Modern Mrs. Darcy has a post up on Simplicity, productivity, and the personal uniform. Yup, I’ve got that. I’m a fan.
[Hi to any MMD readers who clicked over from my comment! Thanks for taking a look around!]
My personal uniform remains, but I’ve been feeling a little frumptastic lately. This is because I don’t usually add the completer piece unless I’m going out. The baby would destroy my necklaces. Why put on a scarf or a jacket if it is just going to get covered in spitup and flung food?
Let’s just say, I feel all of those What Not to Wear contributors who scoffed at Stacy and Clinton for saying they should wear nicer blouses. Yes, I use burp cloths. But did you know that kids can aim past the cloth? Or I might not have one in reach? There is a reason that my uniform is washer-friendly.
I also need to rethink my makeup regime. I feel like it is all wiped off by mid-morning. I’m not loving my hair lately. I’ve got those bald spots and wisps thanks to the postpartum hair loss. And all of this rain and humidity does not cute hair make.
Sum it all up to say that I’m not feeling super cute most days. And this is not the best place to not feel cute. The women here, they know how to work it.
Enter the red lip!
I’ve been loving Boots Botanics lip gloss. Mine is cherry, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere for a link. It doesn’t pass the kiss test, but it adds a punch of color without getting peely, chappy, and flaky later like so many lip products I find. (I know this is reading like a giant advertisement, but nothing sponsored here; I just like the product.)
I’ve got it right by the door and it is now a part of my going-out-the-door routine. Shoes, strap on baby, jacket, red lip. It’s not a salon blowout or a stain-free shirt, but it always helps me feel a little more put together.
Yes, those are mirror smudges from a certain toddler. And, wow, taking mirror selfies is crazy awkward. I kind of can’t believe I’m sharing this with all of you. Please, be gentle.
Do you have a fave lip gloss? Any special thing you add to feel polished?
Roman Reboot 
Well, you know that you are more likely to be of help to me than I am to you, but I feel your pain.
I’ve been increasingly frustrated with my wardrobe. I walk a really strange line between looking professional, being safe in the lab, and being functional in the field. Functional in the field means washable and flexible, so that eliminates woven button up shirts and most jackets. Safe in the lab means nothing flowy or drapey, so no scarves or the drapey cardigans that seem to be all the rage (though that statement is probably outdated by at least a year). My students would set me on fire. Ideally, lab safety also means natural fibers because they won’t melt into your skin, but that is often in direct conflict with the washable requirement. In much of the world, scientists cater to safety and functionality by wearing jeans and t-shirts, but that is frowned upon here. So my uniform ends up being close-fitting cotton sweaters and washable slacks. It’s not terrible, but it’s not great either.
I agree that lip color is the answer to a put-together face with little effort, but I’m stumped there too. I also agree on your assessment of texture. I find almost everything to be too dry or too greasy or too sticky. I will try your suggestion of Boots Botanics. But I also have trouble with color. Everything seems either too pink or too orange for me. I’m to the point of either giving up entirely or enlisting professional help.
Maybe look for blue undertones? Yeah, you should enlist the professionals; I have no idea. Would a statement necklace also be flammable? I think I would like to see Dr. Maggie in a statement necklace. I’ll be on the lookout.