Archives for February 2010

MAC Unsung Hero: Blacktrack Fluidline

February 24th, 2010 by Karen 69 Comments

Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought, “Ahhh, fresh Blacktrack!”

If you have, then hello there fellow member of Cult MAC Blacktrack ($15). 🙂

If you haven’t, however, then allow me to introduce you to your new favorite (hopefully) gel eyeliner.

During my LBB years (aka Life Before Blacktrack), every liner I’d try would slip right off my oily skin. Blacktrack changed everything.

True story: I was wearing it when I watched The Notebook for the first time, and by the end of the movie my liner was still going strong. ‘Nuff said.
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New in Beauty Feb. 24: MAC Tabloid Beauty and Chanel’s New Hydramax + Active Skincare

February 24th, 2010 by Karen 12 Comments

New in Beauty

MAC’s Tabloid Beauty Collection ($13-21) — high-def makeup for the rest of us
Dry skin much? Chanel suggests Hydramax + Active Nourishing Cream ($72) and Hydramax+ Active Lip Care ($45)
A serene garden 🙂 inspired Laura Mercier’s Zen Face Palette ($60) for eyes, lips and cheeks
La Prairie’s White Caviar skincare collection ($250-450) costs more than REAL caviar!
Hanae Mori introduces No 1 Eau de Parfum ($95), a blend of Parisian blooms and berries
Take home a fat stash of deluxe samples with any cosmetics or fragrance purchase of $100 or more at the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, online and in-stores beginning February 25
Who couldn’t use advice on common skincare issues? Well, Curel’s interactive online Skin Advisor may be able to help
Strange Invisible’s newest scent, Peloppensian Eau de Parfum ($150), has notes of cypress, lime, orange, sage, honey and sea air
More bamboo handles on Sonia Kashuk’s new Straight Nature Eye Brush Set ($20) and Straight Nature Foundation Brush ($17)
Sparse brows? Philip Thomas Roth Brows to Die For ($85) to the rescue!
Cake Beauty infused their All About You Set ($45) of bath and body goodies with tropical scents of Tahitian Vanilla and coconut

Heya, ladies. Can you believe it’s already hump day!? It seems like we were just talking about last weekend, doesn’t it?

It stormed hard here yesterday afternoon and last night, but it’s not raining now. Instead there’s a thick layer of fog over everything outside. I can’t even see the places next door… FREAKY!

Have a great day today. Let me know how you’re doing.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Philosophy Cosmetics in The Color of Grace

February 23rd, 2010 by Karen 43 Comments

Philosophy, the makers of PMS (Purity Made Simple) face wash, just added a new collection to their burgeoning line of cosmetics. The Color of Grace includes tidbits for face, eyes, cheeks and lips, all of them with something special in common: pink!

The Color of Grace Shimmering Powder in Amazing Grace, $30

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5 Days of Chanel Rouge Coco: Hot Summer Fun with La Pausa

February 23rd, 2010 by Karen 98 Comments

Pack your bags, ladies! It’s time for some fun in the sun. 🙂 Bring your sexiest summer dress, a swimsuit and sandals because today’s virtual vacay begins with Chanel’s Rouge Coco lipstick in La Pausa 08.

A sexy, summery coral with a hint of golden shimmer (same smooth texture as Mademoiselle), she enjoys chilling at beach bars and relaxing on the sand beneath an umbrella with a fruity drink.

I can see us now…

“Girl, is that Ryan Reynolds?”

“Hawt damn, I think he’s shirtless…”
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Tuesday Beauty Tips: Three Things You Can Do Today To Cultivate Your Inner Optimist

February 23rd, 2010 by Karen 43 Comments

I went through a serious doom-and-gloom phase in my mid-twenties, and pessimism, well, it was MY JAM.

I was unhappy with my job and living situation (roommate trubs!), and things on the boy front were full-on craptactular.

Basically, I felt stuck, as in not going anywhere. Worst of all, I couldn’t stop the negative record always playing in my head: “Everyone around you is doing well, Karen, and your life sucks in comparison.”

If this sounds familiar — if you’ve gone through phases in which you’ve felt like a perpetual pessimist whose glass was/is always half empty — you’re not alone. 🙂

It took time, but once I made the conscious effort to see things in a more positive light, slowly, things began to improve. Studies show that optimists tend to live longer, forge stronger relationships, and lead happier, healthier lives.

Is this glass half full or half empty?

Um… easier said than done, I know. So how do you join Team Optimism?
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Brushes with Blushes: The MAC Too Fabulous Mineralize Blush Duos

February 23rd, 2010 by Karen 46 Comments

MAC Too Fabulous Mineralize Blush Duos

Morning, ladies! I can tell it’s going to be a good day because I’m blushing already. 😳

Blushing like these MAC Mineralize Blush Duos ($23) from the upcoming Too Fabulous collection (in stores March 4).

Corny morning greeting? You betcha, but I happen to really like MAC’s Mineralize blushes, despite their frosty metallic finish. Some ladies (and gents!) aren’t big fans, but I find that I can do different things with them (from a candlelit glow to a blast of cheek color) depending on the brushes I use.

If you decide to give these Mineralize Blush Duos a try, here are four brushes to consider…

1. 187 Duo Fibre Brush ($42)

Its black and white brush head led to it being nicknamed the “skunk brush,” but this bad boy’s no stinker. It applies a sheer whisper of color onto the cheeks and allows me to build my color and shimmer slowly. TIP: To create a “glazed” cheek look, try spritzing the brush head lightly with MAC Fix+ ($18) before swiping it against the pan.

2. 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush ($34)

The baby version of the 187. It’s a little smaller and has a flatter top, which makes it great for precise application to areas like the bottoms of cheekbones. I love using it to layer different blush colors.

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Might As Well Face It, I’m Addicted to Dior

February 22nd, 2010 by Karen 64 Comments

I’m Addicted to Dior.

There, I said it.

And the eye look on the model above for the Addicted to Dior summer collection (coming April 21) is weakening my resolve. I love the seamless movement of her eyeshadows from pink to brown to gold, WORK!! The overall vibe, with the hair bear bangs and hot pink lips seems so Joan Collins circa Dynasty.

“The problem with beauty is that it’s like being born rich and getting poorer.” – Joan Collins

Addicted (above) might not have the refinement of spring’s Dior Lace (pic below), but I like it nevertheless.

Promotional shot from spring’s Dior Lace collection…

With the coral, gold, brown and pink color palette for eyes, lips and face, perhaps Dior’s just trying to exercise their edgy side for summer?

Things I’m keeping an eye out for…

The Addicted to Dior lip duo palettes look totally bling-tacular. Each comes with two glosses — one shiny and one glitter — able to be worn separately or mixed together.
Also looking forward to the Nude Glow Complexion Enhancer, a shimmery liquid apricot highlighter (subtle sheen) to wear beneath foundation or on bare skin.
Yes, Virginia, even if you already own 101 other pink lipglosses, you just might covet Dior Addict Crystal Gloss. A hot pink (SCORE!), the exact shade supposedly changes based on the body’s chemistry, creating a unique, personalized shade. Now aren’t we special? 🙂

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MAC Give Me Liberty of London: Have You Ever Purchased a Limited Edition Product Based SOLELY on the Packaging?

February 22nd, 2010 by Karen 63 Comments

MAC Give Me Liberty of London: bring on the cute compacts!

Ladies, who was it that said, “Give me Liberty, or give me Lunch”?

It must have been a girl after my own heart. 🙂 Since I wanted both today (Liberty AND Lunch), I checked out pics of the very prettily dressed MAC Liberty of London collection (arrives March 11) over lunch.

What do ya think of the white compacts (CUTE!)?

Maybe it was just the “mac” and cheese talking, but I got a little sentimental reminiscing about MAC packaging. They’ve done some great work over the years with the packaging of their limited edition collections.

MAC Give Me Liberty of London Beauty Powder in Summer Rose (a soft pinkish violet with pearl; $25)

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Remember the fun Fafi girls, Miss-Hello-Kitty-if-ya-nasty, le grande Dame Edna and bodacious Barbie (to name but a few)?
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Archives for February 2010

New in Beauty

The Color of Grace Shimmering Powder in Amazing Grace, $30

MAC Too Fabulous Mineralize Blush Duos

1. 187 Duo Fibre Brush ($42)

2. 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush ($34)

I’m Addicted to Dior.

MAC Give Me Liberty of London: bring on the cute compacts!

Have you ever purchased a limited edition product based SOLELY on the packaging?