Archives for May 2009

What’s Your Favorite Makeup Primer?

May 28th, 2009 by Karen 75 Comments

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Smile

Homies, no matter how busy you are, try to take care of your teeth. For serious. After yesterday’s deep cleaning sesh with the evil Silver Hook of Doom, I feel like someone tenderized my jaw with a hammer.

Thank goodness for Advil, right?

Never again will I skip those annual cleanings… Tartar shall not defeat me!

Makeup primer

Now, on a less painful note, how do you feel about makeup primers? 🙂

They’re commonly used to create a smooth surface upon which foundation and powder can adhere.

Many are gels, and beyond improving the staying power of makeup, primers help to control oil and prevent creasing. A few of ’em even double as anti-aging products or add extra hydration to skin.

MBB reader Kerry is looking for some help with her quest to find a good makeup primer.

What are your recommendations for a makeup primer (something to keep down the shine)? When I use the MAC ones, oil comes through on my skin, and my face looks greasy. HELP!

One Love,

Kerry

Hi Kerry,

When my skin was super oily a few years back, summertime was always the toughest season for me. By mid-morning, my forehead and face would always take on what I liked to call THE SHINING!

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Sarah Michelle Gellar: Her Best Hair?

May 28th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

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You know I loves me some Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which means Sarah Michelle Gellar (aka Mrs. Freddie Prinze Jr., aka Buffy the Vampire Slayer) is tops in my book.

I was thrilled to hear that she’s expecting — her baby bump is just starting to show, and she looks too cute on the set of her new film,The Wonderful Maladys.

I dig the long, blonde hair she’s been sporting with bangs these days, but I also like her as a brunette and thought she looked gorge in Suburban Girl (um, did anybody else watch that, or was I the only one?).

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have you heard the latest news from the Buffyverse? Hollywood wants to remake the Buffy the Vampire movie without input from TV show creator Joss Whedon (of Dollhouse, Angel, Buffy and Firefly fame).

Sneak Peek at the New Benefit Lipglosses

May 27th, 2009 by Karen 26 Comments

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous

Brace yourself, but Benefit’s releasing a new line of long-wearing lipglosses.
KABAM!
It’s true. Sometime over the next few months, Benefit will unveil a brand new line of eight lipglosses to replace both of their current lines, The Gloss and Her Glossiness.

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous wand

Say what?!?

The new glosses will feature a new, stickier, long-wearing formula with a shimmery finish, and they’ll come with an oversized applicator wand with a paddle-shaped sponge tip.

The wand has a little bend to it and gives under pressure, helping to maximize comfort when it’s used.

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I’ve previewed one of the new shades, Almost Famous. It’s a shimmery copper with golden pearl and reminds me of a shinier, thicker version of Benefit’s spring 2009 limited edition lipstick, Thrillin’ Brazilian.

I’m always down for new lipglosses, but I freaked out when I heard that Benefit plans to discontinue The Gloss. I’ve been wearing Kiss Me (a clear fuchsia) for years.

I can’t bear the thought of living without it, LOL! Just kidding, sort of…

Thankfully, Benefit plans to include a new formulation of Kiss Me and versions of two other colors from the current lines in the upcoming collection.

Expect to see Kiss Me (which returns under the name, Kiss You), Life on the A List (a light pink) and Who Are You Wearing (a hot pink) come back for encore presentations.

benefit cosmetics lipgloss almost famous swatch

The new glosses are *so* new that I have yet to see any official information on release dates, prices or purchase locations, but I’ll keep you posted.

Dinner through a straw — classy

I just got back from the dentist, YEA!

Now I’m numbed the EFF OUT! I can’t feel my nose, and when I smile only the left side of my mouth moves. Needless to say, I’m drinking dinner through a straw and mumbling my words.

Good times…

I managed to refrain from crying this time, though. I teared up just a little, and then my dentist encouraged me to visualize something I enjoy (surfing) and guided me through some deep breathing exercises.

I’m such a wuss.

I should say, “Hum thuth a wuth.” 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Benefit Cosmetics One Hot Minute Loose Powder: Instant J. Lo Glow

May 27th, 2009 by Karen 42 Comments

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The first time Jennifer Lopez ignited a red carpet with her glowy skin look, millions of makeup junkies stood up and took note. Since then, a generation of women have sought to shine with their own versions of the J. Lo glow.

But the trick is finding products that deliver a perfect touch of metallic luster without entering the danger zone, as in that greasy guy at the club (you know the one) who wears hella gold chains and waaay too much hair gel.

That’s what I think most highlighters and powders high in shimmer and/or glitter do.

Greasy club guy = not the right kind of glow.

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds

If you’re desperately seeking J. Lo’s glow, try on Benefit’s new One Hot Minute loose powder ($30).

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds swatch open

It’s a golden beige with just a hint of pink, and it does soft, subtle sheen without the greasy club guy/disco-ball glitter effect.

benefit one hot minute sexy in seconds swatch

Not exactly a highlighting powder or a bronzer, it’s more like an all-over face and body powder for adding a rosy champagne glow to the skin.
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MAC Naked Honey Body Wash: Warm, Soothing and a Touch Sweet

May 27th, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

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Introducing MAC Naked Honey Body Wash ($19.50), one of the new body care products being released with the upcoming collection (arrives June 11). 🙂

Now close your eyes…

Picture the pages of a Pottery Barn catalog. A tranquil bedroom, dark, except for the flickering light from dozens of honey-scented candles. In the center of the room — a beautiful four-poster bed with fresh, soft cotton sheets covered in lavender and jasmine petals…

That’s the way I think MAC Naked Honey Body Wash smells to me — warm, soothing, and a touch sweet.

In the shower, the gel lathers into a rich foam that rinses completely away. It leaves my skin feeling lightly hydrated and smelling sweet like honey for hours.

It contains something MAC refers to as bio-converted honey, moisturizing waxes derived from lavender, narcissus and jasmine flowers; as well as the extract of the blue agave plant (the same plant used to make tequila, mezcal and pulque) to moisturize and cleanse the skin.

The body wash joins a few other body care products in the 13-piece Naked Honey collection like a skin salve ($18.50), a hand and body cream ($22.50) and a fragrance (called Creations, $22.50).
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MAC Naked Honey Buzz Lipglass Lip Look

May 26th, 2009 by Karen 45 Comments

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MAC Naked Honey — Buzz Lipglass

I’m totally buzzing over the upcoming MAC Naked Honey collection. The 13-piece release, set to launch June 11, features eye, lip, face and body products with colors and scents inspired by — yup, you guessed it — honey!

That’s honey as in bees, not honey as in the cheesy Jessica Alba movie, LOL!

This afternoon I previewed one of the three new Lipglasses, Buzz ($14). It’s a warm, shimmery burnt orange-copper that looks pretty good with a tan.

And even if you’re lighter (or darker) than me but wear warm copper lip shades well, you just might love it, too.

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MAC Naked Honey — Buzz Lipglass swatch

Flecks of gold, red, purple and green micro-glitter in Buzz sparkle like whoa when the light hits ’em just right. Hello, hotness!

Like all MAC Lipglasses, Buzz feels sticky on the lips and has a faint vanilla scent.

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MAC Naked Honey — Buzz Lipglass in tube

MAC likes to launch warmer color collections around this time of year (like last year’s Neo Sci Fi — LOVE!); if you like the way you look in warm colors, keep your eyes peeled for Naked Honey.

Where the heck’s a time machine when you need one? Hurry up and get here, June 11! I can’t wait to see the rest of the collection. 🙂

Queen Bees, what do ya think about Buzz?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. This isn’t MAC Naked Honey related, but it’s equally awesome.

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Remember the Stila Indian Summer Collection I featured a few months ago? It’s *finally* available for purchase on the Stila site. Get thee a Charmed Palette and the 24K Smudge Pot, ASAP!

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick Makes Flip-Flops More Comfortable

May 26th, 2009 by Karen 44 Comments

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Locals in Hawaii wear flip-flops everywhere, even to work! It may be written into the State Constitution 🙂 — that all citizens of Hawaii are legally required to wear flip-flops.

But wearing them comfortably can take some getting used to…

After a few days hauling my cookies around the island in flip-flops, my dogs started to bark. The pair of striped blue and green Roxy slippers I’d brought along for the trip may have been cute, but they weren’t substitutes for a comfy pair of walking shoes.

I started developing blisters and raw skin wherever the flip-flop straps rubbed against my toes and feet.

With shoes and sandals, I usually apply a Band-Aid or Moleskin to cover the sore spots, but I wanted a less obvious alternative to use with flip-flops. Who wants to see a ratty Band-Aid hanging on by a thread, ya know?

Enter Band-Aid Friction Block Stick ($8), aka a minor miracle for tow-up feet.

How does it work?

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Band-Aid Friction Block Stick is a solid stick shaped like a mini-deodorant. It’s pocket-sized, fitting into the palm of my hand, and reduces friction caused wherever footwear makes contact with your skin.

It dries to form a clear, smooth barrier — kinda like an invisible Band-Aid.

I busted out the stick I’d brought along for the trip when my flip-flops rubbed my skin raw.

It dries quickly and works for hours, through miles of walking in hot, humid, sandy conditions, and even worked when my feet were sweatin’ like Whitney and Bobby Brown.

And it works in more ways than advertised, too. Before surfing, I applied it to my inner thighs and forearms — places that usually get rubbed raw by the board. It worked just as well as Vaseline but without the greasy mess.
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