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

MAC Unsung Heroes: Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow

January 12th, 2022 by Karen 7 Comments

I was at the gym last week when we started talking about desserts (These are the things you do when you hang out with a bunch of people who do HIIT together. You talk about desserts!), and the teacher, Nicol, said that if you put anything chocolaty in front of her, she’s basically toast.

I’m the same way with chocolate desserts AND eyeshadow, and especially MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow.

mac swiss chocolate swatch — Chocolatey delicious

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Oh, my goodness, I’ve been wearing this shades for eons! — and I start busting it out more often in the fall because I love the way it looks with vampy fall berry, burgundy, purple and wine lip shades. A little MAC Swiss Chocolate added to your eyeshadow mix ties everything together in a DEEEEE-luscious chocolate bow.

mac swiss chocolate heroine 1 — I’m wearing Swiss Chocolate in my crease and MAC Heroine Lipstick

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 711

January 10th, 2022 by Karen 15 Comments

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. When’s your next hair appointment?

Goodness gracious, who knows! I was hoping to get a good chop in sometime in February because my hair’s been feeling really heavy lately, but I think I might wait until March to be on the safer side.

2. A beauty-related thing you’ve been loving?

Ooh, layering multiple face moisturizers. It’s the only way I’ve made it this far through winter. Dang, my skin is dry!

3. Something that you’d be happy to have for dinner tonight?

If a big bowl of pho were to miraculously appear, I wouldn’t mind it at all.

4. What’s the first thing you’d buy if you were to rebuild your makeup collection from scratch?

Mascara, for sure. It makes such a big difference in how awake I look!

5. On a scale of 1-5, how important is flavor and scent to you when it comes to your lip products?

Solid five, and then some. LOL! If it smells funky or tastes weird, I won’t have anything to do with it. I’ve gotten a lot pickier about flavor and scent in the last few years…

6. Brow bone or cheek highlight?

Brow bone highlight. A subtle one, though, so nothing overly frosty or shiny. Just a tiny bit of matte blended in underneath the arch of my brown to lift my hooded lids a touch. It makes a difference!

7. Is it weird for you to wear colorful eyeshadow?

Right now it kinda is. But if I got back into the habit again, it wouldn’t be at all.

8. How are you feeling today?

Pretty good overall, but a little lonely. Mondays are always a shock to my system because with Connor in school and El Hub at work, so the house is eerily quiet. It’s great for concentration but I miss having my people around.

9. Lemon bars or brownies?

Lemon bars today. I’d love something a little sour and a little sweet.

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. When’s your next hair appointment?
2. Something that’s you’ve been loving, beauty wise?
3. Something that you’d be happy to have for dinner tonight?
4. What’s the first thing you’d buy if you were to rebuild your makeup collection from scratch?
5. On a scale of 1-5, how important is flavor and scent to you when it comes to your lip products?
6. Brow bone or cheek highlight?
7. Is it weird for you to wear colorful eyeshadow?
8. How are you feeling today?
9. Lemon bars or brownies?

P.P.S. Good morning, beautiful friend! Please be extra gentle with yourself this week. 🤗

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 692

January 9th, 2022 by Karen 3 Comments

I found the most bananas thing on the interwebz today.

Side note: speaking of bananas, one of my favorite Tabs kitty modeling campaigns in the history of forever — Smith & Cult.

While I was casually browsing the internet for Rosie (she had me look up some math-related proofs she’s working on), I found a subreddit dedicated solely to Rosie Pose with collages of her doing — I’m not exactly sure what. I want to think they’re related to her scientific pursuits, but they also vaguely remind me of Dungeons & Dragons book covers.

Apparently Rosie is a cultural icon. (It’s always the quiet ones.)

Rosie

Oh — something else happened this week. Rosie started getting fan mail! A few kittens from around the world have sent her pictures and proofs of the math they’re working on. I must say, they’re speaking her language. She’s been thrilled.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, Jan. 8, 2022

January 8th, 2022 by Karen 3 Comments

Good morning and happy Caturday to ya! Rosie and Whiskers, her favorite stuffie, say hello.

So…I’ve been trying to chill with the limited edition stuff, because I’m trying to keep my makeup collection relatively small and tidy, but ooh! — the new Chanel Spring-Summer 2022 collection has been hitting me with all the feels.

I particularly love the colors in the quad…

Are you more of a permanent collection kinda girl, or do you prefer limited edition?

This week’s reading

If you’re into minimalist makeup like I am, you might want to check out these brands!
They’re all about the French-inspired makeup lewks in the second season of “Emily in Paris.” Side note: have you seen this show yet?
Here’s how to germ-proof your makeup bag.
OK, so, now I want this $13 gadget from Amazon which allegedly removes a crazy amount of pet fur from your clothes.
Can dryer sheets help your hair game? Inquiring minds want to know…
Why you might want to consider folic acid for thinning hair and hair loss.
Yes, please, to all the hair masks for a luscious, glossy mane.
Is hair recyclable, too?
Every dude who’s a celebrity is now releasing a nail polish line.

I haven’t gone out to eat in SF in a really long time.

Legend.

In case you ever wondered…

My morning jam

Who will win this game?

How interesting!

Ooh!

Whatcha got going on this weekend? I’d originally planned to have lunch with a friend on Sunday, but then Omicron happened! So, I’ll be laying low here at home and doing some much-needed decluttering instead.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Friday FOTD Vibes: Unexpectedly Glittery

January 7th, 2022 by Karen 9 Comments

I totally didn’t expect this look to end up so glittery and pink, but hey, it’s Friday, so might as well, right?

I’m using the new Rare Beauty products I picked up earlier this week! As you can see, the Discovery Eyeshadow Palette in True to Myself leans very warm. Not my usual style as of late (I’ve been really into cool tones), but I’m having fun with it.

Did you notice the variety of intensity in the eyeshadows? The two darkest shades (the matte reddish brown and the matte plum) are on the sheerer side, which I don’t mind, because it makes it easier for me to control the level of intensity.

I find that as I get wiser in years, I have to be much more careful when I wear darker shadows; if the shadows go too dark and intense, my hooded lids appear heavier. So, I gotta go easy, and build that color slowly, steadily!

It’s a rainy, overcast day here in Marin county, so I’m happy to be wearing sparkles. 🙂

I hope your Friday is going great so far!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

A 10-Minute Makeup Look With Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez

January 6th, 2022 by Karen 23 Comments

Yesterday I had a DAY (work has been a little challenging), so I did some therapy of the retail variety at Sephora! I picked up some products from Rare Beauty, a vegan and cruelty-free makeup line by actress, singer (and cooking show host!) Selena Gomez.

After reading your nice comments on the 5-minute real life FOTD post the other day, I realized that many of you have the same take on makeup as I do at the moment — you love it, but don’t want to necessarily spend a ton of time putting it on.

That’s why I ended up grabbing a few pieces that I thought would work for fast and fresh looks…

Rare Beauty Discovery Eyeshadow Palette — I liked the variety of finishes. Matte, glitter and shimmer!
Rare Beauty Melting Blush in Nearly Apricot — This formula is supposed to be kind to dry skin.
Rare Beauty Nearly Natural Cream Eyeshadow — A matte, warm beige. It kinda reminds me of MAC Soft Brown, but in cream shadow form.
Rare Beauty Dewy Lip Balm in Empathy — Don’t laugh, but I bought this mostly because I liked the name.

Have you tried anything from this brand? What do you like/don’t like?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Braids, a Bright Lip and Blush Blended With Bronzer

January 4th, 2022 by Karen 15 Comments

I’ve been hesitant to post any FOTD’s lately because I don’t feel like the makeup I wear on a daily basis is fancy enough. Most of the looks I’ve been wearing are in the “five minute makeup range” these days, but ya know what? I figure I can’t be the only person out there who loves fast, fresh real-life looks. Like, I just got off a video call 15 minutes ago and this was the makeup I was wearing! Hello, real life. So here we go!

I want to call out a couple things. The lipstick is a workhorse liquid lipstick I love, Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Goddess. If you’re into bright corals that light up your face in an instant, you need it in your life ASAP. It’s non-drying and totally comfy.

Another makeup item of note: for a quick hit of color on your cheeks, load up your blush brush with bronzer and blush. I just take my blush brush and dip it into both pans and then swirl the mix onto my apples. It’s the fastest way for me to get a good amount of color on my face without having to deal with layering and blending. Here I mixed Laura Mercier Blush in Rose with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Give Me Sun.

I’m about to jump on my second video meeting of the day! How’s your Tuesday going?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 710

January 3rd, 2022 by Karen 18 Comments

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 place you’ve traveled that you’d like to revisit again?

Definitely Cambria, which is located in the central coast of California. I went a couple years ago for my birthday, and it’s just so beautiful down there! I could easily spend all day at Moonstone Beach collecting rocks and checking out the tide pools.

2. What makeup are you wearing today?

I had a video call early this morning, so I did a quick face with the following:

MAC Brun (brows)
Ilia Gel Liner (to tightline and on my upper lash line)
Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara (lashes)
Ilia Eye Tint in Fresco (lids)
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat (cheeks and around my mouth)
Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand (under eyes)
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden (forehead, down the sides of my nose and on my chin)
Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation (cheeks)
Ilia Lip Oil in Tahiti (lips)

3. Knee high or ankle socks?

UGH, honestly neither if it wasn’t so darn cold here right now. Socks are the enemy! Since it’s quite chilly, though, then knee highs, because they keep my ankles warm.

4. What’s for lunch?

Not sure yet, but Connor’s with me today (it’s her last day if Christmas break), so we’ll probably make sandwiches together. I try to involve her with making meals when I can! Gotta start those life skills early.

5. Are you a turtleneck person?

I’m slowly realizing my answer to this is no. I used to like them, but now I really don’t like the feeling of fabric wrapped too tightly around my neck.

6. Burritos or burgers?

I don’t really prefer one over the other, so as long as I get the veggie option, it’s all good. Today I’ll go with a veggie burger, though, so I can eat the fries!

7. Who does your nails?

Me, myself and I!

8. Have you taken your holiday decorations down yet?

The tree ornaments will be put away by the end of the day! I’ll keep the tree up until Thursday so Rosie-Pose can enjoy sitting underneath for a few more days. 🙂

9. Blue, brown or purple mascara?

Ooh, let’s go with blue.

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 place you’ve traveled that you’d like to revisit again?
2. What makeup are you wearing today?
3. Knee high or ankle socks?
4. What’s for lunch?
5. Are you a turtleneck person
6. Burritos or burgers?
7. Who does your nails?
8. Have you taken your holiday decorations down yet?
9. Blue, brown or purple mascara?

P.P.S. Good morning, beautiful friend! I hope your first Monday of the new year has been treating you sweetly! 🤗