To anyone who says that makeup is meaningless, or who dismisses makeup as something shallow or frivolous, all I have to say is, “Kiss my wannabe J.Lo booty,” because that sh*t is powerful.
Those tiny tubes of mascara and lipstick can change worlds.
I’ve worn makeup practically daily for decades, and sometimes I just go through the motions and take it for granted as part of my habitual routine, but there are those other days, like yesterday, when I really realize just how potent it is.
I was having a sh*tty day yesterday, as was Connor Claire, because poor thing is sick again. She got croup, again, so I’ve been tending to her needs, which has made it more difficult to balance my other responsibilities.
I don’t want to whine but…I’m going to! LOL! ? Basically, I haven’t been sleeping well because I’ve been staying up to comfort Connor, and it all kind of came to a head yesterday afternoon. I felt super grumpy and defeated, but I still wanted to go to my HIIT class at night, because I knew that if I continued to sit around the house, I’d feel progressively worse.
Normally, I don’t wear makeup to work out, and that’s mostly because I usually don’t have time to put any on. It’s not that I don’t want to, because I used to back in the day, but these days I look at the clock, and it’s like “OH, SNAP!” It’s all I can do to don stretchy pants and go.
But yesterday, even though I was running behind as usual, I said to myself, “Self, you need to do something.” I needed to put on my proverbial armor, lest I burst into tears in the middle of class mid-burpie.”
So I curled my lashes, put on the new MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash curling mascara (It’s smudge-proof!), a little Urban Decay Naked Lipstick and, the piece de resistance, I combed my hair! I actually applied some hair paste, strong-hold hairspray on my cray-cray wiry witch hairs, combed my hair, and put it in a high pony.
Then I went to the gym, and ya know what? Even though I wanted to cry for the first 20 minutes, I swear to you, there was something about that little bit of makeup “armor” I was wearing — like the mascara was a suit of Medieval chain mail — that slowly but surely made me feel a little tougher. I said, “Ya know, I can get through this. I don’t have to be the toughest I’ve ever been, but I can make it through this workout without bursting into tears,” and I did. At the end of the class, I actually felt like pushing a bit. I felt really, really good.
MAC’s new Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash, and if you’re feeling some strong de ja vu then shout out to you, MAC-aholic, because this blacker than black mascara is very similar to the original MAC Extended Play Mascara — it has the same glossy finish, the same power to fatten up your lashes without them looking totally lumpy and redonkulous, but this new version also has the added ability to anchor a crimp from a lash curler, and it’s humidity- and
swear-sweat- resistant (to remove the it, you use warm water). Yesterday I sweated like a MOFO at the gym for an hour with two layers of this mascara on my upper lashes, and when I got home and looked in the mirror, I saw nary a smudge on my lower lash lines (no flakes, either). It’s coming to MAC counters and maccosmetics.com on April 4 for $24 a tube.
The endorphins probably had more to do with it than the makeup, but I strongly believe that the makeup helped too. The few extra minutes I spent doing something special for myself made me feel stronger and tougher, and there are times, like yesterday, when I really appreciate makeup for that.
Ya know…I go through phases when I feel disillusioned with makeup sometimes, and I’m like, oh my gosh, it’s the same thing, over and over again! Like, HOW MANY WAYS CAN A COMPANY SELL A NUDE PALETTE?! But there are still those moments, like yesterday, when I realize just how powerful makeup can be.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF. ?
Your lashes look so good here!
Makeup is my me-time in the morning, my armor to get me through the day. Love this post, anc I hope Connor Claire gets better soon!
Thanks, lady! I’ve been using some lash growth stuff… Will do a post soon.
Are you homebound this weekend? I hope all the fur babies are taking good care of you.
Yes, I’ll probably be in bed or on the couch catching up on sleeping and reading. No one told me healing bones makes you so tired! I broke more bones than originally thought, LOL. Hettie is very supportive and Jiji likes to lay on my chest so I don’t get up (Mina used to do that, so I’m glad Jiji is taking that over)
Seriously we need to find a way to wrap you up in human-sized bubble wrap.
How many bones did you break? Apparently the ones in the foot take a long time to heal (so I’ve heard).
I broke 4 of 5 metatarsals. It’s called a lisfranc fracture. Funny enough, my aerial sling teacher did the exact same thing in September, also not doing aerial, but hers was worse and needed surgery. I’m off that foot for at least 5 more weeks, then walking in a boot with a walker or cane.
Your lashes look longer! Have you been doing the lash growth stuff? If so, it’s working. If not, I’m imagining things. It’s a 50/50 shot on which is correct. HAHA! I’m glad you’re pushing through and I wish I also felt great after working out. It would definitely be motivating. 🙂 Sorry to hear that Connor isn’t feeling well. I hope it will be short lived. Have a great weekend!!
I have! GOOD EYE! I’ll be posting a review of it soon… And thanks for noticing. For a while there I thought it was doing nothing, but now I’m a believer!
You have a good weekend, too. 🙂
Ooooo I’ll be curious about this too!
I’ve tried a few non-prescription ones before but nothing ever worked. It’s the Rodan + Fields one. I have to dig out my pics from fall months ago so you can really see the difference in length!
I could seriously tell! Looking forward to your review. 🙂 I’m too chicken to try any of them because I’m worried about my irises turning brown – it seemed to be a thing with Latisse. Luckily, your eyes are already brown!
oh girl PREACH. i typically remove all makeup from the day before heading to barre/yoga but i have lots of skin issues and on some days when it’s really bad i pat on some barre minerals powder to tamp down the red and keep the mascara on to give me a little confidence booster in the studio. i LOVE how beautiful i feel after a workout, makeup or nah, but on days i’ve kept on mascara, i just feel extra badass. makeup IS empowering.
Hey Dani,
Barre is NO joke! I want to take a class but have to do about a BILLION core classes at home first beforehand (I have *no* core strength). Props to you!
Karen, you MUST try barre. My core is still crap but, like you, I did HIIT and weight training for years beforehand and I like to believe that it must’ve contributed to at least a lil bit of core strengthening for us! And I’m really impressed with actually how quickly I’ve gotten stronger – totally work checking out!
I know that feeling all to well. With me, I feel so much happier with a bit of blush on my cheeks. It really brightens up my mood as well as my face.
SonZack and two of his buds went to see Billy Joel at MSG in the city last night. He got home after midnight and got up to be at school by 7:30. Ah, the life of an 18 year old.
Be well!
Your son has good musical taste!
Remember when you could go to sleep late and be up all perky at the crack of dawn?! Those were the days.
Anywho, what are you guys up to this weekend?
Wow look at your lashes! And not a flake. You conquered the day my friend. Not easy getting the motivation when you’re exhausted but so glad you did. Good for mind, body, spirit. I hope Connor Claire feels better soon, sending her hugs! Have a nice weekend!
Hi Diana,
They’re super long, which is something I’ve never said in the history of LIFE. It’s a combo of a lash growth serum (review coming soon) and the mascara, methinks.
Thank you for the nice message. 🙂 You have a good weekend too!
Speaking of J Lo, Tati has a video on YouTube with Scott Barnes. It’s amazing! If you haven’t watched it, go find it!!
Thanks, Sami! I’ll look for it. Happy Friday!
Hi Karen! I hope your daughter is feeling better! I enjoy your story telling, humor, and reviews. I’ll be sure to check out Mac’s new mascara when it’s released.
A make-up and beauty blog reader for many years,
Michelle
Hi Michelle!
She’s doing a little better today, thank you. And thank you for reading MBB all of these years. It’s crazy to think I’ve been doing this for 12 years now!
Gurrrl, I get so angry when people are dismissive of makeup. Especially when women do that because they oughta know better. Makeup has always equaled power to me and when people dog on it I talk about the billion dollar industry it is. #Respect
I’m glad it helped you feel better. I need that mascara, it looks amazing, especially if you were able to sweat through it. Also, I have multiple tubes of Urban Decay Naked, in purses and jacket pockets and the car so if I feel like wearing nothing else, I have a swipe of that and look polished.
I’m sorry Connor has been sick. I always thought croup was a newborn thing? You learn something new every day.
I read somewhere that it peaks during the toddler years with some kids. Apparently her croup is peaking. 🙁 Some kids are more susceptible than others to it, and the doc said if she gets it one more time during this cold season then she’s probably one of those children.
Gonna order that mascara right now and add it my collection !
FYI : I’ve been bending mascara wands since the pink and green tube.
Hope Connor Claire feels better soon . ❤️
Thanks, Michele. She’s doing a little better today.
Wow, I don’t miss the croup days. It’s a hard time. My second son struggled terribly with it when he was younger. Three cheers to you for heading out and doing something that helped you feel alive, and may that sweet girl breathe easy tonight. xo
It’s rough, especially when you hear those big coughs coming out of that little body. 🙁
This is exactly how I feel about make-up! You are my Kween <3
You’re sweet, Michelle. Happy Friday!
This brilliant line made me LOL: “it’s humidity- and swear- resistant.” Okay, I know it’s a typo. But it’s a brilliant, perfect typo for some really abysmal days!!
And you did totally sell me on the mascara. I need to go pick up some creme color base at MAC and Shape Shifting Peach gloss. Hello, spring!
I could actually use a swear-resistant blush! I would wear it to a family functions, HA HA HA!
The true power of makeup. Your eyelashes look gorgeous! I’m glad you got to feeling a bit better.
Wishing Connor Claire a speedy recovery from the croup.
Thank you! She’s doing better today, just still tired from the lack of sleep.
Re: the lashes. I think it’s a combination of the mascara and this lash growth serum I’ve been using now for about four months. (Review coming soon.) For the first time ever my lashes actually hit against my glasses! It’s crazy.
I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’ve been doing any writing lately. Are you still doing beauty reviews?
Wow. Just wow. I can totally relate to how you’re feeling. My son will be 3 in June, so we in similar phases. I work from home, and I rarely get dressed up. But when I do, I feel totally different. And on days when I’m tending to my son and don’t have time to take a second for myself, I start to feel a little defeated. Even just the smallest things like doing my brows and curling my lashes make me feel a little more put together, and it changes my whole mood!
Feel ya, girl. How do you balance working from home with your son? I end up waking up at the crack of dawn to get as much as I can finished before she wakes up on the three days I have her. On the two days she goes to pre-school I have a long block of 6 hours, but it’s never, ever enough time.
We have a nanny from 8 to 4 because I have to manage a lot of client video calls, and there’s no way I’d be able to handle my son if I’m going from call to call. Even though she’s here for 8 hours, I have to fit in a lot of stuff. I know what you mean about not having enough time. I just recently started trying to make myself a priority by sneaking in a work out, and that has helped with not feeling so defeated, but it can be tough to motivate myself.
Here’s a little secret that I think – yeah, makeup can brighten how you feel, but the real power behind it is YOU. So YOU GO, GIRL!! And the mascara is just added cool.
And I hope Connor Claire is feeling better now. Hot steam always helps – not those cool steam generator things, but good old fashioned hot steam. Very low-tech but it works.
I definitely feel the power of makeup. It brightens up my mood and my face. I don’t need it. I have certainly left the confines of home without makeup and survived lol. But makeup makes me happy. It reminds me of my grandma and sneaking in her medicine cabinet to take a peek at her “stash”. I remember my sister gifting me Tinkerbelle rollerball scented lip glosses and feeling so special.
If I could only have a few items I’d choose mascara and blush. I’ve been loving a good tubing mascara for great definition and for its easy removal and MAC Sur blush bc it sculpts and defines my cheekbones. It looks like I’ve spent hours contouring my face but in reality I’ve only spent a few seconds! It will be awhile before I can try that MAC mascara bc I have many I’m currently working through. Darn Nordstrom mascara sales events!
I’ve also worn makeup when I’m sick. Maybe not in the deep throes of it but when I’m a little more on the mend. It makes me feel normal and like I’m back to routine. Hope your baby feels better soon and kudos to you for taking care of yourself too! Babies grow up far too quickly and one day you’ll miss those sleepless nights. My baby will soon be 17 and I jump at the chance when she needs my care since I rarely get the chance these days?
Oh, poor Connor! I hope she gets better soon and that with the weather warming up she’ll stay healthy.
I watched a movie once that was otherwise forgettable, but a couple lines talked about what we use as “armor” to strengthen our spirits to face the day, the next task, the people in the world outside our door. Of course, my immediate thought was MAKEUP! always mine has been nails and a bit of makeup. You, CocoChanel, Bobbi Brown etc have all discovered that secret, so I’d say we are in good company here. Makeup can be a powerful thing. And grrrl! looking good there. nice core, nice eyes- you don’t look sleepless at all. can’t wait for your lash growth post.
I love this mascara and it seems to be discontinued!! Have you found a dupe that will actually hold curl?