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Style and beauty

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Average-looking people, how to look average-but-attractive not average-and-boring?

40 replies

AnxiousPanxious · 12/04/2012 09:03

I'm losing this battle a bit Grin

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 12/04/2012 11:23

Oh, and to haircut I'd add a good, properly fitted bra. Like your hair, it's with you whatever you wear and makes all the difreence to how clothes look.

Ephiny · 12/04/2012 11:27

I agree about getting a good haircut that suits you, and clothes that fit and flatter you. Don't choose styles just because they're fashionable at the moment, think about what actually suits your face/colouring/figure.

The same for weight, think about what weight you look and feel best at, and aim to get there (if not already!) and stay there. Look after your skin (sunscreen!) and hair.

I don't wear makeup, not sure about dyeing eyelashes etc as mine are black already. Having your eyebrows plucked/threaded into a nice shape can help though.

I think a lot of fake nails look awful personally, I'd rather just keep mine natural and clipped short and neat.

.

Flightty · 12/04/2012 11:36

Hmmmm...I don't know really, because Im probably not attractive enough to give advice!

I do tend to ignore what everyone else is wearing though and wear things that I think are nice, and suit me ok...helps when I'm in a thin phase, otherwise I do struggle as what I like doesn't like me!

I wear minimal makeup but just enough to make me look more alive than dead

I don't worry too much about holes in things (maybe tights) or paint and stuff on them, it's just part of life (I paint a fair bit, walls etc as well as pictures, and DP is a professional decorator). I am fairly scruffy in normal terms I think. But people tend to say I look nice anyway.

Hair is very important imo because I know when my hair feels rubbish, nothing else works. So I make time to wash it, which always helps enormously, or tie it up at the back if there's no time.

I think it's all about finding a style that feels genuinely like you, and sticking with it because it just works out that way most of the time anyway....so I know my hair is better long, and looks ok bunged into a clip at the back. And practically speaking it happens most days anyway.

Same with jeans, they work, they look ok on me, they are what I end up in all the time.

Other stuff - tops etc just sort of vary depending on weather/day/mood etc.

If you figure out what makes YOU feel good inside as well as about your appearance then it's not so hard to keep doing it. For instance I feel uncomfortable in dresses, so I don't even try any more with those, and trying to make my hair straight/keep it in a short style that needed lots of upkeep/dyeing it a trendy colour etc would not work for me. Find what works for you and go for it.

Good luck x

FreeButtonBee · 12/04/2012 11:42

Wear earrings - even just a simple pair of studs makes me feel a bit brighter in the face.

I like a bit of mascara - Clininque lash power is good for an every day look - it doesn't smudge (comes off with hot water in little 'tubes') so less likely to come undo over the course of the day.

Wear colour! I banned myslef from buying black for a year (could buy grey or navy and things with black as an accent). I'm now having to buy a few black pieces but it's lovely to look in my wardrobe and see colour! And honestly if it doesn't look good in a colour, it actaully doesn't really look that good in black.

I use tinted moisturiser (chanel vitalumerie aqua) rather than foundation. Use primer and a tiny bit of powder. Pink or coral blush wakes up the face without looking too made up.

PerryCombover · 12/04/2012 22:28

Fgs

Most really attractive people are v v v v v v v average. They just work their arse off highlighting their best bits
You have to decide in the grand scheme if you can really be arsed. Fundamentally it does take time up that could be spent laughing at Tracy Anderson DVDs

First off
Find out what shape you are...really.
Get your colours done...really.

Stop thinking about being average or pointing out your shit bits...highlight the best and minimise the worst

Chuck out all the dross you own that doesn't suit you fit you or is threadbare stained bleached
Get decent underwear
Now you will be left with only decent underwear......

Only buy things you love. One really nice thing might last you 6 yrs of decent wear or more...

Decide what you will wear the night before, including accessories
Dull answer dull dull dull
Sorry

PavlovtheCat · 12/04/2012 22:30

lip gloss!

PuffPants · 13/04/2012 09:11

Eyebrow shape - works wonders.

A good pinky blusher really brightens you up.

Clothes don't need to be fashionable but they do need to fit.

Foundation properly matched and applied improves most of us.

Work on brightening up your "resting face" - as we get older it's easy to look a bit glum and sulky without meaning to Smile

AnxiousPanxious · 13/04/2012 16:21

I had to google Tracy Anderson. I don't want to look like that. There is not an inch of that woman's body that looks normal.

"Work on your resting face" is good advice. There are lots of good ideas here (the waspishly-delivered ones too, tut tut fishy), I shall make a list and work on them all. And then post before and after photos from all angles.*

*No way.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 13/04/2012 17:55

How DO you work on your resting face? Mine is bloomin' awful.

I struggle even to look 'average' but would say that mascara, blusher, scarves and a nicely fitting coat/jacket are what help me most. And trying not to let myself get too grey (she says, whilst very grey rooted).

larahusky · 13/04/2012 22:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnxiousPanxious · 14/04/2012 10:40

Resting face: I think, don't actually rest it. Keep a tiny, tiny amount of smile playing about your lips at all times and keep your eyes from going dead by thinking happy thoughts.

OP posts:
ebbandflow · 14/04/2012 10:50

Some good ideas here. I am thinking good skin is the answer, just been reading crappy 'woman' magazine (never usually buy it honestly) and it has an article in it saying 9 out 10 women use the wrong foundation. Mentions also about putting a primer on top of your moisturiser before you put on the foundation-does anyone really do this?

PuffPants · 14/04/2012 11:11

I started using primer precisely two weeks ago after reading a thread on here. I do think it improves the look of your foundation. I went for No7 Airbrush - it makes your face feel all silky.

mrsebojones · 14/04/2012 11:25

Attention to detail is the answer!
1 Regular hair cut and colour to keep it in good condition and shiny
2 Nice make-up... less can be more
3 clothes that fit well and flatter your figure - does not have to be latest fashions
4 Clean, short nails painted in a soft shade
5 Nice accessories - scarves or beads or earrings
6 Great handbag

doormat · 14/04/2012 11:30

i would suggest getting the cement mixer and a trowel to apply the make up...lolGrin

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