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I’m so happy to welcome the fabulous Leanne Banks to the Jaunty Quills! Her new book is one I definitely will have to pick up!
If you’d like to get it too….here’s the Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/7wlvz4t
MAKE-OVERS, THE PRINCESS AND THE OUTLAW & a drawing for an AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE
From Leanne Banks
I love the idea of a good make-over. It reminds me of Cinderella. Wouldn’t we all like to have a Fairy Godmother who could wave a wand over us and give us a beautiful gown and glass slippers along with perfect hair and make-up?
Or not.
Unfortunately, once the Fairy Godmother takes a hike, recreating that look requires a lot of work. Two hours for hair? An hour for make-up? Trying to look reasonably nice is one thing, but going the Jersey Shore or Princess route can be a lengthy process.
The heroine in my book, THE PRINCESS AND THE OUTLAW, may be a princess, but she is a no-fuss kind of woman. Her sister and the palace stylist want to make-over Princess Pippa, but she prefers her easy-going style. She could name a hundred things she’d rather do than sit in a salon chair or spend time piling on the make-up.
A survey commissioned by Skinbliss reports that women spend an average of 3,276 hours of their lives getting ready for an evening out. That’s 136 days – enough time for an astronaut to fly to the moon and back 22 times. I’ll admit. I’m one of the guilty primpers, but as time goes on, I find myself searching for ways to shorten the time I spend getting ready to go out the door… to live my life.
Maybe Princess Pippa with her frizzy hair that she throws in a bun is inspiring me.
What about you? How long does it take you to get ready to go from zero to out the door ready to face the world? And what about when you’re getting ready for a big event? How much longer? Do you have any tips for keeping your “getting ready” routine short?
Share! Share! I’m giving one commenter a $15.00 Amazon gift certificate!
xo,
Leanne Banks
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Jun 20th
2012
3:08 am
Katherine Garbera Said:
Hey Leanne!!! It so nice to “see” you here today. My normal routine takes me thirty minutes that includes a shower and minimal make-up and air-drying my curly hair. For a big event I really like an hour so I can take my time with my eye-make-up and curl my already curly hair so its not frizzy.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:30 pm
Leanne Said:
Kathy, I love your curly hair! Mine is both flat and curly in a bad way!:/ I’m working on making my getting ready routine faster!
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Jun 20th
2012
5:50 am
Sandi in OH Said:
Thirty minutes from shower to door is all it takes. I can’t remember the last time I wore makeup, except for lipstick. I don’t like the feel of makeup especially when it is hot. Thanks to two shoulder surgeries on the same shoulder, I can no longer use a curling iron so my hair is wash and go. We live in a small town so there are few dressy occasions to attend.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:33 pm
Leanne Said:
Sandi, good for you! I need to learn from you. I’m a minimum 50 minutes from shower to go. I work on my hair too long. I’ve started using brushes with my make-up What a PITA! Thanks for popping in. Maybe you can teach me! xo
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Jun 20th
2012
7:10 am
Emily McKay Said:
Hi Leanne!
I’m a minimalist when it comes to the make up thing, on the other hand, I do like a relaxing shower, so I can’t include that in getting time. Most of the time, I’m five minutes or less worth of bang straightening and makeup. When I’m at conference or something, it’s probably thirty.
But here’s the weird thing … I think most moms probably spend less time on hair/makeup after they have kids. I’m the opposite. Before kids, I never wore make up, now I wear just a little most days, even if it’s just eyeliner and mascara. After the birth of my son, I found that if I didn’t make the effort to do just a little bit, I’d sometimes wander around the whole day (in public!) with hair sticking up and my shirt on inside out. The year he turned one I made a new years resolution to look less embarrassing in public.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:36 pm
Leanne Said:
Emily, haha! I love your walkaround non-glamour attitude. The great thing about being a writer is that we can be eccentric in every way.;) Love ya!
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Jun 20th
2012
7:11 am
kris Said:
It takes 20 minutes for me to do the bare minimum. Alot longer if I want to look half-way decent.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:38 pm
Leanne Said:
Haha Chris! I’m way far from 20 minutes! I need to go to the Chris school!
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Jun 20th
2012
7:13 am
CateS Said:
Minimal time, always moisturizer with sunblock, mascara and lip stuff also w/sunblock.. Hair is wash & go.. I’ve always had straight hair and it’s also fine… I spent some years with perms.. and decided it wasn’t worth the cost and the time… [but I'd kill for my niece's hair.. long, thick, multi colored blond, auburn, -- no one in the family can figure out where it came from... mutant gene...]
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Jun 20th
2012
7:41 pm
Leanne Said:
Cate, I’ve starting using moisturizer with sunblock. Chest, arms, hands and legs. However, I’m not sure how effective they are. I hope better than nothing!
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Jun 20th
2012
7:26 am
Cynthia D'Alba Said:
Hi Leanne! As I’ve gotten older, the time I take to put on make-up, do my hair, etc gets shorter and shorter. Seems like that should be reversed, right? As I’ve aged, I’ve to care less about what people think about me. Very freeing!
Having confessed that, it usually takes me about 5-10 minutes to dry my hair (if it’s wet), or about 2-3 minutes if the hair is dry. When I was younger, I had long hair. It used to take me 45-60 minute JUST FOR MY HAIR! Now it’s short and easy to take care of. Love it.
Make-up? About 5 minutes. In the old days, make-up took 30+ minutes due to the layers and layers of mascara. Now I don’t wear mascara so slap a little on and go.
I used to have to set aside 2 hours to get ready for work. Now I can shower and be ready for church (about the only place I get dressed up for these days) in less than 40.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:44 pm
Leanne Said:
Good for you Cynthia! I’m growing less patient/tolerant every day to do my hair and face and buy shapers. TOO much! I want to live!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
8:01 am
Rebe Said:
I’m too embarassed to admit how long it takes me to get ready in the morning – I am slooooow! However, it does only take me about 5 minutes to do my hair (one of the blessings of short, straight hair, I guess). I will admit that as a Southerner I’ve been trained NOT to leave the house without my hair or makeup done.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:47 pm
Leanne Said:
Oh, Sweetie Rebe! I understand your pain. I was pretty much raised to leave the house in perfect attire and make-up and hair. The house could be falling down, but I needed to look perfect! You’re doing great Rebe!<3
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Jun 20th
2012
8:30 am
Kirsten Said:
It doesn’t take me long cause I don’t do much. My hair is short & I wear only a small amount of make-up. Eyeshadow, mascara and lipstick. I think about 20 minutes total. If I dress up for something special it’s not much longer.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:48 pm
Leanne Said:
Kirsten, you’re way ahead of me! I may have to take lessons from you!!!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
8:49 am
CrystalGB Said:
45 minutes for me. I can do it in 30 if I don’t get distracted by other things.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:52 pm
Leanne Said:
Good for you Crystal! It definitely takes me longer!:/
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Jun 20th
2012
9:09 am
Anne Said:
It takes me a very short amount of time to get dolled up. Short hair, minimal makeup and I am ready for the event.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:49 pm
Leanne Said:
Anne, I’m jealous!<3
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Jun 20th
2012
9:46 am
Melody May Said:
If I want to be dolled up it takes about 2 hrs. If not then about half an hour. Depends on the event.
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Jun 20th
2012
10:16 am
smile0303 Said:
I take a 20 minute shower and normally because I have trouble waking up in the morning I just put it into a bun so it doesn’t get my clothes wet. If I put make-up on it takes me about 20 minutes if I really go all out it takes me an hour. Normally I don’t fuss though.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:55 pm
Leanne Said:
Melody, you sound like me. Big events take MUCH longer! You and I should have a party the next time we need to get ready for an event!<3
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Jun 20th
2012
7:57 pm
Leanne Said:
Smile, I think you’re doing great! I should do a bun!
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Jun 20th
2012
10:16 am
Molly Said:
I don’t wear makeup and my favorite hairstyle is the efficient ponytail. Aside from face lotion with SPF, I don’t require too much maintenance. Princess Pippa sounds like my kind of gal.
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Jun 20th
2012
7:59 pm
Leanne Said:
Bless your heart Molly, but some of us old folks need make-up. Good for you on that pony tail. Use it as long as you can!!!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
8:01 pm
Leanne Said:
Cheryl, I totally understand… says the girl wearing full make-up!
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Jun 20th
2012
11:08 am
cheryl c. Said:
My husband will tell you that it takes me way too long to get ready. As I have gotten older, I have become more high maintenance. I have difficult, curly hair which takes a while to tame. Also, I never leave the house without full makeup!
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Jun 20th
2012
11:25 am
Nancy Robards Thompson Said:
Hi Leanne! I’m so glad you could join us today! What a cute post.
I’m definitely a primper, If I allow myself an hour to get ready, then I’m golden. I did find what I thought was the “fairy godmother” of hair treatments. I got a keratin treatment, which was supposed to charm my curly hair into submission. It did. Sort of. The downside was that for the first three months (the treatment lasts about six months) my hair was so stick-straight and lifeless that I felt bald. I hated it and wished for my curls and body back. Granted, the last three months were great because I could air dry my hair, but it was difficult making my hair look good for the first half of the treatment. So, now I’m back to blow-drying. And you know what? That’s okay. 
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Jun 21st
2012
10:58 am
Leanne Said:
Nancy, I thought about getting a keratin treatment, then decided to just try more of a choppy style. I’ve also started using that wen shampoo which means shampooing my hair takes a bit longer, but it’s more manageable, so hopefully that helps. You always look pretty!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
11:28 am
catslady Said:
Actually, I’m doing the opposite. I spend less time than I use to do. When younger my hair was very, very long and I spent forever getting it right. I would never go to the grocery store without full make up. Now a days it’s wash and wear and some makeup (just enough not to scare everyone lol).
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Jun 21st
2012
11:00 am
Leanne Said:
catslady, every once in a while I go to the grocery store without make-up! But I always wear my big sunglasses when I do that!lol
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Jun 20th
2012
11:44 am
Shana Said:
Welcome, Leanne! I can be ready to head out the door in about 5 minutes, but I would not want to be recognized by anyone but my mom. To go to an event, it takes me closer to 30-45 minutes. My tip is to have my hair professionally blow dried. I can read or work while the stylist works and then I just have to deal with make up and clothes, which are pretty fast.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:02 am
Leanne Said:
Shana, very wise. I love the idea of having someone else doing my hair FOR ME!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
1:58 pm
Laurie G Said:
A minutes. I don’t wear any makeup and I just have to brush out my long hair. It’s thick and wavy on its own.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:04 am
Leanne Said:
Laurie, you’re such a lucky girl!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
2:34 pm
Cindy Kirk Said:
I can get ready in about 30 minutes…which I don’t think is too bad.
I absolutely refuse to leave the house without makeup. Even when my husband insists it will be fine and we won’t see anyone we know…I’ve been fooled by that promise before and I won’t be fooled again.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:06 am
Leanne Said:
Cindy, it’s very rare for me to leave the house without make-up either… but if I need to make a quick desperate run to the grocery or drug store, I’ll do it!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
2:41 pm
eap Said:
Yes Cindy, you’re right. You always see someone you know:)
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Jun 21st
2012
11:11 am
Leanne Said:
haha so true eap!
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Jun 20th
2012
3:17 pm
Jane Said:
It takes me about 30-45 minutes to get ready and get out of the house. If I can just put my hair in a ponytail I can cut preparation time by 20 minutes.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:12 am
Leanne Said:
Jane, I know what you mean. I rarely put my hair up, but that chops time off my getting ready time!
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Jun 20th
2012
5:43 pm
Audra Holtwick Said:
About 20 min. to go to work— on special events–up to 2 hours
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Jun 21st
2012
11:15 am
Leanne Said:
Audra, you are FAST getting ready for work! I’m impressed!
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Jun 20th
2012
5:54 pm
Vanessa Said:
Hi Leanne,
Welcome and congrats on the new book. Sounds great! Look forward to reading it. One tip that makes my “getting” ready routine shorter is using velcro rollers. They make it look like you spent a lot of time curling your hair. Just takes a few minutes to do and it really makes a difference.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:17 am
Leanne Said:
Vanessa thanks!:) Do you put your curlers in at night or in the am?
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Jun 22nd
2012
3:40 pm
Vanessa Said:
I put the velcro rollers on in the morning.
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Jun 20th
2012
6:32 pm
Connie Fischer Said:
I am a fast turn-around person! I’ve gotten it down pat to get the clothes changed, makeup touched up and hair fluffed. I have never understood why it takes women hours to get ready to go somewhere. Come on, Ladies! Get moving. Hubby, boyfriend, or just friends are waiting. Go have fun!
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Jun 21st
2012
11:19 am
Leanne Said:
Connie, I’m working on making my routine shorter! I’m working on it!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
8:27 pm
LilMissMolly Said:
From shower to walking out the door dresses, I take about 1/2 an hour. If I get “gussied up” add 5 minutes.
Seriously, my husband takes longer to get ready than I do! 
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Jun 21st
2012
11:20 am
Leanne Said:
Good for you Molly! Maybe you should teach a class on this!:)
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Jun 20th
2012
9:36 pm
bn100 Said:
It takes me about half an hour to an hour, depending if there’s an event.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:22 am
Leanne Said:
bn100 I need a minimum of an hour if there’s an event! Just too much work to be done!lol
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Jun 20th
2012
9:48 pm
Quilt Lady Said:
It takes me about 30 min. That is without makeup which I hardly ever wear any way
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Jun 21st
2012
11:24 am
Leanne Said:
Quilt Lady, good for you!
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Jun 21st
2012
3:53 am
Kay Said:
Hi Leanne!
I don’t enjoy rushing before an event!
On a normal day I need about an hour, thats a 20min shower(30min when I shave my legs), 20min to blowdry my hair and 20min for make up and clothes. On special events I may need 2 and a half hours…
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Jun 21st
2012
11:25 am
Leanne Said:
Kay, I can take a super short shower when I don’t have to wash my hair. That makes a big difference for me!
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Jun 21st
2012
8:28 am
Kathleen O Said:
These days it takes a little longer for me to get ready for any event.. Even just going to the library… But the best thing I can do for myself is if I know some event is coming up, make sure the appointment is made with the hair stylist.. After that everything else is easy.
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Jun 21st
2012
11:09 am
Leanne Said:
Kathleen, I hear you on the hairstylist. I’m going to have to do that more often!
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Jun 21st
2012
5:46 pm
Chelsea B. Said:
Well, I’m kinda lucky and unlucky.
So for a special occasion, it usually takes me about an hour.
Lucky, because– Usually I don’t wear make up, and just brush my hair or pull it up. Add getting dressed it usually takes me about 20 mins.
Unlucky, because– I don’t usually wear make up, so I haven’t acquired the ability to put it on quickly! That definitely takes me a little while. For a special hair style, I admit, I have to get someone else to do it, haha. I am not good like that
A tip I can offer is practice. Definitely if there is a new hair style you want to pull off. Nothing worse than your hair falling down in the middle of a party because you didn’t use enough bobby pins!
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Jun 22nd
2012
1:27 am
Cathy P Said:
Hi Leanne! If I take a shower before leaving, it takes me about 45 minutes to shower, dress, brush my teeth, and search for my car keys.
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Jun 22nd
2012
9:04 am
Cindy Kirk Said:
Vanessa is Leanne’s winner!!!
Vanessa, please contact Leanne through her website and she’ll get that gift certificate to you.
Thanks to everyone who commented!l
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