I went to San Francisco last Saturday to sightsee and putz around. 🙂 My hair looks a little cray in this pic, but I love the bright blue sky and the shapes of the high-rises in the background.
Against a Bright Blue Sky
Archives for 2013
These Super-Sized Pinkish Purple Pearls Sparkle With Silver Shimmer: Guerlain Météorites Perles du Paradis Illuminating Sparkling Powder
I like big cats and I cannot lie (those other brothers can’t deny)…
I also like huge hoop earrings, XXL scoops of ice cream (really, if you’re gonna indulge, might as well go all out) and the super-sized shimmery pearls in Guerlain’s $70 spring highlighter, Météorites Perles du Paradis.
Don’t these look almost good enough to eat? You might want to keep them away from young children and, um, inebriated adults, because not only do they look pretty tasty, they also smell like those yummy rose and violet hard candies they sell at the Asian grocery store, om nom nom…
And I like their name, Perles du Paradis, oui, oui! Pearls of paradise, I think. When I swirl a brush in the jar (I prefer a brush, but the product comes with a pink puff), the pearls tinkle like wind chimes.
I think these pearls look, smell and even sound great, but what, exactly, are they designed to do? Guerlain says the six shimmery skin-toned and pastel pearls that come in the jar brighten dull skin by reflecting light and boosting radiance, and they work with all skin tones.
Sneaking Chic Into Your Day, Guerlain’s Spring 2013 Automatique Lipsticks in Flirt and Ballarde Unleash Your Inner Lipstick Ninja
Did I have to try very hard to feel fancy with shimmery pink Rouge Automatique in Ballarde and creamy berry Shine Automatique in Flirt, two of four $35 full-coverage Guerlain Automatique Lipsticks for spring 2013, in my makeup bag last weekend?
Nope, not at all. Actually, it was Automatique. 🙂
Good thing, too, because $35 is a lot for a single tube! Heck, for $35, these better be like little lipstick versions of extra tall, diamond-studded tiaras.
So, just how do these elevate your day (and your lipstick game) to make you feel fancy? Let me count the ways…
1. The Transformers-style gold tube
Whenever I slide the little “G” button on side of the tube, and the lipstick emerges from the trapdoor top like a rabbit from a magician’s hat, wow! — that’s makeup magic.
From top to bottom, these are dressed to the nines, and I also love the little details, like the scripty Guerlain font at the top of the cap and the base of the bullet.
2. The tea rose flavor and scent
Light and fresh, like fragrant petals strewn across a satin pillow, the fragrance and flavor are just little touches, but they enhance the whole, “You’re being pampered,” experience.
3. The moisturizing, long-lasting formula
I’m hesitant to use these in a sentence with “stretchy pants,” since Guerlain positions itself several steps above that, but dang if these don’t feel that comfortable to me. My dry winter lips love the moisturizing formula.
And I almost can’t believe that non-matte lipsticks as slick, smooth and lightweight as these can last as long as they do — from 3-5 hours. That’s kind of epic.
4. They make me feel like a straight-up lipstick ninja!
I’ve been sneaking around with two of these Automatiques for days, stealthily slicking my lips on the sly, and no one’s been the wiser.
You know how sometimes when you go out to dinner and want a touch-up after the meal but don’t want to make a big production out of it? I’ll pull one of these from my purse, flick the switch on the side with my thumb to engage the lipstick bullet, slide a single layer on my bottom lip, rub my lips together, and check my reflection in the reflection on the side of the golden tube. Ninja style. Takes all of about five seconds.
[Continue reading…]
MAC’s Antique Diamond Pro Longwear Paint Pot
MAC’s Antique Diamond ($18.50), one of eight new Pro Longwear Paint Pots available now at maccosmetics.com.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 258
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 today?
Like a Corvette Stingray firing on all cylinders (for once, LOL!), so pretty darn great for a Monday. Wish I could say I felt like this naturally, but I can’t deny the high-octane power of coffee. - Do you prefer to go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
How ’bout brunch!? 🙂 Ideally on a sunny Sunday mid-morning with mimosas. - Do you have any hobbies?
Surfing, knitting, photography, cat watching and gardening. - If you had to do one or the other…would you rather talk like Yoda or breathe like Vader?
Talk like Yoda, I would. Sometimes now I do already. - What color is your car/bike?
Gunmetal grey, dusted with a light layer of road grime. - What’s one movie you watched a million times (or thereabouts) as a kid?
Dirty Dancing! It was the summer of sixth grade…and I watched it every single day. Sometimes twice! Even now, whenever I’m clicking through the channels and it’s on, I’ll stop and watch. - What’s one thing you’re always really glad you did?
I’m really glad I went on that second date with El Hub. I’m also really, REALLY glad I took typing and public speaking classes in high school. - You must choose: would you rather be trapped in a broken elevator or on a broken ski lift chair?
That’s a tough one…but I’d go with the broken ski lift chair, because I’m claustrophobic, and the very thought of being trapped in an elevator makes my heart pound in my chest! - What was your last impulse beauty purchase?
A package of Ole Henriksen face wipes, which I dropped in my based at the last minute on a trip to Sephora a couple weeks ago to stock up on skin care. - What are your weekly goals?
To stick to my deadlines, to give myself little rewards along the way for accomplishing tasks, and to take Tabs outside for more walks now that it’s getting a little warmer. 🙂
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 today?
2. Do you prefer to go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
3. Do you have any hobbies?
4. If you had to do one or the other…would you rather talk like Yoda or breathe like Vader?
5. What color is your car/bike?
6. What’s one movie you watched a million times (approximately) as a kid?
7. What’s one thing you’re always really glad you did?
8. Would you rather be trapped in a broken elevator or on a broken ski lift chair?
9. What was your last impulse beauty purchase?
10. What are your weekly goals?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Time for Tea
Would you like a cup of red rooibos? Plain or with milk and sugar?
Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 230
A RELAXING TIME: PART 6
by Tabs the Cat
They were at the mouth of the forest where a dirt road led deeper into the dark woods. The gray cat was fast and picked up the pace, pulling ahead of Tabs.
Tabs felt a twinge of panic as he tried to catch up alongside the gray cat but found that he couldn’t. Tabs was a few feet behind and running flat out like a startled rabbit.
Tall pines lined both sides of the road, blocking much of the moonlight from reaching the forest floor. It was dark and getting darker as they left the rocky beach further behind. Good thing Tabs had the night vision of a master mouser.
Barking. Coming from far behind them. Tabs wasn’t sure at first, but then he was. Like Rottweiler barking, low and full-throated, mixed with growls.
The wolves were talking, but Tabs couldn’t make out the words. Probably trading recipes for ways to prepare cat…whether roasted or grilled.
It pushed Tabs to run a little harder, which brought him up alongside the gray cat, who glanced over, then gestured up ahead with his snout.
“Meow!” We’re here!
The road turned to a circular dirt driveway. Up ahead, at the end of the loop, was a large wooden one-story building, about the size of a Sephora. A green truck was parked in front of what Tabs figured must be the main entrance.
“Mraw,” the gray cat said. It’s an old ranger’s station. They slowed to a trot, both of them panting, down low in stealth formation, and the gray cat guided them around the truck toward the left side of the building.
A boxy ground-level air conditioning unit, about three feet tall, sat flush against the wall. “Mrow?” the gray cat asked. See that plank up there?
Tabs did. It was a narrow wooden plank that rested at an angle from the top of the air conditioner up to a windowsill. The gray cat motioned toward it with his nose, directing Tabs to head that way. “Meow-ow.” You can get to the roof.
“Mrow?” Tabs asked, a little perplexed. Aren’t you coming?
“Mroh,” the gray cat answered, standing his ground. I’ll be right behind you.
Tabs thought about it for a second, wondering why the gray cat didn’t just lead the way.
“Meow!” the gray cat finally ordered, raising his gravely voice. Go on, get!
It jolted Tabs into action. There were some things his little kitty brain struggled with, like doors and can openers, but climbing was not one of them. In about half a second, or two beats of a terrified tabby’s heart, he processed the entire scene with mathematical precision, calculating the proper angle of approach to the plank, the appropriate speed-to-weight ratio and the amount of force he’d have to exert to leap from the windowsill up to the rain gutter, which led up to the roof.
In one fluid maneuver, he hopped up on the air conditioner, zipped up the plank to the windowsill, jumped to a crook where the rain gutter met the wall, and then carefully walked up along the gutter before pulling himself onto the roof.
Yes! He’d made it. It was a wooden roof, easy to walk on, with a shallow slant, and it was much brighter up here under the open sky than it was down in the forest.
Tabs peered over the edge at the gray cat, who looked relieved. Tabs was shocked that the gray cat was still standing on the ground. What was he waiting for? “Meow!” Tabs called down. Hurry!
The wolves would be upon them any moment now, and Tabs thought he even heard their footfalls on the dirt road.
The gray cat nodded once, leapt up on the air conditioner, and pushed the wooden plank off the unit with his paw. It tumbled and crashed to the ground.
“Mrrow!?” Tabs said. What are you doing!? Tabs couldn’t believe his eyes.
The gray cat looked up at Tabs with kindness in his eyes “Mrow,” he spoke softly. I recognized you back there on the lake. “Meow.” Tabs, you’re one of my heroes.
Tabs was speechless. Heroes? What did the gray cat mean?
The gray hopped down to the ground, and then looked back up to Tabs. “Meow-row,” he said, his eyes glistening in the moonlight. You’ll be safe here till morning. I’ll lead them away.
“Mroww,” Tabs mewled, as the gray cat turned back toward the woods. Wait.
But the gray took off like a falcon in the night, disappearing into a copse of thick trees. “Mew…” Tabs whimpered after him. No…
— TO BE CONTINUED —
To follow our story from the beginning…
Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Kristina! Congratulations, Kristina! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Been a busy week here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC! Things kicked into overdrive when Friskies tapped Tabs to be their Global Gravy Ambassador.
What an honor. 🙂
But it’s been intense! The position involves a lot of PR, lots of travel, building buzz about gravy and the gravy-eating lifestyle to cats around the world. To prepare himself, Tabs has immersed himself in gravy…
Not literally, of course. I mean he’s been doing a lot of napping, purr-chirping and, yes, eating lots of gravy.
I’d say it’s grueling, but it’s really not.
Today is actually the first day off Tabs has had in weeks. I asked him this morning what his plans were, and he said, “Mrow!” He’s going to spend the day gaming and might stop by Sephora and Petco to stock up on essentials…
And speaking of stocking up on essentials, have you entered this weekend’s Sephora eGift card giveaway yet?
I try to host one every week to say “thank you” for visiting the blog. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, and I’m grateful that you include me and Tabs in your online travels.
Details to enter are just down below (only takes a comment at the bottom of this post). Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch up with you soon.
What folks are saying…
“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)
- One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).
- 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 are your favorite video games? Do you ever play video games on your phone? Chocolate for breakfast: yes or no? What’s your favorite city? What under-eye concealer is your absolute favorite and why? What’s one makeup brush you absolutely can’t live without? What’s the craziest makeup look you’ve done over the past year? What are your biggest beauty concerns these days? — you get the idea.
- Second, you can enter by following me on
Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/Z0IKfU
- The deadline to enter is Sunday, February 10, 2013 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 of any country 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).
- Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
- 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 Kristina! Congratulations, Kristina! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂