How do you look polished?

[OstentatiousBreastfeeder]

Anyone else struggle with this? It seems that no matter how much effort I make in the morning, by lunch I'm catching my reflection and I look a mess. Hair ratty, skin uneven, somehow a few pounds heavier I'm sure of it

I know I need to make more of an effort to buy new clothes but I never seem to have time. When I have new things I always notice how much of a difference it makes, but I never keep it up. I end up looking tatty before I do something about it. That doesn't help.

Is looking 'polished' a skill you can learn, or does it just not happen for some people? Any tips?

Loads of great tips here.
I am determined that 2015 is going to be the year I finally look 'decent'. Money is an issue as we have very little spare for clothes, make up, hair etc but I think if I shop around carefully I can improve.
The first, and biggest, challenge for me is to lose weight. I need to lose around 3 stone. I am 40 in October and cannot be forty, fat and unfit.
I am joining slimming world next week and also the gym. I know losing weight has to be the starting point for me. I will never feel better about myself until I am a lot slimmer.

Agree with threading the eyebrows; buying decent coat; keeping nails clean;
getting a decent haircut.
I think that having a good nights sleep makes a great difference to the way you look.
Most women over the age of thirty look better with a bit of slap on
Wear what suits you.
Don't wait until you start losing weight before you start taking care of yourself.

I've given this tip a few times on MN but for me its about keeping on top of everything which is difficult to do when we're all rushing about so much. I do one beauty thing each night whilst in front of the tv. Manicure, pedicure, face mask, eyebrows (although mine grow back very quickly so this is a constant job), intensive conditioner, bleach facial hair (then Saturday is a day of rest and wine!!). I have naturally tanned skin and this helps. If I didn't I might use a very light fake tan. I have very long hair which I use decent products on to keep it sleek and shiny.

I also wear make up every day and heels and try to buy clothes which are cut well and so look expensive even when they're not.

This is my public face. I actually work from home and so spend a lot of my time lounging around with no make up at all in jeans and a hoodie.

Can I join too please?
I am time limited, I can't wash my hair everyday as its so thick that it takes ages to dry.
I'm on a budget so buying lots of new clothes is out. I wear mainly primarni and I think it shows.
One of my main problems is also putting clothes together. My friend told me she goes to stores, eg, next, Dorothy Perkins etc and buys what is on the dummy as its been put together by experts and she always looks good.

Or buys it however it is in the catalogue:

Sister77 I've very rarely found anything in primark that would give a polished look. I do go in fairly regularly and might occasionally buy very select things but most of it isn't meant to last. It's fast fashion which is a very different look.

Yes attic I think your right. False economy for me i'm afraid. I think I'm getting too old for fast fashion so want to make my look more Classic.
I bought a coat from asda 4 years ago £18 and a lady in the school run who is a grandma was wearing it. Did that put me of? Nope and she's got rid of hers and I'm still wearing mine 4 years later!

Right. Today I have booked a haircut for Saturday and bought some new conditioner.

Tonight I'm going to do my nails.

These are great tips. I'm going to make a list for myself.

Daily
Fortnightly
Monthly
Bi-monthly

I agree with time and money. I've really let myself slide over the last couple of years. I'm also 3 stone overweight so always feel scruffy.

Hopefully constantly doing my nails & plucking my eyebrows will stop me eating biscuits

Alec4

I'm also 40 this summer. We should set up a 3stone til 40 support group

As a minimum I:

exercise every day
don't straighten my hair (I find it "falls" more naturally and looks better with more volume)
eyebrow wax every month
I recently splashed out on some lancome foundation rather than maybelline which was recommended on style and beauty and I do think it's worth spending a bit more on make up. I have noticed my skin looks better.

Atticus you can find the odd thing here and there in Primark which is cut well and the fabric is fab. I bought a 20quid cromby in there (buttonless) and I get asked where it's from all the time

Jewellery helps me, especially earrings. If you're lucky enough to have good pieces, I think diamonds lift cheap clothes to a higher plane (or maybe I'm not fooling anybody...?).

Smart coat, handbag and scarf/sunglasses for school run - no one knows what you're wearing underneath.

Shellac manicure every 2.5-3 wks so nails always look perfect.

Keep lipgloss, cuticle cream, mascara, brush and mineral face powder/bronzer in handbag so you can refresh en route (while driving, in lifts, on bus/train which I admit is tacky but I do it anyway) rather than wasting time primping at home.

Definitely a good quality coat and shoes. Classy jewellery (nice beads, simple pendant), neat and clean hair and a little make up e.g. lip gloss and mascara. Yes to tidy nails. That's it really.

I'm a little overweight (just had third baby) and short on time but have a few pairs of ironed, well fitted jeans and various pretty tops which suit my shape. My hair is in a style that just needs a brush and a little hairspray and as I said, I have invested in a couple of high quality coats and shoes.

To be honest I think taking a little time to treat yourself and a few minutes to apply a little makeup etc makes such a difference. I spent years buying cheap coat after cheap coat and actually splashed out a few years ago. It was worth it.

Where do people buy decent, well fitting reasonably priced jeans from please?

Newrecruit, sounds goood. I'm with you! I am so determined to be slimmer for our holiday of a lifetime to Florida in August.
Does anyone have any advice on basic, everyday make up for the face. I hate my nose as it is red and shiny. I don't know why. I think it was down to getting my face hideously sunburnt about 3 years ago. It's never been the same since. I currently wear Boots No7 foundation and a bit of powder. This covers up the red but wears off by lunchtime leaving my nose blotchy. I am looking for a good concealer for my nose and a good base that makes my skin tone look even. I don't mind paying a bit more if it is worth it.

Gap/Zara for jeans go for mid to high rise, good Lycra content.

Alec4- I think you can get a green cream to tone down red- it's a colour correct moisturiser I think that goes on under base.

Hair - keep well cut and coloured - imo the most important part of looking smart.

Well fitting clothes - no oversized T shirts or skimpy skirts.

Subtle make up, clean hands and nails, simple jewellery and the best shoes and bag you can afford.

Thanks meggle. I had some of that once. It worked well to cover the red but when the foundation wore off you could see the green underneath. You can only imagine how hideous that looked. I think it should work if I had the correct products on top.

sister I have a couple of pairs from Gap and cheapy skinnies from South on Very. For Gap, go down a size because they stretch.

ale I have redness on my cheeks just either side of my nose and a lot of freckles - Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser covers the redness and evens everything out pretty well, then a bit of Laura Mercier two tone concealer (sorry, can't remember what it's called) completey gets rid of the red. Lasts pretty well too, although noses are trickier especially in winter if you are blowing it a lot.

I'd say for jeans you need to spend at least £100, sorry.
And avoid gap. I take the smallest size 24 / 00 they do (and I am a curvy UK 8) and without fail they sag in the bum after 5 mins of wearing them after being impossible to get on because they are a size too small iyswim
If I took all the money I've ever wasted on gap jeans I could buy several pairs of 200 quid jeans...

There are some delicates threads on good jeans but I'd recommend the Kooples or citizens

Dedicated!