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).
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm?
Rich balm, because HELLO, DRY SKIN!
2. What color is your hair?
Currently, various shades of very dark brownish black with streaks of silver peppered throughout.
I like it just fine (it’s low maintenance!), but I’m toying with the idea of coloring it again. I’ve always been the type of person who likes to change her hair color often, and I’ve had it this way for a few years now… I’m getting antsy!
3. Last time and place you did your makeup?
It was in my office last Friday morning, where I’m actually sitting at this very moment. There’s good natural light in here (when it isn’t gray and stormy), and even though I didn’t have any work meetings scheduled, I still like to be ready in case I need to jump on a call.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid?
Oh, this is tough, but I’ll go with Vitamin C…assuming it’s Skinceuticals CE Ferulic.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies?
Again, how am I to choose?! I wear both on a daily basis, but, um…I’ll go with scrunchies, I guess, because they’re the more comfortable option to wear to bed.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase?
Hell yeah! The better question is “Who hasn’t gone through a Bath & Body Works phase?” I went through my share in the ’90s.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow?
Rain, 100%. I can’t do snow, babe. I wasn’t built for anything below 40 degrees.
Scratch that. Really, 50 degrees.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
Splash cold water on my face! It helps me wake up.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
This cardigan in red.
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. Gel cream or thick, rich balm?
2. What color is your hair?
3. Last time and place you did your makeup?
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid?
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies?
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase?
7. Do you prefer rain or snow?
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
P.P.S. Happy Monday, beautiful girl! 🤗 I hope today brings you peace and joy.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Definitely rich balm for colder months. I have dry, mature skin.
2. What color is your hair? It is naturally brunette, but the greys are starting to take over.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? This morning in my bathroom.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? I use a Vitamin C with Ferulic & HA from Mad Hippie in the AM which I love. I started using the Vitamin A serum with HA at night. Too early to tell, but I was using The Ordinary Retinol .05 in Squalane and enjoyed it. Overall, I like Vitamin C better.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Scrunchies
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? No.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? A light rain is my preference.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK). Thank G-d I made it through the night without making several bathroom trips. Damn menopause!
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? I bought myself a lipstick and liner from Lisa Eldridge’s Velvet collection. I’ve been using it for the past week and am not sure that the formula is the right one for me, but I love the shade. We shall see what happens after a month. I will say that the sample foundations I received were a bit too dry on my skin. I am sticking with my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer for now.
Hope all is well! Happy Monday and have a safe Halloween!
Hi Jayne,
I ordered Lisa’s lip liner and velvet lipstick in the new shade, Blush Lightly. I thought it would be perfect for autumn. Although I’m very happy with the lip liner, the lipstick was a complete fail for me. After one day, my lips were terribly dried out. I even tried using it over a bit of balm, but it still didn’t work for me. Too bad because it is a gorgeous color. As for her foundation, it left my skin feeling uncomfortably dry. I was disappointed because I loved her satin lipstick and liquid highlighter.
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! 🙂
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Gel, as long as it’s very hydrating. I do prefer the quick drying and lighter feel.
2. What color is your hair? Light/Medium brown, thanks to bi-weekly root touch ups! 🙂
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? This morning in the bathroom.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? Hmm, hyaluronic, I think. I can use it daily.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Neither, because my hair falls out of both. But, if pressed, I’d choose scrunchies.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? You bet. Like you, in the 90s. It was mostly at Christmas time for the Sugar Plum lotion.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? Snow! There are so many great things to do when it snows (ski, snowshoe, skate/play hockey, have snowball fights, build forts and snowmen, etc). I find rain to be miserable. 🙁
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK). Hit snooze 3 times. HAHA!
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? Jean jacket.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm?
Cream. Balm on spots like feet, elbows.
2. What color is your hair?
Dark brown. There are hints of coppery highlights in the sun.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup?
This am in my bathroom.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid?
I feel like retinoids give me the most bang for my buck.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies?
I don’t wear either but I’d choose scrunchies.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase?
Yes, but only because those lotions/body washes were the go-to Christmas gift in high school! Honestly I don’t know if I ever finished a bottle. I did like some of the candles.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow?
I love a rainy day when I have nothing to do but curl up with a book/movie. I also love snow but I hardly see it! It snowed here lightly last Christmas eve and it was magical. I’ll go with snow!
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
Gotta empty the bladder.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
A gray, oversized funnel neck quilted sweatshirt from the Gap. Gap has great athletic wear!
Hope everyone has a great (spooky) week!
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Cream
2. What color is your hair? Right now… medium brown with a reddish tint. I change between different shades of medium to dark brown.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? This morning at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? Retinoids
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Scrunchies if hair is dry
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? Of course! Then I met my hubby and all of the scents bother his asthma.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? Rain…I love snow for my kids…but one day a year is enough for me. I prefer fall:)
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK). I NEED coffee🤪!!!
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? Mac Wild Card lipstick…Did I really need another red lipstick👄? Maybe not…but I am just getting through a breakthrough case of covid (yes…I am fully vaccinated) and I wanted something to cheer me up.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? I have bone dry skin and love a lightly scented rich cream for my body and a good occlusive moisturizer for my face. Gels just don’t do it for me.
2. What color is your hair? That’s a hard one to answer because just saying grey does not really describe it. First of all, my hair is almost waist-length. At the crown, my hair grows in almost pure white and gradually becomes a darker grey as it grows closer to my neck. What I have is white on top of silver, on top of pewter on top of soft black. I’d never, ever color it. I get tons of compliments on it and, at my age, I’ll take all the compliments I can get! 😁
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? I did a light makeup this morning. I always apply it in the bathroom. Yesterday I actually applied a full face.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? If I could only have one, it would be the best of the best— the prescription strength retinoic acid product I get from my dermatologist. It’s buffered and contains calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients so it doesn’t irritate my skin. Vit. C is nice as is hyaluronic acid, but retinoic acid is the gold standard for treating aging/phot-damaged skin.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Scrunchies rule.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? No, but I love their little hand sanitizers and often include the seasonal ones in goodie bags. I think they’ve improved their candles and picked up several holiday ones this year. The soaps and lotions I find rather cloying.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? I love the rain.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK) let the dog out.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? I bought a J Crew sweater last Thursday.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Rich Balm, super dry skin but prone to breakouts, currently loving on Honey Girl creams with olive oil and honey from Hawaii.
2. What color is your hair? Dark coppery brown (auburn in the sun) with some silver around my face.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? This morning, bathroom.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? Vitamin C.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Scrunchies, though I’ve been wearing my hair chin length for a bit so not using any accessories.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? Oh yes, I spent most of the 90’s smelling like Sweet Pea or Cucumber and Melon.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? Snow. I grew up on the coast in Washington State and married someone from Chicago 8 years ago so I’m still in that honeymoon snow state – that will change with more shoveling I’m sure.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I. . Big glass of iced green tea/nettle tea with strawberry and cucumber from Twinings (hydration AND glowy skin)
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? Minimalist Baker’s Vegetarian Cookbook from Amazon.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Balm for hands but something lighter for my face
2. What color is your hair? Dark brown – it’s colored but it’s pretty much an Alexa thing match to my natural color
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? This morning for work
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? Vitamin C – allergic/ super sensitive to retinoids and haven’t tried hyaluronic acid
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Neither – my hair is super short
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? Who didn’t?
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? Snow!
8. Every morning when I first wake up I – move at least 1 cat so I can move!
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? – a leather bag/backpack
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Thick rich balm! I need alllllllll the moisturizer! My favorite thing is to slather myself head to toe in moisturizer.
2. What color is your hair? It’s dark brown and I have some blond streaks in it. I just got it done and I love it! It looks natural and healthy.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? In my bathroom on Saturday! My husband friend retired, so we drove up North for the retirement party. I don’t wear a ton of makeup, but I love it, so it was fun. I went for a very blushy look.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? HA. I don’t know if it works, but it feels nice to put on. I use a retinoid, but on alternating days because I’m dry and I don’t want to burn my face off.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Scrunchies. They’re soft, they don’t tangle, and the 90’s girl in me loves them.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? No. It used to smell so heavily of rubbing alcohol that it turned me off. It’s better now, but I just don’t like heavily perfumed products.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? Rain, CA is in drought, so rain is needed. But we’re moving to MI next year, and it snows there, so I’m going to have to learn to love it.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK). Put a bathrobe on, turn on the fireplace, start the coffee pot, and then pet my 3 pugs and 8 cats and tell them how much I love them.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? A Frappuccino. My best friend and I meet every weekend for coffee and conversation. It’s my favorite part of the week.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm?
Gel cream. I like the spf one by Alba botanica. Balms tend to sit on my skin and not quite sink in.
2. What color is your hair?
Various shades of ash brown with some salt. There are two pieces of blonde-grey that naturally frame my face (which stylists always tell me people pay an arm and a leg for, so I guess that’s positive—although I’d like them even if that were not the case!).
3. Last time and place you did your makeup?
Yesterday in front of my bathroom mirror. Though I did the lipstick a little later.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid?
Hmm. None! Lactic acid.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies?
Neither, my hair is too slippery for those particular accoutrements. I have one barrette and two hair ties that I use on occasion (and uncommonly, I’ve had the same ones for years! I know that’s wacky).
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase?
No! Never set foot in one, interestingly. Or maybe once.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow?
They’re like apples and oranges. Probably rain, as it’s easier to ride a bike in and signals 40+ degrees F. The pitter patter of spring rain is hard to beat. But so is the magical, otherworldly quiet of first heavy snow.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
Listen for prayerful guidance.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
A purple wool knit skirt by Max Mara Leisure at Nordstrom.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm?
I like something in between.
2. What color is your hair?
Currently blonde. I know, gasp, I went blonde. And it’s blooooooonde.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup?
Saturday for the Special Olympics.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies?
Neither; I prefer a hair tie.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase?
Nooooo. I can smell B&B down the hall at the mall! It gives me a migraine.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow?
Rain!
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
Pull the covers over my head and pretend it’s not time to wake up.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
A product from Truly.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm?
Richie-rich balm. My skin has been feeling tight lately.
2. What color is your hair?
Dirty blonde aka dishwater. My natural color has fully grown in and it’s no wonder I started altering it with Sun-In when I was in high school.
3. Last time and place you did your makeup?
Eh, maybe a month ago? I have a really nice built-in vanity area with drawers, a counter and an ’80s contractor grade light strip.
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid?
Retinoids.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies?
Butterfly clips. My hair is so fine (and now thinning — thanks, menopause) that it tends to slip out of scrunchies. 6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase?
Sure. It was the ‘90s, and much time was spent in the mall.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow?
Snow all the way! It makes the world look bright and shiny and new.
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
Make the bed. This is often preceded by the utterance of a curse word. I am not a morning person.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
Some comfy pajamas from Kohl’s.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? Gel cream. I get impatient waiting for thicker lotions to dry.
2. What color is your hair? Mostly brown with red highlights and scattered blonde and blue strands, all natural!
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? Today before work, in my living room-oddly enough, it has the ideal balance of natural and artificial lighting for me to do my makeup well!
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid.
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? Neither-my hair’s often (like now) too short for them. Cloth-covered hair ties are more my thing, as long as they have a decent amount of stretch.
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? Not really a full phase, but I do like a lot of their hand sanitizer scents!
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? Rain. When it does snow, I like it to stay away from my neigborhood but be localized around my workplace so I’ll get a snow day, haha!
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK). Turn off the alarm on my phone.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself? A black-and-dark pink witch costume-called Gothic Witch, which cracks me up because dark pink doesn’t seem very Goth to me-because everyone in my library system is strongly encouraged to wear costumes during their Halloween weekend shifts, and a long cardi in a purple/black/dark berry pink camouflage print, just for any day.
1. Gel cream or thick, rich balm? thick rich balm especially in the colder months
2. What color is your hair? blackish
3. Last time and place you did your makeup? my bedroom room this month
4. Vitamin C, retinoids or hyaluronic acid? retinoids
5. Butterfly clips or scrunchies? butterfly clips
6. Did you ever go through a Bath & Body Works phase? did i stop is the question. i don’t buy as many times during the years but i still shop there.
7. Do you prefer rain or snow? rain
8. Every morning when I first wake up I (FILL IN THE BLANK).
i fall back to sleep initially and then mentally go through my day.
9. What’s the last thing you bought for yourself?
54 thrones body butter.