Just For Fun

To powder, or not to powder — that is the question!

When I first started wearing makeup many moons ago, I thought face powder was a non-negotiable. It all started one day when I went to a Clinique counter with my mom, who really wasn’t then, and still isn’t now, into makeup, but, bless her heart, she did her best to indulge my interest.

The makeup artist at the counter made it sound like powder was an absolute must! — so for many years I believed that you absolutely had to wear powder, and that was the makeup gospel. (Cue the stern but heavenly angels.)

Did you ever feel that way? Or was that just me?

My outlook has changed over the past couple years, in large part because of my combination dry/oily skin. One day, after putting on a full face of makeup when my skin was leaning more toward the dry side, I skipped powder.

I think I just forgot that day, to be honest!

But it ended up working out, and I really liked the way my skin looked without the powder. My foundation stayed in place, and my skin didn’t look as dry or flaky as usual… It was just one of those happy makeup accidents.

Most of the time, I still wear face powder (especially when I’m taking pics or doing videos, because I do like how it looks on camera), but now I’m more strategic about where I place it on my skin, like just on the oily areas — my forehead, nose and chin.

So, what’s your position on face powder, friend? Is it a non-negotiable, a semi-negotiable, or is it something you usually skip?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🙂

You guys! Thank you from the bottom of my husky tabby’s tum, and the bottom of my ? heart, for all of your great internship submissions so far. I honestly didn’t think this would be something so many of you would be interested in, and I’m excited to see where it goes.

If you’ve been thinking about it, there’s still time to apply (and I hope you do). For full details and application requirements, check out this post here, and then get thyself to thy keyboard STAT, and do the dang thang already.

The deadline to apply is FRIDAY, JANUARY 22. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I’ve often wondered how it would feel to look like a scoop of pistachio ice cream, and now, thanks to Baby Girl and this green sweater, I know. ??

That cute little bump from four weeks ago isn’t so little anymore, thanks to all the growing BG has done over the last month! I think I read somewhere that pregnant ladies are supposed to put on something like a pound a week in the third trimester… She’s 32 weeks now and about the size of a head of lettuce, but I feel like I’m hauling around a watermelon strapped to my tum.

I spend a lot of time wondering about her personality and what she’ll look like. Will she be outgoing like me, or will she be more introverted like El Hub (or a diva like Tabs)? Will her eyes be brown like mine, or will they be hazel like El Hub’s?

And what about her toes? I hope they’re long and maneuverable like mine. I can pick things up with them like little monkey paws, which comes in quite handy when I want to pick stuff up off the floor!

I also really, REALLY hope she gets El Hub’s eyelashes, because if she does, she’ll have hit the eyelash holy grail, because his are long, thick and curly (and, of course, because he’s a guy, he doesn’t appreciate them at all, sigh).

It’s fun to think about these things, but what I mostly do now is just hope for the best. When I finally get to meet her, more than anything else, I hope she’s healthy. That’s the only thing I really want.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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 seven 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.

1. One of my current life goals is to…
   …get a full night’s sleep! I can’t even remember the last time that happened.

   I think it was about two months ago…

   I think.

   I’m not sure though…

   See! That’s what chronic sleep deprivation can do to you. It wreaks havoc on your short-term memory, let me tell ya, but I know, I know! — it’s gonna get worse when Baby Girl arrives.

2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
   A pen. Yup, I’m the person who always keeps a pen in her purse, because you never know when you’ll have to sign something, like a receipt, and there won’t be any working pens at the counter or wherever.

   I’ve had this happen to me many times before, and all I have to say is “WHY?” Can someone please change the dang pens already!?

   Pens are also handy when you’re sitting on the toilet in a public restroom, and there’s a note or a sign on the stall door that needs a comma…and you just can’t let it go.

3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
   Oh, glitter nails for sure (even though they’re a pain to remove).

   Gimme dat glitter!

4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
   My hair is naturally wavy, so I can do the beachy waves already. So I’ll pick the sleek blowout and, ideally, somebody else will be doing it for me, haha!

5. Do you have any artistic talents?
   I like to think so, a little. Like, I think I’m OK at writing, taking pics and dressing up tomcat tabbies in bedazzled statement necklaces. 🙂

   And in a past life, I was a musician who could sing and dance on occasion.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. One of my current life goals is to…
2. Other than your wallet, keys and/or phone, what’s one thing you always have in your purse?
3. Neon nails or glitter nails?
4. Beachy waves or a sleek blowout?
5. Do you have any artistic talents?

Here’s something I’ve had on my mind lately: if a few good days turn into a good week, and a few good weeks turn into a good month, and a few good months turn into a good year, then all it takes to have a good year is starting with a few good days.

Isn’t that right? I really hope that today is the start of a few good days for you. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hey friends,

Are you (or is someone you know) looking to gain more beauty blogging and writing experience? I’m searching for 4-5 motivated, marvelous interns to write for Makeup and Beauty Blog while I go on maternity leave in late February through March, April and possibly early June. I’ll still be blogging and doing my thing, but I’ll also need some help. 

What’s in it for you?

Your work will get published on MBB, so you’ll get online writing experience (if you’re planning to move into a career in beauty writing or online writing, this is a great way to build your resume and provide links to your work to potential employers), and if you currently have a blog, it’s a great opportunity to grow traffic to your site. I’ll also be happy to write you a glowing recommendation letter if you need a reference.

FYI: This is an unpaid internship; however, I will be able to pay you in product. I’ll send you beauty products to review, you’ll review them, and then you’ll get to keep them after you submit your review. You’ll be writing 3-5 reviews (or how-to posts, tutorials, looks or faces of the day) per week. 

What I need from you…

If this sounds like something you might want to do, then please send the following to karen@makeupandbeautyblog.com by Friday, January 22:

1. A resume highlighting relevant writing/photography/beauty blogging experience and a cover letter
2. Writing and photography links or examples (it’s extremely important that you’re able to take good product pics, and, ideally, you’re comfortable showing your face on the blog)
3. Any links you may have to previously published work in the beauty niche

I’m looking forward to hearing from you! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen