How not to look like a bag of spanners

[ButtonHouse]

Recently turned 38 and I've realised I need to start putting some effort in to how I look, I seem to look a mixture of old, tired or scruffy at all times.

If you look half decent what are you doing? Is it the clothes? Skincare routine? Please share your wisdom wise mumsnetters.

I'm 5'6 and a size 10. I've started exercising to try and tone things up a little bit but I still never look nice!

Tumbleweed...

Regular skin care routine (not necessarily expensive, just nice and suited to your skin type.
Nice smelling shower oil (gel is too drying I think, soap for armpits and smelly bits)
Good hair cut and use appropriate products for your hair type....ie not just the cheapest available, if you have dry hair get as much moisture into it as possible for example.
With regards to clothes, just start by buying a slightly smarter version of what you are comfortable in and go from there, if you like leggings and t shirts try jeggings in dark colours with a well fitting, thick cotton t shirt in a nice colour that suits you.
Always make sure footwear is clean and fresh looking...no trainers that are falling apart!
If you wear makeup look on YouTube for tutorials, try to find models that look similar to you then give it a go.
Lastly, I always have small silver hoop earrings in and a delicate silver necklace to finish everything off.
Good luck.

Ooh yes jewellery will be a nice easy place to start. I don't wear any at the moment.

Any recommendations for anywhere to buy nice silver hoops? And necklaces? I quite like layered up necklaces but not sure where to get them from.

Fill you mouth with boiled sweets, it 'smooth out' the cheeks. Rather like a hamster - if you're OK with that.

I aim for a small attention to detail for everything. Skin, hair, clothes, jewellary, nails, diet and exercise. That way it's not too much time or effort, but it is constant!

If I let one aspect go for a few days/weeks, hopefully then the other aspects keep me looking half decent. I am naturally scruffy looking and a bit of a cheapskate, so as i get older i do need more maintenance or i'd seriously be like worzle gummage (sp?).

But just one thing to make you look polished? Hair - get it done properly or invest time on Youtube.

I think my hair is my main problem. I've been doing the curly girl stuff for a couple of years. My hair looks amazing on wash day as long as I don't leave the house. The second it experiences any sort of weather it looks shit. I think I might give up and go back to straightening it.

Most of my clothes are good quality, I tend to only by natural fabrics if I can but I've always got away with just buying things because I like them and it still looks ok because everything looks good when your young. But for the last 5 years that doesn't seem to be cutting it. I might need to start buying clothes that suit me.

Thanks for the advice so far!

I agree that having your hair done makes a big difference - when I can be bothered to blowdry it properly it makes me feel so much more put together.

Other things I do regularly are Pilates classes a few times a week, plus a quick 5 minute skincare routine for morning and evening - any longer than that and I would get annoyed with it.

Also taking vitamins - not sure if they actually work but helps me feel like I'm doing something.
Also take care of your teeth with regular dental check ups.

Things I need to work on are keeping my nails looking nice - they are currently scruffy with chipped nail polish. I also need to up my jewellery game I haven't bothered with it for ages.

Another thing I notice is a really nice perfume makes me feel great - find one you love and wear it everyday.

I think the cheapest change to make is to how you see yourself. Maybe you have outgrown your current look and that’s why you think you look in which case of you can get to a branch of John Lewis then try a personal shopping appointment and play around with looks.

My routines:

• skin: use nivea blue tub as cleanser and alternate nights welda skin food, Ordinary retinoid and self tan. Day time: water with flannel and welda skin food
• body: dove self tan 2x week in summer
• nails: clear nail polish 1x week
• exercise: cycle to work (when I can be bothered or decent weather), walk dog 1 hour a day
• food: no meat (fish and veggie), kimchi several times a week
• supplements: vit d, vit c, zinc and magnesium
• make up: everyday
• hair: dye 2x month with henna and use shea moisture shampoo and conditioner fir mh frizzy hair
• sleep: aim for 7 hours
• clothes: still trying!

Lucky you -size 10!! At 5ft 6 that’s pretty slim struggling to get how you look like a bag of spanner’s? 🤔

I just look sort of scruffy and aged I think. Or not put together. Or not sophisticated enough. I'm not sure but I feel like I look rubbish all the time whereas 5 years ago I looked fine without trying. Possibly I'm struggling with getting older but maybe wearing some nice jewellery and perfume will make me feel better.

Thank you everyone for the good advice so far. Going to start making small changes and see if I feel any better about myself :)

38 here too!
I focus on putting together a wardrobe of only clothes I like and this has made consistently feeling more put together very easy.
I also think simplicity is key; nails short but manicured, simple makeup, everyday jewellery etc.
Whilst I don't follow trends all too closely, I think a few 'on trend' pieces to compliment you outfits can reignite your look!

Simplicity for clothes, decent haircut, clean shoes, 1 or 2 pieces of jewellery.

i think French women have this nailed - worth a google on French styling tips.