Archives for 2013

What ’80s Trends Would You Like to Bring Back or Leave Behind?

March 28th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

the-great-scrunchie-debate — Embracing the scrunchie and channeling 1988 and my inner seventh grader for a Halloween hair and makeup post

I was doing some window shopping at the mall last weekend when this pair of acid-washed cut-off jeans shorts at Urban Outfitters stopped me in my tracks!

Hello, ’80s revival! I felt like I was back in middle school when acid-washed jeans were all the rage.

They washed over my middle school like a mottled blue wave! — becoming our unofficial tween uniform. If this were 1986-89, you would have found me wearing one of several acid-washed outfits.

I had a skirt, a pair of overalls (worn with one strap up, and one strap down, of course), several pairs of jeans with the zippers near the ankles, AND matching denim jackets, which I even caught my mom wearing on occasion, oh, gawd!

I loved the look back in the day, but now I just can’t deal… It was one of those defining trends that had such a distinct look to it that when I got over it, I got over it. At least that’s how it was for me.

Now, 1980s hair accessories are a different story. My friend Jen texted me the other day to say that her 19-year-old cousin showed up at her house one day wearing a banana clip, and my first thought was, “WANT!! Where can I get one?”

I wore the heck out of banana clips in the ’80s because they were just so blasted practical.

I had thick, unruly hair, but I could quickly get it under control with a banana clip, so that’s a trend I’d like to see stage a full-fledged comeback.

Oh, and scrunchies? I have a major weakness for scrunchies, too.

Um…I know they’re like the Kardashians of the hair product world — totally controversial, and you either love ’em or don’t — but I keep a few around more because they make it so easy to put my hair up and don’t give me a headache light tight headbands can.

And you know how sometimes regular hair elastics can leave those funny bends on the hair shaft? I don’t get that with scrunchies, so if my hair’s straight, and I want to wear it up, I grab a scrunchie (they also don’t mess up my blowouts).

So, I’m dying to know, what ’80s trends would you like to bring back or leave behind?

Do you long for a leg warmer revival? Would you happily don big shoulder pads? How about on the makeup and beauty fronts? Mall hair? Spiral perms? Are there any throwback beauty trends you’d re-embrace with open arms?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

New Favorite Lunch Spot: Blue Barn Marin Restaurant in Corte Madera

March 28th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Blue Barn Marin’s like an upscale deli that serves yummy sandwiches, salads and soup.

I had the Spicy Ahi Tuna Salad, and El Hub ordered the Kickin’ Chicken Sandwich. A meal for 2 without drinks will run ya $20-25.

Everything was fresh and full o’ flava! I can’t wait to go back.

l-of-m — Brush with fame! I think I saw Lars of Metallica…

Guerlain’s Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shines

March 28th, 2013 by Karen 2 Comments

Guerlain's Gloss d'Enfer Maxi Shines big

Guerlain, all day, every day. 🙂

I can’t get enough of the new Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shines ($30 each). They’re like my new comfort makeup food.

For Her Spring/Summer 2013 Makeup Collection, Sonia Kashuk Says, Wrap It Up, and Let’s Take It to Morocco!

March 27th, 2013 by Karen 17 Comments

sonia kashuk spring summer 2013 — Affordable and stylish spring and summer beauty from Sonia K.

Kitty overlord got a taste for the finer things? Is he/she hooked on products with high-end prices?

With Tabs, been there, done that.

But ya know what? This spring and summer, refreshing your makeup bag (or your feline employer’s) doesn’t have to empty your Kate Spade wallet.

Not with my girl, Sonia Kashuk, swooping in to save the day. 🙂

Whether you’re saving up for a toy or trip, or just tightening up your beauty budget, get haute couture for less with Sonia Kashuk’s new spring and summer 2013 makeup.

With a packaging revamp across her permanent line, there’s excitement in the air! Say so long (at least for now) to Sonia’s signature white and silver compacts, because they’ve been replaced by new black and white cases.

Of course, you’ll still be able to find your favorite product shades, as well as some new ones, too.

On the limited-edition side, we head to Morocco!

Or rather, Sonia did, and it influenced her spring and summer makeup, bags and tools.

It’s a HUGE collection this year (available now at Target, in stores and online), and here are some of the pieces that have caught my eye…

Sonia Kashuk State of the Art Nail Set ($12.99)

Sonia Kashuk Nail Colours from the left: Sitting Pretty, Queen of Hearts and Fever Pitch ($4.79 each)

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With 40 Shades, Urban Decay’s Recently Relaunched 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils Scribble, Sketch and Paint a Colorful Picture on Lids

March 27th, 2013 by Karen 24 Comments

Urban Decay 24 7 Glide On Eye Pencils relaunch 2013 top — Eye liner mania! I haz it!

— WARNING —

You may want to avert your eyes.

— WARNING —

Urban Decay’s recently relaunched collection of long-wearing, waterproof 24/7 Glide-On Pencils has been known to drive makeup lovers bat-sh*t crazy (in the best possible way).

The brand recently added 13 new shades and 14 previously released limited edition colors to their permanent line, bumping up the total number of available shades to 40.

40!

Heck, on most days I’m lucky if I can decide between Perversion and Bourbon. Forget being able to decide among 40 shades.

And the rainbow of colors comes in a range of finishes, too, like matte, shimmer, sparkle and satin.

Here are pics and swatches of the new and previously released shades… Let me know if any of these pencils draws you in. (Haha, draws? Get it? Okay, I’ll stop.)

Urban Decay 24 7 Glide On Eye Pencils relaunch 2013 new shades — Smoke, Roach, Desperation, Scorch, Goldmine and Loaded

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Makeup Breakdown: The Better Than False Lashes Look From Too Faced Cosmetics

March 27th, 2013 by Karen 36 Comments

A Too Faced Cosmetics Makeup Breakdown — My new fave makeup look…

Hello and welcome to the hump! I’ve been awake since the crack of dawn because your nephew has figured out a new way to annoy me.

A good 30 minutes before my alarm’s supposed to go off, he claws at the side of the mattress so that I’ll wake up and feed him the gravy he so richly deserves.

tabs-feel-my-wrath — Feel my wrath, woman

Tabs isn’t exactly a kitty rocket scientist, but when it comes to food, the gears in his tiny brain churn just enough for him to put two and two together. Ah, the joys of pet assisting a plus-size diva super star…

Needless to say, I’m feeling like I need an extra jump start to go along with the coffee this morning, so I’m thinking about re-creating the same look I wore in the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes post from the beginning of the week. I feel extra sassy when I’ve got this makeup on, and it’s my new favorite look. 🙂

I guess you must like it too, because I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a step-by-step breakdown. So here it is!

Since it was a post for Better Than False Lashes (by the way, have you entered the giveaway yet?), I’m wearing mostly Too Faced makeup.

Also, today’s the last day of the Better Than False Lashes giveaway, so if you haven’t already entered, head on over right away! You don’t want to miss out.

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. What makeup are you wearing today? Tell me about your look in the comments.