NOT BUYING IT! 2015 - A consumer holiday

GreyQueen

I think that the trouble with dyeing is that we tend to start it when we're about 10% grey and starting to notice them ourselves, and then keep on, our hair greys-out/ whitens unseen and suddenly we have the ole badger-stripe contrast which looks so startling and causes another run on the dye.... rinse and repeat ad infinitum.

I'm basically a redhead whose hair in adulthood was reddish brown with some copper and gold strands, prone to sunbleaching. So I got lucky when the white hairs started to come in because they looked a bit like highlights for a few years. The summer I was 40 a stranger complimented my on my 'lovely highlights' and just about died of embarrassment when I laughed and told her that they weren't highlights, they were white hairs.

My hair is now about 50% white, with more whites towards the front of my head around my face. Because it's happening slowly, both I and onlookers get used to the changes and I'll eventually pass over the line from greying auburn to white with some auburn bits to just plain white. I do have to say that I am finding the process itself pretty interesting to watch.

Very thick, very strong and pure white hair is a family trait on Dad's side, it's very striking. Most of us leave it as is, that kind of platinum shade would cost a fortune in a hairdressers.:rotfl:

In general, there are very powerful commercial forces trying to make us feel bad about ourselves. There's no fortune to be made from well-adjusted contented people who look happily into the mirror and say to themselves Yup, clean and tidy, rested, combed and washed, I'm happy and ready to face the world.

The beauty industry isn't going to tell you that the best aids to good looks are decent food, good sleep and a contented nature, and the fashion industry won't admit that the most becoming thing to wear is a nice warm smile. The self-help industries won't tell you that the easiest way to be a fascinating conversationalist and all-round popular person is to be a good listener and let people expand on their favourite topic; themselves.

Aril

Hello:D

With regards to hair you really have to do what makes you feel happy I think.

Lovely though it would be to boycott the supermarkets sadly my modest budget doesn't stretch. Increasingly Tesco is withdrawing its everyday range so I respond by getting that item in Sainsburys as I am fortunate in being able to pass both stores en route from different cleaning joblets. I will however, make the effort to get certain items in the basics range from Sainsburys as they are at least fairtrade. Apart from the cost factor by buying the class 2 fruit and veg I hope that I'm supporting the market for less than perfect and making sure that at least some of it gets eaten rather than dumped:mad:

I am just making the very first small inroads into the latest decluttering efforts. A skirt and scarf is going to a friend and a puzzle has been freecycled.

Arilx

katkin

GreyQueen you sound very beautiful and so together! x

I kinda wish we could see pics of each other...maybe for another thread.

GreyQueen wrote: »

In general, there are very powerful commercial forces trying to make us feel bad about ourselves. There's no fortune to be made from well-adjusted contented people who look happily into the mirror and say to themselves Yup, clean and tidy, rested, combed and washed, I'm happy and ready to face the world.

The beauty industry isn't going to tell you that the best aids to good looks are decent food, good sleep and a contented nature, and the fashion industry won't admit that the most becoming thing to wear is a nice warm smile. The self-help industries won't tell you that the easiest way to be a fascinating conversationalist and all-round popular person is to be a good listener and let people expand on their favourite topic; themselves.

Quoted for Truth :money:

Who wants to look like the images peddled to us by advertising and the cosmetic / beauty industry? Let's face it they're homogeneous and pretty similar / boring. Whatever happened to the celebration of individuality and unique natural womanly beauty?

Looks like this ship has us on board plentiful :T

There's no need to make ourselves feel bad though. I'm thinking of it all as "transition" and SLOW BEAUTY :rotfl:

For us scared the vertical blending of natural into grey highlights are a worth considering.

GreyQueen

katkin, I am not, nor have I ever been, at any age, conventionally pretty. Not even unconventionally pretty, in fact.

I do have strong features and smooth skin, which seem to be bearing up well to the effects of aging. In fact, a woman who as known me since I was 5 remarked this year that I'm getting better looking as I get older. It's amusing that I had sort-of noticed this myself. Although I shall never be a pretty or beautiful woman, I could possibly be called a handsome one, if seen on a good day by a kind-hearted individual.:rotfl:

We're all going to look different as we age and trying to stop the clock at how we looked at 15, 25, or 35, or whatever we perceive as our personal salad days, is futile and only going to lead to unhappiness.

People should feel themselves free to do as much or as little titivation of their personal epidermis and wardrobe as they feel comfortable with, without fear that there is a right or a wrong way to look. I just hope that people can learn to step back from some socialised and commercialised habits and question their motivations.

If you're doing it because it amuses you, because it adds gaiety to your life and makes you happy, that's brilliant. If you're grimly stuck on a hamster-wheel of grooming habits which bore, annoy and improverish you, because you'd feel an ugly freak if you didn't do them, or that your employment/ social status demands these things of you but you HATE every minute of it, then maybe it's time to have a rethink. You only live once, and all that.

When I was in my teens, I derived simple but considerable pleasure from wearing funny-coloured nail polish; black with different glitters, sapphire blue, fluro green or orange, it was part of my identity. I also wore some seriously-wacky clothes, makeup and hairstyles and haircolours not seen in nature unless on a smurf or some similar acrylic-maned toy.

Now that I've matured in my character, I don't need to use extremes to individuate me from the rest of the crowd. In fact, since I strongly suspect I'm a bit weird on the inside, it's best not to draw attention to myself so that I can get on with life and potter about my own business.

I get asked for directions on the street the whole time, so obviously look competant, kind and safe to approach. I feel happy with that as my personal image.

katkin

^

katkin wrote: »

GreyQueen you sound very beautiful and so together! x.

I stand by this quote GreyQueen, you sound extremely beautiful, so very astute, savy and intelligent

Stop being coy and enjoy

After all we're here together on this ship to support each other! You have a lot to teach us x

GreyQueen

katkin wrote: »

^



I stand by this quote GreyQueen, you sound extremely beautiful, so very astute, savy and intelligent

Stop being coy and enjoy

After all we're here together on this ship to support each other! You have a lot to teach us x

Ah, but I know what I look like and you don't, ner ner ner, but thank you for your lovely compliment. I shall have to pootle offline shortly or won't get to sleep tonight, catch all the shipmates tomorrow.

wanders off looking for her hammock in the bilges..........

fairy3

Phew two days later and am all caught up! Spent the weekend away with DD on a frugal trip to Barca, retiree and student so neither of us were splashing the cash even though many attempts were made to seduce us with lots of tat. We booked the apartment and flights separately, ate and shopped locally, took advantage of the free parks, sights and were entertained by the street buskers for a few euros... had lots of fun and have loads of photos.
SMs - am definitely on for this for January and going to catch up on the links, my village (not in Kent and feeling a bit left out!) has two butchers a coop, chemist, post office, greengrocers and deli which is not enough for everything but the nearest town is 3 miles away and has a market and independents so have made a rough plan 'round trip' which with the help of a shopper on wheels should be able to manage. Will aim to use up stocks in January then a two weekly shop to justify using the car as public transport is £4.40 return as this works out cheaper. Also planning on meatless Tuesdays and am collecting recipes from my too big collection of cookery books in an effort to reduce cost of meals for the four adults in the house.
I am in my fifties but my hair looks younger, have very little grey and natural colour is mucky blonde/brown and long so quite low maintenance so not planning on changing that.
Pinksteps - you made me laugh, hope the gold coin slipped out 'unnoticed'.
Another bag of 'stuff' ready for CS, whilst clearing found three presents I had bought in the summer for xmas presents (hangs head) so am clearing a cupboard for the future so all stuff is in one place and has nowhere to hide.
Am agreeing with all the posters who are looking at haggard stressed folks loading up with 'stuff' they (we) don't need with money they can't afford, being grumpy and thinking am so glad I am stepping away from this madness and setting sail on the ship NOBUY.

katkin

GreyQueen wrote: »

Ah, but I know what I look like and you don't, ner ner ner, but thank you for your lovely compliment. I shall have to pootle offline shortly or won't get to sleep tonight, catch all the shipmates tomorrow.

wanders off looking for her hammock in the bilges..........

Har har me hearty - sleep well:A

In my mind you will be as commented! Until the pics comes online hehe

After all we should know what the shipmates look like - no?

Boomfloom

When I was able to work, I was paid well and wasn't frugal at all. I used to leave about 50 quid in Boots every fortnight. Now I am down to value soap and cheap moisturiser and my skin is sooo much happier. I only put make-up on when I leave the house (two times a week or so if when I am feeling relatively well). I am working on weaning myself off it but I wore make-up forever and feel naked without it. My eyes are small and my eyelashes are short and not really visible. Also my skin is oily (while being dry). Any tips how to get over mascara and powder? :rotfl:

My waist-long hair is going grey (I'm 32) but dying is out of question as I'm allergic to PPD. Tried henna on my eyelashes once and it ended up with conjunctivitis. I do splash out on hair oil (£1 about twice a year) and started also oiling my nails as this is meant to make them stronger. No results yet but it's only been a month; on the other hand, all the heavy duty cleaning didn't result in cracked and dried up skin. Also eczema didn't appear on my hands (tho it's rife on my arms) so perhaps I am onto something.

I am two days away from concluding my month-long end-of-the-year cleanup. About ten bags to charity, one to MIL and about 20 of rubbish (we have communal bins that get emptied twice a week). It feels great - every nook and cranny is clean (or will be soon), everything is easily accessible and there are no guilt or regret inducing objects left. Also, no desire to fill up the empty spaces. Weekly cleaning will be much easier.

I am in very high spirits as managed to slash nearly 30% off my broadband price and found out I can get pork trotters at my monthly farmers market (£2 for 4!). Normally, I don't even go there because they are twice the price of supermarkets and I cannot afford it. The trotters will be my reward for using only 85% of my Christmas and Hogmanay budget. As Papa Ingalls used to say "There is no better feeling than a good job well done."

Slowdown

lobbyludd wrote: »

I've a box of dye in the bathroom that I haven't got round to applying for nearly a year now, I should probably just release it.

:Ti absolutely love the idea of 'releasing'this product. It sounds like the stuff we accumulate feels as trapped as the people buying it!

I love it and hence my 'Guiding Light' #6 - I will release all trapped and distressed clutter from my home and set it free to find greater happiness and independence elsewhere.

Thanks for that, you've cheered up my day already

Kind regards
Slowdown