Four weeks for a complete overhaul?

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Am I being too optimistic? I have a lot of time but little money (maybe £500?) to spend on this huge task and am completely overwhelmed and clueless.

Am 40 and feeling it!

Hair - just past shoulder length, no style, hasn’t been cut for about 6 months, box dye it about once a month as have lots of greys that show in my dark hair.

Skin - ageing rapidly! Large pores, wrinkles forming around eyes and forehead.

Nails - hands ok, could do with tidying up as all different shapes and lengths. Usually have gel manicure but again, nothing for the past 6 months ish. Toes - an absolute mess! I can not even wear sandals in this weather! Cracked, ridges, break easily.

Body - bit wobbly, scaley and white! Have got gym membership but haven’t been in again 6 months!

Clothes - have lots of random items of clothing but nothing to wear! I tend to wear one outfit (jeans and top) and wash it every night ready for the next day I just don’t know what suits me.

Diet is awful although I’m on the skinny side, I have no energy or motivation, I look older than I am and I’d welcome any hints or tips!

I don’t want to blow my whole budget on say ‘a fantastic’ handbag or £200 on a cut and colour because I’ll never be able to keep that up and I’ll be back here this time next month in the same situation I’ve looked into a personal shopper but tbh I’m very meek and feel like they could dress me in a paper bag and I’d buy it to be polite. I’d rather shop online and try on in my own home.

Sorry for the long post just wanted to give as much information as possible.

I would get your hair cut into a shape, this doesn't have to cost that much. I go to headmasters in S London and a cut and blow dry is about £50.

For your feet, I recommend CCS foot cream and get a foot file, your feet will be back to normal quite quickly. Then get advice on makeup and prioritise foundation and powder. You can get away with cheaper blusher, mascara etc.

And practice being assertive with the personal shopper!

And fake tan will make you feel better too. I like St Tropez and there's a good one from clarins that you mix with your own body lotion.

Where’s the personal shopper? I had a great experience in John Lewis.

Get a pair of exfoliating gloves and really scrub your skin after a long bath/shower. Then moisturise well.

Well groomed eyebrows can make you look polished.

Make up - most counters will do your make up for a fee that you can use for products.

Four weeks for what - you can obviously get a new haircut/wardrobe in that time. You could loose a half a stone and start to tone up. You could get a facial or even more invasive (fillers, Botox) treatment. But all bar the clothes require ongoing maintenance and as you say you could spend £200 on a decent cut and colour. There may be a personal shopper who could add a few key pieces to your existing wardrobe but that would cost more than a couple hundred.
Sound like you need professional help to get you sorted. Spend you £500 on that - they can organise your closet, you know what to do diet and exercise wise, and get yourself a maintainable haircut (consider going grey - it’s on trend).

For £500 I'd have a haircut/ colour somewhere local but nice, then go to a local beauty place and see if they're doing any summer deals - loads do packages where you can get mani, pedi, waxing etc and a massage. Or check groupon for deals.

I'd then consider Botox.

The remaining money I'd buy a few new clothing bits.

Thank you.

Exfoliating gloves and moisturising I can do and get on with straight away.

I have the clarins tan that you add to moisturiser so I can also get on with that.

My eyebrows are a complete mess but when I do have them done the beautician is very complimentary of the fact that they are full and a pretty good shape naturally I’ll book an appointment somewhere and hope that I don’t end up with huge, dark brows. (My usual hairdresser/beautician was in the same building and they’ve moved too far away hence the 6 months of having nothing at all done!)

Hair is trickier because I have no idea what suits me or how I want it cutting. I feel like I’m at a funny age for me where I don’t want to look like I’m trying to be too young but also don’t want to go the other way and choose something that does nothing at all for me! I don’t even know what’s considered modern anymore.

Any recommendations for facials? I’d like something that makes a noticeable difference rather than for relaxation if possible. Has anyone any experience of microdermabrasion?

I don’t want to lose any weight but definitely need to tone up a few areas. Again, this comes down to not really knowing what I should be doing exercise wise.

I realise that my budget is pretty small, I’m just trying to work out what I need to do and what I should spend on. With regards to maintaining anything that I start now - I won’t have lots of time come this time next month so I’m hoping if I make a good start now it’ll be easier and less time consuming. Budget will be about £200 per month, clothes budget separate once I know what suits me/what I like.

Tell me more about Botox! How often does it need doing? What’s the average cost? Is it better to have just one area done or more than one? How many years is it going to knock off my face

For £500 I would:
Haircut- about £40 round here
Colour - erm maybe £70ish
Buy two pairs of perfect jeans - probably £120 or so
Buy three short sleeved tops that work with the jeans - call it £40 each
Buy a new lipstick-£15
One casual day dress - £60ish
A lightweight jacket that goes with jeans and the dress - £80

I decided to do a summer overhaul almost 4 weeks ago. Smaller budget though!
I’m over 3/4 of the way through the 30 day shred, and have been eating very healthily (not a set diet, but lots of protein, lots of veg / salad, low carb, almost no processed sugar, very little alcohol). The difference is massive already, my skin looks a million times better (i’d planned to look into Botox for 11s, but no longer feel I need it - I think this is due to a lot less sugar), and I’ve lost a few pounds - although that wasn’t the aim - and toned up a lot).
I’m getting my hair cut in a couple of weeks, but am not really bothering with new clothes because it’s too hot (I’m living in some £10 Tesco linen shorts, H&M t-shirts and sandals). I’ve been using the Dove gradual tanner daily on my legs.
I’m really happy with how it’s gone, and am feeling so much better about myself.

Botox will give you what your looking for £200 well spent. It lasts between 6-9 months for me and the results just look great, subtle but looks like you've taken 10 years off, well it did for me and I'm 37. Then get your hair done at the same time and everyone will think that's what's different about you.. 💥

Well done NightWakings Am particularly pleased to hear about the link between diet and Botox! I know at some point I’ll get some, it’s hard when almost every other person I know has had some kind of work done but if I can put it off a bit longer I’ll be happy!

Are you doing anything else for your summer overhaul? (Not that you need to be by the sounds of it btw, I’m just looking to steal tips )

..... and then seeyou comes along with exactly what I want to hear and I’m torn again

The lady that does mine ( Dr Sue if your around Notts/ Lincoln area) does my 11's then she puts a small amount near the top upper corner of my right eye as it's drooped so slightly you can't tell unless trained, it makes my face symmetrical again which I can tell on photos! I love people's reactions when they can't work out what I've had done! but I look so much better for it. If you try it and it's not the result your after it does wear off, they can also increase gradually.

Give some thought to what colours really suit you, as well as style/shape/function for clothes - the right colour will lift your complexion look a world away from one that drains you.

Hi Op

If you're unable to decide, maybe use an Action Priority Matrix.... I'm completing one at the minute because ive a lot to work on and do better...so much so, it feels overwhelming.

Hair and a nice colour should be priority. Then get your brows done and invest in some good skincare. Check out The Ordinary which is amazingly cheap. A glycolic toner and some vitamin c will plump and brighten your skin

Invest in a personal shopper too for your wardrobe and if you have enough left over then get some Botox

It always astonishes me how many people on here have Botox. I have never met anybody irl who does.