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Archives for December 2012

12 Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win a Zella Galaxy Fleece Hoodie From Nordstrom (a $58 Value)!

December 15th, 2012 by Karen 417 Comments

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

12 Days of Giveaways on Makeup and Beauty Blog
A Different Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway each day for 12 days, sponsored by Neutrogena

I’ve been wearing my roasty, toasty Zella Galaxy Hoodie pretty much every day, all day, for weeks, except for when I want to mix it up in blog pics, or absolutely, positively have to wear something else.

It’s the first thing I grab before heading downstairs to make breakfast every morning (sorry, Tabs).

I’m smitten…

It’s just so sleek and stylish, and I love the little details, like the thumbholes in the sleeves. Hello, cozy! Wherever I am, I’ve got built-in gloves.

I love this dang sweatshirt so much, and I want you to have one, too.

Today, to kick off a series of 12 amazing holiday giveaways kindly sponsored by Neutrogena (thanks, Neutrogena!), I’m giving one away.

Check back tomorrow and each of the 10 days after to enter a different giveaway for a different one of my favorite things, like gift baskets filled with Neutrogena products, bags by Kate Spade (YUP!) and even more goodies from Zella.

It’s 12 Days of Giveaways, y’all. Details to enter down below.

zella galaxy hoodie

  • One (1) Zella Galaxy Fleece Hoodie from Nordstrom in your choice of size and color (you can see the options here) valued at $58.

  • 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 do you wear to work out in? Do you have a favorite hoodie, sweater or sweatshirt? Have you finished (or started) your holiday shopping yet? What’s one of your favorite things about the holidays? When was the last time you got a haircut? Best red lipstick for this time of year? Describe a makeup look you wore (or plan to wear) to a holiday party this year. What makeup are you wearing right now? — 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 Zella Galaxy Fleece Hoodie from Nordstrom! http://bit.ly/Zv1gfR

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, December 16, 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 in the United States 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

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

There are 417 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun, Neutrogena

Estée Lauder’s Portable Makeup Brush Collection

December 15th, 2012 by Karen 11 Comments







A new Estée Lauder travel exclusive! It’s a four-piece brush set with foundation, powder, blush and eyeshadow brushes housed in a zipped blue case.

The powder, blush and eyeshadow brush bristles feel soft against my skin and deposit products evenly.

The foundation brush, eh. It’s a little crunchy for my taste, but it gets the job done.

PRICE: Varies upon location
AVAILABILITY: Availabe now worldwide at Estée Lauder travel retail locations
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B/B+

There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

A December Sunrise

December 15th, 2012 by Karen 24 Comments




The view of the sunrise from my office window.

I hope you have a nice weekend. 🙂

There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

Unsung Heroes: BECCA Eye Tint in Gilt

December 14th, 2012 by Karen 6 Comments

becca gilt eye tint
BECCA’s $24 Eye Tint in Gilt

Not “guilt,” like in how Tabs should feel after he exercises his claws on the cushions of my favorite chair, but “gilt,” as in BECCA’s $24 Eye Tint in Gilt, which gets extra Unsung Hero holiday party brownie points today for the tiny pieces of golden glitter swimming in its shimmery bronze base, and for its fabulously long-wearing, water-resistant cream eyeshadow formula.

I can apply a layer on my lids first thing in the morning, spend the day running errands for Santa (Tabs), head back home at night, and hang out by the tree after dinner with Gilt shimmering and shining under the tree’s blinking lights, even when I skip wearing a primer.

becca gilt swatches
Gilt built up on the left and sheered out on the right

[Continue reading…]

There are 6 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Becca, Eyes, Makeup, Unsung Heroes

Deborah Lippmann’s Limited Edition Trio of Radiant, Glittery Holiday Polishes Promises to Rock This Town

December 14th, 2012 by Karen 8 Comments

deborah lippmann rock this town top
The new limited edition Deborah Lippmann Rock This Town Trio ($42)

NOTE TO SELF: do not from multitask while thinking about Deborah Lippmann’s $42 Rock This Town Trio, because if you try to do anything more complicated than walking while contemplating the glittery polishes in this limited edition set, you end up doing bone-headed things like stepping out of the shower and rubbing face wash, instead of moisturizer, on your legs and only realizing it a full minute later.

Whoops.

Light seems to love the glitter in mauve Moon Dance, copper Phoenix Rising and blackened khaki Chain Reaction more than usual.

As do I. 🙂

I don’t know why, but these polishes are downright dazzling…like getting caught in a tractor beam powered by Ryan Gosling’s smile.

deborah lippmann rock this town all
From the left: Chain Reaction, Moon Dance and Phoenix Rising

deborah lippmann chain reaction swatch
Two layers of Chain Reaction

deborah lippmann phoenix rising swatch
Phoenix Rising

[Continue reading…]

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Deborah Lippmann, Kits and Sets, Nails, Product Reviews

Benefit Got Deep! The New Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer in Medium/Deep

December 14th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

benefit don't stray in medium/deep
The new Benefit Stay Don’t Stray in Medium/Deep ($26)

“Sit. Stay. Don’t stray!”

Sounds like me trying to get Tabs to sit still for a picture. 🙂 It’s actually the idea behind Benefit’s $26 Stay Don’t Stray, the brand’s creamy eye primer for lids and under-eye areas.

It’s designed to boost the wear time of concealers and eyeshadows. Problem is, it’s only been available in a single shade…until now.

Yup, Benefit got deep! Come spring, a darker shade, Medium/Deep, joins the original, lighter Stay Don’t Stray.

Both shades will also get a new bottle with a doe-foot applicator instead of the old pump.

benefit don't stray in medium/deep

benefit don't stray in medium/deep

benefit don't stray in medium/deep
[Continue reading…]

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Benefit, Eyes, Makeup, Product Reviews

Better Together: Essie Where’s My Chauffeur and Beyond Cozy

December 14th, 2012 by Karen 8 Comments





essie wheres my chauffeur beyond cozy

essie wheres my chauffeur beyond cozy

Not your typical holiday mani. I like it! 🙂

essie wheres my chauffeur beyond cozy

essie wheres my chauffeur beyond cozy

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

Fly Higher

December 14th, 2012 by Karen 5 Comments




When they try to knock you down, spread your wings and fly higher.

There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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