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Share some ‘nice ‘n easy’ ways to help yourself feel more confident, and you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher! NOW CLOSED

333 replies

RebeccaEMumsnet · 01/03/2016 17:47

We have made it through the wintery months, but we’re not free from drizzly days just yet. It really is a struggle to feel good in the wind and rain, so nice ‘n easy would love you to share the things that you do to make yourself feel at your best.

Here’s what nice ‘n easy have to say: “The beginning of the year is often gloomy, Christmas is long gone and the days are short and dark. But with Spring just around the corner, and sun just a promise away, it’s time to get out and give yourself a lighter, sunkissed look. ‘As we have more sunny days our skin tone warms up and therefore your hair colour needs to adjust to complement it. Going one or two shades lighter softens the darker tones we have often used during the winter. It’s all about having a natural look, as if your hair has been kissed by the Spring sunshine’ says our colour expert colour expert Jonathan Long”

So, is a hot bath with some posh candles just what you need to perk yourself up in the dark winter months? Perhaps you like to learn a new skill or get involved in an evening class? Do you brighten yourself up by changing your hair colour, or by starting a new skin routine to give yourself a glow? Whatever it is that you do to boost your confidence, let nice ‘n easy know.

Please add your comment or tip below and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop gift voucher.

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Share some ‘nice ‘n easy’ ways to help yourself feel more confident, and you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher! NOW CLOSED
Share some ‘nice ‘n easy’ ways to help yourself feel more confident, and you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher! NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
loosechange · 01/03/2016 17:57

If I'm feeling less confident one technique I use is ensure my makeup/hair is good as an armour, so to speak. Not necessarily glamorous, sometimes scarily professional, depending on the situation.

The phrase fake it til you make it works for me though, so if it's an event or party type situation (a one off) I pretend I feel confident, which fools everyone else and carries over onto how I feel.

CopperPan · 01/03/2016 18:21

I often get stuck in a make up rut and use the same products for months, so to refresh my look I take a look at the reviews on Makeupalley to find out which are the best new products, and look at tutorials on Youtube. It can make a real difference just changing one cosmetic product, and it doesn't have to be expensive, I recently got a new eyeshadow palette from Superdrug which works great for me and I've had plenty of compliments!

cherrylola · 01/03/2016 18:56

As I have a newborn I find just making sure I get up and do my hair and makeup in the morning sets me up for the day. Even if I don't leave the sofa as baby is feeding 24/7 it makes me feel human again!

OnMyShoulders · 01/03/2016 19:21

I use an all over body scrub - my favourite is Body Shop Coconut. It makes me feel and smell gorgeous.

PirateSmile · 01/03/2016 20:19

All you need to focus on looking good is getting your hair and shoes right. A haircut and a new pair of shoes does the trick for me.

Theimpossiblegirl · 01/03/2016 20:29

Make time to care for your skin (face and body) and drink plenty of water. I also cleanse my neck/jawline after washing my hair to get rid of spot causing residue.

In social situations, fake it til you make it. If you feel shy and awkward, you can bet you're not the only one, so don't be afraid to start a conversation.

scrivette · 01/03/2016 21:24

Just putting on some lipstick or coloured lip balm makes me feel more confident.

CheeseEMouse · 01/03/2016 21:41

Dress for the job you want, not for the one you have got is a good adage. Like others, I find clothes are a sort of armour and if I feel smart I am a bit more confident in myself

SnozzberryWibble · 01/03/2016 22:13

In situations where you need a confidence boost, stand up tall to your full height and sit or stand in a way that takes up slightly more space in the room/at the table rather than hunching in on yourself. It weirdly works. Look up "power poses". I think there is a proven psychological effect. It even helps you speak more clearly and with more effect as your lungs are opened up.

Here's an experiment you can try at home alone with words and gestures. Say something like "we're going to make a million dollars!" out loud while standing with your shoulders hunched or arms crossed, looking down, then say the same phrase with your head held high and standing in more of a 'power pose', maybe try making a gesture as you say it. Try various combinations of the above. You should notice a difference in how the words come out! It sounds silly but it's an easy exercise that really shows what a difference posture etc can make.

Chelsea26 · 01/03/2016 22:39

Matching, pretty underwear and heels! No one sees my pants but I know they're there and fancy! And heels make me taller and thinner!

voyager50 · 01/03/2016 23:12

I enjoy the winter months as I love accessorising all my outfits with a pretty scarf - I have about 30 of them in a range of colours and patterns! They brighten up my clothes and make me smart, feel happy and confident.

TyrannosaurusBex · 01/03/2016 23:16

Spending time outdoors makes me feel like my 'best self', and having a bit of a tan always makes me feel more confident.

Uzma01 · 01/03/2016 23:38

Wearing a nice outfit for no other reason than because you can. Bright colours like turquoise really make me feel happy.

WingMirrorSpider · 02/03/2016 07:54

Wearing make up helps as I'm usually bare faced and frighten the horses.

Wearing boots with a heel not only makes me actually taller but I tend to walk taller in them too. I'm not short (5'8) so heels bring me up to almost 6ft which I love. I feel like a woman with a powerful career (I'm not) as I'm striding purposefully down the street on my way to an important meeting (the bus stop).

squashtastic · 02/03/2016 08:38

As we have more sunny days our skin tone warms up and therefore your hair colour needs to adjust to complement it. Going one or two shades lighter softens the darker tones we have often used during the winter. It’s all about having a natural look, as if your hair has been kissed by the Spring sunshine’ says our colour expert colour expert Jonathan Long”


I find the way to feel most confident is to take bullshit advice about my looks from men with a pinch of salt! My hair does not need to lighten up to match my skin tone. The skin and hair I was born with match each other perfectly thank you.

I would love it if someone told my husband that he needed to lighten his hair inn order to sell some crappy product, he'd laugh in your face... it's disappointing that women are so used to it, we just accept it as reasonable advice.

So, is a hot bath with some posh candles just what you need to perk yourself up in the dark winter months? Perhaps you like to learn a new skill or get involved in an evening class? Do you brighten yourself up by changing your hair colour, or by starting a new skin routine to give yourself a glow? Whatever it is that you do to boost your confidence, let nice ‘n easy know.

Seriously MN, this is bad and I hate that this is where the website is going.

mercifulTehlu · 02/03/2016 09:02

I'm with squashtastic. Stop pretending you're interested in making women more confident when all you want is to sell products. If women were genuinely more confident they might not see the point of your products. Learning a new skill or going to an evening class shows you that you can achieve something. Dyeing your hair just says 'How I look naturally isn't good enough'. That's not making you feel confident. It's making you feel like your worth is based on your looks and they are not very good so they need hiding or enhancing.

asuwere · 02/03/2016 09:28

I agree with squashtastic its a shame that you have to tell women they need to change their appearance to boost confidence.
Also not sure what the season has to do with confidence, winter or summer I feel the same.

Cambam2010 · 02/03/2016 09:29

Standing tall and proud is the best way to feel confident. No need to try to be what you are not. Embrace who you are and if people feel you are not good enough for them, then that is wholly their issue, not yours.

asuwere · 02/03/2016 09:30

(Although winning £300 of vouchers would make me feel more confident when I go shopping! Grin)

TurtleEclipseofTheHeart · 02/03/2016 09:47

I felt more confident when I deleted Facebook and stopped comparing my life to the (fake) perfect lives people portray on social media and feeling pressured to share my life on there too.

OhHolyFuck · 02/03/2016 09:47

Sleep - a full nights actual sleep - and five minutes with a hot coffee with no one climbing on me, talking AT me, demanding my attention always revitalises me and makes me feel like I can take on the day again

CMOTDibbler · 02/03/2016 10:23

I'm more confident because I can see my running/cycling/swimming stats telling me my body is amazing, bright white hair and all.

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Gazelda · 02/03/2016 10:35

Spending time with a particular group of friends always gives me a boost. We laugh, share worries, chat about ambitions and always cheer each other on. Nothing beats time with them for making me feel I'm good at what I do.

sharond101 · 02/03/2016 11:50

Paint your nails, fake tan and the music you love!

serendipity1980 · 02/03/2016 12:15

I always make sure I'm wearing make up when I want to feel more confident, and make sure my hair looks good. Then I end up feeling better in myself!

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