Chanel

End of Summer Shimmery Mermaid Makeup Tutorial

August 27th, 2015 by Karen 40 Comments

There is absolutely no freakin’ way that matte-heavy eyeshadow looks are even remotely acceptable among members of the makeup-loving mermaid community, and I know this for a fact.

Actually, I don’t really know that for a fact, since I haven’t kicked it with any of my mermaid friends lately, but if I had, they would DEFINITELY be rollin’ with shimmer.

So…why am I talking about mermaids??

Excellent question.

Well, because it’s late August, and even though I’m excited about fall, I’m still sad to see summer go. *sad tabby face* 🙁

I was thinking about the beach this morning (I haven’t been once this year!), and that led me to think about mermaids, and about mermaid water babies basking on the rocks with their shimmery tails swishing in the crystal clear waters and their subtle blue and green eye makeup sparkling in the sun…

So that’s what I was going for here.

For the record, this look is also appropriate for landlubbers, so you don’t need to have a mermaid tail to wear it, although that would be pretty rad.

I think this is a good look for late summer parties and barbecues, or maybe a back-to-school party where everyone gets kinda dressed up. Or, if you’re heading someplace fabulous that just so happens to have lively nightlife and be located near a warm body of water. Or, if you just want something shimmery to wear while you walk your cat around your neighborhood.

It’s a good look for multiple occasions. 🙂

Now, honey, if you just scrolled down, I know this look might seem impossible based on the number of steps, but you can do it! — even if you’re a straight-up beginner.

If you’ve never attempted anything like this before, though, cut yourself some slack. It’s OK and perfectly normal if it looks like shimmery poo the first few times, and it probably will, unless you’re a makeup wunderkind. But so what? Rome wasn’t built in a day.

OK, enough gabbing… Let’s do this.

1. Apply foundation, concealer and powder

Get yo’ base on that face, because we’re not about to leave the house without a little something-something. For this shimmery mermaid look, I like a full-coverage base because I think it balances out the bold eyes and false lashes.

Go with your fullest coverage foundation, concealer and powder, if you need to. Doing a goofy face while you do this is completely optional but highly encouraged. 🙂
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The Fab 5, Vol. 8: Chanel

August 13th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

Those double Cs, man! They get me every time.

I’ve drooled over and chased after Chanel for… I don’t even know how long! Years and years. It’s one of my favorite beauty brands (and fashion and accessories, etc.) of all time.

Makeup-wise, their permanent collection is huge and daunting. At their counters, there’s a LOT of great stuff to play with and look at, and between the lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows, blushes and more it can be overwhelming.

So where do you start? Hopefully this episode of The Fab Five gives you some ideas. It might even spark a lifelong love affair with Chanel, oui, oui! 🙂

I wear these five pieces almost daily. They’re the products I find myself grabbing over and over again.

The Fab 5, Vol. 8: Chanel (probably part one of two, haha)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Fall 2015: Highlights and Faves

August 6th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

Ooh! Smokey brown eyes. That’s all I have to say. And red lips, too, and some touches of khaki and bronze and copper… All in all, lots of good stuff in Chanel Fall 2015, so when you get home, freakin’ press play, and then let me know in the comments what you think.

And don’t laugh! Well, you can laugh, but I’m pretty sure that I butcher all of the French names.

Also, more swatches and product pics in this post from earlier this week.

chanel fall 2015 — Chanel Fall 2015 Collection Les Automnales

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Chanel Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense

August 3rd, 2015 by Karen 18 Comments

chanel waterproof eyeliner 2 — Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense ($32)

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of my all-time favorite permanent collection products.

I know what you’re probably thinking (probably). “Karen, duuuuuuude! How is it humanly possible to get excited about something as basic as another black pencil eyeliner, let alone one that costs $32!?”

GIRL, trust. I didn’t want to fall in love with Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense. In fact, if I had never known it even existed, I probably would have gone about my business perfectly content with my ride-or-die standby, MAC Smolder, but you know how it goes when you get that itch to try something new.

And that’s what happened here. In the process, I found what I believe to be THE BEST DAMN BLACK PENCIL LINER ON PLANET EARTH — and possibly the universe. I’ve been using it at least a few times every week since April.

Now, you might be wondering, what the heck is it? — I mean, other than a liner.

Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof liners are twist-up, long-wearing waterproof pencil eyeliners with a thin pencil tip on one end and a hidden sharpener on the other.

The tips feel quite hard to the touch but glide on the skin like creamy kohls with no tugging, so they’re easy to apply.

Unlike many creamy kohls, though, which scoot around on your eyes throughout the day, these don’t move AT ALL once they’ve completely dried down, which take about five minutes, and that allows for plenty of time to smudge and play.

They’re available in a bunch of colors in Chanel’s permanent line. Chanel also likes to periodically release limited edition shades that make me want to drop to my knees and cry with joy (like I did with Orchidee from the summer collection), but if I could only wear one of them for the rest of my cat-lovin’ life…it would been 88 Noir Intense.

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

August 3rd, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

1. bkr 500-ml Water Bottle in “Holiday” ($35)

I love, love, LOVE this 500-ml bkr bottle my friend Marisol got me for my birthday. It’s half the size of the full liter-sized bkr bottle I got for myself earlier this year, and for some reason, I guess because it’s much easier to carry around, when I carry it instead of the bigger bottle I end up drinking more water.

Both of them are made of the same solid, sturdy glass and have super cushiony rubberized sleeves to fully protect them (and they’re available in literally dozens of colors). Unlike my bigger one-liter flamingo-colored bkr bottle, “Minty” (that’s what I’ve named her) fits into my purse and the cup holder in my car, so she’s become my to-go bkr, while the bigger bkr mostly stays on my desk.

2. Chanel Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen ($45, available in six shades)

Yargh! — so obsessed.

I’ve been wearing this awesome tinted moisturizer a lot lately instead of full-coverage foundation, like when my family visited last week and also on my girls’ trip to Napa, because I can use it really fast!

It has a semi-matte, natural-looking finish, medium coverage, and it does lots of very lovely pore blurring (#yaaaas). The shade I use is called 40, by the way, but it’s also available in five other shades, all with a very light floral fragrance.

3. Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread ($3.99 for a 13-ounce jar)

Nutella is still my number one hazelnut spread because I think it’s smoother and more hazel-nutty, but to its credit, TJ’s “faux Nutella” is also pretty damn tasty!

It’s their Cocoa Almond Spread (but it also has hazelnut in it), and it’s been totally hitting the spot. I grabbed a bottle at TJ’s last Saturday because I didn’t want to drive all the way across town to Target just to get a jar of Nutella…because sometimes a girl just really, really, REALLY needs to have some Nutella (or something like it) on toast.

I may or may not have already finished half the jar…
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7 Covetable Coral Lipsticks That’ll Make You Go Completely Crazy for Coral

June 29th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

Some people go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. I go crazy for coral…lips, which I will totally wear any time of year, but fiendishly in summer.

This time of year I wear coral lips. A lot. Practically every other day! I mean, coral as a color in summer? That never goes out of style.

And when it comes to coral lips and permanent colors, here are seven of my faves… 🙂

1. MAC Amplified Lipstick in Vegas Volt

Vegas Volt. Something must be powering all those slot machines and lights. Maybe it’s Vegas Volt. It’s the coral I wear when I feel like kicking doors down in my four-inch heels.

Intense, opaque and potent enough to send a lightning bolt of pigment straight to your soul. It’s $16 and available now at MAC counters, stores and online.

2. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak

Urban Decay Streak Revolution Lipstick 10 — Urban Decay Streak Revolution Lipstick in Streak

Flamingoes. Creamy coral pink Streak reminds me of flamingoes. 🙂 This fresh, summery coral kicks so much @ss when worn with dewy skin, teal or gold liner, and mountains of mascara. It’s $22 and available now online and at Urban Decay counters, Ulta, Sephora and select Macy’s stores.

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The Chanel Les Beiges Summer 2015 Collection: This Kind of Beige Makes Everything Better

June 3rd, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

There’s beige…a color which is often associated with drab hospital walls, sensible shoes and cat barf.

And then there’s Chanel Beige. 🙂 Also known as yaaaaaas.

I have no idea how Chanel turned a color as historically boring as beige into something so covetable, but they did it with the new Les Beiges Summer 2015 Collection.

The Chanel Les Beiges Summer 2015 collection includes…

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in Mariniere No. 1 and Marinimere No. 02 ($65 each)

Les Beiges Blush Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Sticks in No. 20, No. 21 and No. 22 ($45 each)

Le Vernis Nail Colours in Beige Rose, Beige Pur, Precious Beige and Lovely Beige ($27 each)

Levres Scintillantes Glossimers in 204 Rose Tendre and 206 Beige Star ($30 each)

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Hydrating Lip Balm ($36)

Retractable Kabuki Brush ($70)

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 in No. 10, No. 20, No. 30, No. 40, No. 50, No. 60 and No. 70 ($58 each)

Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in No. 10, No. 20., No. 30, No. 40, No. 50 and No. 60 ($45 each)

For the hardcore Chanel-ophiles among us, I’ll get to that striped face powder in the above picture and what it’s doing there in a minute, but first! — what is Les Beiges?

Well, it’s two things. One, it’s a line of sheer face powders in the Chanel permanent collection, and two, it’s also a collection of sun-protected and healthy glowing skin-themed annual summertime products released by Chanel for summer over the past couple years.

Think polished but not overly perfected, and picture sheer tinted moisturizers, cream blushes and sheer face powders. All very summery.

This year’s Les Beiges Summer 2015 release follow that same idea, and it includes multicolored face/cheek powders, stick blushes (these are new!), nail polishes, a couple of glosses, a balm, a retractable kabuki brush, face powders and tinted moisturizers. The only things listed on the Chanel website as “limited edition” are the tinted moisturizers, so here’s to hoping that most of these items stick around a while.

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Chanel Summer 2015: Le Vernis Nail Colour in Lavanda

May 8th, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

Why hasn’t my love for Chanel’s summery vivid violet Lavanda nail lacquer translated into love in my closet?

One of life’s great mysteries, I suppose…

I rutted around in there this morning to find something to wear with Lavanda (I’m wearing two coats in these pics, by the way), and the only thing I could find was this romper.

Actually, I know why I don’t own many purple pieces of clothing (and other bright colors). It’s the cat hair. My wardrobe has progressively grown more gray over the past few years to match the tabby fur that I’m almost constantly covered in from head to toe.

I’ve been trying to re-colorize lately, but there’s still a ways to go. Today is a good step, though.

Top — romper by Leifsdottir (here’s something similar)
Necklace — Loft (something kinda similar)
Nails — Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Lavanda

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. What are you wearing on your nails today?

P.P.S. Guess who’s going to see the New Kids on the Block, Nelly and TLC tonight!? YES! My friend Marisol got us tickets. I may even wear a Band-Aid on my cheek like Nelly did back in the day!

Just kidding. I’m very excited though. 🙂