Middle aged glow up (with little effort)

[Windywuss]

Ok, I am not a big s and b participant but I do like nice skincare products and makeup.

I'm 48, and just feeling the need to feel better about myself. I'm not talking major work or weight loss. I have M.E. so spend a lot of time resting and can't do much exercise.

I still have dark natural coloured hair Although a few greys now. Wear casual clothes for work and like to be comfy. Absolutely cannot wear heels.

I don't think I'm totally unattractive but size 18 which isn't what I'd like but just accepting it for now.

What little things would you do to make an effort and feel good about yourself?

I'm almost 50 and feeling the same. I've started drying and styling my hair instead of letting it dry naturally as it looks so much better (it's grey and cut in a bob so easy to maintain). I wear a little bit of makeup and perfume every day whatever I'm doing and I always wear clear nail polish and make sure I use plenty of hand cream. I've begun to sort a capsule wardrobe out and knowing all my clothes go together takes the stress out of dressing and I know I look ok every day.

A good cut and colour, nails done (I have a home gel kit and it's pretty easy to do).

I wear magnetic eyelashes ( just subtle ones!) which give my eyes a boost.

I wear dresses instead of trousers (silk Fred have a great range of wrap and shirt dresses which are flattering-im a 14 for reference). Work with white trainers is the current trend.

Just had my hair cut into a way more modern style that I absolutely love. Shorter than I would have done previously.

It's given me a real boost and I've started wearing some light make-up again. I've also tweaked the clothes I wear. I've gone from feeling like a middle aged frump to being me again.

Following!

I love having my nails done (just mani and polish) but they are very weak and if I have them done regularly they just split/crack etc.
Any advice?

Also no idea what hair suits me. I'm size 18 too with fattish face to hairdressers always suggest 'shoulder length and framing face' but it's so boring.

So I would start with obsessing over something. Now bare with me on this as it's not something I have done but I have a fiend who does. So maybe your eyebrows or nails or hair and make it your 'thing' by always having them perfect. If eyebrows have them done all the time, or microbladed, or always waxed and tinted. If nails, always have them immaculate (my friend does this , no matter what her nails are always perfect) spend a bit if time,money and research on getting them right. Or hair spend a bit of time getting the right hair masks, cut colour etc. so your hair is always in immaculate condition.

@Mammyloveswine do you have a link to the magnetic lashes you use please? Thanks.

I find, particularly when I'm not happy with my weight or size, that I feel best if I get some good quality classic cut trousers - linen or chambray in summer, jeans and work trousers in winter, and add some kaftan or tunic tops in block colours that really suit me. That way, you look put together, not as if you are only wearing what fits.

A good hair cut and well shaped brows help so much too.

Thanks for replies. Nails are not my thing at all and I'm not a false lashes or false anything kind of person (my idea of low maintenance is clearly not same as most in s and b!)

Haircut is probably due. Tailored trousers is a good shout. I just bought some recently but waaaay too long! And I'm not short either!

@Cottagepieandpeas you have described my hair!

@Umeemu hand cream is a good shout. Yes, I should do that more regularly. I got out of habit of wearing makeup much in lockdown. I don't bother unless heading into work now but maybe I should. I don't feel great about myself. Saw some photos from street party yesterday and felt like crying.

I'm sorry you're feeling rubbish, hope that you begin to feel better soon.

Yes this! Would live to know which ones are good!

Weekly organic veg box. (And almost no processed food.)

Very little alcohol. I have no doubt at all that recent research suggesting higher alcohol intake equals a longer life is flawed. Definitely correlation not causation there, and I prefer to avoid a grey face, eyebags, exhaustion and headache as a regular thing.

Accommodating newly grey hair by gradually switching to brighter clothes next to my face.

Making an effort to avoid wearing whole outfits that look dated. I’ve heard people of my age say they ‘already have everything they need’ - which fills me with horror. I mix old and new, and very expensive with very cheap, in pursuit of excitement and unpredictability in my clothes.

But there are a million things I don’t do. When I was young all my grooming was predicated on fixing some imagined faults in my person, so I often felt a bit despairing. Now I realise I need only be myself …

@CountryCousin ohh some good ones there. Yes, diet for sure...I am making efforts as I have a chronic illness I'm trying to get better from. I saw a nutritional therapist recently and actually just being more conscious if what I'm eating is good. Not an angel but eating better. More water too...I run on coffee if I'm not mindful!

I am considering a brutal wardrobe refresh!

I have a lovely nightime ritual.

Bath
Cleanse, Tret, serum, moisturiser, facial oil and a little gua sha massage. Then lip mask
Hand cream
I have an essential oil I rub over my temples
I do a short meditation in bed

This whole thing makes me feel lovely.

I'm 50 in August and for the last few months I have been really focused on feeling better in my body as it's done me well so far.
I feel so much better when I eat well - lots of fresh non processed food and drink loads of water during the day.
I have updated my face routine and use products every night and morning instead of not bothering and it's been a massive change in the look of my skin .
I have bought clothes that fit and flatter me rather than worrying what size is on the label and also cultivating a wardrobe that works together so dressing well is much easier.
I've got rid of tired old clothes and bought matching underwear that I make sure is matching every day.
It's made me feel so so much more together and better about myself.

@doadeer I might have to Google lip masks and the massage but like the ritual before bed idea. Sounds lovely ☺️

@spagbog5 I think that sounds great. I'm going to cull my wardrobe ..and knicker drawer 🤣

Just a fancy lip balm haha. I use the Laniege Lip mask - lasts ages.

Gua sha is a little curved stone. Really nice

@doadeer
You've motivated me to have a pamper tonight - now just need to get rid of the children - a bath will feel very self indulgent but sod it, I'm feeling lousy today (menopause) and need a boost.

Oh how lovely!

I some people think it's all silly to use these type of products but it does wonders for my mental health. Really feels like self care to me ❤️

This is a great idea for a thread! I’ve recently started working from home and have been trying to drink more water and exercise more.

The ideas on this thread are much more exciting!

Botox

Gradual tan

AHA body lotion

Cut the processed carbs, eat oily fish, drink lots of water and get some sunshine.

I’m not your age but I started buying lumigan from an aesthetician and use it religiously on my lashes. They are now so thick I’ve been able to have a lash lift and they look like falsies.

I'd start with a nice to tinted lip balm/ gloss. Hair cut and maybe a nice perfume too. Wear earrings and a bangle / watch every day too. Little things make a huge difference.

I do the bare minimum most days. But these things always perk me up

Lash tint and lift. Looks super natural but makes a big difference. I normally wear no makeup and I get so many comments.

HD brows - but this takes time and several treatments to really see the benefit.

Spa pedicure, a proper one where they shave off the hard skin and gel/shellac toes. I find that Asian-owned salons are the most skilled, look for salons with proper massage pedicure chairs for a treat.

Hair treatment and blow out at the hair dresser.

DECENT underwear. Not fancy and frilly stuff, but a couple of sets that are properly fitting, comfortable, flattering and ideally matching.

Well cut & coloured (if you like) hair that you can easily style yourself.
Loads of moisturising body lotion.
A fake tan works wonders.
Treat yourself to some good skincare products that you really want to use.
Make-up routine most days, doesn't have to be much, just some BB, bronzer & mascara.
Plan an outfit for each day including shoes/trainers bag etc
Nice perfume every day.
Plenty of fluids.
Take time out to do things you like whenever you can, TV, reading, whatever.
I'm 51 & noticed I feel a lot better doing the above.
Hope you feel better soon & don't be harsh on yourself over a bad photo x