to not know how to get into beauty?

[ThatChristinaAguileraSong]

Largely posting here for traffic. I'm in my mid-20s and I have no idea how to get into beauty - I'm baffled by the whole thing.
I want to be "beautiful". I'm very pale, and just very plain looking but I'm anxious about booking treatments because I have no idea what to book or how to maintain things. I'd really appreciate any tips.
I'm looking into:

• Lip filler - do I go for .5ml or 1ml, how different will they look? How much does it hurt (I'm pretty good with pain and needles in general but does the filler burn or anything?). How often do they need to be done? Do I need to do anything to maintain them? Will they swell up or anything after having them done?
• Waxing - I'd like a full Hollywood but no idea how often I'd need to get it re-done or what the etiquette is? Due to a sexual assault, I have some scarring down there and not sure whether to mention this in advance or not? Do you give a tip for a wax? Are there different types of wax or do you just get one?
• Tan - is a professional tan much better than one of those spray bottles? How long will it last? Will it go blotchy?
• Eyelashes - what the hell?! What is "Russian"? How often do they need to be redone? Will they look awful if I don't get them redone? Do you still need to wear mascara? Do they need any extra maintenance? Do they need to do the bottom lashes or just the tops?

Are there any other treatments you'd recommend? I've always been out of the loop or behind with these kinds of things and just got by on being young. But now I really think I need a bit more oomph in my looks and I have no idea where to start.

If you want to be beautiful why reach for fillers and tan?

A lot of beautifulness depends on face shape & bone structure.

Hi OP!

I'm also really pale (user name says it all really!). I'm 31 now and have really embraced it! I experimented with spray tans, self tanner and sun beds when I was younger and whilst I do love how I look/feel with a tan I really do make the most of my natural complexion now, it can look quite striking when you use the right makeup to enhance your best features!

I do a beauty of beauty blogging and content creating so know quite a bit about various things but honestly the biggest piece of advice I could give would be a decent haircut/style and a good skincare routine will make all the difference!

Ultimately what makes you beautiful comes from feeling good about yourself and in my experience that love and acceptance comes with age and experimenting.

In non covid times

I used to do hair & highlights every 3 months.

Eyelash tinting & eyebrow tint & thread every 6 wks.

facials every 3-6 months

pedicures - only in the summer & monthly.

If you could see the size of my breasts you'd know trampolining is a pair of black eyes waiting to happen

Get yourself to Bravissimo for a sports bra. I'm a 34JJ and actually had a choice there.

Filler-- start with 0.5 ml and build up if you want more. Any reputable practitioner will start you off this way. Unless you 100% know you want the 'unnatural' look etc. If you want a natural look, tell them that and they will ease you into it. Try Harley Medical or somewhere official, or if you can get a recommendation try that. If it is an individual practitioner, scour their social media and websites to get a feel for how professional they are and what their style is. You can also email/message them to ask questions and if they are good they will be nice and kind and take time to answer you.

Eyelashes--- Russian are massive thick and curly, they don't look natural. If you want natural then individual extensions are best, and again you need to specify that you want a natural look. Or you can use strip eyelashes yourself and take them off at night.

I don't tan or wax so can't help there.

Tanning beds are not safe! Jeez a woman at my work kept trying to tell us that. She’s now having skin cancer cut out. She is also seriously wrinkled for her age.

I'd start off small rather than jumping into filler (which in my opinion looks terrible).

Eyebrow wax and tint - every 4-6 weeks.

Spray tan - professional is much better usually. Weekly or for a special occasion.

Eyelashes - 2-4 weeks but personally I think the Russian lashes look far too fake. Just the top lashes.

Wax - I wouldn't mention the scarring, they'll see all sorts so don't worry about it. Hollywood is completely bare (undercarriage and in-between bum cheeks too). Tip if you think they've done a good job and if you want to tip.

Oh and gel manicure and pedicure always looks good. I get 3 weeks out of mine.

@ThatChristinaAguileraSong I started at 0.5 ml for lips ... they felt massive! But u soon get used to them and want bigger I have 1ml now about every 9mths. It depends on how quick ur body uses the filler. U have to drink plenty water and avoid sunbeds! They use numbing cream and it bruises / swells after. For me that hurts more because I bruise quite badly. Use ice, nurofen and anti - histamine. It lasts maybe 2 days ?

Lashes - Russian are full volume. I’m dark so have them all the time. They look a bit ‘false’ if ur not dark / wear eye make up every day. If u want more natural go for ‘hybrid’. U need to get a cleaning kit and ‘brush’ them every day. I have them on permanently - no major maintenance. I bought the cleaner at boots my technician gives me a brush (a spoolie)

Waxing - I went for a full Hollywood. Nothing left. The place I go only does waxing. They are quick and it doesn’t hurt too much. Just an ‘after burn’. I would suggest going to a place like me where it’s hair removal only. Seen everything, kind, professional and experts on all ‘bits’. But I have cool laser now which leaves u permanently hair free. Expensive though.

Tan - I sunbed. I know it’s bad but I do. U can’t do this in the middle of waxing/ laser though. And it affects filler. I only spray tan when I go away and go extra dark. Other than that I use fake tan at home in summer. Use a mitt. I hate it on the sheets / clothes which is why I prefer a sunbed.

I’m still not pretty

OP, if it's not been your thing until now and you don't really have a clue about 'beauty', what's made you think you want or need this now? As a fellow ghostly person who doesn't do any of the stuff on your list (although I do wear make up, spend on a decent haircut, love getting dressed up etc) it sounds like a lot to jump in with. It also sounds like you're looking for that identikit reality star look which seems a shame

If you look Ill pale I'd suggest having a look at your diet. Cutting out caffeine and drinking water can do wonders for your skin tone. I have a bright red tone to my skin when I have caffeine and pale when tired.
I also find a few baby lights or general highlights lift my skin tone considerably. In my 20s I used to use Garnier gradual tan but I go for a more lazy natural look now.

Think very carefully before getting any surgical procedures. Beauty fads change and once started you often have to keep up with them. Learn from those of us who plucked their eyebrows ridiculously thin in the 00s only to find bushy is back in and now we can't grow a bold brow.
Also in terms of sport I think pole fitness is great. It's not like the stereotype of pole dancing at all and absolutely transformed my outlook and strength and general confidence.
The best thing you can do is find something active to boost your confidence. I hear roller derby is fun too if you're not faint hearted.

Oh and a lashes perm and tint can have just as good results as false ones without the upkeep.

@Yesreallyreally buy a cheap single duvet cover and sleep inside that when you have tan on and use the Accompanying pillowcase. No tan on your begging.

Regarding the filler, i just had mine dobe for the first time, i had 1ml and theyre only slightly different and dont look duck pouty at all. I got 1ml as .5 wpuld be next to nothing for me as i have quite a heavy bottom lip and wanted the top to match, they show you what .5 looks like though!

If you do go down the lip filler route please please please don't go to a beautician to do it. It can go so so wrong (have a look at the consultant clinic on Instagram as they are forever correcting incorrectly filled lips)

I had my lips done a few years ago (1 mil and then 0.5 mil about 8 months later) because my top lip disappeared when I smiled and I felt self conscious about it. It definitely made me feel more confident and it quite a while too.

*lasted quite a while too (about 2 years)

For eyelashes I'd suggest starting with classics... Russians are very top end of the scale, very very dramatic. I have classics and get them infilled once a fortnight.

Anyone else get Eleanor Oliphant vibes from the opening post?

You don't need a tan. Pale skin is beautiful (I am being bias) you just need to care for your skin and find makeup that matches you and your undertone (research) if you're skin glows and is supple and well moisturisered, it will look amazing whatever tone.

I thought I needed a tan too until I actually sorted out my dry skin lol!

Sort out the basics first grooming before you think about altering things!

I am very light skinned. Now I've got nothing against a few cosmetic procedures as I've had some myself. I was definitely considered very attractive in my younger years. Apart from the odd bit of a fake tan on my legs which was always disappointing I think you pretty much have to accept your skin tone.

Concentrate on getting it to look the best pale skin it can be. Blotchiness can be a problem so a bit of concealer in a matching colour can work wonders. So can some very light blusher. There are mineral veil powders which can pale skin a nice glow. Bare minerals do some nice ones. Brighter lipstick gives my pale skin a real lift.

The colours you wear can make a real difference - I look ill in pale pink or beige, most pastels and anything yellow based but fine in blues, greens and black

If you've never been waxed I would not recommend starting with a Hollywood!! Bloody hell. Start with your legs and bikini line. Personally I'm massively allergic to wax (even so called hypoallergenic ones) and come out in a huge, itchy, raw, bleeding rash that tends to clear up just as the hair is getting nice and long again. Luckily I discovered that from a leg wax (and then patch tests on my arm as I've tried different types of wax over the years) as would have struggled to sit down had it been further up! I use an epilator for my legs/bikini line.

Yes as others have said you should work with your best and unique features to maximise them. Example someone with ginger ish hair going for a vibrant hair colour, super creamy pale skin etc
I used to be mega bottle blond. My hair is now mimicking it’s natural colour and it works so much better for me. Ultimately do what makes you feel good and happy but so many women (younger ones tbh) are starting look like identikit computer generated images

I'd really recommend a book called Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes. It is a really enjoyable, easy read that explains everything about beauty at home and procedures/salon treatments. I have also been recommended but haven't read a book called Tweakments which is just about cosmetic surgery and procedures like Botox, fillers etc.

And YY to LVL lashes! I love having this done and it is so easy to maintain.