Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 738

July 18th, 2022 by Karen 17 Comments

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. Denim skirt or denim vest?

I’ll take the cropped GAP denim vest I used to wear in 1995. I donated it to a thrift store in 1998, le sigh. Wish I kept it! Also, I’m short waisted, and skirts, denim and otherwise, never seem to fit me quite right.

2. Ice cream cake or ice cream sundae?

A simple ice cream cake, please. Ice cream sundaes have too much stuff going on between the syrup, the ice cream and the toppings — it’s too much for my taste buds.

3. Dry brushing: yes or no?

I’m going to give it a no. I did it once out of curiosity and it was terribly uncomfortable.

4. How’s your chess game?

Terrible. My Connect Four game, though, is 🔥.

5. Have you ever fostered any animals?

No, but I’d love to foster cats or kittens someday.

6. Do you wear any jewelry when you go to bed?

Nope, not usually. Sometimes I’ll keep my wedding and engagement rings on if I’m very tired, or if I’m in a situation where I’ll most certainly lose them if I take them off and never find them again, like camping.

7. Last skin care active ingredient you used?

Does SPF count?

8. Do you have more lipsticks or nail polishes?

More lipsticks at the moment.

9. Do you think Ben and J. Lo are gonna make it?

You know, I really wanna believe in love. So, yes!

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. Denim skirt or denim vest?
2. Ice cream cake or ice cream sundae?
3. Dry brushing: yes or no?
4. How’s your chess game?
5. Have you ever fostered any animals?
6. Do you wear any jewelry when you go to bed?
7. Last skin care active ingredient you used?
8. Do you have more lipsticks or nail polishes?
9. Do you think Ben and J. Lo are gonna make it?

P.P.S. Aloha for one last time. We’re headed back to the Bay Area today, so I’ll see you on the other side of the Pacific very soon. Have a great Monday!

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 719

July 17th, 2022 by Karen 3 Comments

Meow-loha! Rosie wanted to say a quick hi from Novato. Connor, El Hub and I are still on Oahu but headed back tomorrow. Rosie has been living it up with her petsitter back home in California, getting major lurvies and all-you-can-eat gravy and pets. Frankly, she’s in no big hurry to see us back, although she is running low on graph paper and mechanical pencil lead, which she needs to work on her calculations.

As you know, she’s a kitty scientist and an engineer; consequently, she goes through lots of graph paper.

Rosie’s busy schedule prevented her from joining us on this trip, but she’s very interested in visiting Hawaii someday, especially Volcano National Park on The Big Island.

Connor and I have been meeting with some of the leading feline scientists and researches on the island on Rosie’s behalf, like today we met with Dr. Cutie Pie here, who is Hawaii’s leading cat botanist.

She knows everything there is to know about the tastiest tropical plants.

We’ve also had our eyes peeled for cute kitty-themed items that we think Rosie would like, including this cute box of chocolates…

While Tabs enjoyed Hawaii’s night life and had a rich kitty modeling career here, Rosie would probably prefer to spend her time on the University of Hawaii campus.

Dr. Cutie Pie, Hawaii’s leading cat botanist.

Dr. Cutie Pie

Professor Peanut.

Cutie Pie and Peanut researching in the field.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, July 16, 2022!

July 16th, 2022 by Karen 2 Comments

orange and red hibiscus saturday surfing june 26 2021 — Good morning!

Happy Caturday, my friend. Short and sweet Saturday Surfing today because I’m off to an early walk along the beach. We’ll be leaving on Monday, so I’m getting as much time near the ocean as I can sneak in.

Have a wonderful Saturday!

This week’s reading

What Marvel villains look like under their makeup.
31 behind-the-scenes fun facts about memorable makeup looks from TV.
12 of the best vegan makeup lines, according to “Marie Claire.”
Baby skin care you’ll want to use, too.
Skin care deals from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

I’ll take all the easy hairstyles!

Ageless glow makeup.

The 411 on peptides.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Foodland, a Hidden Hawaii Gem for Gifts and Souvenirs

July 15th, 2022 by Karen 10 Comments

Happy Friday from the west side of Hawaii!

Aloha, my friend. I’m deeply enamored at the moment with Foodland market here on Oahu. It’s kinda like Whole Foods but with a local vibe.

We’ve gone three times in the last three days to pick up local snacks, drinks, sushi and pre-made bento boxes (portable to-go meals with rice, protein and a vegetable), and every single time, I swear I find something new and cool I’ve never tried before.

Case in point — a local brand of herbal teas called Shaka. I had the Lemon Lokelani Rose the other day and now I’m drooling a little just thinking it, yum!

What’s also very cool about Foodland is you can also not-so-typical gifts and souvenirs made locally. In addition to snacks and teas, you’ll also find cards, body care products, candles and more. I found them in the end caps all over the store.

A few things that caught my eye…

[Continue reading…]

Vacation Beauty Shoutout: elf Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

July 14th, 2022 by Karen 8 Comments

Aloha, friend! If you’re headed to a sunny summer vacation spot and plan on slathering yourself with sunscreen, make a note to pack a jar of this solid balm cleanser by elf. Technically it’s designed to remove makeup, but I’ve found it works like a charm to melt off even the most stubborn waterproof sunscreen, and yes, you can use it all over your body — not just on your face.

It’s basically like the first step of a double cleanse. Before I step into the shower, I rub Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm on my face, neck, shoulders, arms, legs and feet. Then, when I’m in the shower and my skin’s wet, I work the balm with my hands to help break up the sunscreen even more. After I rinse it off, I do a second cleanse with a shower gel!

Sounds like a lot, I know, but I’ve found this process is much faster and easier than trying to rub off the sunscreen with a small face towel, soap and elbow grease.

Oh, and added bonus, since the balm is solid, it’s carry-on friendly. A 2-ounce jar is $11, and you can find it at drugstores and Ulta.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Vacation Hair: Do You Bother Styling Your Hair When You’re on a Trip?

July 12th, 2022 by Karen 8 Comments

It really depends on what kind of trip it is.

If it’s a trip involving outdoor adventures like camping, or visiting the beach or a pool on any given day, then chances are the styling will be minimal — after shampooing and conditioning (I wash my hair every day), I’ll work in some leave-in conditioner, let it air dry and then do a ponytail, bun or a french twist with a claw clip. Maybe if I’m feeling ambitious I’ll comb the cray-cray baby hairs down with some brow gel.

Funny thing is whenever we take these kind of outdoorsy trips, even though I know I’ll be doing the bare minimum with my hair, that doesn’t stop me from bringing a styling tool every single time. What can I say? There’s something about having the option to do my hair that’s kinda comforting to me!

Case in point: right now there’s a t3 curling iron sitting in my luggage, and even though I probably won’t touch it during the trip, I like knowing it’s there in case I change my mind.

Now, if the trip centers around sightseeing in a city, then I’ll usually try to style it, even if it’s just a few loose curls with my curling iron, so my hair doesn’t look too crazy in pictures.

Is your vacation hair routine the same as your non-vacation hair routine? Do you bother styling your mane when you’re on a trip?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 737

July 11th, 2022 by Karen 18 Comments

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. Do fragrance ads make you laugh?

Yes! I think most of them are silly. They’re usually people running or rolling in the sand looking semi-drenched, holding instruments or whatnot and staring into the camera.

2. Eye patches for skincare: love ’em or leave ’em?

I mean they feel good at the time, but I don’t really notice any difference. But I won’t say no if somebody offers me a de-puffing pair for underneath my eyes.

3. Favorite berry?

Strawberry.

4. Have you ever jumped from a high diving board?

Not a man-made one, but I jumped off the rock at Waimea, which is pretty high. I’m guessing 25 feet? Technically not a board, but I still jumped!

5. Favorite taco?

Fish! I love breaded fish tacos. Mmm…

6. Which one freaks you out more: earthquakes or tornados?

Tornados, for sure. Very scary to me. I’ve never been through one. I have been through earthquakes before out here in California.

7. Your favorite hiking spot?

The Fairway Waterfall in Novato. It’s an easy 1-mile hike in the foothills through oak and strawberry tree forest to a small 30-foot waterfall and shallow pool filled with salamanders. It’s very cool!

8. Whatcha doing today?

After breakfast of eggs, fresh papaya, French toast, and Portuguese sausage, we’ll probably head to the beach and get shave ice after.

Yes, we’re in Hawaii! We’re visiting family here this week.

9. Favorite dress length and why?

I like dresses that are slightly below the knee, but not quite midi. I like the feeling of being a little more covered up from the longer length, and I don’t feel like they make me look shorter than I actually am.

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. Do fragrance ads make you laugh?
2. Eye patches for skincare: love ’em or leave ’em?
3. Favorite berry?
4. Have you ever jumped from a high diving board?
5. Favorite taco?
6. Which one freaks you out more: earthquakes or tornados?
7. Your favorite hiking spot?
8. Whatcha doing today?
9. Favorite dress length and why?

P.P.S. Aloha from Hawaii! Rosie decided she needed some time to herself with her favorite cat sitter, so she sent us all the way across the Pacific Ocean. Right now I can hear waterfalls in the background, but I won’t go chasing them… They’re actually manufactured ones at the place we’re staying, but still very pretty. Enjoy your Monday. Talk to you soon.

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 718

July 10th, 2022 by Karen 1 Comment

Well of course he won first place in the Amateur Husky Cat Division at Pipeline Surf Contest on Oahu. Tabs accomplished many great things, including winning the world’s most prestigious surfing competition. He was proud of that win, partly because he also snagged major feline fashion campaigns from it with Roxy, Billabong, Quicksilver and Local Motion.

He was proud of his beach body and wasn’t afraid to show it off.

To this day, you’ll hear cats in the surf community speak of his physique and physical feats with wonder. Could he have made it as a pro cat surfer? I bet he could have.

Rosie

Rosie is more interested in the engineering aspects of surfing, of course. She’s working on a new composite material with which to manufacture surfboards, with the goal of creating a lighter, faster, more efficient board in tune with both nature and physics. At least that’s how she explains it to me (I think she dumbs it down).

Because she is wildly ambitious, just like my previous kitty employer, she plans to release one surfboard line for humans and one for cats. Look for them in surf shops this coming holiday season.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen