Turning 40 and looking to "bring sexy back"

[Anonymous]

I am a reasonably attractive almost 40 year old, but my upcoming birthday is making me want to amp it up a bit. I am about 10lbs overweight and I could use some wardrobe help (I do a decent job but am stuck in a "look" could use some new ideas), I don't wear a lot of make up but could likely use some help on this end; I should do the following and perhaps more. Looking for ideas and recommendations:

I see a trainer for 1/2 hour 2 x a week for weight training. It is helping but my weight is actually going up, although I look more toned-- normal?
I need a few makeup ideas
I need a good place for eye brows (mine are bushy, which I like, but should be cleaned up)
I need some good highlights and perhaps a new cut. I have had the same hairstyle for 10 years.
Hot yoga?
Some wardrobe help but nothing major

What else? I am willing to spend some money on this jump start.

More background: I am 5'8 about 150 but larger boned and wear a 6 usually in most clothes. Pre kids I was usually about 140 and considered pretty slim. I have a curvy build. I am blonde, blue eyed, fair skinned but tan easily (realize I need to stop my love of the sun!); I am a SAHM, I like to dress with a bit of a flair. Fun jewelry, shoes etc. Jeans with fun tops or dresses in the summer (casual but fun). I don't mind spending some money on nice clothes, but with little children, needs to be durable and worth it (not too trendy). I love trench coats and great sunglasses.

I like funky, European type glasses, which I am starting to need more, ideas where to go? I don't wear all the time (no need yet)

I live in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Check out Coup de Foudre (high end lingerie boutique downtown on E Street). Get a spa treatment at the Mandarin.

[Anonymous]

Wardrobe help: personal shopper at Nordstrom's. Or, for something a little more, including someone who will teach you how to shop to fit your body, try Lana Orloff www.lanaorloffstyle.com. Love her.

Makeup help: Debbie at the YSL counter at Saks. I love her because, even though she wears heavy makeup herself, she gave me a great natural look and then taught me the tricks for what to do if you are pressed for time or completely out of time.

I see a trainer for 1/2 hour 2 x a week for weight training. It is helping but my weight is actually going up, although I look more toned-- normal? YES, normal. As you gain muscle, your weight will go up even as your waist goes down. In shape at 120 for me is the same as do nothing but starve myself at 109 for me. Plus you'll feel better toned and burn more fat sitting still just because you have more muscle.

Eyebrows: He's very expensive, but Erwin Gomez in Georgetown is great. You could go once to him to get the shape and then go somewhere else (cheaper) to keep it up.

No rec from me on haircut/color. I have a guy I like but I think he is getting bored because he is no longer listening to me and keeps giving me an old lady cut.

No clue on yoga. I'm doing TRX and some olympic weightlifitng. We need to keep the focus on building/keeping strength as we age (as much as it pains me to type that - ugh. I'm ahead of you, OP.) If you want to get in crazy shape, try crossfit - www.crossfit.com. They are hard core - I could not keep doing it. I kept getting sick because it wiped me out too much.

Glasses: Georgetown Opticians on Wisconsin.

[Anonymous]

Regarding the weight lifting. I'm also 5'8", and 42. For years, I was about 150 lbs, and a size 6. Then I started doing pilates. Real pilates, in a dedicated pilates studio, not a pilates based mat thing. Within 6 wks, I was down to a loose 4, lost 4 inches off my waist, and am slightly under 140 lbs. (also increased running a bit, but have always run some). I lifted for years, was always rather toned, but slightly "big". Not anymore--you can actually see abs. And I've had 2 kids, rather late. Try the pilates, really. Find a good studio, do it at least 2x per week for 6 wks.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regarding the weight lifting. I'm also 5'8", and 42. For years, I was about 150 lbs, and a size 6. Then I started doing pilates. Real pilates, in a dedicated pilates studio, not a pilates based mat thing. Within 6 wks, I was down to a loose 4, lost 4 inches off my waist, and am slightly under 140 lbs. (also increased running a bit, but have always run some). I lifted for years, was always rather toned, but slightly "big". Not anymore--you can actually see abs. And I've had 2 kids, rather late. Try the pilates, really. Find a good studio, do it at least 2x per week for 6 wks.

Good luck!

Forget to add: Go see Andre at Andre CHreky Salon on K street for your haircut. He's been cutting my (also blonde/blue eyed/fair skin) hair for yrs. Anisa at his salon does great brows and facials.

[Anonymous]

Be careful with the blond hair/highlights. Going too light ages you quickly.

[Anonymous]

Must admit that the names proffered here do not seem to fit the OPs needs. I'm familiar with all and not sure if OP wants to spend mega-bucks if she's a SAHM.

Andre does older conservative hair -very safe and OP would have to see colorist, then Andre, then stylist - aka go through a production line.

OP, simplify this. You need to find people who match your needs. You also need someone with whom you feel comfortable. As mentioned before, check out www.aici.org and call a couple accredited image consultants who address wardrobe, hair and makeup. Almost all of them come to you. They can help you find the style that fits you best as well as connect you with the experts that will give you the best results. No muss, no fuss, no legwork on your part.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am 39 and a SAHM and have many of the same struggles you do. A few ideas:

1) I have had great luck with the makeup counter at Nordstrom at Tysons - they always seem to come up with the most flattering colors for me.

2) I find myself always reaching for jeans/pants, so putting on a skirt with some cool tights and boots makes me feel a little sexier. There are lots of boots on sale right now and just showing a little leg can help! You can find casual, washable skirts at places like the Gap and Ann Taylor Loft.

[Anonymous]

You can go to someone else at Gomez's salon and it is fairly reasonable.

Have you been fitted for new bras recently? I did that when turned 40 and having a great selection of bras to wear under my clothes helped a lot.

[Anonymous]

For hair I recommend Chris Kellar, one of the owners at Parlour on 15th and U. He is featured in this month's Allure magazine and really deserved the great write-up. You can also read the great reviews on Yelp. He is low-key, really listens to your needs and takes time to consult with you and understand your lifestyle, and will give you a haircut that is fresh without being too trendy, but isn't frumpy or a blah DC bob. When I told him I needed something super easy, he cut my hair and then blew it dry with no product and just finger-combed it so we could see how it looked on days when I had like 5 minutes to get ready. At $70, his cut costs more than somewhere like the Haircuttery but less than Chreky etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regarding the weight lifting. I'm also 5'8", and 42. For years, I was about 150 lbs, and a size 6. Then I started doing pilates. Real pilates, in a dedicated pilates studio, not a pilates based mat thing. Within 6 wks, I was down to a loose 4, lost 4 inches off my waist, and am slightly under 140 lbs. (also increased running a bit, but have always run some). I lifted for years, was always rather toned, but slightly "big". Not anymore--you can actually see abs. And I've had 2 kids, rather late. Try the pilates, really. Find a good studio, do it at least 2x per week for 6 wks.

Good luck!

where do yo do pilates? I am a muscular 5'5' and put on muscle very easily. i used to me a marathon runner--thought the distance running would thin out my sprinter thighs. I did a short stint of the real pilates on reformers right before my firstborn about 5 years ago---and it was the best I ever looked. my muscles were long,,,i looked more graceful, defined...

you make me want to get back to it! I am running, spinning and lifting---but really need something different.