Saturday, August 2, 2008

Not Always High Maintenance

Sometimes my wonderful husband refers to me as "high maintenance" and while I occasionally agree, there is definitely one area where I am NOT.

However, that is beginning to change, ever so slightly now.

A month ago I visited my hairdresser for my annual appointment (okay, so that's a real hint that I don't spend a lot of time on my hair) and told her that we were going to do something a little different. I usually go with a basic haircut (just leave it long enough so I can put it in a ponytail) and a perm.

Well this year, I stepped out of my comfort zone a little. I told Tia that I didn't want a perm. WOW, talk about a bold step! Then I told her that I was afraid that my every-few-months Clairol rinse was no longer taking care of the gray around my temples. I was wondering if it was time for me to graduate to the permanent hair color.

** Ted had been suggesting this for a while and told me that it would probably make me look younger, and since I'm still in denial on the last birthday, that might be a good thing.

Tia told me that if I did that, I would be making a commitment to visit a salon every 6 weeks or so. I realized that. And since during the summer I have very few things on the calendar, it sounded like a good idea. HOWEVER, my hair grows sort of fast, and it's only been 4 1/2 weeks and my roots have been showing for about a week. I have an appointment next week. Tia also cut my hair with some layers so if I spend about 5 minutes with it in the morning, it doesn't look too bad.

What a change for a woman who LIVED in a ponytail!

Okay, let's step into the powder room and open the middle drawer on the left side.

Make-up.

Lots of make-up.

Lots of old make-up.

Old to the point that a few of the foam brushes in the eye shadow disintegrate when they meet air.

Before I had children and we bought a house, I would visit the Merle Norman Studio (about 40 minutes away) a couple of times a year and get all kinds of new things. Those things are still in the drawer. To get an idea how old this stuff is, we bought our first house in 1983. That makes a lot of this make-up at least 25 years old.

Now before you go "EWWWWW" let me say that once in a while over the years I would purchase new mascara, or an occasional eye shadow and I even got foundation. Once.

The time has now come for me to DUMP all this make-up and get new stuff. I don't have the time or desire to go to the Merle Norman Studio and spend 2 hours getting dolled up along with a sales pitch.

So what do I do?

I really think that I would like to wear some make-up again. (That "getting older" thing is rearing its ugly face again.) However I have no idea what to get, nor how to apply it properly. It's one thing to read about it all online, but I need real people tips.


What color eye shadow? The days of bright blue (to match my eyes) are probably long gone. So what color DO I use? What about mascara? Do I stick with the black to supposedly make my lashes look longer and thicker? How about foundation? This is an area where I really suffer. I would like my skin to look smooth and be close to one color, not the fifty blotches that it normally is. Then there's blush...I had no idea there were so many different shades of blush! Do I really need eye liner? I'm not coordinated to get that on so that it looks okay.

What about eyebrow pencil? Is that really necessary? And then, there's lip color! Do the cosmetic companies really think that we need 875 choices when it comes to coloring our lips??


Once I get all that straightened around, how do I make sure that the make-up will stay looking half-way decent all day while I'm working. Heck, I barely have time to go to the bathroom, let alone reapply any make-up!

This might just not be worth all the stress...but I'd like to at least consider it.

Any tips out there?

3 comments:

edbteach said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!

I have blond highlights and have to visit the hairdresser every 12 weeks or so. I do okay with this but where I fall apart is going every 6 weeks to get a short haircut maintained. I know it would look so much better if I would go regularly but I am cheap so I don't. That's why I always cut my hair short, love it, and then let it grow out!

As for make-up, is there any kind of make-up counter you can visit? Tell them you want a really light, easy to do look. Wear it home, make sure you like it, and then go back later to purchase. Or, buy similar colors at the drugstore.

I would also look in mary Kay if that is an option for you. There products have changed a lot in the last few years and are good now. (I have heard horror stories of how they used to be!)

My sister-on-laws also really like the Bare Minerals makeup that is so popular now. It doesn't do anything for my skin but it might work for you.

I would love to see a picture of your new hairdo!

Let us know if you find a new look that works for you.

Elizabeth

Paulie said...

No tips from me -- if I go to a wedding, I put on lipstick. One time my friend and hairdresser asked if she could do my makeup for me -- I use nothing so I let her. It looked really nice but I could never remember what to buy or do so I do nothing and saves me bunches of time.

Anonymous said...

The next time you go to Elder-Beerman go to the Clinique, Estee Lauder, or Lancome counter and get your makeup done. I know you didn't want to do this but the sales pitch one time will be worth knowing what is best for you. I have to admit I have never gone myself but went with Katie for dances. Since Katie and I have pretty much the same coloring I have applied the tips they told her. If you think you might want to go let me know and I would be happy to go with you. We could make a girls day and have lunch!