Have you ever ‘transformed’ your look?

[Hoppitybobbins]

I’m interested in hearing from anyone who has gone through a beauty and/or fitness transformation in a relatively short period of time.

what did you do, how did you do it, why and what were the results?

I’m in my second year of my transformation. I’m middle aged and started to get grey, flabby and frumpy. I hated it.

the measures I have taken are:

I cut my hair off and got it into condition after lots of cheap dark hair dye and straightening. It looked fucking awful and made things worse for a good twelve months. I looked soooo frumpy and I just saw my mum in the mirror when I looked in it! But I have been patient and have since dyed it bright blonde and got a Brazilian blow dry which was incredible. I’m still growing it but by summer it should look hot.

I started to do more yoga and weights. I have shifted about 4lbs but I intend to do more to get down to about 8st 7. I have a very slight frame and do not carry weight well at all. The muscle I’m building is changing my posture. I lost 2 inches from my waist and have got nice toned arms.

I have stared getting fillers. Am going in for round three soon. Very subtle, no repeating in the same place and it’s over a year since last treatment. This time I am having them in hollow cheeks to fill out my face, which is starting to look skeletal in older age. Last time a year ago I had nasalobial folds done and the filler is still working its magic.

I had a big varicose vein removed in leg. So glad I did. Did it on insurance now I can wear shorts.

I started using retinol and other serums. Really good results. Very affordable too. Highly recommend.

I bought a laser hair remover after getting too many blisters from waxing. Fantastic. Hardly need to do any hair removal now. It cost £280.

Best of all, got myself on HRT. Lifesaver. Still not sleeping, but look years younger and can exercise without dying afterwards

Thats me. I recently separated from my H so have a new lease of life. I have not seen any of my mutual friends since I was in midst of shocking hair crisis and when I was flabbier. I am looking forward to turning up at a planned summer event looking different.

I just need to buy some trendy clothes nearer time that are cooler than my usual ‘mum look’. Then a fake tan to go with my blonde and longer hair…

it’s so exciting but it requires such patience. Many of my network would not have seen me since my split as have kept a low profile. I’m hoping it will have a positive impact as there is onr person in particular I want to notice.

I feel as if for the first time in my life I’m starting to look how I actually feel inside.

Any other stories??

I dyed my hair lighter, ditched the frumpy bootcut jeans, joined the gym, lost weight (put it back on since perimenopause sadly but am hitting the gym still and it is slowly coming off). Went back to my old rock chick self (leather biker jackets, skinny jeans, over sized jumper, mini skirts with biker boots).

Oh and got rid of the husband!

That started December 2019 (got rid of the husband Jan 2019) it took until the 2nd lockdown(in November 2020) to look my best, that's what I'm aiming for again.

I'm much more confident in who I am, my style suits me. I always feel better with a tan (even if it's out of a bottle). So I'm not stressing about the peri weight as I know I can do it.

It's nice finding yourself again after a marriage.

Thanks @xSideshowAuntSallyx great to hear your story. Love the sound of your style choice, it sounds edgy and that’s what we want isn’t it?

i have always had a surfy proclivity and I’m going back to it. My new hair has driven me forward to pursue this seriously as the beach look always suited me, quite an androgynous look actually. I’m in desperate need of some relaxed fit Levi’s or something but I need low rise and there’re hardly any low rise out there on high wasted which I hate.

what tan can u recommend? I need to get onto it.

i feel totally liberated after separation. I look back at picks of me one year and see Nicola surgeon. No kidding. My hair was awful. But a lot has changed since then . To go from Sturgeon, sticky up bouffant hair to shoulder length beach blonde and straight hair is the best feeling ever. It takes years off.

Still work to be done…!

Following

Well done!! Can you tell me what laser hair remover you used as I'm looking at purchasing one myself, thanks in advance!

@Hoppitybobbins I use garnier summer body gradual tan. Although I've used St Tropez and Bondi Sands in the past.

Yes I looked very frumpy when I was married, very much boring and blended in. Very much boring geography teacher vibes.

@Hoppitybobbins try second hand for the Levi’s and coco and Eve for the tan.

I want to know this too please 🙏🏻

Well done OP, good for you!

Not a massive transformation here, but a slight one after having my children. Got my figure back, started to take more care of myself and feeling great. Tretinoin has transformed my skin though!

Me too and yes, also since a split from H. I lost a lot of weight unintentionally when I was very very depressed but obviously still looked shit as I was so unhappy.

Now I'm happy at last and I seem to have a whole new life: I can't believe my luck. New fabulous man, new non-toxic job. got new hair, including a short little fringe like some cool hipster chick even though I'm 50, covered up the grey bits.
Started only wearing colours I know suit me and bothering to put a bit of makeup on most days. I got some light Botox in my deep forehead 11 lines which needs a top up now. I should do more exercise, but my posture is improved with my mood anyway and my clothes are mostly size 12 these days. I'm eating better and am back in touch with old friends, who are all delighted for me. Next thing, maybe cut out booze.

great to hear some positive vibes and stories. It is amazing what power we have to change things and the way we look. It just takes the motivation.

the laser hair remover I got is the tria hand held, looks like snoopy. I started bleeping as I call it 1.5 years ago. At the start it was hard work and not entirely comfortable. I had to do about eight sessions on the areas until it reduced enough. But I persevered on leg, intimate bikini and underarm. I did not do any through 2023 and have just started working on a few intimate areas recently again as a top up and this is not painful as hair has reduced so much. If you have the money I’d suggest going to a clinic for the latest in treatment for large areas like legs. The tria is quite precise and good for bikini, face and underarm though I used it to significantly reduce calf hair so that I only need to shave occasionally. Good for face hair too.

The Phillips lumea is amazing, I’m like a dolphin now, only have to use once a year now.

‘Like a dolphin’ 😄

oh i had Lumea but i bought it 2015 so it don't work now .

This thread reminded me to get new one . I wonder if it can get rid of "peach fuzz " above lips ?

I'm using tretinoin , having Botox and losing weight. Also will get "hair mesh integration system " on 31rst so looking forward to having long hair !

Love this thread X

I started running more during lockdown. Lost weight, changed from blonde to red head then changed my makeup to better suit my hair colour. End of 2020 I had a tummy tuck, bought a whole new wardrobe of clothes (loads of dresses and jumpsuits!). I've gone on to lose another stone since recovering from my op. Feel so much better and far more confident for it too!

I am feeling this thread!!😁
Just over a year ago I was a size 24, greying hair, never wore make up or took care of myself, depressed, wardrobe was baggy black trousers, baggy Ts and oversized cardies, oh and I couldnt walk up a flight of stairs without getting short of breath!
Now I am a size 10/12, blonde hair (toying with getting a pixie!), wear make up most days and actually have a skin care routine, am full of positivity, wardrobe Id describe as kinda retro tomboy (I like what I like!!LOL), oh and I have tons of energy and do pilates, weight training and cardio several times a week and am starting C25K.😊
I was just approaching 50 and realiesing that I felt awful and was this going to be the rest of my life? Anyways I visited my GP, sorted out some deficiencies, got serious about healthy eating and exercise and recently started HRT.
I did think my 'look' might change as Im 50 and a mature lady but it turns out I still love cargos, hoodies, 70s vibes and old style trainers!

You've all motivated me to spend this evening working out how to actually use the new laser hair zapper that's been sitting in its box for a couple of months. I got the foreo one.

@Hoppitybobbins what skin products are using please?
Well done!

It’s brilliant to hear these stories! Love the comment about thinking ‘Is this me then now I’m 50’ and then thinking NO to that shit and taking serious action!

you have to bite the bullet.

@henlake7 hats off to you, you go girl, I totally relate as I like that sort of style too. Careful about the pixie! God they are hard work . When I got mine done which I am growing out I became very conscious about my neck and jaw line. It emphasises all the folds and it really aged me. Every cm more of hair growth is making me feel so much younger as it detracts from the flaws.

@Travelcrazy I am using this regime (am trying to upload pic so bear with me) and am buying ‘the ordinary’ from Amazon. i have just come back from getting two syringes of fillers (!) and the consultant was complimentary about my skin condition and said whatever I was doing was working so worth a try.

Here is skin regime

I had my long hair chopped off and now rocking a fabulous Italian bob. Also changed the colour from pale, faded natural red to a richer and slightly darker one. I've also decided to invest in really good make up, so am slowly replacing my old stuff with Chanel.

I'm still a size 24 but with job and life stress I don't have the headspace to sort that out yet. I have, however, decided to smarten up my look so I look the best I can at this size instead of looking and feeling frumpy. I've decided that despite being 52 I feel the best in long straight skirts, oversized jumpers, skinny jeans (yes legs are crap but fuck it) and silk/satin shirts. Gone are the girly florals, but I'm keeping my shirt dress collection as they give me a lovely hourglass figure!

18 months ago I lost 31 lb’s in 18 weeks.

I stopped drinking, changed my diet (cut out snacks and started cooking from scratch).

Started going to the gym 6 x per week and incorporated resistance training (it’s been a game changer).

Stopped dying my hair and let the silver shine (fortunately my hair had fabulous looking highlights).

Had my hair cut into a choppy pixie cut (after a lifetime of having dark long or shoulder or length hair).

I invested in some high end makeup and changed my make up look.

At 52 - I feel great!

At 45 I cut in a very blunt, thick fringe, starting wearing make up everyday and began wearing the clothes I had always saved for 'best' (even if I was only going to the corner shop!)

10 years on I'm still doing it and I look better now than I did in my 30s!!
At the time my dh was convinced I was having an affair 😂

I never thought I would go for a bob. I reckoned it just wasn't me but it looks good on me, especially now I have had it coloured again.

I seem to have lost some weight and no longer have a chubby face but it is weird, I keep thinking all the mirrors are wrong!

I have gone back to skin care with a vengeance and am quite happy with the result. Yes I have lines around my eyes and slight marionette lines around my mouth but dammit I am 64! I never smoked and rarely drink alcohol. I do have a number of health issues such as diabetes type 2, high blood pressure and high cholesterol plus heart failure, and rheumatoid arthritis, but despite that and being overweight, I think I look ok for my age!

Mind you I do need to dye my lashes and get my brows done again.

I keep seeing comments that the lasers used for hairs from these can be used on hyper pigmentation spots? Does anyone know if that's right? Getting a few down the side of my face and wondering if buying a laser would be quicker as the months of acids isn't doing much other than fading them slightly.

Yes. I lost a lot of weight. Started using good hair care products. Dyed my eyebrows and hair dark brown. Started a good skin care regime. Starting wearing colors which fit with my skin tone. I think I look better now

I also learnt how to do makeup properly from YouTube tutorials . I will also start to invest in some good high end makeup like ysl and Chanel when I have more money