The goal for this month is to work on becoming more high maintenance. This doesn’t mean I planned on starting a love affair with mink eyelashes or will now require the tears of an orphan to shine my shoes- I just wanted to spend a month really putting effort in. Thirty-one days of deep conditioning hair treatments, the second coat of nail polish, and lotion applied to all the spots I usually miss (elbows!). Thirty-one days of stretching before bed, re-evaluating the shape of my eyebrows, and becoming re-acquainted with the genius that is cuticle cream.
I’m seven days in and all I can say is, holy hell this is exhausting.
I’m not sure how people do it. Don’t get me wrong- I do not leave my house looking like I get my meals from a dumpster but I AM perfectly fine leaving my house without curling my eyelashes and making sure my nails are filed in the “exciting 2008 shape!”. These last few days have caused me to re-evaluate how seriously low maintenance I actually was pre-January resolution.
This revelation has been brought on by my new awareness towards beauty and the evil that comes from reading every January issued magazine out there. People take beauty far too seriously I think. I mean, I thought ‘high maintenance’ in January would result in me buying new mascara, perhaps some bath oil, plan a few manicure appointments. But according to the magazines I’ve been reading that comes across as general maintenance. If you want to REALLY treat yourself well, then you need regular hot stone massages, the eyelash curler that heats itself and Zone meals delivered to your house at regular intervals. You also need to schedule in appointments to get your hair ‘glossed’, have lessons with a posture expert and meet with a jeweler to discuss your ‘signature stone setting’.
And I ask you universe, who in the hell has TIME to do all of that?
I see the women who do. They shop in the same stores as me, but unlike me, their jeans fall at the perfect length (enough to showcase their suede boots that they ruin by wearing in the winter), their lashes are lush and full and their lipgloss never fades. Their hair is shiner than mine, their nails far more polished. They smile often, but their smiles never reach their eyes, why cause unnecessary wrinkles?
I will continue on with my high maintenance plan for January but will stop trying to achieve something that I realize I do not want. Sure, I want softer elbows, shinier hair and pretty nails but if it means that I must dedicate my life to beauty- I will pass. Because I have friends to visit, dogs to walk, songs to dance to, CNN-themed parties to host. And that’s all far more interesting to me than discussions about Japanese lash extensions.
And realizing all this one week into January? THAT is a beautiful thing.
(However, in the spirit of learning more about beauty this month- what is the one beauty product/routine you could never give up?)
I just stumbled on your blog a couple of weeks ago, but have already added you to my Google Reader.
My every day, twice a day must-have is the Philosophy Make-up Optional kit and Rosebud Lip Balm.
Seeing as how “being more high maintenance” was one of my resolutions too, I’m not sure I’ve found a beauty practice that I can’t give up- at least not yet. Since making my resolutions though, I am proud to say that I’ve gotten 3 manicures and have made huge strides toward not treating my nails as food/gum. Success!
Um, CNN-themed parties? Is this for serious? Why do you live so far away from me? Grrr.
Mrs. W- I’ve heard of that Philosophy kit and I have a friend that raves about it! I’m going to check it out…
Nicole- Oh yes. There’s a great drinking game I’ve created based on the candidates and the ‘themes’ and topics they all revert to. It’s actually quite fun. Perhaps I will post it tomorrow in celebration of the New Hampshire primary. As for the manicures- doesn’t it just feel good? I mean, I find that I talk a lot more with my hands- just to showcase my nails to the entire world (I have a friend who started talking a lot more with her hands after she got engaged. For now, I will settle with the manicure).
Not that I do this – because I always say I will and then don’t – but so much of that you can do at home while watching episodes of West Wing, you know like face masks and hair gloss. I am not one to talk because I don’t! Yet I do get my hair cut every 10 weeks, pedicures once a month, I have to moisturize every morning and night, I don’t leave the house without chapstick and applying spf mosturizer to my face…do i need to continue????
Ammaners- You definitely raise a good point. If I figured out a way to use my WW watching time as part of my beauty routine, dear GOD I would be stunning. Seriously though, this hair gloss at home while watching Sam and Josh- good plan lady!!
I always ignore those sections of magazines that make me think I should turn into one of those women you’re talking about. Also, I would die if I had to do that. Beyond taking a shower, brushing my teeth, and wearing lip balm constantly, I don’t have a beauty routine that I do every day. Apparently I define low-maintenance. But I don’t FEEL low-maintenance.
Oh, wait. I put gel in my hair every day to keep it from frizzing. Does that count?
I always laugh when I go for a facial or something like that (it’s not that often I assure you) and the esthetician is like “You really need to pay more attention to your pores”; or during a manicure “You really need to pay more attention to your cuticles”. Seriously – If I was supposed to do all this stuff, in amongst eating, working, sleeping and caring for the children in my stead, there would be no hours left in the day.
i am extermemly low maintenance, but i do splurge on my shampoo and conditioner (kerestase). mainly because i can go longer in between haircuts. i love it though – my hair is always silky smooth!
I love Philosophy products. Thier face washes are wonderful. I also couldn’t live without my Jonathan hair products!
I so know what you’re saying about all the stuff in the magazines. It just seems… waaaay too over the top for me. I say, glam it up, pamper yourself a little more than usual this month, and that will probably end up feeling just right.
I’m a lotion girl. I must must moisturize pretty much twice a day, and I also have been loving Vasoline lately (twss?)… I use it on my lips and nose and rough spots that I have been getting in this frigid wintery mix we’ve had here. Also? I dig a good conditioner. My roommate and I just had a 30 minute conversation about the difference between conditioner that is “cream” based, and conditioner that is not. Do you know what I mean? The cream based ones are better… more… substance, work better, make your hair silky smooth (Adam Sandler would love that). Yeah, those are my two beauty staples.
And clear nail polish.
I’ve failed at the body lotion thing already. I have successfully put lotion on one day this year. Seriously, it is way too early in the morning to worry about all that body maintenance…
I do love my hairspray though. My hair gets a healthy does of Phyto Pro hairspray every morning.
Mink eyelashes? If that’s what it takes, I am a lost cause for certain.
I couldn’t go for long without a good haircut. My hair is really healthy but it wouldn’t stay that way without good cuts.
it IS tiring doing all that beauty maintenance. seriously. i don’t think i could live without tweezers though. or chapstick. i’ve downgraded my beauty routine and it’s been an adjustment but the time it saves me is well worth it.
I had the same goal – to be a little more high maintainance, but so far I haven’t managed much luck. Although I never (ok, ALMOST never) leave the house without a little bit of make up.
I guess the one beauty thing that I could never give up is hair product – product because I will use whatever I have handy, I”m not picky – because I have naturally curly hair, and I need something to keep it from taking over the entire room.
There’s definitely a fine balance between taking care of yourself and remaining relatively low maintenance. My favorite beautification regimen used to be doing my nails (either through manicures or at home). Wake up with bed head and icky mouth, but look at those fab nails and I know it’s going to be a great day! Every day should start like that!
I dated a guy in Alaska and I visited him up that-a-way twice. Both times, when I stepped out in the great wild frontier, I embraced the way people lived – women didn’t use make-up, they carried backpacks as handbags and they wore shoes for comfort only. It was refreshing to prance amongst people who weren’t driven by labels and appearances. But let me just say this, when I got home and slid into my killer Prada boots for a night on the Philly town, I realized I could NEVER own a pair of painted clogs. Comfort shmomfort – not at the expense of retiring all sass.
Pedicures and wax — not necessarily in that order. Even though I am a huge proponent of being high maintenance, it is a balancing act. One year, after my divorce, I rented a room from a girl (the cost included utilities) and paid her one year in advance with money I had gotten from the sale of my house. That year I spent EVERY penny on myslef–those hot stone massages, $400 blouses, $900 sheets, travel all over, etc. It was a fantansy come true and, admitedly a very selfish time. I can’t say I regreted the experience, but the next year I realized I needed to bring myself back down to reality, though I still get spa treatments a couple times a year.
I’m facing an interesting dilemma along these lines: My dermatologist has ordered me to bathe every other day ONLY, and to use cheap, unscented moisturizer instead of the “pretty” stuff.
And boy, while I hate lowering the “maintenance,” my skin sure does look a heck of a lot nicer. I find that oddly ironic.
I just have to say, I had a good laugh at the first sentence about wanting to be high maintenance. I have never heard anyone say that before (i’ve heard the usual “i’m really not that high maintenance” from those who are waaayyy too high maintenance). Then i read your post and thought about it and i need to become more high maintenance too. Not in the hot stone massage everyday, painting my nails with nailpolish flecked with 24k gold kind of way but the moisturizing and taking better care of myself kind of way.
Its hard to change our ways though. My high maintenance comes in the form of clothing, jewelry, shoes and handbags. I have problems when it comes to very nice things :)
Gotta have the body lotion to keep from getting dry skin…these cold winters are brutal! However, I try and have my boyfriend apply it as often as possible, since it makes the whole idea MUCH easier to remember:-)
I think there is a lot to be said for being low maintenance. I can shower and get out the door to work in less than half an hour…which, as you can imagine, leaves no time for eyelash curling…
Oh man, I’m seriously feeling like a bag lady right now. Half the time I don’t even bother with makeup. Make that 75% of the time…I can’t remember the last time I picked up a beauty magazine…it was probably the last time I read 17 Magazine in my teen years.
Is it bad that I’m considering begging my sisters to nominate me for “How Do I Look” on the Style Channel?
Hmm, the “beauty routines” I feel like I couldn’t live without, others probably think are very low-maintenance…..like shaving, lip balm, de-frizz cream for my curly hair (other than the obvious showering, brushing teeth, etc…)
“what is the one beauty product/routine you could never give up?”
Haha. Showering daily. That’s how embarrassingly low maintenance I am. The most I bother with makeup is moisturizer, lip balm, and a little blush. I’m such a boy.
Seven days is already amazing in my eyes, so hey, congrats!
Your goal is the opposite of mine. My goal for myself is to finally accept that no matter how much I want to be the high maintenance polished kind of girl, I am really the sporty tomboy slightly messy type of girl. I don’t do my nails (except my toes), I live in jeans and t-shirts, etc and am happy with it. UNTIL my perfect looking neighbor women drive by and make me feel like I am not doing something right because they are all so put together. My goal is to stop caring. I don’t look messy/dirty (unless we have just been sledding or something) and I don’t have to be all put together all the time.
considering how many times you mentioned lash-extensions in this post, i’m thinking I better start reading beauty magazines!
High maintenance for me is remembering to wash my face before I fall asleep, and to take my contacts out at least once a month to avoid eye infections.
Can I say how much I love the idea of CNN themed parties? I love it a lot.
I love that you are tired of being high-maintenance … I don’t think I’d have lasted as long as you before realizing that. I’m so low maintenance that I don’t even have a product/routine that I could share with you that I must have.
I do this all the time. I always think I’m gonna lotionize my full body and what not. But I am lazy, and of course never get around to it.
Dang. I meant to go to the gym today.
See?
I absolutely have to wear foundation, and I hate it. I have awful undereye circles.
First of all – the CNN themed party sounds like a hoot and I wish you were not so far away AND I wish I had more politically interested friends here so I could throw one. Hmmm…
Manicures – been getting my nails done since the early 90s and just can NOT give it up!! Went in for one one week before giving birth and then one week after with newborn baby in tow.
New habit that seems high maintenance but makes me low maintenance – seeing an esthetician for facial peels and using the products every night. My skin feels SO young and smooth and looks so good that I have stopped wearing makeup! Eye liner only. Ever so rarely I might use face powder.
I would have absolutely NO problem being more high maintenance if i had…
1. More money
2. More time
Give me more of those two things and bring on the mink eyelashes! :)
As for the high maintenance beauty habit that I just cannot give up…getting regular manicures. Every two weeks like clockwork I’m in that salon getting my nails done. I could be down to my last $20 and not being paid for another week and I would give up food for my nails to be done. Pretty pathetic, huh?
I go on a kick every couple of weeks when I start to think I need to do better at being “high maintenance.” I file my nails. I put on a face mask. I may even take a bubble bath. Then, like you, I get exhausted. I have better things to do than pain my nails! I can’t have wet nail polish while I, uhm…well, there must be something interesting that I’m doing instead of painting my nails.
Can’t live without? Tweezers — my eyebrows and the world thank me. And night moisturizer (applied in loads when the boy doesn’t sleep over and can’t complain of the scent).
Jess- I think that’s the trick- just do what works for you. And if you don’t feel like you are low maintenance? Sounds like it’s working for you!
Teri- Yeah, soooo much work. I think the one that made me giggle the most was when I was getting my eyebrows done. Honestly, I don’t have insane eyebrows, but will tweeze really crazy hairs but the lady was seeing hairs I couldn’t even see and was lecturing me about how I ‘needed to get closer’ to see them.
k- I understand that. It’s amazing just HOW MUCH better hair feels when it’s washed with the good stuff!
Jamie- So, I’m a fan of the Philosophy bath products but now I’m going to have to check out their other goods now that they’ve been mentioned more than once!
brookem- Yep, I get you on the conditioner. I’m using Pureology (the pink bottles) stuff right now and I’m loving it. It smells good and it’s really creamy. My hair just soaks it up. For the cheapie stuff- I really like Fructis, it feels good too!
Lisa- You know, I’m embracing hair spray lately. My hair is really fine and can get flat but adding some spray? Yep, it’s a good thing.
justrun- Ahh, speaking of- I NEED a haircut.
Sizzle- Yeah! Why don’t more people talk about how freaking exhausting all that work is??
Maggie- Ahh the curly hair! How jealous am I! But I do have a friend who has Felicity-esque hair and always talks about how hard it is to manage. I try to keep my jealousy under control when I’m looking at my limp, flat hair in the morning…
Nilsa- I swear to God, I’m going to wake up tomorrow and look at my painted nails now. I’m not a morning person and always wake up in a ‘i can’t talk for the first 40 minutes of my day and if you try to talk to me, I’m just going to mumble’ sort of mood, but looking at nice nails might just improve my mood!
Paige Jennifer- So,… I’m taking it you aren’t a crocs fan? :) Just kidding…
Diane Mandy- You should have wrote a book on that year! Like “Under the Tuscan Sun” but more about shopping and less about traveling! I would read it. It sounds like you needed that time for yourself, and if you love the $400 blouse- then it sounds like it was worth it!
AM- Ohh, that is definitely a reason to get a boyfriend. Lotion applying!
abbersnail- Oh man, your comment made me nervous. The bathing thing? Yeah. I think I have a problem. The issue is that it’s freaking cold here right now and the only thing that REALLY warms me up is a hot shower or bath. So I’m currently up to 2, sometimes 3 a day. Which I know is sooo bad for you and just dries out your limbs (and makes me that much more dependent on lotion) but I’m slightly addicted.
Ashley- Yep, this ‘high maintanence’ idea makes good sense doesn’t? I have to say, that it DOES feel nice to go to bed with super moisturized legs and arms every night.
silverneurotic- No way, not bad at all. I’ve considered starting to dress WORSE hoping that someone would nominate me for “What not to wear”. I get so pissy when I watch that show and everyone acts like they are hating every second of it. It’s FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS of new clothes- how can you not love that?!
wolfshowl- Ahh lip balm. That’s my secret love. I thought about going around and collecting all my lip gloss/balm/chap to just SEE how many tubes/tins/sticks/pots I have so I might put a stop to buying them. Then I got scared when I started thinking about how many I might find so I put that idea away….
The Lisa Show- Ha! Thanks for the support. And I’m glad that seven days seems like a long time to someone else too!!
Tori- I get that. In fact, I think our goals are related. By attempting to become more high maintenance, I’m realizing how NOT high maintenance I am. And it honestly makes me feel better knowing how much work goes into it- I just always assumed that it came ‘naturally’ to people. I am learning that it’s work. The trick is to make it look natural.
Tiff- Eye lash extensions. Are. The. New. Thing. Apparently. (According to the magazines I’ve been reading.) I won’t join the club though, I can barely put mascara on without flinching.
Elisabeth- Ha! I love that. I trick my friends into thinking it’s just going to be a night of drinks and pool and then they show up and CNN is blaring and they have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into.
Airam- Le. Sigh. Yeah. Only ONE week into high maintenance and I’m already struggling. Oh well. I’m definitely learning something out of this though. (And I have pretty nice looking nails right now!)
Kenzie- Yep, I get that. Lotionizing is a new priority this year but it’s been an uphilll struggle….
Valerie- Don’t those undereye circles just seem more noticeable in the winter? That’s what I’m finding anyway….
tpgoddess- Ahh! I have a family member who is all about the facial peels and she swears by them. As for the nails- that definitely seems to be the common theme around here. I may have to branch out and actually get a manicure that involves a colored polish.
Amber- Yep, more money/time would definitely make a difference! As for the nails- I don’t think that’s pathetic at all. In fact, I think there’s a lot of people that would be with you on that!!
Sarah- Yeah, waiting for polish to dry just about drives me nuts. Why does it seem that the second you paint your nails- there’s 900 million things you suddenly have to do RIGHT THAT SECOND?!
Benetint cheek stain! SO easy to use and it gives you that “I just worked out glow (minus the sweat and greasy hair!) This post cracked me up, I tried on false eyelashes once for a wedding and it was horrible. I sneezed and I was afraid they came flying off.. good luck the rest of the month you fashionista!
Julie Q- Oh man, me and Benetint do NOT get along. I don’t like the applicator, it tickles too much putting it on and I’m always too slow blending it and I look like I have some weird skin disease. And I may be the only person on Earth who doesn’t like that rose smell. But I do see other people who wear it and it looks fabulous- I guess it’s just not the product for me. As for fake eyelashes- my mom is a pro at putting them on so I go to her with help. Man I love moms!
I take Bubble Baths with a little baby oil tossed in for moisturizing against the winter months at least twice a week – and I read for a ridiculously long time too. Just for the hell of it. And they’re not going anywhere as far as my routine is concerned! ;)
As far as one product, Witchcraft Nail Hardener (http://www.witchcraftnailproducts.com) will preserve any manicure you can throw at it. I like it because I can do my second coat, throw some of this on and not have to worry about them for a week. You can look high maintenance with none of the added stress!
Being that high maintenance sounds exhausting. I admire you for trying. I liked your definition of high maintenance myself….
CNN themed parties. Oh my word. Do you think we could get Wolf & Anderson to attend? Must work on that one! As for the high maintainance bit – I hear ya it’s hard! One whole week though?! Pretty incredible. I go back and fourth with the high maintanance thing. I love getting my nails done every other week, but honestly if I remember to wash my face & floss at the end of the day that is a huge accomplishment in itself. I am working on it – with you my friend. Here’s to January!
It’s ironic that you write this as I finally realize after many years that my hair is short enough that I don’t need to comb it everyday, especially while it’s been raining and it gets wet and spiky (that’s what she said) anyway.
2 questions:
1. Can I attend your CNN party? I got dibs on Larry King
and
2. Will you ever comment on my blog again? Your comments are so much better than my actual posts! How’s that for buttering you up? Oh wait, that last sentence wasn’t supposed to be written, just thought…
;-)
I use Fructis too!
And um, I know it may not seem possible?, but I heart you even more now after our marathon phone call.
I’m working on the Operation: Single/Coupled People’s Grocery Carts.
So I was a total tomboy growing up and I remember after one haircut vowing to myself at age fourteen that I would never, ever curl my hair because I was not a girly-girl at all. I didn’t wear make-up for years. Pink was taboo.
And then, I don’t know what happened but I completely turned into Kelly Kapoor about five years later. I love having bouncy curls and wearing cute things and trying new eyeshadow.
Anyhow, to answer your question, these days I won’t leave the apartment without eyeliner.
Are these high maintenance people the ones who have some jeans (hemmed appropriately) to wear with flip flops and then other pairs (also hemmed just so) to wear with heels?
Happy 2008 Brandy! As always I love reading what’s going on in your head.
I forgot to say rosebud salve! It saves my lips from the cold and from being chapped. It looks kinda glossy too!
As if I am the expert on anything like this, but I recommend Benefit make-up every time. It’s expensive but lasts forever and does what it says on the tin. Any of the range is awesome.
And I love this post. This could be me talking!
AMEN! SISTER! :0)
As for the beauty routine I would not give up…I don’t really have just one, but if I had to, I guess it would be my pedis :)
Obviously I completely FAIL at being a woman. I totally forget that I even have a face half the time and will always, always, always opt for extra sleep over putting on makeup (and sometimes even drying hair) in the morning. Though I have to say I don’t leave the house without face powder on (even if I have to put it on in the car – which, okay I often do).
The blasted thing is that the beauty industry is set up so that women will never EVER obtain what it is that they’re trying to get. There are simply too many things do to and be and they can never be achieved and you feel guilty (and aren’t dedicated enough) if you miss one crucial step in the perfect nails test. It’s ridiculous but it’s how it works.
I am better at moisturising and make up and even drying my hair, eating better while I’m on holidays. If I’m working then I am a robot. I’m not kidding either. At the moment I’m moisturising religiously and eating right – as soon as school goes back I’ll be making it through the day on jelly beans, coffee and no makeup.
Okay, here’s the weird thing: I read your post and I kept thinking “oh, no!” It was a purely selfish reaction, but I suppose I just prefer low-maintenance. Part of that may, of course, come from being in a city surrounded by high-maintenance women, but I like someone who isn’t caked in makeup, who smiles so broadly they have a few laugh lines, who’s willing to be simple and be themselves.
So, do whatever you’re comfortable with, just so long as you stay you.
Amen, I happen to think it’s all nice…everyone LOVES to feel put together, to feel like they look their “best” but women are busy, it’s unrelaistic and frankly, EXPESIVE most of the time to keep up with all of that. So I’d say, have fun for january but know that the rest of the year you don’t need that, you have better things to do and i’m sure you look amazing doing them without all the excess worry.
People describe me as high maint.- and yeahhh I am, but I’m not. My “high maint” look is because I’m always overdressed compared to everyone else. I think it fools them into thinking I put alot of effort into myself. Anyways…One thing I never skip is makeup. I’m sorry- but I have never been one of those non-makeup people. I tried it once. ONCE. People all day long asked me if I was ok. I was like- uh yeahhh I just don’t have my whole case of makeup on my face today jeez. So- needless to say, that became a staple. I need makeup or people freak out. BUT…. here’s some tricks: 1. for more hydrated skin try a spray oil when you get out of the shower. a couple of spritz and you’re good to go. 2. Tressme’ hair gloss. FANTASTIC. I esp use this when I think my hair looks a lil blah. It’s like $3 at most stores and so worth it. 3. nude lipgloss. Right now I’m rockin’ something by Mabeline that you twist up and it’s in a silver thing-a-ma-bob. 4. Roundbrush and bobby pins. I swear you can have a 3 hour torture gorgeous hair in 5mins. 5. trouser jeans. I got my first pair like a month ago (yeah I know… where have I been?) but pair those up with anything and you automatically make jeans look good with anything.
ok. those are my top 5 timesavers and tricks :) don’t go overboard with being “high maint” …. normal people don’t have all that time and money to be THAT high maint anyways. :)
what, pray tell, is the “correct nail shape for 2008″? in connection with your more recent post, not knowing and maybe sporting nails that are sooooo 2007 is enough to keep me up at night :)
as for what I woudl not give up? regular brow maintenance, my “natural ” hair colour and moisturising
what does getting your hair gloss entail?
as for my regular beauty routine, as a black woman i do have some regular activities that might be considered high maintenance, but which i was raised to believe were mandatory – i put lotion on every inch of my body post-shower, for example. without it, my skin turns an ashy grey.
also, i get my hair straightened every six weeks. this is a blatant acceptance of a certain non-afrocentric standard of beauty (which may actually be key to the business world), but i also find it makes my hair easier to comb.
Kyla Bea- Ohhh oil in the bathtub. I should try that. And is there anything better than reading in the bathtub? I think not.
Cheryl- It’s definitely a ton of work. I can’t wait for February to start!!
Semichrmd- Yep, CNN themed parties. Of course, I can’t call them that beforehand (because no one would show up!), but once they arrive- it’s CNN all the time. (And I love how lame that sounds but I promise it’s fun!)
MC- Sorry bud. I’ve been doing a lot of google reader reading now that my time has been taken over by CNN!!
brookem- Ha! The feeling is mutual. And I’ve sent out a few emails…
Gretchen- I love, love, love that you reference Kelly. That totally made my day!!
Ally- Yep, THE SAME people. Also they are the people who have custom made perfume. Oy.
Jamie- Rosebud salve. Another people mentioned that- I need to check it out!
Wondy- I said before Benetint doesn’t do it for me, but I like their mascara and their eyeshadow! Oh, and their eye makeup remover.
Appletini- Ahh pedicures. That’s a good one to keep!!
Mez- Yep, I get that. The idea that extra sleep wins over everything!!
geekhiker- I didn’t peg you for the guy who loves the girl who takes 2.5 hours doing their hair. ;) Don’t worry, I don’t think these January changes are going to last forever. Besides, I think I have ADD and couldn’t sit still long enough to get daily manicures with diamond jewels added.
Chelsea- Yeah! It IS expensive all this upkeep. I’m thinking January I will have to re-think what’s really important…
AP- Trouser jeans. I’m working on them. I’m quite short so I’m trying to find a pair that isn’t so flared out and doesn’t make me look like a dwarf playing dress up. But I AM looking for the perfect pair.
Kathryn- Well. According to my magazine sources, the ‘squoval’ shape is out. It’s a bit longer, and more pointed, but nothing near the 80′s look. My plan is just to avoid hangnails. :)
HC- The salon treatment? I have no idea. But I recently picked up the home glossing kit- and it’s like shampoo sorta. I can’t decide if I like it or not. I have a friend who swears by getting her hair straightened. My problem is that my hair never curls…
One of my all time favorite cheap and easy indulgences? pedicure socks. Sounds odd, I know, but any local Shoppers Drug Mart will carry them. Soak your feet in your favorite lotion and pop on those little booties. Presto-chango soft feeties in the morning.
Curse that CNN!!!!! Nah, it’s too addictive to curse!
Okay I’m behind on my reading. Orphan tears shoe polish? I love this blog.
Oh also. Yeah, I’d call myself low maintenance but now I feel like no maintenance. I guess I could be worse. Well, I’ve started skipping conditioner because it adds a couple minutes to the shower. And I don’t own a nail file (just clip clip!). I’ve never gotten a manicure. I’ve only gotten my hair cut professionally once! (When I was like 11, and had gum in my hair). And I don’t apply daily lotion unless I just shaved my legs. Which I haven’t done in a couple weeks.
I am a disgusting hag.
To become more high maintenance I’ve decided to start washing my face twice a day! And so far I have- every single day! Hooray!
god IT IS exhausting being a girl!! i agree.
i couldn’t give up curling my lashes and applying mascara/eyeliner. makes my eyes really pop!
CableGirl- I’m going to check that out. It sounds like a perfect (ie. low skill) sort of beauty job I would like.
MC- It IS too addictive…
Lisa- Well congrats on the face washing! I say if you are happy with what you are doing- keep at it. Life’s too short to waste time on things you don’t enjoy. Wow. I’m so deep on today… ;)
Michelle- ohh I do love mascara. It might be my downfall.