I've got a week....tips?

[HyggeandTea]

In just over a week I am going to my first ever black tie ball. I am 48, about a stone too heavy, very fine mousy hair and usual peri-menopausal skin etc. My date is 32, tall, dark, and very handsome. (I have a great personality! 😁)

I have a lovely dress...Cadbury's purple, Grecian style (long, one sleeved, drapes beautifully). I am thinking of wearing my hold you all in knickers and some sort of strapless bra. I may have to take a fan as the weather is due to be hot and I have my own flashes of internal heating 🙄

I have silver heels and a silver handbag, and lovely earrings. All from Vinted, I'm on a heck of a low budget.

I have ordered some Dove gradual tan mousse moisturising stuff (recommended by Stacey Solomon on Instagram) which is arriving tomorrow. My exposed arm is pale and rather flabby, so I was hoping that might help disguise this!

Any tips on how to look gorgeous, feel gorgeous, or survive the night...dressing up fine hair, sorting out menopausal skin, makeup for brunettes in a purple dress who are approaching 50 (I have a Nigella Lawson like figure but without the height or budget and smaller breasts!). Anything at all.

Thank you x

My tip is to have a three colour theme.
Two can look a bit blocky and is hard to wear.

So you have your purple and silver, maybe a red lipstick and nails? pink would do too, but a strong one not pale.

Fine hair, a thickening/building dry shampoo. Great for up-do"s, hair easier to model/clip/quiff.

Wash your hair the day before rather than on the day, if it gets flyaway after washing.

Honestly? My best tip is a stiff drink before you go, along with favourite perfume. Your dress sounds amazing and I’m sure you will look fabulous - wear some long earrings with hair up and a massive smile. Have a fantastic time. (If you and said date are romantically involved that post orgasm glow is also great…just a thought)

Thanks 🙂

I hadn't thought of blocky! Okay, different nails and lipstick.

If I don't wash my hair every day it looks really greasy...I'm not sure how to make it stay up either...the hair clips slide out.

(Yes, we are romantically involved, and he says I look gorgeous regardless, but I just want to look the best I can for me too!)

You said you’re very happy with your personality, I would focus on that. You love your dress so you’ll feel confident. Focus on things that will make you feel happy and confident, get dressed, then go and don’t look in the mirror, concentrate on your date and the food, wine company.

Dry hair shampoo is good for giving volume on the roots after blow drying

Batiste followed by Ellnet hairspray

Good accessories earrings, necklace good strong lippie colour, tons of mascara

Just enjoy yourself and you'll look amazing no matter what

Great advice above.
No fly away hair just use Batiste and hairspray for a messy up do (see you tube \pinterest).
And smile. Have fun 😄🌷

Not sure if you do already but start drinking a lot of water, you’ll be shocked at the difference in just a few days.

Get your eyebrows threaded it’s a cheap fix that has wow factor

Plenty of sleep

Not sure of your skincare routine but I’d do an AHA BHA peel the night before.

If you wear glasses get them washed in some soapy water before the event, do the same with your rings and earrings if they’re diamonds and gold so they sparkle

Take your phone out of its case if it’s a bit grubby or middle aged, give it a good polish too.

Do a hand scrub a few of the evenings before and then moisturise after.

If you’re self tanning be careful it’s a very fine line between glowing and streaking so exfoliate parts you’ll be covering. Follow the instructions to the letter!

Enjoy!

Sounds gorgeous OP!

Hair, nails and perfume. Confidence boosting, simple and classic. Also maybe some classic but statement silver earrings.

Have a lovely time

Thank you all.

That is pretty much the dress (with the one sleeve), just a little more flowing.

Any tips for a strapless bra...are those sticky things any good?

Also, 3/4 natural looking false eyelashes..never tried but recommended at work. Thoughts?

Can you get your hair blow dried ?
That always makes me feel good. Provided it's done how I like it.

Dry shampoo, wear your hair in a twisty bun overnight before, back comb roots carefully so not visible and lots of hairspray. I'd go for an up hairstyle as you can get it in place with the illusion of some volume and not worry about it goin flat as the night goes on. Definitely some fake tan helps to feel slimmer. Good luck!

Pay for a blow dry or updo the rest can be done diy