Beauty essentials for feeling well-groomed/put together

[plumbus39]

Late thirties mum, all kids will be in school from September so hoping to have a bit more time/money to spend on my appearance.

Ive never had much “done”, just hair cuts and makeup. I feel it’s time for some new habits - however time is still limited with busy family life so want to make sure whatever I introduce has an obvious benefit compared to the time it takes!

What are your beauty non-negotiables? Waxing? Moisturising? Self-tan? Eyelash lifts, tints? Nails? pedicure? Give me your favourites!

Mine arenit necessarily things I get done in a salon, but things I have incorporated into my routine that I feel make a difference.

Whenever I blowdry my hair properly, I always feel more put together.
It’s a faff as it takes about half an hour, but I use a Revlon hot styling brush which is as close as I can get to a salon blowdry at home, and it lasts for a few days.

The other thing has been sorting out a basic skincare routine, mostly through trial and error. It takes 5 minutes in the morning and evening and has helped my skin look better. The actual products depend on your specific skin type, needs, budget etc. but if you can find a few and incorporate them into your daily routine, plus spf everyday.

If you can afford it, getting eyebrows and eyelashes shaped and tinted is a great way to look more put together without much make up. I dye my eyebrows at home, but if I had the money that’s something I would invest in regularly.

I know you asked for beauty things, but I’m gonna also recommend regular exercise if you don’t do it already - it has helped me feel so much better about myself generally.
Find something you will do regularly - you don’t have to love it, but do something twice a week or so, and stick to it.

I go to a local pilates class, because I need the structure, but some people are great at going for a run/ doing an at home workout a few times a week.
Find what works for you long term.

*edited for my terrible spelling.

a hot styling brush has been a good investment for me - quick and hair looks much more ‘done’. think mine is the babyliss flawless volume.

eyebrow tint and lash extensions or everyday Lola’s lashes so I don’t need mascara. Once you get the hang the lashes are easy and I get quite short / fine ones.

Dry body brushing and moisturising - love having smooth skin and it feels like good self care.

I'm late 30s with DDs in primary school. What makes the biggest difference to me has been:

Regular haircuts

Eyebrows done

Consistent skincare routine

Pared back wardrobe with mix and match basics (primarily from Uniqlo so nothing fancy!)

Perfume every day

Drinking water, walking wherever I can, taking vitamins and eating more whole foods

All of that means I feel good and put together every day even if I'm not wearing make-up or am just hanging about at home.

In terms of salon treatments I get pedicures every six weeks between May and September when I'm often wearing sandals and my feet are on show. I don't bother getting my fingernails done I just keep them neat, buffed and a clear nail hardening treatment painted on once a week so they're in good condition.

I do a weekly "everything shower" as a bit of me-time where I'll put on a podcast and use things like a deep hair conditioning treatment, face mask, exfoliate, shave, moisturise top to toe afterwards etc (this is when I do my nails afterwards.) It takes 30 minutes out of my Sunday evening but sets me up for the week.

Good eyebrows really help.
Similarly nails be it natural but clean and buffed or polish but tidy and not chipped or hugely outgrown.
I'm rubbish with my hair but get balayage as it can forgive not being regularly redone.

@Nihongothanks - 100% agree with the exercise, I’ve been running regularly for the last few years and do ballet and Pilates as well.

Will give the hot styling brushes a look, I had my hair cut on Friday and the nice blow dry has lasted all weekend!

@GameOfJones I like the idea of the “everything shower”! Will give something like that a go. Agree I think that would probably make me feel more set for the week.

They are brilliant, especially if you have natually frizzy hair like I do.
It takes me from untidy mess to sleek and sophisticated without the cost of a professional blowdry.

Harley Street dermatologist, Reformer pilates, long hikes and eyebrow threading for me. Plus perfume.

I don't do and have never done fake tan, dyed hair, nails etc (though I do apply cuticle oil every night, buff and shape my toe and fingernails etc)

I'm late 40s and do my nails at home but I do have my hair and eyebrows done every 6 to a weeks. I'm also having laser hair removal.
I focus on good sleep as well and have paired my wardrobe back and identified gaps so I can feel more.put together.

Please share more about the lashes. Are they glue or magnetic?

I would recommend regular eyebrow threading. I also get my top lip done a few times a year whilst I'm there so don't have to bleach/wax it.

I love the thought of regular manicures but I haven't got on with gel in the past - it hurts under the lamp and then removal has left my nails a bit damaged. If anyone has recs for more natural nail care that still looks polished, I'm all ears!

Consistent skincare routine. Using retinol or tretinoin, if your skin can handle it.

Eyebrows. I dont get mine done professionally, but keep them shaped and tidy using tweezers, and then gently fill them with the Nyx micro pencil and Elf fibre brow gel. Makes a huge difference to my face.

Exercise. Personally I'm not a gym fanatic, but I do try to walk as much as possible (briskly). Plus I do a bit of yoga and use resistance bands at home (for strength and toning).

Which hot brushes are you all using? I have the revlon one step.

agree with all of this. I lost weight on Mounjaro and feel that maintaining that is my number one and I need to start exercising again after a year long illness.

hair is done 12 weeks - roots and a trim at home is wash and dry 1-2 days and after swimming which is used to do 5 x a week
Nails I trim and buff at home. I used get gel nails for years but no longer - I prefer them natural. I use Dior nail glow but there are better alternatives now for a nail brighter
make up is minimal -bb crème from eborian, brow pencil, YSL blush and Dior glow lips.

body- this is recent is lotion after every shower I like Nivea they do three lotions with pumps for around £3 on offer at Amazon and I have them all and they he express one is fab and the rich is good when I have more times. I’m in the market for something a bit more glowy.

epilation I epilates shave and use a lumea.

brows wax and tint every 6 weeks

feet- pedicure with gel colour every 8 weeks march to October. Maintain at home with urea cream and foot tile a few times a week.

I

I use the pre-glued ones - Lola’s do a massive variety, I usually have the ‘subtle’ and do half lashes - so just the outer half of my eye. It took me a few goes but now I find it very simple to put them on (starter kits have tweezers and a clamp). They usually last me 3-4 days a time