“I put on makeup even if I am home, alone”

Me too. I dress daily knowing that there is always the chance of an emergency. I want to look cute if a helicopter has to rescue me from a roof and there are cameras watching while I am lifted up in a basket.

Plus I really am more productive when dressed.

Too funny Maddielee! I’m the same way; nothing wrong with looking good! 😊

It is psychological for me, to get dressed and put on makeup-to get things done. Putting on makeup to me, is even some days just mascara, blush and tinted lip balm. I have never been one to lounge in PJ's all day.

Ollie, on this we can agree. I'm an early riser and getting dressed and ready to meet the day feels like a modicum of control. I know that's somewhat illusory, but it feels good.

Oh, geez, I’ve missed a lot in the last day or two! This went way farther afield than I thought it would and that poor woman in the original picture has had a terrible facelift, although she looks a little sunnier now.

As Flylady says 'Getting dressed all the way to your shoes'. I do that also (after my coffee).

Maddielee! ❤️

Makeup brings joy to my life. The proccess of selecting colors, the application, and prancing around all made up draws me in. I don't care if my full face might not be appropriate. I do it because I love it. So if you ever come across a middle aged lady too made up for whatever the situation might be you can just assume it's Friday.

All this talk aboutbmakeup. I really want to address all my age spots. I’m too chicken to do laser.

Studies have shown people are more productive when dressed. Casual Friday only works if it's not too casual

In the 1970s based on a hint from Heloise my mother went on a thriftiness kick and would cut one leg off a pair of panty hose if it had a run in it, and then wait until she had a one-legged pair for the opposite leg. So she would have two "pants" part on. (This as well as a lot of foundation garments, my mom was fully strapped in at all times).

When my dad found out she was doing the panty hose thing he said please stop doing this: for one thing if you got in an accident, how many layers of things do you want them to have to cut through and for another thing, what kind of miser do you think I will look like if they find out you are forced to wear two half pairs of panty hose. Please just throw the run ones away.

Pal 😂

Hints from Heloise! That really takes me back.

Fully strapped in.

😂

Lol Pal--I remember my grandmother following that panty hose hack! Decent panty hose weren't cheap in those days, so I do think it made some sense. Thanks for the memory!

Eld, me too. I used hydroquinone for several months with hardly any change.

KSWL, yes we do have that tendency!

Sueb, I have also tried quite a few very expensive otc and nothing:(

i wear makeup always have and alway will and all my friends do too. BTW i’m from the Cape!

Gasp, cran.

@eld6161 and Sueb20 (it won’t tag you, Sue) I have an appointment for my first laser treatment in 2.5 weeks. I’m getting it for rosacea, but I understand it works for hyperpigmentation, too. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Bbstx, yes please start a thread and let us know how it goes!

I don’t wear makeup, do my nails, etc to impress anyone else or because of social pressure. And I won't stop doing these things due to social pressure of another sort.

I sometimes feel judged by some that get their nails done because I do not. Basically it has been people that do tips or fake nails. I am not sure what they are called nowdays. While I do not care for fake nails or designs on nails, I would not voice my opinion if the thought crossed my mind. I did gel on hands and toes for several months. My nails got so thin, it took months for them to repair themselves. The one time I had my nails done with regular polish I made it 2 miles down the road before I messed up all the fingers on one hand.

I was having a conversation with DD2 and her DH last weekend. It sounded like she's interested in getting another tattoo. She has a word in script on the underside of her wrist and a beautiful tone on tone (light to medium grey) on her upper inside arm. I think I shocked her last year when I said I had been thinking about getting a word on my wrist, but couldn't decide what word to do (I like hers and it would also be meaningful for me). I mentioned a small silhouette design on my ankle. I cannot say for certain that I will do, but never say never. She is having her ears repierced (allergies to most metals) this weekend, and I said too bad it wasn't last weekend, since I wanted to get a helix piercing. I think that one shocked her. LOL

I do my own manicures and pedicures, I don’t go to a salon.

ETA: I can’t wear fake nails … I tried them once in my 20s and they lasted less than a day working in the barn.

Oh boy, we've moved on to tattoos. Getting my popcorn ready.

I got a tattoo when I turned 40 (after obsessing for about 2 years), when I turned 50, and I am getting another when I turn 60. And, I guess, when I turn 70, 80, and 90.

DDIL wanted me to get a helix piercing with her last year but I just can't. The idea of piercing that part of my ear somehow just sounds too painful. And I already have 3 piercings on each ear!

Allison, both my DD’s have tattoos. One has one, the three. One DD had her nose pierced and when younger had a naval piercing which she let close up.

While I haven't done anything edgy myself, I enjoy seeing things on others, especially older women.

I have my personal opinion on how much is too much. I think any adornment can be appreciated when in moderation. For me, too much becomes a distraction and I find it hard to concentrate on the person themselves when having a conversation.

Jilly, I also don’t get regular manicures. Like Allison, my nails dry out become brittle, so I save it for when I have a special occasion or event.

I usually have clear polish (good ’ole Sally Hansen) on my fingernails, but always have a color on my toenails. I do a lot of yard work … so although I like colors on my fingernails, it doesn’t last long.

I plan on getting a tattoo someday. DD has three, her first one as a tribute to her dad.

I once had an eyebrow piercing, but had to remove it for a new job. I did get a lot of judgement from a few relatives for the piercing.

I feel a need to clarify, as I think I offend my southern New England cousins, which was not my intent. When I say "make up" I don't mean mascara or some lip gloss, I mean the full face treatment, contours, foundations, tinting, whatever it's all called, lipstick, eyeshadow, fake eyelashes and all the accoutrements, it's just not common where I'm from, which is rural Northern New England. Urban New England is different, and I'm not trying to negate anyone's observations, just offering my own. I'm also what they call "outdoorsy" and I have always run with an outdoorsy crowd, so that could be part of it as well.

No manicures for me. Not that I disapprove, just that my nails are so carpy that it would be a waste of money. I keep them filed short and apply a clear strengthening polish. I even repair a couple that split with the old teabag paper trick.

I have toyed with the idea of a tattoo for years and, if I could decide on what it would be, I'd do it. I think the main reason I dither is that, at 79 in less than a week, I'm running out of smooth skin. They look great on smooth, taut skin. I wouldn't get one where it was always covered by clothes because I don't see the point.

My ink, which is plentiful, is usually covered. It's for my own enjoyment, and I do enjoy having it. I'm contemplating more, but undecided for now. My tattoos are simply a part of me and I don't even think about them being there most of the time. I also don't give two hoots what anyone else may think of my ink or of me for having it. I'm way past that point by now.

I've started getting regular professional manicures again and like knowing that my hands look their best. Since I'm still working and my hands are on constant "display", this is something that's important to me.

Happy almost birthday Bunny!

Thank you, Mtn. <3

Another DIYer here wrt mani/pedis. I was taught in Jr. HS - we had grooming/hygiene lessons in Home Ec, and in the 70s/80s, fashion magazines actually offered instructions as well. I also don't paint my fingers, just toes, and for a similar reason - I work with my hands and any polish other than clear just gets mangled.

It's interesting to me how it's become such an industry now - even little girls get their nails done at nail salons, which seem to be everywhere.

When you really ponder it, it just all seems so trivial, but many, many people take it very seriously.

Very true Carol.

I have a friend who gets mani/ pedi’s every week. She has her favorite tech and a sceduled appointment. That said, this same friend wears make up and always has her hair in place.

I think I realized how big the industry had become when men started becoming nail techs.

Lots of money in all the fancy procedures.

I get regular pedicures . Not so regular manicures as I keep my nails shorter and use clear polish. I had high hopes for the gel like decal polish stickers that are trimmed to fit, pressed on and cured with a UV light. Got all the junk from Azone, tried it once and threw it all away. It looked terrible so I am going back to clear polish with the occasional pro job.

I can do my own manicures/pedicures. I get bored or in a rush when having a professional one LOL. Also like others, I love gardening, etc. and polish does not stay pretty long. I like the kur illumination polish.

As for tattoos, it's a no go for me, but I enjoy looking at others and hearing the stories behind them. I've also never wanted anything other than my regular (one hole) pierced ears. But that's my choice. It doesn't bother me if others want something different. Years ago, when I was working, we had a young woman who would come into our department occasionally. She had so many piercings on her face, it almost "hurt" me to look at them. We found out some time later that she had been sexually abused and chose the piercings in hopes that it would deter others being attracted to her. It was so sad; she was such a nice young woman. I do find it hard to look/talk face to face with someone who has facial tattoos/piercings. I feel like I shouldn't let my eyes wander, if that makes any sense.

Lake, true -- I don't know anyone here who does "the full face treatment, contours, foundations, tinting, whatever it's all called, lipstick, eyeshadow, fake eyelashes and all the accoutrements." I was convinced to get fake eyelashes for DS wedding but because of drama w/ DD getting sick that day, I missed the whole hair and makeup session. I was really curious to see what would happen when a southern makeup artist attacked my face and hair! Instead, I showed up as as my usual plain self. Oh well! I did have glitter on my face for Mardi Gras, thanks to DDIL.

Forgot to mention, I looove getting my nails done. I never got a manicure until I was over 40. I like keeping my nails fairly short and square-ish with neutral polish (Essie Mademoiselle is my go-to) but I hate, hate, hate, cutting and filing my own nails. It's like, well, nails on a chalkboard to me. I don't have a regular routine of manicures, but I get one usually at least once a month. $20 very well spent IMO.

Same as Tina here - no tats, one hole in each earlobe, that's it - just not my thing.

FWIW, I understand that some people with PTSD get extensive tattoos and piercings as a form of relief. I've heard vets say that it helped them deal with their feelings of survivor's guilt.

I have a manicure and pedicure once a month. I have very fragile fingernails. I keep them short and polish free. I wear polish on my toes in the summer months, but I give them a rest in the winter. Even though I don’t get polish, I still love having someone shape my nails and tend to my cuticles.

DH was ready to go out, so I was stopped short from commenting on the original question. Personally, I would not wear what the lady is wearing, but I don't mind seeing someone dressed like that as long as the outfit covers - this includes when bending over, sitting down, raising arms or getting out of the car. Previously DH and I both saw a mid-20s gal get out of the backseat of a car, and her dress was so short, we both saw her underwear and more bottom than I cared to see.

At lunch today, a vacationing group of young ladies (could have been a bridesmaid wedding party) wearing matching sweatshirts. They went in pairs to the restroom while I ate, and a couple had on stretchy shorts that were not only so short, but skin tight - so much so, that they rode deep into the crack. Lovely.

DD2 had a belly ring at one point. She also had a nose piercing (a teensy stud) for about a day. My mother paid her to remove. LOL DS has a lot of tattoos - large and colorful. Arms, legs and I believe his back (according to DGD1). They are in locations that can be covered for work meetings, if necessary.

I really like this woman’s attitude about fashion and age:

https://people.com/lyn-slater-accidental-icon-memoir-excerpt-exclusive-8606360

What a dull world it would be if we all felt we must maintain a sort of visual sameness. Some prefer a more conservative look. Some do not. There are myriad reasons for why we choose to adorn our physical selves as we do. We are wise not to believe we know another's story simply by looking.

Jilly, thank you for sharing that link!

Oh yeah I don’t think I had a manicure or pedicure until I was probably 35! I am horrible at shaping nails and my cuticles grow huge, so a manicure is great. I don’t have super long nails, and I usually just do regular polish though I will do gel manicure for travel sometimes. I love the foot massge with pedicures. I’ve asked DH to join me for a pedicure, but he’s not interested nor is MIL in joining me for either so I just go alone.

No tattoos. We are probably the only un-tatooed people at any rock show we go to LOL. I would definitely get something of all my cats if I did. I’ve seen some super cool ones of cats, either line draws or something really whimsical or realistic.

My only bodily adornment is for one set of earrings. i have enough trouble picking out one pair of earrings each day, never mind multiple pairs! I had never even heard the term helix piercing until I read this thread. (It sounds painful.) Your cartilage continues to grow as you age (ears and nose) and when my lobes get noticeably droopy I will have a jeweler remake my favorite earrings into clip ons. They’ve just started to droop a little, the hole looks like a vertical slit now so I no longer wear my heaviest earrings.

I have three holes in each earlobe, but the middle and back ones always have small silver rings that I never take out except to polish.

I used a new blue polish today, but napping NOC wasn’t impressed:

Nice nails, Jilly!

Ok, perfect nails! Are you a hand model on the side???

Thank you, ladies! I almost didn’t post, my fingers get puffy sometimes from arthritis. :/