Do I ever turn to hair or makeup to cheer myself up when I’m feeling stressed or down?
Uh…definitely (BIG surprise). Mostly makeup.
Never underestimate the positivity-spreading power of a good under-eye concealer or a bright, bold lipstick. They’re pretty much guaranteed to boost my mood — maybe not all the way to “happy” from “sad” or “so angry that I could stab someone right now,” but sometimes any improvement is better than none.
And when I’m feeling really down, I like to go stress window shopping, and my favorite haunts are Sephora, the beauty counters at Nordstrom and the makeup aisles at Target or Rite Aid and CVS.
It just helps to get lost among beautiful things. Sometimes you just need a distraction, ya know? Anything to unwind and chill-the-eff-out, LOL! An hour spent leisurely strolling through any beauty department, and I almost always feel better.
What about you? Do you ever turn to hair or makeup to cheer yourself up when you’re feeling stressed out or down? What’s your favorite beauty haunt (Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, Target, someplace online)? Or is it a ritual of some kind, like doing your nails?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Always! When I’m down I go on my laptop and window shop all my favourite makeup brands!
That, yes, or to chocolate 😛 Seriously though, I do find doing my make-up very relaxing and therapeutic, not only when I’m down but just in general 🙂
Always! Mostly with a bright lip color. Milani Flamingo Pose and Urban Decay Catfight are my current instant mood lifters. And when I can’t get a little retail therapy in, I apply makeup instead. It’s like knitting for some or a relaxing bath for others.
This post couldn’t have better timing, literally did this this morning! Its the week before finals so I’m a ball of stress but to make things worse on Monday I got hit with a nasty cold! While I was feeling a bit better this morning putting a bit more effort into my makeup definitely put me in a better mood
I think Lipstick, it has to be my mood lifter! 🙂 Bright colors always brighten the surroundings! 🙂
Cat eyeliner always makes me feel better! I also love a bright blush, it always makes me feel better when I’m sick or down.
I ABSOLUTELY turn to beauty for a pick-me-up from any sour or sad mood! Even yesterday, I was feeling a little bland (not even angry or anything, just BLAH), so I clipped a pink streak into my hair before I headed to a friend’s house. And then I did my nails. It perked me RIGHT up! And I completely agree with the window shopping to de-stress. While I typically prefer to buy something, it’s actually equally cleansing to look around and immerse myself in all the pretty things. Especially at this time of year- walking through a mall or department store is even better than being outside! You can enjoy your PSL/latte of choice, walk around, and admire all the beautiful decorations, trees, lights, and gorgeous packaging, without even getting cold in the winter freeze!
Haha are you me? This sounds like a great winter afternoon to me.
Oh my goodness, we have found each other! You are the other me, or vice versa! 😛 Seriously, such a great way to spend a chill day without being too chilly.
I definitely do! Whenever I feel sad beauty shopping online is my cure.
I definitely do this. If I’m sad sometimes shopping helps me feel better (retail therapy!) If I wake up and I’m like “This is going to be a terrible day,” spending a little extra time on my makeup can make me feel happy or feel like the day has improved slightly (at least I look good!) Painting my nails helps to calm and center me, since it’s time-consuming process that takes a bit of concentration but also doesn’t take much brain power.
Sephora is definitely my favorite beauty haunt. I only go to Ulta if what I want is sold out on Sephora, and even then I’ll usually wait or go to a Sephora store to see if I can find it (for the points! And to maintain my VIB status). I sometimes to go Macy’s for either fragrance or MAC products, which is really the only non-Sephora available makeup brand I use. And I get all of my hair products, skunk brushes, and cosmetic bags at Target. Also inexpensive nail polishes! Here in NYC we also have a store called Ricky’s that carries my hair care products and a bunch of other beauty stuff, including a hard-to-find toner that I use.
Do I ever – the most over the top comes when I’m home sick, because it involves the trifecta of feeling crappy, lots of free time, and not having to look professional. Nothing like having to open the door for the UPS guy when I’m in my pajamas with a red nose, bright purple lipstick, a flawless glitter cat eye, and a gaudy manicure featuring NSFW elements.
If I’m gonna be gross, I’m gonna be gross in style.
Are you kidding?! Is this a trick question? I actually do both- hair & makeup. With my texture, the hairstyles are endless. But a good nail polish, a nice new fragrance, or all of the above any day always does the trick! 🙂
I totally do this, too. I haven’t done it as often with my current job, but I love a good make-up or hair pick-me-up. I could happily spend an hour or two (and some money) in Sephora, Ulta, Target, Walmart, or CVS looking at and buying makeup and hair stuff. The difference between now and when I was younger is that I will typically buy stuff that I will need and that I know has a high likelihood of working for me since I don’t like to spend money on things that end up not working well. I do love a good unique eyeshadow or liner, though, and will drop money on a good palette with something different in it. I am dying to get my hands on Naked 3 by UD – that rose gold is right up my alley since it’s one of my fave colors and happens to be what my wedding band is made out of.
You better believe it!!!! The nearest store to me is Target so that is usually my first stop. Then from there I hit Sephora, ULta, and makeup counters in Dillards and Nordstrom. But my one true love is checking to see if my favorite blogs have posted anything new. I can read and talk about makeup all day. When someone piss me off at work I instantly hit the tablet and find my favorite beauty blogs. Isn’t that why we love makeup sooo much, no matter what, it is a sure way to get us high.
Most DEFINITELY!
I’m disabled, and wearing my favorite makeup (particularly red lipstick) makes me feel more “normal.”
It literally makes my day when my eyeliner goes on straight, too!
I’m a firm believer in the “look good, feel good” principle.
And, when I’m “down,” buying a new eyeshadow or lipstick cheers me up.
Yeah, I’m that shallow! 🙂
1,000 times, yes! Sometimes I’ll even do a full face of makeup on just to sit at home, watch rom-coms & have a glass of wine. I feel glamorous, all dolled up — and even better knowing that it’s just for ME — not to impress anybody, just for myself to feel beautiful. And when I feel beautiful, I start to feel better overall.
ABSOLUTELY! I cheer myself up by shopping Sephora, Harmon’s beauty or just the drugstore. Even if I’m only window shopping, it still makes me happy! 🙂
Makeup is my medicine. I feel that beauty and art are the only things that really lift me from the doldrums. Mostly it is the color, but also the calming ritual of it. Better than a cup of tea to soothe the nerves. Sometimes just looking at the pretty colors on your blog or on a stroll through Nordstroms is enough to cheer me. Nail polish is my weakness but shadow palettes, gifts with purchase or fragrance samples are all very mood elevating, too.
I’m so guilty of this omigawd. If I’m having a bad and I’ve yet to put my makeup on, I’ll put it on asap, even if it’s late at night and I’ve got nowhere to go and I’ll just have to take it off in an hour or so anyway lol 😀
Totally! Makeup and good hair make anything better. I know a lot of people prefer to be lazy and go minimal when they are at home, but after a day or two I just feel yucky. I am totally comfortable with my natural self, but make up and a hair do just make me feel better. Even when I have to get up early to go to work I look forward to getting ready and trying new looks. Makeup just gives me that extra boost, kinda like wearing a sexy bra and panties
This is so me! I will mess with my makeup come up with a look I haven’t done before and style my hair different then my mood is much happier!
Yes! When I’m down I love to make myself look nice, so at least there’s one positive.
uh, yes. are there people with gigantic stashes that DON’T makeup shop when stressed/emotional?
Yes! I do this. If I have time (which if I am absolutely to the maxed stressed no matter what I will make time… even if it means not finishing my work for the night and getting up earlier) I will have a spa night. I with have a bath with some oils and epsom salts in (good for muscle aches), deep condition my hair, shave, exfoliate, do an exfoliating face mask then a moisture mask. If I’m not feeling shaky or queezy (stress can mess with the body), I’ll give myself a mani and pedi. Sometimes the smell rubs me the wrong way.
I so do this! I had all four wisdom teeth pulled earlier this year and I looked like Quasimodo. That’s when I got interested in makeup. I have been hooked ever since. It’s my therapy, my battle armor and my creative outlet.
I definitely belong to this club too! Makeup always cheers me up, whether I am looking/shopping at department stores or drugstores or flipping through the beauty sections of fashion magazines – I imagine how I would wear this or that or the combinations I could create and my mind immediately relaxes. Buying a new product certainly cheers me up; instead of “comfort food”, I buy “comfort makeup” :)!
Absolutely! I love playing in my hair and makeup when I’m feeling a bit down. I’ll read boards and blogs, watch videos and shop online for hours. I even spend all day in the store when I go to Sephora or Ulta. There’s just something about makeup that’s so calming when I’m having a rough time. Great pick me up!
I definitely do. I try a new makeup colour or a brighter colour for days when I feel down. I also like browsing and buying at Lush and Sephora.