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??

Not yet but it's my plan for the next few months.

ooh, nice thread! I lost weight - about a stone, by giving up booze, exercising more and better (walking, and home ballet/pilates/strength), reducing sugar and carbs, increasing veg and protein.

While this wasn't a huge amount, it made a big difference to how my clothes fit, and my confidence to wear trousers with flats, and not rely upon the slimming/leg lengthening effect of heels. This in turn enables me to stride out in a dashing manner and so I communicate a younger, fitter, more flexible persona, methinks. Also, my feet thank me. And I figure the extra muscle I'm building will also protect my joints and metabolism down the line.

A change I'm currently embracing is growing out my grey. I'm getting silver highlights, which I like, and boosting/warming up my make-up (bit more eyes and blush mostly, also have learned how to apply lipstick well - Nikol Johnson is a good make up tutorial YouTuber for the 'mature' woman) to suit my changing hair colour.

I have also (gulp) made my first ever appointment for private dermatology next month - anticipating cryotherapy/laser therapy for some things, and, gulp again, Botox. Bit nervous about the latter, but at 58, I'm looking a bit tired and frowny, even when relaxed and on holiday, so figure it's worth a try.

Careful Bigskies my recent fillers appointment set me back hundreds!! But you've done well to get to 57 and not have had any tweakments yet.

What has everyone's overall experience been like, I mean what have the pitfalls been?

Mine are:

Time - I am tired, I work full time and I have this thing where if I exercise I don't sleep so well at night and so this is all a bit of a dilemma. Even on HRT my sleeping is not good. It's been hard over last few years to balance exercise and rest. I am impatient and very committed so want to really go for it exercise-wise, but I need to sleep also. I find this frustrating.

Money - it's expensive. I don't do bad earning's wise, but the treatments are expensive and also a bit addictive. You can never have it all, so after my fillers I now see the beginnings of a turkey neck. So it's easy to just now start seeking out a face lift, and so on and so on... I can see how people end up like Frankenstein.

Reality - facing up to the reality that it gets harder to ward off the test of time. It's tough aging and I am also finding it hard to admit how much my jawline means to me and how much it hurts seeing it disappear! I might be getting a little bit dysphoric about my appearance. I am quite an extreme person and tend to be 100% in or totally out. However, I'm also quite good at confronting my fears and I might need to do a bit of a re-alignment and stop putting so much pressure on myself and focus instead on practical things, like earning more money eventually. (then I can afford the treatments lol!)

What are everyone else's challenges?

@Hoppitybobbins - I'm 58, actually, my dear, but you can shave as many years as you like off me!

Rereading your OP, it sounds like the measures you have taken are all sane and balanced, mostly focused on sensible, healthy changes that would benefit anyone. You're right not to focus on your perceived/imagined 'flaws', because, honestly, no-one else is looking at your neck. They will notice your lovely hair, posture, glowing skin and lovely arms! Spend the money you save on treatments that are unlikely to tip the balance on some confidence-boosting clothes that show off your nice shape instead - win, win!

As for my own possible treatments - well, I'm still at the consultation phase, nothing decided yet. I look younger than my years, it's a family trait, not particularly an achievement. However, I do have some minor skin conditions that the NHS won't treat, hence the private dermatologist. And DH, bless him, took a couple of candid pics of me on holiday (which he really must stop doing!) and it made me think, hmmm... perhaps it's time to ask about aesthetic injections. It's the fact that toxins are metabolised and disappear over time that reassures me - anything that doesn't depart the scene, or god forbid, requires general anaesthetic is a hard no from me.

I am a bit worried about looking like Ming the Merciless - you do see wealthy celebrities that must be able to afford the best looking a bit, well, peculiar. But if it happens, I'll get a fringe cut in, wait for the effect to vanish, and consider it a lesson taken and paid for!

Oh, and I meant to add: exercising in the morning, ideally outside (easier in the summer months), or just getting outside for a walk within a couple of hours of waking is supposed to switch on the appropriate brain chemicals that help you sleep. If you listen to the Just One Thing episode on Radio 4 concerning the impact of daylight on sleep, it's explained. So if you are currently exercising in the evening, perhaps switching your routine might help?

Also, vitamin D supplement. And progesterone is supposed to help regulate sleep and act as a sedative. Is it included in your HRT regime? Do you take it at night? Perhaps talk to your GP/Meno clinic about this?

Just popping back as the journey continues..

with filler in, hair cut and highlighted and Brazilian blow dry booked for the coming days I’m turning my attention to clothes.

And what a nightmare! I see why I never bothered it’s very difficult and time consuming and expensive.

For a start I have been on lookout for a decent bra to give me a good shape but it’s a minefield and everything is going back to the shop as not ideal for some reason. It’s my new thing: no compromises. If it doesn’t fit send it back.

am on vinted like a mad woman and am having great success although all the little purchases do add up. Am waiting on delivery of ten items for summer costing £60 total. I have taken lots of out the wardrobe and have planned shoe shopping to complete outfits. I don’t want clothes hanging around that reminds me of my failed marriage. I’ve amended some clothes too and have a few sewing projects planned.

Has anyone got experience on home teeth whitening kits? Am thinking this next, after getting contact lenses sorted so I can ditch the glasses when I need to and put the sunglasses on, which I’ve yet to get . more time and money!

there really is so much to attend to and it makes me wonder it it’s because I really did let myself go and didn’t keep on top of my clothing etc. I seem to have nothing. Just really awful clothes that no longer fit and footwear from ten years ago that I didn’t like even back then.

I did!

Post 11 year relationship and husband doing some of the worst things you can do to a partner.

I dyed my hair myself red, got myself some Invisalign and complete bonding on my teeth. Started yoga and got back to my size 6-8 clothes from being an 8-10.

Best thing I ever did investing in good teeth. The hair is great but a lot of upkeep. I don't look different now but I definitely look better.

Also had a little chin filler and jaw filler, and a bit of Botox.

Got my colours done, joined Styled by Susie and built a capsule wardrobe. Did Fast 800. Joined gym, started lifting heavy weights and built muscle and ate in a calorie surplus - happiest I've ever been as I realised the whole 'must lose that half a stone' mindset I had since my 20s was so detrimental to actually eating properly. I'm about to do another 3- 4 months of weight lifting. My waist cinched in massively, I was really compact. Also lost the cellulite on my legs, my neck was crazy toned from lifting heavy, so many benefits. Actually do it for mental benefits but the physical was the bonus.

I’m in the process of growing my pixie out and I so relate to what you said about feeling frumpy, OP.

I just don’t know what to do with it.

I’d love to see before and after pics!

Is that you??? Omg you’re fab.

Big hugs to you. It’s hard. I liked the style and I have a pretty enough face for it I guess as have heart shaped face but I just hated my neck being on show it’s just too much skin and I missed the accessory feel of having hair to fiddle around with. Funny thing tho coz I like wearing my hair up. Maybe it’s having it cut into the neck. Idk. But never going short again ever!

Last year this time mine was the shortest it has ever been and now I’m sporting a messy blonde bob do it won’t take long. I only want two inches more and I’m stopping there so it’ll be about 14 months total. Just focus on the long game and plan what you can do in that time whilst your hair is growing and think of the great condition it’ll be in coz you’re going to look after it. Look ahead to next year and a new you. It kept me going.

I’m doing a lot of hand balances, or trying to at least, and that has helped my neck too. Ten weeks until holiday and I have to get my arse in gear fast and get lifting. It makes an amazing difference to legs and waist like you say. Running never did it!

Lost the lock down weight, cut my hair shorter, and embraced the grey.

All of this happened in the space of about six months.

My biggest changes were weightloss and having a fringe/no fringe

I lost almost 2 stone over the last few years, we've had a lot of trauma due to two sudden family deaths and I've put about 6lbs back on again but hope to sort this out soon.
I was widowed last October at 57 yrs old and changing my appearance has been interesting because people comment negatively on me "looking well".I'm supposed to live in sackcloth and ashes presumably.
I'm really focusing on staying hydrated, moisturizing, 10k steps per day, decent but subtle make up, getting away from an aging honey coloured bob and trying to regain a backside.

@saturnspinkhoop slightly nervous to post a picture of my whole face but here's the before and after!

The things I did over a few years:
Lost weight (came off of steroids due to cancer etc)
Grew my hair back
Had a tiny amount of filler in my jaw line and cheeks (this has now disappeared probably as was well over a year ago)
Dyed my hair red
Started yoga
Got my teeth fixed with Invisalign and composite bonding
Got rid of 13 and a half stone of deadweight husband who did some of the worst things imaginable.
Learnt how to do my eyebrows properly instead of drawing on slugs

I'm 29, lots of chemo wrecked my skin and hair so yes I'm probably a bit young for it all but there's my reasoning!

There's my face before and after, teeth further up the thread, and my weight before and after.

@dontdropthefuckingquiche you look incredible! Well done!

I tend to go through some sort of clothes transformation after each pregnancy! I’m 35 & Currently 6.5m pregnant with DC3. Pre-pregnancy I was a large size 10. I was doing yoga (for MH) but was enjoying how strong it made me feel in core & arms. Started a proper skincare routine during lockdown & I’m pretty happy with it.

We have a home gym so my plan is to start resistance training 3x per week & get back into yoga 2x week at my local class. Would like to get to a solid size 10 again.

Not bothered to re-dye my hair while pregnant but I usually have a balayage on shoulder length hair. It’s grown pretty long now which I might keep (I enjoy curling/crimping it, hate it naturally straight, so it does mean a lot of effort). Will re-do balayage & might cut some sort of fringe back in. I’m pretty happy with my makeup.

I like a glowy look & recently bought a gorgeous cream blusher from Westman Atillier. I’m often being told how well I look & its 100% my makeup!

Last year I finally figured out clothes I like & the long term plan is I’d love to be able to go on a little spending spree in Massimo Dutti once I’m happy with my weight (I find it easier when I find a shop whose selection generally fit the aesthetic I want to copy).

Oh & before Covid I paid for the trays & whitening gel at my dentist. I’ll start doing that again as soon as I can! Such a big difference

@dontdropthefuckingquiche Thanks for the photos. You look incredible! Really amazing. Although you were were very pretty to start with!

@dontdropthefuckingquiche you look fab 😍

I realised I had lost my style when I became a mum, had always dressed slightly alternative but when had DS just went with comfy (nothing wrong with comfy but I also wanted to look like "me"). Got on pinterest, started following looks I liked, picked some celebs who were my style inspo (including Charlotte Gainsbourg & Jo Whiley) and gradually changed to a mature version of my studenty style. Rock chick vibe going on for a while now.

One thing I do is when I'm buying something new, ask myself if its at least as good as what I already have, if its not, don't buy it.

Fake tan
Dyed grey hair blonde
Lost a stone
Had botox
I'd previously had my colours done, have a great wardrobe of colours that suit me. Ditched the black years ago, if you're pale it's very draining.
Found foundation that was dewy not matt.

Not sure about the laser working as mine has sat in its box since Christmas but I had a massive patch of hyperpigmentation on my forehead. Boot No7 do a cream which worked wonders within weeks.

well a few weeks have gone by and the hair is now cut, bleached and treated with a keratin/botox mix which should get it into condition, prevent me having to style it with heat and allow me to grow it more easily.

so now it’s clothes and body time.

I am on vinted and buying new clothes like crazy. I have a lot of stuff, but no outfits. The weather is making it worse as it’s neither winter nor summer and is still cold, but often sunny. So I’m upstairs sorting out my wardrobe and buying and returning stuff constantly, and this is surprisingly time consuming and hard work.

I have just invested in my first ever bottle of fake tan. I will experiment. I got st tropez as it’s the only brand I recognise. I am looking forward to it as I keep out of the sun so am pale and all my spider veins and sun spots are proudly on show against white skin but I am quite dark skinned and of course a tan is going to make a BIG difference to how I look overall. I hope it gives me some contours.

I have decided to just lighten teeth with a Colgate toothpaste as not sure about this area. My teeth are quite good but a shade or two lighter would be great.

any advice on an affordable solution?

and finally, for now, the hard bit. My exercise schedule. 1.5 hours six days per week of running, walking, weights and yoga. For two months! I did similar last year. Honestly, it is snapping me into shape especially around the neck and stomach area. I want the matriarch look gone and I want sharp edges! But huge dedication required as I am out at 6.45 each morning on my run.

only a couple of months until my holiday, then I get to build a great tan whilst chilling and getting a beachy, sun kissed look. Then I get the opportunity to show off the hard work to my network.

that’s because it is my ‘big reveal’ event, which I’m so excited about as I get to see a certain someone for the first time in a while and a lot is at stake!!

this is what it’s all for, a year of hard work just so I can go to one event!

it had better be worth it.