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. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?
For my body, I like to do lotion first thing in the morning for my first layer, then touchups throughout the day using a spray.
As for my face, the routine is a little more complicated (story of my makeup life, ha). When I’m not wearing makeup, I’ll usually start with a lotion, then do touchups with either a lotion or spray throughout the day…so when I’m not wearing makeup, it’s pretty straightforward; however, if I will be wearing makeup, then I’ll do two layers of lotion, starting with the first layer, then waiting 10 minutes, then applying the second, waiting a bit more, and THEN I’ll do my makeup.
It’s a process.
2. Cream shadow stick, or liquid eyeshadow with a doe-foot applicator?
As of today, at this moment, let’s go with the cream shadow stick…but that could change at any minute!
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
Lengthening and curling please!
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
I used to LOVE them. Now? Not so much, at least on me. I used to feel like they looked Cara Delevingne-style voluminous, but lately I’ve felt like they’re outright aggressive. Maybe it’s because I don’t have as much natural collagen plumping up my cheeks as I get more and more into my 40s? All I know is, the older I get, the more flattering a softer, less structured and defined brow suits me.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
Hmm… I’ve never used a tanning lotion. (Really don’t have a need to, LOL.)
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
Honestly, I don’t know. If I were numbed beyond belief, then maybe not so terribly? They’d be doable, I think…
Now, if, instead, I didn’t have anything to dull the pain? Girl, those brows would be a fright. I just know I’d get halfway through the first one before chickening out on the rest.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
Amethyst purple.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
A smattering of chopped roasted nuts and a maraschino cherry. 😸 I’d also like two small sides of chocolate sauce and caramel sauce! That way I can pick and choose from each.
9. Favorite place to get books?
It used to be the library, but I haven’t been there since pre-Covid times. Lately, I’ve been getting books from an independent bookstore in town called Copperfield’s. It’s mellow inside, and they have a good selection for a bookstore so much smaller than a typical Barnes & Noble. Of course, even if you can’t find the book you want, they’ll order it for you.
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. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator?
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
9. Favorite place to get books?
P.P.S. Beautiful girl, you’re doing so well. Keep on going, and when you start feeling stuck, remember that you’re tougher than you know! You can get through whatever it is you need to get through. 🤗
Here we go!
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Definitely lotion, I have been loving the Sun Bum SPF50 lotion these days.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? Crema Shadow stick ( LM Caviar Sticks are my favorites).
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Waterproof lengthening.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? Not my thing. I am not that concerned about brows in general.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. Highlighter. I don’t know where or how to apply it.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? I wouldn’t bother. I over-plucked mine years ago and just pencil them in.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. Amethyst purple, I have been told that purple makes brown eyes pop.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? Wet maple walnuts & whipped cream.
9. Favorite place to get books? Usually recommendations from my parents.
Be well and enjoy the week.
So glad you like the Sun Bum, Jane! Have a great rest of your week.
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? I really love a spray but a lotion for my face.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? stick
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? waterproof and lengthening
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? no thank you
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. magnetic eye lashes. I want to though!
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? I think I would do badly. Very badly.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. Purple
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? Warm, salty pecans and a side of caramel sauce.
9. Favorite place to get books? There’s a great bookstore in NY called The Strand that I really like. But if I’m being honest, I’m ordering most of them from Amazon. 🙁
I’ve never tried magnetic eye lashes! They do look interesting.
Happy Monday to you, Jennifer!
Happy Monday!
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Lotion – I get far better coverage and have had far more mishaps with spray.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? I’ve been all about the cream shadow sticks lately.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Lengthening and curling – give me those wide open eyes!
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? Not for me at alllll. I have (and always have had) very full eyebrows and they do not need any more assistance.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. Magnetic liner/eyelashes. I’d give it a go, though.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? Probably terrible. I’m not worried about the pain, mostly about the “oh no they’re not even!” and trying to even it out.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. Purrrrrple! Looks great with brown hair/brown eyes.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? Marshmallow fluff and caramel sauce, no cherry.
9. Favorite place to get books? There’s a shop in my neighborhood called Women and Children First; it’s a great feminist indie bookshop that does amazing work in the neighborhood and with the LGBTQIA community. It’s been here for over 40 years!
Ya know, I’ve never thought to put marshmallow fluff on a sundae! That would be interesting.
BTW I would be all over that bookstore. 🙂
Hope you’re having a good day so far, Christine!
It’s been pretty good for a Monday, and I hope yours has been too!
Totally recommend marshmallow fluff for a sundae – add some rice krispies and it’s like a rice krispie treat!
The book store is fantastic – if you ever find yourself in Chicago, I definitely recommend it.
Will do. I’d love to go there one day, ideally in the summer because I don’t do extreme cold unless I can help it!
How funny that you mentioned Rice Krisipies, because Connor and I made Rice Krispies treats last week and they were so good. I’m hoping to get some baking mojo back, and that was the closest I’ve come in months.
Oh yum!! Rice krispie treats are so fun and tasty and easy to make fancy – I like doing sprinkles on the top when I’m feeling festive or think they need color. 😁 And so much fun to do as a mom/daughter baking project!
I’ve never thought to put sprinkles on top as I’ve always been a purist, but now that you mention it, I’m going to try it! Connor would LOVE a pop of color on her Krispies. 🙂
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Lotion to start then spray for touch up. Preferably without the benzene 🙄
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator?
Cream shadow sticks!
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
Thickening and that’s it.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
Did them today!! Like KJH and I don’t hate them but they do need to be trimmed haha
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
Eyelash curler, no need and it terrifies me
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
Not great since my brows vary so widely day by day
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
Purple!!
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
Six cherries, rainbow sprinkles, marshmallow fluff and caramel please.
9. Favorite place to get books?
Brooklyn public library online!! I pay $50 a year since I’m not a resident and I get access to all of their e books and it downloads right to my kindle. Best thing everrrrr!!!
Book suggestion for those who like thrillers/crime dramas: The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer. Soooooo twisty!!
No benzene in my sunscreen, please. AND THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK REC!
I’d love to hear how you like it once you finish, I know the author and she’s just the best.
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Lotion. (Although the tube I used this morning said “gel cream”, does that still count?)
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? Cream shadow stick, although I just prefer powdered shadows.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Lengthening and curling.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? In theory I like them. When I do them, 10 minutes later they’re back to where I started no matter what product I put in them.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. So many, self tanner (am I’m a NW13), contouring products (never felt the need to change the shape of my face), magnetic eyelashes.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? Not sure what’s involved, but probably not so good. Getting the right shape for my brows is one of the harder things for me.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. I have green eyes so I’m gonna go with the purple.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? Nuts and the chocolate sauce that makes a shell. Maybe some whipped cream.
9. Favorite place to get books? Local, independent bookstores. Kepler’s and Books, Inc. If it’s out of print, I usually check Powell’s Books in Portland to see if they have a copy.
LOL, gel cream counts!!!
Just sent you an email with some tofu recipe links and a mushroom/tofu recipe I made up myself.
Got it! Thank you! I’m so stoked to try one of the recipes. 🙂
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?
Definitely lotion, I always miss spots with spray.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator?
Cream stick is my favorite, I stocked up on the Burberry ones before they were discontinued.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
Thickening and curling.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
Nah.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
Sheet masks.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
Pretty well I think, I have a steady hand and have an art background so I think it would be fine.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
Purple, but matte.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
Oooh, I’ve been craving one I used to get at the SF Japantown mall with matcha ice cream, red bean paste, cut up mochi, and whipped cream. Yum
9. Favorite place to get books?
I love bookstores so much! It depends where I am, in SF it’s Green Apple Books (I was just there yesterday, lol) In the East Bay I love Books Inc in Berkeley, Pegasus for used and East Bay Booksellers for excellent staff recommendations, both in Oakland. Also, Sleepy Cat Books in Berkeley for the amazing cat chonk, as well as Pendragon for their bookstore cat. I also love the Strand in NY, and Powell’s in Portland.
I also want to mention that Green Apple Books has an excellent book of the month subscription, where each month you get a paperback original selected by them and delivered to your door. It’s really fun and I’ve loved the eclectic selections.
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Lotion then spray to touch up
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? Shadow stick
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Waterproof & lengthening
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? Meh – I do very little with mine – just a bit of fill in. I am blessed in the eyebrow department
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. Self tanner
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? Never happen
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. Purple
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? Chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and a sprinkle of good flakey sea salt. But on a Belgian waffle. There is a place in our town that does waffles and homemade ice cream. Perfection!
9. Favorite place to get books? Amazon since I have a kindle but I love bookstores
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?
I’m an athlete with photosensitivity that is on a horse and needs to put it on fast, so SPRAY. No equestrian has time to rub it in. We got stuff to do.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator?
You guys are really going to know how much I don’t have time for high maintenance stuff these days…STICK. Why? I can blend it while applying it. No brushes needed.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
Waterproof and thickening.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
Love them.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
Eyelash extensions. No equestrian has time (or money) for the maintenance. Horses are cash cows.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
Terribly, although I would terribly love my brows to be microbladed.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
Amethyst purple. I actually do wear that color frequently when I do colored eyeliner or eyeshadow. XD
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
Vanilla, plain. I’m not fond of all the extra stuff. I just love nice good ol’ vanilla, preferably from this great tiny ice cream shop by my aunt’s house that gives HUGE portions for like $1.00.
9. Favorite place to get books?
My little city has a small, woman-owned bookstore called Blue House Books that I love to go to. The owner, Sam, recently decided to go ahead and apply for a Kiva loan to get a bigger storefront in central downtown Kenosha. She was fully funded in under 24 hours. I’m so excited to see her bigger, newer space.
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Lotion – I like to be able to see how much I’m applying, to make sure I’ve got enough and every bit covered.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? I don’t really wear a lot of eyeshadow.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Lengthening and waterproof please. I find the waterproof ones curl my lashes anyway.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? Hate them, they look unnatural.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. There’s a few – Botox, chemical peels, eyebrow tinting, sheet masks. I have tried self tanner because I’m a naturally very pale person, but I can’t live with the smell of it. And none of them looked natural anyway. I decided to embrace my vampire skin 🧛♀️😄
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? Terrible.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. Probably the cobalt blue, although I don’t see myself wearing any IRL 🙂
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? OOOH, all the caramel and chocolate please 😊
9. Favorite place to get books? The library, then if I like the book enough, I buy it from Book Depository.
A big yes to all the caramel! Have a good day, Miss Kitty!
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? Lotion for my face, neck, and hands, spray for my body.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? Right now, it’s liquid with the applicator, a Flower Beauty one. But I like both a lot.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Curling and length, I have short lashes.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? It’s too much brow for me, it’s not cute.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. Those fake freckle markers.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? Ha! I can barely fill in my brows, it would not be pretty.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. Purple.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? Carmel, pecans, and whipped cream.
9. Favorite place to get books? Amazon, I have Kindle Unlimited so I use that. I love bookstores, but I don’t like physical books. I read on my Kindle app daily.
Thanks for filling out the poll, Stephanie! Have a great week.
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?
Lotion on the face, spray elsewhere.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator?
Liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot. Currently enamored of Too Faced Melted Chocolate.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
Lengthening and curling.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
They’re jaunty!
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
False eyelashes.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
Terribly. I can’t even pluck without overdoing it.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
Amethyst purple. Love it!
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
Hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry that I will change my mind about.
9. Favorite place to get books?
A groovy local store, The Spiral Bookcase.
From now on until the end of time, I’ll think of brushed up brows as “jaunty.” 🙂
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? I like the control of a lotion.
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? Cream. Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury, and Chantecaille make some nice ones.
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? Lengthening and thickening.
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? I think they look silly and result in an odd looking expression.
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. Self-tanner.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? I’d never dream of doing something like that myself.
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. I’d choose an amethyst purple liner since I have dark green eyes.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? I very seldom eat ice cream, but when I do, I like lightly sweetened fresh fruit like peaches, raspberries, or strawberries as a topping.
9. Favorite place to get books? Amazon
Ooops #2 I mentioned cream shadows in a pot—didn’t read carefully ☹️ I’d prefer cream eyeshadow sticks for a bit of nostalgia. I started wearing makeup in the late 50’s and eyeshadow came in twist up sticks.
If I had the space, time and energy I would LOVE to collect vintage makeup. I can see myself hoarding those late ’50s shadow sticks!
Mint green, light baby blue, metallic smokey blue, light violet, taupe, dove grey, white pearl were typical colors. The sticks were a bit on the greasy side and tended to settle in creases. Then the 60’s saw an expansion of eyeshadow shades but nothing like the variety we have now. I love looking at vintage makeup ads and saying, “Oh! I remember that!” 😃
I’m glad to see you promote the smaller bookstores. I’m an author and I was beyond excited when my husband was in London on business and saw my (first) book, which had been a #1 best seller in the US, in a big bookstore there. It was on a table with a sign that said: “also by this author”. Huh? It was my only book (so far). I had him look at the “other book”. Same author name, but it was a book about erectile dysfunction! Quick, call the publisher!
Too funny, Brigid! I hope he took a picture of the display, LOL!
Im sorry I am late to the party but this is one of my highlights of the week.
1. Sunscreen — lotion or spray? both but i usually go old school (lotion).
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator? cream stick
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling? lengthening and thickening unless in the winter and waterproof and lengthening in the summer
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows? on me yes . my brows are a little thin
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried. micro current facial device
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do? poorly .
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple. neon green
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae? caramel sauce lots of it, cherries , whipped cream, toffee pieces , dark chocolate pieces
9. Favorite place to get books? amazon. back in the day barnes and noble
Always love seeing you here, Ericca! Thank you for stopping by and saying hi in the poll. It makes me feel like the world is still turning!
aww thank you . Keep it up. I definitely enjoy the polls.
I will! You take care of yourself and have a good rest of your week. 🙂