Minimum effort, maximum outcome, 55+

[Borridge]

I read about a survey today that says women spend 4 hours a day on their appearance. that seems impossible to me. The article was also trying to flog some very expensive treatments that would allow you to be well put together without spending so much time on beauty and style.

What are your top tips for looking well groomed without spending 4 hours per day on it?

I think my top tip would be to have better things to do and worrying less. I'm on holiday at the moment and the most well put together people seem to be having the least fun.

4 hours a day??
Maybe why this is why I don't look perfect all the time!

Nah, but I'm just going to tell you about my fantasy devices instead 😁 Do you know the film Fifth Element? Leeloo has a Chanel compact that she just presses against her face, getting perfect instant makeup. Well, I want one of those and another gadget, possibly by Clarins, for skincare. It will clean my face and apply all the necessary serums, creams and lotions in exactly the right quantities to all the right places, with soothing little massage motions.

My whole face will be perfectly done in under ten minutes. If I can then get another gadget to remove unwelcome hairs, clean my teeth and perhaps my ears too, I won't mind spending another three minutes on it!

I can definitely see how it can take 4 hours if you add up make-up, shaving/waxing, haircare, skincare - especially if you also 'average out' the occasional beauty treatments.

The best thing I did to look groomed easily was give up alcohol, start exercising and drink gallons of water oh and get enough sleep (that's still a work in progress)

My skin / face are so much better I no longer bother wearing any makeup which saves a lot of time!

I’m not too worried. Witnessed by approximately 15 minutes I spend on my appearance a day. I just thought I could do a little bit more and actually make a visible difference.

4 hours a week, surely, not a day! I usually have a 5-10 minute shower including shaving legs, spend 5-10 mins on hair and make up (and I always wear make up) and clean teeth for 2 mins twice a day. Twice a week i'll lounge in the bath for 20 mins instead of showering.

Yes they counted showering, dressing, sport, so it adds up.

That sounds nice!

I think I spend 4 hours a day plucking out my chin hairs

Yes they counted showering, dressing, sport, so it adds up.

Why is the assumption that sport/ exercise is about appearance rather than health or just enjoying it?

Or that dressing is about appearance rather than practicality?

Most of the time I get dressed primarily because I need to and for comfort, unless I'm going somewhere special.

All very problematic.

And even with all of that included, I don't spend anywhere near 4 hours a day, and I look fine. Although to be honest, my top tip is to stop worrying about it so much and just enjoy your life.

oh, me too! It’s awful.

But to average out at 4 hours a day you must be having days with more than 4 hours which seems implausible

Depends on what your idea of fun is I guess

What do you mean? Of course it's perfectly plausible - a balayage / colouring / highlights can take 5 hours +, gel manicure 1 hour +, haircut 1.5 hours +, spa treatments are never really under an hour. Laser hair removal / electrolysis can take up to 2 hours per session.

Lvl lashes every 8 weeks
Shape brows and tint with just for men beard dye every week - takes 10 mins
Good face oil before bed
Drink loads of water
Gentle and fresh air
Well fitting clean quality clothes
Neat nails - I manicure at home and use Seche vite top coat

Gentle EXERCISE that was

That’s a complete distortion, though- it implies that the time women spend on exercise is for trivial, vanity-derived reasons. The logical conclusion is that it’s a silly indulgence, and it isn’t.

Decent hair cut

Style analysis so I know better what clothes and suit me better

As a result of the analysis, recognising and accepting that I’m never going to be a beautifully groomed, tailored, dresser, but lean more towards the Breton tshirt/boho /fatface-seasalt-etc looks (and happy with this).

wait....sport wasnt a typo!? weird.

If I include exercise and a full on pamper day then I could probably stretch it to 2 hours.
Not sure how I could get to 4 hours unless I put a face mask on and just watched Netflix for 2 hours!

(also ironic that the article was trying to sell something when all the best things are free! exercise, diet, sleep, etc).

@silverjackal

What do you mean? Of course it's perfectly plausible - a balayage / colouring / highlights can take 5 hours +, gel manicure 1 hour +, haircut 1.5 hours +, spa treatments are never really under an hour. Laser hair removal / electrolysis can take up to 2 hours per session.
But none of those come close to 4 hours and we are talking average of 4 hours A DAY.
You could do all of those once every 3weeks and it still wouldn't explain 4 hours a day

Yes, my DH can spend hours getting all this done.