Archives for May 2018

What Parts of Your Makeup Collection Would You Like to Build Up/Trim Down (Palettes, Powders, Lipsticks, Etc.)?

May 23rd, 2018 by Karen 20 Comments

Wow. Well, I know what El Hub would say. “Build up nothing and trim down EVERYTHING.” LOL! 🙂 To his credit, the poor man has been drowning in an ocean of eyeshadow palettes for years.

Seriously though, I’d like to build up my Chanel Stylo Yeux eyeliner collection, because they’re my favorite liners, and I want all teh pretty colors. ?

I’d also love some Chanel blushes from the permanent line! — ooh, and some more cream eyeshadows. And a small army of purplish taupe cream shadows would be nice. And I’d love to flesh out my drugstore makeup collection until I had affordable versions of every single one of the basics — under-eye concealer, mascara, a black pencil liner, etc.

As for things I could definitely push the “Pause” button on…I have enough neutral eyeshadow palettes (ALL OF THE BROWNS!), nude lipsticks, face tints (BUT I LOVE THEM SO MUCH), coral gloss and olive eyeshadow. Oh, and brushes, because even though I always feel like I need the weirdly shaped ones, I don’t. I always end up using the same group of standby brushes over and over, haha!

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

May 22nd, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

1. The Sephora videos with Pro Artist David Razzano

He’s so easy to follow and great at explaining the “why” behind everything. I also wish I could hang with him!

2. Bolthouse Farms Cucumber Ranch Salad Dressing

SO. FREAKING. GOOD.

I obliterated a bag of baby carrots while dipping them into this dressing, which is only 18 calories per tablespoon.

It’s at Target in the ‘fridge section next to the salad stuff, if you’re so inclined.

I encourage you to go for it.

3. Lebert Equalizer Bars

These sound like a health food, don’t they? LOL! They’re exercise bars. We just started using them in HIIT class, and they’re killer and convenient for triceps dips and core exercises using your own body weight.

Just to be clear, I look NOTHING like this ? when I’m using these bars, LOL! Half the time I’m about two seconds from falling, but I still want a pair to keep at home so I can practice. Of course I’d order the hot pink!

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Makeup Inspiration This Week

May 22nd, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

#kristenstewart in Cannes hair by @bridgetbragerhair styling @taraswennen makeup and Photo by me @beau_nelson #beaunelsonstudio

A post shared by Beau Nelson (@beau_nelson) on May 10, 2018 at 12:31pm PDT

I just bookmarked A BUNCH of makeup looks because one cannot extricate herself from a brown lid/nude lip rut completely on her own.

I’m tryin’, man!

OK, can we just talk about how this Kristen Stewart look has been haunting me for weeks, but, like, in a Casper the Friendly Ghost way? Makeup artist Beau Nelson did this look for Kristen recently at Cannes.

The the teal/electric blue action around her lash lines? I can’t even. It’s so bright and eye-catching, for sure, but check out the placement of the darker blue on her lower lash line. There’s some in the outer corner and just around bottom from the inner corner, and then with the teal pop in the center? That’s so cool!

I also like how restrained the rest of the look is, like the cool-toned matte brown eyeshadow in the crease and how it contrasts with the metallic on the lash line, and the subtle skin and cheeks and dainty pink lip.

I’m gonna reverse-engineer that lash line using some UD blues and teals…

rainbow brights iphone case — Got a case of the blue-teals-greens. (The case is the $24 Rainbow Brights iPhone Case from connorclaire.com.)

This next look is something I could wear on the daily. It looks like Jessica Alba is wearing bronzer on her cheeks (maybe a seamless cream with a matte finish?) in this look with satiny purple smoky lids, lots o’ lashes and a soft peachy pink lip.

I love her hair in this, too. Half up, half down with soft, defined curls. ? This look, by the way, is from MUA Daniel Martin, who also did Meghan Markle’s marvelous royal wedding makeup.

#bts A bit of bubbly with our boo @jessicaalba before her red carpet walk off ?? of her #Mechanic movie premiere. Swingin 60's was the beauty inspiration with @jennifer_yepez on hair and face by yours truly for @honest_beauty #jessicaalba #WERQ

A post shared by Daniel Martin (@danielmartin) on Aug 22, 2016 at 11:03pm PDT

Also, I’m feeling this look by David Razzano, a makeup artist with Sephora’s Pro team. The coverage is a little fuller than I usually wear these days, but I might try it for kicks.

If you like this easy spring makeup look I created on the gorgeous @satya_mai_official … check out @sephora YouTube channel today to see my video creating it using @tartecosmetics !! I looove a soft bronze eye with hot pink lips?!! #makeupartist #sephora #tartecosmetics #smokeyeye #mua #makeupoftheday #lipstick #lipgloss #sephorapro #brows #glowingskin #highlighter #makeupaddict #beautymakeup #glam #lashes #makeupbyme #eotd #eyemakeup #lotd #motd

A post shared by David Razzano (@davidrazzano) on May 8, 2018 at 6:49am PDT

I’m digging her full, lush brows, the blown-out bronze shades on her lids with that spotlight in the center, and the super shiny patent-leather hot pink lip!

GAH!

I’m gonna be a mess in that lip, though, but that’s fine. I’ll deal with it.

One thing I just realized right now about all three of these looks is that there isn’t a lot of color happening on the cheeks. They all look lightly sculpted with a bit of bronzer, and I’m feeling that!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Try Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder for a Non-Powdery Powdered Face

May 21st, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

Because I don’t particularly enjoy having my foundation and concealer move around my face like a team of synchronized Solid Gold Dancers, I wear powder. That said, I don’t like my face to look too powdered, if you know what I mean.

Apparently, I’m not the only one out there who likes a non-powdery face, because this new loose powder from Hourglass has already sold out a couple times on their website since it launched earlier this spring.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder ($46 for a 0.36-oz. jar of loose powder)

I really like it. I’ve had it in rotation for a few weeks with different bases and concealers on my combo skin, but I’d slow ya’ roll if you’re ultra oily, because it breaks up the foundation between my eyebrows, which is the oiliest area on my face, by the end of the day.

“The magic of Veil transformed into an ultra-refined loose powder designed to give skin a naturally flawless finish. This finely-milled, weightless powder is formulated with soft-focus light-reflecting particles to instantly blur imperfections and minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles for effortlessly smooth skin. The translucent formula can be used on all skin tones for an invisible, natural skin finish.”

— hourglass.com

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Kérastase Reflection Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair Mask for Color-Treated Hair

May 21st, 2018 by Karen 9 Comments

Unless you’re currently living that Maybach/Balmain/Cartier life, one can’t exactly call Kérastase “budget,” since their shampoos and conditioners are in the mid-$30 range, but if you like their products, or you’ve wanted to try their products, FYI, price cut!

In most cases, they’ve dropped their prices between $2 and $8, which isn’t bad. It makes them a little more accessible.

I’ve been testing a few things I haven’t used before from their Reflection line for color-treated hair — Bain Chromatique Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($30), Fondant Chromatique Conditioner ($34) and Masque Chromatique ($53).

No idea how they compare to their previous pricier versions, because I never used them before, but the company says that the formulas have all remained the same. They just cost a little less.

I started using them this month, and my wavy, dyed hair, which is normally on the drier side, looks noticeably smoother and shinier to me. It also doesn’t feel weighed down. No flakes on my scalp, either, and these don’t strip my color…which is good, considering that they’re designed to not do that.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 525

May 21st, 2018 by Karen 35 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Good question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past gazillion years (more than 10!). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a great start. ?

1. Are you OK today?

Yeah, I’m OK today. I feel good. I could have used a three-day weekend, but we have one coming up, so I just have to hang on till then…

Yes, I realize that it’s only Monday, haha. 🙂

Oh, and this question cracks me up because whenever Connor meets another kid, she gently places her hand on their back, leans over and quietly asks, “Are you OK?”

It’s her version of “Aloha.” It means a number of things at the same time. “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Can we be friends?” “Can we hang out?” and “Can I play with you?”

2. A family member you wish you could hang out with this week?

My bro! We have so much fun when we hang out. I wish we could go for an easy hike, then grab lunch and a movie.

3. Dramatic or subtle?

GUUUURL, I only want drama in my makeup! I do not want drama in real life.

4. Something you’re currently working on?

Seriously, I’m always a work in progress, but there is one thing… (It’s just the one that comes to mind first.) I’m working on finding some new clothes that’ll fit my fabulous post-baby body, and it IS a fabulous body! 🙂 There was an online sale at J. Crew last week, and I finally sprung for a pair of shorts and some pants I’ve been eyeing.

5. What liner are you wearing?

It’s all about that MAC Coffee life, son. ☕

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I hope you feel like chiming in today! Here are the questions to copy and paste:

1. Are you OK today?
2. A family member you wish you could hang out with this week?
3. Dramatic or subtle?
4. Something you’re currently working on?
5. What liner are you wearing?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 502

May 20th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

Tabs always says that in kitty modeling, the best defense is a good offense. If you just rest on your laurels, sooner or later a hungrier up-and-coming cat will take what’s yours, and you won’t be walking the catwalk at feline fashion week anymore. Nope, if you’re lucky, you’ll get a page in the Petco catalog.

Every once in a while Tabs goes into kitty ninja mode, and instead of just patrolling the neighborhood, he conducts more advanced cat recon.

That’s what he did today. He inspected the houses on the circle more closely to look for signs of feline incursion.

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Saturday Surfing, May 19th, 2018

May 19th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

DUDE…there’s a lot of sunscreen action happening on my body right now. I’ve got Clinique on my left arm, Supergoop on my right, a little Neutrogena on my neck, some Babyganics on my left cheek (the cheek on my face, in case you’re wondering, haha!).

No, I’m not going to the pool. Still too cold for that. But May is moving at light speed, and summer is quickly approaching, so I’m testing some “new to me” things.

This makes me cringe to admit, but I haven’t been very good about wearing sunscreen lately…

I know, I know. 🙁 Just been too lazy. Even though I religiously applied it from the age of 19 onward, I sort of fell off the wagon about a year ago, and I’ve been off and on ever since.

Long story short, though, I’m back into it. In fact, I jumped into the sunscreen swimming pool at the deep end, but I’ve been much more careful about what I put on my face since I broke out in January. Now when I’m testing something new on my skin, I apply it to small test patches, instead of slathering it all over with reckless abandon.

Which leads me to Saturday Surfing. I read a lot this week, and it felt REALLY good. I found some great pieces about sunscreen, perfume and mascara.

So let’s get to it! 🙂

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to understand how sunscreen works. This article can help.
According to dermatologists, these are the best sunscreens for your face, and these are the best sunscreens that won’t break the bank.
I’m very curious about this one for women of color: Black Girl Sunscreen, which claims to not leave behind a gray or white cast on darker skin.
IMO, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is one of THE BEST sunscreens to wear under makeup.
Hawaii recently banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Let’s talk lashes, because the gap in my upper right lash line is taking forever to grow back (WHY THO?).

This $125 DIY Lash Extension Kit looks cool because you apply them underneath — not on top of — your lashes, so they’re supposed to look really natural.
If that’s out of your budget, these two drugstore mascaras are less than $10, and both are supposed to be bomb.
Speaking of drugstore gems, Serena Williams uses this L’Oréal mascara to shape her brows.
For some women over 40, wearing mascara is a battle.
Oh, and even though I appreciate products that target very specific issues, do women actually *need* lash shampoo, a.k.a. makeup remover made specifically for lashes? I mean, what’s wrong with regular eye makeup remover?
In perfume news, vintage powdery notes — found in scents like Chanel Misia, Prada Infusion d’Iris (one of my faves) and Kenzo Flower — are making a comeback.
I enjoyed learning about French line Eight & Bob Perfume, which traces its history back to the Fouquets, a Parisian aristocratic family.

The line presents their bottles in books, because as “WWII was beginning, Philippe (the family butler and close confidante) wanted to protect the fragrances’ secrets from the Nazis. He made hidden compartments inside books to hide the bottles and perfume formulas. Decades later, he was able to recover the perfumes that he had helped create in the attic of Fouquet’s family home all those years ago and make them available again.”
Also: Target’s launching a Disney-themed beauty line.
Indy green/clean beauty lines like Kosas (which I’m a huge fan of, BTW) are getting big $$$ from investors.
And this is what it’s like to groom the Queer Eye guys.

In non-beauty reading news, I just started a mystery called Faithful Place by author Tana French about a teenage girl who disappears without a trace. It takes place in Dublin, Ireland.

Tana has a gift for dialects, which I’ve always had a hard time conveying in print. When I read her stuff, I feel like I can hear the characters in my head.

I’m about a quarter of the way through and loving it so far.

What are you reading ? this weekend? Whatever it is, I hope it’s rad. ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen