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?

Something that has helped me and is free is Pinterest.

Each new season (A/W, S/S) I do searches. I sometimes start with a person whose style I admire and a season (say Jeanne Damas sumner) or a item of clothing (denim shorts, black outfit etc) and pin away. I just pin everything I like. I then go through my pins and re pin them in another folder (say S/S best outfits) and try to identify 5 or 6 of my favourite looks (I find when I do the initial pin I pin very similar stuff and start to see patterns).
I then go shopping for the outfits/key pieces I.e. Denim shorts, navy linen t shirt and compile a number of outfits. I also look at what I already have and tops that can go with a number of bottoms etc.
I have been doing this for a couple of years and think overall it saves money as I don't spend on mistakes. I always buy natural fabrics and look after them. I mainly shop in H and M as, I think I get too confused if I go to too many shops!

Also I'd echo what others say about light fake tan, good teeth (5 minute whitening gel for me), eyebrows and nails. It doesn't have to expensive as you can learn to thread (YouTube) do nails at home.
I've also ditched the foundation recently and just use fake tan, so much better, as less drying and doesn't settle in fine lines.

We're all different, because I'd say ditch the fake tan if you want to look effortlessly groomed!

LOL. Yes we are all different. I don't go mega brown - just enough not to give myself/others snow blindness!

She's changed recently though

I think fake tan depends on your underlying skin tone, for someone who has really pale skin with pinky blue tones then I think fake tan always looks very fake. I never wear it because it looks awful on me. On the other hand people with naturally olive skin probably look better with fake tan in the winter to replicate their summer skin tone.

OhChristmasTree What is this wonderous 5 minute teeth whitening gel of which you speak?? (hopeful face)

Ohchristmastree - love this strategy and I actually do something similar but my problem comes down to the shopping ... I can never find exactly what I want to make up each outfit. I need a personal shopper!

Plus white 5 minute whitening gel.

Cheaper than crest whitening strips, but just as good. You might want to buy plastic teeth trays (that you mold to your teeth and cost pennies). A quick Google should point you in the right direction (Amazon or eBay).

How does anyone look anything other than a sweaty mess in this heat?

Shade and loose linen! Is my attempt anyway.

Thank you so much everyone, I've been slowly working through the posts over the past couple of days. Just wanted to respond to a few things and ask some questions!

By effortlessly groomed I didn't necessary mean it is effortless more that looks effortless. I was trying to explain the look I was talking about I guess as to some people the TOWIE look might be groomed but I meant that it looks like it didn't take much effort but in reality to some extent it did but maybe with some swear by products.

I'm pregnant at the moment so I think the confidence crisis is definitely where this has come from. I feel a bit frumpy and hot and bothered and I had quite a good figure before so that pulled me through but I havent got it at the moment!

I'm definitely going to try and have more of a plan outfits wise, especially when I look at new purchases post pregnancy but for now I can think about what goes together well. Will be investing in the good bag, coat and shoes!

I've purchased the 7 day volume simply nigella mentioned so I'll give that a go tonight. I've also blow dried my hair twice sine I saw that advice. I had a blow dry lesson years ago but I always find I'm all fingers and thumbs. I figured I'm never going to get any better unless I try and surprisingly my hair does seem thicker and look fuller from that alone. Still need to learn a good up to though! Daisygarden is there a photo of the clips and style you mentioned I couldnt get my head around that!

Can anyone recommend a good hairspray?
Or maybe a better way of applying it? Even when i've tried brand like elnett hairspray I get that awful straw type look or it makes my hair look dark and greasy. I particularly struggle with major flyaway hairs around my ears and when I tried hairspray on Sunday my sister and husband were in stitches because the flyaway wings had just turned to crispy flyaways that were more obvious stuck together. They didn't glue themselves to my head!
Will try the a model recommends dry shampoo vairyvairyhungrycat and if its visible i'm going to ditch it but would be handy as my hair seems uber oily while im pregnant!

Definitely wasn't a religious ironer before so made sure I've been doing that 100%. I have been a bit embarrassed previously at the state of a couple of cardi's i've thrown on at work so I knew I needed to do that.

Thank you for inspiring me ladies.

Off to reapply my makeup now karcheer

ellie they are called concorde clips or pelican clips. You can get them from Ebay or supermarkets. You can do your hair neat with them (twisted ponytail then clip up on head) or do a messy bun in your hands and then stick them through that for a more "casual" look

Hairspray - sounds like you are applying it too close to your head so it goes on wet instead of a fine mist. For flyaway hair around your ears, you could try some lightweight wax or serum and (applying fractions) smooth it down. Sounds like it's possibly dry hair (I have this problem). Even though my hair is fine, I can recommend Moroccanoil for making it slightly less flyaway/frizzy. Apply small amount to wet hair after washing. I also use a leave-in conditioner (Toni & Guy, can be bought in supermarkets and Boots, around £6) which is good for fine hair too, apply after washing and conditioning, it helps smooth my hair without being greasy or heavy. So after washing, I put the leave-in conditioner on, comb it through gently, then put Moroccanoil on the ends and the sides and what's left on my hands on the top (too much there will give you greasy roots).

Another tip for flyaways is to spray your hairbrush first and then use that on your hair, my hairdresser does this, but I still prefer to squash those flyaways down with a little bit of light wax

As for pregnancy style, personally clingy stuff made me feel even frumpier (and fatter). I looked out for chiffon type tops and dresses as they somehow made me feel more elegant than stretchy jersey wrap tops and dresses which clung to my boobs, bump and bum. Floaty and skimming not clinging is good Oh and get yourself a pedicure done regularly. You really will feel better if your feet are pretty and well looked after, and they'll feel better too.

Thanks for the info about concorde clips daisy I'm going to get some. Be nice to put my thick hair up in this weather.

I try to get my eyebrows threaded once a month, I also tidy up my lady whiskers with a Braun facial epilator. I get my grey roots sorted once a month (pricey, but makes me feel so much better).

Tinted moisturiser with a good translucent powder, bit of smudgy eyeliner and a matt lip colour in a natural shade.

Clean, shiny hair.

I also find that a good quality leather bag and a good coat make a huge difference. You can tell when something isn't proper leather - and a badly made coat can look thin and shapeless and crumples too easily. I notice these two things straight away if they are poorly made. They don't have to be expensive - Zara is great for well priced, well made clothes and accessories.

knowler are those trousers any good with a big fat overhang post cs belly??

Getting makeup to last. It depends how oily you are how often you need to do it but when it starts to look tired in the day blot your skin gently with a tissues and powder it again.
Use an HD powder or colourless blotting powder and use a puff but rub the sides of the puff together so it's all inside the puff not laying on the top and then gently press and roll it onto your face. No buffing as it rubs off the makeup and you don't want to see the powder on the skin.

Hi Bamboo - in terms of size, yes I think they are fine for a larger belly. They're not clingy and have slight gathering at the top so that there is more fabric to cover that area. The waistband is elasticated too so is comfy but it's quite wide too, so gives more the impression of proper trousers, rather than joggers/leggings. HTH.

If you haven't ordered from baukjen before, make sure you get a discount code. It's the sort of place that always does at least 10% and free returns.

It might look effortless, but it requires work. Money definitely helps...

I have a very good hair cut and highlights, so my hair never lets me down.

I have a pedicure and bikini wax every month.

I wear make up every day, without fail, and I have it down to a fine art so it only takes me about 6-7 minutes to put my face on.

I tend to stick to a fairly simple/classic wardrobe that's very Calvin Klein-esque with mainly navy, white, black and grey. My friends always say 'MaQueen doesn't just wear clothes, she wears outfits '

I have my teeth whitened which makes a subtle, but important difference.

I really don't begrudge taking time with my appearance because the better I look, the better I feel.

I was thinking the same thing witsender :)

I plan outfits now the night before for work, iron my clothes and wear a bit more make up.

I've found this helps. I keep my eyebrows neat and my nails polished (biogel manicures do this for me). No clunky jewellery or shoes. I tend to steer towards comfort rather than fussy clothes.

Someone upthread said ' minimal clean, maximum groomed ' -- eewee,stinky!!

Clean.
Tidy.
Not rattly or smelly - noticeable perfume as bad as b o.
Clothing that fits - no cleavage, boobs bum or toes . shoes that fit.
Check rear view .
Ask if someone would say ' has the lightbulb gone where you got dressed?'

No tatty clothes. As a shopping hater I'm guilty of this.

knowler thank you I ordered them (15% off). So will see. I expect even the 18 will be too tight for my tummy