Your tips on how to look more Groomed, Glamorous or Polished #2

[DLMM4129]

I’ve been following this thread with interest from the beginning and I’m loving the tips! Over the past few years I’ve really upped my game as I work in the forefront of a company and I need to look groomed although I’m pretty lazy. Here are my tips -

- fake tan will give you a healthy glow instantly. I use TanLuxe drops in winter to build up a colour, and Bondi Sands during the warmer months

- make up - others have mentioned Bourjeoius makeup and I rate it! Also Elf eyebrow pencils are great and Maybelline lip gloss is fab. I don’t over do it, just a eyebrows, a cat flick eyeliner, mascara, bronzer, blusher and a bit of gloss. Takes 10 mins

-I have thick and curly hair and recently bought a Babyliss hot air brush. Game changer. I use it once a week after I wash my hair,then use a satin bonnet every night. Literally perfect hair for a week and takes 30 mins to do. A bit of serum keeps it tame!

- I’ve had my brows laminated a few times then tried with a kit off Amazon and did it just as well. £12 for multiple uses rather than £45 a time

- I don’t have time for manicures so I do my cuticles and file once a week, and use Barry M air polish in cupcake. 2 coats last a week and if it chips it’s not noticeable. It’s way better than YSL and Chanel which I used to buy and it’s like £3

- keep your hair close to your natural colour. I have a balayage and if it lightens too much, I darken the roots with a root smudge. It’s low maintenance!

- keep your clothes neutral so you can create a capsule wardrobe. I wear neutrals and classic cuts so everything is interchangeable. I tend to buy H&M and Zara and dress it up with a designer handbag (or a good quality leather one.) People notice cheap shoes and bags - they’re always a giveaway so spend more on them and team them with cheaper basics

- I’ve started getting Botox and filler. Very subtle but has totally changed my face and given me so much more confidence! I don’t want to look younger, I just want to look a good version of me

- use Tretinoin. I’ve been using it for 2 years via skin and me and it’s miracle stuff! It’s totally transformed my skin. For cleansing I use their cleanser but Cerave is very good and cheap. Same with their moisturiser. Also double cleanse but you don’t need expensive products, just something with tretinoin, azalic acid and niacimide. Maybe a bit of vitamin c serum in the morning but ALWAYS spf 50! If I could turn back time I’d be dowsing myself in it from my teens! No point using retinol other than tretinoin in my opinion - it’s just not strong enough.

- look after your teeth! They’re a dead giveaway to your health. I’ve now got Invisalign and wish I’d got them years ago. I want good, natural looking teeth, not big white gnashers, which Invisalign, a bit of composite bonding and white will give me

- I’m blessed with whiskers and a tash so I’ve started dermaplaning. Takes a few minutes every few days and it’s fab. I buy a big pack of razors from Amazon

- Leg/bikini hair, I shave. I used to wax but it’s finding the time and living with regrowth. If I do it every day it takes minutes. For my bum I use hair removal cream once a week

- a spritz of perfume speaks volumes. I wear Dior, Chanel and Diptyque

I think that’s all I do sound high maintenance but I promise I’m not - these are all easy things and without blowing my own trumpet, even pre Botox people commented they thought I was 10 years younger than I am.

I love reading posts like this! You sound like you look expensive (and I mean that as a compliment!!)

ETA - do you find the fake tan goes patchy though? How often do you do it?

 

[harveydean]

I love reading posts like this! You sound like you look expensive (and I mean that as a compliment!!)

ETA - do you find the fake tan goes patchy though? How often do you do it?

Haha I try to look expensive on my small budget! Thank you that’s really kind of you to say. I look towards people like Kate Middleton and question whether they’d get away with it (I know it sounds pretentious ) I think people can up their game just buying a few key pieces andchanging them up with coloured scarves and access

I use a mit to scrub my tan every 4/5 days and I moisturise daily (I use neutrogena which is cheap as anything and brilliant.) A build up colour is less likely to go patchy, but if I want a “just got back from Greece” glow, then it will eventually go patchy and grim. I’ve bought the Bondi Sands tan eraser which I’m yet to use, but I’ll report back!

Also I do use a gradual tan in between dark tans if I want a boost. Again I’m not going for an orange look, just a healthy, holiday colour (I’m naturally pale and washed out!)

My last tip is gold jewellery! So I’ve discovered you can buy nice gold earrings etc from Amazon I wear a few different gold huggies or hoops, a gold plated bracelet and necklace. They literally cost me between £5-15 and look pretty high end. Again just classic not buying into trends.

 

[oksobasically]

I am having a nightmare with fucking chin hair, it’s ruining my life I got checked for PCOS and I don’t have it, I always had 1 or 2 stray hairs but the last year it’s gotten so much worse and I stupidly started shaving it. I knew it wasn’t ideal but it was the most convenient option because the hairs were visible again after less than 24 hours…

I went to my beauticians today and she said laser hair removal is the way to go but I need to avoid removing the hair for FOUR WEEKS before the treatment…. I nearly started crying, I can’t even leave it 2/3 days or it’s sooo obvious. I saw a guy in the office glance down at it a few months ago when I hadn’t shaved it and I felt awful. It’s about 10 dark hairs just under my chin…

What are my options? Should I wax? I’ve tried plucking but it’s not very convenient….

Electrolysis is truly changing my life. It’s the only perm hair removal (hair can come back after laser if say your hormones change) and you can get it done on shorter cycles than laser I believe. My body lasering is every 6 wks and chin electro is every 3. No waxing or plucking and you only need to go 3 ish days without shaving it before a session- when I was researching it there were trans forums talking about going multiple times a week so while you won’t need that it does make it sound safe to go as regularly as you need to clear it.

With laser you shave everything down and the laser is drawn to the pigment (which is why it works best on lighter skin with darker hair) of the hair and damages the root using heat but with electro they need the hair to guide them into the right, active, follicle to destroy the root with a small electric charge. This is my understanding of the difference anyway! I personally have needed a few sessions before seeing a difference with laser whereas the electrolysis is immediate as they remove the hair after it’s been zapped and it usually only takes 1 or 2 zaps before the hair can’t grow again.

Lots of places offer both, maybe someone who spends all day looking at this will be able to help you decide what’s best? It absolutely sucks to be really conscious of it though, you’re not alone at all
Also, I’m not sure what tests you’ve had that ruled PCOS out but it’s acknowledged now that some people have it & don’t have cysts on their ovaries- there are groups trying to have it renamed for accuracy so that docs don’t lean too heavily on the existence of cysts to diagnose it. My hair removal lady is always pointing me towards research and things because so many of her clients have it, I’ve learned more about it from her than I got from my doctor about pcos over the last decade.

let us know what you go for and how it goes!!

 

[House of Tea]

I find Zara perfumes a great buy. I wish they would move them away from the till areas. You can’t browse properly.

 

[JustmeKC]

My new tip - invest in a couple of good quality well fitting staples, they can elevate any outfit and personally knowing something looks well makes me feel a lot better.

In recent weeks I’ve purchased a new long coat (while not hugely expensive, it’s more than I would normally spend), new boots and a couple of new tops. I’ve had some really nice comments from people I don’t really know at all on these things. I think it’s obvious when we’ve made an effort (and yes, I am one of those women who compliment others when I see something fab, even asking where it’s from sometimes).

I need to take some of these hair tips though, my hair is a mess and although a nice blow dry does wonders, it’s not practical for me all the time.

 

[StillLucilleBluth]

I'm so bad with drinking water. When I make an effort to drink enough, I definitely feel and sleep much better.

Not to jump in uninvited but I used to be the same and then while doing egg freezing the doctor told me I really needed to up my hydration game, and what I found super helpful was an app called WaterMinder that pings me every hour or so telling me to drink! And then you can see your progress and how much it goes up if you drink from a pint glass Might not work for everyone but worth a shot!

Do we have a thread on household tips, similar to this one?
I totally second that a nice home makes me feel better (though I can't bring myself to iron my clothes)!

I haven’t seen one but there was a great thread called Glow Up Secrets or something like that and lots of posters there talked about housey stuff, from memory!

 

[YellowLadybird]

Saw this from @literaryrose in the old thread and wanted to reply here

Loving this thread. The bit I struggle with is my hair. I am hopeless with updo's and putting my hair up so it looks classy, but ponytails can be so dull. I bought one of those hair bun donuts but then I had lots of hair sticking out. Oh to look classier!

An easy way to make your ponytail look better is just to do a 'half and half' and it doesn't take any more skill than doing an ordinary one.

Put the top half of your hair up (I take from just in front of my ears up to the crown) and tie that bit up first. Then take the rest and put in a low/medium second ponytail, tying the top part in as you do it. Keeps the volume on top of your head, stays in better (multiple tension points) and for me it's way more comfortable too!

I love French Plaits, partly because of the volume it keeps in your hair; this is another way to get the same effect and is a lifesaver for me whilst I'm growing my hair back out!

Not sure if this is the right thread for it but there is a line in my forehead becoming increasingly deep set and I think the time for some preventative botox has finally arrived. Any recommendations for someone good in London? SW, W, or central if possible!

I have used Derma Clinic Aesthetics and they're great. Clinics nationwide including in London.

Has anyone tried the Erborian BB or CC creams? If so, what is it like in terms of coverage? I keep getting adverts for them on IG and am not sure if it's worth buying (even with their current sale)

Go on ebay and get some tiny samples before you splash out on the real thing!

I rate their primers/correctors, but I've not tried the complexion shades as it seems like even Clair would be much too dark for me.

Does anyone have any hair tips at all? I'm good for the first week after getting it professionally done but after that I can never tame it.
It's so thick, wavy and feels so heavy so I'm constantly wearing it up in a messy bun.
I've tried the curly girl method as my hair curls when it's wet, but the next morning it's a bushy riot. Takes me a good 20 mins to straighten it but slightest bit of humidity it feels out of control and I tie it up.
I've had layers cut in, some weight cut off and the back thinned out.

Ideally I'm really wanting to grow it (so I can do more hairstyles etc) but want it to look day to day life and look like I've actually made some sort of effort!

Thick AF, I feel your pain. Every hairdresser comments on it as it's so so dense. I use at least 2x the recommended amount of any product just to get it through my hair and shampoo twice for the same reason.

I also tried and failed at Curly Girl, because I need heat/surfactant to keep it clean and controlled. I did discover Giovanni Shampoo through that though, which I love and is often on sale at TKMaxx.

In terms of styling, I think I've accepted that wearing my hair down is a 'special occasion' kind of thing, but there's lots of interesting possibilities when it comes to tying it up! I love half ups, side ponytails, and French plaits.

I'd be interested to know how you dry it, and what protectant/serum you use though, because if you are waking up with it super bushy then it probably needs something to protect it overnight. It shouldn't be out of control after sleeping - maybe a bit messy/kinked, but you shouldn't lose 100% of the effects of a previous styling.

 

[House of Tea]

As I age my hair texture has changed. Rougher, thinner, tangles and knots where there were none before. I have come to dread combing my hair through when wet. My normal wide tooth comb no longer did anything. So I bought a wet brush, Tangle Teezer which I have been using for a while. It has made it 75 % better. However just spent £25 quid on a Manta brush. So worth it. Glides through my hair with ease, can be used on dry and wet hair. It claims to reduce hair coming out, and smoothing the hair down. I would say yes to the former, haven’t noticed the latter.

I got the basic one, they do another one with a mirror (not worth it) and one that is about 20 quid more, which seems excessive and gimmicky.

I got mine from Amazon if you are interested but they are sold in lots of places, including the manufacturer themselves.

Amazon product

 

[JoeBloggs]

I was wanting to do some fancy designs spice things up a bit. Thought a dermaplane tool would be easier than a razor

Get a vajazzle

 

[Cameforalook]

I absolutely love reading these threads

I always feel never put together or messy even though I am constantly buying new Clothes , make up , hair and skin care. I feel like I haven’t really found my style and what it is yet.

I am 29 and obsessed with skincare I love the image and ordinary range however I recently started Botox and cannot recommend it enough I am always getting compliments on how hydrated my skin looks , I also have small bit of lip filler which I also love , one thing I dislike about me is I have a double chin and dislike my side profile and someone recommended chin filler had anyone here ever had it before and noticed a difference? Sorry if this is the wrong thread to ask.

Keep the tips coming I’m loving reading them all, you all sound fab

 

[House of Tea]

Thought I would place this here, on the previous thread there were a lot of posts about lash serums.

 

[DLMM4129]

I have just ordered a nose wax kit.

this literally makes my eyes water at the thought… let us know how you get on!

 

[Some People!]

Am I the only scumbag getting my makeup off with a plob of vaseline and a flannel followed by some soap then moisturiser?
I do have some micellar water and stuff, but since it won't touch my waterproof mascara I just... Lube my face up nightly

 

[Carapop]

i just don’t. It’s not comfortable in the heat, even if it stays intact. And it can’t be good for the skin. Like wearing makeup to the gym! I wear waterproof mascara and maybe some waterproof eyeliner at a push. lip balm with an spf. My sympathies are with those who can’t brave the world without. I was once that soldier before covid - working from home made me stop caring so much and make peace with my face .

 

[Pinkii]

can’t remember who it was that mentioned the dry shampoo post styling tip, but thank you.

my hair is very fine and doesnt really hold style well and now when i dry/style it, i blast it with dry shampoo straight after and my style actually stays for a couple of days and it gives extra volume!

 

[Burrito88]

I’m at a point in my life where I’m so confused, don’t know where to start, feel clueless, don’t know who I am, stuck in a rut, peri menopause lost myself, can’t be bothered, I want to be bothered, gained almost 2 stone and the list goes on and on and on
For months now iv spends hundreds of pounds on been all sorts of products, lotions and potions, but I just don’t feel I’m getting anywhere or seeing any difference.
Sorry for the rant just having a low day and feeling sorry for myself

Have you asked about HRT? Women go through so much if your GP doesn’t understand then try seeing a specialist - search menopause specialist and your area.

 

[judgejohndeed]

I second dermaplaning! I don't know if there's any science to this but I feel like my skincare can actually sink in better etc without all the face hair too? Maybe because it's not just hair but dead skin and whatever else. So cheap and so effective.

 

[not_influenced]

This Thread is not good for my bank balance... I've just started a job as a TA (after 5 years off to raise kiddies!) - having lived in Leggings and Hoodies - it's time for me, to be me! All the advice on Thread #1 & #2 has been invaluable! Just wondered how those with kids and Full Time work find the time to look after yourself? I'm just tired all the time... which results in me being and looking an absolute Slob!?

Not claiming in any way to be a pro. This is what I do working FT & kids . i don't do tan Thursday any more, I use dove gradual tan everyday after showering i always have a "subtle glow" and it works for events or if something comes up last min!

Hair- I trained my hair during Covid so i now wash it once a week. Previously was washing every 2 days now with kids don't have time. Day I'm washing hair i do face mask, hair mask, shave legs etc.

Skincare in evenings beside bed, makeup comes off in shower!

Home pedicure once a month - with those callus peel kits from boots! Disgusting but amazing!

Makeup i use Sculpted alot of multifunction products- lipstick that's blush, eyeshadow that's also bronzer- all in same pallet so handy for out and about kids bag!

 

[EddyDarling]

Any suggestions for an inexpensive hair straightener? Love me Airwrap but am looking for a sleeker look for the cooler months.

Picked up me new specs today, two pairs of the Vivienne Westwood X Specsavers collection. I love them and I can actually see VW is one of my favourite brands so I'm well chuffed.
Will attach pics of frames
The black are my everyday ones and the silver ones are my "interview" glasses, my smart pair

 

[wafflesnwings]

Not sure what age you are, but you will love your round face when you get older.Your face slims down as you age, those with rounder faces tend to look less hollow.

I second this. I hated having a round, baby face when I was young because I never looked like the girls in the magazines and wasn't really taken seriously in my jobs (everyone kept thinking I was the work experience kid; even when I headed up an entire team). I remember saving up for Kybella injections, but then went to a conference where a cosmetic surgeon was talking about how we (generally) don't grow into our faces/features until we hit our 30s and beyond.
That changed my perspective on it. You can always try add some definition with a Guasha facial massage stone (it'll really boost circulation in your face too, so you'll look very fresh-faced) along with contouring make-up (powder or cream-based products) or perhaps a layered hair cut.
Try not to do any procedure on your face Miaaaa as you're still young and growing into your face, your features etc. I'm certain you look absolutely beautiful just as you are