topic Re: Early morning routine help in Beauty

Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:56:24 GMT

Ladies,

I need soome help / advise / suggestions.

I am going through the "change" and struggling with sleep, I need to continue to prioritize sleep. I got to bed early (by 8pm) becasue I have to be up at 3:30 to get ready for work (and commute to work)

My questions is, I am over 50 so of course I can't just up and go, I care about my looks and I work in a somewhat professional environment. My hair is past shoulders and I add curls and "style" it each day. it takes me an hour 45min to get ready and it's killing my sleep! This is shower, blow dry, curl, style, wash face, skincare routine, makeup (less than 10min) and getting dressed. I keep trying to find ways to cut this routine so I can get more sleep. When I shower at night it helps some but I don't have time to shower every single night so sometimes I end up having to do that in the morning and it's killing my sleep.

I don't know where I can cut back, my hair takes an easy 20min to blow dry (YES I have a very good/expensive blow dryer) its just my hair is on the thicker side and to curl I need it fully dry.

Do I just start wearing it in a pony? I hate this look on me and in my 24 years of work I've never worn a pony tail to work!! I'm really struggling with now to shave time off getting ready. Do you have suggestions? I would love to hear them. Thank you!!

Re: Early morning routine help

SamBrown — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:02:37 GMT

@SandGirl I can't imagine spending 1 hour and 45 minutes getting ready in the morning. I mean, how bad can someone look? And if someone looks that bad I don't think any amout of time in the mirror is going to help.

Re: Early morning routine help

kaydee50 — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:09:54 GMT

Yipes! Agree with previous poster--1 hr and 45 minutes!! I would cut my hair as short as I felt comfortable with and spend no more than 10 or 15 minutes styling it. I'd rather sleep an extra half hour!! Good luck!

Re: Early morning routine help

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:19:00 GMT

@SandGirl Get a haircut.

I wore my hair long most of my adult life. There was a short period of time when I'd try the neck length flippy style but I'd always grow it back out. Last year, I got it cut short and have had a few different styles but it's still short. These days, it's short on the neck, tapered in back and ears cut out, but longish on top - think pixie, Kris Jenner-ish but not covering my eyes. I love my short style and it's super easy to style with a blow dryer and round brush in just a matter of minutes. I was afraid to cut it but now I wish I had done it years ago.

When I do a full shower to out-the-door, including skincare, full makeup, hair, getting dressed, I'm usually done in about 45-50 mins., unless I'm adding additional jewelry or changing out earrings. Then it's closer to an hour. If full makeup doesn't matter, I'd keep it to foundation, blush, eyeliner, and mascara and shave off some time.

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:12:46 GMT

My shower is like 20min, I have LONG hair, blow drying take almost 30min so 50min of that is just shower and blow dry, doesn't even get me to the actual getting ready part (Curl, style, makeup) My hair is very FINE, no texture in it at all so it doesn't style easy!

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:16:12 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@SandGirl Get a haircut.

I wore my hair long most of my adult life. There was a short period of time when I'd try the neck length flippy style but I'd always grow it back out. Last year, I got it cut short and have had a few different styles but it's still short. These days, it's short on the neck, tapered in back and ears cut out, but longish on top - think pixie, Kris Jenner-ish but not covering my eyes. I love my short style and it's super easy to style with a blow dryer and round brush in just a matter of minutes. I was afraid to cut it but now I wish I had done it years ago.

@JeanLouiseFinch I have thought about this but I have low self esteem and it's gotten worse with my age. My longer hair makes me feel better about myself, I know it sounds silly but it's how I feel. If everything else looks bad, at least I have good hair? For now at least lol My husband also likes it long so I struggle with that as well. I've actually thought about getting wigs just so I can cut out doing my hair in the morning. I know I won't do that but I've thought about it in a laughing way!

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:21:12 GMT

@SamBrown wrote:
@SandGirl I can't imagine spending 1 hour and 45 minutes getting ready in the morning. I mean, how bad can someone look? And if someone looks that bad I don't think any amout of time in the mirror is going to help.

I am in my 50s, I come from the era where we did our hair just "so" and didn't leave the house until we were "put together". Its really hard to undo that habit after over 30 years of doing so. It may sound simple to some but for me, it's what I've always done. My mother was / is the same way. I wish I could rewire myself. I'm trying

Re: Early morning routine help

Iwantcoffee — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:24:12 GMT

Would it work to shower, shampoo, and blow dry your hair the night before and curl you hair and apply makeup in the morning?

Re: Early morning routine help

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:45:13 GMT

@SandGirl wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@SandGirl Get a haircut.

I wore my hair long most of my adult life. There was a short period of time when I'd try the neck length flippy style but I'd always grow it back out. Last year, I got it cut short and have had a few different styles but it's still short. These days, it's short on the neck, tapered in back and ears cut out, but longish on top - think pixie, Kris Jenner-ish but not covering my eyes. I love my short style and it's super easy to style with a blow dryer and round brush in just a matter of minutes. I was afraid to cut it but now I wish I had done it years ago.
@JeanLouiseFinch I have thought about this but I have low self esteem and it's gotten worse with my age. My longer hair makes me feel better about myself, I know it sounds silly but it's how I feel. If everything else looks bad, at least I have good hair? For now at least lol My husband also likes it long so I struggle with that as well. I've actually thought about getting wigs just so I can cut out doing my hair in the morning. I know I won't do that but I've thought about it in a laughing way!

@SandGirl - I get it. I was exactly the same way. I was a major fatty and kind of hid in my Lori Goldstein layers and long hair, but never felt pretty. My husband also prefers long hair. But guess what? He likes my short hair now. I also lost a bunch of weight and now I do feel pretty and stylish. Share your concerns with him. Since he loves you, I think he would/should be supportive.

And remember, if you're not willing to make changes, everything will remain exactly the same. And then it becomes fretting and hand wringing without any resolution. 🤷‍♀️

Re: Early morning routine help

on the bay — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:28:43 GMT

@SandGirl,

I think I can picture your routine because one of my daughters does the same for her hair. Sometimes she will do mine when I feel I can sit that long-usually an hour just as if you were in a salon! It takes a long time but sure looks great afterwards!

Maybe if you don't like ponytails

you could put it in a half ponytail-like just take the sides and clip them up in back?

Also I know you probably will never cut this part out and I understand especially how some feel working outside want to take a shower every single day but how bout a sponge bath type thing? You could still feel just as fresh.

And make sure to put out all your clothes and jewelry the night before. Good luck!

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:32:14 GMT

@Iwantcoffee wrote:
Would it work to shower, shampoo, and blow dry your hair the night before and curl you hair and apply makeup in the morning?

@Iwantcoffee YEP and that is what I am currently doing but after I get home from work, I have about 2 1/2 hours before I have to be in bed, of course I have a LOT to get done in that time frame and sometimes don't have time to shower/blow dry since that alone is about 45-50min total

Re: Early morning routine help

CatsyCline — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:33:26 GMT

Can you just shower in the morning and wash your hair every other day? and find a style where you don't need to curl every day?

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:44:00 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
@SandGirl,
I think I can picture your routine because one of my daughters does the same for her hair. Sometimes she will do mine when I feel I can sit that long-usually an hour just as if you were in a salon! It takes a long time but sure looks great afterwards!

Maybe if you don't like ponytails
you could put it in a half ponytail-like just take the sides and clip them up in back?

Also I know you probably will never cut this part out and I understand especially how some feel working outside want to take a shower every single day but how bout a sponge bath type thing? You could still feel just as fresh.
And make sure to put out all your clothes and jewelry the night before. Good luck!

@on the bay Thank you for being kind and understanding. I cut 5" off my hair in Dec., I am working on getting it shorter however, it's still just above my braline so I really need to work on getting it even shorter, baby steps I guess. I used to have bangs but grew them out, been thinking about going back to them since at that time I could pull my sides up and still have my bangs, I really liked that look. Might have to think about going back to that again.

Thank you for your time and suggestions.

Re: Early morning routine help

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:45:43 GMT

I'm usually ready in 45 minutes start to finish (an hour for dressy occasions). Anything more is a waste of precious time, imo.

Sounds like your hair is the issue. Get a new style that is wash and go. Aside from that, I've seen a video of someone who has a way to get 2 or 3 days out of her curls. If I remember right, one of the tricks is to wear a silk hair wrap at night.

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:49:24 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
I'm usually ready in 45 minutes start to finish (an hour for dressy occasions). Anything more is a waste of precious time, imo.

Sounds like your hair is the issue. Get a new style that is wash and go. Aside from that, I've seen a video of someone who has a way to get 2 or 3 days out of her curls. If I remember right, one of the tricks is to wear a silk hair wrap at night.

@ThinkingOutLoud Yes, it's the hair / blow dry for sure. It only takes me 15min TOPS to curl my entire head of hair then 5-10 to "style / spray" it. I just come from the era that our hair is in place. I envy those that can just wash and go. I would tuck my tail and hold my head down all day if I wasn't "put together", i do know that some just wouldn't understand this. I wish I could let go of it, if it were only that easy ...

Re: Early morning routine help

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:02:36 GMT

@SandGirl wrote:
@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
I'm usually ready in 45 minutes start to finish (an hour for dressy occasions). Anything more is a waste of precious time, imo.

Sounds like your hair is the issue. Get a new style that is wash and go. Aside from that, I've seen a video of someone who has a way to get 2 or 3 days out of her curls. If I remember right, one of the tricks is to wear a silk hair wrap at night.
@ThinkingOutLoud Yes, it's the hair / blow dry for sure. It only takes me 15min TOPS to curl my entire head of hair then 5-10 to "style / spray" it. I just come from the era that our hair is in place. I envy those that can just wash and go. I would tuck my tail and hold my head down all day if I wasn't "put together", i do know that some just wouldn't understand this. I wish I could let go of it, if it were only that easy ...

Based on things you've said (low self esteem, stuck in previous era thinking), some positive affirmations may be in order. Write them on post it notes and stick them on your mirror since you spend so much time there and repeat them often. You could also listen to some during your commute (check youtube). There are other helpful tools but this is a start.

- I am beautiful just the way I am

- I love my shorter hairstyle

- I'm grateful that I can easily get ready and feel put together

- I'm grateful my husband loves my shorter hair

...

Re: Early morning routine help

SandGirl — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:12:13 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I will for sure take your advice and do what I can to gradually change. I appreciate your help and kindness so very much.

Re: Early morning routine help

Sooner — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:12:39 GMT

I have very fine hair and for that I got a really good mid-length shorter layered haircut that I washed every other night or so. With today's hair products and a good cut you don't have to spend lots of time on hair.

Makeup? A little concealer and a dab of foundation, one swipe of eyelid color, mascara, a dab of blush or bronzer, lip gloss or stick,--oh and a swipe of an eyebrow pencil-- and out the door. Makeup five minutes tops.

Get rid of excess products and clutter, pare down your closet if needed, and keep life simpler all around if youcan.

And that was back in the time we wore suits and hose every day. Get a good haircut, learn to use product in it, and give yourself back some sleep and a life please. You deserve it!

Re: Early morning routine help

Desertdi — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:16:13 GMT

This is my hairstyle. 20 seconds with a brush....no mirror needed

Re: Early morning routine help

ThinkingOutLoud — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 17:26:21 GMT

One other thought - Do you judge others if they're not totally put together? I hope not, so why are you so hard on yourself? Be as kind to yourself as you are to others and give yourself a break.

Oh, also - I know someone who spends a lot of $$/time on their appearance but it doesn't hide their self-centered, harsh personality. Be nice and friendly and others really won't care if every hair is in place or not.