If you could give me one simple tip, what would it be? I'm a frumptastic disaster zone and I'm only 27 <weeps>

[KeepsAwayTheNargles]

Today I've booked to have my hair cut in a few weeks when I have money. Its currently long and frizzy and lifeless. I'm going to get A Product as well to make it all volumey.

I've accepted that I won't have the energy to lose the last stone I want to for a while and my clothes are ok - I just need to wear them and a bra instead of slobbing about all the time :(

My skin is dry and flaky so all makeup looks shit up close. My glasses, at least, are awesome.

If you could give me one simple tip to aid me on my way to fabulousness, what would it be?

I need to feel cool and sexy again, rather than this crappy tired lump! DS is ill and back to not sleeping so tiredness may have something to do with this breakdown...

I think what I'm seeing here is that I do know what I need to do, I just need to make the effort. I'm not sure how though.

I think rather than making an effort because I think I'm worth it generally I'm motivated by worrying what other people will think! But now I really do want to do it for myself rather than scraping by on the bare minimum because that's not working for me.

My top tips are:

• Tightlining. This has completely changed my everyday look - its basically dotting eyeliner between your lashes to make them look thicker but still natural. If you are fair like me then its a revelation. Definitely worth Googling it.

• Eyebrow threading and tinting.

• A weekly blow dry. I know this sounds like a huge luxury, but i have just budgeted as a treat to myself since I gave up smoking. Its £20 at a local blow dry salon. I would easily have spent that on fags back in the day, or I would spend it now on coffees, nibbles and make up bits. I budget it in and cut back on other treats as it makes such a difference to how i look and feel. I usually get it done on a Thursday and then have nice hair for work on Friday + the weekend (I drag it out for several days with strategic use of dry shanmpoo!)

My everyday makeup is concealer, a tiny smidge of foundation - I use Maybelline Mousse - and pressed powder. Kohl pencil and mascara. If I'm making more of an effort I use eyeshadows and liquid eyeliner. Rarely wear lipsticks as I hate reapplying them! But I'm happy with my "look", apart from the hair.

hollieberrie tightlining sounds interesting, will google it! My skills are definitely up to that

My self esteem.has improved recently after a long dip and I want to haul myself out of the frump slump and take care of myself properly.

I would say don't fuck about with your brows. Nothing worse than a dark painted on job.

One thing to do though is get good haircut.

I'm going to cheat and give you 2 things. Get a Clarasonic if you can afford one ( or a cheaper version if the reviews are good) and ensure your skin is properly clean. My moisturiser works better afterwards. Also wear pretty underwear sets. I am extremely lazy on this and stick with the same " daytime " bras but always feel more pulled together when I wear a matching set. ( of course I love a bit of " free boobin" when at home. ) X

Just try one thing at a time, to get into a habit of doing it.

I rub cleansing cream into my face, then floss, before rinsing off with a hot flannel.

Go gently with a clarisonic especially if you have sensitive skin/prone to redness.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of miscellar water. It's not much better than wipes. But if you don't wear a lot of make up it might be ok.

I always swear by Avene or La Roche Posay from Boots. Or check out Paula's Choice website for her skincare advice and own brand products.

Walk tall with your shoulders back. Posture, posture, posture makes so much difference to how you feel and how others perceive you.

Swedish my posture is terrible! Its always better after doing yoga but I struggle to find the time. Really need to fit that back in. I'm a natural sloucher, always hunched over a book or drawing at a desk!

ChickenVindaloo it feels better to me, I don't wear much makeup at all, just a light amount! I can progress from here to smearing more fancy stuff on my face, right?

This is the hair I want but without a fringe. I asked for it 18 months ago and got given a mum bob! Hoping the cool salon will do a better job than the one in my village its currently shoulder blade length and just meh. I want it all shaggy and indie-rock-star/artist-y (which is the look I generally aim for...)

BTW I have properly cleansed, had a bath and exfoliated, moisturised, and am about to paint my toenails. Feeling better already!

Good girl, OP! I meant to say earlier that, unless you purposefully rock a full bush, do keep yourself groomed down there. It always makes me feel lighter!

I realise you didnt ask for opinions on the hair but here's mine anyway like the colour but not the cut - it's lopsided. But you're much younger and cooler than me though so maybe you can pull it off. I'm much more classic girly I spose.

Stand up straight. Stand back to the wall with heals touching it. Let your bottom lightly touch it, then shoulder blades. Lift your chest and look straight ahead. Instant 1" taller and half stone lighter!

Nothing much to add really as it's all been mentioned. But agree to start one new thing every couple of weeks

Cosmetic - eyebrows. Get them shaped, get a good match eyebrow pencil or powder kit (doesn't have to be expensive. Rimmel and GOSH are great!)

Wellbeing - brisk walk for half an hour minimum a day. Get your cheeks flushed and heart going

Feel good - on your walk listen to a fun, uplifting podcast....Sofie Hagen's is good! Or your favourite music - if in doubt, download free version of Deezer and stick a disco/hip-hop/whatever your preference is playlist on. I swear by Craig Charles House Party or Funk & Soul Show (free download on free BBC iPlayer app - super uplifting)

Be kind to yourself. If you skip a day, it's ok, try again the next day.

Lobsided hair cuts tend to need a bit more work than you realise - particularly needing regular trims to keep them at the right lengths if your hair grows quickly.

Take vitamins and find a cream that works for you. I also agree with eyebrows, but my guess is that you don't want to look polished. You want to look cool and confident. I reckon you need a good make up wake up. I'd head over to a beauty counter and find a make up artist that matches the look you'd like, and try to book a consultation with them. A striking lip colour, would give you some oomph.

I suffered with really dry skin and foundation looked awful on me, my skin would peel. Mac recommended their mineralize foundation and it made the world of difference.

This will out me as I can't block my face on my phone but I was planning a name change soon anyway so... Here is me having a very good hair day on the beach in July. Its longer now. But it has split ends and bleach damage from about half way down and is hell to brush. I wouldn't mind styling shorter hair - its the brushing all the knots out bit I hate most! It also feels very boring to me. It'll always grow back I guess!

If you like your hair after a day on the beach you could try some salt spray to encourage more defined curls. I think you would suit shorter hair like the asymmetric bob pictured. It will take some styling as thick hair like yours tends to bounce up and look thicker once you have weight cut out of it.
Bumble and Bumble surf infusion is one to try. It's a mix of salt and oil in a spray.

Oh wow! You're really pretty!!

Looks like you've got the right bra on, so no more comments needed on underwear...

All the suggestions upthread are great, so I would suggest the following

• drink water, water and more water. Build up gradually
• eat your 5 a day, and include an avocado in the mix
• eat some oily fish 2 or 3 times a week
• use coconut oil to cook with.

I'm a fan of moisturising from the inside out!

The only things appearance-wise I would, maybe, have a look at are your glasses. Have you played around with different shapes?

ILost thanks for the recommendation! Will look that up! I had some of the Lush one but it was a bit pants, though it would probably work better on shorter hair.

ishouldcocoa thank you though my glasses are quite new and I love them and think they're awesome so they're staying I had Wayfarers for years and it took me ages to find a different style I liked to change it up!

Water is my first change as so many people have said it and I know you're all right. I've had a pint so far today when normally I'd only have had coffee yet! I love avocados and need to eat more of them, and already cook with coconut oil :) I do need more fruit and veg though! And yes, my norks are adequately hoiked up whenever I leave the house

And I put my day moisturiser on this morning too.