Make me a yummy mummy

[caidou]

I really need your help! I am sick of looking like a student and want to look effortlessly groomed and stylish but all my attempts have fallen flat-probably because as well as looking effortless it actually needs to be effortless.

So here it is:
me
I am 27
I have a new baby and a toddler
I am a SAHM (so penniless!)

body
I am size 8 with 32a breasts (32 b at the moment due to breastfeeding)
I don't exercise beyond walking everywhere so am not at all toned, especially my tummy.
I find it nearly impossible to buy trousers (especially jeans) that suit me because I have extrememly skinny legs-not in a good way-think the bony knees of a ten year old boy... I do have hips and a (saggy) bum though.
I am very pale skinned and don't tan

face
I have big round bright blue eyes
My skintone is uneven
I have permanent dark circles under my eyes
I am prone to spots on my chin
I have wrinkles around my eyes and on my forehead
My skin is dry

hair
I have long brown with reddish tones hair
It is straightish but with a kink
It is fine but I have a lot of it
It doesn't really hold a style
It goes very bushy if I don't style it-I can't leave it to dry and wear it down.

routine
I shower every morning and wash hair most days.
Armpits shaved every day
Legs and bikini line done when I think "oh my god!" and there is somone else there to look after children.
Eyebrows used to be everyday but now only when I suddenly realise I have a monobrow
I moisturise face morning and evening but my body probably only once a week(more in summer when flesh is exposed!)
I either leave hair to dry then scrape back in knot or quickly blow dry and scrape back in knot. Very occasionally I straighten it and wear it down.
I apply basic makeup (concealer, foundation, powder, mascara) most days-always if going out.

Basically I want you to tell me what I need to add in to my daily routine-not too time consuming please-I usually have to listen to my baby wailing through it as it is.

I want you to recommend good beauty products and makeup.

And this is where I need the most help because I always seem to get it wrong - I want you to tell me what basic clothes and accessories I need to buy to achieve the look. Give me links if possible because otherwise I am bound to get it wrong again. Also tell me how to stop feeling like I am wearing the same thing every day! Oh and please bear in mind the clothes need to be practical for looking after my children!

As mentioned I don't have much money but I am willing to pay a little more for products if they are worth it, and am willing to spend to get my key items of clothing.

I would get my hair cut if I were you,keep it long so you can scrape it back if desperate but have some layers cut in so it is less bushy.
Bodywise,try Johnsons moisturising shower creme/gel. Does two jobs in one! I also like Nutrishimmer (moisturiser with gradual tanner) which is about £6 in Superdrug or Tesco.It gives a golden glow to your skin and you can get it in Fair if you are pale.
Makeup wise,you sound ok to me.I always use concealer and foundation,and add a bit of shimmer with Boots No7 highlighter.Tesco do a similar thing called Face Lift which is about £6.Then I use blusher,touch of mascara and lipgloss.
Clothes- Good pair of jeans a must.I like a little cardigan and vest with mine and add a chuncky necklace.Accessories are a great way of jazzing up your look imo,especially chunky unusual necklaces and bangles/bracelets.
Best wishes !

Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser is fab with a pale lipstick -- makes me look finished if that makes sense..

My wardrobe for the kids was very simple.. good jeans, t-shirt/cardy and a scarf or chunky necklace.. my secret was to have a limited colour range so everything could be mixed.. I used black white and beige.. but any variety could work.. keeping it simple really worked and too litte thinking time so more time for hair and makeup.

also always have perfume..

Good shoes

I am at work so just some quick points! Firstly, defo go for the Johnsons or St Tropez hint of tan everyday moisturisers to give you a bit of colour. As you said you don't tan so a full on fake tan will look odd but these just give you a bit of oomph (people will wonder why you look nicer but not really know why iykwim!).

Its difficult without seeing you reg hair, I was blonde (dyed) and went brunette and found I wore less make up and generally looked healthier with darker hair as blonde washed me out but it may be that if you changed the tone of your brown you might get a similar effect. Re a style, again without seeing you its hard to say but what about a short style, maybe a blunt edgy bob, poss with a fringe? I can't style hair to save my life but found this was an easy one for me, quicker to dry and styled without having to do anything.

I have dark circles too, bain of my life so I couldnt leave the house without Touche Eclat by Yves Saint Laurent- Quite pricey, about £20 but its liquid gold for me. Lasts about 3 months with every day use.

Creme blusher is good, very natural- No. 7 do a good one and it is nice over slightly tanned skin.

Tinted lig gloss, my fave is MAC's but you can get these all over and would need to find one to suit your skin colour. I go for more natural pinks

Accessories! def invest in a few cotton scarves to be on trend. Top Shop have loads (the "ladder scarf" is a good one), I'll try and find a link if you're interested.

What about skinny jeans? Top shop and River have loads in and if you are size 8 then you would look great in those.

I live in my black polo necks, sometimes worn under a shift dress with opaque tights or just with jeans. Also enjoying wearing my cotton casual waist coat over stripey top for a bit of a nautical look.

And of course, cliche items you need, plain black high heeled boots, good pair of jeans, decent coat.

If I think of anything else in the day i'll post!!

I reckon simple jewellery- I have a chunky chain bracelet that I actually dont bother taking off overnight- so takes no time to put on...Nice coloured scarves I think a an easy way of making more effort. And a nice jacket/coat over whatever you a wearing is the main thing anyone will see anyway, Zara has some good ones right now.

However- I have the same periodic panic over my slobbish so-called look- and it only happens in the winter- spring is nearly sprung, soon youll be out in sandals, toenails on show, bit of sun on your cheeks, easier to get dressed in glam way as only need 1 layer- so who cares, revel in looking crappy, save your money, and let mother nature take care of it all in a couple of months!

At 27 and with skinny legs you could definitely get away with skinny jeans.

Try topshop for jeans, or if you don't want to spend much on something you're not sure about, my fave pair of skinny jeans are from asda and cost £16.

Wear with boots or ballet pumps.

Then add some nice tops. I have this which looks nicer on than it looks in the pic:

top

I wear a long sleeved top under it and people always ask me where I got it from.

or this

I find I always feel better about myself if i have made an effort with my hair. I wash and straighten my hair the night before while my DS is in bed and then it just needs a brush through the next morning.

sorry, I would contradict you on the skinny jeans

even at 27 with skinny legs they will do your bum no favours

yuk no perfume or skinny jeans

good regualre jeans, haircut and a bit of make up

lovely coat hides multitude of sins

agree with necklacew and scarves

nice shoes

basically accessories

Def agree dont do skinny jeans if you have thin legs, you could look like a scarecrow!

I think the easiest ways to look decent are:

good skin (M&S have a good range at the mo)

simple make up, powder, lippie/lip gloss, look at M&S Autograph for nice colours, groomed brows

easy to style, well-cut hair, might be woth having yours cut off (mine is a bit bushy and looks better all cut off, jhst had it done)

smart outer layer, coat/mac/jacket as it's the first thing people see

pretty scarves, just bought a gorgeous one in Oasis in blue/purple with metallic thread running through it which looks fab, has had loads of compliments (like this one but blue)
www.oasis-stores.com/fcp/product//5260001304/Woven-metallic-scarf

and yes good shoes, boots for now and pretty flip flops for summer.

Are you tall caidou?

This is the M&S tange I meant, it has an eye cream/concealer and various things for brighening up tired looking skin
www.marksandspencer.com/gp/browse.html/ref=sc_ca_c_2_63433031_2/202-0051344-1550273?ie=UTF8&node=634 60031&no=63433031&mnSBrand=core&me=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM

oops no forgot that part, I am a mere 5'2!

Skinny jeans a no-no, as I said my legs are not skinny in a good way!

Some good tips so far, keep them coming!