What are your NO-NONSENSE style and grooming tips? With products, if poss...

[HildegardVonBingham]

I'll start:

• If you have fine hair it is often best to get it cut shorter. If it's long it can look straggly and wispy. I have accepted my fate, and my hair looks much fuller and healthier now it's all cut to one blunt length.
• The idea that you have to have your nails 'done' all the time is insane and costly. Just keep them clean, filed, and use cuticle oil. In my view a grown-out manicure or acrylics looks bad.
• This is the most hydrating and natural-looking lip tint on the market. It's sooooo good - you can apply it without looking: https://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1605/4772/makeup/lipsticks/almost-lipstick-in-black-honey-pink-honey-and-nude-honey
• If you use a retinol (and you should), use it in conjunction with a serum and moisturiser so that the skin barrier repairs, and you avoid flakey bits of skin round your nose. Naturally wear SPF!!!
• Better to get clothes a size up and have them tailored and taken in. Even a woman with an amazing body looks like a sausage bursting its casing in too-small clothes.
• Colour theory is real. If you have 'high contrast' you can get away with wearing a lot of make-up. I think that a 'full glam' looks amazing on women with darker skin tones, but as I'm pale and blonde I can't really carry a lot of make-up. The 'bold lip' is a massive scam!
• Gradual tan on the body and tanning drops in your moisturiser can make you look slimmer and better-rested with minimal effort if you are pale.
• Your trousers should be almost too long - this makes your legs look longer.

Would be interested to hear any other NO NONSENSE advice you may have.... for instance I would love to know the best exfoliant to use on the body, and how I can avoid getting disgusting calloused hobbit feet from exercise 🤓

For body exfoliation, either a Japanese Salux towel or Korean Italy towel. Don't use on your face or when your skin is dry. With the Italy towel, take your shower or bath then scrub and that dead skin will go. I use the green, that's medium.

I agree about Black Honey. I've worn that off and on since the 90s and it never looks dated.

I can’t agree with the colour thing. I despise the colours that are supposedly good for me so I look grumpy in them.

My 2 cents would be no, you can’t get away with not washing your hair for an extra day! Just wash it.

@HildegardVonBingham please can you tell me about retinols, what do they do? My skin is terrible this winter

@outerspacepotato thank you, I will be buying these towels!! I love the bright green colour too. @Nichebitch I agree - I always end up with lank greasy hair if I delude myself into thinking I can leave it another day.

@Ladybird69 they basically slough the top layer of your skin off, leading to faster cell turnover etc. They are good for spots and fine lines. You often have to go through a preliminary 'purge' period, then in a few weeks you have lovely skin. You have to build up a tolerance through light usage, and ALWAYS USE SPF AFTER ! (You should do in any case.) This should be a useful primer: https://natalieoneilll.com/how-to-use-retinol-for-beginners-step-by-step-guide/ I use La Roche Posay but will move to The Ordinary once I'm done with the tube. Please don't use in conjunction with any other acids!!

Another vote for Black Honey.

For a body exfoliating - i use the spent coffee from our coffee machine. Works brilliantly- but it would be too harsh on the face. And it is free !

i agree with tanning drops - i use them every other day on my face (tropics)

Argan oil on the end of my hair is game changing.

Used coffee grounds can mess with your plumbing. (I'm in the US so might not apply to you but just in case).

I use Vitamin C after rinsing my face with water in the morning. My skin really likes Vitamin C and I see a difference when I don't use it.

I use a Diamancel file that I bought years ago on my feet. It's not as good as walking on a sandy beach every day, but it's the next best thing.

Oh thank god re the bold lip. As someone with salt and pepper hair, I have been trying for years to find ‘my’ bold lip colour but it makes me look like a clown. Colour yes but either a sheer texture and/or a more my lip but better seems to suit my contrast levels way better.

i would say consistency is more important than product when it comes to skin care with a focus on the skin barrier/hydration. I really like the byoma range - the brightening serum really works for me.

get an led magnifying mirror. Horrifying and addictive but loads of fun.

For rough feet, the best thing I have found is those nail sanding blocks (often pink or white). Far superior than any foot file or scrub I have found. And cheap. Then slather on any old cheap moisturiser and put some socks on. I often use up face cream, hand cream anything I want to get rid of.

if You wear makeup for work have a makeup bag with just the essentials for your day to day look. It will save you time if you have an extensive makeup collection and you have to root around for your essentials every day.

I feel like I'm the only person to find black honey both unflattering and drying!

Bleached/fully highlighted blonde hair looks best on people who were blonde as small children.

Never ever wear clothes that are even remotely too small for you.

Don't wear things just because they look nice on other people.

Tops that expose the stomach look dreadful on anyone unless they're 17 or spend three hours a day in the gym.

Don't think you can get away with regularly wearing high heels without fucking up your feet.

Make yourself smile when you feel, wear and look at your clothes.

Big logos on anything never looks chic.

I don’t get why you consider any of this no nonsense? Slap on some spf and wear what you like is no-nonsense. Tailoring your clothes, colour theory and retinol is definitely more in the direction of nonsense imo.

Buy the best clothing (natural fabric, classic cuts) and shoes that you can afford and keep them for years.

Following.

My tip is always buy the best you can, even if that means eBay or Vinted.

Get a haircut that suits you and that is cut according to how your hair behaves.

The Clinique Almost Lipstick lasts about 5 seconds on me, so I use a similar colour product that is much cheaper.

@LovelyUser what lip product do you use please? Thanks

Don't dismiss cheap products. I recently treated myself to a pricy cleanser and an expensive eyeshadow palette. Neither are anywhere near the quality of the ones I usually use, both of which are less than £5!

I tend to avoid buying dresses and buy skirts/trousers/shorts instead then tops that I mix and match, as I feel that gives me a more versatile wardrobe. But I do stick to a colour palette. However, this is one that I have chosen based on what I feel looks good on me, and what makes me feel good. I have tried going to colour theory people in the past, but have concluded that unless you are one, people are unable to determine the best colours for a pale skinned, freckly, auburn haired individual such as myself.

Absolutely do not follow trends. But work out what looks best by trying on lots of shapes, styles and colours. Take photos in the changing room to remind yourself.

Don't save things for "best". Wear the gorgeous wool coat and the eye wateringly expensive perfume whenever you bloody well want to!

@Shufflebumnessie , I like the Burt's Bees tinted lip salve Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm Red Dahlia | Holland & Barrett
and the Boots 17 17. Tinted Lip Butter Deep Honey - Boots

They aren't a perfect match for the black honey colour but they are 'your lips but better'.

Yes the boots deep honey dupe is very good.

Nivea watermelon lip balm. Hydrating with a touch of of colour and about £2-3. I’ve got a stock in the cupboard in case they stop doing it

@LovelyUser thank you so much. The 'your lips but better' is exactly what I'm after. Please can I ask if either of the 2 you've recommended have a fragrance? Thanks

I don't like the taste. The cherry one is ok.NIVEA Cherry Shine Lip Balm with Jojoba Oil 4.8g | Skin | Superdrug
I might try O'keeffe's Lip Repair Cherry Lip Balm 4.2G | Skin | Superdrug

But, @GrumpySparkler - why on earth shouldn’t I wear fashionable clothes if I want to? Following trends (in accordance with my own taste and judgement) is one of the things that makes dressing fun.

I’m not rushing out and replacing my entire wardrobe every season - and in fact I grow fonder of lovely garments the longer I have them - but I’d find it quite odd to invariably reject every single new shape and proportion, for no discernible reason other than its novelty.

And when does a ‘trend’ become just ‘what everyone wears because it’s in every shop’?