Turning 50 - what can I do to make myself feel better

[birdsintrees]

I’m fifty soon. Not been feeling great about it but have decided to use it as an excuse to do lots of beauty stuff. I’ve contacted someone to try Botox for the first time. Got some nice oil and cream to try and sort my hands and nails out. My hair is alright at the moment, I have a good hairdresser. Don’t know what else to do really, I’ve never really bothered. Get a make up consultation? I don’t wear it at the moment but maybe something basic? Would love any suggestions to get me to feel a bit better about being fifty years old (why does it feel so much older than 49?!)

How is your fitness? Could you start a new class or type of sport? I think being fit and healthy makes you look better than makeup can.

Could be better! I have a health issue that makes exercising hard but I’d like to commit to walking every day and some careful resistance work

am 48 and I look 63. Did not expect life to treat me this way.
Goodluck @birdsintrees No advice Just wishing you strength

I don't go out without make up ever! Am older than you by a long way though. 50 is nothing!

I suggest you try a make over at maybe a Bobbi Brown counter, Clinique, Laura Mercier, who all focus on looking natural.

At the minimum you should try a light foundation, blusher , eye pencil and lipstick/balm and make sure your eyebrows are visible but not like slugs!

You could try watching some online videos like Lisa Eldridge and Hannah Martin. They both do videos for older women.

Once you know what to do with make up you can then consider cheaper brands for the same effect.

Re. Botox etc- my advice is that you see a good practitioner, either a doctor or dentist and don't decide on Botox upfront. You need a consultation where they advise what you need. I've never had Botox. I have had some very light fillers to cheeks and nose-mouth lines but so subtle no one can tell. No one. Not even my kids. There are so many treatments now - look at the website Tweakments by Alice Hart Davis.

Also clean up your diet.
Eat loads of good fats- almonds, avocado, oily fish, seeds like flax and chia etc.

Of course treat yourself. Good skin products and a little tweek can make a huge difference.
Sadly it's not just our skin that loses its glow as we age.
Exercise is vital. Fresh air will help your skin. KEEP OUT THE SUN I can't shout loud enough.
On the mental side from my own experience I reminded myself if all the great things about maturity. You don't have to worry so much what others think, you get to trust your well honed instincts and you know what you like and don't like.
A make up do over can be great. We sometimes mistakenly keep using the same make up style, and getting older means lightening up. Believe me, tge right make up can take years off you.
Enjoy this new decade. Some are not privilaged enough to make it this far.

I would recommend getting your nails done once a month with biab, along with the above advice.

How’s your weight, being under or overweight is the most ageing thing, the big belly and matronly bust, or the gaunt face from underweight.

im afraid I think the time for Botox has passed, that’s 30s and 40s. After this it just looks like a face of two halves and is unnatural looking.

instead, do good skin care, be fully hydrated, 3 litres of water a day, minimal alcohol, a good healthy diet, and exercise. It really does start from within,

then good make up, you want to look like you but better, I swear by Victoria Beckham the drops, like your skin but better and a dewy natural blurred look.

hair, how’s your hair, make sure it is in good condition snd and a good flattering style, if it is coloured make sure it’s fresh looking.

then clothes, ensure you wear good quality clothes, in a style you like, that fit properly, aim for elegant with a nod to current. Wide leg trousers, silk tops, midi dresses, etc,

as long as the overall look os fresh, healthy, glowly, fit, and current, you will look and feel great.

Honestly you don’t need to do much. Fifty is a great time, you have more confidence in yourself, worry less about what other people think of you, expect to be taken notice of. All of these translate into how you look to other people. What makes people attractive is confidence and good health. Work on those and the rest won’t matter.

Wellwoman 50+ vitamins
Reduce dramatically your alcohol intake if you drink much
Quit vaping or smoking if you do either of those
Get updated bloods done, check vit D levels
Drink plenty of water
Reduce Sugar intake
Polish your jewellery
Glycolic toner and double cleansing

@PenelopePritstop Can I ask you about your filler? Are you pleased with it? What do you feel it is doing for you? Which type of filler is it, how much did you have put in?

I got a style analysis, ie what body shape I am, what clothes would suit in terms of style and colour. Mine included make-up recommendations as well. Made a world of difference to me.

I am 50 next week op and since March have started proper weight lifting and training, lost some weight and got blood tests done to check my hb1ac/liver/kidney/thyroid. All good but am going into my 50's knowing l am fit and healthy .

Have decided to get a restyle haircut too - never really done makeup so can't help there!!

Yes, of course. I've had my cheeks done several times starting in my late 50s and it lasted about 18 months each time. At the moment there is none in my cheeks as I think they are okay.

I've had my nose to mouth lines done and the marionette lines (that's when your mouth droops at the corners and you get sagging, from your mouth to your jaw.)

The effect is looking just a bit less tired. Especially the droopy mouth corners.

I have very minimal amount of filler. One syringe is 1 ml does both the nose-mouth and the mouth to jaw.

I am very pleased. It's called Teoxane - it's one of the best for a natural look and 'moves' rather than being stiff. It's basically hyaluronic acid.

I only go to qualified doctors/ dentists. The first was a dual qualified dentist/ + qualified doctor, and the second is a dental surgeon trained in aesthetics. They work in very hygienic medical grade premises and know all the veins and arteries etc of the face that mustn't be injected.

Early 50s here. I lost a load of weight and look years younger. I do Pilates at a studio and free weights at home. I had a colour and style analysis which was amazing in terms of my confidence as well as helping me to rebuild my wardrobe in new (smaller) clothes that I love.

I'm also paying more attention to my skincare - adding in Vit C serum and Tretinoin. No fillers or Botox as I'm happy to age but I want to look as good as I can. Getting my HRT balanced has helped too.

And of course, turning 50 really was the end of having absolutely any f*cks left to give!

Right now, I feel better than I ever have. Have a brilliant birthday!

I would likely take baby steps rather than making major changes immediately. Something as simple as a haircut and some clothes you truly enjoy can make all the difference. Perhaps give yourself the chance to wear something that you usually wouldn’t. And remember, celebrating turning 50 requires an extra special treatment, not a fix!

I will be 70 later this week. Over the last year I have lost 3 stone and revamped my wardrobe. I have also started to exercise very seriously with a mixture of weights, yoga and spin classes. The arthritis which was a big problem last year is now not causing any problems and I look and feel much better. One thing that made a very significant difference was a make up makeover at John Lewis. I had no idea that the new foundations are very light and give a glowing effect, that lip pencil and oil together make my lips look luscious and that I needed so much eye makeup to look natural. It was free because I spent (well over) £45 and very worth doing. Before, my makeup just lookedlike me, wearing makeup. Now I look like I am glossed and enhanced, this really was the best bit of my transformation. My hairdresser is really good and I wear my hair quite long but with layers around the bottom, keeping it in really good condition helps too.

Great outcome and the weight loss.

Out of interest which brand did your make up? Or was it a consultation using all brands?

I agree that looking natural with make up often means using many products!

I don't usually use powder but find Laura Mercier ultra fine illuminating Blur powder amazing. It really does make your skin look flawless but not powdered.

One of my friends believes that the best de-ager is to stay slim. Not skeletal but a healthy weight and toned.

Hair cut and colour.

Stay/get as fit as possible.

if you put on weight around your middle (as many do) get some new clothes that work for your new shape rather than wearing clothes than dig in in all the wrong places

I don’t drink or smoke and I’m not over weight

interesting that it’s too late for Botox. I always said I would not get it but thought it might just take the edge off lines a bit.

I will look at John Lewis and get some nice things

It's not too late for Botox- not sure why poster said that. There is no evidence for that.

If you want to use things like fillers, Botox, medical grade microneedling, and loads of other things available, it's best to see a good cosmetic dr to discuss what works.

Botox is just one of many treatments.

Rather than deciding you need Botox, you need to decide which bits of your face you aren't happy with and the dr would advise what can be done! So if you said 'hooded eyes' or 'saggy jaw' or 'flat cheeks' or 'under eye bags' the treatment would all be different.

I've not had Botox but have friends in their early 60s who do - it's fine if you need it.

You will glow if you’re wearing the right colours for you. I had an in- person colour analysis last year aged 63, which was good fun and gave me a lot of creative inspiration going forward. My usual colours (which were very close to how I was eventually typed) had been looking a bit harsh for a few years. I think when we’re younger the effect of colour isn’t as noticeable, but as we age, the right colours can really make a difference.

Also, get your eyebrows professionally shaped, or do them yourself if you’re confident. Makes such a difference to your face if your eyebrows look tidy.

It’s not too late for Botox at all

I’m 50 next month, I had a plan to be fit at 50 so I have lost weight (probably a stone still to go) and I’ve started yoga and couch to 5k. This has led to needing a wardrobe upgrade so I have concentrated on styles and colours that suit me with a bit of help from chat gpt.
Facially I make sure I get my eyebrows and the stray hairs that pop up elsewhere threaded and I have eventually found moisturisers that suit my skin. I’d be interested in knowing which brand did your makeover @Astrabees as I have not had much luck in the past (although years ago) and this might be useful for me update my makeup routine.
My greys are covered but my hair is lighter than my previous dark brown as that seems too harsh now, I am considering hair extensions as well although it’s just been in a claw clip in the hot weather.

@yikes I've just looked at the JL website and the beauty makeovers are using all brands, not one in particular.

I find great enjoyment in seeking out the most beautiful clothes (shoes, accessories, yoga and swimwear) I can afford / access.

Once I no longer needed sharp black suits I spent years and years adjusting to a more informal wardrobe. And then had to find new sources when Raey@Matches died. It’s still a work in progress - ChatGPT is calling my recent purchases ‘luxury scarecrow’.

Interesting to hear @Astrabees’ JL cosmetics makeover. (But I wouldn’t look there for clothes.)

Your fifties are great if you’re able to look after your health and fitness. But sixties are way better!