to be sick of all the grooming?

[witchyhills]

Disclaimer; I'm not actually that stylish or well groomed, however
I am sick of the shaving, plucking, waxing, trimming, moisturising, manicures, pedicures. I've been doing it for 25 years, and I'm tired of it
I am also sick of the haircuts, highlights, blowdrying every bloody day. Trying to find shampoo and mousse that give my hair some kind of volume.
I got my haircut short recently so it would be easier, and it's already outgrown the style
I'm sick of trying to find comfortable clothes that are flattering, comfortable shoes that are stylish
I currently have no mascara and no foundation, need a haircut and highlights
and I have no money to buy any of the above

would I be unreasonable just to let it all go to pot
who would care, who would notice?!

I've just read this through and it does sound like I am trendy and stylish, I can assure you that I am not.
I spend all Summer in flipflops, I have very fine greasy hair, so I have to wash and blowdry everyday
I don't usually wear makeup, just usually mascara, but I had a job interview and went out on Sat and I had no foundation

I really want my eyelashes permed now..

Ah I'm so sorry, no wonder you're feeling down

Being unemployed will naturally make you feel low

But you shouldn't have to feel like a slave and have no money while your DH is off having fun. What's up with that?

Is it just a bad day or are you feeling like this all the time?

aldi, that sounds like a good plan!
I have lots of advantage points, I could go and treat myself
And the good news is I can watch whatever I want for the next week!

the job search is ridiculous. I am applying for jobs that I started off my career with £7.50 an hour. 20 years ago.
although I did have an interview last week, so still some hope there.

I did go to the docs recently as stress/anxiety was just getting to me. Depression ruled out, but she is sending me for some blood tests to check hormone levels. what do they check for on day 25?

don't do it then

NR used to get it done as I'm blonde and I don't want to wear mascara every day
So if you get the permed and dyed it makes all the difference (you can't see my eyelashes in their natural colour!)
My optician told me that dying is better than mascara, something to do with follicles

HOWEVER

It costs dosh
It stings like a fucker (on me anyway I have sensitive skin)
It can be squeamish thinking about things like perming solution and dye next to your eye

So on balance
I don't bother any more

Is that how you spell dying? I mean changing colour, not keeling over...

Veet instead of bikini wax once a week - easy stinky though
Hair - grow it long, so you can cut it less often. Learn how to put it up into with messy up-do using a clip, or sleek chignon depending on whether you striaghten or not.
Make-up - shouldn't take too long, foundation and mascara will do, keep gloos in your bag.

Nails. Hmm. Stuck there I'm afraid, my nails are dreadful and painted by a 3 year old

Feet - I file them whilst watching tv then pop lots of moisturiser on with thick socks
Legs - use cheap smart price conditioner instead of shaving gel, less cost and silky legs

I don't do any grooming, beyond general cleanliness, and get loads of compliments, which are not, believe you me, down to being a 22 yo starlet.

Hair - straight and long, or just swoosh it up every day in french plait, or whatever they are called, or have it cut into a v short elfin style and run some 'product' through every morning.

People actually get a bikini wax once a week?

I "groom" in fits and starts. I do wash my hair daily in the shower, and let it dry naturally (unless I am going somewhere nice, then I will curl or straighten)and wear a little make up everyday. I can let my (threaded) eyebrows, and nails/feet go by the wayside, but if a night out/hol is on the horizon, I block book appointments. I do little (aside from remove hard skin, and shave my pits/legs) myself. I have a mobile hairdresser for cuts/updos-I colour it myself. I used to go to a salon near to home for facials/manis/pedis etc, but now tend to buy treatments "ad hoc" via Groupon etc. I don't have the disposable cash I once had to splurge on treatments. If I need a little "lift" I go to the local walk in nail bar for a re-polish-it's a fiver and I am crap at painting my own nails.

Agree witchy, with the hair washing daily. When I very rarely haven't done mine, I feel manly ALL DAY.

I don't do nails, ever. I cut 'em so short that no muck can get under them and they're just there. I don't understand the time and effort people put into their nails. But I do do foundation, blush, lots of mascara and lippy. Not a MASSIVE routine but without it I look in need of medical help. Seriously. And, I do it for me. I don't want to loom half dead or I FEEL half dead!

. I feel MANKY all day. I am 100% female!

the answer to your prayers for dry skin/moisturising/exfoliating is the miracle which is a Buffy the Backside Slayer bar from Lush. About a fiver, scrub up bum, thighs, upper arms, wibbly bits, knobbly bits.....all will be smoothed and softened. Try it. No need to moisturise afterwards so time saving too.

witchy day 25 ?

are you sure it isn't day 21 ? that would be progesterone

I am sorry you have been unsuccessful in your job hunt. No consolation of course, but there are millions all in the same boat

ah now, the rugby NZ trip. Once in a lifetime. I am usually pretty scathing about men getting more trips and treats away from their families, but this seems ok to me.

If you had said he was off on his 10th stag weekend of the year to Amsterdam or something, I would have gone into "he is a bastard" mode. . But no, let him have his trip. You have a nice quiet week and look forward to your weekend with him (sans kids ?) x

Blu - You sound like a woman I used to work with. She was in her 30's and always looked really elegant. But when you looked at what she wore it was usually just an ordinary jumper and skirt or trousers and often no make up or very little. She had long blonde hair, didn't seem to do anything with nails, etc. I was jealous that someone could look overall so elegant and not really do any individual things to justify the overall impression.

It wasn't just me who thought that - others did to. Bbut I have never met anyone else who had that ability.

Sorry for detour AnyPhantom, but when I went to the doctor about my bonkers hormones he said there really was no way of testing hormones.. ??
Was I a div for beleiving him?

Of course you can test hormone levels !

Perhaps he just meant it wouldn't give you any useful information in your case ? < optimistic >

Hmmm. I'm not sure. I was complaining that my PMS was insane and I was so up and down all the time (really sorry again for hijack, move along nothing to see here etc) and I had asked if there was a way to see what was going on with the hormones, and he was just dead vague and said it was tricky to test hormones accurately.

You absolutely CAN test hormone levels and it is worth getting them checked out if you think they might be affecting your physical or mental well-being. Related to that, even slightly-wonky hormones can have a HUGE impact on things like body hair, body odour, greasiness of hair and skin etc as well as mood and outlook. Excess stress can lead to testosterone-like effects in the body too. The pill has been an absolute godsend to me for all of the above reasons. I finally feel normal.

Im the same. Got my long hair cut short and for some reason dyed it black. Tried to remove it with colour b4, didnt work so spent £20 on the proffessional stripper. It now needs cut and dyed again. Tash needs done and eyebrows.

I sound a vision of loveliness

weekly manicures - god that must add to a ridiculous amount a year and completely pointless if you do lots of gardening.

well, he was right in one way

a one-off blood test would only give a snap shot of that day

you would need several tests, over the course of a cycle, possibly over several cycles to be completely accurate

he shouldn't have dismissed you though...and like pb said, certain medications can be very helpful which shouldn't be given willy-nilly before checking that levels are actually deranged in the 1st place, IYSWIM

Lesley - I'm not sure I'm naturally elegant!
However, there is something to be said for choosing a look that is essentially you, and then not doing much.
A simple clothes strategy - as you say the woman you knew wore quite plain straightforward stuff - works better IMO than lots of fussy experiments which look very not good if you don't get it exactly right.
It's important fro hair not to look 'tired' - and then I think you can get away with pretty much anything!

Ok, thanks AnyPhantom and Popbiscuit. Will look into it. And now-back to hair!