Archives for May 2009

Three Custom Color Specialists Seychelles Collection, Take Me Away

May 14th, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

three-custom-colorists-seychelles-collection

Add Seychelles, Africa to the list of dream vacation places. I spent a good hour this morning ogling pics of this tropical paradise of white beaches and granite rock formations, located just off the coast of Madagascar. The urge to check out the place was brought on by — surprise, surprise — makeup!

seychelles-all-5

I blame this bout of wanderlust on the three-piece Seychelles Collection by Three Custom Color Specialists. Inspired by the colors of the Seychelles Islands, the spring palette of brown, green, fuchsia, peach and pink shades includes makeup for the eyes and lips.

Eyeshadow in Coco De Mer ($23): This shimmery golden coco brown flashes to emerald green according to the light. The color reminds me of a toned-down, golden version of MAC Eyeshadow in Club, a duochrome that flashes from brown to green to blue to gray. I can see this color looking absolutely smokin’ with green, gold and bronze shades, like MAC Paint Pot in Delft, MAC Eyeshadow in Humid and MAC Eyeshadow in Amber Lights. The texture of Coco De Mer feels soft and finely milled, and it applies and blends with the ease of Shu Uemura’s power shadows.

Lipgloss in Peacock Flower ($22): Peacock Flower is a peachy pink that flashes to violet. It’s the most unique color I’ve seen for lips in awhile, and one of my new faves. The duochrome quality reminds me of MAC’s Lollipop Lovin’ lipstick, a funky but fun coral with hints of green released earlier this year. I like the feel of the thin and non-sticky formula, which packs a lot of shine.

Sheer Lipstick in Frangipani ($22): This shimmery, sheer fuchsia with golden flecks of glitter is free of taste or scent. The formula feels moisturizing and light on my lips.

three custom color specialists seychelles frangipani sheer lipstick
Frangipani Sheer Lipstick
[Continue reading…]

What’s Your Favorite Drugstore Hairspray?

May 14th, 2009 by Karen 50 Comments

whats-your-favorite-drugstore-hairspray

Do you remember your prom?

It was ages ago for me, but it seems like yesterday.

Reader Vivian is at that point in her life, and she’s in need of some help with her hair:

…I’ve been digging through your archives for the best drugstore hairspray that won’t make my hair like an honest-to-God bird’s nest, texture and all, but since I’m emailing you now, do you have any immediate suggestions?

Thanks so much! Your blog makes me so excited about prom!

Hi Vivian,

Ah, prom… That’s a good place to be in life. I hope you’re enjoying it. 🙂

Before we get into the hairspray bit, let me first just say that if you haven’t started wearing sunscreen on your neck, then you gotta start TODAY, girl. Trust me, in 10 years you’ll thank me for it.

Now, onto drugstore hairsprays!

I usually use hairsprays to set a final style, and there are two drugstore products I really like.

If I want soft, flexible hold (say, if I’ve curled my hair), I reach for L’Oreal’s Elnett Extra StrongHold UV Hair Spray ($15). It’s an aerosol spray with UV protectors, and I love fine mist. It doesn’t weigh down my hair and holds a hairstyle without flaking. Plus, it never leaves me with stiff or sticky hair.

But if the humidity’s high, or for some reason my hair needs some extra hold, I’ll grab Garnier Fructis Style Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray Ultra Strong ($4).

It controls the frizz, even in the rain (fab for those extra birds-nesty hair days), stays put all day long and costs less than a blended coffee.

MBB readers, let’s give young Viv a hand. What are your favorite drugstore hairsprays, and why do you love ’em?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara: How I Wish My Lashes Looked Naturally

May 13th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

urban decay skyscraper multi benefit mascara

Makeup packaging junkies, get a load of the purple scribbles on Urban Decay’s Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara ($22). Isn’t this cutie the hotness?

urban decay skyscraper multi benefit mascara wand

Urban Decay says their newest mascara works in six ways — lengthening, strengthening, separating, curling, brightening and thickening lashes without clumping or flaking. That’s a whole lot of ing words, LOL!

urban-decay-skyscraper-multi-benefit-2

It comes in just a single shade, Black, and what I like best about it is that I still feel my lashes look natural with it on.
[Continue reading…]

Free $65 Clinique Trina Turk Gift with Purchase, Nordstrom Stores May 20 – June 6

May 13th, 2009 by Karen 48 Comments

clinique-trina-turk-bag

What’s up, ladies! Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict has returned to the land of the living. The food poisoning I was suffering from yesterday has finally left the building. Thank gawd, because I can say with certainty there’s absolutely NO WAY to look cute when you’re projectile vomiting. Nope, none. 🙂

clinique-trina-turk-inside-bag

In makeup news, my fellow Clinique fans, if you’re planning to stock up on any Clinique goods, mark your beauty booty calender for May 20 because Nordstrom Clinique counters nationwide (and Nordie’s online) will be offering a special Trina Turk for Clinique gift set with purchases of $25 or more.

The set, Clinique’s second collaboration with designer Trina Turk, includes a groovy, ’70s-inspired bag designed by Trina along with seven (!) of her favorite things from Clinique (a $65 value):

Lash Doubling Mascara in Black: A thickening, glossy black mascara
Different Lipstick in Tenderheart: A sheer, creamy brownish pink lipstick great for nude lip looks
Blushwear Cream Stick in Rosy Blush: A creamy, neutral pink blush that’s easy to apply and blend
Superfit Makeup liquid foundation: A long-wearing, oil-free foundation with medium to full coverage and a matte finish
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion: A moisturizing lotion for all skin types
Colour Surge Eyeshadow in Sunburst: A coordinated pair of shimmery eyeshadows in shimmery beige and shimmery coral
Take the Day off Makeup Remover for Lids, Lashes and Lips: An oil-based makeup remover for everything from waterproof mascara to long-wear lipstick

clinique-trina-turk-colour-surge-eye-shadow-duo-sunburst
Colour Surge Eyeshadow in Sunburst
[Continue reading…]

What’s the Biggest Risk You Ever Took with Your Makeup?

May 13th, 2009 by Karen 54 Comments

What’s the biggest risk you ever took with your makeup?

I ask this every so often, but mine was orange lipgloss. It terrified me at first, but I’m addicted to it now. I also took chances on blue eyeshadow and bright colored lashes. One of the things I love about makeup is that even if a look doesn’t work out exactly how I hoped it would, makeup isn’t permanent. If I don’t like something, I can always wash it off!

What’s the biggest risk you ever took with your makeup? Let me know in the comments.

Try your luck with the Makeup and Beauty Blog slot machine (click BET MAX above to start). You’ll need to have Flash installed on your computer to play. Have fun and good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Better for Beauty: Facebook or Twitter?

May 12th, 2009 by Karen 65 Comments

Tweet much? Do you Facebook?

I feel like I’m the last person in America who isn’t on Twitter. I am on Facebook, though, but I haven’t used it much.

I want to. I’ve been thinking about getting more into Facebook or Twitter but should probably pick just one so I don’t bite off more than I can chew with two services and the blog at the same time.

Which do you like more, Facebook or Twitter? Which is a better resource for makeup and beauty? — that’s what I’d really like to know.

Loading ...

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Sorry, homies, about being so quiet today in the comments, but I’ve been sick as a dog since last night with food poisoning. It must have been the leftover steamed pork buns I ate for dinner Monday night…

Now there’s a phrase with red flags painted all over it, LOL!: “It must have been the leftover steamed pork buns I ate for dinner Monday night…”

Best Seat in the House

May 12th, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

Tabs has a knack for stealing the TV remote and the sunniest spot on the couch.

Yet ANOTHER 21 Makeup Tutorials

May 12th, 2009 by Karen 16 Comments

Yet Another 21 Makeup Tutorials

Good morning, ladies. I’m feeling professorial today, LOL! Not really, but I am in the mood for makeup tutorials, which leads me to this morning’s post: Yet ANOTHER 21 Makeup Tutorials.

I think this may be the last batch for a while. 🙂

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like…

21 Makeup Tutorials

Another 21 Makeup Tutorials

101 Wedding Makeup Looks

101 Hairstyle Tutorials

10 Fantastic Smokey Eye Tutorials

The Flapper Makeup Look: Red lipstick was all the rage back in the 1920s, a time when ladies might have said of this tutorial, “It’s the bee’s knees.”

Rainbow/MAC Makeup Tutorial: In this series of three videos by YouTube’s QueenofBlendingMUA, you’ll learn how to do a funky rainbow eyes look using a bunch of cool products from MAC.