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Celebrate Your Uniqueness With ALMAY at Walgreens

March 12th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

I think one of the cooler things about getting older, among the less cool things like randomly waking up two hours before dawn and having achy knees before a storm, is how we keep getting to know ourselves better, and how we’re always discovering new sides to our personality.

I mean, deep down inside, I know who I am, and that core Karen stays pretty much the same. But, over time I find new things about myself that I never knew existed, like, it wasn’t until I met Tabs in my 30s that I realized I was a full-on crazy cat lady!

The idea of embracing the different sides of your personality, many of them as yet undiscovered, is at the center of the new #AlmayTrueYou campaign. It’s all about expressing your individuality through makeup that enhances your uniqueness, but doesn’t cover up the true you.

I’m sure you’re familiar with ALMAY, and you’ve seen them at Walgreens. The brand is famous for their hypoallergenic formulas and their more natural look, so even if you’re wearing makeup, you still look like you, and not like a completely different person.

Heads up, smart shoppers! As we speak, all ALMAY products are buy 2, get 1 free at Walgreens through March 24, 2018.

It’s a look I’ve been into lately. It’s still me, but, like, zhuzhed up with extra flair. ???

ALMAY just launched a nifty new line of eyeshadow quads called the Almay Shadow Squad™. They’re only about $6.99 each, and each one comes with a matte, a glitter, a metallic and a satin finish square in the same shade. There are 15 shades in the line, ranging from everyday neutrals to trendy brights. So, there’s a lot to choose from.

I like them, especially because they are Opthamologist tested, don’t irritate my sensitive eyes or make them itch or tear up. I also like having all four soft, easy-to-blend finishes in one place. They’re surprisingly flexible. It’s easy to pick one up and do an entire look from start to finish, but I also like grabbing a few and custom blending to whip up unique finishes (which is so totally my style, and what I’m doing in the three #AlmayTrueYou looks below).

So, as has been well documented in the O.M.R. (Official Makeup Record), I’m a beauty addict, a mom and a friend to the felines, but you may not know that I’m also…

1. A boss baker

At least I am in my head. And I’m getting better all the time. I hope to be a super boss baker someday.

I love to bake, and I obsessively save recipes and pictures of cakes and cupcakes. I’m working toward the dream of baking a three-tiered wedding cake from scratch and piping that frosting to perfection. That day will come eventually, mark my words!

My boss baker look is inspired by dark chocolate cupcakes with hot pink sprinkles.

almay baker look 1 — Add one cup ALMAY and blend….

For these chocolaty eyelids, I used two different Shadow Squads — a cool brown 110 Cause a Stir and a neutral brown 230 Own It.

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Coming to San Francisco March 21 and Open to Everyone: I, Artist — The Makeup Show Forum

January 31st, 2018 by Karen 3 Comments

Calling all beauty ?? lovers and educational ? ? enthusiasts!

Have you ever been to a good convention or conference where you learned a ton of useful stuff? (Photoshop World ? in Las Vegas was one for me. Highly recommended if you’re into digital photography.) If you go buck wild for beauty, as I’m guessing you probably do (*ahem*, like moi), mark your calendar for March 21-23 because The Makeup Show, which takes place in different U.S. cities every year, is hosting a new three-day beauty pro/peep/lover (it’s open to everyone, but the tickets are pricey) educational program there called I, Artist — The Makeup Show Forum.

You could elevate your makeup artistry skills, learn about the beauty biz, and marketing, and photography. Also, of course, you could network, meet with others beauty lovers, and people who work in the biz.

Each day focuses on different topics, like the artistry side, photography or brand building, and the classes will be taught by beauty professionals.

(You can check out the full schedule with all the class descriptions here.)

Space is limited, so if you’re interested and will be out here in the Bay Area, you can buy tickets and get more deets on the website.

FYI, the tickets are pricey (the early-bird price for one day is $650!), but that also includes access to The Makeup Show Makeup Shop on March 24-25, where there are other workshops and a huge exhibit hall, and you can get discounts on beauty products from Make Up For Ever, NYX, Viseart and more.

I’ve heard so much about The Makeup Show over the years, and I’ve never been to one before, but this may be the year. It seems like it would be silly of me to not go on a year when it’s in the Bay Area.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Celebrate #WalgreensMascaraDay April 30th With BOGO 50% Off Any Revlon® Product to Complete a New Lash Look #lashlover #sponsored

April 26th, 2017 by Karen 7 Comments

Get a new lash look on #WalgreensMascaraDay April 30th at Walgreens

This post is sponsored by Revlon® at Walgreens, and I received product samples and compensation for my time and effort creating it. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. @Walgreens #WalgreensMascaraDay #sponsored

Raise your martini ? glass! Or your wine ? glass! Or your favorite cat lady ??☕ mug!!!

As you can tell, your beverage container doesn’t matter as long as you’ve got something to enthusiastically thrust upward when we say, “CHEERS!!!” on #WalgreensMascaraDay this Sunday, April 30th at Walgreens stores nationwide.

Get your lashes ready, because there will be a BOGO 50% off any Revlon® product to create a new lash look. If you’ve dreamed of having luscious lashes (um…who hasn’t dreamed of having luscious lashes?), tell Siri to set a reminder.

Revlon® mascaras do WORK. They have a whole slew of specialty formulas for lengthening, lifting, volumizing (is that a word?) and separating, so basically whatever lash look your heart desires.

You can ramp up your lash game with a tube like my affordable favorite Revlon Dramatic Definition™ Mascara, which does errrrrthing (gives a bold, clump-free look), but any makeup lover worth the salt around the rim of her margarita knows that it’s more fun to layer multiple mascaras together to cook up a mascara cocktail. I do it all the time, and Revlon® mascaras are purr-fect for it.

Your Quick-Start Guide to Revlon® Mascaras

Revlon Ultimate All-In-One™ Mascara (the tube with the red cap) — The mini, hollow core brush deposits this easy-to-layer formula for thicker, longer, lifted lashes. Available in non-waterproof and waterproof shades of Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown.

Revlon Ultra Volume™ Mascara (hot pink cap) — For massive, volumized lashes without clumps, comb the Lash Plumping triple grooved brush from lash roots to tips. Available in non-waterproof Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown, and waterproof Blackest Black.

Revlon Super Length™ Mascara (green cap) — This mascara’s all about lush length, and has a tapered tip to reach even the smallest inner and outer corner lashes. Available in non-waterproof Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown, and waterproof Blackest Black.

Revlon Volume + Length Magnified™ Mascara (blue cap) — For high shine and mega volume and length, coat your lashes with this black fiber formula. Available in non-waterproof Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown, and waterproof Blackest Black.

Revlon Dramatic Definition™ Mascara (purple cap) — A bold mascara for definition and separation that builds without clumping. Available in non-waterproof Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown, and waterproof Blackest Black.

On that note, it’s time for Mascara Mixology! ??– and here are three of my favorite Revlon® mascara “recipes” to wear with different eye makeup looks.

LASH LOOK #1: Faux False Lashes and Sexy Smoky Eyes

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ChapStick Total Hydration Makes Leisurely Trips to Target Even More Terrific #sponsored

April 12th, 2017 by Karen 14 Comments

This post is sponsored by ChapStick® Total Hydration, and I received product samples and compensation for my time and effort creating it. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. #ChapStick #sponsored

Girl, you know I go to Target every two seconds. There’s one about two minutes from my house.

Actually, it’s walking distance, now that I think about it…

Oh, my gosh! If I had to hoof it to Target for something, I could totally get there (MIND BLOWN).

Anyway, I’m there almost every other day. You know, good prices, perfect quantities (I don’t need 400 rolls of toilet paper at one time), and I can basically find all of life’s necessities as soon as I walk through those doors.

target karen front — Another day, another trip to Target! That’s ChapStick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint in Rose Petal on my lips, by the way

Story of my life: I walk into the store for one thing — a bag of cat treats, a new outfit for Connor Claire, scrunchies, a giant tub of peanut butter, coffee or a beauty products for myself — but I never get upset when a pint of pistachio ice cream or a couple of tubes of ChapStick also fall into my cart.

Hey…it happens.

ChapStick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint in Rose Petal

FYI, in case you weren’t aware, Target is like the Valhalla of ChapStick. They have practically every variety of ChapStick under the sun, including my faves, the Total Hydration Moisture + Tint ChapStick shades, which are the newest ChapStick products with a hint of color.

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How Well Has Curel Hydra Therapy Helped My Perpetually Parched Skin? #EndDrySkin #sponsored

March 28th, 2017 by Karen 9 Comments

curel hydra therapy post 2 — Super obsessed with Curel Hydra Therapy!

This post is sponsored by Curel. As a participant in the #EndDrySkin campaign, I received product samples and compensation for my time and effort. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. curel.com #sponsored

So remember when I talked about going to Redding and how the dry air up there always wreaks havoc on my skin? And I talked about Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer?

I’ve been using it religiously now for a few weeks, and dang if it isn’t a minor miracle. I use it every night in the shower — actually, while I’m still in the shower — and the way it works, how you don’t have to rinse it off or wait for it to dry, never gets old. I put it on while my skin is still wet after I turn off the water, then pat dry and hop out.

Call me easily amused (hello, easily amused!), 🙂 but this stuff is revolutionizing the way I moisturize.

curel hydra therapy — Step 1: Pump a little into your palm…

Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer has a proprietary water-activated Advanced Ceramide Complex that dives deep into your skin to moisturize and repair its moisture barrier. Just apply it to wet skin after you finish showering, then pat dry with a towel, and for best results, use it daily. It’s unscented and doesn’t feel greasy. Plus, it’s fun to use and incredibly moisturizing.

Seriously, what dry skin? My skin is so much smoother and softer since I started using it regularly. The scary, scaly bits that had been bugging me on my arms and legs, especially when I went to the gym, are gone. I don’t even think the dry air up in Redding would give this grief.

There was a while there when I didn’t feel like wearing cropped workout pants because those scaly spots looked super obvs, but they’re gone now.

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Can Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer Handle the Frigid North (of California?) #EndDrySkin #sponsored

March 15th, 2017 by Karen 30 Comments

My drier-than-dry skin loves Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer

This post is sponsored by Curel. As a participant in the #EndDrySkin campaign, I received product samples and compensation for my time and effort. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. curel.com #sponsored

The last time I trekked to the northernmost reaches of California to the city of Redding to visit my in-laws, I brought along my essential beauty belongings — my hairbrush, some dry shampoo, makeup (of course) and about 10 gallons of moisturizing lotion.

Oh, so dry…

Redding’s a lovely town up near Mount Shasta, not far from the Oregon border, but it’s also one of the DRIEST PLACES ON EARTH. The air there is so dry, or at least drier than I’m used to here in the Bay Area, that my lips and skin ache after one or two days.

Seriously, my arms and legs, my hands — the skin all over my whole dang body — which is already hella dry to begin with, feels like it’s being sucked dry by an industrial strength vacuum cleaner.

curel hydra therapy wet skin moisturizer 3 — Can Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer handle Redding?

If you ever visit Redding, my advice to you is this: take a walk along the Sacramento River Trail around sunset, because Redding has some of the best sunsets in the world. Also, bring along some mega-moisturizers.

It all starts in the shower

Wow, Curel Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer… It’s so unusual! Most of the time when I think of incredible moisturizers, I think of rich, greasy body butters and body balms that you have to massage into your skin FOR DAYS.

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THE VERDICT! Here’s What My Dark Circles Look Like After Using the Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles 1-Month Regimen Kit #sponsored

January 26th, 2017 by Karen 20 Comments

nuvesse k fourth mask — I’m finished testing the 1-month Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen Kit, and here are my results!

As a participant in the Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles One-Month Regimen Kit Test, I received product samples and compensation for my time and effort. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. nuvesse.com #sponsored

You know what?

I look like a whole new girl! 🙂

OK, well, maybe not completely new…but my biggest hope from the get-go in testing the 30 Day Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen Kit by Nuvesse ($95) was that my dark circles would improve, and I’d be able to wear less makeup in that area. And with less makeup, my under-eye area would look more natural and less cake-y.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve boarded the train to Cake-ville with concealer many times over the past few years, and I just don’t want to do that anymore, since it makes me look older than my 41 years.

Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen Kit — The $95 one-month regimen kit comes with four weekly masks and a twice-daily serum roller.

What is Nuvesse?

“Nuvesse Skin Therapies, Inc. was founded in 2004 and developed a propriety wound-healing technology, HealSmart Personalized Woundcare System (HealSmart™). The company realized that the application of its newest active delivery technology, Cellulation™ Technology, to skin care had the potential to yield superior benefits and reach and launched its first skin therapy portfolio of products in mid-2014 into the aesthetic medical channel. After further refinement the company just launched its new consumer brand, Nuvesse.”

— Nuvesse

Results & Conclusion: Definitely Better!

After using all four mask sets and the serum roller religiously for 30 days, I’m happy to say that my dark circles look much less intense than they did when I started.

nuvesse before first mask — The before shot! This was the situation before I started the regimen.

Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness and Dark Circles Regimen Kit — Before starting the regimen on the left, and after 30 days on the right

They aren’t as intensely purple as they used to be, and they look overall lighter. They also don’t, um…spread out as far as they used to, so I don’t have as much area to cover.

I’ve pretty much quit using color corrector on the daily. Now I just use a little concealer in the inner corners of my under-eye area and a bit of setting powder. Just the tiniest bit! And that’s it.

What I don’t know yet is how long the changes I’ve seen will last after I haven’t used the masks or the serum roller for a while.

Of course, ya know, it would’ve been wonderful if my dark circles had completely disappeared back to when I was 21 years old and didn’t have to bother with them, but let’s be real. That was probably never going to happen, but it makes me wonder if things would keep improving if I kept using the regimen. If I’m already seeing a difference after the first month, it seems like it’s possible.

Video Review

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Follow Me (and My Dark Circles) As I Review the Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen #sponsored

January 12th, 2017 by Karen 18 Comments

nuvesse masks — I’m halfway through the one-month regimen right now

As a participant in the Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles One-Month Regimen Test, I received product samples and compensation for my time and effort. Although this post is sponsored, all opinions are always my own. nuvesse.com #sponsored

My parents have a picture of me from my college graduation day in their living room, and in that picture I look completely refreshed and awake.

And I don’t even know how! — because I’m not wearing any concealer in that picture, and my friend Eleanor and I were out all night long at a party the night before.

I think I got a total of 90 minutes of sleep before I had to get up, take a shower, get to the stadium and take pictures before the ceremony.

Ah, those were the days…

It’s not like that anymore, of course. Now, if I get anything less than 10 hours of sleep a night and don’t drink gallons of water throughout the day interspersed with green juices, fiber-full salads and lots of yoga, I have dark circles.

So it’s basically a 24/7 kind of thing.

In an effort to quell/stanch/erase/improve my dark circle sitch, I started a one-month dark circles regimen from a skin care company called Nuvesse. Right now I’m halfway through the one-month regimen, which involves applying a weekly mask and using a daily serum roller.

Nuvesse Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen — The $95 one-month regimen kit comes with four weekly masks and a twice-daily serum roller

What is Nuvesse?

“Nuvesse Skin Therapies, Inc. was founded in 2004 and developed a propriety wound-healing technology, HealSmart Personalized Woundcare System (HealSmart™). The company realized that the application of its newest active delivery technology, Cellulation™ Technology, to skin care had the potential to yield superior benefits and reach and launched its first skin therapy portfolio of products in mid-2014 into the aesthetic medical channel. After further refinement the company just launched its new consumer brand, Nuvesse.”

— Nuvesse

Video Review

Nuvesse has products for consumers for deep hydrating and brightening, eye-firming, anti-aging, eye puffiness and dark circles. They’re all available in serum-infused bio-cellulose masks and serum rollers, which you can use separately or together as part of a regimen, which is what I’m doing right now with the one-month Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen Kit.

The one-month Tired Eyes, Puffiness & Dark Circles Regimen Kit comes with four weekly masks for $95 and this serum roller

The one-month dark circles regimen is for reducing dark circles (obvs), puffiness and fine lines in the under-eye area, all of which are things I really want to happen (!). It comes with four weekly serum-infused masks and a twice-daily serum roller with Nuvesse Celluation™ Technology, which has been proven to deliver the ingredients deep into the skin to make the serums more effective.

Ingredients
Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Hesperidin, Retinyl Palmitate, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Caffeine, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Kjellmaniella Crassifolia Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein, Lavandula Angustifolia

nuvesse serum box — The twice-daily serum roller

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