How to look effortlessly groomed this Christmas?

[honeylou42]

Can we have a new thread for this time of the year when lots of us have little money to spend on ourselves , but have plenty of invitations? What are your top tips for looking stylish on a shoestring , and What gives you that little extra confidence in social situations?

Get nails done, get blow dry if you can afford to or have time. I find that I look like so tired in December. Plenty of sleep on nights when I'm not out help. I also get my eyebrows and lip and chin waxed every 2-3 weeks. This makes me feel better and makeup goes on better.

I love winter dressing up because it involves long sleeves, opaque tights and boots! I avoid sparkly material because it doesn't suit me.

I'm not saying I look amazing or anything but I do quite often get told I look put together (usually at work).

Just wear a red color outfit to be effortlessly groomed :) And it goes well with Christmas too.

Plan outfits in advance including accessories. Make sure coats and scarves are dry-cleaned / ironed and any missing buttons etc. fixed. That's what most people see you in this time of year and even if you're going to someone's house or a restaurant that's what you'll make your entrance in. Ditto well polished boots with maintained heels and soles.

Also make sure hands are well moisturised as people look at them when you're opening cards and presents or eating and drinking or serving food and drink to guests. Make sure any nail chips are dealt with (a neutral, sparkly shade is easy to fix and quite forgiving if there are any little imperfections) and keep a mini hand cream in your bag. Choose rings or bracelets that flatter your hands as well as your overall look.

Agree with previous poster about getting plenty of sleep, also drink plenty of water to combat effects of central heating and cold air outside on your hair and skin.

Be careful with lipstick when eating and drinking. You won't always be able to retouch in a crowded bar so choose something that's long lasting without drying out your lips (or a tinted balm/gloss you can bung on discreetly without a mirror).

Some great ideas coming along thank you, will try and get booked in for gel nails, and look for a red dress this weekend

Nails done, freshly-trimmed hair, clean skin and clean shoes.

Just smile and be charming. Far more stylish than any outfit or hairdo. Keep it simple.

Effortlessly and groomed cannot exist side by side in the same sentence. Don't you know that yet? :)

Groomed means
Nice hair cut and colour if needed
Nails filed and polish if you wear it
Clothes clean and ironed
Shoes or boots not scruffy- cleaned and heels repaired if need be
Make up carefully applied even if just a light make up.
Accessories tasteful and not full bling

Agreed with PP effortlessly groomed is an oxymoron. Either keep yourself clean and wear a big grin and have fun or accept it takes a lot of work to keep fit, eat well, get enough sleep, get regular haircuts/dying/manicures/defuzzing, exfoliate/moisture/makeup. I concentrate on keeping fit, eating well, trying (!) to get enough sleep and having a decent haircut. The rest is too much work chasing the impossible.

Just wear a red color outfit to be effortlessly groomed

Haha! I used to wear a red velour top and trackie bottoms for Christmas. And every year my dad would say "Here comes Po!"

Keep the heating turned down on Christmas Day: lots of people and stuff, ovens on all morning = looking flushed and feeling sweaty especially if you wear a Christmas jumper.

Keep a comb, mirror and lipstick in a kitchen drawer for a quick check between Christmas courses.

Inspired by this I’ve been looking for a red dress today , but can’t find anything ! They all make me look like an air hostsss

/a fat Christmas turkey ! I’m a size 8 and about 165cm tall with small boobs , and a brunette with blond highlights.

H and M has quite a few red (and green) dresses in different shades, styles and fabrics. I was there yesterday. All inexpensive.

Drink lots of water.
Eat 3 healthy meals a day, avoiding mindless snacking.
Exercise outdoors.
Hair cut and subtle colour.
Eyebrows threaded.
Nails neat and short with clear polish or dark polish.
Plan simple outfits for Christmas parties.
Avoid too tight, too glittery, too tacky.