Jane Iredale

Rainy Days and Wednesday | Makeup by Jane Iredale

January 4th, 2023 by Karen 7 Comments

There’s a big rain storm happening right now in Northern California…

Fingers and toes crossed that the electricity stays on and that flooding isn’t too bad.

On a totally frivolous non-weather related note, I did my hair and put on some makeup (mostly by Jane Iredale), and this is the most done I’ve looked in weeks. Funny how all I did this all to putter around the house on a stormy day. Ha!

Key makeup thangs include the Jane Iredale Naturally Matte Eyeshadow Kit, Glow Time Blush Stick in Enchanted and Forever Pink Lip Stain.

Oh, and I even put on perfume (it’s been ages) — Tocca Graciella! It’s a light floral that I recommend to people who don’t like heavy scents.

Welp, I just got an email from Connor’s school saying everyone needs to be picked up by 3:30 because of inclement weather. It’s the first time that’s happened in the time she’s she started going to school there, yikes.

And now the wind is starting to whip through the trees, so there’s a strong possibility that we’ll be eating bagged popcorn by candlelight for dinner tonight.

Stay dry and stay safe, OK?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: Jane Iredale Makeup, Kamik Rain Boots, and Missing the Hustle and Bustle

January 3rd, 2023 by Karen 17 Comments

Hey friend! How’s it going on this third day of the year? It’s quiet in my house, and I don’t know how I feel about it!

We’ve had so many people go in and out our doors over the past two weeks, and with my sidekick at home, it was loud and boisterous and just so lovely. Now I miss it, but I’m also kind of relieved, which is weird, I know.

Maybe I’m still recovering from the trauma known as 2020, but socializing these days, while I enjoy it, takes a lot out of me.

I’m naturally a social person, but hosting, cooking and cleaning is draining, RIGHT? Why are there so many dishes? And why does vacuuming never cease? LOL!

And yet… I still love the hustle and bustle of having friends and family over. It just reminds me that life keeps going.

Anyway, the only sound I hear now is Rosie chomping on her kibble and the refrigerator humming. I’m a little lonely, not gonna lie.

Yesterday I wanted to be productive and planned to stow the Christmas decorations, but instead we spent it painting Connor’s new rain boots with these awesome Posca paint pens.

Connor did most of the designs, but I chipped in a little bit here and there with some hearts and stars.

These rain boots, by the way, are from a new-to-me Canadian brand called Kamik, and they were so good at keeping Connor’s feet dry that I want a pair for myself.

Before we decorated them yesterday, we took the boots out for some puddle stomping at a hike we like to do in our town that leads you up to a waterfall, and even after crossing multiple creeks, Connor’s socks stayed absolutely dry.

My socks got wet, though!

Am I the only person who just cannot deal with wet socks? They’re my pet peeve. Anyway, I’m on a mission to find a pair for myself!

I’m also on a mission to put on eyeshadow that is not NARS Fez or Kalahari (my go-to shades for, oh, the last six months or so). This morning I dug into a drawer and unearthed some beauties from Jane Iredale!

If today’s FOTD turns out OK, I’ll let ya know.

How are you doing today? What’s new on your end?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Buttery Brown Matte Eyes and Plum Lips with the Jane Iredale Naturally Matte Eye Shadow Kit and Covet Beyond Matte Lip Stain

November 30th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

Why are the first couple days back to work after a long holiday weekend so rough? I swear I feel everything I’m doing is in slow motion!

I had back-to-back meetings all morning, and so I put on some makeup. It’s a lot easier to be perky on camera when you’re wearing buttery brown matte eyes and matte plum lips, and yes, you can quote me on that, LOL!

The eye, cheek and lip products I’m wearing here are all Jane Iredale, a “clean” (air quotes) line you can find at Ulta and Pharmaca.

I love how her powder eyeshadows blend so easily. If you’re the type of person who likes to do one or two colors on your lids and then call it a day, I think you’ll love her eye palettes. The one I’m wearing in these pics, Naturally Matte ($59), is a great option for everyday looks. All the colors are neutral and totally wearable.

This was my first time trying a Jane Iredale matte liquid lipstick. The plum shade I’m wearing, Covet ($32), has high pigment and lasts through drinks and snacks.

I was kinda surprised by the Peaches & Cream Bronzer ($44), because on me, the shimmery peachy-tan looks more like a highlighter on my tan skin. It reminds me a lot of the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, but just a touch less frosty.

I’ve got a few deadlines looming so I’m going to get back to doing what I do! I hope your Tuesday has been great.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Totally unrelated, but I forgot to mention that all throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, we were listening to yacht rock at our house, and now these songs have been playing on repeat.

Make a wish, baby!

Meet you all the way

Seriously, somebody stop me

A Daytime Look With Shimmering Taupe-Gold Lids, Bronze Liner, Peachy Cheeks and a Pink Stained Lips

November 18th, 2021 by Karen 5 Comments

jane iredale solar flare fotd products — Feeling like a fancy lady in Jane Iredale!

One of the things I love most about Jane Iredale makeup is how I still feel like “me” when I don it, but just a little more put together version of myself. I had a bunch of meetings yesterday (three hours in front of that tiny camera), and I wore this look with shimmering taupe-gold lids, bronze liner, peach cheeks and a lovely pink lip stain.

A few quick thoughts on the Jane Iredale items…

Eye Shadow Kit in Solar Flare: Blends flawlessly! I like how my eyes look defined but not overly done. The shimmer on these powders is more intense than I expected (could be a good, or a not-so-good, thing, depending on how your lids do with frosty finishes).
GreatShape Contour Kit in Warm: I’m wearing the peach and tan shades on my cheeks, and the beige shade as a highlight on my upper cheekbones and underneath the arch of my brows. Like the eye kit, the powders blend seamlessly. I bet this kit could also double as an eyeshadow palette in a pinch. Lovely!
Lip Stain in Forever Pink: OH! SO! GOOD! It’s a lovely, lightweight and long-wearing stain that feels oh-so-moisturizing on my dry lips. Apparently, you can also wear it as a blush?! I can’t wait to try that ASAP.
PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner: A lash primer you layer under mascara. I didn’t really see a big difference from it…but I’m going to try it with a few other mascaras, just in case.
Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice: I did a couple coats on top of the primer, and my lashes didn’t look as big and curly as I usually like… I ended up layering Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara on top to bump up the volume.

How do you usually feel after long meetings? I get really antsy… My body REALLY wants to move after sitting for a while. In fact, after my video calls were done, this is how I felt! 😁

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday! 🤗

Trying the Jane Iredale Beyond Lash Volumizing Mascara, and Happy Friday!

November 5th, 2021 by Karen 3 Comments

jane iredale beyond lash mascara — A new mascara for volume by Jane Iredale

Happy Friday, friend! Question for ya: when it comes to mascara, do you tend to stick to the same thing, or do you like to bounce around and try different formulas? While I do have my favorites (here’s looking at you, Laura Mercier Caviar!), I’m always down to discover something new, especially if it’s the type of formula that maxes out volume. Jane Iredale’s new Beyond Lash Volumizing Mascara does just that. Two coats and my lashes look thicker and longer, and dare I say, beyond!

Some info on key ingredients

Bamboo Stem Powder: A natural alternative to nylon fibers, bamboo stem powder has been shown to help add length and volume to lashes.

Basil Root Extract: A strong antioxidant that helps lashes feel fuller and look healthier.

Rice Bran Wax: A vegetable wax used as a vegan alternative to beeswax that helps provide a strong yet flexible coating.

Additional info: Made without carbon black, parabens or teflon. Made from 98% naturally-derived ingredients.

— Jane Iredale PR

I appreciate the hourglass-shaped brush because the curves hug my lashes tightly and coat each lash from root to tip. I also like how lightweight and flexible my lashes feel after two coats.

jane iredale beyond lash mascara closeup — After two coats!

Because my fringe doesn’t have a lot of natural curl (thank goodness for lash curlers), I need lots of curl hold, and although this mascara has a good amount, I feel like it could use a little more. If you’re one of the lucky gals/guys blessed with plenty of natural curl, then you should be good to go. If you’re like me, then layer your favorite waterproof or curling mascara underneath first to retain that sky-high lift.

If you’re curious, a tube is $28, and there’s one shade to choose from, black. You can find it online and at Jane Iredale counters right meow!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Friday! TGIF!

A Friday FOTD With Coffee-Colored Winged Liner and Bronze Lids, and New Crocs and Ugg Sandals

April 23rd, 2021 by Karen 14 Comments

You ever go through one of those indecisive periods when every decision you have to make is…extremely difficult? When I do, these episodes can last days, weeks, sometimes months. I’m experiencing one of these spells right meow, and it’s manifesting in multiple ways. Like, I’m currently transitioning all of my shoes to flats (no more heels for this girl), and I couldn’t decide between the Crocs Brooklyn Wedges and the Ugg Kari Sandals, so I ended up buying both. WHOOPS! In my shoe defense, both colors are basic and useful so I know I’ll wear them a lot. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself, hahaha!)

The white soles on the Uggs are makin’ me a little nervous because I can just see myself getting aggravated with every little speck of dirt, but a friend recommended trying a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to keep ’em looking fresh and clean. We’ll see!

Oh, and it just occurred to me right this second that these kinda look like the slippers that Filipino moms/aunties/grandmas threaten to spank you with when you start acting up, OMG!

If I had a dollar for every time someone threatened to palo me with their tsinelas, hahaha!

Can we talk about how the element of indecision has also crept into my lipstick life?! I originally paired these eyes (coffee winged liner and bronzed lids, which I’m feeling!) with a matte coral because a coral lip is so springy…

mac crossfade april 22 — MAC Powderkiss Lipstick in Crossfade

But I also like how a matte taupe-brown lipstick looks with it too, because it has a slight late ’90s vibe.

maybelline more taupe — Maybelline Ultimatte Lipsticks in More Taupe

Which one do you prefer? The coral or the brown?

jane iredale covergirl base — From the left: Maybelline Ultimatte Lipstick in More Taupe, MAC Powderkiss Lipstick in Cross Fade, Jane Iredale Enlighten Plus Under-eye Concealer in No. 2 and Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear 3-in-1 foundation in 860 Classic Tan

MAKEUP WORN IN THIS LOOK

BASE: Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear 3-in-1 foundation in 860 Classic Tan and Jane Iredale Enlighten Plus Under-eye Concealer in No. 2

EYES: Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara, Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat, NARS Isolde Duo (lids), NARS Coconut Grove (eyeliner), NARS Bengali (outer corner), Chanel Espresso Liner, Chanel Boy de Chanel Brow Pencil in Deep Brown

CHEEKS: Laura Mercier Blush Colour Infusion in Chai, Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light

LIPS: Maybelline Ultimatte in More Taupe and MAC Crossfade

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!!!! ?

Pretty in Pink, Plum and Bronze, and Sea Otters!

April 7th, 2021 by Karen 5 Comments

jane iredale naturally glam origins va va violet — A little bit of color!

“You can do it. Yeah, champ, keep moving that blending brush. You got this… YOU CAN WEAR COLOR! COME ONNNNNNN!”

Yes, these days, my internal makeup dialogue sounds like a boxing trainer talking sh*t from the sidelines.

(Not that I’ve ever boxed a day in my life… The closest I’ve ever come to a ring is watching Million Dollar Baby. Like Tabs was (RIP, buddy), I’m a lover, not a fighter.)

Put this in your “note to self” file next time you get tired of wearing brows and beiges and the usual neutral fare: pink, plum and bronze. It’s so good, and depending on the intensity of your shades, can be surprisingly colorful but still wearable, too.

I’m wearing the same Jane Iredale Naturally Glam Palette from the other day; I blended the dark bronze and the pink shades atop a plum eyeshadow base (MAC Prunella liner, which I buffed out all over my lids).

You guys, don’t sleep on this palette. It’s not flashy by any means, but the more I use it, the more I fall in love with it, especially the glowing finish. It’s SO forgiving, and much appreciated by my experience lines.

The pink in this look also comes through on the cheeks via a peachy pink gel blush by Chantecaille (pricy but natural looking) and a pinkish violet lip from an Origins Lipstick called Va Va Violet.

origins va va violet — Origins Va Va Violet

This lippie is not playin’ because the payoff is crazy intense — like MAC level intense! Here I’m wearing it lightly dabbed on my lips for a stained effect, but it still looks pretty pigmented. I love how this lipstick’s pinkish violet tones complement the subtle pink and purple on my lids.

Note to self: REMEMBER THIS COMBO! It’s a good one!

Makeup Worn in this look

BASE: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare in Tan Warm 41 and Tan Warm 42.5 mixed together and applied to cheeks, nose and around mouth; Kevyn Aucoin Super Natural Concealer in Medium EC 06 dabbed onto select areas on cheeks and around mouth; Honest Beauty Bright Eyes Tinted Eye Cream under eyes
EYES: MAC Prunella Eye Pencil (worn as an eyeshadow base and a liner), Jane Iredale Naturally Glam Eyeshadow Palette (dark brown in outer half and pink on inner half), MAC Cork eyeshadow (crease), Lancome Lash Idole, Chanel Boy Brow Pencil in Deep Brown
CHEEKS: Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer and Happy Gel Blush
LIPS: Origins Va Va Violet Lipstick

Hanging with my lady love

jane iredale naturally glam bronze purple lips coycoy — Just chillin’ with my sidekick!

Connor is home this week for spring break, so we’ve been hanging out a lot! Our new favorite thing to do in the morning is watch the live Otter Cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium while we eat breakfast. I don’t know why, but drinking coffee and watching otters play and swim is the best thing ever.

We’re headed to DSW in a few because this child just keeps growing! I swear I just got her a pair of Nikes, and now they barely fit.

I’m also in the pursuit of a pair of low-heeled platform sandals, ideally in a tan shade.

I’ve decided it’s time to officially retire my collection of heels, which is a little bittersweet because I used to love them so much. I tried wearing a pair of Franco Sarto wedges the other day (they used to be my “comfortable heels”), and I realized — OH, HELL NO! — there’s just no way. LOL! First of all, I can’t chase after a child in them, and second, they’re super hard to drive in. Also, I can’t bend down! I’m done, dude. No more.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Soft Bronze and Beige-Pink Tones for Glowing Lids, Lips and Cheeks (And a Baked Chicken Recipe to Curb Dinner Rage)

April 6th, 2021 by Karen 16 Comments

jane iredale naturally glam — A glowing look for an action-packed day! (Not really.)

This is one of those looks I didn’t do for any reason in particular other than it seemed like fun, because I ended up only sitting around the house like this, but dang if it wasn’t still fun! And I’ve got the pictures to save it for posterity!

I wish I’d thought of someplace interesting to take it out for a spin, even though I have low-key anxiety now around large groups of people. Soft, sparkling lids like this deserve to see the world, haha!

I didn’t really plan on this color palette with bronzes and soft beige-pinks. It just kind of happened, but I love how it turned out. It’s so delicate and girly, and it reminds me a little bit of the pink blush shades ballet dancers wear in their leotards, tights and tutus.

The Jane Iredale Naturally Glam Palette

The glowing goodness happening on my lids comes courtesy of the magical Naturally Glam Eye Shadow Kit by Jane Iredale. They’re a cruelty-free line that does mineral makeup.

Have you ever put something on — I dunno, a bra or a pair of jeans or a shirt — that instantly lights you up and makes you feel good? That’s what happened to me with this palette. The powders have that perfect balance of pearl and pigment, and they’re awfully flattering. They sparkle in a non-frosty and totally forgiving way, and the pigment packs just enough punch (I’d call it mid-level, since it’s definitely NOT full-blown intensity) to delicately define lids and lash lines.

For this look, I buffed the golden beige (the one in the big circle) all over my lids as a base, then blended the gold (inner corner) and the mid-toned brown taupe (outer corner) directly on top. Then, I wet an angled liner brush and loaded it with the dark brown to line my lash lines. To finish the look, I tightlined with MAC Teddy, which goes great with this palette’s bronze vibe, and coated my lashes with mascara.

Nude lip combo of the moment

Oh! — I’m back on a nude lip kick (What can I say? I love me a soft lip.) and found a new pinkish nude lip combo to share…

origins sweeter than honey hourglass provoke gloss — Origins Sweeter Than Honey Lipstick and Hourglass Provoke Gloss

I feel like this lip could also be cool with a darker, unblended lip liner for a ’90s vibe too…

Makeup worn in this look

BASE: Skin prepped with First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream; It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare in Tan Warm 41 and Tan Warm 42.5, and MAC Strobe Cream in Pink Light all mixed together and blended on my nose, cheeks and around my mouth

EYES: Jane Iredale Naturally Glam Eye Shadow Kit, MAC Teddy Liner, Bite Beauty Upswing Mascara, Chanel Boy de Chanel Brow pencil

CHEEKS: MAC Blush Baby

LIPS: Origins Sweeter Than Honey Lipstick, Hourglass Provoke Gloss

The Dinner Rage chronicles, part 3,456

I mentioned to a friend of mine that I’ve been having major Dinner Rage lately (FYI, it’s that feeling that kicks in about an hour before dinnertime when I realize that I have to make food YET AGAIN, hahaha), and she passed along her go-to baked chicken recipe for these days.

It’s a vinegar chicken with crushed olive dressing, and I made it the other day… It turned out OK, even though I under-seasoned it, because I always have a hard time when recipes call for you to just season things with salt and pepper at your will (I always end up erroring on the side of not seasoning enough).

Here’s the recipe in case you want to try it, by the way. Oh, and I ended up substituting the wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar and using dried parsley instead of fresh because that’s what I had. If you make it, let me know how it goes!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen