• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Skin Care

Do Let This Tantalizing Trio of Skin-Scrubbing Treats Tempt You on Your Next Trip to Trader Joe’s: The New $9 Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio

December 5th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio
The new Trader Joe’s Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio ($8.99)

Ya know…maybe it’s just me and my wishful thinking, but I’m gonna say it out loud in the hopes that the universe reads this and responds appropriately:

“Universe, I would NOT be upset if within a few years Trader Joe’s becomes a top retailer of fun and quirky bath and beauty products.”

Did you hear that? Universe? What I said? 🙂 Listen up.

Sure, one would still be able to load up on edibles there, but how cool would it be if TJ’s also had a fully stocked beauty section with all manner of TJ-esque lotions, scents and creams (and maybe even color products) in addition to their great staples, like cheeses, Dark Chocolate Stars and Pumpkin Macarons? (Yes, all of those things are staples.)

This has been on my mind a lot lately because it seems like every time I walk in the store I find a new limited edition beauty product. And so far, they’ve been kind of awesome. (Remember the Pumpkin Body Butter last month??)

Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio
Rockin’!

This time, on my last grocery trip, it was their $8.99 Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio, which I found hiding in a tall cabinet in the back of the store beside the cheese section (only reason I found it, haha). I’ve been using and loving the three scrubs in my shower all week long (well, I mean, not nonstop…but you know what I mean).

“Operating under the belief that smooth skin should be available to anyone who so desires it, we developed these scrubs in partnership with a supplier who has significant skin in the skin-care game. Each Trio contains three separate scrubs (because, you know, it’s a trio…), each with its own distinct personality, all of them made with ingredients loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that benefit your skin. Fresh Fruit Creamy Body Scrub is infused with the refreshing scents of fruits like oranges, along with natural rosemary extract and pumpkin seed oil. Tahitian Paradise Brown Sugar Body Scrub blends brown sugar with nourishing ingredients like pumpkin seed, avocado, and apricot kernel oils and green tea extract. Fuji Apple Sea Salt Body Scrub invigorates your skin with the crisp scent of fresh apples, combining sea salt with a variety of essential oils.”

— traderjoes.com

My favorite, by far, has been the Fuji Apple Sea Salt…

Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio: Fuji Apple Seas Salt Body Scrub
Fuji Apple Sea Salt Body Scrub

It really does smell like Fuji apples! — and if I didn’t know any better, I’d scoop it out in handfuls and gobble it up…

The fine, soft scrubby grains don’t irritate my skin, and when it rinses off, it leaves behind a moisturizing layer of body oil, saving me from having to apply a separate lotion when I get out of the shower.

Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio: Fuji Apple Seas Salt Body Scrub Ingredients

And then there’s the Tahitian Paradise Brown Sugar Body Scrub…

Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio: Tahitian Paradise Brown Sugar Body Scrub Ingredients

This one has larger grains — better for buffing out those rough spots on my elbows, knees and feet — and an amazing brown sugar scent. If I close my eyes and forget for a second that I’m actually in the shower…it’s like I’m standing in a cozy kitchen waiting for a batch of cookies to bake.

Like the Fuji Scrub, it also leaves my skin pleasantly moisturized.

Trader Joe's Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio: Tahitian Paradise Brown Sugar Body Scrub Ingredients

[Continue reading…]

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Product Reviews, Skin Care

The New $33 Bliss Suds + Butter Set Comes Bearing Grapefruit and Wishes for a Happy Aloe Days

November 27th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Bliss Happy Aloe Days Set
The new $33 Bliss Happy Aloe Days Holiday Set

Whoever invented citrus-scented body products…BLESS YOU. 🙂

I’ve been cruising the halls at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, HQ this week with a spring in my step and the scent of grapefruit on my skin from the new $33 Bliss Holiday Suds + Butter Set in Happy Aloe Days.

Yup…nothin’ like a little citrus and a gift set with a clever name to perk ya right up (Happy aloe days?? Like happy holidays? Get it? I’m easily amused…).

Bliss Happy Aloe Days Set

This limited edition three-piece set’s been my main shower squeeze since last week. It comes with a full-size 6.7-ounce bottle of Bliss Grapefruit + Aloe Body Butter, a full-size 16-ounce bottle of Grapefruit + Aloe Soapy Suds Body Wash and a matching pink bath poof.

(Pink bath poof… Good luck saying that one five times fast!)

I usually think of wearing light, refreshing grapefruit scents like this one more in spring and summer, but forget that! The colder months are when I actually need the reminder of warmer weather.

Bliss Happy Aloe Days Set

To my nose, Grapefruit + Aloe has a fresh, light grapefruit scent perfectly balanced between tart and sweet. I have very dry skin this time of year, particularly on my legs, and it usually gets progressively worse as the temperature drops, but this body wash and body butter are doing a great job keeping everything moisturized.

Lately, I’ve been sudsing off in the shower after my morning workout with the body wash, which gets all the sweat off without stripping my skin. I follow that up with the body butter, which sinks in quickly and moisturizes like whoa!

Bliss Happy Aloe Days Set

I suppose you could get this for a friend (the packaging’s super cute and ready to gift), but I vote for keeping this one for yourself. 🙂

Oh, and Bliss also offers two other “flavors” of the Suds + Butter sets if grapefruit isn’t your thing — Wishing You the Zest is scented with refreshing lemon and sage, and A Citrus Carol is an invigorating blood orange and white pepper.

You can find all three sets now for a limited time at Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus stores and online.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Bliss, Kits and Sets, Skin Care

A Grape Escape for Dry Hands: The Fragrant Caudalie Hand Cream Trio Gets a Big Hand From Grapes

November 26th, 2013 by Karen 9 Comments

Caudalie Hand Cream Trio
The new limited edition Caudalie Hand Cream Trio ($25)

If there is such a thing as a Caudalie Hand Cream intervention, I WILL NOT HAVE ANY PART OF IT.

Caudalie Hand Cream
Rollin’ deep

I’ve been unknowingly toting around not one, but two full-size tubes of the original version in my Poverty Flats purse for the past couple of months and only realized it last weekend. But you know what? Instead of taking out one of the tubes, I left them both in there, because you just never know when Z-Day will go down, and it would be such a travesty to not have a really, really great hand cream available. 🙂

Caudalie Hand Cream Trio Box
Please note: the $25 sticker in the upper right on the box is a big ol’ pain to remove!

Those two tubes in my purse may be joined shortly by Caudalie’s new trio of holiday Hand Creams, because I can’t get enough of the three wine grape-themed scents (each one comes in a 1-ounce travel-sized mini tube) in this limited edition set.

Caudalie Hand Cream Trio
The three scents: Feuille de Cassis, Pamplemosse Rose and Miel de Vigne

[Continue reading…]

There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Caudalie, Kits and Sets, Product Reviews, Skin Care

Hoping to Haunt Your Bath This Halloween: Lush Creatures of the Bath!

October 4th, 2013 by Karen 8 Comments

Lush Pumkin
Lush Pumkin Bubble Bar ($5.95), one of two limited edition Halloween bath items available now

Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good from Lush!

Wait — what? That’s not how the rhyme goes, you say?

That’s weird. I thought it was… 🙂

Forgive me. I must’ve been temporarily distracted by the intoxicating aromas from these Halloween-themed bath products by Lush.

The new limited edition Creatures of the Bath collection launched today with some really cute things, like…

This Pumkin Bubble Bar ($5.95)

Lush Pumkin
Oh, hai, Pumkin!

Why would I want to be all up in this club when I could be all up in my tub with the Pumkin Bubble Bar ($5.95) instead?

It smells amazing! Lush gave it the same scent as their Fig and Leaves soap, which has notes of orange flower and ylang ylang oil.

Lush Pumkin
Bath time…

Truth be told, right now I’m using Pumkin as a decoration in my bathroom. The lovely scent fills the lavatory, and whenever those great big eyes greet me as I walk into my “office” (it’s where I handle my business, yo!), I can’t help but smile. 🙂

But if you want to, like, use Pumkin in an actual bath, just crumble it into the running water as you fill the tub. The stronger the water pressure, the more bubbles you get!

Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb ($5.95)

Lush Lord of Misrule
The Lush Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb, $5.95

[Continue reading…]

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Lush, Skin Care

Beauty Bribe Yourself With Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Energy Body Bath & Shower Gel, or Refreshing Body Cream

September 13th, 2013 by Karen 7 Comments

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Energy Body Bath & Shower Gel and Refreshing Body Cream

Beauty bribery, babe. It’s the key to getting sh*t done, I kid you not.

If I find myself dragging my feet or otherwise struggling to finish a task, I dangle the idea of getting a little beauty treat if/when I finish, like a carrot in front of a horse’s eyes, and 99.9% of the time, it works.

Of course, you have to be strict with yourself here. I mean, if you don’t finish the task, you don’t get the treat.

The trick works particularly well on household chores (like one lipstick for cleaning two toilets), tasks that require standing in long lines (go to the DMV, get a new nail polish) or any activity tied to sweating (30 minutes of exercise for a new body care product).

And the treat doesn’t have to be a brand new product. It can be a special treatment, like a relaxing bath or manicure, with something you already own.

Like this week, the only reason I exercised at all was Dolce & Gabbana!

I tell myself that I only get to take a shower with Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Energy Body Bath & Shower Gel ($35) after I go for a run.

Seems to be working.

And after I dry myself off, I follow up with Light Blue Refreshing Body Cream (a $51 splurge, albeit a wonderful one).

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Energy Body Bath & Shower Gel and Refreshing Body Cream

Both have the same crisp, fruity floral scent as the regular Light Blue fragrance, one of my staple perfumes.

On me, Light Blue is refreshing like a resort vacation, with jasmine, apple, orange and musk notes. If you like light, summery scents like MAC Turquatic and Bobbi Brown Beach, you might lurve Light Blue.

There’s also a Light Blue deodorant, by the way, and sometimes I wear that, too.

[Continue reading…]

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Dolce & Gabbana, Fragrance, Product Reviews, Skin Care

I’m Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book, and This Is My Makeup Life

September 6th, 2013 by Karen 36 Comments

The smashing Sabrina of The Beauty Look Book
The My Makeup Life series asks beauty biz insiders, bloggers, makeup mavens and artists to share their holy grail products, tricks, tips and favorite beauty tools. Is there anyone you would like to see featured in My Makeup Life or questions you think I should ask? Let me know here.

Name: Sabrina
Location: Southern California
Day job/current gig: For my day job I currently work as a business analyst for a Fortune 500 company (it’s in the top 100 within the US). My work covers a diverse range of areas for financial and market analyses. My background has always been in finance. Prior to my current job I completed my MBA in Finance and Marketing.
Hangouts online: thebeautylookbook.com, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin’. I’ve also recently started a lifestyle blog called Styled Notes.
Current favorite product: Diptyque Candles — any scent! I love re-using them once they’re burned to hold brushes, flowers, pens, etc. They make a beautiful decorative accent for home.
Beauty inspirations: My favorite local makeup artists from Chanel, the Dolce & Gabbana team from Saks Houston, numerous beauty and fashion bloggers. Fresh cut flowers are always an inspiration for color.
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: That’s hard! I think I see beauty in lots of different things. What I like most about it is playing with the different textures and finishes.


What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

I can’t live without sheer glossy lipsticks like Chanel Glossimers, YSL Rouge Volupte Shines, Chanel nail polishes and my Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer. I also swear by my Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation. Current cult-classic favorites include Chanel Boy, NARS Fez, Armani Eyes to Kill Stretch Lengthening Mascara, Diptyque Baies Candle and Chanel Particuliere Nail Polish.

When did you start getting into makeup?

I started getting into makeup in high school with Bonne Belle and Jane (mainly clear glosses). I remember my first gloss with color was Wet and Wild Bronzeberry lipgloss (back in the ’90s). My first beauty splurges were MAC lipsticks in Wuss, Pink Glaze and “O”. I didn’t really get into wearing makeup items other than lips until college.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

I’m rarely successful when it comes to time-saving for beauty. Although when I’m short on time, I use a warmer bronzer as a contour/bronzer/blush. My favorite is Chanel Soleil de Tan (the cream bronzer in the big tub). It goes with anything and gives the face a healthy glow, so you don’t necessarily need blush to brighten your look.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

My top three beauty tools include my Solano Hair Dryer, Shu Uemura Tweezers and Mason Pearson Detangling Comb.

That’s Calvin, but I call him Pumpkin; he’s a ragdoll cat and just turned 1.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

I never knew how to contour until a Trish McEvoy artist showed how to blend in bronzer on the sides of the face in the shape of a “3.” After that — it made contouring easy!

What’s your skincare routine?

Right now I alternate between Dior Purifying Foam Cleanser and SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser (morning and night). To remove long-wear foundations I use Koh Gen Do first before cleansing.

I’m in between toners right now. To moisturize I alternate between Le Metier de Beaute Revitalizing Anti-Aging Day Creme and Chanel Resynchronizing. I don’t always use weekly masks or scrubs, but my holy grail face mask is by Koh Gen Do Macro Vintage Essence Mask. It works wonders for your skin, making it baby soft and leaving you truly refreshed and glowing.

I also use Cle de Peau Eye Cream, but I often neglect eye care (it’s a step I always forget).

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

Paraffin waxes for hands and feet. The results are amazing but short-lived (and pricey). And they feel pretty weird to me.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

I’m a minimalist when it comes to styling. My look is always evolving as I brave bolder colors, but it’s still typically very natural. I’m also rarely without some kind of bronzer.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

Oh, yes… I’ve cut my own hair before (disaster) and had a perm when I was in grade school. Also, multiple times I’ve asked my hair dresser to cut off “one more inch”, only to regret it afterwards.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Nordstrom by far. They have the best customer service and friendliest sales associates, and you can’t beat their free online shipping. I also like shopping at Neiman Marcus and Barneys (perfume heaven). Other favorites include J.Crew, Banana Republic and Sephora.

Anything else you want to share?

Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog was my inspiration to start blogging back in 2009. She had openings for guest writers, and I submitted an article on Le Metier de Beaute glosses. It was a lot of fun.

There are 36 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Guest Post, Just For Fun, Makeup Tips/How To, My Makeup Life, Skin Care

I’m Sunny Hu of Mostly Sunny, and This Is My Makeup Life

August 20th, 2013 by Karen 29 Comments

The sensational Sunny Hu of Mostly Sunny
The My Makeup Life series asks beauty biz insiders, bloggers, makeup mavens and artists to share their holy grail products, tricks, tips and favorite beauty tools. Is there anyone you would like to see featured in My Makeup Life or questions you think I should ask? Let me know here.

Name: Sunny Hu
Location: Leuven, Belgium
Day job/current gig: Translator, but I’m really more like a professional feline entertainer typing a few lines when my bosses are taking their naps!
Hangouts online: mostlysunnyblog.com, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest
Current favorite product: It’s a tie between Guerlain Bronze Ora Iridescent Eyeshadow (incredibly stunning and complex shade that functions well on its own) and Dior Bikini Diorblush Cheek Creme (you can apply and blend it out in a pinch, and it sticks around).
Beauty inspirations: I wear a lot of dresses with bold prints, and the prints inspire me to try new color combinations!
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Happiness


What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

Hourglass Soft Brunette Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil is the only product I don’t want to be seen without, and everything else is extra! Some other products that get a lot of love around here include a black gel liner (I’ve tried several brands and they perform equally well on me), Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum, Dior Diorshow Iconic Overcurl (my favorite mascara. Period), Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow, Edward Bess Cosmic Bliss, and Dior Spring Ball Addict Extreme (if I had to stick to one lipstick for the rest of my life, this would be it).

When did you start getting into makeup?

I had a couple of counter makeovers when I was in high school and some basic pieces when I was in university, but I really started getting into makeup about 3 years ago.

Urban Decay Naked Palette was all the rage, and I went through a lot of trouble to score one. I started watching tutorials and reading blogs to figure out how to work with it. Several months later, I made my first luxury makeup purchase (Chanel Mademoiselle Rouge Coco and Peridot Le Vernis). One thing led to another, and here I am with quite a collection (and a blog about it)!

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

Cream/stick eyeshadows! Some shades are pretty enough on their own. If you find a formula that lasts well on you, you can cut down the time you need for eye makeup to about 30 seconds.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

Le Métier de Beauté Eye Shadow Brush. It places color, blends, and feels like a soft breeze on the lids.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

This comes from my mama: eat healthy and go to bed early. I don’t always follow it to the letter, but I try!

What’s your skincare routine?

This could get really long, despite the fact that I’ve tried my best to streamline the process. A few tried-and-true skincare products in my bathroom cabinet include Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm, Omorovicza Deep Cleansing Mask, Omorovicza Copper Peel, Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, Pai Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream, La Roche Posay Effaclar K & Duo, Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid, and Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Treatment.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

I had my eyelashes permed! It was years ago, so I might have blocked out most of the memory. I do remember the curl wasn’t all that natural. Suffice to say, I’m pretty happy sticking to my eyelash curler.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

Neutral eyeshadows, winged-out eyeliner, and a bright pop of color on my lips!

This would be pretty typical

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

Most of my beauty woes are related to my brows. I’ve plucked out too much hair and filled them with unnatural-looking shades because I didn’t know any better. I also used to over-apply eyeshadows before I discovered eyeshadow primers because they would fade before the end of the day/night. I might soon need to do a thorough job destroying pictures in which I have purple eyeshadows all the way to my eyebrows!

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Locally, ICI PARIS XL for my luxury purchases and pharmacies for brands such as Caudalie, Bioderma, and La Roche Posay. Beautybay for a large selection of brands that are not available in Belgium. I also sometimes beg friends who live in the US to order stuff from Sephora for me!

Anything else you want to share?

I’m an introvert (probably not the first thing you’ll notice about me, but I assure you it’s true), but I have a desire to share and make people laugh, which is why I started a blog! I spend a lot of time with my cats, Tango and Muffin. They have taught me patience and mellowed me out over the years.

Tango being his typical self

Muffin is tired of having a camera pointed at her face

There are 29 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Guest Post, Just For Fun, Makeup Tips/How To, My Makeup Life, Skin Care

I’m Monika Wykurz of Rocaille Writes, and This Is My Makeup Life

August 19th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

The marvelous Monika Wykurz of Rocaille Writes
The My Makeup Life series asks beauty biz insiders, bloggers, makeup mavens and artists to share their holy grail products, tricks, tips and favorite beauty tools. Is there anyone you would like to see featured in My Makeup Life or questions you think I should ask? Let me know here.

Name: Monika Wykurz
Location: Bellevue, Washington, United States
Day job/current gig: I’m a part-time retail sales associate at a small Northwest beauty supply and salon chain, and a full-time wife.
Hangouts online: rocaille-writes.blogspot.com, Twitter and Instagram
Current favorite product: The Body Shop Honey Bronzing Powder in Fair Matte 02 (the perfect summer glow for pale skin tones!)
Beauty inspirations: Urban lifestyle, rock ‘n’ roll scene in the ’60s and ’70s, San Juan Islands, French Symbolist poetry, So-Cal, Audrey Hepburn, travel photography
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Eclectic


What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

A good concealer is an absolute must for any skin emergencies, and MAC Studio Finish and Becca Dual Coverage Compact concealers are some of the best out there. I also can’t leave the house without a hint of blush on my cheeks, and Laura Mercier Second Skin Powder Blush in Lotus Pink suits my complexion particularly well. Last but not least, a good brushing of black mascara, like Covergirl LashBlast Volume.

When did you start getting into makeup?

When I was a little girl, I really wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps and become an actress; I even played a minor part in a Polish movie when I was 12 and remember being fascinated by the make-up artists’ trailer. Then, in my early twenties, I stumbled upon YouTube make-up tutorials when getting ready for a 1930s-themed costume party, and that sealed my interest.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

Mineral foundation! My skin is my greatest insecurity so a super quick application of a powder foundation, like Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15, does wonders for my self-esteem. I also think that a slick of bright lipstick equals instant glamour.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

I love the luscious softness of my bdellium tools makeup brushes. I use no. 776 (MAC 217 dupe) for a quick one eyeshadow look and to blend out the crease, no. 995 kabuki to buff in my mineral powder, and no. 975 is my favorite for bronzer. The green and yellow handles always manage to cheer me up!

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

The best and most difficult to follow piece of advice I’ve ever come across is to understand that we often are our worst critics. Being a perfectionist, I sometimes really struggle to look past my flaws.


What’s your skincare routine?

In the a.m., I wash my face with Dermalogica Ultracalming Cleanser and tone with the Ultracalming Mist. I followup with Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion and always wear Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+ when I’m not staying in.

In the p.m., I remove my makeup with Dermalogica Precleanse oil, cleanse with either the same cleanser as in the a.m. or my REN ClearCalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser, tone and apply John Masters Organic Vitamin C Anti-aging Face Serum. I also treat my acne-prone areas with either a prescription retinoid or some good ol’ salicylic acid.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

I think neem oil takes the prize for this one. I’d read that it was amazing for clearing up the skin, but the garlicky chive smell was so pungent that I wasn’t able to use it long enough to see any results.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

My fellow Lipstick Bandits seem to agree that I gravitate toward perfected skin and often wear a peachy pink lip; but overall, I love wearing a winged-out eyeliner and a vibrant lipstick with cool undertones.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

I like to experiment with my look and usually embrace the results. I’m definitely not the type of girl to cry at a salon over a cut or color service; however, when I was a teenager and couldn’t find a concealer to match my fair skin, I used to apply a skin tone powder eyeshadow on my spots. Maybe not such a big crime in itself, except that it was a pearl finish…

Highlighted pimples, anyone?

Where are your favorite places to shop?

I purchase most of my makeup from Sephora, but I also love browsing Nordstrom’s beauty counters. For fashion, I tend to shop at H&M and Forever21, although recently I’ve become obsessed with Asos.com. My most loved shoes usually come from Nordstrom as well.

Anything else you want to share?

Apart from being an irrevocable beauty addict, I’m also a huge bookworm. Snuggling on my couch under a soft blanket with a cup of Cream of Earl Grey tea is one of my favorite pastimes! Since summer is typically the season for all sorts of getaways and lounging by the pool, I thought I’d recommend a couple of books I’ve been enjoying — The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley for all mystery lovers, Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami for a bit of magical realism, The Character of Rain by Amélie Nothomb for language geeks, and lastly The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin for some self-reflection. Happy reading!

There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Guest Post, Just For Fun, Makeup Tips/How To, My Makeup Life, Skin Care

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 24
  • Go to page 25
  • Go to page 26
  • Go to page 27
  • Go to page 28
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 68
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

Recent Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 893

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 892

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 891

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 771

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.