Archives for July 2015

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 381

July 13th, 2015 by Karen 93 Comments

the makeup and beauty blog monday poll — The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for July 13, 2015

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.

Denim or sequins?
Sequins all day, errrday, from here to eternity!

I plan to be the chick at the retirement home DJ-ing the’90s hip-hop party dressed in head-to-toe black sequins. 🙂

Have you ever popped a zit…on someone else’s body?!
GROSS! — and yes. I’ve totally done it.

Wearing high heels on a plane: do or a don’t?
At one point in my life, this was a do, believe it or not, but now that I’ve fully embraced the wonders of flats and tennies, I’m all about air travel in my crazy cat lady Vans.

What are three things on your desk right now?
1. The above card given to me by my friend Marisol
2. My kitty cat teacup and saucer
3. And an air plant (her name is Doris)
How do you feel about the return of the fanny pack (otherwise known as “the belt bag”)?
I don’t mind them (as long as they aren’t like the black leather ones all the dads wore back in the day!).

I like the practical aspects. I love the idea of having my hands free and not having to haul around a purse, so if a Chanel belt bag suddenly appears on my hips, I will not say no it.

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

1. Denim or sequins?
2. Have you ever popped a zit… on someone else’s body?!
3. Wearing high heels on a plane: do or a don’t?
4. What are three things on your desk right now?
5. How do you feel about the return of the fanny pack (otherwise known as “the belt bag”)?

Good morning, sweet pea! If you look outside today and see pigs flying, that’s because I’m sitting here sipping a cup of decaf green tea.

DEE. CALF.

Yeah, I’m trying to wean myself off caffeine because I think it interferes with my sleep — that, and it’s something to do, right? Actually, the transition has been easier than I thought — no headaches after a week! — because the decaf tea I’ve been drinking, Twinings Decaffeinated Green Tea, tastes REALLY good.

Sending you virtual hugs this morning and happy thoughts. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 354

July 12th, 2015 by Karen 8 Comments

Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the cat, widely considered “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most popular cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.

Aspiring singer trying to find his voice

The hills are aliiiive, with the sound of MEOW-siiiic!

Dear Tabby,

Oh, my gosh! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love singing. It’s all I think about. Singing in the morning, singing at night, singing when I’m just walking around the house. It’s my passion.

I’m always singing! — except not around other cats, though, or people, which I know is weird, but I haven’t really done much singing professionally yet because, well…I’m still a kitten, and also because I have pretty terrible stage fright.

Really. It’s very bad, Tabby. It’s so bad that I can’t even meow. I just freeze up and stand there shaking.

Have you ever had stage fright before? I don’t imagine you have, because you’re so famous, but I thought I’d ask anyway. I mean, do you ever get nervous before you perform? If so what do you do?

-A Terrified Tenor

DEAR TERRIFIED TENOR: Anyone who tells you that they never get nervous or afraid in front of groups is either being funny or fibbing. Everyone gets stage fright sometimes. It’s completely natural.

The thing is, it really does get easier the more you perform, and the more you put yourself out there. You start to realize, “Heck, what’s the worst that could happen?” So you miss a note or forget your lyrics or something. Guess what? Even when it does happen, it’s not a big deal. You’ll be fine. And you’ll get better over time if you just hang in there, and chalk it up to practice.

An unlikely friendship

Dear Mr. Tabby,

First, I should say that I’m a big fan of yours, sir. I’m also…

Well this is a little awkward for me, and I’m not exactly sure how to proceed, but basically, I am a member of the canine persuasion. I am what they commonly refer to as “a dog.” But I am also a cat fan, which is what brings me to my reason for contacting you.

See, it’s about my friend Charles, who is an orange tabby cat. He is also the absolute best friend that I have ever had.

As you can probably imagine, this has been a source of drama in our local dog community. Some of my colleagues have questioned my integrity. Some have even gone so far as to question my sanity, but they don’t know Charles like I do. He’s fluffy and funny and exciting, and we have a lot of fun together.

I just don’t want to have to choose between Charles and my canine brothers. Tabby, from what you know about dogs, do you think Charles and I will ever find acceptance, or do you think it’s a lost cause?

-Roof Times

I'm an optimistic tabby — I’m an optimistic tabby

DEAR ROOF TIMES: I wouldn’t call myself a trusting kitty because I’m actually very territorial, but I have known some dogs who were good people.

I’m hopeful that things will get better. The world definitely needs more canine cat crusaders, but I think it all boils down to education. Dogs just need to know that cats aren’t simply playthings that are designed for chasing. We’re also pretty good company once you get to know us.

Maybe you could start by hosting a gathering for local cats and your dog friends. Keep it super low key, and maybe have voluntary muzzles available and designate different areas for cats and dogs while everyone sniffs things out and gets to know each other.
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Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

July 11th, 2015 by Karen 407 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, LAUREN!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

It’s time to rise and shine, pal o’ mine. Time to get out there and seize the day! — juuuust as soon as I have a cup of something caffeinated, LOL! 🙂

How’s it going so far this weekend/morning? Things are pretty good out here. Tabs hasn’t been outside yet, so he’s fussy, but nothing new there.

Did you do anything fun last night? All we did was go to a movie, that Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. It’s a coming-of-age movie, but it doesn’t deserve to be pigeonholed like that. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended. It avoids the cliches that so many other movies in that genre wholeheartedly embrace and isn’t driven by cheesy caricatures or angsty romance. I really enjoyed it.

Other than that, nothing new to report.

Oh! — the baby birds that I told you about that are nesting in the hanging planter on my deck? They grew up! Yup, they left the nest, so it’s a little quieter around here in the mornings without the hatchlings chirping (yes, I miss the baby birds).

I haven’t figured out what we’re doing yet today, but whatever it is, I intend for it to be equal parts relaxing and fun, during the parts that don’t involve, you know, chores and stuff.

Have a great weekend, whatever you’re up to, and I’ll talk to you soon.

One (1) MAC eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter by leaving a comment 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:
- Favorite MAC finish?
- Have you ever been to a rodeo?
- Do you have a nickname?
- Have you ever worn a tiara?
- Have you ever been to a makeup/beauty convention?
- Someone famous in your family (past or present)?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, July 13, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Intensify Your Highlights With This Super Simple Tip

July 10th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

Glisten up!

OK, are you glistening?

Good. Because if I could, I would open all of the highlighters in the world above my head and just pour ’em all over me, LOL! All I wanna do is glisten, and I wanna do it all day long.

To say that I’m a little highlighter cray-cray at the moment would be a bit of an understatement, and I’ve been playing with some different techniques, like this one that I recently learned from a makeup artist buddy of mine named Candace. (HI, CANDACE! If you have time, check out her YouTube channel.)

This trick is simple but totally intensifies the glistening effect in a way that doesn’t leave my skin looking frosty.
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Uneven Eyeliner? Here’s a Tip That Might Fix Your Woes

July 10th, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

Eyeliner woes, part 3,451 — Eyeliner Woes: Vol. #3,451

If it seems like I talk about uneven eyeliner every five seconds, it’s because I do. I talk about uneven eyeliner EVERY FIVE SECONDS.

Hello. 🙂

What I wouldn’t GIVE to be one of those gals who can just paint a perfect line in a single swoosh!

Now, looking at the glass as if it’s half full, I have stumbled on a few tips and workarounds to help me deal with my chronically uneven eyeliner, and one of them is that it helps TREMENDOUSLY to start by lining my upper water lines (also known as “tightlining”), and then drawing my eyeliner on my lash lines after that.

L'Oreal Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner shades from the purple to the silver: Pure Purple, Cobalt Blue, True Teal, Gold and Silver — L’Oreal Infallible Silkissime Eyeliners from the purple to the silver: Pure Purple, Cobalt Blue, True Teal, Gold and Silver ($8.99 each)

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5 Things You Should Know About MAC Upward Lash Mascara

July 10th, 2015 by Karen 21 Comments

5 Things You Should Know About MAC Upward Lash Mascara ($22)

You might feel compelled to say, “ONWARD AND UPWARD!” to your lashes every time you open the tube — and yes, it is perfectly normal to talk to your lashes (well…).
The compact brush might remind you of other compact things, like kittens! You may even start to think, “Hey! I should get another kitten or two, or 12.”
The glossy black finish makes my lashes look exactly like the fur of this black cat in my neighborhood that I’ve been trying to befriend for, like, ages. Bribing the neighborhood cats with treats usually works, but this cat is wise to my tricks.
Oh, well. Sooner or later, I’ll wear her down.
Your (and by “your” I mean “my”) current MAC mascara love, Extended Play Gigablack Lash, will start to wonder if your three-year love affair is over because you haven’t reached for it in days.
Reassure it by stroking it gently. Try not to look like a pervert.
Friends may mistake your tube of Upward Lash for an XXL tube of MAC Lipstick, because doesn’t it look like one?!
OMG! Can you imagine?

Anyway, feel free to toy with their emotions by saying, “Yes, it’s a giant tube of MAC Lady Danger.” 🙂

The nitty-gritty details about MAC Upward Lash

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The New MAC Veluxe a Trois Collection Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadows Blend So Easily That You’ll Clutch Your Pearls

July 10th, 2015 by Karen 39 Comments

mac veluxe a trois collection top — Wearing all three shadows from MAC Veluxe a Trois Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Fabulous Three

Well clutch mah pearls! Did I read that right? Was I just invited to a Veluxe a Trois? *fans self* Oh, my heavens! I’m not exactly sure what a party like that entails…but if the MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadows will be there, I’m in! — as long as I don’t have to take off my cat tee shirt and stretchy pants, of course.

MAC Veluxe a Trois. Um…why does this collection’s name sound like the title of a dirty movie?

Or is that just me?

It’s probably just me…

Never mind! 🙂

In the opinion of this one cat-obsessed makeup fiend, the MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion eyeshadow formula is one of the MOST underrated MAC formulas of them all, and soon (August 13), when the new MAC Veluxe a Trois collection arrives, there will be six new trios with the Veluxe Pearlfusion formula.

Boom. There, I said. One of the most underrated MAC formulas of them all.

HEADS UP! The Veluxe a Trois collection launched early at Hudson’s Bay and is currently, as of right now, available online.

mac veluxe a trois — The six Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow trios from the new MAC Veluxe a Trois collection

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The MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils Are Going Permanent

July 9th, 2015 by Karen 45 Comments

mac patentpolish lip pencil 1 — 14 of the 15 new MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils ($20 each), available now online and at MAC stores and counters

Your tongue twister for the day…

“The Patentpolish Lip Pencils are now permanent.”

Now, see if you can say it five times fast!

The Patentpolish Lip Pencils are now permanent.
The Patentpolish Lip Pencils are now permanent.
The Patentpolish Lip Pencils are now permanent.
The Patentpolish Lip Pencils are now permanent.
The Patentpolish Lip Pencils are now permanent.

Can you do it? If you can, I vote that you reward yourself with one or more of these MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils, but you don’t have to do it today. Feel free to take your sweet time, because…THE PATENTPOLISH LIP PENCILS ARE NOW PERMANENT! 🙂

These $20 twist-up pencils have the texture of a balm, the patent-leather finish of a high-shine gloss and the precision of a husky writing implement. If they look familiar, that’s probably because they are. Some of them made appearances in limited edition collections last year.

mac patentpolish lip pencil 2 — MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils from the left: Clever, Fearless, French Kiss and Go For Girlie

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