Photographic evidence of the infamous low-hanging belly…
Caught on Digital Film
Archives for March 2011
These Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil Swatches Remind Me That Winter Won’t Last Forever
Yesterday I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Nordstrom beauty department, and the first thing I did was hit up the Estee Lauder counter to swatch the new Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil summer collection. I’d only seen bits and pieces of the release before yesterday and had been itching to see the whole shebang in person.
Estee Lauder has been having fun with this theme for the past few years (here’s a look at what they did for it back in 2008, 2009 and 2010), and after seeing this year’s colors up close and personal, I can say I’m not tired of it yet.
Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil Collection for Summer 2011: Swatches
For reference, I’m an NC35 in MAC foundations.
Bronze Goddess Island Oasis EyeShadow Palette ($42); for swatches of the palette on lighter skin, check out Gaia’s post over at The Non-Blonde
Shadow Stick Duo in Gold Bronze on left and Pink Teal on Right ($20 each)
From left: Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer in Amber Bronze Medium ($30), Bronze Goddess Soft Shimmer Bronzer ($30) and Bronze Goddess Sea Star Bronzing Blush ($34)
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Have You Checked Out Origins Before?
Written by Leah
Leah and Maximus dish about one of their favorite beauty brands in today’s guest post.
Maximus is partial to Origins eyeshadow
I’ve been using Origins products for many years, but I actually rarely shop at an Origins store. That’s because their website features free samples, and I often shop using coupon codes to get their DELUXE samples, while taking advantage of the free shipping deal (good on any order).
I think there’s a lot to like about Origins, but if you’re new to their products, here are some things I like about the brand.
Product Container Recycling and Samples
They offer a great product recycling program in their stores. Just bring in an empty container. They’ll recycle it for you, and give you a free sample of your choice in return. It’ll be one of their regular products in a sample jar (similar to Sephora’s little plastic sample jars).
To get even BIGGER samples, place your orders through their website. Some of the samples are amazing! It depends on their promotions and specials, but many are larger than the samples they give in the stores.
Natural Mission
The company’s mission is to “create high-performance natural skincare that is powered by nature and proven by science.” They use potent plants and organic ingredients and animal-friendly practices. All of their products are also formulated without parabens, phthalates, PABA, mineral oil, DEA (diethanolamine, a known carcinogen) and animal ingredients, and thanks to their Plant A Tree campaign, they’ve planted 93,000 trees so far.
Daily Moisturizer
I spend a lot of time outdoors (hiking, snowshoeing, skiing) and also use my sunroof a lot, despite the fact that I’m a New Englander, so a daily moisturizer with at least SPF 15 is a must.
I’m addicted to Have a Nice Day ($37.50 for a 1.7-oz. jar). It smells a little bit citrusy, and I think it’s just incredible. I haven’t been able to find anything similar at the drugstore, and mind you I’ve looked. It’s on the pricey side, but a jar does last me a very long time.
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Two Ways to Win $78 in Benefit Brow Products
- WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Catherine G! Congratulations, Catherine! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
I can say with 100% certainty that the chances of you catching me without my brows filled in are slim to none. I never leave home without them…groomed. 🙂
The very thought of walking around town with wild brows sends shivers down my spine! Okay…maybe not shivers, but you get the idea. I’d no sooner forget my purse on a park bench than forget to tend to my brows. Even when I’m just leaving for a quick walk around the neighborhood with Tabs, my brows are always did.
Does my obsession sound familiar? Do you browbeat your brows fret about your brows too? If you feel like yours could use a little babying, maybe today’s giveaway can help. The prize is three (3) of my tried-and-true Benefit Brow favorites (a prize package worth $78).
- Instant Brow Pencil — Brows treated to this pencil look great in pictures. Get soft, natural-looking brows in less than a minute.
- High Brown Lifting Pencil — For adding definition and lift to your brow arch, which really opens up the eyes.
- Brows A-Go-Go — A go-to product for makeup looks that call for strong, early ’80s Brooke Shields brows.
Ready to brow down?
- One (1) Benefit Instant Brow Pencil in Light (a $20 value)
- One (1) Benefit High Brow Lifting Pencil (a $20 value)
- One (1) Benefit Brows a Go-Go Brow and Eye Shaping Kit (a $38 value)
- There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, have you ever had to a terrible mishap with your brows? When did you start paying attention to your brows? What’s your idea brow look? You get the idea.
- Second, you can enter by following me on
Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win $78 in Benefit Brow Products http://bit.ly/i1GNGs
- The deadline to enter is Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 11:59PM (PT).
- Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
- A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
- Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
- Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
- The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
- WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Catherine G! Congratulations, Catherine! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Josie Maran Eye Love You Too Palette
Josie Maran Eye Love You Too Palette, $42. New for spring 2011.
I’m Electrified by the Dior Electric Tropics Collection and Can’t Wait for Summer
Ono! I can practically taste the rainbow shave ice 
already. Dior’s new Electric Tropics Collection has me thinking about Hawaii, and like the islands themselves, the 13-piece release for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails is a study in contrasts — as in sun-kissed skin behind bright neon nails and lip colors.
Below is the full list of products, but here are a few things currently catching my eye…
- Dior Vernis Electric Tropics Nail Duos ($26 each) — To ramp up the shine of these florescent shades, Dior mixed in an ultra-shiny top coat, and it gives nails painted with these polishes a mirror-like effect.
- Dior Addict Crystal Glosses ($27 each) — Available in four shades with different finishes and levels of opacity. Dior packed these with something they call a “polymer gel,” which gives them a volumizing, hydrating texture (oddly, they compare it to vinyl).
- Diorskin Healthy Glow Powders ($46 each) — Isn’t the woven print on these pans to die for? The shades in each compact are designed to be mixed together and applied to the face (and the cheeks!) for a healthy glow.
Dior Electric Tropics Collection for Summer 2011: Official Promotional Pics
Because Drinking Ice Tea Out of a Jar Is Fun
I went to lunch today with reader (and occasional guest poster!) Robin of Beautyburg. We hit up a seafood restaurant called Fish, which is located in the southern Marin town of Sausalito.
They serve drinks in jars, which for some reason brought me great joy…
The chowder, by the way, is very tasty.
Get Your Bronze on, Faux Reals! The Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Faux & Foxy Kit
Unclear: It’s unclear whether I’m more emotionally invested in Jersey Shore than any somewhat normal, sane person should be. When Vinny got his spray tan in last night’s episode I felt betrayed; the GTL gods had finally succeeded in luring a once semi-decent young man to the Dark Side.
Clear: It’s clear that one needn’t resort to Jersey Shore-caliber extremes to get a gorgeous glow. Just reach for the Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Faux & Foxy Kit ($34) instead.
The small three-piece release just launched for spring with everything it takes to fake the appearance of a sunless tan, and it even protects against the real sun with added SPF 15.
I’m still new to the Bare Escentuals makeup line, and I was hoping for a great experience with this kit. It comes with…
- Faux Tan SPF 15 — This loose powder bronzer is a warm orangey brown matte with a hint of shimmer. It’s dark (even for my tanned skin), and I suggest using a light touch when it’s applied. I think it does look warm when worn and gives skin a pretty bronzy look I like.
The packaging is quite interesting as well. Instead of a traditional sifter, the pan comes in jar that has something like a trap door in it. When the lid is closed, a piece of metal attached to it presses down into the trap door. When you open lid again, the piece of metal releases from the door along with a set amount of powder. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before… Kinda cool. - 100% Natural SPF 15 Lipgloss in French Toast — A shimmery peachy bronze gloss with a brush applicator. It feels thick and sticky, and reminds me of MAC Lipglass. I love the rich pigment and long three-hour wear time, but I’m not crazy about the plastic-y flavor and scent.
- Buff & Go Brush — This medium-size travel kabuki brush has soft bristles and a dense, compact brush head. I like it for contouring the curve below the apples of my cheeks. 🙂
