Archives for May 2011

The Goody Summer Waves Roller Project: Have You Ever Used Foam Curlers Before?

May 17th, 2011 by Karen 41 Comments

Have you used foam curlers before?

The other day I realized that in all my years of experimenting with different hair styling doodads, I’ve never once used foam curlers. No particular reason why. I think I just fell in love with my curling iron at a young age.

But since I’ve been hitting the curling iron a lot lately, now might be a good time to give foam curlers a try.

I can remember my granny rolling foam curlers into her wet hair before going to bed, so I plan to do the same with the Goody Summer Waves Rollers ($10 for 15 rollers) some time this week. They’re designed to build big, loose beachy waves instead of dense, tight curls.

I did a bit of research online and came up with the following steps to hopefully make The Goody Summer Waves Roller Project a curly success. 🙂

1. Work in sections

At the scalp, collect about a 2-inch lock of hair in one of your hands (measured about 2 inches along the scalp, as opposed to the length of the hair shaft).

2. Decide on the size of the curls you want

The volume of hair you wrap around each curler determines how tight or loose the curls are. For tight curls, wrap less hair; for loose curls, wrap more.

3. Coat hair with a styling product (optional)

This seems to be an optional step. I’ll probably use a soft hold hairspray, since my hair usually needs the help of a styling product to keep it under control. I’ve also read that a light application of mousse works well.
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Becca Halcyon Days Collection for Summer 2011: Damselfly Mineral Blush

May 17th, 2011 by Karen 6 Comments

Becca Halcyon Days Collection for Summer 2011

Becca Mineral Blush in Damselfly ($32), a shimmery coral, one of 10 pieces from the new Becca Halcyon Days collection for summer 2011.

Becca Halcyon Days Collection for Summer 2011: Nail Colour

May 16th, 2011 by Karen 6 Comments

Becca Halcyon Days Collection for Summer 2011

How exciting! Becca’s now doing nail polish. 🙂

From the left to the right: Dancing Barefoot (an apricot nude), Summerdaze (a retro pinkish coral) and Tangerine Dream (a bright sunset coral), $15 each. All three are part of the Becca Halcyon Days collection for summer 2011.

Available now at select boutiques and also online.

NYC New York Color Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stains: Date Night Approved

May 16th, 2011 by Karen 42 Comments

nyc new york color smooch proof lip stain

They were just a blip on my drugstore radar screen a few months ago, but now I’m tracking NYC New York Color full time. Before I even knew about the company’s cruelty-free philosophy, I was impressed by their prices and interesting colors, and after their awesome Ultra Last Lipsticks and Liquid Lip Shines buzzed my tower, I assumed the Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stains ($4.99 each, available in 10 shades) would too.

These unflavored, lightly fruit punch scented liquid lip stains come in a tube with a stiff felt-tip applicator. The 16H in the name refers to 16 hours, which is how long they’re supposed to last. They apply wet but dry to a finish that resembles the way lips look after a Popsicle or a glass of Kool-Aid. I wouldn’t exactly call it matte because it isn’t full coverage or thick like a matte lipstick, but it’s not at all shiny either. One layer leaves a light stain; two or three, a brighter, richer color.

Lip stains are great for date night. 🙂 Typically they deliver easy, long-lasting color without the stickiness or stained collars of a lipstick or gloss. And when one of you leans in to steal a kiss at the end of the night, homeboy won’t go home with glitter on his lips. Good lip stains usually last around four hours, which means not having to worry about touchups between dinner and the movie.

nyc new york color smooch proof lip stain

nyc new york color smooch proof lip stain swatches
Swatches from left to right: Never Ending Nude, Smooch Proof, Forever Fuchsia, Berry Long Time and Rock on Ruby

nyc new york color smooch proof lip stain
Never Ending Nude on lips
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Should You Slide for $8 or Glide for $17? The Choice Between the NYX Slide-On Eye Liners and Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils

May 16th, 2011 by Karen 57 Comments

nyx slide on eye liner review

I used to get really grumpy back in school when kids would copy my style. It’s not that I thought of myself as a fashion visionary or anything, but I took pride in my penchant for offbeat things and fancied myself as different. So when Angela showed up to band one day wearing a baby poo green plaid vest eerily similar to the one I’d been rockin’ for most of that fall, carrying her sheet music in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles folder a lot like mine, I couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed.

I vented about it to my friend Cindy, expecting a sympathetic ear. “Just chill out and be flattered,” she said. It was only worth tripping about if things got creepy and Single White Female (which, thank goodness, they didn’t).

Cindy was right, of course. After all, I’d copied/borrowed a few ideas from other kids, too, and looking at it that way, I thought perhaps that old saying about imitation and flattery was true.

Which brings us to this: if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Urban Decay must feel REALLY flattered by the new NYX Slide-On Liners ($8 each).

Even the unwieldy name sounds familiar — Slide On, Glide On & Definitely a Turn On Water Proof Extreme Shine Eye Liner. Sounds a little like Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($17), right?

Like the Glide-Ons, they’re smoother than Blackstreet in their heyday (remember Before I Let Go? That’s some baby-making music, ma!), with vibrant colors more intense than a triple rainbow deluxe.

I’ve got mad love for UD liners, especially Bourbon, but I’m always open to budget options. I couldn’t wait to give these a try.

They come in a wide range of colors, 18 of them, in a mix of matte and shimmery finishes, and I see several possible dupes here for classic UD shades…

NYX Slide On Pencil
16 of the 18 shades
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, May 16

May 16th, 2011 by Karen 72 Comments

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. 169. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:

I’ll be perkier once the tea kicks in, but for now I’m super chill and mellow.

What’s been the hardest thing about getting into makeup?

Being brave about color. I’d gotten so used to wearing the same Clinique eye, lip and cheek colors that it took me years to break out of my comfort zone. Now I think I’m more adventurous. I figure, what’s the worst that could happen? If a look doesn’t really work out, so what?

What’s your favorite limited edition makeup collection (if you have one)?

It’s a three-way tie between MAC Smoke Signals (2007), Barbie Loves MAC (2007) and Chanel Les Naturles De Chanel (2009). I love Smoke Signals for its moodiness, Barbie for its playfulness and Chanel Les Naturales for its everyday usefulness (the way it handled neutrals was a thing of beauty).

How did you land your current job?

I wish I could say there was a method to the madness that brought me to blogging, but I got here by accident. I still do some freelance writing for magazines, but the blog became my main endeavor about two years ago. It helped to have a supportive partner who encouraged me to leave my corporate day job and chase my dreams (and whose day job I could rely on to help pay the bills) and a bit of luck to have started doing this at the right time in my life.

Three things you’d like to accomplish in the next three months?

I’d like to take a little vacation around my birthday next month. I’d also like to furnish the empty rooms in the condo so that when people walk in they no longer say, “Did you guys just move in?” Oh, and I’d also like to learn how to speak some Italian.

Where were you 10 years ago?

That would have been 2001. Let’s see… I was a 26-year-old single gal living la vida loca in San Francisco. I worked in a downtown high-rise as a legal assistant, and you know what they say. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…

Tell me about your hair.

It’s naturally thick and kinda frizzy, straight on the inner layers, wavy on the outside. After countless long and short haircuts, I’d say I’m a long-hair girl now, through and through. Right now it’s layered with side-swept bangs and caramel ombre highlights, but I’m thinking about growing out my bangs (too lazy to get them trimmed, yargh!).

Describe yourself in three words.

Evolving. Happy. Grateful.

What jewelry are you wearing?

Just my wedding and engagement rings. I’ll probably add earrings in a few minutes.

Weekly goals:

To keep my desk neat and tidy, to play with Tabs for 20 extra minutes every day this week (he’s been really needy lately) and to finish re-reading For Whom the Bell Tolls. I just love that book…

Anyone else going through major weekend withdrawals? I always miss El Hub when he goes to work on Monday morning after having him to myself for two whole days.

Has your week gotten off to a good start? I’m glad you stopped by. 🙂 Monday’s are so much easier with the help of a friend. If you have a minute, come say hi in the Monday Poll. I always like to hear from you before your day gets crazy.

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

1. Mood:
2. What’s been the hardest thing about getting into makeup?
3. What’s your favorite limited edition makeup collection (if you have one)?
4. How did you land your current job?
5. Three things you’d like to accomplish in the next three months?
6. Where were you 10 years ago?
7. Tell me about your hair.
8. Describe yourself in three words.
9. What jewelry are you wearing?
10. Weekly goals: