Is there a middle way between "letting oneself go" and spending hours and hours on personal grooming?

[MadMadDonna]

Well, is there?

This weekend I shaved my legs and armpits, used body lotion all over, cleaned my ears, used a nose hair remover thing, plucked my chin and other stray hairs, painted my toenails, filed my nails, used hand cream, heel cream, a face scrub and moisturiser. And that's before I put any make up on. I have a childless, single friend who does most of this EVERY day and always has done and I must admit she looks great.

So I felt better for doing all that maintenance but don't have time to do it every day. I have a quick hair wash every other day and leave for work with wet hair which is dry by the time I get there but during the week I just have to let it go.

What do you do, how do you find a balance? I have my hair coloured professionally every 6-8 weeks and I have worked out a capsule wardrobe so I don't think I look that bad but honestly, the maintenance is doing my head in!

Tips most welcome.

Manage to shave my legs every couple of weeks, always under arms, always put make up on, as in foundation, mascara and a bit of blusher....add eyeliner and lip gloss if going out.

The moisturiser part...I go through stages, some times I ritually put it on and then can go months on end never making time for it.

My main "letting myself go" concern is my belly, I eat rubbish and I don't have the time energy or drive to work it off, so I feel grumpy and out of shape all the time, I've let my body go. I'm only a size 12 but when I was an 8/10 before my 2 boys and only 5ft1 I feel out of proportion.

Just not enough time in the day!

My laser is done in a clinic overseen by a doctor (but the laser therapist actually does the zapping). Its not a poncy "beauty" one. Still doesn't work.