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?

I reckon your skin can look older or tired if it isn't well hydrated. A good moisturiser can only deal with the upper layers of the skin, but these are the ones you can see! I also wear sun protection all year round since I have sensitive and pale skin (goodie). I use a good combination of cream cleanser, toner and moisturiser from Aveda for hydrating skin and it has really helped with the tired out-dried out-dragged look. I rarely wear make up, but when I do, it sits on my skin much better, and I need less of it too .

I'm still working on a formula that suits me and is sustainable, but I guess it's a combination of a good diet, a good night's sleep (when you can), plenty of fluids and the best moisturiser for your skin.

Had a look on H&B and this is the only one I can find that sounds like what was suggested www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=1812&prodid=1958

Is that it?

There s some good advice in this Telegraph article, though it is a bit long...
www.telegraph.co.uk/health/wellbeing/6907147/50-ways-to-look-younger.html

Sorry, but the silk pillow case is a pure and evil myth. Having suffered the most atrocious bedhead all my life and asked DH to give me a silk pillow case for Xmas last year, ( ie 10 days ago) I can confirm and so can my whole family that I've had some of the worst bedheads ever. ( Solution to bedhead? Drink so much alcohol that you pass out for the night and don't turn over, result.. the still silken glossy and plump blow dry as yesterday.. but maybe more facial wrinkles..)
I second the good haircut and colour( tho' it doesn't need to be a salon do, a bottle of the right colour is just as good)
Earrings, yes, pearl ones are nice and understated (£5 in Marks)
Blow dry hair if you have the time or just get up earlier, I've done this since I was about 15 through 3 DCs and DH working away alot( can be done)
Keep weight steady, not too scrawny, not to fat
Use accessories more. I always dress up jeans, a White Stuff fleece with a nice scarf wound round casually and tied
Smile alot and look interested in what other people are saying, looking animated will take years off you.
It doesn't have to be expensive.
Thw water thing IS a myth, we're all being too wooed by lifestyle mags that just want to sell products, images etc.. eat wheat(unless you're Coeliac) drink when you're thirsty and look at your parents skin, most of it is in the genes
Good luck and remember, your childeren love and need you whatever you look like

i would like to add "origins" products work and last a decent amount of time, these are face creams, night creams, moisturisers etc.

prob go to makeup counter and ask for new colours and allow yourself to use them at home, you could be surprised. we all get stuck in a rut with colours.

i feel drinking water a good idea too. but prob the key is maintaining what you start, and we all know its not that easy. good luck.

This always happens to me: by the time I've read right through a thread, someone's always already said what I was going to contribute. I'd just like to bump rimmer08's suggestion of Lush facepacks. The Sacred Truth is the one for you. Also, we don't actually know how old the OP is (although, statistically, as MM says she's pg, she's presumably not that old). Surely, at some stage in our lives, we should be able to look old?

Good moisturiser can make all the difference. I think Clarins are miracle workers. Beauty flash balm is great but you can't use it every day (as advised by the Clarins lady). I use it when I have a meeting at work or when I am seeing lots of people over the weekend - not necessarily for a big night out. It not only keeps my makeup on better but it also gives my skin a healthier glow.

I also think it's down to having a good foundation as a base - nothing too heavy and unnatural, which is where the makeup counters fail you as the ladies on there plaster it on with a trowel. A bit of lippy can make all the difference too - I remember seeing on a TV show that choosing a shade slightly darker than the inside of your lips gives the perfect natural look - just fortified my makeup bag with 2 new lipsticks and think this is absolutely true.

Treat yourself to a facial - sorry but I am in love with Clarins skincare so I'd recommend their energising/radiance facial.

Smile. Do yoga. Have sex a lot. Get a babysitter more often.

IMHO, you will find your looks only bounce back properly once you are no longer dealing with all the broken nights. Sleep makes a massive difference that nothing else can replicate.

Until then, do whatever suggestions appeal to you from the whole thread, and I'm sure they will help somewhat -- but most importantly, keep reminding yourself and reassuring yourself that someday, regular unbroken sleep will be a part of your life once again and will make an enormous difference to your face. And when that time comes you will find you have more energy and interest in things like finding something decent to wear, etc, and it will all gradually come together

what about the botox?

I have recently discovered Diorskin "Nude" foundation, it is truly the best foundation I have ever found. team that with tons of touche eclat!!!!

also, I know some ladies have said the water thing is a myth but I have always drank tons of water right from my early teens (on my mums advice - at least 8 glasses a day) and my skin is pretty good.

lots of sex and lots of sleep! where possible with dc's, lol

and I SWEAR by spf30 every day.

I reckon Dorothea has it spot on.

Good products and drinking water can do so much but I'm a firm believer that sleep is the deal breaker.

exercise, botox, eyebrow shaping, moisturise, good food, sleep and happiness x