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

OK, team. My calendar, along with all of the marketing people across the beauty-sphere, keep reminding me that National Lipstick Day is FIVE SLEEPS AWAY. I think that’s plenty of time for us to join forces, mount up and put on some face paint this July 29th to celebrate that 1) we’re here and we’re still kickin’, and 2) lipstick is fun and fantastic. 😘

I’m thinking of doing Stila Beso, but only if — AHEM! — I can find it. I stashed it away someplace a few weeks ago, probably in that one “mom purse” I have that’s like a black hole for everything. (I swear I put stuff in there, and it never returns.)

Even if I can’t find Beso (BOO), I promise to try my best to wear a color that won’t instantly put you to sleep, ha ha ha! 😹

This week’s reading

• Pat, pat, pat your way to glowing skin with these — the best cushion makeup products, according to Allure.
• Here’s how to tell if your eyes are hooded, and a few makeup tricks to make ’em pop.
• Melt-proof makeup to beat the heat!
• Simone Biles is my queen! Did you know that she does her own hair and makeup at the Olympics?
• Reverse cat eye. It’s a thing.
• Target is the promised land, because not only can you get 36 rolls of toilet paper there in one fell swoop, but you’ll also be able to buy Clinique (and a bunch of other top Ulta brands) there pretty soon, too!
• If you’re looking for beauty inspiration, here are 5 makeup artists based in Detroit to have on your radar.
• What are your thoughts on eyeliner stickers?! On the one hand, convenience. Always a good thing, right? But I don’t think I’d enjoy feeling something sitting on top of my lids. I can just see myself ripping ’em off after five minutes, LOL.
• I spy with my little eye a few of my favorite nail top coats!
• Speaking of nail polish…here are the bestselling colors, from OPI to Essie.
• Everyone’s buying lipstick! 💄
• Speaking of lipstick…do you see any of your faves on this list of makeup artist favorites?
• What do cats do when we’re not looking, hmmm… 🐈
• I like big cats and I cannot lie! Here are some large-and-in-charge breeds to consider. 🦁
• Netflix has a new series featuring feline enthusiasts!

THIS IS SO GOOD.

I have no idea why, but I just love this so much.

Somebody please make this for me, thanks.

Drop that knowledge, JVN.

So colorful and beautiful

So, what’s the plan for the rest of the weekend (besides hunting for a lipstick to wear on Thursday)? Doing anything fun? I’m going to try to get outside for a bit at some point, maybe for a picnic or a hike. It’s important for the heart and soul (allergies notwithstanding).

Take care and chat soon. 😊

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

1. Working out at the gym in a class with real, live people!

DANG. I can’t believe I’m only realizing this now after how many years roaming the earth, but working out at the gym with friends in a class is much more fun and SO MUCH SWEATIER than working out alone in your bedroom in front of a screen. OMG!

I know we all had to do what we had to do when the world hit the pause button (and hopefully we don’t all have to hit the pause button again soon), so I’ve been working out at home, and I only recently felt comfortable enough going back to the gym here in our area.

The HIIT class I used to take is now held outdoors, and I just recently started going back again twice a week.

Wow! — I feel like a completely different person. Exercising with a group is so completely different than exercising alone. There are other people there to push you to keep up with them! It’s not as boring as standing alone in my bedroom and kicking and punching into the air. LOL.

I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed being able to celebrate my body by pushing it to the limits. I’m not a serious athlete or anything, but I’m so happy to have that one thing back in my life, which, truth be told, I took for granted during pre-Covid times. It’s been glorious!

The simple act of going to the gym to exercise with friends and sweat together… I’m am so grateful for it.

2. Watermelon, finally

Finally, after what has seemed like eons, I’ve finally gotten a couple of good watermelons lately.

We’ve been getting some pretty unappetizing watermelons so far this season — mushy, tasteless and downright disgusting watermelons — but they’ve been getting better lately!

Fun fact: watermelon season runs from July through August in California, which is probably why every watermelon I’ve bought lately hasn’t been completely terrible. I’m talking yellow spots, hella webbing, and a dark, dull green color. Mmm… Ooh, and so heavy!

Room temperature watermelon? WHAT IS THAT NONSENSE? In our house, the only way to eat watermelon is cold, so I precut a bunch into slices and keep them in the fridge.

3. Tomatoes from my friend’s garden

Speaking of the bounty of summer fruit, oh-em-gee, my friend Marisol gave me a whole mess of tomatoes from her garden, and I’ve been tomato-ing it up all week long for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Why do I even bother eating tomatoes the rest of the year? Summer tomatoes are where it’s at, man.

4. Applying makeup on most days, and being cool with simple looks

Makeup can be a blast, or it can be a chore, right? The best thing for me right now is to just wear whatever I feel like and be cool with simple looks. One shadow (or maybe two) on the lid, eyeliner, and then whatever else ends up on my face. I’m happy wearing a little bit. Note to self: not everything has to be complicated!

5. Taking Connor to swim class

Connor started taking swimming lessons! She’ll be going every day for the next month. Last week was her first week, and I’ve found many things to love about the whole situation.

First of all, she has such a good time in the water! After her first class, she said that she had so much fun and couldn’t wait to go back the next day. Then she informed me that she was going to be a swimmer and a ballerina, and perhaps even a swimming ballerina. LOL! Seeing her enjoy herself so much really makes me happy.

Second, is it just me, or is it nice to hear the sounds of kids having fun in a pool? It sounds like summer.

Best of all, I’ve had some really good conversations with moms and caregivers there. The actual swimming lessons are 30 minutes long, so it’s long enough to get a nice chat in with somebody, and that’s just been super enjoyable for me. It’s a reminder of how much I’ve missed interacting with people… Last week I was talking to someone, and we were standing about an arm’s length away from each other and were both like, “Can you imagine doing this last year? It would’ve seemed wild!”

What have you been loving lately?

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 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. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?

For my body, I like to do lotion first thing in the morning for my first layer, then touchups throughout the day using a spray.

As for my face, the routine is a little more complicated (story of my makeup life, ha). When I’m not wearing makeup, I’ll usually start with a lotion, then do touchups with either a lotion or spray throughout the day…so when I’m not wearing makeup, it’s pretty straightforward; however, if I will be wearing makeup, then I’ll do two layers of lotion, starting with the first layer, then waiting 10 minutes, then applying the second, waiting a bit more, and THEN I’ll do my makeup.

It’s a process.

2. Cream shadow stick, or liquid eyeshadow with a doe-foot applicator?

As of today, at this moment, let’s go with the cream shadow stick…but that could change at any minute!

3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?

Lengthening and curling please!

4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?

I used to LOVE them. Now? Not so much, at least on me. I used to feel like they looked Cara Delevingne-style voluminous, but lately I’ve felt like they’re outright aggressive. Maybe it’s because I don’t have as much natural collagen plumping up my cheeks as I get more and more into my 40s? All I know is, the older I get, the more flattering a softer, less structured and defined brow suits me.

5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.

Hmm… I’ve never used a tanning lotion. (Really don’t have a need to, LOL.)

6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?

Honestly, I don’t know. If I were numbed beyond belief, then maybe not so terribly? They’d be doable, I think…

Now, if, instead, I didn’t have anything to dull the pain? Girl, those brows would be a fright. I just know I’d get halfway through the first one before chickening out on the rest.

7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.

Amethyst purple.

8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?

A smattering of chopped roasted nuts and a maraschino cherry. 😸 I’d also like two small sides of chocolate sauce and caramel sauce! That way I can pick and choose from each.

9. Favorite place to get books?

It used to be the library, but I haven’t been there since pre-Covid times. Lately, I’ve been getting books from an independent bookstore in town called Copperfield’s. It’s mellow inside, and they have a good selection for a bookstore so much smaller than a typical Barnes & Noble. Of course, even if you can’t find the book you want, they’ll order it for you.

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. Sunscreen — lotion or spray?
2. Cream shadow stick or liquid eyeshadow with a doefoot applicator?
3. For your mascara, pick two: waterproof, lengthening, thickening or curling?
4. How do you feel about brushed up eyebrows?
5. Name a type of beauty product you’ve never tried.
6. If you had to microblade your own brows, how do you think you’d do?
7. Choose one brightly colored eyeliner to wear: neon green, cobalt blue, amethyst purple.
8. What do you want on your ice cream sundae?
9. Favorite place to get books?

P.P.S. Beautiful girl, you’re doing so well. Keep on going, and when you start feeling stuck, remember that you’re tougher than you know! You can get through whatever it is you need to get through. 🤗