Pampering is not fun

As mums we’re always complaining that we don’t get enough ‘me time’ and one of the things we lust after is pampering. However, is this favourite past time of ours really such a treat?

The scene is set; you have a glass of cool fruity water in your hand, you’re flicking through your favourite magazine, the gentle music is softly playing and the candles are emitting a gorgeous scent; you’re so relaxed you could quite easily fall asleep. But, then the nerves kick in and you remember you’re not here to chill out; you’re here to be tortured!

Beauty therapists are so pretty and softly spoken you wouldn’t think they are capable of causing such pain, but we all know they can.  

Waxing is probably the most painful thing we can subject ourselves to; unfortunately most people would argue it’s essential especially if you’re planning on sunbathing in a bikini. Yes it may be a necessity but let’s not pretend that it’s anything other than sheer hell to endure. Don’t forget ‘that scene’ in ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin’ when Steve Carrell heroically has his chest waxed (which I’ve heard he actually did with no help from a body double). If you watched that in the waiting room I think most of us would run a mile. 

While many people have a phobia of going to the dentist is it really logical that this should fill us with fear where as ‘pampering’ is seen as a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon? After all, dentist’s have this wonderful thing called ANAESTHETIC.

It’s not even as if we only bring this pain upon ourselves, others do it to us too. Question: what is one of the most common gifts to give for Mother’s Day/Valentine’s Day/Bridal Showers? Answer: a voucher for some ‘pampering’ of course!

Hotels are also quick to recommend we visit their beauty salons, everywhere we look while we are supposed to be enjoying a weekend away there are posters advertising that we venture down into their dungeon (sorry I mean spa) in order to get ourselves back to our best. The trouble is that after looking at the visuals of perfectly groomed models we feel inadequate if we don’t give their treatments a try.

While waxing is high on my hit list there are other treatments that are hard to bare (excuse the pun). Massages are supposed to be a way to melt away your tension however have you ever told your masseuse that you have a problem area? I have and never will again. While they may have been gentle at first, my therapist then began pummelling, kneading and stretching me so that the candles were no longer the only thing that was burning. 

So, if there’s any men reading (and if they’re not maybe it’s time to fill them in) next time the woman in your life says that she’s making a trip to the beauty salon just make sure that you give her a hug, some sympathy and even better some chocolates when she returns. Steve Carrell aside you couldn’t possibly begin to understand what she’s been through.

Written by Irish mummy blogger and staff writer at Family FriendlyhqJennie.
Check out her blog Mummy vs the World