I look like a Zombie, please fix me.

delain

Hi,

Some of you may know me from other parts of the site, but I will introduce myself anyway.

I am 26 years old, and have 4 children aged 8,7,7, and 10 months. Number 5 is due at Christmas.

I don't wear makeup, owing to me being terrible at putting it on and not knowing what suits me along with a severe lack of time in the mornings. I have quite clear skin and am (luckily) not prone to spots.

I have quite pale skin and get sunburnt very easily, which is another reason I don't wear makeup, when the weather is hot I wouldn't be able to because I need to cover myself in kids suncream every hour. lol.

Now, this last week, just about everyone I have seen has commented that I look tired, expressions ranging from 'tired' to 'exhausted' :eek: so that must mean I look pretty awful even I have noticed the huge bags under my eyes.

What I wanted to know from you lovely ladies (or gents) is what can I do about it?

Last night I went to bed at 9pm, I eat a lot of fruit and I don't eat a lot of fried food.

What (hopefully :money:) things do you use/do to stop you looking tired?

TIA xxx

pollyskettle

Bizarre as it may sounds, including at least 30 minutes dedicated cardio exercise a day has made me look more awake - the bags and dark circles are gone and my skin is the loveliest it's been since leaving secondary school (20 years ago!). I started with some walking moved on from there. I appreciate it's difficult to find the time with such young children though

That and the body shops vitamin e night cream, which I'm sure is working wonders too

delain

Thank you for your advice

I could do more walking... at the moment I catch 4 buses a day, I'm sure I could work on dropping one, and I will look into the cream as well

theladsmum

I think the exercise thing is a good tip, although how much time you will have for it I don't know.

Maybe try a bit of make up rather than the full works - mascara and a lip gloss won't take much time.

Unfortunately, looking "exhausted" comes with the 4 young children and another one on the way! Good luck with no 5!!

Bronnie

What's your fluid intake like? Do you drink plenty of water ( your pee should be a pale colour when you go to the loo). Do you overdo caffeine, alcohol, sweet fizzy drinks at all? Avoiding the latter and upping the water makes a big and immediate difference to skin and makes you look and feel less tired too. Very MSE!


I agree with previous posters, the years when your kids are young are very demanding! You sound like you're doing a great job!

delain

Must admit fluid intake isn't good at all

I don't really do caffeine, will drink fizzy if I have it but not been buying it on purpose IYSWIM.

I will definitely try drinking more water thank you

staceyxfx

Hi, have you tried tinted moisturiser instead of foundation? It doesn't feel heavy and you can get some with SPF in it.

Also the Garnier undereye rollerball concealer seems to be very popular, I think I seen it in Savers for £4.99.

I agree with the above about water too, I'm pregnant and started drinking bucket loads of water and I was surprised who much healthier my skin looks, wish I started earlier!

MrsWoolfe

Hello!

the exercise is a good tip, will definately make a difference-

lots of water through the day- try herbal teas/sugar free squash if you don't really like water.

Drinking a cup of hot/warm water with a slice of lemon is meant to be good for cleansing the system and I try and have one first thing.

Have you tried doing the Oil Cleansing Method? - there is a good thread on here somewhere about it- I notice my dark patches under my eyes are less noticeable since soing this- weather that's to do with the massage or the oils I'm not sure but generally skin looks perkier IYSWIM?

and lots of sleep too though I'm sure you've been told that!

Other than that, don't worry you're a young Mum of 4 young kids, pregnant and I'm sure run off your feet! ...come to think of it the pregancy hormones could have somethign to do with it in any case?

If you really want to use make up, a bit of mascara and tidying up eyebrows etc can make a big difference without feeling like you've got loads on.

HTH
MrsWoolfe

vasseur

You're not anaemic are you? That would account for looking and feeling very tired. has your midwife checked your iron levels recently?

delain

Oh yes... they watch my iron levels quite carefully after my blood count got to 45 (or 4.5 depending on the doctor lol) after having high dose iv steroids last year and I ended up in hospital being given 4 pints :eek: of blood. My count is currently 117 which is good for me

The problem I had the steroids for can cause extreme tiredness though, maybe I should go and see my GP just in case.

I will be looking into all the things you have suggested, especially the lemon water thing, that sounds nice.

annie_d

Hi.
I havent read all the responses but..........have you tried E.L.F make up? The mineral booster is BRILLIANT for making tired exhausted skin look alive and glowing