cancel the emergency...

[dchenes]

The rant about the post office stands, but the financial situation has remedied itself. What I was hoping would happen with the student loan did, in fact, happen, so I should be in possession of $4000 tomorrow (gotta love electronic fund transfers, when they're incoming). The notice I got said I should get the money today, but waiting until tomorrow to make sure won't hurt anything.

Yesterday I did something silly. When I went to buy a spray bottle for my bonsai tree, I also bought a bottle of nail polish. I've never worn nail polish regularly, but I decided I liked it when I was reintroduced to it for the wedding. So I bought some pearl-colored nail polish, two coats of which comes out almost opaque but not quite. Hopefully technology has improved nail polish in general since the last time I wore any (which was in junior high sometime). I used to be able to peel it off in sheets after it dried. There may be hope for this stuff, though, considering it went through the shower this morning and seems to be perfectly fine.


I think I'm approaching a point at which I'm going to have to start spending more serious time and money on how I look, and I'm not sure I like that idea. I just hate those skin-care and makeup commercials that try to tell me that I NEED this stuff if I'm over 18. I don't want to spend the rest of my life trying to look like I'm still 20. I see myself as one of those women who, at the age of 50 or so, looks like she's lived in her skin, instead of hiding it under umpteen layers of powder and what all else because otherwise it might (gasp) look like she smiles once in a while. I refuse to "declare war on laugh lines". (I really did hear that line in a skin-care commercial once, and got so annoyed by it that I started yelling at the television.)

So what I really need, I guess, is a happy medium. I want to be able to wear mascara, for instance, without being sucked into wearing eyeliner and all the rest of it. I want to be able to rub my eye if it itches without instantly running off to the nearest bathroom and making sure my makeup is still there. I want to be able to go to bed at night without spending fifteen minutes with cotton balls and sponges and who knows what, trying to get makeup off.

There's more of this rant, but it's not coherent yet.

Comments

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

A decent skin-care regimen doesn't need to cost much - just some basics, highly dependent on your skin type. Likewise for hair (here, stylists and such can be a big help!). And using a bit of makeup doesn't need to be a trial - nav has had good luck with Origins, as far as minimalist makeup that looks good, doesn't take a lot of effort and comes off fairly easily. The real question is first knowing what you want to aim for.

[melopoeia.livejournal.com]

eh, I just suggested that place becuase I use them. never heard of origins.
as for hair, if you have trouble with finding stylists, you could look at pictures, and bring one in with you.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

Origins is pretty common around here - little shops of natural-leaning skin-care stuff. Tends to be a bit pricey, but high quality.

Using pictures to show the stylist what you want is highly recommended - it's what nav did for her current cut and various adjustments.

[melopoeia.livejournal.com]

*hug*
Suggestion: Its a little pricey, but its worth it -- the kinda makeup you want to use is Prescriptives.
A lot of makeup lines are really heavy, oily, poorly made stuff, but their stuff is good for your skin, easy to use, and doesn't scream "I'm wearing makeup!" Speaking as a tomboy, I love it.
You won't use much, so when you do get it, it will last you a long time -- I usually get makeup once a year or year and a half.
The most important items are moisturizer (http://www.prescriptives.com/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY3301&PRODUCT_ID=PROD969) -- and foundation. Now, I like the stick foundation (http://www.prescriptives.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4864&PRODUCT_ID=PROD978) best, as it is longwearing, portable, and easy to put on, but Traceless (http://www.prescriptives.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY3285&PRODUCT_ID=PROD1028) liquid also works well.
Ignore all their "get rid of age lines" crud -- its still a good line.
Great stuff: doesn't look like pounds of makeup if you do it right, good for your skin, they have color groups so they can properly match your skin color (not "standard beige"), and line includes makeup sticks to apply a foundation which is all you need. Between that and the lipgloss lipstick, its easy, light, and not much work.
They have eyeshadow too, but I usually use one of the brush lipsticks from my lipstick case {;
Now, on the colorprinting (basically they put a little makeup on your hand and find a match), you only have to actually go into the store once to get it done, and then you can order it online when you run out. My guess offhand is that you'd want to buy Level 1 (the lightest, weight wise) products, and either the Vellum or Cream colors in the Yellow/Orange group.
The closest place to you that does the "colorprinting" is Dillards in Cleveland (http://test.mapquest.com/gloss/mqlocator?screen=find&link=pxt_map2&sqlcol1=RECORD_ID&sqlcnd1=%3D&sqlval1=px0085&width=505&height=300&MILES=13.63&KM=21.94&VAR1=&VAR2=Kent&VAR3=OH&VAR4=&VAR5=US&VAR6=411536&VAR7=-813581&level=8) (I linked to the info from the Prescriptives website).

It seems like a lot of effort, but you only have to do it once, and then you'll never have to go into a store again.
I've been using it ever since my mother started me using makeup, and she uses it as well.
Even if you give the rest of it a miss, try the moisturizer.
I think men should use it too, its soo nice -- not gooey or oily or icky -- just light and comfortable. I think it comes in an SPF 15 type, and they have different kinds for different skin types-- average, oily, and dry.

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. I have finally given in to the need to pay attention to this stuff too. And while I don't use makeup on a regular basis, I have started using a mosturizer every day on my face that has SPF 30. And I use a nice face wash each day in the shower. Nothing froofy. Just something made for cleaning face skin properly. If you'd like, I will get you a couple of my favorite not-so-froofy skin products and send them to you in a care package. (It would be fun!)
As for makeup, I have found a decent medium between the China-doll look and Nothing-But-What-God-Gave-Me. I particularly like Origins makeup line. They are expensive. But if you don't wear it often, its worth it. The foundation doesn't make you break out from having clogged pores. And doesn't feel all caked on. If you want to try it, I'll take you on a trip the next time you are in town. For mascara that doesn't make you turn into Tammy Faye, try going to the local pharmacy and looking for a clean mascara made by Maybelline or some such. The clear stuff works great if you just don't want to look like a reject from "Cabaret" every time you rub your eyes.

[melopoeia.livejournal.com]

btw, you should start reading my friend Chris's journal - kyrasis. he just graduated from CWRU with a degree in computer engineering. you might have better luck talking with him on im or something. mentioned you to him, too.
He's in Wellington, OH.
he's better about emailing than posting...