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.

[GeorginaWorsley]

Back to MFP for me,lost half a stone from sept until nov without trying,put it back over last couple of weeks though
Ebay at least a quarter of my wardrobe and spend an afternoon arranging outfits and seeing what is actualay in there,instead of buying more....
Received lots of new make up for Xmas so willtry it all out.
Just bought Estee Lauder skincare gift set half price in Boots so will use,need to be more disciplined with night cream at my age..

[redrobin]

Can i join too please? would love to look pulled together, instead of being pulled through a hedge. have got cropped hair at the moment, which i must keep getting cut regularly instead of just growing till i cant bear it and getting it shorn again - it means i look rubbish for months other than the first six weeks. Also need to get eyebrows sorted, i always think that makes me look more groomed, and stop biting nails. I'm getting on (45) so this is my last blast at having any youthful looks (who am I kidding!).

(ps i have 3 DCs between 7 and 3, so i have to try to maintain some fight against grannydom for the youngest's sake, i'm the oldest mum i know).

[chanie44]

I've been working on my appearance for a few years now and, through trial and error I've realised that, I prefer clean, simple lines that are comfortable. As much as i like pretty, feminine clothes, I know that I won't wear them. HOwever, I do make sure that my clothes fit well and are good quality (not expensive) and to me, that is half the battle as it stops me from looking scruffy.

[Tigerstripes]

I'm joining in too. There's a girl at work who always looks groomed and put together and I aspire to be like her! I have recently bought some new smarter work clothes (not smart like suits,more like see through shirts (or whatever they're called) and pencil skirts). I now wear BB cream every day.

I aim to:
dye my hair more often (hate doing it so put it off).
Sort out my clothes
Do hair properly every day.

[wewereherefirst]

I'm in too! I use make up but I rarely do anything with my hair and I'm two sizes bigger than I was pre DS2 and he's nearly 11 months so barring bf'ing, there's no excuse for the weight.

I would love to find simple tops and dresses that I can bf in, but most shops seem to have high necked and tight fitting clothes.

My plans then

Lose weight
Overhaul make-up
Go through wardrobe, photograph outfits and stick inside the door for easy coordination
Find out what clothes suit me
Oh and sort my house out so I feel calmer and happier when here!

[Viviennemary]

I have been thinking about doing this. I hardly ever wear make up even if I'm going out. And haven't had my hair done for totally ages. I do need to lose weight too.

[TrampyPants]

Tomorrow I am going into town go do a small food shop. Normally a scruffy jeans, jumper and dufflecoat outing. I shall put on make up. Even mascara. And wear skinny jeans, longsleeve tshirt and wedge boots with my new biker jacket. Probably won't bother with hair beyond a bunch though.

[knitknack]

Tramps I've got long red hair and those two conditions also! :D I've GOT to get back to regular yoga this year - about 4 years ago I was bang on, doing it every day and I felt so STRONG! It felt good and I can't quite figure out why I can't get back into it! Are you taking anything? I'm on a very low dose of amitriptyline and I've found it really helpful.

[SleighbellsRingInYourLife]

Just bought myself some jeans and a sweater in the Mango sale.

I so need a new pair of jeans. This should help with the not wearing ridiculously shite clothing.

[TrampyPants]

Knit, really? Do have issues with lipstick and colours in general too? I look bizarre with lipstick on and have to be so careful wrt colours. Atm we are firefighting with painkillers (tramadol) and antiinflamms (vimovo) as well as vit d and can.I'm still in the too painful to move days, which is cack. Can't wait to see my consultant and get proper drugs/treatment.

[TrampyPants]

Sleigh, what are they like?

[TerraNotSoFirma]

I have many resolutions this year, sorting out my appearance is one of them.

Someone I used to work with didn't recognise me the other day :( , no bloody wonder really, I was two sizes smaller, dressed in sharp suits, hair, makeup and nails groomed.
Now, I am chubby, overgrown hair, skin is in shit condition, clothes are bleugh.
I make myself sad.
Well, no more.
By march 2013, I will be looking fabulous.

[knitknack]

Tramps I've got brown eyes, so may have different colouring to you but HAVE found two lipsticks, both bobbi brown that are brilliant (most lipsticks look weird on me too - if I look at lipsticks in boots they may as well be green for all the use they are to me! :D ). I just use soft neutral colours on my eyes and a pop of pink blush which takes me from 'dead' to 'hello!' in one sweep! Lips are 'nude rose' or 'blue raspberry' - the nude rose is better.

Pain wise, it was bad until I got diagnosed and then I started the Am, and gave up wheat and sugar and now I just have niggles and aches, but am a teacher and bounce around the classroom all day so I'm pretty happy with that! Interestingly I've been eating all sorts of rubbish this Christmas and I'm hurting today - its reminding me of the old days! So back to no sugar for me :( (google 'primal vlueprint' for inspiration - I do a sort of 'light' version, I still eat rice etc)

Good luck with you resolutions! I'm sure you'll feel tons better really oon :)

[TrampyPants]

It's so easy to lose focus, isn't it? I've never been highmaintenance, or into hair/make up. But I want to now. I want dh to be proud to be seen out with me. And to stop wallowing.

[Karbea]

Tramps I wallow about too. Needs to stop.

[TrampyPants]

I have bluey green eyes and olivey skin so reds/blue tones areout for me. I tried a lush pinky colour and it looked bizarre.

My diet is pretty good, I find that if I try to lift or push myself I'm worse. I have psa, so stress is a big deal.

[SleighbellsRingInYourLife]

Shit, Trampy, that sounds very cack indeed. :(

I got high waisted skinnies. I have to have high waists with my appalling tummy.

Also a cream over sized knit sweater. It's slouchy, so should hide my sad, empty bump :o

When I was 4 months pregnant I didn't look much different, but it was OK then :o

I know what you mean about looking weird with lipstick. I'm fair and anything bold makes me look like a crazy hooker.

[TrampyPants]

That sounds brilliant. I love highwaisted jeans, I have bottle green ones that look fab. Inever show the waist though.

And thank you.

[Valpolliandtheivy]

Right I'm in and kick me if I don't check in.

1 - lose fat off my middle. It's ridiculous. Am skinny fat and it is Pissing Me Off

I am planning to do this by eating better, hula hooping like mad and running/walkin g lots

2 - hands. Goodbye paper skin.

Handcreaming alllllll day

3 - Face. Olive oil loves you

Use it to remove make up as it is fab at doing so. Then slather some on before bed

[knitknack]

That DOES sound cack! I think trying to honour your beauty in the way that you describe is a fantastic idea though - I think it shows that your love and respect for yourself is high and that can only be a good thing!

I think a soft coral would be gorgeous on you Like BB's 'nectar' or 'washed sea shell' - can you 'do' department shops? They'd try them on you free so no commitment if they didn't work...

[MmeLindorNOTYET40]

Am I being thick? Waht is this BB cream? Is it a particular brand

[StopEatingThatMud]

I've not read the whole thread (yet) but I'm about 600% IN if you'll have me.

Since doing pregnancy very badly, I seem to have lost the ability to make any sort of effort and it's really starting to get me down. DD is now 19 months and I really have to stop using her as an excuse for being 2 1/2 stone overweight, with crap hair, no make up and a severe lack of clothes.

[putyourhatonsweetie]

Hello hello

Can I join too please? I have been really struggling recently and have let myself slip a bit....(echo the person up thread that has slipped from casual to scruffy) what i really need to do this year is get a new job.
But I think making an effort with my appearance would really help with that sort of down in the dumps feeling I so often have.

So

I need to eat better - I am just barely not overweight iyswim. Could do with some toning, but I run and am fairly physically healthy

I need to follow a skin routine

My hair is one of my better features and yet every day i scrape it back with a pretty band. More effort required.

I am thinking of trying to introduce a new good habit every day, so it builds ...

happy days and good luck all

[StickEmWithThePointyEnd]

So today, in practice for tomorrow, it is dress down day at work so I'm in black cords and a cream fleece top with my walking boots as I'm breaking them in. Hair will be tied back in a ponytail to avoid that nasty straggly look it gets after 5 minutes. No make up because dh is collecting my order from boots later today.

Last night I shaved my legs (but it's winter! ) and used the Soap and Glory body scrub stuff to exfoliate.

Tonight, instead of just brushing my teeth before bed I will floss and use mouthwash.

[wewereherefirst]

My outfit for today will probably consist of blue super skinny jeans, black wrap top, boots and blue necklace as we're just mooching round the shops.

I really don't know what to do with my hair- it's bra strap length so fairly versatile, but I'm not imaginative at all with it.