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Original poster

Tips for looking less blah

27 replies

Eesha · 03/02/2019 14:27

Hello peeps,

I'm guilty of having nice clothes which I only wear when going out out and looking generally casual/preppie at all other times.

Today caught sight of myself whilst shopping and looked so blah. Just wondering if anyone has quick tips on improving their style or look.

Just to add, I saw this coat which did lift my mood and i wanted it but then thought I have coats at home and do I 'need' another one....

shop.mango.com/gb/women/coats-coats/unstructured-wool-blend-coat_41030865.html?c=88&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl9CDgNWf4AIVBbTtCh1LSgU0EAQYAiABEgJX1_D_BwE&talla=21

OP posts:
choppolata · 03/02/2019 15:38

You could always buy it and then get rid of one Wink a colourful coat is great for de-blahing. I like to wear bright tights at this time of year to cheer myself up.

Original poster
Eesha · 03/02/2019 15:40

@choppolata good idea! I usually wear a navy peacoat and the difference this one made was huge! But again I always wear colours and I thought this coat would need me to wear all black...

OP posts:
Original poster
Eesha · 03/02/2019 16:07

Still looking for ideas when you want to look blah!

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/02/2019 17:48

Love the coat. I do think a bright coat can be nicely cheering when everything feels blah!

FlorenceandtheWashingMachine · 03/02/2019 18:35

I had a coat that I loved that was that colour. Sadly it finally had to be retired. I don't wear black and I didn't have any problems wearing it. I do wear a lot of navy.

It's the only coat that I've ever owned that had people stopping me in the street to tell me how much they liked it.

Other things that work for me:
I am fond of a velvet scarf. Feels like a treat.
Not sure how old you are but I am early fifties and find that Bobbi Brown mahogany shadow on my brows makes me look more 'together'. One of their makeup artists did it on me a few years ago and I was impressed.
I bought a Babyliss Big Hair and that makes my hair look better for longer.
Wearing nice underwear makes me feel more together, but obviously only I know about it most of the time Smile

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/02/2019 18:56

Oh and I saw a photograph of myself today with blusher and lipstick on, and I look SO much better than when I don't bother!

Original poster
Eesha · 03/02/2019 18:58

@FlorenceandtheWashingMachine I'm thinking to wait for sales as things seem to go down a lot, that said, I feel I need the oomph!

I'm early 40s, but yes, I have the babyliss big hair and love it. I'll take a look for the eyeshadow.

I think my blah is because my hair has just grown too long, too many white roots, and so my face looks tired. I think I need to give the hairdresser a call. He laughs because he knows I like to drag visits out as far as possible to save money but I think I've gone a tad far.....

OP posts:
Original poster
Eesha · 03/02/2019 19:49

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I will take note tomorrow. I have nice lipsticks but keep for when going out, and I rarely ever go out out!!! ARGHHHHH.

Does anyone fill in their brows each day or define them? Mine seem ok but a friend said it's her must do, and she always looks polished. Is eyebrow defining a thing?

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tellmewhenthespaceshiplands · 03/02/2019 20:05

Gorgeous coat OP. A good friend of mine treated herself to a similar one a few years ago and every time she wears it I'm v jealous of how glowy she looks!

Also watching with interest regards brows ... I have mine waxed and tinted but only every other month as I'm a bit tight too! In between I've tried filling in with either a pencil or a brush and pomade but neither look right, as they seem to stark IYSWIM?

Sofabitch · 03/02/2019 20:09

The colour of that coat is gorgeous. But it's a bit shapeless.

A great coat is an amazing way to pick yourself up though

BangingOn · 03/02/2019 20:18

I agree that a good coat makes such a difference. I also find keeping on top of my roots is important, my hairdresser offers an express roots service when they apply the colour and I wash it off, style etc at home. It’s great value and means I can get them done every three weeks, which I need unfortunately!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 03/02/2019 20:30

I 'get' that with coats , I look at them and think "Do I actually 'need' another one? "
When I think through my coat collection, I have got one for all occasions and they all have a role.
They last me years too , I rarely get rid of one (though I have a blue long line bomber style that was designated to 'doing rough things like gardening in' which might go next)

The pink coat is lovely ( buy it , buy it Grin ) but it does seem huge on the model. Is that the style at the moment ? There was a trend for over sized but hopefully that's gone now .

Betty777 · 03/02/2019 20:35

the coat is great. Denim and navy would both look good with it, doesn't have to be black

re eyebrows - I always pencil mine in - it's my minimum for leaving the house. Benefit do a good crayon with brush (£20ish) in loads of colours, Maybelline do a decent pencil for £8

Re hair colour - I too am too cheap to go to the hairdresser often but to fill the gap between visits I use a £5 Clairol Root touch up that really helps cover the worst bits

Original poster
Eesha · 03/02/2019 21:14

@70isaLimitNotaTarget it is big but I'd probably size down. I like it and it feels a bit comfy. Anyone know how often Mango do sales? I'm debating whether to wait as so much seems to get reduced

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fikel · 03/02/2019 21:17

I wear makeup every day, it makes me feel better, healthier and I keep my roots topped up- clairol Nice and Easy

bananaramaspyjamas · 03/02/2019 21:39

Fake tan on my face perks me up. And as pp said, blusher and lippy. Maybe try a few different ways to have your hair.

Original poster
Eesha · 05/02/2019 18:46

Bump! Am wearing make up, tiny bit of jewellery, sent my tatty coat to the dry cleaners for a revamp, any other ideas? Still delaying the old roots till i am actually going anywhere decent

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macmacaroon · 05/02/2019 18:59

I'm the same - could you see a personal shopper at one of the big department stores and say you want 2 or 3 complete outfits?
Genuine question - what do you mean by "blah" in this context?

macmacaroon · 05/02/2019 19:05

I get eyebrows threaded and tinted makes such a difference

TSSDNCOP · 05/02/2019 19:18

I don’t understand why you would contemplate the coat (which is gorgeous and would make me feel happy whenever I put it on) yet put off your hair.

That’s what crowns your head all day every day. The week before my appt is like running machine time. Then I get it done and it’s like everything I wear looks better too.

theharlotletter · 05/02/2019 19:31

I am well into middle age and my eyebrows have faded and thinned so much. I shape and fill them in (but definitely no Scouse brow) every morning and it really lifts and frames my eyes. A few dots of a sheer foundation blended over my nose and chin, then some blusher and tinted lip balm. LVL lashes and teeth whitening make a big difference too.

I try and wear matching underwear even if I'm just at home all weekend in jeans and a jumper.

Original poster
Eesha · 05/02/2019 19:55

@macmacaroon I think by blah I mean dowdy and tired looking. I wear specs which are reasonably nice. My jeans are skinny jeans but losing their shape. My day clothes are dull. Going out stuff is lovely but seems pointless to wear this to Tesco! My skin is good but with my specs, I just think I look blah.

@TSSDNCOP you're so right about the hair, even I don't know why I'm dithering!

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Betty777 · 05/02/2019 21:08

yes please sort the hair! it's an easy win

I find my glasses sometimes help me look more polished - if I don't have time for other make up i shove on some lipstick and glasses and at least I look like i have some features Grin

day clothes do feel dowdy at this time of year. If you suit skinny jeans then maybe you just need a couple of quality nice jumpers? and a cooler pair of ankle boots?

user1457017537 · 06/02/2019 07:43

Buy the coat! It’s gorgeous, treat yourself. You are only early forties but tricks for not looking “blah” to me, and I’m a lot older, are a regular blow dry and salon conditioning treatment and every 3 weeks a manicure and pedicure. Not high maintenance by any means but helps with looking more polished. Clean clothes and ironed makes you feel more polished.

Original poster
Eesha · 06/02/2019 11:29

So today put hair up into 'messy bun', tiny jewellery, nicer breton top, lipstick, old blusher, and found some brow tinted gel brush and tried that. Definitely a huge improvement though my roots looked so bad so I've booked my appointment in!

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