So…what is the Monday Poll?
Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
Oh, man. Karen from 2014 would be shaking in her Fergie boots to hear me say this now, but sheer, mostly. Occasionally I’ll venture into medium coverage, but even that feels heavy to me now. Amazing how a few years (and a global pandemic) can change your beauty habits completely!
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Yeah, pollen and everything that grows in the spring; when it gets really bad, not only am I sniffly and sneezy, hives erupt on my face, and my hands and feet get super itchy. Thank goodness for allergy meds! I would be completely unless without them.
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
With a splash of evaporated milk, berries (either blueberries or strawberries) and a spoonful of maple syrup. YUM!
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
UGH, so many things, but itchy things (tags, lace, etc.) are the worst! Also, if anything is too tight or bulky, I will have nothing to do with it. Oh, and I am so annoyed that it took me this long to figure it out, but if I don’t buy petite-size anything, I’ll be constantly tugging or rolling stuff up.
5. Brow products you use most/least?
Most: brow pencil, clear brow gel, and if it counts, tweezers and brow scissors. Least: brow wax, brow powder, tinted brow gel, brow markers, brow pencil highlighters that carve out your arches…
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
I used to enjoy a small army of mascaras in my makeup bag, but now I’m a one-and-done kind of girl. I’m currently on the hunt for a new mascara, and I’m actually thinking of going back to an old favorite, YSL Faux Cils.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
Hella scratchy Buff Puffs, Clinique 3-step, Neutrogena soap bars, all the alcohol-based astringent toners like Sea Breeze (OMG!).
8. Nail polish today?
Yup, Smith & Cult Bitter Buddhist.
9. A goal for this week?
Eat 5 cups of veggies every day!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
2. Are you allergic to anything?
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
5. Brow products you use most/least?
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
8. Nail polish today?
9. A goal for this week?
P.P.S. Happy Monday, sweet friend! Please take some time to recognize how well you’ve been doing lately. Keep up the great work! 🤗
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Sheer to light medium. At my age less is more, but because I’ve always taken good care of my skin, I often skip it entirely and just use my Sisley loose powder buffed over my sunscreen.
2. Are you allergic to anything? I’m allergic to palm pollen.
3. How do you like your oatmeal? As far away from me as possible.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? As I’ve gotten older, my butt has flattened out and most jeans and slacks are made for “curvy” women.
5. Brow products you use most/least? I have black, fairly thick eyebrows so my daily routine is to just brush them into place. I use an old mascara wand for that.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? Several decades ago I had an eye infection caused by contaminated mascara. I still have a small scar on my lower water line. Nobody seems to notice it, but I do. It’s a constant reminder to only open mascara if I intend to use it within 3 months. Once opened, the clock starts ticking.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? Ten-0-Six astringent lotion. When I was a teen I wiped my face with it every morning and night.
8. Nail polish today? No.
9. A goal for this week. I need to get all my tax documents organized for our accountant.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
Just like you! I never thought I’d say this, but sheer to medium. Less is definitely more (for me now) lately I’ve been skipping foundation altogether and just buffing concealer under my eyes or red spots and setting with a bit of powder.
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Not allergic exactly, as I can use this on other areas of my face or body, but I cannot use beeswax on my lips or else I’ll have a reaction. So odd, but thankfully over the years I’ve found some great lipglosses (tower28!) to wear that are formulated without.
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
I don’t. I think I had too much of it years ago because the thought of eating some makes me want to gag lol. Same with yogurt.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
How poorly made they are! And how sheer/translucent women’s clothing is. Men’s clothing are usually opaque and thicker fabric. I want light coloured shirts that you can’t see every detail of my bra 🙄
5. Brow products you use most/least?
Most- brow pencil, brun eyeshadow. Least- all that other stuff you mentioned
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
Just one. Mascara is expensive and my sensitive eyes demand that I replace it monthly.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
Anything St Ives or tea tree scented. Ugh.
8. Nail polish today?
Currently taking a break from polish but will be laquering myself up with some in about two weeks, for my birthday 🙃
9. A goal for this week?
Take a break from social media (thinking of quitting fb altogether for sure). Just opting to check it out much less (if at all) and see if I feel better!
Happy Monday! I hope your allergies aren’t too bad yet, my Bay Area colleagues were already saying they were feelin’ them!
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Sheer to medium, usually closer to medium.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Evvvverything environmental. My allergist was floored during the test. Year around, indoor/outdoor! Also have several food allergies, the devastating of which is dairy. It is truly sad when you get hives from cheese and ice cream.
3. How do you like your oatmeal? In cookie form. 🙂
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? Sizing inconsistencies!
5. Brow products you use most/least? Most: colored brow gel (like the benefit one?) Least: brown products at all? So, long way of saying I don’t really use brown products but when I do I only use the colored brown gel LOL
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? Multiples! It depends on the day for me.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? Clinique – my mom was convinced it’d fix my bad acne. It did not.
8. Nail polish today? Went with a class: OPI Funny Bunny
9. A goal for this week? Pilates 4 days – I’m only going into the office one day this week so I have no excuse.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Medium. I love the feel of sheer…but feel more comfortable with medium coverage.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Penicillin…I get a rash all over
3. How do you like your oatmeal? With cinnamon in it
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? Women’s (and young girl’s) shorts🤨…Can we not make them in a nice length? Either super short or bermuda? Why can’t we have more choices? Even trying to buy appropriate shorts for a 7 year old is very frustrating.
5. Brow products you use most/least? Brow gel first, then go back over with pencil
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? One.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? Stridex pads…so scratchy and they burned
8. Nail polish today? None
9. Goal for the week: Keep my exercise goals
Happy Monday!
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? I would go sheer to medium.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Spinach
3. How do you like your oatmeal? I usually have oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, sometimes a pinch of milk.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? I just so see many classic looks these days. It’s hard to realize that at 62, the current fashion just isn’t made for you anymore.
5. Brow products you use most/least? I mostly use a brow pencil and really don’t spend much time on my brows.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? I have one tube of mascara which i use for about 3-4 months, then I buy new one.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? I can’t remember my teenage years anymore.
8. Nail polish today? Nope.
9. Eat 5 cups of veggies every day! Nope. I eat what I can and I don’t measure how much.
BTW, just bought the Avene un-tinted sunscreen and Thermal water at Ulta. So far, I have not had any reactions.
Be well.
Sorry, I copied the wrong thing on # 9. My goal for the week is not to cry about my baby turning 21 on Wednesday. I do however, try to eat some amount of vegetables per day.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
Sheer to medium. I’ve never been a full coverage person, and these days I’m just as likely to spot conceal and leave it at that!
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Not really. Lactose intolerant is about it.
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
With oat milk and brown sugar.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
Availability. I’m plus size & have been most of my adult life, and having to search constantly to see if a brand will have my size is exhausting.
5. Brow products you use most/least?
Most is a brow tint, since mine are blonde, and a tinted brow gel. These days I rarely use pencil, and I never use waxes or soap brow products because my hairs stay put pretty easily.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
I’m a one and done kinda person. My main goal in mascara is pigment, because my lashes are blonde, just like my brows. They’re a little sparse, but long & have their own curl so all I need is a bit of volume and a lot of pigment.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
St Ives Apricot scrub. *shudder*
8. Nail polish today?
I have gel polish on my nails, it’s a favourite colour but I don’t love the formula. It’s very touchy compared to my other gel polishes. The coats have to be suuuper thin, it takes longer to cure and even then it can be troublesome. It’s a Gelish colour called Dancing & Romancing.
9. A goal for this week?
I’m sick with a bad cold right now, so I’m just resting, having some soup & taking my meds lol.
Happy Monday! If you eat 5 cups of veggies, I will be SO proud. The only way I can do that is to eat a 4 cup salad for lunch. 🙂
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Sheer for me, too.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Shellfish and a significant sensitivity to codeine (does nothing for pain and makes me vomit).
3. How do you like your oatmeal? I know many will be horrified but coming from a Quaker Cinnamon & Spice pouch.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? That I can’t just wear comfy, black, athleisure wear every day.
5. Brow products you use most/least? Brow pencil is the only thing I use.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? Oh, come back to the YSL FC Cult! All your friends are here! Just kidding, but you know I’m here. That’s my only mascara.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? Same as you, and I also went through a (jar) Noxema phase. And Phisoderm. Remember that Oxy spot treatment? It was like every ounce of moisture was sucked out of your body through that one spot. HAHA!
8. Nail polish today? No, but I did shape and moisturize.
9. Goal for the week? You know I always say “start setting goals”. HAHA!
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
Sheer to medium.
2. Are you allergic to anything?
There was an antibiotic I was allergic to as a kid but I don’t even remember the name. I also got terrible hives a lot from ages 9-11ish. But I outgrew them.
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
In the winter I love oatmeal with almond milk, apples, walnuts, cinnamon and a touch of honey. In the warmer months, I do overnight oats with yogurt, chia seeds and berries. Oatmeal is my most eaten breakfast!
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
Having that perfect pair of jeans or wide leg pants (really want for spring) in my mind but not being able to find them irl! I used to love in person shopping and trying on but I gotta say-don’t want to spend the time or energy on it now.
5. Brow products you use most/least?
Most: clear and tinted gel
Least: pencil and shadow
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
I usually have 2 around. Too many more and I can’t keep track of how old they are!
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
Purpose face wash, which honestly was pretty good stuff.
8. Nail polish today?
Nope.
9. A goal for this week?
I had a Saturday night friend date by phone with my bff who lives out of the country and I want to schedule another. Seems crazy to have to schedule but that way we commit to it!
Have a great week!
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Sheer! Only sheer. And that’s if I choose to wear anything at all.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Gel nail polish, I almost lost a couple of fingernails to it. Regular polish is fine.
3. How do you like your oatmeal? Cinnamon, brown sugar and a heavy splash of cream.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? Gappy waistbands, anything that’s too tight, anything that’s too shapeless.
5. Brow products you use most/least? Most, brow pencil, least, everything else.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? Usually I just like one, but I’ve got a few I’m working with right now, options are fun.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? Noxema.
8. Nail polish today? Always! JReine, an indie brand, called “Rainbow Kingdom”.
9. A goal for the week? Get my laundry done.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
Sheer to medium.
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Yup. Grass, ragweed, mold, latex. Annatto (achiote), a natural colorant derived from the lipstick plant. (It’s what makes cheddar cheese yellow but is found in a bunch of foods.) Lastly, undetermined but I think it may be beets/beet juice. (Not to be confused with Beetlejuice.)
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
With a touch of sugar, some cinnamon and fresh blueberries or strawberries.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
Overly long pant legs. Itchy lace. Poking underwires. Sheer fabric that necessitates flesh-colored underwear. Choking necklines. Giant hoods, made for Coneheads. El cheapo zippers. Last, but not least, the dreaded crop top.
5. Brow products you use most/least?
Most – brow gel (in mascara/wand form), brow pencil. Least – brow gel in a pot. Somehow the extra step seems daunting.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
I have multiple (multiple!) tubes but usually only about two open at once. The stash is getting massive, though. It’s all those freebies!
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
Noxzema. Ouch. Sea Breeze Toner. OUCH. Aapri Exfoliating Scrub. Double ouch! Nothing like beating your skin into submission.
8. Nail polish today?
Nope.
9. A goal for this week?
Get some of these store returns out of the house.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
Sheer. Ilia skin tint in bom bom
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Some seasonal allergies. I do take an allergy pill daily to curb my itchy skin that my doctor can’t pinpoint why it’s so itchy in random spots.
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
Cooked with water but stirred smooth with toasted coconut almond milk.Then Banana, Slivered almonds, maple syrup, pepitas, Chia, berries…
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
Having to adjust clothes and like you tight clothing and itchy tags. But aside from the way clothes feel/fit, trying to sort out a simplified Wardrop despite reading and googling all types of information about how to find my own style.
5. Brow products you use most/least?
ELF Instant brow lift in neutral brown, and tweezers. Nothing else.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
One tube. My tried and true, Maybelline full ‘n soft
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
Can’t really recall…. Memory gone blank.
8. Nail polish today?
Nope. Trying to recover from having a gel mani 🤨
9. Goal for this week?
Wake up earlier…. That’s been a long time goal.
Fun blog Karen! And I love your nails when you show them polished.
1.Sheer, medium or full coverage? Sheer and sometimes medium, never a full one feels too heavy for me
2. Are you allergic to anything? Yea the grass cutting in spring, I go a sneezing spree
3. How do you like your oatmeal? creamy with some nuts but not overly sweet
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? itchy or something too boxy or right
5. Brow products you use most/least? brow pencil and clear brow gel/everything else brow related expect tweezers
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? one tube always
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? walnut scrub
8. Nail polish today? same as yours just that it is now called as bitter cashmere daydream. I bought it based on your recommendation couple of years ago, Thank you or introducing me to smith and cult, love their polishes. I have ordered the extraordinary again based off your recommendation excited to try it
9. A goal for this week? To go to bed on time and be consistent with my at home workouts
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Sheer to medium.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Something that blooms in the spring. Macadamia nuts. A boatload of anti biotics.
3. How do you like your oatmeal? Cooked with one part milk. Lots of berries. Sometimes while it’s cooking I’ll core and chop up an apple and sauté it in butter with cinnamon and brown sugar and top it with that.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? Bulkiness. Sheer tops. Anything that stretches out too much as I’m wearing it.
5. Brow products you use most/least? Most, tweezers and TF brow gel for Men. Least anything with fiber in it, powders or waxing.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? Give me all the mascaras!! Even though I haven’t worn any makeup lately, I really love mascara. My day to day go-to is Clinique Naturally Glossy. I got a sample size tube of YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils and I’m hoping the full size tube is the same, because I really like it.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? The same things you listed.
8. Nail polish today? Nope. Broke a nail down to the quick so I’m going without.
9. A goal for this week? Find a new physician.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? My skin gets weird sometimes. Medium-to-full coverage (a buildable foundation that starts at medium is my sweet spot) all the way!
2. Are you allergic to anything? I have a couple different kinds of allergies. My sinuses react badly to just about any type of weather or seasonal foliage-daily Nasacort and Sudafed as needed keeps it manageable. Sulfa medications give me moderate-to-severe rashes-but oddly enough, I’ve never reacted badly to sodium saccharin (a type of sulfa) in makeup! Maybe it’s that I can’t ingest sulfas but topical use doesn’t bother me?
3. How do you like your oatmeal? I’m not an oatmeal fan, but I have been known to occasionally partake in a packet of brown sugar cinnamon flavor.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? The majority of tops ride up on me, to the point where I can’t wear some of them without tying a sweater around my waist to stop the riding.
5. Brow products you use most/least? I hardly ever use any brow products! If I’m in the mood to accentuate my brows, I usually just run a brown or black eyeliner pencil through them.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? Multiple mascaras-I have them in several different colors, which I coordinate with the main color in my eye look of the day.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? I guess Mary Kay TimeWise? I had some friends and family who sold MK.
8. Nail polish today? None-I haven’t felt like wearing it in ages.
9. A goal for this week? Uh… try to straighten some things up?
Although I have been tempted by Smith & Cult x Third Eye Blind Jumper!
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage?
I used to love sheer one but my skin started to freaking out lately, so I choose medium.
2. Are you allergic to anything?
Most of animals like cats and dogs 🙁 Also to grass and… paprika. Life is tough.
3. How do you like your oatmeal?
Anything but bland, some fruits are a good choice.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes?
Becoming ugly after one washing.
5. Brow products you use most/least?
Most: gel and pencil. Least: pomade.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from?
Definitely one at the time. Or rather two: one for everyday use and other for traveling.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years?
Clean&Clear tonic, drying as hell 😉
8. Nail polish today?
Essie Watermelon.
9. A goal for this week?
To not get too scared by war happening next to my country and to read less news about it.
1. Sheer, medium or full coverage? Really none, ATM, but sheer if I wear any.
2. Are you allergic to anything? Pollen and plenty of other things. Oral allergy syndrome with cashews, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and (new) buckwheat.
3. How do you like your oatmeal? I’m OK with almost any oatmeal preparation, TBH.
4. Things that bug you most about clothes? Nothing fits my waist-to-hip ratio and more and more sellers are removing belt loops on women’s pants and casual skirts that used to have them. So I’m in trouble.
5. Brow products you use most/least? Don’t really use anything besides tweezers, scissors, and a spoolie.
6. Are you a gal who prefers one tube of mascara, or would you rather have multiple mascaras around to choose from? I rarely wear it anymore, but prefer to have 2-4 options.
7. Skin care that reminds you of your teenage years? Astringents, Noxzema, Buf-Pufs. Apricot scrub (yikes).
8. Nail polish today? Nope, but thinking about a pedicure.
9. A goal for this week? Get through my remaining 15 (probably more) work meetings without totally losing my shit.