Just For Fun

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. When do you usually eat dinner?

Usually about 5:30, which is pretty early for me, but since El Hub works finance hours and Connor’s bedtime is at 8, it’s a good time for us. That way we’re not all completely ravenous, and there’s plenty of time to get Connor ready for bedtime without rushing.

2. Denim overalls or a denim dress?

I’ll take the overalls, but only if there are lots and lots of of pockets.

3. Stick foundation or powder foundation?

Stick.

4. What’s keeping you going these days?

Honestly? Caffeine. Coffee in the morning, and earl grey tea after lunch to get through the afternoon.

5. How would you fare if you had to watch a llama at your place for two weeks?

It would be difficult because we don’t have a fenced in backyard, so I couldn’t just stick the him in an enclosed space to prevent him from wandering off, but, still… I’d find a way to make it work! I would do OK, I think.

6. What does your perfect brow look like?

Full from inner corner to the tail, but not to the point that they look painted in or blocky. Soft edges around the inner corner and tail, too. Nothing too “carved” or too perfect, please. I like a slight element of chaos, so a few rebel hairs would be cool, too.

7. Vintage or modern?

Vintage.

8. Contacts or glasses?

Glasses, please. I have contacts, but I rarely wear ’em these days.

9. Oatmeal or waffles?

Oatmeal.

10. Spring or summer?

Late spring.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. When do you usually eat dinner?
2. Denim overalls or a denim dress?
3. Stick foundation or powder foundation?
4. What’s keeping you going these days?
5. How would you fare if you had to watch a llama at your place for two weeks?
6. What does your perfect brow look like?
7. Vintage or modern?
8. Contacts or glasses?
9. Oatmeal or waffles?
10. Spring or summer?

P.P.S. Happy Monday! ?

Happy Saturday, friend. ? Good morning. I hope you slept well. Today promises to be a colorful day here thanks to a new box of sidewalk chalk (a present from my brother!). For weeks, Connor and I have been hop-scotching and garage-floor-doodling with the last shards and slivers of sidewalk chalk we had because, apparently, sidewalk chalk, like hand sanitizer, is scarce ’round these parts. There are lots of chalk artists out there. Getting a new box felt like finding pirate treasure!

We didn’t even blink when we saw the few broken bits, because you know what they say… You take what you can get when it comes to sidewalk chalk during a pandemic. ?‍♀️

• Does wearing makeup interfere with the effectiveness of a mask? According to dermatologist Dr. Carrie L. Kovarik, the answer is no; however, the combo of foundation, lipstick, perspiration, hot breath and friction can irritate your skin.
• There’s an “ugly makeup revolution” happening, and yes, it’s a real thing. The term was coined by Berlin-based makeup artist and activist Eszter Magyar, and it refers to makeup that pushes back on the typical Instagram selfie face on social media. “Pearls glued to skin, rimming an eyelid like so many warts. Black scribbled words across a red-painted face, screaming at the viewer to ‘eat the rich.’ Pollack-like splatters of blue on yellow lips. There’s something dreamlike about them. Some are playful and childlike – Dr Seuss would approve. But others are sinister and menacing, aggressive and slightly brutal. They look like they hurt to wear, and some of them do.”
• COOL! ——-> Speaking of atypical makeup, this makeup artist paints her ears with tiny scenes. ??‍♀️?
• The makeup artist behind HBO’s Euphoria, Kirsten Coleman, hosted a Zoom virtual makeup tutorial yesterday.
• Makeup brand e.l.f. is teaming up with Chipotle (as in the build your own burritos)… All I have to say to this is 1) what the hell? And 2), is guac extra? ?
• Favorite read of the week ——-> In the Coronavirus Crisis, I Can’t Visit My Sick Mother — So I Wear Her Perfume Instead.
• The low-down on skin care cult classic Biologique Recherche P50 lotion.
• Some dermatologists are unbothered by blue light.
• These are the trendy nail shades for summer 2020, according to J. Lo’s manicurist, Tom Bachik.
• Maybelline just launched a new line of fast-drying nail polishes.

Base for those who don’t like wearing foundation.

Wait for the trombones!!!

Welcome to my youth.

When I lived in SF, I’d go to this beach all the time.

LOOK AT TERRY’S CRAFT ROOM!

How are you doing today? Speaking for myself, I see an afternoon nap in my future…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What are some beauty-related things you’ve learned about yourself lately? Inquiring minds want to know. ?

I never thought a mandatory shelter-in-place order would be so enlightening, beauty-wise, but I also never thought I’d see a global pandemic, so there ya go. ?

Here are three of mine:

1. I can’t handle my base looking or feeling heavy at all in any way (and it’s giving me déjà vu).

This is a complete 180 from my makeup style a few years ago, when I’d wear a full-glam face — lashes and contour and everything! — just to go get emergency M&Ms and a loaf of bread at the store. Now, if I feel even remotely like I’m wearing one more brushstroke of product than necessary on my cheeks, I’ll remove everything and start again.

It’s interesting to me how my makeup tastes have changed over the years. (Probably a good idea that I didn’t get any permanent makeup done.)

2. I’ve rediscovered my love for drugstore beauty products.

I’ve always loved drugstore beauty products, but over the years I’ve swayed back and forth between preferring higher end or budget beauty. Nowadays, though, because of the economic uncertainty, if I have to replace something, I look to budget beauty first, and I’ve found some gems lately! — like Aveeno Stress Relief Body Lotion and Pantene Rose Water Shampoo and Conditioner.

3. I kinda like my grown-out grays.

It’s been about 18 months since I stopped dying my hair, and although I like how low-maintenance it has been, I haven’t been thrilled about how it looks, ya know? But that’s changing. Now I kinda like seeing those silvery sparkles in my hair, and I also like that I’m not freaking out about seeing all the roots since the lockdown started.

How about you? Have you learned anything new about yourself, beauty-wise, lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

1. Olives or ice cream?

Ice cream…which reminds me, I haven’t had Baskin-Robbins since February. ? Someone needs to inject me with a scoop of pistachio almond ASAP.

2. Hair spray or hair gel?

Hair gel, but only the kind that feels soft after it dries.

3. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter?

Creamy.

4. Cream or powder products?

Creams all the way, homegirl!

5. Handwritten or typed out?

Handwritten for notes, to-do lists, journaling and the occasional first draft when I’m feeling stuck. Typed out for everything else.

6. Frizzy or fine?

Frizzy is my middle name at the moment.

7. Chaos or quiet?

What the hell, we’ll go with chaos!

8. Manicure or pedicure?

Manicure, because all I wear these days are Nikes, so nobody’s looking at my toes.

9. Pudding or jello?

Ewww to both (it’s a texture thing), but if I had to choose…I’d go with Jello.

10. Culottes or capris?

Culottes that hit just above my knee, since capris make me look about three feet tall.

11. A bicycle built for two or a unicycle?

A bicycle built for two if I can be the person in the front driving and calling the shots. If I can’t, then I’ll take the unicycle and wear, like, a sh*t ton of pads all over every inch of my body.

12. Daisies or tulips?

Both. ???

13. Bacon or pizza?

Pizza!

14. Sandwiches cut into rectangles or triangles?

Triangles all the way.

15. Hula hoop or jump rope?

Jump rope.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Olives or ice cream?
2. Hair spray or hair gel?
3. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter?
4. Cream or powder products?
5. Handwritten or typed out?
6. Frizzy or fine?
7. Chaos or quiet?
8. Manicure or pedicure?
9. Pudding or Jello?
10. Culottes or capris?
11. A bicycle built for two or a unicycle?
12. Daisies or tulips?
13. Bacon or pizza?
14. Sandwiches cut into rectangles or triangles?
15. Hula hoop or jump rope?

P.P.S. Good morning! ?