Ladies: What's the most you will do with your looks to attract men?

[tigressA]

I'm curious, due to some of the responses in this thread: http://www.loveshack.org/forums/showthread.php?t=233521&page=2

 

There were posts comparing what men and women "have" to do to their appearance in order to be considered attractive to the opposite sex. Since it's mostly argued that women have to do more, I'm asking the ladies of LS. Exactly how much will you augment your appearance to attract men? Post your primping routine at its highest maintenance level. If you'd like to include diet/exercise that's fine too.

 

Here's mine:

 

1. Cleanse, exfoliate, shave, brush teeth, deodorant (the most obvious things).

2. Hair: straighten it. If it's already straight, I just finger-comb and fluff it.

3. Face: Moisturizer mixed with sheer bronzing gel, clear lip balm.

4. Clothes: Matching bra and panties (because you never know ), a cute dress that shows off either my legs or cleavage, high heels.

[SarahRose]

Sweetie, I used to be in the public eye years ago so what I did back then and what I do now are completely different.

Back then it took a lot of work to look like I did.

 

Hair, makeup, clothes, nails, teeth whitening, colored contact lenses, etc. etc. etc.

 

Now a days I am pretty gorgeous for being near 50 so I usually don't wear any makeup unless I going to a formal thing. I wear nice suits to work. I like shoes too and have 170 pairs of shoes.

 

Sometimes when I feel like it, I'll have sculptured nails for a few months with air brush designs on them. Not the long claws but just nice.

 

I guess I spend maybe $220 on my hair whenever I go. I won't go grey gracefully.

 

Twice a year I have botox and fillers which is around $2500 each time.

 

A few years ago I spent $15k on veneers for my teeth so they are perfect.

 

I had my boobs done a few years ago too.

 

I so don't like surgery that even though I would like to get a few other things done, the pain etc. makes me not do it.

[SadandConfusedWA]

Teeth whitening application/ spray tan

Shave/wax legs, underarms, wax eyebrows

Apply make up primer, bronzer, blush, illuminator, white eyeliner at the inner rims of my eyes, eyeshadow, singular fake eyelashes (so that they look natural), mascara, lip gloss

Apply bronzer to my cleavage and illuminator to my collar bones

Blow dry hair (at a salon)

Do a manicure/pedicure (at a salon)

Wear a push up bra and low cut top (and matching panties)

Wear a nice and silky knee length skirt with expensive pantyhose

Wear 3 inch heels

Accesorize with simple yet stylish jewlery

I also do Botox twicea year and I am only 31

Spray some expensive perfume

[ToShyToTellMyNick]

Lots of guys might disagree with me but I like women as natural as possible. That might be because I'm young and so are the girls I like... Maybe just a bit of makeup in some special ocations and a nice dress. Of course hygiene is very important

[sweetjasmine]

Exactly how much will you augment your appearance to attract men? Post your primping routine at its highest maintenance level.

 

Hm, highest maintenance level? For me, that'd be special occasions, usually more formal than casual, so this isn't an everyday type of thing:

 

body:

- shave/wax legs, underarms

- moisturizer for freshly shaven/waxed legs

- do my own pedicure and manicure

 

hair and face:

- blow dry and styling hair, maybe with curlers in overnight

- face cleanser, toner, moisturizer

- foundation, regular concealer, under-eye concealer, blush, lipstick, eye liner, eye shadow, mascara

- contact lenses

- wax eyebrows and upper lip if needed

- my most flattering perfume (not body spray)

 

clothes, shoes, accessories:

- tasteful, elegant jewelry: earrings, necklace, bracelet, ring

- my most flattering elegant dress (not one of my cheaper casual dresses)

- decent pantyhose that won't run the instant you touch them

- my most flattering bra

- a pair of well-built, high quality high-heel dress shoes

- a matching clutch

- a nice shrug or formal shawl or my formal dress coat

 

And I still get ready faster than a lot of my friends do.

[ToShyToTellMyNick]

EDIT: I guess I'm not asnwering the question here (I'm a guy)... I'm just giving an opinion =P

 

P.S I double posted because I can't edit =P

[WalkInThePark]

OMG! So much work! A lot of the things I read here I have never done in my life.

For a date I don't do more than what I do when I go to work, or for when I go out of my house in general.

That means: take a shower, wash my hair, brush my teeth, blowdry my hair, use a deodorant, put on some perfume, curl my eyelashes, put on some mascara and some lipstick. Hair from legs and under arms is regularly removed (although I don't do it as often in winter). Tan comes from being in the sun. As a western European, I go more for the natural look.

As far as clothes are concerned, I wear clothes which are elegant in colours which suit me. Always comfortable as well because I don't buy anything which is not comfortable.

For the rest I count on my natural charm. ;-)

[You Go Girl]

Geesh. Some women are really over the top.

I have a stunning..............PERSONALITY!

 

Well, I'm older than many of you I bet. At 46, I don't wear make-up anymore, nor ever paint my nails. Hygiene though, is very important.

 

I wear casual clothes as I am self-employed.

If there's a special occasion, I'll get dressed up and add a little make-up. Notice I said a little!

Otherwise, anybody who doesn't like me as me, can just move along.

 

I'm going through a divorce. I have been without my wedding ring 2 days. I've had two offers for dates. That in my jeans, tshirt, no makeup, and just plain old good conversation.

And both men were attractive, btw.

[Ariadne]

Teeth whitening application/ spray tan

Shave/wax legs, underarms, wax eyebrows

Apply make up primer, bronzer, blush, illuminator, white eyeliner at the inner rims of my eyes, eyeshadow, singular fake eyelashes (so that they look natural), mascara, lip gloss

Apply bronzer to my cleavage and illuminator to my collar bones

Blow dry hair (at a salon)

Do a manicure/pedicure (at a salon)

Wear a push up bra and low cut top (and matching panties)

Wear a nice and silky knee length skirt with expensive pantyhose

Wear 3 inch heels

Accesorize with simple yet stylish jewlery

I also do Botox twicea year and I am only 31

Spray some expensive perfume

 

Wow! That's a good list

 

I've done all of that plus go on starvation diets and exercise to exhaustion.

[brainygirl]

Highest maintainace level? That implies every day and not special occasion to me.

 

I'm 28.

 

I do my own hair color and trims at home, when I need a major cut or feel like changing the color I go to a salon and it costs about $75, but prices are regional so I don't know if I have any more or less done than anyone else.

 

I keep my nails trimmed and filed, sometimes I'll put polish on for something different, but I hate the way fake nails look and feel and wont do it ever again.

 

My get ready routine is usually shower and shave, I shave everything just because I like the feeling. Lotion after the shower. If I'm going on a date I use perfume or body spray.

 

I use very light make up if any at all. Just pressed power foundation, eye line, eye shadow, mascara, lip gloss.

 

I tend to not coordinate bras and panties, I guess I could, but geesh, plain cotton bikinies cost five bucks for six pairs, versus 15 to 20 for one pair of "nice" panties. I have big boobs, nice looking bras for them are hard to find. If I had a b cup, cute bras would be easy.

 

I don't fake tan or use bronzers, but I do enjoy being outside, so I have a tan from that. I guess if guys don't like tan lines they wont like me.

 

Personally, all the injections and filles are scary. Botox is a toxin derived from botulism bacteria. They don't know what the long term effects the fillers have on tissues. Its not worth my health.

 

I also wear glasses all the time. I am allergic to contact lenses and after trying several different kinds from super cheap to super expensive the optomitrist told me I'd never tolerate them. So I guess that's another strike against me.

 

As to jewlry, I usualy wear a little necklace, either a cross or another small pendent. I wear a watch sometimes. That's about it.

 

I guess I'm behind the curve.

 

I'm not all that motivated to catch up either.

[stepka]

Wow, I'm happy if I"m clean and have managed to floss my teeth today. I"ve never had my nails done and I hate high heels. I have experimented with tooth whiteners lately and have started wearing foundation, which is something I never did before, but it looks so much better. I exercise. I refuse to straighten my hair b/c it's thin but curly, so while curly it looks like I have more than I do. Years ago, I vowed that I would never color my hair but go gray gracefully, but the first time someone mistook me for 10 years older that changed real fast. Since my ex left, I've taken much more of an interest in fashion, b/c I looked like a married old fud before, and now I get jeans that make my @$$ look hot. But I'm still just a jeans girl. Oh yes, and my favorite splurge is expensive perfume--I love the new Zen perfume and Prada l'homme.(Yes, I know it's for men, but it smells good on me.)

 

Anyway, go girl, I'm older than you and I'm thinking I'd better get out and start conversing, lol, b/c I'm thinking I have more of a problem with being too reserved than with my appearance. A very good looking man was trying to talk to me a few weeks ago and I blew it b/c he was so handsome I couldn't even look at him.

Edited June 4, 2010 by stepka

[sally4sara]

The underlined stuff is all I do most days.

Shower almost daily and shave (2-3 x a week) the standard female areas

I do have a separate facial soap and body soap I use

Mousse in the hair; round brush blowdry - maybe curl it if its a special occasion.

Deodorant

Channel's Chance unless I'm going to be active while I'm out (cycling, gardening, romping with the dog and boy)

SPF tinted moisturizer in daytime

Eye liner, brow pencil, eye shadow and mascara if I'm going out at night - nix the mascara and shadow if day.

Tinted lip gloss with SPF

Contacts

Floss and brush teeth

Listerine

Lotion on legs sometimes.

I get my hair cut every 6-8 weeks at the rate of $55 with tip. I do my own coloring; I've had a white streak in my hair (right on the top of my head) since I was 23-24. I might play with what color I cover it with but that is at home too.

 

If I'm not meeting a client or its not a special occasion - its usually jeans or baggy Dickies shorts, t-shirt, sneakers and ball cap. I don't do padded bras; they gross me out thinking of all the sweat they soak up.

 

I don't paint my nails and I own roughly 12 pairs of shoes/boots all together. I loath most pumps/heels but they are necessary for some dresses. I will usually wear mary jane flats if the outfit permits. Unless its a nicer occasion, I don't wear any jewelry other than my wedding band and tongue bar and other piercings, but those are covered. Most of the time I forget to put in earrings.

The only mandatory cosmetics I use is the SPF lip gloss and brow pencil because I have a scar in one of my eyebrows that if I don't fill it in, I look annoyed.

[SadandConfusedWA]

Wow! That's a good list

 

I've done all of that plus go on starvation diets and exercise to exhaustion.

 

Oh yeah, I am currently taking diet pills and am on starvation diet.

[norajane]

I also wear glasses all the time. I am allergic to contact lenses and after trying several different kinds from super cheap to super expensive the optomitrist told me I'd never tolerate them. So I guess that's another strike against me.

Brainygirl, have you ever considered Lasik surgery? I'm not suggesting that you aren't attractive in your glasses, or that you do it to be more attractive. I'm suggesting it because I wore glasses as a teen and then contacts for years, and Lasik really changed my life. I just about cried with joy that I could see out of my own eyes for the first time.

 

It's very quick and it doesn't hurt. Recovery is quick. I went to an eye surgeon (instead of one of those Lasik shops), and checked her out thoroughly beforehand. She did one eye at a time, and the results are virtually instant.

 

 

On topic: I do the basics, and don't wear a lot of make-up because I've stayed out of the sun and my skin still looks great at 42. I do color my hair - that's probably the most extravagant and expensive thing I do to look good. Working out and watching what I eat is a must. I could do better at shopping more frequently.

[brainygirl]

Brainygirl, have you ever considered Lasik surgery? I'm not suggesting that you aren't attractive in your glasses, or that you do it to be more attractive. I'm suggesting it because I wore glasses as a teen and then contacts for years, and Lasik really changed my life. I just about cried with joy that I could see out of my own eyes for the first time.

 

It's very quick and it doesn't hurt. Recovery is quick. I went to an eye surgeon (instead of one of those Lasik shops), and checked her out thoroughly beforehand. She did one eye at a time, and the results are virtually instant.

 

 

On topic: I do the basics, and don't wear a lot of make-up because I've stayed out of the sun and my skin still looks great at 42. I do color my hair - that's probably the most extravagant and expensive thing I do to look good. Working out and watching what I eat is a must. I could do better at shopping more frequently.

 

I've looked into it. I know people who had it done. When all was said and done they were happy with the results. Its one of those "when I have the cash" sort of things.

 

For me it would be more about not having to deal with the glasses, don't lay on them or they'll get smashed, if I sweat they start slipping off my face, I'm so blind I need them even in a swimming pool and am always worried about loosing them.

 

It would be very nice not to have that worry.

[Ruby Slippers]

I'll start from the top and work my way down:

 

Hair

Salon haircuts about every 3 months: no more than $50 a pop

Am just beginning to get my first grays, so will probably start getting salon color soon every 2-3 months (I always turn it orange at home): that'll add about $30-50/visit

Daily blowout w/smoothing serum, hairspray, shine product: $10-15/mo

 

Face

Special cleanser, toner, and exfoliant: about $20-30/month

Pluck eyebrows occasionally, chemical hair remover for facial peach fuzz: $5/mo

Daily "natural" makeup = foundation, blush, mascara, eyeshadow, lipstick: $10/mo

 

Body

Nice-smelling body washes and exfoliants: $10-15/mo

Nice bras and panties: averages to about $20-30/mo

Exercise: I find free ways to work out.

Wardrobe: Hard to put a number on this, but it's at least $100 a month just to remain the slightest bit up with the fashions for work.

Shave: Shaving cream and razors are about $10/mo.

Perfume and body spray: Averages to $10/mo.

Jewelry: Right now, I just wear what I have, and not much. I think too much is tacky.

 

Nails

Keep them neatly trimmed and shaped. I have to keep them short on my left hand since I play guitar, but I keep them longer on my right hand because I use those nails for finger picking. Because I play guitar, I cannot keep polish on my nails.

 

Things I avoid

Teeth whitening: I think it looks unnatural and it's bad for your teeth.

Fake nails: I think they look cheap and fake.

Heels: I will wear them for hot dates when I'm not going to be doing a lot of walking, but I'm tall and they hurt my feet and cause me back pain, so I wear flats.

Fake tanning: I think the chemicals you rub on your skin are carcinogenic, and tanning beds most certainly cause cancer. I do get a lot of natural sun from playing tennis and riding my bike, though.

Any purely cosmetic surgery or medical procedures, from Botox to plastic surgery. I think these are very damaging to society. Honestly, I find them pretty disgusting.

 

The funny thing is that I consider myself fairly natural/hippie on the spectrum, but I still do all the above.

 

Lots of guys might disagree with me but I like women as natural as possible. That might be because I'm young and so are the girls I like... Maybe just a bit of makeup in some special ocations and a nice dress. Of course hygiene is very important

A lot of men say this but would not be interested in a truly "natural" woman. I have some very hippie friends who do hardly any of this stuff (no makeup, no hair products, don't shave at all, only wear thrifted or fair-trade clothing), and they are pretty far from mainstream in their appearance. But they have husbands and boyfriends who love them that way. One of the guys even gets annoyed if she shaves or wears makeup.

Edited June 4, 2010 by Ruby Slippers

[somedude81]

Wow, I had no idea how much work it actually is for girls to look the way they do.

 

If the stuff is done to look better to men, does the amount of effort go down once you are in a LTR?

[Els]

Wow, I had no idea how much work it actually is for girls to look the way they do.

 

You and most others.

 

If the stuff is done to look better to men, does the amount of effort go down once you are in a LTR?

 

I don't think any woman with an ounce of self-esteem ONLY does it to attract men - usually the motivation is twofold, both for themselves and the opposite sex. I think that for many of them, they do less after marriage not only because they're already in an LTR and thus 'don't need' to do anything... but also because with children and other obligations surfacing, they don't have the time even if they'd love to do it for themselves.

 

And gosh, Ruby, how much time a day does that take you??? Completely concur re: the 'natural' woman. I know guys who are nuts over SNSD (http://1.3qdc.com/pop-u/2007/08/10/popu_snsd_0.out.JPG) - so 'natural' and amazingly pretty, they say!

 

During a time when I had no choice but to spend 0 time on appearance (extremely important exams + other stressors in my life), I felt tempted to pull up my tee sleeve and show them my pits, or untie my hair and shove it in their face and say, 'THIS is what the REAL 'natural' is, doofus!'

[Ruby Slippers]

Wow, I had no idea how much work it actually is for girls to look the way they do.

 

If the stuff is done to look better to men, does the amount of effort go down once you are in a LTR?

It depends. I get to know him and how he responds to all these affectations.

 

Some men eat it up. In those cases, you keep doing as much as possible because he treats you better for it and rewards you heavily.

 

Other men do not change their behavior toward you when you go from no makeup to makeup, from normal human being to girlified doll. With those guys, I relax more and use the girlification process as a fun treat to indulge the basest parts of him now and then. In my experience, this type of guy is more intelligent and free-thinking, and closer to my ideal.

[tigressA]

A lot of men say this but would not be interested in a truly "natural" woman. I have some very hippie friends who do hardly any of this stuff (no makeup, no hair products, don't shave at all, only wear thrifted or fair-trade clothing), and they are pretty far from mainstream in their appearance. But they have husbands and boyfriends who love them that way. One of the guys even gets annoyed if she shaves or wears makeup.

 

Yeah, that was the main point of starting this thread. I bet not one of these ladies who've posted here so far ever looks "overdone" but just look at all they do. I'm fairly low-maintenance compared to all this. I like your "things I avoid", RS. I'll post mine.

 

Things I avoid:

Tooth whitening

Mani-pedis

Cosmetic/medical procedures

Diet/exercise (I don't have to worry about it...yet. I eat what I want, and the most exercise I usually get is from walking/hiking, which I do a lot of since I don't drive.)

Jewelry

All eye makeup, blush, lip color, and foundation makeup

[brainygirl]

Wow, I had no idea how much work it actually is for girls to look the way they do.

 

If the stuff is done to look better to men, does the amount of effort go down once you are in a LTR?

 

I think most women do most of what they do for themselves. I enjoy the feeling of being silky smooth all over, which is why I shave all over. I like my hair long and soft and blond, so I treat my hair to keep it healthy and soft and dye it lighter than it naturally grows in.

 

I don't enjoy heels, so I don't wear them.

 

I don't enjoy lots of makeup and colorants on my body so I don't use them.

 

I hope the women who do use all those products and spend all that money enjoy it, otherwise its just sad.

 

As to letting up once in a LTR, I am not sure how common that is. When I was with my ex I liked the look he'd get in his eye when I wore a specific dress or he realized what I WASN'T wearing underneath said dress.

 

I think that sometimes life, such as kids, work, and school, can cause people who usually are very meticulous to stop being so frou frou about their appearance. I also think that depression can cause people to neglect their appearance. I would hope that in a LTR the husband would be understanding that a newborn might make a woman not as worried about her legs being shaved as she used to be.

 

On the subject of LTRs, I have relatives who married slim athletic men, who are now married to very over weight lazy men, so it isn't just women who may be one way before the marriage and another after.

[Ruby Slippers]

I don't think any woman with an ounce of self-esteem ONLY does it to attract men - usually the motivation is twofold, both for themselves and the opposite sex.

The main reason I do most of this stuff is to look good for clients and people in my work environment. Attracting men comes second for me right now. I am not looking for a man, but am focusing on making money and achieving my personal goals.

 

When I was younger, I did a lot less. It took me years to accept the fact that most people really do treat you better when you play the girl role.

 

I certainly don't do most of this for me. Why would I care what my hair looks like? I can't see it (unless I go look in a mirror).

 

The good-smelling body wash and exfoliants and stuff -- yes, that feels good and is enjoyable from a sensory perspective. I would still take my awesome, froofy bubble baths even if I were the only person on earth. But 95% of the stuff on the list, I would not do.

 

And gosh, Ruby, how much time a day does that take you???

Not that long. I'd say I average 30-60 minutes a day on my "beauty" routine. On days when I'm going to be a hermit and stay home, that drops to almost no time.

 

During a time when I had no choice but to spend 0 time on appearance (extremely important exams + other stressors in my life), I felt tempted to pull up my tee sleeve and show them my pits, or untie my hair and shove it in their face and say, 'THIS is what the REAL 'natural' is, doofus!'

During college, I experimented pretty wildly with this spectrum. Some days I would wear very plain clothes and do nothing with my hair or face. On the weekends, I would sometimes glam it up. In the first case, I was almost invisible to men (except for the hippie guys, who would show more interest then). In the second, they were swarming around me.

[somedude81]

I don't think any woman with an ounce of self-esteem ONLY does it to attract men - usually the motivation is twofold, both for themselves and the opposite sex.

I understand that. The main reason I made my comment was because the OP said

 

Exactly how much will you augment your appearance to attract men?

So my assumption at the time was that the women who posted where describing what they do to attract men.

 

I was just wondering if there are certain things women only do to attract men and if those are continued to be done when said woman has a man.

[Ruby Slippers]

I think most women do most of what they do for themselves.

I completely disagree.

 

Do you honestly think that if the media were telling us hairy legs were hot, and celebrities all had hairy legs, and they were selling leg hair conditioning products, most women wouldn't stop shaving? Then they'd tell themselves how much they loved the feeling of their leg hair that keeps them warm in the winter.

[brainygirl]

I completely disagree.

 

Do you honestly think that if the media were telling us hairy legs were hot, and celebrities all had hairy legs, and they were selling leg hair conditioning products, most women wouldn't stop shaving? Then they'd tell themselves how much they loved the feeling of their leg hair that keeps them warm in the winter.

 

I see your point. I wouldn't have ever bothered to start shaving without the social pressure to do so.

 

But I shave regularly because I enjoy it. I enjoy being smooth, and the time I take doing it and pampering myself is "me" time. (I shave year round btw)

 

I shave, but I don't use depilatory lotions, even if they'd result in longer lasting smoothness because the chemical gives me a rash. I don't enjoy their use. I also refuse to wax anything, I'm not a masochist. Another example of a "better" result, that I won't do because I don't enjoy.

 

Are there women who's whole bathing and dressing ritual is based on what men want? Probably. But I feel a little sad for them.