HLSG Poll: Looking and Feeling Great

[Natasha]

I know that many of us (me definitely included) don t read the beauty articles in CL, so I hope you won t mind my question. Here goes...

Fitness and beauty are undeniably two entirely different things. Still, people naturally tend to feel better about themselves when they re feeling fit, and also when they feel they look their best in every way.

So...I was wondering how much time you spend on makeup, hair, etc. Any special products you swear by? Also, are you a fan of manicures, pedicures, or facials? How about professional massages? Yes, I know I ask a lot of questions http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

I am a 3-5 minute makeup girl. After my morning shower I comb and style my hair in about 1 minute, then put on foundation and lipstick, and often a touch of Kohl (or, more occasionally, mascara). And that s it, except for a couple of touchups during the day. I don t use facial moisturizing creams or anything, but may end up paying for that later on in life!

I have never had a manicure, pedicure, or facial (not even those dept store makeovers) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif . And I have had two professional massages in my life - the first one s positive effects seemed to last about 10 minutes, and the second one felt great at the time but I was sore the next day http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/confused.gif I love massages generally, though! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Oh, yes, and I also love all bath products like creams, shower gels, and soaps. They make me feel better instantly!

Looking forward to your responses. Have a super rest-of-weekend.

[emilycat]

Natasha,
I'm also a minimalist when it comes to beauty routines...I think a lot of runners tend to be the same way http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif. (At least the ones I know). I take about a 5-10 minute shower each morning, no fancy products or anything, just Dial and Pantene. I actually only wash my face with Dial, too. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif I know the skincare purists would shame me for my faux pas, but I've never had any real skin problems, and products just seem to irritate my skin. I love Clinique makeup; it's all I buy, and I usually just wear a touch concealer for under my eyes, pressed powder, a little blush, mascara and a sheer shade of lipstick. (I feel naked without the latter two http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif ) Sometimes I used a touch of eyeliner too, on the corners of my eyes to accent them. Applying my makeup and styling my hair takes about 10 minutes at most. Choosing what I'm going to wear that day is another matter http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif.
I've never had a pedicure, but gosh, could I use one. My feet are probably my least favorite part of my body (that's what 8 years of pointe shoes will do to your feet.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif My toes are not especially fond of long runs, either). I've always wanted a day-long full-body "scratch". My SO jokes that I'm like a cat, because I love so much to be scratched all over, and I always want more! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
This is not at all related, but Natasha, you mentioned in another thread that you were in training. What kind of race are you training for? Just curious; I'm training right now too, so it's nice to have someone to share stories with. Great thread!
Em

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 10-29-2000).]

[mommywannabe]

Well, I'm a low maintenance woman too...I'm our of bed, showered, dressed, hair done, and makeup on in 30 minutes or less. I have a couple of friends that take 1-2 hours to get ready and I just don't understand what takes so long.
I've done manicures a couple of times and let me tell you, they can be great...very relaxing. I don't know exactly what it's called, but there's this wax bath thing that you stick your hands in (or feet I suppose), then you leave the wax on for a few minutes. The manicurist strips the wax off (doesn't hurt...there's a layer of lotion between your hand and the wax) and massages your hand. You wouldn't believe how relaxing it is and how soft your hands feel afterward. I would highly recommend the process to everyone.

[Laura]

I used to wear a lot of eye makeup when I was younger but now I wear a tinted moisturizer, mascara, lip liner, and eyebrow pencil. My hair is naturally wavy and if I leave it that way I can go from shower to out the door in 15-20 minutes. If I decide to dry my hair straight it takes another 10 minutes. When I "dress" up I will add eyeliner and maybe some brown eye shadow (brings out my blue eyes)

I do love massages, pedicures, manicures, facials, but frankly they can be expensive and time consuming. Generally I leave those to special occasions.

I do use a moisutrizer daily and recently have looked into products with retinol or alpha hydroxy to rev up the texture of my skin. I think most people think I am younger than 38 which is nice although I am noticing the aging process. I think both my parents have aged well and hopefully I will take after them.

[Natasha]

Thanks for your responses! Very informative. Sounds like so far we are a fairly low-key bunch. Guess we kinda prefer spending time on healthy living activities, and, um, well, on cooking and eating http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

Emily, I have these comments (your comments are in bold, followed by my responses):
Originally posted by emilycat:
Natasha,
I'm also a minimalist when it comes to beauty routines...I think a lot of runners tend to be the same way http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif. (At least the ones I know). Yup, seems to be universal http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif But I think I am probably quite a bit less minimalist than some...I do like to do myself up, especially for a party or something! BTW, I am a Clinique fan too, though I do use some other products too.
I've never had a pedicure, but gosh, could I use one. My feet are probably my least favorite part of my body (that's what 8 years of pointe shoes will do to your feet.
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif My toes are not especially fond of long runs, either). LOL! I should probably not go for a pedicure now because everyone in the salon might scream. Both my big toenails are black (or at least whatever s left of them). Just classic Runners Toe, but it grosses some people out. Once or twice people have informed me that I have a couple of black nails (like I could possibly not have noticed) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
This is not at all related, but Natasha, you mentioned in another thread that you were in training. What kind of race are you training for? Just curious; I'm training right now too, so it's nice to have someone to share stories with. Great thread! Em The next biggie is looking like it might be the LA Marathon, with some shorter races in the meantime. And you?


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 10-29-2000).]

[Natasha]

Mommywannabe, you should sell manicures! Your description really makes me want to try one. Maybe I should, though my nails have always been short and stubby so maybe I shouldn t bother... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Laura (or anyone else), do you have a specific moisturizer you would recommend? I guess it wouldn t hurt to start looking into it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Thanks! Anyway, hope your running is going well, too!

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 10-29-2000).]

[emilycat]

Natasha,
I can empathize with you about the toenail thing -- when I danced, my toenails were perpetually black and falling off; as a runner, nothing's changed -- except that I get many more blisters than usual. I only wish sandals and my feet were better friends. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif
I'm running the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon Nov. 11, and then Raleigh on the 4th of December. Yup, they're pretty close together. Poor planning...we'll see how that goes. Good luck with your training! Isn't it great how hungry you get to be on long run days! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif
Em

[food girl]

I did the whole wash-with-dial, one-minute-make-up, who-cares-about-foundation thing. Photos don't lie, I usually looked like a pale shade of C-R-A-P.

One day I had a facial and a professional make-up application(a gift), afterwards I went to a party. From the compliments I recieved this is apparently something that I needed for a long time!

I once felt some kind of superiority because of my minimalism. Now I am just embarrased that I looked so bad when it only takes a few minutes to look soooooo much better.


Ok, to answer the question. I love facials, but just the 30 minute ones. Something they do during the one hour thingy makes me break out.

I clip my nails as short as possible. I cook, clean, work in the yard and paint. I once read an article about how unsanitary long nails are...ewwwwww.

I like to get a pedicure at the beginning of sandal season. I tell them NOT to scrub off my callouses because they are there for a purpose (to keep me from getting blisters)

I have tried lots of make-up but I like MAC because it doesn't smell make-upy and the lipsticks aren't crisco-ish. (wouldn't you like to be buying my Christmas gifts, i'm not picky or anything!)

[andi]

This is a fun thread! As I get older (and add a child or two at my side) getting ready has really toned down. I'm into moisturizers with sun screen and alpha hydroxy (or something to minimize the lines)-Make-up is minimimal. Right now my foundation is Estee Lauder because I got a bunch of freebies if I purchased something http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I always wear just a bit of eyeliner, sometimes mascara and finally a moisturizing lipstick or gloss. Easy, easy...I just cut my hair really short so it dries while I cram in breakfast and we're out the door!

I haven't had a manicure in years but I agree they're wonderful, mommywannabe look what you've started! Massage is also one of those things I'd love to have lots of but with a budget, that's out. I mentioned to Mrs. Reber that I would indulge myself two or three times/month when I was pregnant and it was sooo well worth it! My husband gives wonderful back rubs but we actually have to go to bed at the same time (ha, ha!)

[phantomcg]

I spend about 20 minutes on my hair and probably 1/2 of that is just getting it dry!! I wear very little makeup, either a tinted moisturizer or foundation and some mascara is about it. I just don't have the patience to more with my hair, in fact, I wear it short so that I don't have to mess with it.

I've never had a professional massage, but I used to do monthly manicures. Then I started playing the violin again and that means short nails, so I quit getting the manicures.

I do have terrible dry skin. I use baby oil after my shower as well as lotion and still end up with dry, flaky skin. Do any of you have any tried and true remedies that you use for dry skin? With winter coming, mine's only going to get worse!

Cheryl

[mightyh]

I don't have terribly dry skin, but my mom does (her feet literally split in half http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif) and she swears by those salt or sugar scrubs sold in glass tubs at Bath and Body works. Then, just after her shower, she slathers on Neutrogena's body oil (I think it's sesame?). She seems to think it's made a big improvement.

[BeckyM]

Over the years I've been working on minimizing my morning routine. When I was in high school, I wore just about every make-up thing there was, and I blow-dried & curled my hair. The whole thing took so long! And getting ready for bed also took a while, because I wore waterproof mascara, which took forever to remove!

Now I've moved to a straighter, shorter hair style which takes less time to fix, though I'm still amazed at the people who can do it in five minutes! I also wear much less makeup -- concealer, powder, & a bit of blush. I've gotten rid of the mascara, but I do curl my eyelashes, because they are VERY straight. I've also been using Oil of Olay moisturizer more now that I'm starting to notice a few lines, and I also use some under-eye moisturizer I got from Bath & Body Works.

I'm really glad I've gotten out of the phase of feeling like I've got to wear tons of makeup to be beautiful. I'm now much more concerned about feeling healthy & fit than on wearing the right shade of eyeshadow.

[emilycat]

BeckyM,
You sound just like my best friend throughout highschool and college...she used to wake up around 5:30 so she could blow dry and curl her hair! Her mom taught her that she needed that long to get ready. I think she was wearing foundation in the 8th grade! She never needed to; she's a pretty girl, and now she hardly wears any makeup at all and usually just lets her hair dry -- it's naturally wavy.
Anyway, I'm off track. As one of those people who fixes their hair in 5 minutes, that's for 2 reasons. One, my hair is relatively fine, and doesn't take long to dry at all -- it might dry by itself in 20-30 minutes. Also, I let the stylist know that I want it to dry in such a way that minimal self-stying is necessary. All I have to do is dry it upside down for a couple minutes, then use a round brush to shape it. Voila! And I think my hair is pretty darned cute. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[mommywannabe]

Natasha - don't let short nails keep you from getting a manicure once in a while. The wax bath and massage are worth more to me than the actual nail treatment http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Just be sure to get a recommendation from someone of a good nail salon to go to...I've made the mistake of just going in to one that's close and they did a terrible job on my nails...had a lot of splitting and flaking a week or so later.
Emilycat - I second the preference for a short do http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I have fine hair, too, and love being able to either wash-n-go or do a short blow dry. My only problems are that I get lots of fly-aways that are only controlable with a shot of hair spray, and I have trouble getting any volume in to my do...it usually ends up pretty flat looking.
Just a word about foundation...I found a great one about a year and a half ago. It's Prescriptives brand and it's wonderful! It goes on fast and it's very light so you hardly know it's there. You can buy it at most major department stores.

[lindrusso]

Phantomcg -

I used to use baby oil too and my skin was always dry - even cracked and red. As soon as I stopped the baby oil, no problem. I've been told, and have read, that the oil can clog your pores and just provides a coating, but does nothing to really moisturize your skin. Now I look for moisturizers without oil and have not have a problem since.

Try Cetaphil - it's WONDERFUL!!! I like the regular body lotion, but I LOVE the hand lotion - it doesn't dry up right away, but it's also not too greasy. I highly recommend it!

As for my beauty routine, I keep it simple. A light foundation/powder, blush, under-eye concealer and mascara. If I throw my hair in a clip, I can be ready in 1/2 hour. If I style my hair, add about 10-15 minutes. I really like the dual-purpose powder I use from Aveda - use a brush to apply it as a powder or use a sponge and apply it as a light foundation. Very handy.

I treat myself by highlighting my hair and getting good cuts. No discount salons for me. When it comes to my hair, I spend the extra bucks to get the job done right.

I too love manicures, pedicures and massages. I don't do them too often, but love it when I do. Especially the pedicures - feet are always so neglected. It's hard enough to just get showered sometimes, who has time for feet?

My husband once gave me a day of beauty for Mother's Day - facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, haircut and makeup. Wow, it was great! Maybe I'm due again...

[emilycat]

Lindrusso,
Wow, what a great gift! I'm going to have to throw some hints around my boyfriend... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[phantomcg]

Lindrusso:
Thanks for sharing your tip about the baby oil. I'm going to look for the Cetaphil when I do my shopping this week and give it a try. When you think about it, it does make sense that the baby oil would only provide a coating and not any moisture.

Cheryl

[Laura]

Originally posted by Natasha:
[B]

Laura (or anyone else), do you have a specific moisturizer you would recommend? I guess it wouldn t hurt to start looking into it. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif Thanks! Anyway, hope your running is going well, too!

B]
Natasha - I use Oil of Olay uv complete moisturizer. I have tried more expensive ones but I really like this because it is so light. Someone responded to my post on glowing skin and recommended alpha-hydroxy to improve your skins texture so I am going to try that as well. I used to use a tinted moisturizer from Shisheido but they stopped making my shade so now I use one from Mac. I like both equally. I also will use a dual foundation wet/dry powder from Shishiedo (altho I only use it dry) that has sunscreen in it.

[Natasha]

Laura,
Thanks for the moisturizer info!

Also, thanks to everyone for the tips about how to combat dry skin. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

I use only powder to even out my skin tone and my hair is about chin lentgh in a shag so it is easy to care for...basically dry and go. I inly wear "makeup" to go out, then I wear liner, shadow and mascara...I hate taking makeup off!

Basically, as natural as possible!!!

kim

[kwormann]

Oh yea...I love getting my eyebrows waxed..I guess thats my biggest "luxury". I get ready in 30 minutes or less in the morning, and like some of the other replies, I dont understand why it takes my best friend 1 1/2-2 hours to get reasy. We cant do spur of the moment things with her!
kim

[Gina O]

As a recent make-up minimalist, I have fallen in love with Clinique's City Sticks. They are base makeup in a stick form, that go on easily. They cover well, but still leave your skin looking natural. Otherwise, my routine depends on the ocassion. I work out of a home office, so sometimes forget to brush my hair until I am getting ready to go running at noon. When I am actually going out in public, mainly the City stick and eye makeup (also Clinique, the touch base for eyes is terrific and easy).

I did the fake fingernail thing for a while, but the whole process was more pain that I wanted to endure. I have never had a pedicure, but have heard they are terrific... and have been dropping some serious hints about a gift certificate to a nearby spa!

I found this tread while searching for one on running/training. Would love to talk lots more on that topic as I just "got off the couch" with hopes of running my first marathon next year. Gina

[Natasha]

Gina,
Welcome! There are a number of runners who frequent this board (incl. Emilycat, Lizz13.1, Kristilyn1, RunnerKim, me and others) so maybe we can get a thread started to talk about it some more. Look forward to hearing from you in future!
And thanks for the tip about City Sticks! I've seen them but haven't yet had a chance to try them.


[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 11-09-2000).]

[Pat58]

I'm not really a make-up person, either. I try to look good from the inside out by eating lots of veggies and fruits, drinking lots of water and getting regular aerobic and strength-training workouts. I never polish my nails but massage my cuticles and hands regularly with creams and keep my nails trimmed and neat. Ditto pedicures, never use polish but do like to buff and pumice and massage with creams. My aerobics classes and treadmill workouts give them a beating! I find that my face has a natural clear glow when I'm staying with my fitness program, so all I do is cleanse and moisturize religiously. The one place I spend is on my Estee Lauder skin cleanser, toner and moisturizers. Makeup is never more than mascara, a little blush and maybe some eye pencil. I wouldn't be caught dead in eyeshadow and foundations make me feel like The Mummy. I don't even like lipstick but use a tinted moisturizing gloss sometimes. As for hair, I shower and give it a quick blow-dry. I like to look natural, not like a helmet head.

[Angelina]

The one thing I never leave home without is moisturizer. With SPF 15. I don't see why it's more trouble to put on than foundation! Over that, and I usually put it on after I get to work, I wear MAC face powder, one of those you can use wet and dry. I prefer it dry...and then lipstick or gloss with lipliner and mascara. My hair? I just brush it and go. It is sooooo silky and shiny that I would never put anything on it to make it hard and stiff. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif


P.S. I always read the beauty articles in CL. Why don't you? They are good and informative, and they never tell you to paint rainbows on your eyelids like Cosmopolitan might do!

[This message has been edited by Angelina (edited 11-11-2000).]

[Laura B]

In the makeup area, I am pretty basic. I use Neutrogena makeup. For everyday I use foundation, some powder, mascara, and some tinted lip balm. If going for a dressier look I'll throw in some eyeliner, too.

I just LOVE to buy "lotions and potions," as my mom calls them. I have used Oil of Olay products since 8th grade and my skin is in great shape. I use the Daily UV Complete cream in the mornings. I used to use the lotion, but my face can get pretty dry so I just switched to the cream to see if I can help that problem. At night I use Night of Olay Firming Cream. I also use Olay cleansers - foaming cleanser in the morning, and those great new daily facial pads at night.

I have a few shampoos that I rotate through (Thermasilk, Pantene, and Matrix Vital Nutrients). In general, my routine is 20-40 minutes, depending on how much I care that day. I would say that 40 is the max even if I am getting really dressed up! I don't think I could even occupy myself for 2 hours to get ready!

Never had a professional massage, pedicure, etc., but would LOVE it!

Oh - and I use the greatest cuticle cream by Burt's Bees. It is called Farmer's Market Lemon Cuticle Cream and it is fabulous. In fact, all of the Burt's Bees products are great. They started out really small in Raleigh but are now national - you can even buy their stuff on drugstore.com!

[This message has been edited by Laura B (edited 11-11-2000).]

[emilycat]

Angelina,
I actually do sometimes read the beauty articles; it just depends on what the subject is. If it's something I think I might take something away from or that might be useful to me, like the pedicure article, I'll definitely read it. I guess, though, that since I love the products I use, I don't want to read a whole article on great new foundations, because it'll just give me an excuse to buy more stuff...and I have an uncanny knack of spending way too much money on everything else.
And I totally agree with you on the products in your hair thing. I hate having a stylist put gels and crap in my hair that just make it icky...in fact, I usually tell them specifically not to! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[HARRYET]

As far as moisturizer goes, i use one with spf15 in it as well as my foundation (I live in AZ and have sun, Oh lets say 360 days a year! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif) So it's just routine to put that on every morning just because of the sun factor. I do use blush, neutral eye shadows, and liner (but mostly only when I'm going out).

Pedicures, I highly recommend them, started to get them regularly this year, and it's one of the best things I do for me. sometimes at night I'm just to tired to fuss over myself!

Hair products, well I have very fine, straight hair and do need hair spray, or else 10 minutes after I leave the house my hair is flat!

[This message has been edited by HARRYET (edited 11-12-2000).]

[emilycat]

HARRYET,
How often do you get pedicures? I've been considering getting one, but I never thought about doing it regularly until you mentioned it.

[HARRYET]

Emily,

I get at least one a month, it's so relaxing and helps to keep my heels from getting that nasty cracking! I live in AZ and wear sandals probably 9 mos out of the year, so for me it's worth it. Ususally pay between $15 - $20 for a basic pedicure. Ann

[cookgirl]

mommywannabe:

The wax bath is called a "paraffin treatment," and I agree, it's like heaven. You can buy your own paraffin bath and treat yourself to those everyday. Don't get me wrong, I don't have one! I haven't had one of those treatments in about a year. It was just so good, I remember it well!

My nails unfortunately get the runaround. I'm a painter and so oil paint, turpentine, and the work kill my hands and nails. Usually, around Christmas time I treat myself to a full set of fakies or a couple of really nice manicures. Now pedicures are a Godsend. It's amazing how a nice red polish job can distract away from calloused muscular feet! They actually look girly after a pedicure!
As for getting ready in the morning, it takes me forever. But that's mostly time spent standing under the running water of the shower trying to wake up, or standing in front of my closet with this dumbfounded expression on my face. Or just scuffling along towards the coffee pot, trying to figure out where I am, what my name is, and what day of the week it is. (I am NOT a morning person) The rest: hair-30 sec.(Naturally curly=hopeless!!!) Make-up-1 minute (moisturizer, blush, curl lashes, eyeshadow?,loose powder?, lip gloss)
My dream: a week at a spa.

[This message has been edited by cookgirl (edited 11-14-2000).]

[Natasha]

Ann (Harryet) and others,
I m gonna do it - get that first-ever pedicure! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Whoo hoo! I bet I ll be hooked immediately. Thanks for getting me thinking more seriously about it.