Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Archives for November 2012

With 14 Full-Size Pencil Liners, the $160 Make Up For Ever Ultimate Eye Liner Collection Draws Beauty Lovers Into Its Pigmented Embrace

by 29 Comments

make up for ever ultimate eye liner collection
The new Make Up For Ever Ultimate Eye Liner Collection ($160)

Ouch! I know I asked you to pinch me to see if I was dreaming, but dagnabbit! — did you have to pinch so hard?!

That’s alright… I forgive you. I’m sure you’re probably just excited about the new $160 Make Up For Ever Ultimate Eye Liner Collection like I am and couldn’t control yourself. Heck, I might have done the same thing.

make up for ever ultimate eye liner collection box open
Wowza! That’s a lotta liner…

The new limited edition release of pencil eye liners comes fully equipped with 14 full-size eyeliners in three different formulas to make holiday dreams come true (and to cover all of your liner bases). With seven long-wearing Aqua Eyes pencils, three smudgy Crayon Kohls and four vibrant liquid Aqua Liners, it really does try to live up to its name as the Ultimate Eye Liner Collection.

And the price also represents a hefty savings (even though $160 is still a ton of tacos).

If you were to buy all 14 of these liners separately, it would set you back $269, but in the kit, the liners work out to $11 each, which is a lot less than the $17-23 MUFE usually charges.

The colors in the kit should flatter a wide range of skin tones. MUFE thoughtfully covered most of the major color bases, sprinkling some fun greens, purples and a shimmery champagne into a mix of everyday basic black, brown and gray shades.

I would’ve loved to also see a bronze or a gold here, but that’s probably just my warm skin tone talking. 🙂

make up for ever ultimate eye liner collection crayon khol product shot
Khol Pencils from the left: #1K Deep Black, #9K Matte Mocha Brown and #4 Intense Green

make up for ever ultimate eye liner collection aqua liner
Aqua Liners from the left: #4 Diamond Lagoon Green, #7 Diamond Black Purple, #15 Iridescent Anthracite and #13 Mat Black

make up for ever ultimate eye liner collection aqua eyes liners
Aqua Eyes from the left: #23L Champagne, #11L Purple, #3L Iridescent Navy, #5L Bronze Green, #2L Pearly Brown and #0L Mat Black

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 246

by 43 Comments

the makeup and beauty blog monday poll
A peek into my makeup drawer…

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.

  1. Mood:
    Really good. I’ve got some of that holiday spirit coursing through my veins. I’m excited about hosting Thanksgiving at my house this year (first time since moving in). Still no dining room table because it’s on back-order for a few more weeks, but we’ll make do. I’ll just requisition Tabs’ office desk and use it for the dining room. 🙂

  2. I get a thrill from…
    1. Cleaning the house from top to bottom (I’m so my mother’s daughter)!
    2. Plucking those stiff, little hairs on my chin that seemingly appear out of nowhere (they’re like mushrooms).
    3. Singing on the treadmill.
    4. Wearing my blue Katy Perry wig around the house.
  3. If you could instantly change your hair right now, what would you do?
    I’d add 6 inches of length, darken the base to something close to black and give myself chocolate highlights.

    I’ll probably do that anyway in the not-to-distant future, but I’m still enjoying my current caramel highlight phase.

  4. Are you cooking anything for Thanksgiving this year?
    A few things. It’s potluck, so folks are bringing some of the sides, and Whole Foods is taking care of the turkey (I didn’t want to use this year for my on-the-job training).

    I’m making a fish dish, corn pudding, roasting some broccoli, and baking my world famous blueberry peach cobbler!

  5. If you had two tickets for the Oscars, whom would you bring as your date?
    El Hub, of course! (Tabs is already going.) Or my mom, if El Hub can’t rent a tux in time, LOL!

  6. What’s one of your favorite ways to veg out?
    Twitter, for sure (I’m @karenmbb). I like the chatting back and forth, and it’s a great way to get instant feedback about things.

    I can’t keep it on all day, though. If I do, I don’t get anything done.

  7. Are you a flirt?
    I think sometimes I can come across that way, but I’m just friendly. Okay…maybe I’m a little bit of a flirt.

  8. Do you bite your nails?
    No. Hasn’t held much allure for me, but I am guilty of picking at my cuticles.

    And now that we’re talking about it, I’m having to use all of my willpower to resist the temptation to do it now…

  9. If you could change anything about your life right now, what would it be?
    I wish I could say I wouldn’t change anything at all, because that’s the stock answer, but…I wish I already had kids.

  10. Weekly goals:
    I’ve really got to manage my time wisely this week (yes, I realize that that’s one of my recurring weekly goals). I also need to paint my toenails, because they desperately need some love. Other than that, I just want to keep a positive attitude, no matter how busy I get, and have a nice Thanksgiving holiday with my family.

    All pretty basic stuff.

Good morning, sweets. 🙂

Guess who stayed up waaay too late last night reading a riveting new novel by the Pulitzer Prize winning writing team, Fluffy & Bonkers, called The Devious Book for Cats?

LOL! Okay, maybe not. MBB reader Michelle, who pet assists for two tuxedo kitty sisters, sent this link to what sounds like a purrrfect book for cats and the ladies who love them.

It addresses tabby-friendly topics like, how to lay claim to boxes, how to wake up humans, and what to do when you find yourself stuck in a tree.

Riveting topics!

While I read a few excerpts to Tabs, please let me know how you’re doing by filling out today’s Monday Poll.

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

Le List

1. Mood:
2. I get a thrill from…
3. If you could instantly change your hair right now, what would you do?
4. Are you cooking anything for Thanksgiving this year?
5. If you had two tickets for the Oscars, whom would you bring as your date?
6. What’s one of your favorite ways to veg out?
7. Are you a flirt?
8. Do you bite your nails?
9. If you could change anything about your life right now, what would it be?
10. Weekly goals:

Happy early Thanksgiving! Can you believe this will be our sixth together?! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 218

by 16 Comments

Sundays with Tabs the Cat: Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot

Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the Cat, commonly regarded as “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most widely syndicated cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.

A plant sitter’s dilema

Ashamed plant sitter
DEAR TABBY,

A feline friend of mine recently left on a month-long vacation and put me in charge of her favorite catnip plant. The other day, in a moment of weakness, I ate it…

The entire plant, leaving nothing but stems.

And my friend had left detailed instructions on the plant’s proper care. Nowhere on her list did it say, “Eat plant.”

What should I do?? Should I come clean and admit my crime, even though it’s too late to save the plant, or secretly have my assistant bring home a replacement from the gardening store?
— Not So Green Thumb

A cat-friendly deck garden
Fiber is your friend

DEAR NOT SO GREEN THUMB:

Believe it or not, yours is a very common problem, and I’ve been on both sides of the situation.

On a vacation last year I left my cherished catnip plant, which I use strictly for medicinal purposes, under the care of the Russian Blue next door.

Upon my return, all I found was an empty pot lying on its side.

Robbers? I thought, but then the Russian Blue confessed. He admitted to eating it, which angered me at first, but then he offered to purchase me a new one.

I accepted his offer and appreciated his honestly. After all, we all make mistakes. I’ve certainly made a few of mine…

So, yes, I think you should come clean. Apologize, and offer to buy her a new plant. Maybe also include a few cans of gravy to make peace.

Truthfully, even if you tried to replace the plant without your friend knowing, chances are she’d figure it out. It’s not easy to find thriving, mature catnip plants at local gardening stores (trust me, I’ve looked).

New roommate rocks one cat’s world

Kitty roommate troubles
DEAR TABBY,

My landlord/assistant (don’t ask) recently invited a new kitty roommate into our home, and let me be frank — I hate him.

He hogs the bed, the bathroom, steals my toys and even sleeps in MY stinky sock drawer. Oh, and he likes to nap in the same sunny patches that I like to nap in on the floor.

On top of all that…he’s always trying to be cute, so I feel like I have to be in “performance mode” all day long, constantly flashing my tum and looking adorable.

It’s exhausting!

What should I do? I’m tempted to just run away, but I still have a pretty sweet thing going here. There’s a steady supply of gravy, daily walks, and my pet assistant is also a licensed massage therapist.
— Roommate Troubles in Rohnert Park

Tabs and Marmalade spooning
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer

DEAR ROOMMATE TROUBLES:

You know the old saying, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer”? Truer words were never spoken. I believe every cat should have that phrase crossed-stitched on a pillow.

In your case, I think you should make the next move. Do something nice for the intruder, like offer to groom him or spoon the next time you’re both napping.

Build up some trust, because not only will it bring you peace of mind, it’s also a good way to carefully monitor the new cat’s activities.

And who knows? Maybe one day the two of you will become real friends.
[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!

by 462 Comments

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

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Enter to win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

“Wait — but who’s bringing the folding chairs?!”

Gah!

Holiday stress. Yep, it’s that time of year. It’s hard enough trying to balance your regular workload while attending to your feline/canine/human teenage, infant or adolescent overlord’s needs, but then you throw Thanksgiving preparations on top of that, and stress levels go ballistic!

What’s a guy or girl to do?

Well, there’s herbal tea… 🙂

But tea is only marginally helpful.

In my case, I also turn to TV, chocolate and makeup, preferably all at the same time, LOL!

Welcome to another weekend, friend. I hope you’re hanging in there. Tabs, El Hub and I are doing our best.

Oh, I ended up liking that movie I watched last night, Your Sister’s Sister. I can’t believe the main dude in it is Mark Duplass from The League (it also stars Emily Blunt and Rosemarie DeWitt). I thought it was a little emotionally twisted, but not too bad. I liked it (although I wanted more from the ending).

In other news, it’s Sephora eGift card giveaway time! — and it only takes a comment to enter (full details down below).

Good luck! And may the fierce force be with you. 🙂

What folks are saying…

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night! :)”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

  • 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 makeup brush do you use most often? Most underrated makeup or beauty brand? Who’s your favorite actress on TV? Has it started snowing where you live? Do you prefer to shave, wax or pluck? If you could change your eye color (and wanted to), what color would you choose? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/Wdwhie

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, November 18, 2012 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).
  • Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
  • 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

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

Fishing for a Bargain on a Holiday Brush Set? Cast Your Eyes on Sonia Kashuk’s New Gilded Cages Holiday Brush Set, and Net Six Ultra Soft Face and Eye Brushes and a Cute, Sparkly Clutch

by 17 Comments

sonia kashuk gilded cage holiday brush set 1

It may be cold and rainy here in the Bay Area tonight (boo!), but at least I don’t have to see dudes with long toenails wearing flip-flops. #glasshalffull

The rain also gives me an excuse to stay home and gaze at the sparkly clutch that comes with Sonia Kashuk’s new $24.99 Gilded Cages Holiday Brush Set…

(And rub the six ultra plush brush heads all over my face.)

sonia kashuk gilded cage holiday brush set 1
From the left: Powder/Blush Brush, Eyeshadow Brush, Foundation Brush, Crease Brush, Synthetic Flat Liner Eyeliner Brush, Fan Brush

sonia kashuk gilded cage holiday brush set 3
From the left: Flat Eyeliner Brush, Fan Brush, Powder/Blush Brush, Foundation Brush, Crease Brush and Eyeshadow Brush

sonia kashuk gilded cage holiday brush set 4
Cute clutch!

sonia kashuk gilded cage holiday brush set 5
CUTE!

[Continue reading…]

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.