How to look less boring

[mammawho]

Since having my 2 kids, I just feel like I'm somewhat plain and boring looking.

Pre-kids I was a size 6, used to fake tan all the time, do my nails, make up & was fairly fashionable.

Since kids, I'm a size 12, I literally throw mascara on my pale face of a morning, quick straighten of the hair, throw on some clothes and rush to get the kids in the car.

I bought lots of new clothes so now I look somewhat fashionable again but someone took a picture of me the other day and I look SO plain and boring. I can't afford to have my hair dyed so I just do it at home. Thinking of chopping my hair off and going for a Bob so that I look a bit different but how the hell do I look a bit more like my old self and a bit less Mumsy when I have zero time!!! Urg.

Kids are 2 & 5 btw so perhaps another year before I can look after myself?

I’m sure you don’t look boring!
When mine were that young, I just tried to slot in beauty stuff around them.
So when they’re both in the bath at night, cleanse your face and stick a face mask on. Take nail polish off, file nails, dye eyebrows etc.

My two would be in the bath for around a half an hour at that age as they loved playing so easy to keep an eye on them whilst doing skincare stuff.
Then once they’d gone to bed, I’d wash hair and do a quick layer of fake gradual tan say twice a week.
I used to keep my make up in the kitchen! so I could do a bit at a time whilst getting them breakfast. Nice and simple- tinted moisturiser, bronzer as eyeshadow and bronzer, mascara, lip balm and lip pencil. A bit of cream blush if I needed it. Would take minutes and felt like less as I’d do a little bit at a time in between looking after my DDs.
It’s all doable - you just have to come to terms with not having hours of pamper time when they’re that age and slotting it in when you can.
You could also do a deal with your OH to take them out on a weekend morning for an hour or so so you can have a lovely pamper bath - I used to really relish that when mine were really young / peaceful bliss! Then the other weekend morning, he gets a lie in or whatever he wants to do.

Oooh and get face tan oil drops / Primark do a great one - put it in at night over moisturiser and you may not even need tinted moisturiser.

I bet you look nicer now than when you were all dolled up.

I think accessories make a difference to an outfit. Also shoes and jackets can change the look.

@JMAngel1 Thank you so much for the ideas!! I have thought about keeping my make up downstairs before but never got round to doing it. I will definitely be doing that. At the moment I try to get them ready and then by the time I get upstairs I've got about 10 mins to get ready! Great idea!
I actually have tanning drops and I keep forgetting to use them 🙈.

@MolesOnPoles I really wish I did!

@DutchessOfMuck

I've bought some really nice jackets recently which make me look like I've made an effort! Great idea on the jewellery. I have 1 necklace to my name so perhaps it is time to purchase some!!

How about wearing some accessories or play around with mixing and matching the clothes you have? Could you wear your hair half up or side pony tail etc? How about some lip gloss?

I've just had to go back to dark because of the condition, but for a confidence boost I cannot recommend enough - go platinum blonde. Swishy, bright blonde bob. It's an accessory and a statement in itself - it doesn't matter what else you're wearing, your hair is working the look for you.

Man, I miss my hair!

I like to put on jewellery as it makes the most basic outfit that bit more exciting. Matching studs and a necklace with a watch for example. Not the kind of jewellery I need to take off or worry about ruining so silver for example and that I can shower in it. I have rings and some bracelets and necklaces which have lasted years and are such low maintenance. I spruce them up by using jewellery cleaner once a month.