Just For Fun

I’m in the process of going through the boxes we packed up before the remodel, and in the attempt to declutter my life, I’ve been saying goodbye to the things I never use, including beauty products.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m still nowhere near close to being a makeup minimalist, because you just never know when you’ll get the urge to wear a bright blue eyeliner or a sparkly purple lipgloss. (I like to be prepared.) But there are certainly things that I rarely have a need for these days.

Beauty Products I Never Use

• Dry shampoo – Makes my scalp itch.
• Cream bronzer – I prefer powder, and the only one I like these days is MAC Give Me Sun.
• Full-coverage foundation – Not my jam anymore.
• Colored brow gel – Too difficult to control; give me clear gel any day.
• Flat irons, blow dryers and anything designed to straighten hair – I have no patience to fight my natural wavy texture.
• Strong hold gel or hairspray – I like it when my hair doesn’t feel stiff or crunchy.
• False lashes – Even the lightest ones feel too heavy, and they bump into my glasses.
• Highlighter – So over it. LOL!
• Contour products – Again, so over it.
• Heat protectants for hair – I air dry.
• Any sort of specialized pencils for brow arches and whatnot – I will say these highlighting pencils work if you’re willing to put in the effort.
• Nail stickers and press-on nails – I’d rather paint.
• Professional gel manicures – I had one once and it was mildly traumatic.

What about you? What’s on your list of beauty products you never use?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Oh, my goodness, friend! I had a five-hour meeting today, and although it was very interesting (I learned so much about marketing and branding, which was cool), I am SPENT.

After my meeting ended, I started thinking about what I wanted to do this evening to give myself some TLC, and this led me to thinking about self-care, and what it means and the different forms it can take.

For me, self-care sometimes is an occasional spa day, but that typically only happens once or twice a year. Those rare deep tissue massages or facials are lovely, but they’re not enough to refill my well.

When I need physical or mental rest, self-care for me usually means giving myself the space to do absolutely nothing (this is REALLY difficult for me, as I’m a recovering workaholic). Then, I cover the basics in some form, which usually means…

• Eating things that make me feel good. Usually some combination of veggies and/or fruit that isn’t too processed. Drinking lots of water helps, too, as well as not overdoing it with the coffee.
• Moving my body in some way. Even just 20 minutes of stretching helps.
• Getting enough sleep. This is a challenge for me. Sometimes I just want that extra downtime with Netflix because it turns my brain off, ya know?

Sometimes self-care comes in other forms.

For example, about a month ago, El Hub and Connor went to a father-daughter dance at school, and I had a Friday evening all to myself. Even though I could’ve easily vegged out on the couch, I took myself out for a “me time” date! I went window shopping at Nordstrom Rack and then treated myself to frozen yogurt afterwards.

Other times it’s connecting with someone whom I haven’t seen or spoken to in a while. Or re-watching a movie while doing beauty upkeep. Never underestimate the power of painted nails, an at-home wax and brow trim, and watching “Sense and Sensibility” for the ga-zillionth time.

What does self-care look like for you? Feel free to list anything and everything in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. While we’re at it, here’s a gentle reminder that you don’t need to earn rest. You can just rest!

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 often do you wear winged liner?

Pretty frequently, like three or four times a week. Lately I’ve been really into a tiny flick.

2. Pink hair or pink eyeshadow?

In my current circumstances, I’ll go with the pink eyeshadow. However if I was independently wealthy and had all the time and money in the world to go to the salon frequently, then I’d pick pink hair, for sure! It would be pastel pink, ooh la la.

3. Have you stretched today?

I stretched for a few minutes after working out this morning (I did a mini band leg workout, and it was really good!). I’ll probably stretch a little after lunch, and then before I go to bed tonight.

4. Slicked back hair: yes or no?

On myself, no. My hair wants to be wild, man!

5. Something you’d like to accomplish this week?

I need to measure out some places in the house so I can find storage solutions. Oh, and I also need to book a hair appointment! Mine is crazy long at the moment.

6. Have you ever participated in a beauty pageant?

Nope, although I remember watching a lot of them when I was little. My mom liked watching the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants; I remember enjoying the sparkly gowns and big hair and wishing I could go to school dressed like that.

7. Do you still have your prom dress?

No, and I have no idea what happened to it. I think my mom gave it away!

8. Ice cubes or crushed ice?

Crushed ice.

9. Something kind you can do for yourself this week?

I’m going to paint my fingers and toes because they need a little (OK, a lot) of TLC.

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 often do you wear winged liner?
2. Pink hair or pink eyeshadow?
3. Have you stretched today?
4. Slicked back hair: yes or no?
5. Something you’d like to accomplish this week?
6. Have you ever participated in a beauty pageant?
7. Do you still have your prom dress?
8. Ice cubes or crushed ice?
9. Something kind you can do for yourself this week?

P.P.S. Hello, my sweet friend. Happy Monday, and may this week bring you lots of good things! 🤗

Happy Saturday to you, beautiful girl. Hope you feel well rested and calm. I’m headed to Home Depot in a few, so if you see a woman short circuiting in the bathroom accessories section, FYI, there’s a good chance that lady will be me.

Why can I easily pick out a red lipstick amongst hundreds of reds, but I can’t decide on a bathroom mirror when there’s only, like, three to choose from? I will never know.

This week’s reading

• Savory is the new sweet: meet the new wave of fresh, green scents that are taking over.
• Just in case you were looking for a perfume that smells like a fancy New York bistro from the ’90s.
• University of Hawaii professor Robert Littman hopes he’ll know for certain exactly what notes were in Cleopatra’s perfume.
• Defining clean beauty vs. green beauty.
• The right way to layer your skin-care ingredients, according to “Allure.”
• I don’t really keep up with baseball, but if you happen to be an A’s fan and are familiar with the Oakland Coliseum, FYI: “Feral cats have multiplied since the coronavirus and the kittens are running wild. The good news is the rat population has decreased substantially. The bad news is the cats are now gaining access to the inside of the Arena and are having a field day on the A’s turf, causing a nuisance.”

The moment I wake up…

Her version of “Fade Into You” is absolutely lovely.

I see you, Vera

What’s on your to-do list today? Please remember to take some time to relax and recover. You deserve rest!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I realized this morning while I was filling in my brows that I might be a little stuck, makeup wise.

For the past few days, I’ve tried to put more effort into makeup (beyond the brow pencil, mascara and tinted moisturizer I’ve been rocking for, oh, two years now), and I realized the last time I tried to evolve my skills was a while back — 2014!

I mean, I’m not doing a carved brow, false lashes or contouring my nose like I did daily back then, so my style has changed, for sure.

I’d really like to try something new, but I don’t know where to start. What I think might be missing is not knowing what’s current and modern for the style that I want to wear now. I’d like to find a way to do makeup that celebrates color — makeup that’s elegant and impactful but not overly done.

Take brows, for instance. What even is modern right now for brows? Whenever I’m out and about, I still see girls with intense, blocked-out brows straight outta 2012. Is it because new trends in the Bay Area take a while to catch on? Or are people still loving that type of look, and it’s me that’s changed?

Anywho, am I the only one who’s ever experienced this sort of mini makeup crisis of evolution? Maybe? Maybe not?

I think the first step will be to find inspirational photos. So maybe I’ll start with that.

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. Cream or powder eyeshadow?

I like ‘em both, but today let’s go with cream.

2. Last place you went shopping for beauty products?

Ulta. I bought shampoo and conditioner before leaving for Hawaii last month.

3. Do you have a set cleaning schedule?

No, but I could use one that listed chores by day, week and month. I’d especially love to find a realistic cleaning schedule for busy working moms! I looked online recently and just got annoyed; all the schedules seemed to disregard the time it takes to do other things like making dinner, getting kids ready for bedtime, prepping for the next day, etc.

4. What are the typical sounds in your neighborhood?

When there isn’t construction happening, the usual sounds are birds singing, turkeys gobbling (or fighting!) and the occasional dog barking. There’s a church around the corner that plays beautiful music at certain times of the day, too.

5. Cardio or weight lifting?

Weight lifting. I like the mental challenge!

6. What do you like to listen to when you’re driving?

Whatever’s on the radio station at the moment. Pop music if I’m feeling perky or yacht rock if I need something chill.

7. Do you cut or trim your cuticles?

Nope! I know people who do it, though, and it seems like a never-ending task.

8. How’d you sleep last night?

Actually pretty good considering we’re still on the couch. LOL! I didn’t move and empty out as many boxes as I wanted to last weekend, so we haven’t gotten around to setting up the beds yet. Hopefully this coming weekend that’ll all get sorted out.

9. Something nice that happened to you recently?

I clipped Rosie’s claws and she was actually really cooperative! She was super chill, so I rewarded her with lots of treats.

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. Cream or powder eyeshadow?
2. Last place you went shopping for beauty products?
3. Do you have a set cleaning schedule?
4. What are the typical sounds in your neighborhood?
5. Cardio or weight lifting?
6. What do you like to listen to when you’re driving?
7. Do you cut or trim your cuticles?
8. How’d you sleep last night?
9. Something nice that happened to you recently?

P.P.S. Hello, beautiful girl. Just a quick reminder – you’re doing great! 🤗