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. .

I tint my own eyelashes, wax my own tash, keep nails short and buffed (found white iodine makes them super strong) then exfoliate every day and use Clarins facial oil on its own. Raspberry coloured blusher, scarves, accessories, jewellery (not all at the same time tho!), glam handbag made from croc belonged to mum in the 60s, jewelled clips in hair, did prof tooth whitening - fantastic - aim to do every few years... toenail polish lasts for ages... ooh and Pepperberry clothes that accommodate an actual bust (Bravissimo clothes line) are good. And actual buckets of Rioja.

Oh Polykitten, you sound so glamourous

Yes it does, thanks! But what does that mean?

CheerfulYank, you've got the most stunning colouring that would make you a Winter, I believe. I'm a boring old Light Summer.

But I dress like a Deep Lunatic

That was supposed to say Clear Winter. Clear is the best thing to be!

Gah!!!! Clear Winter

Cool! Thanks. I will investigate.

Part of the whole style thing is knowing what suits you and what doesn't, isn't it? I know lots of women who are very fit and athletic and look fantastic walking around town in yoga pants and fancy trainers. I would look like a Scruffy McScrufferton in that!

I don't know what suits me though...maybe I should start haunting the S&B threads more often.

lollaylaylayla!
I second the Babyliss Big Hair thing - it is really good for smoothing and I too have ditched my straighteners

Wait till all your children have started school like me. I have started to straighten my hair (have big hair and lots of it and it take yonks to sort) and whoa nelly I have had so many comments of 'ooh you look really nice and different' Ta Daaa!

'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 love it, I love it! Would just love to be this organised - maybe one day....

Sadly can't afford lots of professional treatments or posh clothes but I was lucky enough to have colours done (present from lovely m in law) and you do feel/look better in the right colours. I agree with scarves - the right colours really lift your outfit.

For speed I would recommend keeping make-up bag with basics in the kitchen cupboard. Takes me 5 mins before running out the door to do powder, blusher, eyeliner and mascara.

Also agree with regular hair cut in easy style. Lots of curls here so I am lucky enough to let it dry on its own.

Foot cream, hand cream and lip balm before bed and I ALWAYS remove make-up. If I'm feeling lazy I just cleanse with a wet wipe and use a spray of face spritz (I love Body Shop Vit E spray) instead of moisturising.

Good idea re makeup bag in kitchen beck71. I also keep a basic pinky-brown lipstick in the car and some cheap powder(not for applying when in driving obviously) so I can just swipe a bit on and it helps make me look more "done" without getting the whole lot out. Pick a shade that you can put on very quickly, close to your normal lip colour.

I know my colours too, BUT it's hard enough getting something that's the right shape/style, it's a miracle if they do it in my colour too!! I hate finding the perfect dress but it comes in (Topshop is always doing this) Rust, or Olive, or Mustard - all the wrong colours for me!

Buy clothes online ASOS and StyleCompare great for choice and search. Quality of ASOS own brand isn't great though. Use the free personal stylist service at Dressipi (great if you're not sure what to buy or what suits you, want help with stuff like an outfit etc.).
Thread eyebrows - seems to last forever.
Seem to never get time to wax tho!

I've painted my nails! It's a revelation. I'm also clearing the crap rarely seen stuff from my wardrobe...

someone mentioned following style blogs of people whose style they like above- what sort of people and how do you find the blogs?

I also pluck eyebrows whilst dd in the bath, paint nails whilst on FB etc.

But I'm struggling to find a style I like. I'm a bit older (47), fed up of jeans and Ts, but not sure what I like and don't have a lot of money. I tend to buy stuff on Ebay but of course don't know how well things will fit. At the moment have one comfy pair of dark grey cords I like but I struggle with tops as I tend to like longer tops but can't find many that aren't too flowery/flouncy. Have been watching Trinnie and Suzannah today and now feel that I am as frumpy as some of those women. I have curly frizzy uncontrollable hair and wish I could do something other than straighten it to make me look as if I give a damn!

I can't wear any makeup really as I have very sensitive skin so if I wear mascara or eye liner which makes a big difference to how I look my skin flares up sore and red and flaky, looks terrible. I hate that. Luckily I have dark hair and therefore dark eye lashes, but still would like to wear mascara every day.

I buy the BeautyBible to buy well tested products and I've volunteered to be a tester which netted me over £300 worth of products for £30. Best product by far was Decleor moisturiser, but will have to wait until after maternity leave to stump up the c.£80 it costs. Swear by Neals Yard Rose facial once a week. Don't bother with nails - I keep them short and (appalingly) nibble them into shape (I am going to have to hide this from DD, aren't I!) and pluck eyebrows as and when with tweezers kept in make up bag. Do make up in car when my husband is driving. Batiste dry shampoo every 2nd day and the (very old fashioned) Braun heated brush gives my hair va-va-voom. Have a wardrobe of lovely good quality clothes jigsaw/toast interspersed with M&S, so got to lose those love muffins, or it will all go to waste and cost me more filthy lucre - any help there MNers?! It must be said though, I have wasted the Greek debt on foundation and lipstick, seduced by the lovely smelling Chanel lipsticks. Strangely not so important now that I have my darling girl.

karen, there are loads of tunics around now. I like them because you can layer them and they hide my triple-jelly-roll tummy. Slightly shaped ones are flattering, even on me!

I find style blogs by looking on pinterest and following the links of outfits I like.

CavemanDaveisveryBrave I bought that radiance balm to try and its great and so cheap too. Thanks for the recommendation.

What are frownies?