restyle me for 2017 please?

[Konyaa]

I am descended from a long line of absolutely raggedly fashion denying academics! Surprise surprise: I am am absolutely raggedly fashion clueless academic.

But I have decided 2017 is going to be my year to take care of how I look. Especially as I conveniently have a birthday before New Years! Wondering if you can help me?

Age: 31/32
Ethnicity: Indian
Height: 5 foot 6
Size: 12/14 (top 12ish, bottoms 14 ish)
Hair: black, shoulder length and permanently unkempt, tangled, rough, gets into nasty tangles at night
Usual attire: tights, skirt, top
Face shape: round
Glasses
Make up: do not own any and have no clue in hell where to start
Skincare regimen: nothing, occasionally warm water
Skin problems: none, never had any. Normal skin. No fine lines.
Wardrobe: whatever's selling at tesco
Features I don't like: heavy upper arms, bum and thighs, runs in my family.

So. Where do I begin? I want to look together, Dewey skinned, nice brows, hair un frizzy and in place. Some light make up.

I literally want to be told what to buy :( I have no idea what a bb cream does, what a foundation is, and how on earth to stop my bloody hair tangling at night.

Any help appreciated!

On the makeup front, I'd go to a counter - maybe Bobbi Brown? - and get them to match you with a tinted moisturiser and some cream blush, which would be quick and easy to do. Get brows threaded, then use a clear mascara (get the cheapest one you can as they get manky quickly) to slick them into place.

What sort of clothes would you like to wear? Is there anyone in the public eye whose look you quite like?

I thought mascara was for lashes, no? And how often is it recommended to get eyebrows done? Sorry questions are bubbling out of me now - would they make by creams dark enough for Indian skin? And is it different from a foundation? I'm supposed to go to john lewis on Sunday with a friend, and will look for these.

Anyone in public eye! Gah don't know! Anyone with their hair in place!

Actually yeah - public eye -

Grainne on the current apprentice series

Or Kate Middleton

Lol!

Yes, mascara is for lashes, but a clear one will just "set" your brows. Re threading, I go once a fortnight but I am very hairy! You could get a decent shape and then maintain them yourself, I just prefer not to touch mine in between as the girl I go to does such a great job. Depending on where you live it can be very cheap. I am not Indian but I think Bobbi Brown do quite a good range of shades for darker skins, and I have a feeling Estée Lauder and YSL do too. In terms of hair, could you get a good cut to get rid of straggly ends?

I'm Indian and use Bobbi Brown, Smashbox and MAC - go to a counter and get them to match foundation, concealer, get a translucent powder to set it all. Ask them to recommend a blusher and a fairly neutral lippie or lipgloss. I didn't wear make up every day till a year ago and it takes me 5 mins to do the above on the train in the morning.

You need to get your eyebrows threaded or waxed and top up every few weeks.

Get your hair cut and styledz

Oh wow lots of ideas! I have started a list of products types and suggested brands

My hair - think of the back of your head kind of central but to the right - that's a matted mess for me no matter how much I put it up. There's a particular spot - right-central back of my head where the hair becomes a clotted chunky matted mass.

Re tangles at night - thoroughly brush/comb hair and plait it/put it in a low pony to sleep. This stops mine getting matted at the nape. Apparently silk pillowcases help with hair tangles too.

I wouldn't bother with make up if you've gone this long without it and you skins fine.

What's your favourite bits about you?

Sorry cross posted about the hair. Have you tried French plaiting it to snooze in?

I don't know how to French plait but my first thought is it's not very long so can't really be plaited? Shoulder length i would say. At most. Maybe it can.

Yeah never used make up. Skin is just well - skin. I don't have any lines or blemishing or acne etc. It's just normal unremarkable skin.

Best bits about me..... hmm. It's the inside of my head! But physical features wise - ah hourglass shape. Yep that's the one. Even post dc1 the core skeletal shape is hourglass very clearly.

I have no style tips but just wanted to say OP you sound lovely. Grounded, open, funny and clever. I'd love to be your friend.

Can you research decent hairdressers in your area and get a cut and conditioning treatment? Doesn't seem right that it gets so matted.

Or buy something with Argan oil or similar. What about this?

Ah, now I shall cry. I've just been invited to give an interview to a radio channel tomorrow PM, (radio doesnt need me to look good) but all I can think of is my wardrobe is shit and I have no make up. Thanks for your lovely words, I really might cry.

Okay oil going on the list. Argan oil. I've always had that bit getting matted,it's horrid :(

Can I be nosy and ask what (vaguely) your academic subject is?

Okay oil going on the list. Argan oil. I've always had that bit getting matted,it's horrid :(

Hahaha how to be vague about this...it's in the social sciences but currently has a public health policy dimension to it.

So like I said I'll be visiting john lewis on Sunday for all this. Is this the stuff you recommended on here? Can I literally just get a tinted moisturiser and not have to bother with foundation powders and what not?. What would be awesome.

If your skin is good I'd probably just recommend getting a really good mascara (tried one my sister had the other day, think it was an Estée Lauder one that was absolutely amazing!), a nice light moisturiser (possibly tinted) for your skin and a nice lip tint. Definitely go to one of the beauty counters for a free 'makeover' - bobbi brown is great - but say you just want some simple products rather than the full works of concealer/foundation blusher etc. Good luck!

Def ask for simple make up at the counters. That's what I did as I don't like to wear heavy make up.

Have you got contact lenses which you could wear instead of glasses sometimes?

Got myself an appointment for Monday for lenses! I used to wear them and I think 2017 is the year I bring lenses back!

I would definitely advise going to Bare Minerals counter. I went to them before I got married as I had no clue on makeup, and they did me a fantastic session on easy to use, light make up. it gave me the basics to then start experimenting with other make up.

YSL are good too for make up sessions. All free, as are bare minerals.

On a daily basis I usually only use one or two bits of make up - usually mascara (Clinique is really good as is Benefit's 'they're real') and some BB cream, which is used without foundation. I find those two things with some tinted Vaseline on lips are enough to make me feel put together enough (I am v low maintenance...).

And if you've never really worn make up I would warn against automatically going for a full face - it may feel uncomfortable and you'll be self conscious. Work up to it if that's the aim!

In terms of hair - mine is probably a very different hair type to yours but I had years of frizz. I find a good conditioner is key, and avoid anything with too much plastic in. I like Aussie, followed by Tony and Guy heat protection spray - even if I'm not blow drying (which when I can be arsed does make a MASSIVE difference), it seems to stop the frizz.

Hope that helps, from one fairly low maintenance lady to another :)

Clothes wise, why don't you do a personal shopper thing at Debenhams. Quite a few people have said on here that they're helpful, no pressure to buy but encourage you to try things that you might never have considered. John Lewis probably do them as well.

(List is growing!) thanks sooo much!

You could also go for a session where they tell you what colours look good on you - and for a bit more money(!) will style you as well, so you know the colour and style of clothes you need to look good.

It makes clothes shopping soooooo easy!

Look at House of Colour or Colour Me Beautiful. There are probably others.