The older generations had more important things to care about to survive.
A very thoughtful answer. And it hits the nail on the head.
Indeed, when a woman had to spend half of her time after work lining up in stores, cooked for the family, took care of the laundry, kids' homework and a mountain of other things then, even is she was able to eventually buy some decent cosmetics, she had only so much time to take care of herself.
I often think that Polish women were the true heroes (heroines might sound too ambiguous) of this country.