Six of the 12 new MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks ($22 each). Available now at MAC counters, stores and online.
MAC’s Mineralize Rich Lipsticks
Archives for 2013
Yearning for a Retro Look in a Rush? The Tremendously Tinted Estée Lauder Mad Men Collection See Thru Blush in Light Show Sweeps Cheeks with One-Coat Color
One look at the words, “See Thru,” on the box, and I assumed I’d need a heavy hand and lots o’layering to get the new budget-breaking $50 Estée Lauder Mad Men Collection See Thru Blush in Light Show to show up on my NC42 skin, but like Don Draper, this blush is full of surprises.
And it’s just in time! — along with the other two pieces in the limited edition Mad Men Collection — for the show’s sixth season, which premiers on AMC April 7.
Hmm… Do you recall last year’s two-piece Mad Men Collection? I wonder if these releases will be an annual thing like Bronze Goddess. If so, that has to please the partners at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce… 🙂
This year/season, Estée Lauder summoned a late ’60s makeup look with a pigmented, pink powder blush with laid-back shimmer that lays down loads of color with a single swipe.
Whether You’re Standing in Front of a Mirror or in Front of a Camera Lens, the Six Neutral Shades in the Smashbox Softbox II Photo Op Eye Shadow Palette Just Click
There I stood, surrounded by piles of jeans, my feet planted shoulder-width apart, as I looked at myself in the three-way mirror of my tiny dressing room doing squats, while the stylist helping me watched from the doorway.
Two, three, four…
I paused, noting 1) the status of my muffin top in the pair of stretchy skinnies I’d just shimmied into, and 2) how the neutrals from new Smashbox Softbox II Photo Op Eye Shadow Palette were holding up (I’d already been wearing them for six hours, and still no signs of creasing or fading, yay!).
“I dunno…” I said, thinking about the jeans. “I feel a lot of muffin going on.”
“Keep going,” the stylist replied, referring to the squats. “Trust me. These start really tight, but they’ll stretch. They’ll be perfect in 10 minutes.”
Five, six, seven…
“The squats speed things along.”
Halfway through my eighth rep, I silently thanked the makeup gods for creating the Photo Op Palette.
Looking for a new pair of jeans is not one of my favorite tasks in the world. I’ll go so far as to say that it’s almost as stressful as shopping for a new swimsuit (first world problems, I know), but it’s always easier when I’m wearing eye makeup that helps me feel pretty.
Which this palette does. 🙂
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 262
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.
- How do you feel about pointy-toed shoes?
Like the look, hate the feel. They hoit! - How often do you wear colorful clothing?
Mmm…pretty often. Maybe every other day or so. I wear gray and black a lot ’cause they hide my feline overlord’s tabby fur better, but especially this time of year, I love dresses and tops in bright jewel tones and pretty pastel shades. - Close your eyes and listen for a moment… What sounds do you hear?
My fingers clacking on the keyboard, the hum of the fan in the computer, the birds singing outside and Tabs purring on my lap. - If you could only choose one — powder, cream, gel or liquid blush — which would you choose?
Powder, because I prefer how it blends. - I’m currently on a quest to _______.
Convince El Hub and Tabs that we need another cat. 😀 - What’s your favorite poem?
When You Are Old, by William Butler Yeats. - Have you ever taught a class on something?
When I was a teenager, I taught piano to some kids in my neighborhood.Ah, those poor children, LOL!
- If you were forced to evacuate your home in an emergency, what are five items you would grab?
Assuming Tabs and El Hub were safe and out of the house, I’d grab 1) my black Rick Steve’s carry-on bag (it holds a TON of stuff), and fill it with 2) my tech essentials (my backup drive, phone and charger, laptop and camera), 3) a change of clothes, 4) the travel bag I always keep ready and stocked with toiletry essentials (makeup, toothbrush, meds, etc.) and 5) my passport. - Something you’re looking forward to this week?
Visiting the new NARS San Francisco boutique on Friday! Now I have a new place to play with makeup when I go to the city. 🙂 - Have you ever ridden a unicycle?
Nope, but I’ve always wanted to. They look fun, and I have a pretty decent sense of balance, so I’m curious how I’d do.
To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.
Le List
1. How do you feel about pointy-toed shoes?
2. How often do you wear colorful clothing?
3. What sounds do you hear right now?
4. Powder, cream, gel or liquid blush?
5. I’m currently on a quest to _____.
6. What’s your favorite poem?
7. Have you ever taught a class on something?
8. You’re forced to evacuate! What are five items you would grab?
9. Something you’re looking forward to this week?
10. Have you ever ridden a unicycle?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Apparently, Trader Joe’s Hires Slacker Ponies…
I found Jojo the Pony, a Trader Joe’s Crew Member, hiding on a top shelf. I guess he wasn’t in the mood to bag groceries.
Estée Lauder’s Mad Men Collection Nail Lacquer in Pink Paisley
Estée Lauder’s Mad Men Collection Nail Lacquer in Pink Paisley ($24), available now at counters and online.
Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 234
Today Tabs learned that some lizards can breathe underwater…
We call them salamanders, but Tabs had never heard that word before. He saw one and a bunch of other cool stuff on his solo hike today through the Indian Valley Open Space Preserve.
Right after I got up this morning, I stumbled downstairs looking for coffee, and there was Tabs getting geared up by the front door. He was wearing his feline fanny pack, which he’d already filled with Feline Greenies, a water bottle, his iPhone pre-loaded with trail maps, a can of Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers (turkey in gravy, of course) and his little Leatherman multitool (which has a can opener).
“Going for a walk?” I asked.
“Mrow,” he replied. A backcountry hike.
He was gone for five hours! — during which time I caught up on some admin stuff for the blog, did four loads of laundry, and did a ton of high-intensity lounging around.
Tabs looked exhausted when he finally walked through the door. His paws were covered in red dirt and he had thorny stickers in his fur.
He groaned when he took off his pack, and then went on to tell me a tale that started with his meeting a nice horse, followed by a steep climb to the top of a tall hill, a hike to a waterfall where he spotted the salamander, a high-speed chase involving a huge dog, and how he carved his name into a tree with his pocketknife.
Yup, while I did a whole lotta nothin’ today, my cat had quite an adventure. 🙂
Did you have a good weekend? Any adventures to report? Whatever you got into, please tell me you did something fun.
Oh, here are the latest pics (and a YouTube commercial) from Tabs’ ever-growing kitty modeling portfolio. If you’ve been following A Relaxing Time, the next installment (the ninth/grand finale, I believe) is coming soon…
They’re Ba-ack
Finally! The cherry blossoms are blooming in Nor Cal. Spring’s just around the corner. 🙂
