Manolo for the Big Girl Fashion, Lifestyle, and Humor for the Plus Sized Woman.

April 28, 2008

Big Question Week! Startiiiiiiiing…..NOW!

Filed under: The Big Question,Uncategorized — Miss Plumcake @ 12:01 pm

Well gang, I’m on vacation from the dead tree biz for the next two weeks and to celebrate I thought we’d have two theme weeks. This week will be all about audience participation with a full five days of Big Questions. While next week will feature Plumcake’s All Time Top Five Fashion Movies.

Incidentally, if you have an idea for a Big Question, shoot me an email. The only thing I like more than getting paid for writing is David Tennant naked in a wading pool of Ossetra caviar getting paid for other people’s writing so if you’d like to get some Big Girl feedback –plus the glorious fame and undeniable thrill of a lifetime that is being featured on the same page as yours truly, click on my name and ask away. If I am piqued by your question you might just see it in print.

Today Francesca and Plumcake want to know:

What is your deepest, darkest style secret?

I’ll tell you one of mine. I have a perfect pinched-cheek pink lip stain and whenever I wear it people ask me what it is. I always demur and say I can’t remember but in truth it’s a “Pink Ribbon” Sharpie marker. Yes, I’ll probably die of Sharpie poisoning, I don’t care. It looks amazing.

And as a bonus, I’ll be providing you with a little bit of Daily Hotness. First up, the previously mention superhot but sadly clothed David Tennant in a hilarious sketch for the BBC Red Nose Day.

30 Comments

  1. I get compliments about how great my skin is all the time, and people ask me what I do to keep it looking so nice. The truth is, I don’t really *do* anything. Often, I don’t even wash my makeup off before I go to bed. But it seems like people want to hear some kind of secret, so I just tell them that I like to use witch hazel.

    Comment by Miss Laura Mars — April 28, 2008 @ 1:53 pm

  2. Plumcake, do you use the fine or highlighter tip?

    My guilty style secret is related to yours. I can not stand clumpy lashes, so I use a black Sharpie to “dye” my eyelashes. I fold a kleenex or square of toilet paper a few times to make a “drop cloth” and hold it behind my eyelashes to protect my skin from stray marks. It doesn’t flake or run, it never glops, and it can last a couple of days.

    Comment by Carol — April 28, 2008 @ 2:16 pm

  3. I love the Sharpie ideas!!
    My super-secret beauty trick is using deodorant as hair gel. I don’t mean the white, flaky kind or the spray kind. The solid gel kind is what works. For example, if you have unruly bangs or tresses and need to tame them, take the gel, run a little over your fingers and work into your hair. It helps make the hair piecey and keeps flyaways at a minimum. I use Old Sprice (the men’s deodorant) because not only does it keep you 100% dry, but it also works for the hair!

    Comment by leebee — April 28, 2008 @ 3:14 pm

  4. A woman I knew once used to use a box of children’s watercolor paints as her makeup. Worked nicely, and she could mix the prettiest shades that way. I always thought that was rather clever of her.

    Comment by Twistie — April 28, 2008 @ 4:08 pm

  5. @Miss Laura – Me too!!! And actually, when I do do things to my skin, it breaks out. The only thing I do do, is take my makeup off and wear sunscreen.

    Comment by wegan — April 28, 2008 @ 5:33 pm

  6. As a former preschool teacher, I was perpetually covered in marker and paint, so those are the last things I’d want to use as makeup!

    Anyway, I have fantastic hair. I really do – when I first met my new hairdresser a couple years ago, she remarked that I had the healthiest hair she’d ever worked with. I get compliments on it all the time, and I’ve actually had girls ask me exactly what I use and how often.

    The truth is: I don’t do anything special to it. Unless it’s a wash day (I wash every other day or so), I don’t bother brushing it. I use L’Oreal shampoo and conditioner (the drugstore kind, not the $26/bottle salon kind). When I wear it straight, I use Sunsilk Anti-frizz creme, and when I wear it wavy, I use Sunsilk Waves of Envy gel/creme mix. Thats it. Thats my secret. I’ve tried all kinds of salon products, and the cheap stuff always does the best job.

    Comment by Jen — April 28, 2008 @ 6:55 pm

  7. Mine is that I don’t wash my face. I rinse it with water in the shower, but I don’t put any kind of soap or cleanser on it. And I have great skin. I don’t know if I can get away with not watching because my skin is naturally great, or if my skin is great because I don’t put all kinds of chemicals on it. (I don’t wear foundation either. I love makeup, but have no desire to coat my entire face in it).

    Comment by Becky — April 28, 2008 @ 7:31 pm

  8. Sharpie markers? Really? The science nerd in me is thinking of all kinds of horrible chemicals…but what *isn’t* carcinogenic these days? I do like the idea of using a black Sharpie for my eyelashes, though…I may have to give that tip a try tomorrow.

    As for deep, dark style secrets. I have a few, but none are deep or dark. I was blessed with great skin, and like others have mentioned, I rarely bother to wash off makeup. I DO, however, moisturize with Olay Sensitive Skin/SPF 15 EVERY DAY. Religiously. (The sensitive skin (and love of my freckles) is also why I don’t use full-face makeup/foundation, which may help keep my skin break-out free.) Oh, and in keeping with the “grungy” theme, I don’t wash my hair every day, either. It’s on the fine side and prone to dryness, so it tends to look better the second or third day after washing. And yes, the cheap stuff works just as well for me as any salon product ever has.

    Black gel/creme eyeliner is about my only big tip. The creme eyeliner is easier to control than liquid and more dramatic than pencil.

    Oh! Maybe I do have one style secret: I buy the stretchy camis from Old Navy, in a size too small. I wear these under my other shirts pretty much every single day. They smooth out some of the lumpy-squishies, and they’re certainly more comfortable than wearing a waist-cincher or something similar all day. AND they’re 2 for $12 or something…can’t beat that!

    Holy novella, Batman.

    Comment by Danielle — April 28, 2008 @ 8:19 pm

  9. I’m with those who never wash their face with anything but water…I WILL use a mild eye-makeup remover and on the rare occasion that I use any foundation, I’ll use a fragrance-free baby wipe, but otherwise nothing but water. No moisturizer either, unless I’m on a business trip somewhere dry like Calgary or Winnipeg.

    I DO insist on a fresh facecloth everytime I wash my face though…living in Vancouver, they never get dry fast enough to avoid harbouring nasties.

    Comment by CanadianChick — April 28, 2008 @ 9:11 pm

  10. My beauty secret is…I stopped being a sunworshiper when I fell asleep at the beach when I was in high school and got sick. I always have a hat of some kind and I do wear sunscreen and long sleeves. I’m sure if I got scanned with one of those sun damage lights, I’d have plenty..I’m in my fifties, so that is really inevitable. But my skin is pretty good for my age and I won’t end up with legs like my mom did, with dark brown sun damage staining from the knees to the feet from tanning her legs every single summer.

    Comment by Toby Wollin — April 28, 2008 @ 10:03 pm

  11. My hair routine is very simple- washing and conditioning every other day. However, when my mane starts looking frizzy, a common occurence with my wavy hair, I like hand lotion. I always have it around, it smells nice, and it washes out easily.

    I’ve also been known to lie about my color. I’m a natural redhead but will occasionally add a bit of henna when it looks dull. I always used it to condition but an extra 10 minutes brightens it up.

    Comment by Lucy — April 28, 2008 @ 10:08 pm

  12. I never, ever use shampoo on my hair. Really. My hair is very curly, no matter how gentle the shampoo claims to be, it fuzzes me out. I finally gave up. Now I wet it every day, and I treat my scalp with conditioner, then my hair with a heaver conditioner, comb it while soaking wet, rinse, and don’t touch it again. I get great, shiny ringlets, I smell wonderful, my scalp is no longer dry and itchy, and my hair looks fabulous. Seriously. NO shampoo.

    Comment by tracy m — April 29, 2008 @ 12:13 am

  13. Umm Plumcake, how do you blend Sharpie marker – and then what do you use to wash it off? I haven’t worn blush since I was a teen and someone asked if I had a skin infection because I had spackled on a perfect quarter size spot high on the apples of each cheek, as a bonus feature each circle of blush had a full Haley’s Comet size tail headed towards my ears.

    Anyhoodle, my beauty secret is to walk/push my 18 month old, and three year old 15k (6 miles) in the jogging stroller four or five times a week. I also take an iron/B6 combo vitamin for energy to keep up with the boys and their sisters. The iron also keeps my naturaly pale skin from looking too wan.

    Comment by Bobbi — April 29, 2008 @ 12:31 am

  14. Carol, I use the fine tip. Bobbi, I don’t blend it. It’s very sheer, so I just color in my lips. Sometimes I top off with a lip gloss, sometimes I don’t.

    Comment by Plumcake — April 29, 2008 @ 12:55 am

  15. I never brush my hair except for a quick run-through after I get out of the shower (I always condition, so there are no tangles at that point). My hair looks its fiercest when I let it get all messy and loose.

    Also, when I want curly hair, I put my hair up in two buns when I get out of the shower and let it dry. A few hours later I have glorious loose curls.

    Makeup-wise, I have found that my eyes look the the night after I wear really heavy eye makeup. The eyeliner and mascara never wash off enough, so I have a perfect subtle tint.

    For lipstick, I have really big, dark lips, so I always put on some lipstick and immediately wipe it off. That stains my lips just enough to make a difference.

    Comment by Sara — April 29, 2008 @ 1:58 am

  16. My eyelashes are really long, thick, and naturally curly. Then I use two kinds of mascara–one to coat well, and the other to take off any excess and lengthen (the funny new colorful brush kind). They come out not-found-in-nature good. When girls ask what I use, I say, “Oh, I whatever they had on sale at the grocery store…”

    I wash my face with honey in the shower. Yes, honey. One of my mom’s friends used to tell me important things I needed to know to be a Proper Lady when I grew up, and that’s one of them. It’s a gentle exfoliator and leaves your skin very soft. It washes off easily–no sticky mess at all!

    Comment by Sara — April 29, 2008 @ 5:40 am

  17. I am too squeamish for Sharpie makeup. My hand is steady but not THAT steady. I am serious about needing idiot-proof makeup!

    But I have to admit-I still love Lip Smackers, especially the classic 1970s flavors. And Love’s Baby Soft cologne still smells great.
    I have no idea what is my problem.

    Comment by dcsurfergirl — April 29, 2008 @ 9:32 am

  18. Nars The Multiple cream stick in Orgasm. I’d been wearing the powder blush in Orgasm for about ten years, and then they released it in cream-stick form, which allows me to use it on my cheeks, eyelids, and even lips. (Although I prefer my homemade Orgasm lip gloss, which I created by mixing some of my leftover powder blush with Rosebud Salve. It’s a little too frosted on its own, but over a darker lip pencil or lipstick it looks fantastic.)

    Comment by Chicklet — April 29, 2008 @ 11:19 am

  19. My secret for lips is Carmex. Yes Carmex the chapstick. I wear it every day and my lips look full and glossy. I can’t tell you how often I get a compliment on my lip gloss and people are always asking me what I use. Most of them don’t beleive me that it’s just Carmex!

    Comment by Carolyn — April 29, 2008 @ 11:43 am

  20. @ Danielle:
    I do the same thing with the Old Navy tanks (with the built in bra, or course)!!
    Honestly, they are a staple to my wardrobe. I make sure to wear one every day because they seem to hug in all of the curves and smooth out lines. AND they’re not as expensive as a lot of the body shapers out there.
    What a great find!!

    Comment by leebee — April 29, 2008 @ 12:18 pm

  21. I have very thick curly hair and if I wash it too often, it frizzes up and behaves atrociously. But I find if I wash it a minimum of twice a week or a maximum of four times a week, then it is about as perfect as it can be. Also I don’t use styling product unless I’m going somewhere with no humidity or too much. Then I use Got 2 b 2 sexy hair lotion. In dry places it gives my hair a little life and when it is too humid, it reins my hair in a little.

    I love Smith’s Rosebud Salve on my lips and cuticles. It is subtly pink and glossy and smells nice. When I want less subtle color I use Neutrogena Tinted Lip Moisturizer. It tastes good, comes in a variety of colors and adds a je ne sais quoi to a look.

    If you are prone to scaly elbows and ankles like I am then I cannot recommend Bag Balm in the green tin enough. I bought a tin two years ago when I was working as a maid and it saved my hands from the chemicals I had to work with, and nothing is better for exema and scrapes.

    I love Burt’s Bees line of facial stuff. And for Vargas Girl lashes use Tarte mascara in the purple tube.

    Comment by sara a. — April 29, 2008 @ 1:33 pm

  22. Gold Bond powder to stop thigh chafing in the summer time. Yes, it’s foot powder – but it works great!

    Comment by Chloe — April 29, 2008 @ 2:20 pm

  23. This is kind of an indirect beauty secret: I only use detergent every two or three wash loads, and when I do, it’s watered down to about half strength and I usually use, like, a tablespoon. My clothes still get clean and there’s still plenty of soap suds in the machine even when I don’t add any soap– I’m pretty sure they’re coming from the soap that remains in the machine and/or the residue that’s still in the clothes. The water and agitation of the machine do most of the work… just let them do their job. Once I started doing this, my dry skin disappeared, my acne improved, and my hair is shinier and much less frizzy. That soap was more irritating than I realized!

    Plus, this means one big jug of laundry soap lasts all year.

    Comment by Sharn — April 29, 2008 @ 5:26 pm

  24. Cholesterol. It comes in a big ol’ jar, and it’s sort of thick yellow custardy stuff, but it makes my big curly hair all manageable and soft and not tangly. In fact, people are always a) wanting to touch my hair, b) sneaking in a touch on my hair or c) asking me what my secret is, imagining I spend hours and tons of money on it. (You can buy a giant jar – like 32 oz. for under $5 at your local Sally Beauty Supply or Target, even!) It is the bomb.

    Comment by Alyssa — April 29, 2008 @ 6:35 pm

  25. Revlon Moondrops lip quencher–the clear one; it’s very subtly pink and it’s all I use for lip color unless I’m going all-out on my makeup and need more color. And it’s richer than all get-out, so I don’t need to use anything else to prevent chapping.

    Comment by rabrab — April 29, 2008 @ 8:03 pm

  26. My sister and I do the same thing with Old Navy camis. We refer to them as “casings” (short for sausage casings).

    Comment by Lucy — April 30, 2008 @ 11:59 am

  27. All of my fabulous, oft-complimented jewelry comes from a great (non-chain) dollar store!

    Comment by VerseFameBeauty — April 30, 2008 @ 10:31 pm

  28. I get a ton of compliments on my skin too. When people ask me what I do I tell them it’s my high fat diet!

    Comment by mimi — May 1, 2008 @ 12:58 pm

  29. I blushed as I began to reflect on how many there were. Because I am not naturally glamorous.

    But the deepest, darkest? …

    Duct tape.

    That is all I will say.

    Comment by littlem — May 3, 2008 @ 7:15 am

  30. I like this theme you are using… what is it?

    Comment by morison dony — April 15, 2009 @ 11:38 pm

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