• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Collections

The MAC By Request Collection: Nine Classic Shades Return for an Online Encore

August 6th, 2012 by Karen 49 Comments

mac by request candy yum yum
Wearing Eyeshadow in Moth Brown on my eyes and Lipstick in Candy Yum-Yum on my lips

Rock the makeup vote! Power to the lipgloss-loving people!

The citizenry has spoken, and MAC mavens made their voices heard in the new MAC By Request collection, a nine-piece limited edition release featuring nine comeback colors chosen by MAC fans.

Last spring MAC-aholics worldwide voted for their favorite shades on Facebook from among a field of 18 classic colors previously featured in limited edition collections. Nine colors made the final cut — three Eyeshadows, three Lipglasses and three Lipsticks — earning spots in the new MAC By Request collection ($15 each).

Get to know the nine comeback kids in the following pics and swatches. 🙂

mac eye shadows in guacamole, moth brown and jete
Eyeshadows in Guacamole, Moth Brown and Jete

MAC Guacamole Eye Shadow
Eyeshadow in Guacamole

MAC Moth Brown Eye Shadow
Eyeshadow in Moth Brown
[Continue reading…]

There are 49 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup Keywords: mac

The Dainty Dolce & Gabbana Lace Collection Delivers Nude Lips and Nails for Fall

July 31st, 2012 by Karen 23 Comments

dolce gabbana lace collection

As much as I like the idea of working beside Vampire Pam behind the bar at Fangtasia this fall, sometimes the look — the stilettos and skin-tight leather from head to toe, the super serious smokey eyes, and the jewel-toned shadow shades — is a little too, well, much for me.

So, this afternoon, I hit the pause button on the kinds of rich colors and intense shades we’ve been seeing a lot for fall, and spent a little time with the dainty, nice nudes in the new Dolce & Gabbana Lace collection.

The 10-piece release is all about bronzed skin and nude lips and nails, and the packaging? — oh, the packaging…

I just lurve lace. 🙂 I kinda wish all of Dolce & Gabbana’s makeup had this same limited-edition packaging.

Here’s a quick peek at three pieces from the collection…

dolce gabbana lace collection product shot
From the left: Intenseyes Black Intensity Mascara ($31), Ultra Shine Gloss in Perfection ($32) and Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink ($22)

Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink ($22)

If you’re getting married soon, consider classic, soft pink Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink ($22) for your tips or toes. Creamy, smooth and semi-sheer, it’s a little like Essie’s Ballet Slippers, but much, much smoother.

I’m wearing two coats here, but I’m sure I could have gotten away with one. Yes, the color isn’t altogether unique, but I think it’s perfectly executed.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

dolce gabbana Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink
Two coats of Intense Nail Lacquer in Pink

Ultra-Shine Lipgloss in Perfection ($32)

On my lips, creamy beige Ultra-Shine Lipgloss in Perfection ($32) feels thick, but not sticky, and it has Dolce & Gabbana’s signature rose flavor and scent. It’s one of the smoothest beige glosses I’ve ever tried, and I can totally see it cruising down a red carpet below a shimmery gray smokey eye.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

dolce gabbana perfection swatch
Ultra Shine Gloss in Perfection swatch
[Continue reading…]

There are 23 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Dolce & Gabbana, Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: dolce & gabbana

Diva, Designer and Gloss: The New Zoya Fall 2012 Collection

July 30th, 2012 by Karen 21 Comments

zoya designer, diva and gloss collections for fall 2012

Darn this weird skin allergy! I’d planned to take pics for another easy eye makeup tutorial this afternoon (cat eyes!), but then I broke out in hives all over my left eyelid.

Weird.

They’ve since gone away, but I wasn’t taking any chances on eye makeup today. I decided to get my daily beauty fix the mani/pedi way.

The jewel-toned polishes in Zoya’s new 15-piece fall 2012 collection, available now online at artofbeauty.com, are spread out among three sub-collections — shimmery Diva, creamy Designer and sheer Gloss.

Separately, the bottles, which are all full size, sell for $8 each, or $48 as part of the two six-piece Diva and Designer sets. The three-piece Gloss set sells for $24.

Bummer that you don’t get a little discount for buying the sets…

In each of these pics, I’m wearing two coats.

The Designer collection

Zoya Designer Collection in Evvie, Noot and Natty
From the left: Zoya Designer collection shades in Evvie, Noot and Natty

Zoya Designer Collection in Raven, Toni and Monica
From the left: Zoya Designer collection shades in Raven, Toni and Monica

The Diva collection

Zoya Diva Collection in Suri, Daul and Feifei
Zoya Diva collection shades in Suri, Daul and Feifei
[Continue reading…]

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Nails, Zoya Keywords: zoya

Tarte Is Wild About Jungles and Palettes With the New Tarte Fall 2012 Collection

July 26th, 2012 by Karen 37 Comments

tarte fall 2012

Rrrrow! Tarte hopes we’ll heed the call of the wild, jungle cats and kittens, and prance over to Sephora and Ulta stores to peruse the new fall 2012 collection (available now in stores and online).

Here’s a quick look at the eye palettes and some of the other pieces from the collection…

Amazon Escape: Amazonian Clay Eye and Cheek Palette ($44)

tarte amazon eyescape
Available exclusively at Sephora

tarte amazon eyescape 2

Call of the Wild Amazonian Clay 8-Shadow Collector’s Palette ($36)

tarte call of the wild
Available exclusively at Ulta

tarte call of the wild
[Continue reading…]

There are 37 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Makeup, Tarte Keywords: tarte

Lush Is Getting Emotional About Makeup With Their New Emotional Brilliance Makeup Collection

July 20th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

lush emotional brilliance
Wearing Lush Emotional Brilliance Liquid Eye Liner in Motivation and Cream Eyeshadow in Happiness on my eyes, and Liquid Lip Color in Power on my cheeks

I’m feeling emotional today…but for once it’s not because Tabs is ignoring me or because I’m PMS-ing.

Shocking, I know! 🙂

It’s because of Lush and their new Emotional Brilliance Collection, the brand’s first-ever line of color cosmetics. It launches tomorrow worldwide at Lush stores and online at lushusa.com, featuring 13 Liquid Lip Colors, 11 Liquid Eyeliners and 6 Cream Eyeshadows, each priced at $22.95.

lush emotional brilliance product shot
From the left: Liquid Lip Color in Power, Liquid Lip Color in Vibrance, Cream Eyeshadow in Happiness, Cream Eyeshadow in Wise, Liquid Eye Liner in Motivation and Liquid Eye Liner in Feeling Secure

Instead of basing the colors on trendy seasonal shades, Lush tried to tap into their emotional side, choosing a pigmented palette and giving the pieces names like Happiness and Motivation.

According to Lush, each of the product names/shades can help you draw on the power of suggestion. Say, “happiness, happiness, happiness,” visualize yourself feeling better, and apply golden coral Cream Eyeshadow in Happiness on your lids, with the idea being that the happy color and name could lead to a positive change in behavior.

Sounds worth a try. I could always use a little extra happiness.

Or maybe you’d prefer one of the Lip Colors, like shimmery red Power, to help you through that big meeting at work.

Even the little jars look therapeutic with their dropper caps, like vintage medicine bottles.

“Apply two of these, Karen, and call me in the morning.”

Yes, Dr. Tabs. 🙂

Kinda touchy-feely, but Lush is crunchy granola like that (as am I sometimes).

Some first impressions on six of the 30 new pieces…

The Liquid Lip Colors

First I powered up with Power, a shimmery reddish orange that glides across my lips like a drag queen down a runway. With the doe-foot applicator (the dropper handle is just for show), it applies smoothly, like whipped butter, and feels lovely, but it also got my hopes up dangerously high…

When I tried shimmery golden Vibrance, I was surprised by its almost chunky consistency — not at all like Power. I had to pat it down to get the color to spread across my lips.

Hmm… Seems like these lippies vary widely, although both of them are unscented, unflavored and feel as light as feathers. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

The Liquid Eyeliners

At least for me and my small hands, the quaint dropper handle makes the liner brush a little tricky to control, so I skip it and use my trusty Sonia Kashuk Bent Brush instead.

Both bright, shimmery teal Motivation and matte purple Feeling Secure dry in less than a minute, so they’re probably better suited for sharp liner looks than smudged ones (Note: not recommended for water lines; I tried ’em, and my eyes started tearing up).

Of these two, I definitely prefer shimmery Motivation. Compared to it, Feeling Secure looks dull and lifeless. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

The Cream Eyeshadows

Shimmery golden coral Happiness and matte khaki Wise latch on to my lids like eagle talons!

Like the liners, both of them dry very quickly, completely setting in less than a minute, and on the one hand, I appreciate being able to just swipe and go, but on the other, I miss not being able to blend out the edges.

As for layering, neither one likes it, and both begin to look uneven and patchy when I apply too much. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-

lush emotional brilliance swatches
Swatches from the left: Liquid Eye Liner in Motivation, Liquid Eye Liner in Feeling Secure, Cream Eyeshadow in Happiness, Cream Eyeshadow in Wise, Liquid Lip Color in Power and Liquid Lip Color in Vibrance
[Continue reading…]

There are 13 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Lush, Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: lush

Urban Decay’s on a Naked Streak! More Urban Decay Fall 2012

July 19th, 2012 by Karen 45 Comments

urban decay lip junkie gloss in streak
Wearing Urban Decay Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Strip

Sweet! Urban Decay’s coming out with a second round of products for fall 2012 — four new nude lip shades and two face/complexion primers.

Now your Smoked Palette has a few more friends to play with this fall. 🙂

Coming soon to Urban Decay counters and urbandecay.com.

urban decay fall 2012 lip junkie
From left to right: Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Naked ($18), Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Strip ($19), Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Streak ($19) and Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked2 ($19)

urban decay fall 2012 primer
Complexion Primer Potions ($31 each)

urban decay fall 2012 swatches
Swatches from the left: Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color in Naked, Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Streak, Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Naked2 and Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Strip

urban decay lip junkie in streak
Lip Junkie Lipgloss in Streak
[Continue reading…]

There are 45 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Makeup, Urban Decay Keywords: urban decay

It’s a Dior Golden Jungle Out There! Dior Jungle Collection for Fall 2012

July 18th, 2012 by Karen 29 Comments

dior fall 2012

Reporting live today from the wild plains of the Dior golden savannah!

We’ve stepped out of our vehicle for a few moments to get a better look at the local wildlife. Around me, fall eye palettes in shades of khaki, bronze, nude and brown roam free.

It’s breathtaking, but potentially very dangerous for purses and wallets, as this area is famous for luscious, creamy shadows attacking unsuspecting, wide-eyed Dior fans like you and me.

Shh! I think I see something beautiful… Hurry, everyone! Back to the vehicle!

Seriously, there’s almost too much pretty in these compacts; I’m tempted to apply everything all at once!

Yup, lots to look forward to this fall at Dior, like a new line of brushes and face makeup, nude nail polishes and eye palettes, and a new makeup collection for eyes, lips and cheeks called Golden Jungle.

It’s a massive number of new products, and here’s a quick nibble. Let me know if anything fires up your inner jungle cat, mrrrow! 🙂

Dior Golden Jungle Palette in Golden Browns #002, $70

dior golden jungle

dior golden jungle

dior golden jungle

Dior 5-Couleurs Designer in Golden Savannah #774, $59

dior golden savannah

dior golden savannah

Dior 5-Couleurs Designer in Khaki Design #308, $59

dior khaki design
[Continue reading…]

There are 29 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Dior, Makeup Keywords: dior

Hallelujah! The Weekend’s Hair! And YSL Fall 2012 Swatches

July 13th, 2012 by Karen 51 Comments

How’s it going, friend? I hope you had a nice Friday (never mind the ominous date). Mine turned out pretty well.

Maybe even great. 🙂

I had most of the afternoon off, as Tabs left early to catch a flight to Capri where he’s shooting a kitty modeling spread this weekend for Dolce & Gabbana’s new fragrance, Light Blue for Tom Cats.

(Look for it on counters spring 2013.)

I don’t know… Maybe it was the extra catnip I slipped into his gravy before the limo picked him up (he gets so nervous when he flies), but he was unusually nice to me this morning.

He even called right before takeoff to tell me that I could go to the salon today. His treat!

Meow mrrow, he said. Seriously, those were his exact words.

Not needing to be told twice, I booked a last-minute appointment with my bud Alis over at A-Line Salon.

Alis freshened my roots, trimmed my scraggly ends and lightened a few more sections to crank up the ombre effect I’ve been wearing for a few months.

No pink streaks this time, but I’m still considering these Colorsmash Hair Shadows…

I think I may have also found a new makeup look I’d like to try while flipping through the August issue of Glamour at the salon.


Actress Mila Kunis with a bangin’ cat eye

That liner — perfection!

I’m meeting Jen and Cindy for dinner in the city tomorrow night, and I think I’m gonna give it a try (wish me luck!).
[Continue reading…]

There are 51 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Makeup, Yves Saint Laurent

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 48
  • Go to page 49
  • Go to page 50
  • Go to page 51
  • Go to page 52
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 57
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

Recent Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 893

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 892

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 891

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 771

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.