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Archives for December 2014

What Have You Learned About Your Hair and/or Makeup This Year?

December 24th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

This year was an eye-opener for me in terms of hair and makeup. I learned many things, like to make my next appointment at the salon before I leave the salon (otherwise, I’ll just forget, and by the time I remember, my roots will be out-of-freaking control), and how a messy sock bun can help you make it through one more day without washing your hair.

I also realized that Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fluide is basically a makeup miracle in a bottle, and Smashbox’s Pore Minimizing Primer is capable of some seriously amazing skin-smoothing feats.

But the biggest hair/makeup lesson I learned was to push past the point in my eye makeup when everything looks like a hot mess.

I call it: the metaphorical makeup hump

It’s that moment in the eye makeup application process that I like to call (air quotes) “the metaphorical makeup hump,” when you feel like you’ve just jumped off a bridge, and you’re plummeting to the ground, and you start to freak out because you’re not sure if somebody remembered to tie your bungee cord to something solid.

I learned that at this point you have to press on and push through the doubt; the look will come together eventually, if you Just. Keep. Going.

For me, the feeling usually strikes when I’m trying something out of my comfort zone, or when I’m doing a look where there’s very specific placement of dark colors, and everything looks terribly janky when I get to the hump, like a “don’t picture” in a “dos and don’ts” column in a glossy magazine (“Don’t do this!” and then you see a picture of me with half-finished smokey eyes looking all confused, haha!), but if I see it through, things usually fall into place.

How about you? What have you learned about your hair and/or makeup this year?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Merry Christmas Eve!

There are 23 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Look Book: Save Time With Big Lashes and Bold Lips

December 23rd, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted StrawberryToo Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Strawberry
When you’re trying to look cute but your hair is crazytown

Big lashes + bold lips = a purr-fect pairing! The combo is one of the fastest ways to get a dramatic makeup look without using a ton of different products.

There are times when “I’ll be done with my makeup in 20 minutes” really has to mean 20 minutes…and not 45, and in order to prevent El Hub from yelling things like, “You said you’d be done in 20 minutes an hour ago!” I’ll pop on the biggest, fluffiest, most dramatic pair of false lashes I can find (I keep a few pairs around because you just never know) and a bold lip color — usually a fiery red, hot pink or colorful coral (basically, if it’s a color that could stop traffic, it’s a contender).

I love doing this look because it’s so much quicker than looks with intense and complicated blending on the lids or dramatic winged liner, and I can play up both my lips and eyes with minimal effort.

Katy Perry Color Pop Lashes and Too Face Melted Liquified Lipstick in Strawberry
Katy Perry Color Pop Lashes ($10) and Too Face Melted Liquified Lipstick in Strawberry ($21)

Melted Liquified Lipstick in Melted Strawberry is one of several new Melted Lipstick shades available now at Too Faced counters and online for $21 each. Melted Strawberry’s a smooth, lightweight full-coverage creamy red. When I use it, I prep my lips first with a lip balm because these lipsticks can be kind of drying, and then I apply it with a lip brush to get a nice crisp edge.

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There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), Lips, Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To, Too Faced

[SPONSORED] Comment to Win $152 in Fragrances From i smell great and the Maker of CLEAN Perfume

December 23rd, 2014 by Karen 284 Comments

Comment to Win $152 in Fragrances From i smell great
Comment to win $152 in fragrances from i smell great! DEADLINE TO ENTER: Dec. 31, 2014.

***The giveaway is officially closed.*** CONGRATULATIONS, CHELSEA! You’re the lucky girl! I received your email response, so keep your eyes (and nose) peeled over the next few days for your fragrant prize. 🙂

The following post is sponsored by i smell great. From the creator of CLEAN perfume, the scents you love, extracted, encapsulated, bottled. Isn’t that great? Learn more at ismellgreat.com.

It’s been about a month and a half since I aromatically introduced myself to i smell great, and I’m still crushing hard.

The new line of easy-to-wear, mix-and-matchable scented lotions, potions and hair products is gentle enough to WANT to wear every day, and I like all four fragrances — Beach Babe, Candy Crush, Angel Cake and Wild Honey — none of which are so strong that they overpower everything when you walk into a room (in other words, nothing like the smell of popcorn).

And I’m still having fun with the idea of layering the different fragrances together, which come in different hair and body products, to create unique combos.

The layering/mixing/matching idea is their special power, along with being hella long-lasting, and I have yet to create a combo I haven’t liked. Individually, they’re all very light and gentle.

i smell great: the four fragrances

  • beach babe: Ah, take me away to a land of tropical breezes, coconut cream and golden suntan oil…
  • candy crush: Mouthwatering candied flower petals, rose syrup, icing sugar and candy hearts to tempt and tease you.
  • angel cake: A comfy, cozy scent with notes of pink icing, powdered sugar and candied almonds…with a touch of sweetness.
  • wild honey: A soothing synthesis of honey, brown sugar, Tahitian vanilla and sweet nectar make this intoxicating aroma irresistible.

The Soft Body Whip in Candy Crush + Wellness Water Mist in Angel Cake combo is currently nominated for ride-or-die status in my house.

There’s a corner of one shelf in my bathroom cabinet reserved for my favorite body lotions and body products, and i smell great stuff is all up in the mix.
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There are 284 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Fragrance, Giveaways, i smell great, Sponsored Post

SPONSORED: The Purina Pro Plan Cat Christmas Treats Giveaway

December 22nd, 2014 by Karen 65 Comments

A Purina Pro Plan Cat Treat Giveaway

***The giveaway is officially closed.*** CONGRATULATIONS, LISA! You and your furball are the winners. Check the email you used in your comment, and get back to me with your full name, age and mailing address by Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.

Ho-ho-ho! Meowy Christmas!

Tabs pulled his weight this year to finagle a feline giveaway of taste-tacular proportions with his sponsor, Purina. It’s a prize package of Tabs-tested treats and swag/accessories, like food bowls and Catty Stacks, which are these cool cardboard boxes you can stack like Lego into custom kitty condos.

To enter on behalf of your cat (unless your cat can type…because some can), just leave a comment about anything at the bottom of this post before the deadline at 11:59 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday, Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve!). Full details below.

Good luck! 🙂

This post is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan #proplancatpartner. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan Cat

Santa Tabs and I will choose one lucky winner at random to receive a prize pack with the following…

Because cats love boxes

  • (2) 2.1-oz. bags of Purina Pro Plan Savory Bites in Chicken (Rated #1 by Tabs!)
  • (1) 2.1-oz. bag of Purina Pro Plan Savory Bites in Tuna
  • (1) 2.1-oz. bag of Purina Pro Plan Savory Bites in Salmon
  • (1) Purina Pro Plan convenient treat dispenser
  • (2) Purina Pro Plan plastic food bowls
  • (2) Purina Pro Plan easy-clean placemats
  • (2) Catty Stacks cardboard box kits (because cats love boxes!)

A Purina Pro Plan Cat Treat Giveaway
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There are 65 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun, Sponsored Post, Tabs

10 Things I Love About MAC

December 22nd, 2014 by Karen 24 Comments

10 Things I Love About MAC Cosmetics

1. Their classic neutral brown and beige shades

Before the Urban Decay Naked palette took the makeup world by storm, there were old-school MAC brown and beige neutrals like Brule, Mylar, Ricepaper, Shroom, Soba, Samoa Silk, Kid, Bamboo, Omega, Cork, Wedge, Brun, Soft Brown and Saddle, among other shades. I could write sonnets and dissertations on their awesome sauce.

MAC has a well-deserved rep for crazy colorful shades and brights, but that’s just part of what they do. Some of my friends who are less enthusiastic about makeup than I am say things like, “They’re the ones that do the crazy bright green drag show eyeshadow, right?” and I’m like, um…yeah, they do some of that, but there are also so many great neutrals in the line.

Some of their permanent collection neutrals are timeless classics that women (and men) of all ages can wear.

Shoot, I hope I’m still rocking Soba when I’m 80. That’s the plan. 🙂

Maybelline Blackest Black Lasting Drama Eyestudio
Wearing MAC Soft Ochre Paint Pot, Mylar Eye Shadow, Cork Eye Shadow and Brun Eye Shadow on my lids

2. The MAC Rick Baker Monsters Bride Palette

I never expected to like this LE palette as much as I do, but it quickly became one of my most trusted companions this year. It always goes with me on trips, where it gets a coveted spot in my everyday essentials makeup bag.

There is one eyeshadow in it called Bitter, a crazy green, that I never use, but all of the other shades are ones I use and love, like Brun, Mylar, Omega, Club and Carbon.

My default neutral look with this palette is something soft and defined that I do all the time with Mylar all over the lid from lash line to brow bone, Omega in the crease, Brun in the outer corner and Carbon smudged along my upper lash line…

Then, if I’m feeling sassy, I’ll add Club on my lid on top of Mylar.

MAC The Monsters Bride Pro Palette X 6
MAC The Monsters Bride Pro Palette X 6

3. Woodwinked Eye Shadow

Woodwinked is one of all-time greatest two-for-one shadows. Pat it on with a flat 239 Eye Shader Brush for a warm and shimmery golden brown, or buff it out with a 217 for a warm orangey brown with a satin finish. Either way: beautiful!

4. The 217 blending brush

I use the 217 every. Single. Day. It’s not just a brush for me; it’s an investment.

I have multiple 217s. That’s how serious I am about it, and I use them for so many things, like for applying and blending eyeshadow and under-eye concealer, applying highlighter and spot application of face powders. Those are just a few of the things I use the awesome 217 for.

5. Fix+

Another MAC ride-or-die product I never knowingly leave the house without (I always bring a tiny bottle with me when I travel). I use it for many different things, but mostly for blending out full-coverage foundations and under-eye concealers to make them look more natural.
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There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup, Makeup

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 352

December 22nd, 2014 by Karen 46 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for Monday, Dec. 22, 2014
The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for Monday, Dec. 22, 2014

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

  1. My signature makeup look?
    A smokey something-or-other with a cat eye of some sort — some version of a smokey cat eye combination, usually with nude lips because they’re easy. Or, plain lids, big lashes and bright lips.
  2. One of my etiquette pet peeves…
    I cannot stand it when the person who uses the bathroom before me doesn’t change the toilet paper, when there’s clearly not enough toilet paper for the next person. They’ll leave one square or an empty roll. Really? You have to — the toilet paper’s gotta get changed! You’re already sitting on the pot, so you might as well change it. It takes like 2 seconds! 🙂
  3. My secret beauty weapons are…
    Getting as much sleep as possible (if I could, I’d sleep nine hours per night) and drinking obscene amounts of water.
  4. One or two things that are always in my fridge:
    Some kind of stinky cheese (the stinkier the better) and half-eaten cans of cat food.
  5. I will never care about…
    Lamb chops.

    I just really don’t like the sound of those two words together.

Le List

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!


1. My signature makeup look?
2. One of my etiquette pet peeves…
3. My secret beauty weapons are…
4. One or two things that are always in my fridge:
5. I will never care about…

I sure hope it doesn’t rain on Christmas, but it looks like it might.

That reminds me — when I was young, I was terrified of it raining on Christmas because my grandma once told me that when it rains on Christmas…Jesus is crying, and when you’re in the third grade, and you hear that, and it’s pouring outside, you’re like, “What did I do to make Jesus cry!?”

Yup.

My friend Cindy’s birthday party yesterday was a lot of fun. I feel like we were just celebrating her thirtieth, but this was her fortieth, and it was carb city! We had spaghetti and meatballs and yummy grilled potatoes, some grilled cheeses. It was awesome.

The Hillside Supper Club in San Francisco
The Hillside Supper Club in San Francisco

And we all gave her gifts that fit our personalities, like her friend Bernadette, who loves to cook, gave her a fancy imported French pâté, and then I, of course, gave her something beauty-related, a Bvlgari perfume. Her other friend, Grace, who’s kind of a jokester, got her a Hot Guys & Baby Animals calendar, also known as “the gift that keeps on giving.” 🙂

This week, per my feline employer’s demands, we have to leave the premises so that he can hang out with his favorite petsitter, so we’re heading to my parents’ house in the East Bay, and then up to see my in-laws in Redding.

Are you ready for Christmas? Are all the presents wrapped?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 46 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 326

December 21st, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

10 Felines to Follow on Instagram

Festive greetings, fellow felines and human friends! I’ve been hard at work not hardly working, as my assistant would say.

Eh, but what does she know? It’s hard to take somebody seriously who wears stretchy pants as often as she does.

This week I finally got my new iPhone. Merry Christmas to me! It’s one of those giant ones — I think they call it a phablet? I needed a new phone to take more selfies for work and to follow my favorite felines and feline accounts on Instagram.

Here are 10 of my faves. I think you’ll like these a lot.

Purrs and kisses,

Tabs

fidel_cat (9.3k followers)

A photo posted by Fidel Catstro (@fidel_cat) on May 5, 2014 at 12:00pm PDT

professor_pouncey (44.1k followers)

Hooray it's #Caturday!

A photo posted by Pouncey Pants Ph.D (@professor_pouncey) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:42am PST

oskar_the_blind_cat (75.6k followers)

A video posted by Oskar the Blind Cat (@oskar_the_blind_cat) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:37pm PST


[Continue reading…]

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Sponsored Post, Tabs

7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

December 20th, 2014 by Karen 272 Comments

Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog
Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog

It’s basically Christmas week, yo. It’s here! Christmas is on Thursday!

Aaaaand I do still have a little shopping to do, but I don’t mind the crowds. Not really. It reminds me of the days when I used to work at the mall during the holidays and how busy it would be, with everyone so happy, and the children waiting to see Santa. And how clueless most of the dudes were. If I had a dollar for every little black purse I sold to a clueless dude shopping at The Limited…

We don’t really get snow out here at sea level (this year, just massive amounts of cold rain), but I always like the idea of it snowing on Christmas. What about where you live? Do you think you’ll have a white Christmas?

A little later today, after a quick run on the treadmill, I’m heading to my friend Cindy’s birthday lunch in the city, so that should be fun. I haven’t seen Cindy in a while.

Whatever you’re up to, I hope you have a nice holiday weekend, my friend. 🙂

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • 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).

  • Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
  • Open to U.S. and international readers.
  • You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
  • Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
    • What did you wear to work/school the day before yesterday? Can you remember?
    • How often do you shampoo your hair?
    • What’s the next big project you’re working on?
    • What are you doing on Christmas Eve?
    • Which are you — right or left-handed (or both)?
    • Where’s your favorite makeup counter?
  • You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
  • The giveaway ends on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
  • Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 272 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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