How do I look less haggard and worn out?

[MoonMagic]

I have aged 10 years in the past 5 years - I look stressed and worn. My face looks thin and baggy. I don't have "jowls" but that area is slighty baggy and I am rather sharp lipped too

The problem is mainly around my mouth and lower cheeks, I have a pained look, it's not nice!

I am a light make up wearer (tinted moisturiser and mascara), and do scrub up well - so all is not bad!

Suggestions?

Regarding water, IME drinking 2 litres a day does make a dramatic difference to how good your skin looks.

It worked for me anyway, it did more for my skin than anything I put on it! And a lot cheaper, even though I got through gallons of Evian. (I don't like the taste of tap water in our area but that apparently works just as well.)

Think about your hair too- maybe get some hi/low lights and a decent layered cut?

Also, longer term, think about sunscreen- you should use an SPF 25+ every day according to dermos even in winter.

Other no-nos are smoking and too much vino- both dry out the skin and make it leathery.

I think water does help. I drink a lot during the day when I'm at work. I've noticed the difference since being on my holidays [dried prune emoticon]

yeah well you is al HImagining it

MUCOUS my arse

agree re: booze & would add choccies and v. greasy foods v. bad for skin - (you can get that crappy combo of dry wrinkles and greasy spots after drinking heavily over your fish and chips followed by Mars bar)

i find fruit definitely helps - and water makes you feel less tired (even if you don't look any different.) i drink several pints a day, but then am PG.

a good walk also gets the blood flowing to bring skin alive...

and plenty of sleep. before 10 twice a week? Noddy you night owl - ten is late here.

agree also re: hair. lift and body to hair makes a better frame for the face. easier to achieve with shorter hair.

of course, you could always get PG again for that 2nd trimester glow..(a little drastic perhaps??)

another beauty myth
food affects it not apprently

Shirley you have been brain washed food and water levels have a huge effect on how you look.When I was on dialysis when there was excess fluid in my body I looked amazing as did the otehr patients.After dialysis if they removed too much water we all looked wretched and lined!Also had to follow a low potassium diet so no fruit and v little veg unless boiled to a pulp and we were all GREY!

Well, I am no doctor but 2 litres of water per day, plus giving up coffee has made a huge difference to me. I must admit that giving up coffee "cold turkey" was horrendous, but after the first 3 days, I was so glad I did it. My skin is 10 times better than it used to be. Even my male colleagues have commented, and that's unheard of in my office.

mafi that is a big factor.I only started drinking coffe again this time last year afyer years of none.I was very busy and some builders I was working with kept buying me coffees and I was soon hooked and it has def had an effect.No more from tomorrow but am dreading the first week!

Try Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - it is magic for tired, dull faces. Get a good haircut and colour, blow dry your hair whenever you have time, and get some good make-up advice at a department store (just don't let them trick you into buying any products you don't need/already have). A good self tanner for the face can also be great.

Yes to BFB. And blusher.

Mineral Makeup

Benefit flash balm

Cream blusher (never powder)

Good haircut (pay a fortune for a good cut that suits your face, get it trimmed in cheaper places)

Never wear black unless you are under 35

tis all genetic

nowt you can do except put on a bit of weight and hope it puffs up your face a bit

or go for surgery

You get your water from food and other drinks as well. Just drink when you feel thirsty but it doesn't have to be water - tis indeed a myth. As is teh whole detox business. That's what your liver is for.

Thanks for all the advice!!! I am just looking shite due to 2 x DSs, DS2 10mo who doesn't sleep all night, wakes frequently, I am really stressed, never get a break or a rest, and on and on and on.

I feel as shit as I look sadly.

New Year -
Flash balm sounds good (but what IS it????
New haircut (think I'll get more off the length, long face and long hair may not be good for me I suspect)
New clothes (hard this, cos I don't really like anything oops...)
My face is rather baggy, and I could do with some added weight to face - more pies, but also more fruit, veg and water

Now over to sleep thread to find out how I can get DS2 to sleep all night instead of waking 7 or 8 times

Then to relationships thread to find out if and how I can resurrect my relationship with DP...

PS - I have had lip plumping gloss, it tingles but doesn't actually DO anything - or is that just me?

I have a clarins exfoliation thing which plumps up my lips here
My skin always looks better when I have exercised. Drinking water makes a difference to my skin as well - don't know why, maybe I'm dehydrated. I swear by beauty flash balm under my tinted moisturiser. Decent face creams as well.

LINKY!

If you feel worn out as well as looking worn out, that's a good sign - you can remedy both the feel and the look by getting more rest (and following a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water).

The really worrying stage is when you feel fine but just look like shit! Then there is little more to be done...

The flash balm is just a cream that you put on before or over make-up, or blend into your day cream. It tightens up your face and makes it look brighter somehow. It says on the tube that it 'brightens and tightens' and in this case it really does what it says on the tin. Have a look here - you can get it cheaper on ebay.

Laugh good and proper, whenever you can, especially with other girlfriends.

Cut down on sugar (apparently it does something bad to your skin, I don?t know all the in?s and outs)

Have 2 caffeinated drinks a day max.

Have good sex, often. (apparently people who do this look younger than people who don?t?I guess, er, going solo counts too?)

Use good skin cream with a hi SPF

Put Clinique air brush concealer under your eyes, works a treat.

Keep hydrated, try and drink a good amount of water or herb tea.

If you can run to it get that Estee Lauder night repair stuff in the brown bottle too.

Get a good hair cut and colour, nothing too flash that needs a lot of upkeep, just so you can leave the house looking smart.

Don?t stress, feel guilty about mistakes or hold grudges or regrets?it will show in your face.

Keep life simple.

Do yoga or something if you can.

Seems to work?

The really worrying stage is when you feel fine but just look like shit!

lol - how true ....

I have lost quite a bit of weight and I look so old now, my eyes are so wrinkly. I never had this before when I was 2 adn a half stone heavier. My body looked not so good but I was asked for ID buying a knife in M&S - I was 33

Also my lower face has dropped, and the lines on the sides of my mouth are more pronounced, I really can see how people get fillers and botox because it's v depressing.

Probably doesn't help that I drink no water at all, but have about 5 cups of coffee a day, sometimes more if friends come over.

So this year I'm going to drink lots of water (I'm on 2nd cup of coffee already), I'm going to exercise as at the moment I do nothing.
Would like to take up running but I heard that it can cause your face to drop too, is that true?

I don't have a skin care routine at the moment either, because I used Roc Retinox for a while but while it seemed to sort out any spots etc, it started to burn like mad and gave me eczema patches and my skin has been dry and itchy which hasn't helped the whole youthful plumpness I'm striving for.