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.

DM1209

Repeated behaviour becomes habitual behaviour which then becomes effortless and that then translates in how you carry yourself.

I like this. Simple maths. Thanks!

Rich
Thin
Clean

I've had people tell me that I must take ages to get ready because I look 'well put together' but I really don't.

The secret is what suits you - your hair type for instance - my hair is fine and flat when longer and would take ages to style and give a nice finish to. That's not going to change so I found a short pixie cut that works for me and takes 5 minutes from wet to styled.

My body type doesn't suit all high street branded clothes, but looks great in well tailored, expensive brands. So I buy only premium brands but second hand on eBay for less than I'd spend on the high street.

In terms of make up, I've always had problem skin so I use light foundation and can do my eyeliner and mascara in a couple of minutes.

My entire 'process' once I get out of the shower takes about 20 minutes and I leave the house looking and feeling the best I can. The pp who implied that it can only be done because women sacrifice time with their children (I'm scruffy so I must love my children more?!) is full of shit.

With regards to "a good cut".

I am in my 50's and can say with much sadness but with no doubt whatsoever that I have NEVER had a good cut. Never.

I have tried so many hairdressers in my area and do go regularly. (monthly)

How hard is it to find a decent hairdresser??????!!!!!!!!

I also wonder if the home environment helps. I , for example, have to put my makeup on in the downstairs loo. Maybe polished people have a naice area in which to "groom".

I had to laugh too at the white shirt/blazer combo being the answer to looking "polished" . Only if British Airways Hostess from 1978 is your style icon, ditto long cardigans. Know your own style, be confident in it and that will help you look polished not someone else's ideas. Iron your clothes. Use a primer. Polish your shoes. Have a good handbag, wear lipstick and good earrings. Know yourself.

How you actually look has some bearing on this as well. Mo from Eastenders is never going to meet this version of polished however good her hair cut or clothes.

The days I feel my best are when I put more effort into my hair. I can be wearing loads, or not makeup, but if my hair is well groomed then I feel a million times better

I shampoo and condition, and I then put volumising mousse in my roots (tip head upside down) and this makes the difference to me. I then brush it through wet, brush it through dry and brush hair whilst straightening. It looks so healthy and shiny.

Sometime I think its accessories too- one of my downfalls. A nice looking watch/bracelet, necklace, earrings and a ring or 2 can make a big difference, doesn't even have to be expensive

I would look a lot more groomed and polished if I kept my eyebrows tidy, straightened my hair each time I wash it and kept my nails short and polished I can’t be bothered to do this, so I don’t look polished.

My clothes are always clean and ironed, shoes polished and coat clean, but it’s the hair and make up I just can’t be bothered with. I’ve made my peace with it and am happy to be in my own skin now.

I agree, like good genes some people are just born like it. You can improve yourself but Mo won't become Anna Wintour by using Babyliss.

I feel like in the past couple of years I've finally cracked this. Understanding the shapes and colours that suit your body type is the key.

I spent years slavishly copying the style of a particular person in the public eye, because I loved everything they wore and we had similar hairstyles.

For some reason I never looked as good - even if I went and bought the exact same top that looked gorgeous on her, it would look like 'meh' on me.

It's taken me years to realise that I just have a totally different body shape to her. We're both slim, but that's where the similarity ends. My proportions are totally different.

I know now that I can't do high necklines; maxi-length or midi-length skirts, dresses or coats; anything with a dropped waist; no empire lines; no knee-high boots. And I stick to block colours like navy, camel, grey and black, with the odd splash or coral or emerald green. I only wear graphic prints. No flowers or anything busy, but polka dots, stripes and checks are okay. Animal print is used sparingly!

I wash and straighten my hair every other day and luckily it behaves itself so it always looks in good nick.

The biggest difference though is my skincare routine. I used to just take my make up off with a baby wipe and moisturise with whatever I'd been given that Christmas or birthday. But I invested in some mid-range skincare products and do a proper cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise most nights (unless I'm really tired). It's made a big difference to the quality of my skin.

The second thing that was a game changer was I invested in some really good make up. I only do concealer under eyes, wings of nose and chin, then I do my brows with a bit of subtle brown brow mascara, then mascara on my eyelashes and then finish off with a lipstick that is just the perfect colour for my skin tone and really brings out the colour of my eyes. It's taken me half my life to find this colour, but for some reason when I wear it, it just makes my whole face look better. The texture and quality of the concealer really helps too. It smooths everything and makes my face more luminous - but having good skin underneath really helps.

Good quality make up is worth the investment. The colours are better and it lasts longer so you can be more subtle.

Polished and "smart" (ugh) don't have to be the same thing. A lot of it is confidence, clean hair that makes the most of its natural texture (I actually don't think thick curly hair that's been flat-ironed within an inch of its life looks polished), clothes that fit and are relatively timeless. I never saw anyone look polished in those awful calf length flares from last year.

I think some people just have it, and others don't (I don't).

I know what you mean though, some people are never creased, never a hair out of place, can wear white and at the end of the day it's still gleaming white and no stains and could be returned to the store it's still so crisp.

It's not to do with water, or a hair cut, some people just have this kind of neat and tidy aura.

My skin is nice, I have a good figure, and I have a very nice hair cut and can blow dry it lovely and buy decent clothing. But towards the end of the day there may be spots on my clothes, my hair won't still be in the same place and I'll be rumpled.

I agree with what everyone else has been saying but I also think it helps to be slim. I’m a 14 at the moment nothing ever really looks good. Clothes just look better on slim people (size 10) in my opinion. When you’re slim you can tuck tops in which looks more polished. You can also wear a wider variety of clothes. Don’t want to offend anyone, just my opinion.

Some of it you can achieve with classic clothes, good make-up, drinking plenty of water and getting a good nights sleep.

But some people are never going to be polished. Like PP's I look great when I get up but if I go outside and it's humid, damp, raining or windy then there's no chance. My hair goes frizzy with even the tiniest amount humidity in the air and if I keep fiddling with it to stop it going curly then it looks like I've dipped my head in a vat of oil 😂

Some people just are that way.

One of my DD always looks smart and put together.

Her clothes are ironed no more or less than other DD and from and shops.

Both too young for make up or lots of grooming.

With her is it

Thick straight shiny hair that falls into place
Being slender and tall
And just something about how she is

I always assumed people who looked out together all the time had effort but now I know her I know some people just come across that way.

I agree to a degree days but there are absolutely things she could do to make herself a better version of herself. It would take time, money and effort though!

I am ridiculously high maintenance in order to have a low maintenance look..... I have a gradual tan, eyelash extensions, coloured contacts, hair extensions for thickness (not length - my hair is shoulder length) I have regular manicures / pedicures and facials.

It just means that on a day to day basis, I can literally shove on lip gloss and walk out the door and look groomed.

Expensive though, and god knows why I bother when I’m single and live in pyjamas as soon as I get in the house

Loads of spelling errors, am on phone, hope you can get gist!

I can look smart if I try but I'm just not. Not personality, hair wavy etc. I have my own style that I am comfy with.

DD looks out together out of bed no hair brush in pj's.

Mine is all standing on end when I get up!

This is fine, variety spice of life and etc

My friends spend money on themselves to look like this- hair done, hair done once or twice a week, regular facials.

*nails done

Had my colpurs done 30 uears ago. An eye opener.

I'm told I generally look good. I rarely have time since the mornings are the worst for ds who sn's. My fair is curly so not sleek but I put I some serum in and let is air dry and it looks good.
I think good shoes and a good coat do wonders. Earrings make a big difference. Small and classic. And yes big sunglasses hide a multitude of sins! My makeup takes 5 min. Tinted moisturizer, I use a bit of lipstick as blush because it blends better and looks more natural. Then tinted lip balm and I curl my lashes and put on mascara.
My clothes aren't fancy but they are classic and most of the combinations look good. I also find with shoes a slight heal makes me walk taller and feel more put together.

whoever said about the babyliss big hair - I agree my mil got me one - it's amazing - makes my fine hair look like a salon blow dry!!

Finding a great hairdresser is the key, as they are nearly as rare as unicorns. Most are mediocre and too many are appalling. You are more likely to find a good one in a big city IME.

Someone has to say this at some point, so it might as well be me. Is there any equivalent to any of this for men? I doubt it. Women appear to be expected to spend a small fortune and hours of valuable time every day on clothes, shoes, bags, makeup, hair, nails, god knows what else, or they're written off as bagladies with no self-respect, not least by other women. So depressing.