Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Hi friend!

How are you doing? Great, I hope.

Missed you yesterday. Actually, I’ve missed ya for the last week or so! Connor’s been home all week long (no dance camp), so between blowing bubbles and chasing her around outside, I’ve had a ton of deadlines to meet. I’ve been typing like a maniac, especially in the wee hours!

I’m low-key overwhelmed, but one thing helping me see the bright side is a quote from legendary tennis player Billie Jean King who once said, “Pressure is a privilege.”

When I start to feel a heavy weight on my chest, I try to remind myself there was a time, not too long ago, when I deeply longed for a child, and I wondered if I’d ever be lucky enough to raise one.

And I also think about all those times I wasn’t sure if I could actually turn writing about beauty into a thing.

It’s always better after I check myself, you know?

Anywho, thank you for listening.

I swear, this post really is about shaving legs!

In the shower this morning, I shaved my legs for the first time in a week. While de-fuzzing my gams, I got to thinking about when I started. I think I was in eighth grade?

I remember wanting to shave when I was younger, though, like sixth or seventh grade, and mentioning it to my mom a few times, but she’d always deflect the conversation by saying that she never shaved her legs, so why did I need to?

She wasn’t a girly girl, so when it came to anything related to beauty, I was on my own! Well, I also had magazines and the often misguided advice of my friends, but that’s another story.

I remember being at my locker one day, and a friend looked at my legs in my plaid green shorts and asked if I forgot to shave that morning. I don’t remember what my answer was, but shortly after that, I started sneaking my dad’s disposable razors in the shower to shave.

Connor actually mentioned a while back how she thought her legs looked hairy, and asked me when she thought she might start shaving!

I was like, “Girl, you’re only 7!” Then, I proceeded to tell her that once she was on the shave train, there was no going back. (“You’ll be shaving for the rest of your life. THAT’S A REALLY LONG TIME.”)

I think she eventually forgot about it, so I’m hoping we’ll have a few more years before it comes up again in middle school.

At that time, I’ll be happy to walk her through it, and I plan to buy her own special razors and whatnot. I grew up in a very no-nonsense house and so having toiletries and beauty things that were just for me was a completely foreign concept. I’d like it to be different for her.

Which leads me to today’s beauty question. When did you start shaving your legs? Did you have someone to help you learn? Or did you do it on your own?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Is it just me, or does summer seem to bring on a new set of hair woes?

Case in point: I’ve gotten back in the habit of washing my hair everyday, which isn’t great for the whole “my hair’s getting thinner” thing.

It’s really helpful for allergies, though, not sleeping with lived-in hair that’s been outside all day.

And because I seem to be getting sweatier lately (I guess it’s because I’m trying to hit a goal of getting in 10,000 steps daily), my roots feel greasier than usual, and the thought of sleeping with a sweaty, janky scalp is not appealing.

Anyway, this morning I stood in my bathroom staring at my mane in the mirror and wondered if I should even bother styling it.

Why fuss with bangs or wrestling with the curling iron when I’m just going to put it up in a ponytail all day and wash it tonight anyway?

Ahh, to have beauty girl problems. LOL!

Still, I like the idea of having at least a little bit of a hairstyle! Because of this I’m thinking of venturing into the world of air dry creams; they’re kinda like hair gel, but with a softer hold, and some even have moisturizing benefits. There’s one by JVN (love him) that seems promising, but when I went to Sephora to check it out last year, the scent kinda overwhelmed me. I dunno, on paper it seems really lovely, though, so I’m going to go back and give it another chance.

How about you? What are your current summer hair woes?

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. Your purse preference: soft and squishy or structured?

Soft and squishy for carrying everyday things because it makes it easier to stuff extra crap in there, LOL! If I had to go to a more formal event, like a work meeting or a dinner party, then I’d go with a structured purse.

2. Cocktail rings with big ol’ bling: yes or no?

I’m not usually a bold jewelery person, but one big statement cocktail ring is fun!

3. Red matte lips during the summer: yes or no?

Definitely yes!

4. Cargo pants or a jacket with fringe?

Jacket with the fringe. So much cooler! I do have to say that back in the day I owned a few pairs of cargo pants that I’d wear to go dancing and those extra pockets were useful.

5. Do you ever send postcards?

I did when up until my 20s; it’s been years since I’ve sent one, though. I really miss giving and receiving them.

6. Two braids or one?

One. Less chance of my head hurting from the braid, LOL!

7. Have you ever lived in the country?

Nope, just small towns, suburbs and one city (San Francisco).

8. How good are you about wearing sunscreen on your lips?

Not great, which is probably why a freckle I didn’t have six months ago showed up on my lip. I’m trying to get better about it.

What’s going on, my friend? I’ve been up since the crack of dawn, cranking out words on my computer so I can hang out with Connor for the rest of the day.

I’m hoping you had *the best* weekend. Tell me all about it! 🙂

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. Your purse preference: soft and squishy or structured?
2. Cocktail rings with big ol’ bling: yes or no?
3. Red matte lips during the summer: yes or no?
4. Cargo pants or a jacket with fringe?
5. Do you ever send postcards?
6. Two braids or one?
7. Have you ever lived in the country?
8. How good are you about wearing sunscreen on your lips?

Hi, and welcome to the weekend, friend. 🙂

One thing I’ve been loving lately about summer are the colors! I feel like everything around me has a dreamy vintage color palette. Case in point — yesterday, El Hub was working from home, so our little fam-bam went out to my favorite bakery for lunch. We sat outside right next to this beautiful bunch of flowers. Hmm, now that I think about it, they might be shrubs, but I don’t know. Anywho, the mix of green and yellow and orange against the blue sky and the beige umbrellas made my heart sing.

For some reason the flowers remind me of the clothing designer Ulla Johnson, who I read about recently in “Vogue.” She makes luxury clothes in beautiful prints and soft feminine silhouettes. If I never had to worry about spilling food on my shirt, I’d be wearing her stuff 24/7!

Speaking of food, I made this corn and bacon pasta the other day, and it so easy and delicious and very summery.

If you’re not into bacon, I think you could easily turn it into a vegetarian dish by skipping it and substituting it with cherry tomatoes. Or, just use your fave bacon meat substitute. It was easy and fast, and if you pair it with a summer fruit for dessert, you’ve got a delicious meal in no time.

I’m off to drink another cup of coffee and then I’m going for a walk! I’ve been on a walking kick lately, and for the last week, I’ve hit 10,000 (or more) steps every single day! I gotta say, I’m really proud of myself for keeping it up. 🙂

What are you up to today? Are you spending any time outside?

Whatever you’re doing, I hope you get some time to yourself.

This week’s reading

• OK, so now I want one of these $5 e.l.f. Makeup Sticks!
• I see a few of my favorites on this list of 17 makeup removers that make taking the day off a breeze.
• How do nails age, exactly?
• Do nails need to breathe?
• There’s a perfume called “Eau de Wisconsin” in case you’ve ever wanted to smell like the state of Wisconsin.
• What hard water does to your hair and skin – and how to fix it.

There’s always something new to learn

This was my jam back in the day

Note to self

Pretty

Walk me through it, doc

Adds to cart

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen