Do you have a "polished" appearance?

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Another thing that makes me feel good about myself is exercising. I walk at least 30 mins 6 days a week. You WILL see results, which will change the way you feel about yourself. I weigh now what I weighed pre-kids, probably less.

I agree a good bra and hairstyle are big self esteem boosters. I have a ton of Victoria Secrets bras and panties. I do NOT wear mom jeans, and try to stay somewhat in style.

Once I start wearing sandals (about this time!) I will get a pedicure, which always makes me feel pampered and complete.

Just start with a couple changes and see how they make you feel. One thing will lead to another...

 

[ilovepcot]

A comment made to me many years ago (high school) had a profound effect on me...even to this day.

A very popular and very good looking boy took me out to dinner and while we were waiting to be seated a classmate (very pretty girl!) happened to stop by and speak briefly with us. After she left, he commented on her appearance. His question was *WHY* would such a pretty girl go out in public looking like she just rolled out of bed? His idea was that if a girl took no more pride in herself *and* was too lazy to apply some makeup, what else was she too lazy to do? His idea was that a woman without makeup would most likely be too lazy to shave her legs regularly, bathe, brush her teeth and tend to "feminine" hygiene matters as she should. My reply was, "You can't be serious!!!!" His reply back..."Hey, if a woman is too lazy to do things that can be seen, you know she's not tending to things that *can't* be seen."

I felt "strange" toward him after that and never went out with him again, BUT I thought about his remarks and, as a teenager, wondered if all guys viewed girls and women this way. Not knowing (naive at that age), I decided to not leave any room for questions and have worn makeup from that day on. Funny how things at a young age "impact" your life. But, DH loves makeup and I aim to please!

 

[Nicolepa]

I am about 15 pounds over weight. I have tried to lose them for 4 years. I've dieted, cut out all sugar, all desserts, snacking, sodas, etc, currently I excercise 6x a week. Been doing this since December, Nothing. Last spring I decided that I want to look good now, not when I hit my weight (which may never happen). I went to Ann Taylor and got a new spring wardrobe. Now before you say anthing about money. They send out awesome coupons (20% off your entire purchase and such). And they had ADDITIONAL 50% off clearance. I kid you not I got everything for Target prices (silk shirts for 10, capri's for $20 etc).

Now the kicker is, EVERYONE insits I lost at least 10 pounds!

Do I still want to lose the weight? Absolutly. But honestly I love my wardrobe so much that if I ever lose the weight I will just have the clothes altered.

Ann Taylor won't make everyone look great, but find a brand that does. Having clothes that made me feel good, inspired me to get a haircut, and some new shoes etc.

 

[RitaZ.]

To a certain extent, I agree that you can't judge a book by its cover. However, the way we present ourselves does make an impact in how we are perceived and treated by others, no doubt about it!

There should be no shame in wanting to look good. Many people equate looking good with being shallow and snotty, which is simply not true. Just show up for a job interview looking polished and well groomed compared to a candidate that shows up looking unkempt and disheveled. Who do you think will likely get the job? Yes, I realize that it's not all about what's on the outside and that you've got to have the knowledge to back it up. That first impression that we make may be the only chance that we get, we definitely want to make it a positive one.

To me, how a person looks on the outside is a reflection of what that person is feeling on the inside. It's not about buying expensive name brand clothes. It's about how well a person wears them, even when they are from Walmart. A person can look good without going broke or getting into debt. BTW, you don't have to be a twig to look good, I see women on the heavy side that dress well and look really good.

It's easy to get into a rut, I've been there. The thing is that we may not even realize it until we see a pic of ourselves or someone makes a comment about our appearance. I know that many women have been taught that in order to be considered a good mom or person, they must sacrifice themselves for the benefit of their families and to not do so is selfish. I've also done that, but there came a point when I realized that I deserve to pamper and nurture myself too, it's not all about my family.

To the OP~ If it seems too overwhelming, just do one little thing to start out with. Pretty soon that one small change will lead to another and so on. I guarantee that it will change how you feel.

 

[LisaNJ25]

With 4 kids and 2 under 2 I am lucky If I match when I walk out the door

 

[Buckalew11]

One word - eyebrows.

Since I started having my eyebrows professionally shaped, i feel like I look so much more polished, even if i'm wearing jeans, t-shirt and flip flops. Even when I don't wear makeup, I just feel like I look done.

And ever since I had a professional bra fitting, I feel like my clothes look much neater.

I hardly ever dress up and only wear powder, eye shadow and lip gloss, so my routine is pretty low maintenance, but I will always pay someone to do my brows.

Eyebrows. Amen, sister! I think eyebrows frame your eyes, change your face and all that good stuff. I see some pretty girls with too much brow or over tweezed brows. Pay attention to those brows!!

 

[Michie]

I always have to do my hair, some make-up and look decent, even if I am not going anywhere. It's just the way I am. It doesn't take me very long. If I am pressed for time I can get from shower to being ready and looking good in 30 minutes.

Me too! If I die suddenly I want to look good for the EMT's!

 

[cstraub]

Haven't read through all the posts so sorry if this was already posted.

I love the Lands End Web site because you can make a virtual model of yourself with your exact measurements and then put clothes on it. It's free and here's the link:

Virtual model

click on virtual model link to get started! Have fun!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

With 4 kids and 2 under 2 I am lucky If I match when I walk out the door

If I were you I would be lucky if I had pants on when I walked out the door!

Marseeya, the first time I was out in public with this perm (yes, I really hide away for a few days until it's time to shampoo it--I only go places where I'm unlikely to see people that I know... ) someone I know started saying that she didn't understand people like me who got perms and that she spend so much time straightening her hair every morning. What I wanted to tell her is to try NOT straightening it and maybe it would look better, but I didn't think that would come out right (she's a friend and I wasn't trying to offend her) so I just said that we always want what we don't have.

Perfect hair is my DD's hair. Wavy/slightly curly so it straightens easily or she can not straighten and it looks good. And it's strawberry blonde. She's one of those people who looks good without even trying. No, I'm not jealous of my own daughter!

Michie, remember to wear non-holy underwear! We don't want to have an accident and have to EMT's see our holy underwear!

 

[Marseeya]

If I were you I would be lucky if I had pants on when I walked out the door!

Marseeya, the first time I was out in public with this perm (yes, I really hide away for a few days until it's time to shampoo it--I only go places where I'm unlikely to see people that I know... ) someone I know started saying that she didn't understand people like me who got perms and that she spend so much time straightening her hair every morning. What I wanted to tell her is to try NOT straightening it and maybe it would look better, but I didn't think that would come out right (she's a friend and I wasn't trying to offend her) so I just said that we always want what we don't have.

I gave in to my curls a couple of years ago. I had to grow my hair really long so that it would look a bit longer than shoulder length -- if I straighten it, it comes halfway down my back. I bought myself a no-frizz serum and just let 'er go.

 

[pfishgirl]

My husband brags to people that I am low maintence... I hate clothes shopping, why do I want to remind myself if I'm gaining weight..

I as well, jeans and t-shirts all the way.. I have days when I know I'm not leaving the house so I'm in sweat pants all day..

If we are going to a party, family thing, business function, then I tend to dress the part.. Nice outift, jewelry, some extra make up.. etc..

My hair is so thick that no matter what I try to do, it falls completely flat so why bother.. as for Makeup well I sell AVON and hardly ever wear it.. go figure.. A little blush and mascara and I'm done.. I'm already married no need to "impress" anyone..

I DO have 2 things that I am anal about... My NAILS... I go every 2 weeks to have a manicure and polish change done.. I just always remember someone making a comment to me that my wedding rings are beautiful too bad my nails look a mess.. and the 2nd is My EYEBROWS.. I was blessed with dark thick long eyebrows so when I get my nails done, I also get my brows waxed..

 

[rigs32]

I don't have the time or money to be high maintenance. Men who think less of me because of it are men I wouldn't want to spend time with, either. People think I'm much younger than I am, partly because I take good care of my skin - I don't tan and makeup is only for special occasions or going out.

Given than most fashions are not made for curvy bodies these days, it's hard to look fashionable and be comfortable. I see no need to strap myself into an uncomfortable outfit for someone else's benefit.