Sometimes it's hard. To be. A woman

beks101

So I spent the day at a music festival with my OH and a group of our friends, drinking warm beer, basking in the sunshine and sweating off my fake tan until a distinctly brown stain covered the front of my white bardot top.

After a few hours of standing in my wedges, my feet were in absolute pieces, until the only option was to go barefoot and throw a few of the emergency plasters I keep in my bag across the various blisters that had started to form.

Later I took a trip to the ladies and discovered that my mascara had melted onto my face and I thought, bloody hell, this is exhausting. The hair, the nails, the eyebrows, the waxing, the sore shoes, the expensive makeup, the countless "sure it's grand, after a few drinks you'll forget you're wearing them", the bloody expense of it all.

Now I'm no princess, no high maintenance fashion diva, if you looked at me you'd see just a normal woman. Someone with nice hair perhaps; eye makeup you might admire on occasion; shoes that you'll ask about, a nice top on or whatever. An interest in fashion and self-grooming, but not beyond what is normal and usual for any of my female friends.

I'm just as happy to go makeup-free, in an old t-shirt and jeans, but will usually make an effort for work or social events or dates with the OH, and all of this involves a fair amount of bloody nuisance and from time to time, it will also involve discomfort.

So am I alone here? Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with the self-grooming process and the things we sometimes do in the name of beauty? Or do you not bother at all? Are you intolerable to unnecessary discomfort, or low maintenance, or in your own routine which doesn't require any major inconvenience? Share your secrets!

Aint Eazy Being Cheezy

I assume you're addressing this question towards females, but I'll go ahead and answer anyway.

I'm male and I've always taken the attitude that it's the person under the haircut and wearing the shirt that matters, and not the hair & clothes themselves. Of course I wouldn't disrespect the bride & groom at a wedding, for example, by showing up in jeans and a hoodie but I would never obsess about my appearance or even give it a second thought halfway through the evening.

Personality and character shines through and counts for so much more than clothes and appearance ever could.

I suppose low maintenance routine is for me
Putting on makeup is fun and doesn't take too long. 5 mins for work makeup, bit longer for going out. No melted mascara yet :eek: Maybe another brand would work better
No fake tan, usually wear flats ...
Sure it'd be nice to look more glamorous sometimes but the effort of it all
If someone could coordinate nice looking outfits and shoes for me though that'd be great
I do spend time trying to pick out nice things to wear for an evening out and trying on various outfits or dresses and it would be great if someone could buy the matching shoes or tell me from the start what suits best :pac:

fits

Eh, yes. Of course.

I'm getting married in a couple of weeks as well and the thought of all the prepping, and I ain't even getting much done. Definitely no fake tan as its bound to go wrong on me.

Was at a festival last weekend. Went mostly without makeup all weekend. (just concealer and blush) and wore the same pair of jeans and old trainers all weekend. And I felt comfortable and also comfortable in my own skin. It was great! ( I did admire the many costumes on men and women though)

beks101

The Cunning Linguist wrote: »

I assume you're addressing this question towards females, but I'll go ahead and answer anyway.

I'm male and I've always taken the attitude that it's the person under the haircut and wearing the shirt that matters, and not the hair & clothes themselves. Of course I wouldn't disrespect the bride & groom at a wedding, for example, by showing up in jeans and a hoodie but I would never obsess about my appearance or even give it a second thought halfway through the evening.

Personality and character shines through and counts for so much more than clothes and appearance ever could.

Agree 100%. And any lad I've been with will say the same.

And I could trot out the old "I don't do it for guys; I do it for myself". But there's a certain element of wanting to look attractive to my OP; the thrill and boost of seeing his reaction.

We wouldn't be together if it wasn't for the connection that went beyond skin-deep attraction, the way our personalities gelled, the sense of humour and intellect and interests and similar backgrounds etc.

But I'm a woman and I like to look good, for professional and personal reasons. And it's ultimately worth it. It bolsters my confidence, it highlights my features, it makes me feel feminine and wonderful. But it's also at times, dare I say it...an ordeal.

eviltwin

I wouldn't wear makeup at a festival in this heat. And I'd wear flats or sandals or something. Comfort all the way. You can still look good and be comfortable.

I rarely wear heels, rarely wear more makeup than mascara, some cream blush and tinted balm, I don't straighten my hair or any of that malarkey, I never wear fake tan, and a pretty dress and little flats look every bit as cute as more glamorous outfits for most occasions. I wouldn't have the patience to apply lots of different products to my face every day, and I doubt it does your skin much good long term. Sure, if I've a wedding or something I'll dig out the heels and use a bit more makeup etc, but it's not a routine thing.

I whip off the unwanted hair and I take care of my nails, skin, and hair by sticking to a few products that work and I'm consistent with them. Your grooming is meant to enhance your looks and your life, not take it over. I do admire girls who go to the trouble because it genuinely takes real commitment. I wouldn't be bothered touching it up all day!

I think less is generally more, and I have good skin and hair, nice eyes and nails etc, I try enhance what I have with a sort of natural look. Sometimes you see some really lovely girls, but wearing so much makeup that it's the first thing you see about them, not their natural prettiness.

I suppose it's all as complicated, or not, as you're willing to make it. If you enjoy applying makeup and using different products, then that's what you should do, when it stops being a pleasure is when it's time to rethink it all.

Addle

Fake tan is high maintenance imo.

My hardship when I go out is my control pants/tights rolling down. Nightmare.

greenfrogs

Candie wrote: »

I suppose it's all as complicated, or not, as you're willing to make it. If you enjoy applying makeup and using different products, then that's what you should do, when it stops being a pleasure is when it's time to rethink it all.

Yah totally agree. I wear make up if I want to. I straighten my hair if I want to. I wear fake tan if i want to. I always try to ensure I wear comfortable clothes and shoes because to me comfort is more important than how I look. It may sound like I have no interest in make up but I do. I love going out and buying makeup and clothes. However when I go out I wear whatever I like depending on my mood.

beks101

Candie wrote: »

I rarely wear heels, rarely wear more makeup than mascara, some cream blush and tinted balm, I don't straighten my hair or any of that malarkey, I never wear fake tan, and a pretty dress and little flats look every bit as cute as more glamorous outfits for most occasions. I wouldn't have the patience to apply lots of different products to my face every day, and I doubt it does your skin much good long term. Sure, if I've a wedding or something I'll dig out the heels and use a bit more makeup etc, but it's not a routine thing.

I whip off the unwanted hair and I take care of my nails, skin, and hair by sticking to a few products that work and I'm consistent with them. Your grooming is meant to enhance your looks and your life, not take it over. I do admire girls who go to the trouble because it genuinely takes real commitment. I wouldn't be bothered touching it up all day!

I think less is generally more, and I have good skin and hair, nice eyes and nails etc, I try enhance what I have with a sort of natural look. Sometimes you see some really lovely girls, but wearing so much makeup that it's the first thing you see about them, not their natural prettiness.

I suppose it's all as complicated, or not, as you're willing to make it. If you enjoy applying makeup and using different products, then that's what you should do, when it stops being a pleasure is when it's time to rethink it all.

Gosh this makes me feel like some sort of diva queen. Your set-up sounds lovely and relaxed. Mine is probably the opposite most days, unless I'm not at work or having a duvet day.

I have difficult hair. "Thick, west of Ireland hair" as my mother says. A variation of uncontrollable frizz and tight curls without a LOT of help. I have my own power tools and get a blow dry once every two weeks or so. Without those I look like someone who has been messing with sockets.

Makeup takes about 20 minutes on an average morning. It's probably the number one thing myself and the OH argue about. "How much longer are you going to be???" I love the therapeutic/artistic process of playing around with a variety of products and I like feeling polished and professional. I also love eye makeup. In a pathologically addictive way.

Skin, nails and teeth I'm obsessive about. Used to have terrible skin so it's probably a hangup since those days, and I just feel better with a good manicure.

The fake tan I deplore, but where some people can pull off the 'pale and interesting' thing, I just look sickly and pallor. It's a special-occasions-only kind of job and I resent every second of it, but it does boost the aul confidence.

I increasingly think it might be as much to do with culture/country of residence as anything else. When I lived in Canada, the heels went out the window because people would stare like you were a street walker, it's not a casual daywear thing at all over there. Makeup too I wore less of, but I would have had a perpetual tan, which always makes me look better. I live in London now, with beautiful, polished and preened and professional high-flying women everywhere.

rainbow kirby

Went in for London Pride this afternoon, wore a t-shirt and shorts and Converse and a bucketload of factor 50. Not a single **** given and it was great.

I'm not a big make-up person in general - I wear it going out but not on a daily basis. I have short hair which requires minimal maintenance due to being thick and poker-straight. I work in IT so I'm never customer facing and I wear t-shirts and jeans to work most of the time. At 31 years of age I've still never touched fake tan. That's just me though!

Raminahobbin

I rarely wear makeup. I'm not even a hundred percent sure how to do the foundation thing... With primers and concealers and powders... Is all a bit confusing. Last time I wore foundation was about a year ago, and the bottle is about 3 years old. If I'm going out out, I use eyeliner, mascara and a bit of eye-shadow, maybe some lip balm. That's it. I definitely don't wear makeup on a daily basis, I don't see the point.

I go through phases of painting my nails. I do enjoy the odd Montaigne Jeunesse facemask.

I wear almost exclusively skirts anyway, which I love, and usually flats but sometimes boots with heels. Rarely strappy heels.

Scarinae

I'd consider myself to be fairly low maintenance, I usually just wear eyeshadow, mascara and a bit of foundation. If I'm going out somewhere I might add eyeliner and occasionally blusher, but rarely lip colour. I'm lucky that my hair is very straight so I never use hair products beyond shampoo and conditioner. I'm tall so I don't need heels, they're just for special occasions.

When I do have to make a lot of effort I sort of resent it. I was bridesmaid at a wedding a few months ago and we were all up at 8am having our hair and makeup done, whereas the groom and groomsmen probably rolled out of bed much later and all they really had to do was shave and get dressed.

I did make some comment about how lucky the guys were not to have to do all this, but one of the other bridesmaids said she saw it that we were lucky because the guys didn't get to be pampered with their hair and makeup - it's just a different perspective I suppose. I was wearing so much makeup though that it was outside my comfort zone, it felt like I was wearing a mask and it didn't look like my face in the mirror. Everyone said I looked great though and it came out well in the photos, it just felt weird to me.

eviltwin

I find the thread title interesting because it implies this type of maintenance is part and parcel of being a woman. It's not. It's a choice. I never wear makeup, I live in flat shoes, my hair is rarely styled and I dress for comfort. I still look good, I'm not any less attractive or polished because of it. I would always make an effort on a night out or for a special occasion and I enjoy it but I couldn't face that every day.

beks101

beks101 wrote: »

I have difficult hair. "Thick, west of Ireland hair" as my mother says. A variation of uncontrollable frizz and tight curls without a LOT of help. I have my own power tools and get a blow dry once every two weeks or so. Without those I look like someone who has been messing with sockets.

Makeup takes about 20 minutes on an average morning. It's probably the number one thing myself and the OH argue about. "How much longer are you going to be???" I love the therapeutic/artistic process of playing around with a variety of products and I like feeling polished and professional. I also love eye makeup. In a pathologically addictive way.

I've got hair that can have a mind of it's own but I've just perfected the art of a casual bun or twist, makes like so much quicker and easier than using power tools.

Just on the bolded bit, I don't think you need to wear a lot of makeup to look polished or professional. I don't think I look more professional if I wear more, although I do wear a minimum so that I look like I've made an effort. I don't think I don't look any less polished for it, or am taken less seriously because I like a more natural look.

In fact, one woman I know and encounter professionally is always wearing a full, high maintenance, face of makeup with everything from contouring to lip liner, and it looks far too 'going out clubbing' and inappropriate for our setting. It's very different in other settings, like fashion or retail maybe.

Anyway the point is that some women enjoy the whole process more than others, and it's a sort of ritual they like to stick to. I completely understand that, but it's not like that for me beyond a certain point. I like to look good and keep tidy and smart, but there's a stage at which it becomes a burden and not a pleasure, and that stage, for me, is when I spend more than 5 minutes at the mirror or ten minutes sorting out my hair.

dellas1979

I agree with the overall sentiment of the thread. And I do feel for females feeling they have to do all that grooming (but I think they must like it!)

Am very low maintenance myself. I can count on 1 hand the amount of times Ive had a full face of make up. Its not that I dont think I might need it, but am terribly lazy. Ive had fake tan on me once. I dont understand fake tan.

To me, showering/washing my hair, and shaving is the very basic.

Luckily, Ive good skin (very simple clean/moisturise once a day/SPF), my hair is long, and has a good cut, and its straight as a poker anyways. Nails, I get gels done once a month. I use teeth whitening products (toothpaste/mouthwash).

To me, you cant beat clean hair, good smile/clean teeth, little Vaseline, groomed nails, and maybe a little make up to enhance.

I do find that some females ignore the above to simply layer on the make up. But thats whats important to them I guess.

I went out Friday night and managed to put on some blush and a little mascara. Thats all I know how to do really. I do need (to purchase) a good waterproof/smudge proof one!

Frito

Only wear make up for occasions.
Never wear fake tan or heels
No longer straighten my hair.

Would love to stick consistently to a beauty routine but I often forget to.

Shelga

I'd be also of the opinion that personal grooming, makeup, carefully chosen outfits etc makes me feel good, but can be such a pain in the arse. If I don't spend 5 minutes every night picking out what to wear for work, I'll waste at least 20 minutes the next morning fumbling around for stuff to throw on. And I don't work in a particularly glamorous industry!

I think when I was late teens/early 20s and heading out with college friends (I'm 28 now) I found it much more fun. Ages spent at each other's houses getting ready as we all lived close together in Dublin, and couldn't afford many drinks out so did lots of pre drinking. It definitely served its feminine bonding purpose in those days. "Can I borrow your straightener? How does this eyeshadow look?" etc. Nowadays I'm usually in such a rush when heading out somewhere at the weekend, or really tired from a week's work, that it feels like much more of a hassle. And I'm usually getting ready alone before rushing to catch a train to friends who live in another city, for example. (London baby! )

Also I've just started seeing a guy and each individual guy seems to have quite varying opinions of what looks nice, so already I can see myself taking his views into account, while still dressing for me of course!

It is a bit of a mindfcuk sometimes. Sometimes I think we should all have government-issued uniforms a la Hunger Games.

Then again, maybe not.

Tigger99

Very interesting thread Beks By the way do you have a blog? If not you should, if so would you mind sending me a link.

I get where you are coming from but I don't resent it. I have a few things which help me feel confident. I dye my blonde lashes and browse every fortnight. I set time aside to pamper myself and throw on an exfoliating mask and deep moisturiser afterwards.

I never wear foundation at a festival as I plaster the suncream on. Instead I'd use a wee bit of concealer, so it doesn't feel as bad. I also put on a bit of tinted body moisturiser at the mo, just to take the blue tinge off my legs

I've pretty much given up on heels, I wear wedges or flats out, I tend to feel far more relaxed in them.

Neyite

I've relaxed my standards since my late teens. For me, the more comfortable and secure I am in my own skin, the less my outward appearance matters. I prefer the way I look now though.

Back then I would put on a full face of make-up daily, even if I didn't plan on leaving the house. Now, I only wear it if I'm going out. I don't wear it to work.

Back then, looking great meant putting up with freezing my hole off in a chiffon dress in Irish winter. Dancing on despite the blisters and the bleeding, all the malarkey.

Hair was styled to within an inch of its life. Now it goes up in a pony for work, and gets a rub of straighteners if I'm going somewhere I think I'll need Nice Hair.

This weekend I went out. I wore a dress I wasn't beat into. I struggled with the sucky-in knickers as far as my knees, said "fcuk this" and put on regular ones. I did my hair a different way. I scraped a bic half-heartedly on my pits and legs. And I wore foundation, powder, eyeliner and forgot the mascara. So I suppose I try to strike a balance now. I don't mind shoes that ache towards the end of the night, but not the beginning, and pack enough in my bag that I can pre-empt blisters. I'll brush a bit of instant tan on the arms if they are showing, just to take off the blue, but wont do the one where you put it on the night before. I'll wear a nice dress, but something I know I wont be tugging at all night. And I'll always bring a warm jacket or coat.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

Daily makeup for me is a couple of drops of foundation mixed into serum (I have weird skin, it works better for me than tinted moisturiser) and some mascara, and I don't bother with that every day. Sometimes when I'm going out there'll be some eye liner and lipstick added to that. I occasionally would do the full "face" for a night out, but it'd more because I got the notion than because it was a particularly fancy night, if that makes sense?

I don't shave my legs, I do my pits and bits. Would occasionally wear heels but I can't do strappy ones or ones with skinny heels. Never worn fake tan.

I think I have kind of similar hair to yours beks, it's also stupidly long at the moment. Normally I wouldn't even brush it, just comb through tangles gently with my fingers, put something smoothing on and leave it down. But at this length I have to brush it all out (cue giant frizzball) and then I put it up in a French braid tight enough to give me a temporary facelift That lasts about three days, then wash and repeat.

Something I really do like doing is my nails. Up until a couple of years ago I'd been working in catering for years, where it just wasn't practical to do your nails because it all had to come off for work, also I had a boyfriend who didn't like painted nails. I'm a divil for buying varnish and I find it relaxing to do my nails in front of the TV of an evening.

Apart from getting my hair cut every couple of years though I don't actually go and get anything done, like waxes, make-up, manicures, that sort of thing. I've never once had any of that done.

I'd say I'm pretty low maintanance I guess, I've found a level that works for me and hopefully I look ok.

dearg lady

I'm definitely a low maintenance kinda gal on the whole make up/dress up side of things, but occasionally I wish I was the kinda person who makes more effort. But at the end of the day, I'm a casual kind of person, that's who I am. Very occasionally it's nice to dress up and put on make up, but the actual process is rarely fun for me, so i don't do it very often

Someone mentioned it above, and I think it's key, if you enjoy it, do it, if it's hassle, time to rethink!

Beks, you obviously love the artistry of make up, that's cool, I really admire my friends who are good with make up! But the fake tan you reckon is hassle. I'd put a tenner on it that you can rock the pale interesting look too. Now maybe I'm wrong, but I've heard this from a lot of girls over the years, yet I've never seen anyone where I thought, ugh, sheesh, the pale, get some tan will ya!!

We're all our own biggest critic anyway, mostly other people won't notice that spot, or the hairs on our legs, or the hair that hasn't been washed in a few days. So, yeah, embrace the things ya like doing and forget about the rest!

Dial Hard

I'm always wary of these threads as I find they can often turn into a bit of a bashing session against women who are perceived as "high maintenance".

I love make-up. Love doing the full face for a night out. But I don't need it in order to make me feel good about myself. Not every woman who wears make-up on a daily basis is a quivering ball of low self-esteem. I'm not wearing any today, for instance, as I'm working from home. Still had to go out and run a few errands but I wasn't putting on make-up just for that.

I wear fake tan during the summer to take the corned beef aspect off my skin. Get Brazilian waxed religiously every six weeks. Keep my toenails painted. I don't find any of that a hassle.

The stuff I do find a hassle, I just don't bother with. Couldn't be arsed painting my fingernails. Very rarely blow-dry my hair. Hell, I only wash it about twice a week because I just hate the entire process.

I live in heels, the higher the better. Don't actually own a pair of flats. But on a Friday in work I'll be in my baggy jeans and DC skate shoes. When I dress down, I dress like a 14 year old boy. I don't wear skirts or dresses. I've always been a bit of a tomboy, but one who loves make-up and sky-high heels.

I don't think someone who's never worn tan in their life is any superior to someone who likes a bit of St. Sally before they get their pins out. And vice versa. God knows women have enough criticism to be dealing with without having to worry about whether their grooming routine (or lack thereof) is cause for judgement.

MrWalsh

My hair takes minutes to do going out and it looks great - because I bun my own unruly mop and wear a clip on hairpiece. Instant gorgeous smooth locks and people always comment how they hadnt realised my hair had gotten so long

Dial Hard

Dial Hard wrote: »

I'm always wary of these threads as I find they can often turn into a bit of a bashing session against women who are perceived as "high maintenance".

And women who don't do the works aren't putting any effort in or are a bit lazy, don't care about their looks, or look professional. Each to their own, if you enjoy the process then keep enjoying it, and vice versa.

We all have a level we're comfortable with, because we're all individuals and one size never really fits all.

leahyl

I have to say, I'm one of those who wears makeup every day and doesn't like to leave the house without it....unless I'm going exercising in the morning, I couldn't be bothered then. But I wear it every day for work.

I'm so used to putting make up on now that it doesn't take me an awful lot of time but sometimes the fake tan does my head in alright - the Sally Hansen transferring to clothes :rolleyes:

I just feel better in myself when I wear makeup, it's not that I have awful skin, I just feel I look better with it.

Taboola

leahyl wrote: »

I have to say, I'm one of those who wears makeup every day and doesn't like to leave the house without it....unless I'm going exercising in the morning, I couldn't be bothered then. But I wear it every day for work.

I'm so used to putting make up on now that it doesn't take me an awful lot of time but sometimes the fake tan does my head in alright - the Sally Hansen transferring to clothes :rolleyes:

I just feel better in myself when I wear makeup, it's not that I have awful skin, I just feel I look better with it.

I'm somewhat similar. I wear makeup almost everyday in work. On the days that I don't wear it I feel very 'ugh' and a bit scruffy looking and oddly I look a lot younger without it but not in a good way (when someone calls to the house I've been asked if my parents are at home). If I was going to the gym or just to the shop to get milk I wouldn't bother with makeup but if I get up in the morning and know i'm going to be heading somewhere, I put it on.

I'm lucky in that it's a very casual work environment that I work in and there's a few girls who would never wear makeup but also a few that you'd never see without it. I fall somewhere in between them.

I put tan on every couple of weeks or so because I look like a vampire and even with tan I find it hard to find a foundation to match.

I would love to be able to wear heels all the time but I've tried too many times and can't deal with the pain of sore feet.

ancapailldorcha

Dial Hard wrote: »

I'm always wary of these threads as I find they can often turn into a bit of a bashing session against women who are perceived as "high maintenance".

That's an awful shame. Most of the people in my last workplace were women so I ended up talking to them quite a lot. I couldn't believe the amount of effort some of them were putting into their appearance.

Dial Hard

Dial Hard wrote: »

I'm always wary of these threads as I find they can often turn into a bit of a bashing session against women who are perceived as "high maintenance".
.

Ah no. I think it'd be great to look as polished and all as a lot of women do. And to be able to wear heels. And all that. Just sometimes at least!

I'm fairly low maintenance (I think!). I wear make up at work alright. Foundation, mascara and a bit of bronzer. Looks very natural and takes 5 minutes! On my days off I rarely wear makeup. When I go out I might add a bit of eye shower and lipstick. Some girls I know wear loads of makeup everyday, I just don't know where they get the time in the morning! Maybe I enjoy my sleep too much.

My hair is also very low maintenance. It's quite straight and blonde. I highlight it twice a year to lighten it up a bit. Fake tan is one thing I just don't have the patience for. It almost always turns out streaky on me. Even the gradual tanners. Cannot be arsed! I probably wear it about 3-4 times a year. I have a natural tan (from the sun!) at the moment anyway. I don't hate fake tan, it looks nice on some people. I just cannot be bothered really and and the streaks annoy me.

I don't own a pair of heels. I do actually love heels, though! And I am very jealous of girls that can wear them. They just hurt me too much. Not worth it. I am almost 5'10" so never "needed" the extra height.

I do get shellac nails done every so often, because they look nice! Never even filed my nails up until this year (I'm 26!), so that's a new thing. Started getting my eyebrows waxed and tinted in the last couple of years. Didn't realise how much of a difference it would make until I got it done. My eyebrows are naturally see through.. One thing I'm guilty of is rarely shaving my legs. I can never see the hair anyway so I just kind of forgot about them. My OH did mention it when we started going out, but don't think he cares anymore

Some of the girls at work were going through their beauty regimes the other day. They were going on about buying serums etc for over €100 a pop! That's something I'll never understand. But each to their own. I believe the most important thing for your skin is sunscreen, but neither of them said they use it.

Mozzeltoff

Was always a sort of a low maintenance gal when I was younger. Couldn't give a flying fiddlers about my appearance. You either liked me as I was or you didn't. Always wore jeans, band t shirts/hoodies and converse. As far as make up went, it was just eye liner and eye shadow. Pretty much a tom boy until my early twenties anyway :pac:

As I got older though I did start wearing foundation and powder but only if I was going out. I used to have really long hair but I just chopped it all off, got an undercut and it's staying short for the foreseeable future. I just don't have the patience for long hair anymore!!

In the last few years I have bought myself some "nicer" clothes. Big fan of the fifties prom dresses and I am planning on buying a few more when I get the money together

I still live in flats though, my feet are absolutely wrecked from my work boots and I honestly couldn't put myself through the agony of wearing heels. I'd love to be able to wear them!! I bought a pair of high heeled boots for a wedding back in March and as much as I love them I can't wear them. I wasn't even able to wear them the whole day of the wedding!

I suppose I would still be considered "low maintenance". I don't doll myself up everyday (I can't anyway, not for work) but every now and again I like to look nice. Makes me feel good about myself And isn't that the whole point?