This post was going to be entitled “5 steps to a glossier you” but then I decided that that was setting the bar too high. That implies a shampoo advert, a meadow and glowing white teeth, whereas the reality is soggy wet hair, a Birmingham canal and spinach between my teeth. Also part way through my process of “5 steps to a glossier you” I was floored by a virus and everything was put on hold. So now it is a question of faking it til I make it.
What do I mean by this? Well, in a nutshell, there are times when we’re less happy with how we look and feel. It may be that our hair is a bit limp, or our skin not as bright as it should be. Our clothes may feel a bit snug (I think that’s a nicer word than “too small”) or, as with most women, our tummies may go on a little frolic of their own (hello 5 months’ pregnant tummy, where have you come from?!)
So these are tips to give yourself a lift. It doesn’t matter if no-one else knows, or notices. You can get your own little thrill from knowing that you’ve done something for you and that it makes you feel better.
Tip 1 – Have a fake tan
This is the ultimate in the “faking it until you make it” idea, except that I never actually make it as I don’t like to sunbathe. It is however the first thing that I do when good weather is forecast. I instantly feel better when I’ve got a little colour on me. I reserve the full on spray for holidays and/or more than about 4 days of good weather. Otherwise it’s a case of DIY painting by numbers where it’s needed most – legs generally.
This is the one that I use the most – I find it not too smelly, it doesn’t come off on the sheets too much, it’s not streaky (that’s the bit that I like best – anyone can slap it on), it lasts a long time and at £4.99 it’s a great price.
St Moritz Mousse (£4.99) Superdrug
I have a friend who uses the James Read range from Marks & Spencer and I’m really tempted to try their sleep mask tan (£25) as she always looks so healthy. Something else for the “to do” list!
Tip 2 – Get your teeth whitened
I had started on this before I got ill and I haven’t quite picked it up again – but I will. I think that it’s something to do with the fact that my son was really good at filling the trays with the whitening fluid but he seems to be pre-occupied these days with revising for his GCSE’s or something. Rude. I know.
I went to see Dr Emma Deacon, a really good friend of mine, who made the trays for me and provided the whitening “stuff”. I managed 3 days before I had to abandon things but I definitely noticed a difference in that time.
I’ve also read about charcoal tablets and charcoal toothpaste working but I think that for a real (and safe) difference, a Dentist is the answer. Emma also does facial aesthetics and she LOVES her clothes and bags so if you want a clothes chat at the same time, she’s your girl.
Tip 3 – Buy a ring and wear it on a different finger
OK, so this is about as quick a fix as you can get. But honestly, you will instantly feel cooler if you wear a ring on your thumb or your index finger. Don’t ask me why but it’s true. How radical huh?
I’ve just bought this ring from Lucinda at TLM Edit (£10). I like that it’s adjustable because I have ridiculously small fingers and everything falls off. I’ve also had them from Hush and Stella & Dot.
Tip 4 – Get another ear piercing
I love wearing lots of earrings but I’ll warn you, getting additional holes put into your ears is addictive. THE place to go at the moment is Maria Tash at Liberty. She does some beautiful earrings in delicate combinations which are like mini works of art. You could opt for another piercing in your lobe, or your helix (outer ear cartilage). Or there’s your daith or tragus, which are your inner ear cartilage. The rules have tightened up now on cartilage piercings so where you go depends on what they can do. But to me there’s a definite joy in getting another ear piercing.
Or if that doesn’t appeal to you, there are some great butterflies out there that will fix on to the back of any of your existing earrings. My favourite butterfly is this single butterfly chain with star charm from Harry Rocks London (£30). They have some gorgeous jewellery, so do check them out. This is such a lovely and cool earring combo!
Tip 5 – Buy some fun sunnies
In my opinion there are a few reasons that Iris Apfel wears big glasses and gets away with it. First, she doesn’t care. Secondly, she can. Thirdly, as one gets older and some things become less accessible, glasses don’t. In fact the crazier, the better.
The older I get, the less I care. When I was younger I wouldn’t have worn crazy glasses. What would people have said? So if they make you happy, wear them – irrespective of comments from the family. New glasses can be such a great and inexpensive way of accessorising your outfit plus they’re a fabulous way of detracting from that less than perfect hair/slightly too snug outfit/less than perfect skin.
Star studded sunglasses the TLM Edit (£38)
I’d love to know what you do to put a spring in your step if you’re feeling a little “blah” about the bigger things. Going back to basics and getting more sleep, drinking more water, taking time for yourself and so on are all great but it can take a while to feel the difference. Sometimes a quick fix will put a spring in your step and get you back on the road to feeling like yourself again.
