I just want to be pretty!

We have a nail bar in our Tesco.

I find, with Shellac, that my nails grow and so does the Shellac, leaving a gap at the bottom. This happens after about 2 days.

Nice effect, though, while it lasts.

Bikergran- have you a nail bar nearby, if so treat yourself to a gel nail (Shellac) treatment . Cost about £20-25. It's a manicure, uses your own nails, not fake ones, but the polish does not chip and lasts for 3 weeks or so. I find it has improved my natural nails and they are much stronger. Downside: it is addictive and you have to go back to get it taken off.

OP it's easier than ever to look stylish. Clothes are so cheap now! And as a size 10 you'll have plenty of choice.

I'm a bit older than you (57) and I've got short, spikyish hair with lots of volume. Mine is fine with highlights.

I wear skinny jeans, tops and jackets, in bright colours. Sometimes I wear a longish cardi. I wear scarves and large jewellery, with a massive watch. I always, but always, wear makeup.

I think if you're quite petite with short hair, it's easy to disappear. So make every little inch of yourself count.

The only things I won't wear are bootcut jeans or trousers, anything flouncy, and round necked buttoned cardis. And some "smart" trousers can look frumpy imho.

I've recently got into brogues. Some of them are cool, especially on small feet (I never thought I"d be grateful for my little 3s).

Finallly, don't put yourself into a middle-aged style ghetto-wear what you like and do it with aplomb.

And yes, Pinterest etc is good for ideas.

ps and keep them short anyway, so they don't catch.

A white nail pencil will emphasise the tips and improves the look as well.

Yes, Disgruntled is right; mine split and won't grow, but I have been taking some calcium/magnesium supplements plus Vit C and D and I think my nails are improving. Rimmel Nail Nurse is good too, if you can get hold of it.
Plus a good hand and nail cream massaged into the cuticles helps.

One nail is damaged and won't grow properly and I wondered whether to get a gel nail put on it?

Bikergran - I know it's each to his own and all that, but false nails are bad for your nails - they need to breathe, and I much prefer short nails. What I have found useful is exfoliating my hands: when you do that and then use loads of hand cream your hands look as though they're been treated well.

Leggings are no good if you have not got good legs. Mine are short and not well shaped.

Wearing the right colours for your skin tone really makes a difference. Get your colours done.
I did House of Colour with three friends it was a revelation to me about what colours to wear.

I keep my hair is quite short but that way it always looks tidy and not a wild tangle.

Look as if you are confident. Stand up straight and keep your head up, smile at people, say good morning etc.

Why do you think you are not pretty already, Hold?
Try some of the same suggestions and find yourself. ?

I'm with kittylester.
I had my colours done originally by Colour Me Beautiful but never felt they were quite "me". 30 years on I tried House of Colour which has been far more successful. I also pushed the boat out & had my style done too. I'm 5'5 short hair, glasses, size 10-12, slightly large rear & spent many years in jeans (still my favourite) tee shirts & jumper/fleece.My clothing personality is Classic Gamine. Think androgynous/Audrey Hepburn. I've never been good at accessories or matchy matchy stuff & now as a Gamine "paintbox" Spring I find that I wasn't that far out in the first place! Don't go out & buy scarves & earrings if you're not comfortable with them (I love a polo neck) & talk to your hairdresser. BTW I'm 69 next month & wish I'd done it years earlier!

Good luck.

could anyone advise me on "nails" must admit I was a bit of a Tomboy when I was young and have never bothered about my hair(just had it cut shortish) barely ever wore make up, hopeless at putting it on,so go for the "natural look" lol

But...at the age of almost 61 I think I need to try and sort myself out a bit (not for anyone else but for myself) !

I now have a job and serve on the checkouts and therefore my hands are on show all the time.

So...for a start does anyone know or can advise me on "false nails" my own break off (catch them on the scanning thing) and I have never bothered with my nails,so I'm looking for some false stick on ones ( on a budget so need to be reasonable) and easy to stick on n trim etc.
There seems plenty in out Home n Bargain shop and also the supermarkets, but not sure what to look for really.

(Ille sort my face out later lol) one step at a time

So any hints n tips on nails would be most welcome

Boots are a good place to go for a free makeover on the No7 counter if you are happy to have your makeup done on the shop floor, our local store sometimes has events for the more mature ? lady where you can get your makeup done and they give you a doggy bag too I have been told. Otherwise I would speak to anyone who does wedding makeup, they will do it for you, for a price of course!

a few blonde/caramel highlights work wonders for adding glammer & trickery of fine short hair looking thicker& feminine, a touch of peachy/pink blush & bronzer gives a youthful glow....select loads of outfits, ideally with a trusted friend/daughter in a deoartment store & try them on....select shoes too!...it costs NOTHING to try on many outfits ..so just do it...& come out of the fitting room glowing!!!!!

holdthetonic, do you ever search Google images for outfits? For example, type in grey coat outfits, or denim skinny jeans outfits, denim dress outfits, black knee skirt outfits, etc. There's an American woman who has a great website called youlookfab.com, and is a brilliant stylist, I think. Have a look at Pinterest fashion as well. I'd be lost without these, as I find it very difficult putting outfits together. Good luck!

I have used the service at Debenham and it is free, you also get a coffee. They bring a good selection of styles and prices. As someone who has walking difficulties I found the service invaluable.

Wear knee length shirts with thick rights and flat knee length skirts. I do and it looks good and not tarty because of the flats. Get a good jacket leather and accessories. I'm 53 to and I can carry it off so I'm sure you can to

I have wondered that too I think a nice scarf can enhance a outfit in fact accessories in general I have just got my hair back but eyebrows are very thin and sparse I look different just using eyebrow pencil wish I was size 10?

Like so many things, it depends a bit on your budget: if you can afford it, I really do recommend getting your colours done - I think they tell you your styles as well these days, whether you should go for Classic or Romantic or Gamine, depending on your shape. I think that would be a great confidence booster - and you would never again make any mistakes in shopping.
If your budget doesn't run to that you could always try affirmations - "I am stylish" "I love and approve of myself" - that sort of thing, repeated ad nauseam.

Soften your hairstyle, maybe a fringe? Try contact lenses and a lipstick that suits your colouring.

I'm guessing that by pretty you mean feminine and attractive, not necessarily sexy! I find its a fine line to tread between looking like a frumpy old lady and 'mutton dressed as lamb'! Not very good at managing scarves though always admire them on others. I tend to opt for discreet jewellery (necklace and earrings) and a bit of perfume. Not good at skirts these days, but DH likes me to wear a skirt or dress occasionally. Pretty tops ( not t shirts) and trousers usually.

slapped wrists for Wobbly, although......he may like that

I never wear trousers. Mainly calf length dresses but in the winter long skirts with hip length tops. Always wear earrings and necklaces. Make up and. Nail varnish. Am often complimented when out by shop assistants etc. and people do not believe that I am 93. Have confidence in yourself and be individual.

Don't grow your hair - there's nothing unfeminine about short hair! My lovely thick hair is a thing of the past so it's now spiky and chic, naturally a sparkly silver and greatly admired by my husband and my 8-year-old granddaughter, who are the only ones who count.

You are so lucky being a size 10! I'm not the right shape for skirts or dresses but wear nice trousers with pretty tops, appropriate (costume) jewellery and unless I'm having a housework day I always wear a bit of make-up.

I've taken on board that very good tip from Dizzygran about a good jacket.

I think, as a woman, to really get on in life you have to be either very clever, very pretty or very confident. Sadly I am none of these.

I think the best that some of us can hope for is to make the best of a bad job.

When I had my son at 18 I had long, thick auburn hair. On a whim I went to the hairdressers and had it chopped into a kind of spiky, pixie cut. I looked about 12 ! Many years later I would give anything to be able to have that cut again but my 54 year old hair is pathetic, very thin and a complete mess no matter what I do with it. I do have an ok(ish) figure but no boobs or bum to speak of, so clothes never seem to hang right on me. Getting jeans or trousers to fit is a nightmare as I always end up with a soggy saggy bottom which is not attractive at all. I never feel "right" wearing a dress and feel like everyone's looking at me thinking "what the hell does she thinks she looks like ?" I think a lot of it is having very little confidence in oneself.

I agree with what others have said about "finding your own style" which is fine if you happen to find it in time. Sadly, I am still looking for mine and I think it must be very well hidden.

Its all in the detail.
I went on a massive learning curve before my firstborn's wedding. Having been distinctly tomboyish as a child and then bringing up sons, I had absolutely no idea about how to do feminine.
A trusted friend alongside to give me courage, a personal styler in John Lewis(no charge at that time) and then a couple of different make-ups at counters in the department store (I did Bobbi Brown and MAC).
The right bra can make a huge difference. Short hair can certainly be feminine, so long as it is cut well and suits your face shape. Jumpers can also be feminine ~ its a matter of getting the right neck-line and length for your body shape (and whatever else is being worn). This is where the personal styler will be able to guide you.
Good luck.

FB, retrospective, when I used to work with the luvly ladies at the day centre. Used to have a real laugh, lots of banter, as the only man, I struggled to keep ahead of the game. We all lived in the village so knew each other outside work and often went out together.

I have been retired for ages now.