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Original poster

How to be groomed?

380 replies

blobtobetter · 14/02/2012 21:03

Basically I look like a scruff! I don't have any set routine so forget sometimes to do my eyebrows until the are hideous werewolflike messy and my nails are ignored. My skin is atrocious too. I just never seem to be able to look groomed and pretty!!

Do you have a daily / weekly / monthly grooming routine?

How much time do you spend on your looks?

I am thinking that professional help might be needed! Tempted by HD Brows but they would look wrong if the rest of me is well a mess.

I have just never been organised about all this beauty stuff. It is like everyone else was taken into a secret "how to be groomed" lesson that I missed out on. Come to think of it, I missed the "how to style your hair" and "how to dress so you don't look like you got dressed in the dark.... in your Nan's wardrobe" lessons too!

OP posts:
RobinSparkles · 25/02/2012 15:29

I have been lurking on this thread and feel really inspired!

TBH, I do do some of the things mentioned - make up every day, moisturise etc but my hair lives most of its life in a pony tail and my hands and nails are a disaster.

I think a good hair cut is in order and I'm going to make an effort with hand cream!

MitrochondrialEve · 25/02/2012 16:41

CarpeJugulum thanks for the Aussie sniff test Smile

steben · 25/02/2012 17:26

mrsmartin powder out of habit and to control shine - currently use dior forever foundation - is powder blush a no no??? v confused about this mineral business now!

issimma · 25/02/2012 18:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsmartin · 25/02/2012 18:39

It's just finishing powders that can be bad - they tend to settle in wrinkles...
Powder blushes are fine...I have powder blushes, powder bronzers and powder highlighters. If your powder isn't making your face look dry or highlighting any areas you would rather it didn't then I would totally ignore us and carry on with what you are doing...

If you love your foundation but think that your powder is having a negative effect then you could try an oil control primer (smashbox and benefit definately do them), the weird Mally wax powder I mentioned further up the thread, Daniel Sandler's Invisible veil powder (or his blotting powder which is pressed and comes in a compact) or bare minerals mineral veil (the hydrating one is lovely).

Or you could try one of the mattifying foundations from further up the thread (I add bare minerals to that list).

Most important thing is that it give the look that you want - if you are entirely happy with your powder over foundation combo who the hell are we to tell you not to do it?Grin

CheerfulYank · 25/02/2012 18:50

Ooh, teeth whitener. I need some new Crest strips. :)

I am rubbish with makeup and always will be, I fear, so I will just have to focus on other things...nice teeth, lots of sleep and water for good skin, groomed brows, etc.

issimma · 25/02/2012 19:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mosschops30 · 25/02/2012 21:56

Now ive tried it i think the haur mask is a must.
Usually my hair looks nice in the morning but by dinner i look like ive been dragged through a hedge backwards.
Today its kept its shape, stayed straight, looks glossy, healthy, its just lush Smile

gateacre1 · 25/02/2012 22:10

I have been lurking on this thread, and was inspired to deal with my eyebrows
Unfortunately while I was attempting to trim some of my Einstein like eyebrow hairs I got a bit carried away and now have a little baldish patch in the middle of one eyebrow oops

But I did dig out some eve lom cleanser and use it which was nice

Think I need to mums net less and groom more !

bessie26 · 25/02/2012 23:28

Yank what are Crest strips? I would like to make my teeth a little less wine stained, but am scared by all the chemical stuff.

WhyAlwaysBoris · 25/02/2012 23:36

gateacre1 Oh dear, so sorry about the eyebrow mishap.

Well i'm sitting here typing in my microfiber turban from poundland (thanks mrs m) and my seche vite arrived today, along with a glass nail file, although i haven't tried them yet. Also spent almost an hour today watching make up application on youtube. Can't help but notice i'm doing more watching than doing as of yet

mrsmartin · 25/02/2012 23:39

bessie they are basically strips of bleach! They are like a gel on a plaster that you pop onto your teeth and wear for a set amount of time, 20-30mins usually. You have to buy them from ebay/amazon/us sites as they are banned here. They do work but can be damaging to the enamel - they made my teeth quite sensitive but they recovered pretty quickly. If your staining is severe or you want super quick results then give them a shot...if you just want to gradually whiten then beverly hills whitening tooth paste is very good and much less harsh.

mumzy · 26/02/2012 08:11

Have been inspired by this thread ,particularly MrsM, and just bought LD nail file LD foot file and Cath Kidston hand creams from Amazon

SilkandSteel · 26/02/2012 09:02

Hi, having been thoroughly inspired by this thread I can't wait to try out the Superdrug make up primer and am excitedly awaiting delivery of my Seche Vite and crystal nail files. I am however a bit confused about BB creams. When do you use them? Are they in place of foundation? Do you still use moisturiser and primer? TIA

candidcarly · 26/02/2012 09:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RobinSparkles · 26/02/2012 10:25

YY, to always smellnice - I always feel better if I have a nice perfume on or a gorgeous smelling body lotion.

Right, DH has gone to Asda the shop and I've asked him to get some Simple products as recommended up thread. I hope he gets them, he'll probably come back with Oats so simple or something Hmm.

I was doing the OCM but it didn't seem to make much difference to my skin, made my hair greasy and it's a bit of a faff. So I'm thinking of sticking to normal cleansers and toners and then trying avocado oil as a night cream occasionally - it's supposed to be good for anti-ageing. I'm 28 so feel like I should be starting now.

Ambi · 26/02/2012 12:10

My routine is cheap and basic:

Shower every day
exfoliate lightly with facial exfoliate sponge and cheap cleanser or olive oil soap.
Shave when stubble arrives.
Moisterise with Aldi serum.
Use facial bronzer (light tan) every week to avoid pastyness.
Straighten hair when washed
Wear make up.
Whiten teeth regularly
Colour hair when roots arrives

bessie26 · 26/02/2012 14:37

Thanks for the info on the tooth whitening mrsM - think I'll try the Beverly Hills stuff first, putting bleach in my mouth sounds too scary for me!!!

Clarabumps · 26/02/2012 17:17

I love my crest strips!!

mrsmartin · 26/02/2012 17:33

I'm not saying don't use crest strips...just beware of the consequences (I've used them!) - after all, there must be a reason that they are banned here...we sell enough things over the counter that can kill us (HmmWine!!) but Crest can't sell the whitening strips here...I think that is a sign!! Would still use them again if I was in a hurry to whiten though Blush

drywhiteplease · 26/02/2012 21:35

OPI nail envy has arrived and been applied.will give it a week and feed back.

Likeaheadlesschicken · 26/02/2012 21:45

I love this thread, it has cost me a small fortune though! My elemis skin care arrived yesterday so it's my first full day of it today, looking forward to seeing the benefits! My decleor night cream smells gorgeous, I'll be looking forward to going to bed every night so I can use it!!

TheNewandImprovedMrsHollywood · 26/02/2012 23:16

I've also been inspired by this thread - today have managed to do put the Aussie three minute miracle stuff on my hair, moisturised all over and shaved my legs. I've also added the Seche Vite, OPI nail envy and the crystal file to my Amazon wish list.

I do have one question - does anyone (Mrs M, I'm looking at you!) know if the Bobbi Brown Hydrating Gel Creme also acts as a primer? The BB make up lady told me it did but I'm not convinced. It feels and smells very nice but it doesn't actually claim to be a primer on the jar. I once had a pot of Clarins Instant Smooth, which I really liked but the pot was too small - that was primer, this just feels like moisturiser?! Any thoughts?

giraffesCantDonateBoneMarrow · 26/02/2012 23:28

I got a big telling off this week from a MNer in RL when she saw my chipped nail polish. I was quite scared. She inspected every one and said "this has one coat, this one was chipped and you topped it up, this one you didnt let dry and it smudged" She was very cross. I have been given firm instructions to let them dry for ten min. Blush Blush I am scared to see her again with less than perfect nails, I may have to go get a professional manicure and pretened I have learned.

mrsmartin · 27/02/2012 00:03

giraffe - that was just plain mean!Angry - how cruel to talk to you like that...it will last better if lou let your base coat dry, then your first coat dry and then add the 2nd coat of colour followed immediately by your top coat (while 2nd coat is still wet). Then let it all dry fully.

MrsHollywood sorry - haven't tried that BB product but I would email BB and ask them if it definately contains (as opposed to acts as) a primer...they should email back pretty quickly.