How To Always Look Good- 12 Easy Tips

Working moms after 40 have a seemingly insurmountable list of things to do and expectations to meet. It is easy to get overwhelmed and be left not feeling or looking your best. Never fear, we have your back! The key to always looking your best while working and parenting is to utilize simple and effective strategies that make your looks work as long and hard as you do.

Many of the strategies that we will discuss on this page are ways to be healthy and happy through your busy lifestyle. Some of the main strategies focus on being able to quickly and easily transition between multiple settings throughout the day. As working mothers, we need to be able to dress  and style in ways that are versatile. Being able to transition from formal to informal and back again in a few simple steps will help you to always feel confident and put together.

Tip 1 – Healthy And Happy

The top tip to always looking your best at any age is to focus on your physical and mental health.  Drink plenty of water and get as much rest as possible.  Seek out healthy foods that are high in vitamins and antioxidants.  These practical tips will help your skin and hair to be healthy and vibrant.  Let’s face it, healthy and happy is the most beautiful base for any style or makeup!

Tip 2 – Protect And Repair

While healthy eating and sleeping is the top way to create a beautiful and versatile base for your fashion, sometimes it is not as easy as it sounds.  The best way to help yourself out when these things are just not possible, is to utilize low cost and effective products that will protect and repair your skin and hair.  Use conditioner and thermal protection  in your hair each time you wash and style.  Begin your skin care routine with a simple and moisturizing cleanser and night cream.  Consider a daily skin cream or makeup base that includes sun protection for your skin.

Tip 3 – Dress For Your Body Type

When shopping for new clothes and when cleaning out your existing wardrobe, consider your body type and what clothes make you feel your best.  When you feel your best, you will portray confidence, which looks good in any situation.  Be proud of your body and simply dress in a way that makes you feel happy and comfortable.

Tip: I have written an article about body types, you can read it here

Tip 4 – Choose Your Fabrics Carefully

When choosing your clothing, consider the fabrics carefully.  While we all love and need delicate fabrics in our wardrobe, these pieces can be high maintenance.  Look for fabrics that look like higher priced items, but that you can quickly launder at home.  Consider how the fabric will feel while wearing and how much time it might take to get the piece of clothing ready to wear.  Does it wrinkle easily?  Does it require special cleaning instructions?

Tip 5 – Consider Versatile Clothing Combinations

A strategy that will make a huge difference in your life is to choose clothing that can be combined in various ways. As a working mother, you are constantly changing gears and settings. An easy way to ensure that you are always dressed for the occasion is to consider versatile clothing combinations. One of my favorite versatile combinations is a simple black dress that I wear at work and then tie up into a cute, baggy shirt paired with jeans for my childrens after school activities.

I always look for a combination of comfort and wearability when choosing my work clothes. I only own comfortable work slacks and actively seek out tops that can be paired with work slacks as well as jeans to optimize my options. I love to throw on a cozy, long line cardigan over my dress shirt at the end of the work day to create a more casual and comfortable look and feel in which to run my errands and even work around the house in the evenings.

Tip 6 – Consider Versatile Hair Styles

Keeping your hair looking fresh and stylish throughout long work and family days can be a real struggle. Whether you have long or short hair, you can absolutely keep yourself looking fresh and stylish at all times. I like to start my workday with my hair down and curled.  Avoid using too much product at the start of the day as it can lead to your hair looking oily at the end of the day and make it more difficult to restyle as the day goes on. Having started with a fresh palette I am then able to easily transition to whatever style my life has in store for me throughout the day. I can pull it up into a simple updo, ponytail, or add a quick braid. These styles tend to hide any oil and are a quick way to freshen up your style.

Tip 7 – Dry Shampoo Is Your Friend

Whether you are rushed to get the kids ready and out the door in the morning, transitioning to evening activities after a long day of work, or just wanting a quick refresher in the middle of the day, dry shampoo is your friend. The affordable product is a lifesaver in so many situations. Simply spray the product on the roots of your hair, wait about thirty seconds, and comb through to the ends to remove oil and buildup and give your hair a fresh look and scent.

Tip 8 – Choice Of Makeup Is Key

I have never been one to spend high dollars on makeup that makes claims of being somehow better than the rest. I have simply stuck with your middle of the road basics. However, as my days have gotten longer and more busy with my ever expanding work and home life, I have discovered a base that I find crucial to keeping me looking my best. I use a 24 hour base that is comparable in price to other bases. When topped with a powder, it has really proved to live up to it’s claims and keeps me looking my best throughout the entire day without moving or needing touch ups.

Tip 9 – Leggings Aren’t Pants

In my home, they absolutely are!  Whenever I am out in the public eye, however, a great fitting pair of jeans will help you to put your best foot forward. Whether you are going to the grocery store, picking up and dropping off kids, or going out for a casual evening, wearing jeans and a comfortable yet stylish shirt will have you looking put together at all times.

Tip 10 – Long Lasting Nails

Your hands are a highly overlooked part of your style, yet they are one of the most visible parts of your look. It can be so hard for working moms to find the time to get to a nail salon. If you have the time and money, it is a great option for some relaxation and long lasting style, but a salon visit is not necessary to keep your hands looking their best. A simple coat of polish is the quickest way to have you looking put together, though it lasts the least amount of time as well. Today, you can buy gel and powder sets at your local supermarket that offer a long lasting, do it yourself option that will fit any style.

A necessity in the summer and winter months alike, well kept toenails will make you feel femanine and put together at all times. A professional pedicure is a lovely luxury that can provide some much needed rest and relaxation. If you do not have the time or money for a professional pedicure, a nice soak and scrub in a bowl of hot water and epsom salts will help you to relax and detoxify. Paint your toenails and finish with some great smelling lotion for a fun pick me up at home.

Tip 11 – Luscious Lips

One feature of a fresh and put together look is having a strong lip product game. If you are a fan of lip color, consider an all day lip product. You can choose from more pricey products that are sold privately or similar products found in your local supermarket. When it comes to lip products, I have found that I get what I pay for. That being said, the all day lip color that I get at very reasonable prices from the supermarket usually only need one reapplication for my longest days. If you are not a fan of color, or are just pressed for time, a simple coat of lip gloss or chapstick will keep your lips healthy and give you that added polish to your look.

Tip 12 – Plan For The Unexpected

Our last tip for always looking your best is to plan for the unexpected. We all know that when things get especially busy, the risk for things to go wrong increases. Planning for the unexpected is a simple strategy that you can use ahead of time to ensure that you are always prepared. Lower your stress in these situations by preparing an emergency kit to be kept at the office or in your vehicle so that you are ready for anything.  I like to keep an emergency set of clothes, and some basic hair and makeup staples in a bag in my car so that I always have access to what I might need in an emergency.

In addition to carrying some wardrobe, makeup, and accessory essentials with me in the car, I try to be ready for last minute invites or errands when I am enjoying downtime at home as well. I have found that if I get up, drink my coffee, and get through the shower first thing in the morning regardless of what I have planned for the day, I will look and feel better while doing it. If I choose a comfortable pair of jeans and a stylish shirt rather than leggings and a sweatshirt, I am already ready for the inevitability of me needing to rush out of the house at some point in the day. Styling my hair in a simple and comfortable way makes me feel somewhat put together and saves me time in the long run.

Bonus Tip – Easy Accessories Are The Icing On The Cake

Regardless of the occasion, simple and practical accessories can give a simple style the polish that you are seeking.  Some must have costume jewelry for every wardrobe including stud and dangle earrings, an array of sizes of bracelets, black belt, brown belt, an array of lengths of necklaces and headbands.  Having some of these pieces readily available in your wardrobe can help you dress up your style at a moment’s notice.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the best way to look your best at all times is to utilize the top 12 tips we have discussed above. Making the time to ensure that you are healthy and well rested will make all of the difference in your daily interactions. Drink plenty of water and seek out antioxidant rich foods for vibrant skin and hair. Remember to protect your skin from sun damage and utilize simple cleansers and moisturizers. Keep your hair at it’s best through daily conditioning and use of thermal protection when using heat to style.

Utilize long lasting makeup solutions such as 24 hour lip color and base. Pair these essentials with some face powder and lip moisturizer that you carry with you for emergencies. Make time to ensure that your fingernails and toenails are kept painted in a neutral fashion so that you are ready for any occasion.

Look for clothing and accessories that are versatile and offer easy, long lasting, wearability.  Pieces that are easy to launder and don’t wrinkle easily are must haves.  Try to dress in ways that are easily convertible between formal and informal.  Choose jeans over leggings for a more put together look in casual situations.  Consider simple accessories to instantly dress up your casual looks.

I hope that this comprehensive guide to always looking your best as a working mother has been helpful. The strategies listed above are designed to help anyone make the most of their current wardrobe and strategize as they purchase new items.  Use this guide as you go forth and conquer. You’ve got this mama!

A bientôt!

Karen