Eyes

5 Springy New Reasons to Stop by Make Up For Ever

February 18th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

Make Up For Ever Spring 2015 — Wearing new spring 2015 makeup from Make Up For Ever

Rouge Artist Intense 53, $20

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense 53, a pearly pinky copper — Rouge Artist Intense lipstick in 53, a pearly, pinkish copper

I’m picking up Chanel vibes from this warm pearlescent pink lipstick. The long-lasting, highly pigmented formula feels a little thick and reminds me of Coco’s Rouge Allures.

The pearlescent copper sprinkled through the pink base? That could easily pass for something Chanel might do for spring.

Super pretty!

If your lips happen to be chapped or otherwise textured, try layering a pink gloss on top to tone down the pearl, lest it emphasize any flakes or lip lines.

Coming March 2015 to Make Up For Ever Boutiques, counters and Sephora.

Rouge Artist Intense 54, $20

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense 54, a pearly golden pink — Rouge Artist Intense lipstick in 54, a pearly golden pink

Like Rouge Artist Intense 53, warm pearly golden pink 54 has very little patience for imperfect lips.

Oh, but the color… Breathtaking. It’s almost like a lipstick version of MAC Nymphette Lipglass.

I like to layer a gloss like shimmery beige MUFE’s Lab Shine Lip Gloss in D16 on top of this one to slightly downplay and soften the impact of the pink and pearl and create a pretty pinkish nude.

Coming March 2015 to Make Up For Ever Boutiques, counters, and Sephora.

Ink Liner, $23

Make Up For Ever Ink Liner — MUFE’s Ink Liner

Decidedly dark and marvelously matte, this pigmented liquid liner has high-fashion runway look written all over it.

Super stark and super cool, especially if you’re banging out a bold ’60s-style liner.

The firm tip stays stiff when I run it across my lash lines, which makes drawing crisp edges a bit of a challenge for (I’m more of a flexible felt tip gal), so I keep an angled brush and a pot of black gel liner close to smooth out any jagged areas.

Available now at Make Up For Ever Boutiques, counters and Sephora.

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Try Estée Lauder Little Black Primer for Lashes Curled Like Roman Arches, Lifted Like My Bangs in the ’80s and Defined Like Merriam-Webster

February 12th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

Estee Lauder Little Black Primer — Estée Lauder’s Little Black Primer, $24, available now at counters and online

Holly Golightly. 🙂

I wonder what Holly would have thought about Estée Lauder’s Little Black Primer ($24), because I know what Kendall Jenner probably thinks about it, or maybe, since she’s the official spokesperson, but I dunno…I’ve always been more of a Holly Golightly gal.

And Holly sure did love long lashes and little black dresses.

Not that Holly would have needed a lash primer like this one because her fringe always looked fierce, even when she was rolling out of bed at 2 in the afternoon (probably because she was wearing false lashes).

As for me, I will happily complicate my makeup life when it comes to things like eyeshadow (“Absolutely! A third color in the crease sounds like a brilliant idea!”), but not so much when it comes to mascara.

When it comes to mascara, I usually keep it simple. One tube, a couple coats on my top lashes, and that’s it.

Most of the time.

Sometimes, though, like when I’m feeling fancy, I’ll do a separate swipe of MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash mascara on my lower lashes.

But Estée Lauder’s Little Black Primer is turning me into a Lady Layers-a-Lot. When I use it with my regular go-to mascaras, my lashes look downright dreamy — curled like Roman arches, lifted like my bangs in the ’80s and defined like Merriam-Webster.

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Tom Ford’s Glossy Gunmetal Cream Color for Eyes in Spring 2015 Is a Cream Shadow Chimera

February 10th, 2015 by Karen 32 Comments

Wearing Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes in Spring 2015

OK, that’s it. Game over! I’ve only been waiting, what, years, possibly decades, for this exact cream eyeshadow to walk into my life and subsequently rock my world, all that time patiently wishing, wondering, hoping to find a long-wearing product with a glossy finish that would make it possible for me to do a smokey eye without having to conduct a symphony on my lids with five different eyeshadows and eight brushes.

Finally, the wait is over.

You done good, Tom. SO GOOD. Your new $42 Cream Color for Eyes cream eyeshadow in Spring 2015 (yup, that’s really its name) gives me all the feels.

But I’m actually having a hard time describing the color. One minute I’ll see a deep golden khaki gray. Then I’ll turn my head a certain way or push my hair behind my ear and POW! — get a blast of silvery glitter in a warm, rich taupe or catch a glimpse of gunmetal gray. It’s a cream shadow chimera.

To top it off, there’s the finish. THAT GLOSSY FINISH THO! Such a vivrant thing (shoutout to Q-Tip), slick as a pristine magazine cover beckoning from a shelf at Barnes. At the same time, it’s fresh, spunky and a little bit wild (like Tabs the first time I met him, haha).

Its glossiness holds the key to its grunge-glam fabulosity.

It’s not easy to find a shadow with a glossy finish that actually stays on my lids AND feels comfortable. Most of them scoot around, only to settle into the crease within minutes of applying, but this one doesn’t move. It stays put.

Formula-wise, it’s a whipped mousse (and I don’t mean an exhausted elk), so if you prefer dense creams like the MAC Paint Pots, this kind of cream shadow may not be for you. I like the fluffiness of it, though. I find it easy to blend.

Unfortunately, this one is limited edition.

(Cue the glittery tears and shaking fists.)

But at least it’s available now online for $42. It’ll also be available at bergdorfgoodman.com and neimanmarcus.com beginning later this week.

When I apply Spring 2015, I like to ride the lazy train. I usually don’t use a primer with it because it doesn’t need one. I’ll just pat a small amount on my eyes starting with my lash line and lids, buff out the edges, and rinse and repeat until I reach the level of intensity I want. After that, it’s black eyeliner on my water lines and lots of black mascara.

This shadow adores nude lips (one to try: Tom Ford Sable Smoke) and casual skin. Oh! — and warm-toned lip and cheek pairings.

In these pics I’m wearing it with a coral lip and warm peach cheeks.

Being a $42 cream eyeshadow, Spring 2015 will probably not make your wallet do the Dance of Joy, but that’s Tom for you. Bargains are just not allowed at his counters. Still, in Tom Ford-ville, where a jar of face moisturizer costs $230, $42 is not a bad deal.

If you’re looking for a reasonable way to test the Tom Ford waters (as reasonable as Tom Ford ever gets), consider Spring 2015. I think it’s really something special (Tom, please make it permanent!).

PRICE: $42 for a 0.21-oz. jar
AVAILABILITY: Limited edition, available now online at tomford.com and coming to bergdorfgoodman.com and neimanmarcus.com later this week
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+

Adventures in tea time…

I’ve been drinking a lot of tea lately…

Partly because I’m trying to cut down on my caffeine intake/dependency (hey, it’s something to do…like growing out my hair), and partly because of that cold I had last week.

I don’t know why, but some things are just totally unappealing to me when I’m sick, like coffee and eggs — especially scrambled eggs, which I normally love.

Anyway, this tea — my parents brought it back from their trip to China and the Philippines last fall. I’m actually not entirely sure what’s in it (the ingredients aren’t in English), but there’s a description on the side of the box, and I see the word “barley.”

This tea is SO DAMN GOOD. It’s hearty, like black tea, but I don’t think it’s caffeinated, because it doesn’t keep me up when I drink it at night.

I’m down to my last five bags now. 🙁 I keep looking for it online, but no luck. I’m seriously thinking about going to Chinatown in SF specifically to look for it.

If you’re a fellow tea lover, what have you been drinking lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

90 Seconds With the Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Eye Palette

February 4th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

Hello from Sniffles McGoo! *sniffle*

I can’t even recognize my voice right now. (In real life. Not in this video, because I recorded it a couple days ago, pre-cold.) I sound like a cartoon character.

This is just a quick look at the palette I used for my blueberry truffle look the other day, the Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Eye Palette.

It’s a good one for warm neutral looks, and of course I love the pop of blue in the center.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The New Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner Pencils by theBalm: This Mr. Right Is Not a Commitment-Phobe

January 30th, 2015 by Karen 25 Comments

theBalm Mr. Write (Now) in Brian B. Beige, Jac B. Bronze, Bill B. Mocha, Wayne B. Olive, Raj B. Navy, Vince B. Charcoal, Dean B. Onyx and Scott B. Bordeaux — The new Mr. Write (Now) Eyeliner Pencils by theBalm ($17 each)

Mr. Write (Now) is not the kind of guy to hit it and quit it.

Um…can I say that on the blog?? I dunno, that might be kind of rude.

Let me try again…

Will you ever meet Mr. Right? Absolutely! In fact, Mr. Write is ready to meet you right now.

OK, that was better. 🙂

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to commit to this new line of twist-up eyeliner pencils by theBalm. Make a note in your diary to meet one of these guys next time you’re near a counter. They’re available in eight $17 shades, with some of them mattes and some of them shimmers (incidentally, they have a built-in sharpener hidden in the bottom of each pencil).

I was surprised my eyes didn’t freak out when I wore Jac. B Bronze on my water lines this week, because they can usually only tolerate MAC Eye Kohls this time of year. My skin gets very sensitive when the air is cold and dry.

Now, as one might expect of an eyeliner pencil called Mr. Write (Now), these guys will not sneak off without buying you breakfast. They want to stick around (nine+ hours). None of them, and that includes Jac B. Bronze, who I’m wearing on my lower lash lines in these pics, are commitment-phobes.

In fact, these long-lasting twist-up liners are so heavy-duty that I have to use an oil-based makeup remover with them. The formula also dries very quickly, so if you plan to do any smudging, don’t dilly-dally.

theBalm Mr. Write (Now) Swatches clockwise from the upper left: Brian B. Beige, Jac B. Bronze, Bill B. Mocha, Wayne B. Olive, Raj B. Navy, Vince B. Charcoal, Dean B. Onyx and Scott B. Bordeaux — Clockwise from the upper left: Brian B. Beige, Jac B. Bronze, Bill B. Mocha, Wayne B. Olive, Raj B. Navy, Vince B. Charcoal, Dean B. Onyx and Scott B. Bordeaux

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A Classic Neutral Makeup Tutorial With Cool-Toned Eyes and Nude Lips

January 28th, 2015 by Karen 44 Comments

I’ve been wanting to do a tutorial for this look forever! It’s one of my fallbacks when I don’t want to think too hard…which is, like, all the time. Often. 🙂 It’s a timeless classic eye with some cool-toned eyeshadows, and some neutral eyeshadows, and I usually pair it with peachy pink cheeks and nude lips (and sometimes false lashes).

There’s a bit to it, so it’s not a 5-minute look by any means, but it’s not too far out there either. It’ll get easier the more you do it.
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Get Gorgeous Gradients In No Time With New Giorgio Armani Liquid Eye Tint

January 26th, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

Wearing Giorgio Armani Eye Tints in 06 Green Iron (lids) and 01 Obsidian (lash lines) on my eyes, Milani Powder Blush in Coral Cove on my cheeks and Chanel Rouge Allure in Insaisissable on my lips — Eyes, courtesy of the new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints in 06 Green Iron (my lids) and 01 Obsidian (lash lines)

There is not a tough row to hoe when it comes to ramping up and using these new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints to create hazy, smoked-out eye looks.

They’re perfect for beginners, and/or lazy people (like moi!), and/or anyone hell bent on rocking a “smoky eye ’til I die” lifestyle. You can get a beautifully buffed cloud of hazy fog around your eyes without having to use a zillion eyeshadows.

Of course, feel free to use a zillion eyeshadows on your lids whenever you want (lord knows I do), but sometimes it’s just nice to know you don’t have to. With these, you can do simplified versions of your favorite foggy eye looks with gorgeous gradients in less time than it takes to get to the front of the line at Starbucks, order a delicious drink covered in caramel and whipped cream, and wink at the barista. 😉

Five of the 12 Giorgio Armani Eye Tints, from the left: 01 Obsidian, 02 Minuit, 05 Onyx, 06 Green Iron and 10 Senso ($38 each) — Five of the 12 Giorgio Armani Eye Tints, from the left in 01 Obsidian, 02 Minuit, 05 Onyx, 06 Green Iron and 10 Senso ($38 each)

Despite the way these look in their tubes, they are not lipglosses (although I can totally see myself pulling one out of my purse at the movies in the dark). They’re actually a brand new line of water-based liquid eyeshadows that can also be used as liners. Interestingly, the formula feels like a cream (they’re thicker than Josie Maran’s Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadows) but dries to a powder finish.

The lightweight, non-sticky formula is supposed to last 16 hours without smudging…

Truth be told, I do not want to be wearing these or any eyeshadows for 16 hours, because that would mean I’m having a very, very long day. I have worn them for stretches of eight hours, though, and yes, they stayed put without scooting around or settling into the crease…but I had to be very careful. The slightest touch lifts them right off your lids.

As for the coverage, it’s quite versatile. For instance, you can easily do a solid block of opaque color using one as a liner, or sheer one out and do a smokey eye.

A few ways to use the new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints…

As eyeliners! Just trace your lash line with the tip of the applicator, and then smudge out the edges with an angled brush.
As straight-up eyeshadows. Smear a bit on your lids, then smoke out the edges with a blending brush.
As a base, upon which you can layer other schtuff.

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MAC Unsung Heroes: The Studio Chromagraphic Pencils

January 21st, 2015 by Karen 35 Comments

MAC Chromagraphic Pencil — The MAC Studio Chromagraphic Pencils ($16 each)

Chances are good that if you’ve rolled up to your favorite MAC counter lately (shout-out to the Corte Madera counter at Nordies, woo-hoo!), you probably passed the Studio Chromagraphic Pencils without bringing one home.

MAC Studio Finish Chromagraphic Pencils from the left: NC15/NW20, NW25/NC30, NC42/NW35 — The MAC Studio Finish Chromagraphic Pencils (they aren’t duos) from the left in NC15/NW20, NW25/NC30, NC42/NW35

Honestly, I don’t blame you, because if I didn’t know about them, I’d probably skip ’em too. On paper, they appear quite boring.

Only they’re not. At all. They’re actually really handy. In a nutshell, they’re creamy, flesh-colored eyeliners…which does sound pretty lame, right?

But I keep one of these $16 wonders in my makeup bag at all times and always bring one with me on trips. I use them all the time, really, in so many different ways.

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