About 35% of the cat pictures I take with my phone are non-Tabs snapshots.
Rough Estimates
Archives for October 2012
It’s a Little Like Julius Caesar Meets Nicole Richie Meets Xanadu
Tabs wearing a Sephora Metallic Braided Headband ($7).
Lips Like Marilyn’s Are One Swipe Away: Pigment Abounds in the New MAC Marilyn Monroe Lipsticks
Some say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
My chapped lips and I have to politely disagree. I mean, sure, diamonds have some cool things going for ’em. They’re all sparkly, and allegedly you can use them to cut mirrors and glass (I’ve always wanted to try that!), but what good are sparkly, shiny baubles when your lips are all flaky and you want to wear a bright orangey red lipstick like the new matte Scarlet Ibis or a frosty nude like Pure Zen ($16.50 each; both part of the MAC Marilyn Monroe collection)?
I’ve been so jazzed about these colors and their three siblings since I got wind of the MAC Marilyn Monroe collection earlier this year. I imagined re-creating MM’s signature sultry lips while happily stepping over a subway vent and having my skirt fly up for the whole world to see my Spanx…
Okay, maybe not. But I’d still love hot makeup like Marilyn’s, and it’s easier to get with these lipsticks. Both lay down loads of opaque, solid color, and a single swipe takes me from lowly pet assistant to polished screen siren.
Or thereabouts. 🙂
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How to Marry a Showgirl: The Many Faces of the New MAC Marilyn Monroe Eyeshadows
Being the right-hand human to an international plus-size kitty supermodel can be a real chore if you’re not, you know, in the mood to be your cat’s minion/punching bag.
To my feline employer, I’m merely a toady, a gopher, but there’s more to being a successful pet assistant than having opposable thumbs. It’s a multifaceted job requiring a diverse skill set, dagnabbit, and ideal candidates are people with layers — just like the new $21 Large Eye Shadows from the MAC Marilyn Monroe collection.
Blueish gray Showgirl and soft white How to Marry, two of the four shades in the limited edition launch that arrives on counters this Thursday, might look like standard issue shimmers in swatches, but wait until they get on your lids.
Like Marilyn, these Large Eye Shadows are larger than life! Each of the $21 0.1-ounce pans contain twice as much product as MAC’s regular $15 eyeshadow pans, which contain 0.05 ounces each.
Thing is, these babies love buffing, so start by pressing either one on your lids with a firm, flat eyeshadow brush or finger (side note: this part’s kind of important, because I’ve noticed that if I skip the firm brush/finger part, these shadows exhibit significant fallout), and then swirl a domed, fluffy brush like the MAC 217 on top of the shadows to lift away some of the pigment.
What remains is a semi-opaque wash of shiny color and tiny glimmering flecks of shimmer. Although the effect’s kinda quiet in these pics, I think it’s much more obvious and super pretty in person, especially if you like your glitter on the understated side.
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 239
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 four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Mood:
Inspired! Funny (sad?) thing is, I think I feel the way I do right now because of a TV show called Friday Night Lights.I must have watched 10 episodes last weekend, and they’re an hour long each. I’m already on the fifth and final season (tear!). If you’ve never seen it before, it’s about a small West Texas town and their local high school football team.
I keep wishing that I had my own personal Coach Taylor to hover around my desk and motivate me. He’s the head coach for the team, and he would tell me stuff like, “Listen to me. You’re gonna be the best darn pet assistant in Novato, Karen. You hear me? The best darn one. You keep this up, and I promise you — you’re going all the way to state!” LOL!
- What’s one of your biggest foundation gripes?
Why is it so hard to find a comfortable, full-coverage foundation with a matte finish that perfectly matches my skin tone? Most ones I find are either too beige or too yellow, yargh! - If you were forced to wear one makeup look every day for a year, what would it be?
Cat eyes, loads of mascara and bright lips, for sure. Classic, easy and it goes with almost everything! 🙂 - Name one thing you need to (or should) stop doing?
Staying up late watching Friday Night Lights on TV. My sleep schedule is a mess because of it. It’s been taking me at least an hour to unwind when I finally get to bed around midnight because I’m so fired up from the show. - Fishnet stockings: love ’em or leave ’em?
Love ’em, but only when the mesh pattern squares or diamonds are small, and when they’re worn with things to tone down the sultriness, like a pair of tough girl Doc Martin boots or a long skirt. - It’s snack time! Today we’re having a healthy fruit salad. What’s in yours?
Grapes, blueberries, strawberries and Honeycrisp apples.Please…PLEASE, no honeydew or cantaloupe melon, blech!
- If you could take a two-month class on anything right now, what would it be?
Ooh, that’s tough! I’m kind of a nerd and love taking classes when I can. Right now, I’d take Pilates or a studio lighting class for photography. - What’s one thing in life you should stop waiting for?
For everything to be perfect, because while you’re waiting, you’ll miss all of the good things right in front of your nose. - What’s one key to success?
Repetition. Whatever it is you want to do, just keep doing it, and when you get to the point where you feel like you can do it backwards, upside down and in your sleep, do it some more. - Weekly goals:
First, I need to take care of myself this week. I want to get in at least 30 minutes of cardio daily, get to bed by 11 every night, drink lots of water throughout the day, and be kind and supportive of myself (no negative self-talk whatsoever!).
What’s up, cutie pie? Yup, another Monday, which means we get to hang out again and talk beauty shop.
Here, why don’t you man the keyboard for a minute while I go brew us some tea in the kitchen.
To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.
Le List
1. Mood:
2. What’s one of your biggest foundation gripes?
3. If you were forced to wear one makeup look every day for a year, what would it be?
4. Name one thing you need to (or should) stop doing?
5. Fishnet stockings: love ’em or leave ’em?
6. It’s snack time! Today we’re having a healthy fruit salad. What’s in yours?
7. If you could take a two-month class on anything right now, what would it be?
8. What’s one thing in life you should stop waiting for?
9. What is one key to success?
10. Weekly goals:
Who knows what great things will happen to you this week? I’m looking forward to finding out. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Feel the Teal
I wore this teal dress by Leifsdottir for my day in San Francisco last Friday.
