Just For Fun

Let’s get to the bottom of this. When it comes to mascara, what matters most?

What are your top three criteria when it comes to mascara (you can pick three things in the poll)?

It’s been a while since a mascara knocked my socks off, and I’m curious. I think the last one was Guerlain Cils d’Enfer Maxi Lash Waterproof Mascara, which came out in May. It’s still my go-to for now, but you know, I get bored… 🙂

My lashes are naturally stick straight like pine needles, and ridiculously thin, so my top three criteria are curl hold, length and volume.

Oh, I love me some big draggy lashes, yo! Resistance to smudging is also pretty high up there.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

You know, I don’t think I have. Not strictly for my hair or skin, which is weird because I like my vitamins!

The closest I’ve come was probably a few years back with fish oil capsules. I still take them every once in a while, but not consistently. When I was taking them regularly, though — and I can’t remember why I was doing it now; I think I read an article in O Magazine or something that fish oil was supposed to be good for your memory (see how well it worked, LOL!) — my hair started growing like CRAZY.

It grew strong, thick and quickly, too, like a weed. Pretty soon I had Wonder Woman hair!

The only reason I stopped taking the capsules was because I ran out of them and never got around to getting a new bottle.

Lame, I know.

Actually…I just checked our stash of amino acids and health supplements (El Hub is kind of into all that), and wouldn’t you know it? — there’s a huge bottle of fish oil, which is good timing because I’ve been itching to grow my hair long again.

Big sigh… The grass/hair situation is always greener/better on the other side, isn’t it? 🙂

OK, buddy. Let’s talk shop. Do you now, or have you ever, taken any vitamins or supplements for skin, hair or makeup purposes?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Ouch, it’s the “all-time” part of the question that makes this one difficult. Do I go with the limited edition products that moved me to glittery tears (hello, Chanel Astral), or give love to my errr’day staples?

Hmm… I gotta go with the longer-term loves, the products I’ve worn every day, or almost every day, and rarely leave home without.

1. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer — Tricky to use, and the glass pump drives me batty, but I’ve yet to find a full-coverage under-eye concealer that works better for me (although theBalm’s Time Balm Concealer comes close).

2. MAC Face & Body — Easy to build up or sheer out, Face & Body is more flexible than my noodle arms after a yoga class, but more stable than a 200-year-old oak tree once you put it. Hands down, it’s my favorite foundation for dewy skin.

3. MAC Powersurge Eye Kohl — I kid you not; I have gone through seven or eight of these since discovering it in 2008, and my heart hurts a little every time I forget it at home when I leave the house. On the lower water line, this bad-@ss bronzy liner pencil is EVERYTHING. It brightens and opens the eyes wide, practically manga-style.

4. MAC Brun Eye Shadow — Brow filler, eye liner, smokey eye maker extraordinaire. Brun is a bonafide jack of all trades.

5. MAC Impassioned Lipstick — If our cruel alien/sentient computer overlords forced me to pick a single bright lipstick to wear for the rest of my life, I would pick Impassioned.

How about you? What are your five all-time favorite makeup/beauty products?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day. 🙂

The year was 1989.

Saved by the Bell was in its inaugural season (Zack and Kelly 4 ever!), and I was just a wee lass of 14, but because I was a freshman in high school, of course I thought I was all grown up and mature.

LOL!

Little did I know…

That fall my mom took me on my very first trip to a makeup counter. It was Clinique.

It’s one of my fondest makeup memories, and one of my favorite memories with my mom, because she’s never been a real makeup person at all, but she did it for me.

I was devouring teen magazines at the time and scouring them for makeup tips and stuff (oh, to live in the time before beauty blogs) when one day, on the drive to school, my mom asked me if I was interested in going to get some makeup.

Uh…of course I said yes. 🙂

So, that weekend we went to a Clinique counter at the Newpark Mall. I picked out a blush, an eyeshadow (’twas pink and blue… So late ’80s!), a lipstick and a foundation.

No mascara, though, because my mom deemed it “too mature.”

Not to be overly dramatic…but that trip kind of changed my life. Before that trip to the Clinique counter, I was forced to sneak and wear makeup on the down-low because my parents were very strict.

Finally, I didn’t have to sneak around anymore, and it was pure joy. The makeup floodgates opened. I could finally express myself without hiding.

Your turn! How old were you when you got your first makeover at a counter? Tell me about it.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day, babe. Ours was nice. We spent the afternoon in the city at Golden Gate Park, and I did something new, too. El Hub and I rented a paddleboat and tooled around Stow Lake, which I don’t remember ever even seeing before (and I lived right next to the park for a couple years!). It was quite a fun day.

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. This morning we’re getting brunch at the local greasy spoon. What’s your order?
   Ooh! Banana pancakes, two eggs over easy (please, not over medium), hash browns, a side of fruit (easy on the mellon) and coffee (with tons of cream and sugar).

   I swear, I wake up ravenous every morning, as if I’ve been hibernating all winter long. It’s dangerous when we go out to eat, like going grocery shopping when you’re starved, because I end up ordering more than I can actually consume, but whatevs. Bring it on!

2. When in doubt, throw on ______.
   A bright lipstick, ’cause at least you’ll look like you tried, and/or some black stretchy pants, ’cause then at least you’ll be comfortable.
3. Have you ever been sailing?
   I have not, even though I live near San Francisco Bay, which is often covered by sailboats.

   The problem is, horror movies. I’ve watched one too many of them involving sailboats, freak storms and pirates…

4. Do your parents still live in your childhood home?
   They do. They’ve lived in the same house for over 30 years, which is neat when I go home to visit. It brings back a lot of memories.



5. A nail polish shade you never get tired of wearing?
   Tom Ford’s African Violet.

   It’s such a bright, happy shade, but it’s one of those that also has kind of a tough girl edge at the same.

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

1. This morning we’re getting brunch at the local greasy spoon. What’s your order?
2. When in doubt, throw on ______.
3. Have you ever been sailing?
4. Do your parents still live in your childhood home?
5. A nail polish shade you never get tired of wearing?

Good morning, glory. 🙂 Happy Labor Day, which I hope you’re celebrating by not working (or not working very hard).

I love it when holidays fall on a Monday because, seriously, Mondays can use all the help they can get.

We haven’t figured out what we’re going to do yet — maybe drive up to Guerneville and the Russian River, or maybe go hiking on Mount Tam. Whatever we do, though, I want it to be at least partly outside. Gotta soak up as much sunshine as possible (while wearing sunscreen, of course).

What are you doing today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I can definitely see myself wearing makeup into my 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond (I’m 39 now and lovin’ it!). It’s such a big part of my everyday life, and I still enjoy it very much. I can’t imagine not wearing it.

I’m sure my style will change as I “grow up,” of course, but I like to think that even when I’m a sassy 60-something surrounded by 18 cats, I’ll still be busting out the big glam fairly often. 😀

If, as I grow older, I’m judged for still playing with makeup, I’m perfectly comfortable with that.

How about you, friend? Do you see yourself wearing makeup into your 40s (if you’re under 40), 50s, 60s and beyond? Please leave your answer in the comments below!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen