Looking effortlessly groomed...

[elliej83]

Hi everyone,

I've been a little glum this week as just find no matter how hard I try I always seem to look a bit unkept.

I have very fine hair which is always wispy no matter if I tie it up or have it down. Shorter styles are even worse to keep. I always seem to have bags under my eyes and just look a little unkept.

I was discussing this with a friend today who said that its one of those things you either have or you don't. Or... You spend a fortune to get.

Does anyone have any tips on looking groomed on a budget?

I need to get over to the 'pipe dreams' thread, because this is one of mine...

I don't have any tips, but wanted to say you aren't alone. I'm feeling glum this week too, my Rosacea has gone crazy and my clothes all seem to have shrunk at least one size :/
I was considering starting a thread... How not to look like the Greater spotted beached whale :(

Ive been on these threads before and the general consensus seems (to me) to be that it'll cost you money and the more money the more groomed you'll look. I work in retail and see all sorts of people and i tend to see a pattern that confirms this.

What do they spend their money on?
Because I do spend money on my appearance, maybe I just spend it on the wrong things?

If you don't already: iron your clothes.

I've lost count of the number of people on MN who say it's a waste of effort. It really really isn't

its a lot of work. You need to style hair properly every day. touch up all day. Spend time on nails, brows, skin etc

oh god FUCKING IRON YOUR CLOTHES
clean your shoes
wear a belt
match toes and clothes
hair spray
light touch fake tan to brighten up a wan complexion
change jewellery according to outfit
dont wear cheap cotton lycra combos

( i am often described as glam. Tbh its a fricking hard thing to do)

Oh I lurve these threads.

For me it's hair, skin, teeth, nails, brows, posture and not necessarily designer but thoughtfully chosen shoes and bag.

I went on a "how to do your make up" course recently. I look so much better after her three top tips:

1. Use a lighter colour under eyes to make them "pop"
2. Make your eyebrows look tidy (not necessarily like the craze at the moment, but tidy)
3. Use a white eyeliner to make you look more awake (not 80s style!)

And definitely iron your clothes!!

What do they spend their money on?

Blowdries and regular hair cuts, make up(specifically the stuff that makes it look like you've none on) good quality clothes and accessories.

I meant the 'effortless' bit is a pipe dream. Actual levels of presentation vary, and I don't maintain nails/tan/perfect blow dry etc and hardly wear make up, but still (I hope) look ok. Eyebrows is one thing that makes a big difference I think. Not comedy caterpillars, just neat and tidy. Clean hair, even if it's a bit mad sometimes . And don't wear bashed up or scruffy shoes.

I make an effort to have a nice smart coat and shoes/boots in the winter, covers a multitude...

Minimal effort. Am lurking for further low effort tips though!

Jackie and Hyde what does the spend usually go on? I'm intrigued!

Karcheer I'm glad it's not just me :)

Italy, what makeup course did you go on?

Oh agree with posture (and its free! ) good posture makes a real difference to how your clothes hang on you. Also, dare I say it and risk the groans? A properly fitting bra!

I think neat and tidy nails , painted in a classic colour like nude / red and no chips .

Clean and styled hair , either blow dried and down or pinned up and styled , ie bun / chignon / type up do .

I try to stick to three colours in my outfits max.
So black skinny jeans , nude slip on pumps, black top, khaki jacket and black bag.
or Indigo skinnies, black pumps, nude top and black biker etc.
I think wearing a jumble of colours is less " put together".

I always wear make up , every day whatever Im doing , I think this helps finish off a look.

I don't look groomed by anyone's standards but I always feel like I'm better 'put together' when I'm wearing a decent bra, have done my make up (I def wear a very natural style), have had a recent hair cut etc. It's not really rocket science. I have chucked/charity shopped all my cheap, tatty, too big or too small clothes and, while some may not agree, I do feel i look better in more expensive clothes. (By this i mean next, joules, white stuff etc not supermarkets or primark, but I don't wear designer stuff). One other thing I have changed is, I have stopped wearing black. I find with my skin tone, it looks cheap- I will wear a charcoal grey or navy instead. I don't work so my wardrobe is all casuals but I have definitely smartened it up on the last few months. I have become a sahm and I was very wary of that 'playgroup leader on a dog walk' look creeping in (bright colours, cheap fabrics, bulky fleeces etc) What I don't have time for is maintenance, my eyebrows are desperate, my greys are inexplicable....

I was thinking of doing yoga to improve my posture.

I also have super fine hair that rarely looks 'done' but in my Birchbox this month I was sent a bottle of John Freida 7 Day Volume treatment and the stuff is amazing. Two people at work asked me whether I'd had my hair done. I'm stockpiling it in case it's ever discontinued.

People often say I'm groomed or comment on how I dress
My tips:

• refresh wardrobe every few months. Eg replace worn out clothing, I buy a lot of clothes so I always look 'current' which lifts me / the look
• be aware of latest shapes, colours and styles eg off shoulder trend
• buy the most sophisticated / upmarket version of anything you buy eg mum joggers get the best fit most flattering ones that go with most things
• update handbags and know where fashionable shape/ style is - old designs look so grumpy and ageing
• light fake tan all year round
• pink or dark seasonal nails
• White gold or rose gold jewellery (can get cheaply off eBay)
• plain shoes (I think patterned or detailed shoes often look cheap) and don't spend a lot on shoes I can't tell if you have
• always made up including eyebrows and light bronzer to lift face
• hair coloured and styled every 2m never any roots (slow grow hair)

I don't think effortlessly groomed is a thing unless you are amazingly blessed. It takes effort. I am usually described as "polished", but it's hard work! For me, it's:

Hair trimmed every six weeks, brows threaded every fortnight
Nails always painted - I do mine myself when I'm watching TV in the evenings
Clothes that suit, and fit - ironed!
Red lipstick - I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's part of my "look", even if I'm only wearing mascara otherwise
Good skincare regime - I do the night stuff almost as soon as I get in from work, so I don't get tired/lazy before bed
Jewellery - I always wear tiny studs in my ears, a big men's watch, and have lots of nice necklaces, ranging from dainty to more "statement-y" Tatty Devine stuff

I don't wear glamorous clothes particularly - I don't even own a pair of heels, for example - but I always look "put together" even if i'm in jeans. (Except in the house - currently sporting a very fetching onesie/sheepskin slippers combo!)

1. learn how to blowdry you hair, failing that either straighten it when naturally dry. Or figure out a neat fast way to tie back.

2. a model recommends dry shampoo/hairspray combo from super drug is best for giving some hold and shape to hair - tis a miracle. Also don't wash your hair every day - never ever met a super glam who does this.

3. in fact minimally clean, maximum groomed is good mantra - ie if you have twenty minutes, 3 in the shower, 17 getting ready rather than the other way round!

4. everything grooming related apart from lasers/Botox/surgery you can learn to do at home for either free or much less than professionals. There are lots of amazing nail polishes around for example that have a gelly look - I cut nails straight across with toenail clippers which gives perfect slightly rounded but squarish shape that I'd get the manicurist to do, slap on polish with base included, slap seche vite on on top, five mins max. Or you can do Pilates videos for free, pop Pilates or popsugar fitness or 30 days of yoga on YouTube. Or watch endless vlogs of how to do makeup and what highstreet dupes to use. Fashion blogs etc, use them!

5. write a list when at home or at work or on commute with every day of the work week and what you'll wear including what bra on every day. Then on a Sunday or Monday make sure all that stuff is in the wash. So you don't have that thing where you're wandering round like Bridget Jones going where's that top, ooh needs ironed, oh god now I've ironed if and realised the only bra that goes under it is filthy etc. This saved me when I was at my most pressured at work, saves so much time.

6. everything else jackanddiane said

7. just remember it's a spectrum not a yes/no issue. I have friends who spend all their salaries getting blowdries, manicures, pedicures, personal trainers, private yoga, stylists, everything. Guess what, they look AMAZING, like minor celebs. But I don't go into a corner and act like a slob because those aren't either my choices or within my budget. I easily look not AS good, but 60-80% as groomed on a fraction of the cash but a lot more personal effort.

WHEW, apparently I feel strongly about this!

Limit your wardrobe to 3 key colours e.g. Charcoal, navy, taupe add colour with jewellery and accessories
Spend money on a good bag , coat and shoes
Wear well cut simple styles which fit your size and suit your shape
Buy clothes which require minimal ironing
Have hair cuts/ colouring regularly
Keep eyebrows and nailswell shaped
Cleanse tone and moisturise face religiously
Have regular dental appointments with whitening / straightening treatment if necessary
Go yo some where like selfridges to learn how to do an amazing natural makeup which makes you look like you've had 8 hours sleep when in reality you've been up all night with a baby

agree its hard work
nails
brows
hair de-greying
planning utfits - down to the belt, glasses etc the night before

DOnt mix textures IMO

I wear many colours - disagree with the 'wear grey' peeps

wash and do hair EVERY day

I don't agree at all with canary's point about 'refreshing' your wardrobe every few months and keeping up with trends. I think that can easily end up looking fashion victim-y and quickly dated rather than groomed, especially as whether there are colours/shapes about which actually suit you can vary a lot from season to season.

I buy very few clothes in shapes and colours I know suit me, and I don't follow fashion at all, unless there happens to be something I love. What I buy tends to be expensive, but I treat every garment very carefully, and they last, so it's probably more generally budget-conscious than buying a lot of cheaper clothes.