I got my second vaccine shot yesterday and, FYI, this Band-Aid is officially the best Band-Aid that ever was or ever will be. After it falls off, I may tuck it away in an envelope so that years from now, when everything is back to “normal” (“air quotes”) and we’re doing things like going to the Catalina Wine Mixer again without feeling creeped out about crowds, I’ll find this Band-Aid and think, “Eww, you’re super gross, Karen,” and “Gosh, I sure was happy that day.”
You know this is one of my favorite movies, right?
This is the most hopeful I’ve felt in a long, long time.
Because I didn’t want to forget how happy I feel, I put on some fun temporary tattoos by Tattly and some makeup to commemorate the day. I’m wearing a mish-mosh of classic NARS eyeshadows (the Cordura and Isolde duos, and Blondie, Biarritz and Abysinnia) and a few new-to-me products for everything else.
Some first impressions
Revlon Colorstay Light Cover Foundation: I (incorrectly) assumed that because this has “Light Cover” in the name, it was a shot-out to sheer coverage, but nope! — it’s a reference to how light this full-coverage matte liquid foundation feels on skin. It’s light as a feather! The coverage of one layer is just shy of full, which is enough to hide red areas, freckles and uneven pigmentation. Then, you can add more layers, which is easy to do because it blends so well, if you want to bump up the coverage to full. For reference, my skin is dry on my cheeks and oily on my forehead, and this foundation handles both areas like a champ. Available in 12 shades, $13.99 each.
Clinque Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser: Normally, full-coverage concealers look thick, dry and cakey when I wear them in my under-eye area, so I kind of avoid them, but this demi-matte liquid concealer completely steers clear of fine lines. Even after it dries down, it remains smooth and flexible, which is very cool! I plan to use this as a foundation, actually, because I think it’ll be great for that too. Available in a whopping 42 shades, $26 each.
L’Oreal Shiny Lip Stain in Be Outstanding: This is neato. It’s a long lasting, lightweight, non-sticky liquid lipstick with an ultra-shiny finish. Sort of like an amalgam of every lip product under the sun! This particular one, Be Outstanding, is a rosy brown, but there are lots of other colors to choose from in the line, which, FYI, is BOGO right now at Ulta. Available in 12 shades, $11.99 each.
Laura Mercier Blush in Chai: I love LM’s blushes for their pigment and smooth finish, and this matte rose is one of her prettiest and most natural-looking ones, IMHO. Available in 10 shades, $32 each.
The pandemic and the lockdowns have transformed me into something of a hermit, and I’m still freaked out a little (OK, a lot) about the thought of being among large groups of people, and like…doing things. LOL! I keep reminding myself that this too shall pass, and we’ll be able to do more things very soon. Like, I texted an old friend I used to work with at the bakery and asked her if she wanted to go on a hike in a couple weeks. I’m also starting to mentally psych myself up to go to an outdoor small-group HIIT class at the gym sometime in May!
Part of me still worries that we could backslide if the virus takes a different course, so I keep telling myself not to get too excited about returning to normal life right away…but another part of me also wants to be hopeful.
This past year has changed me so much, and I’m betting it’s changed you too.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Your are extra beautiful in that photo! I think it’s your happiness coming through in the picture. 🙂
I have had Covid, which seems to be as much or more protective than the vaccine, but I’m still freaked out about crowds. My husband and I both had it in December, and while he is not nearly as freaked out as I am, we both feel like it’s weird to be amongst people, especially unmasked. Our state (Indiana) has pretty much opened up already, but I would say 80% of people are still masked in stores (including myself, despite logical knowing I’m pretty safe still). .
I have enjoyed some parts of this— more family time, more relaxed pace of life, etc., but I feel like my friendships and relationships outside my family are probably suffering, and I think I won’t even realize how badly until things do become more normal again. Kind of like you don’t realize how much you miss something until you have it again. Isolation has become the new normal at this point. I’m kind of in the middle as an extrovert/introvert, and I don’t live alone. I’m sure this has been utterly awful for people in a different situation. I know your lockdowns have been much more extreme than in our part of the country.
Hi Tara,
I’m glad to hear that you and your hubs have recovered. Stay healthy, k?
Hi Tara-
Just to let you know, this is the current recommendation from the CDC.
Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.4 days ago
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html#:~:text=Yes%2C%20you%20should%20be%20vaccinated,after%20recovering%20from%20COVID%2D19.
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC
You are looking amazing Karen, the sheer happiness within you is reflecting in your beautiful glow. Love everything about this look your makeup, hair and the beautiful white came, this can be your beauty uniform for sure. Agree in the last one year we have changed so much, the uncertainties have made me appreciate life so much more.
Just like you I do not want to get too excited but I am feel so much positive and I hope things are going get better moving forward.
Thanks, Roma! 🙂 I hope you’re having a great day so far.
Karen,
Hi. Congratulations and welcome to The Second Shot Club! Be prepared to feel crappy for a day or 2 after this second vaccine. It knocked me on my butt with exhaustion and chills for 2 days and then it was over and I was 100%–still definitely worth it!
xoxo
Anne Marie
Thank you, Anne Marie!
Girl, you are reading my mind, as usual! I’m getting my second shot today.
Love this look on you and I’m intrigued by that lipstick.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate my friend! And don’t forget your electrolytes.
You look lovely and the cattoos are fantastic on you, very cool! Woop woop for the HIIT class!
Thank you, Jennifer! I’m stoked to go to HIIT class; the last time I went to an in-person class was January or February of last year! I probably won’t be able to lift as heavy as I used to, but on the bright side, the pandemic has given me a chance to work on my core. Thank goodness for online pilates classes. 🙂
Hope you’re having a wonderful day so far.
I am not optimistic yet. My state has opened some things too early, before even half the people have been vaccinated with even one shot and some people are already acting like the pandemic is over. I don’t share their optimism and am always masked when I’m around other people (which is basically any time I’m outside my house).
Some people didn’t believe the virus even existed and I’m the opposite. I don’t even believe it’s over.
I guess I’ll know it’s over when Ulta takes the tape off all their testers so you can actually pick them up and see the colors and finishes again! 😀
I don’t feel like it’s over in any way, either, but I’m feeling kinda hopeful for the first time in ages.
BTW an Ulta just opened up in my town… It’s a five minute drive from my house!
I’m so happy for you Karen, because I can really feel how happy and calm are you now. I’m just waiting for our government to own vaccination for people over 50 so my parents can get theirs. If we’re lucky, my sister and I will be vaccinated the next semester.
And I understand your point about still not fully celebrate, but I’ve learned, we have to celebrate every small thing here and being hopeful.
About the Revlon foundation, how tan are you now? I really want to try it, but it’s impossible to see the shade in real life here.
Hi Efra,
So I’m a touch tanner than usual because I was outside a few weeks ago and picked up some color (even though I wore a hat and sunscreen). This particular Revlon shade is still a touch dark on me right now, I’d say a half step darker than a MAC NC42.
Congratulations! Although we still have a long way to go as far as ending the pandemic, vaccination by vaccination we are headed in the right direction. Knowing that all those people I hold near and dear are now fully vaccinated has brightened my days, lightened my step, and gladdened my heart. It has bestowed on us a sense of freedom we haven’t experienced in over a year. Of course, the virus is still out there and there are still far too many people who are hesitant, but it is my hope that they will soon have their doubts put to rest and that they will join the ranks of the vaccinated. Vaccination nationally and globally is the only way we will be able to overcome the virus that has ravaged the world. Once again, congratulations!
Thank you, Eileen!
Beautiful look! I love classic NARS shadows. I’m still jealous of your beautiful hair! Cut camisole top, too! I like your style.
I want that top kitty tattoo! So pretty!
Which vaccine did you get? How are you feeling after the second jab? Updates please!
A friend of a friend just died of Covid a week before her second vaccine dose. Until we have the transmission rates of Australia and New Zealand, I will continue to mask up and avoid crowds and travel.
On a happier note, we took Nibbler to the vet on Tuesday for a check-up and updates to her vaccines. She’s moved in with me. The movers come tomorrow (Fri) and Dear Husband and I are scheduled for our second dose of the vaccine tomorrow, too. Busy day.
That should be “cute” camisole top. I guess I cannot spell.
I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your friend’s friend. I hope her family is hanging in there.
I got Pfizer, and I’m really, really tired. My knees ache like crazy too. I’ve been drinking a lot of fluids and keeping up with the electrolytes! I think it’s helped, but I’m about to pass out on the couch so what do I know. LOL
Congrats again on your daughter getting into grad school. Did you buy her pepper spray yet?!
P.S. The camisole is from Express. The straps are adjustable, which is a must for me. I have it in white and black and I like it because the fabric looks delicate but it feels sturdy. It’s still available on the website, and the black one is one sale for $15!
My friend said the family just doesn’t know how to deal with the grief at this point. So close to being safe and yet, not. I realize the vaccine isn’t 100%. That’s why we need at least 75% of the population to be vaccinated. Still so much research going on trying to understand this crazy virus.
If you are tired, you should just get rest on the couch. Your body needs it right now. And yes, fluids and electrolytes will help. But no NSAIDs right now, there is a theory they may or may not blunt the immune response.
No I haven’t bought her pepper spray. NYC is somewhat safer than it used to be. (Knock wood). She took a self defense class and was the only female student to leave the instructor on the ground, groaning with pain.
Thanks for the link to the cami. It looks beautiful on you. On me, probably not so much. I’m more of a “cover every square inch of skin” type of person when it comes to clothes. Lol.
Have a good weekend. I hope you’re feeling better soon and that you get good antibodies!
You can still wear this cami with a sweater! I do that when I’m out and about. Only time I show this much skin is at home or in front of the camera for MBB. lol
It sounds like your daughter is very capable and can handle herself, but seriously, think about getting her some pepper spray. My hubs worked with law enforcement and that’s what they always recommended in terms of self defense. I would be a mess if Connor was a young lady moving to New York! How are you handling it?
I’m off to convalesce on the couch!
The NYC part I am handling well. I am excited for her. I lived in NYC in my 20’s and loved it. And it wasn’t nearly as safe back then as it is today. She’s far more intelligent, logical and capable than I was at that age.
I’m worried because NYC’s Covid cases per 100,000 residents is much higher than here in the bay area.
Ironically it’s the drive across the country to NY that has me worried the most. Once she’s settled in an apartment, I’ll be fine.
BTW, my trainer got the Moderna vaccine. She said the first shot was fine, it was the second one that laid her out for a day and a half.
Get some rest.
That Be Outstanding lip stain really reminds me of a lip I already own, Haus Labs Le Riot gloss in Attitude. I guess L’Oreal’s taking inspiration from Lady Gaga this year!
That is amazing! But I agree, the pandemic has changed all of us, and it will take a long time until we can get back to “normal” – if we ever fully can.
Things in Michigan are very bad right now. I’m excited to be getting dose 2 today but I’ll still be playing it safe.
Congratulations! My parents got their second vaccine the week after I received mine back in January and then about two weeks after that I hugged my parents for the first time in about a year. And now everyone in my immediate family (except for the kids) has had their second vaccine two weeks or more ago, and it is such a relief. We’re all still taking precautions, but breakthrough infections are so rare. I feel like I can breathe easier knowing that my family is safe.