6 week glow up

[LexiFeatherston]

I have just found out about a reunion that is happening in 6 weeks and I am panicking a bit.
I’m 53 and I have had a really hard few years with caring responsibilities for a sick child and elderly parents and it’s really taken a toll on my face. I know I should not be so shallow but I would like to look less shit.
So, if you had 6 weeks to look better, what would be your tips? I am fit and active so I am
not concerned about my size or body shape, but the rest of me needs some love.

Radio frequency skin tightening
Spa treatments and wraps
Increase collagen intake

Well, fit and active is a brilliant start so good work 👍

Get as much sleep as you can, drink plenty of water, cut right back on caffeine and alcohol. Eat mostly fresh food, plenty of protein at every meal, plenty of fruit and veg. Watch your sugar intake

Products wise, tell us more about your skin type and any concerns you have, like dryness, fine lines, pigmentation etc

I’m wrinkly with peri menopausal reactive skin. So oily with breakouts but dull and dry.
I sound like a right catch don’t I 😆

I think you might benefit from using a salicylic acid toner to help with the oiliness and breakouts. Revolution 2% salicylic acid is a good budget option. Look out for either salicylic acid or BHA toner on the label

Remember to use an SPF every day - a separate product, don't rely on any SPF in your make up or moisturiser

Longer term, you might want to think about some specialist prescribed skincare via an online company like Dermatica or Skin & Me. That's a marathon though, not a sprint - results would take months rather than weeks

Up your water intake, cut out sugar and refined carbs, and sleep as much as possible.

Get a really good haircut and colour that you love, and an outfit that you feel excellent in. That will boost your confidence, which is the key to all things.

I think I have some salicylic acid from The Ordinary in a drawer somewere. I shall dig it out and get some collagen too.
Sleep I can't do much about as DC requires assistance at night, but I could book a facial maybe to try and replicate 8 hours of sleep!
Thanks for the nudges. I'll make a plan.

Don't bother with collagen supplements, they're a scam. You get the same results in a more healthy way by eating more protein

Enjoy your reunion!

Water - drink it like it’s your job. Will help with the dull, dry skin.

As will a hydrating moisturiser - and be consistent with it. You could add a Vitamin C serum in the morning for brightness. Whatever they’ve got in the nearest Boots to you - their own in this range is nice:

https://www.boots.com/boots-vitamin-c-and-hyaluronic-acid-serum-30ml-10336309?traffic=paid.shopping&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21096115648&gbraid=0AAAAA-AdmwQMIuudhjoyd1-KANUhv0Nv6&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIucmixcHFkwMVwaJQBh0z_yIsEAQYAiABEgKcWfD_BwE

Maybe get your hair done or at least give it some love at home with treatments/masks - and a blow-dry on the day of the reunion!

Start with a very basic routine! A gentle cleanser, a ceramide/fatty acid-rich moisturizer, and sunscreen. You can then add a low strength retinoid at night (2-3 times/week only) to gradually improve texture/brightness. In the final 1 to 2 weeks consistency matters more than new products. Don't forget proper sleep & hydration too. Hope this helps!

Definitely get your hair done just before the event - at least a blow dry. It’ll make you feel more put together.

Oh, you sound like you've really had a lot on your plate. I've also done the caring for elderly parents and it can really take a toll on you. I'd suggest May be consider having some botox, get a spray tan, get your nails done. Wear a lovely outfit in colours that suit you. And enjoy your reunion, I bet others will be feeling just as nervous as you!

Sleep

Water

Minimal sugar + white carbs, maximum fruit + veg + protein

Fresh air

Sauna (or time in steamy showers)

Good moisturiser

A little shimmery bronzer + decent under-eye concealer

Get a haircut that suits you that you can style yourself. Get a clear gloss treatment. Shiny, healthy hair in a nice style makes a big difference.

Eat healthy, at least one food containing plenty of beta carotene a day. Sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, pumpkin. Lots of water. Cut down on alcohol.

Sunscreen, a retinoid at night and Vitamin C serum in the morning. Maybe consider a treatment like nanoneedling. It's like microneedling, but with little silicone nubs instead of needles that don't go as far into the skin but it left me glowing for nearly a week.

Caregiving really takes it out of you. I hope you enjoy your reunion

Right there with you on the caring responsibilities and a reunion in a similar timeframe - I wonder if its the same one?

Body: My plan is to actually use the exfoliating cloths and body lotions that I already have. And start to practice using the fake tan too. I've also got a foot peel so I'm going to do that too and paint my toenails.

Face: I'm mid 50s, I've just got the L'Oreal Triple Serum which I'm thrilled with, 4 days in and my age spots are fading and my skin looks much better. I'm also going to try to use my Gua Sha as I think my face looks puffy and saggy.

Hair: I get it cut every 8 weeks and my next one falls about a week before the reunion. I haven't dyed it since before Xmas, so it is very overdue, I reckon I can dye it 3 times before the reunion (I use an extremely gentle dye which tints my grey hairs blonde/caramel whilst leaving the my darker colour untouched). I've recently bought Aussie SOS Supercharged Repair Mask which is excellent on fine frizzy wavy hair.

Nails: a thread earlier today recommended Manucurist Blur treatment so I'm going to treat myself to that.

I'm also going to increase my water intake and make sure that I am well rested.

I changed my skincare regime recently and now exfoliate once a week, use retinol twice per week and use vitamin c serum and moisturiser in the mornings and a decent night cream in the evenings. I was surprised at how quickly this evened out my skin tone and a small burst vein on my cheek is now barely visible. I went for a facial a few weeks ago and the facialist said she wouldn’t try and upsell me any products because my skin was already in excellent condition so it clearly was working as I had a tendency to dry skin.

Lots of very good advice above.

Eat well. No booze. Lots of water.

Facial a month before meeting and then another a day or two before so your skin looks at it's best. Cut and blow dry on the day if poss.

Nice CC cream like erborian, and some blush drops and a bit of gloss to give you a bit of a glow. Neat nails with a neutral polish. Classy outfit.

Remember everyone else will have aged too. Enjoy it, as when you smile you always look better!

Do you have a dentist, @LexiFeatherston? It’s one thing that can be neglected in the midst of caring responsibilities - often because there’s no money left to look after yourself.

If you can access one, and need anything doing, this might be the best use of time and money over the next six weeks.

I’d add in green smoothies every day and yoga a few times a week. It is enough time to help your posture. Face masks weekly leading up. I wouldn’t add retinol this soon before.

Sorry! I wasn't ignoring anyone, I just forgot about the post for a few days.

Thanks for all your advice. My skin doesn't like retinols it seems, my skin post-meno is so reactive to everything. I could probably get a facial and some fake tan though. Any recs for easy to apply, non-patchy or orange ones?
Also anyone with any tips for making eye bags look less horrendous?

I appreciate all the 'cut our sugar and alcohol' posts but I am not sure I can do that right now, I live on adrenalin and refined sugar. Don't deprive me of my only treats 😆

I don't know quite when I lost myself in these last few years. I definitely need to be a bit kinder to myself for sure.

@PublicHare that would be a coincidence! I can recommend the Manicurist active bright - it has made my anxiously bitten nails look better. I am looking at the blur one too as I rate their products.

@murkydepths I so like a CC cream so will check the Eborian one out, thank you

@Appalonia sorry that you've been there too, I hope you have managed to get some time back for you now

@potplantsinparadise I do love a sauna. Maybe I can just make my bathroom really steamy instead.

The masks you can get for under eyes make a slight improvement but don’t fix the problem. Lifting facials like Guinot or CACI can help their appearance for a couple of days but once the skin’s lost it’s elasticity only smiling or surgery that really work to lift the eye bags! Face yoga is supposed to help too.

if you can’t cut out sugar (and with Easter coming up, can’t blame you!) but try and reduce it or swap it for savoury treats you enjoy. Your skin really will look better for it.

And what I definitely must not do is cut in a panic fringe. A fringe will not make my life better goddammit!