Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Archives for November 2009

How Bright Are Shu Uemura’s New $30 Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine Lipsticks?

by 21 Comments

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine Lipstick Review open

Have you had a chance to check out Shu Uemura’s new Rouge Unlimited Supreme lipsticks ($30 each)?

There are 14 of them in all, each one of the gloss-in-lipstick’s clothing variety — meaning that they feel like lipsticks on the lips but shine like a gloss.

Shu claims their exclusive color technology (get ready to be blinded with fancy talk!) of hybrid pigments, film-keeping capsules and ultra-shine oils makes them more intensely pigmented than similar offerings from other brands.

I’ve tried three of the shades so far and have to agree. The colors do seem a little more vibrant than those of the other lipstick/gloss hybrids I’ve tried from Prescriptives (RIP!), MAC and Avon.

But does the difference justify the price?

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Supreme Shine Swatches RD 185
RD 185
[Continue reading…]

Star of the Silver Screen: LORAC’s Silver Screen Palette

by 38 Comments

Lorac Silver Screen Palette Review closed

Never mind that the silver faux-croc cover of LORAC’s Silver Screen Palette ($30) kinda reminds me of my ashy winter legs. When I peeked inside, I saw stars!

Lorac Silver Screen Palette Review product shot all
I’m soooo into you!

Silver Screen, one of three limited-edition goodies from LORAC’s new Hollywood Ice Holiday 2009 collection, comes with eight neutral eyeshadows, two blushes, one lip gloss and an iddy biddy double-sided eye brush.

More of LORAC’s Hollywood Ice Holiday 2009 collection…

NOTE: Silver Screen’s exclusive to Ulta, and I haven’t seen it for sale online yet, so peep your local Ulta store for availability.

Silver Screen’s mix of warm and cool eyeshadows first caught my eye. I dig the buttery smooth texture of LORAC’s shadows and how easy I think it makes them to apply and blend, yet somehow they still manage to last all day long, too, even on my oily lids.

If you’re new to eye makeup and confused by color pairings, you might give it a try. LORAC makes it easy for beginners by grouping their shadows into warm and cool shades.

Lorac Silver Screen Palette Review shadows
Top row: warm eyeshadows; Bottom row: cool eyeshadows

Lorac Silver Screen Palette Review blush left
Shimmery, peachy pink blush
[Continue reading…]

Jared Leto: His Best Hair?

by 21 Comments

jared-leto-hair-poll

Jared Leto became the object of many teenage fantasies in the mid-’90s when he was cast as heartthrob Jordan Catalano on the TV show My So-Called Life.

Born the day after Christmas in December of 1971, the vegetarian artist/actor/musician is a man of many talents.

Before hitting it big, he studied painting at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. He originally moved to Los Angeles in 1992 to pursue music, only taking small acting parts to pay the bills.

After his stint as resident hottie on My So-Called Life ended in 1995, Jared went on to star in several films including American Psycho, Fight Club and Panic Room.

These days Jared stays busy singing lead and playing guitar in the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars. The band’s third album, This is War, arrives next month.

Before picking him for today’s poll, I had no idea how adventurous homeboy was with his hair! I’m liking most of the styles, except for the braids. Those bring back too many bad memories of K. Fed in his heyday. 🙂

Oh, and while I’m not normally a fan of guyliner, how HARD does Jared rock that black liner on his waterline?

I wonder how he feels about MAC Fluidline…

Which of Jared's hairstyles do you like best?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tuesday Beauty Tips: Writing Made Easier

by 31 Comments

110309-writing-made-easier

In committing more than a million blog words to digital paper, I’ve battled struggled through some SERIOUS bouts of writer’s block.

No matter how many times I beat it back, writer’s block always returns! It’s funny that way, but I’ve learned a thing or two about writer’s block over the years, and if you’ve faced it too, here are some things that might help.

1. What’s the theme?

Most of the time, if/when I can summarize an idea in about one sentence, it’s fully baked.

That’s my theme, and I treat it like my hypothesis. Basically, it’s what I plan to prove in the blog post/e-mail/memo I’m writing, and everything I put on the page should help to back up my point.

Before I start to write, I’ll post my theme at the top of a blank page to remind myself to stay on topic.

A few of the themes I’ve written over the past few weeks…

110309-writing-made-easier-theme

2. Try an outline

Even harder than figuring out what to talk about is figuring out what not to say.
[Continue reading…]

What Do You Use to Apply MAC Mineralize Skinfinish?

by 42 Comments

mac-mineralize-skinfinish

I was digging through some unpacked boxes this morning when I came across a buried treasure — my beloved stash of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powders. 🙂

They’d been MIA since the move last month, lost at the bottom of a dark cardboard prison.

But they’re finally free! Free to shine!

With their frosty metallic finish, these colorful pressed powders work great as highlighters for face and body.

While I was lining ’em all up on my dresser like little makeup soldiers (yes, I’m a weirdo), I remembered an e-mail from MBB reader Bernice.

Hi Karen,

I’ve been a silent reader of MBB for a few months now and recently hopped onto the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish bandwagon. Ohmygosh, they are soooo pretty! 😀

There’s just one thing — I have no idea what brush I should use to apply them.

I tried searching the ‘net, but it seems that views are generally rather divided, and I can’t quite decide which brush I should use.

Could I get some advice, please? Thank you!

Bernice

Hi, Bernice. WOO HOO! Welcome to The Cult of MAC MSF-Loving Babes! 🙂

I just love the soft candle-lit glow they give to my skin — when I get the application right, that is. With the wrong brush, they’re easy to over-apply.

So, how to get the right shimmery glow without looking greasier than a bucket of KFC?

I’ve tried using them with a bunch of different brushes (blush, powder, even a kabuki), and these are the ones I like best: the MAC 187 ($42) and 188 ($35) Duo Fibre Brushes.

Both deposit whisper sheer layers of powder, providing for a lot of control to build up color and shimmer slowly.

  • 187 Duo Fibre Brush: Often referred to as “the skunk brush,” this synthetic brush head feels wonderfully soft to the touch.
  • 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush: A smaller version of the 187, the 188 has a smaller brush head with a flatter top.

Neither one is cheap, but they are versatile. I also use my 187 to apply liquid foundations, cream blushes and even loose powders, so I think you get a lot of brush for your money.

Also, if you happen to have a fan brush at home, give it a try because they tend to lay down super sheer layers of color — perfect for MAC Mineralize Skinfinish.

Sometimes I use Shu Uemura’s 5.7EX ($35), another fabulous multitasker (it excels at applying bright/intensely pigmented blushes).

I hope these suggestions help. 🙂

Keep me posted on your progress!

MACaholics, it’s time to pick your brain. What do you use to apply Mineralize Skinfinish Powders?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Have You Ever Hidden Your Beauty Purchases From Your Partner?

by 93 Comments

110209-do-you-hide-your-beauty-purchases

Sometimes, when I go shopping for makeup, I bring along my “BIG PURSE.” That way I can sneak my purchases back into the house without hearing El Hub ask, “Do you really need more lipgloss?!?”

On the phone with a friend the other day, I found out that she does the same exact thing (except that her BIG PURSE is way bigger than mine, LOL!).

Are we the only ones?

Have you ever hidden your beauty purchases from your partner (or your parents, if you live with ’em)?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.