are you a slob mum or a dressed up mum?

[dexter]

I am fascinated by mums who manage to go out of the house in make-up, with their hair 'done'. and with an outfit on which is obviously chosen and well put together; how do you do it? What do your kids do while you do all this? How long does it take?

I am slobby slobby slobby and have blamed it on the fact that I'd rather be playing with my child than doing my hair - but now that he plays happily by himself for a good while I can't deny that I could do more with myself! For those amazing women, tell me what I need to do to get out of the house looking half decent! Advice please (if you could see me you'd know how badly I need it!)

I walk in 4 inches sometimes

depends on style and quality of shoe/boot and confidence

I NEVER wear flat shoes (apart from beach) but I am only 5'4

Dexter - I feel so odd in flat shoes. Honestly I can walk for miles and miles in my heels. 25 minute walk to work each day and I do it in my heels.

Only flats I own are timberlands, trainers amd flip flops.

spose i'm lucky 5'9 with dh at 5'7 but nice being taller than some blokes at work!!

I'm only 5'4'' too. Would love to be taller so could wear skinn jeans and ballet pumps .........sigh.....

or have short hair

since having all my hair cut off, I can wash & dry hair in 5 mins
makes all the difference adn constantly have compliments about my hair now

Dont worry Dex...there is a thread on this topic where everyone said they were slobs!!

I have a chin length, layed bob that is cut religiously every 5-6 weeks no matter how skint I am. I think it makes a difference, too, MrsM, when you're hair looks good even w/low maintenance.

So MT when do you shower and wash hair? Night before? Doesn't your hair go all haystacky like mine? Mins is sooo crap.

I have mine cut every 4-6 weeks too - never used to but now its short, I have to and to vbe honest, never been happier with my hair

It suits "single mother of 2 young children" lifestyle and means I always look presentable

have to wash it in the morning as alwasy looks awful when slept on

whjat about my make up then?
any advice?

Ok I agree it takes longer to get ready with a toddler roaming about the place (usually in my case smearing body lotion over the walls or similar while I get ready), so I have a choice either get up before DS does (luckily he sleeps til around 7.30 usually) so I can get up at 7 and be completely ready before getting him up, or else I aim to be washed & dressed by 9.30ish, plus breakfast washed up, kitchen cleared, beds made etc which leaves plenty of time to get out & about.

Straighten hair the night before while watching tv if wanting to look specially nice.

Also need to take care of clothes & make sure laundry is put away etc. not a pile of stuff with you grabbing miscellaneous items out of it!

Still seem to have lots of time for playing with DS too.

Thanks Collision!!!!!! Love the name by the way.

Actually and seriously I think I have realised something tonight and that is that I think I've been ignoring my own needs because I come last on the list of priorities, as is easy for mums to do. I don't buy clothes much because we're broke and ditto having my hair done. But I think a BIG clothes shop and appt at hairdressers are going to happen and that might start me looking at myself again rather than just being a mum....ooooh...didn't expect this frivolous thread to make me think this hard!

Yeah, buy an eyelash curler. Shu Umera one, tbe.

Takes seconds and makes the eyes pop out when the lashes are curled. I only need one coat of mascara for day b/c I curl my lashes first.

Also, MAC lip pencil in Spice. Put balm on, then Spice. Blend w/your finger or a brush. Can add on just about any shade of lippy or gloss, or just go out w/the Spice blended. Looks fab.

But what if you have horrid greasy hair that needs washing every morning and you have done this for 20 years unless Sunday and not going out?

i wear decent clothes & make up (no heels though, am 5'8. generally long boots atm) but have to wash my hair every morning as it is uber-curly & it's invariably dripping wet when i leave the house. ruins the look at bit. i look ok by 11am....

Cut it short, Prof. That will save you loads of time.

I'm too scared. Never had it short since 13 yo. Can pin it up though. Not sure if it looks ok or not - kind of chignon thing

FaryedKnot you obviously don't have a school run to worry about. I have a shower every morning but only wash my hair alternate days. On the days I don't wash it I wear it up in some form. I am currently going for a part pony tail (whatever that is called) quite a lot after Trinny and Susannah dissed my stick it all up with a clip look.

DS is quite happy to play in his bedroom or to take forever to get ready himself or to sit on my bed. DD sits on my knee and fiddles with stuff. Hence I hardly ever straighten my hair - it's just too dangerous. DD will sit on my knee right through me drying my hair, moisturising, doing make-up etc. While I am in the shower she comes in the bathroom and fidlles with my perfumes. Also the other week DH and DS were both poorly so I was rushing around doing everything as well as working 3 days. So I was trying to get myself ready for work and DD insisted every day that I put her hair in bunches and clips. But she is not allowed to wear them for nursery so we would have to take them straight back out. She insists on having hand cream on too.

On no the stick it all up in a clip thing is what i do. How do you do the part pony tail thing?

oooh I have an eyelash curlEr but never bothered using it

I will try...apart from my hair and clothes, I dont bother but when I go out in evening with makeup on I feel more dressy so perhaps need to put a bit of lippy on

Message withdrawn

Well hows this for slob. I am still not dressed yet today

Just about to go and have a bath, but wearing my nightie, robe and wooly socks Mmmmm attractive

Weekdays I tend to be a jeans and cowboy boots or ballet pumps for work, no makeup though. I go to the gym most lunchtimes so back to work with wet hair. Luckily it dries OK. That is for work in the office. Meetings in London, skirt or trendy clothes, make up gets done enroute.

Evenings out - full whammy

If I am going anywhere but work I do wear makeup, even just going to MIL

dexter I'm with you i'm afraid. HAven't worn make-up fo 7 years (apart from when I go out with DH very rarely). mornings I have a shower, get dressed in something that sort of goes together and shove my hair in a hairband. And I know I look rough. Haven't even bought any new clothes for ages also get some off my mum and sis for my birthday!!!!! sad I know. Just can't be bothered although when I do dress up I feel tons better so really should do it every day.

crunchie

how can you not be dressed???

dont you have kids or werent they with you today?
otherwise havent you been out??

jealous