I need a complete overhaul

oh I give up

Hi
Good cut by stylist
Blonde/ titan highlight
eyebrows shape and tint
Monthly CACI facials
Makeup lesson from a professional
Use a store personal stylist to gauge what suits you - then buy on Amazon, !
But please enjoy yourself and have a good pamper

Right – ask on your local Facebook and anywhere find yourself a hairdresser. Check out medium length styles in a mag and – talk it through with cutter so she knows what you are hoping for. For colour – do your own Excelllence or something like at home – but in a shade v close to your own – will just give it more punch! Forget fillers etc (often look awful and until your weight is a bit more stable you don’t really know how your face looks at best). – Just concentrate on clean and healthy. Exercise – think what can you do? (Might be just one thing or several different) that you can cope with. Sort out a plan – you need some flexibility challenge and maybe strength and or toning – only you can figure it out. I find it helps to have a minimum I aim to do most days and then things I like for those really good days.
THEN clothing. You have to have adjustable or stretchy waists. If you have clothes that make you feel yuk – bag and donate or throw. (Note why – colour, fit etc to learn what to avoid). If the ‘middle’ concerns you I’d do the jewellery/scarf thing to draw the eye away – or shoes if that is your thing. ‘Fashion’ advice from the others is good – not my interest. Take it one little thing at a time and I’m sure by Spring you will be happier.

Wow thank you for your help and suggestions everyone.
If I'd thought anyone would reply I would have responded sooner

To answer the question about weight/diet; as part of my ongoing health problem I have seen a Dietitian, she advised me to eat healthily when I can eat. When I'm unwell sometimes I can't keep down fluids, let alone solids. I do try and I am prescribed anti-emetics, but I've been admitted to hospital with dehydration on more than one occasion.

All of this is to say that any diet - SW/WW/5:2/blood group/anything is out of the question at the moment and that's fine. When I can I do eat healthily, there's time for dieting if I feel the need to when I am well again.

Pilates - or yoga for that matter - are good ideas, my day-to-day life is reasonably active without having to push myself too much. One of my frustrations at my illness is that when I am well I am eating so I am heavier. I don't like feeling flabby, I'm probably not that flabby but as I put on weight quickly it feels like I am.

I'll read through the posts and reply with more when I can reply to your comments properly.

Wow pinkjj27 that was a long one!

How about trying different hairstyles/ colours by using wigs. There are some good wig shops about. Re skin / jewels etc. Have a look at Look Fabulous Forever lookfabulousforever.com - they have been promoted on here. Great products, great advice and great utube videos. They also have suggestions for dressing styles.
Good luck and enjoy the journey

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201902/medium-681706-7ca2c801-5c3f-42b1-bb88-200c5341e0e7.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201902/medium-932440-f37dfb12-3957-4cbb-adbb-822d44b83bb2.jpeg

M0nica I’ve had a department store stylist appointment before to get an outfit for a wedding, it was great. I didn’t think to have one for clothes now, it’s a great idea. I’ll do that.

You’re right MawBroon Maggie Smith looked beautiful as Miss JB and you did make me smile. I’m hoping to avoid this sort of look.

You are absolutely right Missfoodlove, good classic clothes is the way forward and exactly what I’m after. We have an excellent bra fitter locally —it’s one of those ones that women come for miles to visit— I take DDs there too so that’s covered.

DoraMarr honestly I look like Bryan Ferry when I’ve got short hair, I look like my Dad and he looked like Bryan Ferry too, which is great on a man but on a woman? Not so much. Photo attached for illustration purposes . Makeup I can do.

Oh Gilly1952 I’d love to go shopping with you, we’d have a blast, I love Goldie Hawn & Helen Mirren too. They are inspirational. As a teenager I used to go out in leggings and DMs, my Dad used to tell me I looked like Max Wall then

I’m not bothered about spending good money on a hairdresser okimherenow it’s just finding one that’s difficult. My current fringe fearer was recommended to me. Pilates is a very good idea, I’ll check with my consultant but I’m sure he’ll say it’s fine.

quizqueen I’d love to try on wigs, I’ll need to do some research and find someone. Sort yourself out, be positive, help others who are worse off than yourself. All of my working day and some of my spare time is spent helping others who are worse off than me. In truth, thinking of other people too much has left too little time for me to be selfish, it’s wearing me out, which is contributing to my feeling and looking worn out.

I’ll think about an HoC style day CarlyD7 do you think they would help me to find my own style, rather than imposing a style on me?

I’ll reply more in a minute...

Find another hairdresser! If you want a fringe have one.
P.S. I've got very find mousey hair gone mousey grey. Its not grey enough to be interesting so I do have a few pale lowlights to cheer it up but the best thing I've done of late is go really short. Far shorter than I thought I'd want but I was deep in the doldrums and trusted my hairdresser so she chopped it all off. Am so please with it and everyone has been very complimentary....honest!

Try googling hair styles for thin hair, there's sure to be something to catch your eye.

I’m back! littleflo I’ve been looking for good hair pieces ever since I saw Jane Fonda use one in Grace and Frankie. That is so helpful.

notgoneyet lizzypopbottle and MadMartha gotcha on the type and price of haircuts. I’m noting this all down.

I’ve looked at TryTuesday NanNore, I like some of the outfits they recommend but they tend towards clothes for young, skinny model types. I will keep looking, thank you, I agree with you that M&S seems to be upping it’s game lately. Long may it continue.

Hollydoilly10 trouble is ‘love yourself’ is easy to say but not so easy to do. If I thought that homeopathy would help with my health problem then I would do it in shot but I don’t.

pinkjj I’m about to have dinner so I’ll respond properly to your post - which is helpful and very kind, thank you - after I’ve eaten.

Nanny41 there is a joke there Lol
I am a lecturer we never stop talking HotTamales ask for advice so I gave it, on a subject I know about But most of the timeI keep very quiet on here.

pinkjj27 I haven’t used a touch of silver for years, I’ll get some. That’s an easy win. In my OP I say I wish I could do updos, in the past I’ve looked at YouTube tutorials but they never seem to do them on women with (really) fine hair like mine, which makes all the difference. I haven’t used Avon products for years, I wouldn’t even know where to get a catalogue? I wouldn’t cut my own fringe, I’m far too clumsy I’m good for/with makeup but my jowls have gone beyond anything that contouring and a bit of lipstick could do. The fashion advice is good, I’m trying to buy ethical brands so I could take some of your suggestions and buy ethically. I’ve answered my current exercise and diet in previous posts. Thank you for taking the time to offer so much helpful advice.

I’ll check out Sharon Danley LauraMeredith.

grandtanteJE65 occasionally I do find good clothes in charity shop but it’s rare, my DDs are size 10 so if any of us are having a clear out we give each other first dibs.

Oh Orelse that’s very kind of you, I am going to try to enjoy it.

Honestly sandelf there’s not much of anything round my way so the chances of finding a good hairdresser are slim, I’m going to have to go further afield. Facebook locallers are likely to recommend their Aunt/sister/mate so it would be a lottery on quality I do have a plan for finding a hairdresser. You make a very good point about no fillers until my weight is stable. Good thinking. I’m not ready for stretchy waists, don’t make me do it!

Have you ever tried those wigs Caro57?

HildaW and Pat1949 thank you, you both sound like you’ve got great hair.

Tbh the hairdresser situation is worse than I’ve said. I’ve been taking photos into the hairdresser to say ‘I’d like my hair like this please’ and the photos are...of me...all taken within the past few years. She can’t or won’t even copy my own haircut

As for colours I like: navy/grey/camel as neutrals and burgundy/lilac/any blues/cream/pale pink/purple/mid green/chocolate brown for accents with the occasional black garment chucked in.

I think you need to change hairdressers. You sound as if you have January blues and she's not doing anything to help.

I would also recommend a House i9f Colour style day. It doesn't force you into any particular style clothes but you find out what shapes suit you. I found out that more rounded shapes and not sharp ones suited me and it's so true. Now I instinctively know what colour and shapes suit me and it makes shopping easier. My husband thought I was being awkward when I walked into a clothes shop on holiday in Florida where I have bought many things in the past and was out within 5 minutes. None of their colours that season suited me so I didnt waste time looking around.
Some very good advice on here from other gransnetters.

Pat1949 yes now I’ve written it down I think I need to change hairdressers too.

Ok Daisyboots I’ll book myself in for a style day too. That thing where you go into a shop and leave after a 90 second scan of the place? I do that too since I had my HoC colours done, it’s great and absolutely, I’ve had some excellent advice here.

. My hair is very fine I use thickening shampoos and I back comb. My hair is fine but not really thin I have enough of it to work into different styles. The easiest is just to pull hair into a pony tail and twist up then fasten with butterfly grips. If not then I would take the advice of others and try a wig or hats. I would also find a new hair dresser I have never met one who isn’t willing to try something new.
Just a thought but do you have a training college near you? if so try it out students are keen to learn and please they are supervised the whole the time by a qualified teacher who oversees the cut and helps out if needed. They will also do your makeup and advise on those jowls.
You can buy Avon on line if you can’t find a rep they do sell ethical make up , I don’t suggest you cut your fringe in if you feel un confident but it easy to trim once in.

I get most of my makeup free as I act as a model in the beauty department in my college for girls training g to be beauticians. But ethical companies that I have used include Nude by Nature PHB beauty SO ECO and some of Superdrug’s own make up is ethical too, someone even told me Primark do ethical make up but I don’t shop in there so don’t know. Wishing you well

The comment about size 10 -12 only being for ages 16 to 30 made me chuckle, where are you shopping New Look ?I don't find that to be thd case at all & also find some wonderful finds in my local Sue Ryder in size 10 .

Good morning Hot Tamales , you sound a beautiful person with your very amusing , honest post .
I laughed about looking like your Dad , I look like mine too - he wore his hair combed tightly back with Brylcreem - I don't suit that look . A Dad that looked like Bryan Ferry - I'm trying to imagine you .
Keep safe, eat well , enjoy the charity shops , keep posting !

I sometimes look at people in the public eye with similar colouring to me and see what style(s) they adapt. Or perhaps it's that I would like to think they look like me, lol! It really does help, so if you can think of an actress/newsreader/presenter or someone similar try googling their images and look at their hairstyles and fashion choices.

Hair problem sounds like mine. Grew my fringe out years ago and short styles don’t suit me at all. Just before Christmas I had the fringe cut back in leaving the rest shoulder length with long layers. I have never had so many compliments and it’s really given me a boost. I’d say go for it!! As for clothing when you’ve got a tummy you can’t beat
www.romanoriginals.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Branded-Paid&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_term=roman%20originals&utm_matchtype=e&utm_device=m&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnNXiBRCoARIsAJe_1cotWjuTlgqYPQDFO7T5KdyJ4tNB0yy1IVQfB7EecJy8F0KH8nvcnh4aAkgDEALw_
I’m size 12 and short with a tummy due to a medical problem. Always rely on Romans for a shift dress or top to hide the tum. Good luck with it all

Recently bought this from Romans

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Dress it up or down opaque tights and ankle boots ?

Oh thank you again everyone, before I say anything about how I look I should say how lovely, kind and supportive you have all been and you’ve all made me smile so much.

tiredoldwoman shall we start a women-who-look-like-their-Dads support thread? I’m absolutely sure you’re beautiful, brylcream or not.

Jennifer Anniston is my colouring Florence64 I only wish I could wear the same clothes but yes, I know what (I think) you mean. I’ll have a look at her type of clothes and colour choices.

That dress is lovely linjon, I had a quick look at the site and there are some great clothes there.

It really is a lovely place to shop and not too pricey either.
Definitely go for the fringe - best thing I’ve done in years. I turned 65 last week and am doing my best to keep stylish despite my health not being the best.

I'm all for good jeans and cashmere pullovers but not over a shirt. That's dated in my opinion. A SILK scarf is much better. try museum gift shops for scarves and also real jewellery, and real leather handbags. Sounds expensive but is good for the older woman.