To ask for top tips to look better in 3 days!

[procrastinationsupremo]

Bit of a frivolous one, sorry. It's my 40th this weekend and we're going out for some food and drinks etc. I obviously had a plan at the beginning of the year that I was going to go on a 6-month detox health kick and feel fabulous.... I obviously carried on eating biscuits, drinking gallons of coffee and dealing with stress via the medium of wine (as opposed to yoga and jogging...). I look tired and bloaty (and am fat). Any genius suggestions for little ways to pep myself up before seeing 20 of my closest friends and family??

@Westwing1 - Hope you have a fabulous 50th -there are some fake tans around that are pretty damned perfect.
A friend of mine gets a Xen spray tan regularly and looks amazing- she has a typically v pale English rose complexion and asks for a very light tan - it looks natural and is so flattering

Haircut and blow dry
Facial
Professional makeover (at a makeup counter is fine)
New well-fitting outfit
Mani pedi

Happy 40th - I did this a few months ago for mine and it made a big difference esp as I was only a month post partum.

Thanks Luisa27, have weighed myself and written a 5 day meal plan (birthday lunch on Sunday) and am off for a 45 min brisk walk/bit of jogging. Good luck Procrastination and Happy 40th.

This is exactly what I would do and be so pissed off with myself that I wouldn't want to go out.

Try No alcohol- you'll sleep better, therefore feel better
Drinks lots of water
Try 16:8 fasting (easier than you think)

Hope you have a wonderful birthday

I am often the same, always plan to transform myself with months of dieting etc, never manage it. My prep list in those circumstances :

Full body exfoliation and moisturise with lovely rich cream. I'm pale and often CBA with fake tan, but feel 100 times better after doing this. (Aveeno body moisturiser is fab!)
Hair mask.
Manicure and pedicure.
Blow dry and make up done professionally if I can afford it.

Also YY to upping your water intake, even if you change nothing else about diet that will make a difference.

If you've got an outfit that you feel good in, I would stick to that and concentrate on pampering yourself in the run up. Its your birthday afterall! Enjoy!

Thank you so much, everyone some really lovely, brilliant advice! So, I've eaten less than 30g of carbs today (and will continue till the Friday evening meal), have drunk lots of water and spent the afternoon in the garden with my daughter (BTW, making a small herb garden with a toddler - sounds idyllic, really isn't...). I'll keep off the wine till Friday and have booked a manicure and eye-brow threading. I'm fairly confident with getting my slap on and have a nice dress, but I reckon I'll try and squeeze in a fringe trim and buy the Clarins fake tan someone recommended if finances will allow. Feeling pretty excited about my night out now, thanks everyone!!

Do some exercise. It'll make no physical difference in such a short space of time, but psychologically can make you feel much better.

Not sure if it's the endorphins, or just a general sense of well-being, but I always feel more confident after exercise

Birthday nails! Eye-brows also looking good...

Ooh lovely nails

Thanks! I'm actually quite surprised by how happy they've made me

Ha yes you find yourself admiring them while typing on your phone and things!
..so much easier than low carbing as well

I would have a Universal Contour wrap. Bit pricey but amazing and I always get significant (albeit temporary) inch loss all over which makes me look (and feel) really good

Lovely nails . Swapping tea for hot water and lemon makes a difference to my skin within days but I never stick to it!

Have fun, your nail s look great.

About lots of water and low carb, if you are anything like me...

The water just means you'll piss a lot more and the low carb gives me horrible headaches (migraine trigger)

Wear an old faithful, in terms of clothes, rather than something new that might ride up or down, sag or crease or otherwise let you down.