Do you ever look at yourself and think 'where do i start?'

[alicecrail]

I am going racing for the first time this year on saturday and although i've got plenty of things to wear, i feel frumpy. My clothes aren't really the problem iyswim its the saggyness, the frizzy hair, the dry skin, chewed nails and the wobbly bits. I'm planning on taking over the bathroom on friday night, but where do i start?

Help....

Cocoa butter cream smells fabulous - even our dog loves it!

So I suppose there's no chance of before and after pictures?

Erm....I'll think about it

Well I think that you look very attractive on your pic.

Pamper yourself like mad, slap on tons on moisturizer everywhere, file your nails and rub in nail oil to sort your cuticles and give shine (wear cotton gloves to bed - foxy), shave hairy bits, pluck eyebrows (or get them done properly - you could have your lashes tinted at the same time for about 20 quid - makes a massive difference). Eyelash curlers do work; it's best to squeeze then release, move a tiny bit further down, then repeat. If you do one massive squeeze too high, your lashes get an angular bend in them.
Have a great time; i'm sure you will look even better than your Barbie pals!

Thank you earthpixie but that was on my wedding day, so doesn't really count!!

I'm off to Boots when they open to get my moisteriser and some eyelash culers (or i might try superdrug?)

Eyebrows and nails i did last night, they don't look great but better than they did!

Thanks for the advice on eyelash curlers, i have never used them before

IMO Boots is better than Superdrug. Hope you find what you're looking for.

One other question about eyelash curlers:
Do you do it just before you put your mascara on?

Try using Maybelliene XXL mascara (the black and GOLD one, they do many) It has a conditioning end for your eyelashes, I put that on first thick then nearly let it go dry, then apply the black layer! It makes your eyelashes REALLY long. I went for a make-up lesson a while back and the make-up artist couldn't believe it herself when she saw it and wrote it down to buy herself some. But you have to let the white stuff nearly dry first otherwise they won't curl upwards.

I wish I could put up a pic of my eyelashes, everyone always comments on them and there not that long without it.

I think it is called 'XXL extensions' mascara

I always wondered if that was any good. Do they do it in dark brown? I find black is a bit harsh for me

Hairdresser to deal with hair.

Manicurist to put on falsies (in extremis...).

New supporting underwear.

Buy a moisturising face mask and a great body moisturiser and slather the whole pot on after a bath on Friday night and sleep in it. You will wake up much softer!

Yes they do it in a few colours, think brown and black are most popular.

Ive tried many of thier mascaras, the black and white one is ok, but the white end makes your lashes a bit too wet, so they go all up and down looking.

The black and purple one (these are just the packaging colours not the actual mascara colour ) Is good, its the curling one.

But the black and gold one is the best for the conditioning end, it really lengthens your eyelashes, I put it on quite thick and it makes my lashes look really full and long. But I tend to use the mascara end of the curling one. If you can, I would buy the two, but It depends what bruses you like and wether you want to try it.

I would definitely recommend it, Ive used it for years and people always comment on my 'lovely eyelashes'.

(for the eyelash curlers yes you do it just before you put the mascara on)

Maybelline Black and Gold XXL - I should write that down...

Yes Ruby we usually go and it's nice because DH isn't working this year (sometimes he is on duty at the racecourse)

We are taking Dd with us, but she sleeps in the afternoon so will be in the buggy. Some cheeky cow last year actually stood on the front of our buggy so she could see! I just stared open mouthed at the cheek of it (should have pulled it out from underneath her )

i swear by sanctuary salt scrubs for an all over exfoliation in the bath. you can make your own with coarse salt and olive oil and castor oil.

Alicerail - you are really pretty in an English Rose, sexy, curvy way. You should go for blushers that make you look slightly flushed, rather than go hunting for angular cheekbones-effect. You should stick with sheer make-up; light, pale foundations, sheer lipsticks with a bit of gloss, very, very light eye-make-up (probably just a little mascara and ideally a powder used as an eye-liner and blended).

A soft, romantic look, make-up, hair and clothes-wise, will always suit you. Your hair looks absolutely brilliant in your wedding photos.

The Barbie beach house look will not work on you BUT you will always make the Barbies of this world look over-done, high-maintenance an a little lacking in soul.

The tea-dress sounds perfect, which makes me think you already have an innate sense of what suits you.

Have a great day.

Dr Hauschka's rose Day moisturiser is a really good moisturiser for sensitive skin.

Bumble and Bumble do a couple of very good, very light leave-in conditioners. You often only need to do the ends of your hair. (I don't know about you but I find getting the time to condition my hair a bit of a killer.)

Alice - I find that at this time of year one of the radiance balm things does a better job than foundation. Boots do a nice one in their Botanics range and there are various others. They have reflective particles in them and the overall illusion is less eye bags, higher cheekbones and generally smoother skin.
It might be hard for you to get hold of today, but the Elizabeth Arden one is my favourite and has SPF 15 in it too.

On the tanning front, I'd be tempted to avoid personally (although obviously up to you!). After years of worrying about it and using a variety of tanning lotions/creams I've decided to go with my English rose look and just exfoliate and use lots of moisturiser all over and it's so much better, and less hassle. And you don't have to worry about staining your clothes!
I second ruddynorah's recommendation of the Sanctuary scrub. Infact I think their whole range is good, very effective and not overly pricy IMO.

Thank you cherryblossom I think you are mad, but i am very pleased, but also a bit (don't do compliments very well)

I have now got my eyelash curlers and palmers cocoa butter and i have to say it seems to have made quite a difference to my hands already after only one little blob.

I couldn't find that mascara, Boots had everything but, and superdrug said they think they may have it in next week.

My make up consists of:
Benefit some kinda gorgeous (will use if my skin is a bit blotchy)
Benefit Dr Feelgood
Benefit Highbeam
Benefit 10
Boots naturals dark brown mascara
Benefit benetint pocket pal with lip gloss
and maybe a little bit of dark grey eyeliner

Jewellery wise, i think i am going to wear my pearl stud earrings, and my chunky oversize (fake) pearl necklace.

What does anyone think?

I was looking at the sanctury stuff. I have a nice seasalt, vanilla and lemon (i think) shower scrub from Lush that i have used for a few days and my skin loots better but i think it needs the moisteriser most

the sanctuary salt scrubs have so much oil in that you don't need moisturiser after. they leave you soft and smell nice without being overpowering.

Mmm, may have to get one next time, as i have boots points that i haven't spent yet