Too Faced

Makeup Breakdown: The Better Than False Lashes Look From Too Faced Cosmetics

March 27th, 2013 by Karen 36 Comments

A Too Faced Cosmetics Makeup Breakdown — My new fave makeup look…

Hello and welcome to the hump! I’ve been awake since the crack of dawn because your nephew has figured out a new way to annoy me.

A good 30 minutes before my alarm’s supposed to go off, he claws at the side of the mattress so that I’ll wake up and feed him the gravy he so richly deserves.

tabs-feel-my-wrath — Feel my wrath, woman

Tabs isn’t exactly a kitty rocket scientist, but when it comes to food, the gears in his tiny brain churn just enough for him to put two and two together. Ah, the joys of pet assisting a plus-size diva super star…

Needless to say, I’m feeling like I need an extra jump start to go along with the coffee this morning, so I’m thinking about re-creating the same look I wore in the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes post from the beginning of the week. I feel extra sassy when I’ve got this makeup on, and it’s my new favorite look. 🙂

I guess you must like it too, because I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a step-by-step breakdown. So here it is!

Since it was a post for Better Than False Lashes (by the way, have you entered the giveaway yet?), I’m wearing mostly Too Faced makeup.

Also, today’s the last day of the Better Than False Lashes giveaway, so if you haven’t already entered, head on over right away! You don’t want to miss out.

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. What makeup are you wearing today? Tell me about your look in the comments.

Two Ways to Win Too Faced Cosmetics Better Than False Lashes

March 25th, 2013 by Karen 274 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winners are @thatonegrl27 and Aelyn! Congratulations, gals! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Too Faced Better Than False Lashes — Two ways to win Better Than False Lashes from Too Faced Cosmetics

Freakin’ Zac Efron and his genetically blessed eyelashes! He doesn’t have to deal with the drama that mere morals endure when we — okay, I — long for a big lash look.

I bet he’s never experienced a false lash band poking at his inner corners or a lash strip unexpectedly popping up during the middle of an interview (um, can you say mortifying?).

Yup, as much as I love the look of false lashes, sometimes I don’t want to bother with the extra baggage that can come with wearing them. And that’s when Too Faced’s Better Than False Lashes comes in handy.

It’s a two-piece, multi-layered system that dramatically bumps up my lash look. Nylon fibers help stretch the length of each lash, while a thickening and lengthening mascara locks everything in place.

The trick seems to be in the application process. I apply one layer slowly and carefully, wait for it to completely dry, and then apply the next layer. If I rush through it at all, the whole false lash effect kinda flies out the window.

It’s a process, but when I follow the directions down pat, I’m rewarded by dramatically long, lifted lashes that I think Zac-y Poo would envy.

Too-Faced-BTFL-after-k-2 — Lashes like WHOA!

Every time I wear it, somebody inevitably asks if I’m wearing falsies, and I tell ’em nope! — it’s Too Faced Better Than False Lashes.

Curious to see how Better Than False Lashes fares on your fringe? Then you’ll definitely want to get in on today’s giveaway.

Two lucky ladies (or gents) will win:

One (1) Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System valued at $35 which includes:

One 0.30-ounce tube of Activating Mascara Base & Top Coat
One 0.02-ounce tube of Flexistretch Nylon Lash Fibers

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, when was the last time you wore false lashes? What’s a go-to Too Faced product that you can’t live without? What’s one thing you wish you could improve about about your lashes? Do you ever wear colorful mascara? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Too Faced Cosmetics Better Than False Lashes! http://bit.ly/10Gil5O

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, March 27, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (PST).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals internationally and in the United States who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winners are @thatonegrl27 and Aelyn! Congratulations, gals! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder Is Helping Faces Be Light Hearted

March 8th, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

Like ~~lightning~~ lighting in a bottle.

Sunsets inspire the new highlighting powder from Too Faced, the $32 Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder.

To both set your makeup and give a golden pink/late afternoon glow to your skin, just swirl your brush in the jar of multicolored powder hearts, and apply all over your face.

GURL, you don’t have to tell me about the power of lighting. When I think of how many times my friend Jen and I went clubbing and ended up talking to a dude who looked like a Baldwin in the dim club lighting, but then when the lights came up, we were like, “WHOA?!”

It’s that kind of shared trauma that bonds girlfriends for life. 🙂

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder 2 — Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder 3 — Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder 4 — Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

[Continue reading…]

Bronzed, Poreless and Poised for Sun-Kissed Skin: The New Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer

March 8th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

I wouldn’t exactly say it erases pores, or gives me supernaturally smooth skin, but the new $30 Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Powder from Too Faced does seem to smooth things out.

Where my pores are usually like, “OH, HAI! WE’RE KAREN’S PORES!” wearing Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Powder’s super soft, fine grains, my pores are definitely softer spoken, like “Oh, hello. Don’t mind me. I’m just one of Karen’s pores.” 🙂

Bronzed & Poreless, one of two powders in the new Hello Sunshine summer collection, is the more matte and orange of the two. The other one, Endless Summer 16-Hour Long-Wear Bronzer, showcases more gold.

If you’re looking for warmth above all else and/or have light or medium skin tone, I’d probably go with Bronzed & Poreless instead of Endless Summer, as Bronzed & Poreless sits on the lighter end of the bronzing spectrum.

Too Faced Bronzed Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer 17 — Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer

Too Faced Bronzed Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer 17a — Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer

Too Faced Bronzed Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer 18 — Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer

[Continue reading…]

Jar of Hearts

March 8th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Another shot of the Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder hearts ($32; from the new Hello Sunshine collection for summer 2013).

A Bright, Glowing Face of the Day With the New Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection

March 7th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection 1 — Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection

Dear Insomnia,

I think we need a break… Our relationship isn’t working. I’m just not that into you.

Love,
MBB

My mom always says to look on the bright side, so looking at things that way, the fact that I couldn’t fall asleep last night was a good thing, because it allowed me to finally watch the new episode of Southland (one of the best shows on TV!!).

While watching it I realized that 1) if I ever meet Ben Mckenzie in real life, there better be a fainting couch nearby because I’d probably swoon, and 2) he’s on twitter, which gives me another place to follow him.

Another silver lining to last night’s insomnia? It gave me extra motivation to do a bright, glowing makeup look today with golds, tans and corals — some of my favorite colors these days. 🙂

Two new products play starring roles in this look — the brown, coral and gold eye shadows from the “Classic” row in the new Summer Eyes Palette from Too Faced and the coral NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Lodhi. And on my cheeks, that’s good ol’ Chanel Frivole.

By the way, if you were thinking that the Summer Eye Palette looked familiar, then good eye! The same palette was released last year but on a very small scale. Too Faced decided to re-release it this year with a new shade (Seashell, instead of last year’s Sugar Sand) to let fans who missed it get their paws on it now.

[Continue reading…]

A 16-Hour Bronzer? What a Tan-talizing Thought! The New Two Faced Cosmetics Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

March 6th, 2013 by Karen 28 Comments

That’s me wearing the new $30 Too Faced Cosmetics Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer (from the new Hello Sunshine summer 2013 collection) below my cheek bones, in the creases of my eyes and around the edges of my face…

Bronzer fiend says what?

What?

I’m addicted to bronzer. 🙂 Have been for a while, but it’s progressed to the point where I feel naked when I’m not wearing any bronzer at all, like I’m running through the aisles at Trader Joe’s wearing nothing but my skivvies and a pair of flip-flips and trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone while I clutch six bags of coconut chips in my arms.

Awkward…

It’s a problem, but at least it’s easy to fix. I just make a point of carrying from one to three bronzers with me at all times (’cause you never know when the urge for NARS Laguna, MAC Give Me Sun or Benefit Hoola will strike).

Okay, not all times. But most.

Except for lately, because I’ve been in the mood to travel light. I rediscovered this small, striped Kate Spade wristlet that I like, and it’s just too small for three bronzers and the kitchen sink.

I guess the stars were aligning when I met the new $30 Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer. A light golden brown with subtle shimmer, it keeps me bronzed from brunch to bed, so I don’t have to bring it with me for touch-ups when I leave the house.

Too Faced says that the formula, which combines film formers and polymers with long-lasting pigments, lasts as long as it does because of its “double bond formula…” And yes, I’m picturing two Daniel Craigs. 🙂

They also claim that it’s out of this world! — as in universally flattering, and I can see that. Mostly. I do think it may go ashy on the deepest skin tones…

Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer 12 — Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer 13 — Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer 14 — Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

[Continue reading…]

Are You a Eye Shadow Palette Purist?

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 30 Comments

EstÃ©e Lauder's New Pure Color GelÃ©e Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun — Wearing EstÃ©e Lauder’s Pure Color GelÃ©e Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun (from the new Bronze Goddess collection) on my eyes

When I was getting ready this morning, I grabbed my eye shadow palette crush o’ the moment, EstÃ©e Lauder’s Pure Color GelÃ©e Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun from the new Bronze Goddess summer (!) collection, and I wondered about how other makeup lovers like to wear eye palettes.

Par exemple, when you grab a palette, do you usually stick to the shadows in that palette, or do you like to mix and match them with other shades?

I’m not really strict about sticking to the colors in a single palette; it’s mostly about proximity, LOL! If something’s close by and will work with the palette I want to wear, then I’ll add it into the mix. But if I’m traveling and only have room in my bag for a single eye palette, then I’ll just stick to those colors.

A few of my favorite spring and summer palettes…

EstÃ©e Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun small — EstÃ©e Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun ($48)

Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection 11 — Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection ($36)

Chanel Pearl River Ombres Matelassees Eyeshadow Palette Picture — Chanel Ombres MatelassÃ©es Eyeshadow Palette in Pearl River ($80)

Guerlain Coup de Foudre — Guerlain Ã‰crin 4 Couleurs in Coup de Foudre ($59)

What about you? When you wear an eye shadow palette, do you tend to stick to just those colors? Are you an eye shadow palette purist, or do you like to mix it up?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Too Faced

Eyes

Cheeks

Lips

A few of my favorite spring and summer palettes…