how did I get to look so old!!!

[sntm]

I was at the local day spa to buy gift certificates for our daycare providers and was looking at the lovely, clear-skinned, well-groomed employees there and then caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and was shocked! I look way too old to be only 28! Washed-out, wrinkly, drawn. And it can't be the light because everyone else looked wonderful. Totally blew the usual ego-boost of a new haircut.

BTW, totally not fishing for compliments. Am being dead-on serious.

Am going to email my mother to tell her to return all of my Christmas gifts and get me a facial.

shannon
not-even-pregnant-yet-overachiever
trying-to-conceive :)
PREGNANT! EDD 6/9/03
mama to Jack 6/6/03

[McQ]

You do not look old! But I know what you mean. Working and caring for a babe is draining on the body. If I could just get a full night's sleep! But the glow of our smiles is wonderful.

Have your mother throw in a massage too!

Allison
~ mommy to Declan 3.24.03

[houseof3boys]

I completely understand. I really need a professional facial right now. I have ordered a bunch of new skin care products since when I look in the mirror I see an old lady!

I've never seen you in person Shan, but I did see the J. Lo pic and you are certainly not washed out my dear.

[newbelly2002]

J. Lo pic? Now I'm curious...

I think sometimes it's less about how we look than what we see. When we look in the mirror we see a mama, a partner, a doctor/accountant/artist etc, a whole lot more than most of those 21 year-olds standing behind the counter. And each of those facets takes a little bit out of you. Not to mention that I imagine the spa (and I can picture the one you're talking about, just can't remember the name) probably selects employees who visually "support" their services and ammenities. In other words, the help gets paid to look good. You get paid to save people's lives.

But that said, I too cringe when I walk by the mirror and see a woman with hair strands falling in her face, pockets half untucked and spilling with kleenex, with a sippy cup in one hand and a squirming babe in the other. Not exactly, the cool facade I like to envision when the spotlight *isn't* on.

Chin up, my dear, and a lovely chin it is.

And by the way what does a facial do? I've never had one after hearing that they can make you break out. Are they worth the money? What do you do? What do you look for?

Paula
Mama to Dante, 8/1/02

[jmofarrill]

Hey, Shannon, one more post to make it to 1000! LOL

Since you said you didn't want compliments, I'll just say that I completely understand about comparing your looks to those you're around and finding yourself lacking. I think I look so frumpy for a 27 yo; I have been debating handing my entire wardrobe, hair, and makeup over to Stacey and Clinton from What Not To Wear, and letting them have their way with me. My clothes are so BLAH, I have a nice haircut but don't USE it, and I am clueless when it comes to applying makeup.

Some days I don't bother looking in the mirror because my self-esteem is so high and I feel like I look great, so I don't want to be brought down by looking at myself in the mirror! LOL Maybe that's the trick; decide you look beautiful and then don't spoil it by looking at yourself! :D

[parkersmama]

Debbi, you are so not an old lady!! You are just adorable! I was so jealous when I met you because you seem so totally put together and with-it! :)

[parkersmama]

I certainly know what you mean! I hate days when I'm feeling pretty good (for a 34-year-old!) about myself and then I catch an unflattering glimpse in the mirror. What a drag on the self-image! Maybe we should just banish mirrors! Then, we might all look like crap but at least we wouldn't know it! LOL!

[lukkykatt]

I know what you mean! I got ready this morning in my usual 10 minutes and put on foundation but no blush. When I saw myself I looked so haggard and drawn - no wonder everyone seems to be calling me M'AM now!

PS: The people who work at the day spa probably have nothing better to do all day then try out new products and give facials to each other. That is not a fair comparison!

[mharling]

Michelle -
I think you are my twin in the hair, makeup & clothing arena. I would actually jump at the chance to go on What Not To Wear. I see people dressed nice and think, hmm, I could do that. But then when I go shopping, I just can't put it into practice. Dh did grant me spree a few weeks a go and I got some new, fun dressier clothes. But my everyday stuff is BORING! Same thing with my hair as you too - I found a woman I LOVE and when I leave it looks fabulous. I get great haircuts, but you'd never know it when you see me. Makeup, yep, pretty clueless there too. You're not alone!!! Maybe we should go on A Makeover Story together. :)

Mary & Lane 4/6/03
http://www.shutterfly.com/osnt.jsp?i=67b0de21b356c32425b2 - Halloween Pics!

[pale_ale]

OK, here's a product that I LOVE that makes me feel like I look better - even while wrangling with my 15 mo. old and my 9-week old - it's the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit. I was NEVER a concealer user - bought this set on a whim just before DD2 was born this fall. I think the secret is the powder. Also -- doesn't make other make-up run or crease. Maybe a fun holiday gift to yourself after you get a facial?

Becky

with Shelby 9/19/02 and Sydney 10/16/03

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

First of all everyone I've met on the boards is beautiful so I have to say that. But Mrs Andrea looks like a teenager, and has the prettiest complexion I have ever seen, she's so pretty, I'd kill for her complexion :)
Neve
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[newbelly2002]

"foundation but no blush..."

Heck, that IS dressed up for me. If I get chapstick on and my hair brushed I consider that a successful day! And hearing all of your ages, I'm realizing that I AM an old lady.

Paula
Mama to Dante, 8/1/02

[houseof3boys]

Paula the J. Lo pic is Jack's Halloween picture that Shannon was in with some J. Lo sunglasses on and she is just gorgeous!

A good facial is a wonderful thing. There are so many different kinds these days as it really depends on your skin type. Normally, they assess your skin and then decide on the products. For me, I have fairly dry skin but have some icky blackheads on my nose so a facial .....let's just say.....gets all of them out. They slather and steam and put hot towels on your face and can really make a difference in your skin. I personally have never broken out from a facial but it could happen if they used something on your skin that it didn't agree with or if they were too rough with extraction then you would be as red as a beet! The key to a good facial is a good facialist like anything else and I would go on someone's recommendation or perhaps a spa or person that was voted best of the year. Allure magazine seems to do write ups on this kind of thing too in large cities across the country. I would think you being the jetsetter in Europe would have a plethora of lovely places to choose from too. :)

[Sarah1]

I TOTALLY get everybody who's using the words "haggard" and "drawn". I never used to wear makeup, but now I almost never leave the house without putting concealer on!

But I agree that we are also our own worst critics. I try to avoid looking in the mirror too much!!!!! Especially with bad lighting. UGH.

[lukkykatt]

Aw Neve, I don't need blush with you saying things like that! :) And I'll have you know that when you saw me, I had on full make up - almost unheard of anymore!

And Paula, foundation but no blush IS a good day for me, which is why I was sad when I saw how I looked. I said on the the bitching post that "clean" is my new makeup. As in, if I have taken a shower and am wearing clean clothes, I am feeling rather proud of myself.

But you can bet your bippy that I ran right out and bought the BB concealer today while at the mall (Ha! When am I going to have time to put that on, anyway?) in the hopes that it will improve my situation. And no, the saleswoman did not say "Why on earth would you think you need THIS?" :)

[MamaKath]

{{{{Hugs}}}} I sooooo understand! My hair never looks done these days, my skin is having an awful adjustment to the air here, I break out, I am getting wrinkles?!?!?!? My glasses broke yesterday, and I had a teary phone conversation with dh that went somethign along the lines of "I have had a fever for 4 days, I am sick and miserable! I haven't gone to work out in so long! My hair looks awful, my skin looks awful, oh and my glasses broke, so now they look awful too!" I can't beleive my dh didn't just bust out laughing. After 5 days of flu, I am not getting better looking either. :-( Maybe our next big mommy get together should be mommies getting facials, daddies and babies hanging out talking man talk!?!?

[heva]

Just saw your post now, Shannon - YOUR NEW HAIRCUT IS GORGEOUS! Sorry I didn't mention it yesterday when I saw you...I did notice, just too distracted with our beautiful boys hanging around...