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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 689

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This week’s mantra. Repeat it as many times as necessary!

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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

    1. On a scale of one (minimal) to 10 (maxed out), how feisty are you feeling today?

    I’m a solid 5.8 on the feisty scale. 😼

    2. Pick one: orange creamsicle or a vanilla ice cream popsicle dipped in chocolate?

    Orange creamsicle, and make that two please. One for me and one for me! 😁 I just love those things.

    3. An instrument that speaks to your soul?

    Oh, for sure the cello. I can’t play it (YET), but one of these days I’m gonna make that dream a reality.

    4. Pizza with or without crushed red pepper?

    WITHOUT. Hard pass on the red pepper!

    5. Swimming at night: are you in, or are you out?

    Depends. Totes yes if it’s in a heated pool and we’ve got plenty of towels and warm drinks on standby for when we get out. As for night swimming in the ocean, ya know, as much as I love the ocean, I’m not in love with the idea of swimming in the ocean at night (too many jellyfish!), so I’ll say no to that. It just seems like the beginning of an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that I would prefer not to star in.

    6. Are you into grilling/barbecuing?

    Sooooo in love with eating grilled food, but I’m not actually into standing at the grill, as outdoor fire makes me nervous!

    7. Elevator or stairs?

    Stairs, baby! Race you to the top.

    8. A beauty product you finished recently?

    I just finished a huge bottle of CeraVe face wash, so, note to self: gotta stop by Ulta to get a fresh bottle.

    9. What’s your hair style today?

    It’s on the unruly side today, so I have it up in a messy bun. It’s getting too long, and I need to get it cut ASAP.

    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. On a scale of one (minimal) to 10 (maxed out), how feisty are you feeling today?
    2. Pick one: orange creamsicle or a vanilla ice cream popsicle dipped in chocolate?
    3. An instrument that speaks to your soul?
    4. Pizza with or without crushed red pepper?
    5. Swimming at night: are you in, or are you out?
    6. Are you into grilling/barbecuing?
    7. Elevator or stairs?
    8. A beauty product you finished recently?
    9. How’s your hair today?

    P.P.S. It’s a beautiful day, and you and I are going to make the most of it. I just know it. Sending a big squeeze-y hug your way. 🤗

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 671

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Rosie tried her paw at another regal, royal inspired bejeweled ensemble for her walk today, taking inspiration from her handsome predecessor, the always fabulous Tabs.

She highlighted these five kitty modeling campaigns from Tabs for ideas and then used her 3D printer to create a replica of the collar she wore today, the original of which is on permanent display in the Louvre (coincidentally, the original was designed by Tabs).

As you’re aware, Tabs was, among his many other talents, a world-renowned kitty jeweler and designed most of the jewelry worn by the feline members of the British royal family.

Rosie rockin’ August 1st

Rosie continues to impress with her newfound feline fashion sense, and now that she’s branching out into jewelry design, we expect many more big things from her. 😊

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, July 31, 2021!

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laura mercier national lipstick day
Big kiss to start the weekend!

Well, hello there, beautiful! 🤗 Happy Caturday to ya. It’s a bit overcast and cool here in North Marin County (for now), which is good news because the fam-bam and I are headed going blueberry picking!

It’s this place called Duckworth Farms up in Sebastapol. We did it last year and had so much fun. I’ve been looking forward to going back all year long.

duckworth farms road
A view of the farm

My favorite blueberries are the really big ones!

duckworth farms blueberries on vine
Fresh blueberries on the vine. YUM!

If you happen to have a good blueberry anything recipe, please share it.

Also, on a somewhat related note…I’m trying to decide what to wear today from the crop of Laura Mercier lipsticks up above. The bright hot coral-pink at the bottom is seriously tempting me!

This week’s reading…


I’m feelin
I’m feelin’ Gwen’s look here. Please stop me from plucking my brows away into oblivion, thanks!


In case you’re traveling and want to be stylish


Fall makeup vibes


Yes, please.


Getting to know Lorde


Just in case you’re tired of your stretchy pants

What?! I can’t believe it’s already the end of July. What are your plans this weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

This or That: The Spa Day Edition

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The relaxation room…

How to play

Good morning! Select from one or the other for each of the questions below. Then, copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. 😃

This or That: The Spa Day Edition 😊

  • Massage or facial?
  • Deep tissue or Swedish?
  • Peel or microdermabrasion?
  • Scalp massage or foot massage?
  • Mud bath or milk bath?
  • Body wrap or body scrub?
  • Wax or mani/pedi?
  • Choose your treatment length: 30, 60 or 90 minutes?

Massage or facial?

As much as my pores and I would LOVE a facial, I need a massage even more. These knots in my back aren’t gonna undo themselves! 😂

Deep tissue or Swedish?

I had a Swedish massage once, and I swear it felt like someone was just rubbing lotion on me for an hour. That said, I’ll take a deep tissue… Yes, tenderize me like a side of beef!

Peel or microdermabrasion?

Um, peel? But a gentle one.

Scalp massage or foot massage?

I’ll take the scalp massage, because my feet are too ticklish.

Mud bath or milk bath?

Milk bath, because mud baths are the stuff of nightmares. 😱

Body wrap or body scrub?

I’ll take a moisturizing sugar scrub, please.

Wax or mani/pedi?

Mani/pedi for the win! 😺

Pick your treatment length: 30, 60 or 90 minutes?

90 minutes, baby. I might even fall asleep!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🤗

5 Fabulous MAC Lipsticks to Celebrate National Lipstick Day!

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mac fired up
MAC All Fired Up

Happy National Lipstick Day, team! 💄🥰💖 I’m going need you to drop the color you’re wearing today in the comments, or, heck, even if you aren’t wearing lipstick today, what has graced your lips lately? Or, what lip color do you normally wear the most?

Here are five of my personal faves (these are all from MAC), and, uh…I wear these colors a lot! There are two bold brights — juicy red (All Fired Up) and neon pink (Candy Yum-Yum).

Of course, there are also a couple of neutrals, namely Velvet Teddy and Half ‘N Half, a.k.a. “The MAC Lipstick Loves of My Life.”

And then the “in between” color is Model Off-Duty, which is from the Powder Kiss Collection.

Let me put it this way: I LIKE THESE COLORS A LOT.

mac velvet teddy
MAC Velvet Teddy
mac candy yum yum
MAC Candy Yum -um
mac half n half
MAC Half ‘N Half
mac lipstick national lipstick day 2021
Swatches, babe!
mac model off duty
MAC Model Off Duty

Since we’re on the topic of lipstick, when you think about it — I mean really think about it — is there a lipstick out there from any brand that makes you feel magnificent when you wear it? “Magnificent.” That’s such a powerful word, isn’t it? Magnificent! Inquiring lipstick-loving minds want to know. 😻

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Summery Makeup Look With Coral Cheeks and Lips and Blue Lashes, and Carrying On

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colourpop blue ya mind

OK, so fun fact: right before I put on this makeup, I had a minor meltdown. Long story short, El Hub is back in the office and Connor’s at camp, so it’s just me and Rosie all by ourselves at home, and even though I love her torbie-tude and her sassy company, I’m having trouble adjusting to being alone again. For over a year now, I’ve constantly had someone nearby, and now that I’m by myself again for long stretches of time, well, it’s weird. It’s waaaaaay too quiet. I thought I would love having so much time to myself, but when the house is silent and all I can hear is the hum of the air conditioner…I feel isolated and very lonely.

Anyway, I’ve been trying this new thing where I “lean in” to whatever uncomfortable feelings I’m experiencing, so that instead of fighting it, I allow myself to just feel the feelings and let the sadness pass over me. Does that make sense? Leaning into it for me usually means walking for 10 minutes or so on the treadmill or outside to get my body moving, and listening to music. Sometimes I cry to get it all out. After I do this, I usually feel better.

Yesterday this was the song I listened to while I walked…

Afterwards, I felt so much better that I even put on some makeup. Not a ton, but just enough to feel like myself again. I did blue lashes with coral cheeks and lips and a touch of bronzer. Very summery!

I only used a handful of products…

colourpop blue ya mind products

The main focal point is the blue mascara, which, by the way, is Blue Ya Mind by Colourpop. I bought it on a whim at Ulta last month, and eh, it’s just OK. I probably won’t buy it again because it’s not particularly great at curling or fattening up lashes on its own, but when I layer it on top of a waterproof mascara, it’s doable. I have it here on top of a single coat of waterproof Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara.

I’m also wearing my favorite gel bronzer and gel blush by Chantecaille on my cheeks and lids. I like to do a 50/50 mix on my cheeks, let that layer dry, and then dab just the blush on the apples of my cheeks. For my eyes, I applied the bronzer on my lids with my fingers. SO EASY!

The blue lashes and bronzy coral cheeks pair well with a matte coral lipstick (MAC Crossfade), but I think a coral gloss would’ve looked good with this too.

colourpop blue ya mind

colourpop blue ya mind

colourpop blue ya mind

Makeup worn in this look

Is anybody else out there experiencing something similar? I can’t be the only person having trouble adjusting to the latest new normal.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: Korres and Wander Beauty Masks, a Pressed Powder by bareMinerals and an Upcoming Haircut!

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korres triple dose wander beauty extended stay
Last Friday night!

Question for ya: do you know what constitutes a really good time at night for me these days (please, for the love of cats, keep your mind out of the gutter, LOL!).

Answer: A double mask session, informally known around these parts as “a double mask sesh.”

The double mask sesh

Um…before you go thinking that I layered an N95 under my Caraa mask before hitting the club, allow me to clarify. When I say double masking, in this case….I’m referring to using two kinds of skin care face masks — the kind you slather onto your skin! — one after another.

DUDE. Only during post-pandemic times can you say something like that out loud, LOL!

I did this last Friday, and it was the TLC I didn’t realize I desperately needed.

Why do two face masks (again, not in reference to the pandemic)? I like to think of it as treating my skin to a double dose of whatever it wants or needs at any given moment, and last Friday I wanted exfoliation and moisture!

I started with Korres Triple Dose Resurfacing Mask, an exfoliating mask loaded with AHAs, BHAs and pomegranate enzymes, which has a slightly grainy texture for those who like a little bit of physical exfoliation action.

korres triple dose resurfacing mask
Korres Triple Dose Resurfacing Mask

Leave it on for three to five minutes (on my combo skin it felt satisfyingly tingly), and then rinse off.

I like very gentle physical exfoliation, so I gently push the grains around with my fingers when I rise the product away with water.

As for the scent? DIVINE. Like a perfect marriage of fruit punch and roses.

After dabbing my skin with a soft towel, I applied a thick layer of Extended Stay Hydrating Mask by Wander Beauty for an extra mega dose of moisture.

wander beauty extended stay hydrating mask
Wander Beauty Extended Stay

Unfortunately, this particular moisturizing mask is no longer available from the line, and it seems they’ve replaced it with Staycation Hydrating Mask. Really, though, any decent hydrating mask will do.

Any time you can treat yourself to an exfoliating mask followed by a hydrating mask is a guaranteed good time, especially on a Friday night. And, of course, it’s totally even better if you’re hanging out with someone… My Friday night date was Rosie, and I did all of this double masking while we hung out on the couch, LOL!

Pressed powder power

This one’s for my people out there who love a pressed powder! I’ve been using this pressed translucent powder by bareMinerals on my oilier-than-normal forehead (summer skin, am I right?), and it really keeps the shine under wraps. It also doesn’t look heavy or powdery.

Added bonus? I can’t feel it sitting on my skin. Granted, I don’t mind a little dewiness on my face, but I draw the line at a hella greasy forehead, which is what happens when it’s hot outside like it has been lately.

(The powder also comes in a bunch of other colors if translucent isn’t your thing.)

One last thing before I jump into this two-part cardio workout with extra vigor…


Get ready to sweat


And sweat some more

I just booked a hair appointment for next month, my first one since last February! I’ve still got time before the appointment to decide how short I’m going to go, but I’m thinking I might do something that just grazes my shoulders…on the possibility that everything shuts down again this fall or winter (please no!!!).

Anybody else nervous about the new variants? All I can think of is how dire everything felt last January, when I was at my loneliest. Can’t think about it now…

Anywho, hair

I’m going back to the same gal who did my hair last time, Ariana Benoit, because, among other reasons, I really like how her cut from February has grown out.

Which leads me to an old tip a hairdresser friend passed onto me years ago — when booking a hair appointment, grab the first one of the day, if you can. That way your stylist buddy is fresh out the gate and ready to go! 👍

Alright. Going to go get my sweat on. Talk soon, yeah?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 688

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mac fashion legacy with coycoy
Have a colorful Monday! The red lipstick is MAC Fashion Legacy, by the way.

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 five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?

    1. Pick a jewel-toned eyeliner — blue, green or purple?

    Purple!

    2. Earrings, necklace, bracelet or ring?

    A necklace with a very sturdy clasp so I can’t lose it, ha!

    3. For your shampoo/conditioner, pick two — moisturizing, volumizing, smoothing, strengthening, clarifying, heat-protecting, repairing.

    Moisturizing and smoothing would be fantastic!

    4. ’90s hair or ’80s hair?

    Um, both? I guess ’80s if I have to choose one because the era was more curly-hair friendly. In the ’90s, I was constantly fighting my natural wave with hair dryers, flat irons and ALL THE HEAT TOOLS under the sun. It took up an inordinate amount of my time.

    5. A shade of nail polish you rarely (or never) wear?

    I rarely wear orange nail polish, which is kinda funny to me because I don’t mind donning a colorful orange top or dress on occasion.

    6. If you had to give yourself a shot (like, with a real-deal needle), how would you do?

    I’d do alright, believe it or not. I’d take a few deep breaths and say to myself, “You can do this, queen,” and that would be that. Funny thing is, I hate needles — HATE THEM WITH A PASSION — but when I was pregnant with Connor I had gestational diabetes, and I had to stick myself with a small needle a few times a day to test my blood sugar. The first time was at the doctor’s office when they were showing me how to do it, and I had a full-on anxiety attack! It was not pretty, LOL! But after that day, I was totally fine.

    7. Choose one brightly colored lipstick — hot pink, true red, bright orange or violet?

    Let’s go with a bright, true red!

    8. Confetti cake or cherry pie?

    Cherry pie, because it takes more effort to chew, and therefore I will eat it slower. 😉

    9. Favorite place to take a nap?

    My living room couch, or Connor’s room. OH! Or in the car during long drives. I’m that person in the passenger seat with her mouth hanging open and her head lolling about, ha ha ha. I rarely nap in my own bedroom for some reason, hmm!

    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. Pick a jewel-toned eyeliner — blue, green or purple?
    2. Earrings, necklace, bracelet or ring?
    3. For your shampoo/conditioner, pick two — moisturizing, volumizing, smoothing, strengthening, clarifying, heat-protecting, repairing.
    4. ’90s hair or ’80s hair?
    5. A shade of nail polish that you rarely (or never) wear?
    6. A shade of nail polish that you rarely (or never) wear?
    7. Choose one brightly colored lipstick — hot pink, true red, bright orange or violet?
    8. Confetti cake or cherry pie?
    9. Favorite place to take a nap?

    P.P.S. Good morning, my friend. Happy, happy last week of July! I hope this week brings you joy, lots of bright lipstick and some good old-fashioned fun in the sun. Love ya! 🤗

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