Help me find my way again.

[pinkpetal2]

I have really lost my sense of I don't even know style? Myself?.
I hate the way I've let myself go so bad since lockdown.

Before lockdown I'd do a full face of makeup daily that would be foundation,eyebrows, lashes contouring highlighting all of that, do my hair and dress nice.

Now I literally wear zero makeup I am 90% of the time in pjs and if I'm not in pjs it's tracksuits or leggings. I'm 27 but feel about 97.

I know now I hate the heaviness of makeup and I'm past the days now of a full face I prefer that lighter dewy fresh faced look. But where do I go with this? What do I wear? What tinted moisturiser do I buy?.

I feel so overwhelmed by the state of me. I had a baby on the 27th of December last year and I've gained 2.5 stone I'm now a size 14 at 5ft7 I look really aged and frumpy now.

I miss putting time into myself, but quite frankly I've absolutely forgotten how too.

Help me

Two products I love are bare minerals complexion rescue tinted moisterizer, it's lightweight but gives your skin a lovely glowy finish.
If you want more coverage I really like MAC water weight foundation.

Glossier cloud paint blusher is really nice. Gives a very natural colour and is lightweight.

Firstly, don’t be so hard on yourself. You had a baby 2 months before a global pandemic. My DCs are 16 & 20 & I’m just about managing to keep myself on the right side of slob. Factor in sleepless nights, endless feeding, laundry, housework etc & actually just recovering from pregnancy and birth... give yourself a break.

Chanel Les Beiges is a fantastic alternative to foundation. At this time of year, I add Chanel Malice blush, black liner & mascara to the top lid & a strong red lip eg Chanel Pirate (I don’t work for Chanel, I just really like their makeup!). It’s richly pigmented & lasts for hours without needing to retouch. From around March onwards, I add Chanel Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream & a nude lip - usually Suzanne. As soon as the weather is warm & I have a little colour on my cheeks, I ditch the lipstick & only use lip balm.

Clothes wise: try looking for comfort in other clothes. I have wfh for the last 9 years & I still dress for work. Relaxed dresses with opaque tights are just as comfortable as joggers. Slip dresses layered with a skinypolo neck beneath (or an oversized one over the top) looks very cool but relaxed. Take a look at Antik Batik & Isabel Marant for inspiration. Faux leather leggings (Commando do the best & there are usually discounts online if you search but I have also found H&M to be good too) are a good basic which look stylish but are also super comfortable. Add an oversized knit; maybe a tee or shirt for an additional layer. If you need to go out, add trainers/boots/wellies whatever! I wear mine for everything from dog walking to dinner! Perfect for wfh or playing with a small child. I also wear ecru jeans in the winter. I just feel more polished in them than black or blue denim.

Make time for yourself. Go to bed early & read a book. Or run a bubble bath as soon as DD has gone to bed. Go for a walk etc. I find that it’s the little things that make a big difference to how I feel about myself & my life. We can have a tendency to think “If only...” & imagine a perfect life full of our every whim being met. But the truth is that the smallest of changes to our daily lives that can have the biggest impact.

I think makeup trends have become more natural so you’re not outdated there! I’m early 20s and wear Nars radiant foundation & concealer, blush and Huda liquid lipstick. I use benefit gimme brow for the bushy/laminated look, and that’s it! I used to do a full face during the day so a massive change for me.

Also loungewear/gymwear is trendy too. If you feel more comfortable in athleisure then go for it! Zara have some nice co-ords.

Oh and Mac fix+ has been an absolute must for me. Glowy, dewy skin makes you look healthy and alive when you’re stuck in a bit of a rut

Thank you for all these suggestions. It would be nice to treat myself to some actual nice makeup again. I haven't ever used Chanel make up before so I will try that. I've used Dior for years then moved over to cheaper stuff when our Debenhams went, and never really picked it back up with the quality I had before.

Really really appreciate all the kind things you said @EdinaMonsoon I will really start to go to bed earlier and read, I haven't done that in years and I used to enjoy that.

And @sofiaaaaaa that look sounds exactly what I kind of want to achieve, I have the mini fix + the scented ones, I really like those.

@Girlintheframe I love dewy looking skin and looking glowing will try those too thank you.

I also need to lose weight too I actually look like I've got a hunch back now even my posture has become awful. I actually feel like I'm falling apart 🤦🏽‍♀️.