Archives for February 2009

Get Your Paws On Aveeno Nourish+ Hair Care Collection Before Anybody Else

February 26th, 2009 by Karen 108 Comments

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, Liz. Thank you for entering!

aveeno nourish haircare giveaway

So Glam Media is sponsoring a giveaway that I thought you gals might dig.

Drugstore body care line Aveeno is famous for their soothing lotions. Well, they plan to launch their first hair care line, codenamed the Nourish+ Hair Care Collection, this April.

Trying new beauty products before they go on sale is like attending an exclusive movie screening, and the giveaway’s a chance to get an early look at Nourish+.

The prize

One lucky winner will get three products from the new line — Nourish+ shampoo, the regular conditioner and the new leave-in conditioner (a $21 value).

What Aveeno says about Nourish+

It’s revolutionary! — combining nature and science (like the Terminator) to bring damaged hair back to life in just three washes.
The Nourish+ Nourishing Wheat Complex has a positive electrical charge that attracts the negatively charged damaged parts of the hair follicle, delivering the right amount of proteins needed to help moisturize and repair dry hair.
The line includes Nourish + Moisturize, Nourish + Revitalize, and Nourish + Volumize shampoos and conditioners, as well as Nourish + Condition Leave-In Treatment ($7 each).
At last week’s Oscars in Los Angeles, Aveeno Nourish+ Hair Care Collection sponsored the Glam VIP Touch Up Lounge at the Leeza Gibbons Oscar party. Viewers received a backstage look at celeb hair touch-ups provided by Aveeno Nourish+.

How to enter

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both for two chances to win. The first involves leaving a comment here on this post — a comment about anything at all. Tell me about your worst hair style (mine was a bowl cut immediately followed by a tight poodle perm, oh the horror!), what food you’re craving right now or about your pet. The second involves signing up for my updates by email, if you haven’t already subscribed. You’ll get one email per day, exploding with sassy beauty and makeup updates!

Recap

If you haven’t already signed up to receive Makeup and Beauty Blog daily email updates, then enter your email in the box below (or click this link).
You may also enter by leaving a comment in the comments section at the bottom of this post (be sure to use a valid email address).

I’ll choose the winners at random among the people who enter by 11:59 PST on Friday, February 27.

Good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

A Really Handy Makeup Tool

February 26th, 2009 by Karen 23 Comments

Before I leave the house I go through my internal checklist — lipgloss: check, camera: check, sarcasm: CHECK!

It keeps me from forgetting things, but there’s one thing I never have to remind myself to bring. Click here for the video. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Ooh! I can’t wait for America’s Best Dance Crew tonight. Let’s go, Beat Freaks, let’s go!

Thursday Beauty Tips: Write Love Notes to Yourself

February 26th, 2009 by Karen 37 Comments

makeup blog beauty blog

In June of 1993, I was a senior in high school. Graduation was just around the corner, and I could already taste the freedom of college life in the fall.

One of my classes that semester was a psychology course taught by an amazing teacher, Mr. Friedman. He had a real gift for connecting with students, and his class was so much fun.

On the last day of school, Mr. Friedman had us do an exercise.

He told us to write something nice about each of our classmates on little slips of paper. At the end of the exercise, each student had 30 slips of paper with 30 positive statements.

The notes were anonymous.

Later that night, I sat at my desk and read through the different notes. “You’re strong willed and smart.” “You’re hard working.” “You’re well behaved.” LOL!

makeup blog beauty blog

The notes made me feel special, appreciated and loved.

When it came time to leave for college, I put my notes in a box and took them with me.

I’ve kept those slips of paper for 16 years, taking them out to read when I’ve felt blue or faced a big challenge in my life.

The notes have consoled me through many tough times, like those first lonely years of college, when it felt impossible to get my bearings.

I was reading through them last night when it hit me: we should totally write these notes to ourselves!

Get some slips of paper (a good amount, like 20-30), and on each one, write something positive or nice about yourself. 🙂

Keep them in a special box or jar, and set it aside someplace safe. That way, you can take them out whenever you need inspiration or strength.

Yeah, I know it’s a little cheesy, but a little cheese never hurt anyone (Mmm… gouda…).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Things That Make Me Go Meow! Win MAC Hello Kitty Fun and Games Blush

February 26th, 2009 by Karen 264 Comments

This giveaway is closed. Congrats to the winner, Adriana. Thank you for entering!

mac hello kitty fun and games beauty powder blush giveaway

More MAC Hello Kitty giveaway madness coming right at ‘cha, kittens. 🙂 One lucky winner will get their paws on a pan of Fun & Games Blush ($18 value), *meow!*

How to enter…

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both for two chances to win. The first involves leaving a comment here on this post — a comment about anything at all. Tell me what you watched on T.V. last night, wax philosophic on Paula Abdul, or confess your makeup sins. The second involves signing up for my updates by email, if you haven’t already subscribed. You’ll get one email per day, jam packed with delicious makeup updates and fun giveaways like this one!

Recap…

If you haven’t already signed up to receive Makeup and Beauty Blog daily email updates, then enter your email in the box below (or click this link).
You may also enter by leaving a comment in the comments section at the bottom of this post (be sure to use a valid email address).

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59PM PST Friday night.

Good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Congrats to Catherine, winner of last weekend’s Lucky Tom Palette!

Rumbly in My Tumbly

February 26th, 2009 by Karen 18 Comments

Bears love honey
And I’m a Pooh bear
So I do care
And so I’ll climb there.

I’m so rumbly
In my tumbly
Time for something sweet
To eat!

When You Least Expect It

February 26th, 2009 by Karen 3 Comments

Beauty finds you in the most unlikely places, like this tucked-away alley in downtown Mill Valley.

Sally Hansen Ultra Soothing Lip Tint: My Lips Are Soothed, but Where’s the Tint?

February 25th, 2009 by Karen 28 Comments

sally hansen natural beauty carmindy ultra soothing lip tints

Sally Hansen usually rocks when it comes to lip products (you gotta try the Color Comfort Lip Color lipsticks, yo!), which is why the Ultra Soothing Lip Tints from the Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy line ($10) threw me for a loop.

I didn’t expect Cranberry (peach), Pomegranate (red) and Melon (hot pink) to provide full-color coverage, but I expected them to pack at least a little pigment.

I should have known something was up from how sheer they looked in the swatches on the back of my hand…

They yielded almost no color on my lips. The tint’s M.I.A., just like Joaquin Phoenix’s good sense!

joaquin phoenix is a hot mess, yo

The lip swatch below shows Melon, the brightest shade of the bunch, after one layer. Apart from the shine, I think my lips look like they’re bare.
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Drugstore Elegance with Physicians Formula Cosmetics

February 25th, 2009 by Karen 48 Comments

physicians formula cosmetics makeup

Earlier today I set my mind to doing a shimmery gray eye and pink cheek look with a few items from Physicians Formula.

physicians formula cosmetics makeup karen fotd

I wanted a friend to keep me company, so I asked Tabs. He shot me a dirty look for waking him up, but he shoots me dirty looks all the time; I’m used to it. 🙂

Elegant isn’t a word I always associate with drugstore makeup, but when it comes to the looks possible with these four items from Physicians Formula (each about $12), I think it fits.

physicians formula cosmetics makeup eyeshadow palette

My favorite part of the look is the eye. I think it’s something I’d wear out to a fancy restaurant, assuming, of course, I ever go to one (yes, El Hub, that IS a hint!).

Shimmer Strips in Smoky Brown Eyes ($11)

The overall look relies heavily on Shimmer Strips in Smoky Brown Eyes ($11), a palette of nine coordinating eyeshadow shades from cool-toned brown to gray and silver.

physicians formula cosmetics makeup eye

I feel like the shadow colors totes resemble Clinque’s and offer the same soft, non-gritty texture with medium pigmentation. Gotta love the delicate shimmer, too. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Organic Wear Mascara in Black Organics ($10)

physicians formula organic wear cosmetics mascara

To accentuate the gray eyes, I reached for a black mascara, applying four coats (!) of Organic Wear Mascara in Black Organics ($10). It boasts a formula that’s free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives and parabens.

This baby builds crazy good, with absolutely no clumping or flaking, and the stubby brush managed to grab even my wimpiest lashes.

I love the definition Organic Wear delivers, and it lengthens and thickens well enough, but it’s not going to satisfy someone with dramatic drag queen lash lust. If you already have long, full lashes and just need a lil’ something-something to define them, look no further. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush ($14)

physicians formula organic wear cosmetics blush

The Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush ($14) powder duo comes in the same cute beige and green packaging that the Mascara comes in, and it makes the same claim about having all-natural ingredients, too. I’m not always influenced by those kinds of claims, but when a product performs well, particularly a drugstore product, and just happens to be all-natural, it’s icing on the cake.

The product comes in a variety of shades. Pink Rose, part of the Light Bronzer/Pink Rose duo, is a matte peachy pink that looks light and natural on my cheeks, lasts all day long and layers with ease.

Unfortunately, Light Bronzer turned out to be too light for my skin and doesn’t really work for me as a bronzer, but I do like the fine texture of the powder. In the right shade, I’d like it a lot, thanks to how natural it looks and how easily it applies. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
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