In need of a glow up

[chamberay]

Was looking back at old photos earlier and DD6 said why did you look so pretty then mummy. At the time I had an 18 month old and was pregnant and I looked far better then than now 😩 life has been tough the last few years- lost a sibling, husband was really ill suddenly and needed a life saving op, parent ongoing cancer battle- I think it’s all taken its toll. I’ve been so in the trenches with it all that I’ve not cared about how I look but I’m now fed up of looking and feeling crap about myself and feel like I need to get back to feeling good. I’ve had Botox in the past and loved it so going to book that again but wondered if anyone had any tips or anyone been in a similar boat and got back to feeling good about themselves again.

What was it about you in the photo that looked different? I always find a good haircut and colour, HD eyebrows and lash lift make me feel better. But it depends on what you were looking at that made you miss the way you looked.

I don’t even know really, I just looked better. I’ve gone darker with my hair but thinking maybe I should go blonder and I used to have lashes but I had a reaction so I can’t get them done anymore. I was also slimmer which is crazy considering I was pregnant! Now I feel puffy and bloated. I guess in general I cared about myself more then and looked after myself. I’ve started taking mounjaro again as had good results with it. I guess all of it seems shallow and irrelevant because of things that have gone on and I feel guilty even worrying about ‘superficial’ things but then I don’t like not feeling good about myself either

I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough time, that’s a lot to deal with at once. I’ve been through a rough patch recently and have found myself comfort eating, and lots of the wrong things (crisps, chocolate, biscuits etc). I find this tells on my skin, eyes and hair as well as my waist line. I’m trying to increase my fruit and veg intake and drinking more water to hopefully get healthier, brighter looking hair, eyes and skin.
i also found myself pulling on any old clothes as I didn’t really care what I looked like. I’ve been through my wardrobe and reminded myself which clothes I look better in.

I don’t know if any of that resonates with you but worth thinking about if so.
i agree with PP re good hair cut.
I find even a slick of eyeliner and some mascara makes me look better.