You may be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t precisely a poll. It’s much more of a continuously evolving (devolving?), somewhat random listing of concerns I’ve been putting out to visitors every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always delighted in reading your answers in the comments, as well as I hope you delight in reading mine.

Do you like to plan your makeup looks beforehand, or do you just wing it?
A bit of both. When I have a celebration or something to go to as well as an attire already chosen out, I’ll typically have an concept for the makeup I want to wear with it, so I’ll do a bit planning…

Or if I understand that I want to try a new look or take a new combination out for a test run, I’ll plan around doing it on a specific day, as well as I’ll just have a general concept of my game plan.

But on an average, random weekday when I don’t truly have anything going on, I’ll wing it.

Wide-legged trouser pants: a do or a don’t?
Even though I’ve had skinny denim virtually plastered on my lower half for many years now, I believe wide-legged pants are very cute, so yeah, I believe they’re a do, particularly if you have adorable shoes that peek out the front.

But the thing is, you’ve gotta have a hem that falls juuuuuuust right; otherwise, it can look a bit weird. as well as yes, I understand this from personal experience…

Girl, I might compose VOLUMES about all of my fashion synthetic pas!

When you text, do you utilize punctuation?
Most of the time yes I figure why would you avoid it it’s even much more confusing if you leave it out as well as if you’re going to take the time to text somebody something you may also add a few commas as well as a period or two so the person you’re texting doesn’t have to checked out the exact same sentence over as well as over once again up until they can comprehend what you’re trying to state although I do have to admit there are moments when speed trumps clearness like when you’re sending one-liners to your sibling or correcting a error so I’ll avoid a period right here as well as there please don’t tell the grammar authorities

LOL!

How old were you when you found that Santa isn’t real?
Aw, mom! Why you gotta be a celebration pooper?

My mother told me when I was quite young. I believe I should have been in kindergarten…or perhaps it was very first grade.

Whenever it was, I was young, however because I was likewise stubborn, I absolutely refused to accept Mom’s blasphemy, so when she told me, I told her that she was making the whole thing up as well as that I was still going to believe in Santa anyway. So I composed him letters as well as left out a plate of cookies as well as a glass of milk every Christmas Eve up until I was in the fourth grade.

At that point, I assumption I accepted it/figured it out…

What’s a makeup tool in your arsenal that you currently requirement to replace?
There are a couple currently on Ye Olde desire List, like a lash curler (the Shu Uemura curler I’ve had for ages lastly sailed off into the sunset) as well as a Beautyblender, because, WAH! — I lost the black one I just recently bought.

I suspect that Tabs had something to finish with the disappearance…

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Your turn. just copy as well as paste the complying with concerns into a comment with your answers. I look ahead to reading ’em!

1. Do you like to plan your makeup looks beforehand, or do you just wing it?
2. Wide-legged trouser pants: a do or a don’t?
3. When you text, do you utilize punctuation?
4. exactly how old were you when you found that Santa isn’t real?
5. What’s a makeup tool in your arsenal that you currently requirement to replace?

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Great Caesar’s ghost, I can’t even believe it’s December 14th already! I still have so much Christmas-sy stuff to do, however I’ve been hella distracted lately.

I just have to keep reminding myself to take one step each time (baby steps!). I’m in one of those phases where the sheer size of my to-do listing is totally overwhelming me. When I get like this, I essentially have to accept that there’s no method I’m gonna surface everything, however that kind of frees me to focus on one task at a time.

Hopefully. LOL! We’ll see exactly how it goes.

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You have a excellent day today, my friend. I hope to see you in the comments.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

back when my hair was dark as well as my layers were long as well as I was having a great hair day. Incidentally, I am using clothes in this photo (I swear!).
About three times a week…or four if I’m feeling additional ambitious.

I can’t keep in mind the last time I went with an entire week washing my hair daily. It may have been…maybe 10 years ago?

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Whenever it was, it’s been a while.

But when upon a time, long, long ago, I utilized to strike dry my hair directly every day, as well as coupled with everyday shampooing, my hair ended up being really, truly dry as well as over-processed. I’m not sure what prompted me to stop washing it with shampoo all the time (and easing up on the warm styling), however somewhere along the way, something did, as well as it truly assisted my hair. It likewise saves time.

If I laundry my hair one evening, let it air dry overnight, as well as then style it the next morning, I can get at least three days out of it before my roots begin to feel “janky” as well as odor funky. Sometimes, I can make it four days if I douse the roots with dry shampoo (no, seriously), then put my hair up in a pony or half pony, although EEK! — that’s so gross, however so true.

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About half the time, I’ll laundry it with conditioner alone, as well as the other half the time with conditioner as well as shampoo.

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I don’t understand why this topic fascinates me, however it does, as well as weirdly enough, it comes up in conversation all the time. I was chatting with a buddy a while back, as well as she stated that she laundries her hair daily. one more buddy stated she does it only when a week (!). exactly how about you? exactly how frequently do you laundry your hair?

How frequently do you laundry your hair?

fewer than twice per week

2-3 times/week

4-5 times/week

nearly every day

several times per day

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Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

There’s nothing like a bit morning meditation to remove the kitty cobwebs and focus your powers of feline fabulousness on kitty modeling domination.

Tabs wished to choose his walk at the crack of dawn this morning before the neighborhood hustles and bustles to ensure that he could channel his chi and practice his kitty yoga poses…

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His favorite time to walk is early, early, early in the morning, often even before dawn when it’s still a bit dark, because it’s quieter and often there are still interesting varmints like raccoons skulking about.

Today it was already light, but it was still early and quiet.

I’ve observed that he’s not as confident outside as he once was. It utilized to be that he wouldn’t get startled by people and cars, but now if something noisy occurs he’ll pull me on his leash all the method back to the front door.

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As a world-renowned kitty supermodel/feline fashion icon, he’s probably thinking, “I can’t deal with this drama! I have as well numerous essential things to do!”

Your friendly neighborhood charm addicts,

Karen and Tabs

I got the KIKO Gossamer emotion Creamy Lipstick in 130 Black simply because I wanted to have a black lipstick in my collection
The other day, Marcella shared with me and the rest of the MBB-gang a Buzzfeed article on a rainbow highlighter, asking if we’d ever wear it.

Since I don’t even use traditional one-color highlighters that much, I said that I probably wouldn’t wear it, but it would be something amazing to have.

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Which got me thinking…

Am I a makeup collector?

Well, to a certain extent I unquestionably am.

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I mean, I’m not the type of collector that would get a product and never use it to preserve the design embossed on the pan. To me makeup is something to touch, test, and play with. So I guess that if I really got that rainbow highlighter, I would somehow use it, at least a few times.

But I definitely am a collector in the sense that sometimes (ahem… most of the time) I buy makeup products simply because I want to have them in my collection. Which doesn’t mean that I won’t use them. It just means that I don’t need them.

At this point I could go off on a major tangent and tell you that when it comes to makeup nothing is really needed. I mean, it’s not like makeup is one of the basic human survival needs, right? but when I say that I need something in relation to makeup what I actually mean is that I’ve finished a product, like mascara or foundation, and need to replace it.

Yeah, that’s what I classify as a need.

So, going back to what I was saying before, I typically buy new makeup products even if I don’t need to replace anything, which I guess makes me a collector.

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I’m pretty good at keeping my foundation, mascara, concealer, and highlighter stash very streamlined, but I definitely have more than I need in all the other product categories, with lipsticks being my most purchased items.

I didn’t actually need any of these products, but I got them because I liked the packaging, or because my collection was lacking a specific shade, or because I wanted to have at least one thing from a certain brand
Please, excuse the rambly post, but I don’t get many chances to chat about these types of things in the real world. Well, I mean, sometimes I do tell my partner (AKA Mr. Page) about my makeup musings, but 10 seconds into my monologue, he starts staring into nothingness, and I can clearly picture a cymbal-banging monkey inside his head à la Homer Simpson.

So please, bear with me and tell me… Are you a makeup collector? Or do you only buy things you really need? and what’s your most purchased type of product?

I don’t understand if words can encapsulate the sexiness that is Tabs. He’s just attractive all the time. This occurred today, on a Tuesday morning, at like 9:45. He wasn’t even trying!

Clearly, he was all about the sultry poses today. Looking this great is difficult work for lots of kitty models, however not for Tabs.

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Now if he would only dedicate this exact same type of intensity to mousing…

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

Hi, everyone!

As one of the prettiest (in my opinion) collections of spring 2016, the benefit Dandelion Collection is an growth of Benefit’s bestselling Dandelion Brightening completing Powder ($29), with the new Dandelion timid Beam liquid Highlighter ($26) as well as Dandelion Dew liquid Blush ($28).

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This is a little as well as concise collection with every product layering on top of each other to produce a gorgeous as well as brightening flush.

Benefit spring 2016 Dandelion Collection
Benefit Dandelion Powder

The two new collection items: benefit timid Beam as well as Dandelion Dew
An overview of the collection:

Dandelion Dew liquid blush ($28). A sheer as well as dewy baby-pink liquid blush. during my preliminary swatch, I didn’t discover the blush to be sheer at all as well as only a bit dewy. I LOVE the pump.

Dandelion timid Beam Matte Highlighter ($26). A nude-pink matte highlighter. On my yellow skin tone, the product’s pink shade looks really strong…chalky even. Benefit utilizes this product on Asian designs on their website and Sephora video though. I’d like your viewpoint on this one, guys! It may just be user-error.

Dandelion Box o’ Powder blush ($29). A pale-pink highlighting blush as well as powder. While it didn’t work on me as an all-over powder, the powder was a classically quite blush. Love.

Doing the Dew: First-Impressions of the benefit Dandelion Collection

Painting timid Beam Matte Highlighter on the high points of my eyes as well as cheeks
Patting Dandelion Dew liquid blush onto my cheeks
Topping everything off with Dandelion Powder
Close-up of the Dandelion-inspired eye. I utilized makeup Geek fantasy eyeshadow, metropolitan Decay Roach eyeshadow, Kat Von D Thunderstruck eyeshadow, as well as Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
Swatches of (L-R) Dandelion Brightening Powder, Dandelion Dew, Dandelion timid Beam
The final look utilizing the benefit Dandelion collection on the (your) left half. I’m likewise using YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in 3 beige Ultimate.

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Hope you enjoyed this overview as well as very first impressions! So, what do you believe about Dandelion? (Both the benefit ones as well as the flower.)

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See you in the next,

Anna

Do you dare enter now for your chance to win a $50 e-gift card to Sephora…?
Shoot.

I just realized that I missed out on a totally free bear claw…

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The last time I went to Panera Bread they said I’d earned one through their membership thingy program, but I had to use it by the ninth. I didn’t want it then because I was there for lunch, and it was noon. now I’m too late…

See, there’s an essential life lesson there. never look a gift bear claw in the mouth. No matter what time it is, no matter if you want it or not, don’t wait. You take that bear claw, and you eat that bear claw, you hear me?

LOL!

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In other news, pleased caturday! rise and shine, buddy o’ mine. I hope you got a good night’s sleep. I slept pretty well, considering the scary film I viewed last night. (A sci-fi horror thriller called The device on Netflix. Brace yourself for the opening scene. That’s all I’m saying.)

Purr usual, I haven’t figured out what I’m doing yet today… I know that we certainly need some groceries (we’re down to carrots, soy milk and instant decaf coffee, blech!), so probably Trader Joe’s best away. After that, we’ll see.

Good luck in the giveaway, babe, and have a fantastic day. speak with you soon.

One (1) Sephora eGift card including $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Open to U.S. and international readers.

You should be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).

Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:

What’s your favorite Asian makeup brand?

Has anybody ever sketched or painted a picture of you?

Raw cookie dough: yea or nay?

Does your cat have a cute meow?

Are you currently pleased with the state of your brows?

Do you have a crush on anybody at school or work?

You can enter in up to seven ways to increase your chances of winning.

The giveaway ends on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipglass as well as Lipstick (coming September 1 to the MAC site as well as to stores as well as counters September 8)
Hot damn, Viva Glam! Ariana Grande is back with two new Viva Glams — a $17 matte Lipstick as well as a $16 Lipglass — as well as I believe they’re so freakin’ gorge…

I’m figuratively shaking in my Timberland boots.

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MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipglass as well as Lipstick
I can’t keep in mind the last time I was this thrilled about a Viva Glam. I’ve always been down to support the cause, which I believe is awesomesauce, since MAC donates all of the proceeds from the Viva Glam releases to assist kids as well as households impacted by HIV as well as AIDS, however I believe the past few Viva Glam rounds have been… Well, let’s just state that they’ve been on the artsy side.

Deep great pink matte MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick
I believe these two, though, are straight-up pretty. I like them even much more than Ariana’s very first Viva Glam back in January. They’re brighter, however I believe they’re likewise much more wearable as well as fun.

Neutral nude pink MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipglass

Doesn’t the lipstick look like candy? Or like the color of a Popsicle? Technically, it’s a great pink, however I believe it looks kinda purple on me.

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It’s just so smooth as well as pigmented… like IT.

Wearing MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick as well as Lipglass together
The Lipglass reminds me of MAC Spite as well as made me go “Ooh!” the very first time I ba-doomped it on my lips. On its own, it’s a completely wearable daily neutral, however it’s absolute perfection layered on top of the lipstick.

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick (left) as well as Lipglass (right)
Both will be offered starting September 1 on the MAC website, as well as then in stores as well as counters September 8 with February 1, 2017.

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What’s your preferred Viva Glam of all time? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Plant-powered skin care!
There’s a bounty of botanical-based skin care products at area NK meow, as well as right here are five of my favorites at the moment.

1. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOxidant safeguard + repair work moisturizer ($65)

This rich, mega-moisturizing anti-aging moisturizer has an oil-soluble version of vitamin C called tetrahexydecyl ascorbate (or THD ascorbate) that some researchers believe can penetrate skin much better than old-fashioned vitamin C.

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Vitamin C is notoriously fickle/unstable, however tetrahexydecyl ascorbate is steady as well as less irritating than other develops of vitamin C, making it appropriate for peeps with sensitive skin, too.

Hurry, get the C.E.O.!
I just started utilizing this, as well as my skin, which has been drier than usual, laps it up. together with THD ascorbate, it includes an exfoliating botanical extract called lime seed pearl, typically understood as “finger lime.” It’s a plant, native to Australia, as well as it include numerous small capsules of lime juice. They look like caviar.

2. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Micro-Dissolve Cleansing Oil ($38)

This cleansing oil likewise has lime pearl, in addition to THD ascorbate, white willow bark, turmeric as well as evening primrose. It makes quick work of my foundation, concealer, lipstick as well as blush, however it makes me tear up when it touches my water lines, so I have to get something else to eliminate my eyeshadow, mascara as well as liner.

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White willow bark includes salicin, which is the precursor to aspirin.

3. Kat Burki PH+ Enzyme Essence ($100)

This lightweight pH-balancing serum includes vitamin C, as well as it smells like the freshest, many tasty eco-friendly smoothie!

Truthfully, the scent is a huge reason why I started utilizing it.

It’s developed to brighten skin, balance its pH, avoid breakouts as well as stimulate cell turnover. You utilize it after cleansing as well as toning however before applying moisturizer.

I just started utilizing it, so I can’t tell exactly how well it’s working yet, however here’s to high hopes!

Use after cleansing as well as toning however before moisturizing
4. Goldfaden MD sun Visor Ultralight Oil-Free SPF 30 mist ($45)

This lightweight sunscreen includes a combo of physical as well as chemical sunscreen ingredients. It likewise includes antioxidant red tea extract.

You’re expected to mist it on your deal with after moisturizing, however I like to spritz a few sprays into my palm, then pat that on my deal with as well as neck, since I feel like whatever gets covered much better that way.

I like that I can’t feel this sitting on my skin, as well as it isn’t sticky.

I like utilizing it on my neck, especially.

Lightweight as well as takes in f a s t!
5. (MALIN+GOETZ) Grapefruit deal with Cleanser ($34)

This foaming gel cleanser has grapefruit extract to avoid breakouts as well as cleanse skin without stripping it bone dry. It’s developed for all skin types, however it’s expected to work truly well for rosacea-prone peeps.

For all skin types

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I utilize it at night after intensely sweaty sessions at the fitness center or on the treadmill since it truly feels like it gets all the gunk out of my pores.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Maybelline makes one of my current affordable crushes/favorite drugstore products — Maybelline color Sensational The Buffs Lipstick in stormy Sahara, which I’m wearing here
Who says you have to sacrifice your sensibilities and set your budget on fire to find genuinely amazing appeal products? Whoever they are, neglect them. Please. because they have no idea what they’re talking about.

There are lots of marvelous drugstore makeup products out there, and here are five of my current favorites. I use ’em and love ’em a lot.

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Maybelline color Sensational The Buffs ($7.49)

Color Sensational The Buffs Lipstick in Blushing beige (left) and stormy Sahara (right)
Is it possible to own too lots of nude lipsticks? — like, where someone would come over to your house, see your makeup collection and say, “No, no, no! You cannot have that lots of nude lipsticks! I’m sorry, but it’s against the rules, and I’m telling on you…”

A girl can never have too lots of nude lipsticks. Am I right?! Maybelline’s color Sensational The Buffs lipsticks have a smooth, satiny finish and lots of pigment, and they apply fully opaque. Basically, they’re the ish.

They’re available in 10 shades and various nude tones, but my top love is warm peachy beige stormy Sahara. I especially love it with smokey eyes. It’s available now online and at drugstores and Ulta.

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Oh! — and FYI, Ulta is currently using a get one, get one for 50% off deal on these.

L’Oreal true match Lumi healthy luminous foundation ($12.99)

YASSSS, gurl! Magic in a bottle, otherwise known as L’Oreal true match Lumi healthy luminous foundation ($12.99)
I’ve raved about this foundation before, and you know what? I’m going to rave about it again. because it’s the very definition of a drugstore gem.

If you like that dewy skin look, try L’Oreal true match Lumi. I think it’s the best drugstore foundation on the market, hands-down. It’s great. I vow on my tabby’s fluffy thighs… Yes, it’s that serious, boo-boo!

It’s $12.99 and comes in a bunch of shades, and the formula applies effortlessly and looks natural, so you won’t end up with fake-@ss cyborg skin. just real skin that looks a lot more even toned and luminous.

I love this stuff so much that I’m getting another bottle in a darker shade to mix with my current bottle of sun beige and customize my own color. It’s available now online and at drugstores, Target and Ulta (note: it’s currently on sale at Ulta ideal meow for $7.79).

Maybelline Eye studio enduring drama Gel eyeliner in Blackest Black ($9.99)

An intense, rich black gel liner with all-day staying power, Maybelline Eye studio enduring drama Gel eyeliner in Blackest Black is easily one of the best gel liners around. Period. It’s also easy to draw crisp edges with it (FYI, though, you may as well ditch the included brush).

Oh, and it also doubles as an eyeshadow base. I use it all the time under jewel-toned greens and blues to improve the intensity of those colors. available now online and at drugstores, Target and Ulta.

Maybelline fit Me Concealer ($6.99)

Maybelline fit Me Concealer
Creamy Maybelline fit Me Concealer doesn’t look like caked-on plaster because it blends and buffs beautifully.

I’m very picky about my under-eye concealers, and this is the only drugstore one I’ve ever repurchased. because it’s just plain good and affordable. It’s also available in six shades, with a couple that are ideal for darker skin tones, which is great. None of them are too pink or beige, so they’re all pretty neutral. available now online and at drugstores and Ulta (there’s also a get one, get one for 50% off deal now at Ulta).

Rimmel London natural Bronzer in sun Bronze ($4.99)

Rimmel natural Bronzer in sun Bronze
I’ve pointed out Rimmel London natural Bronzer in sun Bronze not too long ago. Basically, it’s a matte golden tan bronzer that blends well, doesn’t look excessively orange, and it’s only $4.99, BAM! In other words, it’s a pan filled with awesome sauce, and it’s available online now and at drugstores and Ulta.

These absolutely aren’t the only drugstore products I like, but they’re the first five that just pertained to mind. and I lurve them all.

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What about your drugstore faves? Anything you think I really need to try? Come on, rock my world!

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen