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

False lashes for labour??? Trying to look somewhat normal...

220 replies

thetwocultures · 23/08/2017 13:58

Recently saw a pic of myself in the hospital after having DS and I am Shock

I looked like an absolute mess which I know is partially due to just giving birth but I've seen lots of new mums and pictures of them post birth and they're all somehow managing to look fresh and...not like a beaten up jellyfish.

I'm currently expecting DC2 and looking into ways to look a bit less frightening for those initial days after birth when I won't have time for anything.

I'm going to have my hair trimmed a couple of weeks before, also looking at getting my nails done to feel more put together.

On top of that I'm considering having individual false lashes that last 2-4 weeks (I think?) nothing OTT or massively long just hoping to look more defined but still natural. But I'm worried they're bad for my real eyelashes?

Once they're off/fall off do some of my eyelashes go with them?
I don't want to ruin my own lashes as it would just miss the point of trying to look ok.

OP posts:
Bobbiepin · 24/08/2017 20:01

OP I'm totally with you and a little disappointed in the dragging down that some are giving out here. I rarely wear make up, wash my (very dry) hair once a week because that's all it needs, and when I'm working I often don't have time to paint my nails. However, when I do have them done, or I can throw on a bit of mascara without poking myself in the eye then I feel more put together and presentable.

If in the weeks following my delivery (forget the post birth pictures) there is one part of me that is presentable then I might feel a bit more like I can cope with being a mother. I can deal with 5 minute showers every other day and dry shampoo for god knows how long if my nails are painted because it might remind me that I'm a person as well as a mother.

This is not a response to societal pressure, I don't care what my instagram looks like, my husband honestly wouldn't notice if I painted his nails rather than mine but I will need a boost in those sleep deprived, endless poop filled days and if pink nails are the way I'm getting that, then screw the lot of you I'm getting a manicure!!

iamapixiebutnotaniceone · 24/08/2017 21:43

I just made sure my skin was clear and my eyebrows neat. I took a selfie about 5 mins after my last child was born and I have to say I look bloody fantastic all things considered!

TwitterQueen1 · 24/08/2017 21:48

Is this thread for real? Seriously?

OMG..... Hmm

How I might look to other people was absolutely the last thing on my mind for all 3 births. all I wanted was a healthy baby.

What a selfie / self-obsessed nation we are turning into, more concerned with how we look to other people than what is actually happening, ie bringing a new life into the world.

Circumlocutor · 24/08/2017 21:49

Oh bugger off with your OMGs.

AccrualIntentions · 24/08/2017 22:08

What a selfie / self-obsessed nation we are turning into, more concerned with how we look to other people than what is actually happening, ie bringing a new life into the world.

Literally no one on this thread has said what they look like is more important to them than what's happening, or that they're more concerned about their looks than their baby. Believe it or not, some of us are capable of prioritising a healthy baby and having tidy nails or nice eyelashes.

But you read what you wish to read, cos OMG! We're all so shallow innit. [eyeroll]

TwitterQueen1 · 24/08/2017 22:17

I just can't take this seriously....

My priorities after giving birth were a bath and toast and marmite. The idea of fussing about whether my eyelashes, cuticles or hair were photo-worthy is just making me LOL.

Circumlocutor · 24/08/2017 22:20

LOL and OMG.

All about the caps lock.

AccrualIntentions · 24/08/2017 22:21

OMG I can't believe you'd prioritise marmite at a time like that! LOL

TwitterQueen1 · 24/08/2017 22:29

I think I've just spotted a gap in the market for a post-birth beautician business. Grin Grin

How much would you pay ladies, for let's say a 15 minute brush-up with mood lighting?

Original poster
thetwocultures · 24/08/2017 22:32

As I've said before @TwitterQueen1 I've posted in style and beauty for a reason.

This isn't AIBU or chat.

If you disapprove so much of women who want to look good or make themselves feel better at a vulnerable time by having a little TLC than you probably shouldn't be on this topic.

OP posts:
VelvetSpoon · 24/08/2017 22:42

I'd second the suggestion for a lash lift and tint. I pay £25 for mine which I think is cheaper than lash extensions. It looks natural but better - without it I wear many coats of mascara and spend a lot of time taking it off every night. Plus getting a watery eye doesn't leave me a streaky mess.

I see nothing wrong with wanting to get nails/ lashes / hair done beforehand . You certainly won't have any spare time after the baby arrives! Plus I'm sure I know someone who had a spray tan shortly before their DC was born...

AccrualIntentions · 24/08/2017 22:43

TwitterQueen since what everyone on this thread has been talking about is pre birth grooming I'm not sure it's going to take off, sorry.

theancientmarinader · 24/08/2017 22:49

I've managed three births without beauty prep. On one memorable occasion the tv crew had been waiting for several hours and really wanted to have at us asap so they could fuck off and enjoy the holiday. I look like the back end of a bus, but we all (mostly) survived. It would have been nice to have a shower and take off the surgical gown before they interviewed me, but fuckit. Have never watched the thing and don't intend to (although a few friends said they found out because they saw me on the news - no one actually said 'fuck you look rough' - presumably because I do ordinarily lol).
Anyhoo. What everyone everyone else said re how our personal choices are influenced by society. No such thing as free choice in a vacuum. I find it fascinating that this is a Thing.

Circumlocutor · 24/08/2017 22:53

I hate when people pop onto S&B just to condescendingly tell the little ladies that their personal choices have been influenced by society. No shit Mrs Sherlock. If you've ever shaved your pits or legs or trimmed your pubes you too have been sucked into the vacum.

Urglewurgle · 24/08/2017 22:54

I find if I have lash extensions on and my brows done I can look OK without anything else.

The only problem is lashes can take a good few hours to do properly and you'll be laid on your back, I managed it at around 31 weeks but am unsure if I could get them infilled (I'm 36 weeks now and they still look OK, I've not had to wear mascara yet).

I think I'm gonna get my toe nails shellac-ed but not my fingers incase the hospital does need to monitor me. Plus I can't reach my toes now anyway!

GoingRogue · 24/08/2017 22:59

Urgh, some annoying posters on this thread. When did people lose the ability to click away from a thread when they have nothing helpful or relevant to add?

OP, I popped to the beauticians for a little pamper session before I had my 2nd child (elcs). I had my eyebrows shaped and lashes tinted. I did it because it gave me a break from the toddler, made me feel good and well...because I bloody well wanted to! I'm another one who loves to have lots of photos printed out of special moments, and having nice lashes makes me feel good.

I did it thinking that it would save me precious time once ds2 was here, as knew I wouldn't have time for mascara. Turned out to be a bit pointless really as ended up in a coma a few hours after he was delivered, and was in it for a week. But I like to think the ICU staff appreciated my pretty eyelashes WinkGrin

Not had extensions before but a mate has them and they look amazing. Just do what makes you happy - good luck with the birth!

GoingRogue · 24/08/2017 23:00

Circumlocutor and AccrualIntentions your posts made me grin!

Urglewurgle · 24/08/2017 23:05

You do you

This!! So much this!!

Ollivander84 · 24/08/2017 23:07

Sometimes it just makes you feel more normal. Two hours after a 5hr emergency spinal surgery I was doing my night time cleansing routine. And 14hrs after I was applying makeup in the morning as usual. The nurse laughed when she came in to do my obs and I was doing my eyebrows. But I was bored and wanting to feel human again

yikesanotherbooboo · 24/08/2017 23:25

I thought that this thread was a joke when it started but after all these posts have been forced to recognise that some women really do feel like this... No one will look at you and think 'wow what a mess' they will all think, thank goodness she is alright/isn't she fantastic to heave made a whole new Holman/ poor woman has months of sleeplessness c to come/ what a responsibility/ congratulations... and you will think aren't I clever/ ouch/ what have I done/ what will DC1 think etc

Circumlocutor · 24/08/2017 23:42

The OP is motivated by her reaction to a photo of herself. She doesn't appear too concerned as to whether people stare at her in awe or not.

mumoffour85 · 25/08/2017 00:35

If you're not 100% sure on the false individual lashes look at the lvl ones (might not be the correct name). It's basically like a eyelash perm. Also a brow tint and wax makes a huge difference along with gel nails (you could have them shirt and neat so practical with baby) and also a good skin care routine before baby comes x

LoniceraJaponica · 25/08/2017 06:30

Being dark haired with dark eyebrows and lashes I hadn't realised that doing brows and lashes was such a big deal for so many women.

I'm pretty sure that stuff like this was less of an issue in the days before smartphones and social media.

Believeitornot · 25/08/2017 06:44

The OP is motivated by her reaction to a photo of herself. She doesn't appear too concerned as to whether people stare at her in awe or not

And that in itself is sad. This reaction wasn't in isolation and was partly because of how other mothers look post birth. As per her OP. so the pressure is there.

Why pretend that giving birth is easy? Most of us look shit because it's fucking hard! Pretending we've come through it looking as fresh as a daisy is just a bit of a white lie.

I would suggest you either don't take pictures of yourself post birth or accept that you've just been through hours of labour and shock horror, might look a bit worn.

KarlosKKrinkelbeim · 25/08/2017 06:52

This thread makes me sad. I had my kids 10 years ago and I don't believe I saw anything like this on MN at this time. I feel so sorry for people who feel under this pressure re photos. Having a baby is tough enough. Let yourselves off the hook re looks guys - I bet no one is judging you, it's only you doing this to yourselves.