I look drab

[fairyfingers]

I have no vibrancy in my face and look really washed out. Every time I can see myself on video calls I look so grey and awful.

Mid 40s. I don't colour my hair so it's a mix of grey and light brown. It's actually quite nice if you look at it in isolation- it has lots of different tones in it and the grey looks like highlights.

BUT I think it drains the colour from my face. I am neutral/warm toned so the cool in the grey doesn't help.

My cut is meh and I'm growing out a fringe which was a big mistake. My skin is meh even though I've been trying to brighten it with vit c and a bit of tlc.

My clothes all seem to be grey. I don't know why - I've had my colours done and know I am a bright spring and suit pinks and greens and turquoise best but I can't really get this to work with the kind of 'hush on the cheap' style I like without looking like a kids tv presenter gone to seed.

Am mid 40s. I exercise and drink water. Am a bit overweight but eat a lot of fruit and veg. I get my sleep. Apart from colouring my hair which I don't want to do, any suggestions?

Do not underestimate
eyebrows - shaped and coloured
blusher - light touch
being outside and sunlight on skin as much as can be managed

by 10.30 the lippy has gone

Lipcote. Brilliant stuff.

It probably would be easily fixed via the colour your wear next to your face, so use this time to shop online and find some suitable work tops/dresses that work with your colouring. Failing that, I know MN hate them, but some scarves of the correct colours to wear over those grey tops might help.

I would get a couple of tops in the less lurid of your spring colours - maybe a buttermilk/cream or bright navy colour, and a contrasting scarf or necklace or vest under, and use one of your low key lipsticks. This will brighten you up without looking too distracting or try-hard.

Just watch out for patterns, I was wearing a Breton top the other day and someone commented on it they had ovbviously been watching my bust the whole call trying to work out how many stripes there were!
Everyone looks washed out on video calls from what I can see, don't be too worried.
www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/back-to-basics-neutrals-for-springs

Also have a lipstick on your desk to just touch up every so often - an easy to wear one like a Clinique chubby Stick or lip gloss might be all it takes.

Just to update I did haul out my eyebrow tint kit and did that last night. It does look so much better.

However, I also found one of those Superdrug 8 wash colour tint shampoos in warm copper gold. I slapped it on then went to call my mum. Stayed on the phone too long and I now look like a clown. My face does look brighter though.....

One very simple thing which really brightens up my face is wearing a pair of pearl stud earrings. They don't have to be expensive (my everyday pair are an £8 set from Accessorize - but the stone is still a real fresh-water pearl) but the way they reflect light makes me look a lot more awake.

oh OP - there's going to be a lot of hairdresser appointments once lockdown is lifted with people looking for professional correction of home dye mishaps - you won't be the only one who ended up with not quite the shade they hoped for!