How to look less shit with no money?

[IStandWithPosie]

I look like some kind of frumpy exhausted witch/schoolgirl hybrid. Im pale (apart from the purple bags under my eyes) with dark hair, it’s very long and thick and wavy. When it’s down I look like Iike a witch. I work a physical job so I always wear it up in either a bun or a ponytail. I am having it cut on Tuesday and I’m getting loads off it as it’s so heavy it hurts when it’s up. I’m taking it up to my shoulders. Can’t do anything about the colour as can’t afford to keep getting root touch ups. I’m short with a belly and small boobs. I can’t cope with underwired bras anymore so I wear the soft sport type ones that support but don’t lift up so don’t give a great shape. I wear converse look a like shoes with jeans and usually a long sleeve basics type top. Everything Is just a bit too small and very worn so my belly overhangs my jeans and I just look rough. I need to make changes but no idea where to start and also have next to no money to spend. I’m talking charity shop shopping here! I’m a cleaner so need to be able to move pretty freely in whatever I wear.

Help.

Haircut is a good place to start. Colour corrector for under eyes? It's great for us pale types.

Do you need to separate what you wear for work and when you are off maybe? Anything nice would only get worn out when you're cleaning and the movement factor really restricts you.

For work - if you got a smock it would cover up the worn clothes and bared bit of belly and then you could keep wearing that stuff for work while not feeling too on show. Then you wouldn't have to get any other new clothes for work and could spend any money you do have on stuff you feel better in for when you're off.

Well when I’m not at work I’m home in my PJs but it would be nice to have something a bit dressier for going into town on a Saturday or meeting a friend for coffee. Mostly though I just want to look half decent even though I’m working because before work I’m doing school run, between jobs I do errands and of course I’m seeing clients while working.

Go to a nice shop like JL and try lots of things on, think about shapes, and go outside your comfort zone by trying on dresses etc. Then when you get the look you like photograph yourself and take note of the general shapes that look good. Then start hunting them out in charity shops or fb marketplace. Some stores like debenhams and jl will do free make up consultations. Go down and have a chat and see what they can do. You dont have to buy anything just ask them to write down what they have used. Use it for ideas aand colours.

Good idea about a smock! I’m teaching myself to see so I could probably manage to make something myself out of fabric I already have!

sew

I hear you. I make more effort for work than anything else really!

Good ideas from Jack above. A good fail safe is a well ironed shirt. The stiffness of the collar and the overall structure make you look more polished and give your frame a shape. That you could definitely get in a charity shop. I also dye a lot of my clothes when they've faded, get a second life out of them .

You have made a great start by arranging to get your hair sorted.

Could you have a look through your wardrobe and throw out anything that really is too small/worn? You also might find things you had forgotten about. Then make a list of anything you are short of. Keep an eye out in the shops/supermarket/eBay and slowly build your wardrobe up to how you want it.

I have a fitness app (free) on my phone that I use a few times a week. Would getting fitter/more toned improve your confidence?

Make sure to take some time to look after yourself and relax. Treat yourself to whatever you fancy and try to get plenty of sleep.

For a smock I was also thinking that a nice man's shirt with the sleeves rolled up could work. You'd get that in a charity shop too

Oh good call on the smock/shirt Raydan

Thanks jack i’d never have thought of going to expensive shops first and trying lots on. Most of my stuff is my sisters hand me downs so I never go shopping.

Could you have a look through your wardrobe and throw out anything that really is too small/worn?

Not yet until I’ve something to replace them with as I really don’t have a big wardrobe.

Would getting fitter/more toned improve your confidence?

Yes definitely, I’m working on it. Ive cut down on lots of snacking and I’m walking on my treadmill every evening. I’d kind of put off getting new things until I lose weight but I also worry that might never happen and I need new clothes.

Shaping your eyebrows is free with a tweezer; guaranteed instant improvement.

So is exfoliating - if too skint for scratchy sponge, use a microfibre cloth from tesco and scrub dry, don't bother with a product, works much better. Slap on moisturiser - e45 from poundland is brilliant - and you instantly feel and look glowy. If you need to save a pound, mix olive oil (not veg oil) and a fistful of sugar and scrub with that and rinse off.

Olive oil all night as a deep conditioner and shampoo off in the morning.

MNetters swear by MUA makeup in Superdrug, which is vv cheap. I always get my makeup free on the front of magazines or from TK Maxx.

Get a free - and surprisingly non-drag-queen - makeover from any Mac counter. Having been deeply cynical beforehand, I skipped out looking well pretty. Shows you what make up can do, crucially before you buy anything.

I dye my eyebrows and lashes at home, which costs about 10p a shot once you have forked out a fiver for the Eyelure kit. Makes a difference and saves buying eyebrow pencils.

This may not work for you, but I always wear scent. Aftershave can be superb if you haven't got any money - it's cheaper and smells expensive on ladies, for some reason.

Google something like 'winter looks 2018' and get some ideas and then ebay for similar.

You can get really good quality clothes at prices similar to charity shop/Primark but more expensive always fit better and look better.

Hair cut and lipstick.
I would go even shorter with the hair, I just took loads off and it looks so fantastic, much edgier and easy to look good! Double thickness tops that kind of slouch on the top but skim over the problem areas, in a longish length are my staple when I am a bit overweight.

I was about to come on and say MUA make up. They do these Pixel blushers, bronzers and highlighters that are 3 pounds each. 3 for 2 at the moment. They last forever so very economical. I usually buy YSL Touché Eclat but have just found a cheap concealer by Maybelline that has a sponge applicator (like a dome shape). There are loads of shades (on Amazon) but I bought the Brightener shade and I will not be buying YSL again.

Buy some exfoliating gloves - Soap and Glory ones are the best imo. A bit pot of Nivea soft for face and body, always on offer somewhere.

I’ve got a few of this type of thing I wear over trousers
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Women-Long-Sleeve-Swing-dress-skater-Party-TopDresses-Tunic-Print-t-shirt/231673933078?hash=item35f0d7ad16:m:m2cuHb9tfWt5q1uKyKRcMqA

Found the name of the concealer Maybelline Eraser

You can sort the tummy by doing the No sugar diet. Only thing that shifted the Apple shape. It's for people who are at risk of diabetes ie those of us with fat round the middle. Do it properly and you shift it in 4 weeks.
Dresses are good because you only need tights and boots. No faffing with what top matches the bottom. Pencil dress look nice ( more fitted style) even with gut as long as it's not clingy fabric.

You'll be only gorgeous after all this Posie. These are good tips!

The haircut is a good start - and having thick wavy dark hair is something some of us fine straight mouse coloured types can only dream of, so count your blessings.

A moisturiser with gradual tan helps a pale skin at this time of year (I got a Simple one in Poundland this week and it is great). A bit of eyeliner, tidy up your brows... Primark has some great stuff for the same price as charity shops. You can do a lot for very little, I think.

Sorry if this sounds stupid and you already know but be weary if of cutting too much off your hair if it’s very thick! I have very fine textured but super thick in quantity hair and last year while I was pregnant I got it chopped up right to above my shoulders for “ease” it was horrible, never sat right either curled, straightened or natural and I had to just wear it up all the time. I felt very frumpy especially with the baby weight and now almost a year on it’s finally what could be considered long hair and I feel pretty again. Thick wavy hair needs either a lot of product, time and effort to look good if short, whereas when it’s approaching arm pit length it’s own weight makes it sit nicely. Just a thought!

I would go even shorter with the hair

I’ve been thinking about it, you might have just convinced me!

Thanks for all these tips!! I’m googling now!

some great tips on here - I will be checking out some of them!

Start with the very basics...
Drink more water, get more sleep and moisturise (£1 shop!).

Hair; something like this with two pleats pinned back for work would take minutes. Use conditioner.

Make up; primark fountain is £2.50, £1 shop for bronzer, tinted lip balm and mascara.

For work; tunic dresses with leggings and boots or converse. Conceal dark eyes and lip balm.
For the weekend; look for high waisted jeans to help hold in your tummy. Decent brenton style tops in primark from £2.50-£3. Ankle boots for winter would smarten this up.

Good luck!

I think we probably look like twins. Even down to wearing sister's stuff. She keeps a black bag in her wardrobe anything she's sick off she throws in for me. On the one hand it's exciting, in the other she is taller and blonde and of late I've, ahem, progressed through the dress sizes.
I scrub up well but can't be arsed day to day.
Things that work for me which are easy and comfortable -megatub of coconut oil (aldi) does as make-up remover, moisturiser, frizz tamer, shaving cream, body lotion.
Non skinny thick fabric trousers, got ankle boots with a small wedge for height. Not exactly fashion but more flattering.
Skimming top in similar toned colour. Something round the neck, cowl neck, collar, scarf Or earrings.

I was in Primark the other day and got a pair of pjs, sustainable cotton, €7.
Wow the t-shirt of it is fab, sturdy material, skins not clings, seems to wash on but needs ironing.
But hopefully they are still there i might buy another lovely top with free pyjamas bottoms 😏

Can you get to Primark at 9:30 on a Tuesday morning when no other bigger is around so you can browse in peace?

I got a black long-sleeved thick t-shirt the other week for £3.50 and it's been through the wash a few times and has done well + i.e., no weird shape/losing colour or stitching disappearing. It comes down over my bum (I'm 5'4") so would cover any belly.

They also have a beauty range and ok it's not as pretty as Dior... But a 50p lippy might be worth experimenting with.

Beware the beauty-counter make-over. I called mine the "Malibu Barbie" and scuttled back to the car praying no Ody I knew would see me.