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A recently conducted survey reveals a strange phenomena that women look their worst on Wednesday. Clare O’Reilly, 34, from north London, kept a photo diary of her week to put the study to the test.
IT’S Wednesday afternoon, I’ve just done the school run and I’m tired and grumpy. Not to mention I look like I’ve been on a marathon drinking session with Charlie Sheen and dragged through a hedge backwards.
But it’s good to know I’m not alone.
A recent survey pinpointed Wednesday at 3.30pm as the time of the week when women feel and look their oldest. Stress is at a high point, energy levels have plummeted and the late nights and booze from the weekend have caught up with them.
My kids Eddie, nine, and Sammy, four, confirm my feelings. “Erm, you’ve looked better, Mummy,” says Sam, trying to be diplomatic. Even my youngest, two-year-old Annie, senses I need a hug.
But according to research by beauty firm St Tropez, I’m only 24 hours away from being my most amorous — and 48 hours away from feeling my happiest and youngest.
But will my photo diary back the findings?
Wednesday 3.30pm
I’ve caught up on the washing, the kids’ tea is made and the Cubs uniform ironed. I was feeling good about myself until I looked in the mirror.
My skin looks tired. I look pallid and drained. Three early nights in a row with no alcohol don’t seem to have helped.
I’m not surprised that it’s this time women believe they look their worst. Last weekend’s fun seems a lifetime ago — and the weekend ahead is just a dot on the horizon.
Thursday 6.30pm
According to the survey, I’m supposed to be at my most amorous now. With Friday night just a hop and a skip away, I’m feeling better about myself and I think it’s starting to show in my skin and the twinkle in my eye.
What a difference 24 hours can make. Almost a week of early nights and no booze has finally made my skin start to glow.
The kids go to bed on time without moaning, which leaves me plenty of time to make good on my amorous state.
Friday 7pm
Another, ahem, early night last night and by 5.30pm I felt like my first glass of wine for the week was well deserved. Looking in the mirror now, it feels well earned too. My confidence levels are good, my skin is flushed after a bracing trip to Tesco and my eyes are sparkly thanks to the pinot noir.I’m barely wearing any make-up — but I think I look younger than I have all week.
The fact that I’m the happiest I’ve been for days tells me there’s something to be said for feeling good on the inside and radiating it on the outside. Dare I say it, I look pretty!
Saturday 10am
This is a slightly different kettle of fish. The late night and maybe a glass too many of red wine leave me struggling to make it to the kids’ swimming class.I feel lethargic and when I look in the mirror, the bags under my eyes seem more pronounced than normal. Despite my lip balm and the mascara, the sheen of yesterday’s rosy glow is gone. But I still look better than I did on Wednesday afternoon.
Saturday 8pm
After an active day with the kids, it feels like the spring is back in my step and the sparkle is back in my eyes. I’ve relaxed — and you can see it on my face. My skin feels and looks smooth and my eyes seem wider and brighter than during the week.Sunday 7.30am
Another late night and a brutal wake-up from the kids at 7am. I persuade them to give me an extra 20 minutes in bed. I may be tired, but after lots of laughs with the kids — and Him Indoors — my skin doesn’t look as bad as I feared.Monday 9am
Despite going to bed at 8.30pm last night, this morning I look like I could do with another eight hours’ sleep. After seeing my Monday morning self, I’m wondering why women don’t feel at their oldest at this time of the week. A quick check with my pictures from Wednesday confirms my fears. I look older and more tired on a Monday morning than at any other time of the week.I’m still on a bit of a high from the weekend, which makes me think that we probably look our oldest on a Monday morning — but don’t feel our oldest until Wednesday, when being a grown-up has kicked in.
Clare's verdict:
I don’t know whether it’s a virtuous week or if the thought of a Friday night glass of wine put a smile on my face but I agree with the study.I look the best I have done all week on Friday night. The dark circles are there but are not as prominent as usual. My skin looks smoother and more radiant than it has all week.
But after looking at my pictures all together and remembering how I felt each day, there is an obvious link between when I thought I looked my best and when I felt my best mentally and emotionally. What I felt inside seemed to radiate on the outside.
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