How has aging, perimenopause, or menopause affected your style and hygiene ?

[MomWithChinHairs]

Today I had my hair cut and dyed. My hair was long and the natural hair was dark brown. It's now a pixie cut and it's dyed blonde. There were a few factors for the change, one of them is perimenopause and aging. I was getting some grey hairs. My hair was frequently sweaty.

Unless it's a special occasion, I have abandoned dresses, jeans, and skirts. I wear leggings for my fluctuating weight. I were tank tops because of hot flashes, night sweats, and other sweating events.

I feel like I can't do my makeup anymore. So many wrinkles and age spots. My pores are so big and my face is easily sweaty.

Not only that my body, face, and skin is different but my style is changing. Then there is the hygiene aspect for the sweating and body odor. I shower more and use stronger deodorant but I'm scared I'll get smelly around people if I'm not vigilant. This is an interesting time in my life.

@MomWithChinHairs No, not at all.

Are you in the UK? Just noticing the timing of your posts.

I started HRT at almost 53 and am still on it many years later.
I'm the same weight I was in my 20s (BMI 19) and although I now have to be very careful over what I eat, and my waist is a bit bigger, I'm not so very different .I eat carefully and not a lot by most people's standards, but's it is all really healthy stuff. Like another poster, if I put on a bit like 3lbs I know it's time to cut back if I can't get my jeans fastened easily.
I walk 3 miles most days (includes hill climbs), use light weights, do some Pilates at home.

I use make up daily and I've used sun block spf 30 or 50 for years. I have my hair coloured (low lights) 3 x a year.

You can buy all kinds of creams etc to get rid of pigmentation and improve your skin tone.

I'm not setting myself up as 'perfect' but just saying that if you put in some time and change your mindset, to 'I can do this' you will see a lot of changes.

What is the main thing you want to change?

This made me laugh as I can relate a bit. I stick to aiming for tidyish and clean when I leave the house.

Other than being much more diligent about diet and exercise, I haven’t really changed anything.

I’ve not changed size and a trim every 3 months is the maximum I’m prepared to do to my hair, so it will be staying longish and greying. I also now hardly sweat at all. Have been on HRT for around four or five years.

I'm 49 and I don't think my style's changed apart from obviously a few shifts in what's fashionable/available. I've had short hair for over 15 years now - pixies, undercut crops, short bobs etc - and currently it's a 1920s vintage style bob. I still wear mostly black, still love a leopard print accessory. My favourite outfits are jeans with shirts/vests/t-shirts and a 'boyfriend' blazer or cardigan, or casual dresses with boots. Still wear loads of graphic t-shirts, still wear a lot of silver jewellery.

My makeup's definitely evolved as I feel like my eyes are a bit too hooded now for the cat-eye liquid eyeliner I used to wear and I try and avoid anything that settles in my fine lines! I mostly use a fairly lightweight foundation stick these days whereas I used to wear a pretty full-coverage liquid foundation. My skin is a bit less oily now than it was when I was younger.

My shape has changed a bit, which I hate. When I gain weight now it goes straight to my belly which it never used to. I'm really conscious of it and I've had to get used to considering it when I choose clothes.

The biggest changes for me are sudden allergies. I always wore some sort of all in one face base, powdered blusher and eye make up made from mineral powders not talc based with no problems for years until at the age of 52 I started developing pimples all across my cheeks. I treated my skin for rosacea and after months and months it cleared up but I can’t wear any make up any more without it being triggered. I kept my brushes and sponges clean too. I have become allergic to cats all of a sudden too. I’ve had cats around me my entire life, since birth. In my pram there’d be a cat snoozing right next to my face. Now I’m suffering with itchy runny eyes and constantly sneezing without an anti histamine tablet.
Fashion-wise, I don’t like to wear anything low cut or exposing too much upper arm flesh. My hair always used to be long but it lost its lush curls and abundance. I needed my hair to look balanced. I had no choice but to get it chopped and I feel better actually.

Having spent a fortune on skincare when I was younger I now buy the cheapest facewash and use Nivea and this made not a jot of difference, I look good when I am relaxed and exercising, worse when am eating crap. I now spend very little on make up etc.

Still into clothes though

I always read these threads because I feel as if I ought to have changed, but I haven’t. I’m 56 and everything feels much the same as it did 10 or 20 years ago. I read a PPs post about weightlifting which I keep toying with as I know it would be beneficial, but have yet to do anything about it. I don’t do any formal exercise but don’t drive so walk a lot.

Changes? Not really! Pushing 60 here and on HRT for the last 5 years. I had to pause it for a few weeks to have an operation so I know I never (NEVER!!!) want to stop taking it.

Biggest improvement is following GP screening which pushed me to lose the extra Covid kilos and keep them off, so I moved from almost type 2 diabetic to almost not pre-diabetic. I walk a huge amount and do pilates every week.

But I've never dyed my hair and only have a few greys around the hairline.

Photos show that I look older but I carry on wearing some of the same styles that suited me 30 years ago and some updated things. Maybe having 2 20something DDs has helped.

And attitude? Well I'm absolutely determined not to become my mother...

I'm 65,weight wise now 9.stone4lb I'm only 5ft2 now a size 12 after years of 8 / 10 , i was always between 8 stone when young and around 8stone9 in 40s and 50s i didn't go down the HRT route as only suffered with hot flushes but manageable, I have a few grey hairs and still have long hair past shoulders, keep thinking should I go shorter but I know it wouldn't suit me. Still love clothing specially sequins this time of the year, but sadly have no wear to wear them.

I’m on HRT, spend a fortune on skincare and see a specialist once a month for additional treatments, weight training, 12-15,000 steps a day and wear a weighted vest, Mediterranean diet, wear clothes and make up my colour palette, spend money on making sure my clothes are properly tailored (an extra inch off a pair of trousers makes a world of difference). I choose this over Botox or fillers etc which I personally believe ages you certainly in the long and often in the short term too.

It doesn't have to be like that! Speak to your doctor about HRT, it was a game changer for me. I've been on it for about 6 years and have no intention of stopping! I'm 58 in the new year and I'm in the best shape of my life. I made a conscious effort about 4 years ago and lost a considerable amount of weight. I think I dress better and look better than I did 10 years ago. Self care is really important and is empowering. You CAN take control, menopause and aging does not have to be all doom and gloom!

Hi op.

I'm 42. Been on HRT for a few months. Game changer for me when it came to itchy skin and sweating. My DH says I'm less angry, which is good!

I've focused on being active generally, weight lifting, sleep, water, lowering stress etc. I must try harder with upping the oily fish.

I spend a lot of time with 18-35 year olds at work and my eldest is 12 now. I think it helps me feel a bit more connected with the times, but I pick and choose my clothes carefully. I have my own style with the occasional nod to fashion. I think confidence helps, which I have more of now than when I was younger. I give less f#@&s about what people I don't know think about me.

Lastly, Korean skincare has really helped my skin glow. If you fancy trying it, maybe just begin with double cleansing first with an oil based cleanser and then a foamy one. I then played around with toner, essence, serum, masks etc. I find it fun. Korean brands don't have to be expensive. I get mine from Amazon (not sorry!).

I'm 49 and nothing has changed for me, in fact I'm in the best shape I've been in for years and yes, it's down to watching what I eat and lifting heavy weights 💪

No sign of peri or meno yet but I sure as hell won't let that define what I wear and how I look. There's no way I'm letting myself go or going down the 'not giving a shit' route 😲

I was lucky in I didn’t have this, I haven’t had a period for a few years now, and thought I cruised through it, but I didn’t, I had a huge increase in cortisol due to fluctuating hormones, which led to a number of health issues, inc weight gain, now all resolved thanks to mounjaro.

so other than the high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and weight gain, nothing changed in terms of my day to day , I wasn’t sweatier, my hair is still long, dyed brunette. I am now back in nice clothes, as bmi 20, sleep 8 hours a night , cortisol under control, cholesterol healthy, and bp normal, work out most days.

i didn’t use hrt, just mounjaro when I couldn’t get out of tje cycle I was in, i have a friend on hrt, and she’s still going through it, hot sweats, weight gain, sleep disruption, anxiety, and she still has periods due to the hrt. I am not convinced it’s a great idea, I am starting to think it just prolongs it. Yes it took a different med for me to get back to normal, but at least it was fast snd it’s done now and I feel great, and I’m period free.

edit to add I’m mid fifties,

I'm 54, not on HRT, don't recognise much of what you posted OP. I'm just an older, greyer version of my previous self but I don't smell and I'm still interested in nice clothes and (occasionally) makeup.

I definitely smell a bit different, I wash a lot!

On HRT and it’s great.

My hair (which has never been amazing, it’s very fine) is dry but still okay. I wish it would hurry up and go properly grey as it’s a slightly crap blend of mouse and grey. Still have it in a bob and will continue to do so for as long as possible.

Skin is dry. I have to use a lot more moisturiser. And I am giving up all forms of powder makeup except a tiny bit of good quality finishing powder. Everything seems to get in my eyes - also dry. need a lot of colour on my cheeks not to look tired.

Style wise i feel more confident to wear things I like and have my own style I guess, but am very conscious of the need to remain current and can see how that can start to slip.

Im slightly overweight for the first time but I think it’s settling back to BMI 25, I’ve suddenly taken up exercising madly and love it so I feel AMAZING! Edited to add - I’m 50

I honestly think it is completely unacceptable for you to feel so sweaty and uncomfortable that you feel like you can’t wear clothes you’d like to and are worried about body odour, sweaty hair and face. You deserve your GP to listen so you can feel like you again.

Body identical HRT such as Oestrogel or patches, utrogesten capsules and vaginal oestrogen tablets to prevent vaginal soreness and UTIs plus testosterone gel changed my life. I never get hot flushes or aching joints, brain fog and that feeling of gloom anymore.

I had soft ombré brows tattoo to boost my thinning brows and a lip blush tattoo to turn my blue lips back to a healthy colour and Botox stops me looking so cross all the time. That really made a difference to my face and may not be for you but a good skincare routine (I use Dr Sam Bunting which is reasonable) is good too.

Do what makes you feel like you again if you can afford to and HRT can be prescribed and an HRT prepayment certificate means it’s only £19 per year.

I am on HRT (gel and mirena coil). It’s very much resolved the sweats, etc and helped my skin (I was getting awful cystic acne).

I got away with it for a long time. Always looked way younger than my age. Had the thickest strongest hair, it was my crowning glory. No wrinkles..

Then meno hit and about half my hair fell out, what was left turned thin and brittle and formed ringlet curls. It's all grey and grows fast so the undies roots make me look bald.

Still no hot flashes or mood swings or any of of that.

So I never got on HRT.

But more recently oh my god, my bones ache, my joints hurt, my hips feel weak, my legs ache in bed at night.

Definitely not my hygiene .
No issues with sweating
Style maybe
Have to keep the 10000 steps a day
Tons of water
No carbs
Shape pretty much the same ( hourglass ) but golly I have to work at it now
Yoga & walk everywhere
Cod liver oil Biotin & iron
Moisturiser everywhere
Refuse to grey blend or go grey
sorry everyone looks older and unkempt - that my opinion. I’m entitled to it .
No HRT
Still dress not to fashion but to suit my shape .
Work demands a fair bit of smart dressing off duty time I pretty much wear what I like
No fast fashion
I like quality so lots of charity shop & eBay
Linings and quality trims etc
Still a size 8-10
Skins Okish wrinkles round eyes due to squinting short sightedness
Never been a sun worshipper Irish Celtic heritage so paler than pale
Sunblock everyday
60 on birthday & will be working until 64/65
Highly paid profession but I work hard at it & never forget how lucky I am to be in the profession I am .
Sorry you asked about peri - well beyond that totally post meno
Best time ever !!!
Still embrace music culture fashion & good times
Actually too busy to give ageing a thought .

I’ve been on HRT for about 8 years because of early onset menopause. I recognise the weight gain and belly pouch. I am careful with what I eat as I notice I easily gain weight (and feel bloated easily).
As for my personal style: I find I’m taking more care of my appearance than I used to. I have long hair and spend more time styling it as I now feel frumpy when my hair isn’t styled well. The same goes for make up and clothes. It’s so easy to look old and frumpy when you’ve reached a certain age, looking frumpy makes me feel bad about myself so I make sure to put on blush and lipstick and wear cloths which flatter me. Flattering cloths can still be comfortable.

Great thread OP. Reading the replies has made me feel I need to look at HRT. Thought I was doing great managing it with diet exercise and supplements had a few symptoms but nothing awful. Always had a healthy diet and very active lifestyle. Now hit 50 and things have ramped up very suddenly. Worse symptoms for me are terrible muscle aches / pains and fatigue that lead to migraines. Sudden weight gain around my middle which has really depressed me as always been very slim. Lesser symptoms are memory loss, brittle nails and hair, blurry vision, dry skin, hot flashes rather than sweats. Feeling of wanting to withdraw from people / loss of confidence. Just scary how quickly it crept up.

I’m 61 and last year stopped dying my hair, it’s now a silver white which loads of people say is lovely. What upsets me though it’s so thin now, it used to be so thick!

I am really struggling tbh. I am 53, had a hysterectomy in Dec 2023 and have put on a lot of weight since. All of it has gone to my waist and boobs. I exercise and eat very well, but it makes very little difference.

Used to be a size 8 only 5 years ago, now a large size 12. Bust gone from a 32 B cup to a 34 E! No idea how to dress this lumpy and fluctuating shape. Wear a lot of elasticated trousers ( the shame!). Currently trying to decide whether to buy a whole new wardrobe or try to fit back into my old clothes. Just bras cost a fortune!

I am on HRT which helps greatly with hot flushes and mood, but seems to make the bloating worse.
On the plus side, my skin is great thanks to Tret and good genes. Don't spend on expensive skin care or cosmetics and wear very little makeup

I’m 70 and have fallen in love with clothes again. I always liked clothes but had an early menopause with a hysterectomy at 44 and no HRT (wish I’d asked for it now). So, I’d always been a slim size 12 and then piled on the weight. Too busy to do anything about it with my job and life!

Retired at 66 and was feeling tired, thinning hair, dry skin, feeling cold, insomnia etc.Was found out to be hypothyroid and started medication. In hindsight these symptoms had been ramping up for years. They’re quite subtle so I put them down to work stress etc

I still didn’t lose weight so have been on Mounjaro for a year and have lost over two stone. So I’m now back to size 12 and loving shopping for clothes and looking (hopefully) stylish again. I use a combo of new and vinted.

I walk and go to the gym - aquarobics and wieights.

I’m not prepared to go grey so I have very subtle highlights and a short cut. Skincare routine is always cleansers and Nivea. Nice very light makeup and good lipstick.

Re the hygiene it’s daily or twice daily showers for me and lots of nice moisturiser.