Makeup

Red Hot Summer Lips!

June 28th, 2022 by Karen 18 Comments

I’m not a fan of Red Hot candies (too spicy), but I do love me some matte red lipstick!

Yesterday’s Monday Poll question about matte red lipstick inspired this makeup look with glowing skin, softly defined brows, lush lashes, pearly lids and a matte orangey red lip.

It’s amazing how much heavy lifting a red lip can do, and equally amazing how I seem to forget this lesson time and time again, LOL! When I put this red lipstick on yesterday (it’s MAC Quite the Standout, by the way), once again I realized how red lips can carry most of the makeup since it’s such a strong focal point. One really doesn’t need much to round out the look.

To contrast with the opaque matte lip, I went with a sheer, glowing base with low-level pearl (Rose Inc Skin Enhance in 80), with just a touch of concealer (Hourglass Retouching Fluid in Sand) on the parts where I wanted more coverage — underneath my eyes and on my upper lip, and oh, side note, damn that pigment mustache.

I set the areas with concealer with a tiny touch of powder by loading a small face brush with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden. I tapped most of the powder off before lightly dabbing the brush head on my face.

I also wanted to play with texture, so I blended a cream blush (Chanel Les Beiges No. 25) on my cheeks, and dabbed a pearly liquid highlighter (MAC Strobe Cream) on my cheekbones and lids.

To round out the look, I went with softly filled in brows and separated, long, lush lashes to keep it fresh and summary.

I think this look could also be lovely with a glossy coral lipgloss or lip tint, too!

Do you have a red lipstick that you adore? Drop your go-to shade in the comments; I want to hear all about it.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Bronzed and Glowing Makeup With Rose Inc and Laura Mercier

June 22nd, 2022 by Karen 14 Comments

Hi, friend! I had to put on makeup today because I had a short video presentation to give to everyone at work today. Was I a little nervous? Yeah. Makeup always helps me feel more confident, though. 🙂

I’m really on a non-powdery makeup kick, so I picked up some new-to-me things from Rose Inc and Laura Mercier.

Rose Inc Skin Enhancer Luminous Tinted Serum is a sheer, lightweight skin tint with a glowing finish. You pump a little bit on the back of your hand, mix the pigment spheres into the serum with a finger or a brush, and then blend the product onto your face. Kinda fun! A 1-ounce bottle is $49 at Sephora, however if you don’t mind waiting for shipping, Rose Inc currently is hosting a 25% off site-wide sale on everything, including this skin tint.

By the way, it’s available in 14 shades, and mine is 80, in case you’re wondering.

If this formula looks similar to something you’ve seen before — good eye! Chanel makes something similar both in the form of Les Beiges Water Fresh Complexion Touch ($65) and Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint (also $65). I’ve worn the Chanel Water Fresh Tint before, and the Rose Inc version seems to have less pearl.

Anywho, this is my first time taking it for a spin, and so far I like it! I need to wear it for a few more days to figure out if it’s something I can enthusiastically recommend, so I’ll get back to ya.

Also new to me in this look are the Tinted Moisturizer Blushes by Laura Mercier ($28 each). I picked up Corsica, a sparkling peach, and Coastline, a warm bronzy brown. I’m wearing Corisca in the pic at the top.

It temperature hit the low 90s today and Corsica has so far managed to stay on my cheeks! In a magnifying mirror, I can see a little bit of patchiness (I have to look *really close*), but considering how sweaty I’ve been all day and the mask that I wore at Trader Joe’s, I think it still held up well.

I’m going to try it next on bare skin to see how it holds up!

What makeup did you wear today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: Chanel Faves, Birthday Gifts to Myself and GO Dub Nation!

June 17th, 2022 by Karen 5 Comments

Hey, friend. TGIF and happy FRI-YAY!

No joke, I could crawl into bed right now and sleep for three days straight. My deadlines haven’t been playin’ lately! I’m so glad we made it to the end of the week.

Last week I mentioned last week I was going to buy myself a gift for my b-day. I ended up with a Kelty Cabana shade tent, a 100% spur-of-the-moment purchase from our local sporting goods store, Sports Basement.

I can safely say this is the first time I’ve bought outdoor equipment for myself on my birthday, LOL! You know what, though? I’ve always wanted a shade tent for the beach and for camping, and I’m so glad I finally did it. This one is relatively simple to assemble and pack, too. I think with practice, I can easily do it myself.

As you can see, Connor loves it! I can’t wait to take it on all our outdoor adventures this summer.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday without a few beauty products. I’m still on a big hair kick, so to maximize volume and add moisture to my mane, I bought Bumble and Bumble’s Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair. Both contain six lightweight oils to hydrate, detangle and reduce frizz (among other things). I also grabbed a bottle of Alterna Caviar Foam Conditioner to use as a co-wash.

I’m currently on a Chanel kick, which seems to happen a few times a year, especially in the summer, go figure.

In these pics, I’m wearing the go-to Chanel makeup “uniform” I’ve been rocking all week: Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (SO GOOD) on my skin; Les Beiges Cream Blushes in No. 22 and No. 20 layered together on my cheeks; and Electric Brown Eyeshadow-Liner-Khol topped with Liquid Eyeshadow in Desert Wind on my eyes. I’ll try to take more pictures soon to give you a better idea of the colors and textures, however I can safely say these pieces look great in-life and in phone selfies! Super easy to use, too.

And, oh my gosh, last but not certainly not least, I’ve gotta give a shout-out to the Warriors, aka the 2022 NBA Champions.

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Did you watch the game last night? I had absolutely NO CHILL until the last two minutes, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Quick Makeup Tip: Let Your Liner Do All the Heavy Lifting

June 2nd, 2022 by Karen 5 Comments

urban decay light liner — Clockwise from the white on the upper left: Urban Decay Yeyo, Urban Decay Scorch, Urban Decay Goldmine, Urban Decay Heartless, Esum Rose and Urban Decay Cuff

When you’re pressed for time, use your eyeliner as your shadow! Pencil liner usually works best; I like pencils with a little bit of slip, but not too much, like the MAC liners — Powersurge and Teddy are two of my favorites.

I’m wearing Powersurge all over my lids in the pic below…

Oh, and try not to overthink it! Just sketch a rough shape on your lids with your pencil, then smudge and blend with either a finger or a fluffy domed shadow brush.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Quick Makeup Tip: Bronzer Unifies Your Look

May 24th, 2022 by Karen 11 Comments

Your makeup can be as complicated — or as simple — as you’d like. If you’re in the mood to streamline, then grab your bronzer, and apply it strategically to multiple places. This not only simplifies your routine but also unifies your look. Sweep it on cheeks as a blush-slash-contour, around the edge of your face to add warmth, and in the crease for depth. The result? Easy monochromatic makeup.

Today I’m wearing an old favorite, MAC Give Me Sun Mineralize Skinfinish. It’s a warm medium golden brown with a slight sheen and a finish that looks natural on skin. I’m wearing it on my lids (just in the crease), on my cheeks, across my nose and around the edge of my face.

This natural, fresh look with warm browns and neutrals was easy peasy and took me 15 minutes! The other items I used…

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat
Kevyn Aucoin Super Natural Conceaeler in Medium EC05
Hourglass Retouching Fluid in Sand
MAC Costa Riche Liner
MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash
Anastasia Beverly Hills in Medium Brown
MAC Boldly Bare Lip Liner with MAC Spite Lipglass

Building those happiness muscles, day nine

Hiya! It’s time to build those happiness muscles.

Anywho, the two things I’m grateful for today are 1) listening to music first thing in the morning (it always does so much to get my mind right for the day), and 2) stretch videos on YouTube.

Feel free to join me in the comments, if you want.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Mother’s Day Shopping Trip: Self-Care at Ulta

May 12th, 2022 by Karen 7 Comments

Good morning, my friend. I’m raising my cup of coffee to you in a *toast.* Here’s to another beautiful day (it’s a sunny one here in Marin county this morning), and to being tender and gentle with yourself.

I’ve been needing TLC, so last Sunday, I took a Mother’s Day self-care trip to Ulta.

My brows and lashes have been driving me crazy, so I decided to restock some old school favorites in the hopes they’d help.

For my brows, I grabbed the OG of brow fillers, Anastasia Brow Wiz (my shade is Medium Brown) and Clear Brow Gel.

As for mascara, I turned to an old friend, MAC Extended Play Gigablack, which I’ve been wearing on and off since 2013 (!). If you want curl hold, length and separation, this mascara is great.

I’m trying to get back into the habit of painting my nails! Right now I’m using the three-step OPI Infinite Shine system, which combines lacquer and gel technology. I already have a couple of colors and the top coat, so during this trip I bought the base coat and a nude pale pink, Bubble Bath.

Oh, and since Connor was with me, I let her pick out a polish. She close Turn It Up by Orly, a glittery beauty!

My hair… I can’t even. It desperately needs some TLC! I’m scheduled for a cut next Tuesday, thank goodness. I just gotta make it to next week without chopping it all off in the middle of the night.

To tide me over until then, I thought it might be nice to try some new things: a claw clip by Kitsch (I’ve loved everything I’ve tried from them so far), a minty scalp conditioner by Not Your Mother’s Naturals (I’m hoping it will make a good co-wash) and a leave-in by Verb (ended up returning it because the scent was too strong).

You know what? I’ve decided to fully embrace the fact that I’m a lady who loves fancy body lotion. With that in mind, I bought this gorgeous, heavy glass jar of Body Cream by KEYS Soulcare, which is the skin care line by Alicia Keys (yup, the singer).

It’s a shea and cocoa butter body cream, so it’s rich and thick, and it’s scented with a gorgeous warm, herbal mix that smells like sandalwood and sage to my nose. The scent is present enough to notice, but it doesn’t overwhelm my senses. I really love it.

Oh, and random, while I was reading the copy on the box, I noticed that e.l.f. is mentioned as the distributer. Neat!

Last but not least, I bought some cotton pads and a nail polish remover. All in all, a very satisfying self-care trip.

Building those happiness muscles, day two

For the next fourteen days, I’m noting a couple things that I’m grateful for. If you care to join me, please share in the comments.

Anywho, today it’s sliced fruit in my water (strawberries are especially yummy) and mechanical pencils. Both are simple pleasures which make my life so much better.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Quick Makeup Tip: The Best Brush for Effortless Powder Blush or Bronzer

May 4th, 2022 by Karen 7 Comments

Feeling rushed? This blush and bronzer brush is your new BFF.

You can’t go wrong with a duo fibre synthetic brush when applying powder blush or bronzer. This type of brush lays down a sheer layer of product, so matter how rushed you’re feeling, you’ll always apply just enough color — but not too much! When I have a very narrow window of time to apply makeup, it’s the brush I reach for when I do my cheeks.

I used it today for a 10-minute makeup look that I did before a video work call. I layered Laura Mercier Ginger Blush and MAC Give Me Sun MSF Powder for a sheer, warm flush on my cheeks.

You might hear this blush referred to sometimes as “skunk brush.” Lots of brands make them; I have one by MAC (the 188) which I’ve used and loved for ages. It’s in the pic above! What I like about it is that width of the brush head. It’s on the smaller side, so it’s easier to control exactly where the color goes.

Makeup worn in this look

Here’s everything I’m wearing in the 10-minute look above, in the order in which I applied the products.

MAC Omega Eyeshadow – In my brows.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat – Dotted all over and blended with fingers.
Ilia Dusk Gel Liner – Waterlines and lash roots.
Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand – Under my eyes and round my mouth.
MAC Medium Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Golden – I applied the sheerest layer to my under eyes, cheek, between my brows and around my mouth
Ilia Cool Nude Eyeshadow Palette – Just the taupe shade, Infinity, applied with a finger and blended out with a tapered brush.
Ilia Fullest Volumizing Mascara – Upper lashes, but to be honest I’ll be ditching this soon. It’s thick and hard to control.
Lilah B Lip Oil in Be Remarkable – Lips, applied with the wand and then blended in with a finger.
Laura Mercier Ginger Blush – Did this first for a light flush of color.
MAC Give Me Sun Mineralize Skinifinish – Layer this on for instant warmth. Also works fab as a crease color!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup of the Day With Laura Mercier, and the BEST Liquid Eyeliner by Eyeko

April 21st, 2022 by Karen 6 Comments

Third day in a row of wearing makeup! Someone should throw me a parade, for real.

I’m wearing the epic $22 Eyeko liquid liner in Cocoa Edit today, and FYI, not only is it the real deal (long lasting, easy to apply, doesn’t smudge), it just got restocked at Ulta. It’s an online exclusive, so unfortunately you can’t just roll up to your local store, but if you don’t mind the wait, it’s the best dark brown liquid liner out there right now, IMHO.

(Yes, I just added one to my cart!)

I’m wearing Cocoa Edit with a few Laura Mercier staples:

First is Burnished Bronze, a shimmery bronze cream shadow stick which I applied directly onto my lids and then blended out with a finger.
Second is Ginger blush, a sheer matte peachy nude. It goes with everything.
Last but not least, Eye Basics in Wheat. It’s a cream shadow that also doubles as a primer. I like it as an all-over base.

Seriously, how is it already Thursday? I’m having one of those weeks where the days feel long, but the week has felt short.

Hope things on your end are peachy.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen