Just For Fun

How good are you about keeping up your regular beauty routine when you’re on vacation?

These days, I pare everything down to the barest of essentials for skincare, hair and makeup.

Skincare

For my face and body, I’ll do a double cleanse, moisturizer and sunscreen, and if I’m going to be out in the sun a lot, then all of those things will be very gentle — no active ingredients.

This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way, ahhh! I’ll never forget how angry my cheeks and lips were when I piled on a bunch of exfoliators and antioxidants when we were in Hawaii a few years ago. No more of that!

Makeup

For makeup, it really depends on where we’re going. Say for instance, camping by the Russian River, which is what we did last weekend. I knew that I wouldn’t want to bother with putting on or taking off makeup, so I just left it all at home. I wore a hydrating lip balm and that was it!

But if we’re going on a trip where there may be a combo of outdoor things (like the beach) and indoor things (like dinner or a visit to a mall), then I’ll bring minimal makeup. I can get by with tinted moisturizer, brow pencil, mascara, eyeliner, a blush/bronzer duo and gloss.

Yup, I don’t even bother taking concealer on trips anymore, LOL!

I’m telling you, the last few years (especially 2020) changed me. I find that I’m so much happier getting by with a handful of makeup that I know and love.

I wonder sometimes if I’ll ever be the glam traveler that I used to be, but that’s another Beauty Q for another time. 🙂

Hair

OK, hair. So here’s what I’ve learned about growing out your grays and also having crazy @ss cowlicks that stick up at all angles: throwing your hair up in a funban or a ponytail becomes, well, challenging. When I do this, all the grays pop out along my hairline and I feel like it makes my face look severe.

So, if we’re doing a combo outdoor/indoor trip, I’ll do long, side-swept bangs that I blow out with a round brush. For the rest of my hair, I’ll curl a few pieces around my face with a large barrel curling iron.

If it’s anything in the woods like camping, then forget about it. I just put my hair back and live with the crazy, LOL! Or I throw a hat on.

This is all very different from what I used to do 10 years ago. I’d take the whole kit-and-caboodle with me wherever I went.

Isn’t it interesting how our beauty journey can sometimes take these crazy turns?

Anywho, let me know what you do these days. Do you keep your regular beauty routine when you take summer trips? Or do you do a modified, pared-down version of skin, hair and makeup?

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. One beauty product you always take with you on trips?

Sunscreen!

2. Pick a dessert — ice cream, cheesecake, pie or a fruit salad.

I wouldn’t mind a scoop of ice cream right now.

3. What’ve you been listening to lately?

So much retro music! Mostly ‘80s pop and ‘90s dance music.

4. Have you thought about fall/back to school yet?

Believe it or not, yes. I bought some new shirts for Connor’s school uniform a couple weeks ago. I need to order her a backpack and lunch bag soon, too. I don’t want to be doing it all at the last minute!

5. Do you care much about the Nordstrom sale?

I used to, but now, not really. The things I want are never in stock online, and I’ve had some not-so-great experiences with customer service at Nordstrom in the past year.

6. Would you rather ride an e-bike or an electric scooter?

Hard pass on both (I don’t need to be going that fast), but if I had to choose, I’d go with the bike.

7. How’s your summer going so far?

It’s been a little stressful at times trying to balance working and spending time with Connor at home, but all in all, I’ve had a blast! We’ve met a few new friends in the neighborhood with kids, and I’ve spent some time getting to know some really down-to-earth moms. It’s been really hard to meet people on my wavelength here in Marin (there’s lots of “keeping up with the Joneses”), and I think I’m on the verge of finally making some true friends. I’m trying to keep my expectations in check, but still, I’m hopeful.

Happy Monday, my beautiful friend. Here’s a sweet hug for you, and a wish for you to have a wonderful day.

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. One beauty product you always take with you on trips?
2. Pick a dessert — ice cream, cheesecake, pie or a fruit salad.
3. What’ve you been listening to lately?
4. Have you thought about fall/back to school yet?
5. Do you care much about the Nordstrom sale?
6. Would you rather ride an e-bike or an electric scooter?
7. How’s your summer going so far?

Who wrote this headline, “Chicken Coop for the Soul?” LOL! It make me laugh so hard…

I saw quite a few chicken coops at the hardware store about a week ago. I’ve never raised chickens before, but for some reason I’m enamored with the idea of living on a small farm with a cute little chicken coop!

Ideally in this scenario I’d have help with feeding the chickens and cleaning up the poop, but something tells me if it happened in real life, I’d end up fully responsible for the whole kit and caboodle. So, mama’s gonna give the opportunity to raise chickens a HARD PASS. Ha ha ha!

Anywho, enough about chickens and happy Saturday to ya! What are you up to today? Hope you’ve got some fun plans that involve being outside.

Enjoy this beautiful weekend, OK?

This week’s reading

• Bitter notes (think tart and sharp) are the new trend in perfumes. Side note, one of my favorites, Chanel No. 19, is on this list!
• Ooh, I want to smell Rose de Grasse Rouge!
• Scents for a sun-soaked holiday.
• Ready to add an essence to your skincare routine?
• Yup, your hair needs sun protection, too.

Be kind to yourself

I’ve been wanting one of these

Because I’m forever trying to eat enough protein

You can never have enough sunscreen

This song makes me wish I had feathered hair that whipped around while I roller skated

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. My new bench!

I’ve been looking for a bench like this for the grassy part of my front lawn for years. YEARS! I wanted something sturdy and relatively easy to move (it’s made out of cast iron), and something with slats so that the sun could still get through to hit the grass below.

It’s really nice to have a comfy place to sit while I watch Connor and her friends play in our yard, and now I go out there all the time to read or have a coffee or a snack. I love it!

This bench was from the Ace Hardware in my town; it’s also available online, if you’re interested.

2. Eating outside

I don’t know if it’s something linked to the primitive part of my brain, but lately, whenever I eat a meal outside and I can see the sky, it just feels so right! I was just actually outside a few minutes ago before writing this eating peanut butter on toast and drinking a vanilla coffee on my bench (see top pic), LOL!

3. The “Wham!” documentary on Netflix

I’ve always loved the band Wham! since I was kid; I remember going to the library back in the day and checking out the album on vinyl (!) for “Music from the Edge of Heaven,” and listening to it nonstop. Side note — does anybody else think “Battlestations” is hugely underrated? It’s one of my favorites.

Anywho, I’ve coincidentally have been listening to a lot of music by Wham! and George Michael lately, and wouldn’t you know it, there’s now a documentary about the band on Netflix.

I started watching it last night and am about 30 minutes in and am really enjoying it. Give it a go if you’ve got Netflix!

4. Finding new music on Spotify

No joke, all I did last summer was listen to Fleetwood Mac on 24/7. Not that there’s anything wrong with that (Stevie Nicks forever), but I’m really trying to expand my musical world this summer. I’ve have been finding a lot of great songs on Spotify. Here’s a few new-to-me songs that I found this week.

“Jenny” by Jack Lizard featuring BXRBER

“SUPERBLOOM” by MisterWives

“Say What” by Goosetaf

“Going Up the Coast” by Clay and Friends

5. Writing down my goals every morning

I saw a video recently that talked about how, if you have goals, writing them down every morning can be very helpful in achieving them. So, I’ve been doing that lately. So far it’s been really helpful!

Oh, I also like to add a date to my list because having a time frame (or a deadline) makes my goals seem more concrete and urgent.

What’ve you been loving lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The pimple that recently set up shop on my chin and I would like to know if your skin freaks the eff out when summer weather hits. Mine does, for sure!

I suspect it’s because I purposefully ease up on the chemical exfoliators, etc., when I know I’m going to be spending more time in the sun. I learned the hard way that I can’t aggressively layer acids and antioxidants and all the potent stuff AND be outside all day. It’s just too much.

So, I tend to keep it pretty basic when it comes to skincare during the summer, which means face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen and anything calming and soothing. I think between the combination of letting up on the AHAs, BHAs and skincare treatments, and then applying and reapplying hella sunscreen all day long, my face is like, “Ha ha ha! Here’s a juicy pimple, enjoy!”

How about you? Does your skin break out more in the summer?

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. What’s more annoying, chin hair or upper lip hair?

Upper lip hair, for sure! I feel like I wax and it’s all good for like, a hot second. Next thing I know Magnum P.I.’s mustache has suddenly set up shop!

2. Last scary thing you watched?

The first two episodes of the new “Black Mirror.”

3. Pick three types of fruit for a Fourth of July fruit salad!

Watermelon because YUM, blackberries for a color contrast and apples for crunch.

4. Your preferred length of shorts?

Not too long, not too short. Somewhere in between, which is usually when the hem hits about halfway down my thigh. Dang, I gotta say, I do miss the days when I could wear booty shorts without any thought! There was a time in my youth when my standard issue summer uniform was short shorts, a tank top and flip flops, and I miss being able to get away with that casual, beachy look.

5. Where is the best place to get a cup of coffee in your town?

Marin Coffee Roasters. Their coffee never gives me a stomach ache, and I can always get oat milk in my latte. I love Starbucks lattes for their consistency, but it’s truly hit or miss whether I’ll get outta there without some type of tummy issue, and I have the stomach of a goat.

6. Has anything unexpected happened this summer so far?

Well, my seasonal allergies have been absolutely bananas! It’s been an unusually long allergy season. The sneezing and sniffling usually ends in May!

7. What do you think of physical exfoliators?

I think they can be helpful, especially if you’re struggling with acne. Ideally it combines very gentle physical exfoliation with something chemical. If you’re looking for a good one, Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Powder is a game changer!

8. Last new food you tried?

I tried a Split from Wicked Slush (see pic at the top). It’s a combination of a slush, which, is kinda like Shave Ice, and soft serve ice cream.

Hi there, my friend! How’s your Monday been so far? Are you taking it off for the long holiday weekend? I’m working today, but I’ll be taking Connor down to a pool in the afternoon to burn off some energy.

We’ve been practically living at the pool for the last few days, and this bottle of Banana Boat Light as Air Sunscreen has been our jam lately, mostly because it’s lightweight and doesn’t feel sticky or heavy on skin. Try it if you haven’t already!

What are your plans for the Fourth of July holiday? Tonight we’re going to try to catch some fireworks in a nearby town, and then tomorrow we’ll be meeting up with our neighbors to hang out and grill. The pool will probably be involved as well. 🙂

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. What’s more annoying, chin hair or upper lip hair?
2. Last scary thing you watched?
3. Pick three types of fruit for a Fourth of July fruit salad!
4. Your preferred length of shorts?
5. Where is the best place to get a cup of coffee in your town?
6. Has anything unexpected happened this summer so far?
7. What do you think of physical exfoliators?
8. Last new food you tried?