Botox anyone?

[shootingstar]

being said we are our worst critics, and I didn't like the angry look I was developing since I lost weight.

It's an "interesting" problem. Would be interested (out of curiosity) in learning, for those who lost significant weight, how it changed the natural visage/expression on one's face.

[shootingstar]

Sure, I used to wear make-up more often, but last 6-8 yrs. it's very rare. My face lines are more accentuated when I wear make-up and after several hrs. of foundation on face, I actually feel more tired. That is the last thing I want to feel as I get older but am still active.

Wierd as this may seem, I actually aim to have my haircut at a short length especially during cycling seasons, so that I don't have to drag along a curling iron or blow dryer..in my bike pannier on touring trips. I got fed up cycling up 10% grade hills loaded down with the thought, that some of that extra weight, was a hair appliance.

So yes, I'm pretty lazy about the make-up/face thing these days. About my weight, yes, of course I care... enough that I pay attention in a half absent-minded way about what I eat, exercise, etc. People have said to me, well you've never had to lose weight in a significant way. Are you kiddin' me? To maintain a fit healthy weight over several decades...takes some effort and mindfulness. Especially when one's metabolism naturally slows down with age. Weight control doesn't happen just magically....especially when one is over 25-30 yrs. old. (Am 53)

So yea, my weight control is probably the strongest evidence of self-vanity and health.

Happy cycling BarbaraJo and welcome.

[tzvia]

Whatever floats your boat, I say. If the end result is you look at yourself in the mirror, or by whatever yardstick you use, and you are happy with it then great.

I never wore makeup. Really oily skin until I was in my forties (I'm 52 and still struggle with pimples like a teenager) and reactions to some things in makeup (still have to read the ingredients in deodorant or I will get the worst rash) made me shy away early on in life. And when I saw a photo of, of all people, Ronald Regan at his ranch cutting trees, all pruned out in the face and neck, and baby butt smooth on the chest- I went AH HAAA!. No sun exposure for my pasty white skin! I was unfortunate and got my father's Russian skin and not my mother's middle eastern olive skin. So while my friends all went to tan at the beach, I slathered sunblock on and have lived my life as a colorless ghost (look at my avatar- my skin reflects like the moon). Now they are wrinkled, while I have yet to pick up anything more than a few small 'laugh lines' around the eyes.

No Botox for me. I use olive oil cleanser and natural soaps and moisturizers. Shea butter with frankincense and myrrh is wonderful. Besides, all my spare coin goes to bike stuff .

[Selkie]

Wearing make up apparently improves my appearance, as evidenced by the reaction I got when a friend gave me a "makeover" in college.

So for six hours in my life, I was a man magnet!

Foundation, lipstick, and blush gave me zits, so that was a non-starter. if I wore mascara/eye shadow during my younger years, I would forget I had it on and smear it so I looked like the victim of a bar fight.

I currently don't own any makeup, either, and since I start my day from the swimming pool locker room, I shower and go. To style my hair, I comb and shake it like a wet dog.