Major overhaul needed but I don’t know how

[Undisclosedlocation]

I have a VERY outdoorsy lifestyle and work with animals. I am therefore mostly to be found covered with hair, a bit muddy and unkempt and in baggy clothes bought purely for their practicality. Im bereft of any makeup, a skincare regime or even sun cream 99.9% of the time.
It’s getting me down. I’m now mid 50s and looking dangerously like a bag lady. While I’ve never been glamorous in any way, when younger I could sort of get away with it but not any more…..

I need:

1. capsule of really practical clothes that are at least semi stylish - if that exists?
2. some idea of what to wear to create another capsule for non animal related time
3. skincare and grooming which are easy to keep up with, I’m totally clueless about what I should buy or do.
4. makeup which will help me feel better about myself but won’t look ‘all done up’ and out of place in a field

if anyone has any advice for me, I’d be very grateful

Hiya, I would recommend the following.
capsule of really practical clothes that are at least semi stylish - if that exists? I would recommend only buying clothes in a couple of colours like Navy, Cream, Black and build up a capsule of clothes that match. No floral patterns just plain or stripes. A couple of pairs of flattering jeans that fit nicely. Fitted clothes nothing too big and baggy.

• some idea of what to wear to create another capsule for non animal related time. Same as above, some plain shirts in luxurious fabric, fitted trousers/jeans. Push up sleeves to show wrists, undone a couple of buttons, flattering neckline, blazers, jackets, belts, earrings, nice chain/necklace. Ankle boots/trainers.

• skincare and grooming which are easy to keep up with, I’m totally clueless about what I should buy or do. Face wash and moisturiser am & pm. Get a low maintenance haircut, blow dry/straighten and then dry shampoo for a few days in between.
• makeup which will help me feel better about myself but won’t look ‘all done up’ and out of place in a field. Five minutes for some tinted moisturiser, bit of concealer under eyes. Eyeshadow neutral over eyelid and darker smudge along upper lash line and blend. Mascara always. Blusher on apples of cheeks in a soft pinky shade and similar shade lip crayon.
Makeup and haircut regularly makes a huge difference. Good luck Op

I like the pp's suggestions, but I would maybe add in a serum and / or eye cream for your skincare regime. I love The Ordinary. Some people don't get on with it, but I love it.

For make up, I just use a colour correcting primer, eye blur stuff, concealer, a teeny bit of benetint as blusher and powder over the top. I get my lashes and brows tinted as they're very blonde. Then maybe lip gloss if I remember.

For #3, I have found this to be the answer for me www.skinandme.com plus SPF50 every day (even in winter, important if you are outdoors lots!) DM me if you’d like a discount code and I can send you one

For your #4, you could try this tutorial here: beautyandtheboutique.com/blogs/news/minimum-makeup-maximum-results with recommendations for basic products

I was going to suggest vinted. I've found it's made me look more thought about, because I can search through reems of stuff for exactly what I'm after. I search for things that are new with tags and new without. And by brand.

I see what the first post means about white black navy but I couldn't deal with that as I like colour. I do try to get colours that go together slightly more now though!

For the basic skincare, what is your main concern/focus? That dictates the serum stage.

Must use face wash AM and PM (I like cerave), moisturiser AM with sunscreen, PM without. Can also get daytime moisturizer with sunscreen and some foundation in it.

Serum goes between face wash and moisturizer. If skin looking dull - vit C in am, if wrinkles are main concern - retinol at night... Other options depending on main concern.

I’d start with a couple of pairs of jeans that fit really well plus some thin knit jumpers. A practical coat and then maybe a wool or faux fur one. A pair of boots that works with both pairs of jeans.

A lipstick.

For skin, just a face wash and a light moisturiser to begin with.

Following. I’m mid thirties but basically exactly the same as you @Undisclosedlocation ! But have 2 young babies so feel very frumpy . I’ve been thinking about acai trousers and am desperately searching for a nice pair of ankle paddock boots that can sort of double with jeans etc. I like the shirt and jeans look so would second this altho they need to fit well and that’s what I struggle with.

Some lovely suggestions so far, thank you. To answer the skincare question, I think my skin is starting to look a bit tired, especially under the eyes. Amazingly for someone who has almost never moisturised (and who only washes face with cold water😂) and is mid 50s, wrinkles aren’t actually too bad. improving them would be a bonus of course.

I do think the problem of smartening up is probably bigger than you lot think though…..jeans would be ‘dressing up for best’ currently! I was about to dismiss the idea on practicality grounds (not warm enough, stay wet for ages if it rains etc) but actually, I think it’s mostly a mindset/rut I’ve got into and I should try it and see. Realistically I can dodge the weather and schedule around it a lot of the time, so there really isn’t any need to dress for a major storm EVERY day!

Biggest impact you can make is eyebrows. Go to a brow bar threading place and get them tidied up.
Wear spf50 everyday and a glowy serum like beauty pie primer.

Boots do a Protect and Perfect set which has day and night cream, serum, eye cream etc. I think it's pretty good and it lasts well. If you get a matching set like that, everything will work well together. In summer you would also need an SPF. Hair doesn't need to be fancy but does need to be clean and brushed. Makeup can be a tinted moisturiser, a bit of mascara, a neutral lipstick and a touch of cream blush. I wouldn't bother with eyeshadow and concealer yet. Having eyebrows done professionally can make a big difference.

Clothes won't work if they are impractical for your everyday, so maybe buy nicer versions of what you wear now that works and is comfortable to work in, and in colours that co-ordinate. Keeping things clean helps. For example I regularly scrub wellies caked in mud and wash outdoor coats that are muddy, my DH can't see the point because they'll only get dirty again but somehow it's depressing to put on wellies that are caked in weeks and weeks worth of old mud, and coats the same. You could invest in nice hats and scarves with some colour or detailing, they can be a bit more special because they don't get wrecked like footwear and coats do. Keeping clothes and hair clean is the foundation to looking and feeling better and it's easy to do - it just requires a bit of effort.

For non working clothes, identify what you are drawn to (trousers/jumpers/sweatshirts/shirts/blouses/tunics/trainers/ankle boots) and again, buy nicer versions of the styles you feel comfortable in and keep them clean and laundered. If you are a joggers and jumper person, buy nicer joggers and jumpers and add some accessories. A good necklace/bangle/earrings in a plain metal would go with everything, no need to have co-ordinating coloured jewellery for every different outfit. Keep it simple.

Maybe you just need new versions of what you currently wear? Jeans aren't practical if you're outside with dogs / horses whatever the animals are, they're cold, they don't dry if they get wet, they stain, and they're a pain to get washed and dried. What do you wear at the mo? New joggers or thick lined leggings rather than thin baggy ones? Then a chunky knit jumper in a bright colour? Adding a scarf?

Basic moisturiser, separate spf. That's all I do most days. Tinted moisturiser for office days.

Maybe you just need to buy more expensive better fitting versions of what you wear now?
So get proper outdoor technical trousers or work trousers from an outdoor shop, a farm supplier or a work clothes place - the kind that sells steel capped boots, fluorescent vests and overalls.Or just buy overalls (boilersuits?) and wear over new leggings/jeggings and jumpers.
Then for non work stuff, how do you feel about dresses? Dresses are good for those of us who hate trying to look smart because you only need to think about 1 item - add thick tights in winter and maybe a cardigan with a belt over the top. Jumper dresses are good in cold weather.

i am slightly more advanced than you in style terms, but only just. the things i found helpful were -

1. going to a couple of shops i liked and asking an assistant who looked bored and slightly younger/more stylish than me to help choose some clothes
2. went to a style session that told me which colour clothes would suit me.
3. buying some variety packs of very cheap lipstick so i could work out what colour suits me.

A retainer like Mountain Warehouse may be a good place to start for clothes. Frequent sales on and very good value anyway, plus some of their ranges could easily double up for both your outdoors life and other times. Agree that sticking to 2/3 plain colours, all of which complement each other, is a good idea.
If you're not used to wearing makeup, you may find you just don't like the feel of it. I'm your age and used to wear more when younger, whereas now all I can "tolerate" is high-SPF sunscreen, a little concealer for darkness under the eyes or blemishes, a touch of face powder, mascara on upper lashes and lip balm, and most days all I use is the sunscreen. I'd be wary of any expensive brands to begin with as they're often no better and, until you find what you like, could be a waste of money.
Overall, I'd suggest taking things very slowly, just buying the odd garment here and there and trusting your instincts as to how anything new makes you feel and whether it fits into what sounds like a very active, outdoors lifestyle.
Good luck!

Ingredients not products wrt skincare.

A cleanser- cheap as you like. It goes down the plughole after 60 seconds. Whatever it's got in it isn't going to take 10 years off.

On the days you wear make up, take that off first. Double cleanse.

Hydrate- again, as cheap or as expensive as you like as long as it does the job. Choose one for your skin type. I love Lancome Hydra Zen. Is it any better than the £4.99 Nivea Q10? Nope.

Spf50 daily. (in your case this is a case of better late than never)

Vitamin C serum in the morning. 15% L-Ascorbic or more is the best. There are a million "vitamin C" creams and serums on the shelves. Unless they tell you the % it's unlikely to be enough to do anything much, though a bit is better than nothing.

A retinol/vitamin A in the evening. Start slowly. Again careful with % and type of retinol. Granactive can be marketed as 1% but needs to be divided by 10 to give you the actual active potential. It's a good entry level though and less likely to cause irritation.

For clothes, the nicest I feel is when I've got a long coat on (not a padded eiderdown one, that's when I feel like a sofa)

I echo what others have said about getting your eyebrows properly shaped and tidied at a good brow bar. Then I would suggest also getting your lashes tinted. This will your eyes look much more awake even first thing in the morning.

For a very quick, natural looking make-up I would smooth on some Erborian BB cream which gives that perfect your skin but better look and wear a tinted lipbalm. Lisa Eldridge has just brought out some really lovely ones called something like Petal Balm?

have you got a friend who can help? i think a big issue you may have is falling back into your comfort zone....so going shopping for clothes and coming home with a fleece for example

Get your eyebrows done, eyelash tinted if they're light, tinted lip balm like Burt's Bees one (black tube)

Wear good quality outdoor clothes in colours that suit you.

And get a haircut that works with your hair. A good hairdresser will cut it so that it behaves and suits you.

Second a good haircut. Add stylish waterproof hats, maybe corduroy trousers as well as jeans? nice shirts like www.withnothingunderneath.com/products/the-weekend-fine-brushed-burgundy, knitwear from Celtic&co, or if they are too £££ then Uniqlo