Calling all you fashionistas/style gurus! We need your style-and-beauty tips

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello.

We're thinking of doing an MN Guide to Style and Beauty - but we can't do it without you!

We'd love you to post bestest, wittiest, most practical style/hair/beauty tips, secrets, rules, dos and don'ts on this thread.

Obviously, we're thinking "this will make you look good in the 13 seconds you have between getting up and getting the kids up", rather than "this will make you look good but takes six hours and £3000 to achieve".

Right, over to you. And thank you!

The winter school run dress is a roll-neck sweater dress to be worn with opaque tights and flattish calf-length boots. That is the easiest warm outfit to put on first thing, and the quickest one to get off again when you get home and want to get back into your pyjamas .

The school run coat is waterproof, has a hood and very feminine. It is not thick and shapeless.

the perfect school run coat would belong to your childminder/nanny

anyone but you

mayo conditioner - apply liberally, wrap head with a towel or shower cap, leave it on for 20 mins, cool/tepid water rinse. It leaves the hair soft and shiny.

When shopping in the sales don't waste your money. It is only a "bargain" if you would have wanted it even at full price.

Don't spend little and often - you'll only end up with a wardrobe of lots of individual bits that don't work together. Save up and go for a big shop a couple of times a year (once for spring/summer and once for autumn/winter) - think about buying "outfits" and don't forget the accessories. You'll look a lot more "together" and you'll spend less overall too.

Cut your nose hairs.

Water, water, water, NEVER underestimate the power of water

Ooh, a very important one: put concealer round your nose (in the crevice by the nostrils and down into your smile lines). It really, really helps.

If you go out and realise that an item of your clothing makes you look horrible or feel depressed then don't take it off later and wash it and put it back in your cupboard. Throw or give it away. I'm amazed how often I haven't done this and should have.

you snob re school run! some of us work and collect kids.
roll neck sweaters make me look like a demendted axe murderer

for the school run- skinny or slim deep blue but NOT indigo jeans, flat leather knee high boots, anything on under a FABOOSH chunky knitted cardi-coat with an oversized tote.

what woudl oyu put in an oversized tote?
i never take a handbag to school.. hwo odd

Pyjamas are not for wearing outside.

everyone knows that the Northface Kaya is the only waterproof hooded school run coat that doesn't make you look like an elephant.

In the US there is a longer version but have not found one over here.

I covet it.

There are only a few things to fit in in the time between refereeing boys fighting, putting the toddler back in his own bed for the nth time, and staying up all night (tonight for example) finishing work deadlines you have missed because of the perpetual illness of your three children:

1. enough sleep (go back to bed for 45 minutes instead of fecking worrying about your toenails: your face will thank you)

1. dry shampoo - I was interested to read in some supplement there are posher versions than Batiste: I will be experimenting on your behalf shortly and will report back. This and baby wipes and good deodorant have saved me on many a morning.

1. make-up bag in office drawer for I'm late again emergencies.

1. Tempur mattress/pillow (see 1 above and also means you can sleep on back without too much turning, and front without crushing your already crepey skin)

1. tinted moisturiser with SPF, mascara, blusher.

According to GOK cheap moisturiser is as good as Lancome.

If you need to go out straight after work and have a curl in your hair nothing a tiny bit of soap and water(use like wax) can't fix!

Go to your local college for a good cut, use final year or fast track(older students who have left other careers) students to give fab colour and cut.

A good lipstick can look like a whole face of makeup.

What IS this colours done stuff you are all rambling on about.

Is it when some crone wearing the entire production run of Estee Lauder make up drapes a gold cloth and then a silver, and then a cream cloth and a white, and then pronounces you spring or summer? I had this done at an Amway party when I was a teenager, apparently I am a summer and therefore should avoid black. Never listened (channel the man from Milk Tray look most days).

Is this what you are on about or is it something more scientific than someone draping you with old viscose handkerchiefs?

I am not allowed to wear black apparently, as a summer (iirc) and have to stick to all light bright colours.

I liked the winter colours.

Did you not feel like Bridget Jones's mum when having your colours done?