Looking awful!

Without knowing anything other than what you have told us, might I suggest that you think you look awful because you feel awful?
Being permanently exhausted will inevitably show in your face,and your illness is probably affecting your hair too but most of all your self-confidence. Hopefully you are still the same lovely petson you have always been inside so how about treating yourself to things like reflexology (heaven) neck and shoulder massages to ease tension, aromatherapy to lift your spirits a little and a good cut (and colour if you want) for your hair. Beauty counters are not always the best places for unbiased advice, but a good tinted moisturiser (e.g.Bobbi Brown) or Liz Earle skin tint over their lovely neroli moisturiser may make you FEEL better. Different colours of clothes may help, try scarves in colours which "lift" your face - you will know best which outfits make you feel good so WEAR THEM!
Your friends and family will not be nearly as critical as you are of yourself so work on the inside if you possibly can.
If that fails, do what I do, leave the glasses off when looking in a mirror!!

Sorry don't have any miracles for you Gransnetters but can recommend some cosmetics. I've recently started using make up from lookfabulousforever.com and their concealer and blusher are the best I've ever bought and having a pale skin and under eye shadows, I've tried a lot in the past! The make up's not cheap but it's specially formulated for older skins so doesn't disappear easily. The company's online only but if what you buy isn't right for you they'll replace it. I'm nothing to do with this company , by the way, just a satisfied customer.

I am one who doesn't care, don't even have mirrors apart from a tiny one in drawer. But I am sorry for those who do care ,I have three sisters who care how they look so I do understand

And I recommend the eccentric look , works for me

Eccentricity - now that is a good route to go down! I must definitely give that a try!

I am sure none of you posters look half as bad as you think. A smile is said to make us all beautiful - if you get eccentric enough I guess you will be smiling a lot!

fumanchu I'm just a bit older than you and so in the same boat (I don't have Addison's Disease but also live with a long term chronic condition that will need treatment for the rest of my life). I get so depressed, I have developed big yellow patches round my eyes (xanthelasma - cholesterol deposits under the skin - my cholesterol levels were tested and are OK) and the first thing I do in the morning is brush on concealer but they still show. I have even looked into the cost of private cosmetic surgery, expensive and with variable results. I've recently been very unwell too, have rosacea, lost probably a little too much weight, feel exhausted most of the time and just look awful. I've never been good looking but have aged recently. I just keep thinking that my family don't care what I look like and that I may well feel better in a little while. I've been told by my rheumatologist that I should take aerobic excercise too and will try to go to the local gym as that should improve my mood - although I'd really prefer to exercise with a paper bag over my head so no one can see me, especially the fit and the young! I guess I'm struggling to accept the changes in my body and there will be many who tell us that they don't care about the way they look. I'm considering eccentricity as an option now though - perhaps green hair and permanent bright pink sun glasses.

Reading your post with interest fumanchu, and hoping you get inspirational replies. Ive nothing sadly that I can offer in way of help as Im suffering similar myself. Thought I looked half reasonable until I saw a recent photo and it was horrendous. I am trying to drink more water, I do take an interest in clothes and wear what I think is reasonably fashionable without the dreaded mutton and lamb scenario, but its an uphill battle. Im approaching 65. I get my hair cut and coloured regular, use fairly good skin products and some makeup daily. I try and walk an hour each day and go to yoga and pilates on a weekly basis. Cant think what else I can do !