How to still look good when sleep deprived

[Poppybella2015]

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?

I have five dc am a bit chubby and 49 and my 4 yr old rarely sleeps past 5.

This veterans tips are thus.

I keep all my skincare next to the bed so I can sit in my warm comfy bed and do it all even when knackered.

I keep my make up and a toothbrush downstairs so that I can always find a few minutes to sort myaelf out.

The more you can take care if your skin the less make up you need.

If you can afford it, get eye lash extensions or use revitalilash.

Also remember you will get back to you one day.

Don't cut the naps if your toddler still needs them! My toddler sleeps worse at night if she doesn't have a good long nap, plus she is grumpy and that is all harder to cope with when sleep deprived!

I would also add that dry shampoo has changed my life. It's amazing stuff. A huge time saver.

Thanks for all the tips ladies!

Well it took me two hours to get my little one to sleep tonight :( I somehow managed to have a bath and shave my legs, man that was hard. I'm off to bed now I'm shattered!

OMG, I feel you all. I hate the way I look, and feel all most of the time.
No idea what to do with this size unknown body any more.
I am a single Mum to two DD's. Haven't had a hair cut in the best part of two years, have rubbish skin, nails and still look pregnant despite my youngest being 3.
Eating crap does not help and this is one of my vices. Some great tips, posters and thanks, OP for sharing - I don't feel anywhere near as alone now.

Hi OP, i've been lurking for a while, can i join?

I know how you feel. I am a SAHM to 2 DDs, DD1 is 2.5 and DD2 3 months old. I am breastfeeding DD2 who likes to feed every other hour through the night. The lack of sleep drives me crazy and i eat so much junk, specifically sugar . I have literally just polished off a family size bag of toffee popcorn trying and failing to get DD2 off to sleep. Pre DDs i was a size 10/12 now i'm 18/20. I would love to lose more than a few pounds but i know it will take a lot of work and dedication which i don't feel ready for yet but i have been taking baby steps. It does make a world of difference to how i feel when i am clean and fresh after a shower though. I do love a power nap at nap time but it's really the only time when i can get anything done so i normally alternate... Everything feels so overwhelming though when you haven't had any sleep

The girls don't see that much of OH as he works such long hours but he's been amazing. Recently, if i've had a bad week he'll take the girls out at the weekend so it will give me a few hours to catch up on tv sleep, shower and wash my hair, do housework etc, generally just recharge and i've found that really helps me. Maybe you could get someone to do the same for you?

Yes anyone can join if anyone wants to join me in doing a daily challenge please post your challenge! I am having a bad unmotivated day, I got 6 hours broken sleep last night, dp kept waking me with his snoring, oldest dd had a wet bed then a nightmare, and youngest kept waking up screaming hug me! This morning I managed to clean teeth and that's it :( I don't think I'm quite ready for morning challenges yet! So I'm going to stick with one nightly challenge for now, tonight's is to shower, wash hair and do a teeth whitening kit I have!

I had my hair done this week which has really helped.

My daily challenge is :

Wash my face properly with hot cloth cleanser and apply one of the million samples of eye cream and serum I have.

Go to bed every night by 10.30.

Make sure my nails are done - at least until Christmas. I've bought some instant dry topcoat so I can do it quickly.

tageagainstthebil thanks for posting your challenge! Let us know how you get on! I think once my cleanser runs out im going to buy a hot cloth cleanser, which one do you use?

You know that you're setting yourselves more than one daily challenge?
Start small to make it achievable!

I was also going to suggest asking for nice toiletries for Christmas - I get lots of nice shower gels and Liz Earle face wash and then a daily chore is more pleasant.

I know but I need to clean my teeth so I can do the teeth whitening at the same time, and I need to shower so I may as well wash my hair. I've set myself the task of "personal hygiene" at the moment

Poppy have you ever tried epilating? I've seen a few times about shaving being an issue. Epilators are expensive but in the long run they work out cheaper than shaving, and they save SO much time. I got one a couple of weeks ago and I don't think I'm ever going to shave my underarms again! I have eczema and sensitive skin so the main reason for trying it was to avoid the irritation that I always had after shaving, but I think it takes less time too especially as you need to do it less often. Just a thought.

Thanks I will have a look into that

I didn't do any daily challenges today. It's Friday and I'm shattered.... I need to get back on track tomorrow. I'm going to have a nice early night instead....

Hi poppy.
You've been doing so well, don't feel bad about tonight!

Can you buy a few tubes of moisturiser and leave one in each of the main rooms you use? When I do that I end up moisturising a lot more than usual and it makes a real difference to my skin. When I moisturise my hands I'll rub over my face and neck at the same time (my skin is very dry).

I really like Claris beauty flash balm. I might be sucked in by the advertising, but I do feel it really brightens and tightens my face. You can use it as a mask too.

On bad hair months days, I tie my hair up in a big colourful scarf in a bit of a vintage style.

I also use a lipstick for a bit of blush, run it round my lips and put mascara on if I want some make up but I'm in a rush or feeling like I can't be too bothered.

I agree with everyone else. Small steps and anything to help you save time.

I also agree with the pp who mentioned perfume. Perfume and earrings always make me feel better.

Well done though

Poppy don't worry, you've been doing well, and you deserve a nice good sleep. Hoping you have nice dreams and feel better tomorrow :)

I've not read the whole thread (too flaming tired!) but I feel very similarly to you, OP.
My DD1(4) sleeps badly, and the DTs(15m) sleep very badly although getting better s l o w l y.
I'm ashamed of my appearance most of the time, but struggling to tackle it. Some good ideas here for baby steps to take action!
I think my first challenge must be to step back from the biscuits and caffeine I seem to live on. And also stop eating the kids leftovers .
I'll be reading the other posts when I get a minute or two. Feels good to realise I'm not the only one in this situation, most of the other mums I know seem so in control and happy in their own skin.

I suspect a fair few of those who seem "so in control" aren't really. Folk tell me that's how I appear - hahahahaha!! I don't feel in control much of the time.
Poppy pat yourself on the back for small achievements. Hope you had a good night's sleep (or as good as possible).

Well I managed a full face of makeup this weekend but wow I look old! I think I may need to invest in some new makeup!

Well done poppy! It's more much more than I've managed this weekend and DS is 11 and was out all weekend

As for looking old, I'd bet you don't look old at all. This is where getting a decent sleep and drinking lots of water does wonders.

It sounds like you are doing great

Poppy I am using the Pixi balm to oil cleanser at the moment but tbh I quite like using sesame oil in the winter when my skin is dry, and it's really cheap and natural. Just rub a squirt on a damp face and take it off with a damp hot flannel or muslin.

(Not toasted sesame oil unless you want to smell of chinese food! I get mine from an aromatherapist.)

I'm feeling a bit better for doing my routine - nails are generally looking a bit better although I can't seem to make polish stay on longer than 2 days without peeling off or chipping grr, and I treated myself to a load of new make up (including Bourgeois CC cream, recommended on here - impressed!).

I treated myself to a few makeup items yesterday so I will see how those go. I've managed to get a bit of a routine going now, teeth clean and shower every night after getting the toddler to sleep and in the shower one night hair wash and one night shaving alternating each night. Mornings is a quick pony tail, teeth, cleanse and moisturise with makeup. I can do that in 30 minutes. And I have even managed to start ironing my clothes the night before! Let's see if I can keep this up! There is more I would like to add in like a better hairstyle and nicer clothes and tanning moisturiser and manicures pedicures etc but I think I'm at my limit for now I what I can achieve! If I can stick to this for a few months then I will add in something else. The healthy eating side of it I will start after Xmas as my other half will be going on a diet then so we can do it together.

rageagainstthebil I'm glad to see you bought some new make up items too! I bought a new lipstick, lip liner and bronzer. I could do with new everything really but don't have the funds! I will have to update the rest as it runs out!