I've delayed writing this post. It was scheduled for Friday 10/10.  But frankly, my first thought when I read week 8 was, "can I skip this week?"  As I thought on, I realized that I have my own ideas of what is beautiful and my own routines, even if they don't conform to the traditional "blow dry, style, curl and application of make-up" routines. 

Though at times I have felt like I was inadequate because I didn't wake up 2 hours early to put on my face and do my hair.  If I'm going to exercise late in the day, why would I want all that make-up or hair stuff on?  It's icky when it mixes with your sweat and gets in your eyes. I shudder thinking of it.
 
My beauty routine is pretty simple. 

1. Shower
   
2. Dressed
   
3. Teeth
4. Glasses
5. Product in hair to help tame the frizz into curls (serums, conditioners, curl stuff)
   
6. Hair to air dry
   

No make-up. No blow dry. Rarely lotion. Nothing on my face. 

Wearing make-up is a rarity. The least amount of time I can spend getting ready for each day, the better. Usually I sweat it off when I move around because of the humidity in the PNW and it feels like such a waste.  

If I wear any make-up, it's lipstick with the rare application of eye liner or mascara. With cheeks as red as mine, that get flush a deeper red with movement, embarrassment, etc. foundation only serves to have me looking like a clown.  Eye shadow and mascara are fun, but I usually forget I have it on and rub my eyes. 

Lipstick comes off with the first drink of anything.  After having worked in a restaurant and watched tons of glasses go through the dishwasher and still come out with lipstick marks on them (having to be returned and rewashed), I kind of figured that lipstick was a pain.  I don't even like getting chapstick on my glass or cup. Eew.

I made the mistake of wearing red lipstick in China and found myself being randomly photographed by weird men.  It weirded me out.  I realize I am blonde and look very different than most of the people I met in China, but the photos when wearing lipstick were obsurdly frequent and I would see people try to sneak photos.  I posed for plenty of photos with people who asked and we had lots of fun doing so, both of us laughing at trying to communicate with one another.  But the sneaky photos felt creepy. It was only then that I paid attention to all the women around me, billboards and fashion magazine ads to discover that Chinese women wear very pale, pale lipstick, if any at all. Whoops. I studied up on Mandarin, but forgot to look at make-up customs. Noted for future.

My skin is normal, with a tendency toward acne. I use a basic glycerin soap for my face.  For my body, a nice moisturizing body wash, goat milk soap or fancy french soap.  I do use lotion on occasion.  

For my face, I've discovered is that St. Ives apricot scrub covers 90% of what I need. For those days when I stay home and "give myself the once over" as my Grandma used to say, I like an occasional (once a week or month) application of coconut butter make for amazing skin.  I thought coconut butter would block my pores and cause acne, but it makes it go away. wow. Thank you pinterest.  Mashed papaya is another wonderful mask as it has alpha hydroxy.  Another great one is 1/2 a lemon and honey. Antibacterial, alpha hydroxy, and it tastes good if you get it on your lips! 

To many people, wet hair means you did nothing and you are lazy. Wet hair is a source of pride to me. I've spent years in a pool swimming and playing water polo.  I'm fascinated by surfing.  When I have wet hair or see people with wet hair indicative of just departing the pool or beach, something in me wells up with awe & pride, knowing they were just swimming or playing in the water. It's hard to explain. 

I'm a hairdressers daughter. You'd think I'd love to spend time doing my hair after growing up in a salon. But, no. I'd rather spend my time sleeping or contemplating my day over coffee than doing my hair. I do, however. like really nice quality hair products. 

I have a shit-ton of bottles of fancy hair products.  No kidding. They probably take up 2 square feet of space in my closet. And that's just the "after shower" hair prep stuff. But I throw it on quick and usually walk out the door with wet hair, much to my mother's chagrin. 

I like the way my curls look when they air dry much more than I like them blown dry. Really, I don't do anything to make those ringlets you see. NOTHING. nada. zip. They wind up all tight on their own and usually they only curl like that at the bottom. The top of my head usually looks like a frizzy lioness mane. I was thinking my hair would be perfect for Edwardian era - I wouldn't have to make those curls, they'd appear on their own and the top of my hair would be tamed.  

Even when I put plenty of holding product, given the humidty around here, my hair goes flat in 2 seconds. Lifeless. I did not win any 80's super poof "who's hair is high enough to reach heaven" hair contests.  So, rather than fight nature, I gave in. Frizz & curl away, my wacky companion. I will attempt to tame you just a little.

I have had a multitude of hair styles. I was always willing to be my mom's guinea pig for a new hair product.  

I've had perms.  Short and tight. Long and loose.

I've had a Susan Powter crew cut in white blonde that I over-dyed blue and pink.  In those days, some of my co-workers would rub my head for good luck when we were launching a vehicle.  The grow out between super short crew cut and bob is not fun. There's no pretty point in between for me. I haven't gone that short since. I just don't want to go through the ucky stage.

I've had red hair from a lovely auburn red to Ronald McDonald red. In the latter, my hair color faded gradually from red to a pale, dirty pink.  Every day, my kind boss would say, "Did you do something different to your hair?"  Hee hee hee... oh C. Thank you for being so nice as I transition through this hideous stage of bad hair choices. 

I've had long hair.  I've had short hair. The bob is probably the most frequently worn style. It looks great on me.  Any shorter and I look like an old lady.  

I've only had long hair a few times in my life, one of which is now. I love having long hair. I used to wear it up all the time. The last time I had long hair, I thought that was such a waste to wear it up and never down.  This time, I think it's wonderful. Especially when I'm active, it's nice to have it off my neck.  

I'm being brave this time around by wearing side pony tails and trying other styles that might seem very trendy and weird on someone old enough to see the style more than once in their life.  I don't want to look like I'm stuck in the 80's. But, if you don't try things you won't stumble upon amazing!

I wear glasses all the time. It's important that the frame I wear doesn't wear me, just like what I mentioned with prints.  I started wearing dark frames 10 years ago.  I like to go for a style that is funky enough, but won't look dated 10 min after I get them. I love rhinestones.  I'm on the verge of buying a new pair, just haven't quite found the one I want. I've tried on at least 50 pair of frames. 

My prescription sunglasses are the best investment I've made in a while. Sounds silly, but it's so true. Eyes are critical. Protecting them from the sun and being able to run and play without them falling down my nose when I sweat means my happiness factor goes way up.  You might think it silly, but to me, they are a fashion statement. I finally saved enough money to have my own pair of Oaklies. That's a big ass deal dudes.  Yep, I'm gonna wear them with my chacos and skirts. I'm just that athele-cool.

So tell me... 

• Do you feel like an outsider in the beauty arena? Is it by choice? 
  
  
• Do you prefer one beauty item over another? 
  
  
• Are there other things you do that contribute to your glowing beauty are just outside the "norm" of a beauty routine?
  

I am not afraid of wild, daring prints. I am proud to be bold. However, I also do not want a pattern to wear me. 


Some of my friends can carry off these wild ass patterns that I adore, but when I put them on, all you see is the pattern and not me.  That's what I call a garment wearing me. Not so fun. I want to be bold and enjoy my patterns and be flattered. I pick my glasses the same way.  I prefer a cohesive look. 

When I look over my wardrobe and stash, I have lots of very unique, novelty patterns, plenty of batik semi solids, and a nice balance of solids.  

When I wear a patterned piece, it's rare that I follow in the Japanese Kimono fashion of pairing patterns to represent the elements and seasons.  It's rare that I mix patterns. Usually I go with one solid, one pattern. If I have more than one pattern on, then one pattern is usually covered by the other (ie a jacket over a shirt). The exception is with semi-solids. Those go with almost everything.  But I always check - does this feel right? If not, I don't wear it. 

I love sewing with patterned fabric because I usually cannot find such a garment in the store ready to purchase.  I love finding silly, quirky, and unusual things to create into clothing.  It's fun when someone not only likes my outfit, but looks closer and admires the print. I have a feeling that fabric design is in my future. Such fun!

Are you mostly print or mostly solids? 

Or are you a fence sitter and opt for semi-solids?