Frumpy to Fabulous in 12 Easy Steps

[thriftybargainmom]

Here are some things you can do everyday to help you look your best:

1. Get a good haircut that fits your lifestyle! If you need a wash and wear style, tell your hairdresser. If you have curly hair and want a style that is straight, don’t get it done unless you are 100% committed to using your blow-dryer daily! Remember, embrace your uniqueness.

2. Have good hygiene. Pretty basic, but if you don’t wash your face every night before bed, you will have breakouts! If you don’t take care of your teeth, your smile will not be brilliant!

3. Exfoliate. The number one thing a woman can do to make her skin look and feel better is to exfoliate! Skin naturally sheds it’s outer layer but the resulting build-up can leave skin dull and flaky. The build-up clogs pores, leaving blackheads for you to battle with. Exfoliating 3-5 times a week will help prevent breakouts and will rid you off flakey skin, revealing healthier looking skin. Here’s a Hot Tip: Exfoliating your legs before shaving will leave you with a super silky shave!

4. Apply make-up. A good make-up routine does not take more than 5 minutes! If you really can’t spare 5 minutes, at least apply a good moisturizer with SPF, lip gloss and mascara.

5. Dress in style. It really is just as easy to pull on a great fitting pair of jeans, a cute fitted tee and stylish flats as it is to pull on a pair of sweats, baggy tee and tennis shoes! You’ll look and feel more put together by simply putting a moment’s thought into what you put on.

6. Accessorize. Accessories are the cheapest way to update your wardrobe. A great pair of earrings will draw attention upward to your face; a fashionable belt, shoes or great handbag can add style to any outfit; sunglasses can hide dark under eye circles and a stylish hat is great for bad hair days (We all have them, even with a great cut!)!

7. Own a pair of Red High Heels. For an evening out with your man, nothing is sexier than a great pair of red high heels! Black heels are fine, but RED heels are great! They give you a feeling of confidence and sexiness like nothing else! Your man will be thrilled to be seen with a Hot Mama in red heels!

8. Exercise. It really is true that exercise makes you look and feel better! Exercise does not have to be expensive or time consuming. Taking a walk pushing the baby stroller or walking the stairs rather than taking the elevator can be very beneficial for your health and mood!

9. Fix yourself up for your man! If you have been home all day with the kids, put on a clean shirt, spritz on a body spray, run a brush through your hair and slick on some gloss! If you have been at work all day, freshen up before leaving work. Apply some lipstick, straighten your hair, and put a smile on. Men are what they are. They enjoy a pretty face so why not make the effort to freshen up for the man you love? He will appreciate your efforts!

10. Dump the Flannel. Yes, it keeps you warm but so can your man. Invest in some sexy jammies. You don’t have to wear silk lingerie every night but throw out the frumpy flannel and sex it up a little. Nothing promotes romance like a little skin!

11. Smile! Even when you don’t feel like putting a smile on, do it. It is contagious. When you smile, the world smiles back and you will be wearing a genuine smile in no time! Few things are more attractive than a great smile!

12. Have confidence. Nothing is sexier than a woman with confidence.

[FrugalMomof3]

Thanks for the tips, I might have to share this with a friend

[Libby]

Thanks for the tips, I might have to share this with a friend

These are great tips! I know of a few gf's/co-workers who could use a few of these tips b/c she's serious stuck in 'no time for me/mommy mode' when her childs able to let her have 30 mins of MOMMY TIME

I hope she catches the hint and doesnt take offense!

[bee9984]

These are great reminders thanks!

Another tip which I read a couple of months ago was to paint your toenails. I can't remember where I saw that but I have kept pretty nail polish on them ever since and it sure does feel great believe it or not lol.

[PrairieRose]

These are great tips and I think are really good advice for women, esp. if their husbands work out in the public and see nice looking women on a regular basis.... . I mean, remind him why he wants to come home to you occaissionally.

[Dancing Lotus]

I agree with 99% of this. There small things that you can do for yourself that will make you feel a lot better and the way that you feel has a lot to do with how others see you.

[Lori Biever-Launder]

Looks great, except my DH LOVES flannel! Go figure...

[Jaded]

Good post. I had a friend once whose husband had never seen her without makeup until she had a miscarriage and was in the hospital. She washed her face after he went to sleep, then got up earlier than he did, and put it back on. When he saw her without it, he told her he didn't want her to wear makeup anymore, because she looked prettier without it, so now all she wears is moisturizer, blush, mascara, and lipgloss.

I'm glad I don't have a man at home. My cat doesn't care how I look after a hard day at work.

[Libby]

These are great tips and I think are really good advice for women, esp. if their husbands work out in the public and see nice looking women on a regular basis.... . I mean, remind him why he wants to come home to you occaissionally.

This is sooo true. But its also grounds for a reason to gussy up ya know? We always wait for a reason to get dressed up, do our hair and put on make up. Granted if you're not the hair and make up type and go all out one day to go do groceries with the SO you may get the 3rd degree

Looks great, except my DH LOVES flannel! Go figure...

Oddly enough - my bf does not seem to mind if I dress up or down or go out like a sloth Sometimes we'll need to go grab one thing and it turns into a trip LOL and well 4 stores later - we're back at home and then I get dressed Poor guy being seen with me like that in public. He's brave I must say! Gotta love him.

[auntie2many]

Looking for frugal make-up help:

I am in my mid 40's, brown hair, green eyes, caucasian, light skin with red undertones. I have age spots on my cheeks and very often a rash on my cheeks and neck from allergies that my health insurance will not pay to diagnose. What can you suggest as a concealor brand and possibly shade? I have some liquid foundation, about five lipsticks and mascara.

I want to add eye shadows, blush, eye pencils... when I get coupons in the Sunday paper, but do not know what colors... I should wear. I can afford Maybelline, Cover Girl..., but cannot afford department store items like Clinique and Lancome.

I stay away from black clothing only because my pets have white fur and it is forever getting on the dark clothing. I will wear navy jeans. I do not wear yellow. I look like I am ready for my funeral in yellow.

I feel like such a frumph, but want to look pretty again. Also any great techniques for applying make-up are welcome too. Thanks everyone!

auntie

[amecoy75002]

Great points. We women need to remember to spend time on ourselves. We tend to get so wound up in others lives, we forget we need love and attention too. Loved the red shoes tip.. mine aren't red - mine are purple! My fav color I always feel sexy and happy when I wear my purple high heels! LOL

[Linda Poston]

Auntie,
Your coloring sound similar to mine & I can help with this because it's in my expertise area. With regards to your skin have you determined that it is an allergy & not rosacea? If it's an allergy it will respond well to most OTC creams that have a cortisone type base. If it's rosacea that's a little tougher.
Brown eyeliner pencil is easy to find @ the drugstore/Walmart & there are many to choose from. Any major brand (L'Oreal, Revlon, etc.) will work just fine. To give it lasting power, go over the pencil with a matching color powder eyeshadow. You didn't say how old you are but the more "mature" our eyes get the better we look with a slightly blurry line so you need'nt worry that it be perfect. In choosing an eyeshadow stick with beige-brown types & you can't go wrong. A mascara finishes it off & there are plenty of them to choose from. Thru trial & error you will find something you like.
Go to the better department stores ~ Dillards, Maceys & so on & have them make you up. It's free. You can tell them what you are looking for or just let them have their way & see if you like it. You DO NOT have to buy. Most of the time they are just happy to be busy! Also do not believe their hype about having to buy all your skin care products from 1 line. There isn't any truth in it.
For an undereye cream I would splurge. MOst people with dark circles need a yellow base with a lighter shade over it. It took me years (38 to be excact) to find Bobbi Brown's concealer but it has saved me as far as dark circles go. Check out her entire line @ BobbiBrown.com. Watch the video snaps she does there & check out the concealers & the costs. THEN go to Ebay & buy them! A visit to the bookstore will also help as she has several books there. I admire the way she looks at makeup & her gift for making it easy to understand & do.
Hope this helps & feel free to ask me anything more!

[baxjul]

Have you been looking in my window? Okay, I'll put on some makeup today!