You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past NINE (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
Dear homeboys of the world, I appreciate a well-done, manscaped brow, but please — not too Instagram, like with a super sharp tail and ombre from front to back. Just a slightly cleaned-up brow, but not too obviously clean, ya know?That’s my stance and I’m sticking to it.
- Have you ever mowed a lawn?
Although I pride myself on my willingness to try new things, I can safely say that I’ve never mowed a lawn. The last time I lived somewhere that actually had a mow-able lawn was when I lived at home with my parents, but the front and back yards were considered sacred Dad space.I’d totally mow a lawn, though, if I had one of those riding mowers…as long as it had a canopy roof and a drink holder. And a stereo. And a space for Tabs to sit next to me. 🙂
- Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
I wear one hat, literally, and it’s my Kate Spade fedora with a little bow on the side.Figuratively, I wear a ton of different hats. I’m a wife and mom, exhausted person, professional goofball, daughter, Khaleesi of the one-liners and a professional pet assistant.
- Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
I’ve been rocking Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo No. 6 for four days since I grabbed it randomly last week.It’s been out for years, but when I wanted to do an ultra nude lip the other day, I remembered how much I liked No. 6.
It’s a deeply opaque, moisturizing mauve nude, but it’s still lightweight and super smooth, and you can layer it underneath different lipglosses for different effects, like under MAC Myth for a pale nude lip or MAC Big Baby for a more casual pinky nude — that kind of thing.
- If you could dye your hair any color, or combination of colors, just for today, what colors would you use?
Cotton candy pink from roots to tips!Oh! Or a flamingo pink. 🙂
The theme here is pink.
Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
5. Hair color just for today?
Blue skies and sunshine to you, friend. I hope that’s what you’re seeing outside.
[yawn]
Sorry, I’m a little sleepy this morning, but I have a busy day. One step at a time, though, right?
I had a blast at that ’90s concert the other night! It was like being at a high school dance…except none of us were in high school anymore. I can’t lie, it was kinda surreal watching Tone Lōc sing Wild Thing, and then after the song have him talk about how he just turned 50.
But now I can cross something else off my bucket list! — taking a selfie with Coolio.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? Just clean them up a bit, no product. And don’t be looking better than mine!
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? Oh yeah, lots of times. The last time was three weeks ago for my parents. It needed to be done, and it was a super hot day, so I busted it out. They have an electric mower which is really easy!
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? Hmmmm, mom and wife. Room mother at the school. Those are all the hats I’m comfortable with right now. Maybe when the kids get older that will change.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? Urban Decay Sheer Ladyflower. Hee hee, the name tickles me. But it’s a sheer vivid light pink that looks good on me and feels nice on.
5. Hair color just for today? I currently have the underside of the back of my hair dyed blue. It’s been blue for two years. It’s time for a change. I’m thinking a rose gold ombré from my natural medium to dark brown hair.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
Totally okay with it.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
Uh, I think twice in my life. I let my husband take care of it now. I just can’t seem to mow in a straight line. 🙂
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
Literally, no. I do have one straw hat I wear in the summer.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
This isn’t a lipstick, but I’ve been loving Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm. I thought I had lost my tube of it a while ago, then I randomly found it in a drawer in the bathroom. I’m glad I did!
5. Hair color just for today?
For something non-traditional, I would love a dark purple or blue.
That ’90s concert sounds awesome! Getting older, I get nostalgic about the good ol’ days. 🙂 That was the decade I graduated high school and started college so it was a fun time in my life.
Happy Monday!
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
Yes, please. I agree that well-groomed brows are important for every body. Insta or not, taking a bit of pride in your appearance is only going to make you feel and look better!
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
No….I live in a house which had front and back yards and a side yard too but I’ve never mowed a lawn in my life. We get folks to come in and do it once in a while. 😛
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
Literally, I’ve been wearing this one Wallaroo hat that I bought in the spring. It’s great for the summer and travel-friendly too.
Figuratively, I definitely wear many, many hats. Partner, cat mom, daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin, friend, writer, aspiring musician, aspiring novelist…..yea. the list goes on.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
I love ILIA’s ‘In Paradise’ – perfect mix of pink and coral. Looks great on my skin tone!
5. Hair color just for today?
Teal ombre 🙂
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? I really dislike completely unkempt brows on anyone so I appreciate them. My son, who is 13, has me groom his brows just a bit. His father’s side of the family tends to grow a monobrow, which he has inherited. So, I use a bit of depilatory every few months, at his request, to ensure he keeps having two brows instead of one.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? no. and I really wish I had because my men folk are off on a trip and our lawn is getting tall and it’s making the mosquito problem worse.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? Just one literally. A straw sun hat I bought this year that I love to pieces.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? Urban Decay Vice lipstick in Firebird.
5. Hair color just for today? I would like to go back in time when I had lovely deep brown hair and no grays!
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
I have the opinion that no matter your gender if you want, groom your brows BUT stay away from the Instagram look, I’m all about natural brows. That’s why I do my brows I only take away the stray hairs under and over the tail and between both brows. And I put any kind of color because half of them won’t appear in photos if I don’t do it.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
I think I have only seen lawnmowers in parks or big gardens, most of the gardeners here use trimmers as there isn’t a lot to cut, and I used a trimmer once but I could cut the grass in the same length.
P.S. I had yo check in Home Depot website how to say a trimmer in English.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
Literally: When I walk Max I use a hat to avoid sun exposure, also if I don’t bring an umbrella to protect me from the sun I would use a hat.
Figuratively: I have the son, brother, student, human concerned of many social issues, pet assistant and beauty lover hats.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
It’s a nude one which was part of Wet ‘n Wild Fergie’s Christmas sets, on me it looks well as some nudes make me look as a zombie.
5. Hair color just for today?
Well my hair right now is lavender so I think I can’t really be scared of any hair color, but I’d just ask to have done by a professional by myself I made some mistakes.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
I don’t mind it! Brother can do what he likes.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
I think so? I remember using my parents’ lawn mower, but it was definitely not my regular job. I don’t think I ever even mowed our WHOLE lawn. I do remember getting grass clippings all over the front of my jeans, haha.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
Literally, no – I lurv hats, but they never feel quite natural on me.
Figuratively, I wear quite a few hats – singer/songwriter, personal booker/publicist/manager of my music & band, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, secretary…
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
Hmm. I’m still crushing on e.l.f.’s Matte Lip Color in Rowdy Rouge. Such a great color, and such a great matte lippy!
5. Hair color just for today?
Pastel blue/green, please. I was just thinking that I need to go find some temporary spray-in hair color and have a little fun soon 🙂
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
A bit of cleaning in between the brows is fine, but something too thin or too arched, no.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
I don’t think so. I probably helped when I was a kid, but I didn’t do it myself.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
Not really, and it’s a shame because I’ve been told in a hat store that I have a head and face made for hats!
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
UD Revolution lipstick in Sheer Liar.
5. Hair color just for today?
I’d love to dye my hair a deep purple just for fun!
Hope you have a great week Karen! My new job is part time so I’m enjoying my day off.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
You do you, boys!
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
Nope. My parents both really like mowing, and Zack has done ours when needed.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
I try to wear hats when I’m in the sun. Figuratively, definitely. Analyst, academic, student, francophone, cat person, dog person, crazy bunny lady…
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
Maybelline in Craving Coral
5. Hair color just for today?
My hair has only ever been my natural red! I love the idea of rainbow hair though.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
YES!
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
Only with a push mower.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
Yep. I wish I could wear actual hats better.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
Oh, that’s a tough one. I’ve rediscovered my love of Revlon’s Color Burst Lip Butter so it’s been mostly what I wear. In terms of color, UD Firebird but the formula is a favorite too.
5. Hair color just for today?
I’d love to be blonde for the day just to see how it looks and maybe get the bug out of my system.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
totally acceptable, but it has to suit his face. for example, i took my hubby to get his brows groomed the week of our wedding and it really looked good. it was kinda like the difference between when he’s grizzly bearded because he hasn’t shaved for two weeks versus when he trims his beard into a goatee. on the other hand, the rock went for a while with eyebrows that were too 90s for his testoseroney handsome face.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
no, but i have trimmed a mango tree (my mom-in-law’s)!
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
literally: yes, i have several hats in my collection, including a gray striped newsboy that i bought nearly ten years ago, a cap that has chibi xmen, and several FITTED HAWAII bucket hats and caps (included a yellow floral with “aloha” embroidered on it).
figuratively: paper pusher (i draft contracts for a living), wife, naruto fiend, feminist, lover of makeup, only child to a widowed filipino mom, future shiba inu owner…
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
thought long and hard about this, and i really can’t answer it! i’m such a lipstick ho! can i just say that today i’m wearing revlon matte balm in fierce (which is a brown with a little bit of rose, i guess)?
5. Hair color just for today?
now this, i can answer without hesitation: oil slick hair or moonlit hair! but i can’t in real life because of my job, plus the upkeep required.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? Generally no. But maybe I’m looking at guys who groom their brows and I’m not aware of it.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? Ugh, yes. Every fourth week, with a push mower, until my father got a gas powered mower and decided it was too dangerous for me to handle on my own. Took turns weekly with my two older brothers and Dad. I can even remember my dad starting the gas mower for me when I was in high school and having to mow the lawn then. There’s a reason I tore out all the grass at the house I’m living in now. No one has to mow!
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? Yup. I have a collection of hats. Being fair skinned I have everything from baseball caps, to fedoras, to wide brimmed sun hats with a nifty collection of wool felt hats for the winter. I’ve always loved wearing a hat. I seem to be wearing fewer metaphorical hats these days, now that my daughter has moved out on her own. I’m fine with it as I finally have more time for “me” stuff. Then again, there’s still Dear Husband and he’s like a spouse, a child and full time project rolled into one.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Fetiche. Unfortunately I think it’s been discontinued. Sigh.
5. Hair color just for today? Icy Silver like in these photos. http://www.modernsalon.com/how-to/hair-color/how-to-icy-silver
or a rich auburn.
I’m glad you had a good time last night!
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? If they want to, that’s awesome. A little plucking and brushing doesn’t hurt anyone.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? Yes, when I was a kid.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? Literally, no. Figuratively, yes: Woman, wife, mom, friend, caretaker, advocate.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? Maybelline Loaded Bolds in Gone Greige.
5. Hair color just for today? I’d go for the whole rainbow!
1. Yes, I think men could benefit from brow maintenance. 2. As a lifelong New Yorker, I haven’t. 3. I would love to start wearing more real hats. Figuratively I am a blogger, baker, makeup artist, book collector, cat mom, social media manager and activist. 4. Colourpop Ultra Matte lipstick in Lost. 5. Rock star purple!
Karen – you have the best Q&A’s. I did a whole blog post on it!
Here’s my answers:
Men who groom their brows – I have two distinct thoughts on this and it depends on your definition of “groom”. I think that a unibrow is never a good idea, male or female. So if you’re asking if I mind a man who keeps his unibrow at bay, not at all. Now, I do NOT like the perfectly groomed brow on a man. I feel it’s un-natural looking and I don’t think it looks great. If his brows are more fleek-y than mine, game over!
I’ve never mowed a lawn. Sad to say it. In my 30+ years, I’ve never mowed a lawn. I’m sure my time will come, though!
Hats. I don’t much like hats. So literally, no. I don’t wear hats. Figuratively? Yes. I wear many, many hats. I’m in the insurance industry by day, an active Alpha Phi volunteer, and run this business and blog in my {not so ample} free time.
Picking my favourite lipstick was a lot harder than I thought! I’m going to have to go with the Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect. Pair this with MAC’s Soar lipliner and it’s been my go to pinky nude of late.
I like my brunette hair, generally speaking. I have always wanted to be a blonde, though. It wouldn’t suit my skin tone or eye colour, but I’d love to do it even if it was just for a day.
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? I agree with you here Karen. It’s great when they keep it clean cause bushy brows never look good. But groomed like mine? No thanks.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? Never.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? Literally never. Figuratively all the time and I have a whole collection of them too.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? I love the lipsticks from mac and ellie goulding collection. They work well with my tan for a subtle and understated look. It’s summer and I don’t wanna overdo it.
5. Hair color just for today? I dream of mermaid hair. I imagine a dark blue at the roots fading into a turquoise at the ends.
A day late, but ehhh! 🙂
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts?
As long as it’s subtle – just some clean-up and nothing too sleek – I don’t mind.
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn?
Nope. Nor do I want to, haha.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)?
I do. I don’t necessarily think they suit me, but ya know, additional sun protection ‘n all.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment?
Estée Lauder Fuchsia Lights.
5. Hair color just for today?
Oooooh, fiery orange! 😀
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? I am not a big fan
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? No, I live in a flat.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? not really.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? Clarins Royal Plum
5. Hair color just for today? platinum blonde (I am a brunette)
1. Men who groom their brows — your thoughts? My husband does nothing and they look fine that way. As for other men, I don’t really care (my dad could use some clean-up though).
2. Have you ever mowed a lawn? Do little hand-held trimmers count? I pay someone to mow the acre at my house. I have allergies.
3. Do you wear many hats (figuratively or literally)? Yes, figuratively. No, literally.
4. Your favorite lipstick at the moment? I’m back on the Lumiere by ColourPop x Kathleen Lights kick. I love it but I need to get out of my rut.
5. Hair color just for today? Bright red