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.

Blazers, pearls and white shirts? Sounds like Dallas 😂😂 I know nobody who wears these.
I don’t know about polished, some of my friends always look beautiful be that in a glamourousor boho way butI think a large part of that is looking happy

not sure what a manicure kid is but they sound useful!

Following for tips!

You either have it or you don't. One of my son's always looks like an advert for the white company. The other looks like a surfer dude. It's the way they carry themselves. If anything suffer dude is blessed with the looks but his brother just looks smart. He stands tall and carries his clothes well. His brother just looks cool!!

When you study the makeover programmes, it's always the hair that makes the biggest difference.

So I would say have a good cut (and colour if necessary) and regular hair appointments.

Unfortunately, clothes just look better on you if you are slim and toned. If you need to lose a few pounds, just get on with it, stop making excuses. Drink lots of water (practically free). There are loads of weight loss and exercise threads on here to suit everyone.

As for clothes, check out your colours for free online, I always thought I was a winter, but actually a warm autumn, and that has changed my shopping habits.

Don't spend a fortune on designer this and that. Go for solid colour rather than florals and bold patterns. Look at your silhouette and dress accordingly to hide your worst features and accentuate your best.

Subtle makeup. I use the luxe tan drops (mentioned above) with a serum overnight. Always sunscreen. Tweezers and a brown brow pencil if you can't have brows done professionally makes all the difference. Ditto mascara for lashes. My colouring prefers a softer coloured lipstick, darker shades make me look old and my lips thin. Try a few cheaper brands until you find a look that works, before spending £££ on anything.

I always get compliments when I wear dark skinny jeans, orange tunic top, black tote bag and ballet flats. Like these photos. Example of silhouette (I don't resemble Katie Holmes btw). All Primark.

If all else fails, wear large sunglasses and fake it till you make it .

Where can you check your colours for free online? Think I need this!

@Baloonphobia, check this out.

Before DC I never had to worry about looking "put together". I was naturally slim and so clothes just looked good on me, whatever I wore I got compliments. I didn't need to wear make up as I had good skin. After DC it all rapidly went downhill! Now I need to make much more of an effort to even look presentable, let alone look good but I still don't think I spend a lot of time on my appearance really and the time I do spend is worth it because it makes me feel so much better.

I agree with previous posters about investing in good quality make up. Before kids I could use any old cheap stuff but now my skin is much more sensitive and I can't get away with cheap make up. A good moisturiser (my favourite is La Roche Possay) is essential and a decent primer (Estée Lauder for me) can work wonders. I also use a red clay face mask once a week, just leave it on for 10 minutes and wash off while in the bath or shower so minimal effort. If I don't do these things my skin looks dull and starts to dry out. Make up wise I use a BB cream, undereye concealer, mascara, eyebrow gel, blusher, a bit of highlighter and lipstick/tinted lip balm every day. Takes me maximum of 10 minutes and makes a lot of difference.

I've finally found a really good hairdresser so try to have my hair cut and coloured (balayage) every 6 weeks. I use a purple shampoo and conditioner twice a week to keep my colour looking good and deep condition (only takes a few minutes) once a week. Hair is washed and dried before bed to save rushing in the morning. I have naturally quite unruly hair but a regular cut in a low maintenance style, GHD's and a little bit of product (I'm using BedHeads Dumb blonde at the moment) take care of that problem.

I disagree with previous posters that clothes must be £50+ to look good. Yes, it's worth investing in some key pieces you know you'll wear a lot. But if you know what suits you and you're willing to spend a bit of time looking you can find simple, stylish clothes that look much more expensive than they are in places like H&M, ASOS etc. People often compliment me on relatively inexpensive items and are surprised when I tell them where I got them. I tend to stick to darker colours so most of my clothes match, which makes life easier.

Thanks @Dawlish.

I've used that website too, Dawlish, although I have since had them done professionally. I also had a style personality session too (post dd2 when I had really lost my style mojo) it didn't change my style, so much as I refound it.

The photo of Katie Holmes looks great, as her hair and skin just look glossy and healthy. The same with being toned and slim, you look better because it's healthier and we're programmed to find that more attractive. I'm curly, so try to keep my hair in good condition to minimise frizz rather than style it as such: which is a losing battle tbh. I try to look after my skin and keep it clear as much as possible rather than cover it in foundation, I just use some bb cream and touche eclat or the aldi dupe where I need it.

I've dug out my Big Hair after reading this thread last night, it is fab. You do need to use it in a different way and use it on smaller pieces of hair from root to tip IME, not just focus on the end of the hair which is probably what I do with a brush and dryer

I don't think it's solely down to money (although it does help) but time - investing the time in getting your clothes ready - ironing, sorting out an outfit and accessories the night before - getting together a skincare and makeup routine that is quick and effective, none of this requires tons of stuff but you do need to have stuff that you know fits you well and suits you.

One of the most polished people I know has a capsule wardrobe - you'll often see her in very similar outfits but the colour and style suit her and she looks fabulous. You don't need masses of clothes or millions of eyeshadows.

They put lots and lots of time and probably money into it.

I have big, naturally auburn curly hair but am told a few times a week (by people apart from DH) that I look polished/stylish/groomed/beautiful so it is possible!

Hair: cut 2× a year. Good shampoo and conditioner (Dizziak - pricy but amazing)

Skin: expensive Harley St dermatologist (so worth it) - regime including retinoid and APFA 50 every day

Grooming: short neat nails (no manicures or pedicures), buffed and filed once a week at least. Hand and heel cream before bed every evening. Eyebrow threading every 6 weeks.

Body: body brushing daily. Coconut oil daily after washing.

Makeup: 20 minutes most days (eyeliner, eyeshadow, mascara, foundation, powder, blusher). Makeup free at weekends (except mascara).

Clothes: got my colours done, am a size 8 hourglass and tall so that helps as most things fit. Wear: pencil skirts, silk blouses, shift dresses, tweed, capes, very very fitted waists on everything. Lots of midcentury vintage. Weekends tends to be similar shapes but casual fabrics so denim and cotton instead of silk and wool.

Think really helps to know what colours and shapes suit you.

I keep it as simple as possible.

Have one nice wardrobe so I don't go overboard on clothes, try to keep that cleaned out!

Don't wear earrings, necklaces, bracelets really or much/any jewellery. But I do like necklaces sometimes depending.

For me it is:

Trying to stay in decent shape which for me is BMI 21.
Drinking lots of water, no hot drinks, no tea or coffee.
Buff nails with buffer! and keep them short and very clean. Clear or natural nail varnish sometimes.
Hand cream lots of the time or hand oils. When I wash up I use marigold gloves always.
Simple face washing routine and lots of moisturiser.

This is going to sound unusual but don't shower twice a day. For some reason that seemed to dry my skin out and it made me feel more gross. I'd also feel flustered and rushed.

It means different things for different people but for me it's simplicity.

Neat shiny nails.
Moisturised/oiled skin.

I have long straight brown hair that I wear tied back, sometimes with a side plait in it.

Fascinating thread. I agree that lots is innate; my little sister can look amazing in primark but I don't look good in cheap stuff. My work nickname was "hobo" at one point (I did keep some pretty skanky ballet flats under my desk for walking to the shops at lunch )
I've found that new specs and losing weight have made a big difference to me. I'm good at make up (been asked to do wedding make up for people a few times) so I have quite a big range between hobo-me (at the stables) and dolled-up-me

Question for LaPufalina and other horsey people, how do you keep your nails remotely presentable with horses?

It's a lot of work. I can't abide hair salons and I'm a menopausal size 16 who likes to eat so this will never be me!

Baloon I only get to ride once a week at the moment with two little kids. I did think in my late teens when I sold my pony that my nails were going to look great, but nope! I had gel put on for my birthday a few weeks ago and have wrecked them even more I picked it off! A polished person wouldn't do that...

Wearing stylish clothes is to do with

1. wearing colours that suit you
2. wearing shapes/styles that suit you
3. most importantly, knowing your personal style to apply to the above.

Looking healthy, polished or groomed is also to have a skincare routine that works for you, and have a hair style and routine that works for you. Simple maintenance of nails, skin, teeth etc. I just look at it as an extension of taking care of myself generally.

@Baloonphobia - gloves! I have some fleece ones that I wear a lot, they protect my hands and nails and I only take them off when necessary. I also rub baby oil into my nails which seems to make them a lot stronger.

I must get some. I had excellent Dublin ones years ago.

If you get a good hair cut and colour and your brows threaded, then learn how to apply neutral makeup in 5 mins, you can look 10x better really easily. Get a capsule wardrobe of clothes in neutral colours, no patterns, so you can mix and match.

Hair - Needs to look healthy, with a nice trim. Shoulder-length or longer

I would say the opposite as women get older. Shoulder length or shorter.

And I think that if jeans, a shirt and blazer suit you, it's better than wearing "in fashion" items that look horrible. I sound like my mother...but she is quite polished. Unlike me.

i agree with almost all of the above, I also make sure my clothes are spotlessly clean. I wash white clothes separately with a scoop of vanish for whites and they are always brilliant white! I hate to see ‘dingy’ white shirts/blouses.