Just For Fun

• The giveaway is now closed, and the winner is being contacted. Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

Happy hump day, ladies! 🙂 How was the first half of your week? Any cool makeup adventures to report?

Today I thought we’d scale the hump with a giveaway for members (and wannabe members) of Cult CoverGirl LashBlast. If you’ve been longing to try LashBlast Luxe, today could be your lucky day!

*All four* volumizing shades, with their lovely hints o’ shimmer, are looking for a new home this week. I hope someone gives ’em the love and attention they deserve.

The prize

One lucky lady will pump up her lash volume with all four of the CoverGirl LashBlash Luxe Mascaras in Black Platinum, Black Cabernet, Black Emerald and Black Royale (a $32 value).

How to enter…

Entering is easy. There are two different ways, 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. In it, describe your end-all, be-all favorite mascara tip/trick. Spill the beans. Is it a favorite product, lash curler or a super secret technique?

This one’s simple but makes a *huge* difference for me: to prevent clumping and smudging, I swipe off any excess mascara from the mascara brush before application.

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win the entire CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe line (a $32 Value) http://bit.ly/80C8Zo

Recap…

1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:
   
   RT @karenmbb: RT to win the entire CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe line (a $32 Value) http://bit.ly/80C8Zo

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Thursday, December 10.

Amathamsanqa!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

• The giveaway is now closed, and the winner is being contacted. Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

• The giveaway is now closed, and the winner is being contacted. Before you go, check the home page for ongoing giveaways.

When I’m dragging through a Monday with a bad case of the blahs, a dive into fun colors, like the shades in the Bare Minerals Face Fashion Kit, always picks me up.

The five-piece kit comes with a mix of funky greens, blues and pinks for eyes, cheeks and lips — just right for an upbeat Monday look. 🙂

Giveaway starts in three, two, one…

The prize

One lucky lady will win a Bare Minerals Face Fashion Collection Kit ($34 value), with five color-coordinated products for eyes, lips and cheeks.

• Bare Minerals Blush in Cheerful: A bright pink
• Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in Blue Hue: A shimmery greenish blue
• Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in Metallic Green: A shimmery green
• Bare Minerals Eyehshadow in French Navy: A rich, dark navy
• Buxom Lips Gloss in Bunny: A shimmery, peachy pink

[Continue reading…]

The Novato hills

1. Mood:

Calm and cheerful. 🙂

2. Shoes/bag:

Brown and orange Keds and a brown/beige Michael Kors tote.

3. What’s your favorite face mask?

It has to be MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask. The stuff really softens and smooths my acne-prone skin.

4. First song that comes to mind?

I’m stuck in a Phoenix frenzy! Fave song of the moment: 1901, and I’ve had it on repeat for the past two days.

5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

Tidbits from the Prescriptives Lustre Holiday Collection, like Baked Eye Quad in Warm ($40), Moonbeam Reflective Gloss in Rose Gold ($18) and Shimmer Cheek Color in Warm Lustre ($24).

6. _____ makes me happy.

A purring cat on my lap, a hot cup of coffee/tea on my desk, El Hub in my thoughts, a clean bathroom and the sound of jingle bells.

7. _____ makes me b*tchy.

Bold-faced plagiarism, Quinn Fabray’s character on Glee, bloating, and finishing a hot shower in a cold bathroom and realizing that I forgot to get a towel.

8. What’s a lesson you learned this year?

I think I actually learned a couple of big ones in 2009: 1) There’s no time like the present, and 2) there’s an element of luck in everything.

9. Outfit:

Old Navy Bootcut Diva Jeans (LOVE!), a blue turtleneck sweater and a black tank top

10. Weekly goals:

Get to bed at a decent hour every night this week, start doing more ab exercises, start sending out me holiday cards, and stem the tide of disorganization flooding my office at home.

Hey, gals! Happy Monday from a very chilly Nor Cal today. 🙂

I looked out my window this morning to find snow capped mountains in the distance and a thick layer of frost topping the houses all around us. We don’t see a lot of snow ’round these parts.

There’s a chill in the air, but I’m trying to keep warm with extra socks and warm tea. What’s the weather like where you are?

Before you get swept up by work and responsibilities, let me know how you’re doing this morning. 🙂

Le list

1. Mood
2. Shoes/bag:
3. Your favorite face mask?
4. First song that comes to mind?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. _____ makes me happy.
7. _____ makes me b*tchy.
8. What’s a lesson you learned this year?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Wherever you are today, I hope you’re warm!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

During the week I like doing full face looks with foundation, eye makeup — the whole nine yards — but the weekends are a different story.

If I’m just gonna lounge around the house or run errands, I might just wear a little tinted moisturizer, concealer, brow powder, blush and gloss.

It depends, but unless I have big plans, I usually won’t spend much time on my makeup on Saturday and Sunday. Unless, of course, I’m just playing around. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have you ever seen Buena Vista Social Club? I can’t believe I never have. I’m watching it right now and being kinda blown away. GREAT MUSIC!

How’s it going tonight? Are you ready for Monday? Sorry, that’s a terrible question. I’m not ready, LOL! I’ll hang in there if you do.

MY BEST:

Finally (after seven months!) getting my hair cut, and I’ve got bangs! Now I don’t feel like I’m carrying around a small animal on my head.

MY WORST:

I guess I haven’t gotten enough sleep lately because my dark circles kicked into overdrive, 🙁 and none of my usual tricks are working. On the bright side, it gives me a good excuse to try a new concealer! 🙂

What were your best and worst beauty experiences of the week? Please share yours in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. How’s it going today? I’m taking it slow and steady this morning. I watched part of So I Married An Axe Murderer on Hulu while I had my coffee. That movie cracks me up every time, like the part where they’re dancing “like children of the night!” I so want to do that.

1. Addicted to Love and Makeup: A Halloween Look
2. MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief Lip Look and My First Spaghetti Squash
3. A Sneak Peek at Chanel’s Holiday 2009 Makeup Collection
4. Estee Lauder Ultimate Red Collection: A Classic Look at the Holidays
5. Urban Decay 24-7 Super Stash Glide-On Pencils and Afternoon Temptations
6. Lights, Camera, HydrAction! — Dior’s Tinted Moisturizer Delivers Exceptional Coverage
7. Clinique Black Tie Violets: A Face of the Day
8. Get Glowy, Fast, with Benefit High Beam and Moon Beam
9. Bobbi Brown Earth Metal Lip and Eye Palette Swatches, Part 1

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Lunch in the city today was a lot of fun, and I think I got some good pictures of the ferry building. I hope your Saturday’s treating you well. 🙂