Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

How to still look good when sleep deprived

174 replies

Poppybella2015 · 26/11/2015 20:15

I used to get told I was attractive pre children, I was a slim size 6, long blonde hair, perfect make up, dressed smart. Now I am a size 12 which looks dumpy on my 5 foot 2 inch frame, I am pale have cellulite stretch marks c section overhang, my hair started falling out after dc 2 so I've had it cut to shoulder length and just have a few highlights instead of full head blonde, it looks very thin and greasy and dull. I never have time for make up, I don't look after my skin anymore it's so dry. I don't style my hair I tie it back in a pony tail that looks greasy. I have not had a full nights sleep for 6 years which makes me too knackered to even shower most mornings, too tired to clean my teeth before bed. So I have gone from being immaculate and slim to being dumpy with a lack of personal hygiene. I keep trying to make an effort as I feel depressed with the way I look but I keep failing as I'm too tired. I just eat biscuits all day to keep me awake :( is there any hope? Where do I start?

OP posts:
Annarose2014 · 27/11/2015 11:40

Poppy only change one or two things a week.

Try to change all that list quickly and you'll get overwhelmed and disheartened.

I'm a great believer in not hating what you see in the mirror. I'd start with buying a monster can of Batiste, and some concealer for the dark circles. The Lasting Finish by Collection in the tube is amazing. At least then you'll see a reflection thats not so depressing.

If you haven't got time to shower, make sure you baby wipe all smelly bits thoroughly. And brush teeth.

Oh, and I really really believe that spritzing perfume makes a big psychological difference, even if no one smells you but yourself! My tip is to have it beside your deoderant. You don't forget it then cos its spritz with the deoderant and spritz with the perfume.

I find comfort in knowing that if I bump into someone I dread meeting, at least I'll smell perfume-y.

Just change that alone for seven consecutive days, and you'll have the energy after that to change another couple of things from your list.

Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 11:52

Yes I'm only going to change one thing a week. I just don't know which one to start with! Even the things like the home manicure and pedicure are important as I have so much dry skin on my feet it hurts when I walk and my hands are so dry they keep cracking and bleeding

OP posts:
Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 11:54

I wish I could afford a spa but I can't, I will have to do everything at home. I have all the kit as I used to be fanatical about these kinds of things, but it all just went wrong somewhere (probably lack of sleep)

OP posts:
Asteria36 · 27/11/2015 11:58

Dry shampoo is your friend!

Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 12:18

I can't use dry shampoo it makes my scalp dry and itchy and gives me spots on my scalp :(

OP posts:
Jibberjabberjooo · 27/11/2015 12:28

I do find time to get my eyebrows threaded.

Food is the thing I struggle with, I can and do cook but it's the lunches. I have a 3 and a 16 month old and I'm trying to quickly make some lunch for them then I don't have time to make something healthy for me before they've finished and need cleaning up, food on the floor (more from the smaller dc) etc etc.

What healthy food is there that doesn't take ages to prepare that doesn't leave me starving an hour later?

OP sometimes I shower when the youngest has his morning nap and the eldest watches a bit of cbeebies. Or the youngest is in the bathroom with me.

Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 12:38

jibberjabberjooo I also struggle with lunches. I always grab a sandwich. After dropping my oldest at school I like to take my youngest to the library/park/toddler group etc but then when we get home we need lunch straight away. I too don't know how to solve this problem of healthy lunches unless we stay in all morning cooking, unless there is something that is quick AND healthy?

OP posts:
ElphabaTheGreen · 27/11/2015 12:44

I make my lunch straight after the DCs are in bed in the evening and keep it in the fridge to take to work the next morning. My lunch is pretty much always healthy as a result. Would this work for a SAHM?

Jibberjabberjooo · 27/11/2015 12:58

What do you make?

Are you a sahm op? I'm not as I work part time but as I work 12 hour shifts I often eat rubbish at work as I don't always get time. That's doesn't help.

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 27/11/2015 13:05

I'm going to follow this thread too. I've got a 3.7 year old and a 4 month old and the sleep deprivation has really taken its toll on my face and grooming habits! I'm only 30 and feel I should be looking my best - I'm putting all my childless friends off having kids!!!

I'm not doing too badly with the exercise as I'm forced out for brisk walks by the dog. I do the odd run too, but dark nights have limited this as evenings when dh gets home is my only chance to do it and I don't like running on my own in the dark.

I'm a sugar fiend so need to stop buying cakes and biscuits. I also need to keep up with hair and face washing Blush
I've booked eyebrow and bikini wax for tomorrow along with contact lenses check so I can start wearing them again - though my thick-rimmed glasses go some way to hiding my black circles!
I am going to try some dry shampoo - any recommendations?

GentlyGentlyOhDear · 27/11/2015 13:06

Also going to make a big pan of carrot and coriander soup for lunches and have with a cheese sarnie or something.

Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 13:15

I think slow cooker soup could be a good idea for lunches

OP posts:
Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 13:17

I'm a stay at home mum but have the school run to do, I also help with my dh ebay shop so go to the post office most days to post parcels. I always seem to be rushing around and that with broken sleep for 6 years has left me feeling (and looking) rubbish

OP posts:
Artandco · 27/11/2015 13:22

Soup for lunch is good. We make a huge batch at a time and freeze in portions ( so could freeze size for you and youngest if home Mostly for lunch)

Detour from school drop off so you walk much further. ( or cycle if further away)

Make a weekly schedule. Every night put kids in bath. And do one whilst you watch they don't drown! So nails Monday, hair treatment tues, facial scrub wed, etc

Also get rid of all biscuits/ cakes/ sweets/ sugary cereals at home. Tell whole family it's not good for them especially little ones so all going healthier. Only have if you bake them with kids ( so not as often)

IguanaTail · 27/11/2015 13:28

Book appointment at hygienist and hairdresser.

Make some soup - it's so easy.

Sweet potato parsnip ginger
Or
Potato leek carrot

Blend and then eat.

Don't buy the biscuits in the first place.

It's bloody hard work to be honest.

mercifulTehlu · 27/11/2015 13:29

I'd go for the drinking water instead of juice and quitting the biscuits first. All that sugar is making you feel more crappy than you would from the lack of sleep on its own. It'll be hard for the first few days but after that you'll probably have more energy.

IguanaTail · 27/11/2015 13:30

Get a blender - you can make healthy filling smoothies and blend the soups in seconds.

Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 13:34

Yes good idea. That will be this weeks goal, 7 days of no biscuits or squash. I mainline both of those most days. Im also going to add in teeth cleaning twice a day. So 3 small changes. No biscuits, squash, and to clean my teeth twice a day! Let's see if I can do this! Anyone else want to join me with a 7 day challenge of their own?

OP posts:
squizita · 27/11/2015 15:16

Re the hair - heat free styling. Wash your hair when kids are asleep, use an old tshirt to squeeze out excess water. Wide comb it and apply some volume mousse.
No time for curlers soo...
-sock bun right on top of head = waves
-wide fabric alicE band + braid = off face and waves
-short hair dried under a beanie hat comes put straight.

I used to wet set my hair as I often wear vintage. I realised the same method can be used with modern styles overnight.

squizita · 27/11/2015 15:22

Oh and controversially I'd say banning biscuits leads to cave ins and loathing when under stress, as you're already in a low place.
What I do is make them a treat not a crutch. My bad habit is coffee with sugar and lots of milk/cream. So I now take no sugar and make my own coffee ... but at weekends I revel in the "ritual" of a trip to a cafe or a home brewed coffee with real cream. If I'm craving I look forward to it. I don't think "I failed to give up sugary coffee" when I have it, but I fully enjoy its flavour and really savour it.

Jibberjabberjooo · 27/11/2015 15:24

I don't eat many biscuits but have a crisp habit. But they fill me up, this is the issue.

squizita · 27/11/2015 15:26

Jibber oat cakes or matzo crackers and marmite? I find they give the crunch and the intense savoury hit - and oat cakes really fill me up. They used to do crisp-size mini ones in Tesco.

Jibberjabberjooo · 27/11/2015 17:02

I bloody love matzo (comes from having a part Jewish family). Hate marmite though. Cottage cheese might do or houmous?

Original poster
Poppybella2015 · 27/11/2015 17:04

I've been snacking on carrot sticks and hummus all afternoon instead of the biscuits and drinking water instead of blsckcurrant squash. So far so good!

OP posts:
Jibberjabberjooo · 27/11/2015 17:13

I drink peppermint tea til the cows come home, have you tried anything like that? I limit myself to two proper cups of tea a day (learnt behaviour from when I was breast feeding). Skimmed milk only too.

What make a good breakfast anyone?

Well done Poppy!