How to look better at 50 (ish)

[SereneSquirrel]

I don't mean younger.

I mean healthier, I think. Fresher. Less knackered.

When I look in the mirror I always look tired and old.

I am not trying to look younger, just nicer.

What works for you? More exercise? Better diet? Better sleep? Different make up? Or do I just need to suck it up and accept that this is how I look now?

Yes, I use the powder. It helps bulk out my morning latte.

Love yourself… you’ll naturally do the things that make you happy and give you that glow.

And @dearydeary
They are nothing dramatic. I have had a number of neuro/spinal issues and some osteoarthritis. The pain management unit I attended had specialist physios and one of the long term maintenance techniques they taught was a form of rehabilitative pilates focused very much on spinal core stability and strength. I think its a subset of regular pilates exercises with some adaptations.

If you don’t have pre-existing problems a good, small class could probably teach the core exercises but if you do have problems look for a specialist physio who teaches them in small groups until you know what you are doing.

I do them for strength/health rather than appearance and they do help me maintain mobility.

Good diet, exercise, expensive makeup and HRT.

You don't need expensive make up.
As long as you know how to apply it and choose colours to suit, you can buy cheaper brands.

I also can’t be doing with the “worried well” obsession with UPFs, definition of which seem to change regularly and include increasing numbers of very normal foods globally (maize, tofu and tempeh for instance).

If the bulk of your diet is veg, legumes, unrefined grains, a proportion of fruit/nuts/seeds with some dairy (and some meat if you eat it) then the odd ready meal or pot noodle isn’t going to kill you. If there is a food stuff you know you react to then cut it out obviously but not otherwise.

I suspect obsessing about every morsel you eat causes more harm and anxiety than the odd bag of chips on a Friday or (heaven forbid!) oven chips. Not least because those obsessing about it are largely those who have choices.

The parts of the population with diets heavy in processed foods and the associated health issues tend to be those who don’t have the same choices due to costs and locality.

Certainly. High quality makeup just better if one can afford it.

It's not though!

You're paying for the marketing, the assistants in stores, the packaging.

The only thing I pay more for is foundation (because most brands are not pale enough except Loreal True Match.)

If you follow any recommendations in the media, many of the beauty experts (eg Sali Hughes) often recommend some cheaper products.

I've swapped to Loreal Panorama mascara and it's better than Lancome Hypnose and less than half the price.

I have an ELF lip liner- £3 compared to Bobbi Brown £25-ish. No difference.

Zero alcohol.

On the rare occasions I drink it, I am shocked by the impact it has on my appearance the next few days.

Me too, the wrinkles are heavy but then go away, must be the severe dehydration. I do still like an occasional blowout but can’t imagine what drinking regularly would do

Actually I agree with the poster on higher priced make up. I agree it doesn’t look different when you put it on, but I find the longevity is very different, so for example I have a tilbury lipstick and lip liner and I found a dupe, think it’s max factor, for a fraction of the cost, but it needs constant re applying, it wears off v quickly, where as the tilbury stays on for hours. Mascara I do find the more expensive ones have more fibres and are more effective, and foundation is less chalky and just sits better on the skin and lasts as it was when you put it on.

There is absolutely a difference in quality and the ingredients used, it’s not just marketing or packaging. That doesn’t mean the high prices are justified, and it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the same look , but it doesn’t ever have the same staying power.

Choose the right parents…a huge amount of ageing is genetic.

But you can alter gene expression through epigenetics. So lifestyle changes can and do affect aging.

Living a healthy lifestyle at 50 will make one look better. That involves plenty of exercise including aerobic, weight bearing, balance and flexibility work, a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, stress relief, and good sleep. That's the foundation.

Then skin care that works. For me, the science backs vitamin c and retinol. I use C in the AM, followed by peptides and a moisturizer and sunscreen. PM, retinol maybe with buffer.

A good haircut and style.

Clothes that fit and flatter in neutrals or colours that look good on you.

I don't drink alcohol and that's a common lifestyle choice here so nobody gives me beef. Epigenetic factor.

I live in a densely populated grimy city with pollution. I have a couple air purifiers running in the house and I mask on poor Air quality days when outside. Air quality is another epigenetic factor.

That's one I wouldn't have considered! I've never figured out the 'self' thing, and whilst I enjoy it I'm pretty sure sex has never given me a glow!

I'm nearly 48 and I'd say HRT is the biggest thing. I started it in early 2023. A colleague who started working in my office in late 2022 (when I was in a terrible place with peri) said my skin changed noticeably by the Easter of 2023. This was an unprompted comment. I was over the moon!

I also think leaving hair down is more flattering than the day 2/3 messy bun once you get past 40.

Agree that alcohol does make me look tired, though I'm not that bothered so still have a glass of something every weekend.

Honestly Botox.

I work full time and 80% of our meals are homemade. Salmon stirfry, omelette, home made soups for lunch….

You're entitled to your opinion, I just disagree.

Like with any product, some may be overpriced. But often you can find a difference cheap, vs higher end brands, and you "get what you paid for".

To assert the quality is the same across the spectrum is a pretty ridiculous and outdated notion based on my experience.

I do find a difference in a lot of high end vs lower end cosmetics. The higher end have more pigment to filler, are finer milled so they blend easier, better ingredient quality, different ingredients sourcing.

For example, I have a couple Westman Atelier blushes, they spread incredibly easily, they're more pigmented, and they don't give my skin issues. They blow my low end blushes out of the water.

Drugstore makeup has stepped up their game a lot, but they're not exact dupes.

I must be unlucky. I have lived in London since the age of 18 and am now 55. I have never been impressed with beauty counter service. From Selfridges to independent stores, Space NK to good old JL etc. I wonder if they are not that expert on my non-white skin. I leave with skin a really bizarre colour and can’t wait to wash it off. I have had better results from experimenting myself and advice from my 22y girl!

I’m white and I also dislike beauty counters intently. I am much better researching trying, and finding what works for me. Never found one who is able to recommend for my skin better than I can. However I think if maybe you lack knowledge or confidence, they could help.

I use fake tan for my face ,each night I pop a bit on ..I've just bought a lipstick and mascara as well ,and I've decided it's time I applied a bit of help ( makeup )

This isn't relevant to the ageing question but re makeup, my tip would be to buy the make up that the professionals use, rather than what you buy at make up counters which tend to be more expensive due to fancy packaging. I bought a face powder from a professional brand and the difference was noticeable. No longer wear foundation.

So I'm being ridiculous.

I've used everything from Dior and Chanel to Rimmel and there is little difference in a lot. I've a mix of both. I pay more for foundation and blusher to get the colour rage but, for example, I'm using a cheap eye liner (recommended here) that is just as good as the one I paid £25 for.

My opinion can't be that ridiculous as experts like Sali Hughes say the same. She tests almost every product on the market.

The outdated notion is that spending more automatically means better quality.

Okay so we agree to disagree.

I’m afraid I also disagree with you.

What is a ‘ professional brand’ please?