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Bada-Bing! The Urban Decay Naked Cherry Collection Is Out Now

October 9th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

urban decay naked cherry palette
The new $49 Urban Decay Naked Cherry collection eyeshadow palette

Clearly, UD has a thing for Bing…cherries. Based on the packaging for new Naked Cherry collection, Bing is bomb, and I can appreciate that. I mean, I get it. I see the connection. A deep, dark, purplish Bing makes sense for a makeup collection, but I still like Rainiers more. They’re sweeter, man! And I love that red and yellow ombre action #importantfruitopinions.

(Quick makeup query: Years ago MAC also released a cherry-inspired collection. Can you remember what it was called?)

urban decay naked cherry collection packaging

No reds, but plenty of pink and plum

Surprise! — there’s not a lot of red in UD’s new Naked Cherry collection.

LIKE NONE.

Red eyeshadow is on trend right now, but if you were hoping for seductive scarlets, vampy vermilions and ruby reds in this release, sorry.

The collection, which has been out about a week now, includes an eyeshadow palette ($49), a blush/highlighting trio ($34), two eyeliners ($21), three lipsticks ($34), and a cherry-scented setting spray ($15).

Judging by the name — Naked Cherry — you may have quite naturally expected there to be copious quantities of crimson in this collection, but these pretties are predominantly pink, rose, purple and mauve. Even more shockingly, no orange-y browns in the eye palette!

I know; am I still in the normal reality?? When was the last time UD released a palette without an orange-brown?

Quick take: shockingly wearable

If you’re craving something kind of different that isn’t filled with typical browns, AND you like wearing purples, AND you can see yourself venturing into the Land of Mauve and Rosy Tones, the Naked Cherry palette is worth a look. I like it.

The Naked palettes are Urban’s take on neutrals, and Naked Cherry still seems, well…neutral. I thought I would have a hard time with it because whenever I wear red, or reddish eyeshadows, I look sick and/or tired, but that’s not a problem for this palette, since these shades do not have red undertones. There are just plenty of wearable purples, plums, burgundies, roses and mauves.

Oh, and kisses of copper, beige and peach to break things up a little.

urban decay naked cherry k
Wearing the eye palette, cheek palette and Devilish Lipstick

The palette appears to be similar to Backtalk (which caused a minor uproar among people who were expecting a straight-up red eye palette when it was recently launched), but… Anyway, you could stick the eyeshadows from Naked Cherry into the the Balktalk palette, and they’d appear to fit right in, but they are quite different (see the swatches below). These colors are more than different enough to stand on their own.

urban decay naked cherry collection swatches
From the top: the eyeshadows, the blush and highlighter, lipsticks and the liners

[Continue reading…]

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Makeup, Urban Decay Keywords: urban decay naked cherry, urban decay naked cherry collection, urban decay naked cherry palette

Kiss ‘n’ Telling on the New MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks

October 2nd, 2018 by Karen 28 Comments

mac powder kiss lipstick
Besos!

I just want your extra time and your mwah-mwah-mwah-mwah-mwah, KISS!

New Powder Kiss Lipsticks from MAC! These mattes feel just like the luscious Chanel Rouge Allure Velvets — lightweight, so more like a lip balm than a lipstick — but even creamier. So there’s little-to-no chance of cat butt lips. (I can hear you sighing from relief.) And, dare I say it, they’re kinda moisturizing? Just a little.

  • Must apply on dry lips (NON NEGOTIABLE!); otherwise, patchy
  • Taste and smell like vanilla, so classic MAC
  • Will move outside your natural lip line if you rub your lips together a lot
  • Special matte packaging (did you catch that?)
  • Pigment levels — between medium and just shy of full, depending on color
  • Less pigmented than MAC Matte lipsticks
  • Fade after a meal or a cup of coffee
  • Wear time is about an hour — two, tops
  • Watch out for vertical lip lines with the paler beige colors and pinks (they will highlight them if you apply too much).
  • Stand-outs: Mull It Over (a dirty peach) for everyday wear, and Fall in Love (a bright creamy fuchsia) for special occasions
  • I’m still tracking down prices, but it’s safe to assume they’ll be priced similar to regular MAC lipsticks, so about $18.50. Each lippie is $19, and they’re all permanent

Final take? These are a’ight… They feel really smooth and lightweight, and the hazy matte finish is trés “I’m rock ‘n’ roll and too cool to care,” but the formula scoots around a lot and doesn’t last long on my lips. If you’re going for this type of soft matte look, the Chanel Velvets look very similar, and while they’re more expensive at $37, I think they’re user-friendlier because they don’t move around as much. Plus, they last longer.

If you’re curious, you can smooch the 16 MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks starting October 11th, which is when they arrive at select MAC counters and the MAC website. 🙂

mac powder kiss lipsticks
All 16 shades
mac powder kiss lipstick swatches
I’m an NC 42, in case you’re wondering.

Well this FINALLY happened

crazy rich asians
IT ONLY TOOK FOREVER.

I broke my personal vow to only read books I can check out out from the library (don’t ask me why I do these things; I just do!) and bought Crazy Rich Asians because I still couldn’t find the book at the library for like the 20th time. I just couldn’t take it anymore, LOL!

[Continue reading…]

There are 28 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Lips, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews Keywords: mac, mac powder kiss, mac powder kiss lipsticks

The Urban Decay Aphrodisiac Collection (Swatches and First Look)

August 3rd, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

urban decay aphrodisiac collection k
Wearing the Urban Decay Aphrodisiac collection

Like any good love ? potion, the new Urban Decay Aphrodisiac collection is mysterious and hard to find…

No, literally. It is. The collection doesn’t appear to have officially launched yet, and details are scarce, but what I do know is this: it’s new for fall 2018, and the palette and three glosses are new (the two liners, Rockstar and Zero, are re-promotes).

Urban Decay Aphrodisiac

Release date: TBD

  • Aphrodisiac Eyeshadow Palette (estimated price, $29, since it’s the same size/shape as Naked Petite Heat)
  • Hi Fi-Shine Ultra Cushion Lipglosses in Aphrodisiac, Ghosted and Tongue Tied ($20 each)
  • 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Zero and Rockstar ($21 each)
urban decay aphrodisiac collection 2
New for fall 2018: Urban Decay Aphrodisiac
urban decay aphrodisiac eyeshadow palette
Aphrodisiac Eyeshadow Palette
urban decay aphrodisiac collection lipgloss
Hi Fi-Shine Ultra Cushion Lipglosses in Aphrodisiac, Ghosted and Tongue Tied

[Continue reading…]

There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Eyes, Lips, Makeup, Product Reviews, Urban Decay Keywords: urban decay, urban decay aphrodisiac collection, urban decay aphrodisiac palette, urban decay aphrodisiac swatches, urban decay ghosted, urban decay tongue tied

The NARS Fall 2018 Collection! (First Look and Swatches)

August 2nd, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

nars 7 deadly sins
New NARS Fall 2018 collection

You guys, I am shooketh, and shooketh am I, for there is no blush to be found in the NARS fall 2018 collection.

LIKE NONE.

Perhaps François is assuming that your cheeks will naturally flush when you wear (and perhaps commit) some of the lippies in the 7 Deadly Sin Audacious Lipstick Palette?

Along with the lip palette, there are also two eyeshadow palettes, an eye and cheek palette, and a new line of brow pencils, so there’s lots of newness to fawn over, for sure.

Still…it’s hard for me to imagine a fall without a new NARS blush.

Can you?

Guess I’ll just have to continue my love affair with NARS Deep Throat for a little longer.

The NARS Fall 2018 collection is available now and includes…

  • 7 Deadly Sin Audacious Lipstick Palette, $52
  • Atomic Blonde Eye and Cheek Palette, $59
  • Quad Eyeshadows in Singapore and Mojave, $52 each
  • Brow Perfectors in Calimyra, Goma, Makassar, Moanda, Komo, Naia, Lava and Atacama, $25 each
nars 7 deadly sins
7 Deadly Sins
nars singapore
Singapore
nars mojave
Mojave
nars fall 2018 swatches 7 deadly sins
7 Deadly Sins Palette: Pride, Disobedience, Idolatry, Foolishness, Greed, Wrath and Sloth

[Continue reading…]

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Eyes, Lips, Makeup, NARS Keywords: nars, nars 7 deadly sins, nars 7 deadly sins swatches, nars brow perfector, nars brow perfector swatches, nars cosmetics, nars fall 2018, nars fall 2018 collection, nars fall 2018 swatches, nars mojave, nars mojave swatches, nars palette, nars singapore, nars singapore swatches, nars swatches

More From the Mally Beauty Mallywood Collection: Mallywood Eyeshadow Palette, Mallywood Wazza Wazzup! Ombré Highlighting Trio, and Mallywood Highlighting Blush

July 30th, 2018 by Karen 7 Comments

mallywood highlighting blush
When second grade #goals come true…

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was second grade.”

I think that’s how that quote goes…

Second grade was the year Jen and I (along with most of the little girls in our class) were in love with the same boy in our homeroom.

Lee. ?

In the spring, I fainted in the middle of art class, and my face conveniently landed on the edge of Lee’s chair, splitting my lip open. There was blood. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. To everyone else, it was grossly fascinating, but to me, it was destiny… Clearly, Lee and I were gonna get married and raise 12 calico cats.

Second grade was also the year hot pink and gold glitter ruled, and everything pink and glittery gold was a hot commodity on the playground — stickers, beaded hair accessories, pens, friendship bracelets and those weird braided plastic keychains that everyone had — and shortly after the fainting incident, Lee shyly handed me a pink and gold glitter cat sticker.

We never spoke of it.

The pink and gold packaging in the Mallywood makeup collection by Mally Beauty brings back all the feels, and second grade Karen… Shoot, she would’ve traded her pesky little brother for the palettes and the mascara in a hot second (“Here, take him. Just feed him hot dogs, rice and ketchup every day, and he’ll be fine”). Sure, I wouldn’t know what to do with anything, but who cares? PINK AND GOLD GLITTER.


Mally Roncal is the cutest.

The best thing from this launch for me is the Smoky Mama Mascara, and I’m hoping that Mally will find a way to add it to the permanent line (oh please, oh please, oh please) because it’s THAT great.

As for the three other pieces, I think they have their moments…

Mallywood Eyeshadow Palette ($29)

mallywood eyeshadow palette
Sad panda tear for the broken pan of glitter. 🙁

[Continue reading…]

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Eyes, Makeup, Mally Beauty, Product Reviews Keywords: mally beauty, mallywood collection

Chanel Fall-Winter Collection 2018 Le Mat de Chanel: A First Look

July 27th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

chanel le mat de chanel collection
MATTES!

As a beauty addict who spent her formative years in the golden era of matte makeup — THE ’90s! — I can attest that finding impeccable matte makeup is a freakin’ game-changer, because ye olde days of blending chalky chocolate eyeshadows and tending to parched pouts are ovah if the new all-matte makeup by Chanel has anything to say about it.

Can I just say…not one, but *two* ALL MATTE QUADS. And jumbo twist-up crayons and cream shadows! I believe this all-matte moment is a Chanel first, and if that is the case, please bring out the defibrillator ASAP because I’m dying.

It’s called the Fall-Winter Collection 2018 Le Mat de Chanel, and it’s out right now. Here’s a quickie look at swatches of some of the products, including the brown matte quad, because your homegirl had to go there!

The Chanel Fall-Winter Collection 2018 Le Mat De Chanel includes…

  • Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in 308 Clair-Obscur and 312 Quiet Revolution ($61 each)
  • Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 330 Quintessence ($45)
  • Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Jumbo Longwear Mat Lip Crayon in 257 Discretion, 259 Provocation, 265 Subversion, 261 Excess, 267 Impulsion, 269 Impact ($37 each)
  • Le Vernis Velvet Nail Colour in 636 Ultime, 638 Profondeur ($28 each)
  • Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour in 168 Serenity, 170 Euphorie, 172 Expression, 174 Melancholia ($37 each)
  • Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow Liner Khol in 06 Nude Eclat, 12 Contour Clair, 04 Electric Brown, 08 Rouge Noir, 02 Bleu Nuit, 14 Contour Graphique, 10 Contour Sombre ($34 each)
  • Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Ultra Wear Lip Colour in 43 Sensual Rose, 112 Chic Rosewood, 48 Soft Rose, 43 Sensual Rose, 43 Strawberry Red, 122 Soft Coral, 124 Soft Candy, 126 Radiant Pink, 59 Shocking Pink, 104 Bright Raspberry, 27 Daring Red, 49 Ever Red, 102 Milky Blueberry, 142 Sweet Berry ($37 each)
chanel le rouge crayon de couleur
Jumbo Longwear Matte Lip Crayons from the left: 257 Discretion, 261 Excess, 265 Subversion, 267 Impulsion, and 269 Impact
chanel les 4 ombres clair obscur
Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in 308 Clair-Obscur
chanel rouge allure ink fall 2018
Clockwise from the lower left: Le Vernis Velvet Nail Colour in 638 Profondeur, Rouge Allure Ink in 174 Melancholia and 170 Euphorie, Velvet Nail Colour in 636 Ultime

[Continue reading…]

There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel, Collections, Eyes, Lips, Makeup Keywords: chanel, chanel clair obscur, chanel fall 2018, chanel fall winter 2018 collection, chanel jumbo longwear matte lip crayon, chanel le mat de chanel, chanel le rouge crayon, chanel makeup

MAC Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipstick Swatches and a First Look

July 12th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

mac plenty of pout plumping lipstick
New lippies from MAC to plump that pout

Think about the phrase “bee-stung lips” for a second. LIKE, REALLY THINK ABOUT IT. Literally sounds like the worst thing to ever happen to anyone. I was stung by a bee on my bicep when I was eight, and I still remember, with much clarity, the feeling of a million hot needles pinching my skin. To this day whenever a bee enters my peripheral vision I walk a little faster and mutter under my breath, “Bees can smell fear. No fear. No Fear. NO FEAR!”

Well. MAC’s new line of plumping lipsticks (and a plumping gloss) will not inflict any deep mental scars. At least I hope that’s the case?! I’m sitting here wearing the shade Smooth Going and my mouth is pretty tingly. Not a four-alarm status sting but I definitely feel like I’m alive.

Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipstick creates full, bee-stung lips while laying down sheer, creamy colour. An invigorating ginger root complex volumizes lips immediately, while avocadin and other potent oils moisturize and smooth. Plenty of Pout Plumping Lip Gloss packs the same power with a side of clear, balmy shine. Layer it over Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipstick to erase lip lines for a fresh, pumped-up pout!
–MAC PR

mac crazy lush
Crazy Lush
mac ample chic
Ample Chic
mac so swell
So Swell
mac smooth going
Smooth Going
mac nicer than nice
Nicer Than Nice
mac kiss cuddle
Kiss & Cuddle
mac plenty of pout plumping lip gloss
Plumping Lip Gloss

Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipsticks ($21 each) and Plumping Lip Gloss ($18.50)

Available now online and at select MAC counters for a limited time

  • Pout and About: bright tangerine
  • Extra Kissable: creamy salmon pink
  • Ample Chic: creamy strawberry pink
  • Extra-Luscious: mid-tone creamy berry pink
  • Crazy Lush: bright cherry red
  • Lovemaker: berry wine
  • Kiss & Cuddle: soft yellow nude
  • So Swell: mid-tone cool brown
  • Smooth Going: bright peachy pink
  • Nicer Than Nice: soft, warm pink
  • Plenty of Pout Plumping Lip Gloss: sheer light pink
mac plenty of pout plumping lipstick ingredients
Plumping Lipstick ingredients
mac plenty of pout plumping lip gloss ingredients
Plumping Lip Gloss Ingredients

See anything ya like so far?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Lips, MAC Makeup, Makeup Keywords: mac, mac cosmetics, mac makeup, mac plenty of pout collection, mac reviews

Wearing the New MAC Aaliyah Collection (VIDEO REVIEW)

June 7th, 2018 by Karen 14 Comments

mac aaliyah collection
Wearing Eye Shadow X 9 in Age Ain’t Nothing, Bronzing Powder in Baby Girl and Lipglass in Li Li’s Motor City from the new limited edition MAC Aaliyah collection, coming June 20th to the MAC website and select stores June 21st.

You know what I just realized? I just realized that I can tie different eras from my teens and 20s to Aaliyah’s music. Like, Jen, Cindy and I played Back and Forth so much in the summer before I left for college, and then in the spring of my senior year at Davis, Are You That Somebody was almost constantly on the radio whenever Eleanor, Mary Anne, Christine and I drove anywhere (In-N-Out after class, to the city late at night to go clubbing, house parties, the library, to go rollerblading all over town, to the gym).

And then around the time El Hub and I met, Rock the Boat was THE JAM.

Aaliyah’s legacy lives on through her music, and her fans lobbied hard for a MAC collection.

mac aaliyah collection
Feelin’ this packaging

I wore my first look with it today (I plan to do at least one more with a lip), and here are pics, swatches (NC42) and some thoughts (in the video). First impression: holy shimmer!

Mini reviews of a few pieces from the @maccosmetics Aaliyah collection (swipe to see the second vid): Age Ain’t Nothing Eye Shadow X 9, Baby Girl Bronzer and Li Li’s Motor City Lipglass. Coming to maccosmetics.com June 20 and to select counters June 21. #maccosmetics #aaliyahformac #makeupreview #igmakeup #instamakeup

A post shared by Karen | Makeup and Beauty Blog (@karenmbb) on Jun 7, 2018 at 4:24pm PDT

mac aaliyah age aint nothing eye shadow x 9
Eye Shadow X 9 in Age Ain’t Nothing ($32)
mac aaliyah bronzing powder
Bronzing Powder in Baby Girl ($27)
mac aaliyah lipglass
Brooklyn Born, Li Li’s Motor City, At Your Best You Are, 1 in a Million ($17 each)

[Continue reading…]

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Eyes, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Palettes, Product Reviews Keywords: mac, mac aaliyah, mac cosmetics

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