Can you tell me what little things you do to yourself that make you look and/or feel beautiful?

[NotEnoughTime]

As the title says.

They dont have to be expensive or done regularly but I wondered if there was anything I could do to make me feel a bit better about myself.

Im 40 next year and am thinking of having a surprise birthday party. Obviously I would like to be the belle of the ball (have never had a party before) and for once in my life I would like to start trying to look/feel my best instead of leaving it till 3 weeks before the big day and thinking s%£t I need to lose 2 stone, get rid of the suitcases under my eyes etc etc.

Any hints or suggestions would be most gratefully received.

I have already asked DH how I could look better and he said wear "a brown paper bag"! He was only joking-I think.......

[whoneedssleepanyway]

pedicure, always makes me feel instantly groomed (even though I am not).

also having a professional blow dry if I am going somewhere special

also a dress that really makes you feel good...splash out you are only 40 once!

[cyb]

I lose weight

Have more sex (not necessarily in that order)

Buy some really good make and KNOW how to apply it

Sort my hair out

[ditavonteesed]

accept you are the size you are for starters, I always find trying to lose weight makes me feel shit about myself.
This morning I was feeling frumpy so intense conditioned my hair, shaved legs, pits and bikini line, filed toe and finger nails, pumiced my feet, used a body scrub in the shower sand then mega moisturised when i got out.
made sure i put on a nice dress rather than jeans and pout a little bit of make up on. painted my fingers and toes bright red. Now I look fabualous (in my head which is all that actually matters). I love soap and glory stuff for a cheap bit of glamour.
also good lip gloss.

[Marne]

Hair cut and styled (always makes me feel better about myself)
legs waxed
nice dress (i would have to loose weight first)
make up done by someone?

[overmydeadbody]

keep my feet looking nice, ditto my hands


Wear dresses and skirts and jewellery


Feel confident and accept myself for who I am.

[mathanxiety]

Agree with Dita -- and I do what she does. I like spending time just doing my feet and nails; moisturiser, filing, nail polish, and a face mask is nice too. Even with the usual outfit of jeans and T or sweater, I know what's underneath is nice.

I bought some really nice underwear for myself when I turned 40 -- a couple of bras that fit really well and actually did something for me, and knickers that were not the usual plain cotton nondescript sort I had always lived in. I also bought myself some perfume I had decided was too expensive a few years before that.

[Butterbur]

I don't look in mirrors in a good light, or at photos.

[TwistAndShout]

Eyelash tint for me. Though more for everyday than special occasions. Makes me feel better about myself even on days when I have only got two mins to sort myself out.

[Lizzylou]

I drink gin and take my contact lenses out.

[noddyholder]

Like cyb Healthy diet, more sex, make an effort with clothes hair and try to chill out about things. A new make up item often really does the trick esp new mascara

[NotEnoughTime]

Thanks everyone, some really good tips.

I do find as Im getting older that I have to spend twice the time (and money) to look half as good

I also agree that you should accept yourself for who you are and what you look like however I dont want to "give up" just yet as I can see myself sliding down the slippery slope which in turn will make me feel worse about myself and than a vicious cycle begins.

NET

[cyb]

Yes Not tis true it takes TWICE as long, and I wear TWICE as much make up as I used to, just to look normal. But I have to, for my own sanity

Makes you realise how much we took for granted as youths! Grrrr

[Lizzylou]

Sorry for being flippant.
I think just making the time for yourself makes you feel better, whether that is painting your nails, spending more time on your hair, exercising, whatever.
Feeling like I am worth spending time on and doing it, makes me feel special iyswim.

And yes, gone on the days where I could go barefaced save for a sweep of mascara and look semi-decent, I need work now.

[MotherPanda]

wear a decent bra :)

[FreakoidOrganisoid]

Not beautiful but I always keep toenails painted, legs and armpits hairfree, bikini line tidy, wear nice underwear and clothes that I feel good in. It makes me feel loads better on a day to day basis. And feeling good about yourself day to day makes it easier to feel wow for a special occasion. Well for me anyway

[ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie]

I never feel beautiful BUT I have several outfits that make me feel good and that can be adapted to different situations, so that helps. My aim is to increase the number of these, so that I take some of the thinking out of the process of getting dressed for different needs.

Also, I know that I look loads better if I put mascara and blusher on, so I am trying to make myself do that.

Agree re nail varnish on toes.

[Frenchchic]

The new purple container Max Factor False Lash effect mascara. Made my eyes look great and only took a minute!

[thestringcheeseincident]

Agree with Rosie, exercise. It makes you feel and look great. Proper heart pumping exercise.

Good haircut, nice nails and good eyebrow shape. (Plus I always use holiday sun for a little bit of colour, not WAG stylee, just a bit. I'm very very pale otherwise)

[TantePiste]

Read up on colour analysis and how to dress for your body shape. Reading about it is free or very cheap, and choosing the right colours and items has helped me reach a new high watermark on a daily basis. At least I am no longer undermining my looks. People compliment me more which definitely increases the 'feeling beautiful' effect.

Buy a feminine pair of shoes, like a d'orsay or with a curvy heel, or with some embellishment that pleases you when you look at it.

On the same lines, dress up just a bit more than strictly necessary.

[thebestisyettocome]

I use a very small amount of high factor anti-ageing sunscreen under foundation. It acts as a primer and makes my skin look great. The other thing I do is apply a small amount of the nude shade of the Revlon eyeshadow stick (can't do links on my bb) just underneath my eyebrow. It really opens up the eyes in a subtle way.

[Meggles76]

Eat healthily, exercise more (swimming really works for me), drink more water and avoid junk.
Keep nails short and clean with a coat of clear gloss for day to day
I use 'ped egg' thing on my feet and also scholl rough skin remover and moisturiser a couple of times a week. Paint toe nails a nice bright colour.
Keep eyebrows tidy
shave legs, underarms, bikini line
Good underwear also makes me feel better

[5GoMadOnAZ650]

I'm a biffa so when I go out and socialise I wear false eyelashes and nice make up to detract from my body, it makes me feel more attractive :)

[thebestisyettocome]

The product I use is actually Max Factor. I have zero ability to retain details like this