The perfect capsule wardrobe/ make up routine

[cordeliajane]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping for a bit of advice from some of you fashionable ladies.
I haven't bought many clothes for myself since having the DC (several years) for various reasons and I seem to have fallen into a bit of a rut and not kept in touch with fashion.
Now we've completed our family and I would love to make a bit of effort with my appearance. I'm also returning to work which is another reason to make a bit more effort!
I would like to buy some basic pieces that are on trend but fairly classic and can be mixed and matched and added to in the future.
What would you recommend for basics and what are the current trends to look out for? I would also love some basic make up advice as I don't usually wear much. I am a bit ignorant about primers/ concealers. Does anyone have any good tips?
I am 5ft 7 and size 8-10.

Thank you so much :)

If you are building up a new wardrobe, I would invest in some classic pieces:
Charcoal wide leg trousers
fitted white shirt
Boot cut dark jeans
Grey cashmere cardigan
pencil skirt
blazer
Jersey dress
Trench coat
High heel ankle boots
Knee high riding boots

These pieces can be mixed and matched with cheaper fashion items - basic t-shirt tops, skinny belts, scarves, beads etc...

You need a Debenhams personal shopper!!!!!!!(or any other major department store)
The service is free, you only pay for the clothes you buy and they'll kit you out. It's fab, mine post dd2 is booked for Wednesday. Can't wait.

Thank you meggles and loubie.
meggles- do you think boot cut jeans are always classic/ stylish as I know that skinny jeans have been more trendy in recent yrs?

Any recommendations for a grey cashmere cardigan?

Buy trendy accessories rather than lots of new clothes.

Footwear is key to looking fashionable but stylish. bad shoes date an outfit more than anything

Have fab hair too

I really like a compact foundation that i put on with a sponge. Plus a bit of benefit concealer, blusher, mazzie and lippy and I'm ready.

Well, with your figure, it sounds like you could wear anything.

Make up -

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm to even out your face when mixed with foundation (use a teeny tiny bit and pat, don't rub);
Foundation - I like Max Factor for a reasonably priced one;
eyeliner and mascara - try Lancome;
eyeshadow - go to Mac and ask for help choosing an everyday basic brown or grey - Shale is a nice grey;
blusher - try Bourgois or Boots Natural Collection for cheapo ones to play with and then when you know what colour you like, try Clinique;
primer - Urban Decay primer potion for eyes is good;
concealer - I use the No 7 under eye one, which I buy with the 5 pound off vouchers they do in Boots.

Meggles' clothes list is good. Maybe try M&S for reasonably priced cashmere. Buy their grey cashmere wrist warmers whilst you're there - your arms will thank you!

Straight leg jeans may be better - just go and try loads of pairs on in Gap.

make up - a good tinted moisturiser - you can then mix this with foundation, good lip gloss, mascara.

(am big fan of this tinted moisturiser)

Can mix tinted moisturiser with foundation or use both on their own!

Think of good tinted moisturiser/foundation like good underwear - worth spending the money on and then topping up with cheap mascara (if you must!) lippy etc.

ooh, and a buttonless longer cardigan like this that can be worn open or with a broach to keep it closed - useful for bloaty/ period days if you have them ever also good for layering/ doubling up as a coat

Thank you v much for al the great suggestions!

Have heard of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm but never known what it is used for/ how to use. I guess the idea is that it evens out your complexion?

The Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser looks good- may have to try that. However, I wouldn't have a clue which colour to order. Do they sell it at make up counters in the department stores- John Lewis, Debenhams, etc?

Do M&S do good quality cashmere that washes well or does one need to spend more for it to continue to look good- ie is it worth investing in something a bit more expensive? What do people think of the longer length cardigans that are around at the moment? My DH thinks they look like granny cardis and I must admit I would have thought a shorter, more tailored one would be generally more flattering.
I do quite like the Kew though spookily

I think skinnies are a fashion piece rather than a classic. Boot leg and straight leg styles are more flattering on almost everyone and won't date.

As for cashmere - try M&S, John Lewis, Boden etc for reasonably priced pieces

Get Clarins Beauty Flash Balm off ebay - then you can get a wee 15ml for under a tenner.

Is the Beauty Flash Balm the same as primer? Or moisturizer? (hopeless emoticon)

I'd use it instead of a moisturiser - if I was going out in the evening. But I have quite oily skin. If you have dry - then a very light moisturiser first maybe.

I'm sure the Clarins lady said not to use it all the time as your skin gets 'used' to it.

Clarins are usually quite good with samples and the ladies who work there are generally v nice. Pop into Boots or HOF and ask the nice lady to demonstrate BFB for you. If you like it - great. And if you don't, you haven't wasted 25 squid.

I moisturise lightly, then wait 10 mins or so and then put mix a tiny bit of BFB (about a quarter of a pea) with even less of foundation and pat it on. I don't do it every day - perhaps three days a week - but deffo feel as if I look better on the days I do it.

Which reminds me - I need a new moisturiser, if anybody fancies recommending one!

Think LM is in places like Fenwicks, and some John Lewis - otherwise SpaceNK - obviously don't know where you are but I swear it is fab as is clarins bfb!

Thx meggles- I have the same feeling re skinnies so will maybe try the other styles.

Thank you for the make up advice too.
Do you still need a primer with BFB/ tinted moisturiser? I think I need to take myself along to a make up counter.

if it helps, I don't always use it but have the LM primer and bfb and sometimes use it and sometimes don't - am a bit of a sucker for LM and other bits and pieces. You don't have to but bfb makes a huge difference as you can use it as a mask too I think.

BelligerentGhoul - get yourself down to SpaceNK for Eve Lom. I'm ashamed to say it costs a bloody fortune but I converted a couple of years ago and can use no other.

Non-greasy, it almost feels like emulsion paint, and you kind of pat it on rather than rub it in. Makes a massive visual difference straight away and also smells reassuringly medicinal!

Can you tell I love it.

Thanks AdelaideJo but tis out of my price range. Origins/Neals yard is about as expensive as I can go.

I'm shamed BG. Fortunately one pot lasts me about 7 months and I have to sorta save up for it.

Did an entire Samples Sweep in Debenhams recently though and managed to pick up Lancome's Teint Miracle foundation (which really does live up to the hype!) and Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair which is absolutely fab but I won't go near as its something like £36. About the price of the Eve Lom...ahem....
The Clarins counter lady wouldn't even entertain the idea of letting me have a teeny try of Flash Balm though so i'm yet to see its wonder for myself!

Oh Debenhams is horrible though! Go to the lovely Clarins ladies in House of Fraser in Birmingham. :)

Jajas I wish! I did buy it once, and ONLY once. It was lovely but I decided that moisturiser was better to splurge on. I really love her products tho; I wish I was loaded....

meggles those sound very worky though

bootcut jeans have already dated....