Archives for April 2011

MAC Unsung Heroes: The 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush

April 22nd, 2011 by Karen 21 Comments

mac 188 small duo fibre face brush

I had a brush with a skunk today! And yesterday. And the day before that. Actually two skunks. The first was the MAC 187 Duo Fibre Brush ($42), lovingly referred to by some as “the skunk brush.”

Beloved by bazillions of MAC-aholics (like me), this black-and-white classic has a way with foundations, in particular, and can produce an almost airbrushed look.

Have you ever noticed how often it appears as a repromote in MAC’s seasonal brush kits? Yup, this stinker’s a popular product, and I like it, too, but I prefer its often overlooked little buddy, the 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush ($34).

With bristles fashioned from a blend of goat hair and synthetic fibers, this flat-top circular brush, a member of the MAC permanent line, excels at lightly applying liquid and powder products. The brush head is about half the diameter of the 187’s.

mac 188 small duo fibre face brush
So soft!

It’s one of my most frequently used beauty tools, and I reach for it daily to…
[Continue reading…]

What Scent Are You Wearing Today?

April 22nd, 2011 by Karen 73 Comments

I’m wearing Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh ($70 for 2.5 oz). It’s a fruitier version of the original Marc Jacobs Daisy released for spring with notes of raspberry, grapefruit, pear, violet, rose, apple blossom, musk, cedarwood and plum.

“DAISY EAU SO FRESH is a bright, floral, fruity fragrance. It radiates with a sunny and sparkling energy. A whimsical, yet elegant fragrance with playful notes of crisp raspberry, sensuous wild rose, and deep and warm plum.”

– From the website

I get plenty of mileage out of this scent, even though it’s an eau de toilette. A couple of spritzes last me from dawn till dusk.

How about you? What scent are you wearing today? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.
Have a beautiful Earth Day 2011

NARS Portrait of Paradise Blush Bronzer Trio

April 22nd, 2011 by Karen 13 Comments

NARS Portrait of Paradise Blush Bronzer Trio

The new limited edition NARS Portrait of Paradise Blush Bronzer Trio, $55. Available now online.

I Have a Blue Crush on the NARS Summer 2011 Collection

April 21st, 2011 by Karen 55 Comments

NARS Summer 2011

When I look at the colors in the new NARS Summer 2011 collection, every cell in my body wants me to do this:

I wonder what prompted this 11-piece release. I can imagine FranÃ§ois Nars, all tan and relaxed from a kick-ass beach vacay, dreaming up these playful colors because the teal, coral, citrus and cantaloupe fit the tropics to a (surf) T.

nars summer 2011

But there’s much more to the collection than that. An opaque white nail polish and warm, shimmery gold and silver metallics join the punchy, vibrant hues. By all appearances, someone had a blast this time around.

While the NARS Spring 2011 and Holiday 2010 collections reminded me of cocktail dresses, dainty heels and white wine spritzers at a bar in the Financial District downtown, this collection reminds me of a girl on vacation in Hawaii. She’s cruising around the island in a rented jeep with her surfboard in back. After catching a few waves, she stops by a beach bar, tucks a hibiscus behind her ear, and charms the bartender, who serves her free umbrella drinks all night long. 🙂

NARS Summer 2011 includes a mix of limited edition colors and items to be added to the NARS permanent line.

The Full Collection

Cap Ferrat Trio Eyeshadow (limited edition), $45
If I were a mermaid, I’d swim laps for this trio of sea blue powder eyeshadows. They draw inspiration from the Alpes-Maritimes region of Southeast France.

Dogon Duo Eyeshadow (limited edition), $33
Named after the people of Mali’s central plateau, this duo includes a metallic taupe with a green sheen and charcoal black eyeshadows. Oh, bending the shades together gives the charcoal a greenish cast.

Exotic Dance Duo Eyeshadow (limited edition), $33
This eyeshadow duo was a pretty piece of mixed metal jewelry in a past life. The metallic gold, and metallic white with a silvery sheen, contrast with the bright blues and greens.

Queen Soft Touch Shadow Pencil (limited edition), $24
This creamy, citrusy pencil contains flecks of golden glitter. It does triple duty as a liner, a highlighter and/or a base for powder shadows.
[Continue reading…]

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder Product Photos and Swatches

April 21st, 2011 by Karen 13 Comments

Here’s the last of today’s MAC attack: product pics and swatches of two of the three Magically Cool Liquid Powders ($29.50 US/$35.50 CDN).

They cast their spell on MAC counters May 5 in North America and internationally some time in May.

Truth & Light (left) and Honey Rose (right)

Honey Rose

Truth & Light
[Continue reading…]

MAC Flighty Product Photos and Swatches

April 21st, 2011 by Karen 48 Comments

Whatever Tabby wants, Tabby gets! That’s right, Tabs threatened to swipe the living crap out my ankles if I didn’t take product pictures and swatch the new MAC Flighty collection, ASAP (damn cat).

He’s especially excited about the new Big Bounce Shadows ($16.50), a line of whipped mousse cream eyeshadows with a fluffy texture and pearly finish that MAC’s adding to their permanent line.

The MAC Flighty collection bounces onto MAC counters May 5 in North America and June internationally.

Big Bounce Shadows in Spread the Wealth (left) and Rich Thrills (right)
[Continue reading…]

MAC Fashion Flower Product Photos and Swatches

April 21st, 2011 by Karen 39 Comments

Hey, buddy. 🙂 Just some quick product pictures and swatches for you from the upcoming MAC Fashion Flower Collection, which blooms onto counters May 5 in North America and internationally this July.

Eyeshadows from left to right: Lucky Green, Groundcover and Bows & Curtseys