Video

How To Fill in Your Eyebrows With Eyeshadow

December 12th, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

I have to say — OOH! Filling in brows is exciting stuff for me. Isn’t it for you?! 🙂

Kidding. You don’t have to answer that. If it isn’t exciting for you, I totally understand, but I get fired up when mine are filled. I feel like I sit a little straighter and stand a little taller (which isn’t really too hard when you’re only 5’1″).

Call me CRAZY BROW LADY!

With so many different brow fillers bursting on the beauty scene over the past couple years, gals (and dudes) have so many options. In this video, I go back to an old-school favorite of mine — filling in my eyebrows with eyeshadow.

I think I always end up coming back to this method because it’s so easy to do. You can dial it up to diva or keep it natural-looking — whatever suits your mood. And once you get the hang of it, you can do it pretty quickly, too. No muss or fuss.

Products mentioned in the video…

MAC Eye Shadow in Brun ($15)
The Laura Mercier dual-ended angled brush with the spoolie I used in this vid is from a holiday kit a few years back. Here’s a similar brush from her line, the Double Ended Eye Brow Brush ($34)
Anastasia Clear Brow Gel ($22)
MAC Chromographic Pencil in NW25/NC30 ($16)
MAC 214 Short Shader Brush ($25)

I tried to relax a little more in this video (“tried” being the key word here), but what’s funny is what you actually can’t see in the shot. I had my asthma inhaler on the table next to me because sometimes when I get really anxious, I have a hard time breathing. So I had it there just in case…like a security blanket.

Oh, and the candle burning behind me is supposed to promote relaxation. It’s the Rest Candle by Marie Todd, and it has a lavender, vanilla and peach scent. I dunno if it actually worked…but hey, at least the room smelled good. 🙂

Anywho! Onward to our brows…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Thank you for watching!

MAC Stress Shopper’s Diary: Products I Recently Picked Up To Brighten My Look

December 11th, 2013 by Karen 47 Comments

What’s the recipe for a MAC stress shopping session?

Start with a really long week. Add a heaping tablespoon of waking up early every morning looking really, really, REALLY tired. Throw in free shipping on the MAC website, and BAM! Next thing you know, there’s a little black box on your doorstep, and your husband is shaking it and looking at you suspiciously because he’s thinking that the last thing you need in the world is ONE MORE BLUSH. 🙂

These are the days of my life…

Yeah, so I picked up a few things from MAC I’ve been wanting for a while. Most of them are products to help brighten and enliven my look (wish me luck!).

Products mentioned in the video…

Shaping Powder in Lightsweep, $16.50
Shaping Powder in Accentuate, $16.50
Powder Blush in Cantaloupe, $17
Powder Blush in Style, $17
Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose, $25
Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast, $25
Eye Shadow in Swiss Chocolate, $10
Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone, $21
Prep + Prime Liner Filler, $21
Pro Palette Large/Single, $8
Pro Palette Blush X6 Insert, $2

MAC Shaping Powder in Lightsweep — Shaping Powder in Lightsweep (MAC Pro)

MAC Shaping Powder in Accentuate — Shaping Powder in Accentuate (MAC Pro)

MAC Cantaloupe Blush — Cantaloupe Blush (MAC Pro)

MAC Swiss Chocolate — Swiss Chocolate Eye Shadow

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How To Use the MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters To Look Well Rested (Even When You’re Not)

December 5th, 2013 by Karen 25 Comments

DUDE. Ever have one of those mornings when you look in the mirror and the first thing that pops into your head is, “Dayummmm, Gina! I look hella tired”?

Or something to that effect?

Well, that’s me. Every. Single. Day.

Earlier this week, in my ongoing good fight effort to change that, I picked up a couple of MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters, hoping they’d help me look better rested.

Incidentally…these were part of a larger stress shopping-related haul, but that’s a story for another time, LOL!

Where was I…? Ah! Yes, because I’m a curious kitty, I popped by the MAC counter today to learn how to use them properly (seems like that would be important, right?) and wanted to share what I learned with you.

Products mentioned in the video…

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast ($25)
MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose ($25)
MAC Eye Kohl in Costa Riche ($16)

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters in Radiant Rose and Bright Forecast, $25 each

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters in Radiant Rose (a light seashell pink) on the left and Bright Forecast (a mid-tone peachy coral) on the right

Swatches of MAC Prep + Prime Highlighters in Radiant Rose (left) and Bright Forecast (right) — Radiant Rose (left) and Bright Forecast (right)

I hope these tips help you, too. They’re tailor-made for my fellow members of the Sisters of Perpetual Exhaustion. 🙂 Keep fighting the good fight, homegirls!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Holiday Makeup Hacks: Single Products To Show Your Holiday Spirit

December 4th, 2013 by Karen 41 Comments

Happy holidays, my friend! Let’s see… I’ve got a Christmas tree in the living room (Still waiting for Tabs to knock it down; it’s an annual ritual.), half a box of Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Stars in the cupboard and holiday music playing in the background. I’m feeling festive, to say the least. 🙂

The other day I was thinking about easy ways to add that holiday feeling into my makeup looks without going all out — or, as I like to call them, holiday makeup hacks.

Whether you’re going to get your tree, hitting the mall to do some holiday shopping or just spending time at home with friends or family, adding any one (or combination) of these products into your regular makeup routine is an easy way to show your festive flair.

And what’s really great is these are all long-wearing, so you can pop one on and not have to worry about touching up for hours.

The products in the video…

NARS Eye Paint in Tatar ($25)
MAC RiRi Hearts MAC Holiday Lipstick in Pleasure Bomb ($16.50; launches tomorrow on maccosmetics.com)
L’Oreal Le Matte Lipsticks ($8; these are a little hard to find online, but check your favorite drugstore because they’re great)
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner in Midnight Cowboy ($19)

Uh…I’m still getting used to being in front of the camera and figuring out little technical things about lighting and what to do with my hands when I’m talking and that I should have used another hair clip…

Please pardon my nervousness. I dunno… It’s like I see that little red record light go on, and a switch goes off in my brain that instantly turns me into a complete and total nut, but whatevs! I’ll just keep working on it, and hopefully, eventually, I’ll feel less like of a freak show, haha.

Thank you again for watching!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Pro Store Must-Have Makeup Recommendations

November 28th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

You do not have to be a professional makeup artist or card-carrying beauty fanatic to visit a MAC Pro Store.

In fact, unlike da cloob, they won’t card you at the door. The stores are open to the public, and you should totally visit. They’re called Pro stores because they carry a range of MAC products made to meet the needs of makeup professionals (but non-pros can also buy them).

Next time you make it out to San Francisco, try to stop by the MAC Pro Store at 1833 Union Street, but be warned — plan ahead if you bring your significant other (and they aren’t big on makeup). Charge their smartphone ahead of time (or have them bring a good book), because you’ll probably want to stay in the store for hours — HOURS!

I kid you not.

A view of the inside of the MAC Pro Store on Union Street in San Francisco — A peek inside the MAC Pro Store on Union Street in San Francisco…

The big draw — well, at least for me — is the sheer quantity of products! According to MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin, they carry more than 300 in the store. On top of that, the SF store is the only MAC Pro Store serving the entire Pacific Northwest.

MAC Pro Lip and Concealer Palettes — MAC Pro Lipstick and concealer palettes

Sure, you can order MAC Pro products now online, but it’s such a different experience in the store. The makeup artists who work there are a goldmine of tips and tricks.

While I was at the SF store this week to learn how to use the new Masterclass Brushes, Victor also shared a couple of his must-have MAC Pro products and why you need them in your makeup bag. (Note to self: pick up a jar of Platinum Metal Pigment, ASAP!)

MAC Pro Lipmix and Platinum Metal Pigment — MAC Lipmixes

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How To Use the MAC Masterclass Brushes: Tips From MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin

November 26th, 2013 by Karen 45 Comments

There’s been a lot of mystery surrounding the new MAC Masterclass Brushes. Heck, even Tabs didn’t know what to make of them the first time he laid eyes on the funky black handles (which kind of look like toothbrushes).

I was curious, too, so yesterday I went to the source — the MAC Pro Store in San Francisco — and got some great tips from MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin.

Karen with Senior MAC Artist Victor Cembellin — With Senior MAC Artist Victor Cembellin (I’m wearing three-inch heels here, and I still look short, LOL!)

If you like makeup and you’re not already following Victor online, get on that! He’s really nice, and he posts lots of fun and interesting behind-the-scenes MAC tweets and pics on his Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Anywho, Victor walked me through the different ways you can use the new Oval No. 6, Oval No. 3 and Linear 1 MAC Masterclass Brushes.

So far there are just three brushes in the new line, but as you can probably tell by the numbered names…it’s a safe bet we’ll see more. Hopefully, because I think they’re great.

The video has a lot more detail, but in a nutshell…

One big difference — I mean, other than their unusual appearance — between these new brushes and traditional makeup brushes is how they’re used. They’re designed for less tapping and stippling, and more gliding, skimming, pushing and pulling across the skin. Think of your brush as a figure skater gliding along your skin.
Each of the brushes can be used in different ways, and you can even use them to go from cream products to powders.
The largest brush in the three-piece collection, Oval 6 ($42), can be used to apply foundation, tinted moisturizer, face powder, blush, highlighter and contour colors (probably among other things).
Oval 3 ($32), the medium-sized one, works great for applying concealer to the under-eye area, eye cream all over the eyes and eyeshadows in the contour.
The smallest brush, Liner 1 ($25), can be used for blending out eyeliner pencils (for a smudgy look) and applying eyeshadow, especially along the lash lines. In a pinch, you could even use it to fill in your brows.
But what if you’re new to makeup? Can beginners use these brushes? Absolutely! Victor thinks so, too, and he talks about that in the video.

There’s way more tips and product recommendations from Victor in the vid, and here all links to all of the products mentioned.

MAC Masterclass Brush video products — The MAC products used in the video

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Fall Favorites: The Makeup I’ve Been Using and Loving This Fall

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 61 Comments

OK, so I know I’m talking waaaay too fast in this video and I’m super stiff (like a robot version of myself, haha!), but I was very nervous.

I assure you — this is not an android stunt double. It’s me, Karen. It’s just that it’s been ages since I filmed one of these, so please forgive me for rambling and staring off into space like a crazy person.

With that said…I actually enjoyed doing it, so I might do more vids in the future.

Anywho, fall faves! Here are prices and links for the products I mention in the video…

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch ($40)
Clarins Be Long Mascara ($25)
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($28)
NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette ($65)
MAC Stroke of Midnight Eyes: Warm Eye Kit ($39.50)
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked ($22)
Guerlain Maxi Shine Gloss d’Enfer in 400 Gold Tchlack ($30)
Guerlain Protective Base Coat ($23)
Guerlain Le Top Coat Gel ($23)
Marc Reagan’s Twitter, @MarcRegan (He’s a Makeup Artist and Manager of Artistry for Bobbi Brown)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict (no, not the robot version),

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 197

June 24th, 2012 by Karen 47 Comments

What a beautiful night. It’s just after 9 here, but there’s still a little bit of light outside, and the horizon is painted a mix of pink, red, orange and purple. The oak trees outside my window are gently swaying in a soft breeze, and it all makes me feel very…small.

Sunsets like these remind me that there are other things in the world much bigger than us.

Hi, friend. How are you doing tonight? I hope all is well. I don’t exactly know what to say or how to thank you for the comments you’ve left on the blog over the past few days. I’ve cried a bunch of times re-reading them, but they’ve all been good tears.

I still feel a little shaky, but I feel better than I did last week.

Believe it or not, one of the most therapeutic things you can do when you’re not feeling your best is take your cat for a walk.

Wait — here me out! It’s not as weird as it sounds (okay, maybe it is). 🙂
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Video

Here are prices and links…