I want to be a glossy 4x4 mum

[glossystyle]

I’ve got major envy for those glossy mums who always look effortlessly put-together, the ones who pull up in a gleaming 4x4, wearing an immaculate coat, perfect jeans, and trainers that somehow look fresh and stylish instead of like they’ve been through a muddy football field. Their hair always seems bouncy, their nails are pristine, and they make juggling kids and life look so chic. I know the reality underneath will be different to this perceived polish but I fantasise about gliding around like a glossy mum.

I’m determined to give my wardrobe and look a bit of an upgrade, but I can’t afford to throw money around. I’m obsessed with Vinted, and I’d love some advice on what kind of brands or key pieces I should be looking for to recreate this vibe. Think understated luxury, nothing that screams flashy, just timeless, polished style. I am 42 and would love to dress youthfully but established.

I also feel like there’s some secret to their beauty routines, always glowing skin, neat nails, and perfectly styled hair that looks natural but clearly isn’t. Is this the magic of a Dyson Airwrap and Charlotte Tilbury, or am I missing something?

Basically, how do I create this effortless gloss without bankrupting myself? And is there anyone else out there reinventing themselves via Vinted too? Would love any tips, tricks, or recommendations to help me nail the look! Thank youuuu.

Also the right genes.

I'm a bit old to be really glossy but I've found regular salon blow dries to be a game changer. My local salon does a membership where for not too high a price, you can have as many wash and blow dries as you like. I have 2 a week. I've got very 'difficult' hair and it looks better now than it has ever done before.

I really like vinted for all this stuff - my dcs are older now so I have a bit more time and it's been great to rediscover my style after the primary years of no time for me. I love & other stories & arket on vinted - I've got amazing cashmere jumpers for £15, jeans for £10 and so on. Clothes I could never afford usually. Lots of well fitting jeans and beige cashmere and you'll be polished in no time (I still have messy hair though, I just can't make it look glossy!)

You need to start by marrying a very rich man did you do that?

If not, you may need to start again

Nope, I'm going to be the one in the relationship to make the money. Still hadn't happens yet!

I know the look you mean and it most definitely not me on the school run haha.

A lot of my 'glossy mum' clients have thick hair (wish I had, it makes a huge difference), nice teeth and come to me for botox and profhilo. Rarely filler.

Good bra too. If you look matronly I think it ages you.

What is your colouring? No point taking advice to wear beige if you’re not the right skin tone for it, Those colours are also tricky. I’m an autumn so look good in camel and warm tones but put me in a light grey or a greige and I look like death warmed up.

Leggings and hoodie for a sporty look with sports socks and more chunky sporty trainers. Wear with a puffer coat. Hair thrown into low bun like you’re about to go to the gym.

Don't do this!

Bugger

As my darling dad says, it's not the clothes, it's the hanger!

@NC543210 Does Botox work on jowls? Asking for a friend. 😩

Can I also ask, is there such a thing as being too old for Botox? I was told you had to start getting it fairly young or your body would react badly.

I am very low maintenance but also want the glossy look... what I've found that works (because it's low maintenance):

Do dry curls I.e. wrap your freshly washed hair around a fabric headband before bed - wake up to glossy curls !
Buy your own gel uv set and do your nails in nudes/light pinks
Botox (make up just looks a million times better/face looks fresher)
Wear natural make up
Apply tanning drops to your face each night
Buy a statement coat/scarf from vinted
Wear perfume

I find when I do all of that - I do feel the best version of myself - and with little effort !

We have like one of these in my daughter’s class. Nobody else can be arsed.

she washes and styles her hair a few times a week but obviously gets up earlier than me to apply make up. Not too much. Just a base, blush, brows and mascara.

her clothes are all tailored, even her jeans so they fit perfectly. They could be from primark for all I know but the tailoring means they look expensive.

she has money, so only wears branded shoes like real uggs, but also some cheaper items like new balance and adidas trainers. Along with very expensive items, but some H&M and the like thrown in.

her nails are shellac every couple of weeks so always done.

she wears the right clothes for her figure. Perfect hourglass so shows off her tiny waist with cropped t shirts or belted coat.

understated accessories if any. think small gold hoop earrings, her wedding rings and an Apple Watch (latest model) at most.

small designer handbag. Big designer sunglasses.

I disagree with the Botox/ filler type suggestions. I think better without.

You can have a shiny 4x4, expensive clothes and makeup and have amazing hair but ultimately it's being slim and attractive. There will be mums in old gym clothes and old cars but because they are slim and attractive, they too will look amazing. Follow some style pages on instagram and look for key pieces. Don't get suckered into buying everything though, especially expensive beauty products. Minimising stress, plenty of sleep and hydration will go a long long way to start.

I struggle with this because I'm short - everything I buy fits horribly and makes me look more like a child dressing up! My hair also has permanent flyaways despite being thick which seems to be cited as a positive attribute. I've also only ever had my nails done once for my wedding. Don't think I could ever be glam!

Honestly just buy casual clothing - joggers, jeans, plain knits, from M&S. Wash them well and pair with simple accessories.

My secret beauty hacks are these:

• Mermade infared hair wand
• Mac serumiser primer (use over moisturiser)
• Almond oil as makeup remover
• a neutral lip liner (mine is MAC Subculture)
• eyebrow pencil with brush (also MAC)
• Opi nail envy
• Fox tan gradual fake tanner

An amazing hairdresser who I see once a month, and an eyelash perm every 6 weeks. Also try and stay in shape and eat/drink well. Not easy with toddler in tow! But try 🫠

Also love a vintage designer handbag; and a good coat. Always a good coat. Not the huge puffer style but a smart coat always looks good over casual outfits or smart ones!

I wouldn’t bother with vinted if you aren’t sure what to buy because you need it to fit you well and last. Better off selling everything you own now on there and then I’d spend a few hundred on decent basics from M&S until you find your style and what works for you and can choose more comfortably.

Putting my hand up....

Haircut and roots every 6 weeks
Natural highlights alternate trips to hairdresser
Pedicure every four weeks
Manicure fortnightly- not gel and natural only
Drink water+++
Get sweaty every day
Fresh air
Pilates every week
Trip to all day spa every 2 months
Lots of fruit and veg
Prescription retinol and good skin routine
Daily SPF
Regular holidays- 4x per year (ski, two foreign, one in UK)
Fulfilling job (earn more than my husband)
Truly dual-parent
Happy kids- fortunately doing well in school
Lots of friends and happy social life (of my own and as a couple)
Support- cleaner, gardener, PA, secretary

Quality basics work and casual wardrobe- natural fabrics only (cashmere, wool, silk, cotton)
Rarely wear prints
Layer neutral basics
The dry cleaner and cobbler know my name
Quality jewellery some bespoke made by local jeweller
Nothing with a brand name ever

4X4 every 4 years.

Sadly a size 14 but working on it!

And an appreciation I am very fortunate

@ArianaGrandSlay This is The Glossy Oracle!!!!! Thank you

sounds utterly dull, much rather be friends with a scruffy but interesting mum tbh

I am not a glossy 4x4 driver but some things I have noticed :

I have been on cruises where the women with money tend to be thin/thinner regardless of age . Especially enviable small waists
This is where I need to work harder , I used to be very thin but didn't appreciate it , my waist is a distant memory now .

Hair - even if it isn;t glossy and Dyson-ed to within an inch of it's life they don't have patchy or crazy colour . My hair has a fair % of grey but I decided to go back to dye , only a toner though which gives me a wash of colour and no roots regrowth. After years of saying "No I;m not dyeing it I'm going grey gracefully" I though "Pah, sod it" about 5 months ago .

Luckily I have inherited good genes so not thinking about Botox or fillers . My face does look better with brows so I do need to keep up with them

Patterns look their price . Look at a very £££ patterned clothing item and see the attention to detail where they line up .
One look I really like (which again I noticed on Cruise Ships ) is a top/bottom in a plain+pattern and the plain item being the same as one colour picked out of the patttern.

I don;t wear make-up at work and I wear a uniform so no need to worry there .
New Years Resolution needs to be "think more about clothes"

Get a grip. Who wants to be one of these 'glossy mums' as you call it. The sort of idiots who can't even drive the big cars they have. Can't even see past the lip fillers. The personality that matches the clean trendy trainers. Boring (a word I hate to use) . Don't be fake just be you.
Or should I say don't try be something your not.

Invest in good skin care - fu*k the rest

I know the type of school mum you mean - don’t try to be them. Be you and be confident and that will give you the look we are all craving x