Archives for 2013

What Scents Remind You of the ’90s?

March 6th, 2013 by Karen 74 Comments

I’ve been riding a major wave of ’90s fragrance nostalgia as of late, mostly because of the new-ish retro Clairol Herbal Essences Shine Collection Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.50 each).

Remember those?! Herbal Essences recently relaunched them and another old-school ’90s Herbal Essences Line, the Smooth Collection.

Smoooooth.

My college roommates and I always stocked our showers with Herbal Essence. Their scents remind me of waking up just before class, hopping in the shower, and sitting on the bus with wet hair…

Nivea lotion is another scent that reminds me of the ’90s and my college years. When I had a little extra pocket change, it was my big body care indulgence. So, to go with the retro Herbal Essences, I’ve been using the new Nivea Smooth Sensation Lotion ($6.99).

It absorbs quickly, without leaving my skin feeling greasy, and has that classic Nivea scent. 🙂

What scents remind you of the ’90s?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

New Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour Shades for Spring 2013

March 6th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour Spring 2013 big

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour Spring 2013 small — Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colours from the left: Belize, Fresh Raspberry, Hollywood and Maya ($26 each)

Four of the 14 new Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour Shades for Spring 2013 ($26 each). Available now at Laura Mercier counters and online.

Chic, Naturally: The 9 New Milani Color Statement Lipsticks in Natural and Brown Shades

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Naturally Chic 25 — Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Naturally Chic ($5.49), one of 30 new Color Statement Lipsticks

I’ll take a Double Espresso, Chocolate Berries and some Candied Toffees, please.

Oh, silly rabbit! I’m not talking about afternoon snacks (although they sound pretty good, don’t they?). Those are just three of the nine new scrumptious shades of natural and brown lippies in Milani’s new deliciously pigmented Color Statement Lipstick line.

Take a peek and let me know what you’re craving. 🙂

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Naturals & Browns — Natural and Brown Milani Color Statement Lipsticks from the left: Naturally Chic, Nude Creme, Dulce Caramelo, Teddy Bare, Candied Toffees, Bronze Beauty, D’oro, Chocolate Berries and Double Espresso

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Swatches Naturals and Browns — Milani Color Statement Lipstick Swatches from left: Naturally Chic, Nude Creme, Dulce Caramelo, Teddy Bare, Candied Toffees, Bronze Beauty, D’oro, Chocolate Berries and Double Espresso

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Nude Creme 26 — Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Nude Creme

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Dulce Caramelo 27 — Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Dulce Caramelo

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Teddy Bare 29 — Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Teddy Bare

[Continue reading…]

This Ocean’s Pretty Cool: The Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection for Spring 2013

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

Calling all mermaids and beach babes! The Oceanid collection by Gabriel Cosmetics ZuZu Luxe may tempt you to take the plunge into this indie line of all-natural, gluten-free and vegan makeup.

Made without synthetic chemicals or animal by-products, the line is pretty new to me, but being a water baby and all, the teals and blues caught my eye.

I also liked how Gabriel Cosmetics sprinkled in cool-toned shades for the eyes and lips — something kinda different from the warm bronzes and golds that typically come with beach-themed collections.

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Calypso Eye Shadow ($15.25 for a 0.07-ounce pan), a bright blue matte with cool undertones

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Breeze Eye Shadow ($15.25 for a 0.07-ounce pan), a shimmery warm golden teal

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Platinum Eye Shadow ($15.25 for a 0.07-ounce pan), a shimmery cool pink

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Sunset Blush ($21.50 for a 0.10-ounce pan, a shimmery, warm golden apricot

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Crystal Lip Gloss ($13.80 for a 0.17-ounce tube), a clear gloss

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Navy Mascara ($16.70 for a 0.25-ounce tube, a matte navy

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Navy Mascara brush

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Fresh Lip Liner ($13.80 for a 0.04-ounce pencil), a matte cool pink

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection Liquid Eyeliner in Taureg ($14.85 for a 0.10 ounce bottle), a matte cool brown

Gabriel Cosmetics Oceanid Collection swatches from the left: Breeze, Calypso and Platinum Eye Shadows; Sunset Blush

The stand outs? The eye shadows. They boast mad pigment, refuse to fall out and blend like buttah. I think they could easily hold their own with the MAC, NARS and Urban Decay eye shadows in my makeup bag.

Quick takes on the rest of the collection:

Sunset Blush: A super-saturated apricot with fine powder grains; love it
Navy Mascara: A little hard to see the blue; better at lengthening than thickening
Taureg Liquid Eyeliner: Loaded with pigment, but the stiff brush makes it hard for me to get sharp lines
Fresh Lip Liner: A matte cool pinkish beige that feels comfy and smooth
Crystal Lip Gloss: A non-sticky, unscented clear gloss with a very faint sugar flavor

Overall, I like this collection, especially the eye shadows and the blush, and I think the cool-toned elements add a fresh twist.

PRICE: $13.80-$21.50)
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Whole Foods, Pharmaca and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Are You a Eye Shadow Palette Purist?

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 30 Comments

EstÃ©e Lauder's New Pure Color GelÃ©e Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun — Wearing EstÃ©e Lauder’s Pure Color GelÃ©e Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun (from the new Bronze Goddess collection) on my eyes

When I was getting ready this morning, I grabbed my eye shadow palette crush o’ the moment, EstÃ©e Lauder’s Pure Color GelÃ©e Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun from the new Bronze Goddess summer (!) collection, and I wondered about how other makeup lovers like to wear eye palettes.

Par exemple, when you grab a palette, do you usually stick to the shadows in that palette, or do you like to mix and match them with other shades?

I’m not really strict about sticking to the colors in a single palette; it’s mostly about proximity, LOL! If something’s close by and will work with the palette I want to wear, then I’ll add it into the mix. But if I’m traveling and only have room in my bag for a single eye palette, then I’ll just stick to those colors.

A few of my favorite spring and summer palettes…

EstÃ©e Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun small — EstÃ©e Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun ($48)

Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection 11 — Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection ($36)

Chanel Pearl River Ombres Matelassees Eyeshadow Palette Picture — Chanel Ombres MatelassÃ©es Eyeshadow Palette in Pearl River ($80)

Guerlain Coup de Foudre — Guerlain Ã‰crin 4 Couleurs in Coup de Foudre ($59)

What about you? When you wear an eye shadow palette, do you tend to stick to just those colors? Are you an eye shadow palette purist, or do you like to mix it up?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Physicians Formula’s Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Airbrushing Bronzing Veil

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Physicians Formula's Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Airbrushing Bronzing Veil big

Physicians Formula’s Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Airbrushing Bronzing Veil in Light to Medium ($15.95), one of two available now at drugstores and online.

Physicians Formula’s Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Bronzer

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 3 Comments

Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Bronzer big

Physicians Formula’s Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Bronzer in Bronzer ($13.95), one of two available now at drugstores and online.

Aw, Snap! These New Physicians Formula Endless Color Custom Nail Trios Snap Together

March 4th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

Two things I could do all day, every day…

1. Window shop for cute spring bags

Window shopping in person and online. Just point me toward a window, and I’m there. 🙂 Right now I’ve got my eye on a few things, like…

The Poverty Flats by Rian Stripy Hobo ($68), which I LOVE!

origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Coral&resultback=0">Big Buddha Zig Zag Clutch — This Big Buddha Zig Zag Clutch ($55)

2. Paint my nails

I don’t know when it happened, but I turned into one of those gals who paints her nails a different color every single day.

Maybe it’s a phase. 🙂

Who knows? But if you also like to change things up often on your claws, these new Endless Color Custom Nail Trios from Physicians Formula ($10.95 per trio of 0.45-ounce bottles; eight trios to choose from) make that quite fun and easy.

Each of the stackable bottles in these trios snaps together (like Lego) to form a sort of nail polish wand.

When you feel like wearing a different color, SNAP!

No, I mean the bottles snap together. 🙂 Just break apart the wand.

The colors in the trios can be worn alone or layered together to create your own nail art.

So far I’ve gotten my finger into four of the eight trios…

Physicians Formula Endless Color Custom Nail Trio in Fashion Icon: sky blue (three coats), dark green (two coats) and yellow (three coats)

[Continue reading…]