Palettes

KARL LAGERFELD + MODELCO Kiss Me Karl Choupette Eyeshadow Palette in Smokey/Burgundy

May 24th, 2018 by Karen 14 Comments

karl lagerfeld model co choupette palette — Mrrreeeeow, Choupette!

OK, I realize that this is technically one of the items in Uncle Karl’s latest collab collection, but let’s get real — I’m only here for Choupette. ?

KARL LAGERFELD + MODELCO Kiss Me Karl Choupette Eyeshadow Palette in Smokey/Burgundy (Nordstrom exclusive)

($65, 0.48-oz. palette with 16 powder eyeshadows)

Can you say “no” to a cat-shaped palette?

I DIDN’T THINK SO.

See, that’s why you’re a card-carrying member of Team Cat Lady, and Choupette’s looking extra cute here with her heart-shaped nose and her “K” collar.

Today’s product check in: A look at the @karllagerfeld + @modelco_cosmetics new limited edition makeup line. It’s at @nordstrom l! #karllagerfeld #modelco

A post shared by Karen | Makeup and Beauty Blog (@karenmbb) on May 24, 2018 at 4:12pm PDT

Color-wise, I really like the cool-toned browns in this palette, which is one of two palettes in the collection (the other one, Warm/Nude, leans warmer), and the abundance of mattes, and how almost all of the eyeshadows, with the exception of the glittery burgundy, are soft and buttery enough to practically scoop themselves with a brush or finger.

Here’s what I don’t care for: how the mattes handle my fine lines. Mind you, my kitten-hood was many moons ago, but still. I’m not a senior kitty yet.

karl lagerfeld model co choupette palette 2 — Cool and warm tones in the Smokey/Burgundy palette

Despite being creamy soft, the powders have large grains that draw mucho attention to my lines.

karl lagerfeld model co choupette palette k — I’m wearing shades from the top top row on my lids

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Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Natural Eyeshadow Palette in Deep (Take One)

May 14th, 2018 by Karen 10 Comments

And now for something completely different (not), if I had a nickel for every time I watched a YouTube makeup video and thought, “Oh, I can handle that. That’s gonna be easy.” And then I tried it and was like, “What the hell just happened?” — I’d be a rich girl.

Yeesh, I’m so out of practice with eyeshadow… It is definitely a perishable skill, at least for me. It’s not like riding a bike, where you can take years off, then hop back on and be like, “Lalala! So easy! This is great!”

As you know, I’ve been wanting to do a little more with my makeup lately — not necessarily to put more makeup on, but to, ya know, do something more ambitious than one or two lid shades and some tightlining, so I’ve been watching a lot of videos, like this one by Sephora for hooded lids, which was actually VERY helpful for explaining proper placement (a.k.a “where to put the lighter and darker colors”).

If you have a hooded lid situation, definitely check it out.

Thing is…it assumes you have rudimentary blending skills down pat, which I thought I had, but I guess they were tucked away somewhere because… Well, it’s not that I’m unhappy with how this eye look turned out, but I can see a few things I could have done better.

I like it from straight on, and from the side, with my eyes open. I think it’s pretty decently blended in the crease, and I like the way the gradient is feathering, but when I look at the pics of myself with my eyes closed…WHOA.

And this could just be me being hyper-critical of myself, because I do that, but I can see that one eye is darker than the other, and they aren’t perfectly symmetrical, and I know that I do these things because I’ve made these same mistakes 1,342,521 times before.

I also know that my eyes aren’t identical. They’re naturally asymmetrical. One is slightly larger than the other, and my smaller eye is set a little deeper the the other. Also, I’m right-handed, and I tend to press harder when I’m applying shadow on my right lid than I do on my left, making that eye’s makeup look darker if I don’t pay close attention.

Basically, these are just lessons I have to re-learn from time to time… While not rocket science, makeup is definitely a perishable skill. If you don’t use it, you freakin’ lose it.

Anywho, today’s makeup gave me a chance to get to know the new Chanel Les Beiges Deep eyeshadow palette, and girl, the browns are beautiful! They are SO pretty.

Like the wide buttery golden pan at the top? No, it isn’t MAC Soba, but it is Chanel’s version. If I just stopped trying new makeup and wore this satiny mid-toned brown daily for the rest of my life, I’d be a happy camper.

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The Neutrogena Kerry Washington Essential Eye Palette Is on the Cusp of Greatness

May 3rd, 2018 by Karen 9 Comments

neutrogena kerry washington essential eye palette k2 — Lids by Neutrogena and Kerry Washington. I’m wearing the new Essential Eye Palette, which is only $12.99!

It’s not exactly a scandal… Get it? Haha… But I’m definitely getting Olivia Pope vibes from the poised, polished browns in Kerry’s chic new Neutrogena eye palette.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I’ve only seen a few episodes from the first season of Scandal (tried but didn’t really get into it), but I remember loving the clothes, like the all-white ensembles! The stiletto pumps! The bags!

Oh, THE BAGS. Olivia Pope’s character dresses like she eats nails for breakfast, and I LIKE IT. No matter what she wears, though, her makeup always looks sophisticated, so yeah, definitely see her wearing this palette.

It has five powder eyeshadows, all in surprisingly cool neutral tones, which is so refreshing betwixt all of the orange and reddish neutral palettes all over the place these days.

neutrogena kerry washington essential eye palette swatches — Swatches of the Neutrogena Kerry Washington Essential Eye Palette

I mean, I like fun warm tones, too, but when you have a slightly hooded lid situation like I do, cool-toned browns are just so handy. They’re perfect for contouring a crease that isn’t very deep, but that really only works with shadows that have a semi-matte or matte finish, because when you’re using them this way, you don’t want them to reflect a lot of light.

I thought Kerry’s palette would focus on semi-matte or satin finishes, but it does not. On my skin, the shadows are shiny… Actually, borderline frosty, even. And they seem to get progressively shinier as I blend.

All of them are moderately pigmented, which I like because I’m not apt to over-apply, and they’re relatively easy to blend (compared to intensely pigmented shadows), but once I get a brush up in the mix and start buffing away, the color diffuses pretty quickly, leaving behind a shiny opalescent finish that highlights every mother-lovin’ line on my lids…

The only one that doesn’t do this is the dark bronzed brown on the far right, and that one is EPIC.

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The Urban Decay Backtalk Eye & Face Palette Is Getting People Heated!

March 27th, 2018 by Karen 15 Comments

urban decay backtalk palette eye swatch — Wearing the new Urban Decay Backtalk palette on my lids and cheeks, and UD Backtalk Vice Lipstick on my lips (a classic shade in the permanent line)

MAN, people are FIRED UP ? about the $46 Urban Decay Backtalk Palette, and it’s not just because of the warm tones. If you read some of the reviews on Sephora… My goodness! They make it sound like you’re smearing melted cat poop all over you eyelids when you use it. I mean, people have FEELINGS about it, and the main complaint seems to be the level of pigment, which I don’t really understand because I’m not having problems with it.

Granted, I don’t think the palette is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I’m not raving about it, but…

urban decay backtalk palette 1 — Pink, mauve and, yes, warm

It was inspired by a lipstick.

Anyway, let me rewind a second. First things first — the packaging. There’s a mirror in the middle that separates eight powder eyeshadows and four blushes, and the mirror slides out, which I like.

urban decay backtalk mirror — Now you see it, now you don’t.

The shades are predominantly varieties of warm mauve and pink, which again, is because the palette was inspired by Urban Decay’s Backtalk Vice Lipstick in the permanent line.

urban decay backtalk palette eyeshadow — A mix of matte and shimmery shades

urban decay backtalk palette blush — The blushes have different levels of pearl.

It’s actually pretty good!

I’ve been wearing it, and I haven’t had a problem with the pigment, which is generally on the more intense side of medium, so the shades aren’t quite “full on,” but they aren’t as sheer as some of the reviews have said.

urban decay backtalk palette swatches — What’s that, Karen? You’re still an NC42 in MAC for reference? Yes…yes, I am.

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The MAC Girls Qween Supreme Palette

March 19th, 2018 by Karen 11 Comments

mac qween supreme palette — I’m wearing the new MAC Girls Qween Supreme Palette on my lids. It’s $39.50, and in the permanent collection.

You know what? I like my job. The last thing I want to do is disappoint my boss (you may have heard of him — Tabs the cat, world-renowned kitty supermodel), but he’s going to be woefully disappointed when he finds out that, if I were given the chance to be a queen supreme, as in the name of the new MAC Girls Palette, Qween Supreme (yes, it’s spelled that way), but the job required me to wear a crown, I would not be able to rock that thing 24/7.

Sorry, Tabs!

I mean, I’d wear it to take pics for the ‘gram, especially if I had a collection of bejeweled sparkly crowns at my disposal, but I wouldn’t wear it if I were just chillin’ in the palace and wanted to Netflix and chill at home.

Sorry, buddy! I know that you like to think of your assistant as more fabulous than that, but, sadly, I’m not. 🙁

tabs qween supreme — Tabs is not having it.

Qween Supreme is still quite new, and if you ask about it at nearby MAC counter, they might not even have it in yet (for sure, it’s online).

mac qween supreme palette open — Mega metallics

It’s one of nine eye palettes in the MAC Girls collection. Some are more adventurous than others (some are mostly neutrals). Qween Supreme just happens to be the metallic palette, and it’s also one of the newest ones!

mac qween supreme palette swatches — Living that NC42 life, purr usual

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The MAC Girls Risk Taker Palette

March 16th, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

mac risk taker palette open — Should you take a chance?

Hocus-pocus ?‍♀️ Powersurge! Presto change-o ?? Honeylust! Alakazam Satin Taupe and Woodwinked, too!

By the Power of Grayskull, I HAVE THE POWER. ?

If you know this incantation (and I do!), you’re probably a MAC gal or guy, and if you are, then it’s OK to freak out a little (go ahead, I’ll wait), because MAC just dropped three new MAC Girls Palettes into the permanent line. They also brought back the six they launched last year.

So yeah, now you can get them whenever you want. They’re $39.50 each and available online and at “select” MAC stores, which is MAC code for “better call your local counter to check first.”

This one is Risk Taker, and it riffs on some MAC permanent colors I’ve loved for years. Like, Bossing It looks a little like Woodwinked, Outfitted looks kinda like Honeylust, and Risky Business is like the more sparkly version of Satin Taupe. The whole thing spoke to my soul when I opened it for the first time, so of course I automatically assumed I’d have a good time with it.

And I did… Mostly.

https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/mac-risk-taker-palette-open-closeup.jpg — AHHH!

mac risk taker palette on lids — MAC Risk Taker on my lids, Urban Decay Fuel Lipgloss on my lips, and NARS Kingpin and Buzzed blush on my cheeks.

mac risk taker palette swatches — Yup, still a MAC NC42.

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MAC Padma Lakshmi Collection: 3 Things to Know About the Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 Quad in Desert Dusk

March 8th, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

mac desert dusk — The MAC Padma Lakshmi Eye Shadow X 4 in Desert Dusk ($33)

There are two quads in the upcoming MAC Padma collection (coming March 15), and this one is the one with the unmistakable pop of blue.

I never would’ve guessed that Padma would be into pastel powder shadows, but I’m usually staring at the food, rather than Padma’s makeup, when I’m watching Top Chef.

I do remember that she likes a bright inner corner highlight, and I guess that makes sense with the light green in the purple quad and the baby blue in this one.

1. A good beginner’s quad

I think Desert Dusk is the better beginner’s quad of the two quads in the collection, just because you get three lighter lid colors (a shimmery gold, a matte peach and that beautiful shimmery baby blue), and you also get a deep, delicious dark chocolate matte brown, which looks a little like MAC Brun, by the way, one of my favorite MAC browns of all time. If you blend any one of the three lighter colors on your lids, or a combination of them, then line your lash lines with the dark brown? You’re set. Easy-peasy!

mac desert dusk swatches — Indian Moon, Shell Peach, Hopper Blue and Natural Brown

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From the Chanel Spring-Summer 2018 Collection: Chanel Les 9 Ombres Multi-Effects Eyeshadow Palette

March 1st, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

Have you been to Chanel lately? — like within the last couple years? Because every time I go there, it’s like — and I mean this in a good way — I’m about to see what’s behind door number three in The Price Is Right. I don’t know what’s gonna be there! Will it be a goat? A trip to Italy? Will there be a red Radio Flyer wagon? I JUST DON’T KNOW. And those fun, frequent surprises are making me an even bigger fan of the brand.

Ever since Lucia Pica took the reins, there have been so many creative twists and turns, especially with color. She does a lot of themed collections, and yes, Chanel has always liked themed launches, but Lucia’s themes and visions always seem strong, and I totally get what she’s trying to do.

The collections are often travel related, and the colors and textures will refer to places she’s visited and lived. This one for spring/summer is a homage to her hometown of Naples, Italy. It’s like, bright explosive colors — greens, blues, yellows, reds. Those are the visuals, but you know me, much as I love color, I also love neutrals, and there are many lovely neutrals here, too, especially in the eyeshadow palette, which, by the way, is SUCH a nice surprise.

It’s a nine-pan palette called Les 9 Ombres, and it’s $70, which is expensive, but it’s a relative “bargain” for Chanel, considering that they’ve done other palettes with five eyeshadows for $50.

And everything in it is wearable — yes, including the blue and green in the middle.

(Side note: even if you don’t consider yourself a colorful eyeshadow person, I still totally believe that you can work both of these shades. You could use them as eyeliners — do the thinnest line on the upper lash line if you’re shy! — or mix the green or the blue into one of the neutrals, like the taupe, or the bronze on the lower right-hand side, and then pop that on your lids for a twist of unexpected but totally conservative color.)

You’ll notice that almost all of the shades in this eyeshadow palette are neutrals, which, you know, yay for usability! — but also, the eyeshadows are even higher quality than usual. As if that’s even possible! Chanel stepped it up. Well, more like leaped up! The shadows feel almost incomprehensibly good.

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