I just want to look pretty! Help!

[fluffyduckie]

Not glam (I'm not high maintenance) or fashionable really but I look scruffy and dull and want that sort of natural pretty look with feminine clothes and accessories.

At the moment my hair is just scraped back most days and I wear black trousers and a top every day. Dull!

My make up is basically foundation to cover up my uneven (but pale) skin.

I don't have much time on a morning or much money to spend either so I think I might be a lost cause!

Some people have that sort of pretty glow all the time and I don't know how they do it!

What about just tweaking what you already do?
So hair normally scraped back- what about a low side bun? Or wear a higher pony but make it looser so not as severe looking? If I wash mine and let it air dry it looks nicer like that in a pony.
You can do quick makeup in 5 mins! Little foundation (have you tried bourjois healthy mix?) and under eye concealer (benefit erase paste is ace), light pink blush, mascara and lip gloss.
Change your black trousers for a colour. Jeggings are nice and dorothy perkins Eden range are excellent. Don't feel you have to go wild, what about grey or navy? And tunic tops are always feminine.

start scouring websites like pinterest for ideas of clothes /outfits you like, get some inspiration, book a hair cut /restyle all your hairdressers advice, get your make up done at a shop counter explain what you need, do a few of these to ensure you get what works for you. Also book into see a personal shopper at a department store all freebies (mostly) and a good kick start

Accessories! I have about a million scarves in all different colours. Scarves and some earrings make you look like you've made so much more effort.

Also mascara is essential!

Accessories! I have about a million scarves in all different colours. Scarves and some earrings make you look like you've made so much more effort.

Also mascara is essential!

Reading with interest. Feel exactly the same as OP!

Maybe you need to find the thing that will make you light up and look like "you, only better" - whether it's a particular make-up product or a particular kind of outfit. We might say "Mascara is the answer" or "earrings are the answer" but it's probably cos that's the thing that changes our own appearance dramatically.

Agree Pinterest is great, and also study the people who have that glow and try to see what it is they've done with their clothes.

If you have your foundation sorted, could you have a play with the cheap and very good make up ranges in Superdrug? There's MUA and Collection, lots of their products are excellent and in the £1-£5 range.

Stop wearing black for a start. It actually suits very few people, and is very draining if you're pale (I am too).

One word. Blusher.

Blusher, and get your lashes tinted, much nicer than mascara. Consider a fitted blazer if it would work with your body shape. A scarf.

I think you need to start by figuring out who you really are and dressing more like YOU;

Start by figuring out your colouring (there are online quizzes you can use as a starting point) and making a point of wearing your best colours close to your face.

But, most importantly figuring out your personal style will make a HUGE difference. Try this online quiz for a start.

I'm a dramatic classic and I've found that I have to get the balance just right to feel comfortable and attractive. If my look is classic but with not enough drama (bright colours, patterns or unusual textures etc), I feel drab and dull and invisible. If I go too far the other way and use too much colour/patterns etc, I feel horribly conspicuous and self-conscious. Not enough of either (i.e. too casual or too fussy) can make me feel almost ill!

Now I've realised this, it's easy to "tweak" outfits (by adding a bright accessory for more drama or a neutral jacket to tone down a look) and I feel much happier with my appearance

Remember it's January, very few people are glowing at this time of year.

I can recommend the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation, which I apply with the equivalent of the real techniques buffing brush. It's amazing the difference it makes, I also use a bit of blusher and the illuminating powder from soap and glory, Glow All Out which is subtle but effective in making me look more 'glowy'.

Also decide on which is your best feature, and make the most of that be it lips or eyes.

Also if black doesn't suit you, I do agree that accessorising with scarves in a flattering shade might be the way to go.

I also am a black trouser and hair tied up fan but like it has been said, I don't tie it low. I rough dry it and tie it up high and wear nice earrings. I love pearl earrings.

I recently bought this jumper as it has a prettiness to it
www.oasis-stores.com/oasis/fcp-product/3610194719#GBP

I always wear make up. Not very much. I must try blusher as always wear bronzer, Miracle Touch by Max Factor Foundation. It's in a pot and takes seconds to apply. I also use brow definition and eyeliner. Lipgloss when I remember.

Treat yourself to a nice handcream and leave it by the sink. Even things like perfume and and a good handbag make a difference.

Another thing for me is a good fitted coat as you can get away with clothes that are maybe not your favourite and still feel good out and about.

Took the quiz and came out as a Romantic ........ totally different to how I dress now! I don't really have the confidence at my size to wear the clothes that I actually like.

Would pastels normally be a bit wash out on someone pale with mid to dark brown hair?

Maybe your starting point should be working on your weight. Even without being skinny, it would give you a boost to lose a few pounds and feel better about yourself. And it would be the perfect excuse to treat yourself to some new clothes which better reflect your personality

I can't say what colours would suit you without knowing your skin tone, eye colour etc, but on that same site there is another quiz to figure out your "season" and colour palette, which is pretty accurate...

That is the plan - lost 5 pounds so far - I just don't want to spend a lot on clothes in a 16 when I want to lose weight.

Still want to look a bit better now though!

Hmmmm came out on that quiz as a Clear Winter but I have pale skin, blue eyes, and sort of chestnut brown hair. Megan Fox I am not!

Dark hair, fair skin and blue eyes definitely sounds like a winter! Is your hair naturally that colour or is it dyed?

Natural - dark eyebrows and eye lashes too.

I used to use semi permanent dyes on it a few year ago but they all ended up a bit red and never quite looked right.

Blusher is a good start. Benefit dandelion powder is really pretty. You can swoosh it over where you'd wear bronzed for a subtle effect or build it up as a cheek blusher.

I do the swoosh and then use bobbi brown pale pink on cheeks. Looks shocking pink in the case but actually really gorgeous on pale skin.

Cream blusher is good for a glowy look.

That's a lot of blusher info.

I do like blusher! I have been playing around with a gel eyeliner thing (in a pot with a brush) and I quite liked how a really thin bit near my lashes looked. Need some good mascara though! Nothing pricey but waterproof and that makes lashes sort of soft and fluttery!