Just For Fun

Tom Ford Beauty Blush in Flush and a Quick Note to Self

July 26th, 2012 by Karen 27 Comments

tom ford beauty flush blush

Dear Self,

I see that you’ve been caught by the whirlwind of fall makeup. I mean, I totally get it. Hello, NARS fall 2012? Swoon!

But I feel like I need to tell you something. To quote Alanis, “and I’m here…to remind you…” it’s still the middle of summer.

Hey, don’t you make faces at my corny jokes, young lady!

tom ford beauty flush blush

You know you love it. 🙂

So, no matter how tempting all of that fall makeup may be (and it sure is tempting), let’s give a little time this morning to summer.

I vote we spend it with a shimmery golden coral blush…like how about Tom Ford Beauty Blush in Flush ($55, and available now at Neiman Marcus)?

tom ford beauty flush blush

tom ford beauty flush blush swatch
[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 230

July 23rd, 2012 by Karen 51 Comments

the makeup and beauty blog monday poll

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:
Chill and very happy. El Hub and I spent a super low-key and relaxing two days at his parent’s house in a town way up near the Oregon border called Redding last weekend. Basically, lots of hanging out and eating. It was glorious! I even napped a couple of times.
Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
The ocean! — preferably warm, turquoise ones like the Pacific around Hawaii.
What’s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
OOH! Here’s one that’s helped me a ton! To make sure your brows are filled in evenly, tilt your head slightly upward when you look straight into your mirror. For some reason, that slight change in perspective makes it much easier to see when one brow is shorter or longer than the other, or when your angles are just not quite even.
What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
1) Quoting lines from the movie Stepbrothers (“This is a house of learn-ed doctors!” LOL!), 2) when someone holds the door open for me, and 3) fresh freesia flowers.
Regular or decaf?
Regular, or half-caf when I’m feeling edgy.
Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Oh, hell naw! That’s like my nightmare sport. I have problems with projectile activities… Whenever I see a ball coming toward me I run away! Plus, there’s the whole problem with jumping around in the sand, which gets all up in my business.

Sure is fun to watch, though.
When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Usually mid-morning right after my run.
What’s one makeup or beauty product you’ve really wanted to try but haven’t quite gotten around to yet?
Even though I need another bronzer like I need to hear that Maroon 5 song about the payphones again (why is it ALWAYS on the radio?!), I’m dying to try Chanel’s Soleil de Tan (LOL! I just accidentally typed “Soleil de Tabs.”).

I’m on a mission to find a magic cream bronzer! Will this be the one? Hmm…
What’s a book you loved as a child?
Harriet the Spy. I read it so many times that my copy literally fell apart at the seams!
Weekly goals:
To get a new pool key from the housing association (still can’t find my old one), to try a couple of new foundations, and to focus on doing just one task at a time (no multitasking!).

Hey, cutie patootie. Before you let your fingers do the talking on today’s Monday Poll, will you do me a quick favor first? Please give me a big smile. Like my mom always says, “Smile and the whole world smiles with you.” 🙂

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
3. What’s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
5. Regular or decaf?
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
8. What’s one makeup or beauty product you’ve really wanted to try but haven’t quite gotten around to yet?
9. What’s a book you loved as a child?
10. Weekly goals:

Have a great week, okay? I hope it’s filled with extra laughter and lots of love.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 201

July 22nd, 2012 by Karen 12 Comments

Tabs for the MAC The Real King of the Jungle Collection

Dang! It was burnin’ up in Redding this weekend. We’re talkin’ hot, like fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot.

It was so hot that charcoal briquettes were jumping out of the bag into the fire to cool off.

It was so hot that I used my finger as a curling iron.

It was so hot that Tabs would have been jealous (because he’s usually the hottest thing in the room).

In other words, it was hot!

We just walked in the door, and wouldn’t ya know it? — who texts, but none other than Tabs from the tarmac at the airport to ask for a ride home. I may not have mentioned this before, but I’m also his chauffer/airport shuttle (he doesn’t do public transpo).

Yeah, while El Hub and I were frying in Redding, Tabs was flying to and from Maui for a weekend of fun in the sun with Jay-Z, Beyonce and baby Blue.

Tabs must have sent about 10 pics over the past 24 hours from the beach, the pool and the spa at the Four Seasons.

Lucky cat.

I’m sure I’ll get all the deets in the car on the drive home.

I admit that sometimes it seems like Tabs lives this jet-setting playboy tabby lifestyle, but it’s not all about weekend getaways with hip-hop royalty. He also werks, and here are some of his current kitty modeling campaigns… 🙂

Tabs for the Benefit Drive In Tabby Collection

Tabs for NARS Furplay Palette
[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!

July 21st, 2012 by Karen 538 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Vanessa! Congratulations, Vanessa! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

Hello-hello, and happy Saturday, sweet friend! I’m feeling unusually perky right now, which is weird because morning isn’t usually my best time of day (I’m lucky if I can hold a conversation involving monosyllabic answers before 9), but on rare occasions I wake up with a random burst of energy, WHEEEEE!

I have no idea how I’m going to be able to sit still in the car today… El Hub and I are driving up to Redding to visit his parents, and it’s about a four-hour drive. That’s a lot shorter than the trip across the Pacific ocean when they lived in Hawaii, but it’s still a trek.

We haven’t seen them in a while, so it should be fun. I invited Tabs, but he said he “already has plans with Beyonce and Jay-Z.” 🙂

What are your plans today? Whatever they are, I hope they involve entering this weekend’s Sephora eCard giveaway.

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I won! :O Thank you so much! You, Tabs, and your blog are amazing! Thank you for keeping me updated on all things beauty and more importantly, for keeping me entertained! Keep doing your thing! Thank you again.”
-Jacqueline

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

“Never before have I been so pleased to check my email right before bed!!! Thank you so, so much! I truly enjoy your blog and check it almost daily! Thanks again! This made my night!”
-Melissa, Edmond, OK

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

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).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, have you ever found a foundation that matches your skin perfectly? Tell me about the jewelry you wear most often. What’s a lip color you wore a lot in high school? What do you want to be when you grow up? What’s one makeup or beauty product you can’t leave home without? Pancakes: buttermilk or fancy? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/MAZ7dI

The deadline to enter is Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Vanessa! Congratulations, Vanessa! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Do You Ever Wear Looks With Bold Eyes and Lips?

July 20th, 2012 by Karen 63 Comments

I feel like I keep seeing bold eye-and-lip looks everywhere in the fall collections! Most of the time when I do something dramatic with my eyes, like a smokey look, I pair ’em with nude lips, but not so much lately. Lately I’ve been liking looks with two strong focal points, like eyes and lips — on account of my new makeup mantra: no fear.

I dunno if this is something I’d wear to Target…but for a night on the town? Sure, why not?

Wearing the Urban Decay Smoked Palette on my eyes and NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Rouge Tribal on my lips; both are new for fall 2012.

What’s your take on it? Do you ever wear looks with bold eyes and lips?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.
TGIF

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 229

July 16th, 2012 by Karen 94 Comments

July 16, 2012 Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll Vol. 229

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:
Mellow right now. I just finished a run and no longer have that ants-in-my-pants wiggly feeling. Running really does soothe the savage beast!
Your favorite frozen treat?
Well, I’ve got quite the sweet tooth, so this answer changes all the time, but right now I’m all about Trader Joe’s Coconut Fruit Floes. They’re coconut water popsicles with shredded coconut bits, and they taste so good!
What energizes you?
So many things! Listening to upbeat music, hanging out with friends and getting in a solid 10 hours of precious, sweet sleep are just a few.
Last time you went to the beach?
May. It’s been too long!
What makeup or beauty products do you use to fight shine?
GURL. MAC Blot is the business for keeping the oily spots on my forehead and nose in check.
What would you do if you had one extra hour of free time today?
I’d probably take a nap. Or, maybe I’d use the time to cook a really good dinner.
Have you ever bought anything after watching an informercial?
No, but I came this close once after seeing the infomercial for P90X. Coincidentally, I was also eating a donut at the time; that may have been a contributing factor to the sudden and intense urge to exercise vigorously.
Can you count how many times you’ve watched Dirty Dancing?
Honestly? Maybe about 500 times, give or take. I had it on VHS tape in the late â€˜80s and watched it every day after school for, like, years.
Heroes or villains?
Although villains always seem to have the more interesting origin stories, I’d have to go with heroes, especially underdogs.
Weekly goals:
Nothing too exciting this week: try a new hairstyle, call my parents and eat a salad every day for lunch.

Hello, sweet friend. 🙂 I hope your day is off to a good start.

If you’ve got some time, please come say hello in the Monday Poll. I always love to hear from you!

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. Your favorite frozen treat?
3. What energizes you?
4. Last time you went to the beach?
5. What makeup or beauty products do you use to fight shine?
6. What would you do if you had one extra hour of free time today?
7. Have you ever bought anything after watching an informercial?
8. Can you count how many times you’ve watched Dirty Dancing?
9. Heroes or villians?
10. Weekly goals:

Enjoy the rest of your Monday, and remember — you’re doing great!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 200

July 15th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

Tabs for L'Oreal Paris Hollywood Hair Shampoo and Conditioner

Two hundred Sundays. You and I have spent 200 Sundays with Tabs.

What does that mean? Well, it means that Tabs may be the Linda Evangelista of feline supermodels, and the funny thing is, he never imagined he would go this far. Back when a talent scout discovered him wandering the streets of Mill Valley, he thought, “Sure, maybe I’ll book some catalog work or a runway show at the mall.” And look at him now — the number one most requested plus-size kitty model in the entire world.

Do I feel crazy working for a cat? No. Absolutely not. I’m really proud of Tabs and how far he’s come. A lot of the time people think that plus-size kitty modeling is just turn your head here, move your tail there, but it’s actually really hard on your body and mentally exhausting as well.

Of all the campaigns Tabs has worked on over the years, I think the most memorable for me was the MAC Reel Sexy campaign, just because it took forever to get that huge purple wig into place, LOL!

That was a fun one. The shoot was in this big vintage theater, and the photographer, Mario Testino, had to get really creative to get the shot he wanted. Tabs loves old Bond films, so Mario had the theater owner play Goldfinger on the big screen.

It worked. Tabs was totally enthralled, forgot that the camera was there, and Mario got the shot. The rest is kitty modeling history.

Tabs doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. In fact, he had a bunch of big jobs this week, and here they are. Hope you enjoy.

Onward to 300! 🙂

Tabs for the Illamasqua Eagle Eyes Quad

Tabs for Make Up For Ever Tail Tint
[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora!

July 14th, 2012 by Karen 504 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Buckycatt! Congratulations, Buckycatt! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

(BREAKING NEWS) The new Tabs for Sephora has been such a big hit that the company decided to expand the collection by adding a new value gift set. For the same $49.99 price, you get one XXL Tabs and a selection of beauty goodies hand picked to beautify cat ladies and their cats.

The set comes with a sneak peak sample of Dolce & Gabbana’s newest fragrance, Light Blue for Tomcats, a full-size pot of Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Black Cat Eyes, a tube of NARS Larger Than Life Lipgloss in Red Abyssinian and a sample-size pan of Urban Decay Eyeshadow in White Whiskers.

What a deal!

Act now. Supplies are limited.

Tabs hopes that if you win this weekend’s Sephora gift card giveaway, you’ll consider taking home one of the sets. He believes they’re a really good deal. 🙂

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I won! :O Thank you so much! You, Tabs, and your blog are amazing! Thank you for keeping me updated on all things beauty and more importantly, for keeping me entertained! Keep doing your thing! Thank you again.”
-Jacqueline

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

“Never before have I been so pleased to check my email right before bed!!! Thank you so, so much! I truly enjoy your blog and check it almost daily! Thanks again! This made my night!”
-Melissa, Edmond, OK

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

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).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, what’s your favorite flower? Do you do anything with your brows (like fill them in)? Do you ever wear cat eye makeup? What’s the prettiest fragrance bottle you’ve ever seen? Have you ever finished a bottle of perfume? Describe your favorite sweatshirt — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/LXBirC

The deadline to enter is Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Buckycatt! Congratulations, Buckycatt! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂