Archives for 2014

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 280

January 26th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

Big disappointment this year. Poor Tabs… With the Super Bowl coming up, Tabs had hoped to land a few choice commercials to air during the big game, but his agent didn’t send out his demo reel early enough.

Needless to say, Tabs is on the market for a new agent (let me know if you know anyone).

It’s a shame, really, if you think about it. Having played professionally for the Mill Valley Wildcats (he played tight end) before getting into kitty modeling, Tabs is positioned perfectly to promote products to the cat-loving football crowd.

Oh, well… At least it wasn’t a total bust. Tabs did land one Super Bowl commercial on his own, without any help from his agent, I might add, that will air next weekend during the game. I’m posting a first look for you down at the bottom of this entry, but please don’t pass this around. This is only because you’re a big fan. I really shouldn’t be sharing it this far ahead of the game, but I don’t think my boss would mind…

Who is Tabs the Cat? About six years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂

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

January 25th, 2014 by Karen 540 Comments

Rise and shine, morning glory! It’s time to get up.

The crows are cawing, the neighborhood hounds are hounding, and there’s a tabby with hopeful eyes quietly begging for gravy and/or table scraps.

Yes, it’s going to be a beautiful day. 🙂

Did you do anything fun last night? Go out to dinner or see a movie? We ended up staying in and watching Cate Blanchett embrace her cray-cray in Blue Jasmine (here’s the trailer on YouTube).

Wow, what a performance! I’m serious, just call the Academy and have them ship the Oscar to Cate’s house already (I don’t know, though. She’s going up against Meryl for August: Osage County, so we’ll see.). Girl’s got mad skillz.

I thought the movie overall was…pretty good. It’s heavy, and almost more of a character study than a regular plot with a beginning, middle and end, but I enjoyed it. It’s neat to see someone at the top of their craft.

And speaking of creatures at the top of their craft, Tabs says “mrow!” He wants us to get on with this weekend’s giveaway, so we better oblige. It’s not a good idea to get on a fussy tabby’s bad side.

Good luck, and have a great day, no matter what you’re doing. Thank you for stopping by.

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:
- Do you ever take baths at home (or just showers)?
- Have you ever been sledding?
- What’s your favorite social network (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, etc.)?
- What are you doing this weekend?
- Favorite pair of socks?
- What’s the best makeup remover?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, January 27, 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

Moisture-Loving Lips Will Love, Love Me Dew: Laura Geller Beauty’s New Love Me Dew Moisturizing Lip Crayons

January 24th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

I can’t wait for tomorrow!

Saturday needs to hurry up and start already because I’m going to Ulta to play with makeup. 🙂

So excited, so excited!

My friend Marisol and I have a lunch/makeup date. First, we’re going to Sol Food, that Puerto Rican place I mentioned (gotta get my fried plantain chips!), then to Ulta afterward.

I’m definitely going to check out Laura Geller’s new stuff. I’ve only tried a couple of her things — some baked eyeshadows and these new Love Me Dew Moisturizing Lip Crayons — but I like everything I’ve tried. Her stuff reminds me of LORAC, which is a good thing to be reminded of, ya know? It’s pretty and elegant, with just enough glamour.

If you have dry lips like I do, you might want to try the Love Me Dews. They’re lightweight and light in pigment, but they’re not light at all in moisture.

“A juicy way to love your lips! Infused with vitamin E, Love Me Dew features an ultra-hydrating, conditioning formula with a luxurious balm-like texture. Shiny color wears comfortably – never dry or sticky! This convenient chubby stick never needs sharpening and is perfect for touch-ups on the go.”
— ulta.com

They’re available now for $16 each in six shades — Lychee Glace, Watermelon Cooler, Purple Currant, Dragon Fruit Sorbet, Cranberry Glaze and Plum Freeze — at Ulta stores and online.

Laura Geller Love Me Dew in Purple Currant — Purple Currant

Laura Geller Love Me Dew in Lychee Glace — Lychee Glace

Laura Geller Love Me Dew in Plum Freeze — Plum Freeze

Laura Geller Love Me Dew swatches from the left: Purple Currant, Lychee Glace and Plum Freeze — Swatches from the left: Purple Currant, Lychee Glace and Plum Freeze

Whee! Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait… 🙂

OCC’s Creamy, Intense Cosmetic Colour Pencils Just Might Inspire Hue

January 24th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils — The new Cosmetic Colour Pencil line by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics

I feel like I’ve been battling with liner all winter long, like this is Westeros and they’re the White Walkers north of the Wall, but it’s mostly just that my skin has been drier than the Atacama, and it’s getting sooo old.

I haven’t been able to wear the long-wearing gel liners I was wearing and loving last spring and summer (they’re too drying), and the only pencils my lash and water lines are tolerating have been the MAC Eye Kohls…

Until now.

These soft, creamy Cosmetic Colour Pencils by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics actually remind me a lot of my beloved MAC Kohls. They glide along my lash lines like gold medal figure skaters across fresh ice.

Ah…

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils from the left: Anime, Grandma, Hoochie, Pennyroyal, Pool Boy and Sybil — From the left: Anime, Grandma, Hoochie, Pennyroyal, Pool Boy and Sybil

These pigmented pretties, some of which are approved for use on lips and body, while the others are for lips, body and eyes, come in 12 shades, all of them matte. The triple threats (eyes, lips and body) are clear Anti-Feathered, peachy brown Pennyroyal, blackened midnight brown Sybil, true black Tarred, true white Feathered and aquatic blue Pool Boy.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils from the left: Anti-Feathered, Black Dahlia, Feathered, NSFW, Tarred and Trick — From the left: Anti-Feathered, Black Dahlia, Feathered, NSFW, Tarred and Trick

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils Swatches of the shades you can wear on your lips, eyes and body (left to right): Anti-feathered, Pennyroyal, Sybil, Tarred, Feathered and Pool Boy — Swatches of the shades you can wear on your lips, eyes and body (left to right): Anti-feathered, Pennyroyal, Sybil, Tarred, Feathered and Pool Boy

Warm beige Trick, vibrant neon pink Anime, true red NSFW, blackened red Dahlia, coral Grandma and vibrant magenta Hoochie are the ones that just like lips and body…

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils Swatches of shades you can wear on lips and body (left to right): Trick, Anime, NSFW, Black Dahlia, Grandma and Hoochie — Swatches of shades you can wear on lips and body (left to right): Trick, Anime, NSFW, Black Dahlia, Grandma and Hoochie

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Outfit of the Day: The Halogen Katrina Booties in Action With a Cat Lady Approved Black and Gold Anthropologie Panthere Dress

January 24th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

FYI, your nephew may be a world-renowned international kitty supermodel, but when it comes to coaching kitty (and human) models, he’s not exactly Miss J.

I took my new Halogen Katrina Booties out for a spin this afternoon, and when I asked Tabs for a few quick modeling pointers, he wasn’t much help.

ME: What do I do with my hands, Tabs!? I never know what to do with my hands. Should I put them in my pockets like this, or have them down at my sides, or grab my lapels like it’s a Benetton commercial? I don’t know! HELP!

TABS: Mrrrow…

ME: What? Could you be a little more specific?

TABS: Meeeowwww. Pffft-pfft!

ME: Um, OK.

I got the feeling he was holding back. I don’t know. Maybe he didn’t want to reveal his modeling secrets or just saw me as a complete waste of his time.

Anyway, it being Friday and all, today I went with a “cat lady on the cusp of the weekend” theme for my outfit. 🙂

I paired a black and gold Panthere Dress from Anthropologie with an ancient denim jacket from the Gap that I’ve had for a zillion years.

Hmm… Maybe I should call the jacket “vintage” instead of “ancient.” Sounds more dignified.

Whatev, it’s hella old, but it still fits, so why not?

To complete the outfit, I added the Katrina Booties, a turquoise and gold necklace by Lucky and a gold bracelet (sorry, I can’t remember the designer).

This cat lady dress is one of my favorite things in my closet now. It’s very poofy at the waist, which I like, because it’s kind of whimsical, but you could pair it with a fitted jacket with a slimmer silhouette to make it look more streamlined/to counteract the poofy-ness.

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Bronze Kitteh Says, “Mrow! I Can Haz Lush?”

January 24th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

I scooped out every last drop of my limited edition Lush Celebrate Hand and Body Lotion in the bathroom this morning…

Man, I love this stuff! I started using it last month (it was an LE product from their holiday collection) and got hooked immediately.

It smells very sparkly and citrusy (like a mimosa!), and my alligator-like dry skin soaks it up.

I’m kicking myself now for not picking up a spare, but on the bright side (assuming it’s still available), I guess I have an excuse to visit a Lush store soon. 🙂

Oh, and regarding those sad brass kitty bookends, they were a gift from my brother and his girlfriend a few years back.

Wish I knew where they got ’em… If I ever find them online I will definitely let you know. #catladysolidarity

What Are Your Top Three Beauty Pet Peeves?

January 24th, 2014 by Karen 47 Comments

1. Dear product, please don’t go

When I fall in love with a product that’s absolutely perfect in every way, and I wonder, “Where have you been all my life!?” and things are going great for us, and I’m telling everyone about how great it is, and then it gets — gasp! — discontinued.

Case in point: BECCA’s Cabrera Liner, a near perfect purply bronze liner pencil combo, of which I have five backups (yes, I love it that much).

On that dark, dismal day I wear that last stick down to the nub, you’ll find me huddled in a corner somewhere, rocking back and forth as glittery tears stream down my cheeks in slow motion…

2. The bad breakup

When I fall head over heels for a product, but it ends up giving me breakouts, WAH!

Happened a while back with Make Up For Ever’s HD Foundation… It’s been years, but I’m still not over it. If you can wear it, you’re so, so lucky!

3. Packaging woes

This last one is rather specific, but it’s on my mind because I wore the product yesterday, and it made me grit me my teeth. You know MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer? It’s the bomb dot com when it comes to concealing dark circles, right? But the packaging — it comes in a small glass bottle with a pump — drives me absolutely batty.

The pump has a hair trigger. It’s super touchy, and I always end up dispensing way too much product.

OK, but then when the bottle is running low, it’s hard to get to the last drops, because MAC affixed the cap in a way that doesn’t let you unscrew it. So you can’t open it up. You’re kindastora forced to get a new bottle, even though you know there’s still a good amount of product left in there.

Grrr…

So, beauty pet peeves! Let’s discuss. What are your top three? Please share in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

I’m Actually Asleep Right Now, and I’m Dreaming About These…

January 24th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

I know, I’m talking about food again. Sorry! What can I say? The PMS is raging right now like a culinary maelstrom, and no amount of calories can satiate it.

I would seriously consider trading my tubby tabby for a plate of these plantain chips and some Puerto Rican food right now…

I took these pics during lunch last weekend at Sol Food in San Rafael.

Mmm… Fried plantain chips (with sort of a Thousand Island-ish dipping sauce).

I had a po’ boy sandwich with breaded, fried shrimp. Guhghll… So good.

El Hub had the pollo al horno plate with roasted chicken, beans, rice, a salad with lemon vinaigrette and two fried plantains (one sweet and one garlic).

I may be sleeping right now (it’s 2 a.m. out here in Cali), but I don’t care. I AM SO HUNGRY, DUDE! 🙂