Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup
A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict
Greek isle or metallurgical experiment? How about both? Or neither…?
With NARS Cythere Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, it’s as if NARS melted down a rose gold bracelet and poured the molten metal into a mould the shape of a gloss.
Neat! And like the two most recent products I’ve tried from the spring 2013 collection so far — Dressed to Kill Lipstick and Seduction Blush — Cythere is intense, and yet it’s probably the springier, more wearable of the two lip products from the launch.
Tabby-san, your training is almost complete. You have learned to wax on, wax off, and to refrain from sweeping the leg (so not kosher!).
But by far the most important lesson you have learned under my tutelage is your extensive knowledge of useless fun facts, including the names of long-forgotten R&B girl groups and how they relate to makeup.
I sleep soundly at night knowing that you are now prepared to answer crucial questions like, “Which early ’90s trio shares names with the new NARS spring 2013 blush?”
“Meow!”
Yes, Tabby-san! You are correct. The answer is Seduction…
Released with the new Spring 2013 collection, Seduction is not only one of the most intensely pigmented blushes I’ve ever worn, it’s also the name of the girl group trio behind hits like Heartbeat and It Takes Two.
Does Seduction the band have anything to do with Seduction the blush? Well, no…although both of them do make me want to do The Snake.
The blush, a rich, brick red berry with a satiny finish, officially launches tomorrow.
The color’s also a perfect match for Dressed to Kill lipstick, also from the spring collection…just in case you were already thinking about bringing the later home. Hint-hint. 😉
If you fancy yourself as savvy when it comes to vivid blushes like NARS Mounia and MAC Frankly Scarlet, prepare to be seduced by Seduction.
It’s the kind of color that says, “Hey, look at me. JAZZ HANDS!!” But if you decide to take the plunge, keep your fan brush and a tissue handy…
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.
I know he just wants food, but I’m going to pretend he’s happy to see me.
Oh, you were talking about Kevin Bacon? Well I love him, too. I’ll always have place in my heart for the OG Footloose (“Kick off your Sunday shoes!”).
Unfortunately, the milk leaked in the bag and soaked everything, but I guess it wasn’t a big whoop because I don’t remember crying about it…the spilled milk. 🙂
I’m not sure when it changed — probably after being knocked down by life a few times (unexpected family illnesses, starting to perceive my own mortality, facing failure at work, that sort of thing).
Sometimes, I think I’m also just too exhausted to try, like I’ve temporarily depleted my willpower.
I have a bad habit of losing jewelry, which is one big reason why I like costume jewelry so much.
But with my engagement and wedding rings, I told El Hub, “Um, yeah. Not gonna be costume jewelry.” LOL! And I’ve developed some extra-paranoid tactics to keep from losing them, like storing them in the same designated place in the house whenever I take them off, or never taking them off at all when I’m away from home.
So far, so good (knock on wood!), although I have left them in a pocket before and found them later in the washing machine…
Whoops!
First thing, I wash my face, and lately I’ve been using Neutrogena’s All-in-1 Acne Control Daily Face Scrub because I’ve got some acne on my chin. It seems to be getting them under control.
I follow that up with a serum by Skinceuticals called CE Ferulic, which I’ve been using and loving for the past few months.
I think it’s totally changed my skin — made it generally brighter, more even-toned and smoother.
Then I apply my eye cream, lately SK-II’s Skin Signature.
After that, I rub Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac Clearing Lotion around my mouth, chin and jaw. (For the zits! It’s an acne treatment.)
Lastly, sunscreen, and right now I’m using Clarins SPF 30 Wrinkle Control on my eyes and Caudalie Vinoperfect SPF 15 Day Perfecting Fluid on the rest of my face.
I’m so over procrastinating. I’m just sick of it!
This hit me last week when I went to meet a friend for lunch. I’m usually rushing to make it out the door at the last minute and always feeling kind of frazzled, but that day I left the house early, with time to spare, and made it to lunch 15 minutes early.
Wow.
It felt great! And I sorta rediscovered how much I like getting stuff done early. Somewhere along the way, I turned into a procrastinator, and I don’t think it suits me anymore…
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 right now?
2. Bacon: love it or leave it?
3. If you could spend a year living anywhere, and the living would be easy, where would you live?
4. Do you remember your very first day of school?
5. What’s something that sometimes holds you back?
6. What’s one keepsake it would break your heart to lose?
7. Do you have a morning skincare routine?
8. When you’re feeling grubby, what’s one thing you do to look/feel polished?
9. What’s been your favorite day of the year so far?
10. What are your weekly goals?
What’s up, cutie? Here’s a big Monday morning hug (HUG).
But if you don’t like your personal space invaded, then please take this gentle shoulder squeeze from an arm’s length away. 🙂
It’s with great relief that I can finally say that — TA-DA! — I’m finally done watching The Hills. And I’m a better person for it!
Okay, not really, but it was good enough brain candy while it lasted.
I just started a new show called Homeland with Claire Danes. I’m five episodes in, and it’s intense!
I needed something to tide me over until The Walking Dead comes back next month, and this should do nicely.
Anyway, hope you’re having a good day so far. Looking forward to sharing another week with you.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the Cat, commonly regarded as “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most widely syndicated cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.
DEAR TABBY,
First — fangirl moment! — I really enjoy your column, Tabs. I’ve been reading it since the very beginning and always trust your advice. Love ya!
Okay, I’ll cut to the chase. I’m a former outdoor kitty who’s having a hard time adjusting to indoor life.
I had been living on my own for years, mostly camping outdoors, before meeting my assistant, Mary, whom I now care for deeply.
When Mary got her new place, she asked me to move in with her, and I said, “meow!” Why not? Since we got along so well.
Thing is, the move came with a condition: I had to relinquish my outdoor privileges.
Ouch.
Tabs, I love my assistant more than gravy (well…) and want to make this arrangement work, but I’m struggling with adjusting to life indoors. I spend hours gazing out the windows, wondering what the other cats in the neighborhood are doing and wishing I could be out there with them, hunting, playing and having a good old time.
I feel myself resenting Mary a little more each day, and I’m turning into a cranky cat. Once, last week, I even tried to make a break for it behind Mary’s back when she opened the door.
Tabby, what should I do? I love my assistant, but I just don’t know if I’m cut out to be an indoor kitty.
— Indoors in Indiana
DEAR INDOORS:
I completely understand. I spent my entire kitten-hood outdoors cruising the mean streets of Mill Valley before committing to a full-time indoor environment.
It’s hard…not having the freedom to roam.
But try to remember the perks that come with indoor living. Think about it! No more having to hunt for food and always having a warm place to nap. Plus, recent advancements in cat toy technology mean that indoor kitties have more entertainment options than ever.
Here’s another idea: have you considered learning to walk on a leash? I’ve found that long walks outdoors with my assistant have definitely made indoor living easier.
On leash, you can still get your fix for the outdoors, and you can get it without any outdoor cat drama (ugh! I’m so over territorial skirmishes!). It’s also a great way to spend quality time with your assistant.
DEAR TABBY,
Sometimes, because I think it’s stylish and different, I like to wear my collar slightly askew, but some humans think it’s perfectly acceptable to readjust my collar without asking!
“Mrrow!” It drives me batty! And it’s bad enough when my assistant does it, but at least I know her. I’ve even had professional acquaintances and complete strangers do it without asking.
The last time it happened, I hissed, and the woman — get this — took offense.
Tabs, am I wrong to think my collar is off limits?
— Cranky in Cupertino
DEAR CRANKY:
I’ve had the same thing happen before, and you know, I don’t understand it either.
Perhaps it’s just people trying to be helpful, or maybe it’s an impulsive/compulsive behavior.
The most important thing is that it made you uncomfortable, so you had every right to hiss. The woman should’ve asked you first. It would’ve been the polite thing to do. Hello, newsflash. Cats are sensitive about their personal space.
[Continue reading…]
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Candee702! Congratulations, Candee! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Hi there! Nice to see you this morning. Tabs and I (and these three bears) are out here freezing our tails off today. It dropped down into the upper 20s last night, and it’s barely above freezing right now. Late last night I covered our one citrus tree with a big bed sheet to hopefully keep it a little warmer.
Not much new to report. I’m having some toast for breakfast, and then I’m gonna hop on the treadmill for a spell. After that, who knows? The sky’s the limit! 🙂
Hope you have a great Saturday (don’t forget to enter this weekend’s giveaway), and I’ll touch base again soon.
What folks are saying…
“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)“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana
Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Candee702! Congratulations, Candee! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Grab your mouse and use the pointer thing-a-ma-bobber to pet Tabs’ voluptuous tum!
Today my lipstick was dressed to kill, but I was not.
I wore the new NARS Dressed to Kill lipstick ($24, from the spring 2013 collection) on my lips to go with my hot pink capri sweatpants and black hoodie (heart you, Zella Galaxy!!).
So I guess that made me, “Dressed to sit on the couch and watch bad reality TV.” Or, “Dressed to pass out at any given moment.” Or, “Dressed to sit drooling on the couch while completely covered in cat hair.”
Clearly, I missed the memo, as this rich, plummy brick red, with its golden glitter sprinkles, deserves better than that. It deserved to strut down the street with skintight jeans, over-the-knee black boots and a sassy leather jacket.
It deserves man-eater clothes. And you deserve Dressed to Kill. 🙂
You know, I can’t say I’ve had the most productive Friday…
Good grief, lady! — I have not been able to concentrate for squat!
It’s called “Friday brain,” and symptoms include an inability to concentrate on important tasks, like bill paying, making phone calls for work and catering to your cat’s weird whims (such as carrying him up and down the stairs), and an enhanced ability to focus on frivolous, fun tasks, like looking up movie times, doing the robot to that catchy Bruno Mars song (Locked Out of Heaven) or going to Sephora.
DO THE ROBOT!!
Which reminds me, I ran into Sephora earlier this afternoon to grab a new bottle of Living Proof Restore Shampoo, because it keeps my hair from acting wonky, and I spotted a couple of new things while I was there.
Like these new Stila Beauty Balms…
I seem to recall Stila having another beauty balm, but I don’t think that one contains SPF. All three of these new ones do — broad-spectrum SPF 30 — which means they protect against UVA and UVB rays.
The one in the white tube on the far left, HD Beauty Balm — I think that one is supposed to work like a straight-up primer; Illuminating Beauty Balm, the one in the peachy tube, is supposed to give a brightening glow to the skin; and the Bronzing Beauty Balm, the third one, is supposed to impart a bronze tint.
All of them also claim to do a bunch of other cool things, like priming the skin for makeup, mellowing out imperfections and fortifying the skin with antioxidants…
I didn’t try them on my face in the store, but I did swatch, and based on the swatches, I liked the texture. They felt fairly light, not overly greasy or heavy (all three are oil-free), and when I rubbed them in, my skin had a slight sheen (but still looked pretty natural).
Should be good for girls who don’t like to wear a ton of foundation.
