How to look “polished”

[Turdissimo]

Some folk seem to look good all the time. Why is this? Do you think they always feel good too or would they look good even on a bad day?

Do you have to be thin (or at least not v overweight) for the look (whatever the look is) to work?

Can you wear cheap clothes / accessories if they are classic styles etc?

Can you be casual and polished at the same time?

PS would add I have tried to copy styling gurus etc on YouTube and just ended up buying items which didn’t suit me or feel like me.

Bemused. I want to look more put together..

I have v small hands and nails but even if they’re not painted they are manicured

I’d either wear a camisole underneath if the weather was warmer or more likely now a cashmere tank top over the top. That way you’d see the collar and the sleeves.

Dior Nail glow is most certainly a nail polish and clear nail polish is not allowed for infection control. You can buff your nails instead to shine.

Agree - it is a nail polish and it isn't permitted.

My local salon does something called a Japanese manicure, which is basically a form of buffing the nails with several different coats of beeswax and some other things. I had it done after I had a botched gel job and removal when I wanted to give my nails a chance to recover. It grows out with your nails but is very subtle so it's not a big deal. I had two, about 3 weeks apart, and it was great. I do them periodically if I'm doing lots of stuff with my hands, particularly hosting and cooking when polish would chip (as I won't ever do gels again).

https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/japanese-manicure

I agree. Nails are one of those tiny details but it's noticeable on others you are in close proximity to.... particularly if they are chipped, bitten, dirty or overly grown out gels/acrylics.

I never, ever wear nail varnish on my fingernails but I do keep my nails short(ish), buffed and neat. I use hand cream and cuticle oil when sat in front of the TV in the evenings. This way they are much easier to maintain than having false nails. I do get gel pedicures in the summer when my feet are more likely to be on show.

@Whosthetabbynow
Thanks. Very understated, I like them.

To complete the “Polished” look, I think you need to have great teeth, it’s a make or break imo

Sadly, camel does not suit me at all, but when I wear my long black coat I get compliments.

Don’t show too much flesh and focus mainly on navy, black, white, cream and beige with brighter colours for summer holidays.

Wearing the right colours is really important. Not many people are Winters with very high contrast and cool colouring so most people will therefore find that black is not the best colour for them. However many people wear. a lot of black.

The majority of Brits are Autumns or Summers with muted colouring and low or medium contrast. So more muted colours will look more flattering on most people. That doesn't mean you can't wear black, just that it won't flatter you as much as a different colour will. If you have low or medium contrast then navy will be far more flattering than black and will look far more polished.

True @user98732
I am a jewel winter and wear my black wool coat with a scarlet red scarf. Autumn colours drain me.

They are the chunky ones but I’ve also got slimmer ones like very close-fitting sleepers and some new sparkly ones. So easy to wear and they just snap into place x

Oh and always perfume. Even for Tesco x

When I had my colours done one thing I remember was being told that if you had pierced ears to never go out without earrings, and to wear lipstick.

I always have earrings and lipstick when I go out, even for hospital appointments and supermarket shopping.

Interesting username …

Are you suggesting that entire races / ethnicities / continents of people can never achieve the quality of looking polished, unless they significantly alter their hair to look as close to being White as possible?

Because that’s quite a worrying statement, if so. Did you just not think about what you were writing? Or was it a deliberate slur?

Any lippie in particular? Do you have an everyday shade or brand?

I'm trying to move towards lipstick having always been more of a tinted lip balm person x

You might want to reread what she wrote. It was in no way a slur.

I think you have to try lipsticks. What looks great on one person will look awful on someone else with different skin tone. I like the bobbi brown natural shades that are like an enhanced version of your own lip colour..

The poster isn't saying that at all - I think you know that.

Good hair, painted nails, natural makeup, decent jewellery - especially earrings! Clothes that fit properly and suit your shape make a huge difference too.

I have a selection. I wear cool tones so bluey pinks/reds rather than orangey reds/pinks. I have Boots, Chanel, Dior Addict Lip Glow and Superdrug lipsticks and my favourite tinted lip balm is the Nivea Cherry Shine. I also prefer sheer lipsticks to deep colours, which I find too ageing on me (I won't see 60 again)

I often find that when I find a lipstick I love it gets discontinued too quickly and my absolute favourite was a Benefit tinted lip balm, and I'm gutted that I can't buy it any more.

Is Mr Sheen still available ?

Thanks for the thoughts on nails. I’m trying to sort myself out so I’ll include nails in that.

Style your hair.

If your clothes don't fit really well or feel quite right, have them tailored.

Either a great bag or shoe game on point.

Take care of your stuff and yourself. Well loved and cared for items (and people) develop a patina that is like nothing else.