This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
This year I turned se….se…..seventy one (apologies, it’s still extremely hard for me to write that enormous number out loud). Lots of things have speeded up as I have got older (sadly not wiser) for example: time. Days, weeks and months literally fly by. Like, where did 2022 go? I can hardly believe it will soon be Autumn. But there is definitely one thing that doesn’t flash by – the older I become, the longer it takes to make myself presentable before I start my day.
Fact: I look dreadful when I wake up. My hair is sticking up all over the place, my wrinkles deeper and more prolific than the day before, and the bags under my eyes are like mini balloons.
Staggering to the bathroom, I start my morning routine. Luckily I have had my eyebrows tattooed (semi-permanent) which saves having to pencil them in like I used to. Really recommend having this (more or less) painless procedure – see Bumble’s post on what/how/why here.
First flossing and cleaning my teeth and slapping on serum and SPF moisturiser (face and neck). Then taming that hair I mentioned earlier by popping it in sticky rollers with a hefty spray of Elnett Extra Strong Hold to give my limp locks some body. Next squeezing into a neck-to-knee bodyshaper and pulling on my trusty jeans. By now I am out of breath and gasping for my first Oatly barista latte of the day.
But that’s not the end of it of course. There are still so many other maintenance procedures to carry out aren’t there? Every now and then I have to bleach my moustache, sand my heels, pluck stray eyebrows / nose hairs, and have a wax here and there. Then there’s manicures and pedicures (which I now do myself at home as so much cheaper… that is until I can’t reach my toes any more) and a tiny bit of Botox (no, not self medicated!)
Of course I don’t feel old – I just look old. Despite knowing this, when I pluck up courage to look in the mirror, I don’t seem to see the wrinkles or jowls – must be some sort of psychological defence mechanism which causes my vision to auto soft focus every time I peer at myself!
Rather fortuitously I have, over my many years, worked out how to apply my make up in the incredibly quick time of 4 minutes. Here is my simple routine:
- Apply serum to my eyelashes and eyebrows The Ordinary £12.40
- Undercoat my eyelashes (makes sparse thin lashes look sumptuous!) Clinique £19
- Apply concealer around my eyes and blend with a stubby brush. More info
- Blend blusher across upper cheeks for some much needed radiance/colour Stila £18
- Define my eyes by applying a thin line of VB Satin Kajal Liner and use the sponge to blend. £26
- Apply mascara Violet Jordan Volumizer £18
- Put on my fave lippie – usually don’t need to re-apply for the whole day. Thank you Look Fabulous Forever for Stay All Day Lasting Colour Lipstick £24
It can, of course, be tempting not to put any make up on at all – especially if a day of housework / washing / ironing beckons. But, because this routine is so quick, I usually do it. You never know who you are going to bump into on your supermarket trip or dog walk! Plus I just feel better the entire day if I spend those four quick little minutes making my face look a bit fresher.
Lots more wellbeing articles can be read here