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!

If feeling a bit skint try looking up your local beauty college. They need models to teach eyebrow, lash tints, facials etc for a few quid.
Equally, ask around if local hair salons do 'model nights' - supervised training for their juniors. Save a fortune on a trim and blow dry and it'll perk you up in yourself too.

Re food - I can see a big difference in my skin quality within a few days if I cut out all sugar, alcohol and just eat chicken, fish, eggs, fruit and vegetables. I drink coffee but I drink black coffee with a tiny dash of milk - cafe lates etc are a definite no.

Another vote for La Roche Posay and also don’t touch any actives until after the event if you don’t already use them.

Apply a moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid and glycerin 2-3 times a day

Use a vitamin c cream twice a day as well

Go for an eyebrow/forehead thread and tint your brows and lashes

Drink plenty of water

Get a few early nights sleep, even if it means taking low-strength nytol

Tret gives your skin an overnight lift, but don't get it before your event in case you peel. Monderma and co make it at low strengths to go with your moisturiser and vitamin c. You can quite easily get a medium glow next day now.

Can you afford to get your make-up done for the event? It's usually not too expensive at one of the make-up counters in a department store, and it will give you a real boost of confidence walking in.

You could see if you can get a free skincare session at boots or something. The Liz Earl stand at my local boots offered me one recently.

Or a self-tan.

I know this won't go down well but I would use a gradual tanner/or go for a couple of sunbeds, I always feel 100 times better with a bit of a tan

100%. I apply facial and neck drops daily with a full-body tan on special occasions.