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Archives for September 2009

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque Lipsticks: High Shine, Medium Coverage, Pure Chanel

September 22nd, 2009 by Karen 30 Comments

chanel rouge allure laque review

It’s sure been an exciting couple o’ days in Coco-ville…

As if the new Jade Collection nail polishes weren’t hot enough, Chanel junkies can also drool over the new Rouge Allure Laque Lipsticks ($32).

The eight new liquid lipstick colors offer medium color coverage and high shine, with shades including Santal (a nude), Ming (a nude rose), Phoenix (a candy pink), Mandarin (a coral), Dynastie (a rosy pink), Coromandel (a red), Dragon (a true red) and Imperial (a deep rose).

What do you think about Dynastie and Imperial? Good colors for fall?

chanel rouge allure laque swatches
Swatches from left to right: Dynastie, Imperial

I haven’t felt my prettiest lately due to the packing I’ve been doing, but these two cuties have certainly helped.

chanel rouge allure laque swatches 74
Chanel Allure Laque in Dynastie

chanel rouge allure laque review swaches 73
Chanel Allure Laque in Imperial

Both shades are taste-free but have a light rose scent. Texture wise, they feel smooth, thin and non-sticky on my lips — reminiscent of Dior’s Creme de Gloss.

I haven’t had enough time with them to offer a full review yet (I’m unsure about wear time and hydration), but I’ll followup with more details soon.

All this Chanel-ness invigorates me! It’s like the makeup equivalent of push-ups. 🙂

My sisters in the Church of the Double C’s, can I get an AMEN?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 30 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup

Vintage Tabs

September 21st, 2009 by Karen 19 Comments


An old school pic of me and my favorite cat.

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

What Makeup Would You Wear with a Red, White and Blue Uniform?

September 21st, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

Makeup for a red, white and blue uniform?

Put on your most fashionable thinking caps, gals, because Jessica needs our help. 🙂

Karen!

I’m hoping you’ve got the answer to my major problem!

I work on a cruise ship (I know, tough work) and I wear the TACKIEST red, white and blue tracksuit uniform.

What are some eyeshadow looks that I can wear every day that won’t make me look overdone, but still can help me look put-together and sassy in the world’s worst uniform?

Hi Jessica,

How super cool! I’ve seen every episode of Love Boat and circa 1982 had grand plans to become a cruise ship porter/activities director/bartender-extraordinaire.

Your uniform doesn’t sound too bad (well…). At least it’s stretchy, right?

As for your eye makeup, what about something neutral and work-appropriate that leaves room for flexibility when you’re feeling sassy?

Start with a shimmery neutral

You might start with a shimmery neutral like Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit ($19). It’s a shimmery champagne cream shadow that really brightens up the eyes and looks pretty much fab on *everybody*.

Apply over the entire eyelid with a finger or a synthetic brush (because they aren’t as absorbent as natural fibers, synthetic bristles work well for cream products) like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25).

To complete the look when you’re pressed for time (maybe late for bingo on the ship?), just curl your lashes and add mascara.

Consider a black liquid liner

When time isn’t of the essence, sassify the look with some liquid liner along your upper lash line. I like Lorac’s Front of the Line Pro ($22), a new liquid liner pen that just hit shelves this fall. It makes lining a cinch, and the rich black color lasts all day long.

Do a thin line when you want subtle definition or a thicker cat eye line (with a flick at the end) when you want a more dramatic version.

Crank it up with colored mascara

Sassify the look even more by replacing your regular mascara with a tinted shade — perhaps a green, blue or purple. I totes adore Estee Lauder’s Sumptous Color Mascaras ($20). They deliver eye-popping color while adding lash thickness, length and lift.

Have fun on the high seas! 🙂 Drop me a line (or a message in a bottle) once in a while to let me know how you and your makeup are doing.

Ahoy, ladies! What else could Jessica do with her makeup considering her red, white and blue cruise ship uniform? Use your imagination, and share your ideas in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 22 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Makeup Tips/How To

NARS Twisted Eyeshadow

September 21st, 2009 by Karen 7 Comments


I want to scoop it up and spread it on toast.

($22, limited quantities available)

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

10 Days of Giveaways: Avril Lavigne Black Star Perfume

September 21st, 2009 by Karen 152 Comments

The giveaway is now closed, and I’m contacting the winner by e-mail. Good luck!

avril-lavigne-black-star giveaway

Many moons ago (well, like 2007), I had a fateful run-in with — don’t laugh — Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy perfume.

Previous to that bedazzling moment o’ blackberry bliss, I was a total scent snob who never paid no mind to celebrity perfumes. I preferred to get my stars between the pages of US Weekly instead of spritzed on my wrists.

Since then, however, my tastes have changed. Now, I like a bunch of different celebrity perfumes! And to celebrate my broadened horizons, I’m giving away a different celebrity scent each day for the next 10 days. 🙂

Today’s is a shout-out to my sk8r girls — Avril Lavigne’s new scent, Black Star!

The prize

One lucky lady will take home Avril Lavigne’s new Black Star Eau de Parfum Spray (a $40 value).

A fruity floral with notes of plum, dark chocolate and pink hibiscus, Black Star comes with a removable studded band inspired by Avril’s favorite studded cuff (street fight motif).

avril-lavigne-black-star-giveaway 2

How to enter…

2ways2enterEntering is easy. There are two different ways, and you can do both of them for two chances to win.

First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. It can be a comment about anything at all. Tell me which lip gloss you’re wearing, what music you’re listening to or which scent you’re wearing today.

Today I’m all about Dior Creme de Gloss in Delicious Plum!

Follow me
Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to Win Avril Lavigne Black Star Perfume http://bit.ly/313APr

Recap…

  1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
  2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

    RT @karenmbb: RT to Win Avril Lavigne Black Star Perfume http://bit.ly/313APr

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, September 22.

Bonne chance!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The giveaway is now closed, and I’m contacting the winner by e-mail. Good luck!

There are 152 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Fragrance, Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Sept. 21

September 21st, 2009 by Karen 102 Comments

092109-monday-poll

  1. Mood:
  2. A little tired (I’m worn out from running around all weekend), but otherwise chipper.

  3. This morning I told myself to _____.
  4. Get it together and stick to my deadlines. It’s the only way I’m gonna make it through the week!

  5. Three bits of hard-learned makeup advice:
  6. 1) Skip lipgloss on windy days, 2) be sure you’re drinking enough water, and 3) get thee a Shu Uemura Lash Curler, ASAP!

  7. Last text message I sent:
  8. “Um, why are you watching How Do I Look? That show’s sacrilege without Finola, yo!”

  9. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
  10. Mostly Dior. Eyes: 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Night Butterfly and Ultra-Smooth High Impact Eyeshadow in Brown Argentic; Lips: Addict Lip Color in Rose Lingerie, Creme de Gloss in Delicious Plum; Cheeks: MAC Beauty Powder in Summer Rose

  11. Worst current skin issue:
  12. Three pimples popped on my chin last weekend, BOO!

  13. ____ make(s) me happy.
  14. Unexpected acts of kindness, strawberry gelato, the sound of rain against my window, feeling organized, fluffy pancakes and positive reinforcement are all things that make me happy. 🙂

  15. ____ make(s) me bitchy.
  16. Rude drivers, uncomfortable underwear, early morning talkers, toe rings, running out of dental floss, and Mario Lopez are all things that make me bitchy.

  17. Outfit:
  18. Stretchy J. Crew jeans and a light purple button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

  19. Weekly goals:
  20. Pack for this weekend’s move, buy curtains, do some push-ups to get muscly by Friday…

‘Morning, ladies. Howzit today? I hope your Monday got off to a good start. I’m sitting here slurping my coffee and staring out the window while El Hub gets ready to leave for work. I can see some kids walking to school with their parents, and off in the distance there’s fog slowly retreating behind the hills… I have a feeling today’s going to be a good day.

When you have a minute, let me know how you’re doing by copying the list below and pasting it with your answers in the comments. Talk to you soon. 🙂

Le list

1. Mood:
2. This morning I told myself to _____.
3. Three bits of makeup advice:
4. Last text message I sent:
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Worst current skin issue:
7. ____ makes me happy.
8. ____ makes me bitchy.
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 102 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 55

September 20th, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

Tabs and the 49ers versus the Seattle Seahawks

This afternoon Tabs and Snowflake went to support the home team at the 49ers/Seahawks game in SF while I was stuck here at home packing for the move.

I never even knew they had tickets…

Right before kickoff I got this iPhone pic sent to my phone. Can you spot Tabs and Snowflake (click here for a larger version)? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. The Niners won!

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun Keywords: tabs

Will You Miss Prescriptives?

September 20th, 2009 by Karen 73 Comments

Farewell Prescriptives

I still can’t believe Estée Lauder pulled the plug on Prescriptives…

It must have been a difficult decision for the maker of MAC, Clinique and Bobbi Brown. Any time you shutter doors on a 30-year-old cosmetics line it has to hurt, even if sales of the line have been underperforming for a while.

Global distribution will end about four months from now (Jan. 31, 2010), so there’s still time to stock up before the counters disappear. After that, any remaining stock will be cleared out through the website.

I can’t say I’m heartbroken, but I will miss certain things about Prescriptives, like their approach to color, specifically their range. Even as far back as the ’80s and ’90s I could count on Prescriptives to carry foundation shades that matched my skin tone.

But it wasn’t enough to fend off the competition, and they grew to be overshadowed by EL’s other brands.

Will you miss Prescriptives?

View Results

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For whatever it’s worth, fellow fans of Prescriptives’ still popular Calyx fragrance are in luck. We’ll still be able to get our hands on it through Aramis at department stores and online. I guess that’s better than nothing… I do like fruity, fresh Sheer Calyx Exhilaration. 🙂

Farewell Prescriptives…

Mineral Bronzer in Warm
Prescriptives Mineral Bronzer in Warm, $30

Eye Color Compact in Warm
Prescriptives Eye Color Compact in Warm from the Well Suited Collection, $40
[Continue reading…]

There are 73 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: News

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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