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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. Brow pencil, brow powder or brow gel?

OH, SNAP, it’s another seemingly impossible makeup choice, LOL! I’m going with brow pencil… A skinny, twist-up one (like Urban Decay Brow Beater) because I think fine tip pencils create more realistic-looking brow hairs. Also, I think pencils last longer than powders and gels, so there’s that.

2. Eau de parfum, eau de toilette or scented body cream/lotion?

Eau de parfum, and I like to spray them into the air and run through the fragrant fog. 🙂 This morning I ran through a few spritzes of Idôle!

3. Fill in the blank — I like big _____ and I cannot lie!

I like big butts and I cannot lie… OK, Sir Mix-a-lot! No, really, I like big cats. ? The bigger and fluffier and chonkier the better!

4. Scrunchies or claw clips?

Scrunchies 100%. They don’t give me headaches or leave weird bends in my hair. I can wear them to bed, too. Also, SUPER CUTE! The velvet ones are my favorite at the moment.

5. Press-on fingernails or press-on toenails (side note: yes, this is a thing)?

I’ll go with the press-on fingernails, but I’m going to have to take them off after an hour because they’ll start driving me nuts if I don’t.

6. These are a few of my favorite things: _____ (list at least three).

Nail polish that dries fast, coffee with half and half first thing in the morning, having a clean desk, snuggling with Connor and listening to lullabies before she falls asleep at night, feeling organized, having enough food in my fridge to last at least a few days (am I the only person who feels anxious when the fridge is empty)?

7. Something on your to-do list today?

Write out a step-by-step list of things I need to do to reorganize my linen closet… I just bought a bunch of new bath towels (um, do you want me to review them?!), and so now I want to keep them organized neatly in my closet!

8. What are the names of the animal members of your family?

Rosie Posie (a.k.a. Rosie Pose, a.k.a. The Pose) is my current kitty boarder. Previous to Rosie taking up residence, I lived with Tabs the Supermodel Kitty and Sushi the betta fish (RIP, my buddies).

9. A movie that always makes you laugh?

Frickin’ Step Brothers with Will Ferrell. THIS DUMB-A$$ MOVIE! It is so ridiculous, but every time I watch it, I cry so hard that tears run down my face. ?

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. Brow pencil, brow powder or brow gel?
2. Eau de parfum, eau de toilette or scented body cream/lotion?
3. Fill in the blank — I like big _____ and I cannot lie!
4. Scrunchies or claw clips?
5. Press-on fingernails or press-on toenails (side note: yes, this is a thing)?
6. These are a few of my favorite things: _____ (list at least three).
7. Something on your to-do list today?
8. What are the names or the animal members of your family?
9. A movie that always makes you laugh?

P.P.S. Good morning, sweet girl! ? Just a couple Mondays left in 2020 — can you believe it? We’re almost to the finish line, and, FYI, you’re doing amazing. Keep it up!

Well, this is probably the best makeup I’ve worn in weeks.

Possibly months.

This is what the first day of Christmas break looked like ’round these parts. First, Coycoy did my lewk, and when I asked her to break down the essentials she said, “It’s bold. It’s fashion. It’s a mustache.” ?

Then she did her own FOTD.

Seriously, how did this child figure out that unblended, over-drawn, ’90s style lip on her own?! LOL! I will never know.

On that note, this week’s reading!

• Because swatching is on lockdown, many beauty lovers have been relying on selfie technology to virtually “try before you buy.”
• Speaking of selfies…Google launched a new AR (augmented reality) feature on Search so holiday shoppers can “try on” lipsticks and eyeshadow from home.
• My makeup spirit animal, Sir John, put his signature makeup spin on a bunch of Barbie dolls, and the results are all sorts of fabulous.
• The ancient town of Kannauj is the perfume capital of India.
• In case you were looking for a new nail polish line to try…
• There’s also this one (hint: it involves one of the members of the Backstreet Boys)!
• Bakuchiol is a buzzy skin care ingredient that’s supposed to be a comparable alternative to retinol.

How’s it going?! What are your plans for the day? Rosie and I have some wrapping (rapping?) to do while El Hub and the Coywolf go for a hike, so that’s my day. How about you? I hope all is well.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. ?

This or That: The Holiday Beauty Edition

• What would you rather find in your stocking — a new eyelash curler or a fancy new curling iron?
• Red nails or green nails?
• Silver eyeliner or gold eyeliner?
• You’re attending a holiday Zoom party with some friends tonight. Do you wear a bold lip or a bold eye?
• Matching your makeup to your ugly Christmas sweaters — yay or nay?
• You’ve been very good this year, so Santa’s rewarding you with some beauty indulgences. Yes, you can treat yo’ self! So, what do you find under the tree? Makeup, skin care, a new fragrance or hair goodies? (Pick three!)
• False lashes or glitter shadow?
• What would be more thrilling — a new set of makeup brushes or a new set of manicure/pedicure essentials?

What would you rather find in your stocking — a new eyelash curler or a fancy new curling iron?

I wouldn’t mind a new Surratt lash curler. ?

Red nails or green nails?

Dark forest green with a cream finish please!

Silver eyeliner or gold eyeliner?

Normally, I’d say gold, but since the phrase “WHAT THE HELL” has been on repeat in 2020, I’m gonna go with the silver… A silvery taupe would be nice.

You’re attending a holiday Zoom party with some friends tonight. Do you wear a bold lip or a bold eye?

Bold lip, girlfriend!

Matching your makeup to your ugly Christmas sweaters — yay or nay?

I’m going to give this a solid “yay.” Might as well go all the way!

You’ve been very good this year, so Santa’s rewarding you with some beauty indulgences. Yes, you can treat yo’ self! What do you find under the tree? Makeup, skin care, a new fragrance or hair goodies? (Pick three!)

Ooh, thanks Santa! I’m going to go with skin care, makeup and hair goodies.
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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. Candy canes or roasted chestnuts?

Roasted chestnuts. No doubt!

2. What’s more important to you — mascara or brow pencils?

Ooh! — this one’s brutal. I would say that both are important to me (LOL) and necessary for me to feel like a real live girl…but if you’re making me pick one…then mascara all the way. When, like me, you don’t have a deep crease, mascara works wonders to open up the eyes.

3. Last holiday movie you watched?

I watched a HILARIOUS movie on Disney+ called Godmothered last weekend! It’s about an inexperienced rookie fairy godmother who’s determined to become the best godmother she can be, so she goes rogue to help a Boston mom and her family find their “happily ever after” over the holidays.


4. Concealer or blush?

I’ll take all the blush please.

5. Foundation or lipstick?

TOUGH! I’d go with lipstick, I guess, even though we’re all sheltered in place until January, and nobody but my immediate fam-bam will see it.

Hey, at least I can wear it around the house. That makes me happy.

6. Straight or wavy hair?

Although I love how tidy straight hair looks, it’s such a chore to get my hair to look that way. Seriously, it involves, like, three days of advance planning! So I’ll go with wavy hair, since mine already has lots of natural waves, and it’s easier to deal with.

7. Egg nog or holiday fruitcake?

BLAH to either, but I guess I could do holiday fruitcake if I had a big cup of coffee or hot chocolate to wash it down…

8. Last series you marathoned?

Virgin River season 2 on Netflix is where it’s at, babe!


9. What color are you socks today?

I’m wearing light gray ’80s aerobics instructor-style thick socks (it’s cold here today). They’re all scrunched up around my ankles!

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. Candy canes or roasted chestnuts?
2. What’s more important to you — mascara or brow pencil?
3. Last holiday movie you watched?
4. Concealer or blush?
5. Foundation or lipstick?
6. Straight or wavy hair?
7. Egg nog or holiday fruitcake?
8. Last series you marathoned?
9. What color are you socks today?

P.P.S. Hello and happy Monday, my dear friend! ? I hope you’re feeling calm and centered today. I’m trying my best to wrap up everything I need to do for Christmas (no waiting till the last minute here… NOPE!). Sending you a big hug and joyful vibes today.