One week to be the best I can be! Help me please!

[revolvenotevolve]

This time next week Im going to a reunion - I admit to wanting to make a good impression. I have a TINY budget of practically nothing but need any advice on what I can do in one week to help.
I am time rich though!
Plan so far is to drink a shed load of water - but that's as far as I've got!!

[evertonmint]

Lots of sleep, lots of exercise.

Eat lots of veg and protein, fewer carbs. I find this helps me feel and look more energised quite quickly.

Cleanse and moisturise really well for the next week (although you should be doing this anyway!) Cleanser with a hot wet face cloth of muslin made my face look fantastic within a day or two of starting.

Practise your make up. Plan your outfit in advance.

I'd spend what money I had on a professional blow dry on the day.

[revolvenotevolve]

Thanks - exactly how are you cleansing? Just rubbing with the cloth or some sort massage technique?!?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Have you got some Sally Hansen nail strengthener stuff? That can make quite a difference in a couple of days.
Have you got something to wear?
If I only had less than a tenner to spend, I'd probably buy a new blusher and some nail varnish.

[evertonmint]

I rub in a cleanser on my dry face, then use wet face cloth (in hand hot water) to wipe it off. I don't massage as such, but do give it a thorough clean by wiping a small part of my face at a time quite firmly rather than just going over it all in one big wipe IYSWIM.

If wearing sunscreen/make up I actually cleanse twice at night. Caroline Hirons recommends this. It seemed like a huge faff but actually only takes a couple of minutes extra and has made a huge difference very quickly to my skin.

I'm using Body Shop Nutriganics Cleansing Gel (about £10) and a Simple cream cleanser (about £3). I just use one of them in the morning. Love the Nutriganics one.

[evertonmint]

YY to new blusher :) Some good cheap ones in Superdrug. I have a lovely Sleek one in a sort of peachy colour for about £4 and I think the MUA range blushers costs £1!

[OneLittleLady]

The MUA blushers are great and yes, they are a £1! Shade one is especially nice, not too pink or too peach and gives you a nice subtle glow, it's the one I use myself currently. The primer from MUA is also decent for the price (£4)

[Somethingyesterday]

Is your posture good? It dictates the first impression of you (alongside hair, skin and well laundered clothes.) A little yoga - plough / shoulder stands - will help. And a hoola hoop if you have one. You will stand straighter in a couple of days.

[revolvenotevolve]

I have a divina hula hoop but can't keep it up! Hoola on the wii is good though ?!?

[Somethingyesterday]

As long as it rotates your middle! Which is the Divina? I was thinking of the heavy, studded type that massage as they strengthen....

Oh, don't know what you're wearing but if you buy one tiny thing make it a dazzlingly new white vest to wear under a jacket.

[BeanoNoir]

Can you get your eyebrows (subtly) tinted and threaded and your eyelashes dyed? I always feel nicely groomed when this is done.

[NomDeOrdinateur]

Exercise makes a big difference to your skin - you could try 30 Day Shred, Level 1, which is on YouTube. It's only 20 mins but very intensive, and it made my skin (and thighs) look much better within a week of starting. A bit of extra sleep will also help in this regard .

Eyebrows neat and tidy, hair trimmed if possible, nails short and neat, all leather and jewellery newly polished, jacket de-linted (a lint roller is less than a pound in Sainsbury's, or you can wrap sellotape sticky-side-out around your hand and press it against the fabric).

Make sure you choose clothes which make you feel confident and well put together - check front and back views in the mirror, and get somebody to check you for loose threads etc.

Hope you have a great time!

[naturelover]

For the next week eat as much green veg, berries, nuts, fish, avocado and wholegrains as possible.

Give up alcohol and caffeine, drink lots of water instead.
I reckon diet makes a big difference to your skin.

On the day itself I think blow-dry, make-up, nails and outfit will make the difference. And posture.

Have fun. I had a reunion recently and I also wanted to make a good impression.

[Somethingyesterday]

One more thing, in the "do as I say not as I do" department is: don't spend all your energy on your appearance. You will need to talk. Don't know the nature of your reunion, but to make a good impression it helps to be on top of things. You probably already do things like following current affairs, politics, culture etc, etc. Be ready to discuss things outside your personal orbit.

And don't be tired. Or stressed. Or later than you want to be. Dress simply. Carry as little as possible. Smile. It'll be fun.

[HoneyStepMummy]

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[flowery]

Don't wear anything you feel at all uncomfortable in, either physically or mentally. It will show. Don't have any waistlines to yank up, bra straps to prevent from showing, heels too high, anything too tight, too short or too low cut or anything at all that will preoccupy you or concern you in anyway. You need to be able to focus on being fabulous, not on whether your bra strap has slipped out or on walking in heels you're not used to.

[flowery]

Be fascinated by what people are telling you about their boring jobs/lives/kids. People feel great if they think you are genuinely interested in what they are saying, and if you make them feel great, you have made a good impression, regardless of what you're wearing.

[Somethingyesterday]

How is the preparation going OP?