Archives for March 2018

Saturday Surfing, March 31st, 2018

March 31st, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

roast chicken potatoes — Practice roast chicken and potatoes from earlier this week!

This is NOT my breakfast, I swear. This is the practice pre-Easter roast chicken and potato dish I made earlier this week.

I get really nervous when I have to cook something new for people other than El Hub, Tabs and Connor, so I like to practice a dish one or two times.

I dunno… It’s just that I’m not naturally gifted with cooking. Sure, I can follow a recipe and do OK, but I don’t want people to leave hungry. I want you to come over and stuff yourself silly. That’s my new mission in life, which is why I do things like practice runs of this roast chicken and potato dish, which I think I also talked about in last week’s Saturday Surfing (yes, after 11 years of blogging, sometimes I repeat myself, haha).

It turned out really well! The recipe’s by Laura Vitale of Laura in the Kitchen. Her recipes aren’t fussy, and they’re delicious and easy to follow. This one took me 10 minutes to prep the night before. Basically, you throw the marinade ingredients and the chicken into a bowl, then stick it into the fridge overnight so the flavors can marry. The next day, I warmed up the oven, chopped some potatoes, and added those to an oven safe bowl with some olive oil, salt and rosemary. That was it. So easy! And so delicious.

So that’s what we’re having for Easter tomorrow, and I think I might also make a carrot ? cake.

I just got that Ralph Lauren lemon print tablecloth at HomeGood last week, by the way, and I was so excited to see the colors in the room that I put it on the table right when I got home without thinking about the wrinkles or anything. Of course, Tabs is now obsessed with it… I think he thinks it’s there to make the forbidden naps he takes on top of the table more comfortable.

*sigh* Cats…

Other than Easter prep, I also have to swing by TJs, and oh! — while I’m there, I’m going to have to track down one of the sales associates because I heard through the grapevine that the famous Trader Joe’s Rose Oil Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream, which I’m putting on my hands right now, by the way, is returning for Mother’s Day, so hopefully that’s true.

FYI, if you live in the Novato area, you better get to the Trader Joe’s on Grant before I do, girl, because I’m gonna clean that shelf out! I got no shame. I’m gonna walk up to the display with my cart and sweep everything into it with my arm in one fell swoop. You think I’m playing, but I’m totally not! 🙂

Alright, that’s my plan, and I’m stickin’ to it. Before I go, how about another coffee and some light reading?

A few things I recently learned and will now be unable to unlearn forever. 1) That eating placenta for better skin really is a thing (say what?), but that 2) applying it to your skin topically isn’t a thing…yet. 3) That the most common sources of placenta used in skin care products are from sheep and pigs. 4) And that you can currently find this trending in Korean and Japanese skin care.
Speaking of skin care, Lifehacker recently posted this detailed science-based skin care guide, and it seems to conclude that cleansing, moisturizing and sunscreen are probably all you need.

There’s also a list of active ingredients that, according to the blog, probably do something, and I was glad to see some things in there that my skin likes, like salicylic acid (BHA) and benzoyl peroxide.
I mean, I spend so much time on my phone already, and now that beauty apps are blowin’ up, it doesn’t look like I’ll be breaking up with my iPhone any time soon. There are apps to help you discover different skin care cocktails to address specific issues (like acne, wrinkles, what have you), which treatment masks are best suited for your skin type, and even oral care apps to help you figure out the best way to get a brighter smile and healthier gums (Ummm… WANT!).
The “natural” beauty category is growing like a fertilized philodendron. Do you ever wonder what it really means when a line is labeled “natural,” “green,” or “organic,” since there aren’t any legal guidelines that define what truly makes a product [INSERT NATURAL-SOUNDING CLAIM HERE]? I do all the time. Allure recently interviewed five leaders in the space, including Josie Maran, Tata Harper and Tiffany Masterson (the founder of Drunk Elephant), about what it means to be green.
To quote the great Diana Ross, who just turned 74 years young, “It takes a long time to get to be a diva. I mean, you gotta work at it.” Here are 18 of the most iconic beauty looks from her career so far.
Didya know you could do this?? When you buy NYX makeup online, you can get it engraved (!).

So this means I can get “Tabs rocks!” on all my eyeshadow palettes. Cool!
Three dewy skin-loving makeup artists (including one of my faves, Katie Jane Hughes) give their top tips to achieve skin that gleams without venturing into grease ball territory.
MIND BLOWN! You can clean your beautyblender and your other makeup sponges by sticking them in the microwave with some soap and water.

(Please don’t burn yourself.)
11 things a makeup salesperson wishes you knew

There’s some sketchy history (haha) behind the origins of pencil lead.

You have the ability to improve your mental strength. Here’s how.

Banana Cinnamon Overnight Protein Oats ???? . Swipe right to see all ingredients! . ✖️1/2 cup oats ✖️1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk ✖️1/4 liquid egg whites from carton ✖️1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder ✖️1/2 (or about 50 grams) mashed/whipped banana ✖️lots of cinnamon! ✖️About 3-5 drops liquid stevia if desired for more sweetness ✖️Mix everything together in cup or mason jar the night before and then just put in fridge! Note: DO NOT MICROWAVE! These are meant to be cold oats and if you microwave the egg whites will cook- yek! ? Also- liquid egg whites in the carton are pasteurized and safe to eat. . Calories-290, Protein- 26, Carb- 40, Fat- 3

A post shared by Hannah Felix (@hannahfelixfitness) on Mar 17, 2018 at 7:00pm PDT

I ate this for breakfast a couple times this week and really liked it. It’s easy to prep, keeps me full and is tasty, too. I substitute the stevia for maple syrup or honey, add an obnoxious amount of cinnamon for flavor and top it off with a handful of blueberries.

Keep your fingers, crossed, OK? Because I need more of that Rose Oil Hand Cream in my life, and so do you, LOL!

Have a great weekend and a wonderful ? Easter. I hope to talk to you soon.

You friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Cream Blush Is Your Secret Weapon Against Raggedy Ann Cheeks

March 30th, 2018 by Karen 11 Comments

kjaer weis suntouched blush — I’m wearing one of my favorite cream blushes of all time, Kjær Weis Cream Blush in Sun Touched.

Yo, I know I’ve been talking about cream blush A LOT this week, but I once unknowingly left the house with blush that looked like two little Raggedy Ann doll circles on my cheeks. I’ve since converted to the Church of Cream Blush because it merges with my foundation and never looks powdery. Amen and hallelujah to makeup that looks like real skin!

In other news, I’m making improv shrimp scampi tonight! It’s Good Friday, which meant seafood for dinner around here, which I’m totally cool with because I was a pascatarian for years, but when I mentioned “no red meat” to El Hub this morning his eyes got wide like we were headed for certain doom.

I googled this skinny version… I don’t know if it’s so skinny anymore because I threw in a bunch of Parmesan and extra butter, but YUM!

Hope you’re having a good night. Got any Netflix recs for me? I want to keep watching season two of Santa Clarita Diet, but I can’t watch it while I’m eating…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Supernatural Dazzle: Dazzleshadows in It’s All About Shine, Shine De-Light, Oh So Gilty, Dazzle Style, Dreamy Beams and Midnight Shine

March 30th, 2018 by Karen 14 Comments

Hey, if this were like an Internet spelling ? bee, and we had to spell Dreamy Beams, which is the Dazzleshadow from MAC that I’m super in love with right now, it would be spelled D-R-E-A-M-Y B-E-A-M-Z. But maybe with two Zs — NO, THREE Zs! Beamzzz. Then you’d be the the legit Internet spelling bee winner with your three crazy Zs. ?

mac dazzleshadow swatches — It’s All About Shine (NEW), Shine De-Light (NEW), Oh So Gilty (NEW), Dazzle Style (NEW), Dreamy Beams (NEW) and Midnight Shine (Repromote)

I’m wearing Dreamy Beams, a beautiful bronzed brown with a squeeze of purple, on my lids today and thinking that I need to wear it every day for perhaps the next two months! It’s one of the new $18 Dazzleshadows from the MAC Supernatural Dazzle collection, which quietly dropped on MAC counters and the MAC website a few weeks ago.

There are a bunch of these glittery eyeshadow singles, some Dazzleglass glosses as well, all being added to the MAC permanent line. Some of the shades are new, some are re-promotes… Among the Dazzleshadow eyeshadows, there are six new ones, and I have five swatched here. Beamy Dreams… HAHAHA! Dreamy Beams is one of the new ones, and it’s the most swoon-y to me, although there are several that make me fall out of my flip-flops, like moody Midnight Shine, a dark plummy purple.

A few of the gorgeous @maccosmetics Dazzleshadows glistening in the sunshine! From the top: It’s All About Shine, Shine De-Light, Oh So Gilty, Dazzle Style, Dreamy Beams, Midnight Shine #maccosmetics #makeupswatches #makeupstash #makeupcollection

A post shared by Karen | Makeup and Beauty Blog (@karenmbb) on Mar 29, 2018 at 9:34am PDT

These aren’t like the UD Moondusts at all, even though they look similar in the pans. I love the Moondusts, but they’re sheerer than these are, and the glitter bits are bigger, so I think of them more as glitter top coats. Like, if you already have your eyes done on Friday night, and you’re about to leave the house but you want a little something extra, you tap a Moondust on your lids.

On the other hand, you can build an eye look around a single Dazzleshadow. You don’t need to apply them on top of something else because they have a pigmented base, so they can stand alone.

mac dreamy beams — Dreaming of Keanu Reeves making me blueberry pancakes while wearing Dreamy Beams on my lids…

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How to Use Lipstick as a Cream Blush Without It Looking Streaky or Patchy

March 29th, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

That’s basically it in the gif. That’s how I use ? lipstick as a blush. Just rub the bullet on the back of your hand to warm it up a bit, which makes it more pliable and slippery, then dab it with a synthetic blush brush, and bounce the bristles on cheeks.

Gently, though! — because you don’t want your base makeup to shift.

Now you’re ready to come with me to Target to get plastic Easter eggs. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Convert Crazy Clown Blushes Into Wickedly Wearable Cheek Colors With a Drop of This

March 29th, 2018 by Karen 6 Comments

nars wanted ii palette — The NARS Wanted II Palette, MAC 240S brush, Urban Decay Urban Defense Primer, MAC Prep + Prime Face Skin Base

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! ? Good morning. It’s the day before Good Friday. Here’s a Thursday quick tip you can use in your Easter Sunday look.

What’s the easiest way to wear those bright red and orange powder blushes you hoard ?️ and love ❤️ but never wear (I’m guilty)?

Try this: swirl a stiff brush in the pan, tap/brush the powder on the back of your hand, and mix in a drop or two of face primer. Finish by patting on your cheeks with fingers.

That’s it! It’s a quick way to add the perfect amount of cheek color and mellow out your pores. ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Prospecting Ain’t Easy: Benefit Gold Rush Blush Takes Work

March 28th, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

benefit gold rush blush pacaging — The newest boxed blush by Benefit

Girl, I used to wear shoes like the pair on this box of Benefit Gold Rush Blush, and I’d be able to run in them, too!

Ah, memories of my former taller life… And by “taller,” I mean 5 feet 5 inches tall in 4-inch ? heels.

(In my mind, I’m a 5-foot-8-inch Glamazon, LOL!)

OK, enough rambling. 🙂 Benefit Gold Rush, their latest box o’ blush, just arrived on counters in two sizes, a full-size 0.17-oz. version for $29, and a smaller 0.08-oz. mini for $15. Both are peachy pink with big baddie gold flecks.

That top layer of golden shimmer is an overspray, but there’s also glitter within the peachy pink powder itself. So you won’t be hurtin’ for glitter with Gold Rush. That’s all I’m sayin’.

benefit gold rush blush pan — Yes, that’s an overspray, but there’s also glitter within!

You also won’t be hurtin’ if you’ve been looking your whole life for a HEAVILY scented blush that’s strong enough to pass for a perfume, because this one can.

All of Benefit’s boxes o’ blush are scented (I believe), but this is the strongest one. Definitely the strongest I can recall. I get strong sandalwood and sugar notes, and it’s also supposed to have citrus and vanilla, but I don’t detect those at all.

So, I actually like quite a few perfume-y powders, like Guerlain and Chanel bronzers, and I totes don’t mind smelling like a Nordstrom fragrance counter when I wear them, but Gold Rush is a tad too sweet for my taste. I think it’s cloying, like it belongs in a hot pink body spray with neon star-shaped glitter, but you know how it is with scented products. Just because I’m not a fan doesn’t mean you won’t love it.

benefit gold rush blush swatch — Look closely, because the swatch is there, man!

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Quick Tip: Do Your Dark Circles a Favor, and Apply Your Under-Eye Concealer Last

March 28th, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

If your under-eye concealer looks thick and heavy, apply it last.

Yes, I realize that this goes against what some makeup peeps suggest, and it might sound weird, but give it a try! Apply the rest of your makeup first. Do your eyes, your base, lipstick, blush — the whole nine yards — and do your under-eye concealer as your last step.

I’m serious! Do it *after* mascara, too. If you’re anything like me, you’ll subconsciously use less concealer without even realizing you’re doing it, and your under-eye area will look much more natural than it does when you conceal as one of your first steps.

Why?

Honestly, I can’t say for sure! But I don’t care. ? All I know is that when I’ve got my full face on with foundation, powder, blush, lipstick, ad infinitum, I have some context to work from, and it’s just easier to figure out how much or how little concealer to use… Actually, how little you need to wear.

It’s the same idea as applying red lipstick before blush. How much blush should you use? Base it on the brightness/boldness of your lips.

In almost every case when I do my under-eye concealer FIRST, I use more concealer than I need, and the less concealer I wear, the lighter and better it looks.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The New Urban Decay Naked Heat Vice Lipsticks

March 28th, 2018 by Karen 9 Comments

urban decay naked heat lipsticks spring 2018 — Coming in hot: seven new Urban Decay Naked Heat Vice Lipsticks ($18 each)

DUUUDE. Urban Decay Naked Heat (we’re gonna talk about the new Naked Heat Vice Lipsticks in a second). Not to get to deep on you, but if you think about it, which came first? — nakedness or heat? Like, was it SO HOT that clothes were removed and nakedness ensued? Or were these people — if we’re imagining people dancing around a fire, don’t ask me why my brain goes there — were they naked first, so they were cold, and then they had to get closer to the fire to get heated? WHO KNOWS?

Yeah, chew on THAT for a bit.

Ooh, Urban Decay, there you go again, throwing another limited edition log on the Naked Heat fire. UD just added seven new Naked Heat Vice Lipsticks, all inspired by the original Naked Heat palette and lipsticks, and the petite Naked palette last month, and this release is like “Naked Heat Lipsticks Part Deux.” (Because everything sounds better in French.)

These $18 shades are warm like the colors in a big ol’ bonfire — burgundies, browns, wine — basically, lots of darker colors in metallic finishes with a sprinkling of peachy nudes, which, yeah, I know, #karenishashtagbasic, but I really like them.

urban decay naked heat lipstick swatches — First Sin, Fuel 2.0, Trip, Faith, En Fuego, Singe and Ember

So, I’m always a little thrown by UD’s Vice Lipstick packaging, because…I mean, it’s nice-looking, but when I pick it up, it feels so insubstantial to me and kind of…cheap.

But then I open them up (!), and these Vices feel and wear like a $$$$ Guerlain Rouge G.

urban decay ember — Ember, a metallic coppery burgundy

urban decay singe — Singe, a metallic deep wine red with glitter

They’re practically pure pigment in a bullet. With the exception of First Sin, which is sheerer than the others and more of a mid-level cream, when I slide them across my lips once or twice, BAM! — full-color smile. 🙂 And even though you’ve got all this color on your lips, the formula doesn’t pool in your lip lines. It’s smooth, intense and regal.

urban decay en fuego — En Fuego, a matte burgundy

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