Product Reviews

Amika Dry Shampoo Is Awesome | Important Lessons on Aging

April 17th, 2024 by Karen 6 Comments

Love this stuff

My main criteria for dry shampoo is how my day-two roots feel after a few sprays. If they’re stiff and coated in a thick layer of crusty powder, forget about it! I prefer lightweight sprays that virtually disappear into the hair yet still manage to soak up any jankiness.

For years my go-to has been Oribe dry shampoo, which I think is great at doing this, but you know. Sometimes it’s nice to have dry shampoo choices, especially one that isn’t $52 (!) for a bottle.

Enter the $28 Perk Up Dry Shampoo by Amika. It just takes a few shots to oily roots to, well, perk ‘em up!

I really like this a lot. I only have to use very little, and the spray is so fine, so there’s no need for me to massage any excess product into salt-n-pepper hair.

It soaks up all the excess oil, too, without that heavy, thick feeling.

Bonus, I like the faint floral scent. Everything triggers migraines for me these days, and this is subtle enough to not.

If you’re looking for a new dry shampoo to add to your rotation, try it.

Listen to this ASAP

I’m on a Mel Robbins Podcast kick these days because her shows teach me so much good stuff! Here’s one that I found truly enlightening on menopause. I don’t know much about it, but I’d like to learn as much as I can as I move into the later stages in life. This episode covers what it is and how it’s often dismissed by the medical community, and it offers some good tips on how you can keep your body strong and healthy as it changes when you get older. I found it really helpful.

Please give it a listen if you have a chance.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Marvelous Makeup Cleanser and 3 Game-Changing Things for Better Mornings

April 16th, 2024 by Karen 2 Comments

I really wanted the Oat Cleansing Balm makeup remover by the Inkey List to smell like a freshly baked oatmeal cookie. Alas, it’s more like uncooked oatmeal when you first open the packaging. Kinda earthy. I don’t mind it!

This balm is a first cleanse which removes all your makeup, even waterproof. I’ve heard good things about it, but what interested me the most was the affordable price. For a pretty substantial 5-ounce tube, it’s a mere $13. You know I love a good deal!

I’ve been using it for the past few days to remove my, quote unquote, work face, which isn’t really complicated in the makeup department but does involve long-wearing eye make up products, including a water resistant mascara and a gel liner that hangs on for dear life. Side note, Rare Beauty is where it’s at, man!

Oat Cleansing Balm melts them both right off, but FYI, you like to wear liner on your waterline, I’d advise using an additional eye makeup remover, because I’ll get this temporary cloudy haze in my eyes. (That happens to me sometimes with certain cleansing balms.)

Considering the amount you get for the price, I don’t mind it. This is a great deal.

I’ve been binge listening the Mel Robbins podcast, which I stumbled onto while browsing through Spotify.

In the span of two days I’ve learned SO. MUCH. STUFF. And it’s useful!

I’ve been looking for solutions to help me not be so freaking tired all the time. Seriously, if there is a way to find even just the tiniest bit of extra energy, I’ll try it, which is what led me to this particular podcast about three things you can do to have better mornings.

Anyway, I’ve been trying these things for the past few days, and my goodness. I think it might actually work!

Oh, not gonna lie, I was terrified to try water before coffee in the morning because I love coffee so much. It’s been four days now, and I’m still standing and functioning! Anywho, give it a listen.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In | Beauty Nerd Things on “The Morning Show” | Chanel Midnight Red Lipstick | Crazy Brussels Sprouts Stalks

November 8th, 2023 by Karen 7 Comments

Do you watch “The Morning Show” with Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston? If you do, I wonder if the episode that aired last week got your nerdy beauty wheels turning! There’s a scene towards the end where Reese’s character is in her dressing room, and numerous beauty products are displayed in the background.

Like the beauty nerd that I am, I hit pause and tried to name as many brands I could! I spy with my little eye…

Mario Badescu
L’Occitane
Clinique
Biossance

I think the tall bottles in the middle (the dark blue, periwinkle and mint green ones) are Oribe, but I’m not sure. Hmm.

Don’t ask me why these things feel like a treasure hunt, but they do!

By the way, Reese’s hair in this scene is my dream hair. Love the loose curls, love the volume, love the smoothness. I especially love how the layers around her cheekbones frame her face. Ugh, so good. I try to get there as best as I can with my hair, but I don’t want to put in the extra work to get the little spiky bits around my hairline to play nice. Ha!

The most effort I’m willing to put in is to clamp them down with these weird little flat clips and then spray them with hairspray.

When you’re trying to tame your hair but it doesn’t wanna listen

BTW, I put this makeup on just for fun, and from far away it seems pretty chill, but when up close, it has more of an ’80s vibe. I’m wearing the new Chanel holiday eye palette and one of the pigmented red lipsticks, Rouge Allure L’Extrait in Midnight Red.

Connor’s home a lot this week because it’s parent-teacher conference time, which means I get to hang out with my little sidekick, just like the good old days!

We went to TJ’s in the middle of the day (what a luxury, truly) and she begged me to buy her this brussels sprouts stalk.

I’ve never seen a child so excited about vegetables! I had no idea how to pick a good stalk, so I just went with my gut and hoped for the best.

How’s your week going so far? Anything new to report on your end?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Beauty and a Book: Chanel Ballerina and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”

October 25th, 2023 by Karen 8 Comments

The beauty, Chanel Le Vernis in Ballerina

Sure, everyone needs a classic nude nail polish that’s pretty and presentable, but if it can also make you feel super special when you wear it, then it’s that much more wonderful. That’s how I feel about Chanel’s iconic pale pink polish, Ballerina.

When I wear this milky pastel, which by the way, is the exact shade of pink ballet shoes, my fingernails feel bejeweled. There’s something about the creaminess and the smoothness of Ballerina that gives off a luxe vibe. Understated yet sophisticated.

Milky pastels can often be tricky because they tend to streak if you don’t have a super steady hand. This formula, though, levels out perfectly. No tell-tale stripes left behind.

I really do believe everyone should have a few beauty products on hand that make you feel extra special, and this is one of those items for me.

The book, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Sometimes I just need a quick and satisfying book that’s easy to read, and this one hit the spot!

It’s about a Hollywood star and the secrets she keeps along the way in order to make it to the top of the fame game.

This book is a quick read, but the language is lovely, and Evelyn, the main character, is compelling and complicated, so I couldn’t help but pull for her along the way.

Oh, and side note, Evelyn’s daughter is named Connor. 🙂

If you want something fun and light that you can knock out on a weekend or during a long plane ride, grab this book ASAP.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Friday First Impressions: Maybelline Super Stay 24H Skin Tint

September 1st, 2023 by Karen 5 Comments

This 24H Super Stay Skin Tint seems to be everywhere lately!

Super Stay Up to 24HR Skin Tint delivers buildable light-to-medium coverage for a skin-like finish and a natural, radiant look. Vitamin C infused vegan formula brightens skin instantly and overtime. 95 percent said skin looks healthy. Resists sweat, humidity and fading. Available in 18 shades.
—Maybelline.com

Buuuuuut IMHO calling it a skin tint in a stretch. When I think of skin tints, I think of sheer, glowing, barely-there finish, and I’m not getting that vibe from this product at all.

As someone who’s spent a good chuck of the last couple years wearing tints and tinted moisturizers, seeing this on my skin was kinda shocking. On my combo oily and dry face, 24H Skin Tint looks more like a medium-to-full coverage matte foundation.

Not to say that it doesn’t have good things going for it. It is HELLA long-lasting and requires absolutely no special tricks to get it to stick, even when it’s raging hot outside. I can even opt out of setting powder if I want, which is cool. It also dries down fairly quickly, too.

Oh, and the wide shade range and the fact that it’s easy to find? Definitely a plus. By the way, I wear shade 312, which is a warm medium tan with strong yellow undertones.

Ultimately, though, it’s more coverage than I’m used to wearing, and if I go even a little teeny bit overboard with the product, it starts to look heavy and my pores look very pronounced. I’m only comfortable wearing it when it’s very sheered out, like in these pics.

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Makeup of the Day Featuring a New Loose Eyeshadow from Chanel Fall 2023

August 10th, 2023 by Karen 10 Comments

Wearing (and loving!) Sycomore, a new loose eyeshadow from Chanel Fall/Winter 2023

I feel really good in this eye makeup, and the best part about it is it took very little time and effort to pull it together.

Apparetly that’s my makeup mantra now, ha!

I’m wearing a couple tried-and-true workhorses (a brown long-lasting gel liner from Hourglass and a plum shadow stick from Laura Mercier) and a new loose eyeshadow from Chanel, Ombre Premiere Libre in 402 Sycomore, a pearly warm golden beige.

It’s one of six loose eyeshadows launching this month in the Chanel Fall/Winter 2023 collection, and it’s just so lovely!

From Chanel PR:

OMBRE PREMIÈRE LIBRE Loose Eyeshadow Intense, Longwearing Colour

A longwearing shadow that delivers intense effects in a single swipe. Each of the 6 shades recalls the raw tones of nature, illuminated by sunlight. The creamy ultra-fine powder texture makes it easy to apply — just dab or press onto lids with the flexible sponge applicator. $40.00

If “swipe-and-go” is your style, I think you’ll like it.

Chanel Sycomore on my lids, Laura Mercier Rose Thorn on the outer corner and smudged on my upper lash line, and Hourglass Cave eyeliner on my waterlines

It comes in a small tube with a stubby sponge applicator which deposits the perfect amount of loose shadow. I pat and swipe the sponge onto my lids exactly where I want the color; it’s very easy to precisely go where you need to, which I love. Then, I use a tapered blending brush and my fingers to diffuse the edges.

It’s similar to a MAC Loose Pigment in that you get a lot of color intensity with a small amount of product, so you don’t have to sit there and build a bunch of layers.

However, I think what kicks the Chanel version up a notch is that the powder isn’t as messy as a MAC Pigment; the Chanel version is loose enough to easily blend, but it’s not so loose that it lands on your cheekbones, your white shirt, your cat’s fur and everything else in sight.

Cheeks are Laura Mercier Chai powder blush mixed with MAC Strobelite cream (I mixed the powder into the lotion on teh back of my hands and applied with fingers); lips are Ilia Color Haze PIgment in Temptation with a little bit of Biossance lip balm on top

I wore Sycomore yesterday without any eye primer and it stayed on all day. If you’re looking for feel-good eye makeup that’s long-lasting, polished and elegant, I think Sycomore is it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Summer Beauty Buddies: Dior Backstage Concealer

August 8th, 2023 by Karen 4 Comments

I’m wearing Dior Backstage Concealer (and a few other things) in this look

It’s handy to have a full coverage concealer around, even if you don’t like wearing anything close to a full coverage base.

I bought a lovely full coverage liquid Dior Backstage Concealer in 4W at Sephora on a whim a few months ago because I liked the ever-so-slightly pearl finish and the creamy consistency.

Side note, apparently buying makeup “on a whim” is my new beauty philosophy, ha!

Anywho, while I’ve only used it a handful of times, it’s certainly delivered the goods. Lately I’ve had some uneven patches and post-inflammatory dark spots (I’m breaking out from hormones and stress, such a lovely combination), and the concealer does a fabulous job of disguising both.

If you’re searching for a concealer that hides errrrrthang without looking heavy, try the Dior!

I’m wearing it with Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer and Rose Inc Skin Enhance Tinted Serum in these pics.

I applied Laura Mercier Primer as a base, and then I mixed the Dior and Rose Inc Serum together and applied the combo all over my face with my fingers, concentrating on my chin and around my lips. After the base dried a little bit, I grabbed a fluffy face brush and buffed everything together for a seamless look.

Then, I took a tiny, pointed concealer brush and painted the spots where I wanted extra coverage, and softened the edges with a finger to remove any harsh lines.

If you want a full breakdown of all the makeup, please let me know in the comments

At this point one could dust a little powder on to set everything, but lately, whenever I wear powder, I just feel like I have too much product on my face, and the first thing I want to do is take everything off. I guess this is what happens when you go from wearing ALL THE THINGS to NONE OF THE THINGS, which leads me to the face primer from Laura Mercier.

One could easily skip it to save a step, but I feel like if you’re going to opt out of a setting powder at the end, prepping with a primer at the start really does help to anchor all your base makeup to your face. I have combo skin and it seems to really help the makeup stay on all day, especially on my oily spots.

OK, while we’re still on the subject of makeup, I told myself at the start of the week that I’m going to wear a little bit everyday this week and take a pic of whatever ends up on my face, even if it’s not the most camera-ready look. And if the makeup looks pretty much the same bronzed look all week long, I’m just gonna lean into it, LOL! I think it’ll help put an extra pep in my step.

Hope everything is well with you, and that your week is off to a nice start. If you want to tell me something good that’s happened to you lately, I’m all ears!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Hawaii Vacation Beauty Products, Part 2

July 21st, 2023 by Karen 9 Comments

LOL to this pic of my head and this palm tree!

I was taking a sunset walk and checking to see if the eyeliner that I had applied earlier in the day — the Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner by Rare Beauty — was still on.

It’s by far one of the best on-the-whim beauty buys I’ve made in a long time! It’s a liquid eyeliner with a long, flexible tip that’s very fine, so it’s easy to draw thin, precise lines — purr-fect for the tiny little kitten flicks I’ve been into lately.

I picked it up on a whim at Sephora before leaving the Bay Area, and it’s stayed on through the humidity, drizzle and, ahem, ~~sweating like a beast~~ glistening on a sunset walk. LOL!

Added bonus, the pigment is rich and dark, so I can scribble a quick line and flick and then be on my merry way.

I applied it earlier in the day and wore it with a cute new hat I bought from Splash Hawaii at the Kahala Mall.

Then I wore it all day, and it was still on after a long and sweaty 45-minute sunset walk.

See the tiny lil’ flick and the thin line on my upper lash line?

I love, love, love it. If you’re looking for a liquid liner that’s easy to use and stays on all day, grab it!

It’s been a while since I’ve seen an Hawaiian sunset (at least a few years), and yesterday evening Oahu reminded me just how stunning it is when the sun dips behind the horizon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!