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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder how women can have kids under five and still manage to look good?

285 replies

fufflebum · 03/02/2009 15:53

I feel frumpy today. Anyone else?

Have a four year old and a nearly one year old.

AIBU to wonder how other women seem to manage to put on makeup and buy good fitting clothes???

I manage a shower and hairwash every morning but makeup and new clothes an impossibility.....!!!

Any tips?

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 03/02/2009 15:54

I have no idea, my aunt told me the other day my personal hygene is fine but my personal grooming lets me down

am afraid hair dryer/straighteners/make up etc are much to far down the list to get reached on a normal morning

I'd rather have an extra 15 mins in my bed

norksinmywaistband · 03/02/2009 15:55

If you are that keen.
Get up an hour before your first child wakes then you will have time to looked groomed at the start of the day at least.

I often wonderIf they ever play with the DC or do messy play ever in case their"look" gets ruined

Mumsnut · 03/02/2009 15:57

Yep, that'll be a 4.30am alarm for me then.

Agree grooming is in the too-hard-basket for now.

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 15:57

Perhaps that is the answer, up early and don't play with the kids!!!!!!

I was appalled that the man in the fruit and veg shop this morning implied that I looked old and haggard.....

I still feel 19, but when I look in the mirror?

OP posts:
thesundaymarket · 03/02/2009 15:58

I have no idea, I manage to shower and throw on jeans and a t shirt in the mornings, hairwash evry 3 days, no time to dry hair/makeup/shop for clothes. I am fed up with how I look, will watch this thread...

nailpolish · 03/02/2009 15:59

it only takes 30mins to shower, dry hair and put on a bit of make up. 15 mins after a lot of practice
cant you manage that? if you feel so bad it would cheer you up

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:00

thesundaymarket I am fed up with my look too, perhaps I am looking on the wrong thread...!

and now the wiggles has come on TV!

OP posts:
BonsoirAnna · 03/02/2009 16:00

I have always thought grooming was dead easy to combine with small children - all that sitting around playing with puzzles, little animals etc was highly compatible with face mask, eye lash dye, epilating, pedicures etc

nailpolish · 03/02/2009 16:00

get someone to watch the bairns this saturday while you go into town all by yourself and get some make up,a haircut and new clothes

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:01

I can do the shower and hair but not the makeup......

I think it is the clothes seem to have lost touch with 'fashion'/ modernity. Stuck with cargos and t-shirt!

OP posts:
12StoneNeedsToBe10 · 03/02/2009 16:02

Well DS is nearly 14 and gets himself ready in a morning (I get breakfast ready and do his packed-lunch) but I still look like a bag of shit going to work

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:02

Are you going to treat me then nailpolish

OP posts:
nailpolish · 03/02/2009 16:02

cargoes went out of fashion years ago...

you dont need much make up
a bit of blush and mascara

it takes seconds

dizzydixies · 03/02/2009 16:02

nailpolish if you're offering I can drop my 3 round anytime

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:02

I suppose if I am honest I never wore make up before the kids...

OP posts:
Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:03

What is in fashion then?

OP posts:
nailpolish · 03/02/2009 16:03

yo can do a budget shop
get haircut at local college (mine is £6 for cut and blow dry)
get make up at superdrug
get clothes online (its pretend money didnt you know not real money you spend )

MrsMattie · 03/02/2009 16:04

I have the odd day when I make a huge effort to look good, (and it is a huge effort for me!), do my make up and hair, put on the best clothes I've got (still jeans, usually!) - and I feel great and get compliments.... but I cannot keep it up for more than a day or two.

I am up in the night with my baby, then up early to get DS ready and do the school run - a shower and throwing on my Uggs, jeans and a jumper with hair in a ponytail is the best I can manage.

Today I looked in the mirror and I felt so grotty . hate this time of year, too. Makes me feel like a drudge.

nailpolish · 03/02/2009 16:04

jsut get some nice jeans and trainers
doesnt have to be high fashion

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:05

I think you should start an advice page nailpolish!!!

Are you one of these mums that put me to shame in the queue to collect my DD from preschool?

OP posts:
chosenone · 03/02/2009 16:07

I totally understand this but as a size 16 I hate feeling frumpy! So i have a shower and hair wash every morning, DS watches CBeebies DD potters around upstairs brushed teeth etc! Then I put product in hair so it will naturally curl, tinted moisturiser, mascara, lip gloss or balm, then try and find something decent to wear, this is the hard bit so try and have a bit of 'uniform' stuff clean and ironed so i don't just put baggy rubbish on! Woolen dresses and boots mainly! I shop online a lot ASOS mainly so I can buy nice pieces, I struggle to do my nails and exercise though! Not at the same time just in general!

Lulumama · 03/02/2009 16:07

i always, despite being up in the night when teh babies were little, got washed , dressed and had make up on every day. it takes minutes.

if it is part of your routine, then it slots in

or you have to make time

as nailpolish says , make things easier, shop online etc

you are worth investing a few minutes in

if you have time to go on MN, you have time to iron a top and put some mascara on!

nailpolish · 03/02/2009 16:08

no i would never put anyone to shame!
i work nightshift and get 3 hrs sleep 3 days a week - if i didnt wear a bit of make up the children would run screaming
also im a sucker for clothes and make up

Original poster
fufflebum · 03/02/2009 16:09

Glad to hear others have some advice thanks.....

Perhaps I will log off and have a look on some websites. Slightly more productive and less moany!

OP posts:
dizzydixies · 03/02/2009 16:10

I never wore make up regularly before I had kids so I certainly won't be starting now!!!

although DD1 is beginning to ask questions at the ripe old age of 5