This is...

This is...

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Low maintenance

I have always considered myself to be a "low maintenance" girl. Maybe a better way to describe myself is a "LACK of maintenance" girl. I have been the same all my life. I wash my face (in the shower) with Irish Spring. I wear jeans and a solid color T-shirt every day. I don't "do" my hair - I put it in a pony tail or a braid. Well, on birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates, I will actually blow-dry my hair, but those times are few and far between. I use whatever lotion is cheapest. Do I need to go on? I like to wear clothes that are VERY versatile - versatile enough for a colorblind MAN to walk into my closet and pick out a suitable outfit. I am also dealing with a severe handicap when it comes to accessorizing. All of my makeup can fit in the palm of my hand - I wear mascara, Lipfinity (because it stays on till the next morning), and eyeliner - that is it. I tried powder for my Texas wedding reception 8 years ago - it was the wrong color. I had to throw all the pictures away. Seriously, could NO ONE tell me to take off my makeup when I looked so bad???? This is seriously embarrassing, but I really am CLUELESS. Every once in a while, I will lose my mind and say "I want to feel like a woman!" So, I'll go out and do something drastic. 2 years ago, I got highlights (I got rid of those). I’ve also been known to chop my hair all off into crazy layers, or go get an acrylic manicure or pedicure that lasts all of 3 days. On one occasion, I even bought an eye cream from Arbon. Ok, are you getting the picture? I have never been able to rationalize spending TONS of money on "beauty products", and when I do, I either feel really silly and selfish, or I buy something completely WRONG. So my question is: does anyone know of a low maintenance way to be more feminine or beautiful? Does someone use a magic sauce for their skin that doesn’t require a 3-5 step process in the morning and night? There's GOT to be something I can do that doesn't add too much "beautification" time to my routine.

What is the reason for this? I looked in the mirror today. I am starting to look old.

Help?

22 comments:

... said...

i feel the same way em. i wear mascera, very little eye liner now with my tattoo's, jeans and a t shirt every day. all my roommates have tons of cute girly clothes. i try to wear them, but i just look rediculous becuase of my huge boobs and belly. i never do my hair. i either let it air dry and leave it down, or put it up in a messy bun. we are very alike. sometimes when i go out, i'll wear a skirt or something (of my roommates becuase i dont own any... naturally) but sometimes i feel girly when i waer a cute pair of jeans, let a little clevage show and put on some lip gloss and leave my hair down. your an allen. probably the odd todd of us all. there's nothing you can do. sorry.

Leslie said...

emily, lucky you, you can do all that (or not do all of that) because you are a natural knock-out!
here are my suggestions: wear skirts. they're just as comfortable as anything else, you can get them pretty cheaply, and they'll make you feel girly.
sunscreen. you need to add that into your morning routine. there are lots of good ones, neutrogena, etc., that are cheap and effective. it will keep you from getting wrinkles, but it's got to be at least SPF 15.

that's all i can think of. i wish i could get away with just mascara and lip gloss. unfortunately, i don't have the skin for it! i think you're gorgeous. :)

bubblegumandlipgloss said...

you are just so cute the way you are!! i WISH i could wash my face with irish spring, throw on some jeans and a t-shirt and look half as cute as you do. i'm not really sure what you could do to feel more feminine, maybe some moisturizer for your skin if you are feeling like you look old. i don't know...i'm not sure any of it really works anyways.

Leisha Mareth said...

I wish I could help you, but I'm the same way (I just don't pull it off as well as you do...) In middle school I wore jeans and a different solid colored polo shirt almost every day. If you could see my closet it is black, brown and almost entirely solid colored clothes. I try to tell my husband all the time how lucky he is to have a wife who doesn't break the bank on beauty items (I wear make-up, but it's cheap), clothes, manicures, etc.

I do force myself to get my hair cut every 4 months or so, but since my hair is naturally curly it is only to save time on blow-drying in the AM.

I like the idea about wearing skirts! I asked my husband if he would give me a pedicure this weekend and he agreed (only because it saves him $25) I feel more girly if my toes are painted and pretty.

P.S. I tried using Irish Spring soap on my face in college once and my skin broke out in hives! Now I use regular old Jergen's natural soap (super cheap, fragrance free, etc.)

Leisha Mareth said...

(oh, and both Wal-Mart and Target have generic versions of Oil of Olay skin lotion and it is splendid!)

Chad & Dawn Howey said...

EMO... Seriously... I LOVE the blog... I agree with you totally... I NEVER wear make-up, except for the lipfinity (yes your exact reasoning... I love that it stays on till the morning) and I wear Eyeliner (waiting to get the tatoo's like Steph to eliminate that one too) Sometimes when I wash my face (ok again in the shower.. but I only use water, I dont ever put soap on my face) I think as ALLEN's we weren't TAUGHT to wear makeup or even be girly... I remember mom trying to get us to wear a button up "Blouse" gag... Why would a Jr. in HIGH school wear a "blouse" arent those for grandma's .... My clothes are the same...JEANS and TEE's .... A few years ago I started buying some cute Jewlery.. I felt silly at first wearing big hoop earings and long necklaces... But I like it now.. It doesn't feel as wierd and I bought some cute sun glasses from NY&CO and I LOVE THEM... they are so cute.. I say stick with the jeans and tee's ... they are so dang comfy... throw some jewlery on and it will dress anything up.. even langerie... he he he.. I think you are beautiful. Some people need to get dressed up girly and stuff to be cute.. I LIKE THE COMFY style...

Jen Wills said...

Hi Emily... This is Jen Butcher (Wills). It has been forever sicne I have heard from you or what is going on with you. It seems like everything is going great with you. Your kids are so cute. Well Ihave been married to Josh Wills for 8 years now and I have 14 month twin girls. Morgan and Mallory keep us on our toes. They are so much fun and a huge blessing. My husband is a stay at home dad and does computers when he can. I work full time and seem to keep really busy and always make time for my family. Well I just ran into your blog on line and I was laughing so hard because that is how you were when I knew you. You are so funny. Well it is great to see you and your family are doing well. You can email me if you want at jen@joshandjenwills.com Hope to hear from you-

Jen

Summertime Designs said...

First of all, you are GORGEOUS and you don't need ANY of the foo-foo stuff! I have always loved your style since high school, and I love that you have continued to be totally comfortable! And YOU DO NOT LOOK OLD!!! FYI, Irish Spring dries out your face. If you want to wash your face in the shower with a bar of soap, then buy some Neutrogena (it's a golden kind of see-through type bar of soap). And then just find a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it. I agree with Leslie on the skirts. But there are plenty out there that don't look too girly. I get tons from Kohl's and sometimes get lucky at Target. But for what it's worth, I don't think you need to change a thing about the way you look! You're beautiful.

THE ROGERS FAMILY said...

Emily, you are beautiful just as you were in high school. You have beautiful skin and don't need to wear that much make-up and your complaining about it. IT'S CALLED NATURAL BEAUTY GIRLFRIEND!!! Enjoy it, there are so many women that would love to be able to do that!

As far as feeling more girly, I feel that it always helps me when I accesorize. Just some cute hoops, necklace, braclets and rings, might just spruce up your boring outfits!! LOL

Chad & Dawn Howey said...

so I have been thinking about your post this morning... I REMEMBER MOM.. drilling it into our heads growing up .... Gidget was able to get ready to go off with her boyfriend, MoonDoggie, in less than 10 minutes... so we needed to be like GIDGET... 10 Min is all you need to shower, get dressed, do your hair, makeup and rush out the door to get the guy... Hey it has worked for me.. I ended up with a great guy like MoonDoggie...

Amy said...

Em, I didn't know you like to fish!...fishing for a compliment (he he!) I think you need your hubby around more to tell you how gorgeous you are. You are truly one of the most beautiful women I have ever known.

My favorite product? Smashbox bronzer in Tint. It makes you sparkle and gives barely a hint of color...gives you that "I just worked out glow".

Laura Ek said...

Try a little cream blush, it's super easy to put on, and will bring so much color to your face. There are days I look in the mirror and look like a corpse, but some mascara and blush(or bronzer) will make me look alive again. I also love tinted moisturizer because it doesn't look like I'm wearing anything, but I need that extra tint.
Clothes on the other hand are hard, why should we dress up when we are running around all day. My thing is shoes, it can make a plain T and jeans look a lot cuter!
Hope this helps! -Laura

Lydia said...

I'm obviously no one to be giving advice on this subject but I agree with the moisturisure with spf, skirt,acceorizing, and shoes! If your feeling old just shop at Forever 21, maybe it will make you feel that way and their clothes are made for girls with no top half (i really wish I could share)

Courtney said...

Why do you think I blog?...So I can find info on all the great stuff out there! Sorry I'm of no help...I don't get out much with 4 kids and especially Hank!

Amy Pennington said...

I know what you mean about being low maintenance....I am also a believer of not much effort. I am just not a girly girl. I do wash my face with mary kay stuff and put on minimal makeup. I have always had young skin til this summer...suck I am getting old. You have natural beauty though..I have never looked at you and thought ...that Emily sure needs to moisturize or accessorize. Your inshape body is your accessory:)

Valerie said...

I'm very jealous...you always look so beautiful and don't have to spend the time to do so. I wish I could get away with minimal makeup, however, I have so many blemishes I have to cover up. So I'm kind of forced to put on makeup or scare the rest of the world. But I dread how much time it takes me to get ready. Blow drying alone takes me 20 minutes. My hair just doesn't dry very fast...never has. I agree with everyone else though...we love you just how you are. Just add a little moisturizer and let nature handle the rest.

Emily Webb said...

Okay here is my recommendation. Try a tinted moisturizor. Apply a little bit of Mac mineral powder, you will actually have to go to the mall for that, but while you are there you can find some cute cheap tees if that is what you like to wear:)

Katie said...

Emily, you are so gorgeous and have such great skin that you don't need any beauty tips! If I used Irish Springs on my face I think it would literally shrivel up and fall off. Just be grateful that you are SO naturally beautiful! I did the jeans and solid tshirts for a really long time and am slowly growing out of it. I've taken it up a notch and buy shirts that actually have a design or something on it! And don't worry, I do the pony tail thing pretty much everyday too! I sometimes think I look weird when it's down cuz it's up so much.

Nathan and Jordan said...

You are seriously hilarious...I am dying right now :)
Can I just say that your skin looks amazing for washing it with Irish Spring! So jealous :)
Maybe all of the $$$ that I've spent on expensive skin care really is a waste!

Gretchen said...

I think Leslie is right ... the secret is in the clothes. You can get away with minimal make up, which is rare (and by the way, we all hate you for that).

So for you, more feminine clothing will make a huge difference. Skirts, cute girl t's and flats are still comfortable but so much more flattering than jeans and T combo. If you want to go further, get a pair of nice earrings, and a necklace you wear everyday. Still simple, but totally feminine and a signature move.

Sarra said...

I'm not really girly either, and I think we're in the same boat - clueless when it comes to makeup and accessories. Here's what I found works best for me, because my skin is stupidly picky. I use Olay cleanser in the shower and then I moisturize with retinol cream when I get out. I like the retinol cream because it doesn't feel gross on my skin and because it fights the effects of aging and skin damage. I get mine from vitamin world because it's relatively cheap there. And another plus about it - a little bit goes a long way.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm with you on minimal makeup! My secret is clinique compact (pressed face powder) in the lightest possible shade. It takes the shine off your skin, but doesn't change the colour. It smooths out skin tone, giving you a picture-perfect complexion, and lasts all day! And a sparkly clear lip gloss from Almay... you don't need anything on your eyes then... embrace your natural beauty!