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MAC Makeup

MAC Unsung Heroes: Cork Eye Shadow

April 28th, 2022 by Karen 4 Comments

mac cork
MAC Cork Eye Shadow, an Unsung Makeup Hero

This workhorse MAC brown is a must. Also, I miss this hair, LOL! Hope you guys are having a great week so far. Enjoy this throwback post.

Whenever I take MAC Cork out for a spin, I hear champagne bottles popping. “POP!”

If it were possible to place 1,000 butterfly kisses on a pan of brown eyeshadow, I totally would.

Wait — that actually is possible. Never mind! 🙂

It’s a medium neutral golden brown with MAC’s Satin finish, and it’s part of the permanent line.

It’s also not the only Cork at MAC. There’s Cork Brow Sculpt Pencil and a Cork Lip Pencil, too.

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Cork isn’t flashy, but it’s a damned good workhorse shade. It’s one of those shadows that’s easy to miss when you’re perusing those tiered MAC shadow displays.

The Satin finish is totally key. It makes Cork a great transition shade. It can double as a matte eyeshadow and deepen the crease, and because it has a hint of shimmer, it has a little more character than a basic matte. And it’s much easier to blend.

mac cork in crease
Cork in my crease and along my lower lash line (my lid shade is MAC Club)

Cork may fool you at first because it can really look like a straight up matte, but if look closely, you’ll see the tiniest twinkle (it’s barely there!).

I like using Cork in my crease when my lid color is a cool or neutral shade, and I think it’s GORGEOUS with blues, greens, purples and grays.

Oh, my gosh! Try it with MAC Club on your lids one of these days. That’s what I’m wearing in these pics. The two are like Shakespearean sonnets together. MAC Greensmoke too.

mac cork swatch

Cork is also my secret weapon when I look in the mirror in the morning, and my lids look more hooded than usual. The neutral-ness (?) of the brown sculpts a deeper shadow in my crease than warmer shades like MAC Soft Brown or Saddle.

By the way, it’s also darker than MAC Soba, which is another neutral brown MAC Satin eyeshadow I use a lot as a crease color. I’ll alternate between the two, but I choose Cork more often when I’m wearing a super saturated lid color because it’s easier for me to transition a bold lid shade to a more medium-toned brown like Cork (the gradient isn’t as dramatic as going to something lighter).

mac cork
Wearing Cork in my crease and along my lower lash lines

[Continue reading…]

There are 4 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, MAC Makeup, Unsung Heroes

Makeup Makes Me Feel Better, Period.

April 19th, 2022 by Karen 11 Comments

I feel like a new person!

The title pretty much says it all. Makeup often gets talked about for the visual transformation; I think there’s so much more to it, though. I know that when I’m not feeling all that great (like I was when I woke up this morning…been a long few weeks!), putting a little bit of color on makes all the difference with my attitude.

When you need a lift, MAC classics always help.

I’m wearing what’s basically my makeup equivalent of comfort food in this look, which means lots of MAC.

How are you doing today? Now that I feel and look put together, I feel like I can finally get some stuff done.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), MAC Makeup, Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To

Thoughts on Beauty, March 25, 2022

March 25th, 2022 by Karen 7 Comments

Yes, I still read magazines

I just got the latest “Allure” in the mail! Whenever I get a new magazine, the first thing I do is flip through all the pages, front to back, to look at the pictures. You know what I noticed in the April edition? So much diversity in the models!

Sure, most of them are still young, thin and have shockingly symmetrical features, but it’s still refreshing to see so many different skin tones. It’s a different scene compared to the magazines I read in my teens and early 20s! I’m crossing my fingers and toes in the hopes it’s not just a passing trend.

I also hope print magazines will still be around when Connor’s a teenager. I spent so much time in my formative years pouring over the pages of “YM,” “Seventeen,” “Jane” and “Sassy.” Good memories!

Tempting skin care sales

Lots of skin care I want need is on sale right now, like the 25% off anniversary sale at Colorscience. I’ve been playing chicken with my shopping cart for the past week.

Shopping Is My Cardio Sweater by Wildfox
Working on my fitness

On my list…

  • Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50: I’ve been itching to try this tinted mineral sunscreen. It adjusts to your skin tone when you rub it in! It comes in Fair, Medium, Tan and Deep shades and is made for all skin types.
  • Sunforgettable Total Protection Color Balm SPF25 Collection: This three-piece cream stick kit for lips and cheeks includes shades you can wear as blush, lipstick and/or bronzer. It includes a nude with pink undertones, a shimmery bronze and a deep berry. All three have SPF 50! I love the idea of touching up my cheeks and lips while adding sun protection at the same time.
  • Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35: Available in four shades (Fair, Medium Original, Tan and Deep), this concealer does double duty as a mineral sunscreen.

The Colorscience sale ends on March 27, in case you’re interested.

Another sale I’m flirting with is at Biossance. Their annual 25% off spring sale is happening right now. I’m close to finishing the Squalane + Omega Repair Cream I bought during their Black Friday Sale (one full-size jar lasts me about four months), so I plan on buying another one, but I might as well try something new while I’m at it, right?

biossance jar empty

I’m also super curious about the Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum, the 100% Squalane Oil, the Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream and the Squalane + Mega Repair Hand Cream.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — you know you’ve crossed a certain bridge when you get hella excited about skin care sales. LOL!

Not the kind of Chili you eat

Last but not least, I need to buy another tube of MAC Chili because I can’t find mine. 😭

mac chili lipstick
Hot stuff! MAC Matte Lipstick in Chili

I just read in “Allure” that this brick red is a fan-favorite in 19 countries! Of course now I want to wear it and of course I can’t find it. GAH. If you have a tube of Chili in striking distance, do me a favor and slap some on, will ya? I will live vicariously through you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Biossance, Colorscience, Just For Fun, MAC Makeup

MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Fleur Power Blush

February 1st, 2022 by Karen 1 Comment

mac fleur power
MAC Fleur Power Blush

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of my all-time favorite permanent collection products.

This is one of my favorite MAC blushes, and I’ve been wearing it for years. I first featured it back in 2015.

‘Tis the season for smoky eyes, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

But there isn’t just one season for smoky eyes, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

Every season is a good season for smoky eyes, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

OK now I’m gonna stop singing this dumb song, fa-la-la-la-laa-la-la-la-laaaa!

Seriously, though, fall and winter are the BEST seasons for wearing smoky eyes. That’s when they feel extra super duper *right* to me, along with wearing boots and sweaters and chunky knit scarves.

Even just generally, because of the cooler weather and no risk of sweating everything off, this is my favorite time to wear a little more makeup.

Good times, peeps. Good times. 🙂

And you know what can take your smoky eyes to the next level? — or, at least help you look more awake?

Blush. You gotta get some blush up in there, too.

mac fleur power
Wearing MAC Fleur Power Blush on my cheeks…and yes, I’m also wearing pajamas

MAC Fleur Power BlushToday, it’s all about MAC Fleur Power Blush ($22), homie. Wear it with smoky eyes — any smoky eyes — and you’ll be set. It’s a mid-temp pink with a kiss of coral, so it goes great with warm- or cool-toned smoky eye looks.

If you love a natural-looking pink cheek flush, like where you look like you just came in from the cold and your cheeks look all cherub-y, Fleur Power kicks butt.

It’s an excellent everyday blush with all-day staying power, and I’d even go so far as to call it universally flattering.

And since it’s part of the MAC permanent line, you can always get your paws on it. No need to worry about it disappearing into limited edition makeup oblivion.

Technically a MAC Satin Blush, Fleur Power looks more like a matte on my cheeks. I hardly see anything satin or shimmery about it, but that also makes it treat my pores and fine lines well.

I usually wear Fleur Power with either brown or gray smoky eyes, by the way, because I like how the pink injects some color into the look without taking over. Then I couple that with either a pale or bright pink lip.

You could also rock it with a brighter eye look, like a purple or blue smoky eye, but in that case, I’d probably go with a nude lip instead of pink, lest you end up with a whole lotta color on your face… Unless that’s what you want, and if you do, hey, that’s cool too.

mac fleur power swatch
MAC Fleur Power Blush swatched on my NC42 skin

[Continue reading…]

There's 1 comment on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup, Unsung Heroes

A Friday Face of the Day | Two-Tone Eyeliner

January 28th, 2022 by Karen 4 Comments

mac teddy woodwinked saddle
Happy Friday, friend!

Even though I didn’t have any video meetings for work today, I painted my face anyway! I’ve been trying to do more things just for me that make me feel good, and this warm, glowing look with a few MAC classics (Woodwinked, Saddle and Honey Lust Eyeshadows, along with Teddy liner, of course), did just that.

It made staring at the same spreadsheet for six hours a little more bearable. Really!

mac teddy woodwinked saddle

mac teddy woodwinked saddle
Scorch eyeliner is by Urban Decay; everything else is MAC

By the way, I’ve started doing this thing lately where I wear a darker liner on my water lines (in this case, MAC Teddy) with a coordinating liner in a lighter tone on my lash lines (Urban Decay Scorch). I like how it creates a subtle gradient! Try it sometime with a couple of your favorite liners.

I hope you’re having a wonderful Friday so far!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

There are 4 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), MAC Makeup, Makeup

Glowing Taupe-Bronze Lids With MAC Classics | 10-Minute Everyday Makeup

January 27th, 2022 by Karen 8 Comments

mac teddy satin taupe
Glowing lids today!

Hi, friend! Whew, it’s been kind of a crazy week here; I have sooooooo many deadlines looming in the near future for work. You know what always makes it easier, though? Consistently taking breaks (I’m a huge fan of the Pomodoro technique), coffee (still obsessed with my Nespresso) and wearing makeup, of course.

Today I did a quick 10-minute look with two MAC eye classics: Teddy liner and Satin Taupe eyeshadow.

I’m wearing Teddy on my lash lines and water lines (both upper and lower), and on my lids as an eyeshadow base. Satin Taupe’s blended on top. Oh, I’m also wearing MAC Glow Play Blush in Cheer Up and Laura Mercier Nu Prefere Lipstick.

I really like this color palette, so note to self, wear this again!

mac teddy satin taupe

mac teddy satin taupe

How are things going on your end? Oh, and are you wearing quickie makeup like I am today, or did you go all out?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), Just For Fun, MAC Makeup, Makeup

MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow

January 12th, 2022 by Karen 7 Comments

mac swiss chocolate eyeshadow
Got a sweet tooth?

I was at the gym last week when we started talking about desserts (These are the things you do when you hang out with a bunch of people who do HIIT together. You talk about desserts!), and the teacher, Nicol, said that if you put anything chocolaty in front of her, she’s basically toast.

I’m the same way with chocolate desserts AND eyeshadow, and especially MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow.

mac swiss chocolate swatch
Chocolatey delicious

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Oh, my goodness, I’ve been wearing this shades for eons! — and I start busting it out more often in the fall because I love the way it looks with vampy fall berry, burgundy, purple and wine lip shades. A little MAC Swiss Chocolate added to your eyeshadow mix ties everything together in a DEEEEE-luscious chocolate bow.

mac swiss chocolate heroine 1
I’m wearing Swiss Chocolate in my crease and MAC Heroine Lipstick

[Continue reading…]

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Unsung Heroes

Braids, a Bright Lip and Blush Blended With Bronzer

January 4th, 2022 by Karen 15 Comments

I’ve been hesitant to post any FOTD’s lately because I don’t feel like the makeup I wear on a daily basis is fancy enough. Most of the looks I’ve been wearing are in the “five minute makeup range” these days, but ya know what? I figure I can’t be the only person out there who loves fast, fresh real-life looks. Like, I just got off a video call 15 minutes ago and this was the makeup I was wearing! Hello, real life. So here we go!

I want to call out a couple things. The lipstick is a workhorse liquid lipstick I love, Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Goddess. If you’re into bright corals that light up your face in an instant, you need it in your life ASAP. It’s non-drying and totally comfy.

Another makeup item of note: for a quick hit of color on your cheeks, load up your blush brush with bronzer and blush. I just take my blush brush and dip it into both pans and then swirl the mix onto my apples. It’s the fastest way for me to get a good amount of color on my face without having to deal with layering and blending. Here I mixed Laura Mercier Blush in Rose with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Give Me Sun.

I’m about to jump on my second video meeting of the day! How’s your Tuesday going?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), Honest Beauty, MAC Makeup, Makeup

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