Face

You Can’t Spell Radiant Without Rad: A Flawless Finish Makes BECCA Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation One of the Best Foundations I’ve Tried

December 10th, 2012 by Karen 33 Comments

becca radiant skin foundation review — Wearing the new Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Bamboo ($42 for a 1.3-ounce tube)

The Christmas lights are blinking, the neighborhood cats are slinking, and the Dark Choclate Stars are twinkling in their dish. The decorations have been hung by the makeup counter with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

And he will…but he has to stop by the Petco first to pose for pics with a long line of eager pets and their parents (more on that in a minute).

It’s that time of year! — although you’d never know it by looking at BECCA. The beachy Australian makeup brand always seems to have one foot in the sand.

becca radiant skin foundation product shot — Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Bamboo, the shade closest to my NC42 skin

Designed for normal, combination and oily skin types, BECCA’s new Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation ($42 and available in 18 shades) showcases the brand’s trademark endless summer vibe with an almost weightless formula and a dressed-down eggshell finish that practically tiptoes on the skin.

With coverage about halfway between a tinted moisturizer and a full-coverage foundation, it’s made for guys and gals who like flexibility. Going to the beach (maybe you live in the Southern Hemisphere)? Wear it sheer by rubbing in a few dots. Or for heavier coverage, work in a pea-sized dollop all over your face, and then pat and blend a little extra wherever you need it.

What makes Radiant so rad?

It handles combo skin like a champ! It’s easily one of the best foundations I’ve ever used on my combination skin. Not only does it take care of any slick, oily spots on my face, but it does so without drawing attention to any flakes and dry areas.
It goes the distance. Lasts the day and looks just as fresh at 8 p.m. as it does at 8 in the morning.
Looks like it’s been applied with an airbrush. You hear that airbrushed finish thing a lot, but I gotta say — I really do think my pores look smaller, and my fine lines look smoother, when I wear this stuff. It’s as close to a flawless finish I ever get, and yet I think skin still looks real with it on, not like it’s been plastered with product.
The extras. Did I mention that it’s moisturizing and water resistant? It contains Ejitsu Rose and vitamin E to help skin retain moisture, to improve elasticity and to protect against damage from free radicals. Yup, and it’s alcohol-, paraben- and fragrance-free.

becca radiant skin foundation swatch — Swatches of Radiant in Bamboo unblended on the left and blended on the right

becca radiant skin foundation ingredients — The ingredient list

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I’m Dancing Like a Maniac Over Hot Pink BECCA Beach Tint in Lychee

December 7th, 2012 by Karen 26 Comments

becca lychee beach tint — Wearing Becca Beach Tint in Lychee ($25) on my cheeks and lips

Dear Universe,

If you could help me find that iTunes gift card I got for my birthday last June, that would be great, because I have this sudden, uncontrollable urge to don a black leotard and dance like a maniac, a maniac on the floor.

Why this sudden urge to dance like I’ve never danced before? I dunno (Flashdance). I have no idea (I watched Flashdance for the first time last night).

Life is a mystery, but I do know this: when I’m pointing and twirling in my leg warmers and the sweat’s streaming down my face, the makeup on my cheeks and lips will tough it out just fine.

You see, I’ve been wearing BECCA’s new hot pink Beach Tint in Lychee ($25) during our monsoon-like weather this week (over it!), and basically, it’s the ish.

I just shake the tube, and dot and blend a minuscule amount of this multitasking water-resistant cream on my lips and the apples of my cheeks with a finger. The resulting matte pink flush looks natural, but resists water unnaturally well, even when the rain is coming down sideways.

Special offer from BECCA: This Monday, December 10, BECCA’s offering “Unconditional Complimentary Shipping” on their US website. Free standard shipping on every order, any size, at beccacosmetics.com for one day only. No promo code required. Offer expires on Monday at 11:59 p.m. PST.

If you’re a complete blush klutz, creamy Lychee will make you look like an expert. My skin just laps it up (works on both bare skin and atop foundation), and it’s a cinch to buff out any edges.

I’m amazed by how evenly it applies.

becca lychee beach tint swatch — Lychee unblended on the left and blended on the right

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Is the New Dolce & Gabbana Animalier Bronzer The Cat’s Meow?

December 5th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

dolce gabbana animalier bronzer review — Wearing the new Dolce & Gabbana Animalier Bronzer ($57)

Alright, people, before we load up the Land Rover and head out on this safari, let’s run through a quick cosmetics checklist.

Lipstick? âœ“

Eyeliner? âœ“

Powder? âœ“

Shimmery golden bronzer decorated like a spotted big cat?

…

I repeat, shimmery golden bronzer decorated like a spotted big cat?

No?! Well, that’s not right. Don’t worry though. We’ll fix that.

Locals refer to these wildcats as Dolce & Gabbana’s Animalier Bronzers. They’re $57, part of the new Animalier holiday collection, and recognizable by their distinctive spotted patterns.

A similar cat was sighted prowling makeup counters back in the summer of 2011. That one was also called Animalier.

This specimen’s spots, just like last year’s, are an overspray.

When we find one for you, I want you to mix the colors together. That should give you a cool-toned bronzy brown perfect for chiseled ’80s music video cheekbones.

Now, I have some experience with this cat, so I should warn you — it can be dangerous, especially while it’s still an overspray. I wore it around the house this week and felt very Flashdance, without the high-cut leotard and leg warmers, of course.

dolce gabbana animalier bronzer — Wearing the overspray to contour my cheeks

The overspray doesn’t deliver the most natural look, so I wouldn’t wear it every day, but luckily, I don’t have to. The overspray wears off, revealing a velvety soft, finely-milled powder beneath it.

How soft is it? Well, to put it in perspective, it’s softer than a tabby’s low-hanging tum. 🙂

Once you get through that overspray, this cat will lavish your skin with warm, golden orangey brown kisses.

I think this year’s kitten is more pigmented than the Animalier Bronzer we saw last year, which was pretty sheer. I think it’s also a little more golden than orange.

dolce gabbana animalier bronzer swatches — Swatches of the overspray on the left, and the bronzer beneath it on the right

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For $15, Sephora Brings the Bling: The New Sephora Blinged Palette Squeezes Some Great Pieces Into a Bedazzling Product

December 4th, 2012 by Karen 32 Comments

sephora blinged palette review — Wearing the products in Sephora’s new $15 Blinged Palette on my eyes, cheeks and lips

“Bling it.”

“Oh, it’s already been blough-it.”

Sorry… Made myself laugh. 🙂

So, what’s better than getting a great deal on a face palette with eight pigmented shadows, a perky pink powder blush and five flattering lipsticks?

How ’bout this: getting it all with a side of bling.

No need to bust out your BeDazzler to bejewel the new limited edition Sephora Blinged Palette, because it already comes complete with sparkly rhinestones. It’s also pretty affordable at $15.

Oh, how do I love thee, Sephora Blinged Palette? Let me count the ways…

The shadows

Fallout? What’s that? I hardly see any at all from these eight powder eyeshadows. Worn with my beloved NARS primer. With the primer’s help, they’re a breeze to blend and last all day long on my lids.

I love the mix of matte and shimmer finishes and the brown, gold, peach, beige and green shades, which are nicely balanced between cool and warm tones.

Only thing is, the high-shine shimmery shades have an appetite for fine lines — meaning they like to highlight ’em.

The blush

What a nice surprise! It’s so smooth and natural looking.

The lipsticks

I wish these five unscented, unflavored lipsticks weren’t seated so close to the blush (such a pain), but I think the colors work so well with the palette that I’m willing to let it go.

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Benefit’s The Bronze of Champions Kit Goes for the Glory of Sun-Kissed Eyes, Lips and Cheeks

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments

benefit the bronze of champtions — Wearing the new Benefit Bronze of Champions Kit ($32)

Weee are the cham-pions…my frrriend.

And weee’ll keep on bronnnzing…till the ennnnd.

Weee are the cham-pions. WEEE are the cham-pions!!

SWWWIPE on some Hooola…’cause weee are the cham-pions……OF THE BRONNNZE!!

— “We Are the Champions” (1977), by Queen, lost recording

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Sonia Kashuk’s Hosting a Formal Affair in a Posh, New Holiday Palette

November 27th, 2012 by Karen 17 Comments

sonia kashuk formal affair — Wearing the new $19.99 Sonia Kashuk Formal Affair Palette on my eyes and cheeks

Wait — are you kidding me?! You two haven’t met yet? Well, we need to fix that immediately.

Babe, this is Sonia Kashuk’s new Formal Affair Palette; Formal Affair, this is one of my beauty besties.

I think you two will hit it off. Formal Affair here is quite a bargain at $19.99. She may spend her days in drugstores, but at heart, she’s 100% department store-caliber makeup.

It’s as if Sonia said, “I’m going to make the perfect powder palette, and it’s going to contain two blushes, one bronzer and four eyeshadows for girls who want to look like they’re wearing NARS, Bobbi Brown and Urban Decay but don’t want to spend that much.”

Is that the NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo??

Don’t the golden brown powder bronzer and shimmery, golden peachy pink blush on Formal Affair’s far right look inspired by the NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo? Except that Sonia’s bronzer is sheerer than NARS Laguna, with slightlier grittier grains of golden glitter, and the golden pearl within the blush looks less pronounced to me than NARS Orgasm (maybe they’re just kissing cousins).

Look who’s getting Naked2

Okay, although I feel kinda lame getting excited about a brown eyeshadow (with so many great flashy colors out there and all!), Formal Affair’s brown is just so chocolaty…so shimmery…and so Mmmm! — buttery smooth.

It reminds me of Snakebite from the Urban Decay Naked2 palette.

It’s just so blendable, and I love how easy it is to wear sheer or build up in layers.

Sparkle like Bobbi Brown’ Sparkle Eyeshadows

The tan and black glittery shadows in Formal Affair would fit right in with Bobbi Brown’s Sparkle Eyeshadows. Like those shadows from Bobbi, they’re loaded with gobs of medium-sized glitter, but Sonia takes things a step further by using an intensely pigmented base. Patting either shade on the brown shade from Formal Affair is a quick way to dress up a look. I do have to be mindful, though, of the fallout, which is slight, but still. At least it’s easy enough to clean up, especially if I do my eyes first.

sonia kashuk formal affair swatches — Sonia Kashuk Formal Affair Swatches from the left: pink blush, bronzer, peachy pink blush, shimmery white eyeshadow, glittery tan eyeshadow, shimmery brown eyeshadow and glittery black eyeshadow

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Cool Skin Tones May Find These Two MAC Taste Temptations Blushes Tempting

November 20th, 2012 by Karen 16 Comments

mac passionately tempted blush from the taste temptation collection — Wearing the new MAC Passionately Tempted Powder Blush from the new Taste Temptation collection

Um, yeah. Thanksgiving sides? They’re my fave part of the meal. I’ll take a heaping scoop of garlic mashed potatoes, some of that delicioso green bean casserole, the corn pudding, lots of stuffing (don’t be shy with the stuffing!), and those two pigmented powder blushes from the new MAC Taste Temptations collection.

Thanks! 🙂

Granted, the blushes aren’t traditional Thanksgiving sides, but this is 2012, right? We should broaden our horizons.

Plus, if a ton of people show up, cool-toned Unconventional and Passionately Tempted ($20 each, or $24 CDN) pack enough pigment to appease a makeup-hungry crowd.

Unconventional moonlights as a highlighter

Okay, here’s my game plan: I think I’ll start with a serving of shimmery Unconventional. The light lavender may look tailor made for pale pretties, but I think it also looks great on darker skin tones. I’m an NC 42, and I feel like I only need one layer (!), which I might add, doesn’t appear ashy at all.

Oh, and the shimmer? So, so fine. Almost like a MAC Beauty Powder. I just see a soft glow on my face when I’m wearing it.

It’s also going straight into my regular highlighter rotation; I’m looking forward to having another choice other than my regular gold, peach and silver shimmers.

Passionately Tempted seeks fan brush for makeup date

The other blush in this Tantalizing release, Passionately Tempted, is the deeper of the two. It’s a mid-toned magenta and applies with just as much gusto as its Unconventional cousin.

You might want to take a fan brush to it, though, as it’s a little on the darker side and pretty easy to overdo.

But if you ever do happen to apply too much of it, try this: grab a foundation brush (it’s okay if it’s one you used a little earlier, and it’s still wet with product), and gently run it all over your cheeks and along the edges to tone down the color.

mac unconventional blush from the taste temptation collection — Powder Blush in Unconventional, a pale shimmery lavender with a frost finish ($20, $24 CDN)

mac taste temptation swatches blush — Swatches of Unconventional on the left and Passionately Tempted on the right

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I’m Grateful for Gratitude Lists, Among Other Things, and MAC Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish

November 2nd, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

One of the first things I’ve been doing shortly after getting up every day this week is tap out a quick list of things I’m grateful for. I usually do it on my phone, and sometimes in the early morning dark before dawn.

There’s something about these lists that curbs the urge to run around like a crazy person wielding a fork…

I kid! But no, seriously, the lists help. Whenever I feel that little twinge and tighten my grip on the closest cutlery, I open the Notes app on my phone and reread my lists. Seeing what I’ve written there in front of me puts things in perspective.

Because I don’t want to write the same lists every day (after all, there are some things that would appear on every list), I jot down the very first things that come to my mind each morning.

Here are five of the things I’m grateful for today, along with brief explanations, so you don’t go thinking I’m completely off my rocker! 🙂

1. The new $29 MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb

MAC Glamour Daze Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish — MAC Glamour Daze Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Superb, $29

OHMIGOSH! I’m in lurve. I can’t remember the last day I didn’t wear this shimmery, peachy nude highlighter. I think I’ve worn it every day since Glamour Daze came out.

Ah, but shimmery highlighters can be tricky to wear, especially if you have any blemishes. Luckily, Superb handles imperfections, well, superbly. It’s just so forgiving, and the glow it gives lasts me all day long. Better still, it doesn’t settle into my fine lines, nooks, pores or crannies.

The formula, which is somewhere between a liquid, cream and a powder, is very well behaved.

I just pat it on the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, on my cupid’s bow and on my chin with a large, firm, paddle-shaped eye brush (the MAC 227 does a great job).

Then, I buff and smooth away any visible edges with my favorite tapered blending brush, the MAC 224.

What about its availability? Well, you’re in luck! It’s…Superb. 🙂

Haha. Okay, not really. I just wanted to play with the name one more time. Superb is currently a hot commodity, and last I checked, it was listed as sold out on MAC’s website. You should be able to find it, though, at MAC stores, counters and online at nordstrom.com.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+

2. Pajama tops with pockets

So I’ve had this PJ Salvage flannel pajama top for about a year now, and I usually use the pockets to hold cat treats and pens (and sometimes my lint roller…’cause that’s how cat ladies roll), but it never occurred to me before to actually use the pockets to warm my hands.

What a revelation!

It occurred to me last night while I was lying in bed. My hands were freezing, and without thinking, I thrust them into the pockets.

Huzzah! So warm, so comforting… It was like hearing a soft lullaby or getting a hug from my mom.

Whoever came up with the idea to put pockets on pajama tops, you sir or madam, were a genius.
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