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Just For Fun

9 Things: Beautiful Things I Saw Today (Makeup and Non-Makeup Related)

February 18th, 2010 by Karen 33 Comments

Today I left Tabs in charge of the homestead while I met a friend in SF for lunch. Along my way I bumped into a bunch of beautiful things like…

1. Daffodils

These smiling beauties were right outside of a Nordie’s (I stopped by the MAC counter), all in full bloom. 🙂

2. Chanel Eau Tendre Perfume

While at Nordie’s, I couldn’t resist spraying the new Chanel Eau Tendre ($65) on my wrists. It’s the third version of their Chance perfume (muskier and less citrusy than the previous two) and reminds me of one of my favorite fragrances of 2009, Estee Lauder’s Pure White Linen Pink Coral.

3. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess is back


Swatches of ye olde bronze bombshell: 1. Liquid Eyeshadow in Aqua Flash, 2. Liquid Eyeshadow in Molten Brown, 3. Liquid Eyeshadow in Sand Shimmer, 4. Liquid Eyeshadow in Ultra Violet, 5. Lipstick in Cherry Ice, 6. Lipstick in Wild Plum, 7. Exotic Lip gloss in Wild Coral, 8. Exotic Lip Gloss in Wild Orchid, 9. Exotic Bronzing Blush, 10. Shimmer Bronzer, 11. Bronzer Duo, 12. Bronzing Gel, and 13. Liquid Bronzer

The lovely EL makeup artist who helped me at Nordie’s (Hi, Stephanie!) said Bronze Goddess would probably sell out soon, and it’s only been out a week! Matter of fact, I’d snagged the LAST Liquid Eyeshadow in Aqua Flash ($17.50; the bright, shimmery teal) and Exotic Lip Gloss in Wild Orchid ($18; the shimmery fuchsia with hints of purplish blue). If you’re at all interested in this year’s Bronze Goddess collection, you better get on that, STAT!
[Continue reading…]

There are 33 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Makeup

Do You Buy Grooming Products for Your Significant Other?

February 17th, 2010 by Karen 90 Comments

Um, why is it SO HARD to get some boys to shower every day? Don’t get me wrong, I knew what I was getting into when I married El Hub — he’s more sporty than metro — and I expected occasional battles of will over things like shower gel, but I honestly didn’t think it would be THIS challenging, LOL!

I’ve resorted to just keeping the bathroom fully stocked with dude-centric body care products in the hopes they lure him into experimenting…

A girl can dream, right? 🙂

Speaking of dreams, have you seen the new Dove commercial starring Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees? It’s for Dove Men+Care.

If you look closely (I did!), Drew’s holding something that looks like a loofah.

Man + loofah = YES!

This particular implement of cleanliness is Dove’s Dual Sided Shower Tool.

Looks kinda like something used to polish automotive rims, so good job, Dove. 🙂 Dudes should like it, ha!

Next time I hit the Target, I think I’ll pick one up.

Which leads me to a question…

Do you buy grooming products for your significant other?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Speaking of buying things for your dude, Spanx now has a line of body shapers for men. The end times are officially NIGH.

There are 90 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Feb. 15

February 15th, 2010 by Karen 58 Comments

  1. Mood:
  2. Blooming chipper!

  3. How do you feel about drugstore makeup?
  4. I think some of it’s fantastic, but it takes patience to sift through all of the not-so-great stuff to get to the gems. Once you find ’em, though, it feels like you’ve found buried treasure!

  5. Camo print: yay or nay?
  6. If you’re in the service, YAY! If you’re buying bananas at Safeway, then only in measured doses — maybe a pair of shorts, tennies or a t-shirt.

  7. What’s one makeup challenge you’d like to master?
  8. I’d like to get better at applying bright teal and green eyeshadows. They’re not colors I’d wear outside of the house that often, but you never know…

  9. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
  10. Nothing yet except MAC Naked Honey Salve on my lips. I’m thinking of doing something with one of the Spring Colour Forecast quads.

  11. Do you have any scars?
  12. A few small ones. One is a burn on my left wrist from a cooking accident 10 years ago. It’s shaped like a dolphin. 🙂

  13. Sweet or savory foods?
  14. On most days, sweet, but when Aunt Flo visits, savory.

  15. Do you have any hidden talents?
  16. I can pinch with my toes, HARD.

  17. Outfit:
  18. Tow up from the flo’ up in brown shorts, a green t-shirt and black zip-up hoodie (I’m still in jammies).

  19. Weekly goals:
  20. Just to keep a good attitude about freelancing, try to watch what I eat, exercise daily, get to bed before midnight, and generally try to take better care of myself than I did last week.

Good morning, ladies (well, early afternoon for some of you). 🙂 How did you sleep? I slept fine until Tabs decided it was time to play. It was just before dawn, and I think he sensed I wanted to sleep in, so he leapt on my chest (ouch!) as if to say, “Nope. Not gonna happen.”

Mmm… I’ve been on a green tea kick lately. Do you like it? Sometimes I prefer coffee, but it kinda messes with my nerves after a while.

So what are you up to today (Happy Presidents Day)? Let me know how you’re doing. Just copy this list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. How do you feel about drugstore makeup?
3. Camo print: yay or nay?
4. What’s one makeup challenge you’d like to master?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Do you have any scars?
7. Sweet or savory foods?
8. Do you have any hidden talents?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Um… I just realized that the hidden talents question might be asking for trouble, LOL! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 58 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 74

February 14th, 2010 by Karen 13 Comments

Hi, ladies. 🙂 Been keeping busy today? I was just getting ready to make dinner (El Hub and I had our Valentine’s Day dinner last night in Yountville) when a text came through from Tabs.

While the whole damn continent’s freezing its collective a** off, that lucky cat has been shooting ad layouts and commercials in the South of France! I swear, if I get one more fracking text from him about how “dreadfully” hot it is in Saint Tropez…

If you’re interested, he attached pictures of some of his recent jobs, and for what it’s worth, he asked me to tell you “Meow.”
[Continue reading…]

There are 13 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun Keywords: tabs

Sunday Surfing

February 14th, 2010 by Karen 7 Comments

Heya, ladies. I hope you’re having a stunning weekend filled with fun (perhaps even a little romance?) and relaxation.

Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, can you sneak away for a few minutes? The tide’s up! — which means it’s time to do a little surfing. 🙂

Random bright spots

  • Chanel Rouge Coco Tote, I DIE!!! — Stylelist
  • A sneek peak at Chanel’s Summer 2010 collection — Luscious Beauty
  • Hurry! This mousse needs our help. It’s trapped in a jar 🙂 — Bella Sugar
  • HOW TO: A bright green, yellow and blue eye — Temptalia
  • The rumors are true: Ralph Lauren has a Heart of Gold — We Heart This
  • I wonder where I put my Polaroid… — What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?
  • Just in case you were wondering what a Hannibal Lecter Hello Kitty Tattoo might look like — Albotos
  • Ways to keep the creativity flowing —> — ISO 50

New in stores

  • Gwen’s Harajuku Lovers scents ($30) are down at the beach.
  • Try Trish McEvoy’s creamy Allover Face Highlighter ($35) for radiant eyes, faces and lips.
  • My tummy turns a little at the thought of face washing with seaweed, but I still can’t wait to give Mario Badescu’s Seaweed Cleansing Lotion ($15) a try.
  • Philosophy rolls out a spray version of their Field of Flowers scent ($30).
  • For you Estee Lauder Fans, the MagnaScopic Mascara Set combines two full-size mascaras with two extra gifts for just $21.
  • Don’t these silver and gold Foiled Eye Colours from Laura Mercier ($22) look kinda cool?
  • Lipstick Queen wants to you have your 5 Minutes of Fame with this gloss set ($28).
  • Target now carries Oils of Aloha, a brand I’ve only seen in Hawaii.
  • Have you tried Essence makeup? For $1-4, they look like a pretty sweet deal.
  • Can’t wait to try Make Up For Ever’s HD Blush.
  • Looks like Trish McEvoy’s All About the Eyes.
  • It’s a belated Christmas miracle! 🙂 Sephora has a Pony Holder ($5) that doesn’t involve fake hair!!
  • Sephora’s Bronze Tones Makeup Palette to Go ($15) would be great to take on vacay.
  • Vera Wang goes grunge with this black and white limited edition bottle of Rock Princess ($72).
  • Have you tried Sephora’s Cake Beauty ($9-30) line of makeup, skin and body care?

I miss being in the water…

Still one of my favorite songs!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Retro Roundup: One Year Ago on Makeup and Beauty Blog

February 14th, 2010 by Karen 10 Comments

Rise and shine, morning glories! I hope I’m not too late … but would you be my Valentine?

What’s on your plate today? Is romance in the picture? I’ve been married for three years, so my answer to that is a resounding “No.” LOL! Just kidding. 🙂 El Hub’s quite the romantic… Now if I could only get him to shower on a regular basis.

Speaking of third anniversaries, Makeup and Beauty Blog turns three next week (on Feb. 20). I don’t know how long you’ve been stopping by, but do you remember the original layout? Way different, right? WordPress.com made it very easy to start.

I’m feeling a little nostalgic right now, so here’s a look back at some of my favorite posts from this time last year…

Write Love Notes to Yourself

“The notes have consoled me through many tough times, like those first lonely years of college, when it felt impossible to get my bearings. I was reading through them last night when it hit me: we should totally write these notes to ourselves!”

Caring for Dry Skin

“Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. That’s how my skin feels in winter, when the humidity is low. No matter how much it may be raining outside, in here my skin’s dry, cracked and sore.”

2-Minute Wide-Eyed Makeup Look

“I was up late last night watching Season 1 of 30 Rock on DVD. This may be lack of sleep talking, but I’m strangely fascinated by puffy Alec Baldwin… When I finally opened my eyes this morning, I looked TIRED! I filmed this video clip a couple days ago, but it shows one of my go-to quick eye makeup looks, great for late-night TV marathons.”

14 Pink Lip Colors for Valentine’s Day

“There’s something about wearing pink lips on Valentine’s Day that just feels right! If you’re looking for the perfect pink for your pout, consider one of these 14 pink lipsticks and glosses. Sometimes a bold, bright pink lip is the only way to go. Pair any of these dramatic lips with thick black cat eyeliner and some false lashes for a show-stopping look.”

Caring for Oily Skin

“It’s ironic how something so valuable — oil — can be such a nuisance sometimes. I have combination dry/oily skin now, but in my early-20s it was more oily than dry. Half way through the day my skin would look shinier than Mr. Clean’s bald head! Flash forward to 2009. Now, I have the worst best of both worlds, LOL! One week I’ll be wrestling with dry skin, and the next it’s a struggle against oil.”

[Continue reading…]

There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Have You Ever Been a Beauty Bandit?

February 13th, 2010 by Karen 30 Comments

A bandit who likes to steal makeup from drugstores is back after a six-month hiatus. Dubbed the “Blue Basket Bandit,” the thief, who police believe to be this man, has walked out of various Arizona Walgreens stores with an estimated $10,000 in beauty products!

Daaamn! That’s a lot of Q-tips. 🙂

Putting aside the irony of the bandit potentially being a man, I knew girls in grade school who “liberated” lip balms from their drugstore oppressors, which begs the question…

Have you ever been a beauty bandit?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 30 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

NY Fashion Week: Gwen Stefani Talks Beauty Backstage at LAMB

February 12th, 2010 by Karen 3 Comments

Happy Friday, ladies! 🙂 Can I get a show of hands from the Gwen Stefani fans out there (Gwenny-Gwen-Gwen’s one of my style heroes)? My girls at Daily Makeover snagged an exclusive Fashion Week interview with her backstage at this week’s L.A.M.B show. She covers her involvement in the show, the secret to her hot red lips (can you believe she does her own makeup?) and the beauty look that drives her hubby wild. Fun!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What inspired the beauty look for the L.A.M.B. show?

The collection is kind of based on a vintage, naughty, Hollywood starlet girl, a little bit of a modern, futuristic girl and a little bit of a soldier girl.

I found these Ellen von Unwerth pictures with black makeup and the dark lips [that I loved] so we’re going to do the hair very set, vintage and glamorous with a lot of bangs.

The thing that I’ve learned is that you have an inspiration, you have a picture, an idea and it just evolves into what it’s going to be.

You don’t consider when you come up with three ideas for a theme that you’re going to have a blizzard, a baby with an ear infection and the Chinese new year, but at the end of the day the creative process of having that pressure and that drama means you come up with things you normally wouldn’t. I can’t wait to see it all together.

Continue reading…

Check out more of the recent beauty coverage on Daily Makeover

  • Win a *rockstar* makeover
  • 10 top makeup brushes to complete your collection
  • This drugstore gem always makes me smile 🙂
  • Are mini-hand sanitizers only for people with small hands?
  • Britney Spears as a brunette?
There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: 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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