RIGHT new resolution starting now - I WILL BE more vain - join me??

[omydarlin]

Anyone want to join me in my New Years Resolution (starting now) to be more vain/groomed/less lazy about feeling and looking great?

I will log on to style and beauty at least twice a week for stylish/beauty/groomy tricks
I will not buy cheap "that'll do " rubbishy clothes any more (well ok but cheap but I have to love them)
I will look after my skin/hair/nails
I will respect my body by giving it lots of water fresh air and healthy food (am doing a weight loss trail thing for work so this should be easier.
I will stop going to work with greasy hair and flaky nail polish or clothes with holes in

It strikes me that I don't care enough about maintaining my appearance - but conversely I do care when I suddenly catch myself in a shop window looking rough as a dog or when husband compliments me out of the blue because I have bothered to blow dry my hair!

Anyone want to join me for a bit of support or any advice how to become vain will be helpful - strikes me being more vain would be a good thing for me!

Thanks Alpine - I am really hoping that this will be a good year for me after a very difficult one last year. This win felt like a good start as I never normally win anything. I have no idea what to spend it on but definitely something frivolous and for me not the brownie uniform that DD needs
Maybe a trip to the Clinique beauty counter or I may put it towards a new ipod which I have been lusting after.
I have an exciting bit of news - I may well be going to Tokyo in May - H has a brother there and MIL wants to visit. She is not a seasoned traveller and FIL hates flying and refusing to go. The family have agreed that she needs a chaperone and it looks like it could be me!! Am really feeling that things are on the up.
Dreadful hair today though . Like through a hedge backwards and back again bad. Really needed washing but did not have time after DD couldn't decide between cheerios and weetabix. Wore my cashmere jumper that I got in the sale and my relaxed skinny boyfriend jeans - I love the cut - with a red belt and my red lipstick again. I am hoping the red detracted from the hair somehow!!

Well, I'm letting the team down - yesterday's clothes and no shower today . But I did order some Aveda hair goodies, and booked a haircut and bikini wax in preparation for holiday at end of the month. Trying to go paraben and sulphate-free, but just remembered Faith in Nature - great products and much cheaper.

Lunch in London with old uni friends - one I never really see, one best buddy and two uber-glam ones. None have children, all are skinny. Gah. What do I wear? Actually, as I own about three items of clothing, it won't take long to decide!

scarlet: congrats! Enjoy treat shopping. Very exciting about Tokyo - on my Go To Soon list. Red lippie matches your username :)
Alpine and hopefully: wish I could sew, but I really can't. Remember guide leader and textiles teacher finishing off my projects...
Wisteria - I dropped a lump hammer on my foot and immediately thought of you - had just read your earlier post! Hope you get to wear nice boots soon.
ali - what is your skincare routine? I use neutrogena and nivea, but it's not quite cutting the mustard.
buggy- you have boobs, am jealous!
furry and other shredders - I bought the DVD months ago, and have already lost it. V cross.

Will make a MN profile later to introduce myself to Vain Club.

Hello ladies, I have been reading this thread & stolen been inspired by so many of your ideas, I wonder if I might join too?
Background- 30 yo, SAHM to 1 Dd aged 14 months. Had a pretty rough pregnancy & have found it hard to get my groove back since. Am still a larger size than I want to me but am working in it by doing WW from home. It's not flying off but coming off slow & steady. Clothes seem to be getting baggier which is great but also makes
Me feel a bit untidy- especially jeans which look quite saggy. Do prob need to replace them but I don't want to spend too much as I hope to continue to loose the pounds.

welsh I'm also mixed race & really struggled to find a good foundation until
I discovered MAC but then post DD that was looking a bit to dry for my skin so some ladies on MN suggested I went to Bobbi Brown - same company as mac & all foundations are yellow based. Have been v pleased with my foundation from there.

Does anyone have any suggestions for something to wear on my lower half other than the blooming bootleg jeans I've got that I feel just look messy? I'm pear shaped so wonder whether to try a straight leg?

Applogies if this comes out a bit garbled, I'm on my phone and feeding DS2!

Skincare is as follows.

Morning - Clinique facial scrub (not the 7 day the other one) and sanctuary face wash in the shower. Then toner, I just use waitrose own brand, then boots P&P serum and day cream and eye cream.
Night - Liz Earle hot cloth cleanser, same toner and then Liz Earle facial oil, then Clinique turnaround moisturiser, and Clinique All About Eyes.
It all sounds a performance, but is actually very quick and my skin looks great when I wake up in the morning. The products aren't cheap, but you don't need loads so it isn't as expensive as might first appear!

My skin-type is fair, lots of freckles. Prone to oily t-zone and dryness on my cheeks.

Lizard have you tried skinnies? I thought I could't wear them - big bum - but they are a revelation.

Lizard - another vote for skinnies. New look have ok ones at bargainous £15 if you wanted to try them out.
Ali - v tempted to try liz Earle. My skin type sounds similar - but I have open pores instead of freckles...

Yep I get pores too, although the freckles do help to hide them! I do love Liz Earle, and I am thinking of trying her scrub because it is cheaper than the Clinique. I do like her toner, but it is really expensive and I can't justify it when the cheap stuff does essentially the same job but doesn't smell all lovely!

Ali & Rider I long to wear skinnies buy not sure if I'll look like I've got two of the fattest sausages for legs. Thighs are pretty chunky too but I'll give them a chance. So what would I wear them with? I guess longer tops, and maybe boots?

Another vote for Liz Earle- I mix her stuff with dermologica but need to use it consistently rather than sloping off to bed having not removed makeup I'm too
Tired- then I just look haggish in the
Morning.

Off to town today for a facial & massage "spending" a gift voucher I've had for ages, goodness knows what I've been saving it for! Might pop into new look on the way.

Hi ladies,

Is there room for another one? I feel this is the year I need to start looking after myself rather than being lazy about it. Quick bio - am 33, have a 14mth old whirlwind DS and have been back at work for about 5 months. There are so many things I want/need to fix that I barely know where to start! However, this is my current plan of attack:

Hair - desperately needs a cut as is over long and the layers have no definition. I've just ordered a Babyliss Big hair thingy which, once ive been to the hairdressers, should help with it looking a little more groomed.

Skin - I've been too poor on ML to restock up with the brilliant Dermalogica moisturiser I use but got some for Xmas (hooray!) so now just need to sort out the rest of my regimen. I've just ordered a REN face wash and the Derm moist came with a toner sample so I think I'm sorted for my morning stuff but need to figure out the evening process. Any recommendations for quick cleanse products? Am also thinking about using an eyecream - any idea which?

Makeup is mostly fine as I invested in some Laura Mercier before I had the baby but I really need to sort my eyebrows - I am very fair and they tend to disappear. The only time I had threading done I came up in horrible bumps - is it worth trying again or should I just stick to the waxing/tweezer combo?

And less said about clothes and weight the better - I have v limited funds so at the mo I am just trying to make sure the stuff I have on is clean and no holes/threads etc. At some point I want to overhaul my wardrobe - especially when it comes to casual wear as I am heartily sick of my jeans/t shirt staple. Am tempted to try skinny jeans but I have a typical apple shape and a bit of a tummy so will I look ridiculous?? Also, what should I wear on top and feet? I have a feeling if I wear them with my standard Converse trainers I will look daft..

Phew, that was longer than I anticipated.. I am looking forward to reading all the tips here!

With skinnies, I wear boots in winter and glads in summer. worrisome I used to live in converse, but now I've switched to skinny jeans, my huge feet look like boats! Welcome to the thread - am 33 w an 11mo dd, and a lot of your post rings true.
lizard yes to longer tops - that's what I do anyway, but am not style guru so not sure if you should listen to me!

Alpine I buy quite a lot of patterns online. I find following sewing blogs is a good way to find new patterns and see how they sew up. Pattern Review is a good resource as well for seeing how patterns sew up. For buying, I like the selection at Backstitch (Colette patterns are lovely and beautifully constructed) and Sew Essential has a good range of big name patterns like Simplicity etc. HTH!

Scarlet how exciting about Tokyo! We went there (and a couple of other places in Japan) for a friend's wedding a few years ago, and it was incredible, a proper once in a lifetime trip.

Liz Earler stuff is lovely, I used it for ages, but TBH I find the oil cleansing method at least as good, if not better, and it is ridiculously cheaper. I know the Liz Earle stuff lasts a while, but in comparison to a £5 bottle of castor oil and £1 bottle of sunflower oil that have lasted well over a year, it's still expensive. And I speak as someone who used to willingly sink £50 on a tub of Eve Lom cleanser. I find the biggest improvement in my skin's plumpness/glowiness etc is made by doing a quick facial massage (nothing clever, just something like this) once or twice a week when doing oil cleansing. And exercise. And splashing face with icy cold water after cleansing [shiver]

Lizard I have reasonably chunky thighs and find skinnies good on me. I balance out my thighs slightly with not-too-slim-fitting boots (I usually wear slouchy or biker boots, but am experimenting with the world of ankle boots) over my jeans.

Welcome Worrisome!

I need a haircut so badly. It is insanely long, and just so heavy and gets greasy incredibly quickly. And even with really rather a lot of product, it is flat in a couple of hours.

Thanks for the skinny tips! Yes I was worried that with my converse I would look
Like a big" L "from the side! I think boots
Are the way to go. No time to pop to shops pre facial so will have to go during the week. Trying to get DH to get his act together before I could get out the house &
Leave Dd with him was a challenge. He said "when will I have a wash" I said do what I do- pick your moment carefully! Bye!

OOH! ME! ME! my hair hasn't even been brushed for two days! My wardrobe is full of black & brown, boring, cheap rubbish. (most of which my sister gave me. How did I let this happen?

Really looking forward to a new me! And hearing your tips ladies.

Glad I'm not doing this alone!

I don't actually own a hair brush or comb

And my hair is elbow length. Thank goodness it is poker straight and never ever tangles.

I am wearing this cardigan today (treated myself yesterday. It's acrylic - bleurgh - but lovely colour on me) with my ebay bargain 99p petrol/teal skinny jeans and a cream t-shirt. I am not planning on leaving the house today, so am rather impressed with myself for (a) co-ordinating a bit and (b) wearing a bit of make up (I quite catching sight of myself in the bathroom mirror and looking 'together' rather than slob by stay at home).

I am contemplating these boots as a replacement for the M&S boots that I returned, but not sure if they're frumpy, rather than casual. For wearing with skinnies/leggings in spring.

Nice cardigan Hopefully. Not terribly keen on the boots - eeek -
Prefer These or These ??

Today I am wearing my high waisted flared jeans with heels, red belt and This Jumper. I do like Limited Collection from M&S. Really couldn't be bothered to get the straightners out so am embracing the natural wave kinks in my hair.

DC off to panto today with MIL so hoping to have a bit of me time to re paint my nails.

I really love the Norley Cedar ones, but they are sold out in my size - I tried to get them a month or two ago. I hadn't seen the Mascapone ones though, they look really nice! And a much richer brown, which is what I really want. Thanks! Am going to pop into town today and see if they have them in local clarks.

I am also a bit of a fan of Limited Collection. About 60% of it is normally disastrous, but the other 40% is often really nice.

M&S and Clarks shoes. Bring on the rock'n'roll

Hello again, have been reading through and catching up on everyones progress. Is good that we are all managing to squeese a little lime for ourselves into our days.
Since I last posted I have been trying remember to use body moisturiser after my shower, I have bought boots no7 BB cream, is really nice and gives just enough colour to stop me looking so tired (baby has been ill and not sleeping). Have received the castor oil I ordered so can start again with oil cleansing, which I love. Have got a haircut booked for next Friday at one of the best salons in town (won it at the pre school raffle, wouldn't normally be able to afford to go there). Did a manicure last night while watching the telly and have been drinking lemon water each morning.
I had been lurking on the no spend january thread but have decided this thread does not mix well with that one Thanks to whoever linked to the fatface website, have ordered a lovely dress and have also ordered seche vite dry fast top coat nail varnish which is brilliant.

Corky are you pleased with the Boots BB cream? I was vaguely contemplating it - I kind of want a tinted moisturiser, but can't really justify a clarions/laura mercer one, which is what I'd normally go for. It gives a bit of coverage, right? Exciting about the haircut, are you going to have something a bit different done, or a better version of your normal cut?

I think I may need to step up the dieting. Am going to weigh myself tomorrow morning, and if I haven't lost a bit I may be back here for more diet advice. Bleurgh, I hate dieting, but I have decided that I want to shift this last bit of baby weight (and ideally a bit more, but I'd settle for losing the baby weight) within 3 months (i.e. by beginning of March), and I can suffer for that long.

Today has been a vain disaster! I am still half in my pjs
I am about to have a bath with the baby with some oilatum in and then I will do face and moisturise my whole self when I come out.

Something I have discovered this week is cuticle oil. It has transformed my dry too-many-nappy-changes hands. I put it on about an hour before bed and let it soak in, then do handcream before bed. So so chuffed with what a difference it has made

Hopefully I am vastly of all your shopping! I have nice clothes atm but I am thinking about spring and I have nothing that fits, not a thing. I must lose a stone before I buy anything though so that I'm in the next size down. Must must must.

I am trying hard, I really am, but am very knackered today. Also,I have just had a grumpy FB message from a friend who is cross with us for not going to a party (overnight stay! No children allowed! DD still BF 3 times a night! Do the math!) so now I don't feel like doing my Shred DVD and just want to eat chocolate. Emotional eater, moi?

Alibaba I know how you feel - I don't want to buy too many new things but I too have nothing for spring (or going back to work) except tracksuit bottoms and Birkies. Or pyjamas. All of which are very Anti-Vain

So now I will shred and then paint my fingernails and do a face mask.

Just don't slap yourself while wearing the face mask, Very!

Ali I'm not doing that much shopping, just talking about it a lot . I literally haven't bough any new clothes (AT ALL) since last summer, and for the last three springs I have been BFing/TTC/pregnant (one at a time, not all three together!) so I really have no clothes for spring that are in anything like the right size.

I need a skirt. I have no idea what skirt shape suits me any more. I like short skirts, but don't want to scare people with my still-rather-chunky legs. Maybe when i've lost a bit more...

Hopefully I quite like it, it goes on really nicely and is a good base for my mineral make up. Wore it without any other make up today and just makes my skin look more even. Am going to go for sometning like this for my hair, but I'm brunette.

I'm fairly disastrous today too...feeling a bit pants so was just wearing jeans and a comfy top. I had blow dried my hair though and had a bath with the baby.

Done some more shopping, nearly bought a jacquard coat half price but couldn't quite make up my mind. Bought two tea dresses instead to fuel the addiction to finding perfect ones! Got DP the red leather Converse he has been lusting over too and the Aveeno body moisturiser recc'd up thread.

corky with you on this thread being bad for the bank balance, fab that you won a hair cut too!

ali cuticle oil!

Thanks Corky, I might get some with my Boots voucher.

Have adopted Scarlet's technique of applying red lipstick to make outfit look finished and intentional rather than mismatched. I am declaring it a succes!

Lizard - did you give the skinnies a go yet??!! I am the same as Ridinginthe - boots in the winter and gladiator sandals in the summer. I also like high waisted ones that I get from Next. I am only 5ft - size 8-10 - but I do have curves. The high waisted ones give a more flattering line IMO and no unsightly muffin top! They look nice with breton tops - tucked in or out as you prefer.

Hopefully - how are you getting on with boot shopping? Lol @ Clarks and M&S - I am just soo out there!!! I only discovered red lipstick at xmas - never thought I was brave enough to wear it - but it really is a revelation!!

Had a quiet day today so wearing my jumper dress with opaques. I have washed hair but could not be bothered with straightners as is often my problem. I have wild and out of control wavy voluminous hair when I don't use them. Anyway H actually commented that hair looks nice this way. It has led me to think that I may just embrace what god gave me more as I do find straightening a chore. Think next time I go to hairdresser, I may discuss a cut with her that would better suit my natural hair. Just noticed my nail varnish is chipped so better tend to that!