What is one thing you do...

[ScruffMuffin]

... that makes the most difference to how you look and feel about yourself?

I'm in my 40s and have always been what could be described as 'low maintenance'. I have pretty good skin and just use moisturiser on it; I never wear makeup, but used to wear tinted moisturiser and mascara when I was younger and could be arsed. I have very long, wavy hair that I'm quite proud of. I never use heat on it and don't even like cutting it if I'm honest, so it's waist-length and a bit straggly at the moment.

Also, I hate shopping and have no idea what my style is, so for work it's simple trousers/ jeggings and shirts, the odd long skirt, and usually boots. At home I wear jeans and T shirts. I'm short and overweight. The biggest thing I think I could do to improve my appearance and health is to lose the excess weight, which I'm working on. I'd love to hear any quick and easy tips that work for you though! At the moment, the most stylish thing I do is paint my toenails!!

Ironically, I'm the proud owner of a teenage fashionista. I asked her the same question (what one thing could I change, that would make the most difference) and she replied, "Dress less homeless!" 😂The cheek!! She is now disinherited...!

Edited to fix a typo.

Apply Revitalash serum every single night without fail. The difference it's made to my short, straight eyelashes is phenomenal.

Reading your post my first thought was that you actually sound fairly happy with how you look, but the thread title suggests otherwise. Is there anything specific you’re unhappy with?

@Jewelanemone ooh, my eyelashes are almost non-existent, so that sounds great! Fashionista has had some success with eyelash serum too, so I'm definitely giving it a go.

@BangingOn I'm accepting and realistic of the fact that I'm neither attractive nor unattractive, and a bit unusual-looking because I'm very pale with reddish hair. I'm not happy about being overweight, and I also just want to look a bit more put together. I look much better with contacts rather than glasses, but for various reasons tend to go through phases with both. I like my skin and hair, and my blue-grey eyes. My teeth aren't completely straight despite YEARS of orthodontics, but they're healthy and I have no fillings. I feel like a bit of a scruff because of the big, wavy hair and because I've totally lost my way with fashion.

You sound gorgeous!

Eyelash serum def
teeth whitening?
getvabtrim!

buy a new outfit, top to toe. Same but better than what you usually wear

Waist length hair sounds a bit scruffy to be honest. I have long hair myself but it's bra strap length and I have it trimmed regularly. I also have highlights about twice a year to hide the grey roots!
No idea re clothes. I wear smart trousers and jackets to work, leggings and hoodies at home, there's not much in between tbh!
Good eyebrows help. I use Just For Men to dye mine otherwise they're very gingery.

@nzeire gorgeous is definitely going a bit far! 😂
Will get the eyelash serum!
Don't really need teeth whitening, but definitely need a trim. You'll be horrified to learn that I usually do it myself, once every couple of years.

@Spookymormonhelldream the waviness adds to the scruffiness. I definitely need a trim but am dragging my feet over it! I usually chop it from him to bra strap length every two years or so. Currently under 5% grey, so that's good.
Eyebrows... have never touched them. Where to start?! Oddly, mine aren't ginger at all, unlike my hair.

Wanting to feel put together makes sense. Upgraded basics of what you like to wear could be a start, better fabrics and cut.

Groomed eyebrows definitely make a difference, as do curled eyelashes with mascara.

I think your hair sounds magnificent tbh

@BangingOn that sounds very doable. I'm usually skint, but will prioritise getting a few nice items of clothing.

@WeRateSquirrels I'm not pretty, but I'm very proud of my hair. I'll find a pic for you.

Your hair sounds amazing, and I'm equally proud of mine, but it does look better when straggly bits are cut off, it looks thicker, swishier, just more polished all round, so I would go with that if you want to do one thing.

This was taken about 10 months ago. Hair is wavier and nicer now, because I stopped brushing it and started using products! At the time, I had a few purple streaks in it (half washed out).

I would also say, I cut my hair or get my teens to do it, but it does look so much better with the hairdresser trips in between! If you go once or twice a year, it's hardly some crazy amount!

That is good hair!

I am you but 10 years older and with hair 6" shorter. Also owner of a (pre)teen fashionista.

My 2 things are:
1 - Good moisturiser
2 - Weight training

Snapped this just now.

I can get on board with this! I'm going to try harder to lose weight (maybe after Pancake Day), will get the eyelash stuff, ask Fashionista about eyebrows and treat myself to a couple of nicer tops and a well-cut pair of jeans. I'll get a haircut at some point too, but I'll have to work up to it, like.

I think you look pretty.
Put together some co-ordinated set outfits.
Do your nails - clear gives a polished look.
Nice perfume.
Positive inner language
Self care - face masks etc
You sound like a good person

Good luck

I think at this age maintenance is important so facials, massages, regular trims etc.
A nice smile can knock years off.

Being slim

Without a doubt

Thanks @Moonshine5! I'm making a list. I've never been super into fashion or beauty stuff, but have totally lost my way since the early child-rearing years (I now have teenagers). I don't personally rate appearance very much, but the time has come to pay myself a little bit more attention.

I have always loved my hair, and considered it a fair trade-off for having slightly wonky teeth and not being classically pretty.

I have long wavy hair & trim it every 3 months so it looks blunt & healthy.

@coxesorangepippin I agree with you, and am seriously looking forward to it. I'm 5'2" and about a 16 at the moment; was a 10 pre-kids.

You have lovely hair.

@sorestupid I'm quite a smiley person, so that's good. I'm usually told I look nothing like my actual age, but I wonder if that is partly due to being overweight, which plumps up my skin a bit!

@coxesorangepippin I have various health conditions including a genetic joint thing and asthma, that would really benefit from losing the excess weight.

Thank you, @43ontherocksporfavor