I am 2 years out of a bad 8-year relationship. I have enjoyed having time to myself and exploring new interests. My weight loss is a part of my transformation but I find that I now have to come to terms with how plain I am.

I am 46 and I like to be active so I have never really worn makeup. I don't think I have ever been That Girl, the one with every hair in place and every thread matching. I have always looked at women like that and wondered how they do it. I would try but I could never quite get there. I'm not one to envy because I know it can be achieved. I just don't know how to get there.

I would like to start dating again soon but I would like to know if anyone can give me advice.

Please let me know the

Easiest makeup to use
A tip for finding clothes that are no muss no fuss (forgiving materials)
Quickest, cheapest pampering option (is it important?)
What one thing in your beauty routine would you splurge on each month or so?

Anything you can think of would be appreciated.

I'm 42 myself, and the one thing I splurge on is hair. I get it highlighted every three months.

I do use makeup, Clinique, and have for years. I'm basically in favor of anything that doesn't test on animals.

You'd be surprised on what you can find on youtube with how to use and apply makeup, you might want to take a look.

Bare Minerals is really simple and natural looking and comes with tutorials for everything. And I usually do a tinted moisturizer by Nars everyday and a bit of powder and lip balm.

My moisturizer is a splurge, it's $50...and I get my highlights done pretty often..

But check out Bare Minerals!

If you never wear makeup, I would suggest buying a translucent powder, black mascara and a lip gloss to start. You can build from there. Definitely get a good haircut, but best splurge, in my opinion, is get your brows done. They truly frame your face.
For clothes, I'd keep those simple too. Most of my clothes are almost like garanimals-- easily interchangeable pieces that can be mixed for lots of looks. I wear a lot of black and grey with splashes of color. Don't forget accessories, but start basic. A chunky necklace or a scarf are easy and look good.
Congrats on your weight loss so far and don't worry about ever being "that woman" because she doesn't really exist!

Thanks! It looks like I will be making a hair appointment soon for professional color. I will try the light makeup powders/minerals and use YouTube for application techniques. This helps a lot.

I love good ole cover girl liquid foundation and mabellene great lash mascara! I'm WAY too dry for bare esentials. =) Plus I love spending 8 dollars on foundation instead of 35! Splurge on your hair cuts! A great haircut can transform a person from whoa to WOW! I don't put make up on very often, but I do feel prettier! =)

I agree that if you spend money on anything, make it your hair! A great cut just makes you feel better, and if you find a colour that you like it can really brighten you up. I'm short on ££ at the moment, but when I get to 175 I am getting my hair done blonde and blunt cut again, maybe then I'll feel like I'm back to myself. Hair makes such a huge difference. A good tip if you don't have a stylist is to pick a few places you like the look of, and go in for a wash and blow dry. Once you find the stylist that understands what you want, and makes you feel comfortable, you've found something precious

As I put on weight, I kept doing my nails. A bottle of OPI nail envy is well worth a splurge. You can use it as a base and a top coat and sandwich whatever colour in the middle. My manicures last a week using that stuff, and my nails grow much better as it makes them strong. Great nails just make me feel more put together.

As for makeup, I have tons, lol, but I usually only use a few things. I second the Clinique suggestion. Get a good foundation you feel comfortable wearing that matches your skin. Personally I'll use shimmery brown eyeshadow, occasionally a bit of black eye pencil, and black mascara (I love Clinique high volume, it makes my lashes look enormous), and lip balm.

Just experiment with various things and find your own style, it can be a lot of fun! When losing weight you're kind of rediscovering who you really are anyway, and if you used to use food as treats (like I did...) you can use little beauty buys instead!

First I'd like to say congratulations on having the motivation to take a look at your life and some changes you'd like to make.

Easiest makeup to use

I think this really depends on the person. For example, I have super pale skin and sensitive eyes. So my girlfriends with lovely beige skin who are less allergic can go out to the drugstore or clinique and just grab some tinted moisturizer and mascara and look great. For me though, if I tried that I'd look like a yellow streaky clown with red runny eyes. My best advice would be to go to a store with lots of makeup stylists, take a look at them like you would a hair stylist. If their own make looks well applied and as subtle as you like, as them for an appointment and say you'd like them to find the right shades of products for a basic everyday look.


A tip for finding clothes that are no muss no fuss (forgiving materials)

If money is no object, Eileen Fisher. Next would be J.Jill. Both of these have classy looking lines that are stretchy and have forgiving cuts (drape in cool ways).

Quickest, cheapest pampering option (is it important?)

Well stress and lack of sleep seem to be a couple of the biggest hits to your looks (and health). You can give yourself all the fancy face treatments, etc... you want but I think splurging on a massage once in a while is where I'd spend my money. Alternately just a quite 3 day weekend or beach trip where you get to sleep and relax can help.

What one thing in your beauty routine would you splurge on each month or so?

Brows shaping and haircut. I always thought makeup and clothes were the thing, but so many makeup artists say the one little thing that usually makes the biggest improvement on any woman is just shaping the brows. It opens your eyes up. I get huge complements after I go to the salon and it makes me feel put together. Obviously, don't go somewhere that goes crazy and takes too much off so you don't look permanently surprised. I recommend threading.

Congrats on kicking that bad relationship to the curb!

I personally use Clinique for my makeup and have for years....I love it! Eye shadows I actually get from http://www.etsy.com/shop/ScaredyCatCosmetics She has fabulous colors!!

I agree with using youtube to find tutorials on how to apply them.

For lip color I use tinted lip balms instead of actual lipstick.

If I could afford it, the "splurge" I would pamper myself with would be getting my nails done. However, money is tight so I give myself manicures. I'd also go for getting my hair professionally colored. Soon!!!

Clothes, I'm not good with at all. I can never look polished or put together like I want. I do envy women who look so nice and "high maintanance" I guess I'd say.

Congrats on dedicating to yourself, losing weight and loving yourself enough to stay away from a bad relationship! You should be incredibly proud!

If I wanna pretty myself up, I'll use this blush: http://www.amazon.com/NARS-4013N-Org.../dp/B000PVPEFU It's supposed to be universally flattering on all skin tones. A bit of lip balm or gloss and eyeliner will make your eyes and lips pop. I agree with getting the eyebrows done by a professional. I'm not sure where you live, but Anastasia is a salon that specializes in eye brows. They sometimes have them in big Nordstrom department stores. I hope you love your hair.....that's $ well spent, as far as I'm concerned.