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Just For Fun

How Often Do You Use Cream Eyeshadows, and What Are Your Faves?

January 27th, 2015 by Karen 42 Comments

Just a quick video about these new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints and a question: how often do you use cream eyeshadows, and what are your faves?

As always, thank you for watching. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday!

There are 42 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giorgio Armani, Just For Fun, Video

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 357

January 26th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for January 26, 2015
The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for January 26, 2015

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

  1. What’s the most unusual thing in your handbag right now?
    Several bags of organic Throat Coat tea.

    And I’m not just talking about two bags. I’m talking about seven or eight, and I have no idea why they’re in there or how they got there.

    They’re all Throat Coat, too, which is weird.

    Oh, and there’s also a pair of dirty underwear…

    Wait! Let me explain (I assure you, there’s a completely logical explanation).

    It’s because yesterday I put on a pair of skinny jeans that I’d worn earlier in the week. (Whatever, I didn’t want to wash ’em. Don’t judge.) So I put them on, and we were in a hurry because we were going to Cheesecake Factory for lunch, so I’m like, doop-da-doo, I’ll just put on these skinny jeans…

    We left the house, drove about 20 minutes to the restaurant, and then we sat down at our table at Cheesecake Factory, I put my napkin down, my hands in my lap, and I felt a weird lump in my left thigh…

    Yeah, it was the underwear I’d previously worn with those jeans.

    Has that ever happened to anyone else? Anyone??

  2. What qualities have you been looking for in your lip products lately (moisturizing, long wearing, etc.)?
    It’s winter here in the U.S., and even though it doesn’t get too cold where I live in Northern California, my lips get super dry, so anything I wear this time of year has to be very moisturizing and very comfortable. Another big plus for me is build-ability and whether I can build the product up if I feel like wearing something bright or sheer it down if I want to wear it like a stain.
  3. What’s a food you’ve come across that you absolutely, positively could not eat?
    In local Hawaii-style parlance, it’s called tako poke. It’s a kind of octopus salad, and El Hub loves the stuff. He will eat it from dawn till dusk, but I can’t… I mean, I tried to once, and I came very close to almost getting it in my mouth, but then I saw the little tentacles — uh! I couldn’t do it.
  4. Reading or hearing spoilers before you watch a movie, see a show or read a book?
    No spoilers please. I would rather not know what I’m getting into, but my friend Cindy, for her it’s not a big deal.

    Now, if I happen to accidentally read a spoiler, it doesn’t completely irritate me, but I try my best to not know what’s going to happen. I like to be surprised.

  5. What was the last beauty product you touched before filling out today’s Monday Poll?
    I think it was deodorant. 🙂

    It was deodorant, because I just finished running, and I couldn’t even stand the scent of myself, so I put on some deodorant.

Le List

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!


1. What’s the most unusual thing in your handbag right now?
2. What qualities have you been looking for in your lip products lately (moisturizing, long wearing, etc.)?
3. What’s a food you’ve come across that you absolutely, positively could not eat?
4. Reading or hearing spoilers before you watch a movie, see a show or read a book?
5. What was the last beauty product you touched before filling out today’s Monday Poll?

Hello, my friend! Deep breaths. It’s Monday, but that doesn’t mean we have to be all stressed out about it. My goal this week is to be a mirror…

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Let me kind of explain — whatever you project outward will reflect back at you, so this week I want to have calm and joyful energy, so that Tabs will hopefully reflect calm and joyful energy right back at me (I doubt this will happen).

Here’s to having a wonderful week! I hope something cool happens to you today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 31 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 331

January 25th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

Tabs for Betsey Johnson Tail Cuffs

NOVATO, Calif. — This week in an interview with Feline E-News, kitty supermodel Tabs the cat, also known as the Heidi Klum of Project Runway: Novato, discussed his new low-carb wet food lifestyle.

“I want to continue contributing to the world of kitty modeling in my golden years,” says Tabs, “and my personal veterinarian says that a low-carb, high-protein carnivorous lifestyle will keep me sharp.”

According to Tabs, he offered to do all of the hunting himself, but his creative team advised against it due to the demands on his time.

“I’m focussing on wet food,” he says, “and it’s been an easy transition from kibble, although I do miss my crunchy snacks. I feel better though. I haven’t felt this good since I went to Brazil to train with the Gracies [Tabs has a black belt in jiu-jitsu].”

If this week’s crop of kitty modeling pics are any indication, the early results are looking good. 🙂

Tabs for Urban Decay Crimson Crusader Eyeshadow

Tabs for Miu Miu Tabby Heels
[Continue reading…]

There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

January 24th, 2015 by Karen 377 Comments

 Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog
Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. Happy caturday. 🙂 Right now I’m watching a small bird hop up and down on a branch on the old oak tree outside my window and listening to it chirp. It sounds like she’s saying, “Hey, everyone! This branch here is the best! You gotta check it out!”

This week sure went by fast… I can’t believe it’s already Saturday. I hope you did something fun last night. I made a kick-@ss TJ’s frozen veggie pizza (added some extra artichoke hearts, tomatoes and broccoli) and rented a Liam Neeson movie (A Walk Among the Tombstones; wasn’t bad).

Now I’m gonna hop on the treadmill, and then? I don’t know what we’ll do today. Maybe drive into the city because it’s supposed to be pretty warm. There’s an awesome crab place at Pier 39 I’ve been thinking/dreaming about.

Good luck in the giveaway. Talk to you soon.

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

  • Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
  • Open to U.S. and international readers.
  • You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
  • Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
    • Close your eyes and tell me about everything you hear and smell…
    • What’s the coolest thing you did all week?
    • Who makes the best French fries?
    • How often do you iron your clothes?
    • Something on your nightstand right now?
    • Prettiest perfume bottle?
  • You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
  • The giveaway ends on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
  • Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 377 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun

How Did Your Last Makeup Purchase Turn Out?

January 22nd, 2015 by Karen 51 Comments

Loreal True Match Lumi
YASSSS, gurl! Magic in a bottle, otherwise known as L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous foundation ($12.99)

magical goodnessFluffy baby kittens and pink cotton candy and glittery sprinkles and unicorns and a nap on Ryan Gosling’s abs. Otherwise, great. 🙂

My last makeup purchase went great. It was at Ulta a couple weeks ago, where I found a few gems…

Like truly moving makeup gems!

One of them was something I’ve been hoping to find for years — decades even — a drugstore foundation I could love with every fiber of my being, and I finally have. I cannot stop raving about L’Oreal True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous foundation ($12.99).

I went on a 10-minute sermon about its wonderfulness to a stranger sitting next to me at the dentist’s office yesterday, and I didn’t even care when her eyes started to glaze over. I think the poor woman was wondering if I’d ever stop to take a breath (I did).

It’s not just one of the best drugstore foundations I’ve ever found, but one of the best foundations of any kind, ever. Super affordable ($12.99), available in a wide shade range, and best of all, effortlessly natural coverage, like, “What, me? Wear makeup? Naw, I just woke up like this…”

And I don’t even have to resort to special blending methods or doohickeys to make it work. No primers or fancy tools. Just a bit applied with fingers. That’s all.

Right now I’m not using it with powder because my skin’s been incredibly dry, and powder makes it look even drier, but for more coverage I’ll just top it with either MAC Mineralize Skinfinish or Chanel Loose powder.

Holy grail.

How did your last makeup purchase turn out?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 51 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 356

January 19th, 2015 by Karen 43 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for January 19, 2015
The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for January 19, 2015

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

  1. A famous person you’d like to sit next to on a plane?
    Honestly, maybe I’ve seen those Taken movies too many times, but I kind of want to sit next to Liam Neeson, because if the sh*t hits the fan, I feel like he’ll know what to do.
  2. How’s your poker face?
    It’s lame. What poker face? It’s the worst. I am the first person you want to play poker with because you’ll win every single time.
  3. There’s a pimple on your chin. Do you pop it?
    Oh, gawd, no!

    At least, that’s what the answer is in theory, because it’s infinitely more difficult to cover a popped pimple than an unpopped pimple, and yes, I know this from experience.

    Lots and lots and lots of experience.

    But there are those times when I’ll get out of the shower, and it’s right there, and it’s staring at me, and it’s SUPER ripe, and it’s ready to go, and I will not be able to resist. Not gonna lie.

  4. What are five things you’re thankful for today?
    Fresh starts, coffee, patience, tabby hugs and concealer. 🙂
  5. What’s one beauty trend you’re completely over?
    Well for me, I’m completely over super sharp, hyper-defined eyebrows.

    Totally guilty of doing this. I see it on Instagram all the time, and you know, it looks really great on so many women, but on me I feel like it might be a little much. You know, when the brows are super sharp, and you go in there, and you carve them out with your concealer, and the tails could cut glass?

    On some people, they look awesome, but on me… I’ve tried it, but I think it’s a little much.

    So I’ve been going the “natural” brow look route these days. “Natural” in quotes.

Le List

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!


1. A famous person you’d like to sit next to on a plane?
2. How’s your poker face?
3. There’s a pimple on your chin. Do you pop it?
4. What are five things you’re thankful for today?
5. What’s one beauty trend you’re completely over?

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! Happy MLK Day. How are things going out yonder way?

Tabs and I just finished our coffee (well, I did; he supervised), and now we’re getting ready for work, which means I’m about to do my hair and makeup, and he’s climbing his cat tower to take a nap.

Yup, Tabs takes his first nap of the day about 20 minutes after he wakes up, haha. It’s a tough life for a tabby. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 43 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 330

January 18th, 2015 by Karen 14 Comments

Tabs for the RBR Lipgloss Locket

This was a busy week for Tabs with lots of intense kitty supermodeling. To recharge his batteries, Tabs did some kitty tai chi in the living room this morning while I flipped through pictures of his latest kitty modeling exploits on the company iPad.

I don’t know if you’re into kitty supermodeling…but if you are, here are the latest modeling pics from Tabs (also known as the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel).

If you have any cool kitty modeling concepts you’d like Tabs to explore, or if there are any products you’d like to see him promote, please let him know in the comments, because he’s always looking for fresh ideas and ways to improve. 🙂

Tabs for new Benefit Kiosks (Now With More Kitten)

Tabs for the Cat Style Beautyblender
[Continue reading…]

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

January 17th, 2015 by Karen 330 Comments

Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog
Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog

Morning! Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. 🙂 It’s caturday! A day to celebrate the glorious awesomeness that is (are?) cats.

OK, not officially, but ya know, if you’re into cats…

What’s shakin’? See any good TV shows or movies this week? El Hub and I went to see The Theory of Everything a few days ago and really liked it. I saw yesterday that the main guy and girl got Oscar nominations. Yeah, they deserved ’em.

Boy, so video… I tried to make one this week, a tutorial, and I did some things differently than I have in the past. Anyway, it kind of spiraled out of control, which is why I disappeared for a couple days. I was trying to edit the thing down, but I underestimated how long it would take.

I had to table it for now, but I learned a few things, so hopefully it goes smoother next time. The lesson here is that editing video can take a looong time.

In other news, it’s very wintry here this morning, but I don’t mean stormy. Just gray and cold and blah… I haven’t figured out what’s on my agenda for today, but for now, I don’t really feel like seizing the day. I feel more like asking El Hub to get me Starbucks and having breakfast in bed, lol. 🙂

I don’t know… Maybe a trip to the mall will liven things up. I haven’t been to Nordies in a while.

Whatever you’re up to, I hope you have a wonderful day, and good luck in the giveaway. (Your nephew says, “mrow,” btw.)

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

  • Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
  • Open to U.S. and international readers.
  • You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
  • Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
    • Do you ever see yourself in the mirror, notice your makeup and think, “OMG! When did I do that?”
    • An eccentric, anonymous billionaire offers to give you $10,000 if you’ll quit your job today. Do you do it?
    • Most incredible tattoo you’ve ever seen in real life?
    • A department store/high-end makeup brand that’s totally worth the price?
    • You find a $100 bill on the sidewalk this afternoon with a note on it that says, “If found, please call 555-364-1212.” What do you do?
    • Have you ever gotten a perm?
  • You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
  • The giveaway ends on Monday, January 19, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
  • Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 330 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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