Archives for November 2009

Nonstick Lipgloss Greatest Hits

November 17th, 2009 by Karen 34 Comments

lipgloss-1

Happy Tuesday, ladies. 🙂 This morning, fellow beauty addict Toni finds herself in a sticky situation…

Hi Karen!

I’m on the hunt for a fabulous but very non-sticky lipgloss. I’ve enjoyed a Jesse’s Girl gloss I got at Rite Aid, but I’d love something with a little more color/pigmentation. I wonder what your readers call their favorite non-sticky lipglosses? Or can you make some suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Toni

Heya, Toni. Every girl needs a list of go-to non-sticky glosses. Here are some of my budget AND splurge-worthy faves. 🙂

Sally Hansen 12-Hour Lip Treatment ($6): Like a nonstick, vanilla-scented (but sans flavor) drugstore version of MAC Lipglass. Each tube packs may-jah color and shine, intense moisture, and lasts hours on my lips without budging one bit.
Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss ($9): BARGAIN ALERT! With a thin, non-stick formula that’s both taste- and fragrance-free, Sonia’s new $9 glosses feel surprisingly like $27 tubes of Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimer.
Philosophy Supergloss Lip Gloss SPF 15 ($17): If you dig uber-shiny, sun-protecting lipglosses that don’t feel sticky on your lips, think about giving the Supernatural Superglossies a try.
NARS Lipgloss in Supervixen ($24): Less sticky than MAC Lipglasses and Chanel Glossimers, NARS Supervixen feels light on my lips and doesn’t have a noticeable taste or smell.
Chanel Aqualumiere Lipgloss ($28): Boy, are these bad boys built to shine! All nine of the shades deliver loads of sheer, super shiny color. Chanel, ya done good!

Lipgloss lovahs, can you recommend any non-sticky formulations for Toni? Let’s get her out of this sticky situation.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tarte Three Carats: Easy Blush, Light Flush

November 16th, 2009 by Karen 33 Comments

tarte-three-carats-open

Today I came *this close* to chomping down on the cheek stains in Tarte’s Three Carats Set ($25) because they reminded me of Push-Ups pops. Nom, nom, nom! 🙂

tarte-three-carats

One of three new limited-edition makeup gift sets from Tarte, Three Carats comes with three mini-gel blushes decorated in festive silver and rhinestones.

Don’t be fooled by how dark they look in their blingy outfits; they apply super-sheer and natural, despite appearances.
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Creepy!

November 16th, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

Why are abandoned buildings so creepy and cool?

I took this pic yesterday; it’s one of many old structures at the defunct military base in Hamilton Field, Novato.

Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Pout Lipglosses

November 16th, 2009 by Karen 14 Comments

From left to right: Radiant, Aura, Candy, Tease, Luster and Pout

Yes, no, maybe so?

(Smashbox Wish for the Perfect Pout Set, $29)

NARS Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Nail Kit Has You Covered

November 16th, 2009 by Karen 34 Comments

nars drop dead gorgeous

Greetings, gals. I just came across a gift set that might save some butts this holiday season the NARS Drop Dead Gorgeous Mini Nail Kit ($30).

It’s a four-piece mini nail polish kit, one of five for the holidays from NARS. This one comes with four classic colors that I’m guessing even the most finicky nail polish divas will dig.

Arabesque: A peachy rose with glitter in a sheer pink base
Chinatown: A creamy dark red
Candy Darling: A sheer, creamy beige
Saratoga: A shimmery golden burgundy

nars drop dead gorgeous arabesque
Arabesque

nars drop dead gorgeous chinatown
Chinatown

nars drop dead gorgeous candy darling
Candy Darling

nars drop dead gorgeous saratoga
Saratoga
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Nov. 16

November 16th, 2009 by Karen 93 Comments

kindness-is-everything

Mood:

Still a little out of it this morning, but I feel pretty good. I didn’t sleep well last night, so the old mental motor’s taking a while to warm up.

Do you make your bed?

Yup, every morning. It’s an easy way to start the day with a minor sense of accomplishment.

Have you started holiday shopping?

No! I need to start soon, though.

Favorite fruit?

I heart all kinds, but persimmons are really floating my boat right now, yum!

Eyes/lips/cheeks:

It’s a Clinique Black Tie Violets day for me.

In what ways are you like your mother?

We have very different personalities, but my mom and I are both total clean freaks.

Do you like to dance?

LOVE IT!

Long or short nails?

Long nails look so pretty to me, but I think shorter nails are just more practical. It’s a little harder to type with long nails.

Outfit:

I’m squeezing in a quick morning workout, so I’m covered in stretchy stuff that wicks — black Lululemon workout pants, a white tank top and black sweatshirt.

Weekly goals:

Eat sensibly (that means no more dark chocolate stars), work on managing my time better than last week, start a new filing system, research window treatments and do some planning for the holidays.

Good morning, ladies! Happy Monday.

I feel like I’ve been up forever… This morning around 4:30 Tabs went to work trying to open the cabinets under the sink, pawing and scratching at it for reasons unknown. I think he’s looking for CS Lewis’ magic wardrobe as a means to escape.

After I shouted at him to knock it off, he jumped on the bed, plopped on top of my head and started purring, completely ignoring the fact that I was mad. Typical.

Hope you have a great day today. While you tackle that first (or second) cup of coffee, take a second to check in with the Monday Poll. Just copy the list below, and paste it in the comments with your answers. 🙂

Le list

1. Mood
2. Do you make your bed?
3. Have you started holiday shopping?
4. Favorite fruit?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. In what ways are you like your mom?
7. Do you like to dance?
8. Long or short nails?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

All in favor of us having a great week say “Aye!”

Aye!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Subscribe to Makeup and Beauty Blog: Never Miss Another Post

November 15th, 2009 by Karen 2 Comments

Don’t let school or work get you down! Ease your way into each day with a little bit of makeup and beauty. 🙂

Each morning at around 11 o’clock my time (Pacific Standard), an email with my latest posts goes out to Makeup and Beauty Blog subscribers.

If you aren’t already subscribed, the emails can be a great way to start your day. I try to keep things interesting, alternating makeup and beauty news with giveaways, product reviews, photo posts, tutorials and tips. I’ll never share your address with anyone for anything. You’ll get just one email per day, delivered fresh and hot out the kitchen (not really, but you know what I mean).

Thanks for visiting.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you’re completely swamped with email, you can also subscribe by RSS feed or follow me on twitter or facebook.

What’s the Best Glittery Product You’ve Ever Used?

November 15th, 2009 by Karen 33 Comments

best-glitter-product

How do you feel about glitter? Do you wear it much? I don’t rock it 24/7, but I will reach for a glittery nail polish, lipgloss or eyeliner when I’m feeling spunky (happens from time to time). 🙂

Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Liner in Midnight Cowboy kinda changed my outlook on glitter. It turned glitter from something I liked into something I love.

By adding just the faintest sparkle, it became one of my staples for fun nights out. I’ll wear it as a shimmery golden liner along my upper lash line (where it stays like a mo’ fo’). The fine particles give it a sophisticated golden sparkle that lights up my face, but not in a cheesy, you’re-trying-too-hard way.

Some women look at glitter like they look at mini skirts — after a certain age, you just don’t go there anymore.

I don’t think so. Women of any age can sparkle. 🙂

What’s the best glittery product you’ve ever used, and what makes it great?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen