Calling all you got it together stylish well groomed Mums.

[seb1]

How do you guys, find the time and motivation etc, I think need help. For example how do you ever find time to let your nails dry, shop without kids, hide the grey, know what products are not shite. I think what I am looking for is "flylady" for style and beauty. So is it time, money, organisation, the will to live I am missing, and have been. it takes me a while to get my arse in gear, for the last 42 years. Ideally you are all going to tell me 5 mins morning and night and an sorted. .

Thanks MrsBT :) for the instructions upthread on Big Hair

If we are going anywhere, DH drives so I can do makeup/ paint nails etc on journeys. Daily make up for work always done in car as we lift share in mornings (or I do it on the train if going off somewhere that day for work). When had young babies - did lots of multi - tasking when bfeeding, make up, calls, work on laptop, household admin etc.

Some of the "quick" tips and regimens here seem extremely time consuming!! - but fair play to those who can actually get it all done while keeping the rest of their lives going.
I only have very simple tips - drink lots of water, use sunscreen and lots of fresh/raw fruit or veg to keep skin looking as young as it can. Tinted moisturiser with SPF is a very good quick face fix if you don't have time for a full makeup routine. Tinted lip gloss also.
One thing I've noticed about the "frumpy mum" look is to realise that after a certain age, nobody can get away with loose, flowing, unstyled hair (esp if it's quite long) like you did when you were a teenager - one ends up looking like an escaped witch or asylum inmate. Either keep it neat with a short cut (trims every 5-6 weeks) or if it's long, tie or put it up.

"After a certain age" is the key, isn't is kipper ? When I was a bit younger my Converse, hockey jerseys, etc looked spunky and cool but now they just look sad.

I'm not sure how to dress like a grown up. :(

i'm probably not meant to reply as am definitely not the 'stylish well groomed mum' you appealed to in your OP!

I have a DD (16 months) and two teenager SCs who live with us full-time.

I have never missed my daily shower, not once, since DD was born. I could not function without it. I listen to the news, shave legs and oxters, wash face and brush teeth in there.

Agree with posters above who said get a good haircut, because everything else is bearable if your hair feels and looks nice. I can't agree with above post though - I have long curly hair and I wear it down, it is my least frumpy feature (if I follow own advice and get regular trims); I never want to resign myself to putting it up or keeping it short. I don't ever straighten or even blow-dry, if i put a bit of curl balm in it while wet and let it dry naturally it looks fine and is generally ready to leave the house by the time I can get out the door anyway. Added bonus to not heat-styling, it stays healthy!

I never had an elaborate beauty routine anyway - don't do my nails, no fake eyelashes, etc...so I guess I just keep things simple anyway. I have good skin, I wash everyday with Noxema cream that I stock up on when I visit family in the States or Canada, and have been using it since I was 12! I don't wear foundation often, but a good pressed powder is a wonderful thing. Definitely sunscreen...I use neutrogena multi-defense which has a 25 SPF. Mascara and eyeliner, which all morning I carry around in a pocket along with my tweezers, and find myself applying in various mirrors, bit by bit...some day I will probably leave the house with only one eye made up, but so far, so good.

But clothes? Don't ask me. I couldn't figure 'em out before I had kids, and I haven't gotten any better. Online shopping? No way. I have a hard enough time when I can actually try things on and feel fabrics...I'd be a disaster at online shopping.

do people really notice nails as much as hair and eyebrows?

brdgrl-if it's trimmed regularly, even coloured, it's fine - because the body and the shape is there.....I'm referring to some ladies I know who haven't had it cut for a year/more - and it shows, who insist on having it very loose, clean, but untidy. They're lovely women in character, but the look doesn't do them justice.

CheerfulYank - hi again! Exactly. I must give Converse a try.....before I get very old! Somehow never got round to getting a pair. I think a dark pair (ie not pink, yellow or any bright colour) with black or indigo jeans, and a long trench, might be ok. Just about! But only for very casual "I'm popping out to do a quick errand" trips.
I suppose there's probably a thread about dressing for or how one looks on the school run somewhere too.

Can someone just tell me what my colors are? Anyone? :(

Hi kipper. :)

Hi Cheerful Yank! What colours do you mean - for trainers or skin tone? Only voted against bright Converse trainers because they are associated with adolescents. There's always Lanvin ones (a la Michelle Obama) if you want to splash out....I'm sure there'll be copycat versions of it from Gap/Hush Puppies/Zara coming out though.

Skin tone :o

Pst! I may, or may not, be viewing, erm... something right now. I can neither confirm nor deny.

Ah, good for you. Adios, got to go!

Marking to read later.

Order clothes online and miles ahead of need, ie in Feb/March I will be looking out for summer dresses, in July I will be looking out for winter coats.

I haven't physically shopped for clothes in about 2 years.

Sites who use Collect+ are fab as you can pick up and drop off parcels for free at places that are usually open long hours eg convenience stores. I haven't paid for postage either delivered or returns for quite a while due to this, or queued inside a post office. (The Very website is excellent at Collect+ and also returns your money quite quickly compared to some others)

Er... clear/pale varnish only (1 sweep required not several coats)

Paint a decent topcoat over toenail colour - will last for Weeks and weeks, no chips! try it!

Everything gets done in the evenings when the kids are asleep.

I have a lady come to my house every Thursday night to give me a spray tan. My skin is normally a blue/grey colour, so I just look (and feel) so much better with a gorgeous tan.

oh dear. this is all making me feel quite frumpy and also poor! (as i sit here in my maternity pants...baby is 16 months old and they're falling off when i stand up.) I have a particular grey cardigan which i have promised my DS I will bin just as soon as I find a substitute, but anything 'nice' is too nice and i feel i must save my nice things for days when i am doing more than being SAHM/student/WAHM...and anything not 'nice' is just as bad.

I hang clothes in my wardrobe by "outfits". So for example, I will hang a work dress with the right jacket on top, and tights hanging from the pocket, etc. In that way, in the morning I just have to pull one hanger and everything is there. As the clothes get washed, I prepare different outfits with the same clothes, so that things don't get repetitive.
I file my nails while DS is in the bath or at work, while I wait for the computer to boot up. I am the first one in, so no-one sees me. Clear varnish on normal days and I go for a mani about twice per year on special occasions. This is done in the evening after work.
Wash hair every 2 days. First day it goes in a bun, so I only rough dry it. Second day, I use the straighteners.
I had IPL on legs, bikini and underarms, so no more hair there.
Hairdressers: once every 2 months on Saturday while DH is at home
Shopping: lots of research online, but actual going round the shops, once a month with a friend on a Saturday. DH on duty.
Gym: 6 am on my way to work 3 times per week. DH is on duty in the mornings.
Eye brows: tweezers in every mirror, so normally done in the evenings after brushing teeth.
Facials: normally fitted on the saturday that I go shopping
Masc: applied at home on Saturday morning, as soon as I get up, or during the week if I am working from home

I'm with you brdgrl - DS2 is 18mo and I workk 4 days a week - I am trying to take myself in hand and, once the laundry monster is defeated, will be turning to my appearance. This thread is so helpful.

Am going to buy a job lot of tweezers to leave in strategic places around the house - this is maintenance not mess! I never blow dry my hair but have it cut in a mid length style that drys well. I have a cut and colour every 8 weeks or so and DH has to look after the DS's.

Beyond that very little but this will change!!! Agree v much with the power of necklaces and scarves btw, they can make (or break) an outfit most definately (and hide post baby tummy a bit too)

Some great tips here.

My wardrobe is split into sections for work, being at home and going out stuff.

I always get everything out the nightbefore, including hairdryer, make up etc.

Use DC bathtime for eyebrows, pedicure. Five mins before I turn the light off in bed, I file nails and apply clear nail varnish, and hand cream.

Good quality make up products make life so much easier and quicker to apply. I would recommend MAC for eyeliners that go on really well even if you are rushing, Bobbi brown Shimmer palette for a bit of a glow and any old lip balm for a bit of sheen.

Try to book next hairdressers appointment when you leave the hairdressers, dont worry if you are not sure if you can make it. You can always cancel which is easier to do than get an appointment at the last minute.

I hang clothes in my wardrobe by "outfits". So for example, I will hang a work dress with the right jacket on top, and tights hanging from the pocket, etc. In that way, in the morning I just have to pull one hanger and everything is there. As the clothes get washed, I prepare different outfits with the same clothes, so that things don't get repetitive.

... just

No wonder I don't fit into this forum!!!

Kudos, JustAnother - and the sort of admiration usually reserved for Olympic gymnasts and the like

I feel I must save my nice things for days when i am doing more than being SAHM/student/WAHM

No.

I read somewhere that you should wear your nice clothes all the time and just bin your horrid clothes. I used to be a bit of a bag lady (until quite recently). Then I read that and thought, yeah, why shouldn't I wear nice clothes every single day? Outside of work, I only have about 4 outfits, but they are lovely clothes that suit me. I wear them, whatever I'm doing. I used to wear trackie bottoms every single bloody day. Never again. Ever.

Am also gasping at this....wow!
I'm seeing you with a large walk-in wardrobe and all your shoes in their boxes with a polaroid photo on the front for ease of identification

I wear dresses+leggings+boots. As comfy and easy as pjs jeans/trackies.

Make up: tinted moisturiser, mascara, lipstick. Spray of perfume every day.

I have to wash my hair everyday - still tie it up, sometimes straighten fringe.

From now on, I'll be following virgils dailybeauty rota! Great idea.