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When was the last time you looked in a mirror and thought, “Daaaang. You’re looking fine!”? Before you click away thinking you don’t need this crazy talk—stop. Have you fallen into the trap of thinking that because your children are at the top of your priority list, you should be at the bottom?
Taking care of your family is the priority of all mothers out there, but that doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of yourself. Think of it like this: if your daughter grows up and has a daughter of her own, what advice would you give her? Would you tell her to take care of her children while neglecting to care for herself?
Yes, it can feel like a frivolous expense to show yourself care. But a well-taken-care-of mommy can be an example to her children of how to take care of themselves, too. And it doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg to pull together a classic, appropriate and groomed look.
Here are some ideas of how to transform your mommy wardrobe, fashion and style, all while staying within your budget.
1. Attend to your smile
If there’s one thing parents should pay more attention to, it’s their teeth. Too much coffee or wine — beverages of choice for most busy parents — can leave their mark on your teeth. Having a yellow or dull smile can add years to your appearance. If there’s only one thing you were willing to try this month, consider getting your teeth whitened, or try porcelain veneers.
2. Care for your hair
A mommy hairstyle is often one that is long enough to get tied back to keep it out of your face as you chase your kids and care for your home. The truth is, when the pony tail becomes your default hairstyle, wearing it down becomes your go-to look for dressing up. And styling long hair can be time-consuming and laborious. But wait! There is hope.
A stylish bob can take care of the need for keeping it out of yanking fingers while providing a well-groomed look. And if you don’t feel comfortable with giving up your tresses, research and learn how to create fun up-dos that can add a little glamour to your routine. There are plenty of Pinterest and YouTube tutorials that will provide step-by-step instructions for creating the hairstyle you want.
3. Find your signature color
Do you know what type of skin tone you have? Is it warm or cool? Knowing your skin tone can help you find the colors that suit and complement your overall look. One easy way to find out is to look at the veins on your wrist. If the veins are green, you have a warm skin tone. If they are blue or bluish purple, you have a cool skin tone. Those with warm skin tones should choose reds, yellows, oranges and golds, as well as some warm shades of green and blue. Those with cool skin tones can handle a wide range of bright blues, purples and greens.
4. Purge of your closet
Once you know what colors suit you, weed out anything in your wardrobe that falls outside of that range. And look for pieces with colors that play up your natural skin and hair tones. You don’t need to spend a fortune to do this either. Knowing what colors work–and which ones don’t–is worth more than an expensive clothing item in an unflattering color.
Something else to keep in mind is to toss anything that no longer fits. Once your closet only contains classic pieces that you love to wear and that complement your color tones, you’re ready for the next step.
5. Look for your signature piece
It’s different for everyone, but this is a stand-out item that simply makes you feel fabulous. Some people choose a beautiful handbag as their signature piece. Others choose a wear-with-everything scarf they can’t go without. Whatever you choose, just know it’s okay to spend a little more on this piece if you know you’ll be wearing it frequently.
Written by Lauren Minchen for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.