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

What Makeup Are You Wearing Today?

July 9th, 2021 by Karen 14 Comments

Here’s mine! How about you? Did you keep it casual today or go all out? Something in between?

EYES — MAC Teddy liner; three Laura Mercier Rose Glow cream shadows in Wild Rose, Forbidden Rose and Rose Thorn; Lancôme Le Monochromatic in Ooh La La; Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara, Chanel Boy de Chanel Brows in Black
CHEEKS — Lancôme Le Monochromatic in French Affair
LIPS — Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Off-Duty and Goddess mixed together
BASE — Avene Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF50, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in Dore 50 and Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand

That’s it for me.

Hmm… I wonder if any of us are wearing the same things today!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

FOTD: Glowing Rose Gold Lids With Black Winged Liner for Anniversary Date Night, Laura Mercier Rose Glow Caviar Sticks, and an Excellent, Affordable Hair Oil by Hask

July 8th, 2021 by Karen 23 Comments

I brought a whole bag of makeup with me to Hawaii last week, and I did not crack it open once…

I know! Pandemic-era K-Dawg continues to amuse me. ? Packing that bag wasn’t for nothin’, though, because I used it yesterday to put on some makeup. We went out to dinner last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary (15 years!), and, yes, I actually painted my face. Then I had to snap a few shots because if ya don’t take a pic (or two) with your cat, then it officially didn’t happen.

FYI, in case you were wondering what 15 years of marriage is like, in a nutshell…it feels like lugging around your husband’s pain-in-the-butt XXL bottle of gluten-free tamari in your Kate Spade purse when you go out to eat sushi (fun fact: soy sauce isn’t gluten-free), but then having so much fun once you get to the restaurant, HA HA HA!

The Warriors Roll from Sushi Tri restaurant in Novato: real crab and avocado topped with spicy mayo, seared salmon, tobiko, crispy fried onion and scallions with unagi sauce

The Pretty Lady Roll with fresh salmon and avocado topped with fresh scallop, ikura, lemon slices and special sauce

Anyway, MAKEUP! I HAZ IT! This look uses a mix of the products from the makeup bag I packed to go on my trip (so, lots of tried-and-true Chanel faves because I’m on a Chanel kick) and some new cream shadow sticks from the recently launched Laura Mercier Rose Glow collection, which, side note, IS GORGEOUS!

The shadows have shimmer, but it’s a low-level glow, not a high-shine metallic frosty finish, and it’s dreamy! The shadows blend like butter, too, so my eye makeup came together in a flash.

All in all, the look took about 20 minutes from start to finish…

laura mercier rose gold swatches — These swatches are Rosie-Pose approved!

I’m really happy with how it turned out, and I’ll definitely wear it again soon.

Before my Hawaii trip fades away to a distant memory, I’ve gotta give a shout-out to these travel-friendly hair oils by Hask I found at Ulta. I originally brought the Argan Oil Repairing Shine and Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Shine Oil vials with me because they were super compact and just $2.99 each, but I ended up LOVING them.

They’re great if you’re looking for an oil to apply to freshly washed and conditioned hair and want mega moisture without weight or greasy strands.

FYI, the oils do contain silicones, so keep that in mind if you’re particular about silicone-containing hair care products.

I spent a lot of time last week at the beach and the pool, and my hair would have looked and felt rough if it hadn’t been for these bad gals. Good stuff, and so, so affordable!

Hard to believe that we’re already in full-on summer, isn’t it? Back-to-school is just around the corner, and I’ve already noticed the beach items and swim suits at stores are starting to be replaced by notebooks, pencils, highlighters and book bags. It’s been so long since I’ve lived with the rhythm of a school year, and it’s just sinking in right now that since Connor will be starting kindergarten in the fall, this will be my schedule for the next few years.

Before you go, take a second to let me know what the weather’s like on your end. It’s been comfortable and relatively cool here in the North Bay Area…for now. It’s a dreamy upper 70s, which won’t last but a moment, I know, but I’m enjoying it while I can.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Checking In: Sales at Ulta, Snail Skin Care, Sunscreen and More!

July 7th, 2021 by Karen 21 Comments

Aloha, amiga! We’re back from Hawaii. Today was the first day I haven’t been surrounded by my family in almost two weeks, and ya know…’twas a little weird. Maybe even a little lonely.

So, naturally, the first place I went for emotional comfort was Ulta. ?

Girl, I know you do the same thing. ? Some days it’s just nice to browse and be out around other beauty lovers.

Some good sales going on right now, like this one on Sun Bum, one of my favorite sunscreens at the moment. The entire line is buy one, get one for 40% off. I was sorely tempted to get backup bottles of my favorite SPF 70 lotion and spray, but I’m well-stocked up at the moment, so I passed.

By the way, I used both the Sun Bum 70 lotion and spray in Hawaii all last week, and they rocked once again. I usually tan merely by walking to/from my car to the house on a sunny day, but I barely picked up any color on this trip, which NEVER happens, ever.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — I’m really, really happy with this line. If you decide to try it, definitely wait for a sale, because it seems to go on sale a lot, at least at Ulta.

Neutrogena skin and sun care items are also on sale (also buy one, get one 40% off). If you like quickly absorbing sunscreens that don’t leave a behind a sticky film, Invisible Defense Lotion SPF 60+ is the way to go. Totally worth buying two bottles.

Interestingly…while I was browsing, I also ran into a new-to-me brand called Peach Slices with three products called Snail Rescue…

Yes, each item contains 95% snail concentrate. ? Um…gross, and wow?

It caught my eye because, I mean, Snail Rescue? Also, while we were in Hawaii, I saw this ginormous snail on one of my morning walks.

That’s my slipper next to it for scale, and I wear a size 7, so it was a fairly massive snail. So crazy!

I’ve never used any skin care products with snail ingredients in them (that sounds so weird)… I like to keep an open mind, but I don’t know if I’ll “go there,” especially not while that giant Hawaiian snail I saw on the side of the road is still fresh in my mind.

I mean, it was almost as big as my foot! ?

Also on the walk with the snail sighting, I ran into another interesting item — a patrol car celebrating the female rear end.

Say hello to The Booty Patrol Car. Side note: Hawaii has the weirdest cars, man.

It has a siren on it and everything!

Goodness gracious, I have so many questions… First of all, who is the driver, and do they ever turn on the siren? Assuming they do, is it only used when they spot “booties of note” passing them by? Also, when they turn on the siren, what exactly do they expect to happen? Because if I had a big, juicy butt, I would NOT get into a car marked “Booty Patrol.” NO WAY. ?

Everything about this car cracks me up, but the oversized peach stickers are particularly amusing to me.

Oh, and speaking of peaches, I’m deeply intrigued by this Peach Pudding Makeup Cleanser, which is also from the same brand that makes the snail stuff.

I may have to buy it eventually just to touch it.

Additional sales of note: there’s a free two-piece gift with any $28 Briogeo purchase (I highly recommend the Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask because it deeply moisturizes without weighing strands down), and Real Techniques is BOGO at 50% off (I bought the brush set years ago and still use and love it).

When you get a chance, please pop in and say hi. I’d love to hear from you. Let me know how you’re doing.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

This or That: The Eyeliner Edition, Part II

July 6th, 2021 by Karen 6 Comments

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are listed below. ?

This or That: The Eyeliner Edition, Part II

Smudgy or crisp edge?

Edgy graphic eyeliner: yes or no?

Soft or stiff pencil liner?

Cake liner or cream liner?

Matte or metallic?

Eyeliner stickers or an eyeliner stamp?

Oversized or skinny pencil tip?

Liquid liner: wand or pen?

Pen tips: short and stiff, or long and flexible?

Pencil or a twist up?

What happens to you more: liner smudging along your lower lash line, or liner that transfers into your crease?

Spend or splurge on your liner?

Smudgy or crisp edge?

I like both equally (smudgy because it’s forgiving and so much easier to do when I’m in a hurry, and crisp because it looks more pulled together), but today I’ll go with a crisp edge.

To be blunt, I’m working my way through a winged liner phase, and sharp, crisp edges have been doing a lot for my makeup soul.

Edgy graphic eyeliner: yes or no?

Yes, let’s do it! ?

Cake liner or cream liner?

Cream for the longer wear time on my lids (but I also like that I get to skip a step by not having to wet my brush and mix it into the cake liner!).

Anything to save a few extra nanoseconds, ya know?

Matte or metallic?

Hmm… This is a surprisingly tough one for me to answer. I want to say matte because I love the classic look of a striking matte liner, but sometimes the flat finish seems borderline harsh on my 40-something lids.

That said, I love how a flash of shimmery liner on my upper lash line instantly brightens my eyes with very little effort, but I feel like it doesn’t pack the same punch as matte liner does (and, dare I say it, it can look a little dated sometimes?).

I’m torn, but I’ll go with the matte option this time… Seems like it stands the test of time better.

Eyeliner stickers or an eyeliner stamp?

The stamp! — because I can just see the stickers falling off my face at inopportune moments, haha!

Oversized or skinny pencil tip?

Skinny, so I can draw those crisp edges without any drama.

Liquid liner: wand or pen?

Pen. Seems more “writerly.”

Pen tips: short and stiff, or long and flexible?

Long and flexible, with lots of glide!

Pencil or a twist-up?

Twist-up, a la the Chanel Stylo Yeuxs.

What pains you more: liner that smudges along your lower lash line, or liner transferring up into your crease?

I feel like liner smudging along my lower lash line is a bigger pain because it’s more obvious. At least when it’s up in my crease, it’s only really visible when I’m looking down for an extended time or I’m sleeping, both of which don’t really happen all that much throughout the day.

Spend or splurge on your liner?

Splurge on it, baby!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday to you! Good morning! ? I’m back in the Bay Area and ready to rock ‘n’ roll this month. Here’s to a great July for all of us.

What are you up to?

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 685

July 5th, 2021 by Karen 17 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 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. Desert or beach?

Beach. ?️ My skin likes the humidity.

2. If you had to tend bar for a friend’s wedding, how would you do?

If the drinks were limited to beer and wine, and the wedding wasn’t too crazy big, I’d be fine… Maybe I’d even get some good tips! ? But, if there were elaborate drinks involved, forget about it. LOL!

3. Sushi or fried chicken?

Sushi! ?

4. Inner corner highlight or brow bone highlight?

I love frosty late ’90s brow bone highlights, but I’ll take the inner corner highlight today because it makes my eyes look perkier.

5. Makeup you’d wear on a casual hot day?

Chanel Boy de Chanel Brow Pencil, Urban Decay Cannonball Waterproof Mascara and Avene Tinted Sunscreen.

6. A scent that soothes you?

Anything with lavender usually does the trick, and morning coffee also does a lot for my soul/wellbeing.

7. Quick! — name the first lipstick that comes to mind.

MAC Velvet Teddy…always and forever.

8. Your potato dish of choice?

French fries, baby! ?

9. What topics do you know well enough to do a Ted Talk on?

Um…befriending stray cats? LOL! I would love do a talk on starting your own beauty blog, or on being a mom in your 40s, or discuss fun books to read on the beach.

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. Desert or beach?
2. If you had to tend bar for a friend’s wedding, how would you do?
3. Sushi or fried chicken?
4. Inner corner highlight or brow bone highlight?
5. Makeup you’d wear on a casual hot day?
6. A scent that soothes you?
7. Name the first lipstick that comes to mind.
8. Your potato dish of choice?
9. What topics do you know well enough to do a Ted Talk on?

P.P.S. Happy Monday, beautiful girl! ?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 667

July 4th, 2021 by Karen 3 Comments

Did you know that when a cat has a penchant for plants, they call it having a “green paw?”

Tabs didn’t just have one green paw. All of his paws were green. Horticulture was something he did on the side. In fact, he was awarded an honorary PhD in horticulture from the University of Hawaii, with an emphasis on native Hawaiian plants.

He had a soft spot for the flashiest flowers. Hibiscus and plumeria were his favorites.

He also did pretty well with orchids, which amazes me to this day. Mine have never looked as good as they did when he was around and tending to them. I sometimes wish his spirit would visit from the Rainbow Bridge and tell me what to do, because all of my orchids are on the verge of leaving this earth.

Happy Independence Day!

It’s time to fire up the barbecues, crack open a catnip cider, and celebrate Independence Day here in the U.S.! Back when Tabs was around, we didn’t need fireworks around here because of his fashion-forward collars.

He loved bold fashion statements and embraced the red, white and blue theme. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, July 3, 2021

July 3rd, 2021 by Karen Leave a Comment

Good morning, friend, and happy Saturday! ?

It’s our last full day here on Oahu, and it’s always so bittersweet when vacation ends, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to being able to sleep in my own bed, and I can’t wait to see Rosie-Pose, although I’m pretty sure she’ll be annoyed when we finally get home because we’ll just be in her way while she reads her astrophysics books…but I’ll sure miss being able to jump in the ocean whenever I want! Oh, and papaya just doesn’t taste as good in California as it does in Hawaii.

This week’s reading

Because I “need” more sunscreen, ha!

Do lips need SPF?

I love this so much.

Teach me your ways, Rae.

What are your plans today? I’m going to swim and eat as much shave ice (my fave is lychee-lilikoi from Kokonuts Shave Ice & Snacks in Hawaii Kai) as I possibly can before we leave…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss: Bold, Bright Summer Shades in the Permanent Collection

July 2nd, 2021 by Karen 3 Comments

What would summer be without bright, juicy glosses?

These vivid vixens reside in the Chanel permanent collection ($32 each), so feel free to fall in love with one all of them. ?

Radian 748 Nectar is a pigmented true coral, and if you’re a coral craver like I am, it’s a must.

Vibrant reddish coral 752 Bitter Orange is another member of Chanel’s coral fam, and it has tiny flecks of golden glitter that make it look amazing on bronzed skin!

Now, if berry shades are more your thing, then add 764 Confusion to your wish list. It’s a bold, cheerful, opaque summer berry.

chanel rouge coco gloss 748 nectar — 748 Nectar

chanel rouge coco gloss 764 confusion — 764 Confusion

chanel rouge coco gloss 752 bitter orange — 752 Bitter Orange

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! Sending a sunny hello to you from this side of the Pacific. I took Connor to the beach yesterday, and we were there practically all day long! We would’ve stayed there from sunrise until sunset if she had her way. I had to bribe her with shave ice to get her to leave. ?