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

What a year, ya know? Hasn’t it been one for the ages? Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Our holiday, like that of many other families today, will look a little different than usual. It’s just me, El Hub, Coycoy and Rosie Posie today, with the rest of our family joining via Facetime and Zoom throughout the day. We’re definitely blessed to have the technology to make things like this year’s remote holiday possible.

We sent care packages with snacks, cards and artwork to our parents, and we’ve been “hanging out” with them on Facetime while they’ve snacked on the cookies and sugar-free candies we sent. I was chatting with a friend the other day, and she and her mom baked a pie together on Facetime… How cool is that? Even though virtual meetups aren’t the same as being able to hug our loved ones (not even close!), food still brings us together.

One of the things I’ve been trying to teach Connor this year is that nothing is ever lost from being generous, and I think the lesson finally hit home with the big ol’ box of persimmons my mom sent me a few weeks ago. We had too many to eat by ourselves, so Connor and I put them in brown paper bags with notes and delivered them to friends and neighbors. At first Connor was worried that we would give all of them away and wouldn’t have enough for ourselves, but I told her to not fret about it, because we already had more than enough, and the act of giving would make us happier. And you know what? It did. We visited with friends we hadn’t seen in a while (good for the soul), and some of our buddies were kind enough to drop off other goodies for us to enjoy in return (including more persimmons!).

Even if you and I haven’t met in person before, you have a virtual spot at our Thanksgiving table. Of course, our house is a little messy and chaotic…but it’s filled with love. I’ve poured lots of it into MBB over the last almost 14 years (!). It’s been A LOT of cats ? and makeup, and silliness, and I hope it has fed your spirit like it has fed mine.

Happy Thanksgiving, sweet girl. ❤️ Thank you for keeping me company. Love you. Have a wonderful day!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

During the pre-Covid era, my answer to this question was usually a “yes,” but now that half my face is always covered up with a mask, it’s a different story. About half the time, I typically have at least a little eye makeup on — brow pencil, mascara, and if I’m feeling “ambitious,” eyeliner and concealer.

And if I happen to be wearing base that day, then before I leave to run my errands, I’ll wipe off any makeup on my lips, nose and around my mouth because I will probably break out if I forget and leave the house wearing makeup underneath my mask.

The other half of the time, I’m just wearing my skin care products and sunscreen, which reminds me… My favorite sunscreen, Elta MD UV Clear, is 20% off on Dermstore right now (originally $36 but on sale for $28.80). I ended up getting two bottles for myself, along with a bottle of DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, which is 25% off now (a 6.7-oz. bottle is usually $28 but on sale for $21).

How ’bout you? Do you wear makeup to run errands?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Bodysuits

I like to call these tops “adult onesies” because they really do look like oversized baby clothes to me (hahaha!). They’re supposed to help petite ladies look taller and slimmer because they let you to tuck in your shirt (a tried-and-true trick to look taller). I haven’t worn one since 1995, but now I really, really want one.

I’m waiting on this bodysuit by Reformation to go on sale!

Fruit salad

Why is precut fruit so satisfying? I have no idea. I’ve been doing this lately: peeling and cutting fruit, then tossing it into a big Tupperware so the fambam can just grab a cup or a bowl whenever.

It’s been a next-level life upgrade, LOL! I like to do a different fruit mix each time I make one, and sometimes I’ll even throw in some canned fruit, like canned mandarin oranges or peaches, to keep things interesting. One VITAL item of note: the fruit absolutely must be cut into uniform, similarly-sized pieces, because I short-circuit when some pieces are big and some are small! (Am I the only person who’s particular about this?)

This 30 minute low-impact workout by Caroline Girvan

OH, girlfriend, this low-impact workout has absolutely no jumping, but when I’m done I’m dripping in sweat totally spent. It’s 30 minutes of steady state cardio, which means that you transition from one movement to the next without any breaks between them, but the moves incorporate big muscle groups, so you’re constantly working everything. It’s brutal, but in the best possible way.

Janod Wooden Toys

Janod also makes a large range of timeless, cute wooden toys for children, and they seem well constructed. I found out about them when I saw this about wooden beauty products at Barnes & Noble. Isn’t it cute?!

The Daydreamer Kit by Wander Beauty ($49)

Because of #masklife, when I put on makeup to run errands, I do my eyes and pretty much nothing else! This set has practically everything you could want/need for fresh, glowing lids — two long-wearing cream shadows in neutral colors (bronze and champagne), a lengthening and curling mascara, a black liquid liner and a highlighter with low-level shine. All you have to add is your favorite brow pencil and concealer!

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. What’s something you love about fall?

The fallen leaves on a windy day, especially when a breeze hits and they get swept up and dance in the wind!

2. A drugstore hair product you like?

BIG fan of Pantene Overnight Serum, although I haven’t been able to find it in stores lately… Boo!

3. Mashed potatoes or green bean casserole?

Oh, mashed potatoes! 100%! Gimme all the carbs…

4. A Thanksgiving memory that makes you smile?

Years ago, shortly after El Hub and I started dating, we took a trip to New York City over a Thanksgiving. We watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, saw the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and did all the touristy things one’s supposed to do when in NYC. Thanksgiving night, we walked and wandered around until we found a small restaurant serving a traditional T-Day meal.

It seems like so long ago!

5. Are your nails painted, and if they are, what color are you wearing?

Essie Bordeaux on my fingers and toes today.

6. Who was the last person who made breakfast for you?

The bakers at Creekside Bakery in Novato who made me a killer ham and cheese croissant yesterday morning.

7. Apple Bottom Jeans or boots with the fur?

Boots with the fur… My feet are cold!

8. Casual or formal?

Casual.

9. Is pencil lip liner stressful?

Only if I plan on taking pics and if the lip liner is dark. Nude liner on a random weekday just for fun? NOT stressful!

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. What’s something you love about fall?
2. A drugstore hair product you like?
3. Mashed potatoes or green bean casserole?
4. A Thanksgiving memory that makes you smile?
5. Are your nails painted, and if they are, what color are you wearing?
6. Who was the last person who made breakfast for you?
7. Apple Bottom Jeans or boots with the fur?
8. Casual or formal?
9. Is pencil lip liner stressful?

P.P.S. Hello there, my friend! I have it on good authority that you’re going to have a good day today. ? I just know it.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever walked around your neighborhood taking pictures of fall leaves! ?‍♀️ Yes? OK. Now keep your hand up if after taking the pictures the first thing you wanted to do when you got home was paint your nails.

?‍♀️ LOL!

I can’t be the only one.

I took a walk yesterday morning after I dropped Connor off at school, and it was a chilly, sunny Northern California morning, 46 degrees, so of course I went outside in my down jacket and like 20 million layers. ? These are some pics of leaves from my neighborhood, and the moment I got back to my house, the first thing I thought was that I needed to find a burgundy or a yellowish green nail polish…

I’m thinking I might do a dark wine today like Essie Bordeaux?

If you know of a color that perfectly embodies “fall leaves,” let me know.

• The 15 best gifts for cat-lovin’ ladies!
• Disney fans, now you can get some of your favorite cartoon characters on Dooney & Bourke tote bags.
• Allegedly, this furniture is designed for humans…but we all know that ultimately it’s all for the felines.
• What’s the difference between inexpensive and high-end nail polishes?
• —> Ulta’s Black Friday sales!

Yes please!

Dear Hung Vanngo, please stop by my house and do this to my face.

OK, somebody needs to talk me out of bangs because I’m living for Hailee’s.

I’ve been binge watching The Crown all week long.

Jessie J got some pipes!

I quite enjoyed this!

How not to take things personally

So many cool things

OMG. Let’s make ALL THE COOKIES!

I’m off to go get Connor ready for a socially distanced ballet recital now. She’s been taking a zoom class with a few other little ballerinas for a couple months, and today they’re all going to perform their routine outdoors behind the dance studio, which means glitter, sparkles, and the whole shebang!

Talk to you soon. Have a great weekend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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 Eyeshadow Edition

• Cool or warm toned eyeshadow?
• Cream eyeshadow stick or cream eyeshadow with a doe foot?
• What’s worse — eyeshadow fallout or eyeshadow creasing?
• Eyeshadow primer — yes or no?
• Which pan would you rather have — a workhorse brown that stays on all day or a blazing bright purple that’s easy to blend?
• Loose or pressed?
• Eyeshadow primer — yes or no?
• Eyeshadow along your lower lash line — yes or no?
• Matte or satin?
• Glitter or pearl?
• Would you rather have an eyeshadow palette with brights or neutrals?

Cool or warm toned eyeshadow?

Yaaargh! I love both! Cool does a better job of carving out a crease, but warm tends to be more flattering on my skin tone…so I guess warm?

Cream eyeshadow stick or cream eyeshadow with a doe foot?

I’ll take the shadow stick in a heartbeat!

What’s worse — eyeshadow fallout or eyeshadow creasing?

Fallout!

Eyeshadow primer — yes or no?

I haven’t really been doing any intense blending lately, so I’m going to pass. But if and when I get back in the mood to do more elaborate looks, then I’ll say yes, since primer really does seem to make a difference when you’re doing elaborate things with shadow.

Which pan would you rather have — a workhorse brown that stays on all day, or a blazingly bright purple that’s easy to blend?

Ooh, this is tough! What the hell, I’ll go with the purple…

Loose or pressed?

Pressed.

Eyeshadow along your lower lash line — yes or no?

Sure why not!

Matte or satin?

Satin because it’s easier to blend, but it has to be one that isn’t very shiny.

Glitter or pearl?

Glitter!

Would you rather have an eyeshadow palette with brights or neutrals?

Do you even know me at all? LOL! I’ll take the neutrals!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen ?

P.S. Happy Friday! How’s it going on your end? This week felt exceptionally long to me (on Tuesday I was already ready for it to be over with, LOL!), so I’m really happy to have made it to today. I’m also *very excited* about lunch today because I went shopping yesterday at Trader Joe’s and grabbed another bag of the Harvest Apple Salad Kit, ? otherwise known as “the most bomb salad at TJ’s right now.” It’s excellent as is, but if you have the time, I highly recommend joojing it up with chopped fresh apples and pomegranate seeds.

Mmm… I did it the other day and immediately gobbled it up! TJ’s sells prepackaged pomegranate seeds in a cup near the salad section, BTW, but I just buy the whole fruit and dig ’em out.

Your tummy will thank you!

One last thing: I woke up with this song stuck in my head…

P.P.S. TGIF!