I didn’t post anything yesterday, and I have no excuse, really, except that I had to walk the dogs with Alex and go buy some make-up and eat some Mexican food with friends. And then I had to watch the 435th round of American Idol auditions, followed by a solid hour of staring at the computer screen and waiting for the words to come.
But the words didn’t come, so I watched a “Friends” re-run instead. And washed some clothes.
LIVING ON THE EDGE, aren’t I?
The part of my day that involved make-up buying was an act of necessity and not frivolity, seeing as how I ran out of my foundation sometime before Christmas and, since none of my local department stores were offering free gifts with the purchase of my make-up brand (that would be Lancome), I added a little bit of water to my empty foundation bottle, shook it up, and that is what I’ve been using for the last six weeks.
Lancome Old Tinted Water.
Strangely enough, it’s not a product you see promoted in their advertising.
But because I am my mother’s child, I was determined to hold out for the Free Gift as long as necessary. I mean, if I’m going to spend $35.00 on foundation, then the least they can do is throw in a brightly-colored make-up bag and some product samples. And yes, I could go to the drugstore and buy foundation that costs about $25 less, but because my skin is essentially the same color as, oh, the palest pale in all of paledom, any foundation I buy from the drugstore tends to make me look like someone who has spent far too much time in the Mystic Tan booth. Or like someone might after a particularly unfortunate tanning bed incident.
In short, I buy the expensive stuff because they’re kind enough to make foundation in shades that don’t make me look like I’ve recently rubbed a combination of carrots and iodine all over my face.
And for that, I am truly thankful.
So this morning, as I was putting on my make-up (yes. I put on make-up. I did. And I showered, too), I found myself thinking about how, really, the only thing I truly need in the way of cosmetics is moisturizer. And if you’re in your twenties and thinking, “Moisturizer? Really?,” all I can say is that there will be a day in the not-so-near future when you walk out of the shower and, after about five minutes, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if you don’t find some sort of salve to slather all over your face, your skin is going to crack open and shatter all over the floor.
Truly, it’s one of the more delightful aspects of the aging process. And really, it’s my duty to tell you 20-somethings these things. It’s better that you know now, not to mention that it’s the least I can do after All The Rambling.
I’ll try to find some semblance of coherence and come back later.
In the meantime, you can go here and here for some great Valentine’s Day ideas.
And speaking of Valentine’s, the number of Hershey’s Kisses eaten during the writing of this post? Four.
Next time I’ll try really, really hard for six.
Everybody needs a goal.
I would LOVE to know what type of Lancome foundation you use. I have the same problem — pale skin! I don’t use any foundation b/c it all tends to look orange or too thick. However, now in my 30’s, I’m needing a little more coverage! ;-)
I do the same thing. S-T-R-E-T-C-H it! I use Oil of Olay, though. I share the Edgar Winters skin-tone, too. you can also call the department stores and see when the promotions are. They will tell you that they don’t know, but I used to work at one and they are informed about a month in advance. They all run the specials at different times.
I’m right there with you; the color of my complexion exactly matches the inside of most people’s wrists – you know the “creamy white” as in PALE white part. I’m willing to pay whatever they charge to not have that horrible line around my chin that divides between my white neck and the orange stuff above it. Whatever they charge, and I’m sure not going out in public without it either.
you seriously should just start linking to old posts, the tanning story was so funny, and I never would have found it without the makeup story.
sorry for your trouble, I for one LOVE the tanning bed, but not foundation. Curse my pigment.
I love the Lancome tinted water idea! It’s a way to get more bang for your buck! ;) Hehehe.
Love, love LOVE Lancome. Love.
Also.
The skin cracking and shattering. I have that. Even AFTER applying moisturizer. It is so cold here in PA that the forced air heat has been running nonstop. I think my face has aged 10 years this winter.
When my skin is on the smooth, unblemished side, I mix equal amounts of makeup and moisturizer in my palm and put it on. It provides a little coverage and looks very fresh.
When my skin looks not-so-good, I apply them separately.
Oh, I’ve definitely done the stretch the product thing, but usually that is with shampoo or conditioner. :)
I really love Bare Escentuals, and it seems to last forever. You can mix the shades together to get just the right tint. They usually have good package “starter” deals at Ulta. I’m very pale, too, and the kit with “light” and “fairly light” works for me. You need to have them demo it for you or watch the video (my starter set had one) to get the hang of applying it.
Don’t worry about writer’s block; we’ve all been there. Sometimes there’s just nothing to inspire. No need to apologize. You are read by “tens of people daily” because we like you, we really like you. I had an inspiring day in the life of a mom yesterday and couldn’t sleep until I’d blogged it all.
Don’t you love a holiday which encourages the eating of Hershey’s kisses? Blessings to you!
You know that desperation for moisturizer sneaks up on you. First you buy a bottle, because you hear it’s the thing to do. Then you use it every now and again in the winter, because your face feels “just a little tight”. And before you know it, you’re like a desperate junkie needing a hit.
Publish that grocery list, it sounds like a riveting read! ;-)
I too share your “milky white” skin tone. It’s my curse. And I too have had a few B.A.D incidents with either the sun or tanning bed. Let’s just say after 2 years, I still have a tan line where my swimsuit (the shorts type) covered my leg during an air show in Pensacola. Even after rubbing sunscreen on numerous times for the what seems like 12 hours we were out there, I woke up the next morning unable to walk.
I however faught for years trying to find foundation. After going to Sephora (after many recommendations from friends) and spending 70.00 on Bare Minerals, I can say I will NEVER.USE.LIQUID.FOUNDATION.AGAIN. Mineral makeup is wonderful for people with our skin tone. And it does wonders for your skin.
How funny! Right after posting my comment, I read Mommy Dearest to find she too loves Bare Minerals. It truly is great!
I too share the “What’s paler than pale” skin tone and have found that Mary Kay actually has something that avoides the whole orange/iodine/what-the-heck-is-wrong-with-your-face shade. And it’s only $14 so I don’t have to do the watered down thing I used to have to do when using Lancome and waiting for payday. :)
This makes me feel somewhat better…I thought it was just me. I am glad I am not alone.
“if you don’t find some sort of salve to slather all over your face, your skin is going to crack open and shatter all over the floor.”
I, on the other hand, am too cheap to pay even $5 for mine, hehe, I just got some foundation for the first time in 4 years! Found some at the dollar store! I even buy my pregnancy tests in bulk, 25 tests for $9.75 INCLUDING shipping! (I’m an obsessive tester, hehe)
Be afraid. Everytime I get writer’s block, something catastrophic happens in my house. You’d better be careful, or your life will turn into something resembling mine. And we all know we don’t want that:)
BTW, I love that you can write a post about watered-down foundation and still make me laugh loud enough to make Caiden come running. You are a treat, every day :)
I’m sorry but that’s a pretty pathetic consumption of Hershey Kisses! What’s wrong with you?? That post was long enough to have required at LEAST half a bag. Also, I’m pretty sure that mega amounts of chocolate reverse writer’s block. :)
If this is your writer’s block, then I’m a monkey’s uncle… or aunt as the case may be.
See now if you would just convert to my way of thinking and forego the whole makeup thing, you could save yourself a butt load of money, which of course you should promptly spend on ice cream and jeans. Just a thought.
Well, moisturizer is the key, but don’t go all granola on me.
Remember what Sara R. always said, “Take care of your skin and you will reap the benefits…and keep your husband.” :)
I’m with Shalee. Forego the makeup, and go for ice cream and jeans and more B-BALL TICKETS!!!
I *gasp* very rarely wear makeup, and my skin tone is hard to match. Dark in summer and pale in winter, with all shades in between times.
I’m in a writing slump myself, but I’m going to try to come up with something dreckly. (That’s “directly”, or ‘soon’ to those north of the Mason/Dixon line.) ;-)
I have got to go get “done up” at the mall and find some good makeup. CoverGirl isn’t cutting it. The kids’ piano teacher also works the MAC counter at Macy’s; Maybe I’ll get her to make me over….
That is SO funny because my daughter and I would wait until Lancome had their “get me free when you buy” sales to by our Tresor. Then we’d get yummy makeup and such.
BooMama, you’d make your grocery list a delightful read. :)
So, just do a “Best of Boo Mama” series for all us newbies. Isn’t that what all the celebrities do? (i.e., Best of Rick and Bubba since we’re in Bama and all)
~tonya
I relate to the need of moisturizer and i’m 20 something! Of course i’ve had dry skin all my life. But really the sensation of your skin cracking and falling on the floor is exactly how it feels!
I don’t real have writers block at this time one of my coffee pals I want to leave a comment but not exactly how to word it.
In all honest their somedays I can think of tons to post on and others zilch.
Go head and post your Grocery List I then might figure something to eat.
What a random, funny post! I just discovered your blog recently and am truly enjoying your style of humor.
I’m a 20-something and I have worn moisturizer for the past 5 years or so! I even keep a bottle in my desk at work for when I forget…
I for one would love to see your grocery list. It would save me from having to make my own.
Wow, for writer’s block, this is a pretty long post! So this is my first time here. Came over from the Share the Love awards(BTW Congrats) I am pale-faced too. I used to use Clinique and Mary Kay, but then I found Loreal’s new line called “True Match.” For once, there is actually a color paler than the one I use (which is n1, Soft Ivory.” If you love the makeup you’re using–don’t switch, but they *have* significantly improved the drugstore variety.
May I suggest a nice tinted moisturizer… then you can still spend a little more with less guilt b/c it’s kind of a “twofer.” My skin is roughly the color of notebook paper (complete with the blue lines) & the tinted moisturizer is so sheer that it really doesn’t affect my skin color much at all. I’m currently using Chanel’s, but Laura Mercier makes a great one as well. If you need some coverage, you can follow up with a dusting of the mineral powder … I use Trish McEvoy’s (she makes one for pasty skin, but she’s nice enough to call it “bare”).
Hey. . .Boomama. . .you’ve actually posted your grocery list before in the guise of Alex and his corn cheering and we loved it too. . .so go ahead. . .make our day.
I was just thinking to myself this morning that I needed to go get some new foundation since I have not bought any in 3 years!!! I was feeling a little pasty from the winter months and thought that the foundation would help me look a little bit better.
The tanning story is so funny the same think happened to my roommate in college who tried to go to the tanning bed for our Kappa Formal. She got sun poisoning and decided that she shouldn’t go to the tanning bed ever again!!!
So, I’m just wondering if you ever posted any pictures of yourself skating around with a pink face and wet knees?
Grocery lists…now that’s an idea I will have to hold on to for my next writer’s block occurrence.
-bare minerals, great stuff
-don’t sweat the block; even in the block you’re pretty smooth BooMama
-I predict a complete BooMama sweep for the STL Blog Awards. I think you’re a finalist for like, ALL of them? :)
Lancome is the.best.stuff.ever. I love Adaptive in the winter and Tient Idole in the summer. But I could never, ever water it down because I have the acne-scarred skin of a 14-year old boy. It covers sooooo well without being all cakey-ish and the concealer (Effacernes) rocks too. And I totally just hauled my laptop to the bathroom so I could see how to spell those words…
Congrats on being a finalist! And this post was very funny for being in the middle of a writer’s block!
I use the most wonderful skincare ever- Arbonne!! their products have amazing anti-aging elements in them too. The are made to be pure, safe and beneficial. If you want me to give you a consultation on the best skin care for you, I’d be happy to. beckysmith82@gmail.com or beckyjsmith.myarbonne.com.
Boo Mama I love your blog! I read it several times a day! :)
How about tinted moisturizer? I need a little bit more coverage, but they say it works great.
For me- Maybelline Age Rewind in the palest of pale color. If I look for shades with a pink undertone, they aren’t so orange. Also, Max Factor makes some light shades. The rest of the drugstore crowd is just too orange.
And you go ahead and post your grocery list. You could make paste funny.
SHRIEK! Have you any idea what I have to pay for Lancome here in the UK?? Huh? Huh? £30+ for foundation. POUNDS. And I have been wearing Lancome since I was 20. I am more than double that now. I need to move to the States asap. To buy my makeup.
That is over $60. For foundation.
To all my pale girls, go straight to the nice ladies at Prescriptives and have ’em mix you up a mess of that Custom Blend exact match foundation and powder. They spend time to get the color exactly right, will press some powder for you in a compact at no extra charge, and give you a huge supply. I don’t work for prescriptives – I just love makeup!!
Thank you truly, from this 20-something. Nearly 21, to be exact. I know! Getting up there in years! ;) But, to be perfectly honest, moisturizer has been my face’s best friend since I was about 12, at which time I used it because my mama told me to. She said I’d be glad I did in the long run. Now I start to feel like sandpaper by the time that first five minutes out of the shower is up.
And, oh, the writer’s block? I know the anxiety it produces. My last “real” post was on the very same topic. No fun, I tell you, no fun.
(All written while she nibbles on her nice little stash of dark chocolates…)
Hallelujah and thank you for linking to MY FAVORITE POST OF ALL TIME, “ONE HOT MAMA” It will always make me laugh, no matter how many times I’ve read it before. For anyone who hasn’t read it, you don’t know what you’re missing…
LOL! So sorry you still have writer’s block! It will come to you. At any rate, I still got a giggle outta your “ramblings.” :)
I know how you feel about foundation. You find something you like, you wanna stick with it. I can’t afford the REALLY expensive stuff. Even what I do buy is a little too expensive for my taste at 12 bucks a compact! I mean, it’s just make up right?
Well, not when you’re starting to wrinkle! I use L’Oreal Feel Naturale, comes in a creamy compact and goes on in a powder. Feels so thin! I, too, am pale, but the soft ivory is light enough. I never would have tried it, except that it came recommended from an honest to goodness real makeup artist (with clients ranging from Pamela Anderson to Chuck Norris-nobody is gonna believe me but it’s true.) She was the makeup artist for a theater we worked for. She used it herself and when I asked what to buy, told me to try it myself. I did. It’s worth the twelve bucks. :)
Ok, now that I sound like a commerical ;) , I hope they have a sale for you soon! :D
Even with writer’s block, you are awesome! I am still using makeup that I got 2 years ago b/c I am determined to use every.last.drop and get my money’s worth. Ugh.. just like my mother, too!
I personally LOVE foundation from The Body Shop. Velvety smooth and lot of color choices!
And, I must say, you do a great job posting for someone who doesn’t know what to say! I wish I could blog with such ease. Guess I just put way too much thought into it, instead of writing what’s on my mind. And that is why you have “10’s” of people reading your blog and I have “1’s.”
Oh- thanks for the link to Beth Moore’s blog! I am going to her conference a week from tomorrow and I’m sooooo excited!
I’m a MaryKay girl. Love their stuff. My fav for pale skin – bronzing beads. Even great for eyeshadow esp. in summer.
Hmmm…to all you 20 somethings, 30 somethings, 40 somethings and 50 somethings…. As a 60 year old grandmother let me warn you — you have NO idea! Enjoy whatever “problems” you think you have now — you’re going to wish for them back in a few years! Enjoy while you can!
Uh, you said is sista…moisturizer. Yes, it’s crucial. There have been times (yesterday) when I thought about getting a spatula and smearing Vaseline all over my dry (but yet, broken out…ironic) face.
Um, I meant to say “you said IT sista” Wow.
you totally crack me up! but i can’t really LOL, because i’m at work. so, i end up making really silly faces trying to hold in my giggles while reading your posts. i usually save them for last on my bloglines daily reading because i enjoy them so much!
“Lancome Old Tinted Water”…now THAT is the very definition of FRUGAL! Love it!
Lancome tinted water… I am in horror.
;)
I’m so glad you posted this. I completely relate to your need to have Lancome make-up. I was trying to save money and bought foundation at the drugstore. The lady there even helped me find the right color (well now I know why she works there and not at a make-up counter in the mall). No matter what I did it always went on too thick. I would think it looked alright and then I would see myself in another mirror or out in bright light and I was horrified. I am frugal enough that I had to finish the bottle before I moved on but I was so glad when it was gone. I felt horrible wearing that make-up. I decided even though it’s pricey I had to go back to Lancome. I got hooked on Lancome about 18 years ago when my sister worked for them and I got her discount. Unfortunately, she doesn’t work there anymore so I have given up buying all of the products except the foundation. I really tried (more than once) but there just doesn’t seem to be anything else like it. I also love their foundation brush – I’ll never put foundation on with my fingers again!
Oh how sad! I went to the here and here links for Valentine’s ideas and, while they were perfectly lovely and hopelessly romantic, imagine my disappointment… I was thinking elementary school cards and how to decorate a box for my second grader and what could I do to make my 16 year old son (who hates me) feel special like when he was 7 and drinking red punch out of a plastic champagne glass gave him the giggles. But, oh yeah, I do have a husband…maybe I’ll organize his closet.