No7 returning to work with confidence event feedback thread - non-attendees, tell us what makes you confident every day - win a No7 hamper NOW CLOSED

[AmeliaMumsnet]

This thread is for the 100 MNers and bloggers who attended the No7 returning to work with confidence event on Monday 27th March. Thanks so much for coming along, we hope you enjoyed it! The event was all about “returning to work with confidence” and was for those parents who had either recently gone back to work after a break for children or who are planning a return.

You can view our Facebook Live Stream here

Here’s what No7 had to say about the event:

"At No7 we believe that when a woman feels in control she has the confidence to go out and do anything and so we are delighted to have the opportunity to support MNers and bloggers who are returning to work. We know that beauty for many women is about more than looking pretty which is why we’d love to give MNers the chance to hear from some inspirational women on how they faced getting back in to the workplace as well as share some top tips from our No7 advisers on quick ways to get their make up just right - especially in those early days back at work when you're juggling a million things at once and getting into a new routine."

Attendees:
Below are a few feedback questions for you to answer - if you have any more comments, please feel free to add them to your response. Do share your story using #No7Ready. If you are a blogger, we'd love to see you post a link to your blog post on this thread.

Why did you want to attend the event? What’s your current working status?
What did you learn from the event?
What did you enjoy about it?
Did it inspire you/give you confidence? If yes, in what ways?

All those who share feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a £300 Boots voucher. We'd also love attendees to share their thoughts on social media using #No7Ready.

Non attendees:
To be in with a chance of winning a No7 hamper (worth £150), please tell us what makes you feel confident every day. This can be literally anything at all, even if it’s a very small thing such as your morning coffee to wake you up! Everyone who does so will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win the goodies!

Thanks, and good luck with the prize draws!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[Mindfulofmuddle]

I feel self-conscious about my skin and putting on my (very natural) make up in the morning makes me feel ready to face the world with confidence. I very rarely bother with eye make up, just making my face look blemish-free and healthy with concealer and mineral powder, and tidying up my eyebrows does absolute wonders for my self-confidence! My lovely dh always tells me I don't need it, and feels exasperated sometimes that I have to 'put my face on' before leaving the house, but it just makes me feel so much better to do so

[dani1991]

non attendance iuse a good moisturiser and foundation through the true match no7 range. I have eye popping mascara from benifit.
I clean off the make up with coconut oil every night.

[cookiemonster66]

Non-attendee

I have just returned to work after quite a long break, to me to feel good and confident, looking and feeling my best, is all about the routine of getting ready to go to work, shower, perfume, make up, its like putting on my armour for a battle ready to face the world even though underneath I am a bit scared of venturing out again after staying between four walls for so long. If I feel I look and smell good then I can face anyone!

[DaisyDando]

I am a non-attendee.

Being totally prepared makes me feel more confident. I used to fly by the seat of my pants and still have to sometimes with a toddler in tow, but if I really read up on what I am supposed to be presenting, and make sure I know at least as much as everyone else, then I am far more confident.

Also: good eyebrows.

[AnnMumsnet]

Couple of blog posts from attendee dreamitdoitloveit

dreamitdoitloveit.com/feel-confident-inside/

dreamitdoitloveit.com/start-believing-dreams/

[lorka]

Non - attendee. Having clean hair with my grey roots covered gives me more confidence.

[BananaDaiquiri]

Non attendee

I'm not sure anything particularly makes me feel more confident. I'm a confident person and don't need to do anything special to enhance that. The only thing I would say maybe is that when my nails have been done I feel a bit more "fancy"!

[Bejazzled]

Non attender. I'm not the most confident person, I need the 'mask' to hide behind for the busy commute and professional office environment. I make sure that my hair is freshly washed, my clothes are clean and ironed, face on with a tinted moisturiser with a touch of mascara and natural tone lippy - head up and face the world....

[TheCarrotDiet]

Non-attendee.

I blow dry and straighten my hair every day to feel confident. A relief after all those teenage years with frizzy hair...

[Rae1000]

I really hate to say it but I definately feel more confident when I make an effort with my appearance. Make up on, nice hair style & even nice clothes and shoes on!

[Rae1000]

Ps entry above non attendee

[Zephyroux1]

Non attendee. What helps me the most is walking to work, yes it takes more precious time, but as a single parent that tiny space between 'Mummy' and 'Work me' makes all the difference.

[LaPampa]

I attended the event as I've just returned to work from my second mat leave and confidence is low. I liked that the event was proper content marketing for No7 not just a sales pitch. The panel discussion was interesting and informative and didn't mention makeup, albeit that there wasn't much diversity. I loved that Jade was there as hers is not a voice I've heard in this sphere before.
I learnt that there really is only confidence between the people on the panel and the people in the audience. No one has any answers or is doing it any better - but the panellists have used confidence to make it to the 'expert' side, but I couldn't really see any other distinction between them and my own story.
I liked the discussions and found it thought provoking, and with a resolution to follow up on coaching and continuing shouting about all of this being a male issue too. In fact whoever is first to properly and truly include men in the conversation will do well.(refer back to comment on diversity on panel - returning to work is not a solely female problem)
Thanks for an invitation to a great event, and for not pushing the makeup!

[AnnMumsnet]

Thanks to everyone who came to the event and shared their feedback, either here or on social media.
Am pleased to say the winner of the £300 Boots voucher is elkiedee and the non attendee No7 goodies winner is freefan

[TurquoiseDragonfly]

Oops. sorry everyone. A bit late with this... You know how it is.

Wanted to say a huge thank you for the invite to this event as it gave me a huge boost in many ways.

Why did you want to attend the event?
Because it's time to get back to work so this looked like a good start.

What’s your current working status?
Full time Mum, looking to get back to work.

What did you learn from the event?
Much more than I expected. Hearing the panellists experiences was enlightening. So many women have the same problems. If our husbands need to go out in the evening, or do something at the weekend they just get on with it. So often as women we feel the need to have their permission to leave the children with them. And the model (so sorry, can't remember your name off hand) was fascinating. Was really interesting to hear about her struggles balancing work/being a parent.

What did you enjoy about it?
It felt very empowering to be in a room of supportive women. And who doesn't enjoy a glass of free bubbly and some yummy nibbles too while having a makeover?

Did it inspire you/give you confidence? If yes, in what ways?
I've already mentioned a few above. Even just having the confidence to leave my little one and go out on my own for the evening was enough to give me a boost. It's helped me start focusing more on getting back to work.

Overall, this was a brilliant event and I really hope that Mumsnet can do more events like this.