Product Reviews

Say Hello, Kitty, to the New Hello Kitty Eyeshadow Palette in Wild Thing

October 24th, 2012 by Karen 40 Comments

Apparently, I’m a one cat woman. This, according to Tabs.

That cat is so protective, or territorial, or whatever it is, that he won’t even tolerate another feline diva in the house if it’s orange and stuffed!

Witness his fearsome reaction to this predatory plush toy…

Observe the menacing posture, raised claw and puffy tail. There was also a lot of angry meowing and hissing.

Hello Kitty, however, is a completely different story.

Tabs just loooooves anything and everything Hello Kitty, and that includes the new Say Hello Eyeshadow Palette in Wild Thing ($36).

Like a brazen alley cat, the new limited edition palette recently strutted onto shelves at Sephora, just in time for the holidays. The funky print packaging (um…is that a giraffe or a leopard pattern?) contains two tiers of products, one row of shimmery powder eyeshadows, and a second row with a bronzer and a pale powder matte blush.

I also Hello Kitty, but I’ve always thought of Sephora’s Hello Kitty makeup line as something targeted to teens and tweens (MAC’s Hello Kitty collection, on the other hand? — totally different story).

I am kinda feelin’ this palette, though, especially the eyeshadows. A couple of the colors seem surprisingly complex. There’s a pretty purple, all packed with flecks of golden glitter; an opalescent, peachy pink that reminds me a little of MAC Vex, except without the green and blue; a warm bronze; and a neutral gold. All four of them apply with little-to-no fallout, a good amount of pigment and a striking, shiny finish.

Hello Kitty Say Hello Eyeshadow Palette in Wild Thing — Hello Kitty Say Hello Eyeshadow Palette Swatches

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You’ll Be Thrilled to Find Kohl in Your Christmas Stocking if It’s the New Laura Mercier Smoky Effects Mini Kohl Eye Pencil Collection

October 22nd, 2012 by Karen 24 Comments

Normally, waking up on Christmas morning to find coal in my stocking would be a big holiday bummer. Did Santa have me on the naughty list? I’d wonder, turning to Tabs for support.

But if that coal was spelled with a “K” and had a label that said, “From: Laura,” I’d be dancing like Snoopy from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Kohl, as in Laura Mercier’s Smoky Effects Mini Kohl Pencil Collection ($48). One of these in my stocking, and there’d be no doubt on which of Santa’s lists my name appears, because this set of eight creamy, soft and smudgy holiday cookie-sized (read: big) pencils is nice, nice, nice. 🙂

All but one of the colors, Jet Black, have been around the block a few times. A couple of them qualify as basics in my book, like Brown Copper (like a slightly more golden MAC Teddy) and the brand new, limited edition Jet Black, but that’s not to take anything away from them at all. They’re wearable workhouse shades, the kind that are always good to have, but it’s the other colors — Black Violet, Stormy Grey, Black Gold, Black Turquoise, Black Navy and Antique Jade — that I think most makeup nerds will covet (lots of duo-chrome action going on).

Shimmery, complex and unexpected, these pigmented liners could easily have been from MAC, NARS or Illamasqua.

Almost like real storm clouds, Stormy Grey, a longtime LM favorite of mine, shifts in the light from a deep gunmetal to a peacock blue, while my other favorite, the blackened, burnished Black Gold (LOVE!) makes this Forty Niner fan’s heart flutter.

The set is helping me discover some new Laura faves, like Black Violet, a shimmery black tinged with royal purple, and Black Turquoise, which reminds me of MAC’s teal grayish green Club Eye Shadow, if it were an eyeliner instead.

Laura Mercier Smoky Effects Mini Kohl Eye Pencil Collection Swatches — From the left: Antique Jade, Black Navy, Black Gold, Black Turquoise, Black Violet, Brown Copper, Jet Black and Stormy Grey

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The New Cargo Long-Wearing Lip Glosses: I Found Sheer and Shiny Somewhere Between Fresno, Nassau and Madrid

October 19th, 2012 by Karen 16 Comments

cargo fresno lip gloss — Wearing Cargo Lip Gloss in Fresno

Sometimes it’s all about the little things, ya know? Having a cookie, spending a Friday night at home with your cat, trying on some lip glosses. It doesn’t take a lot to make me happy. 🙂

Earlier today, as Tabs prepared for his regularly scheduled afternoon nap, I tried on three of the 14 new long-wearing Lip Glosses from Cargo ($14) — creamy pink Fresno (really, Fresno?), shimmery peach Nassau and shimmery berry Madrid.

tabs cargo glosses — From the left: Fresno, Nassau and Madrid

All three sheer beauties are members of Cargo’s permanent line, and they’re some of the most comfy glosses I’ve worn in a while. They feel a lot like MAC’s non-sticky Plushglasses to me, except without the tingling sensation, and with a faint green apple flavor and scent, instead of MAC’s vanilla.

Cargo Lip Glosses in Fresno, Nassau and Madrid

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I’m Sweet On Illamasqua’s New Powder Blusher Duo in Hussy and Lover

October 17th, 2012 by Karen 46 Comments

illamasqua powder blusher duo hussy — Wearing Illamasqua Powder Blusher Duo in Hussy

Can a Hussy be sweet and kinda innocent? Sure, why the hell not? 🙂

Hussy and Lover, the two blushes basking in Illamasqua’s new Powder Blusher Duo ($41), probably sound more scandalous than they are. A lot less dramatic than scheming harlots and vengeful tarts, the look itself reminds me of sock-hop dances, candy necklaces, ruffled dresses and high ponytails with satin ribbons tied into neat bows.

worlds-biggest-candy-necklace — Allegedly (according to the package), the world’s biggest candy necklace!

Illamsqua’s funny that way, and ironic, and it’s one of the things I adore about the brand… Gotta love a colorful makeup line with a sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic.

The new duo, one of nine limited edition kits and sets available now online, and coming soon to cosmetics counters and stores, is part of Illamasqua’s holiday 2012 release; it also happens to be the brand’s first powder blush duo, ever.

As a certified makeup hoarder (I should get a stamp to prove it…like a notary, haha!), I find this very exciting. Even though both colors can also be found in Illamasqua’s permanent line, the duo itself still seems like a special collector’s item.

Additional makeup worn in this look

Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Copper (lids)

Prunella Eye Kohl (water lines)

MAC Lipsticks in Crosswires and Sandy B topped with MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipglass (pink lip in the top pic)

MAC Lipstick in Scarlet Ibis (red lip in bottom pics)

I love the way these matte blushes look with bright, saturated lips — namely hot pinks, reds, coral and fuchsia. I think they get along swimmingly, making bright lip looks appear even more intense.

I get my best, most natural, polished-looking results with these when I apply one or two layers using a circular motion, really buffing and working them into the skin with my brush. That way, I can get the colors to combine with my foundation and face powder; otherwise, the blushes, being as pigmented as they are, can appear a little stark and obvious.

Oh! And I think these have no qualms about layering. For a dynamic effect, I’ll buff Hussy all over the apples of my cheeks, swirl a bit of Lover on the very bottoms of my cheeks with a tapered eyeshadow brush, and run a clean blush brush all over my cheeks to blend the colors together.

illamasqua powder blusher duo compact lover hussy — Hussy on the left and Lover on the right

illamasqua powder blusher duo swatches — Swatches from the left: Lover, Hussy, and Lover and Hussy mixed together

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Treat Your Lids and Lashes to Luxury With the Dior Celebration Collection Makeup Palette For the Eyes

October 17th, 2012 by Karen 36 Comments

Played out.

That was my first reaction when I heard about Dior’s new brown-themed eye palette, the $65 Celebration Collection Makeup Palette for the Eyes.

For real though, doesn’t it seem like everyone and their mama has done a brown-themed eye palette by now?? Ever since UD Naked took the world by storm?

Considering the colors and the price, I was about to dismiss this new one from Dior, but I’m so glad I didn’t, because I think it takes well-trodden territory to elegant new heights.

The Celebration Collection Makeup Palette For the Eyes won’t win the Oscar for Flashiest Palette From Dior, at least not this holiday season, but dagnabbit if it’s not classy with a capital C.

Who’s that girl with the quilted velvet pouch? My, isn’t she fancy? 🙂

Oh, look! The pouch houses a sleek navy compact with buttery, easy-to-blend powder eyeshadows and a midnight black New Look Mascara for long, separated lashes, le wow!

Yes, Dior, you’re hitting all the right notes, and if this palette were comprised of just these pieces alone, with the price dropped accordingly, I’d be seriously tempted to gift it to my girlfriends.

But (isn’t there always a but?)…

dior celebration collection makeup palette for the eyes swatches — Swatches from the left: Serum Primer, Brow Liner, matte brown eyeshadow, shimmery brown eyeshadow, shimmer beige eyeshadow Mini Crayon Eyeliner and New Look Mascara

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Believe in the Magic of Unicorns, Makeup and a Cute-as-all-Heck Clutch Purse: The Paul & Joe Make Up Collection 2012 Holiday Kit

October 16th, 2012 by Karen 32 Comments

Deep thoughts on unicorns and the new Paul & Joe Make Up Collection 2012 Holiday Kit…

Question: why are unicorns called unicorns when they’re rarely seen around, or eating, corn? Wouldn’t “uni-horns” make more sense? Granted, it doesn’t sound as pretty, but it would be more accurate, don’t you think?

Question: if one were to spend a lot of time hanging out with unicorns, how often would accidental horn injuries occur? The phrase, “you could put an eye out,” seems particularly apt.

Question: what magic did Paul & Joe employ to make one of my favorite mythical beasts, one that I’ve loved since the age of 6 (You should’ve seen my unicorn sticker collection! It was epic!! The stuff of little girl dreams!), seem even cuter and cooler in their new limited edition $60 three-piece set?

As ~~an accessories ho~~ a purse enthusiast, I can’t decide what I like more about this set, one of three prancing onto shelves for the holidays — the sweet satin purse with its golden detailing and purple inner liner, the makeup that comes with it or the unicorn with purple flowers weaved into its mane.

It’s like a treasure you’d find on a dusty shelf in a vintage store behind a row of empty perfume bottles and silver combs (I love finding things like that). 🙂

The clutch also comes with a couple pieces of pretty great cosmetics, like a shimmery, peachy pink blush with tiny flecks of gold and silver glitter (NOTE: the snowflake pattern is just an overspray that disappears after the first use).

Healthy, glowing skin a la Charlize Theron can be found here.

Paul & Joe Creamy Cheek Powder in 002 on the left and Face Powder in 001 on the right

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Is the Tom Ford Beauty Plum Absolute For Eyes Absolutely Worth the $35 Price?

October 15th, 2012 by Karen 31 Comments

tom ford plum absolute for eyes — Wearing Tom Ford Beauty Plum Absolute For Eyes

Here’s the face I made multiple times while watching last night’s episode of The Walking Dead…

And here’s the face I made today a few hours after applying Tom Ford Plum Absolute For Eyes ($35)…

Notice the similarities. They aren’t identical, but in both pics I appear fussy and discombobulated.

When my mood turned sour this afternoon, it was due to Tom’s annoyingly expensive, limited edition gel liner (new for holiday 2012) completely vanishing from my upper lash lines about five hours after I applied it.

Super. Cranky.

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Tarte Tempts Blush Enthusiasts With a Fantastic Foursome of Limited Edition Holiday Shades

October 15th, 2012 by Karen 34 Comments

Yes, grasshopper. You are ready…

Ready to take the leap!

You have trained well in the pursuit of flushed cheek perfection, swirling and bouncing your blush brush, and now it is time to take your level of blush love from hobbyist to full-blown enthusiast.

You can — no, you must lead your team of four Tarte powder blushes to new heights of flushed-faced fabulosity! I have complete faith in you.

True, the four new, limited edition shades in the $35 Fantastic Foursome holiday kit are all acolytes, yet each has demonstrated great fortitude and skill.

All of them hail from an elite fighting force, the League of Amazonian Clay Blushes, arguably among the best products in the entire Tarte tribe. Their soft formula, take-no-prisoners pigment and fearsome 10-hour wear time (although Tarte advertises 12) make for some seriously long-lasting blushing.

Meet the new members of the team…

Fantastic

A cool-toned matte fuchsia, Fantastic excels at not only face-to-face flirting, but also at quickly administering a bright, just-pinched flush to the apples of unassuming cheeks. Pair it with any number of pink, purple and/or plum lipsticks or glosses currently residing in your makeup bag.

Magic

You have to believe this shade is maaaaagic! Nothing can stand in its waaaaay!

Sorry…random Xanadu moment. 🙂

This neutral pinkish coral has been trained to treat cheeks lightly kissed by the sun, which is to say that I love the way it looks with a bit of a tan.

Stellar

The team’s triple threat! Wear this peachy brown, with its flecks of silver glitter, as a blush, as a contour shade along your cheekbones, in the crease of your eyes, or as a bronzer all over your face.

Angelic

This shimmery neutral gold specializes in rapid highlighting of upper cheekbones, down the bridges of noses and along brow bones and cupid’s bows.

tarte fantastic foursome fantastic — Fantastic

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