If you are polished and fairly glamorous...

[Fullofthejoysofspring]

...what are your daily routines?

I would like to make more of an effort to be a bit more polished and glamorous, but I've no idea how to get into the routine of it. Can anyone share their own routines for inspiration please?

I bought an eye lash serum years ago and nothing happened.
Can anyone recommend one that works ?

Controversially, does anyone think your weight has a factor is being polished? I've gained quite a lot of weight and gone from a size 12 (which suits me really well) to a size 16. I now live in jeans and sketchers and feel frumpy and scruffy as hell.

I am not so following

Me too @Gregwiggle, I have a note pad and pencil in hand

I think decent hair makes a huge difference!! I wear hair extensions and blow dry a lot and I can get away with very little make up on rushed days and still look relatively polished. Bright shellac nails and toes always stand out to me too.

@Saidtoomuch me too

Everything ironed.

Good handbag.

Not too much make up. Nothing makes you look cheap as trowelled on make up and 🐌 brows.

@Saidtoomuch

Controversially, does anyone think your weight has a factor is being polished? I've gained quite a lot of weight and gone from a size 12 (which suits me really well) to a size 16. I now live in jeans and sketchers and feel frumpy and scruffy as hell.

I suppose it’s feeling good about yourself

And clothes look better on a slim healthy body (IMO)

@DinosaurDiana

I bought an eye lash serum years ago and nothing happened. Can anyone recommend one that works ?

I put a bit of castor oil on mine at night with a lash brush - much cheaper!

Keeping your weight down helps because you don’t get all hot, sweaty and flustered.

@Saidtoomuch

Controversially, does anyone think your weight has a factor is being polished? I've gained quite a lot of weight and gone from a size 12 (which suits me really well) to a size 16. I now live in jeans and sketchers and feel frumpy and scruffy as hell.

I think with some women they're completely in denial about what size they are, so it's not necessarily being overweight, but squeezing into clothes that are two sizes too small.

Also, just because a shop sells the same item in sizes ranging from 6-20 it doesn't mean a size 18 will look as good as a size 8, it depends whether they've just made the item larger, or whether they've changed the dimensions sympathetically.

@Rainallnight My routine takes about 1 1/2 hours each morning plus the weekly stuff at the weekends when more time available, but hair treatment on while washing, henna on while doing the housework/having a soak in the bath, etc so not actually wasting time. I have 3 DC and have never not managed to do this but realise others have quite different priorities. If I don't, I just don't feel like "me".

@LemonRoses I'm not sure that confidence and glamour/polish are the same thing. Scruffy people are not glamorous, however "commanding" and many people use the "mask" of glamour to try to disguise their lack of confidence.

Get a good quality, 8-hour sleep (or however long you need personally). Its easier to look less flustered and puffy-eyed when rested. Sleep does wonders.

Agree with @Clem4579 that good underwear is a must. No point in spending tons of money on nice clothes when you have a VPL and a bra four sizes too small. Invest in good underwear and get measured regularly; buy them in your size; I have a friend who always says she's a big size 12 in pants... just buy size 14 and free your hips from elastic marks

I think you can look very polished and glamorous without colouring hair. Personally I think very obvious highlights look a bit cheap. Grey hair can be totally awesome too!

I have quite simple and neutral clothes with a few stand out dresses, and I know it's not everyone's choice but it does help me feel put together. Also agree on investing in high-quality materials.

Hmm, I'm fairly polished and can look very glam easily, and this is because I:

Keep a decent weight
Only wear clothes that suit me, in the right colours
Eat a great diet 95% of the time.
A ton of water every day
Moisturiser all the way
Pedicure every month
Nails are short, neutral polish

I wear a lot of shirts, tucked into black jeans, belted with flats. I get my shirts tailored.

I don't wear any jewellery at all, however I will treat myself to a good watch next year when the big 40 arrives.

It’s a very interesting (and yes, controversial) question whether your weight makes a difference to how glamorous you can be. We all know people who are overweight but can still look polished - a few years ago I worked in a Magic Circle law firm with a woman who was definitely overweight but found a style of wrap dress that fit her perfectly and she just wore them all the time in different colours. Her hair, makeup and accessories were always spot on and she carried herself with an air of professional confidence that added to the glamour.

But we also know that’s usually the exception rather than the rule. You can’t look glamorous or polished if you don’t feel confident and no one can feel confident if their clothes don’t fit. I think the “two sizes too small” comment above is dead right. If you’re not happy with your weight you’re not going to buy “nice” clothes in the next size up because you don’t intend to stay that size and it would be a waste of money.

So if you’re unhappy with your weight then yes, I suggest you do something about it. But the journey can be fun too. A couple of years ago I decided I was going to lose 10 kg and went on Weight Watchers. I had also started watching Call My Agent and was entranced by the style of Catherine and Andrea and longed for that French elegance. I had read how important skincare is in the French beauty routine and started devouring everything I could on the subject.

In the process I discovered lots of YouTube videos of other people with great style and glamour and now, while I don’t know if I’m “glamorous” myself, I do “make an effort” with clothes, hair and makeup every single day, even if I’m not going anywhere or seeing anyone outside my family, and it makes me feel good. I’ve lost the weight and I can wear just about anything I want to.

The upshot is that while it helps to be a healthy weight if you’re looking for polish, the fact you’re trying to get there can itself give it to you, iyswim.

Revitalash works. But you have to apply it every day and nothing happens for about three months.

Sleep.
Never without makeup.
Healthy weight.
Co-ordinating clothes.
(For me) statement jewellery.
No grey roots.
Good teeth.
Suitable bag.

For me, it's about preparation and organisation. I think it helps if you enjoy clothes and makeup. It's not a chore for me.

Not me (I am very unpolished!) but based on my more glamorous friends:
Regular hair appointments.
If fair, the eyelash tinting/extending things and eyebrow tints.
Nails neat - don't necessarily need to get them 'done' but kept neat, any polish chip-free and uniform length.
Well-fitting clothes in flattering styles paired with decent accessories (don't need to be pricey - lots of my friends shop in charity shops / second hand - but "go" with an outfit and it all works together.)
Comfortable - by which I mean, someone constantly fussing with their top because it's riding up or can't walk properly because their shoes hurt / are skidding in the rain or are always adjusting their skirt /tights /whatever, just don't give off that air of confidence and sophistication (this is me btw- I am a nightmare, particularly with shoes). Clothes appropriate for the weather and that you can trust not to slip down /up/off are a must!
Good underwear. Never underestimate the power of a good bra. I am also a nightmare in this department, owning about 10 bras, all in different sizes and none of which actually fit.

I think (having been a size 16 and a size 8, currently a 10-12) that clothes look better generally when I have a slimmer frame. I can still look as glam when I'm bigger, but there's no doubt that on me, slim arms set off a sleeveless top better etc.

Also some people suit the extra weight and some don't. I personally don't, but I have a very glam friend who is head-turning and dresses in some amazing stuff and she is a good size 16, and she wouldn't look any better if she was a size 10. Her personal "wow factor" doesn't rely on slim to make it zing, whereas mine does.

Cut and highlights every eight weeks.
Wash and condition hair with specialist shampoo every day.
Often then wear in messy bun. Or messy two buns. Or heated rollers and let waves fall.

Tons of body lotion (has to smell fabulous).

Pro pedi and lashings of foot cream in between.

Wax and tint eyebrows. Every day use Benefit products on them. Mascara. Cheek tint.

Crest white stripes from the US.

Clothes comfy and fit well. I’m a size 14 and don’t ever do too small.

And this is a biggie. I’m 53 and still considered sexy. That’s because I know I am. And I don’t try to pretend I’m not. I’m not afraid of drawing attention to myself if you see what I mean.

I'm polished but not glamorous and I think a lot of it comes from within. If you put weight on you can still buy nice clothes you don't have to wear leggings and t-shirts. I know fat people who are groomed and some are glamorous.

I agree with pp who say look after your hair, nails, skin and teeth and iron your clothes. Choose clothes that suit you and good underwear and shoes, hold your head up and you instantly look more confident. Going to the gym makes me feel better but doesn't add to looking groomed.

I have my hair cut and coloured in a salon and visit a dentist for my teeth but nails, face, skin I do myself. I think it does take time to be groomed though, I don't get people who say a few minutes a day, it takes at least 2 minutes just to clean your teeth, a few minutes to me is less than 10.

I shower, cleanse my face, brush my teeth, wash my hair, blow dry it and moisturise my skin that's basic morning routine and it takes more like 30 mins. I would say my own pedicure, manicure and facial take me at least an hour including getting all the stuff out and tidying up.

I always use gloves for housework and I often moisturise my hands, arms and legs during the day. Every other day I put a clear top coat on my nails to make them last a week. Hair removal, eyebrows or any other extras add time and I don't have Botox, fillers or anything else that adds extra time.

I do think about what I wear, in that I always coordinate my outfits I can mix and match but some things I will never mix. This is probably why I have more footwear and bags than one woman should ever need.

Some people look polished and glamorous with little effort I think if they have good hair and bone structure it helps. I have to work at it. My DP looks well groomed when he leaves for work every morning and by the time he comes home he looks like he's fought his way out of a hedge.

Blow dry my hair every 3 days (with my Dyson Airwrap)
Shellac mani and pedi monthly
6-8 week highlights and hair trim
Eyebrow threading and tint monthly
Shaved legs daily
Work out 4-5 x a week
Wear’s well/fitting clothes
Designer bag and sunglasses

Okay, I admit I'm known among my friends for being well groomed high maintenance princess

Ashy/beige highlights every 3 months at an Aveda salon (always with Olaplex added). Hair cut in a boyish, choppy crop.

Teeth whitened a couple of times a year.

Shellac pedicure every 6 weeks (typically a classic red).

Shellac manicure every 2 weeks (nails short and squared off in a neutral colour).

Bikini and full leg wax every 4-6 weeks.

Regularly have LVL lashes.

Very rarely leave the house without wearing natural make up and without giving thought to what outfit to wear.

Have a simple skincare routine but I'm religious about doing it, morning and night.

Slather myself in Aveeno cream after every shower (have tried far more expensive, but this is my all time favourite).

Only wear matching undies.

Wear perfume every day.

Oh, and recently blew a lot of money on a tummy tuck and a bit of lipo 😊😊😊

Oh, but I wouldn't ever consider myself glamorous. My taste in clothes is quite androgynous - today I wore GAP boyfriend jeans + Jigsaw white linen t-shirt + Lotta taupe coloured clogs.

I get called glam a lot, but I don't get why because I am fairly low maintenance, very low maintenance tbh!

Thread eyebrows myself every week or two
A good garnier face mask every few weeks
Basic skincare routine and eye cream
Trim my own hair and fringe every 6 weeks or so
Hand cream most evenings
Bare nails because I can't stand chipped nails but a good pedicure every couple of weeks
Iron my clothes every morning, clean clothes everyday
If not wearing a full face makeup just pencil eyebrows and upper lid liner
8 hours sleep minimum
Fairy decent diet and maintain regular weight