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. How do you feel about slugging?
100% love it.
A few months ago I nearly melted my face off with a new retinol (I was a little too aggressive with the amount I was using and the frequency), and slugging at night saved my skin.
2. Favorite fruit juice?
Guava, but like I like mine a very particular way — 50% guava juice and 50% water.
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
Plumeria. I love the shape of the leaves and their fragrance.
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
Nope. I don’t like anything on my wrists generally, and honestly I feel like it would stress me out. It’s just too much information that I probably don’t need at the moment.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
My hair is too long, and I need a haircut! I feel like I have 50 pounds of hair. It’s so heavy it gives me headaches.
6. Fake or real houseplants?
Real, all the way.
Well, I do have a fake elephant ear in my office. I used to have a real one years ago, but I read somewhere that they aren’t safe for cats, so I re-homed it.
7. Concealer at the moment?
Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid. One word: bomb!
8. Can you play the guitar?
I cannot, and I’ve tried. It’s just not my instrument. My fingers, the strings — it’s not a pretty sight.
9. Best part of your job?
Girl, how many jobs do I have? So many. Favorite part of my copywriting job are the people I work with. Favorite part of the blog are the people I get to chat with (you!). Favorite part of my mom job are the hugs.
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. How do you feel about slugging?
2. Favorite fruit juice?
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
6. Fake or real houseplants?
7. Concealer at the moment?
8. Can you play the guitar?
9. Best part of your job?
P.P.S. Happy Monday to ya, my sweet friend!
1. How do you feel about slugging? I like the concept and it works but I don’t use petroleum jelly.as it can be contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Ewww). When I need to hold in moisture I use a thin layer of Honua Moonlight Glow Balm or Me Time Botanicals Clean Slate (with mango butter) after my serum.
2. Favorite fruit juice? Grapefruit
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? Plumeria
4. Do you wear a smartwatch? No watch at all.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment? Add highlights or not. I grew out my natural color during COVID and it just looks “blah” now.
6. Fake or real houseplants? Real, and pet-safe ones only.
7. Concealer at the moment? Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
8. Can you play the guitar? Nope – I had lessons as a kid and just didn’t do well.
9. Best part of your job? I miss flying and there are days I think “I went back to grad school for six years for THIS” but there are days I provide justice and closure for someone even though when I’m getting called to the stand and they call me “Dr. J” and I look around for a real adult. That never changes.
1. How do you feel about slugging?
I’ve never tried it and am a little leery of it as it sounds like it may be icky or smell strange to me. I do have rosacea so maybe the healing benefits would be good however …?
2. Favorite fruit juice?
I love grapefruit juice … mmmm
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? Oh this one is tough because both are gorgeous. I’ll say plumeria as I like the simplicity of them and the white and yellow reminds me of my favourite flower which is a daisy.
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
I used to but found I became too connected and decided I was better not having access to my phone etc on a watch especially while exercising of walking/hiking in nature – I’m trying to slow down and enjoy being in the moments of my life more lately.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
My bags are just a tiny bit too long so they are hard to style hahaha first world problems I know.
6. Fake or real houseplants?
I’m on a stint of slowly increasing the number of real plants in my home after a stretch of really killing anything I touched. I think I am a chronic overwatering nut case – lol.
7. Concealer at the moment?
I am desperately searching for the perfect concealer as I have sunken under eye areas now with dark purple inner quarter of the under eye. I also have fine lines – mid forties are quite an interesting time indeed! I liked the Kosas one I just picked up but have only used it twice therefore still in testing phase. I do like the Touche Eclat by YSL but it is a brightened more than concealer because so light. It doesn’t cover the darkness but brightens so distracts from it in a way.
8. Can you play the guitar?
No, the flute (band class in school) and piano but guitar would be a very social instrument to play. I don’t think I am coordinated enough however.
9. Best part of your job?
Helping people who are stressed, sad, scared and need some compassion and empathy while they journey through their family’s separation by choice or by government intervention.
Thanks for your concealer recommendation. I am going to try this Hourglass one!!!
1. How do you feel about slugging?
It tends to not be great for my rosacea but it’s great for around the eyes for me.
2. Favorite fruit juice?
Mango
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
I like hibiscus tea, so we’ll go with that.
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
No. I agree with it being too much information.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
Working out LOL
6. Fake or real houseplants?
Neither at the moment but we close on our new house tomorrow (eee!) and I’d like to have some. I’ll definitely be a person who has to set alarms to take care of them though, and make sure they aren’t toxic for dogs or cats.
7. Concealer at the moment?
Nars Soft Matte! I only conceal blemishes and redness though.
8. Can you play the guitar?
Nope! Husband can. Hettie’s tail wags against them sometimes so she’s getting there.
9. Best part of your job?
Love my coworkers and honestly sometimes I get paid to just know things or know how to find things.
Happy Monday! Heading to Florida tomorrow for some r & r and momma hugs.
1.How do you feel about slugging? I have absolutely no idea what that is! I so 1970’s sometimes.
2. Favorite fruit juice? Cranberry, especially with a little vodka added!
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? Hibiscus
4. Do you wear a smartwatch? Dumb question, but is a Fitbit smart?
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment? The frizzies.
6. Fake or real houseplants? probably fake because I am the “kiss of death” with plants, but I do like dried plants like eucalyptus
7. Concealer at the moment? Laura Mercier Flawless concealer in 2N. BTW, just got the new Light Revealer Tinted Moisturizer for my trip and I’m really loving it. I also saw LM is coming out with Tinted Moisturizing blushes. I have my eyes on Southbound.
8. Can you play the guitar? Air guitar only.
9. Best part of your job? The ladies in my office. We make a great team.
So Zack went back to Ithaca yesterday. I miss having him around, but he’ll be home in 7 1/2 weeks. We had such a great time. I’ll send you a photo or two. Speak to you when I get back.
Be well.
1. How do you feel about slugging? Love it! Over 50, need moisture. LOVE Nivea (made in Germany only), and Vaseline. I too use Retinol and my skin gets a bit flaky from it.
2. Favorite fruit juice? Any kind of Cranberry with seltzer
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? Tough choice, LOVE them both. Love all flowers.
4. Do you wear a smartwatch? No, I have an Iphone, how many “Smart things” do we need?
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment? Need a smoothing treatment. Generally, get Cezanne treatments annually but later, it grows out, and the coarseness and frizz come back.
6. Fake or real houseplants? Love real plants, but do have fake as well. I cannot part with plants that I have on my deck during Summer and have to bring them in during the Winter. I wind up accumulating more and more.
7. Concealer at the moment? NYX Professional Makeup 3C Color Correcting Palette
8. Can you play the guitar? No, but I am in awe of anyone that does
9. Best part of your job? Making money!
1. How do you feel about slugging? What is slugging?
2. Favorite fruit juice? I don’t drink fruit juice or soda. Am I weird?
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? Can’t I have both? Love the scent of plumeria, love the shape and colors of hibiscus.
4. Do you wear a smartwatch? Ugh NO! I often accidentally on purpose forget my phone when I leave the house, because I just need a break from being that connected. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to have something like that on my wrist. I miss landlines with answering machines where you could just miss calls.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment? I need a cut, but I need to time it just right so I don’t need another cut right before I go to NY for Dear Daughter’s graduation. My hair looks best 2 to 3 weeks after a cut.
6. Fake or real houseplants? Fake. I kill all the real ones. I do not have a green thumb.
7. Concealer at the moment? Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer
8. Can you play the guitar? No
9. Best part of your job? Getting texts from Dear Daughter with photos of hot Premiere League footballers or hot ballet dancers or hot… Basically, just getting a text or postcard from Dear Daughter since she’s thousands of miles away. Oh, also getting to foster her cat while she’s away. Still haven’t decided if I’m gonna let her have the cat back or not.
1. How do you feel about slugging?
I feel the beauty industry gave such an ancient practice a really gross name. Petroleum jelly was actually first used by American Indigenous peoples in the East coast (specifically Pennsylvania) as a salve, mosquito repellent and more. I’m part Oneida (which makes up part of the Iroquois Confederation), and I’ve been using petroleum jelly as a salve for the face, scar reducer, etc for as long as I can remember. It was taught by my mom and aunts. It’s always been part of our beauty practices.
2. Favorite fruit juice?
Grape.
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
I like both.
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
Noooooo. Old fashioned tick rock watch for me.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
The bottom of my hair is friiiiiiied from going from the Caribbean then coming home to freezing cold conditions.
6. Fake or real houseplants?
Real
7. Concealer at the moment?
Cheekbone Beauty Sustain Complexion Pencil. So easy, so creamy, conceals the hell out of my black circles and Indigenous made!
8. Can you play the guitar?
No.
9. Best part of your job?
I’m cat sitting right now so petting cats?
1. How do you feel about slugging? i looked it up , so , not sure but i kind of do the same thing with overnight cream
2. Favorite fruit juice? pineapple
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? hibiscus
4. Do you wear a smartwatch? no, i definitely prefer analog
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment? keeping my hair straight after flatironing
6. Fake or real houseplants? always real
7. Concealer at the moment? yes.
8. Can you play the guitar? no . i wish
9. Best part of your job? vacation times and personal time
1. How do you feel about slugging? Love it! I have dry skin and slugging has saved it.
2. Favorite fruit juice? Pineapple.
3. Plumeria or hibiscus? Plumeria, it’s just so pretty!
4. Do you wear a smartwatch? Yes. It’s so dorky I know, but I’d be lost without my Apple Watch. Plus, I feel like Michael Knight from Knight Rider when I talk into it. I just dated myself.
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment? I’ve been wearing it big and curly and juuuuust a little frizzy, and I love it, but it gets a little too tangled, so I need to remember to braid it at night.
6. Fake or real houseplants? Neither, I don’t like plants inside.
7. Concealer at the moment? I don’t use concealer.
8. Can you play the guitar? No. My Dad is taking lessons and loves it, I just don’t see the appeal.
9. Best part of your job? Stay at home mom here, I like knowing what’s going on with my kids in their lives, at school, with their friends. The connection.
1. How do you feel about slugging?
I simply can’t. Hate anything heavy on my face with passion
2. Favorite fruit juice?
Maracuja
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
Hibiscus
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
Yes, and I look at it more often than I look at my phone (which is already a lot).
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
Too thin and breaks too easy.
6. Fake or real houseplants?
I have both, but prefer real ones.
7. Concealer at the moment?
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. Best for spots.
8. Can you play the guitar?
No, but the piano a little
9. Best part of your job?
The people I work with
1. How do you feel about slugging?
My skin is still very oily, so I feel like this would only clog my pores
2. Favorite fruit juice?
I don’t drink juice
3. Plumeria or hibiscus?
Hibiscus
4. Do you wear a smartwatch?
No, I’ve never understood the appeal. I also think they look ugly ha ha
5. What your most pressing hair issue at the moment?
Although my covid hair loss is under control and my hair is fuller and growing back (you can see all the short hairs sticking out) now I’m extra alert to any loss I do have, to determine whether it’s normal or abnormal.
6. Fake or real houseplants?
Real
7. Concealer at the moment?
Well, I have a months worth left of Mac’s mineralize concealer but it looks like they’ve discontinued it. Boo.
8. Can you play the guitar?
No
9. Best part of your job?
That I work from home. I do *not* miss my previous two hour daily commute at my last one. That was a huge reason I was always exhausted and stressed.