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.

Yep, I feel like I’ve aged 10 years. I’m 2 stone heavier, skin looks like shit, I’ve lost all motivation to do anything, borderline alcoholic and dress to got for dog walks only. Never wear make-up.

I’ve been low carbing since Sunday and have lost 3lbs. Last night I was sat thinking “what is the fucking point?!” It’s not as if I see anyone or am going on holiday or anything, why should I bother losing weight?? That’s when I brought the Christmas quality streets out 🤦‍♀️

You sound liberated to me!

The real question is why did you wear uncomfortable heels, dresses that were not comfortable and a face full of make up in the first place?

I am sure you look natural and lovely as you are. The new you.

I am pretty similar. I can't imagine wearing anything tight around my waist ever again - I love the feel of comfortable loose fitting clothes, soft shoes and parred back looks. Personally I don't want to ever wear heels again. I like this new style a lot!

Yes but I also had a baby in the summer so would have happened to some degree anyway for me 😂

I wear hoodies and leggings every day. Mostly the same ones for days on end...after all odour isn’t an issue on a Teams call. I just got a text about my new Sweaty Betty hoody being delivered between 12.01 and 13.15 today and that has brought some joy, I’m sure I’ll wear it for a week straight.

Weirdly, I do shower, wash my hair and apply a bit of slap everyday. That habit hasn’t changed. I don’t think I can bear to look at myself constantly on Teams calls without doing that...too depressing,

Problem is I’ve been cutting my own hair now for 12 months and it’s now wonky and a bit strange.

This lockdown, I’m determined not to drink...it’s been a long 4 evenings...

I tried some proper shoes on the other day...I was definitely like a bloke wearing heels, tripping up and walking like John Wayne. Not sure how I’ll ever ditch trainers and wellies.

Yep I barely wear make-up now, rarely have my nails painted. Can't be arsed so much with plucking my eyebrows. Both my husband and I have gained a bit of weight since the gyms have mostly been shut. I'm 18 weeks pregnant so I'm hoping but the time the baby is here I can perhaps start getting back into weight lifting again! I'm trying to eat better now Christmas is over but I just can't stop snacking/comfort eating when my son goes to bed.

I live in harem pants and big jumpers. I can’t fit into any of my jeans. I sort of care, but sort of really don’t. I do feel free .

I I like the lack of judgement.

I’ve been working from home for over 10 years!! Welcome to my world 😁

The benefit is that the skin on my face is so, so much better now I’ve stopped wearing make-up. My complexion and clearness of skin has really improved.

On the flip side - I’ve worn my pyjama bottoms for the last 3 days

Heels are terrible for your feet and cause bunions which are hideous. Why not buy some cool trainers or flats instead?
I bought some glam slippers that maje me feel fabulous when loafing about at home.
Last year i managed to get botox for the 1st time when lockdown eased ....

Make*

Minimum make up sounds practical and not letting yourself go. Wearing make up is not a sign that you look after yourself.

You sound practical really for your current circumstances.

My hair is a bit of a mess and I really could do with some new hoodies and jeans as all are a bit worn, but I still shave my legs and pits as I prefer how it feels clean shaven.
The standards have dropped. If I put make up on, my husband asks - where are you going? Ehm, nowhere really, just wanted to look less pale in the mirror :D

Yup over here too. The other day I actually sorted out my wardrobe, ie put most of my "lounge wear" in there so they're more accessible than just grabbing what was on the floor!

Also yes to no bras! If this pandemic has taught me anything it's how uncomfortable bras are, no idea how I wore them for hours on end...

Bare minimum make up for video calls dry shampoo on hair, leggings and hoodies are my main attire.

Luckily for me I have a job where I still have to go in, so reasonably smart every day. And I got my hair cut about a month ago when the hairdresser was open! I out on a bit of weight over Xmas, but have been eating better this last week or so and had a weigh in - only one kg up so pretty pleased. Just need to buy a home dye for hair and all in all, not too shabby. Eyebrows are crap though, and I woke up new years day with a totally bloodshot eye so I still look a bit shit!

Struggling to maintain motivation for self-care at the moment. I had just lost half a stone prior to the first lock down, lost a tiny bit more and maintained all last year. Also, put make-up on everyday (just lipstick and eye make up), did my hair (I cut and dye it myself) and wore proper clothes. Was the same in the November lock down, was still working but working for myself as ever. The closest things to lounge wear I own are leggings and a couple of long jumpers. I have recently bought a long sweatshirt from Tesco, but tbh although it is comfy it makes me feel enormous. TBH I am struggling a bit now though, hair isnt great cause it didn't take the dye that well last time, I need to give it a few weeks rest so I have serious blonde roots (I dye my hair turquoise), gained a couple of pounds over Christmas and haven't lost them yet, I'm 46 on Saturday and I dont want to be fat and 46. I just feel generally lazy, sluggish and fed up, I work for myself so most days I can get away with being up just before 8, but I know I'm being lazy. We have no heating so I'm waiting in for a heating engineer this morning. Its cold, its horrible although very necessary this lockdown is depressing. I feel as though I could easily go to the dogs and I'm not someone who does the natural look well or carries weight well.

And the positive side is that women are putting less pressure on each other to be so ‘polished’ 24/7. I wonder if that will benefit young women’s MH? I am hopeful. 😊

I'm a baggy top and jeans person. I do my hair but it's easy as just a bob. I wear make up but very minimal. I always look a mess so no change.

I occasionally wear a dress but it will be a comfy one stretchy material etc with thick tights and boots but mostly I'll wear jeans trousers jumpers.
I only do make up if I'm seeing a human from another household so not that often. And it's a quick base and mascara and eyeliner no full makeup.

I’ve stopped wearing make up. I’ve saved a fortune. I just wear gym stuff but never actually do any exercise other than walk the dog. I put on nearly two stone in the second lockdown which I’m now addressing. Thank god I won’t see anyone for months.

I feel this just goes to show that so many women who believed they were wearing make up, heels etc for themselves, were actually doing it for other people. Because give us all a scenario where we don’t see other people and this is what happens. If women were really doing all the numerous grooming things purely for their own benefit, it would have continued in lockdown. Even the people saying they want to make more effort don’t want to go as far as they did before.

I do these things too. If I’m going somewhere I make more effort with my hair and put on a bit of make up. But I know I’m only doing it so other people don’t look at me and think “god she looks rough”. It’s not for me. Not really. I do it to “fit in” and because it’s somewhat expected, especially in a work environment. At home I’m thrilled to just live in comfies, no make up and hair tied back.

I've got a interview via teams for the nhs on Monday, am dreading having to make the effort 😂 more than the interview lol

Yep same here! And I never really wore make up before and already dressed casually but this is another level.

My only self care is eating healthily and exercising so at least my weight hasn't changed but I have aged terribly since March. My hair has gone grey almost overnight and my wrinkles are awful. I am only in my 30s and honestly look about 50 on pictures. It's making me so depressed.

I guess this is what continuous low level of stress does. But it doesn't help my self esteem wearing comfy unflattering clothes and hardly brushing my hair every day. I did make more of an effort on christmas day and it felt good.

Do people actually take the time to judge other people's appearance when they are simply going about their day? It's mind boggling. I barely notice, I'm so busy worrying about my own stiff, thinking about work, planning meals, etc etc. I assumed everyone else was the same.

My make up bag has been opened maybe 4 or 5 times since March but then I didn't use much to start with. My nails used to be professionally done every 2-3 weeks now they are terrible

I've lost my fitness - not even bothering with Yoga now, when I was doing weights, yoga, pilates and the odd run. I'm depressed, through working in care which is very chaotic and stressful. I've put on weight and out of work I wear the same clothes - leggings, T shirt, Sweatshirt for days. I'm a messy eater too. Skin is OK so hope I'll scrub up OK when all this is over.