"At 50 plus ... I never imagined I'd still be parting with money at makeup counters, or that I'd be racing off for a blow-dry when threatened with a photographer. I assumed I'd wear my hair in round perm, the colour of steel and as tough. Think of the time I'd save; vanity is such a consumer of the hours."

Just brilliant. See full article http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/04/hilary-mantel-older-women

[First published on my NotTheNews blog on specified date]