Makeup

Unsung Makeup Heroes: NARS Yu Satin Lip Pencil

July 1st, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

Hey, Yu!

Yeah, Yu, homie. Right there. No, not that dude behind you… I’m talking to Yu.

I have to tell you something and it’s…well, important? And awkward. But you see, this — you and I? Well, basically, I’m absolutely, positively madly in love with Yu.

YES, YU! I’m ride-or-die for life!

OK, enough of that, LOL! Let’s talk about Yu… 🙂

Yu. Oh, NARS Yu. It’s another one of my perennial summertime NARS Satin Lip Pencil jams. A bright hot pink lipstick with a satin finish, I love it for many of the same reasons I also love NARS Lodhi — the smooth, creamy formula, opaque coverage and 4-5 hour wear time. It’s another example of perfection in a pencil.

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Benefit They’re Real Push-Up Liner and They’re Real Mascara, Now Available in More Shades

June 30th, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

benefit theyre real push up liner k1 — Wearing the new Benefit They’re Real Push-Up Liners in Beyond Purple, Beyond Blue and Beyond Green on my upper lash line, and two coats of They’re Real Mascara in Beyond Blue on my lashes

Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? Please tell me that I’m not hallucinating and that these colorful new gel liners and mascaras by Benefit are not mere makeup figments of my imagination.

Are they fake…? Did I dream up this whole blue/green/purple situation? Please pinch me because I need to know if They’re Real.

OUCH!

OK…you did not have to pinch me that hard. 🙂

Benefit has some new liners and mascaras, and they aren’t figments of my imagination or yours, nor are you currently floating on pink cotton candy clouds.

These are very, very real, and they’re available on counters and online right now.

benefit theyre real — From the left: Benefit They’re Real Mascaras in Beyond Blue and Beyond Brown; They’re Real Push-Up Liners in Beyond Brown, Beyond Purple, Beyond Green and Beyond Blue

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5 Things You Should Know About the Too Faced Love Palette

June 30th, 2015 by Karen 26 Comments

5 Things You Should Know About the Too Faced Love Palette

Inspired by the lost art of love letter writing, the Too Faced Love Palette just might inspire you to write a long overdue love letter (of sorts) to yourself…

Dear Karen,

GURL. Just a gentle reminder to please stop and smell the roses sometimes, because like you, they’re wonderful.

You always try so hard at everything, and I love that about you, but I wish you would make more time for yourself (and for us, mi amor). I don’t know about you, but when we’re together hanging out, I feel EFFING FABULOUS! Like when we go to the mall or get our hair did at the salon, we always have so much fun! We should really just face it already — we’re made for each other.

I can’t deny that sometimes I get a little jealous of…you know who, but I can’t help it. He’s a larger-than-life feline philanthropist, famous kitty supermodel and incredibly talented, and I’m just a simple blogger.

But he can’t love you like I do.

I’ll always be here for you, my darling. Please never forget how wonderful you are.

Love always,

Karen
There are hearts in the middle of each pan! — which may or may not make you crave Valentine’s Day candy hearts, and if they do, you may find yourself Googling “buy Valentines candy hearts online June.”
When you’re in the mood to watch TV while you play with makeup (am I the only person who does this?), the Love Palette and a Lifetime movie make a great pair. I recommend the “woman in peril” genre so that you may periodically take breaks from blending to yell things like, “Molly…YOU IN DANGER, GIRL!” at the TV whenever the protagonist does a totally dumb thing, like descending a flight of steep stairs into a pitch black basement without so much as a fork with which to defend herself. I mean, REALLY?
When you’re wearing the Love Palette on your lids and your true love calls (and you know that he’s your true love because he just drove your cat to the vet!) to say that they will be returning home shortly because the cat just projectile pooped all over your beloved’s shirt, pants and car (more on this in a minute…), your eyes will look lovely while your heart swells with concern.
And after you finish doing your makeup with the Love Palette, you remember how much you love wearing smokey eyes. Then, even though it hits 93 degrees outside, you say to yourself, “Eff it. I’m in the mood to go smokey today, and I refuse to deny the urge. Who cares if we’re in the middle of a summer heat wave?”

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7 Covetable Coral Lipsticks That’ll Make You Go Completely Crazy for Coral

June 29th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

Some people go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. I go crazy for coral…lips, which I will totally wear any time of year, but fiendishly in summer.

This time of year I wear coral lips. A lot. Practically every other day! I mean, coral as a color in summer? That never goes out of style.

And when it comes to coral lips and permanent colors, here are seven of my faves… 🙂

1. MAC Amplified Lipstick in Vegas Volt

Vegas Volt. Something must be powering all those slot machines and lights. Maybe it’s Vegas Volt. It’s the coral I wear when I feel like kicking doors down in my four-inch heels.

Intense, opaque and potent enough to send a lightning bolt of pigment straight to your soul. It’s $16 and available now at MAC counters, stores and online.

2. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Streak

Urban Decay Streak Revolution Lipstick 10 — Urban Decay Streak Revolution Lipstick in Streak

Flamingoes. Creamy coral pink Streak reminds me of flamingoes. 🙂 This fresh, summery coral kicks so much @ss when worn with dewy skin, teal or gold liner, and mountains of mascara. It’s $22 and available now online and at Urban Decay counters, Ulta, Sephora and select Macy’s stores.

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The Petite Products From Stowaway Cosmetics: Sometimes It’s Good to Have a Stowaway

June 26th, 2015 by Karen 14 Comments

BREAKING NEWS — A Novato woman discovered a Stowaway in her makeup bag today, and to her surprise, it wasn’t only an XXL tabby…

Yes, Tabs wasn’t the only stowaway trying to hitch a ride with me today. He had to share space with Stowaway Cosmetics, a new makeup line that launched last spring with a selection of pint-sized products.

Apparently, Tabs didn’t think I’d notice a 20-pound tabby cat next to all the shoes…

Poor guy. I love him and all, but he’s not exactly minuscule.

These petite pieces in the new Stowaway Cosmetics line, however, are.

Small and streamlined

All of the products fit into the palm of my paw/hand. According to the brand, the idea is that, for once in your makeup-lurvin’ life, you may actually be able to finish that tube of lipstick/BB cream/concealer before it expires.

The smaller sizes also make the pieces easier to bring along, whether to the gym, or when you’re traveling, or when you’re headed out to yo’ booty call’s house and you don’t want to bring a suitcase stuffed with makeup.
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Unsung Makeup Heroes: Rimmel London Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze

June 26th, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

I can’t vouch for the full-on waterproofness of Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze ($4.99), because I’m still waiting to find myself caught in a downpour with the original cast of Magic Mike, which to my mind is the ideal (and perfectly plausible) testing scenario.

But until said situation plays out — and it’s only a matter of time before it happens, obviously — I’ll just continue adoring this matte bronzer for other reasons, and there are SO, SO MANY OF THEM, starting with the wonderful price.

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Unsung Makeup Heroes: NARS Lodhi Satin Lip Pencil

June 25th, 2015 by Karen 26 Comments

Dang, it’s hot here today…

Like, fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot here today (incidentally, have you ever tried that?).

Or, sweat-until-you-have-a-major-life-revelation hot here today.

Basically, it’s sticky-back-of-the-knees, crook-of-the-elbows, middle-of-the-booty-cheeks hot here today (oh, and my air conditioner isn’t working).

The only things keeping me from melting into a puddle of sweat are 1) the fact that it’s a dry heat (it DOES make a difference), and 2) this tube of NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Lodhi ($26), because it’s cool. 🙂

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My Lips Are Smitten With New Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer

June 24th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

If the Marc Jacobs Beauty Hi-Shine Enamored Lip Lacquers were a dude, I wouldn’t say that I’m “ready to put a ring on it,” because we’ve only been together about a week, but I would say that I am enamored enough with them to make out on the doorstep — with tongue action.

I might even let them grab a boob or a butt cheek, as long as the neighbors don’t see. 🙂

In other words, this new line of lip glosses is pretty charming. It’s…

Shiny
Comfortable
Non-sticky
Minty
Moisturizing
And all-around fab!

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