43 and feeling and looking old

[Ilikecurrybest]

I'm nearly 43 and feel as though I've lost my way a bit in the beauty stakes. In my mid - late 30s I got into a good skin/makeup routine (thank you Caroline Hirons!) and generally felt ok. Now I just generally feel as though I've lost my glow a bit in general and the things (skincare, makeup hair styles) that would make me look and feel good don't seem to work so well anymore partly because it's been a bit of a shit time generally but also partly just down to ageing I guess. I've just signed up for dermatica and have been taking some skin, nails hair vit D and B12. I've also ordered some ancient and brave 'collagen' hot choc. I've dipped my toes into some basic strength training and pilates which I need to get back onto. I follow April Whitney (am a shortie!) but would love other suggestions for helpful accounts to follow in youtube facebooks as well. Anyway I'd really like to get on top of self care particularly skincare/makeup and hair as I think I'm feeling and looking a bit older than I possibly should be so am looking for suggestions for some wellbeing and style and beauty pick me ups that have worked for others of a similar age.

I’m nearly 10 years older than you. It sounds like you’re doing the right things.

My skin is still holding out. I use good skin care, I have Botox every 9 months or so, a really good 90 min facial every 4 weeks and use a NIRA facial laser every day. It was a Christmas gift, so I’m new to it, but I’m already thinking my skin is looking better. I follow various facial yoga people, but don’t actually do it 😬 I go to the gym regularly - so important as you age.

I'm 39 but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. I would have suggested tretinoin but you've already said you've signed up to dermatica. I've used it for 4 years and it's incredible- it will definitely give you your glow back.

How's your hair? What about a new cut/style?

Def a new cut/style would help. My hair is wavy mid brown and it's had the same longish style with layers essentially since my early 20s. it's kind of greying a little and the texture is becoming a bit drier and more wiry and is generally a bit thinner than it used to be which possibly isn't helping the overall appearance. I moved to a new area post covid and I haven't managed to find a hairdresser I'm really confident in yet which I do need to try and sort out. Glad to hear the Dermatica is working for you

Hi OP, I'm early 40s

Beauty pick-me-ups: teeth whitening, professional eyebrow shape, hair cut and colour

Style pick-me-up: personal stylist session (e.g. colour analysis, help with flattering silhouettes etc.)

Lifestyle: upping water intake, daily inversions (convinced this has helped with hair growth)

I'm a side sleeper which apparently isn't great for staving off wrinkles. I've bought an 'anti-aging pillow' - a cheap version of this:

https://sleepandglow.co.uk/

Where do you get your tretinoin from please?

I started feeling old, first on some photos from 35. It was only certain angles and didn't bother me too much. That became more frequent and by my late 30s it was really bugging me... For years I used retinols, vitamin c, collagen creams.

The only thing that worked is tret. I get 0.025% strength with 3% azelaic acid and 4% niacinamide from Monderma, and every 6 months I get botox on Harley Street. Tret alone worked wonders and I wholeheartedly recommend it. You'll read about other skincare ingredients and their properties but they simply don't work.

My skin feels the same at 42 as it did at 32. Five days out of seven, my skin glows and I'm generally plump. Your makeup and haircare make a big difference. It takes some trial and error to get all three right, particularly makeup - skincare being the easiest.

@stardust777 where's your sleep pillow from? Do you think it works? thanks

Dermatica and Monderma are good for tret and anti-ageing skincare £20 x12.

A monthly facial £150 x12 and biannual botox £250 x2 are gamechangers if you can afford them.

Skin, nail and hair vitamins like Solgar and marine collagen are meant to provide long-term benefits.

@CMAC86 It hasn't arrived yet - I don't have high hopes as I ordered it from Ali Express. I don't have the budget for the sleep and glow one unfortunately.

@researchers3 I initially went through dermatica for 2 years. Now I buy from alldaychemist. I stock up and buy enough to last me about 18 months at a time.

Let me know if it works !

@rumanah and @CMAC86 I'm not in love with this pillow. Aired it for weeks as it had a strong foam smell. The cover reminds me of a 'quick dry towel' material. Also, it doesn't feel comfortable when sleeping on my side. However, it does make sleeping on my back more comfortable. I'm going to continue using it for a bit.

This one on Amazon looks identical:

Amazon side sleeper pillow