Beauty and wellness treats for the 30-something set

June 13, 2018 5:42 PM

If you were a mid-to-late 30s woman with some disposable income, what beauty and wellness procedures/appointments/treatments would you get to maximize your beauty/health/wellness/well-being? Examples inside.

Thinking of things I can now afford (goodbye beauty school haircuts) in sort of a “buying a quality bag instead of several cheap ones” ways.

Examples such as:

Keratin treatment
Regular mani/pedis
Teeth whitening
Skin peels
Waxing/laser hair removal

Self-care! Yay!

posted by mrfuga0 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (36 answers total)

Eyebrows are everything: Get your eyebrows done every three weeks.
posted by lovableiago at 5:49 PM on June 13, 2018 [11 favorites]

I like massages - they don't pay off visually immediately, but if you feel better and sleep better (and just plain enjoy it), I think that's enough benefit.
posted by batter_my_heart at 5:53 PM on June 13, 2018 [10 favorites]

Self care- books, quiet, me time. I have kids so a hotel night two or three times a year. I also consider a cottage week on a lake essential.
I honestly don't consider beauty treatments as self care.
posted by Ftsqg at 5:53 PM on June 13, 2018 [11 favorites]

Not quite what you're asking for, but hiring house cleaners and the like to buy myself some spare time to have a long hot bath/chill on the couch/whatever i want. You have to make sure you actually do the self-care things with the spare time though!
posted by cgg at 6:00 PM on June 13, 2018 [9 favorites]

Retreat-like experiences do such wonders for my well-being they are basically beauty treatments. There's a day spa with 17 different pools about an hour from me where I like to spend the day with friends, and we don't get any special treatments besides getting in the mud pit and splitting a bottle of wine with lunch. I like finding oases of quiet/nature in LA, some of which are free and some cost a meal or entrance fee.

Definitely getting out of the house to somewhere new for a night or two. I like a bit of a modest road trip, 2-5 hours, to stay somewhere new and interesting and, usually, peaceful.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:01 PM on June 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Lyn Never, can you share where that retreat is? Near LA?
posted by mrfuga0 at 6:04 PM on June 13, 2018

Anti aging facials. I have started getting them every month even though I don’t have any wrinkles yet. They tend to use a lot of hydrating and brightening products and LOTS of facial massage to stimulate blood flow. My skin looks so refreshed and glowy after, and it’s gotten me to stop trying to do my own blackhead extractions and possibly cause damage.
posted by joan_holloway at 6:19 PM on June 13, 2018 [4 favorites]

Eyebrows! In NYC, I had my eyebrows done by a famous eyebrow lady and it was spectacular and really not that much more expensive than the anonymous salon brow-do.
posted by mochapickle at 6:20 PM on June 13, 2018

Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona. My primary tips are that it's busy as hell on weekends in the spring and summer (wall-to-wall wedding and baby showers) and you'll probably need to get there before 9-9:30 to be sure you get in. It is practically deserted on weekdays, I happily take a day off to go if I can. My favorite time to go is actually in the winter when it's going to be in the 60s, maybe low 70s, and I spend most of the day in my robe in between pool/sauna/mud dips.

It's also generally about 97% women most days, and it's okay to have a real body. I'm a large person and have never gotten a second of shade, everybody's just doing their thing.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:24 PM on June 13, 2018 [10 favorites]

Bodywise: Regular therapeutic massages. Pedicures. Getting my hair cut as soon as I notice "starting to get shaggy" instead of waiting another 2-3 weeks.

Externals: Getting all my garments altered to fit me perfectly. Cobbler services immediately when I notice a scuff or a heel wearing down.
posted by Lexica at 6:28 PM on June 13, 2018

For those who have light skin, laser treatment of any brown spots appearing on sun-exposed areas like the cheekbones. Also, laser treatment of spider veins and angiomas on face and body.
posted by Knowyournuts at 6:30 PM on June 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

Botox. Done well, it's not noticeable.
posted by unannihilated at 6:32 PM on June 13, 2018 [6 favorites]

Regular acupuncture. I like community acupuncture or a reputable student clinic to deal with stress.

Sabbatical Beauty products and time to mask, put on serums and generally lounge. Often with a favorite periodical or book.

Forest bathing.

Wearing or sleeping around something soft/silky/fuzzy. Also wonderful: slippers with lambswool interior.

Bras that fit and matching underwear (I was shocked by how much joy this gave me).

Buying a month long yoga pass.

Going to a body of water or soaking in hot tubs/hot springs or going to a sauna.

Essential oils or perfumes that smell really nice and relax me. Or things like lavender water/rose water as a face mist or before sleeping.
posted by mulkey at 6:38 PM on June 13, 2018

Sounds like you’re already on this, but higher quality haircuts more frequently.
posted by deludingmyself at 6:48 PM on June 13, 2018

Cosmetic dermatologist (esp. if Botox injections, IPL, or the like are under consideration).
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:24 PM on June 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

Find a beautiful fitness center that offers whirlpool, sauna, steamroom, showers, and a regular swimming pool. Spend a few hours as often as you can rotating between hot, cold, wet, and dry environments. Your body and mind will thank you. Also, facials.
posted by this-apoptosis at 7:31 PM on June 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

I had laser hair removal done on my legs, underarms, face and bikini line about 14 years ago. This is the best money I’ve ever spent on myself and I appreciate the results every single day.
posted by hilaryjade at 7:39 PM on June 13, 2018 [2 favorites]

Yes to laser hair removal! My 40th birthday present to myself was getting both legs and bikini line done; much like hilaryjade, I notice and appreciate it endlessly. I had incredibly thick, itchy hair and it was uncomfortable every day.

And as a drought-weary Californian, I'm happy my showers are so much shorter now.
posted by jesourie at 7:45 PM on June 13, 2018

Seconding laser hair reduction. For some, like myself, it's not a complete eradication. But, I've been getting it done once a month on my face for the last 9 months.

I went from not wanting anyone to be within 6 feet of my face out of fear they'd see a significant shadow to feeling completely at home in my skin. It's much lighter and way less noticeable. I wish I had done it years ago.
posted by pdxhiker at 7:45 PM on June 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

I’m a 32-year-old in LA in a similar place in my life. Things I do:
1) ahem, Botox. Only because my forehead wrinkles are super deep. I’ve been getting an extremely small amount (18-20 units) about once a year since I was 26 and it’s worth every penny. I don’t love the first 6 weeks, but it’s honestly fine and not noticeable. More importantly, I feel like it saves me about 4 months of wrinkle-years each time I get it done, so I’m effectively only 30 on my forehead. It’s great and I plan to keep doing it, only on the forehead wrinkles that bug me, for at least the next 4-5 years if not longer.
2) a regular facial every 6 weeks.
3) eyebrow wax every 6 weeks (I’m not that hairy so this works for me)
4) Massage once a month-ish.
posted by samthemander at 8:25 PM on June 13, 2018 [2 favorites]

Eyelash extensions!
posted by doift at 8:52 PM on June 13, 2018 [2 favorites]

More hair dos more frequently. I’m a bloke but going to the barbers for a fresh cut every two weeks makes me look and feel so much better.
posted by Middlemarch at 11:12 PM on June 13, 2018

Sports Massage and knowledgeable small group training from someone who knows why you should get a sports massage.
posted by Nanukthedog at 1:36 AM on June 14, 2018

Thirding botox if you have lines that bother you. I also recently had the lines from my nose to mouth filled and have been thrilled with the results.
posted by nerdfish at 3:33 AM on June 14, 2018

The most expensive Korean sunblock you can afford

It doesn't need to be expensive and I actually like Japanese brands better. That said, my current favorite is a Korean brand: A'Pieu Power Block. Non-sticky, non-greasy, no white cast.

What you want though is SPF50 PA++++ ratings.
posted by like_neon at 4:25 AM on June 14, 2018 [2 favorites]

Day spas, hot springs, onsens, that sorta thing - SO GOOD.
posted by divabat at 5:53 AM on June 14, 2018

Go to a jimjilbang for a day of sauna, whirlpool soaking, and get a full body scrub while you're there! If you're in LA, try Wi Spa. After the body scrub, I felt like a new person. I thought I was clean but the amount of scum that they scrubbed off my body was disturbing. You'll love it. Take a nap in the sleeping room and eat something good at the cafeteria there too.
posted by pumpkinlatte at 5:57 AM on June 14, 2018

FWIW, Im 37 and people assume Im early 30's.

Seconding that sunscreen from Asian countries is BEST, but doesn't need to be expensive. I use this amazing Japanese sunscreen on my face, chest, arms multiple times through out the day. It feels great, doesn't clog pores and isn't greasy so I don't mind reapplying frequently.

One outside days (beach, lake, hike), I use this sunscreen, NYT did tests and it is actually as protective as it says it is and feels pretty OK on. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TKOHMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1
(sorry I don't know how to do the fancy linking :)

In terms of daily care, the things that are proven with lots of science behind them are vitamin C and retinol. I use the Ordinaries vit c and like it almost as much of one 10x the price. I also drink lots of water & eat healthy b/c you can pile on all the crap on your face but if your fighting it form the inside with junk food then its a waste of money. Also consider collagen supplements and tocotrienols (a bio available vit E), these are great skin foods.

I recently started getting Microdermabrasion and a chemical peel every other month and after a few sessions I can visibly tell a difference in the vibrancy and texture of my skin. This same DR has given me my first light botox in my forehead and I'm VERY pleased. The key is finding a good derm that likes keeping you youthful without upselling you on weird unproven treatments you don;t need, b/c once you start doing this stuff its a very slippery slope into the world of 'improvements'. This stuff is all kinda fun to me, but I also am VERY pragmatic about it. I don't get caught up in the latest and greatest, I do my research and stick to a plan.

I keep my routines to 15 minutes and under and I try to think of it as a nice relaxing thing to do for myself rather than "preventing aging" its a silly paradigm shift, but I think there is something to thinking positively rather than the negative side of the same coin of "im getting old I need to prevent more wrinkles".

I already mentioned healthy eating, but throw in some other free & relaxing self-care as well (reading, walking with the dog, whatever) to help keep stress levels low. I was recently in a high stress situation and for a few weeks my face and body aged several years. I've since bounced back mentally and so has my face.
posted by vividvoltage at 11:50 AM on June 14, 2018

whoops, one of my links didnt make it, but the Japanese sunscreen I swear by is Biore Aqua Rich UV, you can find it on amazon.
posted by vividvoltage at 11:53 AM on June 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

I spend a lot of time around large groups of older women, and am creeping up in age now myself, and here are the things that I have observed that I think you can put into place at your age that will actually make you look better in a real and tangible way in the decades ahead:

1. Learning how to move and use your body well. Things like dance classes, Alexander lessons, really, anything that allows you to become more aware of how you present yourself and how you move about in the world. Moving your body well will make you appear much more beautiful and will make you feel healthier.
2. Figuring out how you want to transition your hair as you get older. At mid to late thirties a lot of people are getting their first gray hair. Look at women who have a similar hair type and colour to you who are older and see what they are doing and what you aspire. At the age you are at, it is easy to get into the preserving of youth, but it is also good to be thinking of transitioning to a different age in terms of appearance. (Yes, to a good hair stylist, so important).
3. Good diet with an emphasis on vegetables and fruit. Seriously, diet is majorly important for how you look and feel and how you age.
4. Exercise. If you have the money, a trainer. A friend of mine is in her late 60s has a trainer, and she has the body of a fit 40 year old.
posted by nanook at 2:10 PM on June 14, 2018 [3 favorites]

--These are from me in a previous question:

Sunscreen. All over. All of the skin. All of the time.

Teeth whitening at your dentist's office.

Best possible haircut you can afford, along with highlights or lowlights, as appropriate, if you want.

Best-fitting bra you can afford.

Tailoring for everything.

The best foundation you can afford. Foundation is where to spend the makeup dollars.

--I will add:

Do strength-building, flexibility, and cardio training and never, E V E R , give it up. Never. Nthing regular personal training.

Regular massages.

Very high quality diet, beautifully prepared and presented.

Regular pedicures. My feet hurt less with them and looking nicer is a dividend with hurting less.

Best and most comfortable shoes you can afford. Custom if you can.

Nude swimming in a pond or lake in the woods (for the sylvan quality, not so much privacy), or the ocean.

Dyed eyelashes if yours are long and curly but clear like mine. I don't do this; can't afford it. And I swim in a heavily chlorinated pool.

Good scent that you love -- this is a must for me.
posted by jgirl at 4:13 PM on June 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

Definitely laser hair removal
posted by radioamy at 8:05 PM on June 14, 2018

Fancy Hairbrush as Major Life Upgrade
I waited probably 6 months before buying a Maison Pearson Hairbrush and it is nothing short of lifechanging. My hair is smoother and healthier and it has been transformative to my scalp. I always thought I would need a 3rd hand to give myself a proper blowout, but actually you just need a fantastic hairbrush and Maison Pearson is the all time classic. If you want an excellent fancy hairbrush without spending quite as much I love love love this Japanese one.

I was never a person into sports or fitness and generally always found yoga kind of boring but I got very into pilates and it has been life changing and also very fun. Way more calming, intellectually stimulating & strengthening than anything else I have tried. Worth trying, and you get to do a lot of lying down while you are working out which is a major bonus in my opinion.

Silk Pillowcases are gentle on the hair and skin in the best way.
posted by wowenthusiast at 8:54 PM on June 14, 2018

mochapickle can you share your eyebrow lady? I'm in NYC and keep tentatively trying to figure out wth to do with my brows as a relative brow newbie, and I'd be willing to spend some $ for someone to set me on the right path!!
posted by alleycat01 at 9:00 PM on June 14, 2018

Answers from my partner:

Laser hair removal

Finding and staying with a good (which is not the same as the most expensive) hair person

Massage and accupuncture
posted by Dip Flash at 7:03 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]

Through an Esthetician- Celluma light therapy! It has done wonders to my skin-evening skin tone, wrinkles, even pain!
posted by LinneaJC at 1:57 PM on June 15, 2018