What has made a real difference to your style and beauty?

[Darkdiamond]

Just that really? What have you done that has really worked or that you can't go without? A product or habit or anything that you think has really helped you to look better. I am just in a bit of a rut and want some inspiration! Thanks!

Losing over 15 stone and going from size 28/30 to size 12

1. GLP1s - lost 7 stone plus and it's made me feel so much better in and about myself.
2. Pilates - mat and reformer, two to three times per week.
3. Colour and style analysis (have had to replace my entire wardrobe and felt unsure what suited me). The consultant I went to is positivity in human form and I came away feel so good about myself. And that's carried on.
4. Linked to above - really thinking about how to work my style analysis (dramatic natural) into what I'm actually drawn to. It's a mix of trendy art teacher, dark academic (but within my colour palette) and land girl which sounds odd but I feel like me.
5. Good skincare. I have expensive tastes but TK Maxx suprisingly good for excellent brands such as MZ Skin and Omorovicza. Actives from Medik8.
6. Going back to my natural hair colour and not minding that there are some greys.
7. Brow-shaping and tinting.

That sounds a lot but mostly enjoyable and compared to about three years ago I feel so much more like 'me'!

This thread is really good, I’ve learned some new things and agree with everything above.

In the last 3-4 years, I’ve lost almost 7 stone, much of it gained in peri-menopause, which has taken years off me, both in the way I look and the way I feel. I’m now able to dress exactly how I want, and I feel so much more confident. I started on my own, then used Mounjaro, but now I’m keeping it off by focussing on protein and fruit/veg.

I’ve also given up alcohol, it just wasn’t agreeing with me, and it has been transformational, as I feel less anxiety (morning after issues worrying about whether I’d offended anyone), sleep is better and general wellbeing. At first I worried that I wouldn’t be fun, but that doesn’t seem to have happened, I’ve still got me sense of adventure. I also look less haggard..

I’m 54, but I don’t feel it (or look it if others are to be believed), but I think my mindset is firmly on the ‘I’m not going to live my life in a way that’s dictated’. My style has always been quite adventurous, but I did go through a phase of trying to ‘fit in’ when conscious about my size. Now, I wear what I love, not just like. I have fun with expressing myself with clothes /style, and often get compliments. However, I’m not doing it for that, I’m dressing because I like to do it, I feel happy when I mix styles, colours, proportions and that I might not have tried before. I think it’s important that our style is a reflection of who we are, and that means we don’t look the same as others, we embrace difference and enjoy that.

I love your username 😆, Hyacinth

• Mounjaro - losing 7 stone has made a massive difference, and means I can...
• Exercise - doing pilates twice a week and yoga twice a week has transformed my posture and gait, strength training has given me shape
• Drinking water - at least 2 litres a day, really shows in my skin
• Vinted - my style is more experimental and creative as a result of not feeling like everything is An Investment.
• Using a green Korean exfoliating cloth in the shower - once a week after a soak in the bath. Astonishingly disgustingly good
• Body lotion every day, religiously - Nivea 48 hour stuff is my fave
• Nyx eyebrow pencil - very natural looking, so easy to use, yet allows me to create really sculptural brows. My brows look way more considered and expensive than they are.
• Maybelline Sky High mascara - I've been on a lifelong mission to find the perfect mascara, price no object, and Maybelline wins. The plum colour is divine with my blue eyes.
• Jones Road Miracle Balm - this is absolute marmite, loads of people HATE it and its texture, but used as a tinted highlighter down my cheekbones and on the apples of my cheeks makes me look so fresh, glowy and alive.
• SPF50 on face, always - I don't have a favourite brand, but the Ambre Solaire serum-consistency ones are great for not being sticky and shiny.

my beloved revlon root booster… it is the best thing i’ve ever bought
£27.99 from boots - it’s like the big hairdryer one but a much smaller barrel, like a small round brush

just dry my hair 90% of the way and 15 mins of that and my hair is perfect for 5 days! great as i have very thick, coarse hair

I use the same hair oil as @Belladog1 ,it also smells nice!

During the pandemic I started really dressing for me, wearing what I enjoyed the most. It may or may not flatter. I feel like a kid/teen again, getting dressed is fun!

Spending proper money on getting highlights and a good haircut. Good conditioner.

Losing weight (MJ).

Exercise, esp. load bearing and with weights (ie. yoga, weightlifting, bouldering) to get toned and feel good in my own skin.

Spending money on a smaller number of high-quality pieces rather than a large number of poorly-made cheap pieces which don't suit me. Being realistic about whether a piece of clothing would look good on me rather than being nice in its own right. Getting clothes tailored by local dressmakers to make them fit properly (see weight loss).

Sheer and glowy make-up rather than thick and pasty.

No booze, lots of water.

Sleep and magnesium glycinate.

Tret, sunscreen, good moisturiser, saunas. Fresh air.

Stylish flats rather than heels (too old for any of that now).

Not giving a toss whether men think I look good.

Microneedling my face at home. I've only done it 3 times so far (with 4 weeks between sessions) but my lines have softened loads. I'm 39 soon.

Losing a load of weight meant I had to start from scratch with clothes. I lived in leggings and tshirts for a few months til I was at the weight I wanted to be, then I deliberately thought hard about what I wear, what shapes/colours/fabrics/styles suited me, etc. And now I am very very strict with buying - only things that go with my wardrobe and existing things I own, that I will definitely get wear out of, that's decent quality (via Vinted, often). My clothes feel more like a uniform now in a way that I like, and I feel like I look a bit more myself because of it!

So both losing weight and getting to build an entire wardrobe from scratch. And retinol!

I have very dark hair (looks almost black) and since my teens have used black mascara, black eyebrow pencil, black eyeliner, because I thought I should…..swapped all those for a dark brown on the advice of a friend, they didn’t look THAT much lighter in the shop, so ok….but holy hell, it looks so much more natural and less harsh on my 45 year old face lol , it’s made such a difference, but I never would have thought it!

Hope it's ok to say this but that is seriously impressive, well done!

Tretinoin
african net cloth for the shower
naturium glycolic shower gel

I forgot to mention that I have also been using Korean protein bonding hair products. They’re amazing. I have kind of adapted Abby Young and Professor Blowout’s advice to suit my cat hair fine hair, but with quality products that suit me and my budget. My hair is longer, stronger and healthier now than it was in my 20’s and 30’s. I have also stopped getting foils. My hair is honey blonde and it’s actually a nicer colour without them. I think they have been washing me out as well as damaging my hair.

Could you share products please? My hair sounds really similar and im
yet to find the holy grail of products

I do most of these things already but one thing that hasn’t been mentioned is fake tan. In this weather it just transforms me. Just makes my legs, arms and especially feet look miles better.

I’m currently wearing Birkenstocks with nice brown feet and shocking pink toes. Without nail varnish and fake tan they would resemble the feet of a corpse.

I wear St Tropez bronzing mousse - slap it on before bed and wash it off in the morning. Lasts about a week. In the winter I use a gradual tan like Gatineau but it’s not strong enough for this heat wave.

Seriously impressed with all those people that have shifted so much weight. I’d like to go from 11 stone to 10 stone and I can’t seem to shift much at all.

For those of you who use Tretinoin, where do you get it from?

@Overtheatlantic candlelit suppers hide everybody's flaws 😉🤣

I think a couple of people have mentioned fake tan and this is one of mine also.

I am mid journey. So far:

quit alcohol
upped skincare and stopped being scared of the more treatment type ones
vitamin c serum
fake tan drops on face at night
red lip
nude kohl around eyes to brighten
generally doing make up each day
eating fruit
starting to get back to my more edgy style versus drab mum
fasting
losing 3 stone

to do list:
another stone to lose
eye bag cream
exercise other than walking (weights?)
hair oil recommended above
korean cloth recommended above
continue developing (redeveloping) style
slick back hair once weight gone!

Swimming in the sea every day and giving up meat.

I've lost three stone, have SO much energy and feel 10 years younger.

Losing weight. Nice quality clothes. Bright colours. Hair coloured regularly. Nails/brows tinted/lash lift. Modern glasses. Retinol face masks. Lots of water. Lots of fruit/veg/lean protein. Regular facials.

Daily yoga
No alcohol
Bed by 10
Doing as many things I love as possible

I had my eyebrows and eyeliner microbladed. Best decision ever!

Quite a few of us mentioned fake tan @Moveoverdarlin !

I agree with you. I always thought it was such a faff, but got progressively more interested when DD wore it. I feel a million times better wearing it.

I use Bare by Vogue clear mousse. It’s brilliant - I had used the normal mousse but I did hate waiting for it to develop, then showering. The clear mousse doesn’t need to be washed off; it’s not as deep a tan, so I find you need to use it a few times (like 2 - 3 separate times) to get a deep enough colour but it lasts great, especially if you use the Bare by Vogue gradual daily tan in addition.

Wearing what I want instead of the school mum's uniform, no judgement if that's what you like but it really wasn't me. So I wear my band t-shirts, dungarees, Hannah the Plumber trousers and Docs, have pink hair, tattoos and piercings and completely comfortable 😍