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Archives for November 2008

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Makeup Edition

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Happy Thanksgiving, ladies! Guess who’s back in the foggy Yea Area, aka home.

I hope you’re having a great day so far. Is there a turkey in your immediate future?

I was sitting here at my computer, daydreaming about food, when I remembered that last year I made a list of 43 makeup and beauty related things I was thankful for. It was a play on the website 43things.

I can’t believe that was a year ago… I swear — the older I get, the faster time flies!

For sure, there’s much more to life than makeup, but for now here are 43 more (makeup and beauty) things I’m thankful for, *raises glass*. 🙂

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Makeup Edition, 2008

1. My favorite makeover of 2008.

2. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Perfume.

3. Trying out this crazy pastel eye in the Shu Uemura Rebirth Spring Collection Tutorial got me thinking outside the box.

4-9. My favorite Chanel of the year: Summer 2008 , Smokey Eye Quad, Aurora Blues Spring 2008, Les Tissages Blushes, Aqualumiere lipglosses and Leopard Lipstick.

10. The MAC Fafi collection made me realize that makeup stakeouts = fun.

11. Olay Quench Mousse, aka moisturization for lazy ladies.

12. MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl: a hidden gem.

13. Bobbi Brown’s Beach Shower Gel gave me my ocean fix.

14. I learned so much and had a lot of fun attending MAC and Chanel makeup classes.

15-16. Dior Eyeshadow Quints that really brought the hotness: Golds 569 and Earth Tones from the Impression Cuir collection.

17. The Essie Neon Collection made me fall in love with yellow nails (wait… that sounds bad).

18. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer.

19. So long, Chewbacca legs: Say howdy to the Gilette Venus Embrace.

20. Clinique Long Glass Glosswear SPF 15 protected my pucker from the hot summer sun.

21-24. The mascaras that rocked my year: Chanel Exceptionnel, Shu Uemura Precise Volume, Clarins Wonder Mint (aka the Teal Terror), Diorshow Iconic.

25. Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof in Noir stayed on my waterline through tears of joy at my brother’s graduation.

26. I fed my brush addiction with Sonia Kashuk’s fanstastic Synthetic Flat Top Blusher, Eye Shadow and Face Brushes.

27-32. The MAC releases that made my heart skip: Neo Sci Fi, Cremesheen, Cult of Cherry, Cool Heat, Beauty Powder Blushes, and Originals.

33. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows.

34. Drool-inducing palettes: Mika Shu, Cargo Vienna Palette, Clarins So Sublime, Laura Mercier Toolbox, Stila Front Cover Look No. 4, Beiges de Chanel, Lancome Couture Warms and Sonia Kashuk Blue Lagoon.

35. My easiest smokey eye, EVER.

36. Bag Balm: not just for udders anymore!

37. Poof! makes “dropping off the kids at school” (*ahem*) a more pleasurable experience.

38. Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Mist.

39. Clean & Clear Soft In-Shower Facial kicked my clogged pores to the curb.

40. Sally Hansen Fall Nail Lacquer Colors by Tracy Reese.

41. The bargain hunter in me loved The Cosmetics Company Store.

42. More bargain lovin’ with Aussie Opposites Attract hair products.

And holla! — Last, but not least…

43. Give the girl a hand with Miss Oops Mishap Tape!

What beauty products are you thankful for?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Comodynes Oats Makeup Remover Facial Cleanser Wipes: Simply Clean

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I was cruising a Bed, Bath & Beyond a few weeks ago, looking for couch covers, when I spotted their ginormous, new beauty section. The company has been rolling them out in their larger stores nationwide.

Anywho, that’s when I spotted Comodynes Oats Makeup Remover Facial Cleanser Wipes ($6). I can’t resist makeup wipes, so I picked them up but hadn’t gotten around to using them until this week.

Takes It Off; Takes It *ALL* Off

I opened the pack after Jen’s wedding last Saturday, and wouldn’t you know it? — these things rock. A single wipe was all it took to remove my full-coverage foundation, long-wearing MAC Fluidline Gel Liner AND several layers of heavy duty Chanel Exceptionnel thickening mascara. Not bad.

The wipes feel soft against my skin, kinda like the stretchy fabric of L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes. In fact, they’re so soft and moisturizing that they didn’t irritate sensitive areas like the skin around my waterline (they’re even alcohol-free).

Comodynes Oats Makeup Remover Facial Cleanser Wipes

Price: $6 (20 big wipes per pack)
Use: A superb makeup removing moist towelette; even removes long-wear and waterproof eye makeup with ease.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

No Sticky Film, Yay!

And, unlike L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes, Comodynes wipes don’t leave a sticky film. I’ve gotten used to following up makeup wipes with water and a facial cleanser like Chanel Precision Cleansing Milk, but since these leave almost no detectable residue (just the faintest moisturizing coating and light rose scent), I could use them sans cleanser in a pinch.

Get More

At 8-by-8 inches, Comodynes wipes are huge! I’m going to cut some of them in half and stuff ’em back in the package (a plastic pouch that seals with a sticker). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Brown Skin Is Beautiful Skin

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Hi, girls. I don’t usually reprint posts from the archives, but I stumbled across one from June 2007 that still strikes a chord with me.

I think it’s more about being considerate than it is about political correctness, cultural mores or stereotypes, but tell me what you think.

—REPRINT—

Two weeks ago I watched an Oprah episode titled “Children Ashamed of the Way They Look,” which also launched a new campaign to promote self-esteem for younger girls, O Girl, O Beautiful.

Oprah’s guests — celebs and a few regular people — talked about their experiences with beauty and self-esteem within their various communities.

The story of two of the guests, Tangela and her son Najee, resonated with me, and here’s a copy from the Oprah website:[Continue reading…]

Nars Mounia Blush: More Wearable Than It Looks

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“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” says the English proverb. And why shouldn’t we? Answer: because looks can be deceiving, as they are for Nars Mounia powder blush ($25).

When I swatched this shimmery reddish brown coral with golden pearl before I left for Florida, I was convinced it was going to cause crazy clown cheeks. It looked almost like bright paint in the pan and on the back of my hand.

Undeterred, I busted out my Shu Uemura 7.5EX fan brush ($35). Because Mounia was so intense in the pan, I applied slowly, shooting for very thin, sheer layers.

To my surprise, the shade didn’t look anywhere near as bright on my cheeks. It delivers a bright yet natural, just-pinched flush — not at all what I expected.

That’s Mounia on my cheeks and colors from the JK Jemma Kidd Fashion Palette on my eyes and lips.

With bright red cheek colors like Nars Mounia, I like to wear neutral lips and eyes because if I don’t — if I wear too many bright colors at the same time — it looks like there’s a party on my face, LOL!
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85% off Stila Eyeshadows at Costco!

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BIG thanks to reader Glosslizard for emailing to let me know that Costco is selling a set of six Stila eyeshadow duos for $16.99! They retail at Sephora for $20 each, so that’s better than six for the price of one. Check or call your local Costco for availability.

Glosslizard said the set includes Kakiji, Lily, Salome, Fandango, Vieux Carre and Mara Simba. “I know it’s probably shady ‘gray’ retailing or something (way too good to be true, ya know?),” she warned, “but I just couldn’t pass it up! And, I had to let you know!”

What a great deal! Thanks, G!

Even more Stila

Stilacosmetics.com is also offering (but not through Costco) a free #87 Spiced Rum Lip Glaze ($22 value) when you spend $30 or more and use coupon code GLAZE4U at checkout.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Let me know when you find good deals. We gotta share the makeup love, yo! 🙂

Beauty Snacks: Sites of the Day, Nov. 25

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Gimme That Old School BH 90210

OPI is rolling out a collection in January inspired by the newly revamped version of the 90s TV classic Beverly Hills, 90210. To this I give a big fat BOO! I want shades inspired by the old school show, with names like The Brenda-Kelly-Dylan Love Triangle and Kelly’s In a Cult.

A Rainy Day Makeup Project

Bellasugar shows how to make a lipstick palette out of a pillbox.

Un-Wrinkle My Lips, Please

OOH! I’ve been wanting to try this stuff. Beauty Addict takes a look at Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Lip ($30), a peptide product that promises to plump, smooth and hydrate lips.

Are You Down With Slow Blogging?

Slow is the new blog! Well, that’s what those in the new slow blogging movement believe, LOL!

Shop Wisely This Holiday Season

Be a responsible shopper this holiday season with these savvy shopping tips.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Ernest Hemingway’s (1899-1961) most productive writing years were the 10 years he spent living on Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West. He spent his thirties on Key West and wrote 70% of his published life’s work — including For Whom the Bell Tolls and To Have and Have Not — in a small, second-story writing studio overlooking his estate’s tropical gardens. Surrounded by his many cats, he would peck away at a little typewriter from dawn until about noon, and then either head downtown to get drunk at Sloppy Joe’s saloon or spend the afternoon deep sea fishing.

Hemingway was many things — a womanizer, manic depressive, egotistical, an alcoholic — but he was also a brilliant storyteller and one of my favorite writers of all time.

Here are some pictures of the place he called home…
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Nov. 24

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  1. Mood:

    2. I haven’t adjusted to the time difference so I’m a little tired.

  2. Eye makeup colors:

    3. Nothing yet, but I’m thinking of either the bright purple or teal from the Shu Uemura Adorned Marguerite palette.

  3. Today:

    4. To eat a piece of key lime pie and to visit Ernest Hemingway’s house in Old Town. I want to take a picture of a polydactyl cat because I got it into my head that taking a picture of one will help me become a better writer.

  4. I’m lovin’ (beauty related):

    5. Bath and Body Works Coconut Lime Verbena Body Lotion. It smells so good!

  5. I’m lovin’ (non-beauty related):

    6. Long drives and spending time with El Hub.

  6. Breakfast:

    7. A Power Bar Triple Threat in Caramel Peanut Fusion… blech!

  7. Outfit:

    8. Running shorts, tank top and Saucony Grid Stabil running shoes (great shoes if you’re flat-footed like me).

  8. Quote of the day:

    9. “It is not the strongest species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.” — Charles Darwin.

  9. Just another manic Monday?:

    10. Yes, but that’s what coffee is for. 🙂

  10. Goals this week:

    11. Find some stretchy pants to wear to Thanksgiving dinner and to catch up on all the work I’ve missed.

Good morning and happy Monday, girls! Are you ready to play? Just copy the list, pop in your answers, and stick them in the comments. I can’t wait to hear how you’re doing today.

Le List

Mood:
Eye makeup colors:
Today:
I’m lovin’ (beauty related):
I’m lovin’ (non-beauty related):
Breakfast:
Outfit:
Quote of the day:
Just another manic Monday?:
Goals this week:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

$375 Chanel Sublimage Texture Universelle: Someone Forgot to Tell Chanel about the Economy

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Question: How does Chanel intend to weather the down economy?

Answer: Simple, they’re gonna release another $375 skincare product.

Their Sublimage franchise has been a big hit, accounting for half the brand’s skincare sales wherever they’ve been sold, so this January the company plans to add a new product to the mix, Sublimage Texture Universelle, an identically priced cream offering the same broad anti-aging benefits as the original Sublimage cream, but in a lighter texture for even more skin types.

Back in April I tried and LOVED Chanel’s Sublimage Eye Cream (I even kept the empty 0.13 ounce sample jar as a memento, LOL!), but Chanel broke my heart by charging $225 per ounce!!!

The addition of Sublimage Texture Universelle brings the Sublimage line to a total of four products, including an eye cream and a serum. Introduced in September 2006, the original cream has been renamed Sublimage Texture Supreme.

As Chanel’s premiere skincare line (no kidding), Sublimage targets wrinkles, loss of firmness, dehydration, lack of radiance and uneven pigmentation.

Why does Sublimage work so well?

Psychosomatic placebo factors aside … it’s thanks to a compound Chanel calls Plantifolia-PFA, the line’s active ingredient, derived from the fresh fruit of a Madagascan orchid-family plant. Chanel claims the compound boosts skin’s inter-cellular communication. “If Texture Supreme is cashmere,” the press release says, “Texture Universelle is silk.”

That’s mostly marketing fancy talk, but I did think the rich, jasmine-scented Sublimage eye cream worked well. I loved it even more than my previous eye cream crush, MAC Moisturelush ($30, 0.5 oz jar), and that’s saying a lot.

Chanel must agree because they’ve priced Sublimage out of reach of most consumers. The new Texture Universelle will cost $375.00 for 1.7 oz. The other sizes will be priced from $175.00 to $385.00.

Because of the price, the Sublimage line gets limited distribution, but you can usually find it on Chanel’s counters in Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen
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