How to care about my appearance again

[warmmfeet]

I've got a 4 year old and a 20 month old, so I'm very in the thick of it with caring for little people.

My problem is that I just can't seem to care about my appearance anymore. I never do my hair or wear make up, I am always at home or a park or soft play etc so I just wear leggings or jeans and jumpers.

Ive never been a glamour puss but I used to enjoy looking nice and feel good about my appearance. Now I just don't care, I barely look in the mirror.

I started a little skin care routine after Xmas and I've just about kept it up.

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else went through this when you were parenting little kids?? Will it change? Other mums always look more put together than me. My youngest is very active and full on and I can't really ever take my eyes off him. I feel exhausted a lot of the time.

Get a simple achievable skin care routine,good haircut and clothes that flatter you
Keeping it simple worked for me, jeans, fitted T-shirt,complimentary colours

I don't have kids but I do have physical and mental health problems.

I worked on one thing at a time, first it was my hair (manageable length and highlights that can grow out), then it was brows and lashes and I'm working up to nails. I'm what they call ‘high maintenance to be low maintenance’. I really struggled to maintain a skincare routine but manage to put night cream on a few nights a week and always do a full cleanse and moisturise after wearing makeup and that makes the difference.

Not much help but I think there’s loads of women who would love to achieve a state of not caring about their appearance. Do you need to care? Or maybe you do care?

@TheOGCCL that's interesting. I think I largely don't care but there is a little piece of me that does and it's wondering what the heck is going on.
I am really pondering on if I need to care

I would start with a spray of perfume. Literally takes a few seconds and will make you feel instantly better about yourself. Choose easy things that take very little time to start with - e.g. a hand cream beside the sink, or a coloured lip balm in your pocket. Or you could try some fake tan? You don't have to do your whole body, just your face or your legs. Takes five minutes and will last a few days. Anything that makes you feel better about yourself but it is low maintenance. Or you could buy yourself some nice underwear, if you can afford it? Choose one easy thing that appeals to you and build from there.

It’s mumsnet if you wait long enough someone will suggest a spa day and highlights