46 going on 70 - help needed please [smile]

[lulu41]

I would love to reinvent myself. I am 46 and don?t look too bad for my age but have really stopped bothering with the fundamentals of looking good ? am trying to remember what I used to do make myself look better prior to my children. Want I am looking for is tips handy hints etc from people that consider themselves "well groomed". I am pretty useless with make up but am willing to learn. I remember as a teen/twenty something cleansing/toning and shaving my legs were my top priorities and I don?t even seem to manage this now. I usually wash my face with a flannel although I do always moisturise. This may all sound very basic but I honestly feel at a loss what to do I look at myself and think what the hell happened !!!

OK I am about your age ,am following you round . I am told my skin looks good for my age and think it is the No 7s the stuff plus the Estee Lauder

Eyebrows always groomed - I pluck but know alot of people have theirs threaded or waxed.

Daily
Try to body brush but not each day

Cleanse (like Liz Earle cleanse and polish) but sometimes cheaper foaming cleansers

Tone sometimes

No 7 Protect and Perfect Serum

Estee Lauder Daywear Tinted Moisturiser (goes on blue to give a slight glowing colour)

Concealer on the side of nose!!

Some mineral powder (can't remember make)

If going to work or out in daytime

blusher (use various)

eyeliner

mascara

lipstick with plumping lip gloss or just plumping lip gloss (pout plump in bubblegum is my fav)

Hair tinted with subtle highlights. Get cut every 12-16 weeks (its mid length)

Usually straighten it when I get to work, after letting it dry naturally.

Summer legs always shaved, bikini waxed and last year had acrylic toenails. I hate my feet and think this made them look better.

If going out at night will put heavier make up on eyes and/or lips.

Hope that helps.

lulu41 - why don't you go the hairdressers for a new cut and colour, and then to a cosmetics counter in a department store for a new look? Go for one of the more modern brands.

It will get you started, and it's best to get hair and make-up sorted before buying new clothes.

Hello again Citylover - thanks for the tips they sound very good.

Anna you have a point but no money at the moment for hair

Can you go to a training night? Lots of hairdressers do them.

lulu I've started to wear more makeup (incld foundation) as sick of looking tierd all the time. I also wash hair daily and have low maintenance leave to dry style.

Wear jeans and buy a couple of new tops (not expensive) each season to keep upto date.

Thats it really.

Do you do any excersise? I've just come out the other end of the having babies bit at 44 and found that good walk every day and yoga a couple of times a week helped me to feel that my body was my own again.
Going through the wardrobe is usually therapeutic too, chuck out what you know you'll never wear again, wash/mend/iron some old favourites, decide what 'look' you want and whetehr there's a couple of bits that would help you achieve it and then buy/save up for them.
Little treats are good too - a new lipstick, handcream etc they're usually cheering and make you feel like you're spending time on yourself.
A manicure infront of the tv is good too, tell yourself you can't possibly do any chores as you'll smudge your nails.

I came across this site the other day. No idea if it works but I'm going to be trying the sample exercises.

Loving all the tips thanks - keep them coming - need some inspiration sick of being a scummy mummy even if I will never be a yummy one !!

hi, i'm 45 and though i haven't posted i have been lurking on the 10 years younger boot camp - it does seem to work!

Have a body scrub and wrap and long massage at a local beauty college they do the name brands but very cheap. If not there is 50.00 off Champneys day spa`s at the moment. This will kick start your regime.

If not try this
"www.lizearle.com/index_2.php?userpage=energiserange&mnuid=1"
dry brushing helps speed up circulation.

Then face wise get some samples on a shopping visit dress up and they are more likely to hand them over.

Skin products to try
Loccitane exlir good for face massage Im sure that helps keep you glowy.
Blue orchid oil is similar by Clarins.

Get your eyebrows shaped they are very important to your face. For fluttery eyelashes try this
www.thepowderlounge.co.uk/products.html.

If your skint, check out ebay for some bargains, also call your local college to see if you can get a haircut for a few pounds from the students, i think they only charge for the cost of any materials they use.
Mineral make up is good, I've got the bare minerals and the cheaper Loreal true match mineral foundation which is better than the more expensive one, still pricey at £18 tho (well for me anyway).
Get some mascara and that will open up your eyes right away and a tiny bit of lip gloss and that's you on the right road.

Thanks again all these posts are really helpful

Thanks again all these posts are really helpful

Well lulu41 I would love to keep you get the spring in your step. If there is something you want covered I`ll do some research or give you the benefit of my experience. I studied beauty therapy for three years ( old citys & guilds) and worked in the trade before changing direction.

that should read help you get a spring in your step !! my typing is dire today ! lol

Your welcome, Firstly look as you body as a whole, holistic means whole so you want to look at all areas of your life for the spring in the step part.

1.) Lifestyle how much time you devote to everyone forgetting. (Stress factors) We all do this.

2.) Contributing factors ie smoking, drinking and lack of nutrition.

3.) Regularity of up keep getting into a routine of doing things for YOU.

If you feel you diet is healthy stick with that no better way of getting vitamins and minerals.

If not I would take a quality multi vitamin e.g Solgar.
Aloe vera Juice soothes the gut helps digestion and skin.

Sluggish digestion means more toxins floating around your body and how are excess toxins released via the skin, the bodies largest organ.

Then the important part skin likes oil or its goes into over drive trying to create it especially if the skin is dehydrated. By taking this oil internally it delivers what the skin needs thus plumper calmer skin.

The one I`ve tried is Udo Choice oil but there are others.

If Stress is a problem thats a whole other kettle of fish but ,exercise helps endorphins and Yoga is calming and gives a nice glow to your face. I used yoga/pilates to lose baby weight.

Seasons of the Soul CD Jennifer-Harper Deacon

Good CD for chilling

Facial wise there are so many to choose from.
Dermalogica does a face mapping facial that deals which each part of the face.

Their Dermalogica Anti-Bac Cooling Masque is great for when you skin goes spotty.Their their active moist ( moisturiser ) is light weight and oil free. They also do a pre cleanse which is great for make up wearers. As most experts recommend double cleansing. It helps remove any acccumalted dirt.

If your cheeks are dry use a hydrating mask on that area. Then a clarying mask on the whiteheads and blackheads affected areas ( caused by sebum blocking the hair follicle).
I use a clarying mask on my t zone even in my late thirties.

Ask Dermalogica for some free samples on their website or pure-beauty website.

Lastly for blemishes their is the Almay blemish healing make up.

www.savant-health.com/product_details.aspx? ProductID=29

www.pure-beauty.co.uk/sections/4/masques/

Recommended read
Naturally Gorgeous: Essential Health and Beauty Secrets
by Charlotte Vohtz