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.

Take a look at soaps for little suds hair products.

Have eyebrows waxed and tinted, same for eyelashes - tint and lift.

A good basic level of daily make up, the ability to tweak it up a level for going out, good skincare, tidy nails and slightly more tailored clothing. And a decent pair of go everywhere boots (winter) and shoes/ neat trainers for summer.

Make one thing your thing whether that be a chunky necklace, funky scarf or a slash of bright lippy.

And a decent bra!

I don't think you necessarily have to be slim to look good although it helps. But having a glow from looking healthy is really attractive & with good skin & hair you have a great base.

Your hair is gorgeous.
It looks so vibrant.

All going on the list, @Ilovemyshed! Luckily, I got a bra intervention here a decade ago, and have instructed my DDs in sizing themselves correctly too. That instantly removed pounds (or appeared to, at least). I like nice ones in different colours, especially pink and purple.

Thank you, @Ancientdecs. It's completely natural, except the subtle purple streaks in the first pic. I haven't used a hairdryer in 30 years, and straightening would be top of my list of things to never do. It was only about a year ago that I worked out it's very wavy. I completely stopped brushing it (just comb through with a wide-toothed comb every three days or so, when it has conditioner on it) and started using a pretty expensive hair primer and then curly hair mousse.

My mum has always said long hair is ageing. Because I still (mostly) have the colour I was born with and it's in good condition, I disagree with her. I'm 46.

Wear clothes that make you feel happy

@Princessfluffy the item I love the most is a pair of black dungarees with rainbow-coloured geckos all over them. Everyone at work loves them too. Unfortunately, they are the item that my DD was referring to when she told me I should "dress less homeless"!!! 😂So far, I haven't paid any attention to her!

Botox. It's a game changer.

You look beautiful from what I can see on the photos!

For me I wear a day cream everyday, even if I don't wear make up. The Revolution miracle cream is around £10 and a perfect dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury version (££).

I get my eyelashes done every fortnight but this is maintenance and a bit of a faff so not for everyone.

Having my eyebrows microbladed made such a difference to my face, with our without make up, you don't realise how much your brows frame your face so when they're permanently done, they make a massive difference.

Even if I'm nipping to the shops in my scruffs I wear a nice well fitted coat, I buy all of my clothes from Vinted so I can chop and change colours and styles, but it finishes an outfit off nicely!

Oh my goodness..
you are just gorgeous as you are!

Make up for me. I look so much better in it. It looks natural but polished. I’m naturally pale too.
Being slim makes a huge difference to how your clothes hang etc, teeth whitening and making sure clothes fit well.

You do have absolutely beautiful hair and colouring.

I've also had my eyebrows microbladed. Total game changer. Mine look so natural but just better.

I'm shit at this but I think if you are losing weight, to tone up at the same time is a good idea.

edited for typo

Tone up, that should say!

edited for typo

Your hair is fantastic!

Steer clear of the colour streaks and let its natural beauty shine through. Maybe find a shine product that would give it a sheen? I'd give it a little trim twice a year to keep split ends in check. You could do the 'wolf' cut yourself and if you only cut off an inch or so you'd end up with long layers and your face gently framed.

Maybe find a coral lipstick with a blue base?

Other than that, perfume.

You're hair is absolutely stunning ! 🤩 I disagree with a pp as I don't think waist length hair is scruffy , I know loads of women who have extensions to get that extra length , I also don't believe you shouldn't have longer hair purely because you're older.

Please would you share the exact products you use on your gorgeous hair? I have long wavy hair and am looking for the holy grail of embracing the wave. I'm a year older than you and looking drab so your post is great to read.

I think you have a lovely happy outlook that radiates through your posts and I imagine in real life it does too.

What sort of clothes do your colleagues wear?

If I had your hair I'd go for boho rather than cute prints.

For me the best thing has been better clothes. I now have what I've seen referred to on Social Media as a capsule wardrobe or 'personal uniform' of 'elevated basics'.

I'm also short and a size 16/18 so I do feel your pain on getting 'nice' clothes. I worked out my body shape (I'm an hour glass shape with small boobs) then looked at advice online for what works with that.

I stick to fitted tops, wide leg trousers/jeans and fit and flare dresses. I don't dress super smart (I WFH) but I know everything goes with everything in my wardrobe and I look a bit more 'put together' when I do get dressed.

I also have curly hair and TBH if you get a bit chopped off your hair and some layers cut in it, then you can make your curls a lot more bouncy.

Oh you ARE beautiful!!!!

I read somewhere that eyelash serum can alter the colour of your eyes, which is why I've been hesitant to use it.

Does anyone know whether that's just a myth?

I wish I was half as gorgeous as you :)

For me, the best thing I did, second to losing the excess weight , was get the eyebrows shaped and tinted. Makes a huge difference for very little money - £18 every 4 to 6 weeks

Oh and now Im officially old, I make sure I keep up with moisturiser - day and night

Ive also always done my nails, and kept them looking good. I dont do chips or worn nail varnish. They might not always be long and perfectly shaped, but my nails are always tip top

As for clothes, you can only wear what you yourself are comfortable in else you wont wear them, they will wear you. Just make sure they fit, not too tight, not lose and you will feel a million dollars and confidence will just ooze

Your hair is amazing. Look after it better and trim it when needed.

Like an earlier poster suggested; treat yourself to upgraded high-quality versions of the basic apparel you feel comfortable wearing.

SPF and oily fish

You are all so kind.

I wasn't fishing for compliments when I started this thread. I'm really not gorgeous - more plump and plain. I'm not enormously confident, have slightly wonky teeth, a nose shaped like a potato, and am 4 stone overweight. Yes, I have good hair and skin, but I've never bothered with (or felt I was worth bothering with) most style and beauty regimes. I've never touched my eyebrows, straightened my hair, covered any greys (and I do have a few!), used fancy face creams, learned how to do makeup. Anyway, I'm not getting any younger, and feel like making a few positive changes! So I've ordered the nice day cream and a £15 version of the lash stuff. I'm about to go and paint my nails with clear varnish, and will ask Fashionista to help me with my eyebrows.

Hair: I wash it about every three days, with an Oreo-sized amount of shampoo and a LOT of conditioner. I change them around, but tend to buy whatever's on special offer in Tesco. I comb through with a wide-toothed comb while it has conditioner on it, wash 90% of the conditioner off, squeeze the water out and then apply this (a tube lasts me two months), followed by whatever curly hair mousse is on offer - this week it's VO5. Then I just go about my day while it dries. That takes anything from an hour in the summer, to eight hours in the winter!

I work in a school, but unusually, there is no dress code! Due to the nature of my work, there's no point in wearing anything beautiful. I often get covered in paint, clay, blackcurrant squash and whatever else the little darlings decide to throw at us (SEN unit)! My colleagues mostly wear jeans and T shirts, but I can't quite break the habit of a lifetime, so tend to wear trousers and a shirt.