AIBU to not be high maintenance beauty wise?

[Passmethebotox]

Quite light hearted I think!
I was at a friend’s birthday last weekend. He works “in finance “ and there was a mixture of friends, colleagues, old friends, etc.
There was an obvious group of beautiful people. Tall, great hair, immaculate nails and make up and definite suggestions that some of them had some aesthetic improvements made. The all seemed to gravitate to one another even though they were from different groups and hang out taking selfies most of the night.
I’m not a slob. I see my hairdresser regularly and have my eye brows and lashes tinted monthly. I pass for pretty (although can sometimes look like a llama if I get unlucky in photos )
I’m not jealous of their gorgeousness but I am pondering why there is such a jump to their level.
Am I not trying hard enough?
Yes = Up your game girl!
No= Beauty is only skin peel deep!

Whenever I go to things like that I always get quite down on how much effort I put in to my appearance.
And then when I'm back home I remember that I prefer sleep, food and generally can't be arsed with the upkeep.

It's hard not to make sweeping judgements, though I'd be a bit at the selfies and, sadly, would make the assumption that the high maintenance women were, well, high maintenance. I'd assume their partners were the main earners too. Probably says more about me though!

Is it a case of the ‘jump’ being genetic gifts. No amount of preening is going to get over that hurdle I’m afraid.

Youre more high maintenance than me

You are high maintenance OP well, in my world anyway. I get my hair cut every couple of years. Cant remember last time I was in a salon, this is not a humble brag. I really wish I could afford beauty treats in a salon

I bet you looked fab and far less vain than the selfie-taking weirdos!!

You are not low maintenance

I quite like looking at “done” people, I think it requires dedication and the results can be amazing.

Am too lazy, mainly, and sadly just crap with make up, but some women just know what to do (though it probably took them a lot of time to learn, and money too!)

They do sound very dull and narcissistic taking selfies all night.

Natural beauty/make the best of yourself, clean tidy, best clothes you can afford, beats hands down the “plastic” beauty of the selfie takers any day

@Ennith Fair point but my natural ones are horrendous!
@Reginabambina Guess Boots don’t sell Become Tall body wash yet!
@LigPatin The husbands/partners were quite beautiful too! I was trying not to make too many assumptions about everyone but I don’t think I have enough available time or money to maintain to their level!

I think I regard myself as much more high maintenance than I have been in past, hence the hair/brows etc but I realised that I am nowhere near the level of some people. They all looked gorgeous but I felt a bit too “normal “ to integrate their circle!

I don't know anyone, male or female, who likes that kind of look or finds it attractive. Natural beauty with some decent grooming trumps the fake every time.

They are maybe quite unhappy and insecure underneath all their procedures and make up. Some people say things like I wouldn’t dream of going over the doorstep
Without putting my make or war paint on first and I think this is how they see it as an outward mask to face the world. Personally I am more like you I get my eyebrows waxed and occasionally tinted and my hair trimmed every couple of months. I rarely wear make up and certainly wouldn’t want to be caked in it most days and sitting posing and pouting and taking selfies like a school kid.

These threads always turn into a competion on who is the most low maintenance.

There's a big area between having a hair cut once every five years and being addicted to botox and fillers!

I like skincare products, having nice hair, lovely colour lipsticks. There's nothing wrong with that. It doesn't make me a bimbo or shallow

Competition *

@Daddylonglegs1965 does it have to equate to someone being 'insecure' or 'unhappy' just because they put effort into their appearance?

I don't understand why there is always some kind of negative back story as to why someone mainly women in this case, who like a bit of make up, botox, fillers etc.

God, for parties etc I try not to go brush my teeth and make sure my clothes don't have holes in.
Got tired of trying to do make-up years ago. Hair is short and cut choppy so that it always looks messy. CBA with/can't afford fingernail maintenance or getting anything on my face tinted.

Not sure what my point is really, but YANBU.

I get my nails, eyebrows, facials and eyelashes done once a month. I get my hair done every 8 weeks. I'm a single working mum and pay for it all myself.

I tend to notice that it's the women who don't really tend to do much beauty wise who are the most judgemental and rude about those who do. Plenty of examples on this thread already - "they must have wealthy partners" "they must be insecure" "they are narcissistic" "natural is so much better."

I don't care what other people do beauty wise. Sad that some people on this thread seem to think it's fine to judge women who wear more makeup etc.

I have a long list of “things” I do: hydrafacials, Botox, hair colour, cryotherapy, cupping. I rarely talk about them and never take selfies. I’m barely on social media, as it happens. So I do those things because they make me happy. (Lest you think I’m dim, I’m also an avid reader, go to museums etc.—not that you made such an inference in your initial post.)

I think it’s just about doing what’s right for you. If you’re low maintenance, great - whatever works! But equally if other people feel more comfortable in themselves if they’ve had x, y and z treatments then fair play to them to.

*too

Not the point @Passmethebotox but your Llama comment made me chuckle.

FWIW we have similar routines re beauty although I do my own mostly as childcare costs currently devour our £. I definitely feel v low maintenance compared to friends, colleagues etc, I could be higher maintenance but I am lazy & prefer more time in bed/to chill

I have a friend that sounds like the ladies at the party. I tend to just stare at her at her gorgeousness and high maintenance beautyness in total awe of her. How does she get to look like? How much time does she spend to look like that? Does she ever look normal?

"These threads always turn into a competion on who is the most low maintenance"

MN is full of posters falling over themselves to tell everyone how they're Not Like Other Girls.

Did you enjoy the company of these people, do you have a good time with them? In my circle of friends it would really stand out if someone was 'high maintenance', I suppose we all gravitate towards people like ourselves.

Presumably you don't want to become 'high maintenance' just to fit in with these people?