Help me get started

[Devlesko]

Hi, I need some sort of routine for looking my best and not 10 years older than I am.
Am recently recovering from mh illness. I do live with it constantly, but have been so bad that I've let myself go.
I have no idea where to start with what suits me, colours, styles etc and can't afford one of those colour things. Although I did have Colour Me Beautiful in the 80's and they said I was winter. (cool)
I've had a bit of luck with youtube but not much.

It's the routine I'm struggling with the most. Not working at present but looking atm.

[bleughhh]

Hello! Sorry to hear you are dealing with mh issues. If you want I good place to look at colour type things, that is a bit more up to date the CMB and, I think, really useful, have a google of 'The concept wardrobe'. Just found it and I think it is spot on...

[Devlesko]

Thank you very much, I'll have a look.
I'm so overwhelmed and have no idea where to start.
I was always clean and tidy with a decent hair cut, but haven't worn makeup or jewellery for years (not mh) just wasn't the type.
Now, I intend to embrace all things style and beauty wise.
Thanks again

[PestymcPestFace]

Don't embrace everything at once, somebody will assume you are manic.

Start with getting back to where you were before and build upon that.

Routine:- make a list and stick it up by the bathroom mirror:
Shower
Teeth
Cleanse
Moisturise
Pits
Hair
Clean undies
lip balm
etc

Make up, what do you want it to achieve?
Going from zero to everything is unlikely to be sustainable.
Mascara is a good general starting point, buy a sensible price one and try wearing it. If you and mascara bond, great embrace it and try the next thing.

What item of clothing do you need in your wardrobe? Coat, jacket, jumper or cardigan? Buy one you think you love and wear it. If you are on a restricted budget TKMaxx and charity shops often have wonderful bargains.

Stick another note by the front door asking yourself if you are looking coordinated. A few steps at a time and you will be there soon.

[Devlesko]

Oh thank you so much, that makes sense.
I'll leave the extreme hair makeover for a while and concentrate on other stuff
The notes and list brilliant idea.
So helpful

[littlecatfeet]

Hi, I have been where you are!

I actually used a daily to-do-list app, and put a list very similar to Pesty's on it, it felt good to tick things off. Be careful not to add too many things, about ten tiny steps maximum, over-ambitious to-do lists can feed anxiety. I found it helpful to think of it more as a "did-do" list, and every tick was a little pat on the back. Break it right down into tiny steps if you need to, no one else has to see it.

For what suits you, it might be helpful to think back over the clothes you had when you were more put together - what did you really feel good in, what always got you compliments - write down those items, and what was special about them - the type of heel on a boot, the cut of a pair of pants, the bright red of a coat?
Just start playing with these ideas before you buy anything, let that feeling of having fun with style come back.
YouTube has some good content to build enthusiasm, but do look for vloggers who are a similar age to you.

I started dressing well again by deciding on just one outfit - the thing I could wear almost every day, because my days were pretty much all the same (SAHM, school pick up, supermarket etc). For me that was a long sleeved wrap dress with boots. I bought two from ASOS and suddenly it was easy to get dressed and look okay without making decisions. Could you think of one outfit?

Best of luck on your recovery journey, getting to this point where you are able to consider this sort of change is an achievement all by itself.

[bleughhh]

How are you doing Devlesko?

[MrDarcysMa]

Try daily to shower, teeth, cleanse and moisturise face and brush hair. I would suggest under eye brightening concealer, mascara and brow pencil.

Aim to wash hair every 2-3 days and blow dry it into a neat style straight away as the longer you leave it the more likely you are to

Perhaps once a week you could set aside some time for pampering - bath, shave, moisturise hands and body and perhaps a face mask?

[MrDarcysMa]

If you're at home all day I'd also in some cheap lounge wear - even supermarket leggings and t shirt to change in after hour shower. Feels much better than sitting around in pjs all day x

[PestymcPestFace]

How is it going @Devlesko ? Mind, body, soul and job hunting.

What is the extreme hair transformation?
As you are looking for a job, pink and purple dreads are probably unadvisable. If you hair has just become long and unruly due to neglect (and so haircuts being available for 6 months) a hair restyle now could be a fantastic idea.

[Devlesko]

Gosh I'd forgotten about this, Blimey.
I'm doing little bits and thank you all so much. I haven't tried any pampering yet, but beginning to notice why I hadn't been bothered. Denying yourself pampering time is a bit daft, no idea why I was doing it.

I snipped a couple of curls that had horrible orangey ends, hair will soon be it's natural colour with some silver streaks.
Hairdressers won't cut it atm as it takes too long for them to do it, it's very long, and curly. Takes about half an hour to comb it out and 5 hours min to air dry. Hairdryer takes ages.