My new years resolution this year is to make more effort with my appearance. Who wants to join me?

[TrampyPants]

I've never really worn make up, styled my hair or bothered with how I look. That was fine when I was young and fresh. Now I'm 34 (nearly 35) and I want to look good. I have just tried to curl my hair (and failed) and sorted out my make up, throwing out stuff that doesn't suit me.

Alaska77 Thank you thats really kind of you! (You can tell its been a while cant you ) You're sounding gorge today I must say!

I want a black long jumper, I have one but I was bigger when I bought it (something else Ive had in the wardrobe for ages) and now its too baggy. Hmm. Im going to have to get up early and go into town tomorrow, I think its this confusion that puts me off - Ive mentioned up thread that I have various bits but then never know what to put them with.

Aww thanks Guy. Have you tried Hush for a long black jumper? Their sale is coming early next week. I love their stuff because it's great quality and you can mix and match their basics. I'm wearing their Michelle dress today.

Disclaimer - I don't work for Hush, I promise!

Hush are doing a preview sale

Well done on the run Remus, I've plucked up the courage to join a group of friends playing tennis once a week, haven't played (badly) since school but I have a mice pie or two that could do with shifting. That and the chocolate cake in the oven (for sharing, not just for me) to cheer me up after friends blew us out. Have realised a may be guilty of comfort eating.

Alaska77, I like the idea of matching hangers, I've never bought any, they're all just from random shops.

I've decided too to thin down my jumpers (including any of DH's I've adopted) as they're just all bundled together at the bottom of the wardrobe. I may well cull the ones I bought for my hateful last job, they just remind me of not nice people and bring my confidence down, so they can go to a better place.

The model on the main page of that Hush lik has made me think too - I haven't really got a stylish hat - I have woolly hats for the hills but nothing everyday for when it gets cold.

Any suggestions? Especially for high street shops as I haven't a clue what would suit me and suspect I'd need to try lots on.

Id never even heard of Hush Bit past my price range Im afraid.... The clothes look really lovely though. Im with you on the hangers - I chucked a load of crappy ones a while back

Im hoping h an m will have some basics that will get me by and not look so bad. Things are going to be much tighter in this house from next month or so unfortunately so thats going to be as far as I can stretch.

Hat opinons please...

white beret

Chocolate bucket hat

[[http://www.hatsandcaps.co.uk/Olney-Hats-Molly-Waterproof-Bucket-Hat-P119949/ Waterproof hat with flowers not so sure about this one but it rains alot here]

Nice cloche hat, not sure if it would suit the school run

I'd probably still get something from the high street (as my head is a little large and most hats don't seem to fit) but opinions on styles would be welcome, and where I might find them.

That Hush stuff looks lovely - will keep an eye out for the sale. I'm also desperate for a new black jumper but nowhere seems to be doing what I want. I schlepped all around town yesterday but failed in my quest.

I can now recommend Topshop's high waisted skinnies though, if anybody is after some skinnies. Good thick fabric and a lovely snugly high waist!

Yesterday I bought one of those Ombre hair dye kits that have been advertised and dip dyed my hair. Had dip dye done at the hairdressers twice when I had long hair but then cut it so lost the colour. Have been missing it but am skint so thought would give it a go myself and it actually looks really nice!

I also straightened my hair last night even though I wasn't going anywhere today.

Hya everyone, lavenderhoney I'm going to give the face oil a go I already have the almond oil (would I be able to try rosehip with it?).
Picked up my boots and also a pair of trainers I was in desperate need of so now I have no excuse about starting to run again. Trying really hard drinking plenty of water carried a bottle around at work with me today.
Hmmm got all confused about bb cream ended up with a nivea tinted daytime moisturiser with spf however I did pick up some rosy vaseline.
Hope everyones had a day of feeling better about themselves.

Didn't get up in time to do my Shred DVD this morning. But I did walk from my car to the office and back instead of getting the bus - about 20 minutes each way.
It was dress down day at work today so wore jeans and a brown top with a small flowery print on it. Thought it looked okay than caught a glance of myself in the mirror and decided I looked awful.
Will need to look for new casual clothes as soon as I can too.

Hello,

For all of those who are after a fly lady version of this :)

Hopefully today you will have worked on your lingerie drawer, it'll be lovely in the morning when you open the drawer and see all of your hard work :)

For tomorrow you need to find a little container to put on your bedside cabinet, this can be a jar, an pencil case, a pretty make up bag, or like me an empty for forrero Roche plastic box.

In your container you need to add a small tub of Vaseline - you will dab your fingers in this and gently apply a small amount to :
a) your eyelids and eyelashes
b) your lips
c) your fingers starting at your cuticles, and moving up your fingers

before you go to sleep.

This is the beginning of your bedtime routine. :)

Another tip is to put tubs of handcream all over the house. Eg I have one on my computer desk and one by the side of my bed - this guarantees that I remember to use it at least a couple of times a day. :)

karbea this is fab! Loving fly lady style and beauty stylee!

Agree, great tips, Karbea. Keep 'em coming! One question though, why Vaseline your eyelashes?

I found some free samples of Superdrug BB cream in the bottom of my drawer today so tried it out. I think it definitely gave my skin an extra something, although I couldn't put my finger on exactly what that something was... It just looked more healthy, I think. I'll definitely be buying some, although I'm going to ask for samples from other brands first so I can find one that works best with my dry and sensitive skin.

A couple of previous posters have recommended having eyebrows shaped professionally. I'm thinking about doing this tomorrow, although have never had any issues with my brows. They're pretty inoffensive really! So, I'm not sure that having them done will make much difference... Has anyone else thought that and subsequently been amazed?

Because I want to keep things simple at first for us all. If we only have to use one product initially I think we are more likely to use it. Plus not everyone will have eye creams/eyelash gel etc, so trying to keep it cheap accessible to all :) but if you've other products definitely add them to your box :)

I am joining as well. I wear make-up at the weekend and manage that my hair looks okay but during the week I look awful. Definitely try to make more effort this year.

I meant what benefit does Vaseline have on eyelashes? I get why you'd put it on skin, but I've never put anything on my lashes before except mascara... Sorry if I'm being a bit dense!

Vaseline helps towards softening and conditioning the eyelashes which may prevent breakage, allowing the eyelashes to grow to a longer than usual length.

But only use a little and avoid getting it in your eyes as it'll kill!

Karbea, love the idea of doing it flylady style.... one habit a day being added to my routine. thank you.

RE: eyebrows...mine are inoffensive also but a shape and tint helps frame my face

It was family day for us today ...zoo and gallery. wholesome activities all round. I would normally have thrown something on and got out.... but cos of you lot am wearing new trendy shorts and t shirt, bangles, shoes instead of flip flops, full makeup and nice hair. Thnaks again.

Morning! Im off into town shortly to see what I can find. Im wearing a black a grey stripy thin jumper dress, black leggings, black biker boots. Black jacket, black scarf.

I like black

Hair in ponytail, usual makeup on. Will prob wear an orange lipstick.

Have a great day people

Auntpittypat, the best thing is to get your eyebrows threaded. Find the best salon/ spa you can and book it in:) then you can just use a magnifying mirror after and tweezers from tweezerman. Having them threaded will make a it difference, just get them shaped and the long hairs trimmed. They might even thread your upper lip:)

For face oil, I use lavender oil as I like it and it suits my skin with the almond, but you can use rose hip I guess? You could try googling as I expect lots of people do or a separate thread of style and beauty as those ladies know everything:)

Not much done today on the Beauty front but I went to bed vvv early last night.

karbea love the flylady beauty idea I have applied my vaseline to my lashes and lips last night, I have a different hand cream though.
Another work day here so uniform again but still paying more attention to my hair and makeup than I usually do.
Think tonight I am going to organise my clothes in outfits, I have already had a good clear out so shouldn't be too hard.

Count me in! I have a million kids(4) and aleays used this as an excuse for looking poo. but after a family christmas at my inlaws i saw my sister inlaw looking amazing and she has 5 kids! so i have invested in some good Lancome skin care and im going to do my hair etc but am torn about the make up. was chatting idle chat stuff with my partner and mentioned i want to start wearing make up. he says he likes me with out. But id like to go get some natural make up so i look more polished any one recommend a counter where i could go for advice and to buy basics please.

Can I join too?

I have over the past year tried to sort myself out. I wear make up now (Barbara daly powder foundation, Barbara daly blusher, curl my eyelashes and wear mascara) but I often forget to moisturise and I really need to.

My hair is ok, I treated myself to highlights and a proper cut recently, so just need to maintain that.

It's the clothes that are the problem. I have no idea how to dress myself and it really gets me down. I'm a teacher and tend to wear dresses as flat shoes/boots but then cover myself in big slouchy cardigans. I've recently lost a bit of weight and my top half looks ok, but I need to buy better fitting bras and find some cardigans/top layers that are waist length or cropped because otherwise I wear the big ones and they make me look ten times bigger than I actually am. Does anyone have an idea of where I can buy decent cheap ones?

I've also just been diagnosed with PCOS and will, after starting a thread here, try to cut out all sugar starting Monday. I have a feeling this will help get rid f my fat bulbous stomach quite quickly!

I've also been prescribed vaniqa cream for the 'excess abnormal' hair and will be smothering it on my chin/nipples/snail trail with gusto and hoping that makes me feel better and less like a horrendous excuse for a female.