Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Freedom from guilt...for a while!

(89 Posts)
Namsnanny Thu 21-Oct-21 16:19:06

I havent bought any new make up for years and years.

I love colour and had seen some delicious nail varnishes that were winking at me for the last few weeks.
I weakened and went to the largest Boots, knowing they would have lots of stock.

I couldn't decide which one to buy, so I bought EVERY colour polish they had!
Then as if that wasn't enough I did the same with lip stick/gloss?blush!!!

All from the same range that has little or no perfume, as I am alergic to most brands.

In my defence (do I need a defense?), I havent bought any new clothes or makeup for years until two months ago for a special occasion.

I've had such a fun day messing around with it all. Every nail has two different colours on it ??

For once I threw caution to the wind and acted just on a whim!
And I loved it!!

I think I'll start to feel guilty by the weekend, but what the heck.

Forestgump Sun 24-Oct-21 18:31:54

I have just treated myself to boots and trainers specially made for feet with bunions. They were expensive but I've come to the point of thinking why not I carnt take it with me.

JaneJudge Sun 24-Oct-21 18:06:58

mimismo, that sounds brilliant smile

I love this thread smile

DeeDe Sun 24-Oct-21 18:01:46

Definitely you go for it, I did similar last year and spent
£1,000 s on my new hobby and loved every minute
Spent the last two many years on everyone else …
Me time now …
grin

DillytheGardener Sun 24-Oct-21 18:00:00

Don’t feel guilty, if you saw my bathroom and powder room you wouldn’t. I could open a shop with all my products and potions. Enjoy looking gorgeous!

mimismo Sun 24-Oct-21 17:50:19

Linked to this and a thread on losing confidence, I recently went to visit family in the UK on my own. I stayed in extravagant (for me) b&bs, hired a car, drove around, got lost, found myself, ate what I wanted when I wanted, went shopping, coped with petrol shortages, pcrs flying etc. I had such a good time!! I was sitting in a park by a river at one point and realised that, for the first time in over 20 years I was answerable to no-one. It was amazing and so relaxing. I really indulged myself with no guilt. Of course I'm glad to be home but I may well repeat the experience in the future!

acornlady Sun 24-Oct-21 17:41:11

Like Pen50 my nails are terrible, always have been, they are as thin as a plastic bag, they bend and tear just getting the washing out of the washing machine. For the last 20 or more years I have had extensions. I moved onto gel a few years ago no need for extensions. I was unable to continue during the lockdown, so I bought the necessary items on Amazon including an ultra violet lightbox. I have taught myself to do my own gel nails, using YouTube videos a bit rough at first but am now quite good. I used to pay £50 a month on my nails, now I reckon about £6 after the initial purchase of gel, files ect. At least something good has come out of lockdown for me.

queenofsaanich69 Sun 24-Oct-21 17:21:54

So happy for you———I have always painted my nails so have an assortment of colours.Someone commented on gels,I uses ones that do not need a lamp to harden,2 layers then a clear gel coat and no time dry,works a dream.Just showed one of my granddaughters yesterday,she is so happy with her nails and then we went out and bought her a ring,we are both very happy !

Theresa2 Sun 24-Oct-21 16:01:02

Great post - good for you !

langelei Sun 24-Oct-21 15:54:37

Oh I so love this post! A few weeks ago on a certain selling site I saw the most fantastic Valentino handbag in red and fell in love with it. Absurdly no one else bid for it and I got it for, what to me was an expensive bid, but to anyone else would have been inexpensive. So pleased with myself. Stay safe everyone grin

tictacnana Sun 24-Oct-21 15:48:14

My doctor advised me to be frivolous and buy or do something that I generally regarded as non- essential. I started having my nails done. That was 20 years ago and it’s now a monthly routine. I don’t drink or smoke so I feel entitled and it gives me an edge of confidence to have nice nails. Don’t ever feel guilty. It will do you good to be a bit frivolous. Have fun!

VioletSky Sun 24-Oct-21 15:25:49

I'm all for this.

I'm very about pleasing my inner child with unicorn handbags and butterfly things.

This is the very definition of self care. Have fun

Rosina Sun 24-Oct-21 15:20:49

I sometimes think that I have become a child as I have grown older; childhood was quite stifling, home was a quiet and I now realise unhappy place. I have such delight in small things, being silly with the grandchildren is one, and seeing humour in the ridiculous and pompous. I don't need expensive amusements - and several bottles of nail polish and a boxful of new lipsticks would certainly 'spark joy'.

M0nica Sun 24-Oct-21 14:27:00

This thread is really cheering me up. It is life enhancing and positive. Much better than threads that reinforce all the cliches of old age.

Lets have more of them.

Alioop Sun 24-Oct-21 13:52:18

Its just lovely to treat yourself and you can just tell how happy you are by just doing that. Well done. I just wish I could stay out of the garden at the minute so I could keep my nail polish on without it all chipping.

Joesoap Sun 24-Oct-21 13:43:16

Good for you to have a splash and why not,I love nail polish and after years of not being allowed to wear it at work I have been a Nurse all my life, I have now started to use it and enjoy the feeling, even if I dont go anywhere exciting, its for my own pleasure,and why not!

Bijou Sun 24-Oct-21 13:32:38

Ever since I was 19 (now 98) when my father chastised me for wearing nail varnish I have worn it, I have very good well shaped nails. Even though I am housebound now and rarely see anyone other than my home help I still use nail varnish, lipstick and shape my eyebrows.
Quaver22. I too have loads of scarves some dating from the 1940s including square ones.

allsortsofbags Sun 24-Oct-21 13:28:58

Love the title "Freedom from Guilt" may it last for a vey long time not just for a "while".

So often "Guilt" dogs so many people and it seems that women, more than men, are conditioned to feel "guilt" when none is required so it's really lovely to read of people getting rid of it.

Enjoy your goodies :-) and your freedom :-)

ExaltedWombat Sun 24-Oct-21 13:26:27

A man, faced with a 'special occasion', might consider whether he possessed an appropriate garment. The idea of it having to be a 'new' one wouldn't occur to him.

Any obligation to spend unnecessarily is purely of your own making.

Do what you want to do, fearlessly! But recognise that it's because YOU want to.

Quaver22 Sun 24-Oct-21 13:10:43

What a lovely thread! It really cheered me up to think of you treating yourself and having fun Namsnanny. Please don’t feel guilty. We all need to spoil ourselves after the 18 months we have had. I don’t like nail varnish but I’ve got two drawers full of scarves that I don’t really need but I love wearing.

luluaugust Sun 24-Oct-21 13:05:45

Great enjoy yourself it is lovely to experiment with all the different colours. Somebody mentioned a cleanser to me the other day, I have plenty of the one I usually use but went on line and love the new one, much cheaper as well, good all round.

magshard20 Sun 24-Oct-21 12:58:26

Don't feel guilty, you enjoy your new nail polishes and experiment to your hearts content......have fun and concoct your own designs......life's too short to have regrets about treating yourself xx

Lizbethann55 Sun 24-Oct-21 12:42:49

Go girl!!!!! How's about each nail a different colour, and a photograph on here!!!!

Allsorts Sun 24-Oct-21 12:40:42

I feel no guilt as I’ve spent my life spending it on others. Wish I’d done it sooner.

Cherrytree59 Sun 24-Oct-21 12:35:13

Lovely post Namsnanny

For those posters mentioning popping off to Boots.

I have the over 60s Boot's advantage card which gives more points than than the normal card.

I have downloaded the app to my phone, which keeps me up to date with my points and more importantly shows offers and gives extra points for certain products.
(When under 60 used my husbands card)

Boot's are also running a £10 Tuesday.

Recently have had some good deals on the old package no7 products as the packaging is changing.

Lillian40 Sun 24-Oct-21 12:18:38

Good for you Namsnanny I had a mean controlling husband for 38 years, and discovered when he died that he was a compulsive gambler, all my life working from 15 to 60yrs old and raising children trying to give them a normal life I did without everything. All my clothes had to come from charity shops I didn't know what it was like to buy myself new clothes. Since he died I have been reborn. New clothes when I want, new shoes, costume jewellery, make up and professional hair cuts, I can even buy a magazine, which he objected to. I didn't have a choice he was violent. He left no pensions, but I manage on my small income. No woman should ever feel guilty about buying herself things, after all do men feel guilty??? They are crafty and cunning and never admit to what they spend there money on.