I just want to be pretty!

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!!!!!

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Holdthetonic. If you do not like wearing foundation and the likes, what about bobbi brown bronzer, its fantastic. Follow instructions and go! I use it all the time and I think I look great(but then again it do have to wear glasses) Enjoy

How can you have a large rear and be size 10? unless you are very short? Regarding the hair. Mine is fine but naturally curly, and is and has always been the bane of my life.

I normally have it about a Bob length, but it goes flat on the top and mad at the sides . A few weeks ago i took the plunge and went to a sassoon trained hairdresser. He has won quite a few prizes for his cutting. On arriving at the place I sat down to wait. He came over and shook hands, sat next to me and stared(hmm], then said
hmmmm. I said " Shall I just leave now then?. Anyway I had it washed and he fiddled about a bit, and we talked. He then told me he was a precision cutter and gets tetchy if I move. I said " I wont move!". I then said, let's be daring and go A symmetric...so we did. He cut it realy pretty short, and boy it WAS precision cutting to be sure. He didn't go overboard with the A symettric thing, I guess he wants to know me a bit first. He took great pains to show me HOW to bow dry it, and I LOVE it to bits. Sometimes I do it as he did, all blown straight, and sometimes I muss it up a bit. As I walked accross our close after my cut I bumped into my neighbour. She said " Ohhhh your hair!!! it looks fabulous, Audrey Hepburn springs to mind" That put a smile on my face, if only, lol.
I guess what i am saying is, you don't need to grow yours, unless you want a change, just be a little bit daring and experimental.
At size ten you should be able to wear almost anything, depending of course on your height. I am a size 12, 5 feet 8, and to be honest i seem to live in jeans, they suit my lifestyle. If I ever do go out to dinner or such, which is rarely these days then it has to be the little black dress and a nice pair of elegant heels.
Go for it, and good luck. Oh I am 63 by the way.

Gardening and smart finger nails do not go together and I am NOT giving up the gardening.

biker If you go to Superdrug, the girls there will advise you on which nails to get, they are really nice people, and with being generally younger, they are on trend with what is in. Give it a go, you can always take them off if they don't look or feel right. Although I am sure with your natural look, you are lovely as you are.

You are very lucky to be a size 10 so make the most of it wearing more fitted type clothes . Jeans or leggings with little fitted jumpers and a lacy scarf and pixie boots . Grow your hair , short hair is not a good look on older ladies . Someone suggested a wig while it grows . Always wear a bit of jewellery , loads of very cheap stuff in the charity shops ! Some make up is essential , even if it is just mascara and lipstick . I also think being feminine has a lot to do with the way you behave , so many gobby, swearing, aggressive women out there these days who don`t know the meaning of feminine .

lol...ruby ohh you have made my day and I am smilng as I type this ty

Yes will have a look around and thanks for all ideas...will also have a google n youtube.

I sometimes "peoplewatch" if I am in town and sometimes I look and think hmm! I could get away with that.

It sounds like there are a lot of "glammy gnetters" around" you go girls

Short well manicured nails still look good. Having worked in a day center, I am very worried about what may be hidden by long painted nails -- yuk. I know she will be scrupulously scrubbed, but Mary Berry's nails bring back horrid memories.

Your post and the great replies have made me think Hold, thanks. I have got in a rut well and truly, and although I have certainly never been pretty, I would like to improve my look a bit. I have a couple of nice lunches coming up, and would like to seem as though I've made a bit of an effort, not the same old me.

Unlike you I am really over weight which is a big disadvantage. I always wear trousers, as have thick big legs. I can't wear mascara as have dry eye, but do wear shadow and blusher.

I would love a longer length chenille jacket or soft jacket in maybe a jewel colour, which suits me, nothing like that in M & S! Probably just not around now.

I also like the coatigans which can be casual but a bit smart.I do like scarves, but never wear costume jewellery. Must people watch too, especially bigger ladies.

Re nails,for easy life I used to buff mine with nail cream to a soft shine,looked good if I also apply handcream regularly.

Hope you manage to take up some of the suggestions and make yourself feel good.

At 53 you are still in your prime as far as many of us are concerned and being size 10 is a terrific bonus, whatever you wear you will wear it well. If you have a friend who has a good eye then go shopping around with her, try things on you wouldnt normally wear, just to see. Or use the free style advice in the big stores (i used Debenhams once).
Grow your hair a little perhaps, slightly longer than be more flattering sometimes . Check your glasses shape, they can make a big difference to a look. Put on a little makeup, even if only eye shadow, mascara and lipstick. Most of all be confident, make small changes, do them for yourself. and remember, you will never be as young as you are now. I am l5 years your senior, short, overweight, despite every effort not to be, and am still interested in being a little stylish. You are never too old, and you are still young. Go girl.

bikergran I have recently noticed a lot of women on supermarket checkouts wearing thin black gloves. I assumed it was because of the chill from frozen items but may well be to protect their nails from the scanner-thingy.

After a particularly bad bout of excema on my hands a couple of years ago, my nails were in very poor condition caused by the creams prescribed. I decided to have shellac nail polish on them and have been going regularly ever since. It certainly strengthened them and over a period of time got rid of the damage caused. I pay £25, am there for an hour and come out feeling a million dollars after having my hands pampered with manicure, creams and massage

The polish usually lasts at least 3 weeks and once I went 5 weeks between appointments! Yes my nails had grown and there was a small polish-free gap at the base but no chipping or flaking and still looked shiny as though freshly done

I am not quite sure why you want to look "pretty" - simply wear what you feel comfortable in. Why do you want to look more feminine? Jeans etc on women are not unfeminine. Has someone been criticising how you look? A plague on them, I say!

holdthetonic I have my hair short with a wedge-shape to the back. Grew it longer at the beginning of the year but it is too fine now and didn't look good so went back to having it short. However I have changed the side I have a parting and just doing that made such a difference. Lots of comments on how nice it looked, which made me feel good all over!

Thank you again for all the great heartwarming comments. Really inspiring. I do tend to favour the jeans and jumpers look for convenience and as I'm always going off to the allotment. BUT I'll definitely look up House of Colour and Youlookfab websites as recommended.

Following on from your advice I've read a few websites about make up for the 50 year old and today I've used some of the tips and I think I look much better for it. (Mascara on top eyelashes only, blusher and lippy). Yes I will get my nails done - I;m going to NY next week and have promised myself to have them done there as a treat.

Obviously I don't look too bad as yesterday - a friend complimented me on my hair and another acquaintance asked if I'd ever be interested in working in her clothes shop !!!!

Someone mentioned Seasalt - by coincidence I received their catalogue this week and I LOVE IT. So much stuff that I want to buy.

Here's another question- I have a lot of navy / blue and some pink in my wardrobe. BUT the Seasalt catalogue had some lovely clothes in green/ emerald which I know would suit me - but how can I justify branching out into a different range of colours which won't go with what I've already got. (Does that make sense ???)