I... might... enjoy being a girl

[neadods]

The estrogen is flowing today!

Started with getting my face flayed waxing. Found someone who could do so with skill and little pain - I've got her card so I can go again.

Then the haircut. I showed the stylist a picture and she said "cute" then didn't do it. I'm a lot shorter and way blonder than I meant to be, but everyone else seems to like it and it shows off my earrings so I may get used to it enough too like it.

And then, "Paws and Claws." Boy, have things changed since I was a kid and people poked, prodded, and jabbed me, snapping "this is what you pay for beauty, get used to it" and I told them what they could do with that cuticle stick. Pro manicures? Loverly! Painless! I'm seriously considering adding a mani-pedi to my monthly list of Things To Do (along with cleaning my jewelry, vacuuming the carpets, and dusting.)

But I'm still asking for someone else next time, because my manicurist couldn't paint between the lines.

Then shopping. More polish, so I can bring my own next time (right now I've got Sinful's "Chicago" high and low; will try their "Mystery" next time for the hands as it's less aggressive - more a taupe than a purply pink.

Next was Dress Barn (mooo!) for a suit and some shirts. They have some sweaters I really want but I have to get better bras as you can see every line. belidibabe has put in a vote for Bralelujia; who else can recommend a comfy bra? I recall a big discussion on elainemc's journal...

And I think I've finally found a "makeup regimine" I can live with. The full thing, foundation and all? Not me. Not unless it's for a short term special occasion. However, Burt's Bees does a "raspberry" lipshimmer that works as a lipstickoid that is comfy, stays on even with my wierd lips, and is very close to my natural shade. Then I found a tinted moisturizer - why screw with foundation when I'm already putting lotion on 2-3 times a day? And it won't be a lot of fuss to replace as I wash my face.

Also bought some Burts lotions, to use on face overnight and ditto hands - let's see if with all of this I get through the winter with no chapped lips and without turning into a lizard.

Comments

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Well, now. Glad to hear the groundwork we laid a while back has paid off.
Whatever you are willing to use is a good plan for makeup. Did you use mascara?

--Shay
(not your mother)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Compulsive facewashing + extreme nervousness about things around the eyes works out to a loathing of mascara. Haven't figured out what to do, if anything, about the eyes. Except I did let the waxer shape my brows and I'll keep that up.

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

Look at it this way:
I wear contacts (sometimes a soft lens UNDER my hard ones) PLUS glasses, plus eyeshadow plus mascara. There's not much any more that can faze me. The secret is getting a mascara that is not a "lash-extender" or "lash thickener" mascara -- those have little fibers and extra gunk in them. Get basic simple mascara, and try to find one with a comb applier rather than a brush -- a makeup professional at the department store can help you, because they're hard to find. It's worth it to pay more for mascara rather than getting some Maybelline. Also, apply it only to your outer upper lashes at first -- it's the area least likely to get in your eyes. Also try a waterproof mascara -- but then you must get makeup remover and cotton balls or you will be doomed to racoon eyes when you wash your face. And don't fear the makeup remover getting in your eyes. It's designed to not sting, hurt or otherwise blind you if it does. Then rinse afterwards.

[kefiraahava.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on a spiffy-sounding Day of Beauty!

How short DID you go with the hair?

[neadods.livejournal.com]

Before it was aboout 3" past the shoulder; now if I uncurl the ends they don't quite touch the shoulder.

Am probably going to let it grow out to just-past-touch; I didn't want it this short. I'm thinking a couple months will do it, so I can get it shaped right when I need to update the highlights.

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

Burt's Bees tinted moisturizer and lip shimmer is actually the exact daily makeup routine I've been planning to adopt when my current stash of makeup runs out - I'm not into anything really fussy, I just want something simple and subtle. (I just hope the menthol in the lip shimmer doesn't irritate non-lip skin, as I tend to use my lipstick as all-purpose lip/eye/cheek color.) I really like the nutmeg lipshimmer; that shimmery bronzey color is about the only one that looks really natural on me.

[lagilman]

Burts Bees' cuticle cream is excellent stuff, I highly rec it for maintaining paws and claws.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

(I just hope the menthol in the lip shimmer doesn't irritate non-lip skin

It's peppermint oil... did you ever read my "minty fresh hooch" story? It may sting for a bit - the shimmer did for about 10 minutes - but you will get used to it and your skin will stop reacting over several applications. Or so I discovered with the soap.