I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Some days at around 4 o’clock, I get a massive energy dip. I don’t even have to look at the time. I start yawning nonstop, my brain stops functioning, and ALL I want to do is crawl into bed.
The other day the energy dip hit me again. I was sitting in front of the computer, but instead of doing something constructive I was just yawning nonstop. Finally I decided to stand up and step out of the house for a little walk. I had to collect a parcel from the supermarket so why not?
That’s how I got the inspiration for three things that will help you snap out of the 4-o’clock energy dip, in case you ever fall victim!
1) Put on a bright lip color, like MAC Girl About Town lipglass.
This was the one thing that I wanted from the MAC Fashion Sets collection, but naturally it was not available in Europe (only in North/Latin America and the Middle East). Outraged, I complained on Twitter, only to have Miss Cheeky the great enabler to offer to get it for me.
I’m proud to report I am as obsessed with this shade as I thought it would be!
Girl about Town lipglass is a bright fuchsia with blue undertone. There is also a decent dose of silver shimmer present, though I’m glad to report that you can’t feel a thing when you press your lips together! The brightness and shine of the color makes it more wearable on different skin tones and undertones (I normally avoid things with a blue undertone, but I think this looks just fine on me).
The texture is very thick and sticky, but application is very easy and it doesn’t sink into lines. The doe foot applicator works really well. Because of how intensely pigmented and sticky this gloss is, I usually have just about enough product on the applicator (I might have to dip it back once but no more). It has the signature vanilla scent of MAC lip products, and it gives me a bit of sugar high just smelling it! This gloss also lasts longer than most of my lipsticks. It can troop through 5 hours with plenty of drinks and even some food! I also found that if you find it TOO bright when you first apply, you can blot it off with a tissue or just drink some water (note: you ARE going to have some bright fuchsia lipglass on the edge of that glass). That way, some of the color goes off and it actually looks very wearable.
You can see me sporting Girl about Town in the full-face pictures above and below, but just in case you need some good old swatches here they are:
See the pretty silver shimmer? With a base this tacky, I haven’t seen it traveling around my face at all! Also, after 5 hours, my lips don’t become dehydrated with it. They’re probably not more moisturized, but certainly not drier!
I found that putting on a shade like this dramatically brightens my mood. Plus if you put it on around 4, it will definitely see you through your work day, perhaps even through a drink or two later with the colleagues!
Bottom line: For the color, easy application, and lasting power (though you do have to sacrifice a little on the texture side, and if you don’t do tacky lipglosses then this is not for you), Girl about Town is definitely one of the best lipglosses I have seen recently!
2) Kitty scarf, or anything that makes you go “awwww.”
I know this sounds silly but hey, isn’t there a little girl in every woman? A while ago I saw this while reading Makeupandbeautyblog (note: this site is extremely dangerous. Not only does it make you want more makeup, it makes you want more… kitty items too). Of course a crazy cat lady like me can’t let it go. I headed straight to Etsy and purchased not one, but TWO of them (the other is for my bestie). This was in the parcel that I collected that day, and I’m head-over-heels for this whimsical and reasonably-priced piece. It puts a smile on my face and makes everything look better! Plus, it might be useful to slip something like this into your handbag in case the air conditioning gets a little too chilly for your liking. Also, it’s a great way to spice up an otherwise simple outfit. I’m a fan!
3) Occasional indulgence isn’t a crime, and I like my Oreo!
It might be weird for a beauty blogger to preach this kind of indulgence but hey, I’m only human! Sometimes when everything else fails, a little sweet treat could be your last resort. My latest addiction is Oreo, or to be more precise, white chocolate-covered Oreo…
For those of you who live in Belgium and have problems finding Oreo, it is sometimes not put next to other cookies. In the supermarket near my house, it is actually placed next to a lot of Weight Watcher stuff (I find it really ironic but anyways).
OK, so it’s not very healthy, and I don’t want to know how many calories there are in just one of these. However, I do believe that nothing is bad in moderation. As long as you don’t go over the top or give up on your healthy meals for them, some indulgence can’t be bad! I’m all for being happy, even if it means putting my little toe out of line from time to time!
Do you experience 4-o’clock energy slump? How do you snap out of it? Do you have your eyes on MAC Girl about Town lipglass? Are you also a fan of Oreo?
Sunny, your beauty culture translator xx
PS: If you want a kitty scarf, head over here. I don’t see the black one at the moment, and the pink one is forever and ever listed as reserved (though it didn’t occur me to ask since I’m not a big pink-wearer). You should definitely ask Kay the owner though. She’s a sweet lady!
