I have a friend who i've known for 20 years, she lives miles away but visits a couple of times a year when she's seeing her brother nearby. Over the past few years she's become more obsessed with her looks, having gone on a diet, had her teeth done, and had minor plastic surgery. This is fine, whatever floats her boat, but she is very judgemental about other people's looks and weight, and I've found myself dreading her visits because I know the first thing she notices is whether i've gained weight/lost weight/got more grey hairs! She makes me feel really inadequate because it's her main topic of conversation - I have many very attractive friends who don't make me feel inferior like she does, and I really don't enjoy her company anymore. The question is, do I be honest with her when she calls to arrange the yearly Christmas visit, and tell her how she makes me feel, try and avoid her calls, or just put up with it?!
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Sounds dreadful. Breaking a friendship off is very difficult. Can't you discuss it with her when she comes - have a few bevvies and a heart to heart. A bit like breaking up with a chap. Only worse. I do feel your pain - I have had to break off a couple of friendships over the years with people who just dragged me down, or bored me rigid. I was a coward though and just did not answer the phone to them........
Maybe when she does phone say something along the lines of "Are you sure you really want to come as I am not sure you enjoy my company anymore, as you do nothing but criticise and find fault".
Or meet up with her and arrange for someone to phone you with an emergency requiring your attention, 10 minutes after you have arrived.
Or go on a diet, get your hair coloured, buy some new clothes and go wow her 
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