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Archives for June 2011

A Blast from the Past, L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Beauty Cream Blooms Like a Retro Rose

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Even though the scent of L’Occitane Pivoine Flora Beauty Cream ($36) reminds me of my ninang (the Tagalog word for godmother), I’m gonna assume the folks at L’Occitane weren’t shooting for eau de high maintenance Filipino godmother divas when they developed it. 🙂

I love the scent, which smells more to me like a mix of old school Oil of Olay (the one that came in the pink bottle), floral soaps and roses than the peonies it contains. I can picture something similar sitting on the dressing table of a young woman in the ’50s, or see it sitting on a shelf today in the home of an older woman who still remembers being that girl. While I think it suits girls of all ages, those who prefer scents on the mature side may like it more than, say, the fruity bubblegum body sprays that sparkle in most drugstores.


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The Lululemon Athletica 50 Rep Bra: The Best Damn Sports Bra I’ve Ever Worn

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Seeing as how I spent last weekend in Vancouver, the city where Lululemon Athletica was born, I figured I should give a shout-out to my favorite over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder, the 50 Rep Bra ($42).

I’ve tried gaggles of different sports bras over the years from more brands than I can remember — Champion, Nike, Adidas and Moving Comfort are a few that spring to mind — and by far my favorite so far has been the 50 Rep. It’s the most comfortable sports bra I’ve ever worn, for sure.

It comes in several prints (like the one I’m wearing here) and solid colors, from classic, sporty shades like black, white and gray, to spunkier shades like red and mint green.

The support this bra offers? Off. The. Chain. It easily tames my size 34D ta-tas, and this one (I wear a size 4), holds everything in place without that restrictive, binding, boob-squishing feel.

It’s actually so comfortable that I can even wear it to bed. The material, a fabric Lululemon created called Luon (a stretchy, durable, breathable fabric that feels like brushed cotton), never chafes my skin, not even after six miles on the treadmill. It also wicks, which comes in handy since I sweat buckets when I run.

I think the cut’s super cute, too. The neckline and arm holes are high enough to cover everything without showing too much cleavage/skin. Plus, the straps don’t dig into my shoulders, and I’m really pleased with the length from the top of my shoulders to my ribs.


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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, June 13

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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. 173. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
  1. Mood:

    2. I had a bout of the post-vacation blues early this morning, but I feel energized and ready now. “Coach, put me back in the game!”

  2. Have you ever owned a record player?

    3. I remember having a kids one when I was around five that I would use to play my Winnie the Pooh records. I loved that thing to pieces. It had a hard blue plastic case with a white handle. So stylish.

  3. Do you plan your makeup looks at the start of each week, or just wing it?

    4. I may plan a look with an outfit if I have a special event to go to, but most of the time I just wing it.

  4. Can you think of a lipstick color that makes me you feel spicy?

    5. Lately, Dior Favori 752. Whenever I wear it I feel like I’m ready to bring the heat, LOL! It’s an arresting red with a punch of pink.

  5. Describe your favorite summertime dress.

    6. This black Mimi Chica Ruffled Dress I got from the junior’s section at Nordie’s. It’s machine washable (dry cleaning is the bane of my existence) and super flexible. I can easily dress it up by throwing on a cardigan, jewelry and heels, or dress it down by slipping it over a swimsuit and sliding into a pair of flip-flops.

  6. Do you keep a journal?

    7. I do, but I don’t write in it nearly enough.

  7. Your favorite makeup brush at the moment?

    8. The MAC 224! It’s SO GREAT for under-eye concealer.

  8. Last time you jumped rope?

    9. I usually have a pretty good memory, but I honestly can’t recall. I think I picked one up at a sporting goods store a few years ago and jumped for a minute in the aisle, but that may have also been a dream. The last time I jumped rope for longer than a minute was probably back on a playground some time in the ’80s (YIKES!).

  9. Are you a heavy or a light sleeper?

    10. As a kid I could sleep through earthquakes and thunderstorms, but I’m a much lighter sleeper now. I’ve gotten to the point now where I keep a pair of earplugs and a blindfold on my nightstand, just in case.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Pay some extra attention to Tabs, run at least four times (since I haven’t exercised since last week), prepare a couple of healthy dinners, and plan a weekend trip over Fourth of July (to give myself something to look forward to).

Heavens! I’m still totally reeling from last night’s episode of Game of Thrones. I went to bed thinking about it and woke up this morning with the ending still on my mind.

No spoilers here, I promise, but if you did watch it, can we dish in the comments? I did NOT expect that ending, and part of me wants to believe it didn’t actually occur.

Okay, enough about lords, knights and royal intrigue. As much as I enjoyed my short jaunt to Vancouver, I’m happy to see you again. It’s always great to come home. 🙂

If your Monday isn’t too crazy, take a second to say hello in the Monday Poll. I’d love to hear how you’ve been.

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



1. Mood:
2. Have you ever owned a record player?
3. Do you plan your makeup looks for the week or wing it?
4. A lipstick color that makes me you feel spicy?
5. Describe your favorite summertime dress.
6. Do you keep a journal?
7. Your favorite makeup brush at the moment?
8. Last time you jumped rope?
9. Are you a heavy or a light sleeper?
10. Weekly goals:

Throw your hands up in the air, and wave ’em around like you just don’t care! Oh, and have a spectacular week while you’re at it. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 143

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I always miss Tabs like crazy when I’m on the road, but this time, before leaving for Vancouver, I took preventative measures. Not only did we keep in touch remotely via the Skype Tabby Cam, but I also loaded a few pictures of him on my laptop before I left.

Yeah…you know you’re a full-blown cat lady when you get a call in your hotel room from the front desk because of reports of loud meows coming from your room.

Um, yeah, that’s just me Skyping my cat.

But I’m not ashamed. Fellow cat ladies, stand proud! 🙂

What’s the craziest cat lady thing you’ve ever done?


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MAC Unsung Heroes: Soba Eyeshadow

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mac soba eyeshadow

It’s easy to see how casual beauty bystanders and makeup window shoppers could mistake MAC as primarily purveyors of bold, bright eyeshadows. The brand does love brights, after all, but that doesn’t mean they skimp on their neutrals.

Take warm golden brown Soba Eyeshadow ($14.50), for instance. With just a hint of golden sheen and very little red or orange in it, Soba is one of my very favorite browns, and I wear it often in the crease.

Like MAC Soft Brown, another one of my favorites, I think of Soba as an “anchor shade” — one of those colors I know I can build entire looks around, and my pan sees plenty of exercise (LOL!), mostly in my crease and, for contouring and to contrast shimmery shades, below my lower lash line. I think it’s a great substitute for Soft Brown, particularly if you’re looking for something either more golden or less orange/red.

At least once a week I’ll wear a look starring Soba on my lids and in my crease, incorporating MAC Feline Eye Kohl on my upper and lower waterlines and black mascara on my lashes. It an easy, clean look that only takes a couple of minutes to do, and because it’s also neutral, it looks great with almost any lip color.

mac soba eyeshadow pan

mac soba eyeshadow swatch
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Two Ways to Win a Tube of MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Crosswires

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  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Heidi! Congratulations, Heidi! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Wait — did we just get our wires crossed? If that tube of hotness up there is MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Crosswires ($14.50), I think we did.

But in the best possible way. 🙂

This creamy pinkish orange lippie looks faboo complementing cat eyes, and it’s been one of my favorites for years. Try it on its own, or layer it beneath peachy pinks like NARS Orgasm Lip Gloss or MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass (eight more days!).

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Win a MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipstick

One lucky lady will win…

  • One (1) tube of MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Crosswires (a $14.50 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, what’s your current favorite lipstick? List the books you’d like to read this summer. What’s your favorite item in your wardrobe? Do you use a lip brush? — you know how this works.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a Tube of MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Crosswires http://bit.ly/mdYrpx

  • The deadline to enter is Monday, June 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

P.S. I had a great time here in Vancouver, but it’s time to head back to Cali. I’m on my way to the airport now, so I’ll catch you in a few. Have a great morning. 🙂

  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Heidi! Congratulations, Heidi! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

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