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

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

Yesterday I heard El Hub talking to another woman on the phone. Turned out to be this girl named Siri who works for Apple. I heard him say, “Siri, how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” And she replied, “It depends on whether you are talking about African or European woodchucks.”

Freaky! Have you heard about Siri? It’s a feature built into the new iPhone, and it’s the most amazing voice recognition/artificial intelligence I’ve ever seen in real life. It’s so unreal that it’s even more sci-fi than some of the talking computers in actual sci-fi movies.

You ask it questions in a normal speaking voice, like “Siri, what day of the week is Christmas this year?” And a woman’s voice instantly replies with the answer. “Christmas is on Sunday, December 25, 2011.” You don’t even have to speak slowly or more clearly than usual, and it even understands different sentence structures, so it knows that “What’s the weather like today?” is basically the same question as “Siri, what is the weather going to be like today?”

For some things, it’s quicker than doing a web search or using an app, like if you want to set a reminder to pick up mango bars at Trader Joe’s after work, just say, “Siri, remind me to pick up mango bars at Trader Joe’s after work.”

“When would you like me to remind you?” she responds.

“7pm”

“Here is your reminder for today at 7pm:” which is followed by a confirmation box showing the new reminder.

That’s it. Reminder set. Same thing goes for setting alarms, sending texts and emails, making notes — just say, “Make a note.” Siri replies, “What would you like the note to say?”

“Tabs loves gravy.”

“Got it.”

In other news, NARS! I’m still getting to know the new holiday stuff, but I see some really beautiful pieces like G-Spot and Joyous Red Lipstick. What do you think of the release so far? Spectacular or snooze?

THE BOBBI BROWN BLACK RUBY SPARKLE EYESHADOW
PALETTE TAKES IT EASY ON EYES AND GLITTER

Do you remember the last time you wore glitter? Hey now, your answer better not be, “I don’t do glitter.” And did I just see you roll your eyes?

Even if you’ve never been a glitter girl before, or if you have but just haven’t had the time lately to rock it often and well, Bobbi Brown’s new Black Ruby Sparkle Eye Palette ($45) contends that it doesn’t have to take a lot of time (or shimmer) to sparkle.

The limited edition eyeshadow palette hails from Bobbi’s new holiday collection and comes with glittery powder eyeshadows in shades of pink, silver, ruby and onyx. Read more…

FABULOUS FALL SKIN IN A FLASH
LOOK POLISHED AND PUT TOGETHER WITH THESE BEAUTY BARGAINS

There I was, just minding my own business in front of the house yesterday, enjoying a brief respite from the recent rains and daydreaming about some of my favorite fall noms, like candy corn, pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes (Mmm… gravy), when it hit me: CRAP! I have a ton of stuff to do this month.

Summer lulled me into a trap, and now I’m paying the price. I spent so much time lounging around, lapping up the sunshine and generally doing everything at a slightly slower pace that now I feel unprepared for fall. Read more…

GOOD THINGS COME IN SLIM PACKAGE WITH
THE PIXI ULTIMATE BEAUTY KIT

Despite it’s super slim profile, Pixi’s Ultimate Beauty Kit ($40) holds a ton of stuff! — 32 eyeshadows, 16 lip colors and eight blushes, in all, in a cute, streamlined case.

Now you may be saying, “Hrmpf! Why are the glosses so close to the powder blushes?” It’s annoying, I know. But if you can get past that, you’ll find a palette filled with pigmented eyeshadows (I think the metallics, pardon the pun, really shine) and radiant blushes. Read more…

A FLU SHOT FACE OF THE DAY WITH THE
BOBBI BROWN PARTY EYE PALETTE

Here’s a goofy-but-it-totally-works makeup trick from a big ol’ crybaby (that would be me).

Any time I do anything that involves doctors or needles, as was the case today for the flu shot I received, I’m guaranteed to shed a few tears…unless I plan ahead of time and wear a smokey eye. Sounds weird, I know, but when I’m wearing smokey eyes, the fear of streaky makeup helps me fight the urge to cry.

Today’s day-friendly smokey eye comes courtesy of the new Bobbi Brown Party Eye Palette ($45). It’s a more muted, neutral version of the purple look I wore last week. Read more…

$2 JORDANA EASYLINER
FOR EASY EYE COLOR CHEAPER THAN A CHAI LATTE

Leave it to a drugstore beauty bargain to flog a flu shot-induced malaise. I was feeling a little lethargic after getting my flu shot yesterday, but after swatching these Jordana Easyliner Retractable Pencils (just $2 each!), I immediately felt 100 times better.

Like Eggplant, the first shade I tried, and consequently the first of these I fell in love with, the rest of these pigmented liners skate across my skin without skipping and last for hours on both my lash and water lines.

Here’s a closer look at 11 of the 13 shades. Read more…

MAC UNSUNG HEROES
PARTY LINE LIPSTICK

Should you ever find yourself at a loss to locate a fabulous red lipstick for fall, dial 555-HOT-REDS, and kiss your lip grief goodbye.

Listen carefully to the menu because their options have changed. When you get to the part that starts, “If you like MAC Dubonnet but find it a touch too brown,” hit two followed by the pound key.

That should take you directly to today’s MAC Unsung Hero, which, incidentally, happens to be a Party Line ($14.50). Read more…

THE POWDERS IN THE BARE MINERALS
BAREESCENTUALS OH LA LUXE HOLIDAY KIT ARE ON THE LOOSE

Now, where’d I put my makeup brushes…?

Oh, I should have put them right there! — in the convenient little elastic slots built into the buxom makeup bag that comes with the new Bare Minerals bareEscentuals Oh La Luxe Holiday Kit ($79).

The silver carrying case is just the shiny icing on the cake, though, because inside are nine loose powder Eyecolors, three Blushes, two All Over Face Colors and one Liner Shadow (click here to see swatches of the whole shebang). Read more…

NARS HOLIDAY 2011 SWATCHES

I wish you could come over so we could swoon over swatches of the NARS Holiday 2011 collection and eat some Trader Joe’s Mango Bars (warm out here in Nor Cal today).

I guess a virtual visit will have to do. Come on in, but please take off your shoes first, and um, excuse the knife near the front door.

At first I wasn’t sure how the pieces would fit, but once I swatched it and put it on, the entire collection as a whole made more sense to me.

I’m especially loving the lighter shade in the Mandchourie Duo Eyeshadow, which applies as a shimmery golden dove gray with hints of blue. Gorgeous! Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen