Just For Fun

Do you have any beauty regrets?

This question came about after a long discussion with my neighbor about sunscreen! He’s fair skinned with red hair, and he mentioned how he regrets tanning when he was in his 20s and 30s. Now that he’s older, his skin has sun damage that’s difficult to deal with.

I never tried to actively tan, but I do wish that I wore sunscreen consistently at an earlier age. When I was a kid, I was outside all the time, especially in the summer, and often for hours on end. The only time I wore sunscreen, though, was when we went to the beach or the lake. Crazy! And when I started wearing sunscreen daily, it wasn’t until college.

Anywho, beauty regrets. Here are some of mine in no particular order!

• Not wearing enough sunscreen at a younger age and not often enough
• Plucking my brows to oblivion in the ’90s
• Aggressive tugging on my eyelids to apply makeup, especially eyeliner
• Believing I “needed” to contour my nose to make it straighter; this went on for a while and in I’m glad I found my way out of it because it wasn’t doing any favors for my mental health

But by far the biggest regret is not really truly appreciating what I had at the time, because my goodness, I see pictures of myself when I was younger and can’t believe I had that much collagen. (Or hair, for that matter.) If I could, I’d go back in time and give Baby Karen a big old hug, and tell her that she 1) doesn’t really need all that concealer, and 2) she’s going to be just fine.

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. How do you feel about beauty products you have to scoop out of jars?

I’d rather have a tube or a jar with a pump, but if the product works for me, I don’t mind a jar. I know a lot of beauty lovers have strong feelings about scooping creams and whatnot out of jars, though!

2. Something you’re looking forward to in the fall?

Spending holidays with El Hub. For the last few years he’s had to go into the office on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but this year he’ll be home!

Oh, I’m also looking forward to cooler weather. LOL!

3. Surfing, snorkeling or stand up paddle boarding?

Stand up paddle so Connor can sit on the board and hang out with me while we explore.

4. Ranch dressing or Italian?

Ranch so I can dip my pizza and baby carrots in it. 🙂

5. Is your hair curly, straight or somewhere in between?

Somewhere in between. My top layers are wavy, and the inner layers are straight.

Aloha and happy Monday, sweet girl. We’re still on Oahu but we’re down to the last few days of vacation and will be headed home soon. This part of a trip is always so bittersweet! It’s been so much fun to spend time with my family and take a break from everyday life, but somewhere along the way, I’ve become quite the creature of habit. I miss my bed and my usual routine, LOL! Anywho. I hope your Monday is filled with sweetness and light.

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. How do you feel about beauty products you have to scoop out of jars?
2. Something you’re looking forward to in the fall?
3. Surfing, snorkeling or stand up paddle boarding?
4. Ranch dressing or Italian?
5. Is your hair curly, straight or somewhere in between?

What beauty-related tasks can you do well?

Painting nails? Coloring your hair? Waxing your brows?

For me, I’m OK at the following:

• Painting nails — I can do simple manis/pedis, which is all I need.
• Styling my hair — I can do most styles on my hair, as long as I watch a tutorial.
• Waxing — I can do everything except my brows. I tried to do my brows once and it was a disaster!
• Brows — Speaking of brows, I’m OK at plucking and shaping mine.
• Minimal makeup — Because it’s been my jam for like YEARS now, ha ha ha!
• Pairing eye/cheek/lip colors together — Even though I haven’t worn a full-on glam look in a while, I think that I did enough makeup in the past to still know what shades work together without needing my hand held.
• False lashes — I rarely wear them anymore, but I tried putting on a pair a while back and it was just like riding a bike.

How about you? What beauty-related tasks can you do well?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday! I took an early morning walk and was reminded by Hawaii just how beautiful she is. The clouds, the water, the trees — Oahu is truly magical.

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?

Sure, why not? I rocked it back in the day and still like the look.

2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?

Yes and no. Considering both my parents were immigrants and super strict, I had a decent amount of freedom compared to other kids in the same situation. I was allowed to go to birthday parties and sleepovers when I was in high school, but only if my parents knew the family and there was adult supervision. I was also allowed to go on overnight school trips with the marching band, too.

I couldn’t drive, though, and I didn’t get my license until I was in college. Oh, and there was no such thing as “hanging out” at someone’s house after school for the sake of socializing!

3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?

Yeah, I’ve had various incarnations of a bob since I was 12, and periodically the urge to rock it comes back. It’s definitely not a low-maintenance type of cut for me, though! I have to do a lot to make it work.

4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?

I’m tempted to say somewhere that isn’t too hot, but eh, where’s the fun in that? I’d go to Kauai to live on a small farm with goats and chickens!

5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta!

Trader Joe’s! I go at least once a week.

Aloha, my friend! We’re on Oahu visiting family and I’m so excited to slather 3,405 layers of sunscreen on myself, ha ha ha! My plan for this trip is to enjoy as much time as I can outside and to try ALL OF THE SHAVE ICE. 🙂

I hope your Monday is going great. Sending you a big hug from across the Pacific!

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. Purposefully unblended lip liner – yes or no?
2. Did you have a lot of freedom when you were a teenager?
3. Have you ever had a bob haircut?
4. If you could live anywhere for a month (all expenses paid) in August, where would you go?
5. A store you visit often – besides Sephora or Ulta!

Happy Saturday to you, my friend. I hope you’ve had a peaceful morning and that you’re feeling calm and happy. I’m already due for my next cup of Nespresso; I’m thinking something with caramel will do the trick!

Have a wonderful weekend, OK?

This week’s reading

• The best makeup of 2023, according to “In Style.”
• Men in Asian countries are cool with wearing makeup: “Compared to the U.S., Asia has welcomed men’s makeup brands more, especially in countries like China and South Korea.”
• Why fragrance lovers need to add the South of France to their travel bucket list. Side note, who’s down to go?
• A list of citrus scents for those (like me!) who love orange and lemon notes.
• Science or magic? How perfume became a tool for manifestation.
• The Juicy-Pang “water blusher” from Korean brand A’pieu looks lovely!
• Blush basics 101.
• Moody nail art for fall!
• Milk nails are a thing.

I’m obsessed with her

Well, now I want toast

Yes please

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Have you ever done a skincare regimen on a plane?

Years ago, I watched a Lisa Eldridge video about the skincare regimen she does when she takes long flights. There’s multiple steps involved, including removing makeup, a face mask, various creams and toners and whatnot. The whole process is pretty intense, but it seems like it would be lovely and comforting, especially on a very long flight.

I’ve always wondered, though, if anyone else has actually done this on a plane ride.

If you have, RESPECT!

I’ve always wanted to do this but haven’t had the guts to actually do the whole kit and caboodle on the plane. I’m not shy at all, but I’m kinda shy about doing skincare in front of strangers. I don’t know; it seems kinda intimate? Maybe that’s just me. LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen