Help me update myself

[Fjmb]

I wear the same outfits over and over again - skinny jeans, ankle boots and a top.

My hair is long but with no style.

I do wear make up but it’s a quick 5 minute application each morning.

I could do with doing some exercise and looking at my diet - I’m slim but not toned.

Skin is general 45 year old skin but would be nice to make it a bit more glowy.

I just feel meh in myself.

If you were starting from scratch and had limited time and only around £1000 budget that can be thrown at it immediately, what would you focus on? What are the quick fixes? What are your longer terms routines or things that make you feel good about yourself? What are your wardrobe staples that mean you can just get dressed and look good? I’m looking at this as a 6 month project.

Good haircut, with a recommended salon.

Short term: BB cream, have a fringe cut in, gel/cream blush, set up John Lewis personal style edit/book appointment with personal shopper
Longer term: Exercise - I think this is the single best thing you can do to feel better about yourself

I'd try out a fake fringe before having a fringe cut in. They really don't suit some people at all. I looked really bad with a fake fringe - good colour match, hairdresser trimmed it into shape and I still looked much worse.

Try a new hair cut or colour.
Look at other women roughly your age when you are out and about and try and copy their look if you see any you like.

Hair cut would definitely be first on the list

Get a good haircut. Start collecting images/screenshots of looks/styles you like then book a stylist appointment at John Lewis. Get your eyebrows threaded. Try this mask: www.justmylook.com/elemis-papaya-enzyme-peel-50ml-p13320/s15417?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=elemis-papaya-enzyme-peel-50ml-42670&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8_qRBhCXARIsAE2AtRbXPIjU2oD45_LxxFOyPYABAGFoBPkxtnIpy51ScxeCxB2j7ZtAz7YaAg5HEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agree re hair and particularly exercise - if I swap my bike commute for the train, my face quickly starts to look like a potato.

But I think you can make a pretty big update by changing your jeans and t-shirts for modern shapes, and adding a current pair of trainers. Doesn’t need to cost a fortune and immediately makes you look more relevant without you having to change the day to day look that works for you.

I’d be tempted to order a bunch of stuff to try on and do so with an open mind - it took me a while to get used to a boxier t-shirt, but now anything else looks wrong

@SpongeBobJudgeyPants

Good haircut, with a recommended salon.

Agreed, but something you can style yourself relatively easily or with the right kit

I have a morning and evening skin routine that consists mostly of using various Nivea Q10 products.
I have my hair cut every 7 weeks and do my roots every few weeks.
Wardrobe staples for me are about 7 outfits worth of casual outfits and a couple of going out outfits per season. I can mix and match them and there’s enough clothes not to get bored and not too many to feel overwhelmed.
I recently got into trainers and these have freshened up my wardrobe. I like joggers from Hush.
My recent Spring discovery has been shacket, I’ve bought three and have find these have created lots of new outfits from existing clothes.
I like bags and have a few new cross body bags.
I’m 53.

I think the one thing I have done this year that has made me feel better is a decent skincare routine. Cleanser, exfoliator, toner, tetinoin, hyaluronic ccid serum and moisturiser. You can go cheap on cleanser, exfoliator, toner, moisturiser and SPF. Tretinoin I use dermatica, a tube lasts about 2 months using daily so about £10 a month. And I use decleor antidote serum but there are lots of cheaper good ones. Tretiboin is more long term but your skin will glow early on and fine lines will reduce around 6-9months.

Other things that make a big impact is hair coloured and cut, nails, eyebrows shaped or microbladed, lash extensions, teeth whitening and spray tan.

Haircut
Skincare - I started following Caroline Hions during lockdown which led to me completely changing my routine and my skin looks so much better (late 40s). Try her book or blog for ideas.
Exercise - strength, cardio, flexibility. Figure out what works best for you and reap the benefits for your longer term health.
Clothes - I'm trying to figure this out. I'm starting to follow different stylists etc on Instagram for ideas and inspiration. And the what your wearing today thread on here. After a couple of years of WFH and living in loungewear I'm feeling pretty meh too. But thankfully the shops are full of new season proper clothes!

Quick fixes - gradual tan, teeth whitening, subtle highlights. Hydraluminous foundation, mascara, winged eyeliner and lip gloss.

Long term - strength training (doesn’t have to be a gym - adjustable dumbbells and Caroline Girvan are all you need). Throw in a bit of fun cardio (dancing, walking etc) and stretching. Find healthy foods that you like and eat them 80% of the time.

Clothes - personal choice really. I found my way with Pinterest. Go through pick out everything you like then go back and workout what it is that you like - shape of jeans, colours etc. start trying to create 5 outfits, two bottoms and three tops which could be interchangeable. Try and buy natural materials, wool, cotton, linen etc. Have fun, don’t worry too much about making mistakes, we all do, just try not to make expensive ones!

Clinique city block is lightly glowy or Chanel vitalumiere. A good glowy blusher like orgasm is good or try the Dior one which is similar.

Find a nice lip crayon or lipstick in a colour which suits you but is a bit bolder.

Gel nails. Try different colours and finishes.

New trainers, bag jeans etc. Go into a local boutique or Zara, H&M etc and pick a top or jewellery which stands out and suits you.

I recently cuffed my jeans and started wearing more trainers and things I like and which suit me, dragon sweatshirt from Hush with gold and coloured bits snake dangle earrings.

Don’t be afraid to try something new.

If you don’t want them you do not need spray tan, lash extensions, teeth whitening etc. Try them but if they don’t work or suit you then give up. I was forever being pulled that way by a friend but it’s not me! My dentist is whitening my teeth but subtly.

I have had permanent make up on my lips and eyebrows. Absolute game changer for me.

Find an exercise routine that you enjoy and look forward to. It's the single, best thing you can do for yourself. And get some Botox. No skincare products are as good😀

I agree with exercise - yoga has helped me to feel better and I'm sure I look better from it.
Also, cutting out caffeine has helped to hydrate me and my skin.

Get a hair style if you dont have one. Try a long bob?

Thank you all for your hints! Today is hair cut day. I’m quite nervous because I just don’t know what style would suit me. I’ll probably not have a major restyle at the moment, I’m going to treat this appointment as a pre restyle appointment and talk it through with the hairdresser.

I need to be able to style whatever I have done quickly and easily and my hair’s quite thick with a mind of its own.

I’ve also joined the gym with a personal trainer since I posted this. I’m due my first session tomorrow morning - eekk

Best of luck! I agree with the above, exercise, haircut, new jeans (not skinny) and you'll be well on your way

What style of jeans do people wear?

@savvy7

Short term: BB cream, have a fringe cut in, gel/cream blush, set up John Lewis personal style edit/book appointment with personal shopper Longer term: Exercise - I think this is the single best thing you can do to feel better about yourself

What's BB cream please?

@Fjmb I like the 'girlfriend' jeans from Boden. On sale at the mo too

@LouB76 it's a kind of light foundation

Place marking as interested in the advice