Archives for July 2015

Neat and New to Me: MAC Springsheen Sheertone Shimmer Powder Blush

July 23rd, 2015 by Karen 34 Comments

mac springsheen blush — MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Springsheen ($22)

Neat and New to Me

Unlike my Unsung Heroes series, which features permanent collection products I’ve known and loved a long time, the Neat and New to Me series showcases permanent collection products that slipped under my radar for a while, but then I discovered them! — and now I think they’re neat and new to me.

I affectionately refer to MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Springsheen as “strobing for lazy people.” (Like me!) 🙂

It’s a beautiful pinkish coral color with golden pearl, and I can’t be the only person who also likes the name. I keep hearing the words “Bruce Springsheen,” and then I picture the little compact with tiny arms and legs playing a guitar…

Anyway! It illuminates the apples of my cheeks with a pretty pinkish coral while the golden pearl in it makes my cheekbones softly glow.

mac springsheen blush swatch — Swatch of MAC Springsheen Blush on my NC42 skin

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I’ll Take a Double Latte With an Extra Shot of Cute! The New Paul & Joe Fall 2015 Eye Color CS Shades Were Inspired by Frothy Coffee Shop Beverages

July 22nd, 2015 by Karen 26 Comments

paul joe fall 2015 eye color cs 1 — Two of the new LE Paul & Joe Fall 2015 Eye Color CS shades ($28 each)

Paul & Joe: Hello, miss. Would you like an eyeshadow with your caffè latte?

Me: YES, PLEASE. And can you make that a decaf? (The latte, not the eyeshadow.) OOH! And could you please draw a swirl on top of the foam for me?

Paul & Joe: Sure. 🙂 We got’chu, boo.

These two new $28 Paul & Joe Eye Color CS powder eyeshadow singles are certainly kicking my coffee cravings into high gear (I’ve been trying to stick to decaf for the past few weeks…bluh). Inspired by creamy caffè latte colors and espresso shades, they have a soft sheen and a light, airy texture drool-inducingly like warm and frothy coffee shop beverages.

Mmm, coffee…

Even the packaging looks like a little latte cup. See the mini eyeshadow sponge applicator “spoon”? (AWW!)

paul joe fall 2015 eye color packaging — Two of the three Paul & Joe Fall 2015 Eye Color CS shades (LE shades added to P&J’s existing Eye Color CS line)

paul joe cafe macchiato 097 — Paul & Joe Eye Color CS in Cafe Macchiato 097

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Kitty Kisses From Paul & Joe: The Paul & Joe Fall 2015 Lipstick CS in Cafe Parisien, Coffee Cherry and Cafe Espresso

July 22nd, 2015 by Karen 42 Comments

To say that I’m sweet on these three new limited edition fall lipsticks and refillable lipstick cases from Paul & Joe would be both a grievous understatement of ridiculous proportions, and incredibly apt, because, hello! — TEH KITTEHS.

But also because the lipsticks are magically made/manufactured using an old Japanese candy-making technique called Kintarō-ame, which involves layers of candy (or makeup) rolled together. In this case, the innermost cylinder is shaped like a feline’s face.

Which is wondrous, delightful and incredibly amazing. 🙂

The candy-making process also means that the interior kitty tubes are still visible all the way down to the bottom of the bullets — a fact that greatly pleases my makeup-obsessed, cat-loving heart.

paul joe fall 2015 lipsticks — The three new $20 Paul & Joe Fall 2015 Lipsticks CS from the left in Cafe Parisien 093, Coffee Cherry 094, Cafe Espresso 095; and the $7 Lipstick Cases CS from the left in 030, 020 and 028

Lipstick CS ingredients and benefits

Cocoa Seed Butter — Emollient

Jojoba Seed Oil — Emollient

Lavender Oil — Emollient

Orange Flower Water — Moisturizer

White Lily Extract — Moisturizer and prevents irritation

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Dreaming of Big Plush Hair? Full & Plush Hair Is Within Arms’ Reach (SPONSORED)

July 22nd, 2015 by Karen 8 Comments

Advertorials like this one are brought to you by my sponsors. They’re carefully chosen based on what I think you might like; however, this post was entirely written by the sponsor.

Do you dream of beautiful thick hair that feels full and looks even fuller? Thanks to Garnier Fructis, you can now have big, bigger hair with the new Full & Plush system!

Full & Plush is the first-ever haircare range with fibra-cylane, pomegranate and active fruit concentrates that penetrates and plumps hair for a full, voluptuous look. To learn more visit garnierusa.com.

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

July 22nd, 2015 by Karen 30 Comments

1. Conditioning washes

I’ve been washing my wavy hair with conditioner to give it a break from harsher shampoos a few times a week for years, so it’s been kind of cool to see some of the big hair care brands embrace the whole “co-wash” trend as a thing.

When I feel minty, I use Pureology Hydrate Cleansing Conditioner ($34), because it makes my scalp minty and tingly (feels so clean!); Living Proof Curl Conditioning Wash ($26) or Living Proof Curl Detangling Rinse ($26) when I need serious, real-deal intense detangling; or Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash ($24) or Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque ($27) when my hair needs a shot of moisture.

2. The Girl’s Guide: Getting the Hang of Your Whole Complicated, Unpredictable, Impossibly Amazing Life, by Melissa Kirsch ($13.50 on Amazon)

Talk about practical advice on seriously everything! This terrific tome was probably written with college-age girls and 20-somethings in mind, but I’m sure women of all ages will find something helpful in it.

Tips like…

Figuring Out What Looks Best on You
How to Get a Haircut You Don’t Hate
Hassle-Free Laundry
Moving Home Doesn’t Make You a Loser
The Messy Intersection of Dating and Social Media
Where Are All My New Friends?

Finances, finding roommates, making and keeping friendships, cleaning, clothing — seriously, freaking everything! It’s like a kind older sister or a wise mentor…in paperback. Highly recommended.
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The Blame It On NARS Cheek Palette: I Daydreamed About Blush (and a Lot of Other Things Today), and I Blame It on NARS

July 21st, 2015 by Karen 9 Comments

It was one of those days, ya know? Where you just stare out the window dumbfounded, like, everything was just sort of confusing me…

Ha! I’m serious, though. I felt like things weren’t quite computing correctly, if you know what I mean.

Oh, well… At least today I could conveniently Blame It On NARS (hello, easy transitions!). 🙂

Introducing the new $59 NARS Blame It On NARS Cheek Palette, one of this summer’s three limited edition gift sets from NARS (the others are the Ultimate NARS and True NARS lip sets).

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Chic Crimson Helps the $40 BECCA Ombre Rouge Eye Palette Contour, Sculpt and Brighten Eyes

July 21st, 2015 by Karen 22 Comments

I highly recommend that you roll your R’s when you say the name of BECCA’s new crimson tinged $40 Ombre Rouge eyeshadow palette like so: “Ombre Rrrrrrrrrrouge. Rrrrrrr-ooooo-uge.”

Why?

BECAUSE IT’S FUN. That’s why. That’s the main reason. And, also, because rolling the R makes the palette seem extra rouge-y, and therefore extra fancy.

Yes, this is irrelevant to most important, thought-provoking aspects of real life, but like I said…IT’S FUN, and this is makeup we’re talking about (not rocket science).

Don’t be scurred, intrepid eye palette addict! All of the shades in this five-pan palette of powder eyeshadows may be tinged with red, but they aren’t straight-up reds, so you won’t be left with your brush in the air wondering, “What the heck am I gonna do with these?” They’re still very wearable and useful.

They’re also warmer and richer than the cool browns in BECCA’s Ombre Nudes Palette, and consequently interesting and different.

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The “Ultimate NARS” Lip Pencil Set Shifts Lips Into Neutral

July 21st, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

nars ultimate nars — The $49 “Ultimate NARS” lip pencil set

Yo, whose hoopty is this? Yes, the red ’95 Civic in the driveway. Will somebody please get this thing out of neutral and drive us to the Nordstrom NARS counter so we can play with the new “Ultimate NARS” lip pencil set ($49)?

Wait — what? What do you mean there’s nobody here who can drive a stick? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? NOT ONE PERSON HERE CAN DRIVE A STICK!?

OK…well, I can’t drive one either. 🙂 So I guess we’ll all just have to sit here and admire it on the interwebz.

LOL! You don’t actually have to know how to shift a hoopty out of neutral to roll with the three full-size pencils in the Ultimate NARS lip pencil set, but a healthy appreciation for neutral lips colors would probably help. This trio of pale, pink lip pencils is all about ze neutrals.
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