Did you go to a beauty parlour before lockdown?

I’d started going for facials before lockdown, although they were enjoyable I don’t think they made a ha’porth of difference long term. These were fairly intensive peels and anti-ageing facials by a qualified nurse and I was persuaded to buy very expensive creams etc. that had to be used to ensure results for things like age spots. Well I’ve still got the age spots but less money!! I dye my own eyebrows at a fraction of the cost. So I’d say it’s a nice experience generally but don’t expect miracles!

No, but I’m very glad I had my hair cut shortly before lockdown.
I do my own manicures and pedicures - pedicures are a regular thing in summer - I hate unkempt-looking feet, especially if they’re mine!
Manicures are not a major thing since I keep nails fairly short (necessary since taking up the piano again) and use clear polish only.

I would never say beauty parlour but I go to a beauty therapist, same one for at least twenty years. She does the best massages but I only have one rarely, ditto facials. I regularly have lip and chin waxing, shellac manicure before a holiday or special occasion. It’s very self indulgent I know but I enjoy it and she’s now a friend.

Apologies over using the wrong words for salons.
I was prompted to ask the original question by an article in the paper by a lady saying how much she missed her facials, and that her skin was looking dull and her face was sagging so she could see her jowls returning.
It made me look at my own sagging jowls and dull skin and think maybe I should have been having treatment, however expensive I found it.
I do occasionally have a back massage, when I can afford it, as I have a long standing back problem. But I look on that as a luxury not a necessity.
I tried dying my lashes at home but couldn't cope with waiting 2 minutes for the stuff to 'take' with one eye closed.
However I do look very tired and haggard just now, although as someone said earlier ....... does it matter, is it just vanity?

DH gave me vouchers for Christmas for a massage and facial, luckily they last for 12 months, really looking forward to going when the salons reopen. I don't often have manicures as I do quite a bit of gardening, don't fancy gels as my nails aren't very strong and I don't think it would do them any good. However I love having pedicures in the summer as I usually wear flip flops and I like having bright toes! I also wear makeup every day, each to her own!

I hope that, if you ever need to, you can find a dermatologist who does electrolysis. Their specialty is usually skin

Yes, and that's why worldwide there's no shortage of dermatologists carrying out electrolysis - it involves the skin

Not that you have to believe me.

BibiSarah, well you are lucky. So many women do worry about their excess facial hair.
I hope that, if you ever need to, you can find a dermatologist who does electrolysis. Their specialty is usually skin.

BibiSarah. Would you like a beautician to do your electrolysis?
In my most gentle voice

Its not something I'm ever likely to need but if I did I'd go to a dermatologist. Likewise if I ever decided to have Botox or anything else invasive (and I can't see that I ever will) I'd go to a Plastic Surgeon. To do these kind of things any other way just wouldn't cross my mind.

I rather like 'Beauty Parlour' - sounds decadent! And yes I did go before lockdown.

The therapist is based at the hairdressers where I go every three months or so, and usually have an eyebrow wax and pedicure. All worth every penny.

Facials, massage and the like I don't have as routine but do if abroad and I'm visiting a spa as part of the holiday experience.

We can all live without any of the above treatments but if you can afford and enjoy them, why not. Just as we could all survive on beans on toast, if we had to.

BibiSarah. Would you like a beautician to do your electrolysis?
In my most gentle voice.

Love instead of live - my favourite typo.

I dislike the term beauty parlour too

I think a persons geography has much to do with the term they use. Where I love a person would say they were going to the salon regardless of whether they were going to a spa or the little place just round the corner.

I really miss my monthly trips to the salon and so am growing a luxurious moustache and beard but no eyebrows as they are now white and ghost like. I was also having a facial and back massage regularly which was great for relaxation and relief of back pain. When my favourite place opens up I shall make lots of appointments and buy lots of unnecessary lotions and potions for the sheer joy of it and to help the salon recover and stay open.

Well said Pamela. I dislike the term beauty parlour too.

I just gave a pedicure and my feet are currently more revolting than normal.

Beauticians work on beauty counters and don’t have the same training

Beauty Therapist. Beautician. Spa. Salon. Storefront. At home service provider.

It all reminds me of saying where I live - if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

All said in the gentlest possible way of course.

May I , very politely, just say that most of us who work in Beauty Salons are Beauty Therapists NOT beauticians.

It’s just a thing that, as a professional with a qualification, grates on us. Beauticians work on beauty counters and don’t have the same training.

Sorry but the word is being used so frequently on this thread it’s just made me a little irritated ?. In a gentle way of course because we all kind, quiet, caring people. Well the rest are?

A couple of years ago, I learned that a friend of a friend was a beautician who worked from home, a lot cheaper than a salon. I’ve been going to her monthly for a very relaxing facial, had my fingernails done and occasionally my eyebrows waxing! I dye my eyebrows myself cause I do a better, more long lasting job. Since lockdown, my nails seem a lot stronger due to not having gel on and I’ve invested in vit C, retinol and hyaleronic serums but obviously can’t see any difference. I’m not at all sure I’m doing them in the right order or correctly at all. When I go back to Elaine, it’ll be interesting to see if she can see any difference!

I have stopped using make up apart from some lippy as i feel i look better. Must be less stress, more sleep....getting up later as no where to go. and lots of time spent in the garden working or pottering. My skin clearess and my eyes look brighter as not so tired all the time. I have made hairdresser appointment for the 7th and am defo going to get my feet done ready for sandals when i go out and about again. Other than that i don't use beauty parlours. Must say i do fancy a massage though...only ever had one and would love my feet massaging on a regular basis, so relaxing.

kircubbin2000

It's made me realise what a lot of money is wasted on these unnessecary things. Even the bathroom products we buy because of ads. I wash my hair with olive soap so shampoo and conditioner are not needed.You do not need to cleanse or moisturise,you will still look the same and no one will care anyway.

I do not have treatments to look good for other people

I have treatments for me, it makes me feel good and long may I continue to do so.

Kircubbin, you sound so angry and miserable and because of that Im not sure it was right to laugh at something you said but this part of your post is very funny so I did laugh. A lot. Thank you.

you will still look the same and no one will care anyway

It's made me realise what a lot of money is wasted on these unnessecary things. Even the bathroom products we buy because of ads. I wash my hair with olive soap so shampoo and conditioner are not needed.You do not need to cleanse or moisturise,you will still look the same and no one will care anyway.

Ive only started going over the last few years, since my eyesight became so bad that I can't do much for myself self care wise anymore. I also have shaky hands that hamper me as well.

Since I started going with the intention of just having manicures and pedicures Ive now given up on doing anything myself and Ive happily handed myself over to the salon. I have everything done - manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, massage and bodyscrubs or a moroccan hamam. I don't look at going there as a treat or a luxury or a social occasion. Im very matter of fact about it, it is what it is, and Ive no plans go give it up anytime soon. Do I notice a difference because of what I have done? Yes. My hands look nicer as do my feet, my skin has a nice sheen to it, and last but not least I don't look like coco the clown when I try to put mascara on with my shaky hands and dodgy eyesight. Im not looking for miracles and when I was offered a package of anti ageing facials I said no thank you, Im happy with just a good clean.

All year round manicure, pedicure and eyebrow, leg waxes.

Intermittent facial and back massage when I am stressed two and half hours of utter bliss.

Having just made an appointment for mani/pedi only to have it cancelled due to Government not allowing the reopening of salons I am feeling what can only be described as feral

Very rarely. A couple of manicures, facials, massages etc have been bought for me but I am quite happy with DIY.

I like that Calendargirl