I want a new year transformation.

[caykon]

I am in my late 20's and a size 16/18. I have already started tackling my weight issues, but feel I have no style I slop around in jeans all the time, but don't really know what else to wear. I'm in such a rut.
I am the same with my hair it is long and straight, i want a new style but again don't have a clue other than I still want some length.
and lastly make - up I wear a bit when I go out eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick and some bronzing stuff thats it. are there any good books on how to apply make up as I am useless and what products are good.
I have lurked on these bards for a while and I know there are some great people out there when it comes to this type of thing, so please help a very desperate and drabby person start to look fab.

Caykon do you think they're all out shopping?? I'm lurking on this thread too, need some makeup application advice too amongst other things .

Ooh you sound very similar to me, I live in jeans too and would love to look more put together, maybe skirts/dresses with tights or something {clueless}.

Where are the stylish peope to help us??

With the make up the best ting to do is book a consultation at one of the make up counters and get them to show you how it all works and then buy it else where a lot cheaper.

The only thing I think it worth spending money on is foundation and powder, everything else Boots No 7 is just fine and I save up the points when buying stuff for the kids and buy make up with that.
The truth is though, 99% of us slob around in jeans and just put a bit of lippy on before going out. Don't think everyone else glammed up to the 9's to go to Sainsbury's and if they are then frankly they should be having another baby because they have far too much time on their hands.

Caykon....why don't you spend a couple of hours going to shops such as Dorothy Perkins, Top Shop, New Look, etc to see what sorts of shapes and colours are around and things you might like to try.

Don't feel pressured to buy straight away, just see whats there.

Jeans are fine, but I would invest in a smartish pair, dark denim, maybe bootcut and long enough to wear with heels on a night out. I think a good coat is a great investment, it can trendy up the plainest of outfits. What sorts of things do you wear at the moment?

Get some decent boots, and some flats (Converse?) for pootling around.

hair, I would say get some layers cut into it if you want to keep it long. Again, you can make an appointemnt for a concultation at any salon, you musn't feel obliged to get your hair done then. They can advise you on what would suit your face shape.

Make up.....What you are putting on sounds fine...maybe get some lip gloss, it can be a bit more modern looking and natural than lipstick,.and maybe a decent blusher rather than bronzer which can look a bit brown and flat. Do you have eyelash curlers? I swear by mine.

mrsmaidamess - you've said all the things I was going to say . Yes to the darker jeans, bootcut, with boots. If you go to somwhere that has a Bobbi Brown makeup counter, and get them to do you some makeup, it's very good for the more natural, but groomed look. MrsBadger on here (who knows her stuff) says to ask them to make you look 'like yourself, but less tired' so they don't go overboard with lurid eyeshadow etc.

Not sure if you have much to spend, but even if you don't you could try booking a session with a personal shopper at one of the larger department stores - they'll have a huge range of stuff to choose from, and you can try on stuff in comfort, and get an idea of what suits you. And nthere's really no pressure to buy - or you could just buy one top, but take note of the styles/shapes that suit you.

I think so many of us are in the same rut. I wear makeup when I am going out, but I don't wear much. My hair is long and in need of a good cut, but this year I decided to have it done the morning of our family do...so the one time it looks really nice I can at least be out!

I also wanted to say that it is okay to wear jeans, especially if you wear a nice top. The sales are going to be really good this year, so choose a day to yourself to go in search of every bargain that you can find (and can afford!).

In winter, the best investment is a good coat. Buy a colour that will really suit you because you are going to wear it non-stop for the next three months!

Over the last few years I've tried to make myself less sloppy and I feel like I've kind of made some headway.

The first thing I did was to go through my wardrobe and chuck out everything that either didn't fit or I didn't feel attractive wearing.

This left me with approx 2 items of clothing. I then started to take notice of what other people wore and what looked nice on other women with similar figures.

Now I wear a combination of dark jeans/cords and a nice top with nice shoes/boots/trendy trainers.

Wrap dresses/jersey dresses with thick tights and boots.

Or knee length skirt and a top/jumper etc with knee high boots.

I'm also a bit more confident with wearing colour rather than lots of black which I found I used to wear far too much of and it just made me look really washed out especially as I've got dark hair.

I also try to accessorise which I think really finishes off an outfit - a chunky necklace can really finish an outfit off and give it something that makes you look more finished!

Have a look as well and see what your body shape is and see what clothes they recommend and then try and remember what would look good on you when you're out shopping.

Finally always try on what you are going to buy. I used to hate shopping as I could never find anything that fit - I was also a 16/18 and struggled to find clothes that looked nice so just used to buy stuff and try it on at home and never take it back.

Rimmel's eyeshadow trio in Orion (brown/beige shades) is cheap, convenient and suits everyone. Just apply the lightest all over up to the brow, then the midshade along the crease, then the darkest along the lashes (wetting the applicator if you don't wear eyeliner.) Then blend with a finger in a side-to-side motion.

If you have a big bust, invest in a v-necked cardi and some cheap Primark vests to go underneath. Don't go for high round necks or anything with too much fabric across the chest.

It's a bit 2006 but I'm still loving the whole short dress / baby doll top over jeans look, esp with heeled sandals in summer.

How about a new hair colour to kickstart things? A temporary home one that fades rather than leaves roots if you can't manage regular trips at hairdresser. Do you get your eyebrows waxed? Makes me feel like a new woman!

I agree about nice jeans. Wearing jeans eveyday isn't a bad thing (can you tell what I wear?), it's what you wear with them.

Don't knock jeans! Jeans are amazing and I wear them pretty much everyday.

Spend some time trying jeans on, find a really good cut that suits/flatters you and buy them in every colour! Then build on tops to go with them. What shape are you?

It's just a matter of taking time out to dress up in the shops and see what suits you and what doesn't. If you've got quite big boobs and want to hide your tummy, go for tops with an empire line that nip you in just under your boobs then skim over your belly and then a nice pair of jeans will set you up nicely. There are loads of gorgeous dresses around that flatter all shapes.

As for your hair, if you're desperate for a new do, just book an appointment and tell the hair dresser you want something different that will suit you and no doubt they'll suggest something super for you.

Have fun! I can't wait to have this baby so I can get shopping for myself again!