reunion jitters

[partgypsy]

At the last minute I''ve decided to go to my high school reunion and I am feeling like someone coming out of winter who suddenly needs to wear a bathing suit!
I like myself just fine. Basically I don''t do much at all in the cosmetics, enhancing area except cover up and lipstick and a haircut every 6 months. I tend to wear (boring) neutrals, pants and sweaters so I can wear the same outfit or combinations of pieces many times without people noticing I''m wearing the same stuff all the time.
But suddenly I feel like a makeover.
I''m thinking of doing stuff I''ve never done before, like getting my eyebrows shaped, dying/highlighting my hair,getting expensive skin care products, buying an outfit that is uncharacteristic of my normal wear.
But, the reunion is next week...

Do you think that high school reunions (or things like that) are good because it can kick you out of your normal gear/rut, try something you normally wouldn''t.
Or trying to make changes at this late stage is a recipe for disaster? And might as well go as myself, rather than an image I don''t keep up with in normal day to day life?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I think it''s a normal reaction to want to look your best for your reunion. I would! I say go for it.

 

[icekid]

hmm, I''d say smaller changes- go for it! Like a new hair cut, a little more makeup, etc. But I wouldn''t do anything drastic at the last minute, because you might not feel comfortable and like your normal self.

 

[jcrow]

i completly agree icekid! a little change. you but better.

 

[EdSkinner]

Haven''t gone to any reunions. Did not care for the people I went to school with. When they called me about my 10th reunion I told them I would rather sit home and read the phone book than spend an evening with you. My mother went to her 40th and came home really depressed. All she really had to say about it was that everybody just got old. Some people like them and others don''t. If you are not sure how you would feel, then I suggest that you go, so you know if you ever want to go to another. For what it is worth, I wouldn''t worry about going out of my way to get over gussied up, unless you really want to impress these people.

 

[Erin]

Who cares about impressing these people. I say do the eyebrow wax and have someone teach you how THEY think you should wear makeup. Buy an outfit in the fit that you''re used to but buy it in red or all white or leopard or whatever. Spend $90 on a great fitting pair of jeans - whatever works.

Sure you want to look your best, but this is a fun risk and who knows what results it might lead to.

Take a chance. I''ve heard make-overs do wonders for confidence. It can''t hurt.

 

[Kaleigh]

I agree with everyone else. Go for a little change, buy a new fun outfit. But I wouldn''t go over board with making a huge change. I have been to all my reuinions except my last one which was my 25th. My daughter is a senior at the school and I see people all the time so for me it''s not worth it to keep going back. I live at the school anyway. Good luck and let us know how it goes. I bet you''ll have a great time.

 

[partgypsy]

Thanks for all your comments. Yes, I think I will do some things I''ve been wanting to do,
but decided against major changes at this point in time...
Though I am happy with myself overall, main pet peeve is at 30+ my skin is oily and still breaks out. Don''t have a face regimen per se, other than washing face in shower and wearing oil free spf 15 moisteror, since felt the more I do to my face the more likely it would break out. However, looked on internet what is suggested to do, and bought a cleansing soap and toner to use in conjunction with the moisteriser.
I went to Origins, and bought their "modern friction" a gentle dermabrasion cream. A coworker has used it and highly recommended it. I''ll try it this weekend, and if I like it will bring it with me next week (can use it 2-3 times a week). Finally, bought their lightest face powder to cut down on shine.
If I have time next week, will try to get a trim.
When I get into town, will go shopping with sister, and MAYBE buy a new outfit, but will bring backup clothes in case I don''t find anything I like. I will be more inclined to buy something if it is something I can wear to work as well.

Thanks again for your feedback.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

let us know how it goes.

 

[ame]

I am all-for going and getting a major update. Haircut, highlights, few makeup items, eyebrow shaping, skin care and a SASSY new outfit.

 

[MissAva]

I say do a little at a time, stop when you want to. Stay with who you are nothing looks sillier then pretending to be someone you are not.
I have no desire to go to a HS reunion, my parents had their 25th a few years back and I asked them why didnt they go but my father just said "The only person I care about from High School is making dinner, now why dont you help her set the table." But then they both left HS early to go to college dad as a spoh and my mother a junior, so maybe that is why. My older sister went to here 5 year reunion but did not say anything about it. I dont really understand the point of going. I mean if you missed someone why not just call, or email?

 

[ame]

Aw your dad is sweet.

All of my friends switched to the sister school within the first two years of HS so I don''t give a crap about my own school''s reunion, I might go to the one for the sister school.

 

[partgypsy]

update, well I tried my new skin products, and they are actually working! My skin is clearer and smoother than it was just 2 days ago. I am psyched! I wish I tried this earlier... (antibacterial soap (cetaphil gentle antibacterial soap), toner (loreal total balance toner), and moisteriser (cetaphil spf 15 face lotion).

Matatora, I agree with you, I could ask myself, why am I going to this reunion again? It''s not something I would normally be interested in doing, and to tell the truth, don''t feel I have much in common with people I went to high school with.
The short answer is I happen to be in the area at the same time and could go when normally I couldn''t, a friend from high school is going, and my (twin) sister wants to go also.
The long answer, it is hard to explain; when I worked with patients with cancer, the people at peace with themselves seemed to be those that in a sense "integrated" or at least accepted all parts of their life. Part of going to the reunion is to have a better acceptance of the person I was then, and have a perspective where I am now. I have to admit there are parts of myself when I was in high school I didn''t like. In a sense I was still "unformed". And if I feel that way about myself, most probably other classmates were in the same boat, and I should give them the benefit of the doubt. It would be interesting to see how they have changed or progressed (or not!) over time.
Anyways, it probably doesn''t make any sense, and I may come away from the reunion thinking why I did I want to do this? But I feel it is worth doing at least once.

Will keep you posted..

 

[partgypsy]

Hello just a post that did go to my reunion, and it was really fun, glad I went! Went with my sister to try on dresses but ended up with my slacks, sandal heels and bought a new tank top. However since it was a slight racerback I rushed at the last minute to buy a racerback bra, and so ended up wearing a $15 shirt with a $50 bra!!! My sister dragged me to get my eyebrows waxed, but the lady who did it left 5 minutes ago, so went as my usual self. Though I do have to say people I knew looked really good (who had done themselves) while I was on the plain side, so thinking maybe I should learn how to put on makeup, or at least how to do my eyes. Anyways I''m a doubter but now a believer in reunions. You only live once, how often can one experience something as surreal as seeing the people one grew up with all in the same place decades later?

Anyways, in another post I mentioned my mother has a large golden gemstone pendant inherited from my grandmother. She did take it out and I took pictures of it, along with a few antique diamond rings that were in the box as well. I should be getting the film back tommorow and will post details, pics when I do! Since I didn''t get it appraised still unclear whether it is a citrine or a topaz, but it is beautiful either way and a great reminder of my grandmother.