How to look good as you age without Botox

[Greyhairhelp]

I’m in my late 40s and seem to have aged about 10 years recently. My face looks saggy & tired, my eyelids seem to be drooping more everyday and my neck looks weird & sinewy. I’ve got nothing against Botox/fillers etc. but they’re way out of my price range, so my question is, how can I give my appearance a bit of a boost without spending a fortune? I’ve got a good skincare routine (albeit with basic products because my skin is super sensitive), I’ve tried collagen (but not sure there’s enough scientific evidence to justify the cost) and I keep meaning to try facial yoga (does it work?). I don’t necessarily want to look younger or stop the ageing process, I just want to look less tired & inject a bit of life into my looks again. Tell me your secrets!

Should have said, as username suggests I’ve also grown out my hair colour and am trying to embrace the grey, which possible isn’t helping.

Surely it’s down to diet, exercise, and genetics? I’ve also wondered about facial yoga for my jowls. Apparently smiling all the damn time is also recommended.

I use Tret ( Please search for threads) and am happy with my skin at 53. Began using it for hormonal acne and continued.

It doesnt help the sagging and jowls.
So I have done a radical thing: accept myself as I am! I eat well and exercise as much as I can.

I do think the expectations for women these days are ridiculous, made worse by social media. In the old days, none of us were expected to look like Nicole Kidman.

It helps that I am long married amd DH does not give a fuck, especiallly as he looks worse.

Ah, the jowls
I'm doing some cheek exercises by Trinh George- she is on YouTube and TikTok
You are supposed to see a lifted effect in two weeks
I started yesterday so no change yet
Otherwise yes @Lentilweaver is right and you go through the five stages of grief with ageing and finally get to acceptance!
That said, a nice bright lipstick does help me feel more myself and I always have to do my brows too

I can afford Botox and fillers. But I am not interested in going down that path.
Some people on here have suggested Foreo Bear and gua shas, but honestly, I would rather use my limited time to stay healthy rather than look that good.

When I was lifting heavy weights it dramatically improved my neck.

I personally find face yoga does work.

Genetics do play a huge part, I am often told I don't look my age but that is mainly due to my Dad's side of the family . I inherited what they call Celtic skin (pale ,freckles but no tan) and dark hair .
I am not a botox or filler user but it is everyone's choice if they are

The good diet , no sun, no smoking, no alcohol, sleep (but not in your make up 😉) standard advice , lots of water and no drastic weight loss . But of course that only helps if you have a time machine .

I use Prai skincare and my routine is minimal .
I was growing the grey but I thought stuff that and I.ve gone back to toners or semi permanent dye but not too dark .
And I guess , acceptance. I am no spring chicken

Agree, it’s genetics.

My mum always looked fabulous, right into her early 80s when unfortunately dementia changed her.

I seem to have been lucky and inherited those genes. No particular regime. Wash my face with soap and use whatever cream is half price. Very few lines or wrinkles and no 11s because I’ve used frownies for years. Jowls were beginning to develop but collagen tablets have helped a lot. I’m 60 and people are generally quite surprised.

I’ve always had greasy skin which was a bloody nuisance but I think that’s helped in preventing wrinkles.

I don’t want to go down the Botox/filler route.

I use Tretinoin (Dermatica)

My skin is good,but of course I have lines as I’m 48.

If it helps, I hardly ever notice people's necks or jawlines, although I sometimes still feel sad about my own, so I understand where you're coming from.

What I do notice, is their clothes. Personally I don't think there's anything that gives me a better boost than a good outfit so that's what I focus on for myself.

I would just say one thing: nobody looks at us as closely and critically as we think they do. In real life, our faces move, talk, laugh, and so on. They are not still as in the mirror.
Apologies if I sound sanctimonius. I just see so many anguished posts and pix on here by women who look perfectly normal for their age, but feel they need to look different.