How vain are you?

I'm very vain, I think. I've always been very uncomfortable in my skin and use makeup as a disguise more than anything else.

So it's the whole shebang for me: foundation, powder, lippy, eyeshadow, a bit of kohl maybe, hair dye (although I'm not grey), nails (I do my own).

I don't do my feet much as I don't wear sandals.

It takes me about 40 mins to get ready (including shower, moisturize, application).

I bathe regularly & wash my hair every few days & that's about it. I've suffered all my adult life with on & off depression & it never seemed worth doing anything else so I'm stuck in a rut. I have tried make up & stuff but no-one seems to notice so why bother?

What is the difference between vanity and making the best of what you've got? It depends on where you draw the line (or wrinkle). I would never consider cosmetic surgery, but I do carefully apply make up everyday, exercise and select clothes that flatter me.

Just decided I'm a big girl now and having my hair cut every four weeks instead of panicking at the last moment when going somewhere special. After reading all the posts, I'm about to make an appointment to have toenails painted. Thanks Gransnet.

I try to be vain but I'm let down the kindness of others who apparently just see this old gal.

I don't like going out without at least some eye makeup on - less bothered about foundation and rarely wear lippy.
I like to dress well when I go out as I feel it is a confidence booster if you feel that you are looking good.
I don't pay enough attention to my hands and nails and have resolved to try to do something about them over the next few weeks.
I am also self conscious about my bingo wings and the prospect of wearing short sleeves or sleeveless tops in the summer months has made me think I need to do a few exercises to try to tone my upper arms.
I don't think any of this is vanity, really, just a case of trying to maintain a halfway decent appearance and feeling of self-worth!

I won't go out with out make up, especially mascara, Iv'e even put mascara on in a moving car [ passenger] after it came off when walking dog, I've told my daughters I want it on after I die, when I was first with my partner i used to get up early in the morning to make sure I had it on before he woke up, , don't bother with that now after 7 yrs, my eye lashes are fair and I look like a marble statue without mascara, I also dye my eyebrows, I feel self conscious without mascara,

Very vain! Hair cut and coloured every month, gel nails, eyelash tint, eyebrow shape, leg and bikini wax every month. Eyelash extensions for holidays, paint my own toenails. Perfume and blow dry hair every day, always mascara and tinted moisturiser.

Not sure actually whether it vanity or self respect? Try to look the
best I can as two jobs both on Reception, one at private hospital and one at beauty salon. Makes me feel more confident if I look the part?

I wear full makeup every day, even when I'm not going out.
Toenails painted only in summer, fingernails never.
Highlights every six months, cut every six weeks.
Remove rough skin on feet in bath.
Moisturise all over daily.
Eyebrows and underarms once a month. Don't bother with legs as they're always covered and anyway only got fine fair hair on them.

I remember someone's description of Barbara Cartland a few years ago as looking like two crows stuck in a chalk cliff! Cruel, but made me laugh.

I try not to wear make up and things as there too many chemicals in products now a days.

I don't wear make up any more as there is too many chemicals in them.

I can't wear make up because of eye sensitivity but I have my hair done every week. I put perfume on most days and feel that getting dressed is enough effort on a normal day.

I get my hair trimmed every three weeks, put light make-up on after my morning shower and I always use perfume, I don't think I'm vain and this is my routine whether I am seeing anyone or not, I do it for my own self esteem looking in a mirror and seeing a dowdy old woman would just depress me, I wouldn't go down the plastic surgery route but I believe in making the best of what you were given.
I'm 83 and hope I will always feel this way.

Whats wrong with looking after yourself I have a facial every month hair done each week paint toe and finger nails love expensive perfume and im getting very close to eighty lucky enough to have stayed slim so my advice is go for it

Most days I just slap on some day cream. Makes my face feel pampered. Only bother with makeup occasionally. Although a bit of blusher helps.

I am allergic to make up so only wear it in the evenings if I go out or , in the day, to a big occasion like a wedding. However, I use a variety of face creams, exercise and watch my weight to the point of obsession. I would have a facelift in the twinkling of an eye if I thought I could either afford it or get away with spending the money. However, I suspect that this would be a hole in the budget I couldn't paper over!

Maybe I'll paper over my saggy face instead!

I get my hair cut every couple of months. No hair dye/highlights because so far, I've kept my own colour with just a sprinkle of grey.

I get eyebrows waxed every couple of months and tidy them myself in between. Luckily I don't have much body hair. I get an eyelash tint for high days & holidays as I can't wear mascara, and also gel nails for hands and toes.

I wear foundation, eyeliner/shadow, lipstick and perfume when I go out. A piece of nice costume jewellery always makes me feel 'finished'.

I don't care whether I'm vain or not. It pleases me to do such things, so I do them!

I bought a kit and tried to dye my eyelashes last weekend. It didn't work at all, and ended up in the bin.

I really don't do polished nails I would never be able to do any serious gardening.
I do use a moisturiser and get my hair cut about once a month. It really needs to be short or it is a complete mess. I no longer colour it. There is a fair proportion of black hair still with the silver so it does not look too bad. It would not look right now to go back to the complete black it was.

I get my brows tidied up and a few face hairs zapped as needed.
As for a full make up I always feel I can find better things to do with my day. Just very occasionally if I go out.

I don't use mascara. I have tried but it ends up irritating my eyes. I don't wear perfume as most of it makes my nose stream like a tap.

I will have to scrub the rest of the of the soil from under my finger nails before I go out later.

For people who can't wear make up due to irritants, a friend with shocking eczema has found that Holland & Barrett sell some excellent non-irritating make up.

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/natural-beauty/cosmetics/makeup/#so=sort_topseller&totalNumRecs=102

absent and TwiceAsNice I agree with your comments.

You have false toenails, SueDonim???

I'd like to go about 'au naturel', but I look like the risen dead, with my white face and invisible eyelashes and brows. I can't bear the sight of myself until I've revived my face, and wouldn't dream of imposing it on anyone else! ?

I have always cut and coloured my own hair and keep gas tongs and lipstick in my bag if I am meeting up with friends ,colleagues or family for a meal etc.
I would hate to be without a magnifying mirror and eyebrow tweezers.

It is not vain to look after yourself - it makes you feel better! I always try to make the most of 'what I have been given', so it's a shower immediately on getting up, quick whisk with razor on not very hairy legs, shampoo, then moisturising cream (Nivea Soft is wonderful for all over body, hands and face - done in seconds) little bit of slap (look like a rabbit without any mascara and skin is patchy without a light foundation and v. light use of blusher) then quick blow dry of dead straight hair and possible use of hot brush and that's it for the day - all done in 20 minutes at most. Makes me feel well turned out, and I never look at myself and rarely comb hair in between this brief pamper session and a shower and whisk off of make up before bed. I might add a light lipstick and a spray of something lovely for a special occasion.

Feel strongly that we should be looking outwards, not obsessing about appearance and certainly not taking the dreaded selfies!