Face

NYX Baked Blushes, and They’re Sweet, Dainty and Only $7 Apiece

January 29th, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

NYX Baked Blush in Ignite — Wearing NYX’s new Baked Blush in Ignite on my cheeks

I haven’t baked anything in ages, but right now I’m in the mood. (Ooh…maybe a pan of gooey brownies.)

Normally, I would blame a sudden urge like this on PMS, but not today. Today the cause is NYX.

Four of 12 new NYX Baked Blushes, $7 each

Their new line of Baked Blushes is just as sweet as can be (and they’re only $7 each), from the darling black bow on the front closure to the dainty shades. The pink, peach and tan ones here look almost as good as frosted cupcakes.

They’re designed to be applied wet (for more oomph) or dry. I prefer dry because I think they look a little more delicate that way.

After playing with four of the 12 shades, I came away impressed…but only after I broke through their tough outer layer. Like my BFF Cindy’s personality, they’re tough on the outside, but sweet and gentle on the inside. 🙂 Just gotta chip away at that bad-@ss exterior, which doesn’t take much to get through (I swirled a dense kabuki brush around for a minute or two in each pan).

After you shave off that top layer, eureka! — makeup gold. You reach a soft, easy-to-blend powder with a radiant sheen. Two or three layers quickly blended with a blending brush creates a lovely flush, and it doesn’t look like you’ve tried too hard.

NYX Pink Fetish Baked Blush — Pink Fetish

[Continue reading…]

Natural, Yet Complex, Is the Glow I Get From These New Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes

January 27th, 2014 by Karen 60 Comments

Wearing the new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat ($35) on my cheeks

Opportunities abound for clever wordplay with the name of these new Ambient Lighting Blushes by Hourglass.

Think about it…

You [Ambient Lighting Blush] light up my life.

These Ambient Lighting Blushes are turning me on!

Stealing the spotlight this spring? These six new Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes, yea!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush compact — The sleek compacts…

Unfortunately, however, because 1) my brain cells are moving at the speed of belly button lint today, and 2) I feel slightly less creative than an amoeba, I am unable to partake of said wordplay.

Instead, this is the best I can do: issue a grave warning…

DO NOT get within five feet of these things — don’t do it! — unless you plan to bring at least one of them home right then and there, because these things are more charming than the Borg, and by that I mean that resistance is futile.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes in Radiant Magenta (left) and Diffused Heat (right), $35 each US and $41 CDN

Because only half of my neurons are firing today (if that), I was going to say that these blushes melt into my skin like butter, but then I thought, “Good grief, Karen! Is that the best you can do?”

No, I think not.

Picture this: your work crush grabs you by the shoulders when no one is looking, presses you up against a file cabinet, kisses you squarely on the mouth, and then quietly, nonchalantly, walks away without saying a word.

That — that right there. That natural flush on your cheeks? That’s the kind of flush these Ambient Lighting Blushes can create.

Hourglass Radiant Magenta Ambient Lighting Blush — Radiant Magenta, so pretty!

So, what are they, and how do they work?

Well, I’m glad you asked. 🙂

[Continue reading…]

The Tarte Cheek Stains Don Snazzy New Outfits, Shrink Down Several Sizes…

January 21st, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Cheeks, by Tarte. LOL! Sounds like a fancy fragrance commercial. But seriously, I’m wearing the new Tarte Cheek Stain in Fearless ($30)

I sure do like the new packaging for these Tarte Cheek Stains. So, so pretty…but I loved the old-school packaging, too.

I get it, though. It’s good to switch things up every once in a while. Heck, I’m a firm believer in frequent wardrobe changes. El Hub makes fun of me all the time because, seriously, I bring along at least two extra pairs of shoes (and sometimes jackets) whenever we leave the house. I mean, you just never know when you’ll need a different pair of shoes.

Right…?

No? Is that just me?

Oh, well. 🙂

The newly repackaged Tarte Cheek Stains, $30 each

Importantly, these eight gel- and cream-based blushes work just as well as the originals. Two swipes on my cheeks, either atop bare skin, tinted moisturizer or foundation, then some quick blending with my fingers, and I’m flushed and blushed for the day.

Fab-ooo for quick, natural-looking cheeks, and each of the shades has a corresponding color in Tarte’s new LipSurgence Power Pigment pencil line — ya know, if I want to get all matchy-matchy (I must admit, sometimes, I do).

But…sad face time. 🙁 Why are these so small? I mean, I like minis as much as the next makeup lover, but these are half as big as the originals (0.5 ounces versus 1), and yet cost the same amount.

What gives?

I’ve been loving and wearing Tarte’s Cheek Stains for a good 7+ years and have always felt that, sure, even though they’re $30 each, because they lasted such a long time, they still seemed like a great deal.

Now? Not so sure.

Tarte Cheek Stains from the left: Blissful, Blushing Bride and Exposed — From the left: Blissful, Blushing Bride and Exposed

Tarte Cheek Stains from the left: Fearless, Flushed and Natural Beauty — From the left: Fearless, Flushed and Natural Beauty

Tarte Cheek Stains from the left: Tipsy and True Love — Tipsy and True Love

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Makeup Heroes: NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation

January 20th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

“Feline enthusiast.”

“Beauty addict.”

“Beyonce advocate.”

“Defender of dental floss.”

“Hater of the word, ‘panties.'” (YUCK! I can’t even stand seeing it in print.)

“Advocate of enabling (primarily in the makeup arena).”

“Enemy of under-eye circles.”

Like you, I wear many badges, and I wear them all with pride. 🙂

“Foundation philanderer.” I’m growing quite fond of that one, too.

Interestingly, I’m able to remain committed to the same cat for seven years (I don’t count my dalliances with Charlize and Orangey, my two favorite neighborhood kitties), yet I’m unable to stay with the same foundation for more than a few months.

Weird.

Just when I think I’ve found THE ONE, I stumble on to something else, and frequently describe it as having, air quotes, “changed my life.”

As of now, that distinction goes to NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation, and yes, it really has “changed my life.” 🙂

At least I think it has… I certainly love it; that’s for sure.

Yeah…I’m kind of on a serious NARS kick right now, and Radiant Cream has something to do with it.

It’s a great little foundation, especially if you like medium-to-full coverage and have combination, or straight-up dry, skin.

I’ve been fiendishly obsessed with MAC Face & Body for the better part of a year, and I still love it…but I’ve temporarily set it aside in favor of this. For now. I mean, I still have mad love for Mac Face & Body, but like I said — I’m on a serious NARS kick.

This stuff handles my combination dry/oily skin like RyGos handles ab work — beautifully. Even the dry parts. It smooths and evens out my skin tone without catching on any flakes or drawing attention to my dry or scaly bits (gross, but true). Great coverage, and it looks natural.

Wearing NARS Radiant Cream Compact Foundation in Barcelona

[Continue reading…]

Watch Out, Pores! The New NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector Has It In for You

January 17th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Took me a hot second to get around to trying NARS Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector, NARS’ newest face product, because, let’s be real, I get REALLY easily distracted by pretty colors (see: High Seize, Final Cut, the NARSissist Eye Palette), and Instant Line & Pore Perfector is un-remarkably colorless.

But, I finally took it out for a spin this week, and I’m glad I did.

The name pretty much says it all: Pro-Prime Instant Line & Pore Perfector. A colorless primer in stick form, you use it target specific areas of the face where you want to smooth out fine lines and pores.

According to NARS, “line and pore-filling microspheres” in the formula, along with hyaluronic acid, smooth skin and gently plump fine lines. The stuff also has something called “spherical line smoothing powder,” which makes wrinkles less visible by a trick of light. They evenly reflect it and brighten up the dark areas within the wrinkles themselves.

The formula feels like a lightweight, non-sticky, non-greasy balm. Just glide the stick on top of wherever you want some smoothing, and then pop your face products on top.

I’ve been using it as a spot “perfector” this week on top of my usual primer, MAC Natural Radiance. After I work a dollop of Natural Radiance into my skin, I swipe Instant Line & Pore Perfector on my cheeks, under my eyes and around my mouth — the places where my pores and fine lines need serious mellowing. Then, I blend it in with my fingers.

[Continue reading…]

MAC Unsung Heroes: Shaping Powder in Lightsweep

January 7th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

Lightsweep.

No, it’s not the name of a Transformer or an evil supervillain (far as I know), but it is a very appropriate name for this highlighting face powder.

Whenever I wear Lightsweep (I don’t know why, but that name cracks me up!), I do kind of feel like I’m being illuminated by soft beams of light.

Really flattering light — not hard or harsh streaks of noonday desert sun.

MAC Shaping Powder in Lightsweep — Shaping Powder in Lightsweep (MAC Pro)

I’ve been wearing it as a highlighter and an under-eye concealer a lot over the past month, all thanks to Mr. White…which is to say that I’ve been marathoning Breaking Bad lately, and Lightsweep has saved me after quite a few late nights (seriously, Mr. White could REALLY use a life coach!).

After waking up bleary-eyed, I’d put on my face paint and use Lightsweep to set my concealer. Then it’s, “Hello, bright eyes!” Just like a Jetoy Choo Choo Cat (my latest obsession).

Lightsweep, like the fictitious supervillain I just invented, is one of those secret squirrel MAC products that can be tough to find, but it’s SO worth tracking down.

Like the other Shaping Powders ($16.50 each), it’s a MAC Pro product, so it isn’t carried at regular MAC counters. It lives at MAC Pro Stores and online.

So what is it exactly?

This: a warm-toned, finely-milled face powder with a whisper of barely-there shimmer. It highlights skin with a delicate sheen — none of that greasy or oily-looking business you get with some highlighting powders. You can also use to set under-eye concealer, and brighten the under-eye area without going over the top.

At first glance in its pan, you might be like, “Wha? Really now, Karen? I don’t get it,” and your heart may not be thumping like it does when RyGos wears a striped tank top.

I feel ya…but wait! Pat it under your eyes, on top of your regular concealer (I usually pair it with MAC Pro Longwear), and I think you’ll understand.

I like to take into the “triangle” area…

No, not the one by Bermuda. 🙂 I’m referring to the triangle area under my lashes that runs along the side of my nose, from the tip of one nostril out to the outer corner of the eye on the same side.

Give that a try, and then step back from the mirror. Take a good look, and you should see a soft, diffused, natural-looking highlight under your eyes. Oh, so glowy.

As if that wasn’t enough, Lightsweep doesn’t settle into my fine lines or appear heavy or caked-on (the grains are very fine), and it doesn’t dry out my combination skin. Once applied, it stays put, too. No need to touch up for the rest the day.

If you have dark under-eye circles or more mature skin and are looking for brightening products that don’t emphasize pores or fine lines, Lightsweep is a fantastic product to have in your makeup bag.

By the way, the Shaping Powders come in other shades, too, if you’re interested. If your skin is lighter than NC42, check out Emphasize and Accentuate, and if you’re a darker diva, peep Warm Light and Soft Focus.

MAC Shaping Powders in Lightsweep (left) and Accentuate (right) — Shaping Powders in Lightsweep (left) and Accentuate (right)

[Continue reading…]

What a Magnetic Glow! The New MAC Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Skinfinishes in Magnetic Appeal, Superb and Fairly Precious

December 23rd, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Wearing the new MAC Magnetic Appeal Extra Dimension Skinfinish (a medium tan with a fine golden sheen) on my upper cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose

My glow in these pics is not due to a recent and sudden increase in cardiovascular activity, the sprinkling of fairy dust or a new skin cream made with firefly particles.

Shopping Is My Cardio Sweater by Wildfox — Workin’ on my fitness

It’s actually due to the new MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinishes from the Magnetic Nude collection.

The three MAC Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Skinfinishes, $30 each US and $35 CAN — The three Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Skinfinishes, $30 each US and $35 CAN

In short, I think these highlighters are fabulous. Just really beautiful, flattering rose gold and peachy gold shades that don’t look stark or harsh on the skin (which can happen sometimes with metallic highlighters).

MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish, from the new Magnetic Nude collection — Wearing Superb (a soft peachy nude with multidimensional shimmer) on my upper cheekbones

Like the Extra Dimension Eye Shadows and Blushes, these easy-to-blend Skinfinishes have a hybrid cream, powder and liquid formula. They last all day long (10+ hours on me), and should work well for just about everyone, from makeup beginners to pros, and gals/guys of all ages.

MAC Fairly Precious Extra Dimension Skinfinish, from the new Magnetic Nude collection — Wearing Fairly Precious (a peach with dimensional pearly sheen) on my upper cheekbones

[Continue reading…]

If My Cheeks Could Talk, They Would Tell the MAC Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Blushes in At Dusk, Autoerotique and Pleasure Model To Stop Futzing Around and Go Permanent

December 20th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Wearing MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush on my cheeks

I can see myself clutching these three blushes against my bosom, falling to my knees and screaming “Why? WHY!?” at the top of my lungs.

In this fugue state/daydream, I’m alone at the top of a hill in the pouring rain under an angry sky as thunder booms all around me.

Suddenly, RyGos appears out of nowhere, and when he pulls his shirt up to reveal his chiseled, almost porcelain abs, the clouds above our heads part, the rain immediately stops, and finches following sunbeams down through the opening in the clouds start singing.

Ah… I refuse to believe that this scenario is not entirely possible. 🙂

Anyway, it’s absolute and total crap that At Dusk, Autoerotique and Pleasure Model from the new Magnetic Nude collection aren’t permanent blushes in the MAC line.

The four new MAC Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Blushes, $25 each US and $29.50 CAN — The three new Magnetic Nude Extra Dimension Blushes, $25 each US and $29.50 CAN

MAC Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush, a soft terracotta with pearl and a Satin finish — Pleasure Model Extra Dimension Blush, a soft terracotta with pearl and a Satin finish

MAC At Dusk Extra Dimension Skinfinish Blush, a dirty cool pink with a Satin finish — At Dusk Extra Dimension Skinfinish Blush, a dirty cool pink with a Satin finish

[Continue reading…]