Anyone else gone to the dogs since first lockdown?

[WilsonMilson]

I used to wear a full face of make up daily and tanned (fake but not hideous) weekly. Wore dresses, skirts, heels almost every day. Hair was always loose and well groomed (it’s long).

These days I apply the least possible make up I can get away with, I wear comfy clothes around the house, hoodies and jeans for walks and haven’t been outdoors in anything except trainers/hiking boots outside since last March. I’m not sure I could even walk in heels now. My hair is tied up in a bun on the top of my head and frankly I am a mess.

I didn’t realise how bad it had gotten until I was looking at pics from 2019 and thought - Jeez Wilson, you’ve really let yourself go!

Please tell me I’m not being unreasonable and that we’ve all become like this in the last year. I’m not even sure I miss the effort of it all - I simply couldn’t be arsed anymore.

My roots are also horrific as I’ve only been to the hairdresser once, and I’m thinking I might just not bother with highlights anymore and embrace the dishwater nothingness of my natural colour.

In truth I’ve just stopped looking in mirrors much. In some ways it’s been rather cathartic to let go of the superficial bollocks of it all.

Yeah I look crap most of the time.

I'd often go out and see people who I thought looked really good, well dressed, great hair, done up...I went shopping the other day and was struck at how rough everyone looked...me included!

Sounds comfortable and practical rather than letting yourself go. What's the point in spending the time and effort on something if it's not needed or desired?

I've worked from home for years, so never really got into the habit of office wear, hate heels and skirts, etc. I don't think I look a mess, I just look neutral. Fine.

I wear glasses and when I go out with a mask on, I almost feel invisible. This is also fine.

Totally normal in my friemdship group and local area. I’ve put a few lbs on and live on jeans and sweatshirt, alternating between trainers and wellies. I do still wear makeup but only a little. My eyebrows are ungroomed and my legs and bikini line unwaxed. Nails unpainted and high heels mothballed. Not used a handbag since last March!
I’ve decided to up my skincare and deep condition my hair once a week, and maybe wait to buy some new clothes in spring when lockdown is hopefully over and we can ‘emerge’ again, like butterflies

Haha your "I'm a mess" is my usual life!

You are doing better than me.... I was pleased I was bathed and dressed at 2 45 after a following a full day's homeschool itinerary for two children

Same op. Same.

I've put on a stone and my face is constantly breaking out. I feel like a slob.

Same. I think I’ve worn make up about 5 times since last March, I used to wear it every day for work.

I’ve never been a smart dresser but I have a complete aversion to jeans now. I wore some a couple of months ago and couldn’t wait to get them off when I got home. I spent summer in lightweight jogger/harem style trousers and now I just wear joggers or gym leggings.

Similar to @TechnoDino I’ve decided to improve my skincare routine instead, which was pretty non-existent before.

You still wear makeup? You haven’t gone to the dogs as much as me then!

Very similar. I have a wardrobe full of tailored dresses, heels and long smart jackets and cardigans - a year ago I'd have only gone to work dressed casually if it was a snow day and I was the only one in or if it was a weekend and I was working extra hours.

Now I spend every day dressed up as a human mullet - professional on top for video calls, pj bottoms, slippers and a blanket under the desk).

I only still make the top half effort because i spend a LOT of time on camera and over the summer, working in the garden when it was really hot, I got an unexpected video call from a colleague. He looked a bit surprised when I answered and it was only afterwards that I realised I was wearing a strapless top and on webcam I probably looked naked 😁

Boris Johnson, or was he like that anyway?

Yep I’m the same!!

I don't think I've ever looked so horrific in my life. Don't know where to start putting myself back together 🤷‍♂️

Yep, exactly the same. I've bought myself some new jeans and tops and forced myself to retire the harem pants that had become my uniform to the PJ drawer.

I cut and colour my own hair so that's not been problematic but its usually just bunged up, don't bother with contacts or makeup most of the time.

Have good intentions to make more effort but not quite got my mojo working post Christmas yet.

Yep, I looked at pictures of myself during Christmas 2019 and I look like I've aged about a decade in the last year. And let's not even start on the weight gain....

Yep! When I go out and see people wearing normal clothes / nice hair and make up I feel betrayed. I thought there was an unspoken agreement that we all look terrible!

Why bother dressing if no-one's going to see you?

I'm in pyjamas a lot of the time. When (if?) the world goes back to normal, I'm going to feel so uncomfortable in proper clothes.

I would really love a photographer to do a series of before and during/after c19 photos. Everyone i know has let themselves go in a similar way. Now I haven't even got the school run to go on I wear no makeup, my hair is greasy and in a bun because I can't be bothered to wash it and i'm living in tracksuit bottoms and wooly jumpers. My skin is shit and I have put on a stone.

Funny, the first couple of lockdowns I had the time and energy and got into some healthy habits!

This third one since mid December I just can’t muster it, and including Xmas indulgence and weight gain, it’s gonna be a recipe for disaster if I don’t get a handle on it. Luckily no one can see you till April!!

I've put weight on, barely ever wear make up (I used to most days before, not a lot but foundation and eyes at least), and live in 'loungewear' (pyjamas). To be fair, when I WFH pre-pandemic I never got dressed unless I had a meeting anyway - but I do feel a bit grimy now.

I need a kick up the arse and some positive thinking, but who’s gonna do it for me?

Yes! I used to wear full make up to work, styled hair worn down, pencil skirts and heels; I looked smart and groomed. Now I look like a wild haired mad woman who lives in the woods and wears whatever cast offs she can find in the undergrowth. I am feral.

I started wearing dresses and tights recently as I am permanent home working now and couldn’t keep going the way I was with crappy joggers and t-shirts with no bra.

I shaved my armpits and legs the other day for the first time in months. I’ve had my hair done a couple of times between lockdowns but it’s a fright again. My roots are awful. I’ve given up plucking my facial hair as well, it’s covered by a mask if I ever go anywhere. I can’t remember the last time I wore shoes that weren’t trainers.

Still, my laundry basket is empty.

Always an upside.