As a pretty much ungroomed 50+ yo

[RestEasy]

If I were to make 2022 a year of transformation what should the priorities be?

I'm tall and slim, natural light blonde hair, decent haircut (I think) every 6 weeks.

That's about it. I pluck the bristles on my top lip and keep my eyebrows tidy. Nails are clean and short. Clothes are good quality and well cared for. I did have my colours done about a decade ago and that has been really worthwhile because everything in my wardrobe works together.

I could spend "some" money and "some" time on myself but I'm never going to be someone who spends hours at the salon every week. An acquaintance was telling me yesterday about her eyelashes and how she goes for 45 mins of infills every two weeks on top of regular nail, waxing, tanning and facial appointments. I'm not that person.

I'm not talking about procedures either. The straightforward things that can make you look more "done", but still natural , without becoming a way of life.

Do you wear make up? That makes me feel more put together and glowy and takes 5 minutes.

Brows have waxed and tinted when ever I can (8- 12 weeks) And top up at home if needed.

What about skin care to get a bit of a glow?

Nails I have done (gel) before and occasion about every 3 months or so.

I used to have nails and brows done every month but this feel right for me now.

Also have an epilator - I am basic.- sorry if this is too basic for you!

Think a 'jade' facial roller looks good too.

You sound like you have it all going on already OP. Your start point would be most people's goal! Theres really only make up left. How about booking a professional to give you tips?

Eyelash tinting, eyebrows often make a big difference too.

Watching, OP.

Only I don't see the point of make-up, and never have done. Eyebrows are something that my 17 yr old daughter worries about. Life is far too short for all that nonsense. However, I'm hoping to hear about something that makes me look like a slightly improved version of me, and takes no time or shedloads of money.

Also had to Google "what is an epilator" . However, I'm very blonde so have never bothered about hair removal.

I'm 50, I dye my hair make sure my eyebrows don't make me look like David Bellamy and perhaps a bit of tinted moisturiser. I hope I dress fairly well, but I don't have the time or energy for high maintenance!

Cosmetically an eye lash tint works well for blondes.
Otherwise I'd try an find a hobby you love. Work on that happy and fulfilled persona that oozes confidence.

@MrsSkimpole

Watching, OP.

Only I don't see the point of make-up, and never have done. Eyebrows are something that my 17 yr old daughter worries about. Life is far too short for all that nonsense. However, I'm hoping to hear about something that makes me look like a slightly improved version of me, and takes no time or shedloads of money.

If makeup and brows are 'nonsense' and a waste of time, what are you thinking people might suggest?

@MrsSkimpole
I’m with you

Nails OP!!

Oil for your cuticles (I do mine each night in front of the tv!), a good buffer and a neutral, quick drying, polish. Decent hand cream too.

My nails are kept short but shaped and a little colour from a neutral polish just makes me feel more "done".

It's one of those things that make you feel better and other people notice but can't quite put their finger on what's changed 😉

I went from very low maintenance to slightly higher maintenance in lockdown. I stopped being so lazy about cleansing and did it properly then added Vitamin C, Retinol and Glycolic Acid to my routine. I bought a couple of products from Glossier for my low key days when I wasn’t really going anywhere special but wanted to look pulled together - Skin Tint, boy brow, Cloud paint ( gel colour for cheeks) and a tinted lip balm. For my body I bought Korean / Japanese exfoliating body cloths and bothered to moisturise every now and again. Other than that my clothes are altered by a tailor when necessary to fit and shoes re-heeled and polished. Clothes ironed - not a popular thing on MN but I feel slobby otherwise.

You sound nice already, don't fall into the trap of making life harder for yourself!

Oh I forgot the coat. Throw a great coat over everything.

@MrsSkimpole

Watching, OP.

Only I don't see the point of make-up, and never have done. Eyebrows are something that my 17 yr old daughter worries about. Life is far too short for all that nonsense. However, I'm hoping to hear about something that makes me look like a slightly improved version of me, and takes no time or shedloads of money.

However, I'm hoping to hear about something that makes me look like a slightly improved version of me, and takes no time or shedloads of money.

Yet you don't see the point of make up?

I love clothes but I'm not really interested in make up or grooming so it's quick wins all the way for me, and the best one I know is lipstick. I only took it up a few years ago but it transforms my face in seconds.

I'd wear perfume too if it didn't make me sneeze.

I also spend a lot of time choosing my glasses because I wear them every waking moment.

Good God!

It really doesn’t sound as if you need any doing to yourself at all.

Why must you? Are you unhappy with how you look? Are there new people you’re keen to impress with your appearance rather than your wit, charm, professional expertise, whatever?

I’m probably a little older than you, love clothes, (I mean properly love cutting edge 21st century design and ambition), have a simple daily routine I’m happy with, and used to enjoy the odd facial pre-pandemic. I eat well and try to attend to my health. Buggered if I’m going to devote any more of the time I have left on earth primping and injecting and extracting and …

However. This is S&B so …

A (consistently clever and grown-up-sounding) poster on another thread some time ago said that she now spends more on exercise classes than on clothes. I was hugely impressed. (Have never attended a single exercise class in adult life.)

The only people I know who’ve ‘had their colours done’ tend to be quite staggeringly invisible. I have a feeling that too much ghastly good taste can be a mistake, at any age

I don’t mind making mistakes and occasionally looking a bit . I don’t recommend this - but I do always feel a little sorry for women of my generation who either ‘already have enough clothes’ or who ‘know what they like and have no interest in ridiculous ‘fashions’’. So I want to say ‘embrace the new’ - but in design, not newly invented ways to waste women’s time.

I’m like you op - I enjoyed the beauty advent calendar and took up a few of the products

Turning 50.

I spend my 'salon money' on botox, teeth whitening and dealing with greying hair.

I regularly spend some but not a lot of money, and a couple of hours a week on grooming myself: nails, skincare routine, hair removal, tanned/exfoliated/polished body.

A little exercise and a great diet (about 80% vegetables), loads of water, vitamins, infrequent alcohol. As much sleep as I can get.

Hair styling and makeup as needed but not all the time.

The only people I know who’ve ‘had their colours done’ tend to be quite staggeringly invisible. I have a feeling that too much ghastly good taste can be a mistake, at any age

This made me Lol. I don’t know if I know anyone who’s had their colours done but I imagine they shop at The White Company. I had a wardrobe of neutrals but became so bored of it. I prefer a charity shop and a voyage of discovery now. My fashion inspiration comes from Uterque, Essential Antwerp and LF Markey. I’ve also had my below shoulder length hair lobbed off to a short “ above ears” cut that’s going to be a lot of fun.

@LiterallyKnowsBest

However. This is S&B so …

A (consistently clever and grown-up-sounding) poster on another thread some time ago said that she now spends more on exercise classes than on clothes. I was hugely impressed. (Have never attended a single exercise class in adult life.)

The only people I know who’ve ‘had their colours done’ tend to be quite staggeringly invisible. I have a feeling that too much ghastly good taste can be a mistake, at any age

I don’t mind making mistakes and occasionally looking a bit . I don’t recommend this - but I do always feel a little sorry for women of my generation who either ‘already have enough clothes’ or who ‘know what they like and have no interest in ridiculous ‘fashions’’. So I want to say ‘embrace the new’ - but in design, not newly invented ways to waste women’s time.

Well I had my colours done and I dress in really sharp, clear colours and definitely not invisibly! It's money and time very well spent in my opinion. I sail past whole sections in shops (or even whole shops) if the colours are amything muddy or pastel or anything else which makes me look ghastly. You could be wearing the most beautiful or expensive thing but if the colour isn't right on you, it just doesn't look right.

@turnaroundtime and @schmalex

What I'm clearly hoping is that someone will suggest a completely harmless and slightly rejuvenating potion to be ingested once daily.

Other than that, I'm not sure. Miracles? Physio for the face? That kind of thing...

Doesn't sound like you need transforming tbh. But as a very low maintenance 49 year old, one thing thats made a difference to me is having my eyelashes curled and tinted at the same time as having my brows shaped (not threaded or waxed, just a really good going over with tweezers) when I go to get my hair cut.
I buff my nails so they look nice even though they are normally short and use good hand cream several times a day. I don't wear a lot of makeup day to day (usually none until I have a formal video call) but have updated what I wear

Good skincare regime including retinol

Makeup refresh - maybe go to Bobbi Brown for a lesson

Exercise - good for mental health, middle age spread and inner glow

A nod to fashion trends but not slavish in order to keep looking “current”

I'm 56 now and dress very casually
The biggest difference to me is lipstick and Perfume every day, and I have my short hair cut and coloured every six weeks