My last day in the office was March 12. After a week of spring break, I returned to work, reverting my desk-turned-vanity to just desk. The makeup and button-up pants did not return to the new WFH arrangement.
After three weeks of going completely barefaced, I longed to use all my pretty makeup products still sitting in my top desk drawer. Makeup has once again become a workday habit but on a much smaller scale. Thanks to some products I purchased pre-pandemic, I’ve mastered my quarantine look. It only takes five minutes, and I only employ one makeup brush.
Just a couple posts ago, I shared my latest skincare regimen. I felt so accomplished for putting together the perfect formula of products for maximum skin glow.
Yeah, I’m not doing all that now. And you know, my skin is still looking pretty good.
Since working from home, I’ve scaled down all routines. I barely leave the house these days, thereby limiting my exposure to pollutants to my skin, and consequently I need less stuff on my face. That could be true, right? More likely, it’s laziness.
Last December, the New York Times published an article titled, “Lashes, Lashes, Lashes: What It Took to Give the ‘Bombshell’ Women the Fox Look”. I had recently seen the movie and was amazed at the transformations, especially Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly. I thought, I should see if I could recreate that make-up look for Beautypendence.
Then I procrastinated.
And then Bombshell won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the Oscars on Sunday night. I thought, “I better get on that!” And I did last night. And it was A LOT of product. Here’s my play by play.
Here’s me, starting from scratch. That means a freshly washed face followed by a serum and moisturizer. Makeup always sits better on a moisturized palette.
Editor’s Note: I’m back! It’s been a couple years, but I now find myself with more free time. And I’m frequently thinking, “Ooh, that would be a fun thing to write about on the blog.” So here I am! No promises on the frequency, but I do have a list of ideas. So if you used to read Beautypendence, thanks for coming back. And if you’re new to my little beauty blog, welcome!
Last year, I got a little lazy with my skincare routine. I was using most of the same stuff I wrote about six years ago but with less diligence. And at 43, things don’t look like they used to at 37! My skin was looking dull. I decided to do something about it. I dug deep to rediscover my Beautypendence skills and researched new ingredients and products. I now have a pumped up skincare regimen that’s working well for me.
Just me in my skin, au naturale.
A little about my skin: Thanks to good genes, I don’t have any major skin problems. While wrinkles aren’t a problem for me, sun damage and dryness are. Also, I have mild rosacea on my cheeks. The gentler I am with my skin, the better. No microdermabrasion or harsh peels for me, and I can’t tolerate retinol.
Just because these products below work for my skin, it doesn’t mean it’ll work for yours. Stand alone makeup stores and department store makeup counters will gladly make samples of products for you to try. I always get a sample to make sure I don’t invest in a product that my skin may not like. Also, many products sold online also have some kind of satisfaction guarantee.
My new friends at Neiman Marcus in the Galleria here in Houston invited me to an intimate lunch celebrating the launch of the Diana Vreeland Parfums line. What made the lunch extra special (in addition to a certain high-profile Houston socialite sitting across the table from me) was that the creator of the line, Alexander Vreeland, grandson of Diana, was in attendance.
Thanks to my alma mater playing in the first ever College Football Playoffs National Championship game, I actually missed watching the live coverage of this year’s Golden Globes. After experiencing a disappointing loss by my beloved Oregon Ducks, it took several days to get over my sadness. Alas, the fashion coverage must go on! Time to get down to red carpet business. I’ve reviewed all the scouting reports and game tape and am now ready to share my red carpet review.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Beautypendence brings you the final installment in this three-part series about growing back hair after chemo. (See first post about my mom’s experience here, and second post from Sarah, a firsthand account here.)
Mary Beth is best friends with one of my college roommates, Leslie. I’ve always known MB as fun-loving, witty and beautiful. Cancer hasn’t changed that one bit. She and I share a love of film, but Mary Beth actually gets to work in the biz. However, her healthcare coverage isn’t ideal for cancer treatments. Last weekend her friends hosted a benefit in Austin in her honor that I was unfortunately out of town for. However, we can all still help her out by making a donation! I asked Mary Beth if I could share this Paypal link with my readers. I know any amount you contribute will be greatly appreciated. And now, her story, in her words.
In May 2012 at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIe Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. My first thought was: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phillipians 4:13). It was a scripture I would repeat many, many times over the next year. And with that, my battle with cancer began.
Ever since I can remember I’ve been known as “the girl with the pretty, long blonde hair.” I’ve spent many nights as a child, squirming in my chair while my mother painstakingly rolled my hair in pink spongy rollers, in hopes that I would wake up with a head of curls like my fellow cheerleaders.
