser- relax to these and chill with a heated space mask

Perfume and nice bath oils- just spend a bit of time relaxing on me and it helps everything else

@FinallyHere I have ‘played’ with doing yoga, the odd class and you tube session. I think that this fracture and my menopause is going to give me the kick start I need to start to look after myself so much more. The lovely products are part of that but the exercise is also so important. I am really keen to do yoga regularly

Lumea - actual game changer not having to think about shaving, especially in summer. Not for everyone as it's only really suited for fair skin and dark hair.

Silk hair bobbles, no snapping/damage.

Seche Vite, top coat for nail varnish. Doesn't compete with a gel manicure but definately improves on just painting your nails and using a regular topcoat.

Dyson AW has not been a game changer for me, I've had mine a few years and if it broke I wouldn't replace it.

A gentle exfoliator - my make up always goes on better after I use it, either Dermalogica or Beauty Pie

Tan luxe facial tan drops used after my moisturiser

Bio oil before bed, rubbed into arms, chest and neck - sometimes do legs, depends how tired I am and what sort of PJ's I'm wearing!

Blow drying my hair properly, my favourite products are Olaplex mask and hair oil as treatments and GHD Split End Therapy. I quite like to use a hot brush to smooth, rather than my GHD's, as I like a bit of volume. Very interested in trying the L'Oreal steam pod.

Wear colours and styles that really suit you - if it doesn't make you do a little jump for joy when you try it on, don't buy it!

Earrings, not necessarily big, but pearls, diamonds, huggies, but I always look better when I'm wearing them

Prai neck cream. Really good!!

Ren Evercalm Global Protection Day cream and Ren Atlantic Kelp And Magnesium Energising Hand Lotion. Both smell and feel wonderful 🙂

Having my colours done.