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Avene

Hawaii Vacation Beauty Products

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You’re extra beautiful today, Oahu!

Please excuse my paws in these photos. They’re extra t-rex because I was holding these beauty products over a railing with dear life, LOL!

Anywho, I always like seeing the beauty products people bring with them on vacation. Here’s what I’ve been using on this trip!

Sunscreen

Hair

  • Kenra Volume Spray Super Hold Finishing Spray 25
  • Bumble and Bumble Seaweed Air Dry Cream
  • I didn’t bring any shampoo, conditioner or body wash because the place we’re staying at has Malie Organics Mango Nectar hair and body products!

Body

Face

Hope things on your end are great!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sunscreen Shout-Out! Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen and Tinted Sunscreen 50+

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avene soliare uv top
SO GREAT!

This sunscreen has been in heavy rotation ever since I discovered it last summer.

I suspect that both of these bad gals will be good to the last drop! (Side note: what’s the last sunscreen you finished?) I’m well on my way to finishing both of the new liquid lotion mineral sunscreens from Avene because they’re THAT good.

Like many makeup huntresses, I’m always on the prowl… I’m always looking for that elusive “no-makeup makeup” skin — just the barest hint coverage, with just enough tint or pigment to even things out a touch, but to find something that delivers a no-makeup makeup look, offers brilliant sun protection, feels light as a feather and leaves absolutely no white cast behind? That’s the stuff of legend, or perhaps just an internet rumor, or a figment of a beauty lover’s imagination… Or is it? I’m starting to believe that the new Avene Solaire sunscreens are as close to “the one” as you can get, and, yes, in case you were wondering, both of them create the most natural-looking dewy finish, so secret admirers will assume your supernatural glow is a natural, rare gift from the heavens above.

avene solaire uv tinted before
Wearing no makeup or sunscreen…
avene solaire uv tinted
And here I am wearing the Tinted version as my base.

Essentially, these are all that and a bag of cheese puffs. After I work in the lotion (it’s very thin and absorbs super quickly), no greasy goo is ever left behind, and my eyes don’t sting, not even after I sweat.

avene solaire uv tinted swatches

In the tinted version, rather than the typical too-pink beige that seems to be the go-to color of most tinted sunscreens, Avene opted for a darker medium tone. It looks more like a bronzer at first glance, but it should suit most skin tones based on the comments on the Avene website, as long as one blends it in thoroughly. I’m a tan gal, and the tint and sheer coverage are absolute perfection for me.

INGREDIENTS, TINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALUCYLATE, METHYLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLGYCLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDROXYSTEATEARATE/SEBACATE, NIACINAMIDE, NYLTON-12, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, IRON OXIDES, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALUS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

INGREDIENTS, UNTINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALICYLATE, METHLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDRIXYSTEARATE/ SEBACATE, NYLON-12, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DOPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEOL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

The dry patches and pimples I get sometimes (those jerks), which will avail themselves of any excuse to pop off, haven’t made an appearance when I’ve used either of these sunscreens, so I’ll be keeping them close for the rest of the summer, and perhaps the rest of my life?! That’s a grand statement, but dang, ’tis good stuff.

Oh, yeah, in case you were wondering how the tinted version compares to Bliss Block Star (another rock star tinted mineral sunscreen), Avene’s has a dewy finish, while Block Star is matte. Avene also has a higher SPF at 50+ compared to Block Star’s 30. Both are great, though!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Because I Can’t Be the Only One! Biossance and Avene Skin Care Goodies…

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biossance unstoppable glow
Skincare goodies from Biossance

DUDE. Is it just me, or is the temptation to smooth and slather on all the things strong when new skincare arrives?

The beauty products I ordered on Black Friday hit my doorstep yesterday, and I’m trying really hard to slow my roll and not put everything on my face all at the same time!

I think I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but I grabbed the Biossance Unstoppable Glow Kit because 1) it includes a full-size jar of Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, my current go-to face moisturizer, 2) it was on sale and 3) I’ve been wanting to try the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, and the kit includes a travel-size bottle.

I also picked up a full-size bottle of the Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, too, which I used last night to take off my makeup, and I have mixed feelings. It’s great for removing face and lip makeup, and my skin didn’t feel tight or uncomfortable after I rinsed off, but oh, my eyes! They stung a little when I rubbed the oil on my lashes and lash lines. I’ll still keep using it to take off foundation and lipstick but will stick to Curel Makeup Cleansing Oil to remove eye makeup.

Anywho! My order also came with this awesome GWP kit, which has a ton of things from the Biossance line…

The awesome GWP kit!

Oh! I also ordered some things from Avene, too. I restocked a couple favorites: another bottle — my third one, it’s that good! — of Solaire UV Mineral Sunscreen and a tube of XeraCalm AD, which saves my skin whenever it feels so dry that it hurts. I’ve been wanting to try their RetrinAl Intensive Cream for a while, so I grabbed that too.

A couple tried-and-true items from Avene, along with something new

So that’s what’s new on this end. I’m actually kinda surprised I didn’t pick up any makeup, but with my new job and all, I haven’t been feeling super adventurous with makeup lately. I end up using the same stuff. Sigh! I know.

I was this close on Black Friday to pulling the trigger on a Chantecaille order, but then I realized at that point I really needed to start buying gifts for other people on my Christmas list so I had calm the eff down, LOL!

If you have any q’s about any of the items listed here, hit me up in the comments. I’m happy to give you my thoughts or first impressions. Site note: I’m really liking this Biossance Lip Balm! It’s thick, but not sticky, and my lips feel good.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking in: Black Friday Beauty Shopping and Epic Stretchy Joggers by Zella

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biossance jar empty

Hi, friend. Happy Friday to ya!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent ours with family friends who invited us over for a full spread with turkey and all the fixings! I can’t even begin to tell you how nice it was to sit at a table and just chat and eat. Seriously, I don’t think I’ll ever take having a meal with people for granted ever again. It really is a gift to share food and time with others.

Before we left for dinner last night, I was getting dressed and had a moment when I actually contemplated non-stretchy pants, aka jeans, LOL! Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking. I ended up going with a pair of joggers and I don’t regret the decision at all. If you’re in the market for super comfy pants with pockets, grab these Zella Soft Pocket Joggers from Nordstrom ASAP. I have them in both black and gray and wear them all the time. You can dress them up with a casual blazer and a white tee, or dress them down with a sweatshirt and a denim jacket. I love, love, love them!

Anywho, I was chatting with a few gals in the comments yesterday about Black Friday beauty shopping, and I had to mention a gift set that I bought from Biossance.

They’re currently having a Black Friday sale with 30% off on everything on the site, so I wanted to pick up a jar of Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. It’s a rich face moisturizer packed with lipids, and I got it originally because the omega fatty acids are supposed to help with hyperpigmentation. I bought one last June for my birthday and have since fallen deeply in love!

biossance jar empty

While I was checking out the gift sets, I noticed one called Unstoppable Glow ($59), which contains a full-size jar of the Omega Cream, and travel-size bottles of their Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Serum and Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. With the 30% off sale, it’s $41.

If you just want a jar, a regular full-size 1.6-ounce jar is usually $58, and with the sale it’s $40. There’s also a 3.3-ounce jumbo size ($75), which is marked down to $58, and with 30% off, it’s also $40!

v

One last thing about this sale. If you spend more than $75, you also get a free 11-piece bag of Biossance’s top-rated skin care products.

Other beauty sales I’m excited about are Kate Somerville (25% off site wide), Avene (25% off site wide), Ilia (20% off site wide) and Chantecaille (25% off site wide).

I’m off to go and eat some pancakes now. My brother is visiting and he’s offered to make breakfast. Can’t wait!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Checking In: Another Tube of Avene Mineral Sunscreen, Danessa Myricks Colorfix and Holiday Sets

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avene solaire

Hi, guys! Happy Friday. It was kind of a slow week on this end, beauty wise, and the only remotely exciting thing I did was buy another bottle of Avene Solaire SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen. Side note: am I the only person that gets excited about sunscreen?

Anyway, this is my second bottle, and I’m pretty sure eventually a third bottle will be in my future in the next few months because it’s the best non-tinted mineral face sunscreen I’ve found so far. It doesn’t leave a white cast, absorbs into my skin quickly and isn’t drying at all.

FYI, the finish is slightly dewy, but not sparkly, so if you prefer a matte look, something like Bliss Block Star might be a better fit.

bliss block star

I popped in and out of Sephora yesterday to check out the Danessa Myricks Color Fix Pigments! Unfortunately the store closest to me only had, like, five shades, and they were all colors that didn’t do anything for my soul, so I didn’t pull the trigger.

I also had ice cream melting in the back of my car (FYI, I’m the “ice cream lady” at Connor’s school) so I didn’t have time to stick around and play. I’m going to try to stop by on the weekend.

Oh, on my way out I noticed holiday kits already out on the shelves! I know that we’ll all collectively blink and suddenly the holidays will be here, but I’m not quite ready yet to do any Christmas shopping. How about you? I also know myself way too well. I’d buy kits allegedly for others and just end up keeping them, ha ha ha!

I hope you’re having a great Friday so far! TGIF!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Summery Makeup Look With Coral Cheeks and Lips and Blue Lashes, and Carrying On

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colourpop blue ya mind

OK, so fun fact: right before I put on this makeup, I had a minor meltdown. Long story short, El Hub is back in the office and Connor’s at camp, so it’s just me and Rosie all by ourselves at home, and even though I love her torbie-tude and her sassy company, I’m having trouble adjusting to being alone again. For over a year now, I’ve constantly had someone nearby, and now that I’m by myself again for long stretches of time, well, it’s weird. It’s waaaaaay too quiet. I thought I would love having so much time to myself, but when the house is silent and all I can hear is the hum of the air conditioner…I feel isolated and very lonely.

Anyway, I’ve been trying this new thing where I “lean in” to whatever uncomfortable feelings I’m experiencing, so that instead of fighting it, I allow myself to just feel the feelings and let the sadness pass over me. Does that make sense? Leaning into it for me usually means walking for 10 minutes or so on the treadmill or outside to get my body moving, and listening to music. Sometimes I cry to get it all out. After I do this, I usually feel better.

Yesterday this was the song I listened to while I walked…

Afterwards, I felt so much better that I even put on some makeup. Not a ton, but just enough to feel like myself again. I did blue lashes with coral cheeks and lips and a touch of bronzer. Very summery!

I only used a handful of products…

colourpop blue ya mind products

The main focal point is the blue mascara, which, by the way, is Blue Ya Mind by Colourpop. I bought it on a whim at Ulta last month, and eh, it’s just OK. I probably won’t buy it again because it’s not particularly great at curling or fattening up lashes on its own, but when I layer it on top of a waterproof mascara, it’s doable. I have it here on top of a single coat of waterproof Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara.

I’m also wearing my favorite gel bronzer and gel blush by Chantecaille on my cheeks and lids. I like to do a 50/50 mix on my cheeks, let that layer dry, and then dab just the blush on the apples of my cheeks. For my eyes, I applied the bronzer on my lids with my fingers. SO EASY!

The blue lashes and bronzy coral cheeks pair well with a matte coral lipstick (MAC Crossfade), but I think a coral gloss would’ve looked good with this too.

colourpop blue ya mind

colourpop blue ya mind

colourpop blue ya mind

Makeup worn in this look

Is anybody else out there experiencing something similar? I can’t be the only person having trouble adjusting to the latest new normal.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Plethora of Plum! Plum Lids, Liner and Glossy Plum Lips (and a Poll)

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plum liner with honest beauty get it together palette
When your hair is crazy but you go with it.

I just saw a picture of Toni Colette (LOVE HER) in a magazine, and her makeup looked so beautiful… I wish I knew who the makeup artist was because I really like it. It looks like she’s wearing dark plum liner, matte neutral lids and a glossy plum lip… Anyway, I’m into it, and it inspired my makeup yesterday.

Of course, I had to put my own spin on it! 😁 Toni looks like she’s wearing full coverage based on how even her skin looks, and her brows look bold (but not too bold) and filled in, but I did a softer brow and just the sheerest amount of base I could get away with.

One of these days I’ll try a version of this look with fuller coverage and bolder brows. I think it could look very elegant for a dinner party or a night out with the girls.

plum liner with honest beauty get it together palette
Easy-peasy lids with plum liner

plum liner with honest beauty get it together palette 4

plum liner with honest beauty get it together palette
See the plum on my lash and waterlines?

I have the details listed below, but ya know, as always, if you have any questions about it, hit me up!

Makeup worn in this look:

  • BASE: Avene Solaire UV Tinted SPF 50
  • EYES: Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette, Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara, Boy de Chanel Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown, MAC Prunella Pencil, Hourglass Retouching Fluid in Sand
  • CHEEKS: Chanel Blush No. 20, Laura Mercier Ginger
  • LIPS: Chanel Rouge Allure in 91 Seduisante and Rouge Coco Gloss in 754 Confusion

In other news…

People magazine, by the way. I don’t have a subscription, but a free issue arrived randomly in the mail, and despite the fact that I’m not really into celeb gossip…if I’m in a waiting room or at the salon, I will devour US Weekly and People with no shame.

Anywho, the feature with Toni was a Q&A with a bunch of questions I thought I’d “borrow” for us here. It might be fun if you’re up for it! You know I love me a poll, and not just on Monday mornings, ha!

Here we go. Just copy and paste, and add your answers in the comments:

Copy and paste

  • Last time I sang out loud
  • Last thing I discovered about myself
  • Last moment of self-care
  • Last time I bonded with a horse
  • Last moment of bliss

Here are my answers…

Last time I sang out loud

This morning in the shower, and the song was De Ja Vu by Olivia Rodrigo, which is a bit too high for my vocal range, but I try anyway.

Last thing I discovered about myself

I like rowing more than running.

Last moment of self-care

Last night. I put my phone on sleep mode and stashed it in another room about an hour before bedtime so I wouldn’t be tempted to mindlessly scroll before going to sleep. I’ve been doing this for the past week, and it helps me fall asleep faster.

Last time I bonded with a horse

The one and only time I ever rode a horse, which was in Hawaii a couple years ago.

Last moment of bliss

Yesterday morning. I’d finished a long spinning class, and my body felt so spent (in a good way). Then when I was stretching afterwards, and the sweat was just rolling off every inch of me, I just felt so relaxed and chill… It was glorious!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🤗

Product Spotlight: Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen and Tinted Sunscreen 50+

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avene soliare uv top
SO GREAT!

I suspect that both of these bad gals will be good to the last drop! (Side note: what’s the last sunscreen you finished?) I’m well on my way to finishing both of the new liquid lotion mineral sunscreens from Avene because they’re THAT good.

Like many makeup huntresses, I’m always on the prowl… I’m always looking for that elusive “no-makeup makeup” skin — just the barest hint coverage, with just enough tint or pigment to even things out a touch, but to find something that delivers a no-makeup makeup look, offers brilliant sun protection, feels light as a feather and leaves absolutely no white cast behind? That’s the stuff of legend, or perhaps just an internet rumor, or a figment of a beauty lover’s imagination… Or is it? I’m starting to believe that the new Avene Solaire sunscreens are as close to “the one” as you can get, and, yes, in case you were wondering, both of them create the most natural-looking dewy finish, so secret admirers will assume your supernatural glow is a natural, rare gift from the heavens above.

avene solaire uv tinted before
Wearing no makeup or sunscreen…
avene solaire uv tinted
And here I am wearing the Tinted version as my base.

Essentially, these are all that and a bag of cheese puffs. After I work in the lotion (it’s very thin and absorbs super quickly), no greasy goo is ever left behind, and my eyes don’t sting, not even after I sweat.

avene solaire uv tinted swatches

In the tinted version, rather than the typical too-pink beige that seems to be the go-to color of most tinted sunscreens, Avene opted for a darker medium tone. It looks more like a bronzer at first glance, but it should suit most skin tones based on the comments on the Avene website, as long as one blends it in thoroughly. I’m a tan gal, and the tint and sheer coverage are absolute perfection for me.

INGREDIENTS, TINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALUCYLATE, METHYLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLGYCLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDROXYSTEATEARATE/SEBACATE, NIACINAMIDE, NYLTON-12, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, IRON OXIDES, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALUS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

INGREDIENTS, UNTINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALICYLATE, METHLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDRIXYSTEARATE/ SEBACATE, NYLON-12, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DOPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEOL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

The dry patches and pimples I get sometimes (those jerks), which will avail themselves of any excuse to pop off, haven’t made an appearance when I’ve used either of these sunscreens, so I’ll be keeping them close for the rest of the summer, and perhaps the rest of my life?! That’s a grand statement, but dang, ’tis good stuff.

Oh, yeah, in case you were wondering how the tinted version compares to Bliss Block Star (another rock star tinted mineral sunscreen), Avene’s has a dewy finish, while Block Star is matte. Avene also has a higher SPF at 50+ compared to Block Star’s 30. Both are great, though!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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