Can I have some hair and make up tips and best buys please?!

[foxessocks]

I went out for a posh lunch today and I look so awful in the photos my dh took of me, I just looked tired and washed out. I have a 3 and a nearly 1 year old who doesn't sleep well and I don't have much time to get ready in the morning but I do wear a bit of make up daily. I just don't know how to wear make up well and I'm equally rubbish at hair and decent hair styles! I have wavy hair but it's a bit thinning round my temples due to aforementioned baby! It is just over shoulder length. I'm very pale skinned which I don't mind and have never wanted to use fake tan but I also don't want to look washed out. I usually wear foundation, powder blusher and mascara , sometimes highlighter and lipstick as well.

If anyone has any fab products as I know I need to buy some stuff, I have hardly any make up or hair products at all. Also any tips of what I could do with my hair and make up to look better would be great! I really want to look better I feel like I've aged ten years in 3 years and I'm not even 30 yet !

Put your foundation on with a brush. The Real Techniques ones from Boots are great

Swap blush for bronzer

If you have the budget, go to a Bobbi Brown counter and get them to give you an overhaul and make sure you're wearing the correct foundation shade and see if they can suggest an eye shadow also

Get your brows professionally shaped and then maintain them yourself with tweezers

Thanks - those counters scare me a bit but would probably help someone clueless like me! I do get my brows professionally shaped already so that's something I've got sorted I'm definitely going to have a look for some bronzer / new brushes

Nyx is great and affordable.

Were you wearing something with an SPF factor? That'll often wash you right out in photos because of the reflectivity.

Style your hair with your fingers. Run fingertips just under your hair and slightly hold hair away from your scalp and blitz with Tresseme lacquer.
Hold for a few seconds to set/dry. Makes hair look thicker and holds shape really well.

Yes mrslettuce my foundation has SPF.

Seconding bobbi brown. Ime they don't hard sell and are aimed towards looking like a better version of yourself so are a bit less scary than some other counters.

I'm with you on the sleep thing. If you can squeeze in the odd nap it helps a lot.

There are plenty of hair tutorials on youtube. Putting my hair up always makes me feel more done and is often quicker than blow drying straight.

Skincare first! If your skin is glowing you won't feel like you need as much make up.

Lots of water, clean your face at night and use the best oil you can afford.