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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Feb. 9

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  1. Mood:

    2. Serene

  2. Best part of my weekend:

    3. Going for a run outside on Saturday afternoon. It was sunny and warm for a few hours; instead of having to bundle up in layers, I got to wear shorts (it’s the small things that make me happy)!

  3. Eyes and lips:

    4. Clarins Nature Temptations Eye Palette on the eyes and Smashbox Stunning lipstick on the lips

  4. Sometimes I wish I could ____:

    5. Sometimes I wish I could be more cutthroat when it comes to work.

  5. Outfit:

    6. Light blue wide-legged jeans, light blue sweater, white tank top, red trench coat and Adidas Shell Toe shoes

  6. My favorite facial feature:

    7. My eyes!

  7. The story behind my name:

    8. My mom named me after the actress Karen Black after seeing her in the movie Airport 1975. Mom thought she was “sexy,” LOL!

  8. Face product I can’t live without:

    9. Shiseido 55 Sunscreen

  9. What’s for dinner?

    10. Well, I haven’t even had breakfast yet, but I’m craving a cheeseburger BIG TIME.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Do a couple loads of laundry, find a new freelance writing gig, make an appointment to get my hair cut, call my bro

It’s that time again, ladies! Just copy the empty list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

Mood:
Best part of my weekend:
Eyes and lips:
Sometimes I wish I could ____:
Outfit:
My favorite feature:
The story behind my name:
Face product I can’t live without:
What’s for dinner?
Weekly goals:

For whatever it’s worth, we don’t have to vanquish Monday altogether; all we have to do is keep it at bay for 24 hours! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Feb. 8

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Tabs is freakin’ OBSESSED with Hello Kitty and can’t wait for MAC’s Hello Kitty collection to go on sale this Thursday.

Earlier today I even caught him pre-ordering the Lucky Tom eyeshadow palette ($38) from Nordstrom.

I pre-ordered the Beauty Powders last week, but Tabs will have to get his own.

Are you excited about the collection? Do you know what you want yet?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Smashing Giveaway: Enter to Win $80 in Smashbox for Valentine’s Day

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Update: The giveaway is closed! I’ll be contacting the winner shortly. Thank you for entering!

When I was a kid, Valentine’s Day always stressed me out.

I liked to give out V-Day cards to my classmates, but before I’d sign the cards I’d separate them into two piles. The first contained the “lovey dovey” cards — the ones reserved for the boys who were less yucky than average — and the other pile contained the “strictly platonic” cards.

Smashbox O-Gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss ($22) gives me grade school V-Day flashbacks.

Almost like magic, it turns a different shade of pink based on the wearer’s skin chemistry (think Hypercolor for lips!).

There was a time when the thought of kissing a boy totally and completely grossed me out, but taste- and scent-free O-Gloss turns my lips a shade of rose I like to call, “I’ve been making out with C. Bale El Hub for hours!”

Take O-Gloss home for Valentine’s Day!

I think it’s time for a giveaway! 🙂

The Prize

Thanks to Smashbox Cosmetics, one luck winner will take home a tube of Smashbox O-Gloss and a set of Smashbox eyeshadow duos and brushes, just in time for Valentine’s Day ($81 value).

How to Enter

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both to double your chances to win!

  1. If you haven’t already signed up to receive Makeup and Beauty Blog daily email updates, then enter your email in the pink box below (or click this link).
  2. You may also enter by completing the following sentence and leaving it in the comments section at the bottom of this post (be sure to use a valid email address):

This Valentine’s Day I plan to kiss _______.

A few examples to spark your imagination…

  • This Valentine’s Day I plan to kiss the hot guy who sits three cubicles down from me at work.
  • This Valentine’s Day I plan to kiss my cat.
  • This Valentine’s Day I plan to kiss Detective Stabler.
  • This Valentine’s Day I plan to kiss my pillow … because kissing frogs is totally played out, yo!

Enter your email address:

I’ll choose the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 PM PST on Tuesday, February 10. The giveaway is open to all US and international readers. Good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup, Feb. 1-8

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Easy like Sunday morning.

Good afternoon, ladies!

How goes it today? I hope you’re having a good weekend so far.

It has been a leisurely one for me. I slept in today, and now I’m drinking coffee and turning my mind into mush with a few Tivo’d episodes of Paranormal State, a “reality” TV show about a group of collegiate ghost busters.

If you’re looking for some gentle brain liquification, may I suggest a few of last week’s freshly squeezed Makeup and Beauty Blog posts?

Glitter Is Good: The Bobbi Brown Blushed Pink Collection
“I can’t hang when it comes to big ol’ teeny bopper chunks of glitter (aye, I’m 33!), so any eyeshadow that makes me look like a Hot Topic refugee just isn’t an option.”

Heavy Hydration on the Cheap: Johnson’s Body Care 24-Hour Moisturing Body Wash and Lotion
“In winter my legs get so dry that iguanas envy me, but after using both the 24-Hour Body Wash and Lotion for a week things changed.”

The Ecotools Retractable Kabuki Brush Will Sneak Up on Ya
“Okay, so it’s not a flame thrower or a pocket super computer, but the Retractable Kabuki exudes awesomeness in other ways. It’s built for travel, fitting snugly into my makeup bag.”

Sheer Is In Bloom at Prescriptives
“For the new In Bloom collection, Prescriptives borrowed heavily from one the GREATEST painters of all time: Mother Nature. To my eye, the palette draws inspiration from sunflowers, marigolds, petunias and lilies. The look itself features sheer eyes, cheeks and a rich, shiny lip.”

Just Call Me Doe Eyes: Tarte Bottoms Up Mascara
“If you took away my Tarte Bottoms Up lower lash mascara ($14), I’d probably get the shakes and start rocking back and forth. Maybe drool a little bit too. Tarte made it special for lower lashes. It’s a water-resistant (not quite waterproof) black, and even though I’ve only been using it for a week, I’m already hooked. ”

10 Awesome Workout Tips and Tricks
I’m hoping these tips will help me get in fightin’ shape before summer, *crosses fingers*. I got a long way to go, LOL!

A’ight… I’m off to the gym for a quick workout, and then it’s homework time for me. Have a great Sunday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

10 Awesome Workout Tips and Tricks

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Thanks to your comments on this post a couple weeks ago, I got a bunch of great new workout tips to try, yea!

I’m hoping these tips will help me get in fightin’ shape before summer, *crosses fingers*. I got a long way to go, LOL!

1. Have a workout buddy

A workout partner can be a great motivator, especially when you’re trying to get back into exercising on a regular basis after a long hiatus.

If none of your friends or family are in the mood for fitness, try to make new friends at the gym, and keep your eyes peeled for any open team activities like intramural soccer leagues or basketball.

2. Reward yourself

Set exercise goals you know you can reach, and treat yourself when you reach them. Audrey, for example, rewards herself with a little something from MAC when she logs four workouts a week. SMarie may treat herself to a drink from Starbucks or to a lipgloss. “Nothing too crazy,” she says, “just a little something to say ‘ya done good!'”

3. Just do it

We may not love to exercise, but we love the results. Sometimes, the easiest way to get it over with is just to get it over with. Briana makes herself exercise as soon as she gets home from work. “If I wait even half an hour,” she says, “I end up putting it off all night and never get around to doing it!”

4. Variety is the spice of life!

Switch up your workouts to keep motivated. Heidi used to hit the gym a lot until she started feeling like a hamster on a wheel. Mix things up. “Take a walk,” she says, “go for a jog, jump rope, or whatever gets you going. Exercising doesn’t have to be limited to going to the gym.”

5. Remind yourself why you want it

Are you working out to fit into a special dress, to build up your strength, to have more energy throughout the day, to blow off steam, to live a longer life? Shefali says her motivation this year is to look her best at two family gatherings. “I want to look my ultimate best and keep telling myself that April is going to be here before I know it!”

6. Dress for success

If you plan to try walking or running outside, shop for some weather appropriate gear and a pair of good running shoes. If it’s cold in your area, look for insulated running jackets and pants that wick. A hat helps, too. Check out Lululemon, or skim through the pages of Runner’s World.

7. Splurge on a personal trainer

Not a necessity, but a personal trainer can help. Yadiq tries to work with a trainer once a week. If you have a gym membership, ask the front desk staff about certified trainers, and then see if any of them are offering specials or discounts.

8. Take advantage

Take advantage of any fitness programs that might be available through work or school. Check with the human resource department at the office because some companies offer gym credits for employees, or call the information line at school. Most university gyms are open to all students at certain times of day.

9. Keep a workout calendar or training log

We’ve all heard this before… but take it to the uber-level! Don’t just grab any old calendar; find a pretty one, and make it your own. Decorate your workout calendar with cute drawings and motivational phrases like “You can poo it, girl!” and “Keep up the good work!”

10. Set small goals

You know what they say about baby steps. Set attainable goals that you know you can reach. If you’re just starting out, shoot for 15 minutes of walking outside or on the treadmill twice/week. Sure, you know you can do more, but start small and work your way up. Next week, try 20 minutes twice/week, then 15 minutes three times/week, etc. Above all, have fun!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Pretty Pastels with Yves Saint Laurent Spring Look 2009

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Think you could pull off the pastel eye featured in the Yves Saint Laurent Spring Look 2009?

The model’s wearing a delicious trio of pink, purple and mint shadows, each stacked one on top of the other like Neopolitan Ice Cream! It think it’s gorgeous, but I’m not sure I could pull it off.

Pastels are tough for me, but they sure look perty…

I really love the conservative colors in this release, too.

I’ve just started testing a few of them, starting with the Eyeshadow Duo in Oatmeal/Petroleum Blue ($41).

Not having had much time to use them yet, it looks like Oatmeal (a matte cool beige) and Petroleum Blue (a matte slate blue) apply with high pigmentation, and something tells me they’ll look great together, with Oatmeal as a wash over the entire lid and Petroleum as a liner.

What do you think?

And then there’s the new Gloss Pur lipglosses in Pure Fuchsia and Pure Nude (each $29).

I bet Pure Nude could be fun layered on top of a hot pink lipstick like MAC Girl About Town, but I think I’m leaning toward Pure Fuschia.

Both glosses have a faint, interesting scent that smells of licorice and watermelon. I know — strange combo, but I like it.

I hope they’re long lasting, too! I’ll report my findings a little later.

Pure Lipstick in Tea Rose ($30) brings up the rear. This creamy pink beige looks like it’ll pair perfectly with my favorite MAC Cremestick liner in Pink Treat and some clear gloss.


Swatches from left to right: Tea Rose, Pure Nude, Pure Fuchsia, Oatmeal, Petroleum Blue

YSL costs a pretty penny, so here’s to hoping for good wear time and pigmentation. 🙂

Calm down, Lover!

I finally heard C. Bale’s f-bomb-filled tirade yesterday, and all I have to say is WHOA. Two words, C. Bale: anger management.

Shoot! He broke my heart… I’m gonna need another virtual crush to take away the pain.

Maybe Detective Stabler, aka Law & Order: SVU’s Christopher Meloni, is up to the task.

Funny, but I just realized that all of the celebrities I get crushes on look kinda like El Hub. Hmmm…

How ya handling hump day, ladies? I hope things are going your way!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Beauty Snacks: Sites of the Day, Feb. 3

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Wait, where’s my Jacob doll?

Watch your back, Ken! They’re saying Barbie’s creeping on you with the new Edward Cullen doll. He’s got the hair, the clothes AND the fangs…

Jennifer Hudson’s Superbowl look

Bellasugar breaks down the gorgeous shimmery brown eyes, glowy cheeks and nude lips J. Hud wore to the Superbowl.

Foundation: The basics

Powder, cream, mineral or tinted moisturizer? If you’re thinking about using foundation but don’t know where to start, here’s a helpful overview.

Help me get Frieda Pinto’s blue eyeshadow look

Did you catch the smoking hot blue and brown eye look Actress Frieda Pinto wore to the the Screen Actors Guild awards? I’m trying to recreate it with MAC Brule on the brow bone and MAC Soft Brown in the crease, but I could use your help coming up with a blue for the lid. Any suggestions?

Everything’s coming up roses

Roses for Valentine’s Day? — yes, please! 🙂 But en lieu of roses, I think I could hang with a selection of rose-scented products from the new Body Shop Moroccan Rose collection.

Mmm, sherbert nails…

The creamy pastel polishes in the Nubar spring collection remind me of ice cream on a hot summer day.

Hey, baby, what’s your sign?

OOH! The February astrology forecasts are up on Astrology Zone! Fellow Geminis, expect a major career breakthrough this month.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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