Chanel

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss: Bold, Bright Summer Shades in the Permanent Collection

July 2nd, 2021 by Karen 3 Comments

What would summer be without bright, juicy glosses?

These vivid vixens reside in the Chanel permanent collection ($32 each), so feel free to fall in love with one all of them. ?

Radian 748 Nectar is a pigmented true coral, and if you’re a coral craver like I am, it’s a must.

Vibrant reddish coral 752 Bitter Orange is another member of Chanel’s coral fam, and it has tiny flecks of golden glitter that make it look amazing on bronzed skin!

Now, if berry shades are more your thing, then add 764 Confusion to your wish list. It’s a bold, cheerful, opaque summer berry.

chanel rouge coco gloss 748 nectar — 748 Nectar

chanel rouge coco gloss 764 confusion — 764 Confusion

chanel rouge coco gloss 752 bitter orange — 752 Bitter Orange

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! Sending a sunny hello to you from this side of the Pacific. I took Connor to the beach yesterday, and we were there practically all day long! We would’ve stayed there from sunrise until sunset if she had her way. I had to bribe her with shave ice to get her to leave. ?

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss: Shiny, Summery (and Natural) Colors in the Permanent Collection

July 1st, 2021 by Karen 9 Comments

chanel rouge coco gloss shiny natural — Your lips but better!

I keep hearing about “the return of lipstick,” as if it actually went away, but what I’m looking forward to is the return of gloss.
Juicy, slick and shiny gloss.

These are a few Chanel glosses, all of which reside in their permanent collection ($32 each), that I’ve been loving on lately.

First, there’s 166 Physical. It’s a coral with subtle golden glitter. If your lips are pigmented like mine are, 166 can look pretty sheer, but I really don’t mind that at all. I actually love how subtle it is on its own, but, if you crave more color, it’s also easy to intensify with a base layer of coral lipstick or lip pencil underneath.

Next, there’s 744 Subtil, which also has major summery vibes. It’s also a coral but has rosier tones (aw, I just said Rosie… I miss my cat!). It’s a little more pigmented than Physical, and I bounce back and forth between the two throughout the day ’cause a girl’s gotta have options. 🙂

Then, there’s 724 Burnt Sugar, which is a golden caramel brown. It works well with classic summer eyeshadow shades like golds, coppers, bronzes and rose golds. If you’re into shades like MAC Teddy or Powersurge, or Tom Ford Spice, seriously, check it out.

Last, but not least, there’s 792 Aphrodite (a.k.a. “the blue gloss”). Admittedly, it looks cray in the tube, but it looks understated in actual looks. Don’t ask me how, but the blue just adds a bit of brightness.

chanel rouge coco gloss 792 744 166 724 — Ooh, la la!

chanel rouge coco gloss 166 physical — 166 Physical

chanel rouge coco gloss 744 subtil — 744 Subtil

chanel rouge coco gloss 724 burnt sugar — 724 Burnt Sugar

chanel rouge coco gloss 792 aphrodite — 792 Aphrodite

Chanel fans, which are your favorite Chanel gloss shades? Mind you, I don’t need any more…but inquiring minds want to know! I mean, it can’t hurt to have a few on my wish list, right?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

3 Summery, Bold and Bright Red Lipsticks From the Chanel Permanent Collection

June 24th, 2021 by Karen 10 Comments

chanel brights top — Bold, bright summer lips by Chanel

I’ve been affectionately calling summery shades like these my “popsicle lipsticks” because they’re juicy, shiny and absolutely delicious…in the figurative sense, of course! You ~~probably~~ won’t find me nibbling these tubes when I’m feeling peckish, haha!

Side note: I think I may have just invented something!

Are you ready for it? Here goes: ice cream that looks like lipstick. ?? Boom. Wouldn’t that be cool? I’d be all over it. MAKE IT HAPPEN, TRADER JOE’S.

Anywho, I’m revisiting my Chanel lipsticks, and these three are in Chanel’s permanent collection. I think they’re all perfect brights for summer.

Rouge Allure Velvet in 43 La Favorite ($40), a reddish coral with a matte finish that has a touch of luminosity, represents something I think Chanel does extremely well: finish. This lippie has je ne sais quoi, and you can build it up or sheer it out. Of course, both ways are super pretty.

Rouge Coco in 472 Experimental ($40) is a warm red with a touch of orange, and it reminds me that I’m a big fan of the Rouge Coco line because of how moisturizing the lippies are. My dry lips greatly appreciate that.

Rouge Allure in 172 Rouge Rebelle ($40) is a bright neutral red with a satin finish, and it works particularly well with warm brown eyeshadow!

chanel summery bold bright lipsticks — I’m on a Chanel kick, as you can see.

chanel brights swatches — Hello, swatches!

chanel rouge coco experimental — Rouge Coco in 472 Experimental

chanel rouge allure rebelle — Rouge Allure in 172 Rouge Rebelle

chanel rouge allure velvet la favorite — Rouge Allure Velvet in 43 La Favorite

Additional makeup worn in this look

BASE: Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50+, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in 50 Dore, Chanel Le Corrector de Chanel Concealer in 40 Beige, Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand
CHEEKS: Chanel Fleurs de Printemps Blush and Highlighter Duo, Chanel Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops
EYES: Chanel Healthy Glow Natural Palette in Medium, Chanel Stylo Ombre et Contour Eyeshadow-Liner-Kohl in Electric Brown, Chanel Hyperblack Liner, Chanel Boy Brow Pencil in Black

It’s a Cruel Summer.

No, I’m not talking about the Bananarama song… ?

Is it just me, or can these girls only barely sing?

I just started watching this young adult-ish mystery show called Cruel Summer, and I blame it for my lack of sleep last night!

It’s about two girls whose lives become intertwined after one gets kidnapped.

The episodes bounce back and forth between 1993, 1994 and 1995, and I’m having all sorts of nostalgia for my ’90s-era wardrobe. I wish I hung on to my oversized overalls, striped knit shirts, baggy Levis and floral dresses, le sigh!

Also, the suspense is keeping me up at night. Note to self: GO TO SLEEP EARLY THIS EVENING. Don’t say I didn’t warn you if you start marathoning it on Hulu (that’s where I found it).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

3 Playfully Pink Chanel Rouge Allures From the Permanent Collection

June 23rd, 2021 by Karen 7 Comments

chanel rouge allure ink 170 euphorie — Fun with some Chanel lippies!

Chanel. Pink. Permanent!

Thou speaketh magic words to mine ears! Or, should I say “magic words to my lips”? Hmm!

I’ve been wearing lipstick very infrequently over the past few months (sunscreen, however, is a totally different story!), so when I started downsizing my collection in May, I promised myself that the only legacy lipsticks I would keep going forward are ones I absolutely adore.

I’ve gotten rid of most of the dead weight by now and am finally at the point where I actually have to try stuff on to determine if I want to keep keeping it, and these three Chanel lippies are the next ones on deck.

chanel rouge allure 170 91 24 swatches — So pink!

Raspberry reddish pink Rouge Allure Ink in 170 Euphorie ($40) is a lightweight matte liquid lipstick that, for some reason, looks more red in these pics! — but less so in person.

Rouge Allure Velvet in 42 Eclatante ($40) is a bright and summery coral pink with a soft matte finish and like Euphorie it feels light on my lips. It also looks fantastic with black cat eye liner!

Rouge Allure in 91 Seduisante ($40) is a warm pink with a creamy finish, and I can see it being a lovely everyday color.

chanel rouge allure 91 seduisante — Rouge Allure in 91 Seduisante

chanel rouge allure velvet 42 eclatante — Rouge Allure Velvet in 42 Eclatante

chanel rouge allure ink 170 euphorie swatch — Rouge Allure Ink in 170 Euphorie

The rest of the makeup in this look

Lately, I’ve been trying to find ways to wear makeup that work for me… By that I mean that I don’t want to feel overwhelmed by the thought of blending, or, like I’m wearing a sh*t-ton of stuff on my skin. I just want to feel pretty in makeup again, ya know?

I think I’ve finally found a philosophy that works for me (at least for now). I just wear a little bit of eye makeup, coupled with keeping my skin as simple as possible. Then, I incorporate a fun lipstick in a joyful color.

In this look, I’m wearing a lot of Chanel!

For the skin, I started by applying a new tinted mineral sunscreen by Avene called Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Tinted Sunscreen Fluid. It’s fragrance- and oil-free, and the tan tint actually works on my NC42 skin tone. I’ve yet to test it out on a very sunny day, but so far, I’m into it!

Then, I blended a few drops of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Sunscreen Makeup on my cheeks, my nose and my upper lip; added a few drops of Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand under my eyes; and dabbed a golden tan cream blush (Chanel Les Beiges in No 20) on my cheeks.

For my eyes, I started by lining my upper lash line with Hyperblack, Chanel’s long-wearing cream liner in a pot. Next, I swept the golden brown from the Chanel Road Movie quad to give some depth to my lids, and smudged the edges of the liner with the matte navy shade from Road Movie. To finish, I filled in my brows with Chanel Boy Brow in Black and coated my lashes with Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara.

Done! ?

What makeup looks have you been into lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day! ?

Springy, Joyful Taupe and Plum

May 4th, 2021 by Karen 11 Comments

plum and taupe — Sometimes you just need 15 minutes and some time with makeup

Today’s minor victory? It has been two full weeks since my second shot, so I’m officially fully vaccinated! To celebrate, I ironed my shirt.

HA HA HA! No, seriously, one cannot embark upon “the after” as a wrinkly mess. I also put on some makeup, since wearing face paint with a crisp celebratory white shirt seemed like the right thing to do. ?

I did a 15-minute quickie look with taupe lids and plum cheeks using mostly new-to-me makeup from Laura Mercier, Giorgio Armani, Chanel and Clinique, because I’ve been trying to expand my horizons a little with some new products.

plum and taupe products — A mix of new-to-me items and old faves

First impressions…

Giorgio Armani Lip Power in Confident: This creamy plum lipstick’s cup runneth over with pigment. It’s creamy, lightweight and doesn’t have an obnoxious flavor or scent. I especially like using it as a lip stain.

Chanel Ombre Premier Lacque in Desert Wind: This shimmery liquid shadow dries quickly, so you have to blend with speed and purpose. No time to dilly-dally! It’s also long lasting and quite shimmery.

Clinique Pretty Easy Liner in Brown: I’ve used the black version of this liquid liner for years, and the brown is just as easy to apply. It also lasts all day long.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in 4W: I’m only wearing this dual-ended brightening and camouflaging concealer in this look. No foundation at all. It’s lightweight but certainly covers everything. It also looks and feels natural, but dagnabbit if it doesn’t just slide right off my face, even when I set it with powder.

plum and taupe swatches — Plum lips and cheeks with taupe lids

Do you ever wear taupe lids with plum cheeks and lips? It’s a combo I like to wear all year long, but even more so now because the plum cheeks and plum lip stain feel very springy to me.

Makeup worn in this look

BASE: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Brighten & Correct Duo in 4W, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
CHEEKS: Clinique Plum Pop
EYES: Chanel Boy de Chanel Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown, Chanel Ombre Premier Lacque in Desert Wind, Chanel Stylo Ombre Et Contour in Contour Clair, Clinique Pretty Easy Liner in Brown, Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara, Chanel Espresso Liner
LIPS: Giorgio Armani in Lip Power in 600 Confident

Culinary adventures

Speaking of trying new things, last weekend I gave this vegan coconut rice and chickpea dish a go (got the recipe from Yeung Man Cooking).

Basically, it was just a’ight… I liked it enough to finish, but my eyes didn’t roll to the back of my head or anything.

I’m on a kick to find some great new recipes, so if you have one (or more!) you’ve made recently and love, send ’em my way! Thanks in advance.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Friday FOTD With Coffee-Colored Winged Liner and Bronze Lids, and New Crocs and Ugg Sandals

April 23rd, 2021 by Karen 14 Comments

You ever go through one of those indecisive periods when every decision you have to make is…extremely difficult? When I do, these episodes can last days, weeks, sometimes months. I’m experiencing one of these spells right meow, and it’s manifesting in multiple ways. Like, I’m currently transitioning all of my shoes to flats (no more heels for this girl), and I couldn’t decide between the Crocs Brooklyn Wedges and the Ugg Kari Sandals, so I ended up buying both. WHOOPS! In my shoe defense, both colors are basic and useful so I know I’ll wear them a lot. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself, hahaha!)

The white soles on the Uggs are makin’ me a little nervous because I can just see myself getting aggravated with every little speck of dirt, but a friend recommended trying a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to keep ’em looking fresh and clean. We’ll see!

Oh, and it just occurred to me right this second that these kinda look like the slippers that Filipino moms/aunties/grandmas threaten to spank you with when you start acting up, OMG!

If I had a dollar for every time someone threatened to palo me with their tsinelas, hahaha!

Can we talk about how the element of indecision has also crept into my lipstick life?! I originally paired these eyes (coffee winged liner and bronzed lids, which I’m feeling!) with a matte coral because a coral lip is so springy…

mac crossfade april 22 — MAC Powderkiss Lipstick in Crossfade

But I also like how a matte taupe-brown lipstick looks with it too, because it has a slight late ’90s vibe.

maybelline more taupe — Maybelline Ultimatte Lipsticks in More Taupe

Which one do you prefer? The coral or the brown?

jane iredale covergirl base — From the left: Maybelline Ultimatte Lipstick in More Taupe, MAC Powderkiss Lipstick in Cross Fade, Jane Iredale Enlighten Plus Under-eye Concealer in No. 2 and Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear 3-in-1 foundation in 860 Classic Tan

MAKEUP WORN IN THIS LOOK

BASE: Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear 3-in-1 foundation in 860 Classic Tan and Jane Iredale Enlighten Plus Under-eye Concealer in No. 2

EYES: Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara, Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat, NARS Isolde Duo (lids), NARS Coconut Grove (eyeliner), NARS Bengali (outer corner), Chanel Espresso Liner, Chanel Boy de Chanel Brow Pencil in Deep Brown

CHEEKS: Laura Mercier Blush Colour Infusion in Chai, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light

LIPS: Maybelline Ultimatte in More Taupe and MAC Crossfade

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!!!! ?

Citrusy, Springy Chanel Paris-Riviera (and Easter Egg Hunts and Noms)

March 26th, 2021 by Karen 9 Comments

Spring is here, and despite the fact that I don’t have the spring skirt situation worked out…I do have my spring fragrance situation worked out, because, HELLO! — a change of weather means change of scent, am I right? 🙂

Side note: the black midi skirt I ordered from Gap arrived yesterday, and it 100% made me look like I was part of a cult. Honestly, I think I was blinded by the thought of having pockets… Pockets will do that to ya!

I’m returning it ASAP.

Back to the perfume… It’s called Chanel Paris Riviera Eau du Toilette, and OOOH! — it smells so good. If you’re a fiend for fresh citrus scents, I think you’d love it. It starts off bright and borderline sharp with bold, orange notes. Like, if you were walking through a sun-dappled grove of orange trees and picked one off a branch and peeled it right then and there, that’s what a spritz first smells like.

Then, it transforms into a floral with orange blossom and jasmine notes before drying down into warm, sandalwood and vanilla notes. It’s light, fresh and clean, which I wanted because in the spring I don’t really like to wear anything too heavy, you know what I mean?

I love it and have been wearing it nonstop.

In other news…is it just me, or did Easter sneak up on us?! I usually like to plan my Easter menu way in advance, but this year I think I’m going to keep it simple with a premade honey ham, biscuits (I might just buy the premade kind) and roasted vegetables (asparagus, broccoli and baby potatoes). Or, I may just buy a couple of Whole Foods Frozen Cheese Pizzas and call it a day, ha ha ha! We’ll see.

I’m prepping some Easter eggs for the egg hunt at Connor’s preschool, and this got me thinking about Easter egg hunts when I was a kid. El Hub and I were chatting a while back and he was absolutely shocked when I told him that, when my brother and I were young, we always had Easter egg hunts inside our tiny little house. You could also pretty much guarantee that the eggs would always be hidden in the same places year after year, like, there were always some tucked away in the piano and behind my mom’s knick-knacks in the living room.

Because of this, I always just assumed that every family held their egg hunts the same way. I had NO IDEA some families went outside on Easter morning to hunt for eggs.

I don’t know… Did anybody else’s family do the indoor egg hunt?!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Rainbow Nails and Bright Lips, Funfetti Cake, and the MAC Makeup in “Promising Young Woman”

March 23rd, 2021 by Karen 16 Comments

skittles mani mac all fired up — It’s a rainbow of color

For the record, it’s very, very awkward to take a picture of yourself that has your hands in it and have it look natural! Why do I feel like my paws look bigger than my head here? ?

I haven’t worn rainbow nails in a minute, but I absolutely HAD TO after we rented Promising Young Woman last weekend. It’s a thriller starring Carey Mulligan as Cassie, a young 30-something woman who experiences something traumatic that leads her to drop out of medical school, move back in with her parent and…pursue other ends. I don’t want to give away too much, but it involves some revenge.

Cassie wears a pastel rainbow manicure throughout the movie, and it’s front and center at a few key moments.

I’ve been reading about the styling for the film, and it turns out that the manicure was writer/director Emerald Fennell’s idea, and fun fact for ya — she’s the lady who plays Camilla Parker-Bowles in The Crown!

Symbolically, Cassie’s nails and makeup represent both her armor and a weapon. Her sweet girlishness at times conceals her anger.

I just wanted to wear rainbows on my hands to have a little fun, but I definitely appreciate using makeup as armor.

Pink: Smith & Cult Plastic Beach
Orange: Chanel Orange Fizz (no longer available, try Chanel Cruise)
Yellow: Sally Hansen Lemon Heaven
Mint Green: Sally Hansen Prince Char-Mint
Baby Blue: Essie First View

Near the end of the film, there’s a scene with Cassie in a candy-colored wig putting on a bright lipstick, and dagnabbit, even without my glasses on, and consequently being half-blind, I knew it was MAC. The movie’s makeup artist, Angie Wells, used MAC All Fired Up Retro Matte Lipstick.

I’m wearing it here with MAC Beet Lip Pencil.

Speaking of bright and colorful things…I got a gluten-free sprinkle boxed cake mix and a matching sprinkle cake frosting (both by Pillsbury) at Target a few weeks ago to make a cake, and you know what? It was pretty darned delicious. Both the boxed Funfetti cake and the frosting were surprisingly tasty and flavorful (I could really taste the vanilla). The cake was also light and fluffy, and the frosting spread easily.

Everything was so good that I went back to the store and got more for the next time I have to bake something last-minute!

You know that I’m totally 100% down to bake a cake and make frosting from scratch, but sometimes it’s sooooo nice to have something easy around for when you get a hankerin’ for cake.

While we’re on the topic of baking, look what I found at Michaels…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen