Upkeep- how to look out together, beauty wise

[decafforme]

Baby no2 is due to arrive any day and I I've been thinking about my current beauty regime and changing it up now the new year is upon us.

Currently it goes something like: I scrub up ok when I do my hair & makeup. I say I'd wear makeup maybe 5 out of 7 days of the week. Hair wise, it's naturally very straight, mid length and I am very bad and getting it cut regularly and tend to box dye it. I also don't do much with it, it's down/ in a pony, sometimes curled if going out.

I'm bad with skincare also, I go through phases of being better but generally wash, sometimes moisturise and do the very odd face mask now and again. I whiten my teeth sporadically, do at home gel nails when I can be bothered . I only weaR fake tan if I've got some kind of occasion like a wedding so extremely rare although I'd love to look bronzed, I'm very pale and I don't have any beauty treatMents done.

I really want to make more of an effort and look more 'done' even if I haven't actually bothered but with having two small dc and finding the upkeep of tReatments costing a lot of money I never seem to get around to it.

First thing is to get my hair cut and coloured properly. Im wondering what are some peoples minimums, should I get eyebrows and eyelashes done so I at least look a bit more put together on no makeup days? I'd love to hear others regular treatments etc and see what I could maybe do.

I am in my 40s and fairly average looking but tend to look nice most days. I am not into having my nails done, fake tan etc (although I am also really pale). Used to hate my skin colour when younger but embraced it now and look much better for it. Pale skin is beautiful too.
My basics are simple skincare routine (do this while watching tv in evenings), style hair (curly, so quick scrunch required) and natural make up. Make up is concealer, touch of blusher, slight bit of brown eyeliner on top lash line, bit of powder and some lipgloss. If going out I will add mascara and maybe some foundation and lipstick instead of gloss. I get my eyebrows microbladd which saves a lot of time and hassle.
Clothes wise, capsule wardrobe where everything goes together is a stress free way of making sure I look nice and put together.

Oh and hair, I get cut regularly and atm have balayage which just needs topping up 1-2 times a year max

Actually I think if you’ve got kids salon treatments are the way to go because you have an appointment time to stick to.

If you book in 4 weekly for brow treatments, nails and a facial you’ll look better and have less to do to look nice at home. Chuck in an eyelash perm if you can.

I’m super glamorous but certainly wasn’t when I had small kids!

My tips would be to get your blunt friend over. Tell her to tell you. Def her eyebrows done. Always wear some Type of make up. Presume you’ll be seen out. Never wear leggings. Do not wear tunics. Make sure your coats look good

@Ohmycron

I’m super glamorous but certainly wasn’t when I had small kids!

My tips would be to get your blunt friend over. Tell her to tell you. Def her eyebrows done. Always wear some Type of make up. Presume you’ll be seen out. Never wear leggings. Do not wear tunics. Make sure your coats look good

This is sound advice!

Thank you! That’s sweet.
I also always plan my outfits the day before. However looking back at my postnatal photos years ago, I certainly should have made my hair more chic by having in a simple style had my eyebrows done.
I like a strong red lipstick but it’s not for everybody.
In winter a cool coat covers up most. Also do not use a horrid baby change bag. Please.

I think work out a budget and how much time you have to dedicate to it.

You could also try a few things to see what makes the biggest difference to how you feel.

For me having my eyebrows threaded and tinted makes a massive difference and is pretty quick and one of the cheaper treatments. Having my eyelashes tinted and lifted looks great but it takes an hour or so and is more expensive so I can’t always be bothered! Likewise gel nails - I do like doing them but there’s a fair bit of upkeep needed with regular appointments.

Hair cut and colour is probably a good start as hair often makes a big difference to how you feel doesn’t it.

But you don’t need to spend money on having your hair coloured unless you want to colour grey. I don’t understand why young women colour their hair

@Ohmycron

But you don’t need to spend money on having your hair coloured unless you want to colour grey. I don’t understand why young women colour their hair

Because they want to.

If you book in 4 weekly for brow treatments, nails and a facial you’ll look better and have less to do to look nice at home. Chuck in an eyelash perm if you can.

Wow, that’s high maintenance. I’m regarded as quite glamorous and well put together but I’d never have treatments that regularly. I’m sure it’s nice if you can.

Wear scent.

Brows dyed takes 10 min at home - massive diff. Deep conditioned hair 1 min, leave it on all night. Dove fake tan moisturiser (the dark one) takes all of 2 min to deliver a smooth glow. Scrubbed and moisturised feet is a bore (5 min) but pays off with polished toenails.

@Ohmycron

But you don’t need to spend money on having your hair coloured unless you want to colour grey. I don’t understand why young women colour their hair

Err for the same reason some women choose to wear make up, paint their nails or do any other thing that changes their appearance - because they want to.

@Ohmycron

I’m super glamorous but certainly wasn’t when I had small kids!

My tips would be to get your blunt friend over. Tell her to tell you. Def her eyebrows done. Always wear some Type of make up. Presume you’ll be seen out. Never wear leggings. Do not wear tunics. Make sure your coats look good

Oh god all I wear are tunics and leggings nowerdays but I am a size 16 and have a 2 year old so we always outside or at soft play etc

I never felt good during Mat leave or generally as I'm still carrying a stone too much weight but have been told that I look put together/really glam on the days I've ran into people and have made an effort. What I can gather that made a difference is:

• Doing my hair (very curly 3b/c so a nice style, washed and curly dried, space buns, sleek low bun with edges tidied)
• Mascara, brows on (have black hair but micro bladed and it makes a huge difference. Cost a fortune to get it done by a very skilled woman but well worth it as it lasts me 18 months) - lipstick or gloss.
• I don't wear foundation as naturally clear and even skin luckily, but concealer under eyes as bags! Always a little pop of colour on lips and cheeks also as I can look very monotone due to brown skin tone.
• jewellery every single day to match the particular outfit. I get that from my mum, never a day without a full face or jewellery on! Don't know how she did it with young kids she always looks flawless and amazing
• I also think the thing that will help me is getting to a nice goal weight. I don't want to be skinny like when I was young as it didn't suit me, but I do want to be healthy and toned big 10/small 12. Currently a 14 or very big 12

Also I without fail get my nails done 3/4 weekly.

And if you can't afford nail salon prices deffo do them yourself! I used to do mine really well but decided to go to a salon after Dc as it's me time