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The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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The Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Rise and shine, sleepy head. Good morning. 🙂 It’s another happy Sunday in Blogland.

What did you do last night? We stayed in and rented/Netflixed a pretty funny movie called Shades of Ray, starring Zachary Levi from Chuck. He plays a half-white, half-Pakistani man dealing with his mixed identity, the dating pool and his goofy, intrusive parents. It’s a lovable, refreshingly laid back story that could have taken itself too seriously but didn’t.

No big plans for me today. Maybe some froyo, a little TV, laundry and groceries. I would like to stop by Sephora this afternoon… I haven’t been all week, but it seems like a lot longer than that, LOL!

Before we bid adieu to the week, here’s one last look at some of the things we talked about in the worlds of makeup and beauty.

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizers READY, SET, GLOW! THE NEW URBAN DECAY
URBAN DEFENSE TINTED MOISTURIZERS WITH SPF 20

Dang, I like how my skin looks with this stuff on. As far as natural-looking finishes, the new Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizers with SPF 20 have got it on lock. Two layers applied with my fingers right after I cleanse and tone, and my skin looks fresh like morning dew (and not in a sequins and disco-ball sorta way).

I don’t usually think of subtle when I think of Urban Decay. The way these tinted moisturizers glow is so refined and quiet that I would have guessed they were from Bobbi or Laura. What a really nice surprise.

Just in time for warmer spring and summer weather, the new line comes in four shades: Halo (a sheer alabaster for fair skin tones), Bodyguard (a sheer nude for fair and medium skin tones), Bulletproof (a sheer sand for medium skin tones) and Forcefield (a sheer fawn for medium and dark skin tones). I think my tan NC35 skin falls somewhere between Bulletproof and Forcefield, so I’ve been mixing the two. Read more…

Pacifica French Lilac Body Wash PACIFICA FRENCH LILAC BODY WASH
IS TURNING SHOWERS INTO GARDENS

Last month I put myself on Pacifica lockdown when I couldn’t find my toothbrush on the bathroom counter. Oh, I knew it was there, buried somewhere beneath a precarious pile of Pacifica Body Butters and Washes, but it took way too much time and shuffling around to find. Gah! “Is this what I’ve become?” I asked my reflection in the mirror.

Right then and there, I made myself a deal. No new bottles or tubes until I finished an old one.

Can I get a woot-woot for small beauty victories?

The embargo was finally lifted last week, so to speak, when I finished a tube of Malibu Lemon Blossom Body Butter, huzzah! It made room for this lovely bottle of Pacific French Lilac Body Wash ($10 for an 8-oz. bottle). Read more…

Spanx Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Bodysuit Shaper I’M GOING SLIM COGNITO TONIGHT WITH THE SPANX
MID-THIGH BODYSUIT SHAPER

Hark, what manner of slimming sorcery is this?? Its power is even greater than Nutella’s potent hazelnut hermetics!

Some say that Spanx are forged by magic, and I’m inclined to agree. Selkie’s have been singing the praises of this line of body slimming shape wear for years. There are several different pieces to choose from, but the Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Bodysuit Shaper wins my personal wardrobe Nobel prize.

But first, a bit about my body. I try to be happy with mine, even though I’ve put on a few pounds over the past year. I’m healthy, after all, and everything works (knock on wood!), and in the grand scheme of things, that’s plenty good enough. Sometimes, though, I do miss being able to wear the cuts of clothing I was able to wear way back when I was thinner. Hence, Slim Cognito Spanx. Read more…

Pixi Week of Wakeup Makeup Kit LOOK YOUR BEST EVERY DAY WITH THE
PIXI WEEK OF WAKEUP MAKEUP KIT

When I was a kid I had one of those sets of underwear with a different printed pair for every day of the week, and being the rebel that I was, I liked to wear the days out of order. Sometimes, I’d wear the Saturday pair on Wednesday, the Thursday pair on Monday — you get the idea.

I wonder if that’s why I feel compelled to wear the products in Pixi’s new Week of Wakeup Makeup ($34) out of order… The new palette contains 21 powder eyeshadows, 7 powder blushes and eight lip glosses sorted into groups for a different look every day of the week (like Underoos for makeup, LOL!).

Products in the Pixi makeup line, which was developed by makeup artist (and mum) Petra Strand, are designed to enhance natural beauty, so you won’t find any crazy colors here. Just plenty of neutrals in warm and cool shades — basically, tones to bring out a slightly more colorful version of yourself. Read more…

The Benefit Velvet Eyeshadows SWATCHES OF THE BENEFIT VELVET EYESHADOWS
AND THE SUMMER OF 2009

I was at the Benefit counter the other day picking up my umpteenth pot of Skinny Jeans, and while I was there I figured I may as well put my arms to good use by swatching the entire line of Velvet Eyeshadows.

These came out in the summer of 2009 — a truly great year for makeup — and I think they’re still some of the best things in the Benefit line. They’re silky and pigmented with a gorgeous, subtle sheen (like a very faint shine). And coupled with a good primer, they last all day long on my skin without creasing or fading.

I’m particularly fond of Where There’s Smoke (looks FANTASTIC atop Skinny Jeans), Nice Melons (love this for that wide awake look) and Fancy Pansy (gorgeous! — flashes from pink to purple to blue), but I like just about every shade in the line. Read more…

MAC Vex Eyeshadow MAC UNSUNG HEROES
VEX EYESHADOW

Wow. I just realized that my love affair with MAC Vex Eyeshadow ($14.50) has spanned almost 10 years… And you know what? I love it as much today as I did the first day we met — the first time I swiped this duo-chrome powder shadow on the back of my hand.

Vex can be vexing hiding in its pan like a boring blah gray, but it comes to life when it touches skin, gracing it with a really pretty glow. A beige with greenish pink pearl and a frosty finish, it flashes pink from some angles and green from others — almost like crushed pearls under a bright light. I think of it as the MAC Strobe Cream of the eyeshadow world.

When I first got Vex(ed), it was to wear it with smokey eyes, and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve used it for that (usually with MAC Soft Brown, Print and Brule).

But smokey eyes aren’t the only ways I’ve worn Vex. I also love it dressed down. Read more…

MAC Blushbaby Blush MAC UNSUNG HEROES
BLUSHBABY BLUSH

Like many romances, this one starts with a dramatic hook: “It was a dark and stormy night…”

Okay, well, it could have been a humid afternoon, but that just doesn’t sound as good.

One fateful night about 10 years ago I stopped by a MAC counter to get a new tube of MAC Spite. One of the artists there suggested I pick up something else to go along with it, a sheer beige and pink powder blush called Blushbaby ($19.50).

Was she kidding?, I wondered, crinkling my brow. This? It didn’t look like much in the pan, just a basic pinkish beige powder, but the artist whipped out her brush, spoke some magic words (not really), and that was that. One look in the mirror and I said, “Sold!”

Before Blushbaby, I never really thought much of blush. I used to think it made me look like a tiny brown clown, but Blushbaby changed all that. Now, I’m unabashedly pro-blush — a blush ho, if you will (LOL!). Read more…

MAC Syrup Lipstick MAC UNSUNG HEROES
SYRUP LIPSTICK

Sweet! Every time I wear syrup, strangers stop to ask me what it is. Wait — that didn’t come out right. No, not corn syrup or maple syrup, although those are also great. I’m referring to pretty pink MAC Syrup ($14.50), a permanent member of the MAC Lustre Lipstick line.

Described as a cloudy pink on the MAC website, this hydrating, cool-toned lippie hides a hint of purple behind its shiny finish. I dig the way it looks, but my lips love the way it feels — not too thick nor thin. And it’s a great value, too, thanks to its versatility. It looks great with everything from dramatic smokey eyes to conservative everyday looks. Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Fill Up in the Open Thread

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Oh, heavens, I’m full. Like, even my stretchy pants are struggling. This morning I had brunch at a local breakfast joint here in Novato called Marvin’s. That was a couple of hours ago, and I’m still beyond stuffed. I think I even ate the plate when I finished what was on it — two eggs Benedict topped with spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and avocados (no Hollandaise sauce for me, please) and a big helping of hash browns. All washed down with about four cups of coffee (WHEE!). If you’re ever in the neighborhood, swing by Marvin’s for breakfast or brunch if you can. The food is delish!

How’s it going today? Tabs is soaking up a little sunshine by the window. I can tell he wants to go for a walk outside, but my allergies have put me on self-imposed house arrest. I think I’ll stick to writing, surfing the web and updating my running music list instead.

I haven’t updated it in months. I know for sure I’m adding a few tunes from the soundtrack to Once. Have you seen it? It’s an Irish film about two friends, one a struggling street musician, and the other a woman he meets one night during one of his performances. SO touching, soulful and bittersweet. Their relationship really got to me, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since.

Also going on the list — a few songs from a British band called The Go! Team. Their stuff has a lot of kick to it. It’s peppy, with a good dose of hip-hop, kinda like Gnarls Barkley meets Cibo Matto.


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

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

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

You know that first big yawning stretch of the morning? Doesn’t it feel glorious? Good morning, young lady! Happy Saturday from partly cloudy Novato, California, where the San Francisco Bay meets the hills of Wine Country. Judging by the many shades of green outside, we are now firmly in spring’s rejuvenating grip. 🙂

How long have you been up? I followed the tabby downstairs a few minutes ago. He pranced, of course; I just sort of ambled awkwardly down using the handrails for support. Perchance does he want gravy for breakfast? Methinks he does.

What’s on your plate for today? Is today a fun Saturday or a chores Saturday? Or a little bit of both? I haven’t figured out my game plan yet, but I have a feeling there’s something I’m supposed to do. I can’t remember what it is, though, and for once, I don’t have a list.

I feel lost without my lists…

While I make myself some toast for breakfast and open a can of Fancy Feast for my boss His Royal Highness, why don’t we kick off the weekend with a giveaway?

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (or $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 modern convenience? If you could be any animal, which animal would you be? Who makes your favorite shoes? What’s your foundation shade? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/hotS3m

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, April 17, 2011 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. The winner may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal.
  • 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 Meghan! Congratulations, Meghan! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

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C is for cookie, Canada and also for Chanel. I’m feeling a little nostalgic tonight, so I’ve got 2009’s Chanel Vendetta on my fingers and Jade on my toes.

How about you? What are you wearing on your nails?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Hey, good lookin’. It’s (almost) Friday, at last. I was just thinking that we should start a petition to officially declare that every weekend be a three-day weekend. We could send it with Tabs to Washington. Maybe dress him in a sharp suit and tie. 🙂

Tonight’s my last night here in Canada, and I’m plum tuckered out. The mission, which I still have to be cryptic about for a little longer, was a success. It was like a James Bond movie, filled with intrigue, secret doors, unique technology, provocative personalities and catchy nicknames. Pretty soon…

What’s new in your neck of the woods? Anything new to report?

Two Ways to Win Some Spring Makeup from Sonia Kashuk (a $75 Value)

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

I loves me some Chanel and Dior, but I’ve always also believed a gal can still look great on a drugstore makeup budget. Sonia Kashuk, one of my favorite bargain beauty babes, offers department store quality products at a checkbook-friendly price, and the line is filled with pieces that are interesting, fun and fresh.

Take her new spring line. It’s a veritable treasure trove of value, like the limited edition Couture Flat Top Blush/Powder Brush (there’s a reason this is always sold out: it’s AWESOME!), the Super Shimmering Highlighter and the Blink of an Eye Trio Set.

Today’s giveaway features these items and four more goodies from Sonia’s new spring line. With makeup for eyes, lips, face and nails, you’ll have everything you need to spruce up your look with some trendy spring shades. 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

sonia kashuk spring awakenings face paletteSpring Awakenings Face Palette

sonia kashuk blink of an eye pencils
Blink of an Eye Trio Set

sonia kashuk beautiful berries lip quad
Beautiful Berries Lip Quad


Super Shimmering Highlighter


Brush Couture Flat Top Blush/Powder Brush

sonia kashuk spring 2011 nail colour
Nail Colour in Fatigued (left) and Violetta (right)

  • 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, how often do you shop at Target (’cause, seriously, I’m there every other day)? What was the last piece of drugstore makeup you bought? Do you have a favorite sports team? What’s your favorite drugstore brand? Is there a song that always makes you wanna get up and dance? — the sky’s the limit!
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win Some Spring Makeup from Sonia Kashuk (a $75 Value) http://bit.ly/hQodQa

  • The deadline to enter is Friday, April 15, 2011 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).
  • 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

P.S. Wondering what I’ve been up to out here in Toronto? Here’s a hint: twitter

P.P.S. Oh, and if you haven’t already entered yesterday’s giveaway (a chance to win Pop Beauty, Pixi and Senna makeup), you have until tonight (it only takes a few seconds).

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

Two Ways to Win 3 Great Makeup Sets from Pop Beauty, Pixi and Senna (a $105 Value)

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

Flowers are blooming, leaves are bursting from the trees, and everywhere I look I see spring (figuratively speaking). Yeah, I may be popping allergy meds like they’re straight up candy (Zyrtec! Woot!), but I’m thrilled to see the world outside coming back to life.

Since things are beginning to warm up again, that means it’s time to squirrel away my winter clothes and shoes and finally, FINALLY set out my things for spring. And that includes makeup. 🙂

Have you been thinking about updating your spring makeup wardrobe? Would you like to breathe new life into your cosmetics collection? If that’s a “yea!,” you might love today’s giveaway. It features three exclusive kits found on BeautyTicket.com with, all in all, a whopping 17 pieces for eyes, lips, cheeks and face from Pop Beauty, Pixi and Senna Cosmetics.

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

  • One (1) Pop BeautyTicket Exclusive Look Kit in Pure Pop, which includes 5 pieces of fun brights for eyes, lips and nails: a Lid Neon 6-piece eyeshadow palette, a Cat Eyes Crayon in Black Onyx, a bottle of Nail Glam polish in Violetta, a tube of Aqua Lacquer Lip Gloss in Flowering Fuchsia and a pair of Fantasy Lashes in Wonderland ($29.99, with a retail value of $74)
  • One (1) Pixi BeautyTicket Exclusive Look in Natural Nude Kit, which includes six basics for face, cheeks, eyes and lips: a tube of Flawless & Poreless Primer, a Fairy Light Solo Eye Color, an Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black Cocoa, a Voluptuous Lash Lascara, an Awakening Blush and Glow Highlight Duo and a Rose Lip Treatment in Lip Nude ($34.99, with a retail value of $92)
  • One (1) Senna Cosmetics Roaring ’20s Kit, which includes 5 fun pieces for eyes, cheeks and lips: a Mineral Eye Trio in Satin Doll, a Blush in Faded Rose, a Creamline Eyeliner in Jet, a Lipstick in Valentina and a tube of Voluptulash Lashes Mascara ($39.99, with a retail value of $95)


The Pop Beauty products


The Pixi products (Senna products not pictured)

  • 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 worn makeup by Pixi, Pop Beauty or Senna? Do you ever buy makeup online? What shoes are you wearing right now? Who was the last person you smiled at? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win 17 Pieces Makeup from Pop Beauty, Pixi and Senna (a $105 value) http://bit.ly/gwCLvb

  • The deadline to enter is Thursday, April 14, 2011 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 the United States (sorry, ladies living overseas; I promise a giveaway that includes you soon) 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).
  • 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 Sara! Congratulations, Sara! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

San Francisco to Toronto: I’ll Be Right Back

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Heads to Toronto!

Just a quick dispatch from somewhere over California, ladies! This morning I’m off to Toronto on a top secret beauty mission. I can’t really share any details yet (even though I desperately want to!), but I can say this much: COOL!

It’s just a brief trip, and I’ll be back in the Bay soon. Of course, I still plan to blog while I’m away because, well, that’s what I do. 🙂

Stay tuned… Adventure awaits!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tuesday Beauty Tips: I’m Going Slim Cognito Tonight with the Spanx Mid-Thigh Bodysuit Shaper

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Hark, what manner of slimming sorcery is this?? Its power is even greater than Nutella’s potent hazelnut hermetics!

Some say that Spanx are forged by magic, and I’m inclined to agree. Selkie’s have been singing the praises of this line of body slimming shape wear for years. There are several different pieces to choose from, but the Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Bodysuit Shaper wins my personal wardrobe Nobel prize.

But first, a bit about my body. I try to be happy with mine, even though I’ve put on a few pounds over the past year. I’m healthy, after all, and everything works (knock on wood!), and in the grand scheme of things, that’s plenty good enough. Sometimes, though, I do miss being able to wear the cuts of clothing I was able to wear way back when I was thinner. Hence, Slim Cognito Spanx.

About Slim Cognito…

“Maximum compression fabric offers the ultimate control for tummy, hips and thighs, and provides a slight lift for the rear. The innovative style can be attached to your own bra to enhance the no-slip fit of the wide top band. The seamless leg design won’t bind or pinch.”

I discovered the power of this tummy taming monster at my Nordstrom Personal Stylist visit last week, and it was an immediate shock in more ways than one. Sticker shock due to the price — $72 for glorified underwear? Yes, because the proof was in the pudding, or in my case, the Nutella. Wearing Spanx, I felt my mid-section looked the way it did 15 pounds ago.

Over the years, I’ve tried other kinds of shape wear, but these Spanx are the best. I think it may have something to do with their high waist, which sits just below my bra (where it discourages any rolls from sneaking out).


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