Eyes

Ditching Under-Eye Concealer: Chapter 2

August 3rd, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

tatcha the pearl — With and without the latest under-eye non-concealer experiment, The Pearl in Softlight, by Tatcha

OK, so it’s been an eye-opening few days, and not just because I sneaked in 10 hours of sleep Thursday night and feel like a new person.

(Side note: You know you kick it with a toddler 24/7 when the thought of eating a bowl of ice cream with your pants off and going to sleep at 8 on a Thursday night sounds VERY exciting.)

The breakthrough moment

So I’m still doing the no under-eye concealer thing (here was Chapter 1 of this adventure), and I think I mentioned this last week, but I had a revelation about a week ago while I was wearing a pearly brightening under-eye cream by Tatcha. It happened right after I took a few before/after pics of myself wearing The Pearl in Softlight, and I do believe I had what they call in the movies “the breakthrough moment.”

I realized what’s reflected in the mirror is *completely* different than what I see in my head.

tatcha the pearl softlight — Tatcha the Pearl in Softlight (it’s the middle shade out of three)

“This two-in-one makeup and treatment formula breaks upon application to deliver both refreshing moisture and natural coverage for a healthy, well-rested look all day. Light-refracting pearl pigments work with Akoya pearl extract to restore radiance by helping to address the three causes of under-eye darkness: thinning skin, blue undertones, and pigmentation. The Pearl works to address dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles by supporting natural collagen production and inhibiting hyperpigmentation. It is boosted by niacinamide, which is known to visibly brighten and firm.

“Silk powder smooths the look of fine lines and imperfections, while a blend of botanical extracts protects from makeup and pollution that can cause signs of aging. The lightweight cream is powered by hadasei-3, a proprietary trio of Japanese anti-aging superfoods, and hyaluronic acid nourishes and hydrates for a plump, refreshed appearance.”

— sephora.com

The camera told a different story

Because straight-up…right before I took these pics, I wasn’t happy at all with the results. I looked in the mirror, and all I could see was a very tired woman with dark circles wearing a super sheer under-eye brightener that looked about half a shade too light, and in my head I had this whole narrative going about purposefully posting bad pics of oneself on the Internet and how those pics haunt you for years (otherwise known as the typical Karen spiral).

But once I uploaded the pics and started going though them, I didn’t think the pics looked bad at all.

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The Urban Decay Aphrodisiac Collection (Swatches and First Look)

August 3rd, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

urban decay aphrodisiac collection k — Wearing the Urban Decay Aphrodisiac collection

Like any good love ? potion, the new Urban Decay Aphrodisiac collection is mysterious and hard to find…

No, literally. It is. The collection doesn’t appear to have officially launched yet, and details are scarce, but what I do know is this: it’s new for fall 2018, and the palette and three glosses are new (the two liners, Rockstar and Zero, are re-promotes).

Urban Decay Aphrodisiac

Release date: TBD

Aphrodisiac Eyeshadow Palette (estimated price, $29, since it’s the same size/shape as Naked Petite Heat)

Hi Fi-Shine Ultra Cushion Lipglosses in Aphrodisiac, Ghosted and Tongue Tied ($20 each)

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Zero and Rockstar ($21 each)

urban decay aphrodisiac collection 2 — New for fall 2018: Urban Decay Aphrodisiac

urban decay aphrodisiac eyeshadow palette — Aphrodisiac Eyeshadow Palette

urban decay aphrodisiac collection lipgloss — Hi Fi-Shine Ultra Cushion Lipglosses in Aphrodisiac, Ghosted and Tongue Tied

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The NARS Fall 2018 Collection! (First Look and Swatches)

August 2nd, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

nars 7 deadly sins — New NARS Fall 2018 collection

You guys, I am shooketh, and shooketh am I, for there is no blush to be found in the NARS fall 2018 collection.

LIKE NONE.

Perhaps François is assuming that your cheeks will naturally flush when you wear (and perhaps commit) some of the lippies in the 7 Deadly Sin Audacious Lipstick Palette?

Along with the lip palette, there are also two eyeshadow palettes, an eye and cheek palette, and a new line of brow pencils, so there’s lots of newness to fawn over, for sure.

Still…it’s hard for me to imagine a fall without a new NARS blush.

Can you?

Guess I’ll just have to continue my love affair with NARS Deep Throat for a little longer.

The NARS Fall 2018 collection is available now and includes…

7 Deadly Sin Audacious Lipstick Palette, $52

Atomic Blonde Eye and Cheek Palette, $59

Quad Eyeshadows in Singapore and Mojave, $52 each

Brow Perfectors in Calimyra, Goma, Makassar, Moanda, Komo, Naia, Lava and Atacama, $25 each

nars fall 2018 swatches 7 deadly sins — 7 Deadly Sins Palette: Pride, Disobedience, Idolatry, Foolishness, Greed, Wrath and Sloth

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More From the Mally Beauty Mallywood Collection: Mallywood Eyeshadow Palette, Mallywood Wazza Wazzup! Ombré Highlighting Trio, and Mallywood Highlighting Blush

July 30th, 2018 by Karen 7 Comments

mallywood highlighting blush — When second grade #goals come true…

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was second grade.”

I think that’s how that quote goes…

Second grade was the year Jen and I (along with most of the little girls in our class) were in love with the same boy in our homeroom.

Lee. ?

In the spring, I fainted in the middle of art class, and my face conveniently landed on the edge of Lee’s chair, splitting my lip open. There was blood. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. To everyone else, it was grossly fascinating, but to me, it was destiny… Clearly, Lee and I were gonna get married and raise 12 calico cats.

Second grade was also the year hot pink and gold glitter ruled, and everything pink and glittery gold was a hot commodity on the playground — stickers, beaded hair accessories, pens, friendship bracelets and those weird braided plastic keychains that everyone had — and shortly after the fainting incident, Lee shyly handed me a pink and gold glitter cat sticker.

We never spoke of it.

The pink and gold packaging in the Mallywood makeup collection by Mally Beauty brings back all the feels, and second grade Karen… Shoot, she would’ve traded her pesky little brother for the palettes and the mascara in a hot second (“Here, take him. Just feed him hot dogs, rice and ketchup every day, and he’ll be fine”). Sure, I wouldn’t know what to do with anything, but who cares? PINK AND GOLD GLITTER.

Mally Roncal is the cutest.

The best thing from this launch for me is the Smoky Mama Mascara, and I’m hoping that Mally will find a way to add it to the permanent line (oh please, oh please, oh please) because it’s THAT great.

As for the three other pieces, I think they have their moments…

Mallywood Eyeshadow Palette ($29)

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Chanel Fall-Winter Collection 2018 Le Mat de Chanel: A First Look

July 27th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

chanel le mat de chanel collection — MATTES!

As a beauty addict who spent her formative years in the golden era of matte makeup — THE ’90s! — I can attest that finding impeccable matte makeup is a freakin’ game-changer, because ye olde days of blending chalky chocolate eyeshadows and tending to parched pouts are ovah if the new all-matte makeup by Chanel has anything to say about it.

Can I just say…not one, but *two* ALL MATTE QUADS. And jumbo twist-up crayons and cream shadows! I believe this all-matte moment is a Chanel first, and if that is the case, please bring out the defibrillator ASAP because I’m dying.

It’s called the Fall-Winter Collection 2018 Le Mat de Chanel, and it’s out right now. Here’s a quickie look at swatches of some of the products, including the brown matte quad, because your homegirl had to go there!

The Chanel Fall-Winter Collection 2018 Le Mat De Chanel includes…

Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in 308 Clair-Obscur and 312 Quiet Revolution ($61 each)

Joues Contraste Powder Blush in 330 Quintessence ($45)

Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Jumbo Longwear Mat Lip Crayon in 257 Discretion, 259 Provocation, 265 Subversion, 261 Excess, 267 Impulsion, 269 Impact ($37 each)

Le Vernis Velvet Nail Colour in 636 Ultime, 638 Profondeur ($28 each)

Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour in 168 Serenity, 170 Euphorie, 172 Expression, 174 Melancholia ($37 each)

Stylo Ombre Et Contour Eyeshadow Liner Khol in 06 Nude Eclat, 12 Contour Clair, 04 Electric Brown, 08 Rouge Noir, 02 Bleu Nuit, 14 Contour Graphique, 10 Contour Sombre ($34 each)

Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Ultra Wear Lip Colour in 43 Sensual Rose, 112 Chic Rosewood, 48 Soft Rose, 43 Sensual Rose, 43 Strawberry Red, 122 Soft Coral, 124 Soft Candy, 126 Radiant Pink, 59 Shocking Pink, 104 Bright Raspberry, 27 Daring Red, 49 Ever Red, 102 Milky Blueberry, 142 Sweet Berry ($37 each)

chanel le rouge crayon de couleur — Jumbo Longwear Matte Lip Crayons from the left: 257 Discretion, 261 Excess, 265 Subversion, 267 Impulsion, and 269 Impact

chanel les 4 ombres clair obscur — Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in 308 Clair-Obscur

chanel rouge allure ink fall 2018 — Clockwise from the lower left: Le Vernis Velvet Nail Colour in 638 Profondeur, Rouge Allure Ink in 174 Melancholia and 170 Euphorie, Velvet Nail Colour in 636 Ultime

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Ditching Under-Eye Concealer: Chapter 1

July 25th, 2018 by Karen 26 Comments

it cosmetics cc illumination oil free — Here’s to trying new things! *raises coffee cup*

For the next seven days, I will be ditching under-eye concealer, which is craziness, considering the fact that there was a time when I’d literally never leave home without it.

No, seriously, I used to apply under eye-concealer to pick up the mail…right outside the house.

Lately, however? Nuh-uh. It has NOT been doing me any favors, and I don’t know exactly what happened, because I really haven’t changed my skin care routine. Suddenly, though (or so it has seemed to me), everything I put under my eyes looks heavy and thick and textured and like — pardon my French — crêpe. I feel like I’m looking much older than I am.

It appears that I have come to a fork in the road, and I can either completely cover the dark areas under my eyes but look 10 years older, or, I can wear less (or maybe nothing at all?) and look kinda tired…but closer to my age.

I’ve also realized that maybe the darkness I see under my eyes is all (or mostly) in my head, and that, my friend, is kind of blowing my mind right now…

Anyway, still not ready to quit concealing cold turkey, so my plan is to experiment at length with non-concealer-y products, like illuminators, tinted moisturizers, sheer foundations, and basically whatever else I stumble upon that looks like it might work. I hope to find a solution that doesn’t age me as much as standard concealer.

And hey, maybe I’ll get better at accepting myself and the inevitable march of time along the way.

So, in my last non-concealer-y product experiment, I tried It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination Color Correcting Full-Coverage Cream in Tan under my eyes, and I wore it with the new It Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte (also in Tan) on the rest of my face.

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Estée Lauder Double Wear Deep Dive: Stay-in-Place EyeShadow Base

July 18th, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

estee lauder double wear stay in place eyeshadow base — Double Wear
Stay-in-Place EyeShadow Base, $21

What is Deep Dive? I’m glad you asked! It’s a new series in which I’m reviewing a bunch of Estée Lauder Double Wear products from their permanent collection. Let’s find out what’s good! ?

I’ve been deep diving…metaphorically, into the world of Estée Lauder Double Wear as of late (in a nutshell, it’s soooo good!), so, in today’s episode of “The Previous Life and Times of Karen’s Many Failed Dates,” we explore the two seconds during which I dated a wanna-be Olympic diver.

He was beautiful, tan, book-smart and drove an old Mustang, but I knew it would never go anywhere because whenever I’d tell a joke he’d just sit there and blink slowly… Like crazy slow. And it would go on for, like, a minute.

It was so awkward! ?

At first I wondered if he had a terrible case of dry eyes, but then I realized that he just didn’t get my sense of humor. I dunno… Maybe I’d just assumed he got all of those abdominal muscles from laughing? Needless to say, it was over before it ever started, because in the immortal words of Hall and Oats, I can’t go for that. (No can do.)

OH, MY GAWD, KAREN, GET TO YOUR POINT. OK, OK! I’ve always liked Estée Lauder makeup, but it’s only been recently that I really started to love and appreciate the brand thanks to all things Double Wear, because everything I’ve tried so far has been magic.

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The Limited Edition Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Palette, and a New CC Cream From It Cosmetics

July 17th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

charlotte tilbury transformeyes — I’m wearing the limited edition Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Palette ($53)

What does a makeup-lovin’ lady do when she wants to “play up” her peepers, but she only has minutes to pull herself together for a Sunday funday meeting with a beauty brand? (Side note: The brand was It Cosmetics! More on this in a second…)

Shockingly, this particular time crunch was not due to my usual lollygagging.

I know! Instead, it was due to my oldest child (the cat), who decided that my youngest child (the toddler), didn’t need to eat her plate of scrambled eggs for breakfast…

Let’s just say that a series of swift cat paw swats led to scrambled eggs on the floor, which led to silky scrambled eggs ending up in one husky tabby’s tummy. As for the rest of the eggs, well, they ended up in his partner in crime’s tiny (but surprisingly powerful) toddler hands, and that resulted in scrambled eggs strewn about the living room like confetti in Time’s Square on New Year’s.

All of this in the span of 60 seconds… How? No, seriously, HOW?!

Needless to say, I was officially running laaaaate.

Charlotte Tilbury Bigger Brighter Eyes Palette ($53)

With my makeup window whittled down to 10 minutes, I grabbed the Charlotte Tilbury Transformeyes Palette, because you know the old saying — when it doubt, buff an expensive gold and brown eyeshadow out.

OK, I just totally made that up. 🙂 But it’s an accurate way to describe what I do with this palette for some everyday low-key glam.

What it is: A limited-edition filter palette to morph your eyes into the biggest, brightest, most sparkling eyes ever.

What it does: Inspired by the sparkling, eye-widening filters of social media, this palette is color-curated and coded to make your eyes look instantly bigger and brighter, as well as putting what Charlotte famously calls the lights-into-the-eyes. Charlotte has de-codified that application into an easy Prime, Enlarge, Define and Pop sequence, with each micro-finely pigmented shadow color-formulated to give the optical illusion of widening, brightening and playing with the light in specific areas after application.

How to use: Apply the Prime color, a warm, eye-brightening hue, to the inner corners of the eyes to give the effect of broadening the whole eye area. Apply the Enlarge shade to lightly contour and give a lifting effect to the socket; it can be built up or washed across the eye lightly. Define with a universal hue that adds instant definition to the lashline and makes eyes look brighter. Then, apply Pop in targeted areas to widen and brighten eyes throughout the day.

–nordstrom.com

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