NY resolution: to be a groomed, glossy beacon of femininity

[twiney]

Title says it all really.

I'm 30 and have finally outgrown my shabby student aesthetic and need your help!

What things do I need to do regularly to achieve the groomed look?

What do you do?

As things stand, other than wear makeup I do the absolute minimum.

My clothes are all really bedraggled and tired - how do I slowly build up a better wardrobe, where to start?

My hair is boring and in bad shape.

Nails a state.

Any tips, advice, places to start?

I'd say start with a good haircut and make sure nails are manicured and eyebrows threaded and tinted.

I'm trying this too. This may be basic for others but I've been neglecting myself so this is what I'm planning,
Use conditioner after shampooing and blow dry my hair, not leave it to dry in a straggly mess.

Use body lotion after a shower, paying attention to my horrible dry trotters.

Wear make up daily, I feel so much nicer when I do.

Do not wear scruffy comfy rags I'm currently wearing, I'm looking out for some nice new stuff in the sales.

Try and remember some accessories, I like jewellery and nice scarves, get them out of my cupboard and actually wear them!

Once a week shave legs, tidy brows and shape/paint nails.

This is me for now, I haven't been doing any of this and I feel like a mess.

Keep hair grease free. Get a hair cut. Condition hair. Eyebrow threading. Cleanse, tone moisturise skin daily. Also apply a good quality facial oil in evening. Liz earle has a fantastic facial oil. Body lotion daily. Natural looking makeup. Bare minerals has a lovely range. Basic essential tops. Jeans that fit properly. Accessories. Get into a routine of looking after your skin and hair.

When building up your wardrobe capsule better to start of with everyday pieces rather then swanky going out dresses. So basic everyday tops. Trousers that fit properly. Leather jacket, blazers, scarfs and necklaces.

Joins the thread, as I also want to look more stylish and grownup 2018.

My NY resolution is the same! I saw a photo taken of me on Christmas Eve and was shocked at the state of me. It's really horrified me in to being determined to take action. The worst thing was my hair, which desperately needs doing but I just don't have the money to maintain blonde anymore so trying to grow it out.

I used to get my eyebrows threaded regularly, now money/time is tighter I'm actually using one of those eyebrow razors that were all over Mrs Gloss for removing 'peach fuzz' - I started using them as touch up between threading appointments, but then realised I didn't need to thread anymore. Now my eyebrows at least look cared for all the time, which is a good start.

In terms of nails, Shellac works best for me. Again, I do it at home.

Wardrobe - I have started buying only clothes I absolutely love. As I gradually get rid of clothes that get worn, although I might end up with fewer overall hopefully they'll all be clothes I'm actually pleased to wear. I have just bought an AllSaints leather Bales jacket and it was only £150 so I'm pleased with myself there even though it's had to go on the credit card as I've wanted one for months. If not years . I'm hoping when it comes it will be nice enough that I can wear one of my much bog-standard tops underneath and get away with it.

I am guilty of buying really nice stuff that's not practical, it just sits in my wardrobe for years on end. I buy dreadful baggy drab stuff for everyday wear and convince myself I look OK. I don't, I look like a dumpy frump and then feel so bad I don't bother with skin care or make up. I've bought a few nice but casual dresses from Scarlett and Jo in the sales which are flattering (i hope!) but not too special so I will actually wear them.

Some good thoughts/tips already.

Mine are:
Paint nails so I stop biting them @DaisyRenton18 can you tell me more about your DIY Shellac?
This year, buy NO black clothes. My wardrobe is 80% black.
Stop wearing jeans. It's almost all I wear, along with black top.

Great thread! Daisy can you tell me more about the eyebrow razors for peach fuzz? Where can you get them from? How do you use them? insert clueless emoji here

If you don't want jeans or black, I would possibly start with some knee-length, soft knitted dresses that could be worn with flat boots, heels, over a longer sleeved top or under a cardigan. One of my favourite buys this year was a black and grey stripy dress - it looks quite smart with the right shoes and silver jewellery, but can also look very cosy with a raspberry or purple long-sleeved top underneath and thick tights in the same colour.

Love this thread! Nails, feet, skincare and body all need mucho attention. Hair is fine, but in a rut. Body needs a good overhaul - I was doing fine with high fat / low carb combo until Christmas (which started mid November ) undid all my good work. Eyebrows need some attention - they’re disappearing.... Have thought of treating myself to and the list goes on! Well, I’ll start with my yucky feet - I’ve got some Footner so time to bite the bullet.

Following, as I am 33 but still dress like a student

Will you folks be starting this on the 1st or have you started? I'm feeling very yucky today. Too much food and feeling sluggish and I've got that horrible can't be bothered feeling today.

Hello! I'd like to join. Been through s rough 2017 and have been comfort eating and not feeling v confident.

So my intentions are:

To lose a stone. I'm eating v healthily and trying to watch my portions.

To grow my hair another inch or two so it hits my shoulders. Thankfully with a few layers in my hair it lays fairly swishily so doesn't take much effort.

Use my moisturising gloves every day. I have bad excema that bleeds so I am trying to make a habit of slathering cocoa butter on and using the gloves for half an hour, it makes a huge difference.

I've gone back to skinny jeans for a more feminine shape and I've got some new tops for xmas.

I'm also feeling much more confident and like myself again having separated myself from my miserable family so I'm looking forward to feeling slim and confident in 2018!

Its expensive but I totally lost my way after dd2 and would buy random things that didn't go with anything or I wouldn't wear. I did a house of colour day and the style day amazing! Everything I own works together both in terms of style and colour. Afterwards I sold a fair bit on eBay to recoup. I'm not slavish but I buy much less so all in all it was worth it as a kick start.

I'd like to join too, please. I need to go through all my clothes and get sorted. I wear the same clothes all the time - sometimes literally washing them in the evening and putting them on again next morning, even though there are loads. My feet and nails need love, as does the body.
Today, for a mn declutter thread, I've culled and sorted my shoes. So now maybe I won't just wear one pair all the time, even though they need a good clean.

I've just gone through all my this-season clothes which I hadn't even pulled out yet this year even through we're well into the season (I'm English but in Oz, so it's summer) and I've got a pile of 6 items that fit and a pile 5x that which is 2-4 inches too small and unwearable. At least I know what I've got now.

I'm in!

Need a miracle

I'm in! I need to get my mojo back after having a baby!

Have any of you seen that thing where you put your own clothes into awesome outfits and photograph the outfit, and keep the outfit ideas on your phone? A bit like those Pinterest photos of capsule wardrobes.

Hello would be beacons!
Like @Whiterabbitears says I also need to start slapping on some body lotion when i get out the shower, did it yesterday and it makes such a difference.
If anyone needs to develop a face routine, I really recommend The Ordinary. Its cheap and it works.

I've started using hand cream several times a day as it really strengthens my nails, and applying lip balm. I want to paint my nails so any recommendations for a colour for long, skinny and pale hands (think Voldemort!)?

What else? I've decided that once a month I'm going to buy at least one piece that isnt black and that I'm likely to wear every day.

I'm using a hair mask treatment every time I wash my hair because its in such a shit state and I'm not sure why. Possibly because I'm a smoker? It's incredibly dry with breakage and also fine. I need to get it cut and coloured but will wait til February.

If anyones feeling aa bit shit about their health and body, I recommend going to the Yoga section and joining the Adrienne's True thread. It kicks off on Jan 1 and is fantastic for feeling good in your body - even if you've never thought yoga would be for you.

Today's little task - I'm going to paint my toenails. It's a small thing but when I catch a glimpse of painted toes I always feel just that touch more glamorous!

@InkyToesies
I really recommend going to get them threaded. It takes no time, doesnt hurt, and somehow makes them look thicker

Some of my nice dresses arrived today and I'm going to actually keep them and not send them back. They are a couple of the pocket style dresses from Scarlett and Jo, very casual but much nicer than my normal stuff. I'm going to feel really shy wearing them to work, am dreading it a bit but I am determined to get out of my baggy tops and wide legged jersey trousers. I did my hair, make up, body lotion and nice clothes today and felt very presentable when I went into town today. I also didn't over eat, rare for me!

Sounds good White any chance of a picture of said dresses?

Toenails now red. Fingernails now pale pink. Heels 'sanded'. Old coloured lipglosses ditched.