Makeup

A Little Chanel Les 4 Ombres Tissé Vendôme Eyeshadow Quad Love

December 28th, 2021 by Karen 7 Comments

chanel tisse vendome — Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tissé Vendôme ($62)

Quick shout-out to a quad I’ve been loving lately! — Chanel Les 4 Ombres Tissé Vendôme.

I wear the two browns and the beige the most, and the lighter golden taupe-brown has a sheen finish. It’s fantastic for simple, elegant washes of color on the lids.

You can buff the darker brown (which also has a sheen finish) into the corners for depth, but I usually like to keep it simple and wear it as a liner, applied with either a wet or dry angled brush.

The satiny beige comes in handy for soft, subtle highlights on the brow bone and inner corner.

That coral shade is actually pretty handy too! Pair it with coral or peach blush or lipstick. I like to blend it onto the mobile part of my lid (the area that moves when you blink) to highlight that area and bring it out a bit more (helps my eyes look less hooded).

chanel tisse vendome swatch — For reference, I’m an NC42.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Trader Joe’s Hot Cocoa Snowman, a Sparkling Shadow by Hourglass and Nomad Cosmetics

December 21st, 2021 by Karen 14 Comments

To whoever invented the hot cocoa snowman, thank you from bottom of my heart.❤️ I never knew how weirdly satisfying it is to stick a chocolate snowman into a mug filled with warm milk and watch it disintegrate until now.

The best part of this whole process is when the snowman’s tummy melts and chocolate chips and marshmallows come out of its booty. Trust me, it’s fun.

By the way, I got these guys from Trader Joe’s! If you see them, grab them. They’re super fun. If you find the drink a little too sweet (I did), then just thin it out with a splash of hot water. Works like a charm.

In other holiday news, I’m almost ready to join Team Done With Christmas Shopping. I finished most of my shopping last weekend at Sephora, and shockingly, I actually stuck to my game plan and bought gifts for other people and walked out with absolutely nothing for myself. Not to say I didn’t want to. It would’ve been a totally different story if this champagne colored cream glitter shadow from Hourglass called Ray was in stock.

I saw it, along with a slew of beautiful Hourglass lip and cheek products, in a reel on SpaceNK’s Instagram. The makeup artist, Jacinta Spencer, layers the shadow onto her lids with her fingers, and the result is a perfect mix of glitter and glam.

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My heart broke a little when the sales associate told me Ray wasn’t available because I loved the shimmer — the glitter pieces weren’t too big or too small. Maybe I’ll order it online. Or maybe I’ll just put it on my wish list until my next beauty whim strikes, ha ha ha.

I think, for now, just to get the urge to wear glitter out of my system, I’m going to do something similar to Jacinta’s look with glitter in this palette by Nomad Cosmetics. They’re a vegan and cruelty-free brand that makes travel-themed products.

This palette is Venice-Simplon Express, which is a nod to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a private luxury train service that runs from London to Venice.

How about that red shade? WOW! I haven’t worn red eyeshadow in a minute, but I might just for fun to scare my coworkers on my next video call, ha ha ha!

Speaking of video calls, I’ve got a few lined up this morning, so I should go get ready. Are you working today, too? I hope things are mellow for you this week! Talk soon, ok?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

NARS Isolde Eye Duo in Action

December 14th, 2021 by Karen 2 Comments

Note to self: wear NARS Isolde more often. This post from 2015 kind of blows my mind, because I can’t believe I actually had 25 minutes to put on makeup! I still love Isolde now as much as I did then.

I wasn’t playing the other day when I said I’ve been all about NARS Isolde lately. Both it and NARS Cordura (LOVE YOU, C!!!) have been two of my full-time eye makeup BFFs for weeks, and even though I’ve mostly gotten over this cold of mine and want to wear more makeup again, I still don’t have the patience to sit still for 45 minutes and blend six different teals till my fingers fall off, ya know?

This week I’ve been using the timer on my iPhone in the morning to rein myself in. I set it for 25 minutes, and whatever I’m able to do in that time, that’s what I end up wearing for the day.

Before I even start, though, I keep all the basics, like foundation, mascara and concealer, etc., in a little box next to my desk so I don’t waste any time hunting stuff down. Then I also put whatever eye and lip products I plan to wear in the same box.

I like to spend the lion’s share of the 25 minutes on my eye makeup, so I’ll cut back on some things and spend less time on my skin, which is why more of my freckles are peeking through in these pics than usual.

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I’m Road-Trippin’ Over the Chanel Road Movie Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Palette

December 1st, 2021 by Karen 3 Comments

This Chanel quad was first released in 2017 and has since been added to the permanent collection. It’s one of my favorites to this day!

Holy highway, Thelma & Louise! I just realized that I don’t have a favorite road movie!

How’s that even possible? I’m such a movie fiend.

Oh, well. Thank you, Chanel Road Movie eyeshadow palette, for that realization.

Hmm… What about Speed starring Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves? It’s not really a road movie, but I love that cheesy classic (Thelma & Louise is another great one, of course).

Colors of the California coast

Road Movie ($62) is one of two limited edition quads in the Chanel Travel Diary Fall Collection that were inspired by colors of the California coast, and I can definitely see the colors of the state along the coast between LA and Big Sur.

There are deep, oceanic navy blues and teals in this eye quad, but let’s get real — the water is usually darker, murkier and scarier than we ever see it in makeup, LOL!

The quad also has a satiny golden brown, which is a powder shadow version of Memory, the cream shadow in this collection, and a matte tan that looks like golden Cali sand.

chanel road movie eyeshadow palette — That’s Road Movie on my lids and lash lines, Chanel Palette Essentielle in Beige Intense (from the Travel Diary Fall Collection) on my cheeks, and Chanel Rouge Coco in Experimental on my lips (also from Travel Diary).

Packed with pigment

Powerful pigment isn’t the first thing I think when it comes to Chanel quads. The brand usually pulls back on the pigment — but not too much — which makes it easier for mere mortals like me to blend them and sheer out the edges. That’s one of the reasons I love Chanel shadows so much for everyday looks. They’re juuust pigmented enough.

This quad? Road Movie has Make Up For Ever-caliber color. The shadows are intensely pigmented, especially the blue and teal, but they’re still surprisingly easy to work with.

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Buttery Brown Matte Eyes and Plum Lips with the Jane Iredale Naturally Matte Eye Shadow Kit and Covet Beyond Matte Lip Stain

November 30th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

Why are the first couple days back to work after a long holiday weekend so rough? I swear I feel everything I’m doing is in slow motion!

I had back-to-back meetings all morning, and so I put on some makeup. It’s a lot easier to be perky on camera when you’re wearing buttery brown matte eyes and matte plum lips, and yes, you can quote me on that, LOL!

The eye, cheek and lip products I’m wearing here are all Jane Iredale, a “clean” (air quotes) line you can find at Ulta and Pharmaca.

I love how her powder eyeshadows blend so easily. If you’re the type of person who likes to do one or two colors on your lids and then call it a day, I think you’ll love her eye palettes. The one I’m wearing in these pics, Naturally Matte ($59), is a great option for everyday looks. All the colors are neutral and totally wearable.

This was my first time trying a Jane Iredale matte liquid lipstick. The plum shade I’m wearing, Covet ($32), has high pigment and lasts through drinks and snacks.

I was kinda surprised by the Peaches & Cream Bronzer ($44), because on me, the shimmery peachy-tan looks more like a highlighter on my tan skin. It reminds me a lot of the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, but just a touch less frosty.

I’ve got a few deadlines looming so I’m going to get back to doing what I do! I hope your Tuesday has been great.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Totally unrelated, but I forgot to mention that all throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, we were listening to yacht rock at our house, and now these songs have been playing on repeat.

Make a wish, baby!

Meet you all the way

Seriously, somebody stop me

For the Love of Ginger! MAC Sheertone Blush in Gingerly

November 23rd, 2021 by Karen 7 Comments

Gingerly is one of my all-time MAC favorite blushes. I just put a refill pan in my cart because MAC currently has an online sale of 30% off everything! The refill pan is $18, but with the 30% discount it’s $12.60.

Ginger!

I am surrounded by ginger…

I’ve been drinking a lot of ginger ale this week because my tummy’s been obnoxiously gurgly, and I’ve also been, at times, simultaneously wearing MAC Gingerly Blush ($25).

Maybe this is more than a coincidence…or maybe it isn’t, and I just have a need to find deep connections between totally unrelated things (story of my life).

My fridge has an entire shelf dedicated to ginger ale. THANKS TUMMY TROUBLES. — My fridge has an entire shelf dedicated to ginger ale…

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Ilia Lipstick in Rococco and Lip Oil in Tahiti

November 19th, 2021 by Karen 4 Comments

ilia tahiti rococco — Fun with Ilia lip products!

Why snag one Ilia lip product when you can snag two? I enthusiastically believe this needs to be added to a fortune cookie. Don’t you? 😁

I picked up the Lip Oil in Tahiti and the Lipstick in Rococco a while back, and I love how lightweight and comfy Tahiti feels. You get the shine of a lipgloss without the stickiness, and it barely feels like anything at all.

ilia tahiti lip oil — Ilia Lip Oil in Tahiti

ilia lip oil in tahiti — Ilia Lip Oil in Tahiti

That said, I do wish it was a bit more moisturizing, because after wearing Tahiti all day, I’ll often need to apply a thick layer of soothing lip balm before bed.

It sure is pretty, though. If your lips aren’t as dry as mine, it might be better for you than for me, especially if you love shiny corals.

As for rosy brown Rococco, what a gem! If you like pigmented, long-lasting lipsticks with a hint of shine, check it out.

ilia rococco lipstick — Ilia Lipstick in Rococco

Oh! — and if you’re picky about scents or flavors, FYI, both of these lip products smell and taste very faintly of vanilla, but it’s a barely there situation and not overpowering at all. I’ve been getting a few migraines lately, and strong fragrances bother me when my head is acting up, but I can wear either of these without incident.

ilia lipstick in rococco — Ilia Color Block Lipstick in Rococco

I’ve heard rumors that Ilia does a pretty good Black Friday sale, so if that’s on…I’m definitely getting another lipstick or two.

Hope things on your end of the keyboard are good. I’m hanging in there. Lots of meetings and deadlines, per usual. Thankfully, lipstick makes everything a little better. 😘

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 😺🎈🤗✨😸

A Daytime Look With Shimmering Taupe-Gold Lids, Bronze Liner, Peachy Cheeks and a Pink Stained Lips

November 18th, 2021 by Karen 5 Comments

jane iredale solar flare fotd products — Feeling like a fancy lady in Jane Iredale!

One of the things I love most about Jane Iredale makeup is how I still feel like “me” when I don it, but just a little more put together version of myself. I had a bunch of meetings yesterday (three hours in front of that tiny camera), and I wore this look with shimmering taupe-gold lids, bronze liner, peach cheeks and a lovely pink lip stain.

A few quick thoughts on the Jane Iredale items…

Eye Shadow Kit in Solar Flare: Blends flawlessly! I like how my eyes look defined but not overly done. The shimmer on these powders is more intense than I expected (could be a good, or a not-so-good, thing, depending on how your lids do with frosty finishes).
GreatShape Contour Kit in Warm: I’m wearing the peach and tan shades on my cheeks, and the beige shade as a highlight on my upper cheekbones and underneath the arch of my brows. Like the eye kit, the powders blend seamlessly. I bet this kit could also double as an eyeshadow palette in a pinch. Lovely!
Lip Stain in Forever Pink: OH! SO! GOOD! It’s a lovely, lightweight and long-wearing stain that feels oh-so-moisturizing on my dry lips. Apparently, you can also wear it as a blush?! I can’t wait to try that ASAP.
PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner: A lash primer you layer under mascara. I didn’t really see a big difference from it…but I’m going to try it with a few other mascaras, just in case.
Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice: I did a couple coats on top of the primer, and my lashes didn’t look as big and curly as I usually like… I ended up layering Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara on top to bump up the volume.

How do you usually feel after long meetings? I get really antsy… My body REALLY wants to move after sitting for a while. In fact, after my video calls were done, this is how I felt! 😁

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday! 🤗