I think this is just too funny!  Any commercial is not going to be right on for every person.  There are women in this blog wo indentify with the Suave commercial but what if you don't?  Geez, I've had a hysterectomy, should I be appalled everytime an Always pad commercial comes on?  If you are insulted by an ad that isn't meant to fit 100% of the population, I think you need to stress down your life.  As to self confidence, as far as I'm concerned it is being happy in your own skin whether you way 90#'s or 250#'s, whether you wear make-up or bare faced.  What has happened to having a sense of humor?  I don't care if Ka is nicely made up to go swimming (which i personnally find humorous).  Just be happy for who you are.  If you aren't, change what you don't like but don't trash talk others for feeling diffently.

hmmm,
In today's world, men are bombarded with sexy women every day, their wives should do what they can to look their best.  Life is short, try to look good and put that food down!

Wow, I think Suave is getting the response they want.  This discussion board has touched on working mom vs. stay-at-home mom.  How we raise our kids and the impression they have of us.  Our relationships.. husbands vs. single and husbands that help and those who wine for attention.

Suave shows a lady with garbage and a stocking cap and one dressed up with fixed hair.  From this we get all the ugly debates that come with being a woman.

As a marketer myself...I get a kick out of how a commercial can spark such a debate and the insecurities felt by women today.

i will say this once.  if you are really happy with who you are, why would you feel the need to change yourself on a daily basis?  ie make up,  hair dye, high heels, push up bras and the like. now, i admit, i partake in most of thoseime from time to t.  well, i dye my hair once a month.  i love shoes, and i my chest has succumbed to gravity from being a mommy.  but at the same time.  i dont feel the need to 'put my face on' everyday.  its already there!  i wear make up maybe once a month.  i dress up when i want to.  i dont feel i have to.  and just a thing i have noticed from most guys i know, they dont like make up as much as most women think they do.  my husband likes me for me.  no the paint i put on me, the clothes i wear, or that my nails are done.  and having pretty polished nails isnt a requirement for scrubbing the toilet.  yeah, i let myself go.  the self centered, narcisistic part.  i would rather spend and extra 5 minutes a day playing with my kids than spend it putting make up on.

My goodness, I think some of you are reading way to much in this ad.  I'm a mother, lots to do ~ $ goes to house kids ~ blah blah blah. I didn't see this add as a commentary on how shabby Moms should really work on their look ~ I think the message was just that hey Sauve is cheap, just as good as the pricey stuff, so you don't have to feel guilty as a Mom getting something for yourself, we all like to feel pretty at least every once in a while!

For all you men who responded - you have no perspective and shouldn't have responded. For the moms who responded with the fake boobs, giant SUV, facial and manicured nails - you too have no perspective because you obviously don't work. Real women, with real jobs, real husbands, real kids, real bills and real responsibilites aren't offended by the commercial - trust me, we are too busy.

I was an ugly baby and just got fatter, older and uglier.  When I saw the swan-ugly duckling-swan, yeah, I identified with it, except for the swan parts. Suave should take someone hopeless like me and give me a makeover, one frame at a time.  Now THAT'S A COMMERCIAL!  

Well, I am an ad writer. And a woman. Single. No kids. Lots of animals. Lots of other commitments. The fact is, time is limited. Energy is limited (ask Einstein). So, we make choices about what we feel is important. For some, looking a certain way is important. The Suave commercial plays off this, betting women its target market (skewed older with kids) care about looking good. Dove, on the other hand, has gone another route, betting that their market (skewed younger and single) cares about inner beauty (and is tech-smart enough to make their own YouTube-style ads). Which campaign is better? The Suave ads are attracting a lot of buzz, albeit it negative. The Dove campaign attracted a lot of buzz, positive and interactive. So, from a marketing point of view (my view) the Suave campaign is probably outdated (like Calgon from the 70s and 80s as one writer here said) and entirely unoriginal in its thinking. Dove on the other hand was inspired and made integrated use of all its media. By the way, I do not work for Dove. I do not use Suave. I use a very cheap Spanish shampoo and conditioner, and Greek olive oil soap. Neither one has an ad budget - they are just good products.

Maybe Suave and Michael Salzhauer who authored "My Beautiful Mommy" could join up for the next round of commercials.  

Hey KA, your comment
"Perhaps your guy thinks the same.  Maybe not....but remember - they spend their work day exposed to sharp women who DO care about their image.  Then they come home... "

wow, if you think you have to look great because your husband sees sharp well groomed women at work all day and you have to keep him looking at home you obviously don't have much confidence in your man or your relationship and maybe even yourself.  I admit I have not lost 30 pounds of my baby weight after two children.  I have a master's degree and my husband tells me all the time I am probably the smartest person he knows (my background is in chem and physics).  You know what he cares about?  He cares that our children are going to be intelligent and well educated before they start school because I am staying home with them by choice.  No, he doesn't help out that much around the house and I get very frustrated with the amount of work I have to do.  But I made the choice to stay home with my children during their formative years to give them every advantage academically.  When it comes time for them to go to school I will go back to work and focus on myself again.  If my husband wanted one of those sharp well groomed women he sees at work everyday he wouldn't have married me with the intent of having and raising children.  We had 7 years of great time together before we had children and it will return to that when our children are a little more self-reliant (they are 3 and 1 now).  I have never worn make-up, I met my husband playing rugby (a sport at which I won a national championship in college), and we worked out and lifted weights together to spend time together.  We were never about appearances, we were about doing things together that we both enjoyed.  Looks change and fade, but the memories of the good times you spend together and the trials that you face and conquer as a team don't and that is what a relationship should be based on.

Sometimes I wonder what society does to itself by focusing on looks and not personality, especially when it comes to women.  People of all genders need to look beyond superficial beauty (The color of the skin) and consider the personality (The content of the soul.)  

Here is an idea:  TURN THE DAMN TV OFF....  why would ANYONE let a commercial actually have such a dramtic impact upon their self esteem.  If you don;t like it, Live by your actions and to hell with the nanny state of beauty and the commercial pimps that push the products (having said this, congratulations for the beauty industry for preying upon a weakness and profiting from it..  capitalism ROCKS!  I am being totally sincere with this tstatement! all's fair in making money, love and war...)..use the brains you have to make an imformed, researched, value based opinion and stick to it.

Hey KA Stevens, glad to know you can regularly work 16+ hour days on a regular basis and still look gorgeous.  Many medical proffesionals would scold you for skimping on sleep, but hey if you don't need it, good for you add youself to the list of people who project unrealistic images of what a woman should be to the rest of the world ... you can join the Emaciated models, the super mom who applies to prschool the day after conceiving their child and so on.

There's only so many hours in a day and we all priortize their use as we see fit.  Personally for me, a walk, or bike ride with my kids, sitting in the bleachers at a little league game and sewing a hole in a favorite stuffed animal all take prececent over putting on makeup and outfits to impress my husband's boss.  

I shower and put clean, matched clothes on every day.  I don't worry about running into execs from my husband's company, I have my own career to worry about.  If somebody seeing me in jeans and no makeup affects HIS career, then that means he works for a sexist company and neither of us would be happy with that.

And I'm a 'techie nerd' from way back and part of the management team where I work. I encourage casual, modest dress at work and almost regularly recieve positive recognition without the benifit of perfect hair and makeup.

My message about the commercial and response to the first 2 posts was not that women should not do things to make themselves look and/or feel nicer or prettier if they want to.  I do not disagree with showering, brushing hair and teeth, wearing appropriate clothes (I am a legal secretary), etc.  My only point was that women have more value than the style of their hair or the makeup on their face.  We do so many other jobs (and I agree that many men/fathers do as well), that often when we have to make a choice between spending time on some aspect of beautification, other tasks may be more important (to some people).  My husband (and children, too) would rather I spend time making my apple pies (I have been told they are the best!) or my homemade macaroni and cheese.  If I am going to do something for myself, I would rather work on a quilt or crochet project.  If any woman wants to spend the time putting on makeup and doing their hair, by all means do so.  And if you want to treat me to a day a the spa, let me know!!!

If everything in the Suave commercial is real, then everybody should just ditch their diet plans and wash their hair with Sauve's products.

Guilt trip aside, the entire commercial's pretty funny. ;)

It takes a lot more than shampoo to remake your hair... mine must be blow-dried, flat-ironed, with product carefully applied to the ends and not the roots... you tell me a mom has time to spend 1 hour on her hair???

It is a commercial, nothing more, nothing less. Do what makes you happy.marriage is a partnership if the husband doesn't pull his weight and you're ok with that then fine, but if you're whining about all you do while he does nothing then it's your own fault because you've allowed this to happen. As far as having kids and not staying home with them-again it's your choice and you know what either way it is good.There is nothing wrong with being a working mom or a stay at home mom and don't ever let anyone make you feel bad about what you choose to do either by choice or necessity. The kids will be fine .Life is what you make of it==YOU! not the whole world.

Get a life.  They are funny commercials.

Roger Barton wins for best comment.  Add that this will shorten your shower time (thus saving water) and it will avoid the need to recycle plastic products.  

To Debbie that tbinks that her husband comes first and her kids come second:

I don't begin to understand a woman like you. Your KIDS should ALWAYS come first, for both you and your husband. Those are HUMAN BEINGS that YOU are responsible for, you brought them into the world. If you didn't want that incredible responsibility and privilege you should have used birth control or given them up for adoption. I love my husband and he loves me but there is the understanding that the ultimate focus of our lives is our daughter. And that's the way it should be.

Geez ladies, if you want to complain so much don't have kids. Spend less time on the cell phone, stay out of drive through lines, and better manage your time. There are lots of moms out there who do and they have better marriages and lives. I've been a house husband and still bring in 90% of the money, with three kids, it ain't easy but it's not that hard if you prioritize and don't waste time on meaningless chatter. Also if you frumpy moms would take better care of youselves the divorce rate would plummet. Guys are superficial, get over it. You married ladies need to be aware that another woman would not give a second thought to stealing you man, just a heads up. I've been married for twenty two years and have never strayed, but have been hit on by many women because I am a good supporter. So lose the weight, try to look good for us, spend less time shopping and talking about shopping, and stop your griping. Also if you have a good man, take care of his needs, and he'll take better care of yours. It's not that hard.  

I didn't get offended by this commercial. But I did laugh at it. Because, come on... no matter how cheap the product is, you're still going to have to hire a professional hairdresser to make your hair look like that every morning.

I'm a mom, and I do look pretty schleppy some days. I'm not going to put on expensive clothes just so I can get spit-up and peanut butter on them. But when we need to go out, I make the time to look presentable. I think if you make the time, it's there.

I really don't think the ad is offensive... it does what all advertising does. It pitches a product that won't work as well as they say it will, by showing unrealistic examples of how it will make your life better. Does drinking X Beer bring bikini-clad models to your house? Does wearing Y perfume result in a hot young man whispering sweet nothings in your ear? If we're going to attack Suave, we might as well attack all companies who advertise.

Ummmm... how about taking the time you spend watching TV and emoting about commercials on-line and spending it figuring out ways you can pamper yourself just because you LOVE yourself and you deserve it? Different people take care of themselves in different ways but make time for yourself, even if it means not seeing every commercial on the tube.... and go honor your spouse while you're at it.

Wow...where to start! Overpopulation in CO, shut up. Thats all that needs to be said. How incredibly rude for you to comment on someone else's choice to have however many children they want! Do us all a favor and balance out the equation...dont reproduce!

KA, I completely hear where you are coming from! As a female, I like to feel like, oh, I dont know...a FEMALE! I dont know about most of the women posting here, but I like to have something separate me from any man in my life. Where as men are content to shower, shave, and brush the hair aside, I feel so much better to know that I have a fresh face for the world to see. If you choose not to do that, no skin off my back, just know that whether you like it or not, youre being judged. Is it fair? Nope! Will it happen anyway? Yep!

Bottom line is that this commercial is funny. It happens, no one can deny it. And no one can blame moms for "letting themselves go" when they have kids and have to take care of the family, but why would you want to look like that when a few minutes with a curling iron and a makeup brush can make you look amazing? I promise, ladies, its not that hard!

Some day I might sit in my PJ's all day although not very often, maybe the next I'll run on the treadmill, some days I might skip a shower, some days I dress very sexy, some days I focus only on my daughter, some days on my husband, and some days on myself.  Most days it's bits and pieces of everything, which is good because it shows I have an interesting life & I have family in it that love me unconditionally!  This is what I wanted for my life a family......

Whatever makes you feel good is exactly what you should do!  Please yourself doing whatever that may be (looking good, spending time with your kids, a hobby, cleaning your house) - there is no wrong or right answer to the story of your life.  Your husband & kids should love you for the interesting personality you have from being YOU and NOT "what should be."  Right?  I think everyone can admit there are times it feels good to do nothing and times when it feels good to pamper yourself (whatever vision you have of pamper) - who cares!  Embrase every moment of your life and stop worring & complaining so you don't miss it!  

-Go live!!

My only complaint about this ad campaign is the fact that, even when these women are in their "ugly duckling" stage, they still look a lot more done up than I do on a regular basis! Aside from that, I love the message that I see here - "Life is hard, moms deserve to pamper themselves a bit, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to do it."

I personally use Suave, and though it doesn't make me look like a million bucks (that takes a bit more work than a simple shampoo), I do feel pampered when I can take a break from my hectic life and shampoo my hair. So, for me, this ad campaign is right on. Way to go, Suave!

ALL OF You:

for being so "busy" you sure do have a lot of time to argue on the internet with a bunch of fools in a forum about a stupid commercial.

wow!  there are a lot of women posting some rather LONG comments here.  couldn't that time be better spent cleaning the house or something???

By many accounts I am a total pig when it comes to understanding women.  However, I believe in the very depths of my heart that being a childs "Mommy" is the most important job in the world.  I think that the Suave commercials point out a matter of great importance.  There is nothing wrong with looking like you care.  It is not a slap in the face of the overwhelmed mothers of the world.  It is just an attempt to sell a product by making people think.  This message board tells me that it might have worked.  All moms are beauties.  Pamper yourselves every once in a while so that you too remember that.  That is all the sensitivity that my testicles can take. Thank you!

As a whole I have seen a horrible trend starting to happen, first off just understand I am not discriminate when it comes to sexes, I see our children degenerating at an alarming rate. It seems to me that with the "introduction" of a two full-time income family has unwittedly been the downfall of our families. I'm not saying women should stay at home or they should only be allowed part-time job. SOMEONE HAS TO STAY WITH THE CHILDREN! If it is the man then so be it, but letting our children grow up being raised by babysitters, daycares, or the TV is the reason we have some of the biggest problems with our children (i.e. younger mothers every year, kids shooting up schools, younger and younger felons, etc). But I also agree with what some of you are saying whomever is spending the majority of the time with the kids (me) needs to maintain some amount of presentability. I'm currently working nights in law enforcement. I use the time they are in school to sleep otherwise my wife and I are with them. Hopefully I'm not ruffling too many feathers.

Since becoming a mom I almost never do my hair, makeup or nails anymore and run around all day in my "comfies" - But I feel more gorgeous than a runway model. Why? Because I have all the confidence of being a good mom, a good employee, a good housekeeper, a good friend, a good daughter/sister/niece/etc and a smart, good woman. That means so much more to me than being pretty, sexy and shiny and I surround myself with like-minded people (and a like-minded husband!) Shame on Suave for trying to make me feel guilty for that!

Wow, Sounds like a few man haters on here. I'm sorry that "your" husbands are lazy and have little concern for "your" needs. But becoming over weight is not the case for all of us after becoming married and there are some of us out here that help our wives get the time they deserve to pamper themselves. It's amazing how a shampoo commercial has more than likely caused a few of you to consider marriage counceling. Lighten up people, it was intended to be a humerous approach to the daily grind most women face.

I am a single mother of three children.. I used to be able to work out, do my hair every day, put on makeup, get to the spa for a waxing... all of that. I stayed home with the kids and always minded my appearance for the benefit of the outside world.

I ended up divorced anyhow. Turns out looks ain't everything, sweetheart.

Since my divorce 5 years ago I have gotten 2 BA degrees and an MA and have just been accepted to law school on a full scholarship. I no longer have the time, money, energy or inclination to do all that stuff I once did because I am too busy becoming a stronger, better person and a healthier role model for my 12 yr old daughter.

And you know what... she doesn't care if my hair is done or not.

I rarely wear makeup, am absolutely still carrying weight from my last baby, and my hair is long and windblown much of the time.. and you know what, even with all that I still capture the attention of really great guys. Bright, successful, charming.

How is this possible without putting on a mask every day?

It is because I am wicked smart, seriously funny and fun to be around, well-read and well-spoken and generally a great person to know. Any man of quality will respect that and seek it out. I could go back to being the little hottie I once was.. it's not too much of a stretch, (If I wanted to spend an hour+ everyday primping, plucking, blowdrying, shaving, applying, etc.) but you know what.. someday no matter what cosmetics you apply, those looks will fade and you will have to deal with the issues that no amount of make up can cover. Don't worry though, you can always get plastic surgery.. doesn't Melanie Griffith look fabulous! (Yikes)

Better advice to women (and the advice I give my daughter) is do what makes you happy and comfortable. And for god's sake never marry a man who doesn't love you to death "au natural" because any man who expects you to look like a supermodel all the time wants a fantasy, not a partner.

I'm not a fantasy, I'm a human being and I am beautiful the way I was created. So are you.

I love the way women use the word supermodel on here. If you're reading this you probably do not look like one. A man who spends any length of time with a woman knows what he is getting into in the looks department, how good you can look and how bad, and accepts that range. The thing you need to think about is that he tolerates you looking your worst but appreciates you looking your best.

Mom's, you need to lighten up. You seem to want it both ways. I know being FT mom is hard work. Nobody in their right mind questions that but the absolute stupidity of listing a couple dozens career paths as if you are doing those fulltime or even well is crazy talk. I'll visit what I've seen. For 20 years I worked FT and overtime, especially when I went salaried and topped out at an average of 85 - 100 hrs a week. I had to or I'd get no bonuses or promotions. My wife on the other hand slept in and stayed up latre.  I was the one who stayed up with the kids when they were sick or got up to potty train them or comfort them when crying. I did home repairs and changed oil in the car  picked up my dirty clothes, mowed the lawn, even washed dishes and cooked nearly half the meals I was home for, yet she always said I didn't contribute enough. This past year I started a home business. Over the past year I noticed that the house is still in the same condition as it was for the past 20 years and she spends literally 16-20 hours a day in bed or on the couch. And, as I said no change in how the house is kept up. Yet she still complains about how she has so much to do that there is just no time to get it all done and since I "don't have a job anymore" why can't I start doing it since she did it so well for so many years. I see the same thing all over.  When caling on retail clients I see the same moms in Starbuck or the McDonalds with their girlfriends for hours every day.  Why not spend some of that time talking a walk or watching (and execising) to a Richard Simmons or TaeBo DVD. To drive the point home, my wife who had a very nice fit but curvy figure when we married immediately after giving birth declared she would get fat, that she would not be able to help it. She said I'd leave her if she did and I assured her I would still love her. And you know, she did.  Really fat.  She weighed more than me and I'm 6ft + and was fairly muscular. I stayed fit, turning heads into my mid 30's. Finally through her complaints and refusal to go out in public with me because "people will wonder why HE is with HER. So I decided to allow my self to go. It made her happy for a year or so once I gained about 80lbs. But then she complained about how I look.  Well I felt like crap and so I've started working out again. I've gotten rid of almost everything but a little around the middle and now she's complaining about my being fit again.  And you know she's still on the couch doing squat. And to tell the truth I see the very same thng with so many women.  They expect men to work 40,50,60+ hours a week, do half the childrearing, half the housework and stay fit while they watch Oprah and sit on the couch complaining about their deadbeat husbands.  Those that work often do not work full time and still expect a full half and half while they let their butts expand. And those that do work full time hold it over their husbands like some badge of courage even if it is 32 hours stocking shelves at WalMart and their husband is doing 70+ as an executive or heavy labor. If they are working full time a full 50/50 split is fair but when the stay at home moms are bulking up and complain they don't have time they are full of it. The fitness experts say 10-20 mins a day to get your heart pumping is all you need. Goog grief, drag the exercise bike out and pump it during the Oprah hour!

talk about touching a nerve or two! suave wins. by the very nature of this discussion, they've managed to create top of mind awareness with all of us, whether you agree with their message, or buy their product, or not.

Shayde, AR have you ever considered that maybe your wife is suffering from a form of depression?  Perhaps you should both see her physician.  

Also, just because you have had an experience where you feel your wife is not doing her part, the majority of families cannot afford for either of the parents to stay home.  

"Those that work often do not work full time and still expect a full half and half while they let their butts expand.  And those that do work full time hold it over their husbands like some badge of courage even if it is 32 hours stocking shelves at WalMart and their husband is doing 70+ as an executive or heavy labor. If they are working full time a full 50/50 split is fair but when the stay at home moms are bulking up and complain they don't have time they are full of it."

If you work in a home based business, you probably should remain anonymous so the people local to you do not know who you are and boycott your services.  I believe there was a study (I think I heard it on NPR) that women make approximately 80% of the financial decisions ranging from groceries to birthday/christmas/anniversary presents, from vacation plans to 401Ks, from clothing to cars, etc.  If I were you, I would not want my name or business associated with such women/mother bashing.  

By the way, I am sacrificing my own lunch time to write this, not any other of my jobs as a woman/mother/wife.

You should get your wife some help.  She probably is not happy with the status of your life either.  Of course, she may get help, medication, therapy, whatever and decide that she really is better off without someone as cynical as you.  Good luck.

Wow, no idea I'd cause such a stir.

My wife is a superwoman.  When I met her, we both loved going out.  We had time, money, and no responsibilities and could spend on clothes, dates, trips, etc.  Now... we have two young boys.

We have to partner on raising them.  I don't know how a single parent could raise their kids.  But there are certain things that the boys just want their mom to do.  I try to balance it out, but it's a lot of work for both of us.  In addition to our full-time jobs, the boys are in little league sports and other activities.

Does she look frazzled after running around two young boys?  Absolutely, so do I.  It's not practical to get dressed up to take the trash out to the curb, but she still enjoys getting dressed up for the few times we can go out.

If you read would I wrote, rather than what you wanted to see (and rant about), my point was that this ad was about her being able to have both.  It's aspirational.  I think most mom's would love to have an afternoon to pamper themselves, but who has the time or money (with two kids) to do it?  For a $2 bottle of suave, you get a little pampering.

And by the way, I never had problems changing diapers.  Don't know what the big deal is.

If my husband would only take on 50% of what I do for the kids and the household, I can spend at least 30% of my time trying to keep my appearance up and looking just as I did when he first met me.  But, I can only be as good as a wife, as he is a husband.  

I take care of my infant daughter, shamefully dependent husband, and my looks, all while going full-time to college.  I think there is an unusual tension between taking care of oneself and being a good wife and mother.  According to this article and older women in my family, I should be offended by Pantene's commercial; looks are not that important.  According to my husband, the business world, and all men, gay or straight, looks are extremely important.  I think the key here is to recognize that in order for me or any other mom to look fabulous, we don't need Pantene.  We need our employers, husbands/suitors, and family to COOPERATE with us so that we are not cleaning after children and adults, working on meaningless work/school projects for DAYS at home, taking care of basic needs for way too many people, and doing everything thing for everyone.  That way, all of us ladies can have time to enjoy being ourselves; if we choose to do our hair and makeup or go to the gym, then good for us.  If not, screw anybody who thinks that maintenance of looks defines what kind of people we are.

I've always wondered why men are considered to look just fine au natural but women need makeup to look like they "take care of themselves". Why do women have to put forth so much time and money to "look good" when all men do is roll out of bed, jump in the shower, get dressed and walk out the door? If a woman does that, well, that must mean she doesn't take care of herself. It's such a double standard.

I could spend more time on myself but I don't. I'd like to but its just not worth it. I am a nearly natural kind of mom with two kids. I prefer to look nice but my husband wouldn't notice, if he did he'd be wondering who else noticed and if any other man should notice, the husband would blame me. So why bother? Last time I wore more than cover-up, foundation and mascara to work for a  week straight I  was hiding black eyes the husband had given me. Next time you want to judge a woman for not taking care of herself take a  moment to remember that you are judging a person you don't know for a very small and shallow thing. I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone I work with wondered why I don't take care  of myself all the time when I looked so nice for a week there. Now, I have to get back to reserving my moving van.

Wow, as I sat and read the posted comments I truly wondered how many poeple (men and women) really tried to relate to the comments and not just "blast" them for their opinions. They really are just that, opinions.
I am a single working mom, my children are older, but even when they were school-age I chose the dress to impress image and wore my snugglies when I wanted comfort. Women can do both. By choice.
Peace starts within, so if you are at Peace in your pjs at the store, go, but be prepared for the looks and maybe even comments. Just remember, they are just vocalized opinions.
Society no longer dictates our acceptance, however if your children ask you to dress up a little for their school play or parent/teacher's conference, you might consider it (for them).
And regarding Suave, they are suppose to advertise their product and just as we have here, they have the right of "freedom of expression".
I read that somewhere...*LOL*

This is all too funny to me!  All my "pamper mom" (and there is oh so much of it!) money is going to gas for my vehicle!  If Suave can figure out how to bring the price of gas back down to $1.50 a gallon, I will start buying their products-until then pampering myself will come in Unleaded!    

I am a divorced mother of two and I for one love this commercial. It makes me feel a little less abnormal. I have always sort of thought that I was really gross and that other mothers must have such great time management skills they have plenty of time to shower, deep condition their locks and manicure their nails regularly but then I see an ad campaign like this and I know I am not alone. I am not that strange. I am busy and it is hard to find time for many of us not just me.

I also loved the Luvs commercial from years ago when the Mom said basically, "I can't even guarantee that I'll get a shower everyday." Before then I felt like I must have been a gross freak for missing a shower here and there because I was so busy. I thought there was something wrong with me because as far as I knew all the other Moms could keep up with kids, job, home and hygiene and I had struggled in that last category. That commercial helped me realize that I was not alone and it helped me not get so depressed about my shortcomings.

I have begun managing my time better and I've included time for me to clean up and polish my nails or do a deep conditioning treatment or do some yoga or pluck my eyebrows. I did this because I was unhappy about what I saw in the mirror. I am not concerned with what others think, I am too busy to worry about them. I was legitimately depressed when I went to buy a dress for a wedding and realized I had neglected myself for too long. It is not easy and there are times when I miss a "me" appointment to spend time with the kids or do something urgent and it's alright but I'm forming good habits and getting back to a healthy weight and so the next time I have to buy a dress I won't burst into tears in the dressing room.

I remember watching that Calgon Take Me Away commercial when I was about 7 or 8 and I remember thinking that it was horrible and mean and I couldn't understand why a woman would be wishing for her family to go away.  I was actually a little traumatized by it because I found myself constantly worrying about if my mom had ever felt that way too and it made me want to be a good kid so she would never want to leave.  As an adult with two daughters of my own, I know have the capacity to understand the message in the commercial and I'm not ashamed to say I can relate to it--as I'm sure we all have.  Anyhow, concerning the Suave ad.  I was a little shocked but not really offended by it because there is truth in it.  I too am guilty of letting myself go on occasions and yes, I've gone to the grocery store with my hair in a bun, no make-up, wearing a t-shirt, jeans and slip on shoes but I'm by no means proud or empowered by that.  I'm actually ashamed that I've gotten lazy.  My motto used to be: "Pride of Ownership" and that applied to everything in my life.  (appearance, home, car, speech, manners, etc)  When I speak about having pride for my home and my car--I'm not talking about the ones I currently own--I'm talking about as far back as my first vehicle which was an 88 Renault Medallion and my first apartment that rented for $450 a month. Although I was pretty destitute, and didn't have a pot to piss in (as my family would say) I still took pride in all things that represented me.  Anyhow, I don't get how so many of you think that a woman that likes to wear make-up is insecure, that's completely ridiculous to me.  I fully admit that I've seen at least one hundred women that are absolutely stunning with no make-up, and I genuinely hope they realize what a blessing they've been given.  As for me, I remember many days that I went to work without wearing make-up (usually during my two pregnancies) and without fail, absolutely every single time that I did not wear make-up, at least one person would ask if I was feeling okay.  I would respond with, "Sure I'm fine, why do you ask?" and EVERYTIME he/she would say, you just look like you're not feeling well. I was not embittered by that experience nor did it hurt my feelings, it just made me realize that I'm not one of those girls that was blessed with natural beauty and I'm absolutely okay with that.  You can say what you will, because I know I am very confident woman that believes IT'S PERFECTLY OKAY if I feel my best when I wear make-up and have my hair and nails done.

I actually saw this commercial all the time last year when I was in South America. I thought it was great and unbelievably true. Although I don't have any kids, my sister has two - ages 15 mos and 27 mos. She has totally let herself go...I look at her hair or other things and I think, girl, comb your hair - dry it...do something. I'm not saying that two kids don't cut into your time, but ultimately, you need to take yourself seriously. Somehow, I find that if you're offended by this commercial then Suave did it's job. You should be offended by this commercial, offended into doing something about how you look...how you present yourself. Take a moment and look in the mirror, remember what got you knocked up in the first place - looking good. Take pride in that...stick up for yourself and wash your hair, run some gloss on your lips, and put on something that looks like it didn't come from the laundry hamper.

Don't use family issues as an excuse for letting yourself go to hell.  I have four kids and take enough pride in myself to look decent.  If you don't have 30 minutes a day to spend on yourself, someone else in the house needs to become a contributor for the good of the entire family - don't become a martyr!

First of all, I have no kids. I am just a young adult with two jobs. And even with no kids, I have no time to look fabulous. But I do know from my mother, (Who raised four kids practicly on her own, me being a set of twins) did whatever she could for us. In the end, still looking the way she wanted to. Which was comfy yet at the same time confident to go out and still look good.

My Boyfriend and I dress up for eachother, and some days we dont. We just enjoy eachothers company.

It's not our place to judge what we think is right and wrong for other people. Do your own thing. No once can make you do otherwise. I like to look nice and be comfortable. Simple. And yes, eventually when I become a mom I will probably lose more of my time, (Which isn't much at all) but I will do with what I have.

lol, I used to use Suave, but honestly I think it's just too greasy for me. Though a shower and some shampoo really do go a long way for me. Along with a little eye makeup and lip gloss. :)

Why can't these working/busy moms be "Handy women"? Meaning, lets put it this way, I am a lazy woman, even with hair and makeup, but it takes 10 minutes to look like a doll, SIMPLE.
It really is, and my dad is like a woman, does all the chores and cooks cleans and such. I'm working, so i dont come home in time for dinner, but i know what a busy person in the house looks like. I would never let myself go. I'd make my man work for his family he "Helped" make, and expect the chores to get done by everyone, including kids (if old enough), not so much in a slave driving way, but to show that mommy doesn't have to be a slave to everyone else.
And here's another thing, if women complain about being worked too much with everything to taking kids to practice and clean and whatever, then they shouldn't have so many kids, otherwise, enjoy what you have, whether it's 1 child, or 5.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):