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Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 782

October 15th, 2023 by Karen Leave a Comment

Like all cats, Tabs had a dark side… He could see in the dark, loved sneaking around in the dark, loved stalking other cats in the dark, and just generally loved the dark. The only thing he did NOT love about the dark were the other cats who came sneaking around…like Harris, his long-time nemesis. Legend has it that Harris still haunts the circle. Well, at least that’s what they say. Here’s a look back at Halloween time, 2017, when Harris was going through his Michael Myers phase. 🤣

As soon as the door opened, Tabs shot off like a rocket! This morning he was over the moon to be going for his walk right before dawn, because, as you know, cats are crepuscular, and they get extra fired up at dusk and dawn.

It started out great, too. He had a spring in his step. First thing he did was dart around the corner toward his favorite bamboo plant, and then doubled back like a kitten and scooted up the steps toward the common area grassy knoll, where he likes to chomp down on grass.

Things were going fine until… Holy crap! That same long-haired tabby interloper showed up! We both looked up and there he was, silently watching us like Kitty Krueger from Caturday the 13th.

[Continue reading…]

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Categories: Just For Fun, Rosie, Tabs

Saturday Surfing, October 14, 2023!

October 14th, 2023 by Karen 1 Comment

Solar eclipse adventures!

Good morning and happy Caturday!

Did you catch the solar eclipse? It was cloudy and drizzly this morning in our neck of the Bay Area, so at first I didn’t think we’d be able to see it, but then the sun broke through the clouds about 10 minutes after it started — hooray!

We used a homemade DIY eclipse contraption using paper, tape and tin foil to view it.

Fun with science

It was a very exciting morning and we enjoyed nerd-ing out with our neighbors. 😀

This week’s reading

  • There’s now a “Wheel of Fortune” makeup collection. Side note for the “Wheel” OGs, there really should be an eyeshadow named “R-S-T-L-N-E.”
  • What it’s like to have Kate Moss do your makeup!
  • 13 of the best holiday makeup advent calendars for the beauty lovers in your life.
  • Meet a buddhist monk who loves to wear makeup.
  • What’s inside a 2,000-year-old makeup shop?


Cream shadows? YES, PLEASE


Because I had to look it up, LOL


When the little one gets in the middle and starts dancing, awww


Seriously, I can’t wait


The cutest cat burglar you ever did see


Sunscreen love

What’s on your agenda today? I hope you’ve got something fun planned for the rest of the day.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There's 1 comment on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Luminous Taupe Lids with Chanel Les 4 Ombres Byzance in Parure Cristal

October 12th, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

Glowing lids

I watched a video recently with makeup artist Mia Connor talking about how she likes to do one single block of color across the lids on hooded eyes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🤍 M I A C O N N O R 🤍 (@miaconnor)

Simple, effective, easy. Of course it totally spoke to me!

I took her advice about wearing one color this morning when I put on shadow from the Chanel Les 4 Ombres Byzance Quad in Parure Cristal.

She’s so pretty

This limited edition beauty is one of four quads inspired by precious stones and Chanel jewelry. Designed to be dressed up or down, each quad offers four coordinating shades with glowing finishes.

Parure Cristal. Yup, I’m still an NC42 in MAC.

I mixed the two darkest shades (the taupe and the rosy quartz) on the back of my hand to create a customized color, which I then buffed across my lids. Then I applied the taupe as a liner with an angled brush.

Oh my cheeks and lips I’m wearing NARS Dolce Vita
When you put makeup on just for fun and have no idea where it’s gonna go

I gotta admit, I still feel like I’m wearing a lot of makeup. I do like how it turned out, though. It feels polished but not overly done, and it didn’t require a ton of work.

I think I’m going to stick to Mia’s formula for a bit and see where it takes me on my makeup journey.

Happy Thursday to you, my friend! Keep on keepin’ on.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Eyes, Face of the Day (FOTD), Makeup

Beauty Q&A: What Makeup Is in Your Current Fall Makeup Routine?

October 10th, 2023 by Karen 5 Comments

You know, I can’t wait to see your answers because I know I’ll have a few new things to add to my beauty wishlist! 😀

Anywho, this is the routine I’ve been doing for the last two weeks. I’ve had a couple of video calls, and I’m also trying to get back into the habit of wearing a little something during the day. I also can’t seem to handle anything too complicated, LOL!

  1. Brows – MAC Concrete Eyeshadow (a cool, dark brown)
  2. Base – Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation in 8 (so good), Dior Backstage Concealer in 4W (also so, so good), Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden
  3. Cheeks – MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Give Me Sun, MAC Blush in Blushbaby (a sheer pinkish beige)
  4. Lids – Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colors in Caramel (a neutral brown) in the crease with Cobblestone (a cool taupe) in the crease and inner lid, and MAC Eyeshadow in Brule (beige) on the brow bone
  5. Liner – Hourglass Gel Liner in Cave with MAC Eyeshadows in Concrete and Carbon mixed together and buffed on top
  6. Lashes – Tower 28 Mascara
  7. Lips – MAC Lipstick Velvet Teddy

Hopefully we can all find some new makeup treasures.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 802

October 9th, 2023 by Karen 12 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Jasmine or gardenia?

Gardenia. I like how the flowers look and the scent always makes me think of the tropics for some reason.

2. If you could have a podcast about anything, what would it be about?

As crazy as it might sound, I think interviewing cat ladies (and cat gentlemen) about the feline loves of their lives would be fun and interesting.

3. How sensitive is your skin on a scale of 1-10 (with one being not sensitive at all and 10 being off the charts sensitivity)?

I think I’m somewhere in the middle right now. My skin seems to like acids and exfoliators, so I can use most without incident. I can also still try and wear most makeup products (including foundations and powders) without worrying about breaking out.

4. What hair styling products do you use the most and the least?

I use a lot of flexible hold hair spray and spray gel. Both are great for taming frizz and calming crazy baby hairs. For items I use the least, let’s see – dry shampoo, stiff gels and sprays. Also, mousse. I rarely use it, but I know it’s supposed to be great for volume, so I might get on that train someday.

5. Something you love to eat but hate to cook?

Ooh, girl… I love any and all fried vegetable situations. There’s this Filipino snack made with fried squash that I love called okoy, but I detest making it because frying makes such a mess!

Hello my friend and happy Monday. I just finished a video meeting and as I type this I’m wearing a full face of makeup. Maybe just for fun I’ll put something colorful on top of the neutral situation on my lids to see where it goes? Or maybe I’ll just take a nap. LOL! Today I’m starting a purposeful “reset and rest” period, and I promised myself plenty of downtime.

Side note, I have my window open and I just heard a bunch of wild turkeys clucking in my front yard. You know you live in the ‘burbs when a gang of giant turkeys sashay through your walkway like it’s Fashion Week or something.

How have you been? I hope things are joyful on your end of the keyboard.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Jasmine or gardenia?
2. If you could have a podcast about anything, what would it be about?
3. How sensitive is your skin?
4. What hair styling products do you use the most and the least?
5. Something you love to eat but hate to cook?

There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 781

October 8th, 2023 by Karen 1 Comment

Rosie takes her job as a world-renowned feline physicist incredibly seriously, with a meticulous attention to detail and a deep commitment to logic and the scientific method.

When she’s in work mode, she even takes her fun seriously.

Despite her lifelong love of science, Rosie also believes that there are some things in this world that defy scientific explanation…

She isn’t too proud or set in her logical ways to deny the possibility that supernatural things exist.

In fact, she embraces these contradictions and scientific conundrums and even spends some of her free time investigating the occult!

It shocks some people to learn that she is an expert tarot card reader and holds a weekly seance for Novato cats…

Yes, it takes a big cat to accept that there are some things they don’t understand, things for which there is no simple explanation… 👽👻🔮🛸🎅

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There's 1 comment on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Rosie, Tabs

Saturday Surfing, October 7, 2023!

October 7th, 2023 by Karen 2 Comments

Good morning and happy Saturday, friend.

I’m trying to channel fall vibes today despite the fact that it’s going to be a scorcher here in the Bay Area. It’s supposed to hit 93 today! Yikes!

We had plans originally to take Connor to the pumpkin patch, but I think it’s just going to be too darn hot. Might be a pool day instead.

Hey, I’ll take this heat wave as a chance for one last hurrah!

So, remember how earlier this week we were talking about crochet? I found these premade kits online by a brand called The Woobles that are supposed to be good for beginners. Have you heard of this line? I’m tempted to try one, but they seem expensive for what you get.

Am I crazy to think that 30 bucks seems like a lot for a little bit of yarn, a hook, stuffing, an intro video and various small accoutrements? I suppose one could say learning the skill might be worth the initial cost. That said, the bunny is pretty cute.

Before I head out to grab my second cup of coffee (living on the edge!), I just have to share one more thing, because I’m so happy that I did it. Everything that happened last month made me realize I need to do a better job of taking care of myself, so yesterday afternoon, I did a whole lotta nothing. I just rested.

I sat on the couch, painted my nails with a dark, moody fall shade (Chaenl 141 Oiseau De Nuit), and I watched a thriller on Netflix with Benecio Del Toro called “Reptile.”

Chanel 141 Oiseau De Nuit
Chanel 141 Oiseau De Nuit

Anyway, just a little reminder, that rest is a good thing.

This week’s reading

  • I used to love the Scholastic book fair when I was kid. This fall, I’m volunteering at Connor’s school book fair, so this piece on “The Fleeting Magic of Scholastic Book Fairs” totally speaks to me.
  • If you’re looking for a glow in the dark polish to go with your Halloween costume, FYI, Sally Hansen’s got you covered.
  • Most of these nail shapes are way too long and impractical for me, but I’m feeling the oxblood, dark chocolate and mauve shades!
  • Don’t forget to wash behind your ears and between your toes.
  • Are essential oils bad for your skin?
  • Watery scents are having a moment.
  • Apparently cats have attained evolutionary perfection.


Pretty


A tribute to grannies


Fascinating


I love a smokey eye

What are you doing today? If you’re in up in Nor Cal, please try to stay hydrated and cool.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 2 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Beauty Q&A: Do You Wear More Makeup in the Fall?

October 6th, 2023 by Karen 2 Comments

I put this coppery fall makeup on the other day just for fun! Cheeks, lips and eyes are from the Chanel fall collection.

In the beauty world, fall typically means the return of wearing makeup. Is this the case for you? Do you wear more makeup as the weather cools down, or do you stick with your regular routine?

Speaking of wearing makeup, I put on some copper and coral tones from Chanel fall the other day just for fun. It felt a little weird wearing so much color on my lids, but I went with it!

Key products in this look from the Chanel fall collection
When you wear color on your lids for the first time in ages

Hope you’re having a fun Friday so far. I just got back from volunteering at Connor’s school. I helped setup for the Scholastic Book Fair! Remember the Book Fair from back in the day? It is so NEXT LEVEL now! They don’t only sell just books, but there are posters, toys and tons of tchotchkes.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 2 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Just For Fun, Makeup

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 893

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