Don't always have the time or the money or the energy to look good?

Question

I never have time to do all those little grooming type things like styling my hair (lucky if I get time to wash it!), plucking my eyebrows, doing make-up and stuff, nor the money to buy new clothes very often (plus whenever I wear something that looks good I give up half way through the day to put on something warm and comfy!).
I'd like to be able to leave the house looking a bit less of a mess but I just don't have the energy to mess about with these things.
So I was wondering whether anyone had any tips about how to look good when you're a bit rushed, a bit broke and have an active life that can't handle tottering around in heels!

Answer 1

I feel just the same most of the time so when I do make an effort people are like 'wow'! and I'm like oh so I look like a mess the rest of the time! - great!!
Even when in a rush and tiered, sorting the kids, washing, tea for after work I always do the following....
Clean face, moisturise. Smell good (of course have a shower and a good spray of something nice, doesn't need to be expensive tho) I never leave the house without mascara and some lip balm, it looks natural but still like you've made an effort. Black is the best colour as always slimming. Either with jeans or trousers and nice comfy shoes. I never buy designer stuff, I can't afford to, I either root around charity shops or a 'cheaper' shop....are you in England? Peacocks and Primart are fab and cheap.
Good luck, hope some of this helps x
PS. If you don't have the energy to wash your hair...put a bit of talcum powder in you hands and put thro' your hair, not too much tho' as you'll look like a ghost! Then put in a nice pony tail, then (if you have a fringe/bangs) just wash the fringe/bangs and give a quick blast with the hairdryer, have a practice one day it nealry always works for me! x

Answer 2

I think everyone should make an effort to look good. I know you don't have time but I do 5 things at once (which by the sounds of it you're used to doing)
Plucking is essential... it really makes a difference to how we look so I think you should prioritise that one.
Clothes - Not a problem - I am in the same situation and I just try to buy a few smart/casualish tops and mix and match, you'll be surprised at how you can glam something up.
Hair - well as we don't know what its like its hard to say but a easy to manage cut and some hairdressers advise should sort you out.
Makeup - Mascara, blusher and a bit of lip balm - literally takes seconds to apply!! and looks very natural.
You seem like a busy lady so I think you should try to find some time out for yourself if you can.

Best of Luck XXX

Answer 3

Find the clothes that mix and match well so that when you are in a rush you can grab just about any top and any bottoms and it will work. You can find good quality clothing in second-hand shops or on Ebay. Look mainly for clothes that don't need ironing, solid colours that compliment your features (skin tone, hair colour, body shape ), and throw in some black and grey just so that you can quickly throw it on.

Overall it depends where you are going when you get dressed, but it sounds to me as though a sporty-look might suit you best. Smart-casual is easy to pull-off if you need to look a little more professional though. Find black trousers that contain lycra and require minimal ironing.

As for make-up you don't need it if your skin and body are healthy and well taken care of. Drink lots of water and spend a little money on a good cleansing soap. My favourite is the Clinique facial cleansing soap bar. It lasts FOREVER and cleans your skin really well. It costs a bit more than a cheap-o brand, but because it's much longer lasting and works so well, it's worth the money.

Last of all, as humans we only tend to rush through things we're not really interested in. So if you are really interested in taking a little more care in the way you look, you do have to make more time. There are some people that LIVE in front of a mirror and it's a big priority for them - but you don't have to be that bad. Just give yourself an extra 5 minutes than you normally would.

And with the eyebrow thing - you just have to do it. Regularly.

People who look good do make the extra time - it doesn't happen magically.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi I set my self into a rountine so that I get use to doing it, I can never not be bothered as your body actually will pay for you not looking after it in the end. There are lots of cheap make up products out there that work just as good as the dear makes and even if you buy a product once a week you will do it in no time the cheap make up is good if you havent got sensitive skin. The more you get into a routine the more you will want to look good and you will want to do it all the time. If maybe take some sort of vitamin supplement or some evening primrose oil to give you a bit off a boost.
You dont need a lot of make up just get a tinted moirsturiser mascara and lip gloss or tinted lip balm and there you go ready to go.

I mean if takes me like 5 mins to get ready make up in a flash and hair up good too go. You dont need to parp around for hours like some people do it doesnt take too long.
You will crack it in the end.

Answer 5

One nice hai tip is if its naturally wavy put some moose in it ans scrunch it around, it wont take 2 seconds.
For straight hair prehaps getting a frindge if u havent got one already and changing it a little each day.
Also on the way home from work get a manicure now and then, like once a month, if u look in the right places its not expensive!
Bronzing powder for your chest and face is a lovely way to make yourself glow.
And for clothes, stick to simple elegant clothes like a few plain colourful tops, and mix them with 2 jackets/cardigans depending on the weather. You dont need to be over the top, just simple and elegant! Hope thats helps, I use those techniques since i have a part time job and am always out and about at 6th form and also trying to socialise.

Answer 6

I think a little time investment might help you out, get a hraicut that works with what your hair wants to do naturally so you don't have to worry about it too much in the mornings. then buy some scissors and keep it in trim yourself (you might need help with the back), depending on your hair length shouldn't take much time - I have very short hair adn it takes me about 10 mins once a month

clothes - I wear flat shoes and comfy clothes every day, I jut make sure they fit well and are all co-ordinated so I can pull anythign out of the wardrobe and it will go together! somethign like brightly coloured ballet pumps are very comfuy and quite and girly, get good quality (leather or something)and they will last you ages. a good trick is also acessories, stick a necklace on and you'll look like you made an effort!

eyebrows you do need to do, but if you carry tweezers with you then you can do a little every time you are in a bathroom, maintainence avoids havign to do an overhall, I probably pluck 2 hairs every day but never hsva to spend any time doing it

I spend about 6 mins in the morning getting washed and dressed, I'm on my feet most of the day and so I know how you feel.

Answer 7

an easy to manage hair cut would be a start your hairdressers can advise you on this. cleansing and moisturising day and night does wonders and once you get used to it it only takes a couple of minutes. i think you can look good in jeans and a fitted t-shirt, you could accessorise a bit maybe a scarf or belt and some flat comfortable shoes like loafers or ballet shoes look cute and are very practical. make up wise try a waterproof mascara (a cheap one will do fine) and get one of those lip balms with a hint of colour. little things can make a big difference with your appearance so experiment an remember to take a little time in your schedule for yourself it feels great.

Answer 8

well rule no 1 is be clean
rule no 2 - keep things simple in clothing and accesories
rule no 3 - u can make time for either mascara or blush - either will give you a lift in appearance whatever else happens
rule no 4 - every now and then u have to make time to groom otherwise ....

Answer 9

Buy cheap deodorant.Use cucumber slice on your eyes or teabags to remove puffy eyes.Take two spoonful of papaya flesh and mix it with some eggs and apply on your face. Or take green saffron,crush it and apply on your face.If u dont have time for your hair cut it short.Use a shampoo designed for the type of your hair.there are cheap efficient shampoos on the market.For your haIR to be glossy take two eggs and mix it with some of your shampoo and apply on your head and wash your hair.

Answer 10

Looking good does not just come form grooming yourself but also feeling confident that you look good u can always have your own style of dressing and still look good messy hair itself is a style so just get rocking it will do but have a good bath that will do ;-)