What are your tips for looking stylish with a baby /toddler?

[Nineloves1]

I'm trying to improve my look,which is often fairly scruffy.

I've read the tips about nice nails /hair.

I'm trying to shop more carefully and buy better quality clothing less often. I've conceded short people don't look groomed in standard length trousers tatty at the bottom, even if they are a bargain.

But some people just look groomed.

I look OK, if haggard from lack of sleep, but with hair that the baby has given an affectionate tug to, baby slobber on one shoulder and a side swipe of food on my leg where I missed it.

So if you do look groomed how do you do it? I'm not after ultra preened, just not Worzel Gummidge.

[Petal02]

Even though I don't have a toddler, this is a fab thread!

[PersisFord]

Where do I get sweater dresses made of sweatshirt material? They sound awesome!!!

[YesAnastasia]

Oh wait, I have a tip to looking groomed with zero effort!

Have a look on YouTube for the sock bun technique. I wash & dry my hair before bed (because who gets chance during the waking hours?!) then put in the sock bun. Even if I don't brush my teeth, my hair looks like I've had a curly blow! It's changed my life.

And gel nails. Stays on for weeks and you can paint over it if you want. I got my own lamp & gel polishes and it cost the same of 2 visits to the salon!

I've got a great coat too. No one knows I've got a pj top on underneath, it always looks glamorous. Except for that one time the headteacher wanted a meeting straight from drop off and I had to keep my coat on, sweating in his office! 😂😂

[YesAnastasia]

I have made the turmeric Lemonade and added some blood orange juice for taste. It's alright but I used a different recipe to dilute the taste a little and now there's loads of it. Is the main aim.to get 2 desert spoons of turmeric down in one go?

[mypropertea]

So jealous, I would love it done. I will one day when I have the £ spare :)

[CthulhusMum]

Mypropertea it is numbed before we started and when it starts to hurt again more numbing cream is applied. It is still a bit painful and uncomfortable but I've just had mine made thicker and had more of a flick added after a year and there was very little fading, my brows were a bit more faded. How long it lasts depends on skin type and sun exposure etc but it's semi permanent so it will eventually fade if not topped up. I can't recommend it enough, my tattooist is such a perfectionist and I love the new brow shape she has created for me.

[1t6y9o]

About the tumeric lemonade - 2 desert spoons?? Really? That's a lot of tumeric all in one go, no?

[RunRabbitRunRabbit]

Value yourself.

If you wouldn't have gone out in public looking like that before motherhood, don't go out like that now. Easier said than done, I know.

Still, I think it is easy to always put others ahead of yourself when you become a mother. That shows on the outside.

As Libby Purves said: 'I would lay down my life for my children but I'm not going to do it every day'.

[mypropertea]

CthulhusMum, does tattooed eyeliner hurt like hell? And how long does it last?

[icanteven]

Trouble with this is that in winter, I don't find that 'stylish' coats cut it.

Definitely. The trick is finding a coat that keeps you warm and looks good at the same time. I have a down coat from Whistles that was the same price as a North Face and looks good, but I also have a North Face ski jacket in cream (what was I thinking???) that looks nice, but it's cut to the hips and I feel weird in it. Must dig it out and give it another whirl. It's so cold this week!

[Lifeonthefarm]

Clothes that fit. Next are good for Petite.

Natural colours often look classy I think. Crisp white shirts with jeans. Caramel cardies or jumpers. Tan boots.

When I get it right I think I look quite alright but I love a jogger. They don't look good but when I've had two hours sleep I don't give a shit. But if I'm going out like that I try to at least match like all black with uggs then at least I don't look too hideous.

Nails being tidy for me deffo a thing.

I'm struggling with cloths as I'm 2 sizes bigger and wobbly baby belly. Scarves a must.

Good sunglasses. I have a cheap but brilliant pair, huge, I feel together with them on.

[Flingmoo]

No anoraks. Nothing that you would wear camping or hiking.

Trouble with this is that in winter, I don't find that 'stylish' coats cut it. The only coat I have found warm enough for walks at the park etc on icy days is my North Face triclimate jacket which is basically the sort you'd wear skiing. Of course this depends on how much you feel the cold. Let's not forget, getting out of the house is as important as looking good when it comes to staying sane with toddlers.

[OrdinaryGirl]

Lip colour ALWAYS.

Recommend Clinique Chubby Stick in Budding Blossom (suit-everyone sweet pink that intensifies on contact with your lips) or Two Ton Tomato - a clear red that's excellent for daytime. Go a shade braver than you normally would.
Wear with diamond (or indeed diamanté) stud earrings and sunglasses on your head if there is even the least bit of sun.

If you can treat yourself, a lash lift makes you look so much more awake and put-together. £30 at my local (suburban) salon. Even one rushed coat of mascara on lash-lifted lashes gives a real polish.

Agree with PPs who've said to use a large handbag instead of changing bag. Changing bags are awful. Would like to follow own advice on this but can't, because twins

Listen to Radio 4 a bit, if you don't already. It makes you feel clever. Even a sporadic 20 minutes here and there will give you the sense that you are informed and grown-up, and that will make you stand up straighter and feel more part of the world.

But mainly lip colour.

[bettybookam]

Ah this is me too. I have a 9 month old and im 6 months pregnant. Pre baby I used to do nails once every 2-3 days now I'm lucky if I can do it once every 2-3 weeks..

Currently living in leggings and black jumper.. Scarf & sunglasses are a help.. But cannot wait to get out of this rut with my image !!

Feel your pain lol x

[icanteven]

Conveniently, my children didn't cry (as babies) when I had the hair dryer on. It's definitely worth while watching a few youtube videos about how to blow dry your hair properly. It adds about 2 minutes to your morning, but the end result is much nicer than pointing the dryer at your head and swooshing your hair til it's dry.

Also usefully, my fine, flat hair got thicker and coarser after children, which makes it easier to dry with a bit of volume.

On the other hand, my eyebrows have been getting slightly sparser and lighter in my old age (oh when I think of the butchery of the 90's!!) and I find that dying them, even if I haven't got the time to have them threaded, goes a long way to looking good. Also my "OMG I HAVE 90 SECONDS TO LOOK NORMAL" routine includes brow powder, which I way prefer now to pencil. I use Anastasia and an angled brush. If I have no time to put general makeup on, but my eyebrows are bloody awesome, I am content. Really well groomed eyebrows compensate for a lot of sins, I think.

[CthulhusMum]

Maybe a bit extreme for some but I have my eyebrows and eyeliner tattooed on, it saves so much time, just a quick dust of mineral powder, blusher and lippy and face is done. I love dry shampoo for volume and a huge yes to a good pair of boots/shoes and the nicest !smartest coat you are willing to shell out for. But maybe I'm the last person to be giving advice as I am naturally quite a scruff bag.

[Funnyfarmer]

I agree with a lot of pp. If I've not my nails, brows, and a good cut I feel like I can jump out of bed and through on any old thing and still feel groomed. If you can get half a day off a month I would definitely spend it in the salon if it's important to you. Plus as you said op good quality clothes make a difference but take them off as soon as your home and put your scruffs on to avoid spills and snagging and they won't need washing as much so will look newer for longer.
Also my dd bought me a babylis big hair for Christmas. (Thanks for the tips ladies) I have awful thick wiry, frizzy hair, but that is fab. I don't do any of these things BTW but used to and know it works but this thread has inspired be to start talking a bit more time for me.

[DailyFail1]

Slim/straight jeans, well fitting tops, nice leather flats, nice coat/blazer, and a bit of lip gloss/concealer.

[NeverNic]

Make up. I find I need eyebrows and eyelashes as a minimum. Without I look like I've been hit by a bus!

[Jayteedee]

Good point about the mum fashion people to follow on Instagram, I also like EimearVarianBarry - she wears a lot of slimming, rock n roll black and good hair and make-up (not mumsy at all!). I would also say bin the cardigans, I wore lots when pregnant and in the early months and they ended up making me feel like I had some new 'frumpy mumsy style' which was not helping me feel attractive. Carry around lipgloss/lipstick which you can double as blusher on busy days. Oh, and try and get good at doing 'mum make-up' - I now do mine in about 3 mins tops (used to take 20 or 30 mins pre baby) - foundation, concealer, mascara, blusher, lippy...always feel and look loads better after a quick once over.

[LoupGarou]

YesAnastasia it has been pretty effective for me at helping with PTSD related depression, that was why I initially tried it as I didn't want to be on medication, now many years down the road I still drink it because it makes me feel bouncy and ready for anything, just about

[LoupGarou]

Turmeric lemonade -

2 desert spoons of turmeric
1 teaspoon of honey (any type)
1 teaspoon of lemon juice (I use bottled)
1 tiny pinch of black pepper
Mid together to make a paste and then add any kind of water, sparkling, tap, bottled etc and drink. Keep a spoon handy and keep stirring it as if not the turmeric separates and you get a mouthful of powered at the end.

Its a real mood lifter too, if we have people coming over for dinner and I just feel like lazing around I have a glass and within an hoiur I feel great, works better than red bull or berocca for me. It is a bit gross, but OK if you drink it quickly. I've recommended it to friends who have all had great success with it.

[ohtheholidays]

A nice coat,clean smart boots or shoes and a few nice scarves can make all the differene this time of year.
They don't have to cost very much.

With trousers look in your local area or ask on FB(if your on there)for someone that can do alterations for you.

A messy bun is easy to do and keeps your hair out of the way of DC and it looks on trend as well.

For tired looking skin apart from getting a good nights sleep which is about as likely as people riding around on Unicorns when you have young DC,a multi vitamin if you think you might be low on vitamins and minerals is a good idea and a light corrector concelor for under the eyes.

[LardLizard]

Ee Hee was going to say hired childcare but great tips on here

[Orangebird69]

If you can, get a wash and blow dry once a week. I've got long wild hair that I really couldn't be arsed to deal with after about 6mo pregnant. Ds is 14mo now and I still get a wash and blow dry once a week. That and a can of batiste and you're golden.