So…what is the Monday Poll?
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 10 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
I’ll always be a MAC girl through and through. It’s a love affair I’ve had for over 20 years (!) now.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis.
???
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Nah, girl… I’m gonna wait until those Mini Snickers go on sale. On November 1st, it’s ON THOUGH.
4. Something that made you happy today?
Having Tabs sit on my lap for a full 10 minutes without biting me. It’s all about the little things, really…
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Leave your brows alone (no, seriously, don’t touch ’em). Go to bed early. Drink a green smoothie a few times a week. Work hard, and be nice. Oh, wait, that’s five pieces of advice… Whoops.
BONUS QUESTION: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
I could not deal with permanently bad brows… I wouldn’t be able to recover from the trauma. But I could deal with going to Trader Joe’s dressed up as the missing member of Vanity 6 for a year! Probably. I mean, I’d certainly have some mental scars, but I’d get over it in like 10 years.
So, lingerie it is!
Rise and shine, morning glory. Happy Monday. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
4. Something that made you happy today?
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
MAC, I guess, but I haven´t bought much in the last few years, but my collection still mainly consists of their eyeshadows.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
I can´t. No emojis on this computer.
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
No. But I have to before the kids come trick or treat,
4. Something that made you happy today?
Morning cuddles with my sleepy daughter. Usually it is my son that cuddles, he is younger, but he was still asleep.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
SPF! Don´t skip it.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
Lingerie. I guess I would get used to that.
Yeah, I love MAC too, especially for their shadows. Which ones are your top three?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Rouge Bunny Rouge, Clarins,
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis can’t even decide on this #badhairday
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? No, I don’t really care about Halloween.
4. Something that made you happy today? Amazing breakfast and a huge cuppa.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be invest in the best skincare you possibly can.
BONUS: I’d pick the second, as long as it is not my neighborhood lol
GENIUS idea to shop outside your neighborhood, Marina! I didn’t even think of that.
BTW, have you tried the new Clarins serum? It’s so good!
I’d still rather not shop like that 😉
Which one? The one which replaced the HydraQuench line?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
NARS or MAC. I hardly get dud products from them.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
No emojis on my computer but a smiley face would be used. 🙂
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Yes. Tempted to eat some already lol.
4. Something that made you happy today?
Sleeping in a little.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Don’t sleep in makeup.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
#2! Sounds kinda fun as long as I don’t know anyone there.
I love NARS and MAC, too, Lupe. What are your three go-to products from each line?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? I had been loyal to Bobbi brown for moer than 20 years, however, since my favorite foundation was discontinued and I am finding the quality of the products, not what they used to be, I have been trying other lines. I am liking some of the Nars products.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis. I admit that I am doing this at work and don’t know how to add emojis on this computer.
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? No, and I am not sure I will be this year. Not really feeling it.
4. Something that made you happy today? An old college roommate of mine who I haven’t seen in over 20 years, who lives in Israel will be in the states in December. I hopefully will be able to see her while she is in the states.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be… As with most of life, “Don’t sweat the little stuff”, grey hair is not the end of the world. Love some of your wrinkles!
Forgot the bonus question. Hope all is well and the fires have been contained. It was a tough weekend for NY sports fans. All is good otherwise.
Be well.
That should be “more than 20 years.
Hi Jane,
Great advice! I’m trying to not sweat the small stuff in my life in general. It takes a lot of deep breathing and asking myself “Will this bother me in five years?” Seriously I ask myself that question at least 10 times a day.
You can add emojis in your browser. I use Chrome; I got edit, then to special characters. In other browsers it’s probably labeled as “special characters” or something similar. 🙂
Things on this end are good. Ever since the couch arrived, I’ve been making a lot of progress with my living room, little by little, so things are coming along! On Saturday I got some lamps at the Pottery Barn warehouse for 30% off and some lamp shades on sale from Pier1. Slowly but surely everything is coming together, which makes me so happy.
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Urban Decay, everything they put out is just fun and good quality.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis. ?❤️?
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? Yes, and it’s gone. My neighborhood gets slammed on Halloween, so I’ll be hitting the dollar store for candy.
4. Something that made you happy today? Coffee!
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…do what makes you happy, wash your face every night, wear SPF.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Shopping in lingerie! Hands down, brows are too important. I don’t want to end up on one of those click bait sites titled “Worst Brows Ever!”
Yay to good hair days, Stephanie! 😀
How’s your Monday going so far?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
I’m not sure that I have one! I’m loyal to the Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining pen but that’s about it, everything else is flexible!
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
?
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
I bought some for the circus show a few weeks ago!
4. Something that made you happy today?
Someone put candy on my desk at work!
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Don’t pick at your skin, even though I constantly pick at my skin.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
Lingerie for sure, especially as a redhead! Don’t want crazy eyebrows.
Hi Chelsea,
Aww, how nice! I wish Tabs would leave candy on my desk. 🙂 What kind of candy was it?
1. NYX. I ❤ them.
2. ?
3. No and we won’t. We live kind of away from everyone so no trick or treaters come to our house.
4. Wearing cozy clothes on the first cold rainy day of Fall.
5. Wear sunscreen every day!
Hi Jaclyn,
Have you tried the NYX Away We Glow Highlighter yet? It’s the cream one in a tube with a doe foot applicator. It’s SO GOOD!
Hope you’re having a nice Monday so far. 🙂
I haven’t, thanks for the tip Karen! ❤ My Monday is going well, I showed my boys Frozen for the first time and when it ended my oldest said “whoa that was the best movie ever.” ❤❄⛄❤
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Vichy! Beautiful skincare.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis – ?
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? Yes, Rockets, & I’ve already eaten the whole bag…
4. Something that made you happy today? Drinking my coffee outside in the warm autumn sun.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…ALWAYS wear sunscreen.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Shopping in lingerie. Hands down ?
LOL at your hair emoji, Jane!
I’ve tried a couple of moisturizers from Vichy and liked them. What are your go-to products from the brand?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
Mac and Bobbi Brown
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
??
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Not yet! Should do!
4. Something that made you happy today?
I chatted with mum on the phone
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
About eyeshadow blending 🙂
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
Haha- the second! No one touches my brows ?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Mac! And for the past 10 years now.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis : ????
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? No but in France Halloween is no big deal.
4. Something that made you happy today? That I got so many things done around the house!
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be that beauty really comes from within. It sounds cliché but a smile or a good mood can make you more beautiful than any mascara!
BONUS: I would have to pick lingerie because it actually sounds fun.
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? None…though I really like Bite Beauty.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis. No emojis on this computer! argh
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? Nope. Trying to stay away from processed sugar since I got pregnant.
4. Something that made you happy today? My cat sleeping next to me.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…know yourself but feel free to experiment!
BONUS: Scandalous lingerie shopping 😉
You’re pregnant?! Congratulations!!
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Origins. For probably over 20 years. It’s my favorite brand for everything beauty and makeup related.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
I’m having a good hair day! Spring emoji for good curls.
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
No but I need to get on that ASAP. I always get something non-chocolate for my husband.
4. Something that made you happy today? Taking extra time to get into work today.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
A good powder is worth it’s weight in Gold. For me I use Dandelion face powder by Benefit.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
If I’d just had my brows done I would totally do it. They would follow the line of my perfect brow wax. Yes, even in the dark.
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? I have been a MAC head since I was 17 but now it seems like I’m loyal to no one
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis. ????
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? No. Is candy corn Halloween candy, if so 1 bag
4. Something that made you happy today? The cute guy at this new restaurant. I didn’t like the food like my go to but he was a hot guy.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be… practice having fun
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Neither but I guess shopping
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
MAC was my first love so it does have a special place… I’m less and less loyal though ?.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
?????
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
No, too much temptation for me and we don’t have trick and treaters in our area…
4. Something that made you happy today?
Making good progress for work ??.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
I know inner beauty is best but always have a shade of a great pick-me-up color. Be it lipstick, shadows, or nail polish.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
Well, depends. Living in Berlin I could shop in lingerie without anyone much batting an eye. In Indonesia I might have to opt for (1) or I could get arrested for indecent behavior.
Wish you a great start of the week, Karen!
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
NARS is pretty much the only one I’ve usually loved something from each collection for my the entire time the brand has been on my radar.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
a sea wave one probably…
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
No. I live in a new hood so I’m actually going to give some away with year. I want to do gummy bears.
4. Something that made you happy today?
TJ’s Panamanian Small Lot Coffee 😛
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
The lingerie but it’s so cold here in the winter, do I at least get a coat or robe?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
You know I’m realizing that L’Oreal really has never let me down. 🙂
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
If only! I curled it Saturday for my baby shower so I’m totally still rocking that.
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Nope, I might hit the sales on Nov 1 though! In our apartments we really don’t get any kids, I think they all go to the mall or church.
4. Something that made you happy today?
I’m still on a high from my trip to SoCal this weekend for my baby shower. So great to see my favorite people.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Don’t think you’re going to be able to do it perfectly the first time. Application takes practice just like any other skill!
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
My brows are precious, so I’d definitely go with lingerie in the grocery store to avoid tattooing! 😉
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
I have favorite brands for different things- Laura Mercier for foundation & powder, Bite Beauty’s Amuse Bouche lipstick, Kiehl’s eyecream- but no one all around favorite brand.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis.
? ? ? ☠️
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
No, I’ve been in a baking mood. I’m skipping the candy in favor of cookies, etc.
4. Something that made you happy today?
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. (See #3) ?
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
If I gave a piece of beauty advice, it would be “Just because it’s trendy doesn’t mean it looks good on you. Find the makeup (and clothing) that compliments you personally.”
If you gave me a piece of beauty advice, I’d want it to be the best way to apply eyeliner, because I totally suck at it.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
#1, and I’d hunt Kat Von D to the ends of the earth to do it for me.
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? I’m going to go with Tarte and ColorPop. I have a lot of products from both.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis. No emojis on this computer. But, is there an emoji for roots that are coming in and needing a trim? My hair appointment is Thursday and I’ll feel like a new woman then!
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? Nope. Probably won’t buy any either. Since Max has outgrown Halloween and will be out with his friends at a haunted house, the hubs and I are going to go out to dinner.
4. Something that made you happy today? I’ll be happy at 5 when I get to go home!
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…take care of your skin when you’re still young!
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Yikes, I don’t like either of these but I’d have to go with the lingerie, although that would not be a pretty site!
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Nars and Charlotte Tilbury, from skincare – Nuxe and Decleor
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis???
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? No, we don’t celebrate Hallowe’en here.
4. Something that made you happy today? My 2year old aon did not have tantrums while I brought him to kindergarten.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be… You are what you eat!
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Ehm… I take that lingerie part, but I’d definitely find some way to skip this ?
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to? Urban Decay
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis. ?
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet? No
4. Something that made you happy today? We’re going to a Depeche Mode concert tonight. I’m super-excited!
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be… Beauty really does come from the inside.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Lingerie. I’d just go late at night and hope for the best. I’m not risking a bad, accidental face tattoo.
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
Too Faced for ever!
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
???
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Yes. Bring on the trick or treaters?
4. Something that made you happy today?
Cuddling with my dog whilst reading a book
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Always apply blush in upward strokes.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
This is a toughie probably eyebrows beacause you’d get kicked out of the store and I can always fix my brows with makeup!
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
I’m pretty loyal to Dior and Lancome, but not so much that I’d buy anything they release. And for Dior, I lost interest for a while and started gaining it back this year.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
I’m on my laptop so no emojis, but a sad face would work, lol!
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
No and I don’t intend to. We don’t have trick or treaters in our neighborhood (there are literally no kids) and I don’t like the kind of candy you can buy at the grocery store. It’s usually way too sweet for my taste!
4. Something that made you happy today?
That the construction work that’s been making my life hell for the past 2 weeks (I’m talking jackhammers from 7am to 4pm) hasn’t been going on today. I don’t know if they stop the work when it’s too hot (it was in the 90s) but they didn’t come today, so I got to enjoy SILENCE.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Don’t overdo it. If you want to play, it’s fine, but if you’re trying to “beautify” yourself, less is usually more.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
Grocery shopping in lingerie, as long as I can shop online, lol!
Hope you have a great week Karen! Here it’s going to be scorching hot again. Sigh. I want sweater weather!
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
Loyal? I don’t want any company to think they are guaranteed my business. I am, however, a total sucker for Sonia Kashuk brushes.
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
????
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Dark chocolate is a staple item in my home. As for Halloween, we never get trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood, so the candy is mine, all mine!
4. Something that made you happy today?
I interrupted a bunch of errands to speak to a woman about the gorgeous forest green 1973 Triumph she had parked next to my boring Honda at the post office. We ended up talking for about an hour, about her amazing car and her wire fox terriers. Unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures of the vehicle. It felt odd to ask after talking for so long.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Sunscreen. Use it.
Special Olympics is on Saturday. Stressed? Stressed? Oh yes, I am stressed!
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
Am I really loyal to just *one* brand? No, not really. However, I do own A LOT of Urban Decay and I think that’s because they tend to be a very even company in terms of their quality and packaging. The quality of their products doesn’t go down just because it’s limited edition or for the holidays. I also tend to love that one palette can be used for a whole look, although I have learned there is the weird oddball and I get a little grumpy over that. I hate digging out tons of palettes for one look.
[I’m dying over the Heavy Metals palette. Two palettes in one year? Have I lost my mind? I usually never buy that much makeup these days!]
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis.
On the computer so, “meh?” I had a migraine all day so I really didn’t care about my hair.
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Yes, we have. We bought the kiddos mini Rice Krispies.
4. Something that made you happy today?
Cuddles with Zena. It makes you really happy when you have a migraine.
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…lots of sunscreen and lots of water. Seriously.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months? Considering I actually have tattoos, possibly one, but only because I know my tattooist would never tattoo my brows in pitch dark, so essentially I’d get out of it. LOL. I actually have Reynaud’s Phenomenon with my Lupus; I actually wear jeans, long sleeves, a sweater AND gloves when I go grocery shopping at the height of summer. It keeps my core warm so my hands and feet don’t turn purple and go numb. I could never shop in lingerie (NEVER.)
1. A beauty brand you’re loyal to?
Oh, I have an inconstant and fickle heart. 🙂
2. Describe your hair today using only emojis
I’m on a desktop and can’t get the emoji to paste in the comments. But mine is Meh.
3. Have you bought any Halloween candy yet?
Yes, we’re good to go. I didn’t personally buy it; the Hubs takes care of most of the grocery shopping.
4. Something that made you happy today?
The day is just starting but I got a text from a friend with a very old private joke that made me laugh for a few minutes. 🙂
5. If I were to give you one piece of advice about beauty, it would be…
Oh, I’m with you on the eyebrows. Girls, when you reach a certain age, they just do NOT grow back. But I think I’d also say to hit the anti-aging skin care early. Don’t wait for the wrinkles.
BONUS: Would you rather 1) have someone tattoo your brows in a pitch black room, or 2) have to do all of your grocery shopping wearing nothing but scandalous lingerie for the next 12 months?
Yeah, lingerie. No contest. That’s more of a punishment for the other shoppers than for me anyway. And I could not go through life looking like Uncle Leo. HAHA!