Lips

NARS Summer 2019: Satin Lip Pencil, Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Swatches

May 2nd, 2019 by Karen 14 Comments

This morning Tabs turned to me and said, “You know, it’s a funny thing… Legacy.”

“How so?” I replied.

He paused, slowly poured himself a second cup of catnip tea and plucked a chamomile cookie from his favorite white porcelain dish. “I just… I hope you didn’t mind taking care of me all these years. You really have been the best pet assistant and friend I ever dreamed of.”

I sighed. “Oh, Tabs,” I said, scratching him between his ears, “you’ve made me the happiest, luckiest girl in the world. When you sauntered over to me that day in Mill Valley, everything changed for me. I feel blessed to have met you and worked with you all these years.”

“Me too,” he said, slow blinking.

“My sweet boy,” I said, gently wrapping my arms around him and pulling him close for a cheek-to-whiskers hug, “You’ve been such a good boy. I hope you know how much I love you.” ❤️

“I do,” he whispered into my ear, purring. “I love you too.”

Good morning, my friend. Here are some swatches of the Satin and Velvet Matte Lip Pencils from the NARS 2019 Summer Collection.

Yes, more swatches…

I know.

They’ve been a shelter, so to speak, in the storm.

nars balboa — Satin Lip Pencil in Balboa

nars exbury — Satin Lip Pencil in Exbury

nars giusti — Satin Lip Pencil in Giusti

nars golden gate — Satin Lip Pencil in Golden Gate

nars dance fever — Velvet Lip Pencil in Dance Fever

nars take me home — Velvet Lip Pencil in Take Me Home

[Continue reading…]

More MAC Strip Down

May 1st, 2019 by Karen 14 Comments

mac strip down lipsticks — A few of the MAC Strip Down Collection Lipsticks, $18.50 each

Tabs slept in my office and provided supervisory support while I did these lip swatches. These are from the MAC Strip Down Collection of nude lipsticks and glosses.

More from MAC Strip Down…

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Mehr Matte Lipstick

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Whirl Matte Lipstick

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Twig Satin Lipstick

mac brick o la lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Brick-O-La

mac smoked almond lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Smoked Almond

mac soar lipstick — Matte Lipstick in Soar

mac del rio lipstick — Satin Lipstick in Del Rio

mac good form lipstick — Lustre Lipstick in Good Form

mac bad n bare lipstick — Satin Lipstick in Bad ‘N’ Bare

mac feeling myself lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Feeling Myself

mac s sexy lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in S’Sexy

mac move your body lipstick — Amplified in move Your Body

mac double fudge lipstick — Matte Lipstick in Double Fudge

mac creme cup lipstick — Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme Cup

mac pink power lipstick — Frost Lipstick in Pink Power

mac leave me breathless lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Leave Me Breathless

mac act natural lipstick — Matte Lipstick in Act Natural

Tabs isn’t working anymore, but that hasn’t stopped him from giving me side eye for not doing my hair or putting on makeup.

It was also sunny and warm here, and Tabs felt like doing some relaxing catnip gardening on the back deck.

You know, a lot of people don’t know this, but in addition to being a world-renowned kitty modeling mogul, former professional feline football player, entrepreneur, chef and Cat Academy Award-winning movie star, Tabs is also a gifted landscape architect. ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Simple Acts of Bravery (And MAC Viva Glam I, II and III Lipstick Swatches)

May 1st, 2019 by Karen 15 Comments

mac viva glam 25 anniversary — Celebrating 25 years!

The renowned photographer Man Ray once said that “Lipstick is the red badge of courage.”

For me, today, this quote means that even if you’re wounded in some way (emotionally or physically), doing a few simple, mundane tasks like brushing your teeth, putting on pants, doing your hair, or putting on your makeup — and just showing up to face the world, even when you don’t think you can — all add up to a major act of bravery.

You may be grieving, off balance, confused, out of whack, but then you put on your lipstick (and hopefully also your pants), and you keep going.

Since I’ve been blogging every day for millennia (since 2007), and I would normally be blogging on a day like today, doing this post right now as if today were any old day is giving me some comfort.

Who knew that swatching lipsticks could be emotionally soothing?

More than the lipsticks, though…something tells me that it’s more about the familiar routine — talking to you, setting up the camera, checking the lights, swiping the bullet across my lips, taking the pics, glancing over at Tabs as he watches me, etc.

Because no matter how much some things change, other things, like sharing lip swatches, stay the same.

I did these swatches of the MAC Viva Glam I, II and III Lipsticks ($18.50 each) today, and I laughed a little when I remembered this…

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the debut of Viva Glam, the initiative MAC started back in 1994 to help men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. Every dollar raised from the sale of Viva Glam celebrity-promoted products since then has gone to support the cause.

viva glam I — Matte Lipstick in Viva Glam I, an intense brownish blue-red

Matte Lipstick in Viva Glam III, a muted brownish plum

[Continue reading…]

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Twig Satin Lipstick

April 18th, 2019 by Karen 18 Comments

Meet some of my favorite MAC nude shades this week from the MAC Strip Down collection.

I’m a bonafide twig expert! — self proclaimed, of course. I have twigs in every pocket of every jacket. Literally.

And there are two reasons for this:

Because I like to wear MAC Twig lipstick
And because Connor has to pick up all of the twigs she finds whenever we leave the house and adds them to her collection of “treasures that we keep by the front door.”

So, yeah, with the power vested in me by the State of California, I declare myself a twig expert. ?

MAC Twig is such an old-school favorite. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is not the color of most tiny branches. Really, I don’t know why it’s even called “Twig,” unless somebody somewhere had a dream about a pinkish brown tree…?

Yeah, it’s in the realm of brown, but I think it’s more pink than brown, so if you like the idea of a nude lip color that splits the difference between a Barbie pink and a true brown, a la MAC Paramount, take a look at Twig.

Like other MAC nude lip greats, it’s subtlety different from other nude lip colors in ways that a casual bystanders would have absolutely NO CLUE about. Like my husband — he would never be able to tell the difference between Velvet Teddy and Twig, but you and I? We would.

mac twig swatch — The ultimate trifecta of MAC rosy brown nude lippies!

[Continue reading…]

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Whirl Matte Lipstick

April 17th, 2019 by Karen 12 Comments

mac whirl lip swatch — Taking MAC Whirl for a whirl…

Meet some of my favorite MAC nude shades this week from the MAC Strip Down collection.

Fun fact about MAC Whirl: Back in the day (as in pre-2015), Whirl, a dark matte brown with a tinge of rose, only existed as a lip pencil.

Way back before the dinosaurs ? disappeared, I used to outline my lips with Whirl pencil, fill them in, and then top everything off with Chapstick to create my own DIY Whirl lipstick.

Yeah!

In 2015, MAC finally turned this iconic color into a lipstick — the Whirl Matte Lipstick we know and love today.

I know there’s this whole thing that Whirl is a very “Kylie Jenner lips” color (as if she invented it ? ), and yes, it’s definitely one of those lipsticks that will help you get that specific look. In fact, whenever a friend asks me for a Kylie Jenner lips recommendation, first, I try not to outwardly groan… Then, I suggest MAC Whirl. But really, though, whenever I see Whirl, I think more of ’90s supermodels like Linda and Christy and Cindy. It has a very early Bobbi Brown chicness to it IMO, and I love ? it.

There’s also another reason why I love it… Because it’s similar to the color of my gums.

Yes, I realize that that is an odd thing to like about a nude lipstick, but I’m looking at my gums here, and it really is the color of my gums. (Side note: I’m not gonna show you my gums. Hi-res pics of my gums do not need to exist on the Internet.)

Maybe that’s why Whirl is the ultimate nude lipstick for so many people. It matches the color of their gums, ha ha ha! Anyway, here it is on lighter skin and darker skin.

mac whirl lipstick swatch — NC42, babes!

[Continue reading…]

The 2019 Chanel Cruise Makeup Collection in Action: A Few First Impressions

April 16th, 2019 by Karen 16 Comments

chanel cruise makeup collection 2019 — A few pretties from the Chanel Cruise 2019 collection

Despite my obsession with The Love Boat as a child, I’ve never taken a cruise…because HELLO, CLAUSTROPHOBIA! But I might consider one if the destination were Chanel. LOL! “Hello, ladies and gentleman!” announces the captain over the ship’s intercom system. “Next stop: Chanel, a.k.a. ‘Your Makeup paradise.’ Please watch your step as you disembark the vessel.”

Who’s comin’ with me? ??

The new Chanel Cruise collection arrives in port next month, and judging by the pieces I wore today, Lucia Pica was going for a subtle look, as in sheer, luminous highlights on the high points of the face; soft, subtle contours on eyes and cheeks; a rosy brown lip; and a soft glossy glow on the lids.

I like it. Of course, I’ve been really into non-crazy makeup lately.

A few first impressions…

DUO BRONZE ET LUMIÈRE EXCLUSIVE CREATION BRONZER AND HIGHLIGHTER DUO IN CLAIR ($70): This subtle powder highlighter duo, which is the lighter of the two duos in the release, has a light peach matte on one side and a luminous pinkish peach on the other. The lightweight, finely-milled powder feels almost creamy, like the NARS Dual Intensity Blushes, and it’s very elegant and smooth… It’s definitely NOT appropriate for bling-bling highlights.

DUO BRONZE ET LUMIÈRE EXCLUSIVE CREATION BRONZER AND HIGHLIGHTER DUO IN MÉDIUM ($70): This one feels just as light as Clair, but it has a matte neutral chocolate bronzer on one side and a rosy gold highlighter on the other.

Note: It is VERY, VERY sheer, which I don’t mind, because it makes the product easy to control.

It should suit lighter lasses and medium-toned mavens particularly well.

Also noteworthy: The bronzer doesn’t have warm orange tones, so it’s a straight-up brown. If I apply it too heavily, I look like I have dirty stripes on my face…which is why I think you’re forced to wear it sheer.

(Works great as an eyeshadow duo, too.)

ROUGE COCO FLASH IN HYDRATING VIBRANT SHINE LIP COLOUR IN CONTRASTE ($38): This silky, moisturizing rosy brown lipstick looks a tad frightening in the bullet, but I think it’s totally wearable, comfy and oh, so shiny.

The formula smells and tastes a little like roses, and the color lasts about two hours for me.

I’m low-key addicted to this formula… Can I haz all teh colors, plz?

OMBRE PREMIÈRE GLOSSTOP COAT EYESHADOW IN LUNAIRE ($36): No glitter. Just pure silvery gloss.

Wear time is quite limited at about an hour. This is lighter than a MAC eye gloss, but not as light as the NARS one, which, overall, I like better because it lasts longer.

LE VERNIS LONGWEAR NAIL COLOUR IN AFTERGLOW AND PURPLE RAY ($28 EACH): Ooh! Pastel nails! I like that these aren’t simply pink or peach pastels. Afterglow is a grayish beige with a subtle golden pearl, and Purple Ray is a lavender cream with a subtle gray undertone.

I’ll be taking these for a spin after my current Sally Hansen mani disappears (or I remove it, whichever comes first).

chanel cruise makeup collection 2019 k — I’m wearing the bronzer/highlighter duos in Clair and Medium on my eyes and cheeks. There’s also a touch of the silver eye gloss in the inner corners and the center of my lids. On my lips is Rouge Coco Flash in Contraste, and I’m also wearing blush in this pi (I felt naked without it!). It’s Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Bronze.

chanel cruise makeup collection 2019 swatches — I’m an NC42 in MAC.

The best thing I’ve tried from the collection so far is Rouge Coco Flash, and it’s gorgeous and effortless! I think I just found my new everyday lipstick.

It’s pricey…but you can wear it down to the nub.

I also like the face duos, but they might be too sheer for some peeps, especially considering the $70 price. You really have to appreciate the subtlety of the look Chanel was going for in order to “go there,” because there are similar products out there that will cost you a lot less.
[Continue reading…]

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Mehr Matte Lipstick

April 15th, 2019 by Karen 18 Comments

Meet some of my favorite MAC nude shades this week from the MAC Strip Down collection.

DUDE, the world is your oyster when it comes to nude lipsticks. I mean, there are so many out there, right? But you know, when I think about the old-school, original nude lip look, I think of MAC.

I started wearing MAC in the ’90s, and that’s when I became aware that nude lips were totally a thing.

MAC has created so many iconic colors — colors that everybody rips off. Hello, old-school Whirl? We all know that Kylie was “deeply inspired” by it (don’t worry, I won’t go off on a Kardashi-tangent!).

I think MAC has some of the best of the best nude lipsticks because they have so many matches for the multitude of subtly different shades of bare lips out there, and you can see this in their “new-ish” nude lip collection, Strip Down, which is on the MAC site right now.

I call it new-ish because the first time I saw the product list, I thought, “Oh, I know Whirl!” and “Check out Paramount!” The collection is all about re-promotes, and most of them are O.G. greats.

[Continue reading…]

Glittery Unicorn Kisses…and a Look With the New MAC Get Blazed Collection (COMING APRIL 11TH)

April 9th, 2019 by Karen 24 Comments

mac dazzlepink dazzlegold — Dazzle Highlighter in Dazzlepink (top) and Dazzlegold (bottom)

The coywolf and I entertain the fanciful notion that every time you find a piece of glitter on your face, your body or really anywhere — and for some reason, this happens often, big surprise! — you were just kissed by a unicorn.

Indeed, if that holds true, then wearing anything glittery from the new MAC Get Blazed collection is tantamount to being kissed by an entire unicorn herd.

SO MUCH GLITTER!

mac p for pink sweet gleams kisses — A kiss from a baby unicorn

I wore a couple things from Get Blazed today — the Shiny Pretty Shadow in P for Pink, and the Bling Thing Liquid Lip Top Coat in Sweet Gleams — and I can say that nothing I’ve seen from this collection goes halfway. I tried to going for subtle with P for Pink and Sweet Gleams (mind you, as subtle as you can go with glitter…), so my lids and lips look relatively subdued here, but TRUST! — if you wanna look like you’re going to swing from the chandelier on a Tuesday night, by all means, you can get there, and you can get there so f a s t.

Faster than a speeding unicorn even.

Because there’s *a lot* of shimmer and sparkle in these products, and they don’t hold back.

A few MAC Get Blazed first impressions…

Shiny Pretty Shadow — This one has small- and medium-sized flecks of glitter swimming in an intensely pigmented metallic base. It has a creamy texture and is long-lasting, and there’s a little fallout…but not much.
Bling Thing Liquid Lip Top Coat — This is like a liquid glitter lipstick “top coat” in a sheer base. The lightweight mousse-y texture dries down and “hugs” your lips. It’ll also last you through a meal and drinks. It’s surprisingly not drying, although I wouldn’t exactly characterize it as moisturizing, either.
Dazzle Highlighter — This one is sensationally soft and creamy. The glitter isn’t an overspray, either. It’s a pigmented metallic base with medium and large pieces of glitter. I wouldn’t wear it as a highlighter (way too crazy for me), but it’s fun, though, if you’re going for statement cheekbones.
Bling Thing Liquid Lipcolour — Same mousse-y texture and lip-hugging effect as the Lip Top Coats. This one is intensely pigmented and even more intensely metallic. How VERY ’80s in the best way possible.

mac bling thing liquid lip top coat liquid lipcolour — A few of the Bling Thing Liquid Lip Top Coats (light gray caps) and Bling Thing Liquid Lipclours (black tops). From the left: Deliciously Disruptive, Discobelle, Sweet Gleams, Purple for Daze Commotion Motion

mac glitz please p for pink — Shiny Pretty Shadow in Glitz Please (top) and P for Pink (bottom)

[Continue reading…]