Dior

Summer Beauty Buddies: Dior Backstage Concealer

August 8th, 2023 by Karen 4 Comments

I’m wearing Dior Backstage Concealer (and a few other things) in this look

It’s handy to have a full coverage concealer around, even if you don’t like wearing anything close to a full coverage base.

I bought a lovely full coverage liquid Dior Backstage Concealer in 4W at Sephora on a whim a few months ago because I liked the ever-so-slightly pearl finish and the creamy consistency.

Side note, apparently buying makeup “on a whim” is my new beauty philosophy, ha!

Anywho, while I’ve only used it a handful of times, it’s certainly delivered the goods. Lately I’ve had some uneven patches and post-inflammatory dark spots (I’m breaking out from hormones and stress, such a lovely combination), and the concealer does a fabulous job of disguising both.

If you’re searching for a concealer that hides errrrrthang without looking heavy, try the Dior!

I’m wearing it with Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer and Rose Inc Skin Enhance Tinted Serum in these pics.

I applied Laura Mercier Primer as a base, and then I mixed the Dior and Rose Inc Serum together and applied the combo all over my face with my fingers, concentrating on my chin and around my lips. After the base dried a little bit, I grabbed a fluffy face brush and buffed everything together for a seamless look.

Then, I took a tiny, pointed concealer brush and painted the spots where I wanted extra coverage, and softened the edges with a finger to remove any harsh lines.

If you want a full breakdown of all the makeup, please let me know in the comments

At this point one could dust a little powder on to set everything, but lately, whenever I wear powder, I just feel like I have too much product on my face, and the first thing I want to do is take everything off. I guess this is what happens when you go from wearing ALL THE THINGS to NONE OF THE THINGS, which leads me to the face primer from Laura Mercier.

One could easily skip it to save a step, but I feel like if you’re going to opt out of a setting powder at the end, prepping with a primer at the start really does help to anchor all your base makeup to your face. I have combo skin and it seems to really help the makeup stay on all day, especially on my oily spots.

OK, while we’re still on the subject of makeup, I told myself at the start of the week that I’m going to wear a little bit everyday this week and take a pic of whatever ends up on my face, even if it’s not the most camera-ready look. And if the makeup looks pretty much the same bronzed look all week long, I’m just gonna lean into it, LOL! I think it’ll help put an extra pep in my step.

Hope everything is well with you, and that your week is off to a nice start. If you want to tell me something good that’s happened to you lately, I’m all ears!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Red Lipstick to Rule Them All!

September 21st, 2022 by Karen 15 Comments

I know I’ve been talking about Dior 999 lately, but dang, it really is that good! It’s kiss proof, mask proof, transfer proof… Basically life proof!

I didn’t realize this the last time I mentioned it, but there are a few different versions of this particular color. The one that you want is in the Rouge Dior Forever formula, which is $42. It’s the ultra pigmented matte version which feels light on lips and lasts FOREVER.

Dior 999 is mostly neutral red with a touch of orange, so it leans of the warm side, but it doesn’t have so much orange that it goes into MAC Lady Danger territory.

It’s classic and timeless, and you could wear it all year ’round. It’s SO GOOD! Seriously, give it a try.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Little Bit of Dior! Dior 999 Lipstick

September 14th, 2022 by Karen 8 Comments

Please excuse the cray-cray clips in these pictures. I’m about to jump on a video call, and my stray hairs needed all the help they could get. LOL!

I finally got my paws on a tube of Dior 999 Lipstick — been lusting after it for weeks. It’s an intensely pigmented matte red with a touch of orange in a long-wearing formula.

I’ve just started playing with it and quickly figured out a few things:

Use a thin layer! It’s one of those long-wearing formulas with a very specific sweet spot; apply too much, and it will lift off in patches.
Go slowly if you’re applying straight from the bullet. Or, use a lip liner to help define the edges first. I dunno, maybe it’s the slant or the thinner size of the lipstick bullet, but there’s something about it that makes it hard for me to just go in there and do the damn thing.
It won’t wear off for nothing. Dior is not kidding! This stuff stays on forever.

It’s been a minute since I’ve worn a Dior lipstick, and I can remember why I like it. I think I’m going to grab a bright pink or coral next!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Wednesday!

A Sephora VIB Sale Strategy (and a Skin Care Haul)

November 13th, 2018 by Karen 27 Comments

kate somerville skin care — New from Kate Somerville

I have revised my plan of attack for the Sephora VIB sale, because, let’s get real…only a few of the items I want are things I can’t function without (I’m talking to you, Kate Somerville Anti-Bac Clearing Lotion). Most of the things are things I only want because they’re on sale… I’m 100% my mother’s daughter that way (“It’s on sale? BUY IT. Don’t you ever pay full price, ever!”).

But really, how much do I actually need another bronzer, all-matte neutral palette or another coral lipstick?

Not much! LOL. But I still want them all, especially with new makeup coming out every five seconds, so I gotta check myself before I wreck myself…

How do I weed out unnecessary or spur-of-the moment purchases?

On the very first day of the sale, I put everything I want to buy into my cart, and then I wait… And wait. And wait. I let it all simmer there, brewing and stewing (and taunting me?). Then, juuuuust before the sale ends, I’ll see what’s left in my cart, and most of the time when I do this, there are things that have sold out, which whittles the list down, and from there I reevaluate what’s left and see what fits into my budget.

This tactic reduces the likelihood of me getting a whole bunch of things I mostly only want because they’re on sale.

sephora vib haul — ‘Twas a skin care haul (regular prices shown)

Um…but K-Dawg, does this actually work?

Dude, it totally does! Forcing myself to wait and really think about my cart and the grand total $ staring back at me helps…because I know who I am, and I’m a spur-of-the-moment shopper.

Waiting also forces me to look around at what I already have in my stash.

For this last sale, I knew I needed another bottle of Kate Somerville Anti-Bac, sunscreen/face moisturizer for winter (ugh, dry skin), an eye cream and some chemical exfoliators for mature skin, because every morning lately when I wake up and look in the mirror, instead of seeing my face, I see freakin’ Gollum’s!

What my heart was telling me I wanted, though, was a bunch of makeup — a Charlotte Tilbury palette, Shiseido eyeliners and eyeshadows (they recently revamped their entire makeup line, and it’s supposed to be REALLY good), some Charlotte Tilbury blushes and bronzers, and a Dior foundation.

OK, and maybe a few other things were in there too, ha ha ha. You know me too well!

Step 1: Shopping my own stash

The Charlotte Tilbury palette ended up being sold out, but everything worked out because I rediscovered my BECCA Chrissy Palette, which more or less serves the same purpose. I’m a little sad panda, 🙁 but if the CT palette is still around for the next VIB sale and I’m still lusting after it, I’ll get it then.

becca chrissy teigen swatches — Hello, old friend…

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Try Diorshow Pump’n’Volume Mascara for Lifted, Ladylike Lashes

June 21st, 2017 by Karen 6 Comments

diorshow pump n volume brush — Don’t poke your eye out, Karen

I mean…is this new Dior Diorshow Pump’N’Volume Mascara gimmicky?

Yeah, a little.

The tube is soft and squishy, like a really good pair of flip-flops! There’s an indentation toward the bottom of the tube to place your thumb and forefinger into. Then you give it a good squeeze.

BAM! — the brush loads with MOAR MASCARA for MOAR VOLUME.

I try not to squeeze too hard, though, because when I do, the brush gets overloaded and I apply way too much (and end up with smudgy mascara a few hours later).

My point here is to say that a little bit of this $29.50 mascara goes a long way. Resist the temptation to use that T-rex claw and go ham on that a$$!

I like the brush a lot. It has stubby, pointy nubs similar to those on the brush that comes with Chanel Le Volume de Chanel.

diorshow pump n volume tube — Squeeeeeeze it

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The Lust List, Vol. 12: Stuff I Kinda Want

June 6th, 2017 by Karen 20 Comments

I realize that there’s absolutely NOTHING lust-inducing about makeup remover. Nothing. But sometimes you just gotta take a break from all the schmexy makeup dreams (I’m talking to you, Charlotte Tilbury), and put stuff on your lust list that, ya know, you actually need.

On that note…

R+Co Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner ($29) — La, la, la! Don’t mind me as I fall deeper into the hole that is my current R+Co obsession! Analog is the brand’s approach to conditioner washing. Technically, it’s called a cleansing foam conditioner, so I’m assuming that it’s light, fluffy and mousse-y. And if it’s anything like the other R+Co products I’ve tried and have fallen head over heels for, it’s probably all sorts of amazing and smells divine.
Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder in Golden Glow ($56) — Even though I don’t need another highlighter AT ALL, this one by Dior looks like perfection.
SEPHORA COLLECTION Lavender Foot Mask ($5) — Why? Because I looked down the other day and saw Fred Flintstone’s feet. 🙁
Bioderma Sensibio Make-up Removing Micelle Solution ($14.50) and H2O Wipes ($9.90) — Completely not sexy at all, but I’m running dangerously low on liquid eye makeup remover and makeup wipes. It’s time to restock. I went through a huge bottle of Bioderma a few months ago and used every last drop because it removes everything, including long-wearing mascara and liner. But I’ve never tried the makeup wipes… I hope they’re just as good as the liquid. Have you tried ’em before?
Milk Makeup Flex Concealer ($28) — I’ve been using and loving Sunshine Skin Tint by Milk Makeup, and now I want to try some of their other face products, like their Flex Concealer, which is supposed to be full-coverage and fab.
Fresh Fresh Life Body Oil ($48) — I’ve obviously been living far away from society in a secluded cave somewhere because I had NO idea that Fresh made a Body Oil version of Fresh Life, my favorite scent in the line. Based on the ingredient list, it looks promising. The first five things on the list are oils (sweet almond, sunflower, apricot kernel, jojoba and purple passionflower). Waaaaaant!
Leahlani Champagne Serum ($32) — I’m going to try to track down this face serum while I’m in Hawaii next week. It’s a local brand from Kauai, and their Champagne Serum (“Happy hour for your face”) is loaded with antioxidants to make your skin happy…and I really want to make my skin happy. 🙂
Kate Spade Kasie Sunglasses ($180) — I’m still kicking myself for not buying that pair of black Kate Spade sunnies at Nordstrom Rack a couple weeks ago… The more I think about them, the deeper I slip into the hole of retail regret. Damn! I hope the store restocks them soon. Until then, I’ll just obsess over Kate’s Kasie sunnies.

Got any restocks on your lust list this week? If you do, I’m sure they can’t be as boring as makeup remover, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I started packing for my trip last night, and so far…I’m not doing very well with the whole “packing light” thing.

Is there some biological leftover from ye olde cavewoman days that fuels the need to bring everything in my suitcase?? I’m trying to be rational about it, but what’s the deal? Why do I have the unrelenting urge to over pack.

Dior Parisian Sky Eyeshadow Palette #506

August 19th, 2016 by Karen 17 Comments

Hair flips ? and air kisses ??? to reader Tatiana for pointing out to me that the design on the pans in the new Dior Parisian Sky Eyeshadow Palette look like the frame of the Eiffel Tower’s arches.

Seriously, how did I not see that??

Actually, wait — I know how. I’ve had a sh*t ton on my mind lately! And there’s only so much space up there between the makeup and the cats and the crawling, teething baby…

Hoh! But Dior’s attention to detail is a surefire recipe for lusty-lust.

First things first, feel free to call me whatever you want — whether it be “hoarder of all the brown shadows” or “neutrals, sucka!” or “last person on earth who needs another palette of earthy golden browns.” Seriously, call me whatever colorful nicknames you can come up with to describe someone who loves browns because…what can I say? I love browns. 🙂 And this palette doesn’t have just one or two of them. It has three, and they make me wanna do the Snake, and the Robot, and the Running Man. At the same time.

THEY ARE RESPLENDENT!

I mean, who gets emo about browns? THIS CHICK RIGHT HURR.

dior parisian sky swatches — Dior Parisian Sky swatches

Even though I like them both equally, I think I’ll get more use out of this palette than the purple-powered Dior Capital of Light Eyeshadow Palette #806 we looked at a few days ago.

There’s a dark warm reddish brown that looks like an eyeshadow version of MAC Teddy liner; a glossy, medium golden brown similar to a supercharged version of MAC Soba eyeshadow; and a light and juicy peachy gold brown.

All three glow with Dior’s signature finish that goes easy on the fine lines, and they feel smoother than the sound of LL Cool J whispering “I need love” in yo’ ear…

I mixed all three of them on my lids for a smoky brown eye fest today.

Oh, and FYI, that darkest brown shade? It’s SO not playin’.

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Dior Capital of Light Eyeshadow Palette #806

August 16th, 2016 by Karen 43 Comments

You can tell that your to-do list has exploded when you LOVE wearing smokey eyes — and it’s a love so massive that it makes stars collapse on themselves — but you can’t remember the last time you actually wore them.

Was it June? Wait, no — July?

I honestly can’t remember.

But I had to go there today when I opened the Dior Capital of Light Eyeshadow Palette #806.

THAT KHAKI THOUGH!

It’s from the new Dior Fall 2016 Skyline collection.

But before I get to that…how’s it going? I miss you. 🙁 What’s new in your neck of the woods?

I’ve still had my face buried in that secret project I mentioned last week (was it last week?), and it’s been taking up most of my non-Connor Claire time. But now it’s almost, almost done.

Almost.

I’m putting the finishing touches on it, and I’m very excited. I’ve never done anything like it before.

But it has been taking a lot of time, so I haven’t had a lot of time left to experiment with makeup.

Except for this limited edition Dior palette, of course. I found the time for this palette. 🙂

I’m wearing a mix of the khaki shade and the gold shade on my lids with the dark purple on my lash lines as liner. And I also dabbed a tiny touch of the beige in my inner corners.

As for the price, it’s Dior, so brace yourself… It’s $63 (it’s Dior), and if you can stop your hoop earrings from quivering due to the sticker shock right now, take a second to admire the flawless Dior shimmer. I think it’s one of things the brand always does well.

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