What beauty intervention wld make the most positive difference for approx £200 for mid 40s

[Lovemedo345]

Hi I'm due to turn 45 years old. I have had a lot of stress in the last 4 years which is ongoing and I look older and tired and more jowly than I wld like. I have recently started going to the gym but still comfort eat far too much and cld do with losing approx a stone. I have lots of crows feet round my eyes and notice my eyelids are becoming slightly hooded. I am trying to be positive and am not anti aging but can see where sadness and grief has taken its toll
I use moisturiser, sunscreen and am about to sign up to dermicata for skin care routine. No real grooming regime or make up generally. I have about £200 to spend to make myself look better facially. I have a recommendation for someone for Botox but wondering is this the best thing? Should I get eyebrows done or something else? What one thing within this budget made you look and feel better? Many thanks

I'm using a similar budget and have done:
Eyebrow lamination
Lvl lashes
Skincare - a load of dermatica stuff
And am considering
Pro Lumi skin booster

Nothing has made as much difference to me as Botox. It takes years off you. I'd go for that - most other things you can do yourself at home.

I've had lvl lashes before and it makes a big difference.
I am very enamoured with my brows.
I am blessed in both of these areas so if you are not the change would be massive.

Some good suggestions here - I'd add start taking a collagen supplement, drinks tons of water, and get a silk pillowcase. For me it's not the product là but the routine and consistency of skincare which help. Also rather niche but I bought a home steamer and its fine wonders for my skin!!!

Thanks all, I have been googling! Lots to consider. @tfu do you recommend particular collegen supplements or particulate brand silk pillowcase? I am pretty tempted by lvl lashes and the eyebrows also but unfortunately dont think my budget will stretch for everything! Going to go for botox consultation and see how I feel. Many thanks

I had my eyebrows done, feather brow, made a huge difference, if only £200, eyebrows are expected to last 12-18 mths, maybe 2 years before top up, Botox & lashes need regular maintenance.

I agree with the silk pillowcase. I think it’s helpful for my frizz-prone hair. I also no longer wake up with creases on my face.

Retinol

Botox if you're at that stage

I use a marine collagen tablet - my friend uses a liquid collagen supplement. This is the one I use https://amzn.eu/d/7vXujYJ.

For the silk pillowcase there are literally hundreds to choose from on Amazon. I chose the least expensive one!

You will have to spend £200 3-4 times a year with Botox though

Shift the weight asap. Then see what your face looks like.

LVL lashes and HD brows, instant uplift.
Also Botox, I was so hesitant to start on that slippery slope but it's made a huge difference even on a teeny amount.

Botox, regular eyebrow tint and wax,

Botox.

Can you remove the stress, once it's gone the awful sudden ageing stops and reverses. I'd suggest a much cheaper option and that's a treat prescription. It takes about 3 months to show but it does make a difference.

I keep considering the LED face mask ... anyone tested this?

I didn't fancy any of the injectable treatments and am not convinced my supplements, so I've gone for having a proper make up lesson, using home fake tan regularly (bondi sands gradual tan) and teeth whitening at the dentist.

Those things plus starting weight training have made a huge difference to how I feel about my appearance at 48.

Some of that comes from the results and actually some of that comes from just feeling that I am allowed to spend time and money looking after myself having spent a lot of the previous 20 years trying to be proud of being 'low maintenance' but really just feeling like it wasn't 'worth' the effort.

Thank you for all the responses- now I really dont know! Unfortunately @GettingStuffed I cant remove the stress although I am working on accepting it and having healthier responses (not easy). I really like all these ideas, and tbh not sure I can afford Botox ongoing very easily so perhaps I should try other things first. And yes @ManilowBarry I think you are right in that ideally I wld shift weight first but I wld love to look better straight away now! However I do think @ManyManyBiscuits that there is something about feeling worthy of spending time and money on myself too. Still pondering and also interested in LED light masks...!

I also love my silk pillowcase too, my hair is coarse and I feel that pillowcase makes it smoother. I used to get them from ebay direct from Vietnam but my last ones I got for Aldi specialbuys.

Another recommendation is daily facial exfoliation. I use a facial exfoliating sponge, struggling to find them in the UK now but I got a BufPuf from Amazon. I use it lightly on my face every morning with just soap and water in the shower and then apply the serums and moisturisers afterwards. I'm confident it has helped erase the new lines that were starting to appear, my forehead 11s have gone (this was before I started the botox)

Also gallons of water 💧to help plump the skin.

Botox
A decent hyloric Acid (I use Estée Lauder about £100 for full size bottle but only beauty product I can honestly was a game changer for me), and marine collagen supplement.
Water
Sleep