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Style & Beauty

Clueless about S&B and really need help!

3 replies

SugarMiceInTheRain · 23/06/2017 18:22

Sorry for the rather vague title, I don't know where to start. Having just done the bare minimum for years, I have recently looked at myself and decided I need some serious help. Maybe I'm having a slightly early midlife crisis but my appearance is getting me down. Went clothes shopping the other day and was nearly in tears. So here are my problems if you can help me tackle them, please???

1 - I'm suddenly looking my age (if not older) and need to get some decent skincare/ makeup and disguise the lines that have crept up over the last few years without me noticing. Basically I'm just using a basic SPF 15 moisturiser plus BB cream (which is apparently SPF 25) in the day and Nivea Q10 night cream. Are there any products that do reduce the appearance of wrinkles? (not brave enough for botox yet!)

2- With regards to clothes, I am useless with knowing what suits and what doesn't. Am 5ft, size 10 (8 with the vanity sizing that goes on in lots of shops) but not got much shape - very straight up and down, including very small boobs Sad

3 - I am very self-conscious about a noticeable port-wine stain birthmark across my neck/ cleavage and down one arm. Are there any products that actually work for bleaching/ fading the appearance of these or will expensive laser surgery be my only option? Or camouflage make up?

4 - (And I realise this is my own fault and I will probably just have to wait it out) I had my hair cut into what I thought was a cute, elfin pixie cut, but during my changing room horror the other day realised that with my figure it just makes me look like an 11 year old boy.

I know it's a big ask but can you lovely people please give me some direction (sitting rocking in the corner overcome by insecurity!)

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Floisme · 24/06/2017 10:03

I won't try and answer everything but I'll pick out the parts where I might know a bit and I'm sure others will come along with more advice.

I'm a couple of inches taller but used to be a very similar straight up and down shape (feels like a long time ago now!) and I've always had short hair. I used to flit between two styles: androgyny and vintage tea dress. One of my favourite outfits was straight leg trousers, plain T shirt and a men's waistcoat (Like I say, it was a long time ago Grin) There are still vintage tea dresses around but also good new ones - seen some nice prints in Oasis. They were polar opposite looks but I think they both worked well with a boyish shape. As it happens, I'm back into androgyny at the moment only this time, I'm curvier and and I can tell you it's trickier to do with boobs!

If neither style appeals, there's a lot of advice on dressing for your shape on Pinterest. And I still have a soft spot for Trinny and Susannah books which are still knocking around in charity shops. The clothes are dated but a lot of the advice is still sound (although you don't have to do everything they say - they detested pleated trousers and I love them!)

My skin routine is careful but minimalist. I would use a separate sunscreen and moisturiser as the combined ones aren't that strong. I'm just going to put it out there that I personally think a lot of skincare products - including serums - are hokum but I know a lot of people will disagree. I think the main reason my skin is reasonably good is because - and this was more luck than good judgement - I never got into either smoking or sunbathing.

I won't try and advise on the port wine stain other than that any products would have some serious shit in them so to get medical advice too (which of course you may be doing).

But above all, just go out and try stuff on and try not to get anxious about it. Playing with clothes and your appearance is just a bit of fun. We all get it wrong sometimes and it really doesn't matter.

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Botanicbaby · 24/06/2017 10:57

Great advice from floisme

I've no great s&b tips but to say please don't be so hard on yourself. I'd love to be your size and everyone I know has something they cannot change too much be it birthmark or hair type.

I think being happy with your hairstyle matters a lot though so if you could find recommendations for a good stylist near you that is a good place to start Smile

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SugarMiceInTheRain · 24/06/2017 16:19

Floisme, Thank you for the tip about tea dresses. I could get on board with those, especially in this warm weather so will start looking. Also didn't know about the sunscreen in moisturiser not being very strong. Will look for a good facial sunscreen (I assume such a thing exists as normal sun cream feels very sticky and heavy?!) Fortunately I am not into sunbathing but my skin is so fair and freckled that it doesn't than anyway! I get so confused about various wonder creams and serums and am a bit sceptical.
Botanic, I know I have some work to do on feeling comfortable in my own skin but thanks for replying Smile

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