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Fresh, Feel-Good Wearable Makeup With Sparkling Champagne Lids (Just One Product!), and Peach Cheeks and Lips

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lancome ombre hypnose erika f k smile
Fresh and sparkling lids, nude lips and cheeks with minimal products. Here’s my shirt!

I went to a candy store yesterday, and this is the makeup I had on while engaging in a deep discussion with my loved ones about popcorn-flavored jelly beans.

Seriously, why do people get so worked up about popcorn jelly beans? I think they’re absolutely delightful and will go so far as to call them my favorite flavor. Everyone else around me thinks they’re gross. Where do you stand on this OBVIOUSLY VERY IMPORTANT MATTER?

(Side note: I didn’t actually end up choosing the jelly beans as my treat though. I went with an old classic instead, the Cadbury Fruit and Nut Bar).

cadbury fruit and nut bars
My fave since I was a child!

Raise a glass to shimmery champagne shadows

This is a one-and-done eye makeup look with a single shimmery cream champagne shadow stick worn as liner and eyeshadow. If you don’t have one of these already in your makeup arsenal, I highly recommend finding one you like ASAP.

The champagne shade adds brightness and shine to lids, and in my experience, it’s one of those colors that instantly perks up your face, especially if you look like you haven’t been sleeping well (which has been me lately).

If you can find a champagne stick that works as a liner *and* a shadow, then that’s even better. The one I’m using here is a long-wearing one by Lancôme called Ombre Hypnose Stylo in Erika F.

lancome ombre hypnose stylo erika f graphite
Shimmery cream shadows by Lancôme
lancome ombre hypnose erika f graphite swatches
I’m wearing Erika F.

The Hourglass Sunset trio

To keep the look easy and fresh, I blended a trio of sheer cream products onto my cheeks. I used the Hourglass Sunset Trio, which has a cream bronzer, blush and highlighter, all tucked conveniently into one compact. It used to be part of the permanent collection, but then Hourglass discontinued it, and this season they brought it back. It’s expensive at $62, but it’s SO GOOD (here’s a review if you’re interested).

hourglass illume sunset trio
OH, HAI, GORGEOUS!

Then I lined my lips with nude liner and dabbed a peachy pink gloss on top. (Oh, and yes, I ended up blotting the gloss off before I left for the candy store because I didn’t want it to transfer onto my mask).

lancome hypnoselancome hypnose erika f closeup erika f closeup
This look is quick and elegant.
lancome hypnose erika f hourglass usnset trio swatches
Makeup worn in this look
blush is my crush gloss is my sauce
Blush Is My Crush Tee ($34).

Makeup worn in this look

This will kick your butt!

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Budget Anti-Aging Skin Care Haul: Retinol Cream, Vitamin C Serum and Niacinamide Night Cream (Each $30 or Less!)

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neutrogena vichy 1
A little TLC from Target

If you need me, you can find me buried under all the things I unintentionally bought at Target while under pandemic duress. ?

DUUUUUUDE. It recently occurred to me that there is much room for improvement in my skin care routine. With everything going on right now (it looks like Marin County is going under lockdown again, and very soon), it’s been a struggle to do the things that were once second nature, like maintaining a consistent skin care routine. I’ve been doing the very minimum it takes for me to function lately — moisturizing face wash, zit cream, moisturizer, sunscreen on most days (when I can remember it).

Anyway, I looked in the mirror last weekend at my bare face and said to myself, “OH MY GOD, WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING” and thought to myself, “Hmm… I could do a better job of proactively using anti-aging products every day.”

So, after watching these these very detailed skin care videos by a couple of different dermatologists on YouTube, I couldn’t resist grabbing some things on my weekly trip to Tar-ghay.


Go in depth on retinal with Dr. Dray.


Dr. Maren Locke walks you through the drugstore products she recommends to her dermatology patients.

Vichy Vitamin C serum

Both the derms in the videos had high praise for the Vichy vitamin C serum ($28.50), and so I’m super excited about it. I used the famous Skinceuticals CE Ferulic for a short time a few years ago and had great results with it evening out pigmentation, but I couldn’t deal with the price tag — $166 for one ounce! — so I’ve been looking for a replacement ever since.

vichy liftactiv
Gimme all the vitamin C.

This one by Vichy isn’t exactly budget; a small 0.33-oz. bottle is $28.50, which works out to $85 an ounce, but that’s easier for me to stomach. Both the Skinceuticals and the Vichy serums contain 15% vitamin C, and both are also owned by the same parent company, L’Oréal (which often means the brands share similar technology and resources), so I’m hoping the Vichy serum works well.
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DIY Eyeshadow: Mixing Bronzer and Highlighter for Effortlessly Glowing Lids (And Another Lazy Girl Glam Look!)

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lancome skin feels good lazy girl glam eye closeup
Multi-use creams up in the mix!

I stumbled onto this fun way to make your own customized shadow yesterday while I was putting on some makeup to run errands — mix bronzer and highlighter together with a brush, and swish all over your lids. The result? Effortlessly glowing eyes!

I used equal amounts of a multi-use cream bronzer and a highlighter (both by Lancôme), and all I did was dip a tapered blending brush into the pan, swirled everything together on the back of my hand, and then swept the mix on my lids.

lancome skin feels good lazy girl glam eye closeup head tilt final
Lovin’ on the gray eyeliner.

I think this is a cool way to customize your eyeshadow, because you can add more or less of either product, depending on your mood.

Multi-use in the mix

You can easily complete the eye look by curling your lashes and loading up on mascara, which would be super pretty, especially if you used a lengthening and separating mascara to really stretch out your lashes.

I did that here and still felt like something was missing, so I also lined my upper lash lines by loading an angled brush with a shimmery gray cream shadow stick that also doubles as liner.

I love how the gray adds some definition to my eyes but doesn’t look too harsh, and I also love how the gray cream stick isn’t as finicky as a liquid liner or gel. It’s so much easier to control, and you don’t end up with liquid liner running amuck across your lids! ?

lancome skin feels good lazy girl glam eye closeup smile final
A bit of a bold brow, just for fun!

To streamline the look even further, I also used the bronzer and highlighter on my cheeks. Then I used another multi-use cream as a blush and lipstick.

Skin is in

One more item of note — I’ve been really into sheer bases, and the one I’m using here is a new one to me called Skin Feels Good By Lancôme. It’s a tinted moisturizer with SPF 23 and a demi-matte finish, and it comes in 11 shades.

I like it a lot! The tube and pump also make it easy to control, and I never feel like I’m wasting product. The formula feels lightweight too. It’s also pigmented enough to even out the pigmentation on my cheeks but doesn’t look too “made up.”

Good stuff! If you’re into that “no-makeup makeup” look, this is perfect.
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 652

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love you wreath monday poll
You are important and you are valued! You are loved.

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. Clam chowder or linguine and clams?

    I’ll take the clam chowder as long as it’s New England clam chowder, and then only if the clams are already out of their shells and chopped up into teeny, tiny little pieces.

    I swear I’m not picky! Just totally weird about clams. If they’re still in the shells, forget about it. I had way too many traumatic incidents eating them as a child…

    2. 2020 skinny jeans or 1995 vintage jeans?

    Gimme the skinny jeans please with a high rise and a little bit of stretch…but not too much.

    3. Your favorite punctuation mark?

    I do love an exuberant exclamation mark every once in a while!

    4. Something about you that sounds made up but is true?

    When I was a teenager, I was almost kidnapped. ?

    5. If your pet was a fan of a TV show, what show would it be?

    Ya know, even though Rosie is a serious intellectual, I can see her getting sucked into The Bachelorette against her will.

    6. Have you ever fallen down a flight of stairs?

    OMG, yes! I accidentally tumbled down a flight of stairs at the San Francisco Orpheum theater during intermission while watching Wicked… I was wearing high heels and took a wrong step. Pretty sure my lady parts flashed half the mezzanine, too, but ya know, it was SF. Since everyone there had probably at one point or another been unintentionally exposed to body parts, nobody batted a lash.

    I was mortified though.

    7. Cold scrambled eggs — great or gross?

    SO BEYOND GROSS. I can only eat scrambled eggs when they’re warm and silky soft. If they’re even a smidgen overcooked, I can’t. I just CANNOT.

    8. Are you wearing a scent today?

    Other than the scent of exhaustion? Kidding! (Kinda.) I’m wearing Lancôme Idole today. It’s so fresh and floral and light, and I love it. The official scent notes are…

    • Top notes: Bergamot (Citrus), Juicy Pear, Pink Peppercorn
    • Middle Notes: Rose and Jasmine
    • Bottom Notes: White Musk, Vanilla, Patchouli, Cedarwood

    9. What’s for lunch?

    I have half a TJ’s Buffalo Ranch Chopped Salad kit that I need to finish, so I’ll probably have that.

    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. Clam chowder or linguine and clams?
    2. 2020 skinny jeans or 1995 vintage jeans?
    3. Your favorite punctuation mark?
    4. Something about you that sounds made up but is true?
    5. If your pet was a fan of a TV show, what show would it be?
    6. Have you ever fallen down a flight of stairs?
    7. Cold scrambled eggs — great or gross?
    8. Are you wearing a scent today?
    9. What’s for lunch?

    P.P.S. Hello there, sweet girl! I know you’re probably very busy today, but if you have a moment and the weather cooperates, try to enjoy the outdoors a little. I hope you have a beautiful day.

    The trees in my neighborhood have been extra showy lately…

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 633

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Rosie got no chill.

For such a tiny torbie, she’s surprisingly high strung when it comes to the gangs of turkeys roaming about the estate. Yes, she refers to our neighborhood as her “estate,” and the turkeys are trespassing upon her land.

They’re only doing what the turkeys do every year. They strut about, fluffing their feathers to let everyone know that they’re the kings of the neighborhood, but Rosie isn’t having any of that.

Rosie is convinced that they’re plotting to overthrow the neighborhood. “Nefarious plots,” she calls them.

She’s taken it upon herself to lead the torbie army to protect the land.

It’s a side of her I haven’t seen before. She’s quite the warrior kitty.

Tabs had a completely different cattitude. He saw the turkeys as his next meal, not as a force to be obliterated.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, Nov. 14, 2020

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Twirling into the weekend

Hello, friend! Welcome to another weekend. We made it…and, therefore, you deserve pancakes. ? Because can one really consider Saturday Saturday if it doesn’t include pancakes? Hmm… I don’t think so.

Lemon blueberry LOVE

I highly recommend these sheet pan lemon and blueberry pancakes, also known as “the best thing ever.” You can quickly whip up the batter (the key is to not overmix!), pour it into a large baking sheet, and shove it in the oven.

Fifteen minutes later, you’ve got a massive tray of pancakes. All done at the same time. And you don’t even have to stand at the stove to babysit them.

They’re SO GOOD!

I’ve been making them with a couple of substitutions. Like, I replace the flour combination with straight-up gluten-free flour (because El Hub’s celiac), and I use whole milk instead of buttermilk because it’s what we usually have in the house.

FYI: the Lancôme Friends & Family sale

After we get our pancake on, I’m going to spend a little time with this pretty lady by Lancôme today…

lancome soiree
Isn’t she beautiful!?

This creamy pan of mate raspberry deliciousness is from the Le Monochromatique line, and it doubles as a blush and a lipstick. You could quite possibly use it as an eyeshadow, too, if you’re feeling feisty. I’m having a lot of fun playing with these. Basically, I’m low-key obsessed.

If you’re curious about ’em and think you might want to take a dip, wait till November 17th, because that’s when Lancôme starts their Friends & Family Sale this year, and you can get 25% off on makeup, fragrance and skincare gift sets on their website. Might be a good time to grab a bottle of La Vie Est Belle or Idole as a present for yourself (or someone else!). I’ve been talking nonstop about both scents to anyone who’ll listen to me, and here I am gabbing again… I just think they smell great!

lancome la vie est belle idole
LOVE


My favorite Tammy Wynette song. Also, her hair and makeup in this video are MAGIC!


Well, now I’ve got to wear this to preschool pickup and/or drop off. It’s the right thing to do.


Take me back to freshman year of college, please.


Anybody know where I can get a Prince Muppet?


And while you’re at it, please direct me to a place where I can purchase Cher’s abs.


Beautiful and timeless.


I should watch this 1,045,099 times because apparently now I’m feral.


Well this is interesting!


Love you, Daniel.

Have a wonderful day! Please try to get some rest, if you can. It’s important. You deserve a break.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Using the Multi-Use Le Monochromatiques by Lancôme for Today’s Lazy Girl Glam: Daytime Golden Brown Smokey Eyes, Coral Cheeks and Lips

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lancome le monochromatique k french affair down
Lil’ bit of smoke

It’s Friday the 13th! IN THE YEAR 2020! Seriously, good luck to us all… ?

Side note: are you superstitious? I like to think of myself as not overly superstitious, but when given a chance to maximize my luck by knocking on wood or putting coins underneath my doormat on New Year’s Eve (it’s a Filipino thing), I’ll do it. And if there’s ever something that looks sketchy, like a doll made with button eyes and hay with hella needles stuck to it, or an old glass bottle filled with teeth! — there’s ABSOLUTELY NO WAY I’m touching it.

lancome le monochromatique k french smile
Watch out for those ladders and black cats!

On that somewhat weird note…here’s today’s face of the day, which is kinda related to luck because I was lucky enough to stumble onto these fabulous multi-use pans from Lancôme. Have you heard of the Le Monochromatiques? They’re in the permanent line. They’re these creamy multi-use products in chic black compacts with clear tops (which I love, by the way, because I can quickly find the exact color I need), with a bouncy soft texture, and you can wear them on your lids, lips and cheeks. They blend like a dream!

lancome le monochromatique
So chic!
lancome le monochromatique swatches
I’m an NC42 in MAC, by the way.

I’ve been really into what I like to call “lazy girl glam” lately, which are looks that rely on multitasking makeup and incorporate a subtle element or two of glamour (like a hazy smokey lid or glowing cheek highlights), but, like, toned down enough so I feel comfortable wearing them to run errands. I purposefully give myself 15-20 minutes to do everything from start to finish; that way I don’t get tempted to pile more stuff on my face, LOL!

Anyway, the Le Monochromatique line is fantastic for this type of look. Here I used the matte coral shade French Affair as a blush and a lipstick. Next, I dabbed a little bit of pearly champagne Eclat on my upper cheekbones and in the inner corners of my eyes as a highlighter (you can also use it as a eyeshadow). Then I swept a bit of matte brown Ooh La La (which doubles as a bronzer) on my lids atop a black pencil for soft, daytime smokey eyes.

lancome le monochromatique k french affair
When you’ve got 12 pounds of hair you might as well do something with it, hahah!

Besides looking effortless — I love how these creams don’t look too thick or obvious — I love how you can use them in so many different ways. I plan on mixing the brown and the champagne on my eyes next to see what happens.

I do my hair toss, check my nails…

Makeup worn in this look

  • BASE: Lancôme Skin Feels Good in Tan
  • CHEEKS: Lancôme Le Monochromatique in French Affair (blush), Eclat (highlighter)
  • LIPS: Lancôme Le Monochromatique in French Affair
  • EYES: MAC Smolder liner, Lancôme Le Monochromatique in Oh La La, Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara, Urban Decay Brow Beater in Neutral Brown

Speaking of black cats

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Q & A: What Do You Look for in a Sunscreen?

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Admittedly, I’m asking this Q & A today partly because I need the reminder to wear sunscreen during the cold months! ?

So, here’s what I look for in a sunscreen…

  • That it absorbs quickly, because I don’t want to sit there rubbing sunscreen into my face for 10 years.
  • Leaves behind absolutely no white cast!
  • Doesn’t give me breakouts.
  • It’s at least moderately moisturizing.
  • Layers well with other skin care products and makeup.
  • It has a matte or demi-matte finish (no shimmer, please).
  • Feels lightweight on my skin.
  • It comes in a tube or a pump, because I don’t like dipping my fingers into a jar.

Right now my favorite sunscreen is Elta MD UV Clear, because it’s all that and a bag of chips! I’ve been wearing it for about a year now and have yet to stray. I do wish it was less than $29…but it works so well that I’m mostly OK with the price.

How about you? What do you look for in a sunscreen?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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