Need a makeover - suggestions very welcome :)

[MsJowls]

Hi,

So I've recently turned 40 and I'd say over the past couple of years, I've really had a bit of a downer on my appearance. My hair has thinned at the top a lot and is also much more frizzy and dry, my under eyes are dark, hollow and baggy, my face just looks like it's melting actually, hence my username 😕

I know this is called ageing and is perfectly natural and OK, but I'm really struggling to accept feeling unattractive. I seem to be invisible now. I rarely get compliments anymore and no second glances. I used to get quite a lot of both, but they seem to have abruptly stopped.

What annoys me more is that I do try! I use lovely serums and creams, have an led eye mask, microcurrent device, take collagen, use expensive hair care, but I still don't like what I see in the mirror.

I'm seriously considering some tweakments. Maybe profhilo and the like, but am nervous to take the plunge.

Can anyone recommend me any hero/gamechanger products or treatments that really gave them a needed boost?

ManyTIA

Tret? I found it actually did something unlike so many many other expensive products
and botox
neither of which I can have at the mo due to baby and cannot wait to have again
plus - teeth whitening ?

face yoga. Takes a while - look up ‘Pilates with Lisa’ on YouTube - the one where she wears a black top

also work on fitness and mobility. I think a lot of aging is how you move not how you look

Avoid mirrors and convince yourself you look fantastic.
A lot of it is attitude.

Does any of that stuff you put on your face make a difference?

I suggest a good haircut in an easy to maintain style that suits your face.

I like Dermalogica products, I find their tinted moisturizer gives a nice glow. They have some nice moisturisers with SPF and face washes you might like.

A good multivitamin and a hair and nail supplement.

A colour consultation to find clothes that suit your colouring.

Fresh air, exercise, a good nutritious diet and more water.

@Alwaystired2023 botox makes me nervous. I heard about Mesotox the other day. That sounds interesting 🤔 I was using EA retinol, but stopped using, as didn't see much difference and was paranoid about sun exposure the next day, even with SPF.

@greenwoodentablelegs I did actually try some face yoga a few years a go, but I actually thought it made my lines slightly worse 😬

@VoteLabour Good advice. Wish I could actually take it 😂

@poppyzbrite4 probably a little. I'm more than likely just being unrealistic with my expectations. I keep meaning to have a colour consultation actually. Definitely need more exercise!

The face yoga is for the muscles under the skin. Not the wrinkles

Weekly organic veg box.

Oily fish.

Less (but maybe better) alcohol.

Much Less Stress. Lots of fresh air.

🤷‍♀️

I totally agree about fitness. Do bootcamp. I went from looking like a middle aged woman with rounded shoulders and droopy stomach and boobs to looking upright and moving with strength and energy.

Second this. I've been using tret since the start of the year and had so many compliments about my skin. It's reduces the fine lines on my forehead and evened out my complexion.

Make up makes the difference for me. Mascara, concealer, blush, lip stick brightens up my face and I just feel better about how I look.
I wear nice clothes that I feel good in, and good shoes. I went to the hairdresser today and am slightly surprised by the lift it’s given me.
The most important thing to do is stop looking at the bad bits and focus on the good general-over-all. Take a couple of steps back from the mirror and admire the nice top you’re wearing.

@Alwaystired2023 and @Illpickthatup which tret do you use? Did your skin react well initially?

@learieonthewildmoor I always wear make up and again, good quality products, but I think I've got stuck in a rut. I find it difficult to wear colour. My lipstick for example is always a pinky/brown nude shade. I could get away with it when I was younger, but I'm starting to look drained now. I used to like my pale skin, but it now just looks tired and a bit grey almost. Whenever I try to wear a bolder colour lipstick, eyeshadow, blusher etc, I just look....weird.

Try a glowy primer like Stila Kitten colour correct or Clinique light reflecting.
Go one shade darker with the lipstick - a berry tone? A blue pink?
RMS legendary lipstick Audrey is described as a tawny red: it’s a really soft red, two steps up from a nude. Great colour. RMS has just released some new nudes in the legendary serum lipstick - the Naomi or Pamela might give you some oomph.
Laura Mercier has liquid blushes that are very soft, but surprisingly long wear and give a lovely colour. I have La Piscine and I wear it as eye shadow too. Pale baby pink that gives you a lovely soft glow.

Also, have a look at the Trinny London eyeshadows and blushes - some really pretty neutrals and soft colours that are brightening at the same time.

Dermatica I used it was amazing yes skin was fine I just did every other day to begin with

I get mine from here. tretinoinworlds.com/products/tretinoin-cream-uk/

Started at 0.025% for 3/4 months, then 0.05% for 3/4 months and just recently started 0.1%. My skin was dry and flaky for the first few weeks and was very sensitive. I had to use loads of moisturiser and skip some nights when it was particularly irritated. I used child's farm moisturiser as it didn't irritate my skin. It does pass and it's worth it. I was expecting a reaction when I increased the % but it was absolutely fine. You need to make sure to use SPF everyday as well.

You could try Benefit Dandelion, the one without the glittery bits. It is very becoming. As for brighter lipsticks, one's eye has to get used to seeing oneself in them. Go to a Bobbi Brown counter and say that you want a lipstick with a bit more punch, but not overly so.

Following

Join a nice gym for fitness (with a spa, so it's a treat too), go to a salon for hair treatment & maybe colouring, buy yourself some luxe make-up / skincare / clothes