Stylish people, advice please.

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Hi I'm a 41 year old frump.

It's been a long year. I've lost two people very close to me and had usual life/work stresses. As a result of comfort eating in 8 m I've put on 3 stone.

I've been in denial about my weight, but not any longer. I've cut out all of the rubbish and am eating healthily - not dieting, just eating healthily.

I know it will take a fair time to shift the weight and I'm ok with that, but want to do something to make me feel better in the meantime. This is where I'd like some advice and help, please.

Naturally my hair is light brown/mousey/grey and has been highlighted to death. Next week I'm getting it coloured back to my natural colour with caramel highlights.

Make up wise, I use mascara. Do people have 'must haves' that would work for me at my age? I have green eyes and sallow, full and tired looking skin.

Also, do people have tips for nail polish? I seem to be the least graceful person I know and it seems to chip within 5 m.

Please help, I'd really appreciate any advice.

T

Re. Nails I don't use polish, just buffers files like this:

www.amazon.co.uk/Royal-7-Step-Nail-Buffer/dp/B004S9W5A2/ref=sr_1_5?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1413710968&sr=1-5&keywords=nail+buffer

Gives a shiny finish and best of all won't chip!

For toenails (this seems to be more controversial fashion wise) I keep clipped and paint with tea tree oil to stop any discolouration.

Thanks, I'd not thought of a buffer.

sounds like you need a BB cream or foundation and a blusher to give your skin a lift. Mascara and a lip gloss/tint as minimumal makeup.
The usual lots of sleep/veges/water combo of course

I never wear polish on my fingers but always on my toes

Hi peas,

What's BB Cream, please?

'Sleep'. What is 'sleep'? I'm a single mum and can't remember what a good nights sleep is!

BB cream is the latest gimmick well it's just an all in one cream really, contains moisturizer and foundation and other things so you'd apply it like foundation but it can be a lighter coverage. Pretty much all the cosmetic brands do a version of it. I've heard the garnier one is pretty good if you want to try it without spending much .
I rate the MUA makeup from superdrug too, which is super cheap and very good if you wanted to try a few new things
I have a blush from there that is really good, think it was one or two pounds.

Really??? Brilliant. Thanks. I'll
Check out the Garmier one.

Cream Blush works well for me and to get all your nutrients easily I use a Nutri Bullet and make green smoothies my skin is clearer and have more energy though I need to be more consistent in using it.

Get your eyebrows shaped - miles cheaper ie 3 quid at an Indian place not a dept store - it makes a terrific difference. Then you do nothing (my main beauty rule) for at least a month until you tweak them again.

Dye your eyelashes, takes 5 min, lasts for ages.

Pale or pearly nail varnish gives you the same groomed look as coloured ones, but the chips don't show anything like as much and you can get away with it longer.

Always wear scent, mood booster extraordinaire. 5 sec to apply daily.

Something free and efficient: try this face contouring massage
It's also called zogan massage.

I do this massage every day, it helped me significantly to remove puffiness from under my eyes. It only takes 30 seconds.

This massage is designed to remove access lymph from your face, so I do it when I have puffy eyes, it works magic. If you have a round face, it will become skinnier.

As a side effect, your face may become too skinny and you may not like it. I only do the first three moves (upper face) because I don't want my cheeks to become too skinny.

Face massage in general does magic when used properly. When I notice my face changes as I get a bit older (I am only 30) I google massage techniques for my problem and usually find what works. I've solved a couple of other issues with massage alone.

A word of warning about BB creams: some are not non-comedogenic (do not block the pores) so can lead to break outs. I saw a dermatologist who recommended layering rather than all in one products: straightforward cleanser, non-comedogenic moisturiser; sun protection and a decent foundation (more colour choice - especially for sallow skin). Having said that, I sometimes use Nars tinted moisturiser, which has a 25 or 30 spf and a great range of colours. Good for yellow-based/sallow skin like mine!

Good haircut will also make a huge difference.

My must haves:
under eye concealer (plus a primer to avoid it sinking into fine lines if you have them)
blusher in a peachy/tawny colour (really warms the skin tone up)
eyeliner along roots of upper lashes
Good mascara
If I can be arsed/have a special occasion: foundation: MAC or Armani luminous silk; occasionally mineral powder foundation by Lily Lolo.

Second all the comments about brows and grooming.

Take a look at Lisa Eldridge website. Full of practical makeup tutorials and tips.

Maybelline Pro nail polish has staying power and has a wide brush, so easier for the cackhanded like me. Rimmel Pro has a wide brush too but I found it doesn't last as long.

Lucky you having green eyes. I bet your new hair colour will really make them stand out. Have fun trying some eye shadows to complement your eye colour: rusty/copper or violet shades would look lovely.