"Nobody ever told me" thread

[littlecatfeet]

I was wondering, do you have any personal style/beauty tips that you worked out all by yourself?

I have two:

1. Never ever apply perfume when you're under stress - running late, or angry, or anxious - it seems to cause that horrible reaction that makes perfume unbearable.
2. When you are carrying 'le flab' (as I call it) a silk slip looks a million times better under a dress than shapewear. It slides past your creases and moves naturally. And you're comfortable!

What hard-won or fluke inspirations do you have to share?

@FairyAndLavender

Spot prone skin is better when properly moisturised. Your skin stops over compensating for loss of oils

Black doesn't actually go with everything.

Filed nails are less likely to chip

Jeans make you look a loe slimmer when they're high waisted

Converse don't look good on anyone over age 40.

Perfume gives a lovely impact when applied behind the ears

A blazer instantly adds another 'level', an instant fix to a too casual outfit

You should have your handbag over the shoulder of your dominant hand. It looks far better and sits well

Don't apply your foundation unless you've waited at least 3 minutes from applying moisturiser

Always size up slightly for t shirts to appear thinner

Garments with fake gold or silver buttons look far far cheaper than a matchijg material on the button, or small wooden buttons or plastic in some cases

Wow, I'm 52 and wear Converse a lot! Probably helps that I generally act like a 14 year old though 😂

@LunaNorth

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve posted this link on MN.

But here we go again...

what should women over 30 wear?

YES!

I agree about red lipstick. Makes you look great. I haven't worn tights, skirt or dress for over 10 years.

[quote Itsonlymeeee]@Spiderbaby8 I'd love to be able to wear bralettes as hate wearing underwires but unfortunately I have large wide boobs. If I don't wear a bra with underwire they look awful & just look squashed! 😂[/quote]
Yes, comes down to individual size and shape and how you prefer to look.

you can thread your upper lip yourself by tying the two ends of the thread and making and 8 shape of it. twist and thread then.

you can put your nail enamel french style yourself, by putting a stroke of white enamel onto your palm and then dipping your nail tips on it. it creates very fine lines.

I do my upper lip with my leg epilator. It's painful but quick!

I don’t believe in Rules really

All rules are personal

People are too different

High waisted jeans look ridiculous on me, I have long legs and a short small body, I look like I’m 90% leg and hips and just a teeny body on top

Red lipstick does not work for olive/yellow toned skin, it also makes my teeth look yellow

Powder makes my dry skin look drier.

Etc

Round necks give me a barrel look. I don't care how old I am, I'm not wearing them. I have a good decolletage, no sun damage, but no matter what, fuck those round necks. I feel like shit in them so they'll never look good on me.

I second getting rid of the underwire. And no I don't have "fried eggs" as someone else put it, I'm a 34G. There are great wore-free bras for larger busts now :)

@Shhimtryingtosleep

I second getting rid of the underwire. And no I don't have "fried eggs" as someone else put it, I'm a 34G. There are great wore-free bras for larger busts now :)

I’m a 32F and don’t wear underwired bras either.

Be honest with your hairdresser about how much effort you want to put into your hair. (If like me you are 'as little as possible' just say so, it's your hair :) )

I find that although I don't like my legs, shorter shorts are more flattering than ones closer to knee length.
V neck tees rather than round neck look less frumpy.

I have fine hair and once it's past my shoulders it looks flat on top (looking forward to haircut on Saturday!).

I always have toenail polish on, even if nude colour. With a top coat it lasts ages and then I feel more comfortable with my feet out.

Wide leg trousers only look ok with a fitter top (if, like me, you're short!)

A holiday in the sun makes me look better (sleep, nice food etc) but keep the spf on and your face shaded by a hat.

Having my ankles out makes my legs look much much better.

And finally - those cropped wide leg linen trousers that Next do tend to look awful on a lot of people! (My pet hate, apologies for any offence)

I really can’t think of any universal rules for everyone, especially timeless ones. Except probably for cleanliness

I somehow can’t get away with plain white trainers, or anything remotely bold like red lipstick, angular haircut... there’s something about me that means I have to stay low low key or clothes/accessories wear me.

I swear even the smallest dangly earrings draw the eye too much. Very limiting You've basically got to work it out for yourself and it can be laborious.

For me, a soft pink or cream jumper and the right shape jeans never fails, thank goodness

@Pigeon31

Be honest with your hairdresser about how much effort you want to put into your hair. (If like me you are 'as little as possible' just say so, it's your hair :) )

Definitely this. Please no more swooping layers that only look good if I blow dry with a round brush and then don't move my head left or right for 24 hours. Or go outside.

Ooh I love this thread

My best advice was from dd who said 'if you don't love it in the fitting room you won't love it when you get home'!
So now unless I think 'wow' when I'm trying on I don't bother

Shoes should be comfy, I've given up on massive spikey heels, I'm all about wedges, blocks, trainers & flats now

I used to think I couldn't wear animal print (being blonde with boobs - too bet lynch) but I find just a bit on a trainer, a scarf or earring is good

I would love to know where people buy good quality t shirts from???? I would love some just for jeans & blazer or with wide legs for work

I really can’t think of any universal rules for everyone, especially timeless ones.

I wish I had started this thread differently, perhaps more along the lines of "what would you tell your younger self"?

Wading in on the converse debate, I think anyone can wear them as long as they can tie their own laces, but for goodness sake dont put toddlers in them and send them to child care - not fun or practical!

I hate all kinds of trainers or bulky shoes - I gave really wide feet and I feel like they make my feet look huge, I have to go with ballet pumps, boots of a very specific style (not pointy, no buckles or wide bits round the sole etc) or very wide flip flops!

Not so relevant now that hairdressers are open but these worked for me
I have chin-length fringe though ..

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2145423/Is-DIY-hairdo-shortcut-disaster-As-women-skip-salon-save-money-brave-volunteer-tries-cutting-hair.html

With the fringe I twisted the hair more I think it works better that way!

@allbluebluezoo - Wow! I was talking about myself! My experience. My mole. Not you, strange lady whom I don't even know. No offence meant at all.

High waisted jeans look awful on everyone.

Static remover = metal eg safety pin somewhere on the garment- I always pin on the care label and it works

@Pantsomime

Static remover = metal eg safety pin somewhere on the garment- I always pin on the care label and it works

Mind. Blown. Thank you!

Converse are over, you say? Would this be the same Converse who have been making the Chuck Taylor All Star hi-top since the late 1920s? Well knock me down with a feather!

Wow, I'm 52 and wear Converse a lot! Probably helps that I generally act like a 14 year old though

We are kindred spirits - I still think I'm 16. Now I'm 61 I can just say the numbers are back to front!