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 🤓

If you have pierced ears have a good pair of everyday studs / small hoops which you can leave in all the time. I have new gold snuggies ones and I don’t have to thing about them. So comfortable.

For dark circles (I have pigmented ones) get the right colour corrector and you need minimal foundation. Together the two products cost my less than £10 and much more effective that touche eclat. I use Elf peach corrector.

@Shufflebumnessie , Not noticeable ones. I prefer the ones that don't have a flavour.

I like being able to add a bit of colour without using lipstick. A lip pencil over the lips then a balm works too. I use a Natural Collection one.

I am not a fan of the prestige brands (they're good but not worth paying for the packaging). Boots No 7 is great and Boots17 fab for pocket money prices.

@LovelyUser thanks so much. I really don't like ones with flavour/fragrance so it's good to have a couple more options. Thank you.

Sorry - that should say “minimal concealer ”!

@Shufflebumnessie , do not try the Vaseline rosy glow in a tin. It's foul!

When buying anything check the reviews, and read 1 star, 3 star ones not just the 5 stars.

I wear the same jewellery all day every day. Various diamond studs, hoops and and huggies ( I have a lot of ear piercings). Diamond circle of life pendant, some diamond rings and my mum and dads wedding rings plus delicate layered bracelets on one wrist in various metals but mainly diamond enhanced. I wear them to the gym, when I'm cleaning the house, out with mates or to weddings. The only time I take them off is to clean them.

I don't have to worry about misplacing things or matching colours to outfits. When I travel I'm not worried about leaving something in the room safe because it's always attached to me and being sparkly even when I'm in sweat pants and trainers means I always feel glamorous

Elf tubing mascara in brown. Amen.

I totally agree on the trousers thing - as a short fattie, I despise the cropped/ankle grazer/ cuff look - I need to cover my shoes and possibly a low heel so to gain a few cms rather than lose them!

I agree…some of her suggestions are absolute twaddle.

@handsdownthebest and @dicentra365 everyone else on the thread is clearly enjoying sharing clear and useful grooming tips. I’m not going to come to your house and forcibly do your colours or tailor your clothes, but you can keep your comments to yourself !

Was about to say the exact same thing. I have all three Clinque, Boots and Burts Bees but tend to wear Burts Bees Red Dahlia everyday.

Thank you. I have actually looked at that one in the past so I'll make sure to steer clear.

Crystal nail files are the absolute best and they'll last forever (unless you break them.) I've had my Leighton Denny one since April 2012 and recently got a set of two Orly ones as a freebie with my order. 😊 I don't think they're as thick as the Leighton Denny ones, but it's nice to have them.

Never ever ever cut your cuticles. Both Leighton Denny and Cristine/Simply Nailogic have told me why it's a bad idea.

My tip is one that everyone will hate me for, but ironing your clothes really does make a difference in terms of looking put together (or “polished” as people like to say on S&B).

Also, think about what you need/want to spend bigger on. I’ve got a big fat arse, despite not actually being that fat (UK12) so cheap trousers are really not my friend. I hate synthetic knitwear, and would rather have a cloth tote bag than a “vegan leather” bag if I didn’t have the budget for a leather bag. Again, I prioritise these items. YMMV - eg if you are busty then you might spend top dollar in your budget on tops or bras, whereas I am not especially well endowed and can happily wear cheapo tees and bralettes. I live in Scotland and it is generally cold, so I tend not to spend a lot of money on summer clothes that might not get worn much.

Can anyone recommend a good quality lip pencil please?
The Johnson and Johnson leave in conditioner spray (white bottle) is great for using on the ends of your hair.

Edited for spelling

Urea cream is the best for this, socks on overnight and any callouses/hard skin disappears!

Ironing, yes. S&B generally seems a bit unenthusiastic about this.

And cleaning, polishing, re-heeling and re-soling your shoes, as often as they need.

Both of these are immensely satisfying to do - and make you look ‘well turned out’.

Also concur with owning jewellery you never take off. Effortless glamour.

Can anyone recommend a product for flaky ridged nails? I found oil helped last winter but not this one. Currently using Clarins hand and nail cream but it’s really helping.

If we’re talking ‘no nonsense’ my main tip would be just keeping your brows groomed. As a 90s teen with naturally thick brows I thankfully listened to my Mum and avoided over plucking as per the popular trend.

I get regular brow wax and tints which means day to day I just need a tinted brow gel to add a touch of colour and keep them in place.

Have a look at Nailtiques. They have a number of ranges depending on your issue but it’s genuinely the only thing I’ve ever used that transformed my weak, bitten nails into stronger healthy ones that I could grow.

@Lovemycat2023 sorry, just realised Nailtiques were discontinued a few years back, so you’ll likely only get it from sellers on eBay etc. Apparently the nearest replacement is “Protein Formulas for Nails” - 4 different types depending on what you need and readily available online.