Archives for January 2012

OMG! It’s the FBI, and They’re Working With Urban Decay: The New Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencils Are Just OK With Me

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

This year at Urban Decay HQ, spring is a season of covert concealers and secret government agencies — or so it seems, based on the cool code names given to these new 24/7 Concealer Pencils ($18 each).

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencils CIA, DEA, FBI, NSA, ATF, DOD, KGB and MI6? Those are some heavy hitting acronyms right there.

The first four — CIA, DEA, FBI and NSA — are repromotes of Urban Decay’s existing concealer pencils, with the same formula, but dressed in new packaging, while the other four — ATF, DOD, KGB AND MI6 — are new additions to the line designed for darker damsels/covert spies.

Last weekend I worked with the ATF, DOD and KGB on a very important case involving my dark under-eye circles and skin imperfections on my face. I directed ATF, a mid-toned dark golden beige, to take out my dark circles and dispatched DOD (a warm, dark tan) and KGB (a dark golden caramel) to work on my face.

Was the operation a success? Well, yes and no.

These guys are soft! — and creamy, but I mean that in a good way. 🙂 I like the way they feel and what a cinch they are to apply. The formula sinks right into my skin and doesn’t look like it’s just chilling on top.

urban decay spring 2012 (8)
24/7 Concealer Pencils from the left: CIA (a light creamy ivory); DEA (a light peaches and cream); FBI (a light medium beige) and NSA (a medium beige); $18 each
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MAC Unsung Heroes: Uniform Technakohl Liner

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 28 Comments

MAC Uniform Technakohl Liner

The day’s barely half over, and I’m already on my fifth cup of Pukka Love Tea.

I kid you not, it’s been one of those days… I’m fussy, can’t seem to focus and haven’t showered since last night, so my scalp has enough grease in it to fry a dozen eggs. Plus, I feel like a sausage today (even in my stretchy pants!), and to top everything off, Tabs has been treating me like a pariah.

Yup, one of those days…

I feel like just hitting my head against my desk, but I wonder, “What would Tim Gunn do?”

Ah, of course. That’s right. Tim would “make it work,” so I’ll try to do the same, and I have, hence the five cups of tea.

To make it official, though, I think I should put it in print, so here goes: “By the time I reach the bottom of this mug, I will be filled with lurve.”

LURVE!

On the plus side, at least I’m not possessed by a demon (yay!), I have all of my toes, and I don’t have serial killer eyes. Three very good things, and today I owe that last one to MAC Uniform Technakohl ($15).

A khaki eyeliner with golden shimmer, it fits my mood a lot of the time when other shades don’t. Understated. Not as flashy as black nor as blah as brown, it makes me feel classier when I swipe it along my lash and water lines.

How else could I describe it? Well, if a liner were able to capture Jennifer Aniston’s fashion sense, I think that liner would be Uniform.
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Bits and Bobs from MAC Iris Apfel

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 10 Comments

Pics and swatches of three items from the MAC Iris Apfel collection, available now at MAC stores and online.

Clockwise from the lipstick: Matte Lipstick in Pink Pigeon ($14.50), Beauty Powder in Too Chic ($23) and Eye Shadow in Diamond Dove ($15).

Swatches form the left: Diamond Dove, Too Chic and Pink Pigeon

MAC, Naturally: A Few Pics and Swatches

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 8 Comments

Pics and swatches of a few pieces from the MAC, Naturally collection. Available now at MAC stores, counters and also online.

Clockwise from the peach blush on the lower left: Mineralize Blush in Fresh Honey ($22), Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde ($28), Mineralize Eye Shadow in Into the Sun ($20), Mineralize Eyeshadow in Twilight Fast ($20) and Mineralize Skinfinish in Redhead ($28).

Swatches from the left: Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde, Mineralize Skinfinish in Redhead, Mineralize Blush in Fresh Honey, Mineralize Eye Shadow in Into the Sun and Mineralize Eyeshadow in Twilight Fast

NARS Makeup Removing Water

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 3 Comments

The new NARS Makeup Removing Water, $28. Available now at NARS counters and also online. I’m hoping it’ll cut through all of my go-drag-or-go-home layers of mascara with a quickness!

NARS Spring 2012 Swatches

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 34 Comments

Swatches of eight of the nine pieces from the NARS Spring 2012 collection for eyes, cheeks, lips and nails. Reviews coming soon!

Trio Eyeshadow in Douce France, a shimmery icy pink, a rose petal pink and a matte deep rose ($45; limited edition)

Duo Eyeshadow in Paramaribo, a metallic brass and bronze ($34; limited edition)
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NARS Spring 2012 Product Pics

January 10th, 2012 by Karen 17 Comments

NARS Spring 2012 just hit my desk, and I couldn’t wait to give you a looksy. Reviews to follow in the next few days, but for now, peep these product pics of eight items from the nine-piece collection for eyes, cheeks, lips and nails. 🙂

Trio Eyeshadow in Douce France, a shimmery icy pink, a rose petal pink and a matte deep rose ($45; limited edition)

Duo Eyeshadow in Paramaribo, a metallic brass and bronze ($34; limited edition)

Single Eyeshadow in Lhasa, a lavander gray ($24)

Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Dark Rite ($24)

Blush in Gaiety, a bright candy pink ($28)
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Charmed, I’m Sure, by the Dolce & Gabbana Charm Pencil Collection

January 9th, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

dolce & gabbana charm pencil collection (6)

One of the reasons why Dolce & Gabbana rules: they dangle tiny charms from their makeup JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN.

Never you mind that the charms enchanting the eight-piece limited edition Charm Pencil collection don’t really serve a purpose beyond looking cute as they swing from their respective lip and eye liners. If we have the right to accessorize, so should our makeup! Viva la cuteness for us all! 🙂

Every time I catch a glimpse of the dainty golden envelopes, high heels, hearts and horns hanging from these pencils, which arrive next month (just in time for Valentine’s Day!), while I attend to my lips or eyes, I’m transported back to the kinder, gentler days of my youth, when a trip to the Hello Kitty store to buy a $4 mechanical pencil with a charm swinging on the end was one of the highlights of my week.

Of course, because these pencils are from Dolce & Gabbana, they cost somewhat more than that — like $29 more, to be exact.

dolce & gabbana charm pencil collection (5)