Easy peasy things to make me feel more 'together'

[Toodleoopuddle]

Can I get your suggestions? I had pnd with my first child, and then last year a bereavement and new baby, and I just look shocking, tired, skin is dull, hair always pulled back, hate all my clothes. I want to look 'together'.

Help me with those easy peasy ways you make yourself feel better. I have about 30 seconds to get ready each morning

BB face cream, dry shampoo, lick of mascara. Water and veg and fruit.

Only wear clothes that you actually love and feel good in.

Capsule wardrobe of neutrals and slam on some red lippie

Following. Since I went back to work I have so little time I look terrible - dry skin with acne to boot (lack of sleep and bf hormones), frizzy hair with greys uncoloured. Also hate all my clothes - wash everything so regularly due to toddler smears plus getting covered in her eczema ointment that even new clothes look shabby after a handful of tumble dries.
The irony is that I lost weight post partum and am physically in much better shape than I have been in over 10 years. But I'm not really getting to enjoy it it - I just feel like a total mess.

If your hair is always scraped back, make sure you've got a pair of large Jackie O sunglasses on top of your head. Also consider using a couple of bobby pins to section off the front part of your hair into a slight quiff/bump before it goes in the pony tail to soften the look a little.

Prep is key, if you've really only got 30 seconds you need to do as much as you can the night before.

Personally I don't think many women can carry off a day time red lippy, particularly if you're shattered , haggard, sleep deprived and feeling like a bag lady - you have potential to just look a bit fright night. I'd ditch the lippy in favour of a really good lash defining mascara and eyeliner on the upper lid, which will open your eyes up.

Polish your shoes
Wash your hair

MOst women can carry off a red lippie. Bloody easy way of elevating your look and brightening your skin too

BB cream
Mascara
Tinted lip balm. Put some on the apples of your cheeks too.
Dry shampoo

Wash and moisturize face lightly every morning and night. Takes 3 minutes and makes huge difference to how haggard/fresh you look when you wake up. For night, try moisturizing with an oil only (many affordable options for each skin type).
Don't forget separate eye cream.
Always SPF during the day (1min).

CC Cream or tinted moisturizer applied with fingers, plus a powder blush. (2 min) Blush makes huge difference, warms you up and you look less tired. Buy a professional blush brush, it's maybe even more important than the blush itself for foolproof and fast application and natural result. I rate MAC sheertone blushes, as you can't go overboard too easy.

Devote a weekend to a wardrobe clear out. Only leave stuff you truly love and suit you. Make notes for what will stay a little longer until you have the resources to replace it. Think of outfit combinations and write them down, or photograph them. This will both help identify any new items you need, and have ideas ready when you don't know what to wear in the mornings.

I will not even say clean body and hair, as I find it obvious, but I will say wear a nice perfume, every day. 3 seconds to spritz and will lift your mood. Never skip it, it doesn't have to be expensive.

Buy a new pair of quality leather shoes for spring/summer, that will be comfortable first and foremost, but without sacrificing style. Make sure its neutral enough to match a lot. It will instantly upgrade your looks.

Only wear colours that suit you .

Don’t save clothes for best. Just wear them.

If you hate all of your clothes, then you should get some that you don’t hate.

Eyelashes tinted and eyebrows shaped. I know it’s an effort to get it done but it will make you look fat more out together.

I have a 9 week old so permanently look shattered - I have eye lash extensions so I second a good mascara to achieve effect. I put a good moisturiser / cleanse at night so your skin looks fresher in the morning. Doesn't have to be red but find a flattering lipstick to give you a pop of colour.

What kind of hair do you have? I wear bandana/scarf type hair bands in my hair and it really distracts when it's a mess.

Agree re easier outfits and looks to put together, a good fitting, investment pair of jeans can be great... dressed with boots/trainers/sandals depending on the season.

I know no woman who doesn’t look instantly glamorous with red lippy. Since I had eye surgery a few weeks ago it’s temporarily the only make up I can wear. It’s saved my sanity.

Absolutely agree that eyebrows neat and tidy, lick of gel through them is a brilliant start.
Bit of bb cream with an SPF to keep pigmentation at bay.
Lip gloss if you aren't keen on colour.
Sweep of bronzer over cheeks, temples and brow
Mascara
Then out the door with a cheery smile.

If you can spare an hour every three weeks, get your nails done. I have acrylics and just keep them short and neat.

I think a good pair of jeans, nice leather shoes, good bag and trench coat look great and so easy to put together.

Wonderful to see so many replies, it means a lot, thank you!

It's given me a kick to wash my nice shirts that have been sitting at the bottom of the basket for weeks- they make me feel good but need ironing!

I'm going to do my nails and I'm going to take the advice to take a photo of each outfit I own so I know how many I have. I have charity shopped so much that doesn't spark joy that I feel like I don't have much left.

And some new shoes. I have a trench coat in my wardrobe that I save for best so that's coming out too!

I don't know what length your hair is but I found this company via a friend who do sort of scrunchies but looks like hair. If that makes any sense. Basically you can put your own hair up in a teeny bun or pony tail and then tie this round a couple of times like a normal hair band and you have a big messy top knot. I wash the front of my hair every morning, put one of these on (they do loads of colours to match) and I get lots of compliments even though I actually did fuck all.

I also just had SPMU eyeliner and eyebrows microbladed so I can ditch makeup on non-work and going out days for good without looking like I have a virus and live in a cellar 😆

They sound fab, puppy

They look like Cousin It on your dressing table but they're brilliant if you can match your hair tone.

I felt just the same as you!

• why is your hair always pulled back? Is it straight/curly? Can you let it air dry and wear it down occasionally?
• honestly is everyone who said to use a BB cream is correct. Really changed how I look. Use a good cheap night moisturiser (eg Nivea) before bed and use eg Nars in the morning (lasts a v long time). Put on some cream blusher and natural lipstick (something moisturising and just a few shades darker than nude).
• do a charity sweep for all clothes that no longer fit you.
• buy 3-4 new quality pieces of clothes (jeans, jumper, dress, jacket for example)

Oh hair wise I've got dark brown shoulder length hair. What are they called puppy?

High heels
Never t shirts always a shirt (that's my personal preference)
Neat hair - side part gelled flamenco style always looks glamorous, high bun, those are easiest
Nice gold earrings - just wear the same pair every day for ease
Good handbag
Nice coat

I went through a similar stage OP. Key things that made a difference we're getting a new haircut (I went from shoulder length to chin length), getting my eyebrows done regularly, drinking lots of water and improving my skincare routine. If you're tight for time in the morning, get into a good nighttime routine. I can put on some foundation, blusher, mascara and a neutral lipstick in a couple of minutes in the morning.