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Interview Makeup and Hair | Latest Beauty Buys

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Well, at least I was having a good hair day!

Hiya, and happy Thursday!

Yesterday I had two interviews lined up. I spent the entire day prepping and studying, so I’d feel extra prepared. I did full makeup and hair early, so I wouldn’t feel rushed (I even took test shots to double check everything, which is why I ended up with these pics).

I searched for “what to wear in a video interview for a creative job,” and then I tried various options in front of the camera to see what looked best. Side note: most wardrobe experts do not recommend wearing a white shirt, and after seeing various options on screen, I’d have to agree.

AND THEN…

…Both interviews got cancelled at the last minute. (The second one in the late afternoon was cancelled 10 minutes before it was supposed to start.)

On the bright side, both interviews were also rescheduled, which means the positions are still open — and I still have a chance.

Eh, at least my makeup and hair looked ok!

Needless to say, I was jumpy at the end of the day because of all the built-up adrenaline, so me, my full face of makeup and bouncy hair went to Sephora for some stress (de-stress?) shopping.

Lately the Novato store in my town rarely seems to have anything I actually want in stock, though. I ended up with just a Bumble & Bumble conditioner and a Tower 28 gloss.

I also had to stop by Target, which is next door, to buy some oat milk, so skin care landed in my cart: Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion, good ol’ CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm.

It’s been a long week. Oh, and poor Connor still has a cold, so none of us have slept in days. Her immune system is certainly getting a workout this school year! (And so is mine.)

Seriously, I cannot wait for the weekend.

Anywho, thank you for listening. Hope that everything on your end has been smooth sailing.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Vacation Beauty Shoutout: elf Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

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Aloha, friend! If you’re headed to a sunny summer vacation spot and plan on slathering yourself with sunscreen, make a note to pack a jar of this solid balm cleanser by elf. Technically it’s designed to remove makeup, but I’ve found it works like a charm to melt off even the most stubborn waterproof sunscreen, and yes, you can use it all over your body — not just on your face.

It’s basically like the first step of a double cleanse. Before I step into the shower, I rub Holy Hydration Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm on my face, neck, shoulders, arms, legs and feet. Then, when I’m in the shower and my skin’s wet, I work the balm with my hands to help break up the sunscreen even more. After I rinse it off, I do a second cleanse with a shower gel!

Sounds like a lot, I know, but I’ve found this process is much faster and easier than trying to rub off the sunscreen with a small face towel, soap and elbow grease.

Oh, and added bonus, since the balm is solid, it’s carry-on friendly. A 2-ounce jar is $11, and you can find it at drugstores and Ulta.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sunscreen Shout-Out! Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen and Tinted Sunscreen 50+

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avene soliare uv top
SO GREAT!

This sunscreen has been in heavy rotation ever since I discovered it last summer.

I suspect that both of these bad gals will be good to the last drop! (Side note: what’s the last sunscreen you finished?) I’m well on my way to finishing both of the new liquid lotion mineral sunscreens from Avene because they’re THAT good.

Like many makeup huntresses, I’m always on the prowl… I’m always looking for that elusive “no-makeup makeup” skin — just the barest hint coverage, with just enough tint or pigment to even things out a touch, but to find something that delivers a no-makeup makeup look, offers brilliant sun protection, feels light as a feather and leaves absolutely no white cast behind? That’s the stuff of legend, or perhaps just an internet rumor, or a figment of a beauty lover’s imagination… Or is it? I’m starting to believe that the new Avene Solaire sunscreens are as close to “the one” as you can get, and, yes, in case you were wondering, both of them create the most natural-looking dewy finish, so secret admirers will assume your supernatural glow is a natural, rare gift from the heavens above.

avene solaire uv tinted before
Wearing no makeup or sunscreen…
avene solaire uv tinted
And here I am wearing the Tinted version as my base.

Essentially, these are all that and a bag of cheese puffs. After I work in the lotion (it’s very thin and absorbs super quickly), no greasy goo is ever left behind, and my eyes don’t sting, not even after I sweat.

avene solaire uv tinted swatches

In the tinted version, rather than the typical too-pink beige that seems to be the go-to color of most tinted sunscreens, Avene opted for a darker medium tone. It looks more like a bronzer at first glance, but it should suit most skin tones based on the comments on the Avene website, as long as one blends it in thoroughly. I’m a tan gal, and the tint and sheer coverage are absolute perfection for me.

INGREDIENTS, TINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALUCYLATE, METHYLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLGYCLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDROXYSTEATEARATE/SEBACATE, NIACINAMIDE, NYLTON-12, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, IRON OXIDES, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALUS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

INGREDIENTS, UNTINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALICYLATE, METHLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDRIXYSTEARATE/ SEBACATE, NYLON-12, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DOPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEOL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

The dry patches and pimples I get sometimes (those jerks), which will avail themselves of any excuse to pop off, haven’t made an appearance when I’ve used either of these sunscreens, so I’ll be keeping them close for the rest of the summer, and perhaps the rest of my life?! That’s a grand statement, but dang, ’tis good stuff.

Oh, yeah, in case you were wondering how the tinted version compares to Bliss Block Star (another rock star tinted mineral sunscreen), Avene’s has a dewy finish, while Block Star is matte. Avene also has a higher SPF at 50+ compared to Block Star’s 30. Both are great, though!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Putting Sunscreen on Top of Makeup Is a Thing

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mac prep primes skin k
It’s a good day to (re)apply your sunscreen.

Good morning and happy Friday!

Something fascinating I learned recently about liquid sunscreen is that you can touch up it throughout the day by reapplying it directly on top of makeup.

MIND BLOWN!

This is assuming you’ve already got a layer (or two) underneath your usual face paint. Chances are you’re already wearing sunscreen underneath your foundation, blush, etc. if you’re going to bother reapplying your sunscreen in the middle of the day.

Oh, and this is also assuming you’re not wearing super dark blush or a black smokey eye! It seems to work best when the shades aren’t too intense.

That said, here’s the gist:

  • Texture is key. A liquid sunscreen with a watery gel-like consistency works best. Anything too thick or heavy will move stuff around. Two to consider are Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen and Bioré UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence.
  • You’ll want to pat, not rub. Use your fingers, a sponge (don’t wet it; leave it dry) or a synthetic foundation brush to pat the sunscreen on your skin. Patting minimizes moving the making underneath. Keep patting until the sunscreen’s fully absorbed. Wait a minute, then do another layer.
    • A kitty makeup tip
    Oh, Tabs! I miss you, buddy.
  • Start with the non-colorful areas first. If you’re using a sponge (leave it dry) or brush, start on the parts of your face that don’t have a ton of bright and intense color first, like your jaw, around your nose and mouth, and your forehead, so that you’re not mixing too much color. Wait a minute or so for the, then do your blush and eyes last.

If this seems too out-of-the box for you, then you could always go the more traditional route with a loose powder sunscreen that comes with an attached brush. Colorscience makes one that’s supposed to be pretty good.

Building those happiness muscles, day 12

The two simple things I’m grateful for today are 1) Laneige Lip Mask (this best thing for dry lips, I swear), and 2) my friend, Kelly.

So, Kelly and I met through our kids. Her daughter Kensley and Connor have been BFFs since preschool.

Not only Kelly’s super easy to talk to and the nicest person, she’s also a real-life MacGyver!

Case in point: yesterday I took Connor Claire to play at their house and as she was getting out of the car, she dropped her favorite water bottle, which then rolled onto the sidewalk and into a storm drain. 🙁

I had pretty much given it up as lost forever, but Kelly saved the day by fishing it out of the gutter using a pool noodle, duct tape and a hook.

Seriously, everyone needs a friend like her!

I hope the rest of this beautiful day treats you well. Take care of yourself!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sunscreen Shout-Out! Bliss Block Star

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bliss block star

I discovered Bliss Block Star Sunscreen last year around this time, and it’s been a go-to ever since!

“Hey, now! You’re a block star. Get your game on, go play.
Hey, now! You’re a block star. Get the show on, get paid.
And all that glitters is gold;
Only shooting stars break the mold.”

SORRY, GIRL, but I had to do it. 🙂 This song burrows its way into my brain whenever I pick up Block Star, which, by the way, is the newest item to join the Bliss permanent lineup. It’s a physical sunscreen, and, like all of the items in Bliss’s skin care collection, this tinted mineral sunscreen is cruelty-free.

I wore it on my mug the other day when El Hub hugged me, and he said, “You smell really good.”

Good sign!

It smells like lavender, and it lingers for about 15 minutes or so. I like it, and apparently so do the peeps in my circle!

The tan tint is a surprise. It appears lighter and peachier than the CeraVe tinted mineral sunscreen, so I assumed it wouldn’t work for someone like myself with tan skin, but it completely disappears after you rub it in.

There’s a slight cast at first…but after it sets (about 10 minutes), it disappears, and all that’s left is a smooth, matte finish.

bliss block star

This lotion feels silky, and I don’t feel like I have to jump through any hoops to get my skin to absorb it, likely due to the inclusion of dimethicone. If you’re a fan of that distinctively smooth, silicone-style slip, you’ll probably like how this feels on your skin.

I also like how it doesn’t burn or sting my eyes, and that I can layer it throughout the day. It’s an extremely easy sunscreen to touch up and reapply with, and I think it’s even easier to use than the CeraVe.

If you’re debating between the CeraVe and Block Star, I’d say go for Block Star if you like lavender and like the feeling of a “silicone slip,” and opt for CeraVe if moisture is your top priority. Both are solid choices, IMO, and you can’t go wrong with either.

A 1.4-oz. tube is $19.99 at Target. Definitely going to keep this in the rotation.

Building those happiness muscles, day 11

Keeping it simple today. The two things that I’m grateful for: 1) sunny days that aren’t too hot, and for 2) smooth pens that don’t skip when you write. LOL!

Hope things on your end are great! Happy Wednesday.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sunscreen Shout-Out! Black Girl Sunscreen Kids SPF 50

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Good morning, friend! Right before I sat down at my computer I slathered myself with my new favorite sunscreen, Black Girl Sunscreen Kids SPF 50. If you find yourself constantly annoyed by greasy, sticky, sunscreens that take forever to rub into your skin and leave a gray cast behind, then you’ll need to grab a tube ASAP.

It’s a chemical sunscreen with the following actives: avobenzone 3%, homosalate 15% and octisalate 5%. It doesn’t have parabens, fragrances, silicones or aluminum, and it’s cruelty-free.

I picked up at tube at Target for $9.99, so it’s pretty affordable and easy to find, although I do wish the 3-ounce bottle was a little bigger.

Anywho, it’s one of the most comfortable sunscreens I’ve worn, hands down. It’s not sticky, sinks in fast and doesn’t have an overly obnoxious sunscreen scent. Connor and I wore it last weekend to an outdoor festival in our town, and she didn’t protest as much as she usually does when I put sunscreen on her, LOL!

The festival was held by the local Greek Orthodox Church, and we specifically went to watch a dance performance by the kids dance troupe. They performed traditional dances from the island of Crete.

I loved seeing their sweet faces as they danced, and the details on their costumes were so intricate.

I hope you had a nice long and relaxing weekend!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you happen to have any sunscreens that you’ve tried lately and liked, please let me know. I’m always on the hunt!

Because I Can’t Be the Only One! Biossance and Avene Skin Care Goodies…

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biossance unstoppable glow
Skincare goodies from Biossance

DUDE. Is it just me, or is the temptation to smooth and slather on all the things strong when new skincare arrives?

The beauty products I ordered on Black Friday hit my doorstep yesterday, and I’m trying really hard to slow my roll and not put everything on my face all at the same time!

I think I mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but I grabbed the Biossance Unstoppable Glow Kit because 1) it includes a full-size jar of Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, my current go-to face moisturizer, 2) it was on sale and 3) I’ve been wanting to try the Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, and the kit includes a travel-size bottle.

I also picked up a full-size bottle of the Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, too, which I used last night to take off my makeup, and I have mixed feelings. It’s great for removing face and lip makeup, and my skin didn’t feel tight or uncomfortable after I rinsed off, but oh, my eyes! They stung a little when I rubbed the oil on my lashes and lash lines. I’ll still keep using it to take off foundation and lipstick but will stick to Curel Makeup Cleansing Oil to remove eye makeup.

Anywho! My order also came with this awesome GWP kit, which has a ton of things from the Biossance line…

The awesome GWP kit!

Oh! I also ordered some things from Avene, too. I restocked a couple favorites: another bottle — my third one, it’s that good! — of Solaire UV Mineral Sunscreen and a tube of XeraCalm AD, which saves my skin whenever it feels so dry that it hurts. I’ve been wanting to try their RetrinAl Intensive Cream for a while, so I grabbed that too.

A couple tried-and-true items from Avene, along with something new

So that’s what’s new on this end. I’m actually kinda surprised I didn’t pick up any makeup, but with my new job and all, I haven’t been feeling super adventurous with makeup lately. I end up using the same stuff. Sigh! I know.

I was this close on Black Friday to pulling the trigger on a Chantecaille order, but then I realized at that point I really needed to start buying gifts for other people on my Christmas list so I had calm the eff down, LOL!

If you have any q’s about any of the items listed here, hit me up in the comments. I’m happy to give you my thoughts or first impressions. Site note: I’m really liking this Biossance Lip Balm! It’s thick, but not sticky, and my lips feel good.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking in: Black Friday Beauty Shopping and Epic Stretchy Joggers by Zella

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biossance jar empty

Hi, friend. Happy Friday to ya!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent ours with family friends who invited us over for a full spread with turkey and all the fixings! I can’t even begin to tell you how nice it was to sit at a table and just chat and eat. Seriously, I don’t think I’ll ever take having a meal with people for granted ever again. It really is a gift to share food and time with others.

Before we left for dinner last night, I was getting dressed and had a moment when I actually contemplated non-stretchy pants, aka jeans, LOL! Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking. I ended up going with a pair of joggers and I don’t regret the decision at all. If you’re in the market for super comfy pants with pockets, grab these Zella Soft Pocket Joggers from Nordstrom ASAP. I have them in both black and gray and wear them all the time. You can dress them up with a casual blazer and a white tee, or dress them down with a sweatshirt and a denim jacket. I love, love, love them!

Anywho, I was chatting with a few gals in the comments yesterday about Black Friday beauty shopping, and I had to mention a gift set that I bought from Biossance.

They’re currently having a Black Friday sale with 30% off on everything on the site, so I wanted to pick up a jar of Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. It’s a rich face moisturizer packed with lipids, and I got it originally because the omega fatty acids are supposed to help with hyperpigmentation. I bought one last June for my birthday and have since fallen deeply in love!

biossance jar empty

While I was checking out the gift sets, I noticed one called Unstoppable Glow ($59), which contains a full-size jar of the Omega Cream, and travel-size bottles of their Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Serum and Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. With the 30% off sale, it’s $41.

If you just want a jar, a regular full-size 1.6-ounce jar is usually $58, and with the sale it’s $40. There’s also a 3.3-ounce jumbo size ($75), which is marked down to $58, and with 30% off, it’s also $40!

v

One last thing about this sale. If you spend more than $75, you also get a free 11-piece bag of Biossance’s top-rated skin care products.

Other beauty sales I’m excited about are Kate Somerville (25% off site wide), Avene (25% off site wide), Ilia (20% off site wide) and Chantecaille (25% off site wide).

I’m off to go and eat some pancakes now. My brother is visiting and he’s offered to make breakfast. Can’t wait!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

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