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 don't know how to do links!

Read this thread planned to be groomed and glossy today - showered blow dried hair and put on clean pyjamas again!
Tomorrow is a new day

Love this thread! I am in my 40's and I am fed up of dressing like a frumpy mum, even though I am a frumpy mum! In the back of another thread, I am off to John Lewis in Friday for a free styling session. I have no idea what suits me so feel that this might at least kick start me. I must shave my legs more often, paint toenails, moisturise and have frequent haircuts. Good to know I'm not alone!

I plan to dye my hair, paint my nails and try to have hair free legs more often! In reality I doubt it'll happen but this week I will do all 3 even if it doesn't last!

Just to add I'm quite happy with my clothes and make up but my poor husband only really sees me relaxed at home in my casual gear and no make up but that won't change. When I'm relaxed that's it for glamour!

@twiney for your hair get a tangle teezer blow styling 'tool'. I bleached my hair to grey for five years and they have stopped me going bald, I get hardly any breakage now.

I would also totally, totally recommend a decent moisturising sheet mask alongside your The Ordinary routine once a week! I wear mine while I'm doing the ironing.

Twiney, you're so right about painted toenails! Sometimes the little things make a huge difference to our moods. I've worn lipstick all day today, which I never do, and feel like a beautiful celebrity even though I'm in my dressing gown at 5pm... (in my defence, the dressing gown is on over my clothes because it is SO cold in our house!)

So, twiney, I use a basic lamp from Amazon (think the brand is Mylee), with some cheap Elite 99 nail varnishes (make sure to buy a foundation/base coat and a top coat!). The gel remover and nail preps I use are Mylee. I think all in, it was about £30 or maybe £35. I just had a quick look on Amazon and although this isn't the exact one I have, it looks like a good deal for a basic kit:

www.amazon.co.uk/Elite99-Professional-Machine-Presets-Traditional/dp/B01HQ713GO/ref=pd_vtph_194_bs_t_1?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&refRID=5SH2RWK33NXS062697R7

I bought one of these sets:
www.amazon.co.uk/Elite99-Polish-Varnish-Manicure-Colours/dp/B017OYRI4A/ref=pd_sim_194_31?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&refRID=5SH2RWK33NXS062697R7

I do one base coat, then a one coat, then a second coat, then top coat. Between each coat, I put my fingers under the lamp for one minute. All in all it takes me 40 minutes to do my nails (including filing, etc. first and in front of the TV, so some pauses whilst I watch dramatic bits!) and they're good to go immediately afterwards - no waiting for them to dry - and they last a week or two if I'm lucky.

Ahhere, I use these:
www.amazon.co.uk/SHISEIDO-Piece-Prepare-Facial-Razor/dp/B004RDBUSM/ref=sr_1_11_a_it?keywords=eyebrow+razor&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1515085392&sr=8-11
But there are hundreds on Amazon. I've heard a lot of people using Tinkle razors, which are cheaper.
I think a lot of people use them for their face - which you just use like a normal razor (dry/damp skin, no need for shaving cream etc.). It exfoliates at the same time.

I love using them for my eyebrows though, as the line is SO crisp and straight! I used to get my eyebrows threaded, so the shape was already there. I use these on the top of my eyebrows in a straight down motion, to remove any stray ones at the top (also gets rid of those little blonde hairs that like to join my eyebrows to my hairline...). A couple of big strokes using the whole length of the razor will usually do here. Then I close one eye, hold it vertically and just use the tip to remove any strays/regrowth happening underneath my eyebrow. I do lots of little strokes with just the top bit of the razor, as I'd like to avoid losing an eyebrow. I tend to use my left hand to shield my eyelashes too, just in case...
Takes about 30 seconds to do both eyebrows once or twice a week, but only because I'm following a shape that was already there and do it often enough that there's never really any regrowth! Can't recommend them enough, to be honest.