If I show you a photo, will you tell me what I would suit? A challenge and a half!

[sillymillyb]

Right - I feel awful. Im on my own with 7mo DS so feel post pregnancy blubbery, with no OH to reassure me that they still love me even though I look different now. I have a double chin and am spotty and just generally, feel like shite.

BUT!!!! Enough is enough! So, I have some questions.

I have put a photo of me on my profile.... and am booked into the hairdressers in the morning. What would you recommend? A bob? A colour change? Giving up and getting a wig?!

I am usually blonde but had a fit of stupidity and dyed my hair brown (see pics....) I just don't feel like me, and a couple of people have commented on me "being a blonde" So I think I need to address the colour thing.

I am post baby fat and don't see this changing as Im too knackered and lazy I am a size 14ish, 5ft 2, 34F boobs, blubbery tummy and arms.

I have a very catalogue account and am poor, so can only spend about £400 max and only from there.. What should I buy? I really need to start from scratch.

My days are spent on the floor with DS, and doing the school run for my nephews. They goto vaiiir posh schools, and I feel like the hired help most days. I'd like to fit in, and look classical and pulled together.

Please help. I feel like crap and have lost my confidence, so need some guidance.

Thank you

I think you looked rather lovely as a blonde - it gave you a bit of a sparkle - but you also look good darker too. As some others have said, I would lift your colour a bit with some highlights to break up the colour and give it a bit more oomph. You might find it helps you feel more comfortable with the transition from being blonde too - it can be a shock to the system to begin with! HD brows definitely a good idea if you stay dark, they'll help give your features more definition.

You are very pretty and definitely not what I was expecting from your OP. I think you're suffering from justhadababyandlostmyconfidenceitis! Don't be too hard on yourself, it's normal to go through this phase imo and a bit of tlc will make you feel so much better (you don't need to look better, you're already gorgeous).

I just wanted to join the ranks saying that the brunette really suits you. It brightens up your face and looks in lovely condition. A few layers and maybe a choppy long fringe?

Brunette for me too! you have such gorgeous hair, when my babies were little lots of my hair fell out and I would have been delighted with such glossy locks. Agree with earlier poster, nine months up, nine months down!

I have no fashion advice (as I sit here in the only pair of jeans that fit me and an M&S v neck t-shirt!!), but I have to say you look lovely. I prefer the brunette fair too.

If it's any consolation, I had my DS 4.5 years ago and in that time I've PUT ON 3.5 stones- now a size 18!!

You look great!!

I really like your hair dark. You look nice blonde too but dark has the edge as it is closer to your natural colouring. Since you can get away with a cool blonde I would hazard a guess that you are a winter. Google it for colour combination tips. It will make it much easier for you to pick things out.

Clothes wise start with indigo plain denim jeans but higher waisted than before. I am not a fan of skinnies personally as I think they throw most people's proportions out and make a tummy even more of an issue than it really is. Go for a wider cut whether boyfriend,wide leg,flare or bootcut. Not skinny bootcut though because they will cling like a sucker to the top of the leg and everything above them will be magnified. Also make sure they are long enough as it elongates the leg and there is nothing more frumpy than ankle swingers. You may need to get two pairs, one for flats and the other for heels if you wear them.

You can really work a scarf so pick a few of them up in complimentary colours- deep grey, blue red, berry, cobalt, rich purple,emerald green. Or save yourself a lot of time and order them off of eBay.

Lipstick I think is a must when you have a lot of contrast on your colouring. You can get away with quite strong tones as a brunette. My favourite lipstick at the moment is a Rimmel matte one in shade 107. It is a rich jammy plum -not too dark. It is one of 5 new ones by their Kate Moss range. It a fiver and makes a huge difference in feeling put together IYSWIM.

The MUA stuff is really good too. Eyeliners and eyeshadow palettes are really good.

I think it is worth spending money on yourself when you have had a baby. It is a huge transition and a lot of women feel they need to redefine themselves. It is not selfish. Make yourself a priority and stop feeling guilty because you matter too. You already look great but I know what you are getting at-you want to get your mojo back. I'll have a look at the VERY stuff. I think like the others have said-keep it plain and capsule like with stuff that you will want to wear all the time.

You look lovely. No advice on clothes other than to say, if you must use a catalogue have you looked at La Redoute? There's quite a range of clothes on there and some really good bargains in the mini price range.

Yes, tucked in will show yourr shape - ucked out makes you look big all ttthe way down iyyswim?

Hello!

so another to say you look good.

Size 14 is NOT fat, when you feel that way think of glam curvier women (sorry, but Nigella and Kirtsy Allsop)

I think you need better colour blond hair, I think you seem more blonde than brunette, but need a more subtle colour

trying to lose weight is never easy, so maybe try exercising and walking first as a starter for ten?

if you have £400 why not get a capsule wardrobe, and dont rush it

nice ankle boots
good quality skinnies
nice cut tops/blouses
nice black dress

BUY LESS, dont get everything cheap

GOOD LUCK X

Hello again!

Sorry for late reply, I dropped my phone this morning and smashed the screen so have had to wait till ds in bed before I could fire up the laptop (no bloody insurance either, Arrrrgh!)

Thank you all so much for your replies, Im really overwhelmed - I never expected so much help and lovely comments. I'm very grateful x

Hair today went well! I was in there 5 HOURS!!!!!! but she has totally sorted me out - I cant upload a pic as my phone is broken now, which is really frustrating. Im sorry! It's still brunette as apparently it was a good base colour, but with 2 different shades of honey and blonde put in too. I have had about 2 inches off and it is just below my chin, but styled a bit, and with a long side fringe cut in.

Lovely hairdresser has said she will happily show me how to create different styles, so that I can get the most from my hair - so im booked in on Tuesday for a sort of play about session.

Clothes wise, I'm just about to look through all your advice above and pull together a list. I started with coats last night - what do you all think of the below? Did any one see any others that might be nice?

Myleene

long military

not sure on fur bit?

Lastly, I know I keep saying it - but thank you all. I've been really down in the dumps, and I think I need to work a bit on my self esteem. A make over, a healthy eating plan, and some exercise are long over due - my son deserves a happy mum, and its easier to do this if I focus on him as my motivation iyswim?

Ps going to take photos down now - my face has had far too much internet exposure over the last 24 hours! Thank you again.... x

It's all gone quiet on your thread tonight!

Pleased you're happy with your hair, hopefully you have the best of being brunette and blonde now .

I like the first two coats that you linked to, probably the 2nd one more as it may go with more things. Just beware of double breasted coats if you have a large chest as it could make you look bigger than you are, but worth trying them!

I love the second coat, it's stylish and sexy and looks expensive. So jealous of you getting 5 hours in the hairdressers, are you now doing the 'new swishy hair' walk round the house? Do you like the cut and colour?

And post some pics asap, we need to see!!

What a lovely hairdresser (I know you're paying, but even so...), mine doesn't appear able to do anything other than straight.

I like the second two coats, not really keen on the Myleene coat. The second two look warmer for winter too.

I can't see any picture of you on your profile?

oh - just noticed yo said you have taken it down.

I'm a bit late here and can't see you but your baby is bloody gorgeous! He looks a lot like my little DS :)

I'm trying to sort myself out like you, I had got almost back to normal after DD when I conceived DS and I feel like I'll never get there again. Glad your hair is magic, hoping my hair over will achieve the same...

I don't think any of those coats are right, I'm v similar height/size to you and they would look bad on me, really matronly & boxy. If you must do double breasted find something not belted and vice versa, but really a coat that isn't bulky is best. I have fab DKNY princess line (tk max is your friend trust me!) one but boobs won't go in it til I wean the baby!

Dunno how to link on phone but very have nice French connection camel coat down to ?95. Double breasted but no belt & much nicer shape.

There's red and purple too if camel isn't your colour.

Have only just seen this thread, so not seen your photos. Re make up if you have a Bobbi Brown counter near you how about ringing and booking yourself in for one of their make up lessons? They are free and can really show you colours to look good with your new hair colour. I go sometimes and you dont need to feel pressured into buying anything - just say you are looking to get a list together for Christmas presents. I'm sure lots of other cosmetic companies do the same thing.