Wondering if I should make more effort with my looks

[Rhiannonx]

I never wear make up except a bit of concealer if I've got some spots. I have a short bob, I never blowdry it, just let it dry.
I wear one pair of studs and no other jewellery really.
I don't do anything with my nails, I mean I keep them short and clean but I cba with the hassle of painting them.
The last time I wore make up was around a month ago for an event.
I do get my eyebrows waxed as I can't do them myself.
I've been happy with this routine as it's very quick for me to get ready. However wondering if I should make more effort.
I usually wear a pair of leggings or skinny trousers with a patterned or plain top or jumper, and flat shoes.
I see people who look very put together and well-presented. I don't look scruffy, or at least I hope I don't, but I wonder if I'd be more respected and taken more seriously with more of a 'professional' look.

I know that make up enhances me, it's just hassle putting it on and taking it off daily, and worry that it'd be ruining my skin

I hate those flat ballet style shoes they are horrendous, they do nothing for anyone in terms of style or flattery. Sorry please don't take that personally. I'd swap those for some nice boots in the winter and maybe some converse/vans etc in the warmer weather/ sandals when hot. Do you do dresses? Dresses, tights/leggings and boots really looks nice at this time of year IMO.

Also instead of makeup try a good CC cream, I find that makes me look much better with minimal effort. Invest some time and money in a good cleansing and toning routine and you'll feel a million times better - and no spots!

If you had dreadful skin/ look awful without make up or hair that looked horrendous if not blow dried you'd probably be more motivated to do those things I should think. Or, you give zero shits about them. Either way, it's fine to carry on as you are.

Men don't bother with all that. Maybe have a look online for style ideas for clothes if you fancy a change.

I don't wear makeup either.

Are you talking about at work or just generally?

It's not compulsory to wear make up or stylish clothes or jewellery. If it's not important to you then don't worry about it.

I think it depends on your colouring whether you need makeup to look professional.
It doesn’t sound like you are dressing in a particularly professional way though. Does it matter? If so maybe you need to change your basics I suppose.
Makeup doesn’t ruin your skin, so if you want to wear it, do. It might even protect you from the sun and be of benefit.

Sorry I meant any flat shoes like trainers, brogues etc. But just no heels lol,
i do own a couple of dresses but can never find a coat that looks right with them, I wore some in summer. Also wear a pair of shorts occasionally.

Sorry to ask but what's a CC cream?

Thanks, yes you're right I don't think I look terrible, just a bit 'meh'.

If it's something you want to do for you then go for it but if it's be size of what others might think then maybe work out why their opinions matter.
I envy women like you who wear no make up and appear so effortless and natural. I don't understand the full face of make up for the school run that I often see and not for people going off to work either.
I don't like my natural skin tone as it's prone to be very rosy. It's that English Rose type where one sip of alcohol has me beetroot. So I wear L'Oréal true match foundation and mascara. That's it. Regardless I look like a windswept orphan from the 1800s with brighter coloured clothes.
Do what makes you comfortable and do it for you.

Your look sounds fine to me. In what way don't you feel respected or taken seriously enough?

Men manage to look human without huge amounts of intervention. Don't compare yourself to those around you, the current fashion is very heavy makeup and if you are happy with yourself now why fix what isn't broken?

My hair is very dark brown, olive but also pale-ish skin if that makes sense and green eyes.
I mean for both work and daily really.
I do wear spf daily which is the one thing I never forget

Every time I take off mascara I end up losing eyelashes which puts me off wearing it really. Is that normal?

Google CC cream there's loads but it's like a mix of good stuff for your skin and thinly mixed in tint of colour like foundation. If not just adopt a good cleansing/toning/moisturising regime which will make you feel less meh and maybe try a new hairstyle or buy yourself some GHDS Straighteners etc to keep your hair looking and feeling nicer .

You do more than I do!
Honestly if you don't want to do more, just don't. I personally feel it wouldn't be me to wear make up or jewellery. I've never asked myself if wearing some would make me look better. I don't see my face, others do so it's their problem, not mine.

No! What are you removing your eye make up with?! Please read the book 'Skin' by Caroline hirons x

I usually remove it with a wet cotton wool pad or a make up wipe.
I try and be gentle, I also notice that I'll wake up the next morning with black smudged under my eyes as I haven't taken it off properly

Without prying too much, are you content with your body shape?

Also, in a vague way, what do you do for work? Are you customer facing or have clients?

Do your friends dress similarly to you?

Do YOU like how you look?

Why do you think you should "do more"?
Make yourself as you want to be and appropriate for whatever situation you are in. Forget anything else, it is all hype to sell stuff.

I am happy with my shape, yes

I work with children, and also with elderly people!

I'd say some do , but most wear make up usually

You could buy some new earrings and try some lip gloss and blow dry your hair or use straighteners and see if you like the result and weigh up if it’s worth the tiny bit of extra time and effort.

A wet cotton wool pad!. Oh please set yourself up with some good cleansing stuff you'll feel a million times better and your skin and eyelashes will love you for it. No more wipes!

OP I’m like you. I don’t wear make up at all unless I’m going ‘out out’ which is never/rarely, due to small kids! I put moisturiser on morning and evening and do paint my nails, don’t bother straightening my hair and just wear what I’m comfortable in. I WFH so no reason to wear make up even for that. I sometimes see people with make up on the school run and think 🤔 should I be making more effort? But it’s got to the stage that I so rarely wear make up that I think I look odd in it and don’t really know how to apply it 🙈. Then i think f* it, I’m happy with my body shape, am comfortable in my own skin and DH doesn’t care. That said, I’m soon going on a work do where I’ll have to dress up a bit so might look up that CC cream mentioned as foundation just looks silly on me!

Your colouring sounds beautiful OP I bet you look lovely, but if you are unhappy with your clothes as a PP said, some nice winter boots look good and go with dresses, skirts and trousers. Re makeup I just put on a light foundation which is ore of a CC cream than anything else. I have a lip stain that also works as blusher. I put a bit on my cheeks so it gives me some natural colour (I am very pale-skinned so can look washed-out) and the lip stain really makes me look put together even if I really am not. That is the only makeup I do for work. The last time I wore full makeup with eyeshadow etc was for a friend's birthday meal. I am not sure of your age (sorry if you mentioned it) but I am 52 and have noticed that less makeup really is better on mature skin and I think full foundation is not great as you mature it as it highlights pores and lines. I sometimes find that buying 1 new thing to wear every day (eg a nice necklace, doesn't have to be expensive) really gives me a boost.

Just for info I use L'Oréal BB cream and sometimes CC cream. Both brilliant. And cheap!