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?

Faevern "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."

Ha are you me?! I'm exactly the same, but you've put it into words. I can see what an outfit needs in terms of balance of accessories. It's about balance and proportion.

I have a friend who has one very good bag and uses it for everything, which I admire, but it definitely doesn't go with every outfit. There's definitely something to be said for getting good use of an expensive item, I get it, but on the flip side I think it can be used as a shield to hide behind. e.g "I have an expensive bag so that's all I need to do." Each to their own but that's not style, as such.

If I can see that my very inexpensive non-branded bag goes amazingly with my outfit, whereas my "very good, expensive" bag does not, I'll team it with the cheap one to make the overall outfit look good. Same for shoes. I wouldn't use the expensive one on the basis that just because it was expensive it looks good with everything - it doesn't.

I like to think I look nice.

I have my nails done monthly.
I do my own brows (pluck, tint).
Fake tan -gradual one.
Toe nails painted.
I have nice hair.
I wear make up everyday. If im home all day and absolutely not going anywhere, i just wear mascara.
I wear good fitting clothes, anything baggy doesn’t do justice,

F

I think skin, hair and nails make a great deal of difference. My hair (and my eyes) are excellent and my skin has historically been terrible so:

• Fancy dermatologist and follow advice religiously (been using tretinoin etc since I was 30)
• Hand and foot cream and cuticle oil (hands/feet) every evening
• Drink lots of water and eat well
• no dying and limited blow-drying of hair. Philip Kingsley elasticizer once a week. Kerastase and L'Occitane products

Otherwise:

• Got my colours done so everything in my wardrobe coordinates and suits me. Also means I can buy fewer things and spend way more money.
• natural make-up (always mascara, eyebrows threaded and pencilled for home).
• the best quality jewellery and accessories I can afford (eg when I get a new job, I spend a portion of the new paycheck on something in gold either by Georg Jensen or antique)
• know what suits your figure and shape. Am a slim hourglass so belted waists work well and anything which is nipped in. Long legs and arms but conscious of my upper arms and thighs. No definition between calves and ankles so no ankle straps and no shoe front which comes too high up my leg.

I think this thread shows 'polished and glam' is different to different people. Best to notice what you like in other's appearance and emulate it and keep on top of basic grooming , , not sure you need to spend ££ on treatments and dermatologists .

very impressed although I feel a bit exhausted just reading some of these lists!

Wear jewellery. Whatever style works for you, but wear it every day so you look dressed. Belts have the same effect.

My overarching principle has always been to look like the best version of me. Hair and skin are the best example of this philosophy - so hair colour is my natural colour (as it suits my skin colouring etc) but as get older and greys etc, I have low lights put in to cover greys and give shine (think Kate Middleton). I also have a hair cut that looks great with minimal effort and I learnt how to do several easy hairstyles that look impressive and suit my face etc. Trial and error, but once you have them, it’s easy.

Skincare - better to have great skin than any amount of makeup covering it. Great skin means regular SPF, exercise, lots of water, as well as serums, Vitamin E and creams (again - trial and error, but you have to do it). After that, I have some light make up, 3 lipsticks that suit me brilliantly in a neutral, plum and red and an easy eye look that can go from day to night very quickly.

But you asked for daily routines -

Morning

• 60 mins exercise
• shower, wash and shave
• moisturise everywhere
• face creams and SPF
• makeup as above
• clothes, shoes and handbags - professional, classic dresses, they are expensive, but I get them tailored to fit me perfectly when I buy them. I look after them properly and on a cost-per-wear basis they are better than fast fashion. Ditto shoes and handbags. I agree this could be expensive at first, but after several years in it’s not at all. I am in a professional job, so this was never optional for me
• watches and jewelry - usually expensive classic pieces, less is more. Again, might be challenging at the start, but after awhile you have a lovely collection that never goes out of style, so it feels like you have too much to chose from!
• perfume - I get headaches, so I often forgo this, or chose something very light with roses (my favourite). However my mother (the Style Queen) would say choose two classics from a proper perfume house - a light one and a heavy one, then you have your day and night or winter and summer options sorted.
• jacket, scarf, gloves, hat as required and as above - classic styles that go with everything.
• everything clean, ironed and in perfect condition, or you don’t put it on until it is mended (or you have a new one)

Night

• everything clothes-wise off, making a note of anything that needs cleaning, dry cleaning or mending before being worn again
• cleanse, wash and moisturise face
• light yoga and meditation
• check clothes for next day (iron if needed etc)
• drink water
• check ‘me’ - sound silly, but I look over my nails, do I need a face mask? To book a manicure, to note to shave legs in morning? Have I gained a little weight, do I need to watch my diet for a few days? Am I looking tired, is skincare working or should I try something else? Any clothes to replace? Just a little spot check to stay on top of me.

Weekly or Fortnightly

• face mask
• wash hair (my hair is very thick and long with a natural curl, so only wash once a week)
• pluck any stray brow or face hairs
• proper eyebrow shape (as needed)
• proper pedicure (every 3 weeks)
• proper manicure (as needed)

Every three months
Every season I do a wardrobe audit and check the clothes I have for that ‘season’. I donate or throw out anything too old or that I won’t use, and then look at the gaps this has created in my wardrobe. I’ll also think about upcoming events in that season - so a wedding, a trip to X or Mum’s 65th birthday dinner. So then I know what I need to buy to have everything for the season ahead. It might be another 1-2 work suits/dresses, a dress for the wedding, but that’s it as I already have something that works for the birthday party. This is a good time to look at underwear and PJs too.

This is SUCH a help when shopping, as I might see a work dress that I love, but if I have said I don’t need it, then I don’t buy it.

It means everything in my wardrobe fits me, suits me and is wearable. I think people might think I spend a lot on clothes. But I don’t. I just spend a lot on a very few things that look great and last. Then they don’t need replacing. So I honestly think it’s about the same as others who buy less expensive things but do so more often.

Granted, I am not about looking the most fashionable. So I am not in the fashionable colour of the season or the fashionable style of the season (I couldn’t WAIT for the peplum fashion to end! It was not for me!) I want to look the most polished version of me. So classic and stylish and timeless. Maybe a bit boring? But never caught out and never not polished.

OP a lot of posters have put across some great hints and tips but if you are time/money poor then it can seem like a huge investment.

If you are more on a budget, I would definitely suggest-

Hair wash and blow dry daily

Minimum blush and slick of mascara

Neat, clean nails

Clothes that fit well and don't look cheap- I have a friend who only shops in places like Primark/New Look/Matalan BUT she takes her time to weed out poor quality fabrics/cuts. She knows what styles suit her and sticks to that. She always looks amazing on a budget and she gets loads of compliments, followed by surprise when she tells them her outfit is from Primark!

All clothes and shoes clean and pressed

A good selection of jewellery- sometimes a simple chain and studs can work well, sometimes you need a statement necklace. I recently picked up a gorgeous bright blue acrilic necklace from a charity shop for £2 which will go perfectly with a white dress I have, elevating it from a 'nice' dress to a 'wow' dress. The charity shops near me are always heaving with jewellery so there's loads of choose from.

I'm not a follower of fashion but I do pay attention to what people are wearing/what's in the shops. I always think people look frumpy when they are wearing something that was 'of the moment' 20 years ago but is very clearly out of fashion now days.

Oh and I would say also, shoes that fit well. It looks awful when someone is wearing sandals with their toes overhanging the front, or their heels falling out the back.

I agree that 99% of the time, clothes look and display much better on a slimmer frame. I've certainly noticed that since having my tummy tuck and also losing 12lbs in weight all my outfits looks so much better now. Even just wearing a simple t-shirt tucked into jeans looks much more stylish now I have a flat stomach and more cinched waist.

I'm up and down with it. But when I'm on it it's the following:

Clean manicured nails
Hand cream (my hands and cuticles get so gross without it!)
Good skin routine
Shaped brows
Blow dried or straightened hair to stop the frizz - if not styled back in a side parted low bun
Grey roots covered (a big one for me)
Clothes - simple and good quality, neutrals, clean and ironed. Natural fabrics.
It's basically spending time on life and style admin that I would usually spend scrolling on phone.

Fucking hell @FollowYourOwnNorthStar I know people who look polished and glamorous on a lot less time and money than that, do you have children, are they the same? It sounds exhausting, credit to you for pulling it off though. I think I'm polished, you may not agree

@Gah81
You've just described my body shape perfectly, with the exception of the knee to ankle section, where I have really defined muscle.
I've lost my way with clothing recently, I like a lot of Toast and Kin clothing in theory but I think the lack of waist isn't suiting me.

Do you mind sharing your best clothing brands? As you sound really well put together.

I think this thread shows 'polished and glam' is different to different people

Yes exactly! They aren’t synonyms as far as I’m concerned.

To me:
“Glamorous” = a Love Island look
“Polished” = Priti Patel
“Well groomed” = Kate Middleton look

There’s overlap but they’re definitely not the same! People should need to provide a reference photo when they describe their “glamorous” hairstyle.

In my many years of reading these threads, most people when they respond are talking about looking like Lucy Punch in Motherland.

That’s not a diss! Nothing wrong with that look! But people should be more specific/realistic.

7 or 8 years ago when House of Cards was all the rage there was a big trend for threads wondering how to get the Robin Wright look.

The answer to this is: 1) Spend literally tens of thousands of pounds on perfectly tailored high fashion, and 2) Be one of the most beautiful women in the world.

But at least those discussions were specific!

Of course @DameCelia.

Favourite brands:

The Fold (jackets, blouses)
MaxMara (blouses, knit dresses)
Vivien of Holloway (pencil skirts)
J Brand or Vince (jeans)
Etro (ankle-length slim trousers)
Baukjen (some casual gear e.g. denim pencil skirts or chinos)
Lena Hoschek (pencil dresses, blouses)

I also wear a lot of true vintage from the 40s and 50s (slim dresses and suits/skirts) as the proportions naturally suit me better - they cut for an hourglass shape then.

Plus I am shameless about taking nearly everything to the seamstress to have it altered so it fits perfectly. The VoH skirts and most of the true vintage stuff are the only ones I don't have to have taken in at the waist/tweaked elsewhere.

@HoldMeCloserTonyDanza that's so weird but I was literally thinking of Motherland too! I never get called glamorous and I never get compliments on a specific item of clothing (except my biker boots but they are awesome) but I do get called "put together" which I actually prefer. I think it's because my wardrobe is quite neutral with lots of basics and very few stand-out items but it does look... put together. I have a fairly long curly hair which I would never straighten so it gets brushed 1-2 times a week just before washing and then it sets naturally with some curling conditioner.

I think the key is to develop a simple routine that works for you. Mine is to have a longer shower in the evening with shaving, washing hair, moisturising etc, and then just a very quick wash in the morning. Makeup takes 2 minutes- moisturiser, under eye cream, tinted moisturiser, eyebrow pencil and mascara. No lipstick as I wear a mask all day. Run fingers through hair. Clothes are simple but well-fitting, laid out the night before, and my underwear is always measured by a professional. I have a fulltime job outside the home and a toddler so my morning routine can only take a max of 15 minutes.

For me, a large part of looking polished is planning ahead so I don't have to run out the house in the morning with yesterday's panda eyes. Getting stuff ready and organised the night before has actually made a bigger difference in looking "together" than any particular face cream.

Manicures and pedicures- just keep nails short and tidy. Personally I'd love an occasional manicure but realistically if I have a few free hours on the weekend I'd rather do something else than sit in a salon - but that's just my choice.

@Gah81
That's fabulous, thank you.

Exercise every day. Run for an hour and a quarter. Walk for an hour. Some resistance exercises. Makes the rest easier and it's good for body and skin, I have found. It can make the biggest difference to appearance.

Those of you with what i think of as intense regimes - do you have children? If so where are they when you are doing all this exercise and meditation and ‘me time’ ? With the nanny/au-pair?

There’s some great tips here. I get called glamourous and polished - I think I’m meticulous about aspects of my appearance and more aware as I’ve gotten older.
Im 48, size 12/14 (extra at the mo bleddy lockdown pounds). Top tips for me:
Look after your skin - as someone who has spent many pounds on skincare, you really don’t have to these days, there’s great stuff about for less. I never sleep in my make up and use retinol/hyaluronic/niacinamide
Wearing clothes and underwear of right fit
Roots covered, hair tidy/groomed
Knowing good fabrics for your body shape and age
Tidy, well kept clothes/shoes/bags
Choose clothes that suit my body shape and age
Pedi mani not professional do it myself
Keep skin on body moisturised
Decent make up - worth investing in good base
Exercise, eating well - keeping a glow
Fake tanning

Eyebrows threaded twice a month
DIY facial and face mask once a week.(Rice flour or potatoe juice mask)
Full waxing every 6 weeks including hollywood.
Make up worn regular (light) or heavy when I'm off out.
Hair coloured once a year(balayage)
Wash my hair twice a week with intense conditioning treatment once a week.
I tend to walk a lot to keep myself fit.

I don't wear designer clothes too much but will go for something that suits me and I love wearing different colours!

I am often called elegant which I think is equivalent to polished. Not glamorous, which is different imo. And perhaps less so now, since lockdown has led to weight gain and much time spent in gym clothes... this thread is inspiring me to get back in shape!

Anyway, I think these are the contributing factors to my past elegant self:

Clean hair in good condition
Quality clothes in classic shapes (I wear a lot of pencil skirts and blouses) that are clean and pressed
Quality natural fabrics (silk, wool, leather, etc.)
Good coat, bag and shoes
Limited jewellery or other fuss
Clean, short nails
Clear skin
Light makeup

Also, I am tall and though v unfair I do get the impression this has to do with it. I might get called something else if not tall, but I get a lot of 'tall and elegant' so it does seem to be a connection that people make.

The irony is that right now I am lying around in gym kit that hasn't seen a gym in weeks and dropping biscuit crumbs down myself. It's all an illusion anyway.

@Snakeplisskensmum

Trinny London make up has been a game changer for me. Watch her 1 min look on Instagram. Apart from the fact that I find her hilarious, it really does work.

I watched that last night and then followed the technique (using stuff I already had) today - Mind. Blown. Face looks better than it has in years. I (ahem) may now have spent a small fortune on the products in case they can improve things further

Thank you, I'd never heard of this make up before.