Style and beauty - a steady decline?

[SpawnChorus]

I try my best with it all, I really do, but I have less time and less money than at any other point in my life. I'm concerned that my current dishevelment is part of an inexorable decline.

Has anyone else recovered from temporary shabbiness? I feel sad that I still have the potential to look pretty good, but it feels like I'm not going to have enough time/money to fulfil my potential until er...the kids have left home?? Only another 18 years to go then. By which stage I'll be 52

Spawn I am with you on this one. I was busy washing the girls' hair in the bath last night, only to realise I hadn't washed my own since the weekend I then sit there watching TV picking off my knee hairs one at a time as been too busy to get a wax and keep forgetting to put razors in shopping basket....

I am hopeful of recovery at some point. When I think how much time and effort I used to lavish on my appearance, it's pitiful

How old are your dc?
I don't have much money to spend but manage to get nice things regardless. Charity shops are your friend, and shops liek H and M or New Look are fairly cheap if you know what to look for.
I've never let myself be scruffy, purely becasue I know how it would affect me emotionally, which soundsw incredibly shallow, but if I know I look rubbish, it makes me feel rubbish. Getting ready in the mornings is just a question of organisatin and habit I think.
So, how old are you, size, height, hair colour? What do you feel you need most?

STEP UP SPAWN

Of course you can make time-think about something you can drop, telly time, MNetting, etc and do something to pep yourself up then. I'm no high maintenance girl by any stretch of the imagination but finding time to get your hair done is a BASIC HUMAN RIGHT

ALSo find quicker ways of doing things-get a haircut that requires minimal styling and that works with you hairs strengths.

Wear tinted moisturiser with an SPF, a bit of mazzie and lippy and draw your eyebrows in. 5 mins max.

Don't make me come round there!

DCs are 5, nearly 4, and 9 months old. I'm 5'6", 9 stone, fairly toned (except for ruined tummy muscles / skin).

I shower and do my make-up every day, and (admittedly only when current garments are rags) I do buy clothes from H&M and New Look (have yet to find anything wearable in local charity shops).

Hair is ok - messy crop. But have a few grey hairs which are no longer dyable with semi-permanent dye. Need to either a) fork out for salon dye job (but I really can't afford it) or risk a permanent home-dye...bit scary.

I suppose what I miss is the more time consuming stuff - nail polish, face mask, waxing rather than shaving. And the more £££ stuff (more frequent hair cuts, accessories/jewellery, better quality clothes etc). My shoes also let me down...I have a v decent pair of trainers (necessary for the many miles of walking I do every day) and a pair of flip flops and that's it!

I think I'm being realistic when I say that I do as much as I can with my money/time. I suppose my thread was more of a moan than a problem-solving exercise (but your tips are gratefully received anyway ).

Yes. I am now escaping the fog of early motherhood. My youngest is 7. About 2 years ago I went back to work full-time and that was when I found myself making more effort. I am reasonable well groomed now - well as much as I ever was - and I have nicer clothes than before. But I do look older - I think the children helped with that Oh and I am now 45 of course

Oh it's good to hear there may be light at the end of the tunnel!

Just had my hair cut today :-) I always feel perkier with a renewed crop.

You will have more time and energy as they get older. I have a 9, a 6 and a 4 year old, and the last year or so I've found it much easier, and I've been much more inclined to spend time on personal grooming.