Nails

The Chanel Les Beiges Summer 2015 Collection: This Kind of Beige Makes Everything Better

June 3rd, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

There’s beige…a color which is often associated with drab hospital walls, sensible shoes and cat barf.

And then there’s Chanel Beige. 🙂 Also known as yaaaaaas.

I have no idea how Chanel turned a color as historically boring as beige into something so covetable, but they did it with the new Les Beiges Summer 2015 Collection.

The Chanel Les Beiges Summer 2015 collection includes…

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Multi-Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in Mariniere No. 1 and Marinimere No. 02 ($65 each)

Les Beiges Blush Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Sticks in No. 20, No. 21 and No. 22 ($45 each)

Le Vernis Nail Colours in Beige Rose, Beige Pur, Precious Beige and Lovely Beige ($27 each)

Levres Scintillantes Glossimers in 204 Rose Tendre and 206 Beige Star ($30 each)

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Hydrating Lip Balm ($36)

Retractable Kabuki Brush ($70)

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour SPF 15 in No. 10, No. 20, No. 30, No. 40, No. 50, No. 60 and No. 70 ($58 each)

Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen in No. 10, No. 20., No. 30, No. 40, No. 50 and No. 60 ($45 each)

For the hardcore Chanel-ophiles among us, I’ll get to that striped face powder in the above picture and what it’s doing there in a minute, but first! — what is Les Beiges?

Well, it’s two things. One, it’s a line of sheer face powders in the Chanel permanent collection, and two, it’s also a collection of sun-protected and healthy glowing skin-themed annual summertime products released by Chanel for summer over the past couple years.

Think polished but not overly perfected, and picture sheer tinted moisturizers, cream blushes and sheer face powders. All very summery.

This year’s Les Beiges Summer 2015 release follow that same idea, and it includes multicolored face/cheek powders, stick blushes (these are new!), nail polishes, a couple of glosses, a balm, a retractable kabuki brush, face powders and tinted moisturizers. The only things listed on the Chanel website as “limited edition” are the tinted moisturizers, so here’s to hoping that most of these items stick around a while.

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Zoya Nana Nail Lacquer, a Refreshingly Creamy Bright Pink

May 25th, 2015 by Karen 14 Comments

zoya nana — Zoya Nail Lacquer in Nana ($9)

My stylish nana, whom I call my lola, which is Tagalog for “grandmother,” would probably love this lacquer, because she’s all about the reds and pinks.

It’s new $9 Zoya Nail Lacquer in Nana, and it’s part of the new Zoya Island Fun & Paradise Sun Summer 2015 Collection available now online and wherever Zoya is sold.

Doesn’t it look refreshing?

Yes, I’m referring to both the smoothie and the lacquer.

And speaking of smoothies, I’m still all about ’em, especially for breakfast, and here’s my current favorite at the moment. It’s the Pink Power Smoothie (here’s the recipe).

I keep trying to get myself to slow my roll and drink them less often, because I don’t want to burn myself out on the power of the pink smoothie, but I cannot. I’m wickedly addicted.

Same goes for Zoya Nana. I’ve already worn Nana twice this month, which is like a world record for me, LOL! I suffer from a severe case of New Nail Polish Compulsive Disorder (NNPCD).

Nana is smooth, non-streaky and highly pigmented, so I can get away with one coat if I’m in a rush.
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Paul & Joe Nail Polish in Bitter Lime: This Bitter Got Better

May 21st, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

OK, yeah…I admit it. It took me a little while to get on board with Paul & Joe Nail Polish in Bitter Lime ($16).

I don’t know why, but it reminds me of funky ’70s kitchen decor. I vaguely recall our fridge and countertops at home being this color back in the day.

My gut said, “Ew…” when I applied Bitter Lime for the first time, but I kept it on for the sake of experimentation. Within a few hours, my opinion if it started to change for the better. I like how it looks in different light, like in the natural light through the window in my office, it’s like a highlighter yellow, but under the “warm white” bulbs in the bathroom, it’s more of a lime green.

I might be too easily amused (not might — am).

And I love the shiny finish. (*makes grabby hands*) In these pics I’m wearing two coats without a base or top coat.

The formula’s also incredibly sturdy, like OPI-caliber sturdy. When I applied it last week with just two coats and nothing else to help it along, it lasted me three or four days before I saw any chipping at all, and I’m full-time typist tough on my nails. If I were to wear it with a base and top coat, I’m sure it would lasts me six or seven days at least, which would be pretty darned good for me.

Bitter Lime is a limited edition $16 lacquer in the new Paul & Joe Summer Collection, and it’s available now online and at Paul & Joe counters.

Also wearing…

Clutch — LOFT Art Floral Pouch
Dress — LOFT Striped Strappy Flare Dress
Necklace — an oldie from Kate Spade (but here’s something similar)
Nails — Paul & Joe Nail Polish in Bitter Lime

P.S. How’s it going today, my friend? On a scale of 1-10, how’s your Thursday been so far? I’d say mine’s been about a 7.5, which rounds up to 8. 🙂

Nails of the Day: Good Vibes and Great Karma With Salon Perfect Purple Pop

May 19th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

A purple mani by Salon Perfect Purple Pop to go with the purple shades on my new favorite workout shirt.

The only thing that would make me love this shirt more is if there was another line underneath “Good Vibes Make Great Karma” that said #truth.

Not to get too hippy-dippy…but I do think that’s true. Kind of. When you put out positive energy, a lot of the time that’s what you get back. So right now I’m sending you megawatts of extra super good vibes! 🙂

The tank, by the way, is from Old Navy. It’s $16 on the Old Navy website, but I got it on sale at the store by my house for $10 a few weeks back. Sometimes the stores have better deals, and sometimes the website, so you just have to check.

Oh! — and if you do end up grabbing one, treat it gently, and by gently I mean wash it on delicate and hang it to dry, because when I run my Old Navy shirts through the regular wash cycle and dryer afterwards, if I do that too much, they always end up with holes.

As for my nails…Purple Pop! Isn’t she a beauty? It’s from Salon Perfect’s Neon Pop collection, available now at Walmart stores and online for $4.

Pros include amazing price, potent pigment, smooth application, relatively quick drying time (seriously, like less than 5 minutes).

Cons include — and it’s a doozy — chips within one or two days (!).

At least they aren’t a huge investment, but still. What’s up with that?

Meow time at the salon…

I’m on my way to the salon this morning so my friend Alis can work her magic with my hurr. I’ve been neglecting it lately, and it needs some TLC.

I’m also craving a change… I’m kind of over having super dark hair (at least for now), and lately I’ve been on a ’90s supermodel kick (Linda! Christy! Kate!).

I’m inspired by Helena Christensen’s hair. We have a similar wavy texture, so I think that one of her cuts in the above pic might work…

I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday, whatever you’re up to, and may your hair be on point. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Nails of the Day: Essie Brides No Grooms

May 14th, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

To say that I’m obsessed with this Bkr Water Bottle I got last month would be a bit of an understatement.

I carry this thing with me everywhere. It may as well be surgically attached to my right arm! I bring it (oh, it’s already been brought-en!) to the mall, to Trader Joe’s, to the movies… Basically, I am never without my Bkr.

What can I say? Homegirl drinks a sh*t ton of water. 🙂

I’m loving on it so hard that I’ve undertaken a mission to find a matching nail polish, and I thought that this shade I’m wearing here, Essie Brides No Grooms, might be it, but it’s not. Close, but no cigar.

It’s warmer and more yellow… Still super pretty, though, but I think I need something closer to a creamy pink flamingo coral.

Here I’m wearing two coats.

Brides No Grooms is from the Essie Bridal 2015 collection, and you can say “I do” to it now, because it’s available now for $8.50 online, and at salons, Ulta and Nordstrom.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Summer 2015: Le Vernis Nail Colour in Lavanda

May 8th, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

Why hasn’t my love for Chanel’s summery vivid violet Lavanda nail lacquer translated into love in my closet?

One of life’s great mysteries, I suppose…

I rutted around in there this morning to find something to wear with Lavanda (I’m wearing two coats in these pics, by the way), and the only thing I could find was this romper.

Actually, I know why I don’t own many purple pieces of clothing (and other bright colors). It’s the cat hair. My wardrobe has progressively grown more gray over the past few years to match the tabby fur that I’m almost constantly covered in from head to toe.

I’ve been trying to re-colorize lately, but there’s still a ways to go. Today is a good step, though.

Top — romper by Leifsdottir (here’s something similar)
Necklace — Loft (something kinda similar)
Nails — Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Lavanda

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. What are you wearing on your nails today?

P.P.S. Guess who’s going to see the New Kids on the Block, Nelly and TLC tonight!? YES! My friend Marisol got us tickets. I may even wear a Band-Aid on my cheek like Nelly did back in the day!

Just kidding. I’m very excited though. 🙂

Nails of the Day: Essie Flowerista (With a Guest Appearance by MAC Heroine Lipstick)

April 28th, 2015 by Karen 48 Comments

So purple that Prince would be majorly jelly!

There are many reasons to love Essie’s Flowerista Nail Polish ($8.50), but the main one is that it could totally hang with my favorite Tom Ford nail polish shade of all time, African Violet.

This dark, creamy purple isn’t an exact dupe, mind you. African Violet is a touch deeper, but if ya want the Tom Ford look without the steep price ($32 for African Violet), Essie’s Flowerista is an excellent alternative.

It’s also a stunner with bright purple lipsticks like MAC Matte Lipstick in Heroine. Purple lips + purple tips = purple power!

Flowerista is part of the new Essie Flowerista Spring Collection, available now at salons, Ulta, Target, Nordstrom stores and everywhere else Essie is sold.

P.S. Happy Tuesday to you! 🙂 I hope you’re having a good day so far.

With my employer’s help, for what his 20 pounds of tabby “muscle” is good for, I’ll be moving things around in my office in anticipation of those pink shelves arriving. Things have been slow going on the organizational front, but I’m finally making real progress, and it feels good.

Pretty soon I’ll even have some new paintings and pictures on my walls (I’ll take some pics and show you when they’re up). I’m really looking forward to that. I want to get some of those photo ledges, like these from Crate & Barrel, so that I can swap things out easily and keep the place looking new and fresh.

I can’t decide between the black or the white shelves…

P.P.S. What are you wearing on your nails? Inquiring, lacquer-obsessed minds want to know.

For Impatient Lacquer Lovers, There’s ORLY Color AMP’D Nail Lacquer [VIDEO]

April 10th, 2015 by Karen 6 Comments

Chop, chop, kitty cat! Hurry up! We’ve got places to go, people to see and paws to paint.

Ya know…unless Ryan Gosling is hand-feeding me peeled grapes (which he would have peeled himself, of course), I don’t like sitting around and waiting for my nail polish to dry. I mean, who has time for that? I could be out there eating See’s Candy.

Should you belong to the sub-species of beauty lover with limited patience for nail polishes that take forever and a day to dry, then the ORLY Color AMP’D line ($9.99 each, available now at Target) might be your thang.

You may have walked by the display on your last Target run. They’re a new collection of LA-inspired colors that ORLY recently launched exclusively at Target.

I’ve ben road-testing some of these quick-drying shades to see how they hold up to this busy pet assistant’s lifestyle…

Products mentioned in this video:

ORLY Color AMP’D Nail Polish ($9.99)
ORLY Color AMP’D Flexible Sealcoat ($9.99)

The necklace, by the way, in the swatch pics is the $38 Neon Spray Necklace by Kristin Perry. It’s one of my favorite accessories… I pretty much love everything by Kristen Perry.

Thank you for watching!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen