A week to glow up?!?

[Jiggy16]

After any advice. Have just been notified of a nice but important event I have to attend next week and wondering what I can do to help make myself look best I can in a short period of time!

40, and have had a rough few years where looking after myself has not been a priority. A little overweight, bad diet and skin just looks dull and old. Self esteem is in the gutter and then stuck in a vicious circle. I am currently trying to make small changes over the next few months but is there any good ideas to temporarily make myself look healthier and fresh? My skin just looks grey and lines and sagging taking hold.

I'm not great with make up so can't just doll myself up on the day. Pretty skint too so unfortunately can't go off to some fancy clinic for a facial/treatment

I know I'm prob asking the impossible, but does anyone have any advice on what can be done short term for a boost in style, appearance and hopefully therefore confidence??

Thanks so much for getting this far!

Drink lots of water
Buy eye lash tint. Costs less than a tenner and can do a few applications.

Get any threading do eif you need to, same with eyebrow shaping

Have a look on YouTube or tik tok for make up ideas

Stay off processed carbs and refined sugar ans alcohol until the event.

Get regular sleep and exercise
Hopefully these quick fixes will help!

Get the water and some early nights in you

Exfoliate now at the start of the week so if its too much you for your skin it has time to calm

Same for getting the stray hairs sorted, be it eyebrows, chin or top lip - sort them tomorrow

Hyaluronic acid is gentle ( unless you have severe problems ) and will help give a bit of plumpness and glow, It really does give a lift pretty quickly

Makeup, as long as your skin is well primed you should be ok doing your own. My own basic is slap on the Hyrauronic, and moisturiser daily, exfoliate with a muslin cloth ( my skin is really delicate ) and the times Im wearing make up , I use a primer - fills in the creases and pores ( to some extent ) and gives a good smooth finish

And highlighter, works bloody miracles , Im 60, and just a wee sweep or dab really lifts everything - I do a wee C around the outer edge of my eye and a tiny dab on the top of my cheeks

Agree on water intake and plenty of fresh food. I’m a terrible UPF eater but feel so much better when I cut it out and eat nothing but fresh food. I also love green tea and honey, makes me feel very refreshed. Trying to cut fizzy drinks is a big issue for me, I’m trying to use nice cordials as a substitute.

ive recently been reintroduced to Avon, something I used in my 20s, 49 now. I’ve never been a big cosmetics person or terribly consistent with skincare. It’s only been since the pandemic I’ve actually started looking after my skin. I also suffer from chronic fatigue and pain, overweight and was looking consistently tired and worn out.

Anyways some things I’ve found makes me look and feel refreshed:

• eye wash and brightening eye drops make me feel and look more awake.
• eye brightening cream - I’m currently using Avon vitimin c cream during the day.
• Avon vitimin c serum after using the vitimin c face scrub, I only use the scrub every second day. The moisturiser is ok too.
• Avon power renewal serum, eye cream and cream at night. This has loads of awards.
• Avon skin so soft body sprays, there is a glow one that makes your skin look sunkissed. It’s made my pasty grey skin look nice.
• Avon 10 min moisturising mask.
• Making sure my eye brows are tidy and filled in has taken years off my face. I only use a L’Oréal pencil which also has a highlighter I use under my brows..
• Also mascara, I never wore it until a few years ago, but I find it makes my eyes look brighter. I can only use the L’Oréal Paris intense mascara for sensitive eyes, the only downside is it dose smudge if your not careful.
• and eyelash curler.

I swear I might become an Avon rep 😂

Superdrug sell Avon now and they do some good deals. You can also order online and get sent straight to your home. I think you can pay for fast delivery.

My friend started selling it and I remembered I liked the vitimin c serum many years ago so I started buying it again and gradually upped my orders. I’m not a big makeup person, I’m low coverage natural look and due to sensitive skin I tend to stick with what I know. I’ve tried a few Avon makeup products but the only thing I love so far is the eyeshadow crayons. I like you can buy samples of certain products to try them first.

My final tool that I’ve very recently started using and noticed a huge difference is a face massager. I bought a cheap one off Amazon to see if it was any good, I absolutely love it and noticed a difference in my face within days. I will look at getting a more expensive one at some point.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D9VW5NF6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I’ve also bought a therapy heat lamp, but only used it a couple of times as arrived this week. I’m hoping it gives me a boost. I’ve heard good things about them.

Edited - get on YouTube, you will see loads of videos from women giving makeup tips on making you look younger and refreshed.

im not sure what your wrinkles and bags are like but I’ve seen videos and heard very good things about Peter Roth creams, I’ve not used them as not felt the need but when the time comes I absolutely will give them a go.

I always find that sorting out my hair (colour and fringe trim) makes me feel better about my appearance - if you have time/money to get to a hairdresser but otherwise can DIY

And then eyebrows as well if you can - again professional is not expensive but can also DIY

I would definitely recommend investing in a glossy box subscription or look fantastic box, they are monthly boxes of joy that contain 6-8 new skincare, beauty or treatments that will help enhance your self care routine, give you insight into the latest beauty products and if nothing else, make you feel a little pampered every month! I love these boxes!

Lots of water, plenty of sleep and a honey face pack is super cheap, literally just honey on your face, wash off!

Bit tricky if you don't want to spend anything. As others have said lots of water and healthy food.

The things that make the biggest difference for me when it comes to feeling my best are exfoliating and self tanning or a light spray tan (although don't recommend doing this for the first time before an event if you're not practiced at it). I use the exfoliating gloves every two weeks to get rid of all dead skin the use a St Tropez tan, then top up every day with a body butter. It's a very subtle glow but it makes me feel like a different person.

Also I remove all dead skin from feet (especially if wearing sandals), have nails done and eyebrows done. A sheet mask the night before and the day of will give your skin a boost too and they're only a few quid. Maybe a hair mask if you can stretch to that

A trip to boots! (Or equivalent)

a lovely pampering session at home… semi gloss (go lighter than your hair) colour, gives it a shine, face mask, hair mask, few drops in self tan in your moisturiser, do your nails, file, light polish

If you've got no money but have the basics at home like some sort of face cleanser and a flannel...

Every night and morning cleanse with your cleanser and remove with the flannel dipped in the hottest water your face can tolerate ( obviously don't go mad! ). This should give you decent enough exfoliation to be going on with.

Use moisturiser daily
Drink as much water as you can
Eat as clean as you can

Agree with PP who said get an eyelash/brow dye and do that at home - I use Just for Men because you can get it on Amazon for about £7 and a box lasts me a year because you mix a little bit up as and when you need it. Apply with an old mascara brush or nab one of those disposable ones from a make up counter.

Superdrug do a Conditioning wash in wash out range that can give your hair a bit of a glossing boost. They are £2.99 and will just give your hair a bit of va va voom on the day if you choose a colour close to your natural one.

Dermaplaning razors are a few quid in Superdrug - use one to gently get any fluff off your face and any make up you do use will go on much easier and smoothly.

If you have a few quid to spend on some make up, get a decent concealer to cover any grey/ dull patches under eyes.

Don't be tempted to use any sparkle, just go for neutrals on your eyes, a bit of base/ bronzer and whatever lipstick feels like it works.

Any make up you need - again Superdrug and Boots both sell Revolution and The Collection and lots of things are only a few quid each.

You'll be grand.

• use a flannel every night on your face before bed to gently exfoliate
• moisturise and massage
• up water intake
• sheet face masks
• gradual fake tan

On the day

• give yourself a proper blow dry, sectioning hair, using products and the cool shot on your hairdryer - Velcro rollers if you have them (Primark)
• tinted moisturiser
• concealer
• lightly pencil in brows (ELF waterproof pencil is great)
• light bronzer dusted on cheeks
• brightish lipstick (not a nude)
• mascara and eyelash curl, brown eye pencil smudged in with cotton bud
• earrings

Wow - some great ideas on here - thanks all! I'm 59 and have never really known what to do to make my face look better...so did nothing, just soap, warm water and a bit of moisturiser. I have a little shopping to do I think! My skin was starting to look really old and dull - especially in the last year. Slapping make up on made it look worse actually. The only change I have made is drinking loads of water in the last 9 days - what a difference! It feels so much smoother, less redness/blemishes - and people have noticed too - some lovely compliments - what a boost!

Thanks for all the messages! Working my way through them! Feeling a bit more positive now, thank you!

Not against spending a bit of money, judt dont have a lot, any recommendations for a key skin care item? Budget/normal range stuff, can't afford esstee lauder etc types.

Good idea about a primer too, any recommendations?

Really appreciate the responses so far, thanks.

For skincare I would recommend any cleansing balm in your price range as they aren’t drying and using a flannel with them exfoliates well. Superdrug do a BHA toner which is great as a liquid exfoliant and makes your skin glow (use this a couple of times a week), and also get a hylauronic acid in your price range, Superdrug do buy one get one half price on their Me+ range so you could get them both. Or get them from the inkey list as also not too pricey.

for a primer, I would suggest using a product that can be a glowy base to makeup, the best one is the Charlotte tilbury flawless filter but Elf do a more affordable dupe of this. Aldi also does really affordable dupes of lots of nice skincare and makeup so might be worth keeping an eye out on the middle aisle.

the things for me that make me feel put together are having my eyebrows done, straightened hair and self tan.

You can't go wrong with e.l.f for the basics when it comes to make up, but I have more mature skin which gets on better with things like L'Oréal foundation.

For skincare, the big houses like Olay, L'Oréal are always a good bet, and targeted skincare from brands like the Inkey list or The Ordinary for things like no nonsense acids/retinols

If I was starting from scratch I'd go for

Micellar water to get make up off
Cream or oil cleanser to hot cloth cleanse
Glycolic toner
Hyularonic acid serum
Moisturiser for day/ night
Additional targeted oil or serum such as Vitamin C
Eye cream if you think you'd benefit from it, I just take a light moisturiser up under my eyes which works fine.

And that should do you. Probably cost about £50 for the lot.

Cut out sugar.

Fill your fridge with avocados and salmon and leafy green vegetables.

Go to bed earlier.

(Also, if relevant, sort out your outfit now - don’t leave it until the last minute.)

If I can give you one piece of advice: don't go out and buy a load of stuff wi the active ingredients in it. Your skin could react and adding too much at once will compromise your skin barrier. I've learned that the hard way before. It's usually best to add one new product at a time and see how your skin reacts. Although do appreciate your wanting short term results. I especially wouldn't add salicylic acid unless you have oily, acne prone skin. Personally my skin is prone to reacting to Vitamin C products and I tend to break out, there are only a few I can tolerate.

An ingredient most people can tolerate is niacinamide and it has brightening qualities. I personally use Azalaic acid+niacinamide from skin+me and it's very gently but effective on my akin (I'm pregnant so can't currently use retinols etc).

I'd probably recommend a gentle cleanser such as Cerave hydrating (not foam), an eye cream or gel - again Cerave do an affordable one or La Roche Posay, and then focus on hydration. To be honest with your time frames I'd probably buy a bunch of sheet masks and go for it with the hyaluronic acids and water consumption. Then I'd buy a good moisturiser that was right for your skin type.

Longer term you could look at adding a vitamin c and a retinol. Again la Roche Posay do a good entry level one. If you want to spend one Medik8 is excellent. My point being, don't ever panic buy active ingredients that you haven't used before and just focus on the long game with those - you might find you get really into it and want to spend a bit more and take your time choosing

@Jiggy16 this is an excellent middle-range moisturiser focussed on hydration. Will also give you a great base for make up. Its not as rich as some other products but v hydrating and I don't know anyone who has reacted to it

https://www.boots.com/caudalie-vinohydra-deep-hydration-moisturizer-60-ml-10344498?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=paid.shopping&utmcampaign=pmaxxbeautyggshoppinghcpmedia&utmcontent=herocompare&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadd_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwTGAe1dnKeIKvuoqSIvYTo3F

I think the quickest thing to add glow would be a vitamin c. When The Ordinary was a big thing I got the 23% vitamin c, unfortunately it irritated my skin in no time, but the first few times I used it my skin looked great the following day. Geek and gorgeous do a vitamin c that is supposed to be a good dupe for the £££ Skinceuticals one.

A hydrating serum would be a safe bet and you'd probably see some improvement after a week. Not sure they are all created equal though. I use cosrx snail but I but it in bulk from stylevana which keeps the cost down.

Thanks all, taking it all on board.

I did get for Xmas a no7 gift set with their protect and perfect day and night cream and serum and I bought that corsx snail serum which I have been using consistently from January, though can't say I notice any difference, still kids look tired and dehydrated.

Will buy some sheet masks too, would doing one a night for 2 or 3 nights help or is that too much?

Writing up some steps for the week, this is all great thank you. Def not going to add in any new actives/acids right now tho will try and see if I can get a good hyaluronic acid.

Water and some good quality proper food are on the plan. Not expecting miracles, but would just love to look a big brighter/less crap!

I used a sheet mask every day for the week before my wedding plus the morning of, and I my skin did look really good. This was obviously on top of a regular long term routine. You will be fine as long as they are just hydrating masks and not retinol etc. Also make sure you rub in all the excess product after taking the mask off including over your neck and chest for extra hydration - enjoy!

This gives a nice glow and is not v expensive. Can also get it in Boots or Superdrug
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Garnier-Brightening-Prevents-Corrects-Cruelty-Free/dp/B0CNQ11ZYH/ref=asc_df_B0CNQ11ZYH?tag=bingshoppinga-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=79920941528705&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583520406467747&th=1

You can also make homemade face masks using everyday ingredients like yoghurt, honey, avocados, peanut butter etc!

@Jiggy16 , I got The Inkey Hyaluronic acid in TK Maxx Last week for around £8. I usually use The Ordinary - cheap as chips , and I particularly like The Buffet from them as well - good all rounder

I find her facial exercises really get things glowing - 10 minutes once a day is time well spent, and the massage one is fab!

https://www.youtube.com/@PilatesByLisa/videos

I add a few drops of Maybelline illuminating primer (purple tube £10) & my regular foundation to my moisturiser to make a face tint. Then just a sweep of bronzer and/or blusher to give a healthy glow. Plus, I link my lips with a plum or nude lipliner and rub in some vaseline. That's all I need for a subtle daytime look.