Help! I need a glow up but don’t know where to start.

[scotchpotch]

Help! I’ve always been a fit, slim healthy person but over the past 10 years, disability struck and I’ve gained approx 4 stone because of this and medication.

I’m mid 50s, tall and a size 14-16 apple shape. One thing I do have is a decent pixie cut, though my hair is fine and has thinned (due to meds). But I don’t feel confident in my skin any more. I’ve got jowls, my previously long neck has started to crepe and I’ve got jowls and baggy eyes. I’m very fair, which doesn’t help! I have no idea how to dress for my shape and my typical wardrobe consists of baggy culottes, baggy tops and sack like dresses that I try and hide under. I feel like a monster! Where do I start?

Hi OP. Your body changed because life changed, health changed, medication changed. I’d start small & focus on things that make you feel better rather than trying to completely transform overnight. Your pixie cut is already a huge advantage because a good haircut carries so much presence! For thinning hair, look for ingredients like caffeine/niacinamide/peptides/panthenol rather than heavy oils that flatten fine hair. For skin, focus on making skin look healthier & fresher. A gentle retinoid can make a much bigger visible difference than aggressive treatments, also a ceramide moisturizer. Very fair skin also tends to look amazing with soft color contrast in clothing. Structured but relaxed clothing usually works beautifully on apple shapes. Hope this helps!

Thank you for replying, that’s kind advice! I have rosacea and use azeleic acid cream which seems to have improved some fine lines, which is a welcome side effect! I use cerave face wash and PM moisturiser, then I put a tinted moisturiser with SPF50 on top. Could you explain a bit more about what structured but relaxed clothing means? I’m apparently a ‘true summer’ if that helps. Crikey, I sound like such a novice!!

2 things:

Firstly - would your disability preclude all yoga? If not, even the gentlest practice will increase strength and help with how you hold yourself - which obviously makes a difference to how one looks and feels in clothes.

Secondly - how’s your diet? A weekly veg box (buy all the avocados) will absolutely add ‘glow’. And salmon can also be miraculous.

BTW your wardrobe sounds wonderfully ‘on trend’!

Would you say you’re more:

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women

or:

https://www.toa.st/

or something else entirely?

https://kemitelford.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqZil_LCEAhjtPt9597arwGy--Qu2ZfxBogYNPtIncmz6b3zzZW

is usually well received on MN - lovely dresses to ‘hide’ in.

Yes I’m afraid yoga isn’t possible. Good to hear I’m on trend…I think I try and hide under clothes that are too big but they actually make me look bigger. I can get out and walk though, I probably need to try and do more of that!

My diet is pretty good, loads of veg, fish, pulses, I drink loads of water etc but my weaknesses are cheese and tea, I could do with cutting down on those for sure! I was also thinking about teeth whitening so I’ll ask my dentist about that. I just want to feel a pride in my appearance and not dumpy and frumpy.

Probably the second one is more my style, I don’t have anything that wide legged though. V necks are better on me as I’m large chested. A good bra might be a good start? I usually wear a baggy t shirt over trousers. I do love barrel cropped jeans, but I’m too fat for mine at the moment.

I think you are being very hard on yourself. A 14/16 especially on a tall woman isn’t fat. Your body deserves acceptance and love. I began my glow up with my eyebrows and tretinoin. 🌷

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