Is it worth getting up earlier to look more presentable?

[LegoTherapy]

I spend a good portion of my day outside in all weathers walking. My hair is long and naturally wavy and frizzy no matter what I do with it. I look windswept daily. Straightened hair doesn’t stay straight for long. My daily make up is light coverage foundation (Loreal true match), powder for my shiny nose, mascara, and beauty pie under eye genius that’s not a genius at all. I have hollows under my eyes that won’t go. I’m fair skinned and have reddish blonde hair and matching eyebrows. Making my eyebrows darker looks weird. I look fucking awful in photos. I’m all eye crinkles and look possessed. I’m not photogenic at all for general snaps taken by anyone passing. I went to a gig that was very hot and sweaty and look awful in all the photos. I’m 48 and a healthy bmi. Is it a matter of taking more time and effort? The gig was a rush job after 2 hours travelling and a day of being outside so was never going to be great. I’ve never worn much make up and feel too obvious wearing it. I do not like the current big brow look but want them to be more present on my face without taking over.
I have good skin with rosy cheeks and a few freckles. Blue eyes.
How can a give my looks a good boost without being too obvious? Do I need to accept I need to get up earlier and make more of an effort?

I understand exactly what you mean. I think I look presentable in the mirror and then see a photo of me and recoil. What is it in the photos that you don’t like? Try and fix those issues. Your hair looks great by the way! I started to invest time and effort into my skincare routine which is paying off now. I use spray fake tan on my face every few days and use erborian cc cream ( the purple tube which is amazing) a little blush and I feel great. I think if you feel confident you will look better as you are relaxed. Perhaps find out which colours suit you too. Be kind to yourself x

Hi OP. I can relate. I look mostly OK and then the photos look awful (particular on holiday when it IS hot and sweaty). I would stay exactly as you are for normal day to day. I make sure I put on lipstick before anyone points a camera at me 😆

I'm very low maintenance so my idea of effort would involve spending more time on shaping my fringe around my face to look swishy.

For under eyes, I use a colour corrector. It's basically orange over my blue circles and works a treat.

Those are pretty much my main concessions, bar the usual bit of cover up and mascara.

Oh and a blusher in the right shade.

I had my colours done which made a big difference, it included makeup so I know what blushers suit me etc.