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.

I'm failing today. Woke up late, covered in blood - lovely. Have horrible heavy, painful period and a hormonal headache. I've had a bath (necessity rather than pampering) and have shoved a load of vege and some quorn mince in the slowcooker, to make a healthyish shepherd's pie for tea. And that's it. Am wearing faded skinnies with a hot water bottle shoved down them and v old baggy men's cashmere jumper.

Ugh.

Well done to all you lovely looking people. I'll start again tomorrow - don't intend to leave the house or see anybody other than dp and the dds today.

I'm also failing today Remus, woke up covered in snot. Am slumming it in comfy jeans, a big baggy jumper, a pile of tissues and a mug of lemsip. Will also resume making an effort tomorrow.

Me!

Got 3 resolutions

1. Teeth whitened
2. Front teeth straightened
3. Eye laser surgery so can get rid of my glasses/contact lenses

:-)

I'm wondering though, in my bleary state, what I should aim to achieve this year - I think I'd like to drop a dress size (by no specific deadline), wear some of the bits and bobs I hang up i the wardrobe (rather than always going for tee-shirts stuffed into drawers), and maybe get some new make up. I currently have three lipsticks, a small pot of foundation, one nice nail varnish, and a very old mascara. Any suggestions welcome.

I might also try to wear a skirt more often this year, and cut my hair shorter. Am unsure whether to dye my grey hair as I'm not organised enough to cover the roots regularly enough (and actually I don't mind the grey too much).

Good resolutions heyelp. I know three people who've had the laser eye surgery and have been chuffed to bits with it.

Oh Jammy Splodger do you know where they had it done? That is the only thing holding me back slightly. I need recommendations. I saw an article about Vision Express and was going to pop in....

jammy, if you want make up, try cheapsmells and fragrance direct as well as boots no7 (esp when they have the voucher offers on)

I am exhausted. I have cleaned the house from top to bottom and my dad will be here in 2hrs. time to have a wash and sort myself out, I need to stay on top of this.

And Jammy Splodger....my make up tips....

1. Benefit Hoola - cannot live without this....it is a bronzing powder with zero sparkle and basically matts the shine and give somes sun kissed colour. Tap the brush first so you just sweep a bit over your foundation.
2. Mac lip glosses. Yum. Have the Love Alert red one. Go for it! Colours like red and pink as a lip gloss are so much more fun and younger than mid pink blur....
3. Urban Decay glitter eyeliner - just a touch of sparkle - I have both silver and gold
4. Somebody did smokey eyes on me recently and I now try and do it when going out. Such fun. Got an Urban Decay Smokey Eye set that has a book with detailed instructions

Fun fun fun!

I'm not sure where they went heyelp but can ask, though I know at least two of them are on holidays at the moment. You could start a thread on it though - there must be plenty of other MNetters who've had it done.

Thanks Trampy, I'll get myself down to Boots sometime. There's one next door to a Next Clearence place so I might kill two birds with one stone.

oh, I love next clearance. Ive bought some fab stuff from the one in brum. a rug that was £75 for £8, clothes, shoes... lush. I need a new make up case, mines all over the dressing table.

Those so sound fun heyelp, I don't think I've ever owned bronzing powder, where exactly does that just get lightly brushed (cheeks, anywhere shiny)? And eyeliner right, is that just 'drawn on' along the lower eyelashes?

(daft questions but please bear in mind I grew up round lots of boys and have never seen my mum wear lipstick ever, so not very good at this)

youtube has some great tutorials, you will be better off with softer colours til you get used to it. or visit a make up counter (benefit are good) and ask for a tutorial. I use bronzer on the apples of my cheeks and my tzone. just lightly wherever the sun would naturally catch me.

I brush the Benefit Hoola very lightly all over as my daily powder. Note it is light! But also like trampy's idea of zoning it. It is such fun to get into make up - but do have some tutorials! That makes it even more fun IMO

Oh the glitter eyeliner I put on the top lid in a very fine line right next to my lashes. Not on the bottom lashes. I wear it with black mascara and nothing else. Just jazzes you up for the evening and will make you sparkle. Urban Decay has lots of colours - gold, silver, translucent, and all colours. It is not shiny eyeliner - it is literally glitter!

Am coming back to this later but wanted to report that I bought the BB stuff and some nail polish.

Didn't posh up too much today cause we were out walking but will give my wardrobe a good sort out next week.

hey, I'm not a huge eyeliner fan (I have large round eyes that can go from doe to scary doll-woman v quickly) but I like no7's soft brown with a blender. I use it mainly in the corners and soften it. but I have a glittery one that I like for nights out.

oooh, what nailpolish?

Didn't get up till 10.30 today so was late getting sorted.
Skinny jeans olive cashmere jumper and black riding boots today did my hair.
Applied foundation although I think it's the wrong one for my skin as on close inspection it looked quite heavy so going to look at the BB cream can anyone recommend a mid price range one please.

I'd also like a new winter coat although I have two I'd quite like a navy duffle coat for walks out into town but may wait for next winter for that.

Next purchase needs to be tops and new jeans as I'm rather low after havin a clear out

Food wise today terrible but ill be starting ww once the kids are back at school

spotty, the no7 one. seriously, its the best I've used. no spots and good coverage.

Thanks, I'll look up some tutorials / maybe ask some mates who look like they know what they're doing (though quite chuffed I know what the T zone means :) )

Will also see if I can get some friends together for a night out, sometime when it would suit to glam up a bit, more than just on the windswept school run.

My other new year's resolution is to finish decorating the bathroom and our room, so will sort out some necklace pegs and somewhere near the hairdryer to leave some make up - DH got me some perfume for Christmas (plus a book on curry, yum) and it helps if that's right by the hairdryer, I actually use it most days.

Food-wise, so far all I've eaten = 2 slices of wholemeal toast and an orange. Healthy-ish tea is nearly ready. Hair is still grey and hair dye is still sitting on the shelf. Have done naff all today, apart from keep re-filling the hot water bottle!

Going out tomorrow, so will do better. I've bought a new warm and waterproof parka thing but will wear it with heeled ankle boots and a nice scarf!

Oh and another vote for Urban Decay eyeliners but I like the plainer ones. :)

I've just been considering this myself.

I used to take a real pride in my appearance until i got called "a vain dog" and then I just stopped. I dont wear make up anymore or bother with my hair (which is a wild, coarse, frizzy unruly mess)I havent even shaved my legs in as long as I can remember. I don't feel good about myself at all.

I get paid on Friday and I'm going to book a hair appointment