Archives for January 2010

What Would You Get from Essie Art of Spring?

January 15th, 2010 by Karen 24 Comments

Today I thought of a scene from The Devil Wears Prada, the one where Meryl Streep’s icy Miranda Priestly schools her dowdy assistant Andy (Anne Hathaway) on the influence that high fashion has on everyday American life.

Remember Andy’s cerulean blue sweater?

The color, Miranda says, walked down a runway long before it ever found its way to a major retail store.

That scene left a total impression on me… Now, as I try to follow beauty trends, I’m always fascinated by how many color and style trends begin life on a runway.

Take Essie’s new nail polish collection, Art of Spring…
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NARS Purple Rain Nail Polish, aka THE HOTNESS

January 15th, 2010 by Karen 23 Comments

I wonder if Prince likes it…

(NARS Purple Rain Nail Polish, $16, from the Spring 2010 collection)

50% Off Cargo Cosmetics at Sephora.com

January 15th, 2010 by Karen 28 Comments

Heads up, bargain hunters. There’s a huge sale on Cargo cosmetics over at Sephora.com, with products discounted up to 50 percent. A friend of mine who works there told me they’re phasing the line out of stores, so stock up! Pick up the Tahiti Color Eyeshadow Palette, on sale for $14, before it’s going, going, gone (see it in action here and here).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powders Palette

January 15th, 2010 by Karen 9 Comments

Josie Maran Natural Wonder Powders Palette, $35.

From now until February 1, 50 percent of all proceeds from JosieMaranCosmetics.com will be donated to the American Red Cross for Haiti.

New Dolce and Gabbana Makeup for Spring 2010: The Intimate Sensuality Collection

January 15th, 2010 by Karen 32 Comments

Heya, girls. If you’re in the middle of planning your spring makeup wardrobe, you might want to squirrel a penny or two (or 10,000) away for Dolce and Gabbana‘s newest makeup range, The Intimate Sensuality Collection.

If you like roses, flowers and all things femme, this line of luxury makeup could put a dent in your pocketbook. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana drew the color palette’s inspiration from Sicily’s wild roses and the lush, floral prints in their spring 2010 runway collection. Expect to see the 14-piece release for eyes, lips, face and nails at Dolce and Gabbana makeup counters in March.

Take a look at the pictures below, check out the full collection list and let me know if anything catches your eye. 🙂

Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Petal 145, $59

Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Mystery 106, $36

Dolce and Gabbana The Intimate Sensuality Collection for Spring 2010

Eyes
Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Petal 145, $59
Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Stromboli 130 (repromote), $59
Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Mystery 106, $36
Volumized Lashes in Black 1 (repromote), $28
Crayon Intense in Nude 9, $29

Lips
Classic Cream Lipstick in Petal 145, $30
Classic Cream Lipstick in Glam 115, $30
Shine Lipstick in Precious 125, $30
Precision Lipliner in Ultra 7, $30
Ultra Shine Lipgloss in Innocence 78, $29
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New in Beauty, Jan. 15: Dolce & Gabbana The Roses Lipstick and MAC Too Fabulous

January 15th, 2010 by Karen 39 Comments

Ladies, can I get a big…
TGIF!
We’re rounding the bend, on the home stretch, with the finish line in sight. Do you think you have enough left in you for a sprint to the end? Come on, girl, you can do it. 🙂

Today I feel like starting our adventure with a list of recent and upcoming makeup and beauty bits like…

Forget a dozen roses… I’d rather have Dolce & Gabbana’s The Roses Lipstick collection of five floral lippies (Scarlett, Shine On, Magnifica, Baby Darling and Fascination; $30 each) instead. Find ’em at Dolce and Gabbana makeup counters in February, just in time for Valentine’s (hint, hint, El Hub!).
Speaking of flowers, Essie’s Art of Spring collection reminds me of a fresh bouquet.
Will MAC Too Fabulous really be TOO fabulous?
If you happen to spend $150 at Beauty.com, don’t forget your gift with purchase from designer Marchesa, with generous samples from Perricone MD, Origins, Kinerase and Urban Decay.
BAY AREA BEAUTY READERS: Nordstrom’s hosting Dior events today and tomorrow featuring their new spring collection! RSVP via Facebook, or call (415) 243-8500 x1410.
Sephora has the new Tarina Tarantino makeup line for preview, WOOT!
IF you wanna smell like Kim Kardashian (and I’m not saying you do)
I’ve got stratospherically high hopes for Urban Decay’s Preen Shadow Box, Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden and Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows.
Beauty 360, CVS’s new beauty shopping destination, has some pretty cool niche and prestige beauty brands.
Have you haird of Kelly VanGough hair products? The new Wonderlust Hair Color Illuminating Tonic looks neat.
Because of the packaging, I want to eat DKNY’s Candy Apple parfum sprays…
TRISH McEVOY ALERT! She has a new Translucent Finishing Powder.
Estee Lauder’s Perfectionist Targeted Deep Wrinkle Filler is supposed to erase my deepest wrinkles in a flash = OUTTA MY WAY, LADIES! 🙂
Fresh off the branch — Clinique Fresh Picked Eye Shadow.
Holy WOW! For $195, Amore Pacific Future Response Age Defense Cream sure better work.
Look at all of the makeup E.L.F. squeezed into their Mini Makeup Collection.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

DiorShow Extase Mascara Haiku Review

January 14th, 2010 by Karen 40 Comments

diorshow extase review top

New Mascara from
Dior — I don’t know how to
Pronounce your name, oy.

diorshow extase review brush

Ex-tazz? Ex-tazz-ay?
Charge that to my credit card.
Twenty-eight bucks, please.

diorshow extase review none-final

Lengthening — oh, yes.
The curl hold? Most excellent.
Volume is just … eh.

diorshow extase review one-final

Smudges just a tad;
Swipe the brush against tissue
And then it’s gone, yay!
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Benefit’s Bathina Body Balm Gets a Makeover for Spring

January 14th, 2010 by Karen 20 Comments

Benefit’s moisturizing Bathina body balm (lucky girl that she is) just got a spring makeover.

Hey, now, don’t stare! Just “Take a Picture… It Lasts Longer…” — that’s actually the product’s name. And for $28 she flaunts updated packaging and a shimmery new color (a light golden pink).

I think it’s part of a beauty conspiracy… Have you heard the news? Benefit recently marked down the original Bathina (Body So Fine) from $30 to $22.50, an obvious ploy to prep us for the arrival of Bathina 2.0.

Speaking of the prequel, Body So Fine and I go waaay back. We have history, yo! My bestie, Jen, gifted me a tin for my 26th birthday, and I’ve been a fan ever since — the light floral fragrance and super softening balm adds a touch of sexy pink shimmer to legs and arms (great for date nights with the boy).

Luckily, the updated version’s just as fab as before (if not better). Benefit kept the same formula and fragrance but tweaked the shimmer. Instead of a silvery pink, the new Bathina gives skin a golden pink glow, one I wager more girls will be able to wear well.
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