Girly grooming habbits

LolaDub

Following on from the fake tan thread i was thinking about the things that e do trying to make ourselves even more attractive, its a lot of work and a lot of time but do they really make a difference? And what do guys think of them or do they even notice?

Flojo

Personally I do them for myself, I couldn't really be arsed thinking about what guys think. Most lads barely notice if you got your hair cut never mind getting your eyebrows and nails done..

Although they always notice when you get your fanjita waxed..

Madame Razz

As a girl whos had the fake nails, fake toes, eyelashes, hair every colour and style under the sun I'd have to say its hard work!!

and i dont think men notice it per se, but they do evaluate you as being high maintenance or not.

I bolster my theory with the fact that anytime i end up out unintentionally, not particularly dressed up, and sometimes even without makeup i'm beating the men off with a stick(well, not quite, but you get my meaning)

Whereas i can go for full on glamour and the men keep away!!

On the whole though, i like to look after myself, and i do it as much for myself as anybody else!!

Curlypinkie

A lot of the time I would be doing it just to relax myself. As in enjoying the actual task ahead, f.e facials, having my hair done, my nails etc. They're like rituals:)

I especially like wearing makeup, I'm not a raging maniac as in I would never walk out of my home without it. It's more in the way of using any excuse to put it on.

Unless I do something radical with my looks, like for example I have a friend who's a make-up artist and she's basically going mad on me, not many guys actually notice that I wear make up. That in itself is a result

I'm a bit into grooming but not overly so. I have friends who shave/wax their arms???? Why? Well OK, big no no for gorilla-features, but they're fair like me so....
Anyone do it here? Am I missing something? Do guys have a thing for arm hair?

xzanti

If I spend time on myself its FOR myself, if my guy notices, all the better, if he doesn't, then I guess he must just think I look nice all the time

Flojo

manukahoney wrote: »

As a girl whos had the fake nails, fake toes, eyelashes, hair every colour and style under the sun I'd have to say its hard work!!

and i dont think men notice it per se, but they do evaluate you as being high maintenance or not.

I bolster my theory with the fact that anytime i end up out unintentionally, not particularly dressed up, and sometimes even without makeup i'm beating the men off with a stick(well, not quite, but you get my meaning)

Whereas i can go for full on glamour and the men keep away!!

On the whole though, i like to look after myself, and i do it as much for myself as anybody else!!

Woah that is extreme

cuckoo

I think the law of diminishing returns applies big time to grooming for me. I might spend 20 minutes doing my hair (ie brushing) and putting on a little bit of make up - and i don't really look all that different from if i'd spent an hour and 20 minutes at it. Sure, my eye make up would be ready for a camera close up, but to the average observer there's no difference.

For me grooming is the armour for day to day life, the bit extra that goes beyond the politeness of basic hygiene. For the battle of a job interview, big event, etc i'll put on more armour - for the rest of it it'll be the minimium i need, don't want to be weighed down.

dubsgirl

I would probably spend more time on my hair than anything else. Without my dryer & GHD I look like Simba.

I do think that your hair makes a huge difference to how you look and feel but thats probably only me as I don't usually look like I just stepped out of a salon with a quick toss after the shower. (toss of the hair I mean):eek:

Ginny

Meh if I don't tackle my hair everyday I'd have birds nesting in it by 4pm.
As for shaving waxing etc... I do it whether I'm single or attached so its not done for anyone other then myself.

John Mason

sometimes i put body lotion on after i have a shower

SpookyDoll

Same Ginny, cant stand having any body hair, anywhere, at all !!! Euw!!!:p

Madame Razz

as in gel toe nails:D

Flojo

manukahoney wrote: »

as in gel toe nails:D

Hehe thought so, don't mind me in a giddy mood! :pac:

Twee.

I do it for me. I like to be well presented and turned out. On Wednesday afternoon I locked myself in the bathroom and had a bath, big exfoliation, did my nails, dried my hair properly! Stayed in for the evening and jsut felt good about myself

Madame Razz

yeah, though i must admit i go through phases.... periodsof being super maintained, buffed, tanned,co-ordinated etc, and periods of waywardness.

I do of course always maintain a hygiene standard tho:D, but sometimes its nice to not wear make-up and bum around in a tracksuit for the day!!

Black Swan

"Viva la difference" between females and males! I like the difference, but it is a pain sometimes being dark brunette, when a naturally blond friend of mine can sometimes get away skipping a shaving day.

pookie82

It's nice to see this thread. When I posted over in AH a few weeks ago about tanning and make up and making an effort I was accused of being both narcissistic and horribly insecure at the same time by the lads over there! My personal favourite, which will always stand out - "you're the female version of a comb over - lying to yourself and everyone can see it but you"!!!! I think was the comment. Got a great laugh out of that one!!

Anyway, I constantly shave/wax even when I'm not in a relationship and it's the middle of winter, so it's definitely not for anyone else. And I've often pampered myself with a new hair do, a tan and a de-hairing and just stayed for the night but felt really nice too. Glad to hear there are others out there who make an effort to genuinely feel good for THEMSELVES and not for guys/others, as most will accuse you of if you admit to looking after yourself and indulging in hair dye/tan etc

SarahJ

I used to be good with my appearance, now I couldn't be that bothered. I'd love to be, I really would, but its sheer laziness in the morning. At night I say, tomorrow I'll put make up on and straighten my hair etc, but it just doesn't happen.

Stheno

SarahJ wrote: »

I used to be good with my appearance, now I couldn't be that bothered. I'd love to be, I really would, but its sheer laziness in the morning. At night I say, tomorrow I'll put make up on and straighten my hair etc, but it just doesn't happen.

It's just a habit that you get into imo, I used never wear makeup during the day then got into it as a habit a few months.

I love going for facials, just for me

AlanSparrowhawk

The girl (25) I just started (re)seeing gets her nails and eyelashes done once a month. She's not even a girly girl either. But she likes them and thinks they make her look more whatever is girls want to look. TBH they do nothing for me.

I am so bad when it comes to hair and makeup, and non hygenie related fussing.
I lose my attention span after 2 minutes, tbh I'm better off not wearing make up. Because sometimes I make myself look like I dipped my head in all the pots!
I so bad that somedays I don't even brush my hair.
I don't mind having hairy legs, I'd much rather have soft hair than shaving stubble. So I wax.

I'm trying to make more of an effort recently.
But I'm just not particularly appearance orientated...and it is difficult to keep it in mind to do things like moisturise.

Why do the rest of you do?
Do you devote an evening once a week to grooming?

Stheno

Moonbaby wrote: »

Why do the rest of you do?
Do you devote an evening once a week to grooming?

Pretty much, usually a Sunday evening lol and top up during the week Takes about 10 minutes every morning to put makeup on.

Have my hair cut every four weeks as it's very short and needs to be cut that often.

Facials occasionally, I don't do fake tan as I'm very very pale and I'd look ridiculous (and have, plus I'm allergic to most fake tans)

I do however carry half of boots about in my handbag, and have even more stuff in my desk in work just in case lol:D

nouggatti

nouggatti wrote: »

Pretty much, usually a Sunday evening lol and top up during the week Takes about 10 minutes every morning to put makeup on.

Have my hair cut every four weeks as it's very short and needs to be cut that often.

Facials occasionally, I don't do fake tan as I'm very very pale and I'd look ridiculous (and have, plus I'm allergic to most fake tans)

I do however carry half of boots about in my handbag, and have even more stuff in my desk in work just in case lol:D

So that is why I can't find a handbag smaller than a body bag in the shops!

Phlann

I honestly don't think I've ever really noticed if a girl's hair was shiny or if her skin was well exfoliated, tbh.

But the flip-side of that is we would definitely notice if ye looked a mess.

So... eh, keep it up, I guess.

Stheno

Moonbaby wrote: »

So that is why I can't find a handbag smaller than a body bag in the shops!

lolol:D

I do find that I feel more confident if I am feel confident that I am as well groomed as I can be It's sheer habit at this stage, I'd not be in any way perfect now!

allandanyways

I'm in a long-distance relationship for the summer (we go to the same college but he's from the north) and I've found im slacking off a bit on the shaving legs etc... not the eyebrows or anythin... just the legs and all...still give them the once over now and again but not the religious shaving of previous months...

Madame Razz

Moonbaby wrote: »

I am so bad when it comes to hair and makeup, and non hygenie related fussing.
I lose my attention span after 2 minutes, tbh I'm better off not wearing make up. Because sometimes I make myself look like I dipped my head in all the pots!
I so bad that somedays I don't even brush my hair.
I don't mind having hairy legs, I'd much rather have soft hair than shaving stubble. So I wax.

I'm trying to make more of an effort recently.
But I'm just not particularly appearance orientated...and it is difficult to keep it in mind to do things like moisturise.

Why do the rest of you do?
Do you devote an evening once a week to grooming?

I try to....and some times im very very good, and sometimes im very very bad.....a bit like goldilocks!!

dont have the nails and the lashes on at the mo as am diving a lot these times, hence not bothering with the tan much either. on the plus side my skins in tip top condition from it!!

Ima self confessed cosmetics junkie and get the hair cut a fair bit, facials, waxing, that sort of thing.

i could do with being a bit more dedicated tho, but its hard to find the time!! trying very hard to moisturise after every shower, its just so bloody good for the skin!!

Stheno

manukahoney wrote: »

i could do with being a bit more dedicated tho, but its hard to find the time!! trying very hard to moisturise after every shower, its just so bloody good for the skin!!

+1

LolaDub

Its seriously hard to find the time-esp being a single mum if i get a window of non working baby sitting time i do not want to spend all my time making myself 'presentable'. As long as you have hygeine standards what does it matter?

I am fond of the ghd though but it wrecks hair so i try to stay away, i epilate my underarms and immac the legs because i hate the stubble shaving leaves you with and my skin is very senstive but i hate the mess of imaac!!! I don't really have a schedule i just sort of grab a few mins here and there and try, i guess i try and pile as much into shower time as possible but i totally wonder is it worth it. Funny when i used to go out in jeans and runners and no make up guys would always say you look great but when i started doing that more often i would always hear you look awful-are you sick?

Variety is the spice of life!

doctor evil

I like to take care of my nails, although if I am doing a lot of horse riding than that goes out the window!

I always moisturise and use stuff for my under eyes. I like make up and will put it on if I am going out but I just couldn't be bothered for every day.

I would love to just go away and get a facial and a hot stone massage.

tobiesheba

I admit that sometimes I find it hard to find the energy to keep every part of me hair free, soft and smooth but once I'm plucked/waxed/mosturised I feel so much better in my self.

Malari

I shave the pins once a week in the shower, spend about 4 mins doing make-up, maybe a bit more if I'm going out and trying to put on eye-shadow...a skill that has eluded me for many a year. Sometimes, just sometimes, I get the right eye perfect and then despair when I realise the left eye will not end up matching it

I should try getting make-up done properly sometime. But hate people touching my face. Never had a facial or nails or massage or any of that spa stuff. Worst nightmare!

Ginny

Meh I don't bother devoting a whole night to it, when I get out of the shower I moisturise, every now and again i use some tan maintainer for a boost as I have sallow skin normally.
I do look after my feet though and try and moisturise them every second night going to bed.
I don't bother with nails at all, every now and again I'll bother doing something with them but not religiously.
I have dyed my eyelashes before, but i nearly blinded myself in the process so I don't bother now:D

Gyalist

I hate to rain on y'all parade but I have to confess that this thread is pure comedy gold. Unintentional, but still funny. Ladies, yiz are all self-delusional - especially when you say that all the grooming is "just for myself".

Beneath the veneer of sophistication and rational thought it is always worth remembering that we are animals and that a lot of our behaviour, such as grooming, is purely instinctive and all part of Nature's way of helping to maximise your chances of sexual selection. Nothing wrong in admitting that, but I guess that it would take a particularly self-aware woman to do so.

Curlypinkie

Gyalist wrote: »

I hate to rain on y'all parade but I have to confess that this thread is pure comedy gold. Unintentional, but still funny. Ladies, yiz are all self-delusional - especially when you say that all the grooming is "just for myself".

Beneath the veneer of sophistication and rational thought it is always worth remembering that we are animals and that a lot of our behaviour, such as grooming, is purely instinctive and all part of Nature's way of helping to maximise your chances of sexual selection. Nothing wrong in admitting that, but I guess that it would take a particularly self-aware woman to do so.

Ahem. A lot of it in fact isn't.
I'm sick in bed at the moment. Haven't had the energy to get up, do anything with my hair, I've got a reaction to the penicillin around my eyes which means they're slightly red.... I havent shaved my legs for a few days... and I feel AWFUL. I can't wait to get better, groom myself and then look at the mirror and go YES, that's by baby. Sorry to burst your bubble in thinking we do this for yez lads. Some of it maybe is instinct on some level. However, a lot of us just do it out of vanity and because we actually love ourselves when groomed so much more than when not!

Ginny

Curly, don't bother Gyalist is just looking for a reaction.

LolaDub

Its the same as guys assuming we buy nice underwear to get them going. It would never occur to them that its nice and makes us feel good by wearing something fancy underneath whether someone is going to see it or not!

Malari

Gyalist wrote: »

I hate to rain on y'all parade but I have to confess that this thread is pure comedy gold. Unintentional, but still funny. Ladies, yiz are all self-delusional - especially when you say that all the grooming is "just for myself".

Beneath the veneer of sophistication and rational thought it is always worth remembering that we are animals and that a lot of our behaviour, such as grooming, is purely instinctive and all part of Nature's way of helping to maximise your chances of sexual selection. Nothing wrong in admitting that, but I guess that it would take a particularly self-aware woman to do so.

Or a woman particularly well-read in evolutionary biology. What's your point? If it's instinctual the best way to explain it is that it makes you feel better, you do it for yourself. The by-product being it makes you more attractive to the other sex.

Gyalist

GinnyJo wrote: »

Curly, don't bother Gyalist is just looking for a reaction.

Duh, isn't the entire raison d'être of message boards to generate discussion or would you just rather have a girlie pity party.

Reku

LolaDub wrote: »

Its the same as guys assuming we buy nice underwear to get them going. It would never occur to them that its nice and makes us feel good by wearing something fancy underneath whether someone is going to see it or not!

I think unfortunately this fallacy stems from all the other women who do only wear fancy undies to impress a lad and plain cotton the rest of the time, a case of stereotyping as a result.

But as to the grooming solely to impress members of the opposite gender, for the most part it probably is true of both genders whether on a conscious level or not, but at the same time the fact that people will do things in spite of their partner not liking it shows that it is not the final decider in these matters. Heck the fake tan is a perfect example, with so many lads disliking it and yet the ladies do it and convince themselves it's not obvious so we must assume that it is not to impress the males, possibly to impress the females (not in a sexual sense but rather a competitive grooming sense), but that's a whole other issue.

Gyalist

LolaDub wrote: »

Its the same as guys assuming we buy nice underwear to get them going. It would never occur to them that its nice and makes us feel good by wearing something fancy underneath whether someone is going to see it or not!

Feeling good about yourself is infectious and subconsciously makes you more attractive to others.

Curlypinkie

farohar wrote: »

I think unfortunately this fallacy stems from all the other women who do only wear fancy undies to impress a lad and plain cotton the rest of the time, a case of stereotyping as a result.

But as to the grooming solely to impress members of the opposite gender, for the most part it probably is true of both genders whether on a conscious level or not, but at the same time the fact that people will do things in spite of their partner not liking it shows that it is not the final decider in these matters. Heck the fake tan is a perfect example, with so many lads disliking it and yet the ladies do it and convince themselves it's not obvious so we must assume that it is not to impress the males, possibly to impress the females (not in a sexual sense but rather a competitive grooming sense), but that's a whole other issue.

You know what Farohar, I agree with you on this one (shock horror).

And if I put on great clothes and do my hair and make up and look dazzling, then I go out on a date with myself.... well maybe on a primary level that's to attract male attention (which I, mid-me-time will not really take any notice of) but I feel a helluva lot better than if I hadn't gone through the effort.

piscean

I love spending a hour or so on my grooming once a week - I have the "big shower" where I put a treatment in my hair and defuzz.
Then the tan goes on in preparation for w/end and spend a good while drying my hair properly.
I always feel better after my intensive grooming session

John Mason

Moonbaby wrote: »

I am so bad when it comes to hair and makeup, and non hygenie related fussing.
I lose my attention span after 2 minutes, tbh I'm better off not wearing make up. Because sometimes I make myself look like I dipped my head in all the pots!
I so bad that somedays I don't even brush my hair.
I don't mind having hairy legs, I'd much rather have soft hair than shaving stubble. So I wax.

QFT

i think life is too short for the grooming things and i would never have an evening free to all those things, you are talking about

i am confident enough in myself to know i am perfect and natural looking

LolaDub

What about curly hair or straight hair?

John Mason

LolaDub wrote: »

What about curly hair or straight hair?

what about it?

i have curly hair and i love it not to keen on the auld straight hair myself

Ginny

Gyalist wrote: »

Duh, isn't the entire raison d'être of message boards to generate discussion or would you just rather have a girlie pity party.

Bless.
I would assume the point of boards is for people to have adult discussions, rather then call a range of posters self delusional and make assumptions about their self awareness.

Crumble Froo

ha, im brutal at this. if i have work, then i do brush my hair, wash it every other day, and put on a lil eyeliner. im probably better at looking after my piercings, which currently require a saltwater soak every two days, and a lil moisturiser at the moment. on weekends, i only get eyeliner on if im not surfing and going out too, and generally dont get round to brushing my hair after friday morning until monday morning. currently contemplating dreads, after growing it out for a bit... not sure though. now *they* would be maintenance... and im not sure im ready for the commitment.

Twee.

I'm sure I'd make more effort for the man in my life....uh...if I had one.

I'm terrible with hair. Mine's curly so I usually jsut throw in some mousse. Some days I'll whip out the straightener, but that takes time and effort!

I'm off to paint my nails

Aisling(",)

well i had long curliesh hair with no layers.
came home today with striaght shorter hair with loads of layers and no one noticed at all.
seems people dont notice that much after all

LolaLuv

I'm a girly girl when it comes to grooming. I always have makeup on, hair presentable, etc. I just don't feel right without it, so it sure makes a difference in my mind. Who gives a crap if anyone else notices? Gyalist might have a point that deep-down it's all about evolutionary bs, but then everything everyone has written on boards is subject to the same sort of evolutionary analysis, and that gets boring tbh.