Yesterday, I went to Sephora because I’ve been feeling kinda “blah,” and I needed to do a little pick-me-up beauty shopping. Side note: I think it’s a combination of the dreary weather we’ve been having lately and hormones. More on this in a few.
Anywho, I went in with a very vague plan of picking up lipgloss and liner, but I didn’t have any specific brands or colors on my list, so it was an improv situation. While I was there, I found myself drawn to old favorites and things I remember loving back in the day passionately, which is why I ended up with an Hourglass lipgloss in the shade Canvas and a tube (pen?) of YSL Touche Eclat. (I also grabbed a new eyeliner.)
Which leads me to today’s Q&A question!
Have you ever changed your mind about your tried-and-true makeup favorites?
When I was doing MBB full time, exploring and testing new products was part of the territory, so I was always trying new things, but occasionally I’d fall in love with something so deeply that I’d come back to it over and over again. And that’s the memory I have connected to Canvas gloss.
It’s been a while since I’ve worn it, so I was eager to wear it again. I beelined it to my car so I could slip on a layer, and after a few swishes and a couple lip smacks, I found myself staring in my rearview mirror and thinking to myself, “Hmmm… That’s it?”
I still like how smooth it looks, the opacity and the weight of the gloss on my lips, but truth be told I expected to be wowed – but wasn’t.
I think a big part of it is that I’m so protective now of the space in my makeup bag; I really need to love something in order to keep it around. And if I don’t feel that rush of excitement, that thrill, then I’m not having it.
Canvas, you’re pretty enough, but I want to be swept off my Nike-wearing feet!
Same thing happened with the Touche Eclat. I tried it on and was like, “Dude… Why?” LOL! It certainly lays smoothly, which I remember, but I didn’t feel like my skin looked livelier or fresher or brighter. I guess 30-something me liked different things!
Oh, I did have a very inspiring moment with the eyeliner, though.
It’s Hourglass Voyuer Waterproof Gel Liner in Solstice, a metallic bronze. I’m very much into liner that defines my lash lines without looking too harsh (hello, you’re officially in your 40s when that happens), and this does just that. It just adds a little something-something – my upper lashes look thicker, and my eyes pop a little more. The formula is smooth and soft, and it stays on! I think I want the cool brown shade, Cave, next.
So, like I was saying earlier, I’ve been feeling a little “blah” lately.
I think it’s a combination of not seeing the sun for such a long stretch and lady hormones doing their thing. The good thing, though, is that I’m at a point where I’m better about recognizing it early on. It feels like a fog that’s creeping in, and now I can easily identify those first tendrils, whereas before I’d just suddenly be stuck in the thick of it and be so overwhelmed that I couldn’t find my way out. Part of “staying out of the fog” involves doing all the basic care I need to feel good, like getting enough sleep, changing out of my pajamas first thing in the morning, doing my hair, brushing my teeth and putting on makeup that makes me feel beautiful, inside and out.
Thank goodness for lipgloss and all the little beauty pleasures! They really do make my days a little brighter.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hey Karen!
I turn 40 this Friday 😜🙄😝🤪😖…and I’m doing my best not to let it bother me. I know it’s just a number…but something about it just feels different.
I agree that getting dressed and putting on makeup can completely lift you out of a mood. I felt really blah Monday and put on makeup even though we were not going out. Just enough to brighten my face a little.
I think I changed my mind about a whole brand. I used to have so many favorites from Urban Decay (lipstick in Bruise, blush in Fetish, eyeshadow primer)…and I just do not reach for them as much anymore. Their new stuff doesn’t really “call” to me either. I still use their eyeliners, but that’s it.
Hoping for more sunny days for us all♥
Happy birthday, Mandy! I know what you mean. When I turned 40 it felt like I was turning a big page.
I hope that you have lots of cake, presents and fun on Friday!
Re: Urban Decay. I loved a lot of their stuff back in the day. I still use and love their liners and tinted moisturizer (Hydromaniac). I’ve learned though that you can’t get too hooked because they seem to discontinue a lot of their products. I’ll be sad if there’s ever a day that Hydromaniac disappears from shelves.
Thank you ☺️. Urban Decay does discontinue so many products…many things that I liked over the years. I have looked at the tinted moisturizer…and I may have to try it now🤔.
I’m wearing it today and I looooove it. I think I might even like it more than the Laura Mercier one, which says a lot. It’s really great at mellowing out uneven patches of skin and smoothing pores, but it doesn’t feel or look heavy. I wear it all the time with a little bit of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural on top, and the combo is perfect for those five minute makeup days, which for me has been every day lately, ha ha ha.
What are your plans for your birthday?
No big plans. Just hanging out at home with hubby and kiddos. I love MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural…I use one to set my makeup and I use Gimme Sun as a bronzer. I am tempted to buy the UD tinted moisturizer. Do you think it has more or less coverage than MAC face and body?
YES! To “the fog”. I call mine “the spiral” and it gets pretty intense every 3 months or so. Routine, sparkly things, and hardcore exercise help a lot. The other things that have helped over the last year or so are making intentional changes to my diet when I feel myself start to spiral – citrus fruits, salmon, avocado, pistachios, berries – “happy foods” that make me feel good and not feel gross after I eat them. I wish that when this started happening to me about 5 years ago that other people had been as transparent about it being “normal”. I’m so glad you’re open about this FEMomenon! Hang on, sister. You’re not alone and you’ve got this. Also – had the same “meh” reaction when I went back to MAC Indianwood paint pot a month or so ago. Used to be my ride or die about 10 years ago. Now I’m reaching past it for Laura Mercier or Nudestix. 🤷🏻♀️
Routine, sparkles, exercise and happy foods? I’m 100% here for it. I feel like a big part of what helps me with my spiral is recognizing when it’s happening! Oh, and being able to articulate that it’s happening to the people around me, so I can ask for help. I grew up believing that you always had to fend for yourself and asking for help made you weak. I now know that it’s OK to ask for support when you need it. Sending you a huge hug!
P.S. Laura Mercier is so my jam these days! I think I’ll have to go back and grab a gloss; back in the day I loved her glosses.
Oooh that liner sounds nice! I had to change my go-to concealer recently but unfortunately it was just due to allergies.
This part of the country just does not get sun this time of year and it makes it so hard to want to do anything. I’m a chronically ill person whose symptoms get worse in the winter, so things are hard.
UGH for the winter making it tough to get motivated. I’m so looking forward to longer days and sunshine. We just gotta hang on.
I’m wearing the liner today, and I’m super stoked about it! I will take some pics tomorrow so you can see. 🙂
Say hi to the fur kids for me, please!
No swatches . . . bummer!
Curious minds want to see!
Hi Karen! Sometimes you need a pick me up when feeling blah with a trip to Sephora! How did you like the Hourglass lip gloss? I saw on the Sephora website that Hourglass has the Unlocked Satin Cream Lipstick. Did you see the lipstick at Sephora?
Hi Karen!! I totally get you on that “blah” feeling. Mine is more related to my sweet mother. She passed away in November. She had just turned 86. Sometimes I feel alright, other times I don’t. She was a super positive person though, and I’m a lot like her. She was my inspiration!! As far as hormones/menopause, I went through it, just recently. I was really late with it…I’m 55!! Too funny!! I didn’t feel too bad emotionally, so Thank God. However, I did feel warm a lot, but that’s starting to pass. Ha Ha!! I still can’t believe I had my period, until I was 54. It was so weird!! Anyway, I feel like I’m over the hump with the hormonal stuff, and ready to greet 56 in February!! Woo Hoo!! On another note, the weather really can affect us. If we don’t get enough sunshine/Vitamin D, it can make us feel down. I actually take Vitamin D, because I was told. that I was deficient. I’m one of those people that uses sunblock, when I go to the beach or a pool, but I don’t use it on the regular. I’m afraid of not absorbing my Vitamin D, from the sun. I probably have an opinion, that is very different from most people, concerning the sunscreen subject. LOL!! Anyway, I’m glad that you got to Sephora, and got some new makeup goodies. It really helps, doesn’t it? And by the way, I love that color gloss from Hourglass!! So pretty!! Maybe you can swatch it, or show it on your lips. That would be great!! You take care!!
Hi Karen,
I’m late to respond but wanted to thank you for speaking about the winter blahs and ways to spot it early and how to work with it instead of be sucked in by it.
I too have been struggling this new year and it feels good to hear someone else say it out loud – especially when so many are still excitedly celebrating the joy of the new year. I turned 45 last week and I think the pressure of 45 combined with the pressure of the new year and just feeling out of sorts (low but lots of anxiety) caught me by surprise.
My mom was refugee born in to a refugee camp and my dad an immigrant, they knew struggle and trauma. Asking for help was not a thing we did, “tough it out, figure it out and keep quiet” was the way we were taught. Asking for help was weakness and I am still working on opening up to friends and my spouse early on when I feel those tell tale signs.
I love to scroll through beauty blogs and the Sephora website or hit up a store when I am feeling down. I can’t tell you what it is about a trip to Sephora, maybe the bright lights or the music or the myriad of beautiful things to look at and try but I am happy there and leave with more pep in my step. Even if items I purchase don’t work out! I’m with you though – lately “old faithfuls” have not been inspiring me when I bring them home. Case in point studio fix by MAC or the oh baby lipgloss by MAC – I LOVED them and now they are ok but not great … but the memories of the fun I had wearing them years ago are worth it!!!
I’m excited to see your eyeliner photos. I’m looking for the perfect new brown in a smooth, easy to apply formula. On that note, have you tried MAC’a new gel eyeliners?
Thank you for being strong and sharing Karen – you are an inspiring woman!
I get what you mean – for me it is migraines that creep up like that and I never notice until it is too late. But I have been becoming better and better at realizing they are approaching so I can take preventative measures.