How NB is hair & make-up in looking fab? - YouLookFab Forum

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How NB is hair & make-up in looking fab?

Hil

(website)

Veteran

People often comment about my hair when I post a WIW - in fact someone actually said something along the lines of it being my signature element in my style... and maybe it is? It is pretty important to me to have a good hair style but it's not something I spend loads of time on... A good haircut fairly regularly (a home box colour most of the time) and 7 - 10 minutes max daily with my head upside down under a blow drier is about my max.

Make-up is the same - I probably spend 5 minutes in the morning applying make-up and I never reapply in the day except for lip balm. I generally apply a little BB cream, a little eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara and a little blush and lipstick or lip balm. Very quicksticks.

I don't consider myself to be a high maintenance girl, but I feel like those 15 minutes spent on a bit of grooming makes a huge difference to how I feel about my day.

I could be wearing my most fab clothes but if I didn't have fresh hair and a touch of makeup I would feel blegh - I know this because I have tried.

When watching makeover programmes, my husband has often commented that the biggest difference to the participants has not been the clothes but the change of hair and application of makeup and in many instances I agree.

Over to you - how important is this daily grooming to you?

General

50 replies

Latest reply was from jayne

ramya

Veteran

I am probably the laziest in this.
I know I should apply make up but never do. But the recent curl friendly hair style has boosted my confidence.
Now only if I took the trouble of applying some lip colour and eyeliner. I would look fab. It's my husband's biggest complaint.

Dawn

(website)

I can be very lazy about this, but I know that I look much better with a touch of mascara, a swipe of concealer and some blush.

I agree with you about the makeover shows- what always stands out to me how helpful it is to get someone to objectively say that certain haircuts suit you or this makeup suits you. I mostly hate the clothes chosen on makeover shows though.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I don't know but I am so bad at personal grooming. I don't even blow-dry my hair. Wash, comb and go. No makeup except maybe a swipe of lipstick. There's a lot of things I should do--pluck my eyebrows, wear sunscreen more often, moisturize, paint my toenails, blah blah blah. I just can't deal right now!

rute

Veteran

I couldn't agree more! My rotine is ver simple, my hair is curly and I just spend 2 minutes each morning blow-drying my bang. My make up is also very natural, BB cream, mascara, cream blush, gloss, no more than 5 minutes, but these 7 extra minutes in the morning make all the difference!

Deborah

Veteran

Extremely important to me. Hil I am just like you, hair and make up have to done. I could be wearing Chanel but if my hair and makeup are not done, I may as well be wearing something really ordinary. Make up takes about 5 mins and hair 15-20:)

kkards

Veteran

i'm like you Hil, i don't spend a lot of time on my hair and make up daily. but my hair is an important part of my style, and i change it (either color or length) often.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I am useless with hair dryer and eyeshadow, foundation and concealer. I used to be a vain girl who had to have eyeliner and lipstick on, and keep eyebrows tweezed. But since the baby, I stopped using any makeup and haven't had time to tweeze...and to my shock, have not been hating my mug. My hair has always been washed and left to air dry. I don't get trims as often as ideal either. My mustache is the only thing I try to NOT maintain.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

Oh, I am ALL ABOUT my hair and make up. I may not do a LOT (I grew up with hippies who drilled into me that less is better, and make up should never be OBVIOUS), but I almost never go without at least a swipe of mascara and a swish with the powder (ok, ok, that powder may be mineral foundation, but STILL, Y'ALL). It probably doesn't help that when I don't, I inevitably get asked if I'm feeling ok - bags under the eyes and a perpetually mildly chapped nose don't help. It feels like no great shakes - just enough to even it all out, a whiff of mascara, and a swoop of blush across the tops of the cheeks, and I'm gone, usually. I love lipstick, but it never stays on very long, so I tend to be a Blistex or gloss gal. But I guess the fact that I rarely go without, unless I'm not leaving the house, means I'm a Make Up All The Time kinda girl (unless 'm camping, n which case: the trees can live with my bags. HA!)

My hair takes, typically, another 2-3 minutes if it's shower-damp -- spray some argan on it and ave the drier around whilst I ruffle it 'round, and off I go (with my colour, I avoid most product).

Anonymous

I always wear makeup, though I go through great lengths to make sure it looks natural. I religiously get my hair trimmed every 4 weeks, as it grows fast. My hairstyle is low maintenance, however, so that part of my daily routine doesn't take much time.

Peri

Veteran

Extremely important to me too. I'm not sure why someone would care a lot about their clothes and fashion style and then think makeup is too much!

Too each her own though...as most know, my shoes can't keep up with my clothes so my style tends to stop at the ankles. Who am I to judge if someone dresses great but doesn't extend that to her face?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm like you, Hil. I need a sharp hairstyle to feel my best. But the actual daily maintenance on that style is close to zero, and this is how I like it. I'm useless at fussing with my hair. So I air dry unless it is dead of winter and I need to get out the door very quickly, and then I apply a bit of product. And go. Sometimes I will flat iron my bangs if there is lots of humidity. Takes less than a minute.

I don't wear much makeup at all, but I wear it every day. Under eye concealer, brow pencil and a bit of lipstick are my basic daily standbys. Most days I add a swipe of eye pencil, mascara, and blush. I never wear foundation and will wear eye shadow only for an extremely fancy occasion, like maybe once a year.

Diana

Veteran

I spend almost zero time on hair and makeup. BUT I know I am blessed by having GREAT, well behaved hair, and decent, if not great, skin and lips. My hair looks good air dried and swiped with a brush, especially at a shorter length. I often let my hair go too long without cutting or getting my dye job redone, but somehow it all looks fine on me. A little RATE but still really nice. I'm happy with my natural skin and lips, so most days I don't bother with anything other than moisturizer with sunblock. I don't even own foundation.

The one feature I have that I know looks better WITH makeup is my eyes, which are small and shallow. If I want to look prettier, I'll give them a swipe of mascara, but most days I'm too lazy and don't care enough. Plus I wear bold specs to offset my eyes anyway.

Thistle

Veteran

I am allergic to most make-up, so I don't use it. Yes, it makes me look better in the short term, but swollen eyes are never attractive in the longer run.

As for hair, I have struggled on this a lot. My hair is insanely thick. It takes my stylist 45 minutes to blow it dry. So, a morning blow dry simply isn't happening. This is an area I continue to focus on.

Kim

Veteran

When I was younger and had 3 young kids I rarely did makeup or anything more than cut my hair, and wash and go, I just totally didn't have the time. But I was younger and had the freshness of youth on my side so I got away with it.

As I've aged (and found more time because the kids have grown) I've added to my routine. I read somewhere that if you feel better with make up on (as I do) then it's worth the investment of time in the morning (5 -10 minutes for m) to have it on, no matter whether you are going out or not, just to be prepared for whatever comes your way that day and feel your best. You never know, you might "get discovered" at the grocery store! LOL

I feel best if my hair is freshly done (washed, dried and ironed) so I spend the time on it in the morning. I think my hair is one of my best features (still nice and thick at 51) so I play it up. I color roots at home, and get professional cut and highlights every 3 months. Its so important to my overall sense of well being that I will actually leave clothes at home so that I have room in my suitcase for my blow dryer and flat iron! LOL

I can make any outfit work with what I have in my suitcase, but I don't feel FAB unless hair and makeup are good. I do it first thing every morning, and then get on with my day. I've chosen a haircut and products that are undemanding though and need little to no attention for the rest of the day once I'm done.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

My hairstyle and makeup is a key component to my overall look and there's no way I would leave the house without either being done.

I have a similar hairstyle to Suz which is very low maintenance but I get regular trims (every 5 weeks) and use the proper products. I like my hair to look sharp and slightly edgy.

As for makeup, I don't wear a ton but what I do wear, I wear regularly. A swipe of Bare Minerals foundation, a wee bit of blush, eyebrow powder, mascara and always a fairly strong lip color. I have a pale complexion but darker hair so I like the bright lip to bring color to my face.

Sarah A

Veteran

I am a no time on my hair gal. Air dry, and I will brush it, presuming I dont forget to put a brush in my gym bag. It actually looks about the same if I just use my fingers and i prefer it if the part isnt too neat. No makeup unless it's a special occasion and just a bit of SPF lotion when I remember. I have been thinking I would like to consider whether a but more polish would be good for me... but I am just not prepared to devote the time to grooming right now.

Sara L.

Veteran

I definitely feel more fab with a little makeup and nice hair. I need to wear at least lipstick or I look half dead. Most days I also wear mascara and some undereye concealer.

Now that my hair is short, it's harder to get away without spending at least a couple minutes on it. I can get away without washing it by wetting down the bedhead and using a round brush and blowdryer to reshape some of the pieces. It takes less than 5 minutes and makes me feel so much better about myself.

Adelfa

Veteran

For me wash and go hair is just a fantasy, because without attention my hair is just slightly frizzy, slightly wavy, not cute. Luckily it only takes me about 7 minutes to blow it dry and flatiron a few pieces.

Makeup is something else. I think it takes me at least 15 minutes and I'm embarrassed to say so in front of all of you quick swipers! I have struggled with acne for 40 years and it's really important to me to present as good a face as possible. Also I have unpigmented lips and little natural color. I wear foundation, concealer, loose powder, bronzer, blush, lipstick, gloss, eyeshadow, eyeliner pencil, mascara, and brow powder and wax. I'm not sure why it takes so long.

I only reapply powder and lipstick. Trish McEvoy wrote in a book that she takes off all of her makeup and reapplies the whole shebang at lunchtime. I would look better if I did that but I just can't go there.

Anonymous

I'm not a quick makeup swiper, either. But hey, I have an easy hairstyle that doesn't need to be blow dried or anything. I just work some volumizing foam into it, and that's it. My hair dries very fast.

BTW, the volumizing foam isn't for volume; it just seems to do the trick in controlling my hair and keeping it out of my eyes. Don't ask me why. It just does.

Cindy

When I still worked I did a full face makeup and did my hair every day.
These days it depends on how I am feeling! LOL On really bad pain days like yesterday I stayed in pajamas all day and didn't even wash my face.
Most stay at home days I apply SPF moisturizer and mascara. If I am running errands I will add eye shadow and tinted lip balm or lipstick. If I am "going out" I will do a full face with Bare Minerals so it still looks natural unless I decide to do a smokey eye or bright lipstick but that only happens two or three times a month.
My hair only gets washed twice a week and I usually let it air dry. I only do a blow dry for special days since holding the dryer up can hurt. My hair isn't looking so great right now because I am over due for a cut and color. I am going tomorrow to get a pixie cut.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My hair is extremely important to my style. As important as perfect fit. As because I bat for Team Polished, I always wear a touch of light make-up. I like my face to look shiny like an apple. It's healthy, and suits my minimalist style preferences.

I devote time to my hair and face every morning of my life. It is a must.

anne

Veteran

I agree in principle Hil,
Though in practice am not too happy with my hair atm.
I wear some makeup if I leave the house. like Adelfa I have colourless lips

Kristin L

Veteran

I'm fairly low maintenance. I don't wear make-up most days (except tinted lip balm and/or lip stain), but I always wash and blow-dry my hair. I feel like it gives my hair an extra bit of ohmph and make me feel a little sassier. I think once I move from student to professional, I'll start wearing make-up every day.

Pawprints

Great topic. Important and somehow easier to overlook while focusing on the apparently more fun things. Why are we more willing to spend the time and money on fashion and wardrobe for our style yet we can get stuck in ruts and blind spots or even neglect with hair or face for the longest time?

I read somewhere that hair and shoes are the most important aspects to style. Get then right and it will make everything else likely to work for you. Get them wrong and it doesn't much matter how excellent the outfit and accessories are. Since reading that, I haven't seen anything to make me disagree. Wouldn't you know they're the two things I wrestle with most!

For hair and face I think it's less about how much time and effort we spend and more about self-awareness. Some people can do wash and go or minimal in either or both areas and look great, needing extra fussing for only the special occasions. Others, whether to be consistent with a polished style persona or just to work with what nature has or hasn't given us, need to give it a lot more attention. Either way can lead to getting it right, we just have to own up to whether we're getting it right for us.

So much easier to go buy a new blouse and scrape back the hair yet again. She says with hair too hot to wear in summer but knowing pulling it out of the way all the time is not really removing it from the style equation nor solving it.

deb

Veteran

Hair and makeup have always been important to me although most people cannot tell I have makeup on. As I get older I find I need more because my coloring seems to be dulling. I am enjoying my hair longer and find I am taking more time styling it. Longer hair is also giving me more style options. Something I never thought about before, always having very short hair.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

My hair always has to be blow dried and flat ironed, no wash and wear for me, not even with a pixie. It will curl up weirdly if left to its own devices. Makeup, always when I'm dressed up for work or going out. On weekends, I don't mind just putting on some sunscreen, as a bare face seems ok with more casual clothing.

peekaboo

I usually wash my hair at night and let it air dry, then flat iron it in the morning. I find that blow drying it takes a really long time and it is still bushy, but maybe it's just cause I'm bad at it.

I feel like my eyes are on the small side, so I do think I look a lot better with eyeliner. I don't like to wear mascara because I feel like it inevitably gets in one's eyes and that freaks me out a little.

I have thin lips that are sort of pink as compared to my pale skin, so I've never used lipstick more than for special occasions. I am starting to experiment with lipstick more these days, though, and I found a covergirl lipstain that lasts a really long time and looks pretty natural, which is nice. I can put it on in the morning and stil have traces of it on by dinner.

All in all, I find personal grooming (including showering, shaving, makeup, etc.) to be so frustratingly BORING. So I have to force myself to do it.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm pretty meh on both. I get my hair cut regularly but I only wash it every 3 or 4 days - I try to let it air dry then straighten it, but not always. I've been using a leave-in conditioner called "It's a 10" that is kind of miraculous.

For face it's lotion, eyeliner, lipstick. If I remember it, maybe some highlighter... I wear glasses so mascara is a no.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I am so pale and pasty-faced that I simply HAVE to wear make-up or I will be asked if I am sick. I just wear a little, but I rarely leave the house without it. I also always fix my hair and keep it colored - no way am I showing those gray's!

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