Little things that make you look well-groomed

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I feel like my appearance has gone massively downhill since having a baby and the things that would most improve the way I look aren't currently feasible: getting back to a normal weight (working on it but it's going to take a long time), makeup (no time in the mornings), wearing my hair down (baby has grabby hands) and wearing nicer clothes (I'm wearing breastfeeding tops and don't want to spend lots of money when I'm going to lose the weight anyway).

Does anyone have any tips on little things you can do to improve your appearance, preferably in the evenings? Our baby is a terrible sleeper unless he's being pushed in a pram so I don't even have reliable nap time during the day!

So far I have:

• Dyed my hair to get rid of the greys.
• Moisturised twice daily and exfoliated weekly.
• Shaped and trimmed by eyebrows.
• Removed some of the baby hairs on my neck that make updos look messy. I don't think everyone needs to do this but they look a bit werewolfy on me.
• Started removing other facial hair (Upper lip/peach fuzz etc).
• I'm planning to remove my sideburns (if you can call them that on a woman) as they are too grey and just look messy.
• I'll paint my nails if it's safe whilst breastfeeding.

Any tips on little things you can do to make you look more put together? I feel like such a mess at the moment.

I'd be interested to hear what people suggest - I'm in a very similar situation. Money is tight in SMP too so not really able to go get much in way of new clothes either.

Of course painting your nails is safe whilst breastfeeding!

I'm thinking of going to get my eyelashes tinted and lifted? Not done it before though.

Posture! Very tricky with young children but being aware of it makes a huge difference.

Nice nails always make me feel good. Nothing worse than looking down at chipped stumpy nails!
Eyelash extensions are amazing but time consuming and expensive to upkeep.
Hair professionally done every few months if you can afford it. I can't anymore so I tend to dye it myself and just get it trimmed occasionally.
Tan and make up for special occasions or nights out.
And just general maintenance like moisturising, plucking your eyebrows, shaving etc.
It's easy to get into a rut but little things can make a big difference.

I always think a bit of a tanned glow helps.
Not necessarily painted nails but clean and shaped nails look nice, I like a neutral colour on mine - gel nails are great because they last longer without chipping.

If you can get a couple of hours away from the baby get a facial - it will do wonders for mind and face.

It sounds like you have it all under control! :)

BB cream or tinted moisturiser instead of your morning moisturiser. Can you quickly do mascara when you moisturise too? Keep a lip crayon in your bag, easy to put on if you stop in the park while they’re sleeping. Wear or buy nice shoes and bag if you can afford it. A new pair of not too expensive jeans for while you’re this size. A vest top to wear under a normal top so you can breastfeed by pulling the top layer up and the vest down.

Lovely necklace or earrings.
Bb cream
Lip gloss
Mascara
Job done ✅

Taking 15 mins to style my hair properly. It then lasts two days & I can tie it up on the third day.

Gradual tanner. Love the Bondi Sands one. I apply it every day and exfoliate on the third day.

Tons of water, exfoliate or acid tone every third day and moisturiser every day.

I’m off to the salon to get brows and top lip waxed and a shellac mani pedi to really have a boost before my holiday.

I’m feeling quite sluggish at the moment, so I’ve spent a bit extra on my wardrobe and beauty bits this month.

These are great everyone. Keep them coming :)

If you have no time for make up definitely consider eyelash and brow tint takes about 30 mins and costs about £15 an eyelash lift is also great but takes about 45 mins and costs about £35-45 so may not be as easy with a baby. But honestly just the tint especially if you have fair lashes and brows huge difference.

Do a face mask twice a week. It won't take a minute to put on and remove after.

If ever you get ten minutes slice some cucumber and place over your eyes and lie down to relax. It really can help refresh you.

I know you are struggling with time to do make up but I've perfected a 3 min routine now that I do even if I'm at home all day bar school runs as it just makes me feel 100% better. Its all over bare minerals powder (or liquid foundation very light touch), eyebrow brush thing, blusher, mascara and lip tint/gloss. I just feel like I look ill or asleep without that basic layer. Clothes are a real struggle when breastfeeding I know, could you look on ebay for second hand but better quality stuff?

I also had a pram snoozer, look at the walking as a way of boosting your weight lost and increasing your toned image!

I toured the local charity shops (still do actually) and found the ones which get the better quality donations- really, no-one needs to be paying almost the same price for a bobbly Primark T-shirt as they would for a new one. Make this a place to pop into regularly on your travels. The stock is ever changing and the prices will be much better.

Gradual tanner covers multitude of sins.
Toenails painted, cheers you up.
Scent, Sunglasses, big straw bag.
Good to go.

Clothes are a real struggle when breastfeeding I know, could you look on ebay for second hand but better quality stuff?

I did this but unfortunately ended up with a bundle of tops that look awful on me by a posh company - I think I'd need to be half a foot taller for them to look right.

To be honest, I was always hourglass shape before and now I have this tummy I think everything looks terrible on me so I'm sort of giving up! At least I have some nice black wrap dresses that I can still get into (even though I have gone up 2-3 dress sizes!) that I'll be wearing for work a few days a week in a few months' time.