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Letters to Coco and Reflections on a Chanel Summer, Part 2: Packing Pearls, Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour and Happy Glossimer

April 11th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

Chanel Summer 2014 — Wearing the new Chanel Reflets D’Ete De Chanel Summer collection on my lips and tips

Letters to Coco

This is part two of a three-part series of posts titled “Letters to Coco,” a series of letters written in the summer of 2014 from me to my best friend (in my head), Coco Chanel. In this second letter, which features summer collection standouts Pink Tonic Nail Polish and Happy Glossimer, we’re just about to leave on our summer trip. 🙂

My dearest Coco,

Hey, babe! Can I just say that I’m excited!? OMG, Maldives! T-minus 24 hours and counting. Seriously, you do not even know how badly I need this trip. Tabs has been working me to the bone. I am literally — literally — counting down the seconds till I can unchain myself from my desk, LOL!

Oh, and excellent call on choosing the Maldives. I’ve never been before. So stoked!

I’m doing some last-minute packing tonight, so let me know if you need me to bring anything for you. I know that you’re very busy, and I actually have a little bit of room left in my carryon bag, haha!

Of course I’m bringing the essentials — sunscreen, hat (uh…I keep thinking that the only person who should be wearing a straw fedora is Justin Timberlake, but I can’t help myself), swimsuit, sunglasses, pearls and my trusty bottle of No. 19, aka “your best summery scent ever,” IMHO.

Oh! — I’m also bringing one of the five polishes in your Reflets D’Ete De Chanel Summer collection, the fuschia shade, Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour, ’cause, you know, I like to be prepared.

Chanel Happy Glossimer (a sheer coral jelly, $29.50) and Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour (a fuchsia, $27) — Happy Glossimer (a sheer coral jelly, $29.50) and Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour (a fuchsia, $27)

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Letters to Coco and Reflections on a Chanel Summer, Part 1: Orange You Glad We’re BFFs With Mirabella Le Vernis Nail Colour and Sunny Glossimer?

April 11th, 2014 by Karen 28 Comments

Chanel Collection Reflets D'Ete De Chanel Summer 2014 — Wearing the new Chanel Collection Reflets D’Ete De Chanel Summer 2014

Letters to Coco

Introducing part one of a three-part series of posts titled “Letters to Coco,” a series of letters written in the summer of 2014 from me to my best friend (in my head), Coco Chanel. In this first letter, which features summer collection standouts Mirabella Nail Polish and Sunny Glossimer, we’re planning our upcoming summer trip.

My dearest Coco,

Orange you glad we’re BFFs!? Because, seriously, how else would you get the inside scoop on happenings in the crazy cat lady community? You’d be lost without me, LOL!

I miss you so much! It’s been forever since we hung out. How has your summer been so far? Mine’s been nothing short of epic. EPIC!

I’ve been traveling a lot for work because of Tabs. He’s had a ton of modeling gigs lately and, lucky for me, most of them have been in tropical parts of the world.

I’m actually writing this to you from the Four Seasons in Bora Bora right meow.

Meow!

I was thinking about you because all of the fancy fashionistas here keep asking about Mirabella, that luscious orange nail polish from your summer collection.

Chanel Mirabella swatch — Two coats of creamy orange Mirabella

It hasn’t left my tips or toes once this trip, and everyplace I’ve been, at least one person has stopped to ask me about it. “OMG! What are you wearing on your nails!?” I raise my chin proudly and proclaim, “It’s from my BFF, Coco. It’s part of her summer Reflets D’Ete de Chanel summer 2014 collection.”

Then, while their brains are still frozen, I add, “It’s so pigmented that you only need one coat.” 🙂

Chanel Collection Reflets D'Ete de Chanel Summer 2014 All — Eight pieces from the 16-piece Reflets D’Ete de Chanel Summer 2014 collection

I’ve been wearing it with Sunny, the sheer jelly orange Glossimer also from your summer collection.

SUCH a good idea to mix and match the nail polishes and glosses in this collection, Coco! I love that if I want I can match my lips to my nails.

Chanel Mirabella Le Vernis Nail Colour and Sunny Glossimer — Mirabella Le Vernis Nail Colour ($27, limited edition) and Sunny Glossimer ($29.50, permanent)

Chanel Mirabella Le Vernis Nail Colour on my nails and Sunny Glossimer on my lipa — Mirabella Le Vernis Nail Colour on my nails and Sunny Glossimer on my lips

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The MAC Proenza Schouler Collection Clothes Lips, Eyes, Nails and Cheeks in Casual Cool Girl Style

April 10th, 2014 by Karen 42 Comments

I’m working the catwalk every single day, son. Every. Single. Day!

First, they said I was too short, and I was like, “BAM! Here’s your too short.” I’m 5’1″, and I can stomp-walk and hip-pop with the best of ’em!

Look out, Tyra, Naomi and Linda.

Why, just this morning I walked the cat for Proenza Schouler…

Mangrove Lipstick on my lips, and Rich Experience and Black Ice Pro Longwear Eyeliners on my eyes, all three from the new MAC Proenza Schouler collection

Wait — you didn’t think I was talking about actual runway modeling, did you??

GURL! 🙂 I was talking about actually walking my cat. He’s leash trained.

Sometimes it’s more like sitting with my cat, because he doesn’t always like to walk, but still — my take on cat walking is far removed from the world of high fashion.

The high stakes world of professional pet assisting…

Today, though, it was a little less far removed from fashion because, get this — I actually wore makeup inspired by the catwalk on my cat walk. 🙂

Enter MAC Proenza Schouler, the brand’s latest fashion collaboration.

Proenza Schouler, the New York-based women’s wear and accessories line, was founded in 2002 by designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez (interesting factoid: they met while attending Parsons School of Design).

The guys are well known for their refined outlook on casual cool girl style, and the 15-piece limited edition collection by MAC seems very much in line with that to me. I certainly see pieces here that cool girls would wear.

With two ombre blushes, four nail polishes, two lip pencils, two eyeliners, four lipsticks and a face brush, all decked out in limited edition packaging, the collection feels dressed up without trying too hard. It’s makeup for gals who like wearing makeup to accentuate a feature or two, and who may not necessarily reach for three different eyeshadows to wear in the crease on the daily. You know what I’m sayin’?

The MAC Proenza Schouler Collection: Some Thoughts…

Availability: Arriving online April 21; at MAC stores and counters April 24; and at international locales some time in April.

Lustre Lipstick in Woodrose ($22)

MAC Woodrose Lustre Lipstick — Lustre Lipstick in Woodrose ($22)

Lustre Lipstick in Woodrose ($22): LOVE the MAC Lustre formula. My dry lips are like, YES! every time I pull a Lustre lipstick out of my purse. They’re just so blasted hydrating and comfortable.

On me when I wear it by itself, Woodrose, a sheer, silky light beige, can look very cool-toned — almost gray. I have to pair it with either a warmer lip pencil or a gloss to keep from looking like a zombie, but if you crave cool-toned nude beiges, it might suit you well.

Satin Lipstick in Pinkfringe ($22)

MAC Pinkfringe Satin Lipstick — Satin Lipstick in Pinkfringe ($22)

Satin Lipstick in Pinkfringe ($22): Technically a Satin, which usually comes with some shine, this cool-toned flamingo pink almost looks like a matte to me. I think I like it more in the tube (so pretty!) than I do on my lips, as it has a knack for settling into my horizontal lip lines and catching on any flakes.

You may have better luck with it than I do if your lips aren’t as dry as mine, but I find myself having to do a lot of prep work to make this one work for me.

Matte Lipstick in Mangrove ($22)

MAC Mangrove Matte Lipstick — Matte Lipstick in Mangrove ($22)

Matte Lipstick in Mangrove ($22): This orangey matte red is cray-cray smooth and darned near flawless. One pass completely covers my lips without a semblance of patchiness or weirdness. I call it a MAC Lady Danger kissing cousin. They’re both very similar, but I think Mangrove is slightly redder and more orange. But not much.

Lustre Lipstick in Primrose ($22)

MAC Primrose Lustre Lipstick — Lustre Lipstick in Primrose ($22)

Lustre Lipstick in Primrose ($22): Like a more pigmented version of Clinique’s classic Black Honey Lipstick, this smooth operator is absolutely beautiful. is absolutely beautiful.

A sheer berry plum Lustre, it’s not exactly the kind of color I’d typically wear in spring/summer, but I’m looking forward to spending quality time with it in fall — early fall, before lips have transitioned to full-on deep and vampy.

I think it would look particularly striking on darker damsels/dudes.

MAC Proenza Schouler Lipsticks — Lipsticks clockwise from the pale beige: Woodrose, Mangrove, Pinkfringe and Primrose ($22 each)

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In the MAC Playland Collection, MAC Toys With Chromatic Candy Colors

April 8th, 2014 by Karen 78 Comments

OK, you win. We’re playing hooky today, but if we’re gonna do this, let’s do it right.

After all, we’re heading to MAC Playland, for goodness sake! I am not about to get sidelined by sore feet.

No, ma’am!

First, let’s ditch the heels in favor of a good pair of walking shoes. We’re going to be covering A LOT of ground today, so we all need to be comfy.

You know I love ya, doll, but I don’t want to hear about your bunions en route to the carousel. 🙂

Hmm…

As for meals, we’ll be feasting upon cotton candy pinks and frozen lemonade yellows, and that’s just to start (you know I’m all about the snacks, yo).

In Playland, there are 22 colorful rides, also known as products, so we should really get going.

I have our tickets right here, but before we go, can I just say that I wouldn’t want to ditch work with anyone else? Just you. 🙂 We’re going to have so much fun today! Makeup partners in crime for life!

The MAC Playland collection

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink! — seriously, if you’ve ever wanted to rock a ROYGBIV of MAC products on your face, you could do it here. In North America, the collection arrives at maccosmetics April 15, MAC counters, stores and maccosmetics.com April 17, while it docks at international piers in May.

It’s a fantastical voyage to a playground of color — a bright break from the naked 9-to-5 beiges and browns we’ve seen so much of lately.

MAC Playland Lipglasses — The MAC Playland collection Lipglasses, $15 each

When a collection features a yellow Lipglass…you pretty much get the feeling right off the bat that the color story isn’t heavily rooted in reality.

Yup, this one’s for the dreamers — the gals and guys who like their makeup with a dose of theatrical whimsy.

Of Playland’s 22 pieces, half of them — 11 — are Lipsticks and Lipglasses. I think of the release as a lip collection, first and foremost, with a handful of multitasking eye and cheek products — three Casual Colors (creams for both cheeks and lips), four Chromagraphic Pencils and four loose Pigments — there to reinforce the idea of makeup playtime.

MAC Playland Lipsticks — The MAC Playland collection Lipsticks, $16 each

Make a mental note to check out the Amplified Lippies in this launch because they’re bangin’. I think Sweet Experience, Happy-Go-Lucky, Toying Around and Red Ballon are right up there with iconic MAC Amplified shades like Girl About Town and Impassioned. You’ll want to get on that ride, ASAP.

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick — Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky, a hot pink

MAC Playland Lipstick — Frost Lipstick in Playland, a frosty yellow gold

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick — Frost Lipstick in Head in the Clouds, a red with pearl

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick — Amplified Creme Lipstick in Red Balloon, a hot fuchsia

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Sweet Experience, a bright pink

MAC Toying Around Lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around, a hot coral pink

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It’s Champagne and Roses All Around With the New 413 BLKR Blush and 413 BLKR Illuminator

April 3rd, 2014 by Karen 27 Comments

Wearing the new NARS 413 BLKR Blush and Illuminator — Wearing the new NARS 413 BLKR Blush ($30) and Illuminator ($30), available now exclusively at NARS Boutiques and narscosmetics.com

413 — that’s, like, a pager code, right?

LOL! Oh, puh-leaz! Don’t even pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. 🙂 I know you got all smiley and giggly when your crush sent you love emergency pages in the (911 143) middle of the night, circa 1995.

Oh, wait. That was me.

Actually, in this instance, 413 is not in reference to the language of pager love, but rather shorthand for a collection of NARS makeup products called 413 BLKR.

It includes 413 Multiples, Nail Polishes, Eyeshadows, Lipsticks — all manner of cute things.

The numerical nomenclature is a shout-out to the address of the very first NARS boutique, located at 413 Bleecker Street in New York, and the 413 BLKR products were created in the spirit of New York City’s unique energy.

NARS 413 BLKR Blush and Illuminator — The two newest additions to the NARS 413 BLKR line

Recently, NARS added two new pieces to the 413 BLKR fam — 413 BLKR Blush ($30) and 413 BLKR Illuminator ($30).

Rosy matte 413 BLKR Blush, an intense rosy pink powder blush, is super smooth and incredibly pigmented. A little goes a long way with this one, so you might want to use a light touch.

Shimmery champagne liquid highlighter 413 BLKR Illuminator looks like it could be frosty, based on how it looks in its tube, but that’s just because it’s fired up about the prospects of getting on skin, where I think it’s actually very subtle and beautiful.

NARS 413 BLKR Illuminator — 413 BLKR Illuminator, a shimmering champagne

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Lips Lap Up the Shine While Eyes Dive Into Shimmer: The NARS Adult Swim Collection Is Calling

April 3rd, 2014 by Karen 31 Comments

Pick up!

PICK UP, PICK UP, PICK UP!

Gah! Where the heck are you, girl?! You better be in the bathroom doing some hella fierce cat eye liner or something; otherwise, I’m going to be terribly offended!

“…please leave a message after the beep, and I’ll return your call as soon as –”

Oh, come on! You are missing one of the most important phone calls of your entire life!

OK, that may have been an exaggeration…

Brace yourself for a loooooong rambling message, but what else is new?

“Beep!”

Hey, babe, it’s me Karen! Wish you were there. Question for ya — are you free on April 15th? You’re not gonna believe this, but I got an invite to a party and need you to be my plus one.

Before you answer, the host is François Nars…

CRAZYPANTS, RIGHT!? It’s pool party with François-freaking-Nars!

It’s for their new summer collection and, uh, I’m already stressing about what to wear. You know me!

NARS Adult Swim Collection, Summer 2014 — The 12-piece NARS Adult Swim Collection, new for Summer 2014

So, Adult Swim — that’s the theme, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have anything to do with that cartoon channel…

Oh, but can you imagine if it did? We roll up and Stewie from the Family Guy is there having a sexy party.

EWWW! Yeah, I could not handle that.

I think it’s more along the sultry pool party lines, and no, you cannot show up in your swim cap and goggles, you dork! I am not about to let you jump in the pool and do laps in front of François.

Because I know you want to. 🙂

NARS Priscilla Lip Gloss — Priscilla Lip Gloss on my lips

The invite doesn’t say anything about attire, but I’m guessing bikinis, stilettos — basically, I think if we dress for a rooftop pool party at a really expensive New York hotel, we’ll be alright.

NARS Adult Swim Collection Product Pics

Tropical Princess Duo Eyeshadow, $34

And the for makeup, for you I’m thinking we should do a tropical princess theme. Lime green on your lids with an icy lavender along your lower lash line, ooh-la-la.

We’ll use the new NARS Tropical Princess Duo Eyeshadow ($34).

Those metallic finishes are just so dramatic, and I know you love drawing attention to your eyes. We can even wet the shadows first to make them look more shimmery.

Oh, boy, this is a long message, isn’t it…?

Anywho! If you’re not feelin’ the super high shine, or if you’re stressing about the frosty finishes highlighting your fine lines (yes, dear, you do have fine lines), then we’ll just buff one of the shades on your lids with a domed fluffy brush, and do a light wash of shimmery color.

Don’t worry about the fallout, either. With this, it ain’t no thing.

Malaaca Single Eyeshadow, $24

NARS Malacca Single Eyeshadow — Malacca Single Eyeshadow, $24

For me, I’m going smokey — big surprise! There’s a couple of things in the collection that are totally my smokey style, like the Malaaca Single Eyeshadow ($24).

HOLY WOW, EGYPTIAN MAU! So pretty… It’s like a peacock feather in a pan, and it’s absolutely, freakishly gorgeous. It’s definitely my favorite thing in the summer collection, hands down.

Basically, it’s like MAC Club, but with less intense dark brown tones and more teal.

Baalbek Eye Paint, $25

NARS Baalbek Eye Paint — Baalbek Eye Paint, $25

Malaaca looks AMAZE-BALLS layered with Baalbek Eye Paint ($25), by the way, the one lonely gel liner in Adult Swim.

Baalbek is an intense shimmery bronze — beautiful on it’s own, but layer it under Malacca because the two are like RyGos and Rachel from The Notebook together. Baalbek’s bronze intensifies Malaaca’s teal, and then there’s the shimmering bronze glitter peeking through…

Super cool. My new favorite smokey eye.

Lost Coast Duo Eyeshadow, $34

NARS Lost Coast Duo Eyeshadow — Lost Coast Duo Eyeshadow, $34

Sorry! I know this is a long message, but I’m almost done. 🙂

There are also two more eye pieces in the collection — Lost Coast Duo Eyeshadow ($34), which houses a golden pewter and a lilac; and a creamy, rosy quartz Soft Touch Shadow Pencil called Iraklion ($24).

I think Lost Coast would probably be better for daytime eye looks, since the shadows are muted, so maybe not ideal for the party, assuming it runs late. I mean, they’re pigmented, but definitely not as flashy as Tropical Princess or Malacca.

Iraklion Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, $24

NARS Iraklion Soft Touch Shadow Pencil — Iraklion Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, $24

If you’re wondering about Iraklion, I don’t know. It creases within minutes on me, so I think maybe we should put that one aside for now.

Hot Sand Liquid Illuminator, $30

As for our cheeks, there are no blushes in the Adult Swim collection, but I’m cool just wearing the Hot Sand Liquid Illuminator ($30).

I’m going through a dewy skin phase anyway, and this peachy, champagne liquid highlighter should be perfect that that. I like to pat it on my cheekbones, right around the middle of the forehead and down the bridge of my nose with a flat foundation brush.

Totally subtle but still noticeable. Fresh but not overly shiny.

And don’t trip about having to reapply. It lasts all day on me.
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MAC By Request Is Rocking Retro Makeup Now

April 1st, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

The MAC By Request Collection — The new MAC By Request Collection, available now exclusively at maccosmetics.com

Gooooooooood evening, makeup fiends and fans!

It’s me, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict DJ K-Dawg, broadcasting live from KMAC radio (a division of Tabs the Cat Industries LLC) in Novato, where we play all the hits from the ’90s, 2000s and today.

Tonight we’re goin’ waaaaaay back and kickin’ it old-school.

That’s right! Tonight it’s all about retro jams. The request lines are open, so call —

Oh! That was quick. We already have our first caller.

DJ K-DAWG: “Hello, you’re live on the air at KMAC with DJ K-Dawg. What’s your name, sweetheart?”

DIESEL: “Diesel. I’m a cool grey frost eyeshadow.”

MAC Diesel Eye Shadow — Diesel Eye Shadow, a cool gray with a frosty finish from the Colour Abstractions/Additions collection (1997)

DJ K-DAWG: “What up, D? What can I do you for? Do you have a request?”

DIESEL: “Well, I’d like to give a shout-out to the alumni from the MAC Class of ’97 — especially my homegirl Fiction. She’s a muted green with shimmer. Hey, Fiction! I’M ON THE RADIO! We made our debut in the Colour Abstraction/Additions collection together.”

DJ K-DAWG: “Aww. That’s sweet. What song would you like to dedicate, Diesel?”

DIESEL: “Can I dedicate Say You’ll Be There by the Spice Girls?”

DJ K-DAWG: “OOH! You sure can. That’s one of my favorites. Thanks for callin’, D!”

MAC Fiction Eye Shadow, a shimmery muted green with a frost finish from the Colour Abstractions/Additions collection (1997)

DJ K-DAWG: “OK, let’s take another caller… Caller, you’re live on the air with DJ K-Dawg and KMAC! What’s your name?”

BUTTERSCOTCH: “Hey, K-Dawg?! This is Butterscotch Eye Shadow. Remember me?!”

MAC Butterscotch — Butterscotch, a matte warm beige from the Circa Pre collection (1990)

DJ K-DAWG: “GURL, my brow bones never forget an awesome matte warm beige. Circa Pre collection back in 1990, right? Dayum, it’s been a minute! How are you?”

BUTTERSCOTCH: “Excellent! Can I give a shout-out to all my MAC fiends and plug a new collection I’m in called MAC By Request?”

DJ K-DAWG: “Oh, that’s right! You’re one of the six retro MAC shades that were voted on by MAC fans to come out of retirement.”

BUTTERSCOTCH: “Yup, we’re back, b*tches, and we’re better than ever!”

DJ K-DAWG: “So cheeky, Butterscotch! I always loved that about you. MAC fans, Butterscotch is referring to MAC By Request, the new limited edition collection of three powder Eye Shadows, three Lipsticks and three (new) Lipglasses are available exclusively at maccosmetics.com.

The Lipsticks and Lipglasses are available now, and the Eye Shadows arrive April 3.
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Too Faced Summer 2014 Pics and Swatches: It’s Summer in Saint-Tropez

March 21st, 2014 by Karen 30 Comments

KAREN: Ryan, sweetheart, could you please do my back? Mama doesn’t want to burn…

RYAN: Sure, babe.

KAREN: Oh! Hi! How’s the vacation going? Hot enough for ya?

YOU: I’m burning up!

KAREN: You two make such a cute couple. I was just asking RyGos to sunscreen my back. What are you and J-Ren doing?

YOU: Just cruising the beach, ya know, catchin’ some rays.

KAREN: Fun! Wasn’t that beachside buffet this morning dee-vine? I just love breakfast in Saint-Tropez…

YOU: Me too!

Le sigh…

Well, I may not not be kickin’ it old-school with RyGos at a five-star beach resort, but at least I can look the part and pretend with the Too Faced Cosmetics summer collection. 🙂

Inspiration: the French Riviera. We’re talking first class beachside cabanas, Chanel sunglasses and Cristal. Oui-oui, mademoiselle!

LOL!

The release just docked at Too Faced counters and online this week with four new palettes and a new line of liquid lipsticks, codename Melted.

Here are pics and swatches of the four palettes for now, and we’ll do the Melted lippies next week.

I’ll be testing these and getting more acquainted with them this weekend, so check back next week for reviews.

Too Faced Bonjour Soleil — Bonjour Soleil Summer Bronzing Wardrobe, $44

Too Faced A La Mode Eyes — A La Mode Eyes Sexy St. Tropez Eye Shadow Collection, $36

Too Faced Brow Envy — Brow Envy Brow Shaping & Defining Kit, $39

Too Faced Natural Eyes — Natural Eyes Neutral Eye Shadow Collection, $36

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