People who look so polished ... How???

[birthdaymayhem]

Posting for traffic and maybe in the hopes of finding a wizard who can tell me how to achieve this.

So in my immediate circle of friends I know 2 couples who always look so polished and put together they could've jumped out of a Next catalogue!
For me it's like dark magic. They always have clean, ironed and up to date clothes.
Especially the ladies, hair always blow dried or very neat, ridiculously smooth skin even up close, and clothes which must've come out of the brand new next collection (they all dress in a very similar way).
None of them are "would look good in a bin bag and a pair of crocs" type of beautiful but they are just so well put together they always look amazing!

But how can you look so good, fresh and put together all the time with 2 or 3 small DCs in tow, a house and job and all the stuff that comes along with that?

My put together is clothes that passed the sniff test and makeup hastily slapped on whilst DCs are having breakfast before we are out of the door.

I am keen to know this too,
I have brushed my hair about 12 times today and each time I go past a mirror it looks so untidy - like I just woke up.

OP with people like this, the polished look is usually at an expense.

They will pay someone to do cleaning, ironing etc.

Or they might not spend as much time with their children. I have a friend who is perfectly made up everyday. She spends a good hour every morning just doing hair and make up. Her kids are usually watching TV whilst she does this.

I think it depends on your priorities and what you're willing to spend your time on. There's no big secret to it.

For what it's worth, I'm usually a scruff!

Good hair cut. Classic clothes. You cant go wrong with decent jeans or black trousers and a white blouse/shirt and a blazer. Accessorise with a scarf if you are that way inclined.

Tinted moisturiser, lip gloss. That's all anyone needs really. Trowelled on make up ages people. No nail polish, French manicure, short nails.

'sniff test' that means you are wearing yesterdays clothes which will be creased, so you aren't going to look 'put together'

I do think some people have a natural ability to look polished, I can spend time grooming, keep in check with the hairdresser, accessorise and wear clean and tidy clothing but still look scruffy.

For the hair, I would say get a Babyliss big hair. Rough dry your hair, finish off with this - it’s like having a professional blow dry!

Clothes wise I’m rubbish but my ex was incredible at it - he always had a lint roller, ironed everything, had clothes taken in so they fitted perfectly.

I can look groomed, but it does take effort behind the scenes!

Another one following for tips

Good haircut that falls into place. Wardrobe where everything goes with everything else and nothing needs ironing. I can do basic make up in five minutes. It’s not difficult.

@twirlypoo doesn't that get stuck in your hair?

Oh! Also, buff your nails even if you don’t have polish on, and push your cuticles back. Looks loads better straight away.

thiscannotbenormal to begin with I’ve got the hang of it now though but I does take some practice!

Big Hair’s a great call. Mine’s my third and I’ve got a spare in case it breaks.

I also think it's much easier for people with straight hair to look well groomed than it is for those with wavy hair.

Oh! Also, buff your nails even if you don’t have polish on, and push your cuticles back. Looks loads better straight away.

I do this. It makes no difference. I have deep nail beds. With half an hour, it looks as if I’ve been digging around in the flower beds.

Ha! My classic white blouse will instantly have attracted a blob of food I even if I haven't been near any; the black trousers would be covered in dog or cat hairs and we don't have any pets. Lip gloss woukd either have inexplicably vanished or be smeared down my chin....

Twirly I’m hopeless at doing my own hair I can’t do stuff like GHD curls etc. Is the Big Hair easy to use?

I think a lot is to do with how these people 'carry themselves'. They seem to have an aura of 'togetherness' and order and poise.
I think these type of people are the type who buy new seasons clothes and styles.

Invest in good quality clothes ie items which are £50+ (ebay and charity shops are your friends here) and spend 15 min doing make up before you go out.

When I say good quality clothes I mean dresses, trousers etc that are £50+ new and cost less than £10 on ebay or in charity shops.

Doesn’t matter what I do I always look like I’ve just fallen out of bed 🤷‍♀️

Nails are always done, hair is just a sodding mess no matter what I do! Make up well if your lucky I may have some Vaseline!

Drink a ton of water, I guzzle 2-3 ltrs a day and my skin has never looked better.

My messy bun looks like I couldn't be arsed.
My friend's messy bun looks like it is out of 'Hair' magazine.
She is graceful and poised. I am not.

thiscannotbenormal - I totally agree about it being more difficult to look groomed with wavy hair. No matter how much time I spend doing my hair, and no matter how neat it looks when I first style it, as soon as I go out or encounter the slightest bit of humidity it reverts to random kinks that make me look as though I’ve never even brushed it

I think a lot of it is having priorities. A friend of mine has always - since she was a teenager - got up an hour before anyone else ( including her babies) and has spent that time doing her hair and makeup. A lot of the time, that has meant getting up before 5am. She just sees this as her priority and I have to say she always looks great.

yes to good hair cut (doesn't need to be expensive) and a 'uniform' of good fitting, easy to care for clothing + fetching accessories.

I put my kids in front of the tv for 30 mins of a morning so I can get my make up done. I do it in the living room beside them so it’s not like they are unsupervised.