Right - if I was a famous film star I'd defo have a facelift. I'm not and so won't be. How else can I save my ravaged face?

[itchyandscratchy]

I'm 41 and really starting to look and feel it. Everything seems to have sagged and I look tired and OLD.

I have place skin, not too many wrinkles round the eyes but my face looks saggy and I have lines around my mouth that give me Deputy Dawg cheeks. Man, I sound fine

I use Protect and Perfect every day and Chanel Vitalumthingy foundation but think I prefer Mac so will buy some stuff on Fri when I go shopping.

Any tips for improving face? Beauty routines and make-up tips gratefully received!
Do any of the face creams that say they lift and rejuvinate actually work?

[itchyandscratchy]

Chabel FFS!

[noddyholder]

I like clinique almost make up mixed with a bit of the superdrug stuff looks v natural but still gives good coverage in teh summer

[FloraT]

Sorry to be a pessimist but all this talk about trying to head off ageing is a lost cause. If you're worrying when you're in your 40s, just wait till you're past the menopause when everything just seems to head south really quickly. No point in spending a ton on it, creams etc, DO NOT work (read Ben Goldacre's 'Bad Science'), face lifts might improve things initially but in time they're not enough because other parts of the body show their age. We just have to get used to the idea that we all get to look old eventually - if not, we'd see really young looking (rather than cosmetically raddled) ancient celebs, since they have the money to spend on it. It's certainly not fun getting old, especially in this beauty-obsessed world we live in, and when it starts to happen you begin to understand how all those old people who went before you felt in the years when you were feeling smugly young. Look at all the old folk around you - that's how they are feeling right now - they hate how they look! All you can do is try to eat healthily, not smoke, look after your appearance without being obsessive, keep your weight down and exercise moderately. And either accept it and enjoy life while you've got it or be miserable forever!

[itchyandscratchy]

FloraT That's what I'm doing: looking after my appearance without being obsessive. I know I'm not going to get a miracle cure - neither do I want one really (the facelift comment was tongue-in-cheek). Just after some advice about looking after my skin better and heading off a bit of sagging. I'm well aware that we live in a world that has a fucked up attitude to age.

But just look at our mothers and grandmothers at our age - they probably looked ancient, whereas we tend to look after ourselves a bit more nowadays and, as long as we're not being muttony about it, I don't see what's wrong with a bit of personal grooming.

Your post comes across as a teeny bit patronising.

[jujumaman]

Although most of it is down to genes I don't think I look too wrinkly at 40, though this may just be because my eyesight is failing I swear by Eve Lom cleanser (don't dare switch to the oil cleansing method even though it's probably exactly the same and far cheaper), Estee Lauder advanced night repair day and night under moisturiser - apparently they're about to launch a new version which will be even more effective. Becca luminous skin tint is a tinted moisturiser - looks incredibly natural but makes an enormous a difference. Strixaderm moisturisers and eye cream. None of these are cheap but a lot less than a face lift and you won't look like an alien as a result of using them.

[itchyandscratchy]

I decided to give the Clinique stuff a try after a very relaxing pamper at the Selfridges counter. Bought the 3 stage skincare range and some foundation and airbrush eye stuff. Got lots of freebies too!

So far my skins seems fine on it - no adverse reactions and feels nice and smooth and very clean. The foundation is very good and gives good coverage and a dewy finish - hurrah!

[FloraT]

Sorry, itchyandscratchy, didn't at all mean to sound patronising . There's nothing wrong with trying to look after your skin and make the most of your appearance. It's just that, sadly, I've got a bit further down the line and now see that the expensive creams that claim to reduce sagging etc. just don't work and we women are lining the pockets of the manufacturers in our quest to keep age at bay.
(Actually I wouldn't mind a facelift myself but know it would just keep me happy temporarily!)
Glad you found some skincare and foundation that works well for you

[BobtheWoodmouse]

Also watchng this thread with interest - I'm mid-40s and have become invisible, particularly next to my gorgeous teenage DD

Anyone had any success with diet - the Dr Perricone facelift one?

Something that I have discovered when doing webcalls to DH (I am on holiday and he is back home) is that my face sinks and frowns when I'm on the computer and I have to perk up a bit when the webcam is on. So I have started to leave the webcam switched on when I am on the computer so that I can see myself frowning, slouching etc. LOL, it sounds a bit narcissistic but it does help, even it it's just a self-awareness check.

I agree with another poster - there's not a lot you can do, just keep healthy and slim, exercise and keep interested and have things to look forward to and be aware of good posture. Keep moving and animated and smile, everyone wrinkles then Maybe re-think clothes, makeup and hair. I am terrified of succumbing to a frumpy middle-aged hair-do - it seems to happen to everyone.

I've got to stop myself going oooh everytime I get out of a chair - all the little signs of ageing

[itchyandscratchy]

FloraT - No worries ()

Bob- I'm so with you on that one! Dh and I have promised to stop one another from doing running commentaries of 'old people' noises when we get up/sit down/wait for the kettle to boil/walk into a room, etc etc.

[applepudding]

Anothermum92 mentioned 'frownies'. I've often seen ads for these. Has anybody used them and do they work?

[FloraT]

Are those your facial exercises itchyand scratchy?

I've noticed that when I'm looking serious in photos i.e. just normal, I look rather old and disapproving (especially if I have to look over the top of reading specs to focus on someone) so now realise why so many older ladies go around with a kind of beatific look on their faces - makes you look younger when you smile!
(trouble is it can also make you a bit of a nutter, grinning at nothing)

[DrNortherner]

Not read thread so apologies if repeating, but buy some frownies, they really do work.

[BobtheWoodmouse]

I&S - as well as noises, also general 'older person' remarks - I'm trying to ban myself from saying them "in my day..." "when I was a young/a girl/..." "these days..." "you young things..." etc and try and avoid any reference to my age (this thread excluded of course

Flora - yes, that is me - my natural default expression is old and disapproving and quite miserable really, even when I'm perfectly happy. I've been trying out different expressions when I'm out and about - I'lll be one of those beatific ladies you've seen

[TheScatterGunApproach]

this is embarrassing but...I put a strip of surgical tape on my forehead before bed (and after marital relations...)

I wake up without those lines across my forehead that make me look like an angry old bag.

I'm a big believer in sleeping your your back to avoid wrinkles but I can't seem to do it so I got one of those silk pillowcases instead.

[BobtheWoodmouse]

^^ oooh yes scattergun, sleeping on your back, forgot to mention that one. I've been trying that, prefer sleeping on my side though even though my face gets all squished like a hamster in a jam jar. I've heard about silk pillow cases helping, must try and track one down, thanks for that reminder.

[winnie09]

I am about to hit 40 and I look at myself and no longer recognise myself. I am watching this thread with interest.

However, have to say, I looked my best when I was following WWW on mn

[sybilfaulty]

Oh Winnie, I LOVED 10 years younger thread and posted there a lot (under a different name). Alas, when WWW took a back seat at the end of last year and stopped posting on MN much I was just about to have a baby and so lost touch with the thread and with her. I am gutted that the thread now doesn't exist anymore

I know WWW posts on MN but not very much. WWW, would you be prepared to revive the thread for us???? It wouldn't be the same without her and I used to love reading what she was eating.

[winnie09]

sybilfaulty, please tell me who you are! I would love that thread to be restart but only with WWW. I've not been on MN for some time and miss a lot of people who were regulars here since the start

It was a very sensible, realistic approach to looking after yourself, boosting ones confidence and well being. I loved it too

[earthpixie]

I've started putting a drop of frankinscense oil in my night cream. It's meant to be a great skin toner and rejuvenator and my skin does feel a little tighter after massaging it in. Rose oil is also renowned for helping aging skin.

I don't use blusher myself but I've noticed how, when well-applied, it really adds a gorgeous bloom to people's faces and takes years off them. I'm not talking about two fuschia tramlines along the 'cheekbones' but that dewy pink flush that clever make-up bods do.

Wear facial sunscreen every single day. Drink loads of water - it really does plump up your skin (your lips will be soft and plump if you're hydrated enough). Eat avocados and oily fish and other such wonder foods. Smile - I look a decade younger is I smile and ready for my pension when I look glum!

[earthpixie]

if I smile

[sybilfaulty]

Winnie - I was Chutney Mary. The 10 YY thread inspired me to get a Moron pedo, drink lots of water, less wine and more F anf V. Wonderful stuff.

I will put out a call for WWW tonight. Also miss Marina, Norks, Bundle, L&S, Saggars and others from that thread.

[Sayyesmummy]

This is a good thread! Am currently eating loads of salmon, avocados etc, drinking pomegranate juice, water, herbal teas....

Has anyone tried a jade roller? meant to improve facial circulation & hence make us look nicer!!

[Sayyesmummy]

What's a moron pedo sybil?

[sybilfaulty]

It is this little number

Tell it your weight and stride length and it will reward you by telling you how far you have done, how many fast steps you took (ie the ones to really shift the lard) and how this compares to previous days. I find it really motivating. Also very accurate.

I will put out the call for WWW now.