Do you find it hard to make an effort with your apperance everyday? And how do you do it

[LardLizard]

I tend to swing from being really lazy
Some days I won't even do my hair I'll just tie it up and wear scruffy baggy clothes and look a right mess
And feel a mess someday although somedays I don't care

Other days I'll swing the other way and I'll go a bit ott

I know I look best with washed and done hair,and minimal make up
Say mascara blusher and lip balm

Or some days a bit more make up if I feel like it


Anyway how do you manage it ?

[Newbrummie]

Older kiddos the answer or just the one 😁

[neveradullmoment99]

On a work day, i usually always make an effort. On my days off, it varies. I dont tend to look a mess but I wear very relaxed clothes. Jeans, trainers, top. At the weekend if I am staying in and noone is coming up, I love to give my skin a rest and leave it without anything on it. I wear joggers or something loose and just relax. Its good for you

[MuseumOfCurry]

I manage to get myself together every day for the love of it. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't do it.

[buzzlightyearsdinosaur]

Routine and I get up early, I have to be ready to straighten my hair while the DC's are all eating breakfast otherwise can get a bit dangerous. Luckily the DC's don't get up until about half 6 so that gives me a bit of a head start.

I also think regularly maintained hair and a really good cut keeps helps keep things quick.

[Judydreamsofhorses]

I think it's just routine to an extent - I lay out my clothes the night before and have hair and make up down. It wouldn't occur to me not to do it. On days when I'm not going out I will have a shower or bath, wash and dry hair, then dress in comfy lounging type clothes, do skincare but no makeup. I am all or nothing! I agree with buzz that a good haircut makes a difference - I go religiously every six weeks - and I would add to that a decent skincare regime and lash/brow tinting (plus threading for brows) for me.

[Freeurmind]

I don't really make an effort. I wear no make up day to day unless I have a massive spot and want to conceal it, I do try to make sure that I look neat and my clothes are clean and ironed.
I wear a scarf and abaya so sometimes if i'm lazy i will just wear my pjs under my abaya with a long pair of boots so that the wind doesn't expose my pj bottoms and wrap my scarf around my head without bothering about the style.
Other times I will wear a nice blazer with a matching scarf and bag with jewellery making sure everything is fitted properly, I like straight lines.

[singleandfabulous]

I enjoy taking care of my appearance to be honest but then again, I don't have children so have the time.

As others have said, routine is key but could you do a lot of things the night before so it's easier in the morning?

So at night, have a bath, wash hair (and dry), layout your clothes, tidy your nails and eyebrows, shave legs etc.

Then in the morning, a quick wash is all you'll need, brush your hair (what style is it? Longer is often easier), a bit of make-up and you're done once you're dressed.

[BusterGonad]

I need to start making the effort but I can go for days without seeing anyone except my husband and son and tbh I don't care much about looking good for dropping my son off on the school bus. I used to wear make up everyday when I worked but now I'm in a rut and feel like I no longer give a shit! I hate feeling this way but I also cannot be bothered anymore!

[Swimminguphill]

Maybe figure out the maintenance activities you enjoy and let yourself take a bit of pleasure in them. I like choosing what to wear. I actually enjoy thinking about it. So even though I'm not getting up 15 mins early for ANYTHING and am often without make up etc, I generally have a somewhat put together outfit on. A scarf can make all the difference if you haven't had time to do make up or something with your hair. I also enjoy washing my face and putting moisturiser on in the evening before I go to bed but in the morning it's a chore so often I do the part I enjoy. I can't see the point in putting yourself through a whole load of hoopla you don't enjoy just to look put together, especially, as you point out, you won't see many people (and even if you did they honestly wouldn't care - probably too busy thinking about what a state they look/feel). What do you like doing in the beauty/fashion side of things?

[LockedOutOfMN]

For work, I lay out my clothes the night before and try to dress nicely/carefully (obviously it's a matter of opinion and some of my colleagues may think I'm an unseemly cloud of pink). I tend to wear a necklace and one bracelet or sometimes just the bracelet - I rotate 3 favourite bracelets (tennis bracelet sort of thing) and about 5 necklaces (pendants - "big" jewellery doesn't suit me). No earrings.

I'm not great in the mornings so have a very lazy routine - I shower before bed so in the mornings just wash my hands and face and brush my teeth and hair. I don't wear make-up. In winter, I put on either serum then moisturiser or just moisturiser followed by a primer type cream (no. 7 beautiful skin BB cream). In summer, I just use a moisturiser with a higher SPF. Lip balm.

Deodorant, and sometimes a light spray of perfume. I'm a teacher and veer between fearing my students would think I smell of swear and fearing they are gassed by overzealous perfume-ing. To be honest, their main fear should be my coffee breath. Sometimes put a couple of sprays of coconut oil spray (ogx - from Boots) onto the ends of my hair. I have long hair and get it trimmed every 8 weeks as well as roots done (half head highlights). I guess I am quite lucky in that my hair and skin behave themselves with little fuss from me.

Keep legs, armpits shaved, bikini line waxed, toenails painted and feet generally un-Hobbit-ish. Fingernails always clean and filed (short) - I play basketball and the violin so long fingernails are a no-no and I tend to chip polish within milliseconds so I only put it on occasionally for an event and then clean off the shattered remains of it when I get home afterwards.

Clothes ironed, dry cleaned where necessary, buttons sewn back on, etc. Shoes always polished - I wear flats for work, never heels.

[CountFosco]

Depends what you mean. Are you depressed and find it difficult to do the basics (keep yourself and your clothes clean) or do you mean you don't look 'polished' because that's not actually necessary so don't beat yourself up if you don't do it. If it's the former then see a HCP and try and do the basics to make yourself feel a bit better, if it's the later then meh, it's not necessary if you don't enjoy it.

So e.g. I have a shower every day and wear clean clothes but I don't do most of the things listed by others above (makeup, manicure/pedicure, ironing, defuzzing, dying hair, straightening hair). I do get my hair cut regularly by a good hairdresser and I spend money on good quality clothes (that I then wear into the ground). And I work in a profession that doesn't really value appearance (I'm a scientist) which makes it easier to be a refusenik as far as heels/makeup/leg hair goes. Suspect I might be more polished if I was a lawyer.

[kel12345]

My hair is worn in a ponytail every day, as that's how I like it best. At home I tend to wear comfy tracksuit bottoms and t shirts.
When I go out to the shop I'll put on leggings, trousers or jeans instead.
If I'm going out properly- for drinks or a meal say, I'll make more of an effort with hair, and wear something nicer- jeans or trousers and a top, or a dress- depending on where we go.
I've never worn makeup at all (in halls at uni I did, more to fit in, but it wasn't me at all). And dh prefers me without makeup anyway (didn't even wear it on my wedding day).

[garlicandsapphire]

For work - make up every day and looking smartish. I never put my outfit out in advance but if have a very smart day ahead I will give it some thought when going to bed. Earrings and necklace - may not change from day to day, moisuturiser, deoderant a dash of perfume. Oh and I usually have shellacked nails.

Long hair which is usually down or in a bun or pony tail if it looks crap - its only washed every other day or every 3 days as it dries out and gets into terrible condition if its over-washed, blow dried and straightened (and its a faff). I can do kids breakfast and shower and blow dry hair and be out of the house in an hour. But then I am wonder woman! Oh and they are teens so dont need too much dressing and nagging. They're like well trained dogs.

Weekends casual always jeans, trousers or leggings - but I never leave the house without make up. I only do any of this - and believe me its not super smart - because it makes me feel better about myself. Like wearing my new boots to work tomorrow will....

[MrsMarigold]

Have a good haircut that requires minimum effort to look done. Tell the hairdresser this, to me this makes the world of difference, I literally only ever spend four minutes blowdrying my hair now. Wear jewellery, make-up: BB cream, blusher, mascara and a quick dash of lip balm. Wear clean things, have a sort of uniform, buy good shoes and a good coat. I also find heavier fabrics, ironed clothes better.

[MuseumOfCurry]

It's not cheap but I started having my hair professionally blown dry 2x a week (Monday am, Thursday evening) and my hair now looks polished at all times. Best money I've ever spent.

[Orangepeppers]

I've got quick hair and make up down to a fine art. It takes me 5 minutes to dry my hair and Babyliss Big Hair it and 5 minutes to do full make up.

[WellTidy]

I was a lot scruffier on the whole when I was younger. Now that I'm in my 40s and look and feel generally knackered all the time, I have to put more effort in or I look dreadful.

I put out clothes the night before, including undies. I pack my handbag the night before too so that I have the lipstick with me that I will be wearing that day (if I don't do this, I find that I am carrying round with me multiple lipsticks and my bag gets really heavy).

The easiest thing I find when clothes shopping is to buy outfits. I only buy something if I have something I know I will wear with that item, or if I can buy something at exactly the same time that goes with it. Otherwise I end up with masses of separates which don't go together. I often buy skirt, tights, knitwear and scarf together.

I wash my hair every three days. I have a shower on the days that I wash it, a bath on the days that I don't wash it. I blow dry or straighten it straightaway. I shave my legs and armpits in the shower on my shower days. Body exfoliate whenever I'm in the shower. I have my hair trimmed and coloured every 6-7 weeks. It probably needs colour every 4-5 weeks though.

I wear make up everyday, but Its easily applied make up. I can't do contouring or anything complicated. So its primer, foundation, eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow, mascara, blusher and lipstick. Takes 5 minutes. Before my make up, I cleanse, put on eye cream and day moisturizer.Takes about 5 minutes tops, its all very easily absorned stuff. Then I do my teeth. Then my make up.
I wear perfume everyday.

I put body moisturizer on every day when the kids have their bath. Check eyebrows, take off make up and put serum and night cream (even though its only 7pm) on when they're in the bath too.

Hand cream and foot cream kept at the side of the bed so I put it on every night. Might also put more body moisturizer on if I'm scaly.

I keep a mini hand cream in my handbag, another at the kitchen sink, another one in the car and another one at my desk and put it on as often as I remember.

Is this what you mean? Or do you mean looking polished? As I don't know whether I do look polished (I suspect not) so I probably cant help you there!

[bowchikkawowwow]

I love getting ready in the morning, however I have no children so no stress of getting anybody else ready!

Takes me about 45 minutes to do hair, make up and get dressed.

To save time have longer in bed I shower the night before and choose my outfit/ pack my bag etc.

[LardLizard]

Thankyou so much for your thoughtful replies and taking the time

I think your right it's just about trying to get into habit and better routine

Today I've body scrubbed shaved legs washed hair, moisturised

I'm going to do my nails manicure and pedicure next

Want to get in the habit of using serum and moisturise everyday
I have the stuff, but I forget to use it etc

By scruffy, I class that for me as, baggy unflattering clothes that are old n had it
And don't match and not doing my hair

I don't mean depressed not even bothering to brush my teeth etc

But I do know in the days I say wear some nice jeans n a top and do my hair etc I feel better
So I think I would benefit from being more consistant

I have nice things like newer lly and perfume but I tend to not often use them
So a good sort out is also in order

I thought perhaps streamling my bathroom products might be a good idea too as too many bottles etc

Could do with a good leave in condition recommendation perhaps I'll try that coconut oxy one

I would really say I enjoy doing these things more I enjoy the result, apart from using make up
I do find that fun

[LardLizard]

Outfit all laid out for tomorrow and manicure n pedicure done too

Feeling more organised already

Thanks chaps

Surprising what little tweaks can do

[MuseumOfCurry]

My first suggestion is USE YOUR PERFUME.

[LardLizard]

Curry where do you spray yours? I read the other day best sprayed in the hair and also how expensive is it for a twice weekly blow dry?

I can see how that means you hardly need to do anything with your hair

Do you have it blow dried straight

[MuseumOfCurry]

If you live in a big city, it's less. Try Treatwell to search local hairdressers.

I spend between 20-25 per blow dry (they're always running specials) so 40-50/week.

I have wavy spiral curls. I had my hair blown dry straight for years and couldn't understand why anyone liked blow outs, it made me look like a cow had licked my head. I had a friend who had amazing hair - she had a mobile hairdresser and I started with him. Mind you she did it only once a week (eek!).

I spray perfume on my wrists, clothes and hair.

[FairytaleOfSkegness]

I fall into this trap sometimes and then end up feeling rubbish about myself! I do enjoy taking the time to get ready nicely when I have the time but if I'm rushing I just get more and more stressed!

They key for me is organisation! So I have all my make up in the bathroom divided up into eyes, lips and face. I then have a smaller make up bag with duplications of good essential products (foundation, mascara, vaseline, blush compact that can also be used as eyeshadow, a lipstick that could also be used as blusher). This is my on the go bag that I can just grab and do if on the go if I'm running late one morning.

I also have a separate work wear section in my wardrobe. Less clothes to look through makes for faster choosing! I also try and make sure that lots of clothes in it go together Eg this winter I've had a lot of navy, burgundy and dark green to mix with the staple black and grey. In spring I will go through it again and pick a more summery colour pallete with colours that go well together. It's a bit of effort the first time you do it but well worth it!

[NoJimmyProtested]

Op I get my hair blow dried every week. It's £20. It's life changing. I can make it look nice for about 3 days using dry shampoo. I usually get it done second half of the week so it's good for Saturday too. It's my treat to myself ever since I have up smoking a year ago . If you can afford it then I'd recommend.