Stop me looking rough please

[HmmmmBop]

Feeling properly fed up. My boss asked me today if I was OK because I look (and I can't remember the exact word but) rough / scruffy.

I admit that I can dress like a student at times but the last few days I've been trying to make the effort. Today i dried my hair, wore a white shirt, dark skinny jeans and knee high boots. Work as a lecturer so smart casual rather than business wear.

How can I look smart and professional without looking / feeling like my mum?

I wonder if part of the problem is that I look well through the summer as I catch the sun easily and for the winter my colour goes and I can never get makeup to stay on all day.

Help!

I'd take it to mean your clothes look scruffy. He/she is hardly talking about your face. That would be a personal criticism rather than a professional 'you're not dressing for the job' type criticism.

If you're pale then white may not be a great colour for you. Maybe try a silk (or silky) blouse?
Also:

1. Eyelash tinting
2. Groomed brows.

Are your boots polished, not scuffed, heels worn down etc?
Do you have any jewellery on?

I too wonder if you need different colours to 'pep up', your appearance? I know I''m not good with white against my face.

Ahh sorry! Tell her to stfu. I think she's she's jealous that you don't have to try hard

I think that today I was tidier than I am sometimes, which is why I was surprised that she commented today when in fairness I do have fairly regular days when I wear biker boots or trainers with whatever outfit I happen to be wearing. Today's boots are purple suede - maybe a bit tired looking? But definitely more grown up / professional than some of the other things I wear.

Jewellery wise I only wear wedding ring and a silver necklace, about the same size as (but not) a crucifix and a watch. Ear piercings closed up about 25 years ago!

It was couched in a 'are you ok?' way. As I say, I can't remember her exact words but it was along the lines of looking a bit windswept or chaotic or tired. I think she was trying to be caring as she knows I've had a lot going on for a long time, but it's made me really doubt myself!

I'm going to do some shopping I think. Ankle grazer trousers and a cream silk top, some gradual tanner and primer and a couple of nice scarves. When I have some cash never

I have the same skin as you. If I don't wear makeup everyone thinks I've caught the plague. Get a good night time serum and moisturiser- believe me it makes a huge difference to your skin (and by good I don't mean expensive!) Get a concealer (illamasqua do great ones) that matches your skin colour (V. Important!) and dab it on after you've applied your foundation (if you wear it). Then dab a brush in some bronzer and rub up and down in a line from your ear lobe to the corner of your mouth, blend in using a makeup sponge and put a bit of blusher on the apples of your cheeks. Bobs your uncle!

Well when I say ear lobe, I mean just under your cheek bone xx

I work in HE. Skinnies, white shirt, knee boots are regarded as smart if not overdressed. May be your boss is the one with the problem.

Maybe keep the trainers for outside work ? There are plenty flat, comfortable work appropriate shoes / angle boots in the shops.

Is your hair styled or just loose / tied back in a pony tail?

ankle boots

OP you say you have dark under eyes that go in summer. Are you getting the right nutrition in winter? I'm thinking maybe you eat lots of summer season fruit/salad and poss that stops when vitamin rich berries, fe, aren't in the shops?

Of course I might be talking bollocks 😁, it's just an idea.

if the tan doesn't sit right with you, then don't do it. You'll probably just look dirty.

Just make sure your skinnies and long boots are decent quality (jeans tight with no sag and no "faded" bits or "creases"), clean and ironed. It makes a difference.

I'm pale and if I don't wear blusher people ask me if I'm ill... My favourite is Bourjois powder in a little round pot with a curved brush and mirror

iI used to work in HE but not student facing. I found that wearing a jacket over most outfits pulled it together and made me look smarter. A jacket over jeans would make you look smart without being too corporate iyswim.

For me.looking groomed is key so:
good haircut
clean nails
eyebrows threaded regularly
excess hair defuzzed
light perfume
a drop of foundation mixed with your usual moisturiser helps to warm up the skin
follow with a pink/nude blusher
and neutral lips/gloss/balm and you are good to go

your usual moisturiser

have a look at finery London, they have nice smart clothes which aren't too expensive. In the sales buy quality classic pieces from the more upmarket end of the high street. like Reiss, Masssimo Dutti etc.

www.finerylondon.com/

In the uk it is illegal to discriminate on skin colour. So she would not be commenting on that, would she? I doubt your male colleagues are told to paint, although you all have the option.

I would just ignore as long as you are clean, tidy, covered appropriately for the job and dont smell of anything.