Small things that help make you always look polished?

[MeIAm]

It takes a lot of effort and time (both of which are in short supply at the moment) for me to even look presentable enough to leave the house.

I'd love some quick, easy tips and tricks to make me look even slightly 'done'. Right now if someone knocked on my door I wouldn't answer it just because I look a state, my hair is fuzzy and everywhere, skin is not looking it's best, eyes are dark, body is dry and flaky, nails are long but discoloured, toenails have chipped, week old polish on them - you get the idea!

I'll go to work tomorrow looking presentable but as soon as the make up comes off it just seems to highlight how bad other parts are!

I have a busy month ahead so will be doing the bare minimum but after that will be able to invest more time in myself. What things do you do to make walking past a mirror first thing in the morning more bearable?

[OrlandaFuriosa]

Well, I don't , but what I notice in others

Glossy hair. Next time you are washing it, towel it to remove the worst of the water, then rub a little coconut oil into it, or Moroccan oil. Instant natural shine. 3 seconds.

Brushed hair. Brush with head upside down as well as head upright, with bristle brush. Keeps scalp in good condition. 45 seconds to 2 minutes, per day unless your hair is really long.

Hair either well cut or pinned out of the way. 1 hour every. Six weeks or 20 seconds every 6 hours

Nails, either good nail polish or none.
Cuticles managed. 30 seconds per day, ie 3 seconds per nail, with cream and orange stick.

Shoes clean. ( distinct fail here). Wipe over every night, 2 mins

Eyebrows tidy. 2 mins per week
Eyelashes, if you can afford it, get them died.

Ironed shirt (another fail). Don't worry about trousers or skirt, people don't notice those so much.

If no small children, 1 piece of jewellery, eg necklace. 2 seconds.

Sorted handbag or rucksack, ( third huge fail) . 3-15 mins.

Most important of all, stand up straight and smile. Breathe slowly. Cost and time, nothing

Now if I do all these...

[NakedMum33and3rd]

Eyelash extensions have mad my life so much easier!

[mrssmith79]

Gel polish
Groomed eyebrows
Bit of mascara
If those 3 are in place I'm pretty much happy to face the world (or the newsagents at least ).

[3littlefrogs]

I think a good haircut is essential. You can get away with most clothing if your hair is tidy, but the smartest outfit will look bad if your hair is unkempt.

I was watching Shirley Williams on TV last night (?) and thinking that she has finally found a hairdresser that can give her a decent cut.

[MeIAm]

Lots of quick fixes so far! Can definetly do a few minutes every day.

Love good eyelashes and have considered some extensions before. How long do they last until they start looking a bit odd? Do they actually look a bit odd after a while? (Do the lashes fall out in clumps or just like natural lashes?) Do your natural eyelashes fall out with them? Most important question - how often do you need to get them done and how long does it take?

Sorry for all the stupid questions but these are things I'd feel silly asking the beautician, I feel I should know the answers

[MeIAm]

Already get my nails shellac'd (took it off on Friday though I haven't had time to get them redone and my appointment isn't until this Friday, the regrowth was bad!) Maybe I should look into have toenails done too but would have to sort my feet out before I let anyone see them!

[DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel]

I asked something similar a few months ago.

The best answer I remember was to not rush about. Glide not stomp about in a rush. Think about your posture too.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Minimal subtle make up.
Hair styled
Nails painted

[BananaChew]

When I watch TV at night I take off my nail varnish, file my nails and repaint in a nude colour, with a clear coat on top. Makes me feel very together.

Try to streamline your wardrobe so that your stuff all works well together, and your outfit appears thought- out.

Skin. Even-toned skin helps loads

[ElspethFlashman]

I find a luminizer helps a lot. I whack on that L'Oréal Lumi Magique stuff over my moisturiser (I keep them side by side) and I look instantly less knackered even bare faced.

Oh and a good tip is to put deodorant & perfume side by side as you end up using perfume every day.

Also serum on soaking wet hair. Every single time!

[wobblywonderwoman]

I am trying to look a bit more polished. Past 2.5 years have been crazy

I got a good haircut yesterday and some clarifying shampoo and deep conditioner.

This morning I bought St. Tropez one hour tan and an airbrush primer, lipbalm with pink stain and I am going go use my teeth whitening trays for the next two weeks that I haven't used since my wedding.

I also got a foundation sponge so might improve the make up.

Would love more tips

[gettingtherequickly]

Good haircut and pressed clothes.

If you dye your hair regular maintenance on the roots.

Now if I could only follow my own advice.......

[ElspethFlashman]

Also I bought that Bluesky UV lamp on Amazon. Comes with a Base coat and top coat for 20 something quid. Doing your own nails at home = win.

[Oh2beatsea]

If you want a quick but amazing fix for your feet.....buy Newton's Chiropody Sponge from eBay (

[NakedMum33and3rd]

I get my eyelashes done filled in every 3 weeks. It takes about 45 minutes. They look fine when coming out and have never looked particularly odd. You have to make sure you get a good person to do them because it is quite a delicate procedure. Also as long as you don't pull them off it doesn't harm your eyelashes.
I get so many compliments about my eyelashes. People think they are real as they don't look fake at all.

[fastdaytears]

I've had shellac for years and years but only recently started getting my toes done too and it has made a huge difference. I hate hate hate my feet so always left them til last (which means never). Now I can wear flip flops at short notice! It's a life changing move...

[Jmangel]

Well I was the opposite of polished today - I had intended on a beauty night last night but felt like a cold was coming on, so spent the night on the sofa drinking wine and watching a girly film instead - big mistake! Had to attend a holy communion and village festival today and looked and felt dreadful. I should have coloured my dark roots, done an exfoliator and fake tan and a manicure/pedicure and an eyebrow tint. Because I didn't, I had shocking roots, was as pale as a ghost which meant I was limited in clothing choices and had to sweat it out in a cardigan and covered shoes as my feet also awful. It has all put me in a bad mood all day and I could kick myself for sobbing out last night. Does anyone else find looking polished exhausting?!

[Jmangel]

That was slobbing although felt like sobbing today when the sun came out and I was caught out.

[zippyswife]

I agree with posture (I am trying... When I remember). People look really put together when they don't slouch.

[redhat]

I am going through a slump atm and so don't look my best but when I am more organised I do a different thing each night in front of the tv

hands
pedicure
face mask
hair mask
etc

[BlueEyedWonder]

Regular haircut and highlights

Keep finger nails short and clean. Quick coat of Dior nail glow.

Regular eyebrow threading

Pressed clothes in simple, plain designs and neutral colours.

Good tan leather tote.

[redhat]

Ive just been prompted by this thread to paint my nails when i ought to have been working

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Hair for me.

My hair is curly so brushing doesn't work and I don't like coconut or Moroccan oil. I have a go to style (basically up but with the front pinned up separately for some volume) which looks nice and as 'done' as my wild curls will ever look!

I like to have my nails done as well and I would sooner take it all off than have chips. But well fitting clothes are the best thing. Tops that don't require hoiking to cover bra straps, trousers that don't have hems falling down, that sort of thing.

[JapaneseSlipper]

Re. nails - stash one of these in your handbag for almost instant glossy nails with no drying time.

www.beautybay.com/nailcare/tweezerman/filebuffshinepad?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=TWEE0032U&ctyid=gb&gclid=CjwKEAjwkui7BRCf64DNtfDupgoSJAA_0LOoqM-PokiWto4KdmnW1iHwF9WwnzlfBMSWkgO3jnuv5BoCJknw_wcB

You use three sides in order to buff your nails to a glossy shine, perfect for when you are running late but want your nails to look (literally) polished. Provided your nails are naked, it's the kind of thing you could conceivably do on a car (or a bus, provided there is no one sitting next to you to be weirded out). It's not like nail filing, you don't really shed particles everywhere, so not gross.

[LazyCake]

Dresses. They always look put together and you don't have to faff about matching separates - just stick them over your head and off you go!

Also earrings - put together a collection that suit your face-shape. Provided they are relatively neutral in style, you can go several days without changing them. I've been wearing the same pair of pearl studs since the end of last week...

YY to Newton's Chiropody Sponges. Such a quick, effective and cheap way of clearing dead skin.