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

Remember the makeup organizers from the late ’80s? I have a vintage OG peach and mint green one from eighth grade, and I still love it. Funny thing… I’ve never used it for makeup storage. I’ve always kept costume jewelry in mine!

Caboodles are still around, believe it or not; I’ve seen them at Ulta and at Target. Whenever we walk by them, Connor stares at them longingly and comments on how she’d love one of her own. Side note: I’ve totally dropped the ball with Easter this year because of all the house stuff that’s been happening, so she might be getting a Caboodle filled with chocolate from the Easter bunny.

I guess Caboodles still have that special appeal, that magic something-something that makes girls want them!

How do you feel about Caboodles? Did you have one back in the day? Do you still have one now?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

For me, it’s copper peptide. I just started using Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum, which I’m excited about because it’s supposed to work as an antioxidant and with collagen building.

How about you? What’s the newest ingredient in your skin care routine?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. A simple thing that makes you happy?

Starting a new notebook… THE BEST FEELING.

2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?

I do, but I’m less likely to craft on my own. I like going to a class where the materials are all there and someone walks you through the process of painting a picture or making a wreath or whatever the craft entails.

3. Salt on your fruit?

Nah! I’ll do a sprinkle of chili lime seasoning, though, on watermelon.

4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?

Flip-flops, but only the ones by Reef because they mold to the shape of your feet.

5. How good are you at setting boundaries?

I’m OK, I guess. I could be better about it in a handful of relationships in my life.

6. Coffee today?

YES, PLEASE. It’s not even noon, and I already need a second cup.

7. What’s your hairstyle today?

I’m wearing it down today because I need a break from the funbun I’ve been rocking for the last couple of weeks. My mane is in a wavy mood, so I decided to go with the flow and added a few loose waves with my curling iron.

8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?

Yes! “The Dropout” on Hulu, which is about the rise and fall of Theranos, the blood testing company. I also enjoyed “The Gilded Age” on HBO because you know I’m all about period pieces!

9. Something you have to do this week?

I need to go to the DMV to renew my license and get my picture taken.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. A simple thing that makes you happy?
2. Do you enjoy doing crafts?
3. Salt on your fruit?
4. Flip-flops or Birkenstocks?
5. How good are you at setting boundaries?
6. Coffee today?
7. What’s your hairstyle today?
8. Have you watched any good TV shows lately?
9. Something you have to do this week?

P.P.S. Hello, sweet friend. I hope your Monday is treating you well and that something great happens to you this week! 🤗

Well, hey there. How are ya doing? Welcome to Caturday and the weekend. WE MADE IT!

I’m about to embark upon another couple days of packing and moving. To say that I’ve been getting my squats in for the last couple weekends is an understatement, ha! Almost there, though. Hopefully the construction will be done mid-next week, either by Wednesday or Thursday.

After the work is done comes the really hard part — organizing all the stuff that’s currently into boxes! I’m on a mission to declutter everything before summer starts, so I’ve been researching different methods. I’m very interested in this strategy called “quieting,” which involves emptying everything out of a room (which I’ve already done, yay), and then only moving back items that you want, miss or need.

If you’ve had any success with decluttering or organizing a jam-packed space, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Today’s reading

• Shanghai fashionistas face lockdown with lipstick.
• Here’s everything you need to know about the buzzy new hair treatment K18.
• African elephants use “pachyderm perfume” to send messages to each other.
• The new Self-Activator System allows users to prep fresh skin care on-demand every day.
• Most of the recommendations in this beginner’s guide to makeup for men are legit. I’m a big fan of Laura Mercer Tinted Moisturizer and Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer!

5 ways your face changes as you get wiser.

Love me some braids and some JVN!

Oui, oui.

Someone make this for me, please.

Our lips are sealed!

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Happy Friday to ya, friend. Greetings from the temporary construction site that is my upstairs!

The end of the road is in sight, though, and hopefully everything will be finished around the middle of next week. It’s been different to have so many people in my house all day, every day. Usually it’s just me, Rosie Pose, and the sound of my fingers clacking against my keyboard.

One thing I’m especially happy about is the downstairs powder room, which is finally fixed and finished. It has been out of commission for years and thus has served as the designated kitty litter room, LOL! Sorry Rosie, your bathroom belongs to the humans again.

Anywho, a couple quick things before the hammering and sawing starts again and I can no longer think:

1. The $12 Wild Fable sunglasses at Target are kind of amazing!

A couple times this week, my brother came over to help watch Connor (she’s been home for spring break all week long) while I worked. The other day we took a jaunt to Target and stumbled across these super affordable $12 Wild Fable sunglasses.

Do you have a person in your life who’ll happily try on ALL THE SUNGLASSES with you at the store? That’s my bro. Anywho, we were trying on sunnies for fun, and we were surprised with how many of these pairs fit us well.

Several of the styles we tried on stayed on our noses (we both have a low nose bridge and glasses tend to slip down), and the lenses were big enough to actually block a good amount of light from your eyes. My brother ended up buying a couple pairs, although, truth be told we aren’t sure if he bought women’s glasses, but whatev. They work.

Granted, they don’t feel like they’ll last for a long time. For $12 they’re not bad at all, though. If you want an affordable pair to bring to the beach or the pool, and you don’t want to worry about losing your sunglasses, Wild Fable is where it’s at, man.

2. Fake pockets are total bullsh*t.

I bought a really lovely knit blazer from the brand Gibsonlook recently. I love the cut and the material, and I especially love how the blazer drapes. You can easily dress it up and down, too.

I’d want it in all the colors if it wasn’t for one massive bummer — the fake pockets.

There’s pocket flaps in the front of the jacket, but they’re just for show, which bugs me to no end. If you’re going to not have pockets, then don’t pretend to have them, and just leave ’em out.

I don’t know why this bothers me so much, but it does.

If you can get over the faux pocket situation, then grab this jacket. I have the camel shade, which tends to go fast once it’s re-stocked, so if you like it and see it in your size, grab it.

How’s your week been so far?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Have you heard of silent haircuts? You book a haircut with a stylist who, after an initial consultation to make sure you’re both on the same page for your cut, trims your coif in silence.

A lovely stylist who cut my hair a few years ago, Maya Lowe, now offers this service to her clients. I subscribe to her newsletter, which is how I found out about it. Here’s what she says:

Are you going through a lot, feeling tired, need a break from feeling like you need to say anything? Or whatever the reason, if you would like the time to sit and be with yourself, I will be happy to hold space for you and work on your hair in silence, no judgment, no questions asked. Other than getting clear about what we are doing with your hair, we will be quiet. If you would like to choose some music, that’s totally cool too.

–Maya Lowe

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A post shared by Maya Lowe Batki (@mayalowe_hair)

I’m generally pretty outgoing, so I’m usually chatty in the chair, but I can also see myself wanting a peaceful hour without small talk and with soothing music playing in the background — especially if I was tired. That would be restful and relaxing.

I can see, though, how some might feel a little uncomfortable with the silence.

What are your thoughts on the silent haircut? Is it something you’d like?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen