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Archives for July 2010

MAC Haute & Naughty Lash Ups the Ante (AND the Price)

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MAC Haute and Naughty Lash review

Edward or Jacob? Eric or Bill? Nutella or — NO! Forget it. There are some choices I’m simply not prepared to make. 🙂

At least now when it comes to mascara, fickle girls like me don’t have to wrestle with difficult choices. We can have our cake AND eat it too, thanks to MAC Haute & Naughty Lash ($18; available in a single shade, Haute & Naughty Black).

The disco turtleneck on the tube (see the pic below) is what MAC calls their “two-in-one dual wiper system,” and it’s one of the keys to Haute & Naughty’s success.

Unscrewing the wand from the glittery purple end loads the brush with product — LOTS of product — enough for dramatic lash volume from root to tip with just one coat.

MAC Haute and Naughty Lash review

MAC Haute and Naughty Lash review

But even if you’re more interested in lash length and separation than lash volume, you’re still in luck!

See, this thing’s a little like a Transformer… By disconnecting the wand from the hot pink extension end, the brush loads with less product, resulting in slightly thinner, yet better defined lashes.

Neat, huh?

MAC Haute and Naughty Lash review
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Light Your Way with MAC By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish

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mac by candlelight review

If there’s a cure for my addiction to MAC Mineralize Skinfinish powders, I don’t want it! Whenever MAC releases these limited edition shimmery powders for face and cheeks (so fab for highlighting!), I always fall for at least one of the new pans. 🙂

My latest MSF obsession? By Candlelight, from the upcoming MAC In The Groove collection (arrives Thursday, July 8).

It may not look like much in the pan (just another blah brown, right?), but don’t be fooled. Introduce it to cheeks, and By Candlelight comes to life!

One of four limited edition Mineralize Skinfinishes released with In The Groove ($28 each), this shimmery cheek and face powder adds a gentle flush of rosy pink and warm golden glow — fresh, breezy and casual.

On laid-back, minimal makeup days of the kind I’d like to have quite often this summer :), where I limit my looks to tinted moisturizer, concealer, mascara, brow powder and lip balm, By Candlelight works wonders, and those are the times I like to use it as a shimmery blush.

The look is relaxed, yet still kinda sexy, like familiar jeans, or that old grey tank that fits you *just* right.
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The Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor and Fusion Pure & Sensitive HydraGel Moved Me To Blog

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El Hub and Tabs

Written by El Hub

Today El Hub (aka the other man in my life) finally breaks his blogging silence with this review of a breakthrough in men’s grooming technology, LOL!

Gillette fusion power review

I was about to say that I can’t believe I’m sitting down to review a beauty product men’s grooming tool, but I was actually looking forward to this. 🙂

When Karen asked me to test some new men’s products a few days ago, the first thing I thought was, “oh, please, no.” I love my girl, but god help me I thought she was going to make me moisturize my cuticles or cut my toenails. And then I saw the package for the Gillette Fusion ProGlide POWER Razor ($12.99 with one cartridge; replacement cartridges cost $33.99 for a package of eight).

WOW! Um, Gillette must have gotten help from someone who knows male psychology when they designed this razor because it has shiny chrome parts (ooh…), black plastic ridges (ahh…) and a big power button on the back — all good things! But I’ve tried other fancy razors before (the Gillette Mach 3 comes to mind), and I’ve always stopped using them after a while because I couldn’t justify the cost. That’s the thing with these super disposables with three or four blades (this one has FIVE!). Yes, I think they really do work way better than those cheap yellow or blue razors that come 12 in a bag for $3, but they cost 10 times as much.

That’s what was going through my mind before I gave the ProGlide Power and Fusion Pure & Sensitive HydraGel shave gel ($4.29 for a 7-oz. can) a try — that and the fact that it has FIVE blades (what’s next? 20 blades?)! I expected it to work well but end up being too expensive to buy on a regular basis.

Gillette fusion power review
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5 Ways to S t r e t c h Your Beauty Dollars

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Written by !i$@ bee

To help gals get more bang for their bucks, blogger !i$@ bee shares 5 ways to s t r e t c h those beauty dollars.

5 ways to stretch your beauty dollars

Hey there, lovelies! I know many of you are curious as to how far you can make your precious, hard-earned money go when it comes to makeup. Too many times I’ve seen friends drop money on a product they could probably duplicate with something they already have in their current makeup stash. Well, fret no more, because !i$@ bee is here to drop some knowledge on ya.

1. Double and triple duty products

I never understood why someone would buy two products — say, a brow filler and a brow-colored eyeshadow — when one might do. Not only can you use eyeshadows as brow fillers and eyeliners (if you wet them first and apply with an eyeliner brush), you can also use your lipsticks as blushes and your blushes as eyeshadows. It may not work with all formulas, so check ingredients and packaging instructions first, but where it does work it can save a lot.

2. Palettes

Palettes are a great way to not only store your makeup, but also to experiment with multiple eye colors for a fraction of the cost of buying products separately. There was a MAC shadow I’d been eyeing (no pun intended), but I wasn’t sure if the color would complement my skin tone, so I headed to my nearest discount beauty store, where they offered a similar color and seven others (!!!) in palette form. Not only was I able to test-drive the color I wanted, I was also able to experiment with some new looks thanks to the additional shades. All for less than the price of a single MAC shadow I may or may not have liked. Sweet!

3. Eyeshadow base

As a relative noob to this whole makeup thing, I didn’t have a collection of eyeshadow bases to keep my shadow in place during the day. In a pinch, I’d just use concealer as a base and continue on with my shadow application. Since then, I’ve discovered the wonders of a proper base, specifically NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils. These really make my shadow colors pop and wear longer, and depending on the base + shadow combo, allow me to create some new colors.

Another great thing about NYX Pencils: the price. You can find them online or sometimes in beauty stores for $5 or less. Not bad for such a versatile product!
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, July 5

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Tabs working on his fitness

  1. Mood:

    2. Pretty good, although I’m having a hard time focusing this morning… I think I’m still in holiday mode.

  2. What’s the weather like out your way?

    3. Oddly overcast but warm. It must be some kind of morning mist/fog.

  3. Please take a moment to write yourself a little love love note:

    4. Your creativity is a gift; cherish and nurture it.

  4. Your favorite purse?

    5. These days it’s been my slouchy dark brown leather bag from Fossil. I like how soft and comfy it feels (like a jacket that’s been broken in) and that it has plenty of pockets.

  5. Flip-flops: yay or nay?

    6. YAY! — for bumming around the house or for running errands; nay for wearing to work. Oh, and nay for wearing when you have to do a lot of walking.

  6. What’s one of the best experiences you’ve had lately?

    7. On Saturday I went swimming for the first time this summer! If I could, I’d spend time every day in a (warm) body of water… Sometimes I feel like a mermaid trapped on dry land.

  7. What’s your favorite facial feature?

    8. I really do love the color of my eyes; at a glance they look like standard dark brown, but if you look really closely, you can see a navy blue ring around the edge of each iris.

  8. Favorite summer reading?

    9. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

  9. Outfit:

    10. My favorite J Brand jeans and a Honolua yellow and brown floral print shirt.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Run every single day this week, and cook at least three healthy meals. 🙂

What up, ladies? Did you see any fireworks last night? I can’t believe it, but I spaced out and actually forgot about fireworks last night. After getting home from watching Eclipse, I just chilled on the couch with a magazine and passed out early. Yep, I know… My life literally OVERFLOWS with excitement and intrigue.

What are you up to today? Are you at work or taking the day off? Let me know how you’re doing by filling out the Monday Poll. It’s super easy. Just copy the list below, and paste it with your answers in the comments.



1. Mood:
2. What’s the weather like out your way?
3. Please take a moment to write yourself a love note:
4. Your favorite purse?
5. Flip-flops: yay or nay?
6. What’s one of the best experiences you’ve had lately?
7. What’s your favorite facial feature?
8. Favorite summer reading?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Let’s make this first week of July a great one, yah? Talk to you soon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 94

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Makeup and Beauty Blog horoscope: July
Disclaimer: Tabs is NOT a certified astrologer…but he does read Susan Miller, a lot.

July 2010

Aries (March 21- April 19)
July could be hectic for you, Aries, but don’t despair. A full moon over the weekend of July 24-25 will bring with it an opportunity to socialize and have fun. Do something special for yourself beforehand, like going shopping, or getting your hair or nails done, and be open for anything.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)
July heralds romantic possibilities for you, Taurus. With Venus in your house of love, be ready for chemistry with someone stable, reliable and ambitious. Rock your best come hither hair and makeup between July 10 and August 5.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)
If you’ve been saving up for something, Gemini, consider buying it now or waiting for fall. Mercury enters retrograde between August 20 and September 12, so you might want to schedule any large purchases of appliances, furniture or electronics (this includes T3 hairdryers and the Clarisonic brush) around those dates.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Happy birthday, sweetie! Expect some good financial news around the full moon (July 25), plus or minus four days. This might be a great time to treat yourself to something luxurious. Might I suggest Chanel?

Leo (July 23-August 22)
If you’re thinking about making a dramatic change to your hair, lovely Leo, consider doing it over the next few days (from now through July 9). Venus, patron of love and good looks, is on your side! 🙂

Virgo (August 23-September 22)
A big project is coming to a close, Virgo, and you’ll be busy leading up to the full moon on July 25. Stock up on your beauty basics — the products you love to use for minimal makeup looks. Feeling cute while you’re busy will help you through the month.

Libra (September 23-October 22)
The full moon on July 25 means love love is in the air around you, Libra. Bust out your most kissable lipgloss, schedule a date with a crush, or hit the club with your girls. Wherever you go and whatever you do, love interests are sure to notice!

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Set aside your favorite travel beauty goodies, Scorpio, because July 11 is the date of an eclipse! It brings with it TWO ideal times to travel this month — the first on July 11 and the other on July 26. Both days should be great times to start an adventure!

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Mars and Mercury want to help you make strides in your career, Sagittarius. The two will be in perfect positions on July 26. You may interview for a new position or a promotion, so update your resume, dust off your interview suit, and bust out your favorite work-friendly lipstick!

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
All work and no play makes Capricorn a dull girl. 🙂 You’ve been working hard lately, and it’s time to take a break. Mars moves through the house of long distance travel at the end of this month. July 28 would be a great time to start a trip, and if you decide to head someplace warm, don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Mark July 23 on your calendar, sweet Aquarius. The Sun and Uranus will be in perfect harmony, so it could be a gold star day filled with welcome surprises — you may do well on a presentation, get a job opportunity or be asked on a first date. To look your best all day long, bump up the wear time of your makeup with a good primer.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)
You’re physically strong this month, Pisces, so bust out your favorite gym clothes (or invest in some cute new workout wear), and fill your makeup bag with sweat-proof products. Saturn’s due to exit Virgo on July 21. With it comes a time to make great strides in the fitness department.

May the stars be with you,

P.S. Speaking of eclipses, have you seen the new Twilight movie? Tabs and I went this afternoon. He thinks the wolf pack needs a new wardrobe (those jeans shorts are sooo not happenin’).

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