Does anyone want to join me in giving themselves a DIY extreme makeover?

[BEAUTlFUL]

No, not literally, we won't be doing our own liposuction with straws, or posting messages like, "Keen sewers: I was trying to give myself a lower-body lift but can't reach to sew up the back", or anything.

But does anyone else feel hideous? I do and I'm sure it's at the root of almost all my problems (low self-esteem being the main one).

I need to diet, get hair cut, sort out flattering clothes and ditch fugly stuff, stop biting my nails!, get pedicure, keep up to date on fake-tanning... all that.

Does anyone want to join in? If we were very brave we could post "Before" photos in our profiles then invent a month-long makeover plan, then do "After" pictures, but that might be a bit scary.

We need to ge up earlier and prioritise doing our make-up! And do a beauty treatment three times a week (body scrub, face pack, hair conditioning treatment, etc) just to nourish our Inner Temptresses.

I know it's non-PC to long to look gorgeous, but I'm fed up looking fat and frumpy and desperately need to reinvent myself! am i alone in feeling like this?

I know the awful irony of having a vain log-in name and posting this message, btw.

Thanks, PL! Mine is baby weight too. Well, more like toddler-weight as DS2 is walking and talking. Ahem.

I can really recommend the Whitestrips. They are like pre-cut strips of thick cling-film, impregnated with peroxide. You wear them for 30 minutes, twice a day, for 7 days. Get the "Premium" (or "Intense", can't remember the name) ones, as they are much better than the "classic".

I had FOUR compliments on my hair today! And I made the nicest-ever lip colour by wearing a pale-pink lipgloss over a darker rose-pink lipstick. It is all shimmery and rosy - lovely! Even DH noticed. "Is that a new lipstick?"

Loving the unexpected snogs I keep getting from him!

And the transformation continues... I drove to the garage & hoovered my car tonight, partly to stop myself eating, and partly because I feel so much more "girly", I need a nice tidy car.

where are you all?

i wanted to chirrup because my skincare stuff has arrived! (the stuff that got sent surface, so they sent an extra lot by air )

i have face products! and i have foot products all delivered to my door whilst i supped tea water.

four compliments on your hair beautiful? is that even allowed? well done you for having a clean car too - i'm even more envious. mine is the sort that the liftshare children turn their noses up at...

hmm, do i sense a shift towards a weight theme? i've decided not to weigh myself, but to davina and maybe jog a bit, and concentrate on what i can see/ feel, rather than what the scales tell me? is that sensible, or do i really need to weigh, too? you lot are v inspirational, though - i'm feeling v green at you having clothes that fit... i think it'll be a couple of weeks before i see any difference on that score - there is much wobbling as i attempt to keep up with davina... i have m&s vouchers somewhere - i think they might get dusted off in favour of new sports underwear... that's got to help with motivation rather than scrabbling around for the greying stuff, right?

i showed dh my new shoes. he said 'oh!'
then he said 'they're nothing like you would normally buy!' but there was an approving glint in his eye, and i did get a snog, after which he commented 'cool! and i might not get a crick in my neck!'
romance is not dead, eh?

i'm lol-ing at your dh recognising you were wearing a diff shade of lippie though, b. what on earth is mine going to say next week with hair and post make-up experience?!

sorry that's so long - and talking to myself, too

what are you all up to today?

If you don't want to weight then do it on how you feel - then have a good go through your wardrobe and be ruthless about things that don't flatter or fit!

In fact I challenge everyone to do that this week. Try on as many of your clothes as you can:

-If it's too big bin it/charity shop it, no matter how pretty/sparkly/nice it is
-It it's too small then be realistic about whehter you'll fit it again
-If fits but it's old, faded, baggy or otherwise shapeless then tear it up and use the rags for cleaning
-If it fits then find at least 2 outfits you can incorporate it into tht make you look and feel fab.

Have a good time playing dress up!

Sounds like everyone is getting loads of compliments! I've had five in the last week, which is a lovely boost. I've been more diligent with skincare and maybe my skin looks a bit better, plus I've made an effort with my hair - although it still desperately needs a cut (in a few days' time).

Can anyone recommend a once-weekly hair mask/deep conditioner that doesn't cost a fortune? I daydream about Kerastase etc but don't have the funds right now.

I'm not going to be doing the wardrobe clear-out until after the baby is born. My small maternity wardrobe is quite nice.

I must go and paint my toenails now that it's sunny...

naturelover - for some reason I am too mean to buy conditioner stuff and have been using good old olive oil...not everyone's cup of tea but I thought with your nickname you might be game. Put about 1 tbsp in hands, warm up btwn palms and rub/ run it through towel dried hair. Leave on for as many hours as you can get away with (or even overnight - my DH is away in the week so I can get away with this!) Then wash as normla , it really does leave your hair lovely and soft and shiny.

Still drinking loads of water - Skin looking quite nice

Ooh and compliment update...whilst never likely to catch up with our BEAUTIFUL leader and her tally I can report that DH said my hair looked 'nice' last night - yay! The fact it was stuffed up in a banana clip at the time did rather take the edge off the compliment - have been waltzing round with blowdried hair and make up for days and nada from him...what a strange man!

could you do the 'leaving the conditioner in overnight' thing? i'm toying with trying it again now a couple of times a week, but slightly put off by the damp... i think someone on the 'no 'poo' thread (thanks whoever pointed that out) mentioned it... but i'm a curly/ frizzy moptop so no idea really.

i used to use those VO5 ones back in the day... i have no idea if they even still make them...

oh hello pl, x post

lol at banana clip - talking of beauty products past, do they still make those?

i think it's all i wore in the early kylie period...

philopastry I think we must be married to the same man! My DH tends to compliment me when I am looking my absolute worst (IMO). No hope whatsoever of him noticing I had a new lipstick - that is ADVANCED complimenting Beautiful.

Naturelover I am using a Tigi shampoo and conditioner that is on offer at the moment, £11.95 for the two and you can use the conditioner as a mask as well. It is lovely stuff..it's called Headshot.

Frakkin I desperately need to do your challenge.

Right, am going to put some of those whitestrips on my birthday list (it's next month so am going to ask for lots of lovely beauty products instead of being sensible and asking for housey type things like a new iron, which i usually do)

Quite right lemonmuffin!

Well ive managed to walk 6 miles today (still waiting on my walking trainers!)
Going to have a shower/exfoliate/defuzz/hair care and thats it for me.
Got a scottish slimmers book from my mum and it looks realy easy to follow, so will start that tommorow as well!

Provincial - it's true ,some men seem to have no sense of timing when it comes to compliments. My DH seems to like me looking dog rough - actually I think that is what has got me into this mess in the first place!

madwoman, it was not actually a 'vintage' banana clip, just one of those grippy things you get in the supermarket, still yuck but i dont want you to think I have been hording cerise plastic hair clips for 20 years!

well done on the walking lilac, you go girl!

I am having a schizophrenic day - wore a nice outfit, put make up on, blow dried hair, received compliment from v stylish mum on the school run ....but, have been a lazy so and so and spent the only 2 hours I had free today lying on my bed reading a novel (instead of beautifying me or the house) and have eaten 3 milky ways (the single ones not the double ones she says as if that makes it any better!) for my tea...am about to go and have an apple and lots of water to try and make it a bit better....

ho hum, tommorrow is another day, onwards and upwards!!

re-inspire me someone...what should I do tommorrow to get back on track?

Stick a face mask on while your making the breakfast, that will get you on the right track and scare the kids at the same time!

No more walking for me until these blinking walking trainers arrive, now have blisters.

Does housework count as exercise??

I think housework definitely counts as exercise! At least, that's what I tell myself because I can't afford a cleaner!

And Mireille Guiliano in "French women don't get fat" says that too. I love that book, by the way, she really nurtures a love of food (quality not quantity). If you enjoy cooking and shopping for food then it's a good book although it's clear she doesn't have kids - her life is far too ordered.

lilac - i have a couple of sore spots on feet too. not from my new shoes either, but from the flat sneakery things i put on because i didn't want to wear new shoes all day housework definitely counts though

i used my lovely new skincare stuff last night, and found they had also sent free body stuff, so went to bed slathered pretty much head to toe lol.

philo - will be breaking davina out again tonight, but it won't be until about 8.15 - parent's evening for two out three tonight... (oh, and i'm v disappointed at lack of vintage banana clip...)

beeeeyooootiful - have you given up posting challenges btw? i know f did one (i couldn't play as most of my clothes are in a container on a ship somewhere lol) or are we supposed to be picking stuff from 'the list'?

i can't bring myself to do tooth strips - have a fear of them making sensitive teeth worse as i have inherited quite a high gumline (that makes me sound like a horse...)

Yes kids and order don't go together!

Well, better crack on with my 'exercise'

oh can i join im in desperate need of a make over since ds2 17mths come along. I swear kids should carry a label will age you by 5 years! Im starting to really grey and im only 28! I ahev no time lately toeven pluck my eye borws not that i know what im doing. Ive had them waxed professionally and thought id be able to maintain it myself but no such luck. Can anyone recommend a fake tan that isnt too expensive or orange?

Hi, I found asda's own brand fake tan suprisingly good, not orange and cheap!
Welcome aboard!

Hi everyone!!!

Philo, I think the thing to do to get back on track is just FoRgEt you didn't! So just carry on. please don't think of it all as a big "challenge" or anything daunting, just 15 minutes' a day to push you towards gorgeousness! BTW, it all sounds like you did more than enough anyway (clothes, hair + face) so stop worrying. I don't expect any of us to spend every second of every day attacking ourselves with oils, scrubbing brushes and/or tweezers. Mmmkay?

Madwoman - shit, sorry, yes have let challenges slip. I LOVE the clothes challenge! Um, er... Oooh, I know, thought of one yesterday...

BEAUTY MISSION!
Do you have one of those big compacts, containing several different eye-shadows, lipsticks or blushers? I bet you do. Your mission is, find that colour that you NeVeR wear, and wear it! Just put it on, and wear it ALL DAY. If it's a darker colour, you can use it as eyeliner (smudge it on with a damp brush). Just wear it! NO ARGUING, and no going for the old-faithful colours instead. Wear it for one day & see the reaction. If you get compliments, post them here! If people instead just drag out chairs for you and tell you, concerned, that you look near death, don't wear it again.

I have just done this with a blue (!) eyeshadow that looked hideous in the compact, but turned out to be a lovely, smoky-grey colour when it went on. Made me look fekkin' stunning, so it did.

BEAUTY MISSION ENDS

Mum2samandalex -- Hello! Jump in!! Have you seen the challenge list near the start of the thread? How's your hair? We mainly start with getting our hair sorted as it's the fastest way to immediately perk-up our "look"!

Lemonmuffin -- I LIKE your plan to ask for beauty products instead of irons! Perfect! Birthdays should be girly, IMO.

Have been feeling sooooo much calmer and positive still, are you lot? Really, have morphed into Serene Goddess. Looking fugly must have been really getting to me. Am still being halo-tastic on my diet, and hoping for 2lbs off by tomorrow, which will be half a stone. (Still 2.5 more to go.)

Interesting update from weightloss: my PANTS are falling off! Looking forward to DH noticing this new development.

No more compliments... He is getting blase at my gorgeousness. harumph. But he is definitely a lot more affectionate -- kissing my hand! yesterday. (Maybe that is more cos I am no longer a scary screaming harridan...

Sorry for crappy message, am in middle of panic-tidying house (have been cooking all day), but HAD to check-in as you are all so lovely.

Will write more later... xxxxxx!

philopastry I'm afraid despite my nickname I can't bring myself to try olive oil (too, er, oily). Have bought an Elseve mask, fingers crossed it's good.

Anyway I'm having my hair cut (very overdue) at the weekend and I can't wait. I'm sure it will give me a lift.

Hi all, sorry I haven't been around for a while. I find it hard to keep up with these threads!

So far I've been to the gym twice this week, two 45 minute sessions. I feel incredibly pleased with myself. Also being much better with food. I find if I can't get into nice clothes, I'm immediately depressed. So although I still can't quite swan about in 'thin clothes', I'm getting there.

Haven't worn much in the way of make up, and my eyebrows are still a mess. I'm so SKINT! Would love to investigate threading, but not sure if they do it round here. Anyway, about to have a bath, put on make up and tackle eyebrows.

Keep up the good work, it sounds like you're all doing brilliantly.

Oooo madwoman I am so envious of your new products. I love products. I spend far too much on them to little effect. Do tell us what they are [product porn]

Beautiful that is a fab challenge. I am definitely going to try that tomorrow (whilst I am stuck in the house!)

I bought a pair of beige linen trousers and a cheesecloth top today (both v cheapy things) and I am really pleased with the result.

Hi madwoman, ok 8.15 for Davina, count me in!

Sounds like a good shop provincial - got anywhere nice to wear them?

I have had my hair done today - it is looking pretty good...went for one of those styles that was emailed round by BEAUTIFUL a week or two ago...I keep tossing my glossy locks - cue music - like i've just stepped out of a salon. Got 3 complments from the mums on the school run on my hair and even managed to get a 'your hair looks nice' from my DH when we wre talking on skype this evening...but typing it, have just realised this is excactly the same - word for word - as his last (and only other!) compliment to me during this challenge. He needs to learn a few new lines!

AGood mission again beautiful - will go and see what lies at the bottom of my make up bag...probably electric blue mascara knowing me, am not v conscientious about clearing it out!

Apologies for typing, am rushing as need to get kids to bed before my date with Davina

Keep up the good work everyone, and let us know what you have been up to too.

OK I admit it - im a lurker but I come bearing news.....for those of you that need/want a haircut the news of the world this sunday has a mag with it in the mag is a voucher for a free haircut at a saks salon!!! if you want to know more about it read it on moneysaving expert.

oo, hello lurker! that would happen after i've booked mine lol!

philo, how are you post-davina? my thighs are a bit tense, and i can feel the muscles in my calves which must be a good thing! last time i made an effort with this i noticed results in about two weeks, so am reasonably motivated. putting my exercise stuff on has made me recognise that my butt is the size of a house, so i'm quite keen for it to work swiftly... tis no wonder i'm having ishoos doing up buttons at the front when all that is taking up room at the back... ho hum.

provinciallady - i'm rubbish at links, but if you're game to google you can do product porn lol.
i use the rocky mountain soap company, and i've got the transformative cleansing oil and soothing toner. this time i'm also trying the day face cream and the eye stuff (can't remember what it's called lol) as i was always confused about what to do in the morning, so thought this time i'd buy the whole lot and give it a go. two days in and my skin looks much better already - pores less noticeable and the whole effect much 'brighter' and less slithery.

i should add that normally i or dh buys the stuff in the their shop lol, which fits with their eco mindset, and i don't normally order online and get them to ship airmail but needs must etc....

i'm holding off the make-up until next week lol although suspect that even i may have owned an electric blue mascara at some point in the dim and distant... never worn it, but owned nonetheless

can anyone answer me a question which is bugging me? those bodyshop blotting papers - are they made of the same stuff that i used to use for nuclear biological and chemical decontamination drills?! (seriously!) it feels exactly the same... but obviously not as much of it lol...