I want to look groomed, glam and sophisticated

[Greygooseorchid]

As the title says, I want to look groomed, glam and sophisticated So how do I go about doing this?

I’m 48 (almost 49) and I currently get my hair dyed every 5 weeks, and my nails done every 4 weeks. I also get my eyebrows microbladed twice a year and Botox (sometimes fillers) twice a year.

I used to get dermaplaning done once every 6 weeks, but I watched a YouTube video on how to do it yourself so I do that to save money. I have a good skincare routine, cleanse, tone, HA, Vit C, eyecream, moisturiser and SPF. At night I do the same Except double cleanse, retinol, HA, eyecream and night cream. I also do a dermaroller once every 4 weeks, and I use a face mask once a week, currently that scared red one from the ordinary.

I do all this, but I still look bleugh. I’ve been told I have good skin?? Don’t know if I do or if people are just saying this to me. I just feel a mess.

Clothes wise, well I walk about like a tramp. I need to lose about 3 stone. I hate my boobs, they are too big (34HH) I am self conscious of them, and wont go out without a big baggy jumper or coat on. I’m sick of men constantly looking at my boobs, and I do wear a good bra, as I get fitted at Bravissimo every few months.

So I know I need to get right into the healthy eating and start going to the gym to tone up, but what does everyone else do to look groomed glam and sophisticated? It’s all done to the clothes really isn’t it??

Do you have a decent department store near you with a personal shopper? You sound like you need someone to help choose a capsule wardrobe of basics that make the most of your figure. Half of the battle of dressing well is choosing clothing that fits you properly. A professional shopper will know how to achieve this and ultimately will save you money in the long run because you will buy less clothes that you don't end up wearing.

There have been some long running and really good threads on this very subject on here . I hope someone with more IT know-how will give you the links to them.

Thank you, I live near a big city, but I don’t have the confidence at the moment to go to a personal shopper. Maybe once I’ve lost the weight I will but I know my boobs will still be big as I’ve always been big unfortunately

Start with a bra fitting then. Most women wear the wrong size bra. A good bra will transform your shape.

my hair is thick and long (I’m not cutting it) and it’s in very good condition So I try to look at different ways to style it but I’m useless with hair, so it’s either straight or up in a ponytail. As it’s so thinks it’s heavy and the ponytail falls, I try to put it up in a nice bun, but I end up looking like Miss Trunchbowl from Matilda 😱 not a good look. When the hairdresser curls it, it stays in for a while and by the end of th4 night it’s wavy and nice, but when I do it, oft it’s a mess.

CruellaDeVille2019 I already get that done at Bravissimo. I was there today to get a fitting, and I’m the same size as I was before x

Well done, that's a good start. You sound like you need to get a really good style cut to make the most of what sounds like lovely hair. There's a Dyson hair tool which many ladies on MN swear by. It's not cheap but supposed to be super easy to get amazing results even if you don't have much idea about what you are doing. I believe it is possible to get it on a trial plan depending where you actually buy it from.

Honestly??? IMO, to get the look you want, you need to lose the 3 extra stone. I know because I was 2 stone overweight and no matter what I did I never managed to nail the glam sophisticated look. Once I got back down from a 14 to a 10, without doing anything extra, it seemed easy. I found I could even get away with cheaper clothes yet look more glam. 😬 in terms of clothes, I now find either all black with a camel or coloured coat/scarf or grey tailored trousers with a colourful but tasteful top. Never black with colour. Black only with black, white or grey. Oh and if you want to keep your hair long, fine, but have it styled with long layers. It will give you quite a lift.

I think having lovely thick hair in good condition is a huge bonus in the looking groomed and stylish department. No matter how many tips for grooming I follow I have thin, ultra fine hair that looks totally shit no matter what. I go to a good hairdresser and she gets it looking as good as it’s possible to get it but it tends to not help in pulling together a look when it’s so very fine. Have you YouTubed tutorials for easy up-dos for beginners?

How tall are you? Is there anyone who’s look you particularly like? If you could dress like anyone who would it be?

Looking groomed or glam in your 50's isles about fashion and frequent dem visits you don't need to smile with me.

Yes I’ve heard of that Dyson styler it’s about £350 a little out of budget at the moment, so might ask for it for my birthday next year. I do like my hair I have to admit, I’ve been told I have “Kardashian hair” it’s long, dark, and thick but all my own.

It’s cut into long layers so it’s easier for me to dry myself and when it’s down it’s nice but it would be nice to have a change from a ponytail when it’s up.

TheWaiting yes I think you are right it is about losing this weight and then I will be able to start to look and feel better. That is the biggest goal I have set for myself.

Probablythatone I’ve tried the you tube videos, but in reality I’m just shite at putting hair up lol. I will need to keep trying.

DragonontheWagon I’m not sure what your meaning, sorry

A lot of it is the clothes. I have some basics, like a plain grey dress that is beautifully tailored and looks very expensive, and I buy very expensive coats, about 4 to 5 hundred, always in the sale and well cut tailored jackets if you wear one. Summer it's basics like navy 3/4 trousers with deck shoes for casual wear but again spend some money on good basic clothes that aren't faddy fashion.The other thing that makes so much difference is being able to alter and fit clothes properly. Either seek out a good seamstress or learn to sew. Especially as you will have fitting issues because of your assets in dresses and tops. Clothes should skim and fit where they touch. If you wear baggy sweaters and tops, they fall from the breasts, and make you look twice the size.

It's all down to lush no weight I agree. I don't think any in et looks sophisticated when they are overweight. Do lits of exercise, eat healthily and you won't need all the skin products, you will glow beautifully naturally,

apart from the hair (yes, i'm very jealous!) you could be me, down to the age, the overweight-ness - I think if I could drop the weight then I would be more glam!

I'd like to do something drastic, but VLCD made me ill, I am shit with will power! January 2020 is my month!

Your hair sounds bloody fantastic. I’d definitely try searching YouTube for tutorials on simple but stylish updos. I’ve been hooked to a youtuber called KarenBritChick who has a series called what people are wearing in New York. She sits and people watches and stops those that catch her eye to ask where they got their clothes and accessories from. She has spring, summer, autumn videos and no doubt is working on a winter one. It’s really entertaining as well as good for inspiration. She stops young, old, different sizes, fat, thin, men, women. It’s given me so many ideas about different looks and things to try. She also has videos on how to make things look more expensive or choose things that look more expensive.

Vlcd don't work, you lose muscle due to not enough protein.

If you’re 34HH go to Rigby and Peller or order a Primadonna Deauville bra online. I’m the same size and it’s lifechanging - much better than any of the brands Bravissimo stock. It’s the only one I wear now.

I did LCHF to lose the 2stone. I’m 49 and I did it last year into this spring. It’s the only diet that’s ever worked for me. Reading Michael Mosley’s book was a revelation to me.

Am in much the same position OP so following

I am sure you will feel better once you’ve lost the extra weight. People I know who have lost a lot of weight in my group of friends either did it by cutting out carbs or going vegan.

I think a lot of the look you want to achieve is down to clothes, mostly, as it seems you take care of your hair, skin & nails.

Wearing things that are hugely baggy will only make you look bigger and shapeless. Try to find clothes that fit well, that skim rather than billow. Aim to define your waist, eg elasticated waistlines or belts. I find a fitted blazer helps me with this. Also, try v-neck or scooped neck tops, as these should visually help to minimise your bust. Don't wear those thin, jersey type fabrics as they're very clingy, but also don't go for very thick fabrics with no give in them. Try different styles of trouser/jeans to see what balances you out. I find a slim boot cut to be the best on me for balance, for example.

Jon6b

Vlcd don't work, you lose muscle due to not enough protein.

^

Wrong.

Thanks guys for all your input. Sorry I don’t know what Vlcd is?

I do have a gym membership and I did go to th4 gym a lot this past year but it’s my eating that’s stopped me from loosing weight and I know I need to get that sorted.

I also like to do a lot of walking, can walk for miles but it’s no good if I’m not eating properly.

Maybe it will all just fall into place when I start to lose weight.