Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Just For Fun

This or That: The Beauty Grab Bag Edition, Part III

by 10 Comments

dirty makeup brushes

Good morning, glory! Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! ?

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. ?

This or That: The Beauty Grab Bag Edition, Part II

  • Dye your brows: lighter or darker?
  • Body butter or gel-cream?
  • What’s more important to you: blush or bronzer?
  • Micellar water or cleansing oil?
  • Vitamin C or glycolic acid?
  • Nail polish: shimmer, matte or cream finish?
  • Face masks: essential or unnecessary?
  • Nail polish base coat: yes or no?
  • Top knot or French braid?
  • Cut your hair or grow it out?
  • Side part or center part?
  • What’s more important to you: skin care or makeup?
  • Blending concealer: fingers or brush?

Dye your brows: lighter or darker?

Darker, I guess? I really can’t see myself with lighter brows.

Body butter or gel cream?

Summer’s around the corner, so let’s go with the gel cream.

What’s more important to you: blush or bronzer?

I’d take blush in a heartbeat over bronzer (my 2014 self would FREAK OUT if she heard me saying this now, LOL!).

Micellar water or cleansing oil?

I’ll take the cleansing oil, all day, every day. Side note: remember when washing your face with an oil cleanser was a revolutionary idea? I remember being talked into an oil cleanser by a sales associate in the beauty section at Nordstrom in 2001 and thinking at the time that I was a rebel because nobody I knew used one. Oh, how the times have changed! ?

Vitamin C or retinol?

“Vitamin C,” she said with enthusiasm! ?

Nail polish: matte or cream finish?

Cream…and an opaque one at that. I did matte once, and it didn’t feel right at all!

Face masks: essential or unnecessary?

Eh, for me at the moment they’re unnecessary. I like my actives to hang out on my face for a while.

Nail polish base coat: yes or no?

While I definitely notice a better wear time when I have one on, as of this moment in time I’m skipping it.

Top knot or French braid?

Top knot.

Cut your hair or grow it out?

Cut that sh*t, girl, and don’t even think of doing it yourself!

Side part or center part?

Slightly off center to the left.

What’s more important to you: skin care or makeup?

Skin care. I’ve crossed that bridge, and I’m here for it.

Blending concealer: fingers or brush?

I wanna say fingers, but there’s really something special about feathering out the edges with a brush.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday! ?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 681

by 8 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

    1. A scent that cheers you up?

    Anything citrus, really. It’s old-school, but I do love me some Clinique Happy. The lemony freshness from Annick Goutal Eau D’Hadrien is a happy one for me, too. Smells like sunshine!

    2. A beauty product that is underrated?

    The Jane Iredale Eye Shadow Kits are so good and so under-the-radar (Naturally Glam is my fave). I also have the Daytime Eyeshadow and Naturally Matte Kits on my wish list!

    3. A lipstick that you’ve repurchased again and again?

    I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of MAC Velvet Teddy.

    4. A beauty product that you used to dislike but now love?

    When it first came out, I wasn’t a fan of Hourglass Retouching Fluid because I didn’t feel like it covered enough, but now that I’ve been doing whole “hardly wearing any makeup” thing, I looooove it. It subtly color-corrects dark inner corners without looking obvious, and it’s so kind to fine lines.

    5. Best lipstick name?

    Well, MAC Lady Danger, of course!

    6. Something that soothes you?

    The sound of gentle rain against a window. Mellow waves lapping against the shore. Watching babies sleep. Taking deep, steady breaths while I concentrate on the things I can see or touch in my immediate vicinity.

    7. Plaid or polka dot?

    Today, plaid because why not?

    8. Something you’re working on?

    Besides breaking unhealthy generational cycles? My core. Ha ha ha.

    9. Linen or seersucker?

    Seersucker, with pink and white stripes.

    Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

    Karen

    P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

    1. A scent that cheers you up?
    2. A beauty product that is underrated?
    3. A lipstick that you’ve repurchased again and again?
    4. A beauty product that you used to dislike but now love?
    5. Best lipstick name?
    6. Something that soothes you?
    7. Plaid or polka dot?
    8. Something you’re working on?
    9. Linen or seersucker?

    P.P.S. Hello and happy Monday, my friend! ? I hope you have a magical day! ?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 662

by 4 Comments

“The Caviar Caper: A Tabs the Cat Adventure”

PART II

(Click here to read Part I.)

An undersized Russian Blue kitten named Archibald, one of the newest kitty model interns at the company, took a few timid steps forward. “Meow…” he directed to Tabs in a little voice, Um… “Meow-wow?” Sir, does this mean the party’s over?

Tabs turned toward the much smaller kitten.

“Meow…” the tiny cat continued. It’s just that… “mrowwww.” I’m supposed to call my mommy cat to pick me up when the party’s over, and, um…I’m hungry.

Tabs furrowed his brow. This was a travesty. It was supposed to be a night of celebration and teambuilding for the next generation of great kitty supermodels at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC. Instead, there was a thief in their midst, the caviar was missing, the ice sculptures were melting, and kittens were hungry.

Tabs handed Archibald his diamond-encrusted iPhone and told the kitten to dial his mommy cat for a ride home, then turned back to the detective.

“Meow!” Tabs barked at the detective. This is a travesty!

The detective nodded, then approached Tabs and guided him out of earshot of the other cats gathered around. “Do you know of anyone who would want to sabotage you, Tabs?” the detective whispered.

Sabotage? Tabs thought. Of course there were cats out there who wanted to sabotage him. He was a Cat Academy Award-winning actor, feline philanthropist, entrepreneur, and the most successful kitty supermodel in Northern California. You didn’t get where Tabs has gotten without making a few cat enemies.

“Meow,” Tabs said matter-of-factly. Of course.

“Anyone who was at the party?” the detective asked.

Tabs pondered the question, looking out across the crowd. They were mostly inexperienced kittens, hopeful tabbies, torbies and Persians. Tabs didn’t think any of them would stoop to thievery to…

He noticed Linus the kitten, the calico intern, emerging from behind the large redwood tree in the center of the circle. He was looking around nervously and dusting off his fur. Tabs glanced at the detective, who gave him a knowing look, and the two of them slowly walked toward Linus, taking flanking positions. Tabs slowly circled around behind Linus to get a look behind the tree.

There were scratches leading up the trunk to the lowest set of branches about 10 feet off the ground.

“Linus, is it?” the detective asked. Linus was visibly struggling to appear relaxed, but the detective noticed the kitten’s tail twitching.

“Meow?” Linus replied. Yes?

“We’re asking all the attendees at the party,” the detective continued. “where were you when the caviar tray disappeared?”

“Mrow…” Linus feigned looking confused. Oh…I was over there. He gestured toward the other end of the large lawn.

Back at the base of the tree, Tabs had positioned himself out of view of the others, including Linus and the detective, and quickly climbed the tree up to the lowest branches, hauling himself up. Right there in the nook of the tree was the silver caviar serving platter. Jackpot!

— TO BE CONTINUED —

Rosie’s relaxing weekend

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, June 5, 2021!

by 1 Comment

Top o’ the mornin’ to you, my friend. Happy Saturday!

If you need me, you can find me on the deck with my new potted tomato, basil and hibiscus plants. Life got the better of me this year, and it’s a little late in the season here to start a deck garden, but better late than never! Hopefully, these Early Girls will still work out for me, because I dream of a summer day when I’ll be eating bruschetta and admiring pretty tropical flowers.

Ah…

Have you ever grown a hibiscus before? This is my first one, so I’d appreciate any tips. I have no idea what I’m doing with/to it.

By the way, the striped flats I’m wearing are new (thanks for noticing!). I got the Clarks Serena Paige Espadrilles at DSW this week with a gift card.

About the shoes, they’re one of those pairs of shoes that looks cuter on feet than they look in the store, so if you get a chance, try them on. They’re s-u-p-e-r comfortable, and the navy/white stripes are surprisingly versatile, despite the fact that I’ve only worn them with skinny jeans and a white top so far, but they definitely add something extra to an outfit.

This week’s reading


Save some $$$


Yes, girl. YES.


Ramon!!!


Throwback jam for you


Give me all the knowledge, please.


My new favorite channel on YT

Have a great rest of your day, OK? What are you up to?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup Musings: F*ck Imperfections

by 22 Comments

tom ford honeymoon mac escandalo

I put on some make up yesterday, and to be honest…I didn’t feel super great about it.

For one, I am deeply out of practice, and blending is a perishable skill, let me tell ya. So, my blending skills aren’t as “keen” as they once were. Two, I wore much less makeup than I normally wear when I plan to take pics of it with a DSLR camera, photography lights, off-camera flash and the other photography doo-dads, and makeup intended to be photographed is a whole different beast than makeup for everyday real life. Mainly, the lighting is different, and mobile phone cameras incorporate a bunch of fancy AI to compensate for the smaller optical sensors. Long story short, things don’t always translate the same in pics.

ALSO, lately, all I’ve wanted to wear are “real life looks.” This is my face, this is who I am and, quite frankly, I’m rarely in the mood to go through the 2,341 steps I used to do when I put on a full face for pics.

Thing is, though, when I look at these pics, I’m having a hard time focusing on the good stuff. I keep comparing myself to the Karen from years ago, a girl who was photo-ready all the time… Heck, I’d contour just to take walk around the neighborhood and pet the cats, LOL!

I see these pics of myself now and think, “Oh, boy. I probably should’ve used a color corrector to hide that dark spot in my inner corner more thoroughly, and I should also cover that dark patch above my upper lip with concealer, and why didn’t I do something about that heavy lid?!” I should’ve done this, I should’ve done that, yadda-yadda-yadda.

I hear all of these things in my head, but I realize that most people who see these pics aren’t going to perceive all of these things as “faults.” They’ll probably just see pictures of a smiling mid-40s stranger wearing bright lipstick.

If I were my daughter and was picking apart pictures of herself, I’d be heartbroken to hear her criticize herself so intensely. 🙁 I’d tell her that I can only see the happy look in her eyes and that I’m impressed by how beautifully and naturally she blended her blush. I’d tell her that I love the joy in her smile.

I don’t know where this propensity to constantly critique myself comes from, but I also know that we are our own worst critics. I know logically that most of the things I perceive as faults are issues that are simply not there, or things that people don’t notice at all…but that doesn’t stop me from seeing them!

I’m working on it, though. I’m working really, really hard on loving myself more, both inside and out, and that’s why I’m saying to the universe (or really anyone who’ll listen), f*ck the idea of imperfections. I don’t want to live feeling like I need to correct things that are “wrong” with my face anymore. I’m soooooooo done.

tom ford honeymoon mac escandalo

tom ford honeymoon quad

tom ford honeymoon pixi juicy swatch

tom ford honeymoon mac escandalo

So, here’s a gentle reminder for me (and for you just in case you need it), that what you may perceive as faults aren’t as bad as you think they are.

I think you look pretty freakin’ fabulous, OK? So here’s to us — as I raise my cup of Earl Grey tea with a splash of creamer! Here’s to our sparkling eyes, our joyful smiles and our beauty, both inside and out.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Makeup Musings: My Makeup Style Is Evolving, and I’m Leaning Into It and Seeing Where It Goes

by 12 Comments

One of the things I’ve always loved about makeup is the potential to explore so many different paths, and there are so many ways you can change your style and your technique, and just ways to evolve with it. Like, during one stage of your life, maybe you’re wearing full-coverage foundation and false lashes everywhere. Then, maybe 5-10 years later your idea of “dressed up” is wearing mascara and brow pencil, which you only wear to work meetings.

I think there’s something very cool about being able to reinvent yourself, and makeup is here for that. That’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved it.

This idea struck me right after I finished this look with the Tom Ford Disco Dust palette, MAC A Little Tamed Lipstick and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. Seriously, my makeup style has changed a lot over the past six months, and I can honestly say that I don’t love doing a complicated base as much as I used to.

Foundations, concealers and the constant quest to create a flawless base — I kid you not — used to THRILL MY SOUL, but now, even when I just wear a little tinted moisturizer, it feels like I’m wearing too much.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve become more comfortable in my skin, or if it’s because I’ve just gotten so used to putting on some sheer tinted sunscreen and calling it a day, but, at least for now, the thought of layering, mixing and buffing 10 different base products to achieve a skin-like effect isn’t something I want to do.

And you know what? Makeup is cool with that. It’s creative. It’s malleable. There are options. It’s designed to change and evolve with you. A full makeup bag contains endless possibilities.

That said, I’m thinking that maybe it’s time to explore the wide, wide world of tinted sunscreen serums (I’ve got my eye on this one and this one) and sheer BB creams. I don’t know where this is going to take me, but I’m excited to find out.

I’m wearing the following pieces in this look…

Have you gone through any major makeup pivots in your life? How has your styled changed lately? When did you start wearing more or less? Did a particular event or moment change your point of view? I’d love to hear about it.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 680

by 12 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

    1. Coffee, or water with lemon? (YOU MUST CHOOSE ONE)

    Coffee first…followed by a big cup of water with a squeeze of lemon? So, yeah, I’m cheating on my own game. Ha!

    2. Meditation or journaling?

    Meditation, but only if someone else is leading; otherwise, I’ll fall asleep! This is guaranteed.

    3. One of your favorite pieces of clothing to wear right now?

    I found some really great cutoff shorts from Old Navy. They’re called the High-Waisted O.G. Shorts, and they’re super affordable, comfy and aren’t too short or long. Best of all, they’re HIGH RISE (WHOO-HOO). They also don’t stretch out too much. If you’re going to check them out, I suggest sizing up because they run small on me.

    4. Ladybugs or butterflies?

    Ladybugs because they’re more approachable. Err, well, as far as bugs go. I like that they’ll hang out on your shirt or your finger for a bit and keep you company… Butterflies, however, while gorgeous, never want to stick around. They just flutter by…

    5. Inside or outside?

    For now, outside, because we aren’t in the hottest part of summer yet here in Marin County, so it’s not yet too hot (yet).

    Oh, but it will be soon enough! It’ll be triple digits.

    6. What are you wearing on your nails?

    A creamy pastel called Olive & June KMC. It’s really neat because sometimes it looks like a mint green, and other times it looks sky blue.

    7. Bright blue mascara or bright blue eyeliner?

    Bright blue mascara!

    8. Essential oil or perfume oil?

    Perfume oil.

    9. Watermelon or peaches?

    Ooh, girl…this is the Sophie’s Choice of summer fruits, but I’m going with watermelon. Even a bland watermelon is still a treat.

    Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

    Karen

    P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

    1. Coffee or water with lemon?
    2. Meditation or journaling?
    3. One of your favorite pieces of clothing to wear right now?
    4. Ladybugs or butterflies?
    5. Inside or outside?
    6. What are you wearing on your nails?
    7. Bright blue mascara or bright blue eyeliner?
    8. Essential oil or perfume oil?
    9. Watermelon or peaches?

    P.P.S. Good morning, beautiful girl! ? Happy Memorial Day to you! Here’s a hug and a friendly reminder that you are magical! ?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 661

by 3 Comments

“The Caviar Caper: A Tabs the Cat Adventure”

© COPYRIGHT 2021

A police car sped onto the circle, coming to a screeching halt behind the five others that had gathered around the scene of the alleged crime on the circle. Tabs saw the markings on the side of the latest car to arrive. K-9 unit.

“Mrow!” he shouted at Detective Kinard. Get that car outta here! Tabs and the detective stood a few feet from each other next to the appetizer bar in the center of a paved patio in the community common area. “Meow!” No dogs allowed!

The detective nodded in acknowledgement and spoke into his radio, telling the driver of the K-9 unit to head back to the precinct immediately.

It was unlike Tabs to take such a hard stance against his canine brethren, but these were special circumstances. Tabs had decided to throw this year’s Memorial Day Neighborhood Feline Fete after reading a letter from one of his fans, an ambitious calico kitten junior model named Linus. Linus wrote the story of how he was a stray cat living off scraps on the pier in Tiburon, California behind a Mexican restaurant. He lived off leftover fajitas and the occasional mahi mahi filet, but he practiced his kitty modeling poses under the pier every night for two years until the day he got his first gig doing kitty catalog work for Petco.

Tabs was inspired by Linus’s story and gave him an internship as a junior level kitty supermodel for Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC. All of the cats at the party that night were up-and-coming kitty supermodels, and Tabs wanted to give them a taste of the good life, show them what they could achieve if they continued working their tail off to perfect their craft.

And he spared no expense. The party had a six-figure price tag. Fresh salmon flown in from the Kenai Peninsula, caviar from the Caspian, Argentinian catnip, mullet crackers from Manilla. It was turning out to be the best party of the year in the feline fashion world.

That is, until someone stole the caviar plate.

“Meow?” Tabs asked the detective as the K-9 unit pulled away. Do you have any leads?

Fifty thousand dollars worth of caviar had disappeared, and Tabs was livid about it.

Detective Kinard was a real hard ball. He was unshaved, unkempt, but sharp as a tack. Tabs knew him well, having gone on multiple ride-alongs with the detective as part of Tabs’s research for his role as Detective Taberelius in “The Departed 2.”

“I have a theory,” the detective mumbled. His voice was deep and gravely, barely more than a cough.

“Meow?” Tabs asked. I’m all ears.

“The appetizer table over there. It’s, what, three feet off the ground? Got that step stool over there?”

Tabs followed the detective’s gaze, studying the former location of the appetizer plate where the now missing caviar had been.

“How much would you say that step stool weighs? Twenty pounds? Thirty?”

“Mrow?” Tabs asked. Where are you going with this, detective? Tabs was getting impatient.

The detective nodded, getting to his point. “It’s just that the security footage we obtained from the camera on top of your neighbor’s garage shows that someone moved that step stool closer to the appetizer table right before the caviar disappeared.” He let his words linger for a moment before continuing. “That’s a heavy job for a little cat.”

I’ll be damned, Tabs thought. The detective was right. None of the cats at the party tonight were strong enough to move that step stool on their own. It had to be a two-cat job, or a human.

Sensing a big reveal was coming, half a dozen police officers and more than that many feline guests of the party gathered around the detective and listened. “Now,” the detective resumed, “as you know, the Petco delivery truck pulled up in front of your neighbor’s house at exactly 9:54 p.m., blocking our view of the common area from the camera after that.”

Tabs nodded, following along.

“The thing is…” the detective continued, “Petco closes at 9 on Friday.”

Boom.

Holy mother of pearl! Tabs’s eyes widened as it dawned on him.

The detective’s lips formed a thin smile. “The Petco driver was in on it.”

— TO BE CONTINUED —

Rosie is ready for Memorial Day

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.