Help me - Complete Makeover

[ProtegeMoi]

I need some serious wardrobe help, I am going for a COMPLETE makeover and could really do with advice from more knowledgeable posters.

I have fallen into a rut. I am 27 years old and yet still wearing the same style as when I was a teen. I have NO decent clothes, mainly because I find it hard to buy things. Its so bad that I am STILL wearing my (now rather loose) maternity clothes and my baby is 7 months!

I don't even know what dress size I am. I think 14-16 as I am wearing 12-14 at present but they are maternity.

I look shit and I know it, have stopped bothering with make up / hair as seems no point. My appearance is really getting me down so need to do something about it.

My goals are:

1. Buy whole new wardrobe.
   How will I know what suits my shape, floaters etc. And where should I be looking (only shop at supermarkets in the past). I am not on a huge budget so reasonably priced.
   
   
2. Get accesories, shoes, coats etc. to go with my new wardrobe.
   
   
3. Have my hair restyled. Again how do I know what suits? Its lifeless at the minute, shoulder length brown that is always scrapped back.
   
   
4. Throw away all my old make up and rebuy in colours that suit.
   
   I am so ckueless, I don't know what would look good. I don't know my body shape, I don't know my skin tones etc.
   
   PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE advise me, point me in the right direction and help me change my life.
   
   Will add a pic of me to profile as soon as I can figure out how to do it. There is NOTHING I like about my appearance, it all needs to change.

[Mosman]

Buy all your baby stuff at boots and collect points with which you'll buy your new make up, again look for extra points and special offers at time of purchase. Now is usually a good time.
Sainsburys will have their 25% off the next seasons collection coming up soon too, they basically copy boden and have some lovely tops and jeans, dresses and coats.
Walk loads. When the little one has her lunch you have yours and put her in the pram and walk for that two hour nap.
That's what I did oh and don't have number two just yet the 22 month gap between my first two nearly finished me off

[SavoyCabbage]

Go through everything you have so you know where you are starting from.

Wear some easy to remove clothes when you go shopping and try a LOT of things on. I know it's torturous, but it has to be done.

If you have big boobs, go and get measured for a new bra.


Try to buy total outfits and start wearing them. Don't save them for when you are going somewhere.

Buy shoes that you are going to be able to wear in your every day life. I live in keds wedges and ballet pumps.

Start wearing necklaces, scarves, earrings etc. You can wear a plain t-shirt and jeans and look much smarter if you are wearing a necklace.

Get one of those hair magazines and look through it. Last year, I had my boring bob cut like this here and I look much younger and pulled together. As a bonus I don't have to brush it in the mornings.

For make up I like Bourgois stuff.

[Mosman]

Are you thin savoy ? I'd love hair lime that but being a good size 14 ATM puts me off.

[sleeplessinsuburbia]

I did similar a few years ago.
I began with a few pairs of really nice pjs/night dress and three or four exercise outfits that doubled as my around the house clothes so I always looked good without effort and never worried about visitors popping in.
Bought best jeans I could find and a few tops which went with it so I never had to put effort into choosing what to wear. Added as I found a need.
First thing in the morning after washing my face I put on foundation and a bit of eyeshadow (takes about 15 secs i put it on like moisturizer but i have a good one) I add to this if I go out etc.
I only wash hair a couple of times a week but make sure to style it well so it always looks good without doing anything day to day (long).
Agree with savoy.

[SavoyCabbage]

I'm a size 10 but my boobs are massive so I have to consider them.

With the hair i think "it's only hair". It will grow.

I was in my dd's school assembly and every mother had her hair in a pony tail. And not a gorgeous glossy one but a scraggly one. Myself included. So I thought that as I wore it off my face anyway I might as well go with it.

[DonaAna]

The book 'You are what you wear' really helps.

[midnightinmoscow]

Happy new year!

I would say that with such a massive overall, you need to tackle one area at a time, and concentrate on that.

So, for example if you want to concentrate on your hair I would suggest the following:

Have a look through magazines etc for ideas for styles. Think about what you need your hair to do, do you need something quick and easy to style, do you need to be able to pull it off your shoulders etc?

What is your hair type like? Is in thick/thin, oily/dry etc? Post on here asking for hair product recommendations, you'll get impartial advice rather than a hairdresser selling a brand.

Find a good hairdresser, ask people whose hair you like where they go...even if it's a stranger. They won't mind.

Make sure your diet has food in it that is good for hair and skin, so avocado's, olive oil, nuts and oily fish.

Once you have decided on a style, invest in a good hairdryer, something powerful will shorten your drying time. One tip I find useful is to have all my hair stuff in one place, so I have a box with my dryer, BBH, serum, hairspray etc. It's all near a plug and a mirror. Sounds simple, but little things like that make life so much easier and therefore you are more likely to do your hair in the morning!

[womblingalong]

What sort of shape are you OP, whatever your size, if you are in proportion/bigger up top/ apple or pear shaped, will help to be able to recommend styles for you?

What is your colouring? To help with makeup suggestions.

I would suggest your hair and also maybe makeup will make a big difference to how you feel, so start with that.

[Hopefully]

Have you considered having colour/style analysis? If you're feeling utterly directionless it can help with everything from the style of haircut to hemlines, necklines etc, and guarantees that you look better even if you just start with buying a few scarves in the right colours. There are various independent consultants, and House of Colour and Colour Me Beautiful. I was 27 when I first went after having DS1 and panicking about how to ever look stylish again, and it was bloody brilliant.

[ProtegeMoi]

Thanks for all the great advice so far everyone!
Definately want to start with hair, but not brave enough to go short and worry a bob will age me.

wombling Shape erm. I would say bigger round the middle, wide hips, big arse and things. Fairly broad shoulders, not much of a chest though. Colouring - Think i'm fairly pale as always get told I look ill :( Medium brown hair, brown eyes.

Hopefully I would love to but can't afford it.

Right so job 1 is hair.

Any flattering styles?
I have quite chubby cheeks and a large jaw with an overbite (bottom jaw sticks out slightly). My hair can be quite dry and frizzy and I have a cowslick that means the front bit sticks right up if I even attempt a fringe, otherwise would love one.

Would like a style to disguise that a bit, have a tendancy to try and hide behind my hair.

[SavoyCabbage]

You can have a fringe if you want one. You could get a BB big hair to tame it.

[ProtegeMoi]

Right have been brave and uploaded a few photo's of myself.
I look a mess, it's even worse then I thought looking at these photo's of myself. There is not one thing I like anymore.

Can everyone have a look and help me.

What body shape am I?
What style's of clothes would flatter?
What colours?
What hairstyle would suit?

Hair is the big one I am tackling first as I used to love my hair.

Do you think stay long or go short, bearing in mind I have quite a fat face and an overbite?
What sort of style?
How about colour? I tend to like a few funky colours, like a large section blonde, blue etc.

[TitWillow]

I have a cows lick too, and a fringe! What you need is this and straighteners.
Get a decent fitting pair of jeans. The supermarkets are not your friend here, I find gap jeans fit me well, they are a bit more pricey, but will make cheaper tops look good.
Dresses are a good idea, they immediately look like you have made an effort, without being complicated. New Look and Dorothy Perkins are good for cheap day dresses. Just head in there and try loads on til you find what you like.
Second getting fitted for a new bra, even if you don't have a big chest. It will make you look much better, and the odds of your pre pregnancy ones actually fitting correctly are small. Do not get fitted at m and s! They are rubbish. Head to local department store or specialist shop, and then you can buy the right size from supermarkets.

[TitWillow]

Can't get on to your profile?

[womblingalong]

ProtegeMoi

I can't access your profile, have you made it public?

Brown hair and eyes and pale skin sounds lovely, very striking with the right hair and make up, because of the contrast.

If you are bigger round the middle, then tunic type tops would suit, and would you be happy in slimmer fitting jeans/leggings?

I have 2 friends with similar colouring to you, one has medium brown hair and has a rosy but fair complexion, and suits mossy greens, browns, corals etc, the other has much paler skin, with darker hair, and suits pastels and clear bright colours, like red, bright blue, pastel blue and pink etc, they both suit navy blue really well. Would any of those colours work for you?

[ProtegeMoi]

Try now, forgot to make it public.

[DancingInTheMoonlight]

Still not able to go on. Make up wise i would suggest going to a big boots and getting colour matched for their no7 foundation- its amazing! They also do 3 for 2 on their products. Do you have a stylish friend or family member? I usually drag my very stylish sister with me!

Hair wise, lots of salons do free consultations, although i would avoid the big name chains and go to a reputable local hairdresser (if it has been there a while and is recommended they will be no doubt nicer, more knowledgeable and cheaper)

[sleeplessinsuburbia]

I think you're a pear shape and well proportioned so you can pull off a lot. I'd start with some skinny jeans and nice flats and a few fitted tops.
Your hair is great if it is naturally straight keep it that length but keep wearing it out. I think you could look good with lots of colours, whichever you prefer but that blonde chunk was too much in one clump.

[DancingInTheMoonlight]

I think you have great hair! If you wanted a change, how about a slightly shorter Choppier version? Have you ever used hair dye on the plum/red end of the spectrum? Its more warning with brown hair than blond?

I think the fact you like clothing with colour is a real positive! I think long sleeve v neck tops sit most people and are flattering. O agree with the other poster that good quality flattering jeans are an essential staple! Good luck!

[DancingInTheMoonlight]

Warming not warning!

[ProtegeMoi]

Thanks x
I used to love my hair, it's not been done in a long time though so is a mess now. Need to get it sorted again.

Have some Geroge vouchers to spend so was just having a look and quite like these, what do you think?

direct.asda.com/george/womens-jeans/denim-high-waisted-skinny-jeans/G004121705,default,pd.html

direct.asda.com/george/womens-tops/graduate-fashion-week-printed-tunic/G004149794,default,pd.html

[TitWillow]

I like your hair in the first photo. Not sure that a fringe would suit your face. Maybe think about a reddish colour? Really like the blond streak though, it really brightens your face.

Clothes wise, I would say that your skin tone doesn't suit black, the photo with the high black neckline drains colour from your face. Lower necklines would be better, and try navy or browns instead for a neutral. The dress in the first photo really suits you.

[womblingalong]

Agree with sleepless, having seen your pics, you are a pear shape, like me. You can do skinny jeans if you are comfortable in them, but will need more fitted longer length tops. If you are not comfortable with skinny jeans, go for slim or staight leg, and spend on good quality ones.

Dresses are a good option for pear shape figures, as you will suit dresses with a flared or a line shape, so skater dresses, or t dress shapes will work. I wear shorter ones with leggings and knee high boots or flats

I would avoid polo necks, and go for brighter colours on top, and darker below.

Go for boat necks or v necks or lowish scoop necks. Get fitted properly for new bras and buy 2 one black and one flesh colour, to make the most of what you've got! I swear by proper control knockers for holding in my belly and bum if I am wearing a dress. M&S do 2 packs that are not too uncomfortable for regular wear.

Colours: try and keep black away from your face, and wear on your lower half. I think you would look good with colours, and am guessing that warm colours will suit you.

[womblingalong]

Sorry typos: tea dresses not t dresses

And knickers not knockers!

[womblingalong]

Think the darker hair colour suits you better than the blonde, would keep it sophisticated.

I would definitely get your foundation match from No7, it's brilliant, and suggest you go for a touch of blusher and some tinted lip balm/sheer lipstick, and a bit of mascara. The blusher will help to warm up your skin tone, and the lips/mascara will help you look groomed. Should only take 3-5 mins every day.