Makeup

The oxygen pumped into the air inside those Vegas casinos last week may have messed with my brain…

I developed a deep yearning to start a career as a showgirl, and now I’m totally obsessed with GLITTER.

I know I’m eating sparkly crow right now because I joined the “I’m too old for this” glitter category years ago and have been trash talking bold glittery looks (while still wearing small amounts from time to time) ever since. 🙂

But then I gave sparkly golden Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Midnight Cowboy ($18) a try.

Every night last week in Vegas I’d line my upper lash line with it, and it just felt … right, like a favorite pair of stretchy pants or Adidas Shell Toe shoes.

So here I stand, makeup comrades, to shout loud and shout proud:

I am a 34-year-old woman, and I LOVES ME SOME GLITTER!

Am I the only one? How do you feel about glitter? Let me know in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Happy Hump Day, gals! Have y’all done any Sephora Friends and Family hauling yet (using code FF2009 for 20% off online purchases from now through November 2)? MBB reader DJ needs some help generating ideas. Can you help? 🙂

Hi Karen,

What with the friends and family sale happening at Sephora now, do you have any recommendations? I know the main things I’d like to stock up on, but there are little items, like a really good hand cream or brush set, that I’d love your input on. Thanks!

-DJ

Hi DJ,

Sure thing! Here’s a list of some of my Sephora makeup and beauty faves (en lieu of just saying, “I want everything in the entire store!”)…

Eyes

• LORAC Front of the Line Pro ($22): Drawing crisp, dark lines is easy-peasy with this fantastic liquid pen liner.
• Benefit Bad Gal Waterproof Liner ($20): This black pencil liner applies smooth and dark, and the color stays put through sweaty workout, too.
• Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten ($20): This pale pink shimmery cream shadow also doubles as a liner.
• Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara ($14): LOVE this mascara! It. Does. EVERYTHING — separates, thickens and lengthens — all while delivering loads of rich, glossy color (without the clumping), and it does it all while holding a killer curl.
• Urban Decay Super Stash Glide-On Pencils ($36): Nine mini-eye pencils come in this holiday set.
• Make Up For Ever False Lashes ($14): With over 50 styles to choose from, the Make Up For Ever Lash Bar has lashes for just about every occasion.

Cheeks

• Benefit Coralista ($28): I love this shimmery coral powder.
• Philosophy Lit From Within Cream Blush ($23): Not only does this cream blush apply and blend like a dream (I use my fingers), it stays put for hours on either bare skin or atop foundation.
• Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite ($23): This finely-milled blush feel just like buttah and melts seamlessly into my skin.
• NARS Blush in Mounia ($25): Mounia looks scary in its pan, but it actually delivers a bright yet natural, just-pinched flush. (Note: Oops, Sephora no longer sells Mounia. Thanks to eagle-eyed MBB readers Angelica and Alyssa for pointing it out. Instead, consider NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo ($36) or NARS The Multiple Duo Orgasm/South Beach ($45).

Face

• Stila Hydrating Finishing Powder ($32): This moisturizing powder feels light and weightless, and I can wear it all day long without feeling like I have makeup sitting on top of my skin.
• Shiseido Pureness Oil-Control Blotting Paper ($17): These travel-friendly blotting papers remove oil without disturbing foundation or having to add an extra layer of powder.
• Korres Face Primer ($10): This lemon-scented primer keeps foundation and powder from settling into my fine lines, and I swear it makes my pores appear smaller.

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