Product Reviews

MAC Loud and Clear, Glow Play Blush Collection Swatches on NC42 Skin

February 6th, 2020 by Karen 22 Comments

mac loud and clear collection — The MAC Loud and Clear Collection and Glow Play Blushes, both available now at select MAC locations and the MAC website

Man, I couldn’t get this on my arm and face fast enough. First of all, NEUTRALS. Second, MAC.

Seriously, too good.

Technically, you are looking at two LE MAC collections. One is Loud and Clear, which consists of single Eyeshadows ($18 each), Lipsticks ($20), Lipglasses ($18.50) and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes ($37 each), and the other is a collection of Glow Play Blushes ($30 cheek colors extraordinaire).

A few high-level observations:

The blushes are not in the standard-issue powder formula. They have a creamy, bouncy formula and feels gel-like. They’re silky. They’re soft, and they work best when applied with my fingers. I believe they’ll be fab friends to five-minute makeup.
As for the eyeshadows, they feel softer than usual, like they have more “give” than usual for MAC powder shadows. I have high hopes for them, especially because they appear to be more intense than usual, too.
If you like monochromatic looks, this is the collection for you. There are several coordinating eye/cheek/lip products (this becomes more apparent when you separate the items into color families). I love matchy-matchy makeup because I think it’s easy sophisticated, so I’m all about that life.
THE PACKAGING! It’s kinda Shu Uemura, yah? I’m into the clear cases, not just because they look cool, but they’re also practical, because it’s easy to tell what shade they are from the front and the back.

mac loud and clear collection swatches lipstick and lipglass — Lipsticks ($20 each) and Lipglasses ($18.50 each)

mac loud and clear collection swatches eyeshadow extra dimension skinfinish — Eyeshadows ($18 each) and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes ($37)

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Covergirl Clean Fresh Tinted Oil Lip Oil Review

February 6th, 2020 by Karen 10 Comments

covergirl clean fresh tinted lip oil — Lightweight and lovely new lip oils by Covergirl

Has anyone, throughout the history of makeup-kind, ever sat around thinking to themselves, “You know what I *really* wish I could have? — flaky, thirsty-as-all-hell chapped lips. That would be so great.”

As a person of the parched pout persuasion, I can 100% assure you that this has never happened.

What exactly are lip oils?

I’ve got enough lip oils to last me into the next century, lady, because unlike many lip balms and glosses that will coat your lips without actually moisturizing ’em, lip oils are designed to seep into the skin, as opposed to sitting on top, which means hydration, BAM! And, of course, soft, pillowy plush lips.

Affordable, with lots of extra benefits

If you live near a CVS (because that’s the only place you can find them), the new lip oils by Covergirl are a pretty affordable drugstore option at $10.49 a pop. Available in six sheer shades (including a transparent option), the oils are vegan and made without parabens, formaldehyde phthalates, parabens, sulfates and talc. Also, they aren’t tested on animals.

The main oils doing the heavy lifting are cranberry seed oil, olive oil and coconut oil, so there’s gooood stuff happening!

But how’s the moisture?

I’m at a place in life where the higher-end lip oils I love, like the $48 Hourglass one, give me pause whenever I sit down and do the math before purchasing one of them. I love them, but I can’t help but think of how many ballet lessons that could fund, so I’m all about Covergirl’s price point.

It’s pretty moisturizing, too. Not the most moisturizing oil I’ve used, like it isn’t as moisturizing as the Hourglass and Clarins Lip oils, but it’s pretty good. It feels like it helps for about an hour.

And even though many of colors look similar on my pigmented lips, I can still see a sheer tint in each one, which I appreciate.

covergirl bad apple — I’m wearing Bad Apple.

Other items of note…

Lightweight: Texture-wise, they’re thicker than a MAC Cremesheen Gloss but thinner than a Lipglass.
Not-goopy: These aren’t sticky at all, so they’re comfy, but they don’t last long on me — an hour at most – so they have a very brief wear time. I reapply often (at least it’s easy with the doe-foot.)
Fruit punch: All the shades have a faint fruit punch scent and flavor, which lingers for about 15 minutes.

The final word

I think these are good. Now, are they life-changing? Nah, but they’re good enough to keep in your purse with your collection of nude lip products (which, by the way, I’m beginning to carry around in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag! SEND HELP). Bust one out when you want some shine, moisture and a bit o’ color.

From covergirl.com:
Packed with shine and long-lasting moisture, COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Oil has you covered for comfy, all-day wear. Full of good-for-you ingredients like coconut and pomegranate oils, this tinted lip oil moisturizer also contains vitamin E to keep lips soft, smooth, and conditioned–for up to six hours! It’s available in a variety of bold, beautiful shades, letting you transform your look anytime you want. No apology needed. Pro-tip: Try this lip color as a topcoat over any COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick for an extra pop of shine.

Ingredients:
COVERGIRL Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Oil, Swipe Ripe POLYBUTENE, OCTYLDODECANOL, DIISOPROPYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, CRAMBE ABYSSINICA SEED OIL, RAPHANUS SATIVUS (RADISH) SEED EXTRACT, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE, OLIVE OIL DECYL ESTERS, PHENOXYETHANOL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, PUNICA GRANATUM SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SQUALENE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, BENZYL BENZOATE, ALUMINA, GERANIOL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, BHT. MAY CONTAIN: IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), D&C RED NO. 27 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 45410), D&C RED NO.7 CALCIUM LAKE (CI 15850), D&C RED NO. 6 BARIUM LAKE (CI 15850), FD&C YELLOW NO. 5 LAKE (CI 19140), FD&C BLUE NO. 1 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 42090), D&C RED NO. 21 (CI 45380).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC 240S: My Preferred Brush for Precise Face Powder Placement

January 28th, 2020 by Karen 5 Comments

Generally, I try to wear the bare minimum amount of face powder I can get away with because when I pile it on, I think it makes me look older. *Le sigh* But even though I don’t wear a ton, I still like to wear some because it 1) mellows out my pores, 2) sets my foundation/concealer so they last longer, and 3) reduces the gleam on the shine spots.

Technically, my fave powder brush du jour is an oversized eye blending brush, the MAC 240S ($34). It’s perfect for that “just enough powder but not too much” look I like, and I love the shape and size. It’s like an XXL tapered blending brush, so it’s handy for applying a thin veil of product right in the center of my forehead…

As well as down the sides of my nose (which tend to be shiny).
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Product Spotlight: Pixi Eye Reflection Shadow Palette in Natural Beauty

January 22nd, 2020 by Karen 4 Comments

pixi natural beauty palette review 2 — I’m lovin’ this eye palette by Pixi.

I came to realize the Pixi Natural Beauty palette was money — MO-NAAAY (a.k.a. awesome) – at Costco last weekend when I caught a glimpse of my eye makeup in the store’s harsh overhead lighting and was, like, “Dang! Did Sir John just spend two hours on me? Why do my eyes look so good? What sorcery is happening!?”

Here’s why this palette stands out.

It contains a bevy of cool-toned matte browns for carving out deeper-set eyes, smoking out your lids, filling in your brows, or lining your lash lines. For these tasks and more, this flexible neutral got ‘chu, boo-boo.

The secret sauce is the pigment. There’s not a milligram too little or too much. Coupled with the soft, easily scoot-able formula, and blending becomes beyond easy. You can make a lot of mistakes along the way with this one, and you can correct them very quickly because the colors are easy to sheer, so whatever you end up with, your lids look good.

And they look good all day long, too. Yes, the shadows stay put!

The smattering of shiny golds, beiges and bronzes is an added bonus. Press a shade or two on your lids for a quick hit of glitter, or apply with a wet brush along your lash line to open cramped lids.

I love this palette for days when I want something easy, breezy.

If you like to do simple everyday neutral/nude looks, or if you use and love palettes like Tartlette in Bloom or Estée Lauder Defiant Nude, this palette is in the same wheelhouse.

I do have to point out one thing, though. The eyeshadow powder formula tends to kick up a lot of grains, so just be sure to tap off your brush first. It’s not a big deal for me, but if you’re a stickler for that kind of thing, you might want to pass.

You can find it at Target for $24 or online.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Lip of the Day: MAC Fashion Legacy

January 15th, 2020 by Karen 6 Comments

MAC Fashion Legacy is a real heavy lifter, and by that I mean that you can wear it with minimal makeup on the rest of your face and have a full finished look in less than five minutes. Bright red lips: spiriting makeup lovers to work on time, one tube at a time!

I wore this to the bakery yesterday and didn’t feel the need to touch up at all during my shift, which included making a delicious sheet of pecan chewy bars (here’s a recipe in case you’ve never heard of them).

Fashion Legacy is an opaque, fire truck red, and it’s one of the MAC Retro Matte liquid lipsticks. I like the Retro Mattes because they stay glued to your lips, so they don’t scoot, but the formula is still a little flexible, so your lips don’t look like a cracked, gross mess as the day wears on. I can eat and drink with them on my lips, and my lips still look presentable afterward, so they’re great for parties (or long days at work).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Lunar Illusions Collection in Action With Swatches on NC42 Skin

January 6th, 2020 by Karen 8 Comments

mac lunar illusions 2020 — The new MAC Lunar Illusions collection, available now

OK, I totally get it. MAC-aholics are always questing to find “The Newest Newness,” but every now and zen (hint, hint), a MAC collection comes along that puts the classics in the spotlight. And ya know what? I’m not mad at it.

The new Lunar Illusions collection highlights so many MAC must-haves. The Now and Zen eyeshadow palette alone is packed with greatest hits like Soft Brown (LOVE), Honey Lust, Omega, Expensive Pink and good ol’ Tilt, which is a beautiful bluish green…and that’s just for starters!

The shades may be repromotes, but that LE packaging is a fresh twist, so if you’re on the market for a replacement tube of Ruby Woo Lipstick, why not grab one of these for fun?

mac lunar illusions swatches nc42 skin — From the top: Lipsticks ($20 each), Lipglasses ($18.50 each), Blush Split Pan ($31), Eyeshadow X 9 ($33). Not pictured: Extra Dimension Skinfinish ($37).

mac lunar illusions eyeshadow — Lids: Eyeshadow X 9 in Soft Brown, Omega, Honey Lust and Tilt. Cheeks: Blush Split Man in Pinch O’ Peach and Modern Mandarin (mixed together). Lips: Marrakesh Lipstick topped with Magically Delightful Lipglass.

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Channel Your Inner Paddington Bear, and Stay Dry During a Deluge in the Eddie Bauer Charly Jacket

December 12th, 2019 by Karen 10 Comments

eddie bauer charly marigold — Autumnal camouflage

Question for you: who wore this yellow coat better — me or Paddington Bear? ?

OK, so, the fact that I‘d be able to channel Paddington’s vibe wasn’t the only reason I got this bright yellow waterproof raincoat from Eddie Bauer! (It was one of the main reasons, though. Ha ha ha!). It was also (and still is) marked down 50%, from $189 to $89.50.

It’s been pouring off and on for a few days here, and this coat has kept me dry, even without an umbrella. The rain practically rolls off the material (it’s 62% cotton and 38% nylon), which is warm, but sill breathable enough to be comfortable, and it moves just enough to feel structured but not stiff.

The hood is wide and has a subtle brim — apparently, this is *totally key*!

The brim prevents raindrops from hitting my face and my glasses so much more effectively than the raincoat I bought at Target a couple years back. I still love that coat, but last winter I got caught in a few downpours and was soaked through, which is why I wanted a new one.

This coat, though, won’t let water in for nothing!

Other reasons I love it…

Zippered pockets! Oh, gosh, there are so many zippered pockets, and it’s glorious — two on the sides of the front pockets and one on the inner lining. I carry my phone with me everywhere, and the zippers on the pockets give me a little extra peace of mind.
Subtle branding. It’s there, but it’s not splashed across the chest like on a lot of Eddie Bauer coats. There’s a small logo embroidered on the wrists of both sleeves, but you can’t really see it unless you look closely.
So many sizes available. The coats come in your standard-issue XS, S, M, L and XL, and in a bunch of height options including Regular, Petite, Tall and Plus. I ended up getting a Regular in XS. It fits, but it does run a little big, so it’s roomy on me. I don’t mind, though, because I can layer a sweater or a thick sweatshirt underneath.
It’s cute! I like the J. Crew-ishness of this coat. Plus, the yellow color is so fun.

It also comes in beige, a dark brown and navy (which is super cute too), if the Paddington Bear stoplight yellow color is too bright for you.

I’m into it… Now all I need is a red hat to go with my coat. 🙂

Bring on the rain and the rainbows!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Spotlight: Hawaii Edition

November 29th, 2019 by Karen 9 Comments

A few things (aloha and TGIF, BTW):

1. Running in 85-degree weather with 67% humidity is like hauling your limbs slow-motion through corn chowder.

Wait — now that I think about it, merely existing in humid weather is like that. I am SWEAT-TAY in Hawaii, man.

2. If you’re staying with your in-laws in their one-bedroom condo with one bathroom and your child is a toddler, it’s probably a good idea to lock the bathroom door while you’re in there; otherwise, said child *will* open up that door, and she’ll only do it when your booty is hanging out for all your relations to see. #truth

3. Here are a few beauty products I’ve been using and loving on this trip.

1. Honua Hawaiian Skin Care Aloha Youth Serum

This lightweight skin serum contains a mix of plant oils and extracts that ancient Hawaiians used to protect their skin from the sun and environment, like the noni plant, which contains vitamin C and antioxidants. I’ve been using it for over a month now for brightening and moisture and have definitely noticed an improvement in my skin tone. I didn’t hesitate for a second to include it in my carry-on quart of liquid items. I’m that hooked. A 1-oz. glass bottle with a dropper is $58.

2. Gillette Simply Venus Disposable Razors

I’ve used disposable razors before, and they’re almost always never as good at getting as close to your skin as razors with refillable cartridges are, but this is the exception. The slight curve in the handle easily allows me to maneuver it into all of the nooks and crannies I’d like to de-fuzz, and when I’m done, I’m smoother than smooooove. It’s a drugstore gem! ? $6.99 for a pack of four razors.

3. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Specture SPF 46

OH, MAN… SO GOOD. This is the best face sunscreen around, hands down. It’s a physical sunscreen, so it’s great for acne-prone and sensitive skin, but it’s levels above the rest of ‘em because it truly is invisible on skin. Absolutely no white cast whatsoever. To top it all off, it’s lightweight and absorbs easily (so you aren’t sitting there for ages rubbing it in), layers well underneath makeup, and it packs plenty of skin-loving punch, with bells and whistles like lactic acid and sodium hyaluronate. $35 for a 1.7-oz. bottle with a pump.

4. Aveeno Baby Sensitive Skin Continuous Protection SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick

Because it’s a solid, there’s no danger of spilling, and because it’s compact, I can haul it around with me easily, along with the rest of the crap toddlers need in my “mom purse” (you know, the purse with a sh*t-ton of pockets and a leash for your keys). I can quickly run the smooth stick across Connor’s skin with minimal protesting, and I also use this as a touch-up sunscreen throughout the day.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen