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Original poster

When you are only average looking

52 replies

YellowAardvark · 26/08/2017 06:31

What can you do to improve yourself? I'm not saying this to put myself down, rather an objective assessment.

I am working on losing weight and spend much more on my hair and clothes than I used to, but am still feel only 6/10 tops. Having bad skin for hormonal reasons doesn't help.

Growing my hair out is helping I think, but could do with more ideas. What are your top tips?

OP posts:
grobagsforever · 26/08/2017 06:37

Smile! Everyone is beautiful when they smile.

NiceCuppaTeaAndASitDown · 26/08/2017 06:39

I would say try and invest in hair and teeth.
Everyone is much more drawn to someone smiling, so perhaps think about whitening if you have a more yellow enamel.

I bought crest strips from eBay ages ago and they made my teeth rather sensitive, so I would suggest actually seeing a dentist rather than a DIY approach.

People always compilation me on my large, genuine looking smile - I really think that and swishy hair is all I have going for me, but it seems to work

pigeondujour · 26/08/2017 06:45

I think hair and teeth is definitely right. I have the same hormonal skin issue and I expect it's worth investing in a good skincare routine (although I'm loathe to do so in terms of time and money!) Drinking loads of water helps. But I personally notice clothes and hair the most on people.

Polichinelle · 26/08/2017 07:03

If your skin is bad, have you tried asking your GP for Dalacyn? Years ago I had a few months of hormonal acne and I wasted a lot of money in creams and lotions. Eventually I got this on prescription and within a few days, the spots were all gone.

Polichinelle · 26/08/2017 07:03

But in answer to your question, I would say hair and posture

MrsDc7 · 26/08/2017 07:11

Maybe go to a makeup class and learn how to do your makeup nicely - doesn't have to be for every day, just special occasions. I did and it made a big difference

OrdinaryGirl · 26/08/2017 07:15

Have you tried lash extensions? I always feel prettier and more polished with them - mine are £35 for a full set at a local suburban salon and last 5 weeks. It's a lovely treat to myself (I very rarely buy clothes or shoes or accessories) and makes me feel pulled-together when I am feeling constantly haggard from wrangling 3 tiny children.

Fluffycloudland77 · 26/08/2017 07:34

What's the hormone problem? I've got pcos & the only things that have majorly improved my skin was low carbing, la Roche posay effaclar duo & a neutrogena led mask.

I'm allergic to cows milk & avoiding all dairy never made a difference.

Yy to teeth, hair, & finding a style that suits. Good make up application too, not necessarily high end stuff just well applied.

I saw a woman in sainsburys with 1980's style hot pink blusher. Not a good look 😳

Original poster
YellowAardvark · 26/08/2017 08:52

All good ideas! I think I need to work more on my hair. Good idea on makeup lessons too ..

I think I need honest advice as well. It's so hard to know if a look is working..

OP posts:
rightknockered · 26/08/2017 09:15

I think the old "focus on your best bits" advice always works. Ignore the things that you feel are your worst bits. And mostly stop micro assessing yourself. It sounds corny but loving yourself really does work, it leads to more confidence and that is always attractive.

Elledorado · 26/08/2017 09:33

My friend has a theory that 99.9% of women could be physically stunning if they had the time and money to invest (and could be bothered).

I think if you have bad skin it can really drag you down (I know from experience). Dairy free and acid toning helped my hormonal acne enormously but obvs doesnt work for everyone.

Proper blow-dry and straighten of my hair once a week makes me look a lot better (I have frizzy hair).

Sunscreen, moisturiser, foundation, mascara, blush on a daily basis (unless home for the day).

Original poster
YellowAardvark · 26/08/2017 09:45

My friend has a theory that 99.9% of women could be physically stunning if they had the time and money to invest (and could be bothered).

I wonder about this too - it seems to be true for the kids of famous rich people I suppose, when they have all that money to throw at it?

OP posts:
KizzyKat91 · 26/08/2017 10:19

i was an incredibly ugly clueless teenager but managed to sort myself out in my 20s. Long, well conditioned, highlighted hair made a massive difference and I get lots of compliments.
Learning how to do proper makeup (watch YouTube tutorials!) has also helped. It doesn't need to be full on Kim kardashian style, but some light contouring to balance out my facial features and focusing on accentuating my eyes has really helped.
A tan always makes me feel more confident and as long as you're careful and use sunscreen, getting some sun can also help with acne and spots. Even using a gradual fake tanner can help even out skintone and make spots less noticeable.

KizzyKat91 · 26/08/2017 10:22

Oh and getting enough sleep! Easier said than done, I know, but I really notice how haggard I look after a few late nights. If I've been sleeping ok, my skin looks better and I tend to look "glowy" and less bloated.

Gah81 · 26/08/2017 10:22

I agree with PP above: hair, teeth and develop your personal style (assess your figure, find the good bits, create a real or virtual scrapbook of looks you like and then pull out the themes).

I am also very average looking but have good hair and nice eyes (terrible skin, but improving).

I also like to think I have a decent sense of style which mostly emphasises my waist - one of my best bits - and hides my not brilliant knees/thighs.

People notice the hair and the clothes and I occasionally get some very nice compliments from strangers about my appearance/looks as a result.

Cat2014 · 26/08/2017 10:24

What they all said, plus well fitting nice clothes. I made the mistake after putting on a few lbs of still trying to squeeze iron my old size. The clothes still technically fitted. But the size up looked much better and I bought just a few more flattering garments and felt So much better (though I know I still would have looked better if I'd lost the weight Again!)

Cat2014 · 26/08/2017 10:24

'Into' not 'iron'!!

dimots · 26/08/2017 10:26

I was looking at pictures of Coleen Rooney in the press recently. When you see her as a teenager she was only average, but good grooming and clothes/makeup have made a hell of a difference today. She seems very attractive and happy in most recent photos. Although not a supermodel, making the best of herself has really made a difference. I know she has money, but it's something to think about.

MineKraftCheese · 26/08/2017 10:38

Professional eyebrow threading/waxing/tint (as needed)
A good, simple hair cut (healthy-looking hair)
As little make up as you can get away with it always wear lipstick

MrsDc7 · 26/08/2017 14:28

Yes eyebrows are definitely worth spending on... they make a HUGE difference. I get my line dyed and waxed once a month and the difference is massive

crazymissdaisy · 26/08/2017 14:42

Agree about the eyebrows! Wayne Goss is a good YouTube make up artist and benefits browzings is the best eyebrow pomade/ powder I have tried. With eyebrows and mascara on, the rest of your face looks "done" whether you actually wear foundation etc or not. Don't wait to wear the clothes you love til you are your perfect size, get them in a bigger size and wear them now. E.g. don't feel you have to wear dark rinse bootcut jeans. It was eye opening for me to look at Pinterest for street fashion, I thought I would never look stylish and nice, then I searched for curvy women in skinny jeans and they look fab!

Circumlocutor · 26/08/2017 14:44

If I notice someone in the street it's usually their style that catches my eye rather than their looks.

Ttbb · 26/08/2017 14:54

Read some books? I would choose an intelligent person over a pretty one any day.

Gah81 · 26/08/2017 16:33

Erudition and intelligence are great too, but this IS the S&B section so... Grin

rightknockered · 26/08/2017 16:37

I read a lot, still like to look pretty Grin