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Collections

I Had a Date Last Saturday With the Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes Collection

March 1st, 2012 by Karen 20 Comments

bobbi brown brightening nudes collection
Wearing Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes collection Sparkle Eye Shadow in Sunlight on my eyes, Brightening Finishing Powder on my cheeks and Brightening Lip Gloss in Pink Opal on my lips

Girl meets glitter. Girl wears glitter. Girl leaves a trail of glitter in her wake! — on her husband and her cat — and then slicks a moisturizing lip balm on her lips. 🙂

That’s the Cliff’s Notes version of the Saturday I spent last weekend with the Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes collection, a new nine-piece limited edition release of shimmery makeup for eyes, faces and lips, available now on counters and bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes Collection

With Brightening Nudes, Bobbi wants skin to glow, eyes to sparkle and lips to practically leap from the face, and since the pieces look like the kind of sheer, luminous, lit-from-within makeup I like to wear on weekends, I decided to take it for a spin.

Brightening Lip Gloss
The first thing I did was introduce it to yoga! As I twisted into an awkward triangle pose, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. What a pretty pearly glow, I thought, seeing Brightening Lipgloss in Lilac Pearl.

It momentarily distracted me from the burning in my hamstrings (so not stretchy)…

Lilac Pearl’s sticky, thick formula clung to my lips throughout the 90-minute class and the trip to Trader Joe’s I made afterward, but by then my lips felt so dry and tight that I had to pause to apply a layer of moisturizing gloss in the parking lot before driving home.

NOTE: If you have pigmented lips like I do, Lilac Pearl, Pink Opal and Pink Lilac may look very much alike. To my eye, all three of them could be triplets! — or at least close first cousins. $23 each.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

Sparkle Eye Shadow
Later, after yoga, the grocery store, and then a shower, lunch and laundry at home, I plopped down on the couch next to El Hub and Tabs for a break.

I started re-watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey, and just as O’Brien committed her dastardly deed with the soap, I spied some sparkle on Tabs’ coat and El Hub’s cheek.

What the what!? Oh, yeah… I’d patted Sparkle Eyes Shadow in Mica on my eyes after my shower, and since Bobbi loaded it with glitter, some of the sparkle must have made its way on to the boys.

For what it’s worth, Mica does seem to adhere better to my skin and transfer less product than most of the other glittery eyeshadows I’ve worn.

As with the Brightening Lip Glosses, sheer is the name of this game. All four of these shadow shades (Silver Moon, Mica, Ballet and Sunlight) deposit very little pigment, so brace yourself for sheer. $28 each.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+/A-

By the end of the Downton season finale, my tummy was rumbling for carbs, so El Hub and I hit up a local Italian restaurant for pasta.

Before leaving, I touched up my makeup with a layer of Crystal Glitter Lipgloss on my lips and some Brightening Powder on my cheeks.

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss Pink Lilac Pink Opal Lilac Pearl
From the left: Brightening Lip Gloss in Pink Lilac, Pink Opal and Lilac Pearl ($23 each)

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder
Brightening Finishing Powder ($50)
[Continue reading…]

There are 20 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Bobbi Brown, Collections, Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: bobbi brown

MAC Too Supreme Collection Pics and Swatches

February 29th, 2012 by Karen 24 Comments

mac sheen supreme
Wearing MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Blossom Culture

More MAC for ya, love!

A few pics and swatches of some pieces from the new Too Supreme collection, which kisses lips tomorrow at MAC counters and stores (it’s already available online).


Sheen Supreme Lipsticks from the left: Blossom Culture, Fashion City, Happy Hibiscus and Royal Azalea, $14.50 each

mac too supreme lipsticks
Sheen Supreme Lipsticks from the left: Blossom Culture, Fashion City, Happy Hibiscus and Royal Azalea

mac too supreme lipglass
Sheen Supreme Lipglasses from the left: Fuji Pink, Dress Kimono, Mango Sheen and Asian Butterfly, $19 each

mac too supreme lipglass
[Continue reading…]

There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup Keywords: mac

The MAC & Marcel Wanders Collection Wanders Into More Expensive Territory

February 29th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments

mac marcel wanders collection

Pics and swatches of three of the 14 items from the new MAC & Marcel Wanders collection, available now online and coming to stores and counters March 1.

An artistic partnership with Amsterdam-based industrial designer Marcel Wanders, this limited edition launch features special chrome packaging, which kicks up the price.

mac marcel wanders sheer mystery powder
Sheer Mystery Powder in Light Medium, $60

mac marcel wanders lip gloss kim
MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss in Kim, $22.50

mac marcel wanders lip gloss kim
[Continue reading…]

There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup Keywords: mac

Surfing Soon Onto MAC Counters: The MAC Chenman Collection

February 29th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

mac chenman collection

Just a quick look at eight of the 18 pieces from the new MAC Chenman collection.

A collaboration with Chinese fashion photographer Chen Man, this release is all wet! — as in colors for eyes, faces and cheeks that are inspired by water. Find it online at now maccosmetics.com and at MAC counters and stores on March 1.

mac chenman love cycle
Mineralize Eye Shadow in Love Cycle, $20

mac pink union
Mineralize Eye Shadow in Pink Union, $20

mac chenman supersweet
Mineralize Eye Shadow in Supersweet, $20

mac chenman force of love
Lipstick in Force of Love (left) and Lipglass in Force of Love, $14.50 each
[Continue reading…]

There are 13 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup Keywords: mac

An Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Has Been Spotted in Capri: The New Bronze Goddess Capri Collection, Coming in March

February 28th, 2012 by Karen 31 Comments

estee lauder bronze goddess capri

It’s never good when you get a text from your boss that starts with the words, “Uh, oh.”

There I was, sitting at my desk, minding my own business and surfing the Lonely Planet website on my break for summertime surf destinations, when I hear the familiar sound of my iPhone signaling a new text message. I look down at the screen and see the words, “Uh, oh.”

Long story short, because Tabs booked back-to-back kitty modeling jobs for every week this summer, I don’t get to take any vacation time through September.

Not one day.

“Uh, oh,” he says. “All booked up for summer. No vacations for either of us.”

Either of us, he says. As if! He’s not the one stuck in Novato. He gets to see the world, stay at four-star hotels, eat at the best restaurants, and never has to pay a thing, while I’m eating grilled-cheese sandwiches at home and having Mango Bars for dessert.

Sometimes, it’s just not fair…

Seriously, his idea of slumming it is having to stay at the Four Seasons on The Big Island, instead of Maui.

I know, I know — Tabs is the talent; I’m just the assistant. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a right to get angry.

Oh, well… Hopefully these new pieces from the limited edition Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Capri Collection can cheer me up.

The summer 2012 release coasts on to counters stores next month (it’s currently available now online) and comes with two summery fragrances and 13 bronzed bits, some new and some re-promoted, in sun-kissed shades of gold, brown, turquoise and white.

Reviews coming just as soon as I finish transcribing Tabs’ manuscript.

Oh, yeah — didn’t I mention? He’s writing his autobiography right now. It begins, “Meow, mrow, meow-meow.”

What a diva, right? Cat’s got some nerve… 🙂

Here’s a quick look at seven pieces from the release. Have a look, and let me know what you think.

estee lauder bronze goddess capri bronze sands
Pure Color Five Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Bronze Sands

estee lauder bronze goddess capri shimmering sands
Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sands

estee lauder bronze goddess capri molten lava
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Molten Lava
[Continue reading…]

There are 31 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Estee Lauder, Makeup Keywords: estee lauder

With the Four-Piece Las Vegas de Chanel Collection, Coco Is Gambling on Gold

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 36 Comments

las vegas de chanel collection

It’s Vegas, baby! 🙂

One of the things I’m trying to pull together this year is a trip to Vegas with my childhood friends.

The mission? — to eat at some of Sin City’s yummiest restaurants and visit a fancy spa (or two), because a well-fed Karen plus deep-tissue massage equals one happy camper.

While I’m there, I’m also hoping to stop by the newly remodeled Chanel boutique at the Bellagio hotel.

To build some buzz around the new store, which opened earlier this year, Chanel recently released a four-piece collection of mostly golden baubles for lips, eyes, nails and cheeks called Las Vegas de Chanel, and this afternoon I tried my luck with three of the four pieces from the release.

las vegas de chanel lucky stripes
Lucky Stripes Iridescent Powders for Eyes and Cheeks

las vegas de chanel gold fingers
Le Vernis in Gold Fingers

las vegas de chanel vegas gold
Le Crayon Levres in Vegas Gold
[Continue reading…]

There are 36 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Collections, Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: chanel

The Estee Lauder Mad Men Collection, and a Letter to Don Draper

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 64 Comments

estee lauder mad men collection

Dear Mr. Draper,

Thank you so much for your kind note! It’s always so nice to hear from you.

As you know, I’ve served as head of West Coast operations here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, for five years now, and while I currently love what I do, I feel it soon may be time for a change. Your recruiter couldn’t have picked a better time to contact me.

I’m so flattered that you and your team believe that I should be the person to take the new International Pet Modeling/Gravy Division at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to the next level.

I had my lawyer skim through the contract you sent over, and I have a couple of quick questions.

First of all, how flexible are you on the requirement that all employees drink during the day? I understand if it’s part of the corporate culture, but I’m something of a teetotaler and have a difficult time functioning even after a small glass of wine. If possible, I’d like to remove that clause.

Also, I must insist on having my own office and assistant. I was informed that Ms. Olson’s desk is located near the employee break room. I do not know how Peggy feels about that, but such an arrangement would not work for me.

If I do accept the position, I would also like to be able to invite friends of mine to the office from time to time, like Cherry and Evening Rose. Both are part of the new Estee Lauder Mad Men collection. Not only are they very familiar with your work, but I would go so far as to call them admirers of yours…

estee lauder mad men collection boxes

estee lauder collection cherry lipstick creme rouge pouches

estee lauder mad men collection creme rouge in evening rose and lipstick in cherry
Lipstick in Cherry on the left and Creme Rouge in Evening Rose on the right

estee lauder mad men collection creme rouge in evening rose
Creme Rouge in Evening Rose
[Continue reading…]

There are 64 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Estee Lauder, Makeup Keywords: estee lauder

The Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes Collection Looks Luminous From Here

February 25th, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes Collection

One of these days, some intrepid explorer is going to emerge from a remote rainforest somewhere with 1) directions to the Fountain of Youth (“It’s before the pyramid but past the big banyan tree…”) and 2) an as-yet undiscovered flower, that when eaten, really does give you that lit-from-within glow.

Until then, we’ll have to make due with makeup like the Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes collection.

Available now at Bobbi Brown counters and also online, this limited edition nine-piece release for eyes, lips and cheeks is designed to bestow a lit-from-within glow to cheeks, while making eyes sparkle and lips look luscious.

Here’s a quick look at the collection along with swatches. Reviews coming soon! 🙂

Bobbi Brown Brightening Nudes Collection

Bobbi Brown Brightening Lip Gloss Pink Lilac Pink Opal Lilac Pearl
From the left: Brightening Lip Gloss in Pink Lilac, Pink Opal and Lilac Pearl ($23 each)

Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder
Brightening Finishing Powder ($50)
[Continue reading…]

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Bobbi Brown, Collections, Makeup Keywords: bobbi brown

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

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