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Archives for March 2011

I’m Bringing Jelly Beans to My China Glaze Island Escape

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china glaze island escape

With a name like Island Escape, China Glaze’s new nail polish collection could be about bright, tropical colors, but the sugar fiend in me can’t help but see jelly beans in these bottles.

The six-piece summer collection (about $5 per bottle) features a rainbow of tropical candy colors — four shimmers (108 Degrees, Cha Cha Cha, Senorita Bonita and Blue Iguana), which require two coats to reach full opacity, and two creams (Papaya Punch and Electric Pineapple), which take three.

If you were wondering, yes, I did eat these jelly beans :), starting with the popcorn ones first (they’re my fave!).

china glaze island escape
From the left: 108 Degrees, Papaya Punch and Electric Pineapple

china glaze island escape
Cha Cha Cha, Blue Iguana and Senorita Bonita

china glaze island escape
Swatches from the left: 108 Degrees, Papaya Punch and Electric Pineapple
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I Think I’m Letting Amika Obliphica Sea Buckthorn Berry Hair Oil Slip Through My Fingers

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Well bathe me in oil and call me grease lightning! Today I’m channeling my inner fry cook with a look at a slick hair styling product called Amika Obliphica Oil.

Now, should I ever find myself longing for more grease in my life, I’ll be able to turn to Amika’s (Sea Buckthorn Berry) Obliphica Pure Oil ($38), a hair oil treatment with a texture so greasy, it rivals KFC!

Amika, makers of great flat irons and curlers, designed Obliphica to hydrate, de-frizz and condition medium weight to thick hair. I’ve used and liked other oil treatments before, so I had pretty high hopes for this.


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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, March 28

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  • You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
    Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 163. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
  1. Mood:

    2. I feel great! I slept well last night and woke up this morning to sunshine streaming through the windows (after a week of heavy rains). I have a feeling today’s gonna be fantastic.

  2. One of your strengths?

    3. Perseverance, almost to a fault.

  3. Are you an optimist?

    4. I think so, but like most folks I have my glass-half-empty moments.

  4. Best piece of advice you ever received?

    5. You may never feel 100% ready for the things life throws at you.

  5. Makeup you never leave home without?

    6. A MAC Blot Pressed Powder Compact and at least one tube of lipgloss (usually MAC Nymphette).

  6. A fragrance you’re crushing on?

    7. Lately, Dolce & Gabbana L’eau The One.

  7. What are some common fears you aren’t afraid of?

    8. Spiders, hard work, and heights. But if I’m working up high on a ladder and see a spider on my arm, all bets are off! 🙂

  8. What’s one of your favorite beauty rituals?

    9. I really enjoy getting my hair done and being able to sit and read in the chair for a while.

  9. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

    10. I’m wearing stuff from the Jouer Train Case Kit today with a bit of Benefit and NYX thrown in for good measure — Jouer Powder Eyeshadow in Caramel, Jouer Eye Definer in Chocolat, Benefit Instant Brow and NYX Doll Eyes Mascara/Jouer Lip Definer in Rose Pale, Jouer Lipstick in Kiki and Jouer Lipgloss in Glisten/Jouer Powder Blush in Rose and Jouer Highlighter in Champage.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Run at least three times before Saturday, have a salad every day for either lunch or dinner, and remember to reward myself along the way for checking things off my to-do list.

G’morning and happy Monday, buddy. I hope you’re getting a taste of spring wherever you are. If you have a sec, let me know how you’re doing today in the Monday Poll.

  • To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.



1. Mood:
2. One of your strengths?
3. Are you an optimist?
4. Best piece of advice you ever received?
5. Makeup you never leave home without?
6. A fragrance you’re crushing on?
7. What are some common fears you aren’t afraid of?
8. What’s one of your favorite beauty rituals?
9. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
10. Weekly goals:

You have a great week, okay?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 132

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Dear Diary,

Lately, I’ve been thinking more and more about my next career moves. Being an international runway/print model’s been a great gig, but let’s be real — looks have a limited shelf life.

I suppose if I get really desperate I could always launch a celebrity fragrance, but seriously, that’s so played out. And, truth be told, I’d miss being in front of a live audience.

So, in an effort to prepare myself for the inevitable, I’ve been developing one of my hidden talents — singing.

I’ve been secretly taking voice lessons from Celine and Mariah, and last month I even did a 12-city tour of small clubs across the country. Nothing elaborate, just some jazz standards and a live three-piece cat band, but the performances were met with a lot of positive response.

Next month I’m heading into the studio to lay down some tracks. We’ll see where it goes. Shoot, if Gwyneth can do it…

I remain cautiously optimistic.

In other news, since it’s officially spring, I’ve decided to update my wardrobe.
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What Was the Last Face or Body Beauty Product You Finished?

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I’m talking “down to the last drops, squeezing the life out of the tube, banging the bottle against the side of the sink” finished. Mine was this now unfortunate tube of Pacifica Malibu Lemon Blossom Body Butter. Yes, I cut it in half to extract every last drop (my precious!).

How about you? What was the last face or body beauty product you finished?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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