Archives for July 2013

Like Real Pixie Dust, Zoya’s Glittery PixieDust Polish Collection Is Pretty Magical

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 34 Comments

Zoya PixieDust Nail Polishes for Fall 2013 — The six-piece Zoya PixieDust collection for Fall 2013

Some textured nail polishes make me feel a little queasy…

Oh! — especially the flat matte ones that feel extra gritty (eww, my skin just crawled).

But even if textured lumps and bumps aren’t your cup o’ tea, I think the six polishes in Zoya’s new PixieDust fall collection are worth a look/feel.

Why?

Because they glisten with gallons and gallons of glitter and cray-cray pigment!

Yeah, and not just cray pigment, but crayÂ². In fact, four of the six — orange Dhara, magenta Arabella, green Chita and blue sunshine — only need a single coat.

The other two — Golden beige Tomoko and purple Carter (my fave!) — are two-coaters, but that doesn’t make me like them any less. Both still coat my nails completely, covering them in opaque color and buckets of glitter.

The intense jewel tones in the release remind me so much of fall that I almost feel like putting away my flamingo shorts.

Zoya Carter PixieDust Nail Polish — Carter PixieDust

Zoya Dhara PixieDust Nail Polish — Dhara PixieDust

Zoya Arabella PixieDust Nail Polish — Arabella PixieDust

Zoya Chita PixieDust Nail Polish — Chita PixieDust

Zoya Sunshine PixieDust Nail Polish — Sunshine PixieDust

Zoya Tomoko PixieDust Nail Polish — Tomoko PixieDust

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Era Eye Shadow

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

It’s always the era of Era around here. Flexible, because it flatters both warm and cool skin tones, MAC Era Eye Shadow is a fantastic workhorse neutral to have in your collection, especially if you love taupe.

Officially, MAC describes it as a soft golden beige, and yeah, I can see that, but on my NC42 skin, I’d characterize it as a golden taupe. Color temperature-wise, it’s like a perfect porridge — just right. Neither too warm, nor too cool.

I don’t know…but there’s just something earthy and natural about it. I see it and picture smooth river rocks baking in the hot desert sun…

And the finish? Satin. One of my favorite finishes from MAC.

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Have You Ever Made a Drastic Change to Your Look?

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 44 Comments

I have. Quite a few times, actually!

The first time it happened I was in the sixth grade…

My mom and dad forced me to chop off all of my long hair, and I ended up with a short, boy’s haircut.

They never said exactly why they were making me do it, but looking back, I think it had something to do with my boobs growing in at the time…

My folks freaked out.

The next time I was 14. I went from not wearing any makeup to school, to wearing a full face, all in the span of one weekend, LOL!

My mom says that she noticed my burgeoning interest in makeup because I’d taken to reading teen beauty magazines, so she very thoughtfully took me to a Clinique counter for a makeover. That was pretty awesome… It’s one of my fondest makeup memories.

No more drastic changes until college, when I went through multiple hair phases, both growing it out and chopping it off.

The most dramatic one occurred when I was a junior, I think, when I went from long, waist-length hair to a short bob. It happened on a whim one weekend when I suddenly realized that I was over an ex boyfriend.

I did it again a few years later in my early ’20s. My hair had grown long again, down to my elbows, when I needed a change. I walked into the salon one day and asked for a chin-length bob with the ends flipped out.

Sooo 1999, I know. But even that wasn’t enough of a change for me, so I also got red streaks!

I call it my raver girl phase, and I’m pretty sure it was also related to a breakup.

Yeah, I tend to take things out on my hair. 🙂

So, babe. Have you ever made a drastic change to your look? Any sudden makeup/hair/beauty revamps? Tell me all about ’em.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I’m Getting My Kicks With Cargo Route 66 Lip Gloss

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

Cargo’s got your kicks right here. 🙂

Route 66 is a fun flamingo pink with silver shimmer.

Anyone else thinking what I’m thinking…?

Road trip!

The New Maybelline Color Show Nail Polish Polka Dots and Holographics Nail Polishes

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish

From the left: Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polishes in Blue Marks the Spot, Drops of Jade and Dotty; on the far right, Maybelline Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose ($3.99 each)

Super cuteness launched this month at Maybelline. These $3.99 Color Show Nail Polishes are new for summer.

The three on the left are Color Show Polka Dots — available in five shades, each with black and white glitter in hexagonal shapes of different sizes that sort of look like dotted nails, and all have a sheer base that dries to a matte finish.

The one of the far right is the one doing its own thing… That’s Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose, one of four new holo shades designed to change colors in the light.

They’re all available now online and at drugstores and Ulta.

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty — Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Blue Marks the Spot — Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Blue Marks the Spot

Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Drops of Jade — Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Drops of Jade

Maybelline Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose — Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose

Swatches from the left: Maybelline Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose; Maybelline Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty, Drops of Jade and Blue Marks the Spot — Swatches from the left: Color Show Holographics Nail Polish in Alluring Rose; Color Show Polka Dots Nail Polish in Dotty, Drops of Jade and Blue Marks the Spot

3 Makeup Packing Tips for a Weekend Trip

July 22nd, 2013 by Karen 26 Comments

Reason No. 3,456 why I like to travel? — learning new packing tricks (makeup or otherwise).

It’s like a personal challenge of mine, figuring out new ways to help my makeup bag streamline and be all it can be!

Here’s a few things I tried on this last trip…

1. Ditch the palettes

You can do a lot with as little as two eye shadows — one neutral matte or satin slightly darker than your skin tone, and one flattering metallic or shimmer that you really, really like.

It hit me in La Jolla last weekend. I was getting ready for dinner one night and started thinking about how I got by with just two makeup brushes that time in Redding when I forgot my brush bag at home. I wondered if I could do the same with just two eye shadows…

Turns out I could! For a few days. I wore MAC Soba, a golden brown with a satin finish, and MAC Woodwinked, a warm, shimmery gold, three nights in a row and didn’t feel like I needed another eye shadow.

On my eyes: MAC Eye Shadows in Woodwinked and Soba (lids and lower lash lines), Chanel Le Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Santal (upper and lower water and lash lines), Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara (lashes) and MAC Veluxe Brow in Deep Dark Brunette (brows) — Wearing MAC Eye Shadows in Woodwinked and Soba on my lids and lower lash lines

On each of the nights, I contoured and added depth to my eye looks with Soba and used Woodwinked for a flash of bling on my lids.

As for options, even though I didn’t wear a smokey eye at all last weekend, I know that I could have banged one out by layering either shadow atop a smudgy black pencil liner. Or, as another option, for something more colorful, I could have lined either my upper or lower lash lines with a bright teal, purple or green pencil liner.

You can cover a lot of looks and bases with two versatile shadows like Soba and Woodwinked. YES.

2. Forgo your foundation brush

To save every precious ounce and square inch in your carry-on bag, you can always use your fingers instead of a brush to apply and blend foundation.

Most of the time.

It depends on the foundation, of course. This doesn’t work well with all foundations, but it works pretty great with MAC Face & Body and Bobbi Brown’s Foundation Stick.

Oh, the sonnets I could sing to MAC Face & Body…

It won’t budge and yet doesn’t look or feel heavy, and it covers everything. Plus, it’s finger friendly. It looks great even when you just apply it with your fingers.

With my fingers, I can really work it into my skin, and the result doesn’t look heavy or unnatural.

Because it doesn’t move or migrate, it’s a great choice for oily or combo skin types, or if you’re en route to someplace hot and humid (and hopefully wonderful).

Bobbi Brown’s Foundation Stick is another fave, especially when I’ll be passing through airports, because it doesn’t take up valuable space in my TSA-approved bag of liquids

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in Honey (a good match for MAC NC42)

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My Current Diet and Workout Regimen

July 22nd, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

In the comments on this Neutrogena post the other day, Rosie (haaay girl, haaay!) asked about my diet and exercise regimen.

So…I’m not an expert in nutrition or a fitness guru by any means, and I repeatedly fall off the wagon myself with my own efforts, especially when I’m swamped or just plan ol’ stress eating, but I still wanted to answer. Maybe one of us will find something here helpful, so here goes. 🙂

My diet

First, it’s not strict, but I do try to eat as healthy as possible because I know that it makes me feel physically and mentally better.

Day to day, I take a pretty measured approach, but I don’t freak out if I fall out of line for a meal. I measure out my portion sizes, count calories and try not to go cray-cray with sweets (baked goods and ice cream are big weaknesses of mine).

If/when I do have a cheat meal…cheat day or cheat week (!), I do my best not to beat myself up about it, and try to make it up over the next few days by being a little more careful.

To count calories (I know that sounds scary, but I do it because it works for me), I use an iPhone app called MyFitnessPal, which makes it easy to track what goes in, what I burn, and how I’m progressing along the way. It’s easy to use, and seeing the numbers right there in all their cold, uncompromising glory helps keep me honest and motivated.

As for food, I’m not a big red meat or chicken eater. I don’t have any issues with meat, but I prefer the taste of seafood and vegetable dishes (and they’re often lower in calories than meaty foods). On average, about two thirds of my meals are vegetarian, and the other third is pescatarian (something with seafood).

Lemon basil fusilli — yummy, quick and vegetarian

I don’t think I’m very creative in the kitchen, and I rely on certain staple dishes over and over again, like oatmeal and coffee/tea in the morning, a salad or a wrap for lunch, and some kind of seafood dish for dinner.

I like low fat, healthy, easy dishes that come together quickly, and I’ve gotten a ton of great ideas from Skinny Taste, and Women’s Health and Fitness magazine’s online recipe finder.

A few things about certain kinds of foods…

Dairy. My diet definitely affects my skin, and I’ve found that by scaling back on dairy, my skin’s improved.

I did it with baby steps, like by replacing dairy milk in my coffee with almond milk, and by cutting back on yogurt and cottage cheese, which I was pretty much eating daily for protein (and because they’re delicious).

If you’re thinking about trying soy, rice or almond milk, I’m pulling for almond. At least to me, it doesn’t have the aftertaste that soy milk has, and it pretty much goes with everything. I like Trader Joe’s Almond Smooth Vanilla Almond Milk ($1.69 for a 32-ounce box). It has the consistency of cow’s milk and isn’t overly sweet. It’s also hella yummy in smoothies, cereal and pudding.

Trader Joe’s Almond Smooth Vanilla Almond Milk

I haven’t been able to completely quit dairy, though, because I just lurves me my cheeses and ice cream (and eggs, which I know aren’t dairy, but still). 🙂

Mmm… Ice cream.

I still partake, but I try to moderate.

Fruits and veggies. I eat pounds of fruits and vegetables throughout the week. I’m like a fruit bat! Seriously, like crazy bunny food amounts.

I feel like when I don’t for a few days in a row, I start to feel a little off, and I start getting breakouts. Oh, and this is TMI for sure, but the fiber, you know, also keeps my plumbing, you know…working.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 281

July 22nd, 2013 by Karen 39 Comments

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.

What was the highlight of your weekend?
Honestly, the whole weekend was a highlight. 🙂 It’s been ages since I’ve gone on a trip with my good friend Cindy (probably seven or eight years!), and it was nice spending so much time with her. It was also refreshing to be able to spend long, uninterrupted stretches of time at the beach, and then by a pool, time to just sit and “be” with my thoughts. I’m still a little tired, because Cindy’s a snorer and we shared rooms (sorry, girl, but you are!), but I’m happy, and that’s the best.

When was the last time you taught someone something?
Last Saturday afternoon. I was hanging out at Hotel La Jolla’s saltwater pool and got roped into playing a game of water Horse basketball with a couple of random guys. We got to talking about what we all do, and I mentioned that I wrote about makeup and beauty. Those poor, poor dudes probably learned more than they bargained for about guy-liner, mint accessories, braids and big brows.

Do you ever download apps to your phone? Favorite ones?
Sometimes, but not often. Mostly blogging apps, like the official WordPress for iOS app, which is great for writing posts from beaches and pools, and social networking apps for Instagram. Oh, and the Nordstrom and Cat-O-Matic apps.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
If I’m in a position where I can cry…that’s usually what I do first. For me, shedding a few quick tears usually helps with the emotional release, and then I start making lists, like a list of everything I need/want to get done. If I’m somewhere I don’t want to cry (like, surrounded by strangers), then I’ll try to find a quiet place for a few minutes to slow down my breathing and gather myself. Then I’ll write my list.

Do the men (or women) in your life use moisturizer and sunscreen?
El Hub is notorious for refusing to go along with the moisturizing and sunscreen agenda I’ve set for him. 🙁

What should you do next/after this?
Work out. I haven’t gone running or done anything cardio (I don’t think surfing the way I do it really counts) since last week, and I’ve got to get my wiggles out.

Which makeup video or tutorial has been the most helpful one in the world for you?
I can’t think of just one right now, but I always learn new things from the lovely Lisa Eldridge and the Pixiwoo gals… I adore their accents. Plus, they seem like they’d be cool to hang out with.

Overalls and dungarees? Yea or nay?
NO NO NO NO NO

Do you ever wear metallic eyeshadow? Favorite ways?
Oh, for sure. With high-shine metallics, I think a little goes a long way. I pat ’em on my lids, and swipe along my lower lash line. For contrast, I’ll sweep a matte or satin into my crease.

What’s one nail art design you’ve wanted to/would try?
My friend Keri B. over at Nail Art Junkie recently did a really cool ikat leopard print design that I absolutely love. Cat lady says WHAT!

Le List

1. What was the highlight of your weekend?
2. When was the last time you taught someone something?
3. Do you ever download apps to your phone? Favorite ones?
4. What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
5. Do the men (or women) in your life use moisturizer and sunscreen?
6. What should you do next/after this?
7. Which makeup video or tutorial has been the most helpful one in the world for you?
8. Overalls and dungarees? Yea or nay?
9. Do you ever wear metallic eyeshadow? Favorite ways?
10. What’s one nail art design you’ve wanted to/would try?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen