Help and advice for an ageing slob

[AKnitterofThings]

Slightly rambling post, sorry !
I have always hated clothes and beauty product shopping, I think it comes from being 5ft nothing and always on the plump side and losing my mum at a young age. I am 57 now and seriously overweight. I have let myself go! I have a plan in place for the weight loss and exercise, but I don’t know where to start with the style and beauty? I don’t have any style or any beauty.
I would love some tips on good basic products for skin care, lovely perfumes, good clothes brands etc. I am post menopausal with fairly good skin now, but half the time I just wipe with a damp flannel and that’s it. I don’t do nails, make-up, brows, perfume etc on a regular basis. I have this deep sense of not being good enough for these things and a belief that I am not worth it. But I want to start, yet I don’t know where to start.
It is time for a change in my life. I need some female advice, please be harsh if you feel I need it. I know I need a kick up the butt. I have so much to be grateful for but I want to look after myself now and be proud when I look in the mirror, not ashamed.

You're off to a great start, OP!

The visit to the hairdresser should help a lot. I'm older than you and have always been very self-conscious at the hairdressers but have found a lovely and skilled stylist who knows how to cut my very curly frizzy grey hair and what products to use on it. (Keeping it simple). It looks so much better.

As far as makeup is concerned, I wear lipstick more often than I used to as I look washed out otherwise. You can get something that just enhances your own colouring without looking obvious.

@itsmeagainagain I just wear my good jewellery most days and don't save it for best. I've got some nice pearl and diamond earrings and some sapphire and gold ones.

Go to bravissimo and get yourself fitted for some decent underwear first; it'll make you feel better put together and make your clothes fit better.

Maybe a personal shopper? We tend to stick with what we know and sometimes a new perspective can open up a whole new world of possibilities- I think John Lewis offers this

That's great book a facial too I'm sure a nice cut and blow dry will do you the world of good and you could even ask them to recommend a colour to put on or a tint ? Ask your friends for advice on the bag and clothes or even makeup if they are nice friends they will want to help you ! I love river island bags but that may not be to your taste.

Quick update; I have been to the hairdressers and had a little re-style and am very happy with it. I am taking the time to blow dry it now also. I have a new Clinique lipstick sample which is the perfect nude colour for me and a mini mascara which is fab too. I have walked 10000 steps a day since Monday and stuck to my Fast800 for 3 days. I am having a non fast day today.
Thank you all for your lovely replies and kind suggestions.

Sounds like you are doing really well op.

Some really good ideas on this thread - I think I'll follow some of them myself, especially putting a bit of time aside each evening for self-care. 🙂

Also alongside all of these great tips, I really recommend downloading the app Insight Timer which is free. It has thousands of free short talks and mindfulness exercises you can do each morning or evening to help you feel good. If you do a short one everyday for two weeks I reckon you'll feel much better. Worth a go!

Book yourself into John Lewis, personal shopper. Free. No obligation to buy anything. I used it last week. (Used to go to Debenhams).

Its good that you are feeling better now. Clinique is a good brand for making you feel nice. Which lipstick sample did you get? Just that I like Clinique lipsticks and always go for nude shades.

@citygirl1961 It’s Bare Pop. I am quite pale skinned so it suits me well. I will be buying a full size one now!

I think I've had that shade too. I can also recommend Clinique foundation if you want to try that. It is expensive sort of but lasts a long time. Do you find the fasting diet OK?