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?

my colleagues always comment on the fact that things go! its AS IF I PLANNED IT (!)

also- use body oil on legs and arms in the summer

hair spray in am to stop frizz

Yes absolutely agree - IRON YOUR CLOTHES.

Yes, it is boring as hell, makes you hot and sweaty and can ache your back.

You will always hear the phrase "Life is too short for that", but it is also too short to feel crap about yourself.

It absolutely makes a difference - I don't leave the house in clothes that have not been ironed.

Look after your hair, skin and teeth and wardrobe and that is it.

people who never change their jewellery acc to waht they are wearing
Gold toned clothes - gold watch
ditto for silver
Metals must ALWAYS match
( and i change my reading glasses too)

I'm doomed
I get eyebrows done and nails are usually ok but my hair lets me down

Agree with well fitting bra and not too fussy shoes.

Also hemlines and seasonally appropriate clothes.

Oh also, of course more expensive clohing and jewellery may make you look more "polished" but the fact is, if it is out of your budget, it is out.

I will happily wear a pair of £15 pair jeans from Sainsbury's or whatever with a pair of £150+ boots (I can't afford all expensive clothing, so will only buy dear if 1. i have the funds 2. i love the item 3. if it is an investment that will last etc).

Can anyone recommend:-

• a good teeth whitener (I can't use anything abrasive).
• a good subtle fake tan.

I would've thought some kind of 'uniform' would be a good way to look groomed rather than following trends.
I'm not sure what this uniform would be, but I've noticed I feel more groomed in trousers than I ever do in jeans (even expensive ones).
Thoughts groomed gurus?

a good teeth whitener (I can't use anything abrasive)

I can recommend an excellent whitening toothpaste. It is white glo toothpaste the tea and coffee drinkers formula. Having tried oodles of whitening toothpastes over the years this one beats them all hands down. And no sensitivity like i had with all the others.

I can do groomed hair, make up, eyebrows, nails no problem. Its my clothing that lets me down and thats because i am really attached to my comfort. I also have to wear all black in work and im on my feet all day. Pumps are not supportive so i wear black sneaker type trainers with stretchy trousers and alternate 3 comfortable long sleeve tops. I look crap and "tired" clotheswise (but good hair and make up) but i just value my comfort too much. I wish I could pull off comfort and groomed/stylish.

Definitely iron your clothes.

Threaded eyebrows make a huge difference.

I don't buy many clothes but what I do have is a mixture of cheap high street with the more expensive stuff. Knitwear in cotton/wool/cashmere (which I buy in the sales). Lots of cotton, linen and silk and hardly any polyester which I think looks really cheap. Gap, uniqlo, Boden etc are all good sources of nice knitwear, shirts etc.

Keep patterns to a minimum e.g thin stripes.

Don't wear yellow gold with black, burgundy, dark navy and other dark colours. Silver looks more expensive with these colours.

Invest in decent footwear in leather/suede etc.

If you don't have time to do your nails, keep these short and clean.

stretchy trousers = polyester right?
why cant you wear chic black?

Regarding make up...
What do you use? And do you reapply during the day?

I have to wear a primer, foundation, extra foundation and powdered foundation (to cover my rubbish skin)
I bit of bronzer.
Eyeliner, waterproof mascara (watery eyes in old age).
Lipstick pretty much the same colour as my lips :/

When I go out at night I do more with my eyes and a more striking lip colour.

By the end of the day I'm oily and makeup has disappeared.

I could but would they be as forgiving on my tummy after lunchtime?

By the end of the day I'm oily and makeup has disappeared.

I have worked out that my make up lasts far better when i dont apply moisturiser beforehand. This means making sure i do a proper cleanse and remove all grime every night then night time cream, so i dont have to scrub in the shower the next morning (which would mean applying mosituriser after). My make up stays on throughout the day.

I've a couple of pairs of these trousers and I think they are comfy and smart.

powder, primer
reapply

Do you mean powder, primer, powder, primer?

no
do whatever you do but redo some of it at lunchtime

Haha! See I've no clue!

I wear a lot of black but then I have the right colouring for it. If you are mousy or have muted colouring, black is not for you.

No black really isnt for me. I suit navy. But unfortunately i have no choice in work.

karcheer those trousers look great but how are they are on the more curvy amongst us? I am large of belly. I can imagine them either cutting in on the belly or being too baggy on my hips to fit my belly.

dreamingofitaly White eyeliner?
Must confess i have never heard of or seen this -- do you put it on upper lids/lower lids or both?
(Realise i am hopelessly ignorant /not up to speed)
More info please!

Why hair 'de-greyed'?

We can't get old?

As others have said it takes time and effort.

I think being super clean is incredibly important - all the stuff I read about dry shampoo - god just wash your hair instead. Obviously if you have super dry hair that needs to be washed less often than ignore but generally fine hair needs washing everyday especially if you do a lot of exercise.

James Read do nice fake tans.

Also agree to doing nails and using body lotions/oils so skin looks nice. And please look after your feet - use a pumice/foot file whatever.

I also plan what I wear but do mix metals.

Personally I now buy less but buy better. And I spend a lot on handbags.

I also very rarely wear a manmade fabric unless it is to exercise.

You can definitely look groomed with grey hair but not with 2 inches of grey roots in my opinion. Go grey or don't go grey but you need to commit