tried and tested beauty tips

[shuz]

I thought it would be brilliant to start a thread on tried and tested beauty tips! have seen lots of tips in magazines and in the newspapers however not heard about any real life stories. So lets us mums share our tips!

I wish I had some, am in dire need. Have you got any?

Here's one - don't have kids, they age you.

am bumping i could do with some tips. What a good thread idea shuz

i rinse my hair in white vinegar and i always get complimented on how shiny it is. it also feels very soft.

1. dont wash your face with soap
2. always take your make up off at night
3. dip a cotton bud in nail polish remover to get polish off your fingers if you have been over zealous
4. dont put heavy eye make up on if you are hungover- it will make you look worse

stop eating chocolate! your skin looks and feels much better

Sleep as much as you can and drink as much water as you can.
Easier said than done...

get out of the house at least once a day- go for a jogg/ walk/ mooch round the shops- fab mood/ complexsion

put your fave otfit on once a week and strut your stuff- weather it be a walk in the park or a meal out- confidence will increase

Every quarter when buying new makeup essentials sit at the counter in a big dept store and get them to do your makeup for you- you'll refresh your look and learn new things

paint your toe nails and keep them groomed

electronic toothbrushes work wonders

get your boobs measured regularly

Use SPF 25 or higher 365 days of the year under make up or on its own.

Use less rather than more eye make up and no harsh black kohl unless you are under 35.

Whiten your teeth if they are yellowing.

Scrub/loofah your entire body once a week, slather on body lotion daily.

Give up alcohol- or almost so.

Homemade exfoliator - salt and olive oil, plus a couple of drops of essential lavender oil mixed to a smooth paste, scrub, rinse off.

If you are tired and your eyes are all puffy, put two teaspoons in the freezer for a couple of minutes. Then apply to eye area, careful not to freeze the spoons to your skin. It helps drain the eye area and perk you up.

Dry body brushing is amazing. Try doing it every couple of days. It helps with circulation, makes you feel better and helps exfoliate your skin.

And this is something I read on MN, and think it's so true. If you wear something, and everytime you wear it it makes you feel fat/miserable/ugly - DON'T WEAR IT. So simple, but didn't come to me immediately.

Running or other exercise (sweating is GREAT for your skin, plus all the endorphins are fab).

Oil cleansing/facial oil overnight.

Body moisturiser, whether you are showing skin or not.

Bio Oil. recently discovered, use it on my face every night, love it. you can use it anywhere, sometimes add a few drops to the bath. Skin feels and looks much better.

tinted foundation makes you look healthy even if you've had little sleep! Olay is good, as is Clarins. Just a little, too much looks shiny v quickly!

Exercise in the morning, feel great for rest of day, sleep better at night.

Second what Serenity says re bad clothing - I always find if I feel comfy in what I'm wearing, my day is better. Got fed up constantly hitching up skinny jeans/treggings and adjusting tops to cover my arse - so stopped wearing them! Wear decent straight leg slim fitting jeans (which sit on my waist - no muffin top) - I'm much comfier all day and not desperate to get out of my clothes in the evening and into my pj's!

Have learned to forget what is the height of fashion and am slowly realising that my own style suits me - who wants to look like everyone else all the time anyway?

lol Dirtgirl

Drink loads of water

Go to sleep at the same time as your dc one night a week (stole that one from another Mmsnet thread a year or so ago - tis very effective)

Have regular pedicures and haircuts

Make your own face pack from oatmeal mixed with water until porridge-like consistency, apply, leave on for 10 mins until starting to harden and remove with flannel. Dirt cheap, very cleansing and yet leaves skin feeling very soft.

Thirty min brisk walk per day.

Eat 5 portions of fruit and particularly VEG per day.

Buy best bra you can afford.

Always have something to look forward to (however modest) and a personal project on the go that makes you feel fulfilled/excited

One day I will take my own advice

sorry - meant to say - remove with flannel and warm water (cold water doesn't work well)

hand cream
as hair serum

Get a 10x magnifying mirror for eyebrow groomage. Scary but satisfying.

Those pore strips that you put across your nose or chin - always get something out, even if you don't think anything's there.

Clinique pore minimiser is great stuff.

I put a small amount of tea tree conditioner on towel dried hair behind ears and nape of neck - as a deterrent to nits.

Best ever beauty buy = Neutrogena Day Cream with Active Soy SPF 15, only £8 from Superdrug.

Someone else on MN posted this but it really does work. Buy some of those cheap knitted shower gloves and do your arms, legs, torso, bum every shower. When nearly dry, apply body butter. Vaseline do a really good cocoa butter one in a tub which is about a fiver and doesn't leave you smelling like a bar of Cadburys. If you do this every shower, your skin will be soft and smooth as a baby's bum (almost) within a few weeks.

Moisturising is the key to avoiding ageing skin. And of course - this cannot be said too often - do not lie in the sun to get a tan. Use fake tan and stay in the shade.

Aim for: maximum effort, effortless appearance.

Attention to detail is essential.

Get eyebrows shaped and maintain them.

Get a flattering haircut (not necessarily the most trendy) and keep hair in good condition.

Wear sunblock if going outside, and forget worrying about being pale (besides in many countries pale is considered very beautiful).

Use a good moisturiser and add in layers if needing a boost. Exfoliate regularly.

"Groom" (read remove) facial/body hair as necessary, including forearm hair if like me you NEED to.

Don't set about your foundation with a trowel. Apply conservatively, but effectively.

Apply powder to your nose and between the eyes. Lightly.

Wear well fitting and flattering clothes. Comfort is key but is not everything. If it were, we'd all be in elasticated trousers, baggy t-shirts and trainers. Serenity is spot on: don't wear anything you feel awful in.

Go for nude make up during the day and reserve dramatic looks for evening. Nude make up does not mean no make up, it just looks like it only better.

this thread inspired me to have lovely relaxing bath last night.

i have loads of bath cremes and fancy shower gels from xmas gifts that i never use so i ran a lovely bath, put in loads of bubbles and a glug of baby oil. lit loads of candles. scrubbed and shaved. slathered my hair in conditioner and put on a face mask and lay back and enjoyed it for nearly two hours!!! it really was lovely. i never ever take time to relax like that and it has made me feel so much better today.