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A Rocking Red Carpet Makeup Tutorial

February 6th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

Quick question for you: would Nick Jonas count as a rockin’ red carpet date?

I was totally feeling his song Jealous last night. It sounds like old-school Babyface, doesn’t it? Love it.

The funny thing is that El Hub actually knew the song when it started playing. He was all, “Oh, that’s that Jealous song. I’ve heard it on the radio.”

LOL! This coming from a 40-something-year-old dude who reads sci-fi blogs and watches YouTube videos about carpentry. Seriously, what rock have I been hiding under that I missed that song? I am usually the last person to get to the party/figure things out, but dang! — go on with your bad self, Nick Jonas!

Anywho, what we’ve got here are two fun, un-intimidating pops of color — a smokey purple lower lash line and a hot pink lip (this is a video tutorial of the look I did earlier this week).

As always, thank you for watching. See you on the red carpet! 🙂

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A Rocking Red Carpet Makeup Look – Plus a CoverGirl & Ulta Giveaway

February 3rd, 2015 by Karen 270 Comments

You know what they say: “Always be prepared…”

…to walk a red carpet with rock stars. 🙂

Because seriously, you never know.

In the event you find yourself alongside ~~the left shark~~ Katy P. as her plus one at a fancy awards show, you need a makeup look with an edge, maybe like this sassy red carpet rock-inspired eye with smoked-out purple liner and cool-toned lids.

Here’s a step-by-step in pics (YouTube tutorial coming later this week, and there’s also a giveaway at the bottom of this post). First, I prepped my skin with some products from Olay, then followed that up with lip colors and eye products from Covergirl (all available now at Ulta)

By the way, Ulta shoppers, from now through February 14, 2015, buy any Covergirl product, and get an extra Covergirl product for 50% off! (BOGO 50% off)

A quick step-by-step red carpet rock-inspired makeup look with pops of pink and purple

First, gotta prep! I started by washing my face with Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser before moisturizing with Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream and Olay Regenerist Intense Repair Treatment.

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser

Olay Regenerist Intense Repair Treatment

Next, I evened out my skin tone and texture by applying primer, foundation and concealer, then filled in my brows with Covergirl Bombshell Powder Brow Liner in Dark Brown.

Covergirl Bombshell Powder Brow Liner in Dark Brown

Then I dove into the Covergirl Eye Shadow Quad in Notice Me Nudes, applying the colors on my lids. — Then, I applied the Covergirl Eye Shadow Quad in Notice Me Nudes.

UPDATE: Come say hi this Thursday night, Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. EST on Twitter, and we’ll talk about red carpet looks, among other things…very likely cats (use hashtag #ULTAglam). I hope to see you there!

Covergirl Eye Shadow Quad in Notice Me Nudes

To give my eyes more depth and drama, I lined my water and lash lines with a black eyeliner and smudged out my upper lash lines with the darkest shade from Stunning Smokeys, another Covergirl Eye Shadow Quad.

Covergirl Eye Shadow Quad in Stunning Smokeys

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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 327

December 28th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

This post is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan #proplancatpartner. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

Tim Gunn isn’t the only one in the fashion world with a famous catchphrase (“Make it work!”). Tabs has one as well.

Actually…he has dozens of them. In fact, he’s famous for his quick-witted kitty quips and outrageous statements, and rumor has it that Karl Lagerfeld himself steals his own viral memes from Tabs (who’s thinking about purr-suing legal action).

Here are 12 of my favorite Tabs-isms this year. 🙂

In other news, I’M BAAAACK! We got home from Redding a little while ago, and let me tell you — my roots are excited! Girlfriend has not washed her hair since Christmas-freaking-Eve.

Whoops! Too much info…

I have kitty snuggles to share because Tabs is being extra lover-boy right now. He must have missed me while I was gone.

Anybody else maxing and relaxing at home tonight? I’m going to try to paint my nails…but it’s gonna be hard with a 20-pound tabby rubbing his chin against every available body part.

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[SPONSORED] Comment to Win $152 in Fragrances From i smell great and the Maker of CLEAN Perfume

December 23rd, 2014 by Karen 284 Comments

***The giveaway is officially closed.*** CONGRATULATIONS, CHELSEA! You’re the lucky girl! I received your email response, so keep your eyes (and nose) peeled over the next few days for your fragrant prize. 🙂

The following post is sponsored by i smell great. From the creator of CLEAN perfume, the scents you love, extracted, encapsulated, bottled. Isn’t that great? Learn more at ismellgreat.com.

It’s been about a month and a half since I aromatically introduced myself to i smell great, and I’m still crushing hard.

The new line of easy-to-wear, mix-and-matchable scented lotions, potions and hair products is gentle enough to WANT to wear every day, and I like all four fragrances — Beach Babe, Candy Crush, Angel Cake and Wild Honey — none of which are so strong that they overpower everything when you walk into a room (in other words, nothing like the smell of popcorn).

And I’m still having fun with the idea of layering the different fragrances together, which come in different hair and body products, to create unique combos.

The layering/mixing/matching idea is their special power, along with being hella long-lasting, and I have yet to create a combo I haven’t liked. Individually, they’re all very light and gentle.

i smell great: the four fragrances

beach babe: Ah, take me away to a land of tropical breezes, coconut cream and golden suntan oil…

candy crush: Mouthwatering candied flower petals, rose syrup, icing sugar and candy hearts to tempt and tease you.

angel cake: A comfy, cozy scent with notes of pink icing, powdered sugar and candied almonds…with a touch of sweetness.

wild honey: A soothing synthesis of honey, brown sugar, Tahitian vanilla and sweet nectar make this intoxicating aroma irresistible.

The Soft Body Whip in Candy Crush + Wellness Water Mist in Angel Cake combo is currently nominated for ride-or-die status in my house.

There’s a corner of one shelf in my bathroom cabinet reserved for my favorite body lotions and body products, and i smell great stuff is all up in the mix.
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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 326

December 21st, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

Festive greetings, fellow felines and human friends! I’ve been hard at work not hardly working, as my assistant would say.

Eh, but what does she know? It’s hard to take somebody seriously who wears stretchy pants as often as she does.

This week I finally got my new iPhone. Merry Christmas to me! It’s one of those giant ones — I think they call it a phablet? I needed a new phone to take more selfies for work and to follow my favorite felines and feline accounts on Instagram.

Here are 10 of my faves. I think you’ll like these a lot.

Purrs and kisses,

Tabs

fidel_cat (9.3k followers)

A photo posted by Fidel Catstro (@fidel_cat) on May 5, 2014 at 12:00pm PDT

professor_pouncey (44.1k followers)

Hooray it's #Caturday!

A photo posted by Pouncey Pants Ph.D (@professor_pouncey) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:42am PST

oskar_the_blind_cat (75.6k followers)

A video posted by Oskar the Blind Cat (@oskar_the_blind_cat) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:37pm PST

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[SPONSORED] Comment to Win $188 in Fragrances From i smell great and the Maker of CLEAN Perfume

November 25th, 2014 by Karen 232 Comments

The following post is sponsored by i smell great. From the creator of CLEAN perfume, the scents you love, extracted, encapsulated, bottled. Isn’t that great? Learn more at ismellgreat.com.

Too bad mixing and matching things isn’t always as easy as it is with the new i smell great fragrance line.

Like when it comes to mixing and matching prints… I start out trying to create a cool-girl outfit but usually end up looking like I created my wardrobe in the dark.

Or cooking! Note to self: randomly throwing things from the fridge into a pot, and then praying that it turns into something edible, is not a legit food philosophy. I can tell you first hand that it works less than half the time.

But when I mix and match and layer any of the four gentle fragrances in the new i smell great line, totally different story. Every concoction I try turns out fantastic.

New from the creator of CLEAN, i smell great currently has five products and four fragrances. I’ve just started using them and like every one.

Beach Babe, Candy Crush, Angel Cake and Wild Honey — the four scents — are gentle, surprisingly long-lasting and very light, so they aren’t overpowering, and they’re designed to be mixed and layered together to create unique scents (of course you can also wear them individually).

i smell great: the four fragrances

beach babe: Ah, take me away to a land of tropical breezes, coconut cream and golden suntan oil…

candy crush: Mouthwatering candied flower petals, rose syrup, icing sugar and candy hearts to tempt and tease you.

angel cake: A comfy, cozy scent with notes of pink icing, powdered sugar and candied almonds…with a touch of sweetness.

wild honey: A soothing synthesis of honey, brown sugar, Tahitian vanilla and sweet nectar make this intoxicating aroma irresistible.

Which brings me to this…

It’s giveaway time!

Want to explore i smell great for yourself? You, my friend, have clicked on the right blog. 🙂 Enter now to win an aromatic prize package worth $188, featuring all four scents in the line. In no time you’ll be mixing and matching like a graduate of Givaudan!

The prize

One (1) lucky lady or gent will win a prize package valued at $188, including…

Eau de Parfum in Wild Honey ($68)
Wellness Water Mist in Angel Cake ($32)
Soft Body Whip in Candy Crush ($28)
Hair Fragrance in Beach Babe ($32)
Reactive Lush Lip in Candy Crush ($28)

To enter, leave a comment below, and your comment can be about anything at all. Tell me about your favorite scents from real life (fresh laundry dried with fabric softener, baby powder or the inside of a Starbucks at the crack of dawn perhaps?), if you plan to go shopping on Black Friday and what you plan to get, or what you’re preparing for your feast on Thanksgiving.

Seriously, any topic you want.

Terms & Conditions
Enter by leaving a comment below about anything at all.

Deadline to enter is Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific). Entrants must enter using a valid email address to win.

The giveaway is open to individuals in the United States who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).

Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries left in the comments at the bottom of this post.

Void where prohibited by law.

Sending you my most fragrant wishes of good luck. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 323

November 23rd, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

Dear friends, fans and felines,

Yes! I think I finally figured out what makeup to wear to Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday.

What do you think?

I was sure you’d like it, so I put together this quick tabby tutorial.

There’s glitter, which you know I love — you can never go wrong with a little spark and funky style — but it’s also themed and holiday appropriate.

After last weekend’s giant Thanksgiving to-do, this week’s actual Thanksgiving dinner will just be a small fête for the employees here at the office…mostly just my assistant and her man servant/significant other.

I’ve met him before. Nice enough chap… Strong hands.

I just couldn’t handle another big party, ya know? Not with everyone saying, “Tabs! Tabs! Tabs! Look over here! Look at this!” And there’s always that one person scratching at the floor to get my attention or waving something around. I can’t help but look, of course, even when I don’t want to. It’s exhausting.

Oh! And then someone always has to bust out the laser toy or my feather stick, and then I end up running around and jumping at the walls like a fool.

I just have to be smarter than that and not put myself into those kinds of situations…

Anywho, I really hope you give this look a try. I think you’ll look great. 🙂

xoxo,

Tabs

STEPS:

Apply a metallic bronze loose pigment to the inner half of your lids with a flat eyeshadow brush (I wet my brush first to really amp up the color).
Clean the remaining eyeshadow on your flat eyeshadow brush with a paper towel. Then, rewet the brush head, and apply the copper loose pigment to the outer half of your lid. Now wait for both eyeshadows to dry…
Seamlessly blend the bronze and copper eyeshadows together with a tapered crease brush.
Trace your upper lash line with black liquid liner, and flick out the edge, going up and out.
Draw a little autumn leaves flourish just above the bronze and copper eyeshadow with a brown, and yellow (or gold), liquid liner.
Finish with your most flirty, fabulous pair of false lashes.

P.S. Really though, please do not try this at home on cats. I know you already know this, but Tabs does not advocate putting actual makeup on cats.

This post is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan #proplancatpartner. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

About Purina Pro Plan Cat food

Tabs may appear loving and playful and funny and adorably fluffy and chubby and more squeezable than a bunny! — but he’s also a ravenous monster. Purina Pro Plan fuels him through his busy kitty modeling schedule.

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