to ask how you become poised, groomed and polished ?

[careeristbitchnigel]

Because I am not and I would like to be. How do you make the jump from "having put some makeup on and doing something with your hair and wearing a vaguely coordinating outfit" to "looking groomed and flawless"

I need some tips, people !

Bookmarking my place, as I could have written your post OP. I am clueless about this stuff!

Me too.

I'm hoping there some secret plan or formula or something. . . .

I do the clothes that suit me rather than being a fashion victim, hair, nails at the very least clean and tidy, and yet I still look like I'm waiting for my Mum to spit on a tissue and spruce me up. . . .

I think a lot of it is to do with an inner self-confidence, sort of projecting an aura of "yes, I do look great don't I?" I know many women who fit your description and they always seem to have this confidence. Even if they're wearing jeans and wellies and a hoody, they still look "right". I hate them

All the groomed and polished people are probably too busy grooming and polishing to share tips.

Being rich enough to pay people to do your chores, not need to work and spend money on clothes, regular hair cuts and beauty treatments, I reckon.

I am neat enough but don't spend enough time or money on my hair to pull it off.

I am reasonably low maintainence, yet my friends describe me as groomed etc.
the key things for me are....

I'm always clean (body and hair)

I have naturally wavy hair so have a style with lots of layers so it still looks ok if i leave it natural

I always have painted nails. I do them twice a week. It only takes 15mins while watching tv (seche vite is your friend...)

My eyebrows are always done

My wardrobe is mainly black/white/grey with colour added with shoes/bags

A basic outfit (skinny jeans/t shirt/ballet flats) looks 10 times better with a statement necklace.

It takes time to get into a routine, but i found a look that works for me and i stick with it. You automatically look better just for having painted nails and a necklace. Its the little things.

Good posture can make a shed load of difference, but as Apprentice said - confidence is a major factor too.

Also agree with confidence. My mum always told me "people look better strutting in a bin bag than cowering in a ballgown'

Wise old bird :)

And lots of mascara.

Have you has a look at the style and beauty board? There is a thread there called Operation Renovation - the idea is you choose a number of things to do and stick with it. So it might be leave clothes out night before, always have polish on nails, take vitamins daily, any small thing that can make a difference.

WWBWD - that is deliciously good advice. Now, to try to run with it...

Eyebrow wax every 6 weeks, nails every 2-3 (gel polish), jewellery, a good hair cut, iron :)

This could be me! I am always clean, eyebrows always done, nails always clean and tidy (though never got to grips with polish). always look a state. Hopeless.

I have a haircut that works for me and a very low maintenance beauty regime - so pluck stray eyebrow hairs but don't fuss too much (luckily I was rocking the scouse brow look way before it became a thing), tinted moistuiriser with SPF, mascara and lipgloss. Takes me about 10 minutes to get ready of a morning after showering etc.

However, I am not one of life's "posied" people. I don't eat messy foods at lunch time (spaghetti!!!) as anything more complex than a sandwich WILL drop down my top. I will always have inky fingers even if I haven't used a pen (how?) and chipped nails. It's not life threatening but obviously if I have a meeting I want to look fairly controlled so I cope by having spare tights and nail clippers in my desk drawer along with a very basic make up kit (tweezers, mascara, gloss, moisturiser). If I'm not in work and look down and realise I've laddered my tights at least once a week I'm not too troubled by it.

I do try and manage my time well though - nothing worse than having to run uphill because I'm late, jump onto a train all sweaty and frizzy haired and then spend the rest of the day looking frazzled.

Marking place..

I would adore polished nails but my nails couldn't take it. I have short, stubby fingers with wide squat nails. There are no half moons visible on any of my fingers (oh alright, just on my index fingers) despite moisturizing and pushing back my cuticles regularly. Wouldnt I look worse with nail polish than without?

I think it takes a lot of time and some money also. The women I know like this seem to visit a salon of some kind at least once a week. They get pro blow drys and they have their nails done. They also have facials on a regular basis and professional hair removal.

They also don't buy the cheapest make up as I do

Confidence.
Posture.
Nice accessories which make simple outfits look great.
Well made, nicely fitting, tailored clothes.
Lots of decent work clothes in easy to put together outfits.
Simple natural make up which doesn't take long and suits you.
A hair style which suits you and which you can do easily.
Keep on top of eyebrows, nails etc.

Not saying I do all that , but that's what I think it take if you don't want to spend ages.

Absolutely agree with what Whatwould says. Also - decent shoes. Can really make or break an outfit I think.

MrsWinnibago

I think it takes a lot of time and some money also. The women I know like this seem to visit a salon of some kind at least once a week. They get pro blow drys and they have their nails done

My friend swears by getting a weekly blowdry - she has a huge mane and the blowdry makes it manageable for at least 4 days then she ties it back until the next blowdry. She reckons she'd easily spend half an hour each day wrestling with it trying to make it look decent otherwise. I've cosnidered doing it but it seems very decadent!

aNote, short nails can look great with polish, especially in colours like grey and green (I've very short nails too). Give it a try!

WhatWouldBlairWaldorfDo you have statement necklaces!! What does that actually mean? I read it in magazines all the time and wonder if any of my necklaces are 'statement' or not. How do I know?

Good haircut, manicured nails, clean and expensive looking shoes, ditto bag and clean non shabby, well fitting clothes (no bagwoman look)

Statement necklaces are just costume jewellery. Generally large, or shiny ??

I currently have my eye on this one

m.topshop.com/mt/www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bags-accessories-1702216/jewellery-469/statement-necklaces-2965544/green-and-lilac-stone-collar-3265927?bi=1&ps=24

And this one

m.topshop.com/mt/www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/bags-accessories-1702216/jewellery-469/statement-necklaces-2965544/green-and-yellow-flowers-necklace-3300514?bi=1&ps=24

They can look a bit 'woah' but if you put them with a simple outfit they look great, make your outfit look more put together and expensive

ooh I have one very much like that first one!