Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

to wish that the women of Britain would agree to a beauty amnesty?

98 replies

MizK · 31/05/2013 18:51

Just for a week or so? Please?

This may be half term exhaustion kicking in, but I just want a break from depilation, make up, self tanner, putting decent outfits together, worrying about cellulite etc.

Now I know, in theory, I don't HAVE to do these things, but I feel that on the whole, women present themselves well and I would feel like a scruff if I stopped.

But if we all just agreed to lay off the grooming for a bit, I'd appreciate the chance to go au naturel and relax.

(This thread may be inspired by the fact I am about to spend a Friday night giving myself a pedicure thanks to the appearance of the sun and the desire to wear sandals tomorrow. I so can't be arsed.)

OP posts:

cardibach · 31/05/2013 22:38

Enough people have said it now really, but I will add my two pen'orth. I wash self and hair and see to teeth. I shave legs and pits as and when they are going to be on show. And that's it. I rarely wear any make up at all (only for really posh nights out) and have never fake tanned or worried about cellulite. I am 48 and (I think) average looking. I regularly get told I look young for my age. You do not have to do any of it. Nobody cares (or notices most of the time). Spend the time doing something you enjoy.

Startail · 31/05/2013 22:42

The DDs wanted to go swimming, I realised I hadn't shaved anywhere for far too long. I said fuck it, I fancy a swim too.

And you know what the world hasn't ended!

VivaLeBeaver · 31/05/2013 22:45

Nope, don't do any of that. Legs get shaved if I'm going to wear shorts, etc but they can be months weeks between shaves in the winter. No self tan, rarely make up, I'm either in uniform or jeans and a t-shirt, don't worry about cellulite.

sweetestcup · 31/05/2013 22:45

break from depilation...a quick once over with an electric shaver is no big harship

make up...ok I will give you this one, I wear a full face for work

self tanner..nope, never..why, just whywould you need to do this, I dont even think it looks good anyway!

putting decent outfits together....nope, just whatever I find clean lying on my bedroom floor!

worrying about cellulite....why worry - its either there or it isnt, no amount of worrying is going to change that!

DollyClothespeg · 31/05/2013 22:47

I think that's entirely down to you and how you feel, to be honest! As I don't feel the need to do any of those things and still feel content in myself and happy just the way I am.
I've never depilated (occasionally shaved my legs and underarms, but that's my lot )
Make up? Only on (extremely rare) nights out.
Self tanner? Never done that as I've never grasped hold of the obsession to look tanned. I'd far rather look pale and interesting than like I've been Tangoed (which is what fake tanned looks like to me)

DollyClothespeg · 31/05/2013 22:48

Oh, and I gave up worrying about cellulite long ago, lol. I lost that battle years ago!

Auntlinny · 31/05/2013 22:51

Come and live in nz. Some days my hair doesn't see a brush.

Original poster

MizK · 31/05/2013 22:53

Thanks everyone. I guess I like the results too much to stop, and will probably be trowelling it on when I'm an old dear, but if they ever invent a magic wand to do it all in moments, I shall snap it up!

OP posts:

bettycocker · 31/05/2013 22:53

Is it even possible to win the cellulite battle? I think not, but can still dream.

Original poster

MizK · 31/05/2013 22:55

OP posts:

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 31/05/2013 22:55

I can't bring myself to look dog rough. Make up is a bit of a drag but so worth it.

CoalDustWoman · 31/05/2013 22:57

Oh. I thought you were actually interested because you started the thread.

What is the worst that could happen if I stop doing this stuff, btw? I keep asking, but never seem to get an answer.

TallyGrenshall · 31/05/2013 23:00

I wear make up 3 evenings a week when I'm working, keep myself clean, brush my hair and clean my teeth everyday.

That's my beauty regime

I horrified my DSis today because I said that I have only shaved my legs once since our holiday in March

There is nothing stopping people from giving up make up/tan/waxing/depilation etc etc apart from their own levels of comfort. If you are happy to do those things then do them, if you are not happy, then stop doing them.

Body hair and unpainted nails will not make the world stop turning

CoalDustWoman · 31/05/2013 23:00

Not that I do much. But I didn't notice my life changing outwardly when I stopped putting quite so much time in.

If I did even less, what would happen?

RubySparks · 31/05/2013 23:00

You will save lots of money!

lovesherdogstoomuch · 31/05/2013 23:04

i work with young, beautiful actors. i gave up a while ago. and guess what? they are riddled with anxiety. i just have a larff. although they do look good. ;)

qualitytoffee · 31/05/2013 23:06

Fuck no! (sorry) x
I can't do without me eyeliner and foundation and lippie x

bedmonster · 31/05/2013 23:10

I do nothing. Aside from showering daily amd brushing my teeth, there is nothing I can think of that I do regularly. My hair is a bit afro so I avoid brushing it. I pluck my eyebrows once a fortnight or so when I notice regrowth. I straighten my hair once a month or so. I shave my legs if taking the DC swimming or showing my legs on holiday. Nails never get painted, I see no point. Clothes choosing goes roughly like this... Does it fit? Yes - put it on. No - put it back and re-choose.
I still look pretty good. Yes really, I do. Not stunning, but pretty good. I like to save looking super good for when i'm going on a night out.

If you like doing it, carry on by all means, but not everyone feels the need to primp and preen themselves constantly. I for one can't be arsed. And DP doesn't give a fuck either

alotofthetimes · 31/05/2013 23:14

Work out the minimum for you and do that. Then try to simplify your image so it becomes "natural, casual and carefree and classic".

I shower everyday and shave my legs quickly each time (+underarms when needs doing). Never exfoliate but I do rub on a bit of moisturiser after my shower where needed.

I wear basic makeup everyday, foundation, mascara, blush, lip balm or gloss.

I wax my own bikini line and my upper lip once a month. I pluck the odd stray eyebrow hair when needed.

I remove and repaint my toes every couple of months but I do touch up when needed between times.

I pay for my haircut every 2 months, have natural hair at the moments as I worry about hair colouring and pregnancy/bf and and am still bf and planning to conceive in the next couple of years so I won't colour until I'm all done on that front, unless of course I go grey in that time! Once I'm done with pregnancy/bf I will get half highlights every couple of months as well.

That's it for me, I don't bother with tan, I am pale but I wear colours that suit my complexion and don't bother. I am lucky with no stretch marks and not much cellulite but tbh if I did have problems like those which don't have any solutions then I would just reduce the amount of time looking at myself naked in the mirror

I think I look nice enough and I cannot be bothered doing anymore (or paying anymore)! I can't believe the explosion of beauty salons/services and products that has occurred in my lifetime, a big money spinner! And u get annoyed that men aren't pressured to waste their times and money in this way

alotofthetimes · 31/05/2013 23:15

That should be I get annoyed

waterlego6064 · 31/05/2013 23:19

I thought 'depilation' just meant hair removal? Just wondering because a couple of posters have said they don't do depilation but occasionally shave their legs. Or does it mean something else?

I'm a 'can't be arsed' type. I shower daily, wash hair a few times a week and keep my nails short. I shave my armpits every few days and legs only when they'll be seen. I mostly don't bother with make-up unless going somewhere nice of an evening. Fake tan- definitely not. I don't have any cellulite so I don't worry about that. Though I gather there's not much one can do about it if one has it anyway. I do get acne which I dislike but I've had it for 15 years and never yet managed to find an effective treatment for it so I have to accept it.

Do as little or as much as you want! I'd hate to feel pressured to complete all those beauty tasks a certain number of times a week.

Original poster

MizK · 31/05/2013 23:20

coaldust not sure what would happen to you... Because if you feel happy without it you don't need it. But for lots of people there is the issue that they feel unattractive without it all but find the whole routine wearisome.

You seem to be cool with no faff or products so you've neatly avoided the issue for yourself...

Think my thread was basically wishing there was a level platying field for a bit - ie no one bothering with tanning and makeup so I wouldn't feel the need to keep up appearances :)

OP posts:

Original poster

MizK · 31/05/2013 23:20

You seem to be cool with no faff or products so you've neatly avoided the issue for yourself...

Think my thread was basically wishing there was a level platying field for a bit - ie no one bothering with tanning and makeup so I wouldn't feel the need to keep up appearances :)

OP posts:

AnnieLobeseder · 31/05/2013 23:20

Why on earth did you post asking for a beauty amnesty and then admit later on that you just like the high-maintenance look? This has nothing to do with other women, unless you feel like you're in some kind of competition. Life's too short to care so much about how you look. Either keep up your routine or don't; your choice. I doubt anyone would notice or care if you stopped making so much effort though.

CoalDustWoman · 31/05/2013 23:37

I'm a bit baffled.

You want others to stop doing this stuff so you don't have to? I'm asking why you feel you have to. What would happen if you stopped? Why do you set such store in how you look? Why is your looks you value, rather than any other quality?

It's interesting that you would rather the playing field was levelled. Would you still feel the need to keep up in other areas?

Flip

1 2 3 4