Archives for December 2009

Lightening Up with the China Glaze Up and Away Collection

December 5th, 2009 by Karen 28 Comments

china glaze up and away spring 2010 top

The first time I read the name on the bottom of the pastel yellow bottle in China Glaze’s Up and Away Spring 2010 collection, I was TOTALLY SURE it said Lemon Liz — named, I assumed, after Tina Fey’s character on 30 Rock.

I thought, “How cool,” smiling gleefully. 🙂 “They watch 30 Rock!”

And then I looked again: “Lemon Fizz”

Oh, how ’bout that… Lemon Fizz. Yeah, I guess someone needs to get her eyes checked, LOL!

The shiny-happy mix of creamy brights and pastels in China Glaze’s new collection look like the colors from a Deee-Lite video.

So playful and girly! 🙂

Most of the 12 apply smooth with full coverage. The two that didn’t for me (the lighter shades) — Something Sweet and Light as Air — gave me some trubs in the streaking department, but I still like the colors.

Like all China Glaze lacquers, these are free of DBP, toluene and formaldehyde, and they’re expected to grace Sally Beauty Supply stores this spring. As soon as I see them available anywhere online, I’ll let you know.

What do you think? Are these tres Deee Lite or what?

China Glaze Up and Away Swatches Review Photos Lemon Fizz 12
Lemon Fizz

China Glaze Up and Away Swatches Review Photos Happy Go Lucky 11
Happy Go Lucky

China Glaze Up and Away Swatches Review Photos High Hopes 10
High Hopes

China Glaze Up and Away Swatches Review Photos Peachy Keen 9
Peachy Keen
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Greens are Good

December 5th, 2009 by Karen 10 Comments

A daily dose of greens are good for the constitution.

Clockwise from left:

China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint (from the Up and Away collection for spring 2010)
Essie Mint Candy Apple (from the Essie Sweet Time of Year collection)
Chanel Jade (from the Jade collection)
China Glaze Four-Leaf Clover (from the Up and Away collection for spring 2010)

Saturday Surfing

December 5th, 2009 by Karen 3 Comments

120509-saturday-surfing-final

Good morning, ladies!

Did you do anything fun last night? Tabs says meow, which loosely translated means “hey, girl.” The three of us (El Hub, Tabs and I) just chilled at home. It was a Hulu and pizza night, aka one of those nights you need every so often to recharge your batteries.

I’m off to a lazy start this morning, filled with giant mugs of coffee and high-intensity web surfing. 🙂

Here are the highlights of my e-travels so far…

Christmas gift ideas for the woefully unprepared — Icing
Easy makeup tips for South Asian Women from MAC Senior Artist Vimi Joshi — Bella Sugar
Revisiting the Bronze Age with the Prescriptives Luster Baked Eye Color Quad — Temptalia
What kind of dream is Maybelline Dream Mousse? — The Notice
Product recommendations for dry winter skin and hair — Glamour and Love
The Cargo Hands of Hope Palette looks like a collectable — Karla Sugar
Love is in the hair with Kerastase Nectar Thermique — The Punk Cat
If you like cool shadows and have an extra $60 sitting around… — The Beauty Look Book
Is CoverGirl’s ShineBlast the new LipSlick? — Raging Rouge
6 reasons why bacon is better than true love — The Oatmeal
Prosthetic designs (yes, that kind of prosthetic) of the past, present and future — Web Urbanist
Gifts for goths — We Heart This

This makes me feel happy 🙂

I am deeply obsessed with Phoenix

Scooch over, Frank!

I’m heading to the city this afternoon to see a few friends from school. I haven’t seen them since last year, so I’m really looking forward to it.

What are your plans for today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hot Roller Hijinks: Volume One

December 4th, 2009 by Karen 29 Comments

hot-roller-hijinks-1

Today I took my first crack at the Jilbere Hot Roller set I picked up from Sally Beauty Supply.

The process was, um, interesting.

jilbere-hot-rollers

Following the instructions (or at least trying to), I managed to get all of the curlers into my hair without burning anything, yea!

That took about 20 minutes (rolling the top and sides)…

tabs-hates-hot-rollers
Tabs finds the mystery contraptions suspicious

Just after inserting the last batch of rollers, I removed the first ones, aiming to leave each one in about 20 minutes.

After letting the curls cool for a couple minutes, I ran my fingers through everything to break them up.

That resulted in this:

hair-roller-hijinks-2
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Guess the MAC Paint Pot, Vol. 2

December 4th, 2009 by Karen 10 Comments

Here’s a hint: they’re both from a 2008 limited edition collection.

Can you guess?

Up, Up and Away With China Glaze

December 4th, 2009 by Karen 9 Comments

Coming this spring — the China Glaze Up & Away collection.

They look like candy, yum!

The Urban Decay Show Pony Palette Is Ready to Party

December 4th, 2009 by Karen 41 Comments

urban decay show pony holiday looks top

The food, generosity and general merriment in the air make the holidays a great excuse to par-tay!

In keeping with that spirit, tomorrow I’m meeting some good friends from college for grub in the city (we try to meet around this time every year).

Because we can’t hang out that often, I kinda feel like getting all dolled up.

urban decay show pony palette open

I’m thinking of going with something sassy, like this shimmery teal and peach look I tried today using Urban Decay’s Show Pony Palette.

urban-decay-show-pony-look
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What Are Your MAC Staples?

December 4th, 2009 by Karen 65 Comments

mac-staples

Fellow MAC fans, imagine a world without your favorite MAC products, the ones you hope they never discontinue.

I would…
FREAK THE EFF OUT!

Here are my MAC staples:

MAC Eyeshadow in Concrete and the 266 Small Angled Brush: The dynamic duo I use to fill my eyebrows. Without ’em my facial expression looks stuck somewhere between surprise and adoration.
Eyeshadow in Soft Brown: I’m in crazy love with this matte brown. It’s my go-to crease color, matter of fact. Incidentally, I hear it gets a lot of use on the set of Mad Men.
Lipglass in Nymphette: I can’t even begin to guess the number of tubes I’ve finished. I’ve been a fan of this shimmery golden pink gloss *forever*.

If you’re a fellow MAC ~~fiend~~ fan, what are your staples from the brand? I’m always looking for new gems to try. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF, gals! How does your day look?