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I could spend days — literally DAYS! — listing all of my stressors.
In fact, just thinking about the length of the list is totally stressing me out.
Right off the top of my head, there’s…
- April 15. Also known as tax day ’round these parts. This year will go down in history for me as the year of the Great Excel Spreadsheet Meltdown. And no, not great because it was awesome. It was bad, and all thanks to one accidental click. Forehead, meet desk. Repeat.
- Deadlines. They’re always looming, like dark, angry clouds… Yeah, it’s hard to put a good spin on the concept of deadlines. You know it. I know it. In general, they suck.
I’m sure you have your share of stressors, too. Finals, work projects, important things that absolutely must get done, lest you feel the wrath of your boss/co-workers/partner/children/demanding diva cat, and everything whittles away at your beauty time.
One word: argh.
It’s time to take some of those 24 hours back. By equipping yourself with more makeup and beauty products that multitask, you can get more done in less time.
Here are a few products to help you primp under pressure…
Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up ($6.99)
I don’t know about you, but when I go to get my hair colored at the salon, it can turn into a half-day affair.
Well, when you just can’t stand staring at your roots in the mirror any longer (been there, done that!), an at-home coloring kit like Clairol’s Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up ($6.99) can help, especially if you can’t/don’t want to spend hours in a salon. This one comes in 14-shades, so chances are there’s one for you.
COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation ($9.35)
I’m not one to shy away from multi-step makeup, but sometimes, I simply have to. If time doesn’t permit my regular primer, foundation and concealer, multitasking makeup like COVERGIRL’s $9.35 Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation saves the day.
A liquid formula combining primer, foundation and concealer in a single bottle, it shaves minutes off my beauty routine (I wear it in Golden Tan).
Oh, it lasts a long time, too, so your makeup will go the distance for you.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream and Lash Serum Duo ($24.99)
The magic of multitasking can extend to skin care as well, with products like Olay’s Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream and Lash Serum Duo ($24.99).
It combines a hydrating eye cream with a lengthening lash serum in the same convenient tube (you just unscrew the top part). It’s also sleek enough to squeeze skinny makeup bags for primping on the go.
Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response ($7.99)
Long day or night ahead? With prescription-strength wetness protection, Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response has something to say about that. Stay dry and fresh for 10-12 hours with an odor-absorbing formula that, in the case of the Serene Citrus Scent, smells to me like a combination of baby powder and peach gummies.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Lol I want to try that deodorant just for the peach gummy smell!! That Olay duo looks pretty cool as well!
I have it on my desk just so I can sniff it from time to time, haha! 🙂
The eye cream from the duo is nice; I use it to prep my eyes before applying makeup. It absorbs quickly and I can use it on both the lid and under eye area.
Girl, get to your packing!
I would rather procrastinate! 🙂 this is unrelated, but are you on instagram?
Ha, me too! I am the WORST packer ever. I’m trying to get better, but if I had my way I’d bring two huge suitcases for a two-day trip.
How random…I think you’re the fifth or sixth person to ask me this week if I’m on instagram. I keep meaning to do it, but there’s just so many social media things I can keep up with. I heard it’s fun though! Are you on there?
Me too I’m an awful packer! I want to be prepared lol! Yeah I love instagram and would love to follow you if you join! I totally hear you on social media overload. BUT instagram makes it easy to share elsewhere. So lets say you snap your photo of your yummy Starbucks and then pop it in instagram. Then when you post it you can tell it to automatically share with fb, twitter, Flickr… So you shared with not only your instagram followers but also fb and twitter!
Totally. You never know when you’ll need that dress/tank top/pair of patent hot pink high heels, LOL! What I’m really paranoid about is underwear though. I cannot handle NOT having enough for a trip. I’d rather have more than less.
If I could clone myself, I’d have that Karen spend all day social media all day long, no joke. Do you do anything besides Instangram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter? I just started doing Vine and I LOOOOOVE it. It’s so addictive.
I stick to fb instagram and pinterest! I quit twitter because it seemed like a waste of my time. I have a google plus but I never look at it or post anything lol! I’ve heard some mixed things about vine so I haven’t checked it out yet!
Vine is weirdly addictive. I like it because it’s so easy to make videos, but then I go through phases where I’m into it and not into it. It really depends on how much extra time I have.
Isn’t it so funny how back in the day the only way to interact with your friends was either 1) seeing them in person or 2) calling them on the phone? Now there’s so many different outlets. It’s great but also overwhelming.
CALL on the phone?! What’s that?!! Lol! I totally know what you mean. Overall I feel like its good for me though since I’m not working outside the house so I neeeed more adult interaction, even if its via a screen lol
I know, right? From a phone FROM LIKE INSIDE A HOUSE. LOL!
That’s so true about getting adult interaction. In my case it’s like human interaction since I’m Tabs’ co-worker.
Are you back to work now that Abbie’s a little older?
No I’m not working right now. I’m hoping to do photography part time in the future, if I can become good enough 🙂 I worry that if I get I job in my field from my masters then both hubby and I would work like 60 hour weeks and never see our kids 🙁
Sounds good to me. In another lifetime I’m doing event photography for families. 🙂 And in another one I’m doing high fashion photography and traveling the world!
You should start an online portfolio with the pics you’ve taken so far. Maybe use something like a free wordpress site for now, and then migrate it over when you have enough to officially strike it out on your own. That way, when your friends refer to their friends, they can see your work.
Sounds good to me! I want to join you in your third lifetime 🙂
I know, I really should. I started a WordPress blog last year for personal/fam pics but I didn’t keep up with it. Or I figure I should at least update my Flickr or something…
Wouldn’t that be awesome? I would do it in a heartbeat.
You totally should. I’ve seen your pics of Abbie on FB and they’re great! You never know if it’ll lead somewhere.
Are you done packing yet? LOL
Thank you… I’m second shooting a wedding this summer and I’m super excited about it. And nervous. Wayyyy nervous.
I did SOME packing! *pats self on back* and I figure I can finish tomorrow! 🙂
That’s so exciting! How did you get that gig?
I stayed in touch with the photographer who did Abbie’s newborn pics (via Facebook) and she asked me to assist!
That’s great. I bet you’ll learn so much! I would love to do something like that solely just for lighting info. Will you use your own camera or will they lend you gear?
I’ll be using my own camera and lenses. They are bringing all the lighting gear. Are you interested in learning more about natural lighting or studio lighting? I’m a natural light person myself, but need to do some learning about studio lighting. I got a great recommendation for a DVD to learn about off camera flash… I can find the link if that’s something you’re interested in!
Thanks for the reccomendations! I’m curious about the Cover Girl foundation. I love my Makeup Forever HD foundation, but it is pricey.
I don’t get my hair colored, but I’m noticing some grays pop up here and there. Since my hair is black, my secret weapon is to use a black Sharpie on the offending hairs. 🙂
Happy Friday! It’s been a busy week, so I’m looking forward to relaxing this weekend.
Hi Ruchita,
Happy Friday! I wear the CG foundation and like it. I have noticed that when my skin is oilier than usual, I need to go a shade lighter or mix in a lighter color since it can oxidize. Just something to think about.
I’m so glad the weekend is almost here. Are you baking anything yummy?
Tabs says hello, btw. He currently has his paws up on my right shoulder and is purring like crazy!
Aww, cuddly Tabs! Kitty purrs are the best stress reliever. Nina is the smallest of the three, but she has the loudest purr, it’s the sweetest.
Good to know about the oxidizing issue with the foundation. I’ve had that happen before.
I’m baking these strawberry swirl cheesecake cupcakes. They look pretty easy and yummy!
I usually only bake when we have people over. My husband plays in a band and when they come over for practice on the weekends, I usually bake for the guys and end up giving some away. I have a major sweet tooth, so it’s dangerous for me to keep stuff around the house!
One day Tabs will let me get him a dainty little brother or sister (I wish!). I love big husky cats, but tiny kitties have their charms too. Oh, to have a 5 or 6 pound cat!
Those cupcakes sound so good! You will have to take a picture when you’re done so I can vicariously live through you, because I have a majorly strong sweet tooth too. A few years ago, I went through a phase where I baked different cakes from scratch every weekend. I ended up giving most of the cakes away because it was too dangerous to have them in the house. I would happily eat cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mingy is around 15-17 lbs but Nina is probably less than 10 lbs. It’s so cute b/c she’ll try to attack Mingy and play with him. They’ll end up wrestling but he’s never hurt her.
I always take pics of my desserts. My phone has hundres of pictures of cats and cupcakes – my two favorite things. 🙂
That is so cute! I wish Tabs could have a Nina, aww. 🙂
While we’re on the topic of cat lady things, I keep meaning to share this site with you: http://lovemeow.com/
I have to warn you, though, that it’s easy to get sucked in!
What a great site! I teared up reading some of the rescue stories. I’m so thankful I’ve had the opportunity to rescue my cats. They’ve been such a blessing to me.
I did the same thing. I found it late one Friday night and spent half the evening reading, watching videos and tearing up.
What would we do without our kitties? The world wouldn’t be nearly as fun or happy, I think.
Happy Friday!
“In fact, just thinking about the length of the list is totally stressing me out.” This made me laugh out loud. Though I realize there’s some truth to it. 🙂
What’s shaking this weekend? We volunteered for an all day music festival/workshop that brings parents, educators and elementary school kids together to do… something musical apparently. One of the boys is very hopped up on this so we’re all going (despite the strong protests of son #2). I had to grit my teeth when I learned that we need to be there by 8 AM. On a Saturday. During one of the few weekends of the year that we don’t have to get up early for sports. Hopefully it’s fun since we’re there until 3 PM. 🙂 I hope you and El Hub have something fun and relaxing planned!
Happy Friday to you too! Have fun at the festival tomorrow. I hope there’s yummy festival food (churros, funnel cake, cotton candy!) involved, and that the boys (and you) have fun. Just think: you’ll miss stuff like this when they get to the age when hanging out with mom is “so uncool.”
I really need to get outside this weekend, so I’m going to try go hiking with El Hubs. This of course also depends on the pollen situation. I can barely be outside for 10 minutes before I start feeling sniffly, so, we’ll see if I have to get all bubble girl and stay inside.
It was a good time but only one of the boys could participate. There were 5 – 7 kids from each of 12 schools and they were chosen in advance (we found all this out when we arrived). Since Son 1 opted to decline when he was picked, he lost his spot. Son 2 and I had a blast, though! 🙂
I hope you got to go on your hike! We had some snow, hail and rain this weekend so outside time was quite limited. 🙁
I am always in a hurry so anythin that can save me time is welcome!
I hear ya! I always feel like I never have enough time.
I am NOT a morning person. And I’ve been hitting the gym in the mornings before work, so I’m ALWAYS looking for ways & products to make getting ready faster & easier. BB cream is my new HG face product. I’m trying a couple, but right now the Tarte one is my fave. It’s meant to be a primer, but I usually just set it lightly with MAC MSF Natural or Blot powder (I have oily skin, so I would set any foundation anyway). Revlon Lip Butters are also amazing — they provide moisture and buildable color.
And I’m very intrigued by the Olay eye duo. I’m going to have to give that a try!
Hi Tiera,
I’m not naturally a morning person, either, but I’ve gotten used to it. I’m definitely better when it comes to doing heavy mental lifting in the morning, I’ve noticed.
Anywho, back to makeup. What other BB creams have you tried and liked?
Great post, Karen! I’m SO sorry about your tax spreadsheet…OMG…there’s something extra evil about deleting electronic work. It ceases to exist and your toiling goes right out the window! Sending you hugs and mugs of calming chammomile!