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Makeup

Smashbox Reign Fall 2009: 4-Step Eye Makeup

July 7th, 2009 by Karen 38 Comments

smashbox reign fall 2009 karen 2

This year’s fall makeup collections have begun to trickle in, and the one I’m spending quality time with today is Smashbox’s new Reign ($19-48/item).

Inspired by England’s Tudor period (circa 1485-1603), a time that encompassed Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, the eight pieces feature shades of berry, peach, plum, black and champagne.

070709-smashbox-reign-fall-2009-small
Smashbox Reign Eyeshadow Palette in Majesty ($42), Lip Gloss in Crowned ($22)

For today’s 4-step eye makeup look, I grabbed the Smashbox Reign Majesty Eye Shadow Palette ($42), one of three eye palettes in the collection. It comes with three baked eyeshadows (a champagne, a reddish plum and a black), each with a dollop of matte shadow surrounded by a shimmery version of the same shade.

smashbox-reign-magesty-palette-swatches
Top row: shimmery shadows. Bottom row: matte shadows.

I was in the mood to wear something soft today but wasn’t sure if I could make the red shade work for a daytime look — that is, until I discovered that with enough blending the shade looks somewhat reddish brown (!).

smashbox reign fall 2009 eye

smashbox-reign-fall-2009-smashbox-eyemap

Smashbox Reign 4-Step Eye Makeup

  1. First things first. I grab my MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush and wet the head with a spritz of MAC Fix+ Rose. Applying shadows with a wet brush like this intensifies their color. I load the brush with the shimmery champagne shadow from the Smashbox Reign Magesty Palette and apply it over the entire eyelid and along my lower lash line.
  2. Next, with a Sonia Kashuk Crease Brush, I apply the red eyeshadow (mixing the matte with the shimmer) from the same palette into my crease, concentrating more of the color toward the outside (closer to the ear), and use a MAC 217 Blending Brush to soften the edges.
  3. Then, to make the whole look really pop, I apply a mix of the shimmery black and shimmery red shadows with a Sonia Kashuk Angled Eyeshadow Brush, drawing a thick line along the upper lash line and smoothing out the edges with a MAC 217.
  4. Finally, with the same brush and a mix of the shimmery and matte black shadows, I line the lower line.

[Continue reading…]

There are 38 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To

Quietly Shine with New Benefit Lip Gloss

July 6th, 2009 by Karen 34 Comments

benefit lip gloss review fresh squeezed

Hey, shorties! Take a quick look at some of the new Benefit Lip Glosses ($18), and tell me what you think.

benefit-lip-gloss-review-zone-out2

Aren’t they sheer?

And don’t some of them look alike? From how rich they looked in last weekend’s swatches (click for more details on the line), I’d assumed they’d pack a little more bada-bing, bada-bang.

New, thicker formula

Unlike Benefit’s The Gloss and Her Glossiness lines, these new glosses feel surprisingly thick and dense, like I’m spreading peanut butter on toast.

They’re quite easy to over-apply (resulting in goopy, uneven color), but if I use a little elbow grease and take lots of care, I’m able to get a nice, even layer.

benefit-lip-gloss-review-im-with-the-band2

Thick, but not sticky

I’m amazed that despite how thick they feel, these new glosses aren’t excessively sticky, and with the exception of Almost Famous (a shimmery copper with a slightly gritty texture), they feel smooth when I rub my lips together.

benefit-lip-gloss-review-kiss-you2

Kiss You, Kiss Me

Hard core Benefit lip gloss fans might recognize shimmery fuchsia Kiss You. It’s a new interpretation of a Benefit cult classic gloss, Kiss Me.

Ladies who love Kiss Me may want to stockpile the shade because Kiss Me won’t be around forever. Benefit plans to discontinue it soon, and despite how similar they sound, Kiss Me and Kiss You are far from being dupes.

The original Kiss Me (a clear fuchsia) applies with more pigmentation, shine and a deeper pink. I think it’s one of those effortless, magical colors that just looks great on everybody.
[Continue reading…]

There are 34 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews

New Benefit Lip Glosses: A Few Quick Swatches and Pics

July 4th, 2009 by Karen 23 Comments

benefit-lip-gloss

Hey there, Benefit lip gloss, lovahs! I got my hot lil’ hands on some of the new Benefit Lip Glosses ($18). The line of eight shimmery shades replaces two of Benefit’s previous lip gloss lines, The Gloss and Her Glossiness. I’ll do detailed reviews and lip swatches soon, but here’s a quick look at some swatches.

benefit-lip-gloss-swatches-without-flash
From left to right: Almost Famous, Fresh Squeezed, Friends in High Places, I’m With the Band, Kiss You, Zone Out (picture taken without flash)

  • Almost Famous: shimmery bronze
  • Fresh Squeezed: shimmery pinkish coral
  • Friends in High Places: shimmery rose
  • I’m With the Band: shimmery golden pink
  • Kiss You: shimmery violet
  • Zone Out: shimmery cool gold

benefit-lip-gloss-swatches-with-flash
With flash

What do you think? How ’bout that pigmentation?

Bliss…

Happy Fourth of July, ladies! 🙂 I have to tell you about my trip to SF’s Bliss spa yesterday, but my mind needs is craving another cup of green tea. I’ll be back soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 23 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup

Get Naturally Cheeky With Sonia Kashuk Super Sheer Liquid Tint

July 3rd, 2009 by Karen 12 Comments

sonia kashuk super sheer liquid tint review

Hello, pigment. This is Rose. 🙂

Rose is one of three colors in Sonia Kashuk’s Super Sheer Liquid Tint line ($10; available at Target stores nationwide).

sonia kashuk super sheer liquid tint review one pump
One full pump

Sheer isn’t what first came to mind when I tested Rose on my hand. The color looked rich and vibrant — not exactly fitting the Super Sheer name.

sonia kashuk super sheer liquid tint review spread
Spread it around!

Initially, Rose applies as a dark rosy pink, but her color fades over time…

sonia kashuk super sheer liquid tint review rubbed in
All rubbed in

How sheer is it?

Within an hour of applying Rose on my cheeks, the color fades to a sheer, barely noticeable pink. Super sheer, indeed!
[Continue reading…]

There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Makeup, Product Reviews

Dior Jazz Club Collection Fall 2009 Swatches, Pictures and First Impressions

July 2nd, 2009 by Karen 38 Comments

dior jazz club collection fall 2009-2

The Dior Jazz Club’s frenzy of coolish pinks, purples, grays and burgundies reminds me of smokey eyes, knee-high boots and knit sweaters. It’s a truly fall collection, and it makes me want to skip down sidewalks covered in autumn leaves on my way to Nordstrom, where the new collection is on sale now (and soon to be online). 🙂

A few things of note…

  • The collection has a *ton* of gray eyeshadows in a variety of textures, so if you wear grays well, it could be worth a splurge.
  • All three blushes in the collection are light, shimmery pinks that may function better as highlighters for girls with darker skin.
  • I couldn’t take my eyes off the 5-Colour Eyeshadow in Night Butterfly and the Creme de Glosses in Sweet Praline and Fig Nectar. I think all three would work wonders in a look featuring smokey purple eyes and nude lips.

Eyes

dior jazz club collection fall 2009 night butterfly 173 5 colour eyeshadow
5-Colour Eyeshadow in Night Butterfly (173), $56

dior jazz club palettes both
Dior Jazz Club Eye Palettes in 001 and 002 (available only at Nordstrom stores), $65 each

dior jazz club palette 001
Dior Jazz Club Eye Palette in 001

dior jazz club palette 002
Dior Jazz Club Eye Palette in 002

dior jazz club collection fall 2009 cocktail look 055 2 colour eyeshadow
2-Colour Eyeshadow in Cocktail Look (055), $35

dior jazz club collection fall 2009 argentic 1 colour extreme
1-Colour Extreme in Argentic, $28

dior jazz club collection fall 2009 trendy taupe 1 colour extreme
1-Colour Extreme in Trendy Taupe, $28

Lips

dior jazz club collection fall 2009 decadent plum 993 mauve royal 583 dior addict lip color
Dior Addict Lipcolor lipstick in Decadent Plum (993) and Mauve Royal (583), $26 each
[Continue reading…]

There are 38 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup

Boost Lash Length with L’oreal Double Extend Mascara

July 1st, 2009 by Karen 20 Comments

loreal double extend mascara review eye final

It’s refreshing to find a product that lives up to its name.

L’oreal Double Extend Mascara ($11) may be a little pricey for a drugstore mascara ($1 more will get you one from MAC), but there’s one thing it does and does *very* well.

loreal double extend mascara review eye 1
Nekkid lashes!

Two products for the price of one

Double Extend is like two products for the price of one — a lash primer and a mascara — which work together to extend the heck out of lashes.

loreal double extend mascara review wands

loreal double extend mascara review primer wand
Primer wand

Small fibers in the primer prep lashes for the mascara. Combined, the dynamic duo seem to make my lashes look much longer than usual.

Portability

Since both the lash primer and the mascara are at opposite ends of the same tube, Double Extend means not having to carry a separate tube of lash primer. Two points for traveling friendly. 🙂
[Continue reading…]

There are 20 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Makeup, Product Reviews

Are the New Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Glosses Dupes for Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimers?

July 1st, 2009 by Karen 35 Comments

sonia kashuk ultra shine sheer lip gloss

If somebody blindfolded me, slicked the new Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Formula Lip Gloss ($9) on my pucker and then asked me to guess which gloss I was wearing, I would guess an expensive Glossimer from Chanel.

sonia kashuk ultra shine sheer lip gloss beautywand
Beauty

Chanel Aqualumiere de ja vu/vu ja de

With its thin, non-stick formula that’s both taste- and fragrance-free, Sonia’s new $9 gloss feels surprisingly like a $27 tube of Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimer.

And the similarities don’t stop with the texture.

The rich (yet sheer) colors and glossy shine of Sonia’s Ultra Shines also make them look like dead ringers for Aqualumieres.

sonia kashuk ultra shine sheer lip gloss whisper wand
Whisper

Elegant, practical tube

Tubes of Sonia’s new gloss may not wear those vaunted Chanel double C’s, but I think they still look elegant in their sleek silver cap. The tube is compact and practical, too, fitting easily into my favorite Coach Wristlet with room to spare.

sonia kashuk ultra shine sheer lip gloss beauty lip swatch
Beauty on lips

Are they hydrating?

Ultra Shine has *a lot* going for it, but there is one thing I’d change…
[Continue reading…]

There are 35 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Makeup, Product Reviews

Korres Face Primer: All Hail the $10 Tube!

June 27th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

korres-face-primer

Before I’m swept up by the whirlwind that is my busy Saturday, I had to share this literally lil’ makeup indulgence I found at Sephora. It’s a tiny tube of Korres Face Primer (.34 oz) on sale now at Sephora for $10.

Love the tiny tube!

Sephora also sells a larger tube, which is — you guessed it — bigger (1.01 oz), but at $28 it also costs almost three times as much.

I’m closing my eyes now and trying to send a message across the cosmos into the brains of Sephora’s top execs with words encouraging the sale of more sample-sized products like this. They’re a great way to test normally expensive products, and I’m a big fan.

You hear that, Korres and Sephora? 🙂

What’s a face primer?

So, face primers prep skin for foundation and powder application, and this one comes loaded with good-for-your-skin stuff like antioxidants and vitamins (Korres claims 99% natural ingredients). On top of that it’s silicone-free.

That’s the main reason why I wanted to give the product a try. Silicones appear in a lot of face primers because of how slick they make the skin, which in turn leads to smoother makeup application, but some ladies aren’t crazy about the ingredient and feel it causes breakouts or just don’t want to use products packed with synthetic compounds.

Even though I have acne-prone skin, silicones don’t tend to give me breakouts, but I couldn’t resist the $10 tube (again, cheap and small = good idea, guys!).

And Korres Face Primer is kinda awesome. After three weeks with it, I’m convinced it works just as well as primers that contain silicones.

It keeps foundation and powder from settling into my fine lines and even makes my pores appear smaller. That, and I haven’t been having to reapply the concealer I’ve been using to cover up a few wayward pimples (boo) as often as usual. With Face Primer my concealer barely budges, not even after hours of wear.

The texture feels appropriate for its intended purpose (just a lotion), and the product sinks right into my skin versus feeling like it’s just sitting on the top layers. All that and I like the light lemon scent, too. 🙂

And it’s really easy to use. I just squeeze out a blueberry-sized dollop, spreading that into my skin before applying my makeup.

The tube may be tiny, but I think it’ll last me about two months. Not bad, considering that’s about the same as the cost of a couple of Orange Dream Machines from Jamba Juice (Mmmmmm…).

Korres Face Primer

Price: $10 for a .34 oz tube; $28 for 1 oz
Use: A silicone-free face primer to create a smooth canvas for foundation and powder and to extend the wear time of makeup
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

You might like Korres Face Primer if…

  1. you like environmentally green makeup products,
  2. you’re searching for a silicone-free makeup primer, or
  3. you like lemony scented beauty products.

Here comes the weekend!

Seriously, girls, this weekend couldn’t have come soon enough for me! El Hub works Mon-Fri, so I’m looking forward to being able to spend some extra time with him. No plans yet, though, just to finish my coffee and catch up on news.

What do you have going on this weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tabs says thank you!P.S. THANK YOU! I really appreciate the time you’ve all taken to respond to the marketing survey. Some of you left brilliant comments on the last question, and those responses are going to come in really handy as I think about how to enhance the blog over the next few months. 🙂

There are 31 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews, Skin Care

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