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 🤓

So is evening primrose oil. Think its good for the hair too.

Hard agree with all of this! Especially the stomach thing. Even three hours a day in the gym wouldn't make mine suitable for a crop top!

Also: don't wear crop tops if you're out of teens (apart from in the gym where you can wear whatever you like).
Baggy jeans also only look good on teenagers
Really dark eyebrows if your colouring is pale looks EYEBROWS!!!
Blusher is essential - especially when a bit older - to give cheeks that youthful glow

To add to the silk/satin pillowcase case or bonnet tips for curly or wavy frizzy haired ladies, I'd say only ever brush or comb your hair when wet.
I find - if your hair is long enough - that having your hair in a high 'pineapple' works better for me than a scarf or bonnet.

For skincare, I agree with a pp that expensive doesn't always equal better. And more isn't always more. My skin doesn't like too many layers of product. Just a good cleanser, eye cream and moisturiser/spf is enough. Find what works for you and don't get suckered into all the latest beauty fads.

Really good tips on here, great thread. With regards to hair, after years of highlights, blow drying, straightening and trying to wash it as little as possible I’ve gone back to my natural mid chestnut brown, wash it every other day and let it dry naturally (apart from fringe) put wella hair oil on it and its never been shinier or stronger and much less frizzy. A few grays but not too many yet. Might try the John frieda colour depositing shampoo when more appear

Thank you.
I fully agree with all your except the jeans. I wear baggy/barrel leg jeans and think I look quite good. My mum has some too that look good and she's 85 plus. 🙂 I could be wrong and we look like a couple of tossers though.

Another one is Baseball caps on backwards are a crime to fashion. That is one an adult definitely shouldn't be bussin'! Haha x

If eyeliner looks too harsh (it did on me as I got older) try tightlining. I use a pixi eyeliner pencil on the top waterline only.

I’ve given up with any branded make up and use Rimmel. It’s been around a long time so the formulas are great, it’s cruelty free and cheap enough to replace as needed.

My favourite skin care product is Murad oil and pore reducing moisturiser with SPF40. Wear it daily.

Ive grown out my greys and have never had so many compliments. They are face framing white streaks. But I love a Brazilian blow dry or similar to get rid of the frizz.

Money is tight right now so haven’t had my nails done but I really like, short, dark BIAB nails. They last for a long time and don’t chip.

I do this too - I think eyeliner definitely looks harsher as you get older. If I give my eyes the full 'smoky eye' these days (I am 50), I look a bit like I've been punched in the face. Only seems to look good now if I use eyeliner tightlined at the top, and, if anything, dark eyeshadow on the lower lashes rather than eyeliner (I'd only do this at night when it's not going to be seen in natural light also!)

Some excellent tips on here! One thing I would recommend is a lip stain. I use the Wonderskin one. It lasts all day and makes you look a little more 'put together'.

I've ordered the neals yard balm based Purely on this thread 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm sure you look great in them! I am not tall and hourglass shaped so baggy jeans have always made me look drowned in clothes. If I was tall and willowy then I could probably pull them off! Maybe. Also, though, they just massively remind me of how I dressed as a raver in the 90s. I just need an 'Es are good' T-shirt for the full look!

Haha, I am a teenager of the 90s! Both me and my mum do have skinny legs, though I'm not very tall and she's very short. But thank you for the kind compliment! 💗

I'm literally off to look for an Es are Good t-shirt to complete my look! 🤪

Back to Fantazia '92! 🤣 (I can't find a 'raver' emoji, devastated!)

I’m a shortie who wears wide leg trousers and barrrel leg jeans. You just have to balance the look with a close fitting top. I really like wearing polo neck jumpers as they lengthen my top half too.

I love the benefit lip tint

@Shufflebumnessie , the colour of it is fine but it has a strong rose flavour. It's also greasy.

With reviews, with clothes you can look at Trustpilot. The 5 stars usually look fake but the reviews with fewer stars will be more enlightening, and will say things like 'cheap Chinese import that was nothing like the photo on the site. Returns are to the Netherlands.'

@Judystilldreamsofhorses , I don't hate you for saying it. It's true.

@Daygloboo , Sukin and Dr Organics are nice. I use the Dr Organics and Holland & Barret often have offers.

@teaandtoastwouldbenice , I like Rimmel too. The foundations are great and I've had people compliment me on my complexion.

Yeah it's great for grey as well. But yeah I think it's just because it's kind of closer to your natural colouring. I'm sure you look great!

It's very rare to see a naturally blonde adult in the UK I think. Most do go brown aged about 10-12 I find? But it's still kind of part of your colour palette.

I think also I guess the process is more damaging to hair that's super dark as you need more of it, which affects how good the highlights look.

Thanks

You won't regret it!

• 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.

Which are you using if you don't mind me asking. For a first timer.

Just adding to this to say that I’m in my 50’s and my favourite blusher is actually a concealer from Boots natural collection, that cost £3. I use 5W. It’s not a colour that anyone would choose as an actual concealer but it’s great for adding a vaguely natural looking warmth to your cheeks.

Thanks, It looks almost peach on the site.Natural Collection Concealer - Boots

I just quoted the wrong post. I meant to agree heartily with the poster who said they're a shambles now, and say me too!!!

Aquaphor as an overnight foot mask, with cotton socks, has transformed my feet. I did it nightly for about 10 days, the cracked dry skin hasn't come back.

HLA serum with a layer of Aquaphor on top is a great lip mask too.

If you have long hair of any texture - silky straight, Afro, curly, wavy, coarse and straight, whatever - wear a silk bonnet to sleep. It will be shinier, healthier, break less and easier to style in the morning. Bonnets aren't just for curls.

This is a bit preachy, Different strokes for different folks. Not everyone reacts well to the same product. Not everyone can afford to have clothes taken in. Retinol can be a scam. And isn't very good for you

@luckylavender , it costs nothing to take in your own clothes, and your post is completely negative.
OP asked 'What are your NO-NONSENSE style and grooming tips?'.
If you've got nothing to add other than negativity scroll by.