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Original poster

How to not look like a bag of hammers

53 replies

Tintackedsea · 03/02/2025 19:45

I caught sight of myself in the mirror at 6pm this evening and it was Not Good. I'm all frizzy and frumpy and harassed. I don't feel like this inside. The picture of me in my head is professional and smart. The reality has made me quite sad. I was quite pretty in my youth and it feels as though I turned 40 and lost my looks practically overnight.

Much as I don't want to look like this I also Cannot Be Arsed. I am not going to dye my hair because I can't afford the time or the money. Losing weight is slow going.

Apart from those what is there?

I need easy fixes.

What do you do that makes you pretty post 40?

OP posts:
Kitchensinktoday · 05/02/2025 12:17

5128gap · 05/02/2025 11:34

I keep to my happy weight and invest in my hair. It's not easy, but for me takes a lot less time and effort than endless faffing round the edges trying to distract from the things that bother me most. If I get those two 'basics' under control everything else falls into place with minimal effort as my clothes look OK without a time consuming search for that elusive 'flattering' garment, and I feel comfortable casual with minimal grooming time required. Conversely if I feel those things are 'wrong' no amount of make up, nails, eyebrows etc is going to make me feel good.

This is what I try to do!

travailtotravel · 05/02/2025 12:28

I met a dermatologist recently (socially) who looked about 40 but turned out the mid 60s.
Glycolic (face wash or pads) after removing make up
Retinol serum
SPF (high factor) all year round
If you want to use a moisturiser hylauronic/vitamin C

She said that's honestly really the only stuff that works.

I started about a week ago and already look better! And I didn't have a terrible routine before, its taken some products OUT of my rotation ...

BouncerMum · 05/02/2025 14:09

I absolutely agree with 5128Gap. Now that I am at my goal weight and am reaching my exercise goals, everything else is so much easier. Eating healthily means my weight has stabilised, my skin and hair are better, I need less makeup and I don’t need to worry about whether something or not fits.

I just focus on being clean, my hair and skincare and I feel great.

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