Monthly cycle - does it affect how you feel about your appearance?

[TableNiner]

I’ve realised that where I am in my menstrual cycle affects how I feel about my appearance.

Around ovulation I feel I need less concealer and generally find it easy to pick an outfit or be happy with my hair. During this period, it feels like all my grooming efforts are paying off.

Later in my cycle the opposite is true. Clothes I thought looked great the previous week suddenly aren’t as flattering. My face looks haggard and as if I’m just losing the battle.

Surely I’m looking at the same person in the same mirror.

Does anyone else find this? And would this cycle go after menopause?

Apparently you do actually look more symmetrical when ovulating! I for sure have noticed a sparkle in my eyes around that time. I also think brain chemistry makes us more creative and confident about making decisions around that time - it makes sense biologically.

I can't say I've noticed feeling different about myself in the later part of the cycle, though I'd say probably dress more conservative.

I think post menopause you get a different glow, that's my theory anyway!

I once bought a vest top with teeny tiny multicoloured hearts all over it when I had PMT. It was truly the crappest item of clothing I've ever bought. AND I WORE IT AT THE SAME TIME OF THE MONTH, EVERY MONTH FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS!!!
I don't know what made me feel drawn to multicoloured hearts in the run up to my period but thank god I got rid eventually...

Yes definitely. But I don't think it's in my head. My skin looks worse late in my cycle, and I definitely retain water and feel a bit puffy and bloated (pretty commoon I think), so it's not surprising clothes feel tighter or less flattering.

I always look bloated, spotty and fatter all over about a week before my period. Often my hair looks shit too. I hate myself at that time. Instantly feel slimmer and happier as soon as my period starts.

Love the vest with hearts story 😂

Yes definitely feel like this. Generally bloated, constipated and don't sleep well so everything looks a bit shit. I've noticed that my resting heart rate also increases about 3 beats per minute the week before my period which is quite intriguing.

Definitely! I feel fatter and more knackered-looking about a week before period. In fact, this is me right now. I have to remind myself it's not really me, it's the pre-menstrual bloat.

Mid-cycle is when I feel my skin is smoother, eyes brighter. When younger (20s, early 30s) I would have an actual glow at this time - I could get up, run my hands through my hair to muss it a bit and look amazing. That's not the case any more in my 40s, but it's still the easiest time of the month for dressing and feeling OK about my appearance.

Me too! I can predict it on my fit bit. Also my blood pressure drops, maybe the HR compensates.

Absolutely! I feel great and happy with how I look around ovulation and then bloated, spotty and crap 2 weeks later

Poor old DP came home with a present for me today, it's a lovely little beach cover up playsuit that he saw online and thought (rightly) that I'd like - but it's so knicker-skimmingly short that on day 2 of my period in my big pants and super-pad I was reluctant even to try it on. 2 weeks from now I'll skip to the beach in it though!