Sunday, March 11, 2007

Priorities

Once, I thought nothing of spending the best part of £100 on having my hair done, or £40+ on a pot of face cream that promised to make me glow like a supermodel. I was intimately acquainted with the contents of Boots’ skincare shelves and could spot a new arrival at 50 paces. Each month, I bought armfuls of thick, glossy magazines, which contained pictures of stick-thin models and the odd article hiding amid the glamorous aspirational advertisements.

That was in my 20s. Now, in my 30s, I am a true suicide blonde, my anti-wrinkle cream costs a tenner and I don’t shop for a hobby. I am no longer a Cosmo or an Elle girl (although the occasional copy of Grazia goes through the checkout with the bread and butter). Now, I consider it obscene that I spent half a month’s livery or almost a week’s petrol money (I have a long commute) on a jar of moisturiser that smelled divine but was so rich that it brought me out in spots.

Funnily enough, my hair looks just as good as it ever did and my skin is much better. Stopping smoking and plenty of fresh air is more productive than praying for a miracle in a jar. I won’t get fooled again.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Older women are far sexier than 20 somethings anyway, just look at Martha Kearney or Helen Mirren.

Of course, us blokes get to have a guilt complex about these things today as well - look at the amount of money spent on 'Nivea for Men' ads...

And even 'Creme de la Mer' is being marketed to men as well... Of course, one look at that trollop that Gav 'the chav' Henson ended up with will tell you all you need to know about the wisdom of going down that 'metrosexual' road...

Anonymous said...

What is that lovely picture ? It looks old, but that might be deceptive ? Eyecatching...

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

If you click on the picture, it will take you to the source. It's a Russian artist, 1920s, I believe.

Big Chip Dale said...

I don't believe in any of that stuff, especially for men. It's only a way to get money out of us. Body oil is the only thing I need and that's a professional requirement.

Arthur Clewley said...

there speaks a true country girl: horse first, then car, then herself. I'm sure you look great with or without a hundred quids worth of stuff on you M&M

I probably spend even less than chip on these things. I don't think there's anything on the market that would make me beautiful and I can't even claim body oil as a tax deduction like he can.

Gone said...

Ah a good old dose of commensense, you are to be commended.
I am however disappointed that you missed the opportunity to link "Wont get fooled again" into the Who track, I could almost hear it as I read it.

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

Grocer, I was thinking of that song when I was blogging. I personally prefer I can see for miles . They're on tour this summer I think...

Arthur, thank you as ever for your kind words!

Mutterings and Meanderings said...

PS Check out the new link at the end...