Makeup

Sally Hansen Ultra Soothing Lip Tint: My Lips Are Soothed, but Where’s the Tint?

February 25th, 2009 by Karen 28 Comments

sally hansen natural beauty carmindy ultra soothing lip tints

Sally Hansen usually rocks when it comes to lip products (you gotta try the Color Comfort Lip Color lipsticks, yo!), which is why the Ultra Soothing Lip Tints from the Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy line ($10) threw me for a loop.

I didn’t expect Cranberry (peach), Pomegranate (red) and Melon (hot pink) to provide full-color coverage, but I expected them to pack at least a little pigment.

I should have known something was up from how sheer they looked in the swatches on the back of my hand…

They yielded almost no color on my lips. The tint’s M.I.A., just like Joaquin Phoenix’s good sense!

joaquin phoenix is a hot mess, yo

The lip swatch below shows Melon, the brightest shade of the bunch, after one layer. Apart from the shine, I think my lips look like they’re bare.
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Drugstore Elegance with Physicians Formula Cosmetics

February 25th, 2009 by Karen 48 Comments

physicians formula cosmetics makeup

Earlier today I set my mind to doing a shimmery gray eye and pink cheek look with a few items from Physicians Formula.

physicians formula cosmetics makeup karen fotd

I wanted a friend to keep me company, so I asked Tabs. He shot me a dirty look for waking him up, but he shoots me dirty looks all the time; I’m used to it. 🙂

Elegant isn’t a word I always associate with drugstore makeup, but when it comes to the looks possible with these four items from Physicians Formula (each about $12), I think it fits.

physicians formula cosmetics makeup eyeshadow palette

My favorite part of the look is the eye. I think it’s something I’d wear out to a fancy restaurant, assuming, of course, I ever go to one (yes, El Hub, that IS a hint!).

Shimmer Strips in Smoky Brown Eyes ($11)

The overall look relies heavily on Shimmer Strips in Smoky Brown Eyes ($11), a palette of nine coordinating eyeshadow shades from cool-toned brown to gray and silver.

physicians formula cosmetics makeup eye

I feel like the shadow colors totes resemble Clinque’s and offer the same soft, non-gritty texture with medium pigmentation. Gotta love the delicate shimmer, too. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Organic Wear Mascara in Black Organics ($10)

physicians formula organic wear cosmetics mascara

To accentuate the gray eyes, I reached for a black mascara, applying four coats (!) of Organic Wear Mascara in Black Organics ($10). It boasts a formula that’s free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives and parabens.

This baby builds crazy good, with absolutely no clumping or flaking, and the stubby brush managed to grab even my wimpiest lashes.

I love the definition Organic Wear delivers, and it lengthens and thickens well enough, but it’s not going to satisfy someone with dramatic drag queen lash lust. If you already have long, full lashes and just need a lil’ something-something to define them, look no further. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush ($14)

physicians formula organic wear cosmetics blush

The Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush ($14) powder duo comes in the same cute beige and green packaging that the Mascara comes in, and it makes the same claim about having all-natural ingredients, too. I’m not always influenced by those kinds of claims, but when a product performs well, particularly a drugstore product, and just happens to be all-natural, it’s icing on the cake.

The product comes in a variety of shades. Pink Rose, part of the Light Bronzer/Pink Rose duo, is a matte peachy pink that looks light and natural on my cheeks, lasts all day long and layers with ease.

Unfortunately, Light Bronzer turned out to be too light for my skin and doesn’t really work for me as a bronzer, but I do like the fine texture of the powder. In the right shade, I’d like it a lot, thanks to how natural it looks and how easily it applies. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
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Be an Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess this Summer

February 23rd, 2009 by Karen 49 Comments

estee lauder bronze goddess model with bubble saying swatches homies

The summer collections are trickling in, hooray! Yup, winter’s days are numbered, and spring’s almost here. Just imagine how great all those summery shades of bronze, gold, coral and teal will look with your upcoming tan.

After class today I swung by the Estee Lauder counter to see Bronze Goddess, one of the first summer releases so far.

estee lauder bronze goddess display

It’s a fairly large collection of summery eye and lip makeup, bronzers, self-tanners, a fragrance and even a nail polish thrown in for good measure.

Even though it was pouring down rain outside, the collection made me daydream of surfing and beaches… and beach dudes.

The Sand & Sea Eyeshadow Palette ($40) and Duo Tone Eye Pencil in Aqua and Teal ($18.50) are gonna be keepers.

estee lauder bronze goddess eyeshadow palette

Sand & Sea features six shimmery shadows, most of which apply surprisingly cool on my tanned skin.

estee lauder bronze goddess pencil

Both of the uber-shimmery colors in the Duo Tone pencil have incredible staying power. I swatched ’em five hours ago, did the dishes, and can still see them both on the back of my hand.

estee lauder bronze goddess pencil palette swatches
Duo Tone Eye Pencil in Aqua and Teal swatches on top row, Sand & Sea Eyeshadow Palette on bottom

What do you think of the two High Gloss lipglosses, Golden Goddess and Coral Goddess ($17 each)?

estee lauder bronze goddess gloss front

estee lauder bronze goddess gloss back

Pure Color Lipstick in Golden Goddess ($18.50) reminds me of MAC High Tea lipstick…

estee lauder bronze goddess lipstick closeup
Golden Goddess Lipstick

estee lauder bronze goddess gloss and bronzer swatches
From left to right: Golden Goddess Lipstick, Coral Goddess High Gloss, Golden Goddess High Gloss

In a collection called Bronze Goddess, there has to be at least a few bronzers, right?

Holla!

estee lauder bronze goddess bronzers
From left to right: Soft Matte Bronzer ($30), Soft Shimmer Bronzer ($30), Soft Duo Bronzer ($32)

estee lauder bronze goddess liquid bronzer
Luminous Liquid Bronzer ($28.50)

estee lauder bronze goddess illuminator

And then there’s SunBlush Illuminator ($32), the collection’s one lonely blush…

estee lauder bronze goddess self tanning
Self-tanners ($22 to $28.50)

estee lauder bronze goddess nail polish
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Golden Goddess ($18)

Estee Lauder is also launching a new line of plumping summer stick lipglosses called Gloss Sticks ($18.50). I swatched the ones that caught my eye — Summer Melon, Pop Pink and Nude Almond.

estee lauder bronze goddess lipsticks
Gloss Sticks

estee lauder bronze goddess pop pink
Pop Pink: a creamy hot pink

estee lauder bronze goddess melon
Summer Melon: a creamy coral

estee lauder bronze goddess nude almond
Nude Almond: a shimmery light tan

estee lauder bronze goddess bronzer and lipstick swatches
Luminous Liquid Bronzer swatch on top; Gloss Stick in Summer Melon, Pop Pink and Nude Almond on bottom

What say you about Bronze Goddess?

I really like the Sand & Sea palette, Duo Tone pencil and Coral Goddess lipgloss.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Cheeky Oscar Makeup: Matte Natural Cheeks

February 23rd, 2009 by Karen 20 Comments

oscar matte cheek trend final

Whew! What a long day… The professors at my school might go on strike this week. It looks like my burgeoning re-education may get cut short. And it barely even got started, LOL!

Enough of that! How was your day? Did ya catch the Oscars last night? I couldn’t help but notice how many of the actresses wore natural cheek looks in shades of peach or pink blush. They looked barely brushed on, like watercolor whispers for cheeks.
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Estee Lauder Orchid Garden Blooms With Soft Pastels

February 21st, 2009 by Karen 25 Comments

estee lauder orchid garden collection

Once upon a time I was *this close* to majoring in botany in college. I really dig plants (oh, girl, don’t get me started on carbon fixation!), so makeup heavily influenced or inspired by flowers or plants, like Estee Lauder’s new Orchid Garden Collection, makes the wanna-be botanist in me weak in the knees.

Purples, pinks and peach grace the Orchid Garden Collection. Nordie’s has it listed as a summer 2009 release, but they already have at least some of the individual items from the collection available for sale online.

estee lauder garden collection orchid garden eyeshadow quad

I’m thinking the Orchid Garden Signature Eyeshadow Quad ($35), with four colors in matte and pearl textures, looks promising. What do you think of the floral pattern on the pan and the purple and green shadow colors? I hope the pastels won’t look too chalky on me (*crosses fingers*).

estee lauder garden collection illuminating powder

Or how about Vivid Garden Illuminating Powder ($32), a multi-shade, shimmery pink and gold highlighter for eyes, cheeks and decolletage? Can you spot the dragonfly?

estee lauder garden collection pure color illuminating gloss

And I’m looking forward to Pure Color Illuminating Gloss in Peach Blossom ($18), a shimmery peach lipgloss.

I can’t want to see the collection in person. I fell hard for Estee’s Fuchsia Now collection for spring. I’ve got high hopes for Orchid Garden.

A quiet night at home

Hey, ladies. WHOA! It feels like I just woke up… and now it’s dark. I haven’t been sleeping well, so I’m keeping it low key tonight. I rented The Secret Life of Bees and plan to just turn in early.
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Powder or Cream Eyeshadow: Which Do You Wear?

February 21st, 2009 by Karen 52 Comments

powder or cream eyeshadow

I guess part of this debate boils down to volume: powder eyeshadow shades outnumber cream colors within most makeup lines.

That’s why I lean toward powder eyeshadows, but when I’m pressed for time I reach for creams. Not as broad a selection of colors, but I can apply creams faster than powders. I call ’em finger-friendly.

Which do you prefer and why? Are you a powder eyeshadow devotee or a cream shadow fanatic?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Nude Lips and New York Fashion Week

February 19th, 2009 by Karen 32 Comments

While models dressed up for Fashion Week, their lips dressed down, as several designers sent nude lips down the catwalk. Peach, pink and even beige lip shades ruled the runway in finishes of matte and high gloss.

What we see at Bryant Park can signal upcoming trends, like nude lips for fall 2009, but I think the look’s perennial. Go Team Nudes!

I’ve been spotting examples of it all week long… Here are some ideas to try at home.

At the Oscar de la Renta show (pictured at top), the lips were natural, pink and glossy.

For lips inspired by the same look, start by lining your pucker with MAC Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat, a creamy warm rose. Then, add one layer of a pale, shimmery beige lipstick — I used MAC lipstick in Quiet, Please.

For more glossy shine, top it off with pink and shimmery MAC Lipglass in Cherry Blossom.

The lips at the Narciso Rodriguez show were all about the matte, peach and nude.

I like this one because it’s pretty easy. Apply one layer of warm and peachy MAC Mattene lipstick in Flattering (a matte lipstick), applied straight from the tube.

My favorite nude lips at Bryant Park this week have been the peachy, glossy lips at the Anna Sui show.

Begin by lining your lips with MAC Cremestick liner in Honey B., a creamy peach.

Then, layer shimmery peach Benefit Full Finish Lipstick in Thrillin’ Brazillian directly on top.

Finish with some clear gloss, like (try MAC Lipglass in Clear), slicked over the whole lip.

I think nude lips look fantastic with pretty much any eye look, but they look exceptionally stunning when paired with smokey eyes (click for a simple smokey eye).

Tea and crumpets

A peek inside Crown & Crumpet

The sun is making an unscheduled appearance today, yea! This, after more than a week of gloom and rain, so I’m playing hooky to meet a friend for tea and crustless finger sandwiches in San Francisco this afternoon. 🙂

I hope you’re having good day so far. Let me know how you’ve been.

Your neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Spring 2009 Makeup: A Few Favorites So Far

February 19th, 2009 by Karen 6 Comments

Winter’s in full effect, but it’s been all about spring here on Makeup and Beauty Blog. Here’s a quick look at some of my favorite spring collections so far.

Spring 2009 Makeup: A Few Favorites So Far

Lancome Pink Irreverence Spring 2009 Collection: Downtown Pink = Hotness

“Lancome chose to do something a little bolder than usual for a spring release. If Chanel’s Bohemian Fantasy and Dior’s Lady Dior collections were meant for sundresses and sandals, then Pink Irreverence was made for little black dresses and four-inch, black patent leather stilettos.”

Urban Decay Spring 2009: A Recessionista’s Guide

“The economy’s got a lot of us rethinking our beauty spending habits. If you’re looking to save dough but still want in on the spring collection action, Urban Decay’s Eric Jimenez suggests looking for makeup that multitasks.”

Estee Lauder Spring 2009 Fuchsia Now Sings with Soft Color

“Like Monet’s brush strokes, Estee Lauder’s Spring 2009 Fuschia Now collection sings with soft shades of color. Estee Lauder organized the products in this release into two camps: the Cool Pinks (purples and pinks) and the Warm Nudes (browns and beige).”

Let Lippmann Take You Back to the 80s with Spring Collection 2009

“Flash back to the ’80s with Lippmann’s two new spring 2009 nail polish shades. Available next month, both colors pay homage to two of the biggest song hits of the decade, Prince’s Purple Rain and Michael Jackson’s P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing).”

Chanel Spring 2009 Hydrabase Lipsticks: Red, Coral and Pink Bold Lips

“Toot-toot! All aboard the Chanel Spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick train (what a mouthful!). It’s a non-stop ride straight to the land of decadent reds, corals and pinks. Are you ready to roll?”

Smashbox Muse Collection Spring 2009 Face of the Day

“No, girls, I’m not a big fan of winter, and today I was missing the sunshine somethin’ fierce. I felt cold to my bones and turned, as I often do, to makeup for warmth. I turned to the Smashbox Muse Collection for Spring 2009 hoping that its fresh colors and cheerful packaging would light a fire under my…”

Givenchy Sari Spring 2009: Product Packaging Hotness!

“The year may have just begun, but I bet the Givenchy Sari collection goes down in the 2009 history books as one of the best looking collections this year. Don’t these compacts make you wanna shoop?”

Glitter Is Good: The Bobbi Brown Blushed Pink Collection

“This spring, Bobbi Brown is going beyond her famous “I’m not wearing makeup” bag o’ tricks and taking a chance on glittery pastel eyes with the Blushed Pink collection.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Can’t forget MAC Hello Kitty! — but Tabs thinks of it as more of a celebrity release than a seasonal one. 🙂