Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup
A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict
Laura Mercier Lip Plumper in Ruby Glaze ($30), new for spring 2011.
For full deets and swatches, check out If You Need Me, I’ll Be on the Laura Mercier Silk Road: The Silk Road Collection for Spring 2011.
The Laura Mercier Silk Road Eye and Cheek Palette ($48), new for spring 2011.
For full details, swatches and a review of the collection, check out If You Need Me, I’ll Be on the Laura Mercier Silk Road: The Silk Road Collection for Spring 2011.
I was surprised and more than a little impressed that for her latest collection, foundation phenom Laura Mercier went WAY back — almost 3,000 years back — to the ancient Han Dynasty and the trade routes ancient merchants from China, India, Tibet, Persia and the Mediterranean used to sell their silk, satin, perfumes, spices, medicines and jewels.
Available now on Laura Mercier counters and online, the 13-piece Silk Road collection was inspired by the precious gemstones and raw silks that moved along those ancient routes, but when I stopped by the counter yesterday to take a look, I found myself asking something I imagine some of those ancient merchants must asked: “Haven’t we been this way before?”
Two of the items, Persian Rose Blush and Gold Thread Liquid Liner, look familiar to me. Luckily, I like them both. 🙂 Persian Rose Blush reminds me of NARS Orgasm, and doesn’t Gold Thread Liquid Liner bear a striking resemblance to MAC Superslick Liquid Liner in Pure Show?
Renowned for their award-winning face makeup, the relatively small Laura Mercier line, named after the famous French makeup artist, is one of my favorites. Their foundations, tinted moisturizers, primers and concealers are fixtures atop Best of Beauty lists. I wear Laura’s Oil-Free Foundation in many of my pictures because I love the complete coverage it provides. I also really like some of the fun things the line does with their seasonal color collections, often accenting neutrals with dashes of brights (reminds me of Chanel).
Even though I feel like I’ve seen a couple of these colors before, I still think they’re great and fit nicely into Laura’s latest crop of gorgeously wearable makeup for spring.
Here, we see shimmery purple, taupe and pink eyeshadows ringed by gold, gray and indigo liners (for a nice contrast); and lips and cheeks sparkling in shimmery shades of warm pink, coral and gold.
Eye & Cheek Palette, $48 (new; limited edition) — It contains six shimmery powder products — two blushes and four eyeshadows. Persian Rose, the blush that I think looks a lot like NARS Orgasm, appears just as universally flattering as well (YES!). And the second blush, shimmery golden Palace Pink, should work well as a blush for lighter lashes, or as a highlighter for bronzy babes.
The eyeshadows, Golden Sands (a pinkish beige with silver and golden glitter) and Regal Violet (a blackend purple with pink glitter) apply sheer with lots of glitter; Rare Taupe (a shimmery purplish taupe) and Lavender Silk (a opalescent purple) increase the collection’s WOW factor with rich pigments and a high-shine finish.
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Dolce & Gabbana released some color corrected pictures of their upcoming spring Secret Garden Collection today, and from these the items in the 12-piece launch for eyes, lips and nails look softer and more muted than before.
This revised batch of promo pics now shows that the pops of pink and purple in the lipsticks and glosses aren’t as bright as I thought they were; the colors in the Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Eden ($59) appear more pastel now, and both the Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Romance ($36) and the Intense Nail Lacquer in Platinum ($20) appear to contain a color more like gray than green.
Take a gander at the revised pictures (everything looks more delicate and softer), which I’m told are more color accurate than the ones they sent before, and let me know what ya think.
Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Eden
Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Romance 120
Crayon Intense in White
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A little groggy, but after a few cups (or perhaps maybe a vat) of caffeine ye olde mental motor will be cranking at full speed. Right now I’m drinking a mug of Green Tea Tropical, by Mighty Leaf. Have you ever had it? It’s so good!
The skin on my body’s itchy, dry and uncomfortable right now. 🙁 I think it’s because it’s been so darn cold here in Nor Cal (FYI, chilly for the Bay Area means 40s and lower 50s), and the combo of brisk air on the outside and dry central heat on the inside’s sucking all the moisture out of my skin.
Don’t hate, but I keep seeing commercials for these stretchy pseudo-denims (“Where style meets comfort!”) and have come very close to ordering a pair. Hey, you also get a free gray crew neck tee with each purchase!
Washing makeup brushes, searching for the lint roller, microwaving frozen veggie burritos, carrying laundry up and down the stairs, slathering on lotion, writing lists…
Come hell or high water, my @ss is getting on the treadmill and running four miles. IT IS DECIDED.
Some over-the-knee boots. I’ve been resisting because I’ve been afraid of looking like a short, brown Jack Sparrow, but I saw a petite gal rockin’ them at the mall yesterday and she looked really cute. I’d like a pair in black suede, with a 2-inch heel. Got any suggestions for me?
Camille with James Franco and Sienna Miller. He’s a parolee and unwilling groom forced to marry a woman he doesn’t love. On their honeymoon trip to Niagra Falls there’s an accident, and Sienna’s character, Camille, ends up “kinda” dead — of course she doesn’t realize it, and mayhem ensues. Also in the film: several brightly painted carnival ponies, an oddly touching scene involving a formaldehyde sponge bath and breathtaking shots of the waterfalls. If the plot and pacing were tighter it might’ve been cool, but the flick falls flat.
El Hub, right before he walked out the door for work.
I’m dressed purely for warmth right now: stretchy black pants (Pajama Jeans would certainly spice things up!), a pink long-sleeve thermal and gray zip up hoodie.
Continue the organizational kick I’m currently on, find an ab workout DVD I don’t hate (situps = blah!), eat plenty of fruit/veggies with every meal.
Heya, ladies. It’s been a little slow going this morning (this tea needs to hurry up and kick in already!), but otherwise it’s been a good on this end. If we worked together, I’d pop by your cubicle and drag you out for a cuppa joe so we could catch up. Since we’re separated by a computer screen, the Monday Poll will have to do for now. Take a moment to let me know what’s up, will ya? 🙂
1. Mood:
2. Pressing beauty issue o’ the moment?
3. Pajama Jeans: yea or nay?
4. Things you always seem to be doing:
5. One positive thing you’re doing today to make your life a little better?
6. Something on your shopping lust list?
7. Last movie you watched?
8. Last person you smiled at?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:
Ready to have another stellar week with me? I think we can do it!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you? I’m the gal who’d want one of her things to be a reliable tube o’ mascara.
Yes, it’s true. It’s because I’m addicted to mascara. Even when I find one I like, I can’t stay with it for long. I still have to try the next new one that comes along cuz….well, just cuz!!!
It’s what lead me to my recent purchase of Make Up For Ever (MUFE) Aqua Smoky Lash waterproof mascara ($22) in Extra Black.
I love the MUFE Aqua Eyes and Aqua Creams, so I figured Aqua Smoky Lash had to be great too, right?
See for yourself: 🙂
Bare Eyes
One Coat of Aqua Smoky Lash
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Do you believe in the power of positive thinking? Lately I’ve been practicing my positive affirmations, and I really think they help. The trick I like to use is to phrase things as if I’m doing them right now in the present. I’ll say things like, “I’m preparing Tabs’ gravy exactly the way he likes it,” or “I’m making good use of my time,” or “I’m having a great run.” And I’ll repeat each one to myself like a mantra as I visualize the successful completion of each task.
Unsurprisingly, the only ones that haven’t been working are the ones pertaining to Tabs. This morning I made him a can of Fancy Feast tuna in gravy for brunch because I was too lazy to do it last night (he did still have plenty of dry food in his bowl though), and to protest what I’m sure he perceives as substandard living conditions, he bit my ankle in the kitchen.
This week he was busy doing his kitty modeling thing, so we didn’t see each other very much. He shot campaigns for MAC, NARS and Dolce & Gabbana, among others.
Who is Tabs the Cat? About three years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂
Here are the most recent pics from his portfolio.
TABS: “Meow, meow, meow, meow!”
KAREN: “I’m up, I’m up!”
TABS: “Mrrrrrrow…”
KAREN: “But if it’s morning, why’s it still so dark outside?”
TABS: “Mrow.”
KAREN: “Well that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
TABS: “…”
KAREN: “Okay, sorry. I take it back.”
TABS: [Purrrrr]
KAREN: “Yeah, yeah. You’re lucky you’re so dang cute.”
Heya, ladies. Good morning. How long have you been up? It’s just after 7 here and so foggy outside that I can’t even tell if the sun has come up.
What did you do yesterday? El Hub and I drove up to a town called Yountville for lunch. It’s one of the little places along Highway 29 in wine country about an hour north of here. We were sort of chasing the sun, but it was just as cold and overcast up there as it was down here. Still, it was nice to get out of dodge for a few hours.
Other than that, my Saturday was blissfully uneventful. 🙂 A trip to Target (nothing beauty related jumped out at me), I cleaned the kitchen, watched Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing & Charm School on Netflix (not bad, stars Marisa Tomei, whom I like; picked it because I liked the name), and went to bed around midnight.
So did you have any beauty highlights this week or try any new looks you’d like to share? Mine was probably this one here, although it’s not really new for me. I like how summery it felt despite the weather outside.
In case you missed anything, here’s one last look at some of the things we talked about this week on the blog. Whatever you’ve got going on today, I hope there’s room for fun.
THE DIOR MONTAIGNE SPRING 2011
SOFT PINK DESIGN QUINT
Expect a downpour at Dior this spring when the new Montaigne Collection comes to town, but you won’t need your umbrella for this storm. That’s because it’ll be pouring pearls when the 13-piece release for eyes, lips, cheeks and drips on Dior counters, in Dior stores and at Sephora in the next few weeks.
Named after the Paris address where the first Dior boutique opened back in 1946, the palette of pearly grays and baby pinks suggests spring soirees in the City of Lights, and to these soirees you’re wearing pearls. It’s a soft, sophisticated, natural look, and passersby won’t be able to miss your subtly shimmering glow.
To my eye, the Soft Pink Design Quint ($58), one of two for eyes in the release, characterizes the collection’s vibe with its nuanced pinks and grays. It comes with (almost) everything a girl would need to live the eye portion of the look — an eyeshadow base, a liner, two shimmer shadows and one glitter shadow. The only thing missing: mascara. Read more…
THE DIOR MONTAIGNE SOFT
PINK DESIGN ALL IN ONE ARTISTRY PALETTE
Today I took the brand spankin’ new Dior Soft Pink Design All-In-One Artistry Palette ($58) from the Dior Montaigne spring 2011 collection out for a spin using the little tutorial that comes with the palette as a guide.
I love it when products come with those things (sending positive reinforcement to all the companies out there) because they make looks as easy as 1-2-3.
It’s too blasted expensive, so it loses big points for that, but I find this quint extremely easy to work with. I love the textures and didn’t expect there to be as much pigment as I found. If you can get past the price and want to get an early start on spring with an eye palette in soft pink, gray and mauve, consider Dior’s sassy Soft Pink Design. Read more…
TARTE EMPHASEYES AQUA GEL
EYELINER IN SHIMMERING INDIGO
This may sound a little selfish, but I sure hope Tarte adds their new emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner in Shimmering Indigo to their permanent line, because I love the way it looks with brown eyes.
The pigmented purplish blue gel liner, a QVC exclusive shade (you get not one, but TWO for $25), comes in a twist-up pencil, making it more convenient than most gel liners.
According to Tarte, half of the product consists of water — with minerals, as well as vitamin E, cucumber and aloe suspended within it — and judging by how creamy and moist the liner feels along my lash line, I believe it.
It also shimmers on my eyes in a way that makes it look to me like late afternoon light reflecting on the surface of a pond, ah… Read more…
TARTE SMOOTH OPERATOR
AMAZONIAN CLAY EYE BASE
To quote (and then paraphrase) the great Sade, “No need to ask, he’s [she’s] a smooth operator.” Except her charms aren’t working on me. 🙁
The new Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Eye Base ($22) may be a touch too light for this brown girl, but lighter lasses, listen up. This pretty pink primer just might shine for you.
The warm yellow undertones in my skin don’t agree with Smooth Operator (it turns gray on me), but that shouldn’t happen if you like the way you look in shades of cool-toned pink.
Released as a QVC (yep, that QVC) exclusive last December, Smooth Operator Eye Base looks to me like a hybrid of two other products, Benefit Eye Bright Pencils and Urban Decay Primer Potion. It combines the light pink color of Eye Bright with UDPP’s fluffy, smooth texture. Read more…
IS CHINA GLAZE SEA SPRAY
A $5 DUPE FOR CHANEL RIVA?
If price made your pretty nails pass on Chanel’s breathtaking but budget busting resort collection Riva ($27, ouch!), Anchors Away!
One of 12 nautical shades in the new China Glaze Anchors Away Collection for spring goes by the name of Sea Spray (about $5).
With a familiar marine-like blue vibe and similarly subtle micro glitter, both could be cousins, judging by the way they look in their bottles.
But how do they look beside each other on nails? Well, they aren’t twins, but they come fairly close. Sea Spray looks a little darker than Riva does and isn’t as creamy. And its micro glitter is silver, while Chanel’s is teal. Read more…
IS MAC DELFT A DUPE FOR
MAC SIAHI FLUIDLINE?
Oh, Delft is one of my all-time favorite MAC Paint Pots! I picked it up a few years ago when it was part of the permanent collection, but it seems to have gone MIA since then (at least online).
It’s a shimmery teal with a hint of gold, and it, like the rest of the Paint Pots, feels softer and slightly fluffier than the Fluidlines do to me.
I usually wear the Paint Pots as cream shadows and/or eyeshadow bases, although they’ll double as liners, too.
About Delft, it’s like Siahi’s lighter, greener cousin; however, they both have very different shimmers. Siahi’s looks rather teal to me, while Delft’s is more of a straight up gold.
While I was rutting around in my stash for Delft, I also noticed that teal blue Korres Eyeliner Pencil in Blue Petrol looks a little like Siahi as well, except that it’s darker, with a matte finish. Read more…
THE DOLCE & GABBANA SECRET
GARDEN COLLECTION FOR SPRING 2011
I wonder what Lewis Carroll would have thought about the secret garden of pink Post-It notes that decorate my desk and my notebook. Of course, the note are totally unnecessary, because there’s no way I’m going to forget about the new 12-piece Dolce & Gabbana Secret Garden collection for eyes, nails, face and lips. When it hops into town this spring, I’ll need a fainting couch to catch me when I fall (in love). 🙂
The colors look so bright and authentically springy that I can almost smell fresh-cut grass and sunshine when I look at them (I swear I can smell the sunshine).
But the story behind the collection, according to Dolce, is one of mystery. Read more…
IS CHANEL ARAGONITE A DUPE OF
NARS MOON FLEET?
Yesterday I almost judged a book by its cover. After reader Mahnaz asked how Aragonite, one of the new Glossimers from the Chanel Les Perles de Chanel spring collection, compared to NARS Moon Fleet, my initial reaction was, “Uh oh! Chanel must have copied NARS.”
But then I pulled out both colors and gave the question more thought. Both shades are related, but NARS Moon Fleet, a permanent color from the line, is a sheer and shimmery yellow gold, and I think it looks much darker and yellower than Aragonite does.
What about other possible Aragonite dupes? Hmm… How about Chanel Glossimer in Galactic (circa 2007)? Read more…
THE CHINA GLAZE ANCHORS
AWAY COLLECTION
Ahoy, matey! The new China Glaze Anchors Away Collection for spring 2011 just docked onto my doorstep, so I thought you’d want to see some swatches.
Do these colors make you wanna hoist your sails or walk the plank?
The limited edition polishes, each around $5, will be available at select beauty stores this spring. Read more…
THE NARS SPRING 2011
COLLECTION
Since I have a weak spot for NARS blushes that’s right up there with my weak spot for Häagen-Dazs dulce de leche ice cream, I was shocked, and a wee bit disappointed, to hear that Francois left the blushes out of his collection for fall.
But I wiped away my tears today when I saw these pics for the small 11-piece collection for eyes, lips and nails. The shimmery earth tones with metallic finishes; the sheer, sparkly cool purples and pinks; and even a couple of unexpected greens and blues? NARS started with safe neutrals but sprinkled them with just enough brights to keep a girl on her toes, and what he came up with looks to be a lot of fun.
Plus, almost all of the colors are new (two of the lip glosses are repromotes). Read more…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
