Help me look less haggard?

[somethinganything]

Reading that vain or not thread has made me think a little about taking care of myself a little better... Probably not the point of the thread but there we are. Actually I probably am quite vain because I always hate pictures of myself and generally spend a fair bit of time in front of the mirror trying to pluck out stray eyebrow hairs and other undesirables. Doesn't stop me looking like a complete scruff though.

Anyway, my theory is if I found a way to look better groomed I'd feel more confident and therefore not spend quite so long fiddling about trying to look half-decent.

So, here's the thing - I'm 32, 33 in a couple of months time - have 2 small DDs (2.8 and 6 months). I scrub up ok e.g. for a wedding etc but have a way of looking really run-down most of the time. I think it's a combination of my weight and features ? I'm pretty skinny, more so since having kids and my facial features have got more pointy as I've got older. My complexion is v fair with a tendency to freckles in the sun and I have an obvious thread vein around my nose. My neck is long and beginning to look quite scraggy and I've got prominent collar bones etc, not a good look as you get older...

I'm sort of dark blonde with red undertones - have blonde highlights to lighten it up but have never found a good hair cut for me. Then there's the clothes - but that's for another thread! For now I just want to find a way to brighten up my complexion, soften my features etc

So, ladies of style - any ideas?

Hi somethinganything .

Here's what i did when I turned 40 and realised I was looking like my mother (a cross between winny the witch and pauline fowler):

First I asked my 20something hairdresser for help she coloured my mousy hair (now really quite blonde) and cut it into a choppy jaw length bob with fringe (shortens a long face).

Then I went to e.l.f for some mineral make up to add a little glow. I also chucked my darker lipsticks and went with a lighter gloss.

Next I threw out my baggy/boyfriend jeans and cardies (very droopy) and bought skinny jeans instead .

This years holiday photos look about 10yrs younger than last years .

Good luck

Thanks scatty that's v helpful. I have a lot of baggy clothes

Well done with your transformation! I've been doing the same make-up since I had a free makeover before I got married four years ago so it's probably time for an update.

Is the bob v high-maintenance though? I've never been any good at spending time drying hair etc

No its easy. My hair is fine and straight though. Usually I just tip my head upside down and blast it with the dryer. If I'm going out I use straighteners. Its just long enough to tie back if need be 9when I've not washed it!). I think its the fringe that has made the difference. I used to have a long nose, now I don't!

Sorry, had to go out.

scatty if you're still around - that sounds brilliant! How often does it need to be coloured to avoid really obvious roots?

Water!

If I make the effort (And it is an effort) to drink lots of water, after a few days my face looks plumper. I tend to get complacent though and go back to tea instead of a glass of water and then look tired again which shows what a difference it makes.

I'm not much of a water drinker .

I get the roots done every couple of months (by which time I can't see through my fringe anyway). I don't worry too much about a bit of root.

Amanderrr I'm sure you're right - on the very few occasions I've managed to drink enough water I've really seen a difference. Despite all that research that 'proves' it doesn't!

Thanks scatty - I'm asking cos I have highlights but I this time I seem to have developed bad roots really quickly and it means my hair looks greasy unless I wash it every day (I usually do every other day)