Archives for February 2010

New in Beauty, Feb. 16: Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties and Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic

February 16th, 2010 by Karen 26 Comments

New in Beauty

The Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties Bag Collection ($18-38) put a BIG smile on my face. 😀
AVAILABLE NOW (ONLINE): Benefit’s Confessions of a Concealaholic ($36)!
Sleek… The Smashbox Sweet & Sultry Beauty Kit ($53) looks sharp.
Is this a joke? Holiday 2010 from China Glaze?
MAC’s Riveting and Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation collections are now online.
YAY! Laura Mercier has new Tinted Moisturizer ($42) colors for brown girls!
Despite it’s goof-tacular name, I still wanna try Clinique’s All About Eyes Serum De-Puffing Eye Massage ($25), LOL!
Have I ever mentioned that “Synergy” is one of my least favorite words? I guess I can let it slide in Anastasia’s Illumin8 with Youthful Synergy Complex Eye Shadow Palette ($40).
ATTENTION (OIL SLICKERS): Laura Mercier says her Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder ($32) eliminates shine and makes even the oiliest skin look matte.
Three words: HOT PINK BRUSHES!
Both Neimans and Bergdorf’s have the new Chanel Rouge Coco ($30) lippies available online, WOOT!
I wonder if Quelques Fleures perfume ($135) smells as lovely as it looks.
Speaking of pretty perfume bottles, Guerlain’s Vega Vintage ($305) speaks to me (and says HOLY SHIZZ, THAT’S PRICEY!).
I wonder if ModelCo’s ergonomic Sunsponge ($40) will make it easier to self-tan my butt. 😕

It’s Tuesday morning — do you know where your caffeinated beverage is (LOL!)? My tea is steeping, and I’m watching it like a crazed clown: “Steep faster! FASTER!! Mamma needs her fix…”

Have a great day today. I haven’t figured out my to-do list yet. Figuring out what’s on it is probably the first thing on it, though, ha!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Subscribe to Makeup and Beauty Blog

February 15th, 2010 by Karen 16 Comments

Everyone gets a little down from time to time, which is why I started this blog. 🙂 I like to get down in a good way, and you can too — with a roundup of Makeup and Beauty Blog posts delivered to you once/day by email. It’s called the daily feed, and it’s almost as satisfying as Snickers.

You’ll get peeks at upcoming makeup collections, alerts about product giveaways and ideas for makeup looks to try at home — all washed down with a spoonful of crazy cat lady (sorry… I can’t help myself when it comes to Tabs).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. You can also find me on

The Party Is Poolside with China Glaze and Neon Nails

February 15th, 2010 by Karen 74 Comments

Put down that snow shovel, ladies, and grab your swimsuit, sunscreen and your stunna shades, because you and I are heading Poolside. 🙂

Don’t worry if you’re snowed in and/or haven’t shaved your naughty bits in months (yo, been there, done that), it’s not that kind of pool. For this pool, all you need is nails.

The six new summery shades in the China Glaze Poolside collection ($6.50 each) are available now, and to put it mildly, they’re BRIGHT!

For a look at the 2010 fall collection…

China Glaze Vintage Vixen

What’s brighter than bright?

Neons are notoriously streaky and can take forever to apply, but Kiwi Cool-Ada and Towel Boy Toy are a breeze to apply. They’re smooth (like Tabs) and apply evenly, only requiring two layers to look fully opaque. Definitely my faves of the bunch!

Kiwi Cool-Ada

Towel Boy Toy

As for Pool Party and Flip Flop Fantasy, I think they’re also relatively easy to apply, but getting opaque coverage with them seems to take a third layer. No problem at all, though, because I think they’re totally worth the time. Oh, hello there, muscular surfer dude telling me how great my hair looks and oh, sure, you can fetch me another piÃ±a colada and come back and have a seat beside me on the sand under my umbrella…

Sorry! Lost my train of thought! 🙂
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Physicians Formula Organic Wear Facial Makeup Remover Lotion: Should You Marry This Doctor?

February 15th, 2010 by Karen 21 Comments

Even though Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads didn’t knock my socks off, I really tried to keep an open mind when I tested the doc’s Organic Wear Facial Makeup Remover Lotion ($10).

Like the pads, this lotion has all the makings of drugstore greatness — affordable, no sketchy chemicals, cute (always a plus), and it wasn’t tested on animals. My picky nose loves the real deal lavender scent, too, and the lotion feels silky soft against my skin.

So far, so good…

Will it be the organic drugstore lotion of my dreams?

To give it a fair shake and prepare my skin before testing, I stopped using my trusty Clinique Cleansing Balm a few days beforehand.
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Feb. 15

February 15th, 2010 by Karen 58 Comments

Mood:

Blooming chipper!

How do you feel about drugstore makeup?

I think some of it’s fantastic, but it takes patience to sift through all of the not-so-great stuff to get to the gems. Once you find ’em, though, it feels like you’ve found buried treasure!

Camo print: yay or nay?

If you’re in the service, YAY! If you’re buying bananas at Safeway, then only in measured doses — maybe a pair of shorts, tennies or a t-shirt.

What’s one makeup challenge you’d like to master?

I’d like to get better at applying bright teal and green eyeshadows. They’re not colors I’d wear outside of the house that often, but you never know…

Eyes/lips/cheeks:

Nothing yet except MAC Naked Honey Salve on my lips. I’m thinking of doing something with one of the Spring Colour Forecast quads.

Do you have any scars?

A few small ones. One is a burn on my left wrist from a cooking accident 10 years ago. It’s shaped like a dolphin. 🙂

Sweet or savory foods?

On most days, sweet, but when Aunt Flo visits, savory.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can pinch with my toes, HARD.

Outfit:

Tow up from the flo’ up in brown shorts, a green t-shirt and black zip-up hoodie (I’m still in jammies).

Weekly goals:

Just to keep a good attitude about freelancing, try to watch what I eat, exercise daily, get to bed before midnight, and generally try to take better care of myself than I did last week.

Good morning, ladies (well, early afternoon for some of you). 🙂 How did you sleep? I slept fine until Tabs decided it was time to play. It was just before dawn, and I think he sensed I wanted to sleep in, so he leapt on my chest (ouch!) as if to say, “Nope. Not gonna happen.”

Mmm… I’ve been on a green tea kick lately. Do you like it? Sometimes I prefer coffee, but it kinda messes with my nerves after a while.

So what are you up to today (Happy Presidents Day)? Let me know how you’re doing. Just copy this list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. How do you feel about drugstore makeup?
3. Camo print: yay or nay?
4. What’s one makeup challenge you’d like to master?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Do you have any scars?
7. Sweet or savory foods?
8. Do you have any hidden talents?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Um… I just realized that the hidden talents question might be asking for trouble, LOL! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 74

February 14th, 2010 by Karen 13 Comments

Hi, ladies. 🙂 Been keeping busy today? I was just getting ready to make dinner (El Hub and I had our Valentine’s Day dinner last night in Yountville) when a text came through from Tabs.

While the whole damn continent’s freezing its collective a** off, that lucky cat has been shooting ad layouts and commercials in the South of France! I swear, if I get one more fracking text from him about how “dreadfully” hot it is in Saint Tropez…

If you’re interested, he attached pictures of some of his recent jobs, and for what it’s worth, he asked me to tell you “Meow.”
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Sunday Surfing

February 14th, 2010 by Karen 7 Comments

Heya, ladies. I hope you’re having a stunning weekend filled with fun (perhaps even a little romance?) and relaxation.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, can you sneak away for a few minutes? The tide’s up! — which means it’s time to do a little surfing. 🙂

Random bright spots

Chanel Rouge Coco Tote, I DIE!!! — Stylelist
A sneek peak at Chanel’s Summer 2010 collection — Luscious Beauty
Hurry! This mousse needs our help. It’s trapped in a jar 🙂 — Bella Sugar
HOW TO: A bright green, yellow and blue eye — Temptalia
The rumors are true: Ralph Lauren has a Heart of Gold — We Heart This
I wonder where I put my Polaroid… — What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?
Just in case you were wondering what a Hannibal Lecter Hello Kitty Tattoo might look like — Albotos
Ways to keep the creativity flowing —> — ISO 50

New in stores

Gwen’s Harajuku Lovers scents ($30) are down at the beach.
Try Trish McEvoy’s creamy Allover Face Highlighter ($35) for radiant eyes, faces and lips.
My tummy turns a little at the thought of face washing with seaweed, but I still can’t wait to give Mario Badescu’s Seaweed Cleansing Lotion ($15) a try.
Philosophy rolls out a spray version of their Field of Flowers scent ($30).
For you Estee Lauder Fans, the MagnaScopic Mascara Set combines two full-size mascaras with two extra gifts for just $21.
Don’t these silver and gold Foiled Eye Colours from Laura Mercier ($22) look kinda cool?
Lipstick Queen wants to you have your 5 Minutes of Fame with this gloss set ($28).
Target now carries Oils of Aloha, a brand I’ve only seen in Hawaii.
Have you tried Essence makeup? For $1-4, they look like a pretty sweet deal.
Can’t wait to try Make Up For Ever’s HD Blush.
Looks like Trish McEvoy’s All About the Eyes.
It’s a belated Christmas miracle! 🙂 Sephora has a Pony Holder ($5) that doesn’t involve fake hair!!
Sephora’s Bronze Tones Makeup Palette to Go ($15) would be great to take on vacay.
Vera Wang goes grunge with this black and white limited edition bottle of Rock Princess ($72).
Have you tried Sephora’s Cake Beauty ($9-30) line of makeup, skin and body care?

I miss being in the water…

Still one of my favorite songs!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Retro Roundup: One Year Ago on Makeup and Beauty Blog

February 14th, 2010 by Karen 10 Comments

Rise and shine, morning glories! I hope I’m not too late … but would you be my Valentine?

What’s on your plate today? Is romance in the picture? I’ve been married for three years, so my answer to that is a resounding “No.” LOL! Just kidding. 🙂 El Hub’s quite the romantic… Now if I could only get him to shower on a regular basis.

Speaking of third anniversaries, Makeup and Beauty Blog turns three next week (on Feb. 20). I don’t know how long you’ve been stopping by, but do you remember the original layout? Way different, right? WordPress.com made it very easy to start.

I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now, so here’s a look back at some of my favorite posts from this time last year…

Write Love Notes to Yourself

“The notes have consoled me through many tough times, like those first lonely years of college, when it felt impossible to get my bearings. I was reading through them last night when it hit me: we should totally write these notes to ourselves!”

Caring for Dry Skin

“Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. That’s how my skin feels in winter, when the humidity is low. No matter how much it may be raining outside, in here my skin’s dry, cracked and sore.”

2-Minute Wide-Eyed Makeup Look

“I was up late last night watching Season 1 of 30 Rock on DVD. This may be lack of sleep talking, but I’m strangely fascinated by puffy Alec Baldwin… When I finally opened my eyes this morning, I looked TIRED! I filmed this video clip a couple days ago, but it shows one of my go-to quick eye makeup looks, great for late-night TV marathons.”

14 Pink Lip Colors for Valentine’s Day

“There’s something about wearing pink lips on Valentine’s Day that just feels right! If you’re looking for the perfect pink for your pout, consider one of these 14 pink lipsticks and glosses. Sometimes a bold, bright pink lip is the only way to go. Pair any of these dramatic lips with thick black cat eyeliner and some false lashes for a show-stopping look.”

Caring for Oily Skin

“It’s ironic how something so valuable — oil — can be such a nuisance sometimes. I have combination dry/oily skin now, but in my early-20s it was more oily than dry. Half way through the day my skin would look shinier than Mr. Clean’s bald head! Flash forward to 2009. Now, I have the worst best of both worlds, LOL! One week I’ll be wrestling with dry skin, and the next it’s a struggle against oil.”

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