How do you "freshen up"?

I take a shower.

When I would dance at clubs a lot, I would go to the bathroom and rinse my face, but I never had to freshen up anywhere else. I do everything at the shower.

Shower for me…

If I’m home and have time, I would take a shower and probably not do my hair. I might put new makeup on. I would definitely brush my teeth. I may or may not put on different clothes.

If I were out, like stopped at a friend’s house, freshening up would mean definitely washing my hands and if I had a toothbrush, brushing my teeth.

“Freshen up” for me means wash my hands, maybe my forearms and face, comb my hair, check my teeth and breath, go potty, indulge the babywipes on my lady bits and apply lotion if needed. If my armpits are smelly then they too will get babywipes with soap, a wipe/rinse and fresh deodorant from my mini purse size stick.

I see it as a euphemism for taking a leak.

I’ve always imagined people going to the bathroom to do some cocaine

In the context of a feminine product ad, I’m pretty sure it means “your vagina is doing things that are natural; you need to douse it with bleach”.

I don’t think I’ve ever actually used this phrase. If I don’t have time for a shower, but need to clean up a bit, I’ll use moist wipes on the areas in need, put on deodorant, brush my teeth and out the door I go.

I agree with @janbb. It’s from way back in the day when it was impolite for a woman to imply she needed to pee. It was nicer for a lady to say freshen up. She would dissappear, pee, and add a little lipstick or blush, and return to the table. Supposedly those at the table would not be sure exactly what went on in the ladies room. I guess it is like fading to black on an old movie instead of actually showing the sex scene.

Put on lotion and smooth my eyebrows hahahhahah

I believe they used to say “I have to go powder my nose” in the old days also. At least that’s what they said in the old movies.

I go to the bathroom and douse my face and head with cold, cold water. I have a Patrick Stewart hairstyle, so I can dry off with a couple of paper towels.

I’m with @janbb. I just thought women used to say it because they needed to know where the bathroom was to pee and asking outright might be “indelicate.” I’ve never said and I don’t think I’ve ever heard any one say it. If I don’t feel “fresh” I take a shower. I think it’s the same thing with the whole “powdering one’s nose” subterfuge. These are just women who need to use the bathroom. At least that’s what I’ve always thought.

Yeah, powdering your nose is the same thing.

Remember those skits on Saturday Night Live about the ladies room? Some sort of magical fantastic place.

“Freshen up” to me means to fix my make up, wash my hands, brush my teeth or do some mouth-washing. A shower takes longer than “freshening up.”

Brushing the teeth and taking a quick shower.

In the “bodice rippers” that I read, when a woman asks where she may freshen up, it usually involves a basin of water with a washcloth, and she will use the cloth on her face and neck. I’m not quite sure about the armpits because most of those dresses were so damn tight… how would you get to your pits without undressing? And I doubt she used the cloth on her lady bits, because she’d have to get up under the petticoats, the shift and whatever other undergarments she was wearing.

When I “freshen up”, I use feminine wipes on my underarms, under my breasts (only because I’m so heavy chested that I perspire underneath my breasts during the summer), and on my lady bits. I also usually carry a mini-bottle of mouthwash with me to freshen my breath after I eat.

Reapplying deodorant, swishing a healthy swig of mouthwash and brushing hair, and I’m fresh enough for the time being.

@jaytkay, lurve for Patrick Stewart hairstyle.