Karen

False lashes, definitely.

A pair of falsies turns everything else up a notch. In the time it takes to stick a pair of false lashes on your eyes, you can turn the most ho-hum makeup into faux fancy.

In my case, I think because I have naturally really uninspired lashes that are thin and not very long, when I wear falsies, the difference is pretty dramatic. It’s like, “Oh! At least she tried.”

But, you know, sometimes I’m just not in the mood to deal with all the glue and the lashes and the trimming them down to size, so I’ll bust out my tube of Cle de Peau Perfect Lash Mascara, which creates crazy good length. Unfortunately, it’s also crazy expensive. $50.

I swear, though, it makes my lashes look about nine miles long. The only problem is that it takes forever and a day to remove. The formula is freakishly waterproof, which might actually be a good thing for me today because it just started raining. 🙁

What’s something you do with your makeup when you want it to look like you put serious effort into it?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

GURL, if someone took away my bottle of Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fluide Foundation, I would go full-on Walking Dead Ricksanity on that @ss, improv shiv and ALL. It is the business. It’s been my can’t-live-without-it foundation for months.

It’s my go-to foundation for pics because it covers everything and mellows out my pores (cue blessed makeup angels harmoniously singing). I also grab it whenever I’m in the mood for a matte finish (can even skip powder).

Lightweight? Yup. Comfortable? Uh-huh. Doesn’t break me out? Yes, yes, YES! And it comes in a ton of shades. I wear the one called Chai, as in “Oh, CHAI!” or, “I’ll have a venti pumpkin soy chai latte please, hold the foam.”

I’m still a MAC Face & Body fan/fiend 4-Life, but I like having another holy grail foundation I can turn to. Sometimes I’ll even layer both of them, applying MAC Face & Body all over my face with my fingers, then blending Flawless Fluide on my cheeks, nose and around my chin (where I like to have more coverage) with a Beauty Blender — which totally helps with Flawless Fluide, by the way, which can look super matte. The BB makes it look really natural.

What foundation have you been wearing, and are you happy with it? Tell me all about it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

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 seven 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. If I ever become rich and famous I’m going to __________.
   • Ask Beyonce and Jay-Z over for tea.
   • Yell at the paparazzi to “get the hell off my lawn!”
   • Start a rescue cat sanctuary and adoption center (complete with hugely elaborate outdoor cat enclosure play space) for needy Northern California kitties.
   • Buy a Volvo with fantastic side visibility and power locks. (My current car doesn’t have automatic locks, and I hate when I’m walking to my car someplace isolated or dark, like an indoor parking structure, and I have to get my keys out to open the door. Doesn’t feel safe.) I’m not a car person at all, but I’ve always wanted a Volvo. I hear they’re supposed to be very safe and reliable.
   • Fly first class to Thailand for vacation on a whim.
   • Build a fancy personal library.
2. What’s a mascara you find yourself buying over and over again?
   Good, old reliable Chanel Le Volume de Chanel. I never get tired of the great volume and curl hold, and it has TONS of big drama.
3. Your biggest boy band crush (or any band, for that matter) growing up?
   “You’ve got the right stuff…baby.” (Um, NKOTB, hello!)
4. Ponchos: yes or no?
   OK, I like the idea of wearing something that resembles a blanket (you can sleep in it any ol’ time!), but I’m going to have to go with no. I’ve tried ’em, and they don’t work for me. I look like I belong in Middle Earth.

5. In general, is your daytime makeup routine very different from your going out/evening makeup routine?
   Actually, not really. I don’t have any strict rules when it comes to colors or coverage for daytime versus night. As long as I feel good in what I’m wearing, I’m down for whatever.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. If I ever become rich and famous I’m going to __________.
2. What’s a mascara you find yourself buying over and over again?
3. Your biggest boy band crush (or any band, for that matter) growing up?
4. Ponchos: yes or no?
5. Is your daytime makeup routine very different from your going out/evening makeup routine?

Hello, sweet friend!

Before I get to your Karl quote of the week, The Walking Dead season premiere last night. I haven’t seen it yet! We got in a little late last night, but I recorded it, so I’m going to watch it tonight. Please, no spoilers. I beg you.

And for your Karl-Lag quote for the week..

“What I love best in life is new starts.”

— Karl Lagerfeld

Me, too, Karl. Me too. On that note, I hope your Monday got off to a great start. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen