Archives for April 2010

Just Checking In…

April 17th, 2010 by Karen 34 Comments

What is it with cats and laundry baskets?

I’m proud of myself, ladies. I stuck to my plan to be totally unproductive today, and DAMN it felt good.

How’s your weekend coming along? Anything exciting happen yet? I can safely say that nothing exciting has happened to me in days, not since the food drama last Thursday (I had some Japanese that didn’t sit quite well).

Speaking of unfortunate edibles and other randomness, have you ever had bacon on a stick? There’s a huge candy store here in Novato that has it on the counter… I’m curious, but I don’t think I’m ready “to go there” yet with bacon.

I guess if I combined it with these weird fried egg gummy candies, I’d have a full breakfast, ha! 🙂

Wait — I almost forgot. Something exciting DID happen today. My Sephora order arrived (used my VIB coupon for 15% off)! I restocked a few must-haves (got a HUMUNGO bottle of PMS, aka Philosophy Purity Made Simple) like…
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MBBTV #11: Philosophy Coloring Book Gets a Bad … Rap

April 17th, 2010 by Karen 27 Comments

Question: What’s your philosophy on color? If you like sheer neutrals, you might REALLY like Philosophy’s new Coloring Book palette for spring.

Products mentioned in the video…

Philosophy The Color of Grace Coloring Book

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing

April 17th, 2010 by Karen 18 Comments

Good mawnin’, home skillets. How was your night? 🙂 I can’t even begin to describe how happy I am right now because I actually have nothing I have to do today. That’s because my to-do list is blank, yay! It rarely works out this way, but somehow I managed to finish all of my weekend chores early, as in last week, which means there will be no cleaning of toilets, folding of clothes or brushing of tabby cats (a chore indeed) today, huzzah!

And THAT means I can just chill here with y’all, which makes everything, even the taste of this hot tea, so much better.

Oh, here’s something completely random that I know some of the other journalists and writers out there might appreciate. The AP finally caved!

Now, because I like to share the ~~Web sites~~ websites I surf early on Saturday mornings…

Random bright spots

What can orange concealer do for you? Check out this exploration of carrot-hued correctors — Bella Sugar
Hallelujar, praise ye gods! Flared pants are coming back this fall! — The Cut
Do Tokidoki’s Brillante Glitter Eyeliner deliver the goods? — Temptalia
Did you know Jamba Juice has a secret menu? — Divine Caroline
15 photos you won’t believe aren’t Photoshopped — Oddee
Enter to win a Zac Posen for Target Dress before it hits stores — The Lancome Blog
The battle of the most AWESOME THING EVER! — Most Awesometthing Ever
Blondes have more fun… and earn more money, too (drat!) — Beaut.ie
Two words: pure genius — Kitteh Roulette
Do you feel lucky? Enter to win a New York City shopping spree, a guided tour of the Marie Claire offices and meet a Project Runway designer — Secrets of the Runway

New in beauty

With the NARS Jet Setter Eye Kit ($52), you get a lash curler, Nuits Blanches Stylo Liner and a Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara
I’m kinda loving the print on Sisley’s Pyto-Poudre Compact ($109)… There’s a moisturizing, mattifying powder inside
I wait ALL YEAR LONG for Fekkai Summer Hair!! Nordstrom.com already has some of the items listed: Marine Clean Detox Shampoo ($23), Beachcomber Leave-In Conditioner ($23) and Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves ($23)
Sephora now carries bronzers and self-tanners by St. Tropez ($30-40)
I love how industrial this jug of Supergoop! All-Over Everyday UV Pump ($68) looks

A girl can never have enough shoes…

Tetris and Pac Man invade New York!

Been listening to this song 24/7 for days…

What are you doing right now? I mean at this very instant! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MBBTV #10: Even Eyebrows Need Love, or The Case of the Sasquatch Brows

April 16th, 2010 by Karen 8 Comments

Wow, brows have come a long way, baby. Back when I was in high school, no one ever tweezed, waxed or filled in. We just walked around with naturally big, bushy eyebrows and never gave it a second thought. Oh, gawd, my senior pictures…

Today we have more doodads and products to make ’em look better, which is cool because my untamed brows should never again see the light of day. 🙂

Products mentioned in the video…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

From Notting Hill to La-La Land: The Story of Royal Apothic’s 2010 Summer Scents

April 16th, 2010 by Karen 14 Comments

Long, long ago — 10 years, I should say — on an island far, far away — Great Britain, if you really must know — our hero, young Sean O’Mara, was on holiday in the bustling village of London when something wondrous happened. 🙂

Sean, now the creative director for Los Angeles-based Royal Apothic, was browsing a Notting Hill antique stall when he saw the most amazing thing. It was squirreled up high upon a shelf, an Eighteenth Century apothecary manual filled with recipes for scents and other concoctions, many of which had long ago been made for great monarchs of Europe.

“Jackpot!” he must have thought.

Seriously? Dude, the only things I ever get on vacay are tchotchkes and food poisoning.

When Sean returned home to the US, he set to work conjuring the long lost recipes. Et voilÃ , Royal Apothic was born.
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Benefit Launches a New Line of Super Shiny Lipglosses

April 16th, 2010 by Karen 22 Comments

Benefit Ultra Shines Lip Shines, $18 each

I gotta say, you guys have GOOD eyes. A few of you noticed the gloss I was wearing in this pic below from last week’s NARS Cactus Flower blush review and immediately demanded the 411!

It’s my new favorite gloss, Benefit Ultra Shines in Spiked Punch, one of five glosses in the new Ultra Shines Lip Shines line ($18 each) which launches next month.

Foxy Lady: a diamond rose
Back to the Fuschsia: a sparkling fuchsia
Wild Child: a glimmering amethyst
Spiked Punch:a juicy coral
Dancing Queen: a watermelon pink

The Ultra Shines pack a high shine finish, lots of pigment and moisture, and they’re long-lasting to boot. In a nutshell, they’re awesome. I’ll do a more detailed review with lip swatches in just a few, but for now here are a few quick pics for ya.

From left: Back to the Fuchsia, Wild Child, Spiked Punch

From left: Spiked Punch, Back to the Fuchsia, Wild Child

Is Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Tinted Moisturizer Drugstore Duping Laura Mercier?

April 16th, 2010 by Karen 41 Comments

Well, you made it to Friday, love. 🙂 Isn’t it grand? Now all we have to do is hold on for a few more hours before … FREEDOM!

This morning I’d like to start with a quick look at Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Tinted Moisturizer SPF 50 ($15, available in four shades). Since I had such a good experience with their Healthy Wear Bronzer last week, I was hoping for more of that same luck this time around.

Sometimes I just want a product to work out so badly that I’ll overlook almost any flaw. This could have been one of those times. I mean, look at that cheery tube. So cute, right? With packaging this hawt, Healthy Wear Tinted Moisturizer sure gets off to a good start.
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Yves Saint Laurent Dessin Du Regard Long-Lasting Eye Pencil Pictures, Swatches

April 16th, 2010 by Karen 5 Comments

A few of YSL’s updated Dessin Du Regard eye pencils ($28 each). From left: Turquoise, Velvet Black, Leather Brown. Review coming soon!