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Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 93

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Tabs for Bobbi Brown Denim & Roses

You probably already know this about Tabs, but he’s more than a mere house cat. He’s also a top kitty model and my partner here at Makeup and Beauty Blog.

Now that it’s summer, the phone’s been ringing off the hook with modeling job offers. That’s summer, for ya. On the one hand it’s great because I know he loves his work, but on the other hand I miss having him around since he’s always on the road. This week it was Rio and Prague. 🙂

Here’s a look at some of the campaigns he worked on this week:

Tabs drinks True Blood

Tabs for the Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad
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Paint Your Toes in the Open Thread

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Tabs and I just got back from our walk and WOW! — it’s hotter than hades out there. Not that I’m complaining. I’m glad it gets hot here. Mill Valley, the town we lived in before, was closer to San Francisco and the chilly marine layer. Summers only lasted about two seconds in the middle of September, so “YEA!” for being able to wear shorts and sundresses in June!

I don’t have much lined up for the rest of the afternoon, other than making that homemade ice cream I mentioned (the strawberries are macerating as we speak!) and giving myself an at-home pedi while we chat in the open thread. The Essie Pretty Edgy I’ve been wearing for two weeks is on its last legs.

In case you’re a new reader, here’s the scoop on the open thread: it’s basically unstructured time to chat about anything we like in the comments at the bottom of this post — food, clothes, books, movies, pets, relationships, whateva! Please feel free to pop in and out as much and as often as you like.

A few questions to start the party…

Do you like to do your own nails, or do you prefer to have them done at a salon?

I do like to treat myself to a professional mani/pedi every once in a while because it feels great and looks good, but I generally prefer to do my own. I’m really picky. Plus, my mom got a terrible infection once at a nail salon a few years back, and it traumatized me.

Can you parallel park?

Yes, ma’am! I got pretty good at it back when I lived in San Francisco, and at my prime I could do it on fairly steep hills (both facing up AND down the street). But I’m rusty now. Living out here in the burbs dulled my edge, LOL!

What’s your favorite thing about summer?

Besides the sun? I love the extra hours of daylight. Great for picture taking and walking cats.

See you in a few! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Rise and shine, morning glory. 🙂 What’s shakin’ out yonder way? Anything new to report? How’s your weekend coming along? Mine’s been a restful one so far, more out of necessity than design. No laundry, no house work, no big projects. Just lots of yummy food (had thai takeout last night), television and Tabs. Today I’m looking forward to making homemade strawberry ice cream for the first time… I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Wasn’t this an effing fantastic week for makeup? It was downright amazing! The hits just kept coming, one after another. I can’t remember the last time I was this inspired by so many different products from different companies. Benefit blew me away with the Annie and Maggie Collection palettes, but that wasn’t all; Chanel rocked my world, repeatedly, with everything I saw this week from Les Contrastes de Chanel.

So what were your favorite new products of the week? Hmm… That’s a tough one for me this time, but I’ll say the new Rouge Coco Lipstick in Chalys for lips; for eyes, the Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad; and for overall face — now THAT’s a tough one — it’s a tossup between the Benefit Annie and Maggie Collection palettes. They’re both so pretty!

Chanel Les Contrastes de Chanel Collection Rouge Coco LipsticksTHE CHANEL LES CONTRASTES DE CHANEL
ROUGE COCO LIPSTICKS

Dagnabbit, Coco! Why you gotta make me fall in love with you over and over again? Your three new limited edition (I just found out these shades are being added to the permanent line, huzzah!) Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour Lipsticks ($30 each) from the fall 2010 Les Contrastes de Chanel Collection sing a summery song of seduction, and you know what? I’m totally listening.

Each fall dark, serious shades and heavy matte textures crop up on makeup counters, so the pink, peach and coral lippies in Les Contrastes are welcome breaks from the norm. The colors make me think of summer sunsets, like the one I missed last night!

Chalys, the shimmery coral, adds a bright but not overwhelming pop of color to pouts; while the other two shades offer sophisticated options for nude lip looks. Try Chintz (the soft peach) if you wear warm-toned shades well, or Rose Dentelle (the cool baby pink) if cooler colors suit you better. Read more…

Benefit Scene QueenBENEFIT SCENE QUEEN
THE ANNIE COLLECTION PALETTE

So there I was, minding my own beeswax, when I caught Tabs staring at his reflection in the big @ss mirror that comes with the new Benefit Scene Queen The Annie Collection palette ($38). I think he might have been checking his eyeliner (cat’s got wicked tightlining skillz) or plotting makeup larceny…

I swear, Benefit must have a soothsayer on staff because they always know what I’m craving. The particular mix of dramatic neutrals in this stash of goodies for eyes, lips, face and cheeks is, again, right up my alley. The second of two new limited edition Sephora exclusives from Benefit Trend Makeup Artists Annie and Maggie (peep the other palette, Sunday Funday, here), Scene Queen’s big drama is designed to steal scenes (and the limelight).

The palette comes with all the fixin’s for some serious smokey eyes, among other looks, with makeup in shades of blue, gray, beige and black, along with a pop of juicy coral for cheeks and lips, yum! Read more…

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow QuadCHANEL ENIGMA
EYESHADOW QUAD

There’s something to be said for tradition. Take fall makeup, for instance, and the Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad ($56). Although I love that Chanel went totally renegade with the summery Rouge Coco lipsticks and Glossimer lipglosses from the Les Contrastes collection, it’s also kind of comforting to get seasonal products that typify the season, ya know?

The moment I saw this quad, the first thing I thought was, “What’s the connection between these shades and the new Rouge Coco colors?” I didn’t immediately see how/if the four shimmery shades of peach, chocolate gray, violet gray and dark plum were related to the lippies, but I think I’m beginning to understand.

Doesn’t the shimmery peach shadow in the quad look related to Rouge Coco lipstick in Chintz? I feel like its golden pink undertones also play off the iridescence in the Petite Peche, Coral Love and Rose Dilemma Glossimers. Read more…

NYX Blush NYX POWDER BLUSH
IN RED AND PINCHED

Bargain hunting, blush loving NYX fans, lend me your ears (and cheeks!). Now, for the mere price of two scoops of fancy shmancy gelato, you can dupe (nearly) two more iconic blushes from MAC and NARS.

Meet Red and Pinched, the new summer additions to the NYX Powder Blush line ($6 each).

Pinched, a shimmery golden peachy pink, reminds me of a slightly pinker version of NARS Orgasm, while matte Red could pass for a clone of MAC Frankly Scarlet.

The newcomers are like summer salsa, spicing up NYX’s already wide range of blushes with a price point bound to make beauty bargainistas wanna dance! Read more…

5 Makeup and Beauty Lessons I Learned from Watching True BloodTHE BEAUTY OF
TRUE BLOOD

In HBO’s True Blood, the vampires have come out of the proverbial closet. In the show, which centers around the mortal and immortal residents of a town called Bon Temps, Louisiana, the generally law-abiding humans, vamps and other preternatural citizens live alongside each other, doing their best to abide by their natures while following the rules of Southern decorum.

Of course, drama ensues, and that’s what makes the show so fun to watch!

Lafayette Reynolds, the flamboyant cook/road crew worker/man of several questionable illegal pursuits, is one of my favorite residents of Bon Temps. How many guys can work lace and rhinestones and still look tough at the same time? Not many, I contend!

A sage of unique style, Lafayette has taught me so very many timeless makeup and beauty lessons. Read more…

Benefit Sunday Funday PaletteBENEFIT SUNDAY FUNDAY
THE MAGGIE COLLECTION

The situation: The My So-Called Life marathon you hosted last night was a BIG success, but it went all night long, and now you have just 10 minutes to do your makeup before you meet your Jordon Catalano lookalike for brunch. What to do! what to do!

Yes, it’s totally unfair that dudes get to just pull on a plaid shirt and call themselves “date ready.” Life is cruel that way, but thank goodness for palettes that facilitate fast makeup like the new Benefit Sunday Funday The Maggie Collection palette for eyes, lips, face and cheeks ($38).

This cutie pie (isn’t the packaging to die?) comes with a nice mix of neutrals and breezy pops of color perfect for easy, natural-looking makeup looks in almost no time flat.

Exclusive to Sephora, it’s one of two new limited edition palettes by Benefit Trend Artists Maggie and Annie Danielson, the daughters of co-founder Jean Ford. The color palettes are the first from Maggie and Annie, but they won’t be the last, as the duo also plans to launch a Benefit holiday kit and future seasonal kits going forward. Read more…

Bobbi Brown Denim & Roses PaletteBOBBI BROWN
DENIM & ROSES PALETTE

Right after trying on the new Denim & Rose palette, I peeled off my stretchy yoga pants and squeezed into my favorite skinny jeans because it just felt right.

It’s rock n’ roll meets roses today with this palette for sooty, smokey eyes (for your inner bad gal) and soft lips and cheeks (for your angelic side). I LOVE the mix of edgy — well, edgy for Bobbi — dark navy, gray and neutral shades for the eyes, and the ultra femme pinks for lips and cheeks.

The nine-piece palette rides onto counters next month as part of the Denim & Rose makeup collection for fall 2010, and most of its colors are new. The sole exception, Navajo eyeshadow, also stars in Bobbi’s permanent collection.

I really appreciate when makeup lines create palettes from scratch with fresh colors, rather than recycling stuff that’s already part of their permanent line. I don’t mind occasional re-promotes, but big ups to BB and her crew for keeping us on our toes. Read more…

The Becca Bombora PaletteBECCA BOMBORA
PALETTE

If the best things in life are free, why the heck does the Becca Bombora palette have to cost $65 bones?

Even though the five-piece limited edition summer palette for eyes, lips and cheeks costs an arm and a leg, I gotta say, she’s one classy lady. Drugstores everywhere may curse her existence, but all the way from her packaging to her pigments, fine textures and blendability, Bombora looks and feels luxe.

That said, you may have heard this color story (or one like it) before. With its teal, peach, coral and two golds, the palette might remind you of MAC To The Beach. Like, if MAC To The Beach were a carefree barefoot surfer girl who lives out of her car and chases big waves up and down the coast, Bombora would be her more refined older sister who only stays at five-star seaside resorts. Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing

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Well, it shaped up to be a lazy Saturday here at Casa de MBB. Tabs and I have been parked on the couch, catching up on episodes of The City (um, how does that Olivia girl still have a job?). It’s a comfortable 78 degrees here with nary a cloud in the sky. I might let Tabs take me for a walk in a few minutes and then perhaps catch the new Toy Story movie.

Sometimes lazy days just really hit the spot. 🙂

Whatchu been up to today? Are you knee-deep in adventure or just taking it easy like me? Do you have a spare minute to do a little Saturday Surfing?

Random bright spots

New in beauty

For friends of Mario…

An amazing cover of B.O.B.’s Nothing on You (someone give this girl a recording contract!)

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday! Touch base and let me and Tabs know how you’re doing.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Comment to Win MAC Studio Fix Lash Mascara

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Longing for lashes that look so full they could almost pass for fake (me too!)?

Today’s giveaway features MAC Studio Fix mascara, one of my favorite mascaras in the MAC mascara family.

THE PRIZE

(Winner randomly selected)

One (1) tube of MAC Studio Fix Lash mascara. This overachiever excels at grabbing, extending, separating and lifting even the stubbiest of lashes. Plus, it doesn’t smudge or flake. All that, and it’s still easy to remove! 🙂 Prize valued at $13 (one winner).


After just one layer…

TO ENTER

Just answer the following question in the comments (no worries; there are no right or wrong answers):

“When was the last time you batted your lashes at someone?”

My answer: Hmm… I think it was earlier this week at Trader Joe’s. I was starved while shopping for groceries (never a good combo) and wanted the dude working at one of the free sample tables to hook me up with seconds!

RULES

The giveaway is open to US and international readers. Please, one entry per person, and don’t forget to leave a valid email address in the comment form so I can reach you if you’ve won.

I’ll choose the winner at random from the entries received by 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, June 25, 2010.

Semoga sukses!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Makeup and Beauty Lessons I Learned from Watching True Blood

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In HBO’s True Blood, the vampires have come out of the proverbial closet. In the show, which centers around the mortal and immortal residents of a town called Bon Temps, Louisiana, the generally law-abiding humans, vamps and other preternatural citizens live alongside each other, doing their best to abide by their natures while following the rules of Southern decorum.

Of course, drama ensues, and that’s what makes the show so fun to watch!

Lafayette Reynolds, the flamboyant cook/road crew worker/man of several questionable illegal pursuits, is one of my favorite residents of Bon Temps. How many guys can work lace and rhinestones and still look tough at the same time? Not many, I contend!

A sage of unique style, Lafayette has taught me so very many timeless makeup and beauty lessons like…

1. When in doubt, rock the cat eye

Dressed up or dressed down, they’re an unmistakably classic look.

2. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

If you plan to show some skin (and sometimes you just gotta!), accentuate the positives with accessories, like this stylish cap and matching blinged-out belt buckle.


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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, June 21

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  1. Mood:

    2. Cheerful, albeit a touch sniffly, on this first official day of summer. My cold’s just about gone, so things are looking up!

  2. Do you like musical theater?

    3. I was a fiend for it back in high school and college but haven’t been to a show in years. The last ones I caught were Wicked in 2004 and Lion King around 2005 (?). It’s been a while!

  3. What makes you sexy?

    4. That’s a tough one because I don’t think of myself as sexy AT ALL. I see myself more as the home girl next door, ya know? But if I had to say something…I’d say spunkiness, if that’s even a word, or maybe my hair, LOL!

  4. Which outfit makes you feel your best?

    5. A navy blue and cream printed wrap dress from some miscellaneous designer I found at a vintage store years ago. When I wear it I feel like the tallest, thinnest, cutest version of myself.

  5. Your all-time favorite lipstick?

    6. Hmm, that’s another tough one… It’s a toss up between NARS Dolce Vita and MAC Viva Glam V.

  6. Blow dry or air dry?

    7. Both, but I air dry more in the summer.

  7. Do you think men and women can be platonic friends?

    8. Definitely. I think a lot of people get in relationships and feel that the only guy/girl in their life can be their significant other, but I think that’s limiting. If you and your partner trust each other, then friendships with other guys/girls shouldn’t be a cause for jealousy.

  8. What can you hear *right now*?

    9. A truck rumbling in the distance, the hum of an air conditioner, my fingers on the keyboard and Tabs grooming himself in the corner (he grumbles and moans).

  9. Outfit:

    10. The navy blue and cream wrap dress I mentioned up above and my favorite silver heels!

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Read at least an hour each day, get back into exercising (I laid off when I caught that cold), figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life (an ongoing project, LOL!) and cut back on the ice cream

What’s up, buttercup? Happy summer solstice, by the way (today is, quite literally, the longest day of the year for folks in the Northern Hemisphere). I’m just glad the sun’s out. We’ve had hella wonky weather lately, like chilly at night with high winds, but it finally feels like summer.

If you can, please take a minute to say hi with the Monday Poll. You know how we do it. Just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. Do you like musical theater?
3. What makes you sexy?
4. Which outfit makes you feel your best?
5. Your all-time favorite lipstick?
6. Blow dry or air dry?
7. Do you think men and women can be platonic friends?
8. What can you hear *right now*?
9. Outfit:
10. Your weekly goals:

Y’all ready for this? I am if you are!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 92

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Sundays with Tabs the Cat: Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot

Complete the comic

Tabs insisted we hold another comic challenge today because he thought the gals who entered the last one did awesome! Seriously, I cracked up laughing.

Here’s a new template for you to work with. I can’t wait to see what you come up with this time! To participate, just write some dialogue for each of the 13 comic regions in the template, and then Tabs and I will pick our favorites from among your creations and share them with the world a little later this week.

Here’s an example:

PANEL #1: Mr. Tiger always knew he was different, but tonight he would show America just how different he really was…

PANEL #2: Did you ever know that you’re my hero! You’re everything I would like to beeeeeee! I can fly higher than an eagle! ‘Cause you are the wind beneath my —

PANEL #3: CUT! STOP! That’s enough, Mr. Tiger. We’ve heard enough.

PANEL #4: Really? But I’m not done. There’s still another verse.

PANEL #5: That will NOT be necessary.

PANEL #6: Oh, hello, Tabs… Still trying to sabotage my career, house cat?

PANEL #7: Great… This just went from bad to worse.

PANEL #8: House cat…? Who you callin’ house cat?

PANEL #9: When does Oprah come out?

PANEL #10: Oprah? I thought this was Tyra.

PANEL #11: Are you kidding me!? Tyra isn’t half the singer I am!

PANEL #12: Excuse me. I don’t know if this is the right studio, but I have a Ms. Tyra Banks waiting in a limo outside. Should I bring her in through the —

PANEL #13: Good night, Tiger. And now, your banner must fall…

Your turn!

Go on and stretch those creativity muscles, girl. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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