To think it's hard to look good if you don't have much money

[sallychadband]

Just this really.

Few clothes = frequent washing = looking shabby.

No make up

Infrequent hair appointments

No beauty appointments

Overworked - long hours = look exhausted, plus little time to spend on / think about appearance

Well, people have given you loads of suggestions on here, OP. It's no good saying you're too tired, got no time, it's easier to eat junk food, and you're 50! All excuses - either you want to be healthy and look good - or you can't be bothered!

Tis isn't just about money OP. Every suggestion that has been made to you here you have argued why you can't do it. yes you could if you wanted to. My guess is you can't be arsed to work your way round the issue which is absolutely fine btw.

I guess I would focus on figure and good skin condition - you'll need much less in the way of well-cut clothes and good makeup.

I generally pay attention to diet (lots of vegetables, easy on the processed carbs), walk as much as time permits, and make sure I drink plenty of water - very little time needed, but I do need to be in the right place mentally to avoid binging on sugary crap for weeks on end. I find my cheapy high street stuff looks good as long as I keep my figure and my skin/hair always looks better the better my diet is.

Hair, keep long so it can go up in a bun and doesn't need as frequent maintenance as a shorter cut. If you're greying, I can heartily recommend Lush henna to dye at home for a couple of quid a month in maintenance after the first full head application. Just slap it on and wash it out when you remember. It's much more natural looking than box dyes, and it turns grey streaks into multi-tonal highlights

Charity shops are brilliant. Find ones that are dirt cheap and have a rummage. I get most of my clothes in them, and often find branded clothing and shoes to suit me.
A lot of looking good is superficial but good posture can help a lot.
A smile costs nothing and most people look better when they look happy.
Aldi is good for skincare, and you can get decent make-up from budget ranges.

I will never look like my high-maintenance friends but I think genes and money has a lot to do with that.

I agree; I read a good comment about this the other day:

"No-one is ugly, just poor"

To look very high end I agree with you.im not professing to looking great but I think
there are things you can do quickly & cheaply to look a bit more polished.
I’m 40 and work FT and I use a cheap moisturiser (Nivea soft) and Aldi eye cream every day. My make up is from super drug, not tonnes but just a small amount, foundation, bronzer and mascara generally with a balm on my lips. I kept my nails filed and use polish on my toes all the time.
I felt by let my clothes go shabby and throw them when they do, I buy supermarket t shirts jumpers and jeans. I do buy expensive shoes (Clark’s) - well expensive compared to the rest of my stuff!

see if friend can give you a trim

Thanks for all the advice but I think the above tip is a step too far, as I don't have any hairdresser friends.

I am taking the advice on board btw, but I still think it's generally harder to look good if you have very little money. Life in general is harder.

Oh my goodness the typos! Sorry, it should say I don’t let my clothes go shabby, and throw them out when they do.

I don't think it's much to do with money. I have money .... and I still look a bag of sh*t most of the time.

You either hang it together, or you don't: I don't

I've neither time nor money and am knackered all the time plus work is quite physical and I hate shopping for clothes because everything looks shit and doesn't fit me properly.

So I resign myself to looking crap most of the time.

I'd love to look nice on a daily basis but until I can find nice well fitting clothes in a 12-14 for people with boobs, that won't fall apart instantly and aren't made of horrid man made fabrics and don't cost the earth then I am stuck with clothes that I bought in 2008. With holes in.

Honestly, I think the people saying you’re making excuses have no idea what being actually poor means, and how scrabbling around to try to pay the bills, and lying awake at night worrying about money takes it out of you.

Also, no, running is not free. running shoes are bloody expensive.

Being permanently exhausted leaves opportunities for exercise - even free ones like walking etc.

I feel more tired when I haven't exercised - after a long swim I feel energised and sleep better than when I haven't done any. I'm a few years older than you.

well I do my own hair and often get random compliments about it. i wear no make up, just pluck my eyebrows, and don't have manicures, just file my nails so they look neat.
Clothes wise on a day to day basis i wear tesco jeans and tops from tk mxx.
evenings out i have about 6 or 7 dresses bought heavily reduced ( eg. down from over a thousand to about £100.)
I'm slim as i don't eat crap, and I'm confident that i look good. You know what, I may be deluded but i do look pretty good. I'm 47, so it's not impossible.
personally, i loathe the heavily groomed, very styled hair / multicoloured talons for nails look; I think it's really ageing and tacky, no matter how much the person has spent. they always look better when you see them with a lot less "stuff" on

Capsule wardrobe - even if it takes a while to gather the stuff up

Trusty things - a good pair of black heels can be bought in Primark. I'd advise spending money on a leather pair of Converse - means they can be shoved in the washing machine

Prioritise - I wear expensive foundation because of the risk of spots. But mascara and eyeliner? Cheapest of the cheap - it's all getting washed off at the end of the night anyway

Straighteners - Remington ones are as good as GHDs

I use expensive face cream - Origins stuff; but I love the smell. Nivea from Poundland is just as fantastic

Mobile hairdresser instead of salon. Wax instead of thread

To look expensive - simple clothing/accessories. Not too much "bling" - just a wristwatch. Clean and tidy nails. Clean and shiny hair

I'm a single parent and also have three children with asd. I think the problem lies in motivation. You can have limitless resources but without motivation to take care of yourself, you won't. Haircuts, teeth whitening, fillers and botox cost money, and none of those are things I invest in. I brush and floss my teeth three times a day, preferable after every meal, two minutes. I use reasonably priced skin care, buy the best clothes I can afford. I run and weight train. I eat low carb/high protein, stay away from refined sugar and don't drink a lot.
I don't spend money on a social life, because I don't have time for one.
But I always make sure I look after myself and my health.

Try and dress classically uniqlo is great for staples and cheap

And buy a cheap moisturiser, a decent cream cleanser ( or just use oil) and buy a decent facial sun block.

Oh I've just noticed the post about being almost 50.
I'm 58 and probably fitter than I've ever been. I've got hardly any money. Clothes come from supermarkets or primark. I actually cut my own hair now, see youtube for tutorials. I used to dye it myself but I don't bother now. Skin and hair products come from Aldi. I don't wear makeup anymore, but when I used to wear Rimmel. And it is possible to eat a healthy diet on a low budget. I do get a bit irritated when people claim that cheap food is somehow bad for you. Well yes, cheap crappy food is bad for you. Basic unprocessed food is't.

Lidl moisturizers are very good and affordable.

I am 48 - never wear make up - hate the stuff - I do get my hair done and I do blow dry it

I wear clothes that suit my shape and I avoid fast fashion - supermarket clothes (TU and Morrisons are good) in the sale - classic stuff

I exercise regularly and eat well - I think this helps - make up can be really aging

always look good after a bath when the mirror is misted up! if you can afford it the best thing is a decent shampoo and conditioner so whether your hair is cut or not at least its in good condition. Sometimes some hairdressers have student doing hair (check they are well supervised & you have plenty of time as they often take longer!) or just go and get dry cut from time to time as this will be cheaper than a shampoo and set.

I don't think it costs money to look fabulous

The most fabulous looking people that I know have lovely bones, unfussy hair and lovely figures. All of which are either genetic or freely available

DS has a beautiful girlfriend and I was so delighted that she didn;t turn up slathered in make-up, with ironed hair and a fake tan. Plus no flipping designer gear. Then she announced she was taking him off for a 20-mile hike.

We're officially a no-fake-nails household. People with fake nails are not allowed through the door. This rule became necessary because DD suddenly took to spending £25 a week to have grim talons affixed to her otherwise long delicate and rather lovely hands.

There is nothing that makes people look cheaper than fake nails TBH. Unless you are planning to audition for Love Island, they are completely unnecessary.

Appreciate it is difficult on limited budget but....

Charity shops and ebay for better quality clothing which may last and look better than 'bargain' shops though supermarket basics often really good quality (Tesco /Sainsbury stuff)

Can you dressmake or know any one who can ? A friend who dressmakes alters her charity shop finds and has an amazing wardrobe- on benefits due to ill health but looks great and always eclectic.

Drinking lots of water for hydrated skin is free
Tweezers and good attention to 'brows ' etc -takes time.

If you are lucky enough to have family use birthday/Christmas money to buy skin care products Superdrug do a varied range and good prices.My teenager used to get some good skincare stuff in the £1-£2 range.TKMaxx also has some good stuff.
Also ask for samples- just be brave I accumulate loads doing this.The counter girls aren't as scary as they look.

My local tech college used to have it's own salon- hair colours were about £10 - waxing was under a fiver- students supervised.

Walking helps me keep weight in check - and saves me on public transport -

Paint your nails - honestly always makes me feel more groomed.
Good brows
Clean hair - don't worry about style too much a good shine is always classier I think. Clean teeth.

Try for one unusual piece a charity shop necklace or - for example a plain black T shirt and jeans with a charity shop vintage coat (leopard skin or classic trench?) Worth taking the bus to charity shops in 'better areas'

Botox fake tans heavily styled hair and high fashion clothes personally I think make women look older.

Style doesn't need money just confidence- the people I tend to notice are smiley not necessarily super stylish.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the advice but I think the above tip is a step too far, as I don't have any hairdresser friends.

FGS you don't need hairdressing training to trim someone's hair. My mum used to trim mine for me when I was younger, and now my partner does it.

I think it depends on your definition of looking good. I had a colleague who was always very well put together - she spent a lot of time and money on her hair, which was cut and highlighted every 6 weeks, always immaculately made up, and had proper outfits with co-ordinating accessories and everything. But she didn't look after herself physically - she was v. overweight and big drinker - and in her mid fifties she looked a good decade older, though she would have been horrified to know this. For me personally she didn't look good because she didn't look well.