Makeup Tips/How To

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

September 4th, 2018 by Karen 20 Comments

brows fill out beforehand — Oh, hai, brows!

Before you pluck or wax your brows, fill them out first so you can clearly see the shape you’re going for. Then, just remove the hairs that *aren’t* in that shape.

Makes total sense, right? — yet peeps (myself included) repeatedly fall into the trap of tweezing willy-nilly without keeping in mind the final brow look.

Whenever I do it (tweeze without planning ahead), I miscalculate my brow arch and end up over-plucking the wrong place.

DOH!

Apparently, this has been a lesson I’ve needed to relearn over and over again…

Brow fillers that won’t let you down

Here are my faves at the moment!

MAC Eye Brows Styler — This easy-to-use tool has a super thin tip that makes it easy to draw in those tiny brow hairs, and the formula lasts a long time.

Hourglass Arch Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel — THE BEST for speed. It’s great for quickly filling in and fluffing up your brows. And did I mention it’s super fast!? You gotta get a tinted one, though, because the clear one is pretty much useless.

Tom Ford Brow Sculptor — Pricey, but the best of the best IMO.

MAC Brow Sculpt — This is MAC’s version of the Tom Ford Brow Sculptor, and I think it’s pretty good (although no match for Tom’s).

So, yeah, next time you notice things looking kinda jungly up there, grab your brow pencil, brow powder, gel or whatever you’re using at the moment, “fill out” and “fluff up” those fuzzy little caterpillars, and then go to town with your removal method o’ choice!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday! ?

Another Way to Work Your Favorite Nude Lipstick

August 28th, 2018 by Karen 23 Comments

Even when you regularly roll with eight nude lippies at any given moment, sometimes you want to shake things up, which is when a sheer berry gloss comes in handy.

“Sheer” is the key here, i.e. something to add a tantalizing touch of berry tint that will tease and tempt without taking over.

Start with a layer of your nude lippie du jour.
Blot (if you want), but I usually skip it because…laziness, TBH. But it’s helpful if you’ll be taking pics because it keeps your lip color from looking thick and gooey.
Apply a layer of gloss directly on top, but WAIT! — don’t stick that wand back in the tube quite yet. Wipe off any lipstick with a tissue first so the lipstick doesn’t mix with your gloss and change the color. Alternatively, instead of using the doe foot directly on your lips, you can swipe it on the back of your hand, then pick up the gloss from there and apply it to your lips with a finger.

chanel jumbo matte lip crayon 257 — Chanel Jumbo Matte Lip Crayon in 257 Discretion

chanel rouge coco gloss 764 — Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss in 764 Confusion

chanel jumbo matte lip crayon 257 chanel rouge coco gloss 764 — Just a hint of berry

You can also do this trick with reds, purples, browns — any sheer gloss you like.

Good morning, BTW. Happy Tuesday. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Easy Everyday Hair Styles for the Dog Days of Summer, Day 4: Friday Fun Buns

August 10th, 2018 by Karen 6 Comments

And for more heat-less hair styles for the dog days of summer, check out…

Day 1: The Woven Wonder

Day 2: Textured, Tousled Waves

Day 3: Wash-and-Wear Wow

OK, I’m sweating behind my knees and between my toes right now… I woke up this morning to second-day air-dried bed-head hair and scorching heat (today’s been in the ’90s, and we don’t have air conditioning), which left me with the following choices for living my best hair life on a blisteringly hot day like today: 1) throw it into a high pony (boring), 2) squirrel it underneath a hat (which is great for sun protection, but man…hats make me sweat so much.), or 3) fun bun it up.

Wanna guess which option I went with?

I feel like buns had a mega moment a few years back with the whole sock bun trend, but I’m still here for them in a major way. It’s an easy hairstyle for a summer Friday because you can look as sleek and done or as messy and undone as ya please! Do a single bun, or double the fun with two. Keep it simple, or jooj it up with dainty Dutch braids (like I do here). They’re surprisingly versatile.

Today’s fun buns is/are the last of the heat-less summer hair styles I had planned for this week, and they build on day 3’s wash-and-wear ‘do.

Once again, I Oribe’d it up…

Dry Texturizing Spray is an old fave of mine (I like keeping a backup on hand), but Mystify Restyling Spray is new to me. You spray it on second-day (or third- or fourth-day hair, for that matter), and it reactivates whatever styling product you have in your hair from the day before. It also has UV and heat protectors to guard your hair if you decide to use hot tools.

Let’s get ready to put the fun in ‘ze bun…

1. Fix flatness with dry shampoo

Spray a dry shampoo or texturizing spray through your hair, concentrating at the roots, to lift your second-day style.

[Continue reading…]

Easy Everyday Hairstyles for the Dog Days of Summer, Day 3: Wash-and-Wear Wow

August 9th, 2018 by Karen 22 Comments

And for more heat-less hairstyles for the dog days of summer, check out these posts here:

Day 1: The Woven Wonder

Day 2: Textured, Tousled Waves

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve thoroughly embraced the triple “L”s (otherwise known as #lazyladylife), or if it’s because stepping outside right now feels like walking into the world’s largest oven, but I’m super into wash-and-wear hair right now. Beach babe meets laid-back French girl chic, if you please. Loose waves that willfully bend whichever way they want, with textured ends that signify that I tried enough to care about my hair this morning but didn’t obsess over every stray strand.

Lurves it!

And ya know, it’s also an instant pick-me-up, too, because I swear, I stand up straighter and smile wider 🙂 when my hair is even just a little bit done. It makes me feel like a functional human being.

For this easy hairstyle, I used Oribe products again because right now “Or” is my “bae.”

See what I did there? (OK, that was pretty lame. I should not be allowed to say “bae” in public.)

Here’s how you can work those dog-days-of-summer breezes to your air drying advantage:

1. Prep with a repairing shampoo and conditioner to heal any damaged ends

I like shampoos and conditioners that don’t strip my color, and Gold Lust Shampoo and Conditioner do that while simultaneously adding moisture and shine.

2. Towel dry, then apply a lightweight, moisturizing styling balm from the mid-shaft to the ends

Here’s the thing about air drying: unless you’re one of the lucky people who steps out of the shower with perfect hair that automatically falls into place (my friend Christine has hair like this, and yes, I’ve been jealous for over two decades), you gotta work a little something-something into it. Ideally, it’s a styling balm that does a bit of everything — moisture, hold, a touch of smoothness, and hydration, of course! The goal is to tame that mane a little (but not too much).

Oribe Featherbalm does everything aforementioned, so your air-dried ‘do looks done but not overly worked.

[Continue reading…]

Easy Everyday Hair Styles for the Dog Days of Summer, Day 2: Textured, Tousled Waves

August 8th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

And for more heat-less hair styles for the dog days of summer, check out…

Day 1: The Woven Wonder

Peep these summery wavy-waves, kitty cat! — that is, if you can get past that luscious lip. (It’s Chanel Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur Jumbo Longwear Mat Lip Crayon in 269 Impact from the fall collection.)

Read on for chill, casual waves that are also chic (at least I think so).

Unlike the waves at Waikiki Beach, where, I kid you not, it takes me 15 minutes to paddle out to the surf lineup with my noodle arms on a massive longboard twice my height, catching these summery waves takes less than five minutes.

And yes, I can feel the extra love ? emanating through the screen from my hair tribe right now. You know who you are! You hit snooze more than a few extra times every morning and always end up with only five minutes to style that mop. I’m here for you, homegirl.

Anywho… Remember yesterday’s braids? Yup, this is the next day ‘do, and like yesterday’s, this one doesn’t require any heat styling. Once again, I used some Oribe faves, including Gold Lust Dry Shampoo (moar magical than Magic Mike, ’cause it completely sucks up all the funk on your scalp without leaving behind any visible residue!) and Flash Form Finishing Spray Wax, a sweet stylin’ spray wax to separate your strands for serious texture (how cool is that?).

[Continue reading…]

Easy Everyday Hair Styles for the Dog Days of Summer, Day 1: The Woven Wonder

August 7th, 2018 by Karen 20 Comments

Hello, ? lovebug. Someone on my Facebook feed kindly reminded me yesterday that there are officially 20 weeks left until Christmas, to which I was like, “Woman, you’re cray!” It’s 80+ degrees outside, and I’m not ready to think about roasting chestnuts on an open fire…which I’ve never done before, BTW, but it sounds hella dangerous, especially while wearing hair styling products, because I’m not about to spontaneously combust over roasted nuts…

Which brings us to summer hair and easy summer hair styles.

As you know, I’ll do almost anything in the name of le beauté, but who wants to stand in front of a hot hair dryer while it’s broiling outside? I love a marvelous mane as much as the next girl, but these are the dog days of summer. I’d like to avoid sweating more than necessary, thanks very much.

Over the next four days, I’ll be showcasing some totally doable everyday hair styles that don’t require heat styling tools, and I’ll be using some of my favorite products from Oribe.

Say it with me: “OAR-bae.”

Today is all about “the braid.” It’s simple, chic and easily my top summer fave because…have you ever noticed that it doesn’t really matter what type of braid you do — fishtail, French braid, Dutch braid, etc. — as long as you do something, people usually notice and give you props for it, even if the braids are messy as hell (a.k.a. my style!)? LOL! It’s so true, though!

For today’s plait…

1. Start with a shampoo and conditioning sesh

I’m using Gold Lust (the LOVE OF MY LIFE) Repair & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner because I have demi-permanent hair color at the moment, and this particular pairing gets everything super clean without stripping my color.

2. Towel dry that ‘do

Blot or squeeze the excess water out, and avoid aggressively rubbing your hair to minimize frizz. I also like to use a super water-absorbent towel to help reduce the drying time.

3. Prep, nourish and protect

It’s already August, and your hair may need some TLC after all of the sexytime summer fun you’ve been having, so do your hair a solid by working a restorative hair oil through your strands to moisturize and prep.

I do a squeeze or two of Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil, a lightweight repairing hair serum for dry hair to moisturize and condition. Added bonus: it also has UV protection (a must for color-treated hair!). I massage it into my hair, concentrating most if it on the ends.

4. Part your hair down the middle, then do a Dutch or French braid on each side.

Leave about an inch of hair at the ends, because you’ll want that much to be straight for tomorrow’s style.

Yup, we’re planning ahead. 🙂

[Continue reading…]

Ditching Under-Eye Concealer: Chapter 2

August 3rd, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

tatcha the pearl — With and without the latest under-eye non-concealer experiment, The Pearl in Softlight, by Tatcha

OK, so it’s been an eye-opening few days, and not just because I sneaked in 10 hours of sleep Thursday night and feel like a new person.

(Side note: You know you kick it with a toddler 24/7 when the thought of eating a bowl of ice cream with your pants off and going to sleep at 8 on a Thursday night sounds VERY exciting.)

The breakthrough moment

So I’m still doing the no under-eye concealer thing (here was Chapter 1 of this adventure), and I think I mentioned this last week, but I had a revelation about a week ago while I was wearing a pearly brightening under-eye cream by Tatcha. It happened right after I took a few before/after pics of myself wearing The Pearl in Softlight, and I do believe I had what they call in the movies “the breakthrough moment.”

I realized what’s reflected in the mirror is *completely* different than what I see in my head.

tatcha the pearl softlight — Tatcha the Pearl in Softlight (it’s the middle shade out of three)

“This two-in-one makeup and treatment formula breaks upon application to deliver both refreshing moisture and natural coverage for a healthy, well-rested look all day. Light-refracting pearl pigments work with Akoya pearl extract to restore radiance by helping to address the three causes of under-eye darkness: thinning skin, blue undertones, and pigmentation. The Pearl works to address dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles by supporting natural collagen production and inhibiting hyperpigmentation. It is boosted by niacinamide, which is known to visibly brighten and firm.

“Silk powder smooths the look of fine lines and imperfections, while a blend of botanical extracts protects from makeup and pollution that can cause signs of aging. The lightweight cream is powered by hadasei-3, a proprietary trio of Japanese anti-aging superfoods, and hyaluronic acid nourishes and hydrates for a plump, refreshed appearance.”

— sephora.com

The camera told a different story

Because straight-up…right before I took these pics, I wasn’t happy at all with the results. I looked in the mirror, and all I could see was a very tired woman with dark circles wearing a super sheer under-eye brightener that looked about half a shade too light, and in my head I had this whole narrative going about purposefully posting bad pics of oneself on the Internet and how those pics haunt you for years (otherwise known as the typical Karen spiral).

But once I uploaded the pics and started going though them, I didn’t think the pics looked bad at all.

[Continue reading…]

Ditching Under-Eye Concealer: Chapter 1

July 25th, 2018 by Karen 26 Comments

it cosmetics cc illumination oil free — Here’s to trying new things! *raises coffee cup*

For the next seven days, I will be ditching under-eye concealer, which is craziness, considering the fact that there was a time when I’d literally never leave home without it.

No, seriously, I used to apply under eye-concealer to pick up the mail…right outside the house.

Lately, however? Nuh-uh. It has NOT been doing me any favors, and I don’t know exactly what happened, because I really haven’t changed my skin care routine. Suddenly, though (or so it has seemed to me), everything I put under my eyes looks heavy and thick and textured and like — pardon my French — crêpe. I feel like I’m looking much older than I am.

It appears that I have come to a fork in the road, and I can either completely cover the dark areas under my eyes but look 10 years older, or, I can wear less (or maybe nothing at all?) and look kinda tired…but closer to my age.

I’ve also realized that maybe the darkness I see under my eyes is all (or mostly) in my head, and that, my friend, is kind of blowing my mind right now…

Anyway, still not ready to quit concealing cold turkey, so my plan is to experiment at length with non-concealer-y products, like illuminators, tinted moisturizers, sheer foundations, and basically whatever else I stumble upon that looks like it might work. I hope to find a solution that doesn’t age me as much as standard concealer.

And hey, maybe I’ll get better at accepting myself and the inevitable march of time along the way.

So, in my last non-concealer-y product experiment, I tried It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination Color Correcting Full-Coverage Cream in Tan under my eyes, and I wore it with the new It Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte (also in Tan) on the rest of my face.

[Continue reading…]