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Archives for February 2009

Cat Style on Makeup and Beauty Blog

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leopard-smile-with-your-eyes

MAC’s Hello Kitty wasn’t the first time a fantastic feline stole my heart on the blog.

Here’s a quick blast from the past featuring a few of my all-time favorite cats!

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Lip Look: Chanel Rouge Hydrabase Leopard Lipstick

“This leopard deserves her big jungle cat name. She’s an awesome, semi-matte golden coral, and she makes me look and feel ready to pounce! Even though I’m looking pretty tow up right now in my stretchy pants (had to have ice cream after dinner) and oversized UC DAVIS ALUMNI t-shirt, with Leopard on my lips I still feel hot enough to stalk unsuspecting man prey.”

A Kryolan Makeover, aka Adventures in Theater Makeup

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I got a little suspicious when he glued a prosthetic cat nose to my face. That’s when it dawned on me: homie was probably not going to do a simple smokey eye.”

With Pop Beauty Cat Eyes Liners It’s Good to Be Catty

“OBSESSION ALERT! Pop Beauty Cat Eyes Liners ($16) make applying eyeliner easy and, well, kinda fun. Slanted like the tips of calligraphy pens, these three three highly pigmented pencil liners are built to hit the right angles for slick cat eyes (think Amy Winehouse pre-hot mess).”

Beauty Blog Mascot or Fussy Tabby: Who Is Tabs the Cat?

“International fashion icon and beauty diva Tabs (short for tabby cat) moonlights as my pet — or, more accurately, he allows me to moonlight as his person. Each Sunday afternoon Tabs shares photos from his portfolio. Here are 10 of the beauty and fashion modeling jobs that helped turn Tabs into the feline superstar that he is today.”

Happy Friday, ladies! Are ya’ll ready for the weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Nars Says Aloha with the Hula Hula Eyeshadow Duo

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This afternoon I tried to come up a clever rhyme befitting the NARS Hula Hula Eyeshadow Duo ($32), but the closest I came were “Spend that moolah on Nars Hula Hula” and “I start to drool-a when I see Nars Hula Hula.”

FYI: Not many words rhyme with hula. 🙂

My rhymes may not weave a sonnet, but this shimmery eyeshadow duo feels like poetry on my eyes.

One of two eyeshadow duos in the Nars spring 2009 collection, Hula Hula comes with two cool-toned eyeshadows, the first in shimmery strawberry pink and the other in gold.


Swatch of Hula Hula without flash

To all my glitter girls, take note. Both colors in the duo have bangin’ flakes of glitter — huge chunks like the glitter in Nars’ Super Orgasm Blush, BAM!

I usually equate big glitter with drag show makeup (which has its time and place, I might add), but for some reason it works for me in Hula Hula, I’m guessing because both the colors apply semi-sheer. The finish reminds me of the sheer MAC Beauty Powder blushes. The glitter adds a touch of glam that just stops short of gaudy.


With flash

I think if either of the shadows in this duo applied with the rich, shimmery pigmentation of something like a Shu Uemura eyeshadow or MAC Pigment, then the glitter in them would have taken these shadows on a three-hour tour to tranny-ville. Instead, they hit the glitter nail on the head.
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14 Pink Lip Colors for Valentine’s Day

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There’s something about wearing pink lips on Valentine’s Day that just feels *right*!

If you’re looking for the perfect pink for your pout, consider one of these 14 pink lipsticks and glosses. 🙂

Bright pinks

Sometimes a bold, bright pink lip is the only way to go. Pair any of these dramatic lips with thick black cat eyeliner and some false lashes for a show-stopping look.

One of my favorites is MAC Hello Kitty Lipglass in Sweet Strawberry ($14), pictured above. Sweet and sexy at the same time!

Or, if you’re in the mood for something less shiny, how about Milani Velvet Lipstick Creamy Lipcolor in Royale ($5)?

For those who want to bring the bling, consider N.Y.C. New York Color Ultra Last Lip Wear in Blue Rose ($2).

Rosy pinks

Okay, so maybe a bold pink lip isn’t your thang; think about rose shades for a more conservative spin. I dig ’em with shimmery browns or pink shadows and blushes.

Budget lovin’ beauties might love Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Comfort Lip Color in Pink Blossom($10)…

…or Sally Hansen Moist & Matte Liquid Color in Taffeta ($8).

If you’re in the mood to splurge, Givenchy Rouge Interdit in Maharani Rose ($27) could tickle you pink…

…as could Yves Saint Laurent Pur Gloss in Pure Fuschia ($29)!

Cool pinks

Perhaps you’re thinking about wearing something cool on your eyes. How about one of these cool pinks?

Clarins Joil Rouge Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick in Pink Sugar($24) would look fab with gray smokey eyes or pale shimmery greens or blues.


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Beauty Snacks: Sites of the Day, Feb. 12

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Hello Kitty: the obsession continues

Something tells me this Danger Kitty necklace would look lovely accompanying a MAC Hello Kitty haul. 🙂

Guyliner lives!

Don’t some of these celebrity dudes hella rock their mascara? Someone should tell them about MAC Blacktrack Fluidline. 🙂

About finding your Valentine on Craigslist: don’t

I thank the powers that be for sending El Hub; before I met him it wasn’t always smooth sailing in my dating life… Have I ever talked about the boyfriend I met on Craigslist? Here’s how I ended up breaking up with him.

Is Chris Brown the new Bobby Brown?

Is Chris Brown headed into the same downward spiral that plagued Bobby Brown? Say it ain’t so!

Sending love and prayers to the Aussies

My heart broke when I saw these pictures of koalas suffering from the intense heat of the deadly brush fires in Australia. My thoughts go out to everyone in Australia (man and animal alike) right now.

Science is frickin’ awesome

New technology makes it possible for people to control these prosthetic arms with their thoughts. Amazing!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche for the Bath? Yes, Please

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Back in the 80s there were these “Calgon take me away” commercials with an overstressed lady who looked ready to pitch a fit.

As a kid, I didn’t understand those commercials — first, why the lady looked so stressed out, and then why she looked so happy in the bath.

But I get it now.

Lord, I get it now.

Enter Chanel’s new Chance Eau Fraiche Foaming Shower Gel ($47.50, 6.8-oz bottle) and Moisturizing Body Cream ($75, 7-oz. jar).

Both are inspired by Chanel’s Chance Eau Fraiche Perfume, a light citrusy floral with notes of lemon, jasmine and vetiver.

Getting ready for bed at the end of a bad day, these two little luxuries help to lift my spirits and push my cares away.

Eau Fraiche Foaming Shower Gel fills the tub with soothing bubbles and cleans from head to toe, adding light moisture to my perpetually parched skin. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’s a nice one, no doubt. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Chance Eau Fraiche Body Cream feels thick and rich to the touch (not greasy), offering light moisturization without leaving a noticeable film. If you have alligator legs and feet like moi, you might need something a little heavier. While related to the Chance Eau Fraiche scent, this version of the fragrance smells a little more like oranges and jasmine to me (still lovely) and lasts for hours after the bath. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Being Chanel, both products are on the expensive side, but if you’re in the mood for luxury and like citrusy scents like lemon, orange and grapefruit, you might give ’em a try.

Daily photo

Check out who got finally got his MAC Hello Kitty Lucky Tom palette in the mail today!

And now Tabs insists I call him by his new stage name, “Lucky Tom.”

He’s trippin’…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

14 Pink Shoes for Valentine’s Day

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My dearest Cupid,

Is there a sign on my forehead that says, “Easy prey?” Every Valentine’s Day your arrow hits me, and every Valentine’s Day I fall in love with 14 more pairs of pink shoes! What’s going on here?

1. Christian Louboutin Mirrored Platform Pumps, $1,295

2. Miu Miu Platform Pumps, $950

3. Valentino Classic Meena Peep Toe Pump, $695

4. Vans Classic Slip-Ons, $42

5. Christian Louboutin Suede Fringe Pump, $1,095

6. Nine West Blitzen, $90

7. Christian Louboutin Patent Platform Pumps, $695

8. Etnies Myra II, $40

9. Stella McCartney Strappy Sandal, $745

10. Charles by Charles David Chirp Pump, $134.95

11. Manolo Blahnik Jeweled Satin d’Orsay, $715

12. Kate Spade Clarice, $300

13. Seychelles Proper Etiquette, $100

14. Manolo Blahnik Jeweled Slingback Sandal, $1,190

Oh, Cupid, maybe next year you’ll take mercy on me and just leave a pair of shoes on my doorstep. If you do, please don’t forget to throw in some Moleskin and Foot Petals. Thanks… You’re the best.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Hello Kitty Face of the Day: Peaches, Anyone?

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Seriously, how many times can one blogger say “Meow” about a makeup collection? But that’s how it makes me feel, so I’ll say it again: MEOW! It’s MAC Hello Kitty time. 🙂

My first reaction was mixed when I saw the promo pics for MAC’s latest collaboration. Sure, I was drooling over the branding and packaging from the start (I love Hello Kitty; always have), but the colors just didn’t look like stuff I could wear every day.

Well, color me lame and call me crazy because after seeing the collection in person last night, I’m fully on board now.

Matter of fact, a few stray kittens decided to follow me home last night: Eye Shadow 4 Lucky Tom palette, Tahitian Sand Beauty Powder, Fun & Games Beauty Powder Blush and Cute-Ster Lustre Lipstick.

The Lucky Tom Eyeshadow Palette Colors (from left to right): Creme Royal, Paradisco, Stylin’, Lucky Tom

Fun & Games Beauty Powder Blush

Tahitian Sand Beauty Powder

Cute-Ster Lipstick

Tabs was riled up this morning and snipping at my ankles because he hadn’t received his pre-ordered Lucky Tom palette yet. I had to tear him away from mine (did I mention he’s OBSESSED with HK?) long enough to do my face of the day.

For the eyes, I started with a thin layer of Perky Paint Pot over the eyelid.

Then, with Tabs locked in the other room, I went to work with the eyeshadows, patting Paradisco on the lid and Creme Royal inside the inner corner of the eye.

Next, I lined the upper lash line with Stylin’ and the lower line with a mix of Lucky Tom and Creme Royal.

To finish the eyes, I curled my lashes and added two layers of MAC Dazzlelash mascara (it happened to be nearby).

Now, for meow lips… (couldn’t resist) 🙂

I lined them with Pink Treat Cremestick Liner topped off with a layer of Cute-Ster Lipstick and some MAC Lipglass in Clear.

After blowing myself a kiss in the mirror I moved on to the cheeks.
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