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News

I’m Electrified by the Dior Electric Tropics Collection and Can’t Wait for Summer

March 11th, 2011 by Karen 27 Comments

Dior Electric Tropics for Summer 2011

Ono! I can practically taste the rainbow shave ice already. Dior’s new Electric Tropics Collection has me thinking about Hawaii, and like the islands themselves, the 13-piece release for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails is a study in contrasts — as in sun-kissed skin behind bright neon nails and lip colors.

Below is the full list of products, but here are a few things currently catching my eye…

  • Dior Vernis Electric Tropics Nail Duos ($26 each) — To ramp up the shine of these florescent shades, Dior mixed in an ultra-shiny top coat, and it gives nails painted with these polishes a mirror-like effect.
  • Dior Addict Crystal Glosses ($27 each) — Available in four shades with different finishes and levels of opacity. Dior packed these with something they call a “polymer gel,” which gives them a volumizing, hydrating texture (oddly, they compare it to vinyl).
  • Diorskin Healthy Glow Powders ($46 each) — Isn’t the woven print on these pans to die for? The shades in each compact are designed to be mixed together and applied to the face (and the cheeks!) for a healthy glow.

Dior Electric Tropics Collection for Summer 2011: Official Promotional Pics

dior electric tropics

dior electric tropics
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There are 27 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, News Keywords: dior

Thoughts and Prayers for the People of Japan

March 11th, 2011 by Karen 23 Comments

I’m sure you’ve already heard about the terrible earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan today. For everyone affected by the quake or the tsunamis that followed, no matter where you are in the world, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 23 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: News

I’m Looking Forward to Lazy Halcyon Days with Becca This Spring: The Becca Halcyon Days Collection

March 9th, 2011 by Karen 43 Comments

becca halcyon days collection spring 2011 beauty shot

Ever since Sephora stopped carrying Becca, the line’s been harder to find than Kevin Federline (remember when homeboy was all over the place?!).

Wait — did I just use the words “Kevin Federline” and “Becca” in the same sentence? Wow. That’s gotta be a first. The line has absolutely nothing in common with K-Fed. It brings to mind fresh, easy makeup looks, luxurious textures and classy packaging. And that’s not classy with a “K.” 🙂

Today when I saw these promotional pictures for Halcyon Days, Becca’s new 10-piece collection for spring, my innards actually quivered! My love for warm, summery corals, pinks and bronzes runs deep, and I’ve been hoarding colors like these for years. The release, with products for eyes, cheeks, face, lips and nails, launches this spring at Henri Bendel stores and select beauty boutiques (prices range from $25-60 each).

Isn’t the name, Halcyon, an interesting word? Apparently, it’s Greek for the kingfisher bird, but I don’t think the bird, with its blue plumage, inspired the collection. The word also means idyllically calm and peaceful — fitting words to describe the colors in Halcyon Days.

Looking at these pics and the promo shot up top, it looks like the kind of wearable, easy makeup I might wear to a mellow brunch with the girls or a lazy weekend picnic in the park.

Becca Halcyon Days Collection for Spring 2011

  • Beach Tint in Guava ($25) — This new entry in Becca’s line of multi-purpose, water-resistant cream stains for lips and cheeks is described as a fresh coral pink with a delicious guava scent.
  • Mineral Bronzer/Illuminator in Serrana ($25) — An illuminating powder duo designed to give a warm shimmer to the skin.
  • Mineral Powder Blushes in Flower Child and Halycon ($32 each) — Infused with fine particles of micro-shimmer, these two powder blushes give cheeks a subtle glow. Pinkish orange Flower Child has golden highlights, and Halcyon is a just a pretty coral.
  • Automatic Eye Pencils in Goa and Majorca ($23 each) — The way Becca describes Goa, the first of these two new pencil liners, makes my tummy rumble. It’s a bronzy chocolate, and Majorca is an intense black. Both are supposed to be highly pigmented, long-wearing and waterproof. They also come with a built-in sharpener and a sponge tip for smudging.
  • Nail Colours in Tangerine Dream, Dancing Barefoot and Summerdaze ($15 each) — Coral’s the name of the game with Tangerine Dream (a bright coral), Dancing Barefoot (an apricot) and Summerdaze (a pinkish coral). I can’t wait to give these a try. They’re supposed to be intensely pigmented and have a quick-drying formula and a super glossy finish. All good things. Oh, and they’re formaldehyde, toluene camphor and di butyl phthalate-free (say that five times fast, LOL!).
  • Halcyon Days Palette ($65) — An exclusive to the Henri Bendel Fifth Avenue store in New York City. The luxury retailer just started carrying the line (which will soon be available at all Henri Bendel locations in the U.S.), and to celebrate, Becca created this five pan palette of lip and eye products.

    With it, you get three powder shadows in light, medium and dark golden brown tones, a bright orangey red lip/cheek cream and one lipgloss for good luck. If you feel you need it now and don’t want to wait another minute (well, four days), Bendel takes credit card purchases over the phone. They’ll ship to any U.S. address for $12 (takes between five to seven business days), and will ship internationally as well, although, as you might expect, those shipping costs are higher. If you’re interested, the number to call is (212) 904-7959. Ask for Rusty (’cause Rusty rocks!).

    If you can wait a few more days, the palette will also be available online beginning March 14 at henribendel.com.

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There are 43 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, News Keywords: becca

Benefit Introduces 3 New Hello Flawless Powder Shades

March 8th, 2011 by Karen 29 Comments

Benefit Hello Flawless

Thanks to Benefit, flawless skin is about to get easier for gorgeous gals with medium and dark skin tones. The line is expanding the shade range of their Hello Flawless SPF 15 Powders ($34 each; arriving on counters this May) with the addition of three new colors.

If the line is new to you, these pressed powders are designed to be layered. What I Crave (a toasted beige for medium skin tones), I’m Haute For Sure (an amber for dark skin tones) and Too Fierce to Beg (a nutmeg, also for dark skin tones) are perfect for everything from light veils of color dusted on with a brush, to heavier applications pressed on with a sponge (like, to disguise imperfections and blotchiness — hey, we’ve all been there). And they make it easy to get as much, or as little, coverage as you need.

Benefit Hello Flawless three new shades
New Hello Flawless shades from the left: Amber, Nutmeg and Toasted Beige

Benefit Hello Flawless swatches
Swatches from left: Amber, Toasted Beige and Nutmeg
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There are 29 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, News Keywords: benefit

Where to Buy Asian Beauty Brands

February 13th, 2011 by Karen 33 Comments

Anna

Friend me on FacebookWritten by Anna

Today we’re bringing the Far East closer by way of Germany (a bit of a detour) with today’s guest post from Anna, a 19-year-old makeup artist and student blogging from Berlin. Are you ready? Hajime!

Where to buy Asian beauty brands

To me Asian cosmetics are like heavenly gifts from above. Some of the cutest AND most effective makeup in the world comes from Asia. Just think of Japan’s Shiseido or Korea’s Etude House, and the attitude towards cosmetics there, especially in Japan and Korea, totally differs from ours in the West. There, it’s all about traditional skin care, like from the Edo period, with products like the popular BB (Blemish Balm) cream.

Unfortunately, most of the awesome stuff is hard to get here (in Europe), or hilariously over-priced. Today, I’d like to share a few of my favourite places to shop for Asian cosmetics, if you don’t already happen to be one of the lucky addicts living in Asia. 🙂

Ladies, please know your rights regarding identify theft and fraud before using a credit or debit card to make an international purchase. Some rules may not apply to international purchases. If you’re unsure, check with your credit card company BEFORE you do the deed. -Karen

Whenever Shiseido’s sub-brand ‘Majolica Majorca’ releases something new, I rush over to Ichibankao to place an order. Ichibankao offer a broad range of Asian cosmetics, like Jill Stuart, Paul & Joe, Koji, Sofina, Cosme Decorte and many more. The thing I like best about them is that shipping fees are already included in the price, no matter where you live.

Jill Stuart

They mark things up 100 yen above the regular retail price, which is actually very generous, and parcels usually take up to 11 days to arrive to me here.

Holika Holika Aqua Petit

Broad range of brands
Shipping fees included
Fast shipping
Listings in English

Not exact retail prices
Payment in yen

Good Dealer is a Hong Kong-based online shop that’s always up to date. They accept reservations and offer exclusive items to their members — and membership is free.

Hot Body Slimming Patch
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There are 33 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup Tips/How To, News Keywords: guest post

When NARS Springs for 2011, He Won’t Be Blushing

January 5th, 2011 by Karen 69 Comments

NARS spring 2011

Since I have a weak spot for NARS blushes that’s right up there with my weak spot for Häagen-Dazs dulce de leche ice cream, I was shocked, and a wee bit disappointed, to hear that Francois left the blushes out of his collection for fall.

But I wiped away my tears today when I saw these pics for the small 11-piece collection for eyes, lips and nails. The shimmery earth tones with metallic finishes; the sheer, sparkly cool purples and pinks; and even a couple of unexpected greens and blues? NARS started with safe neutrals but sprinkled them with just enough brights to keep a girl on her toes, and what he came up with looks to be a lot of fun.

Plus, almost all of the colors are new (two of the lip glosses are repromotes).

NARS SPRING 2011

Trio Eyeshadow in Calanque (new), $45 — This earthy trio can do the splits, meaning it’s flexible, yo. It contains a shimmery gold-infused platinum with silver glitter, a light matte caramel and a shimmery antique-ish golden bronze. Wear the products individually, using one as a base, one as a highlighter and one as a liner, or mix and match them with the other eye products from the release (or something else entirely). Neat, right? I can already see this trio getting a permanent place in my makeup bag.

Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre (new), $32 — I feel blue 🙁 but in a totally good way. I’m eager to try Bateau Ivre’s rich sky blue and deep denim. FUN FACT: This duo took its moniker from the Arthur Rimbaud poem of the same name.

An excerpt from Le Bateau Ivre (The Drunken Boat)

“As I was floating down unconcerned Rivers
I no longer felt myself steered by the haulers:
Gaudy Redskins had taken them for targets
Nailing them naked to coloured stakes.

I cared nothing for all my crews,
Carrying Flemish wheat or English cottons.
When, along with my haulers those uproars were done with
The Rivers let me sail downstream where I pleased.”

— Arthur Rimbaud, Le Bateau Ivre

Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde (new), $32 — One word: WANT! Nouveau Monde, French for “New World”, NARS poetically pairs a silvery metallic lilac with a rich olive gold.

Soft Touch Shadows Pencils in Celebrate (new) and Hollywoodland (new), $24 each — Both Celebrate (a festive parrot green) and Hollywoodland (a pale gold) can be worn as bases upon which to layer powder shadows, or alone for a dash of pigmented shimmer.

NARS SPRING 2011

Lip Glosses in Nana (new), Super Orgasm (repromote) and Angelika (repromote), $24 each — There they (NARS) go again. They can’t sincerely expect me to be able to resist shiny pink and purple glosses, right? I mean come on.
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There are 69 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, News Keywords: nars

Can I Read Your Hourglass Aura? The Hourglass Aura Collection for Spring 2011

January 5th, 2011 by Karen 30 Comments

hourglass aura collection spring 2011

Once upon a time, I had my aura read in a Las Vegas bathroom. I know it sounds a little pervy in a George Michael kinda way, but it was all good, clean (if not totally random) fun.

I was in town for a wedding and went to the restroom to wash my hands before the reception dinner. There was a woman at the sink next to me, and she was intensely staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I smiled at her while preparing to jet, ’cause, you know, in the movies, nothing good ever happens when strangers stare at you in public bathrooms. And that’s when she said, “Your aura’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.”

Um…thank you?

Some people believe that each of us has an aura, a field of radiant, luminous color that surrounds us. These fields, which are invisible to all but a few gifted individuals who are able to perceive them, are unique combinations of colors, like pigmented fingerprints, and I can only imagine how beautiful they must look.

I got to chatting with the woman in the restroom, who as luck would have it turned out not to be a serial killer (BIG relief). She was a kind of mystic and insisted on giving me a quick reading right there at the sink. She described my aura as an unusually bright mix of beautiful yellow and orange.

How intriguing! Perhaps almost as intriguing as the Hourglass Aura Collection for lips and cheeks. 🙂
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There are 30 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, News Keywords: hourglass

Got $10? Stock Up at the Benefit Online Saleabration

January 5th, 2011 by Karen 34 Comments

Hey, babe. Just a quick heads up. Benefit’s hosting an online “Saleabration” right now with select makeup and skincare products on sale for up to 70% off.

Several of the makeup items are beautiful, wearable neutrals from limited collections that have come out over the last couple of years, with many priced at $10 or less.

A few bargain highlights:

Eyes

  • Velvet eyeshadow in Nice Melons, $9 (originally $18)
  • Velvet Eyeshadow in Buns, $9 (originally $18)
  • Velvet Eyeshadow in Mermaid, $9 (originally $18)
  • Velvet Eyeshadow in Shamrocker, $9 (originally $18)
  • Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Sippin’ N Dippin’, $10 (originally $19)

Lips

  • Full-Finish Lipstick in Label Lover, $9 (originally $18)
  • Full-Finish Lipstick in Thrillin’ Brazilian, $9 (originally $18)
  • Full-Finish Lipstick in Breakup Rumor, $9 (originally $18)

Not sure what to get? Check out my swatches and reviews of the sale products mentioned above:

  • Velvet Eyeshadows
  • Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Sippin’ N Dippin’
  • Full-Finish Lipstick in Thrillin’ Brazilian
  • Full-Finish Lipstick in Label Lover
  • Full-Finish Lipstick in Breakup Rumor

Happy shopping, bargain hunters!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 34 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, News Keywords: benefit

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