BEAUTY BUZZ
A Pandemic Silver Lining
So admittedly the last few months are unlike anything most of us have seen in our lifetime. As a survivor of H1N1, back in 2009, my heart goes out to everyone affected by COVID-19. Remembering how sick I was with Swine Flu I can’t even fathom how it feels to acquire COVID-19. It’s because of this, I’d do anything to protect others and prevent myself from getting the illness. So yes, I’m proudly in the mask-wearing camp.
While wearing face masks may not be the most fashionable accessory, I appreciate the safety factor and another silver lining. What kind of silver lining can there possibly be in wearing a face mask? The answer: time and money.
When our state-mandated everyone to wear face masks I immediately realized how much time I’d save putting on my face. Time wasn’t the only factor because with a little ingenuity I could save money by using less makeup. Then my timesaving idea stretched to another level with styling an entire outfit bwahaha!
5 Minutes Is All It Took, How’d I Do It?
In recent years, I’ve gradually used fewer makeup products and found to my delight that with the mask I can go totally without. Oh sure, I could go without makeup anytime and most days this is how I roll. But, when going out in public, I typically like to wear a minimum of eyeliner and eyebrows. The face mask changed all this because with oversized sunglasses, mask, and if I want to be really fancy, my wig. Throwing on some cute earrings and outfit and I’m good to go.
The Outfit
It only took me 5 minutes to create a chic look and all of it without a scrap of makeup! Let’s be honest when it’s hot as Hades who wants to wear makeup anyway? Here are all the pieces:
- Black tee shirt
- Previously loved denim midi skirt
- Gold/white striped slides
- Bronze leather leaf earrings
- Bracelets
- Gold ‘white’ cane
- Sunglasses
- Face mask
- Hair/wig
Sustainability & Minimalism
As a minimalist, I’m always looking for ways to eliminate waste/excess, and this year my focus has been on fast fashion or rather abstaining from it. Knowing I can always do better with sustainability in mind motivates me to continually downsize and opt for previously loved clothing.
For ages, I’ve been wanting a long denim skirt or dress and haven’t had success finding what appealed to me. Since I already went through my wardrobe looking to give a new home for some of my previously ‘loved’ items, it made sense to look at ThredUp for a denim skirt.
Before I send anything to ThredUp or any other resaler I take photos for my records until my stuff is sold or given away. By the way, ThredUp Clean Out Kits are free, all you have to do is request a shipping bag/box or print a label with your own packaging. Please note that due to the high volume and reduced staff, the processing time is considerably longer.
For anyone interested in creating a more sustainable wardrobe lifestyle I highly recommend the book “The Conscious Closet” by Elizabeth Cline. The book is available on BARD and Audible and the author offers excellent tips as well as interesting statistics for the fashion conscious.
Additional Resources:
If you are on Instagram here are a few other resources on sustainability.
What are your thoughts about sustainable fashion?
Have a fabulous weekend!
Image Descriptions:
- Beauty Buzz Header Image: The background is half gray and the other half is a photo of a home office. On the gray half is “Beauty Buzz” in white text with a colorful bumblebee at the end of the word. White text on the photo says “Blog Biz.”
- #2 Skirt & Mask – Photo of Steph standing outside in her ThredUp midi denim skirt, black tee, gold/white striped slides, gold “white” cane, and facemask sans makeup.
- #3 Photo Gallery – Midi skirt 3-panel collage 1) Rear shot of Steph standing 2) Steph sitting on a picnic bench under a tree 3) Steph standing in the sunlight holding her face mask.