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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, July 13

July 13th, 2009 by Karen 58 Comments

071309-monday-poll

  1. Mood:
  2. Relaxed and optimistic.

  3. Describe yourself in five words:
  4. Creative, funny, sensitive, fickle, fun.

  5. What did you do last weekend?
  6. Apart from the regular boring life stuff like groceries, cleaning and laundry, I watched Public Enemies (maybe wait for the DVD) and started reading Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris, the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Oh! El Hub and I went house hunting yesterday and found a potential place, a condo in a town called Novato. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping it works out.

  7. Do you ever permanently “borrow” magazines from the gym or doctor’s office?
  8. I’m sooo guilty of this! I totally “borrow” magazines from the gym. I don’t really feel bad about doing it, though, because I donate magazines back all the time.

  9. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
  10. Nothing yet because I woke up late this morning. I’ll probably end up doing a look with some bits from MAC Colour Craft or Chanel Venice.

  11. When was the last time you went window shopping for makeup?
  12. Yesterday. I popped by the Macy’s Chanel counter in Corte Madera (about 10 minutes north of San Francisco) to pick up an Eye Gloss and to check out some brushes. By the way, if you’re going to be in the Bay Area this coming weekend, the Corte Madera Macy’s is hosting a Chanel Master Class on July 18th. The first class starts at 11 a.m. and second at 3 p.m., and it’s free to attend. For full deets, call (415) 927-3333 (extension 2362) and ask for Masooma. Don’t forget to tell her I referred you!

  13. Who’s the first person you call when you’re upset?
  14. El Hub.

  15. What’s your favorite way to relax?
  16. Going for a long run with lots of good music pumping through my iPod or curling up on the couch with a good book.

  17. Outfit:
  18. Khaki green sun dress, tan linen blazer and brown wedge sandals.

  19. Weekly goals:
  20. Do visualization exercises, run at least four times, start going for walks during the day.

I just finished guzzling my first cup of green tea (with honey, yum!), and I’m getting ready to go out for a quick 10 minute walk break. I haven’t been very good about giving myself breaks during the work day, so I figure there’s no time like the present to start a new, good habit.

How’s your Monday been so far? Before things start picking up on your end, let me know what’s going on. Just copy the empty list below, and paste it with your answers in the comments. I can’t wait to hear from you. 🙂

Le list

Mood:
Describe yourself in five words:
What did you do last weekend?
Do you ever permanently “borrow” magazines from the gym or doctor’s office?
Eyes/lips/cheeks:
When was the last time you went window shopping for makeup?
Who is the first person you call when you’re upset?
What’s your favorite way to relax?
Outfit:
Weekly goals:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 58 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Comment to Win $101 in Philosophy!

July 12th, 2009 by Karen 276 Comments

philosophy-giveaway

I know this sounds totally cheesy, but one thing I love to do when I’m in the shower is read aloud the phrases on the sides of Philosophy bottles. I always keep some of the body washes, shave gels and cleansers on hand (a girl’s gotta have choices) as food for thought when I’m shampooing or shaving my werewolf legs. 🙂

philosophy1

Last night I was reading a bottle of Purity Made Simple (PMS?) for the umpteenth time. I can’t even count how many bottles of the stuff I’ve gone through over the years…

I love trying new face washes, but Purity Made Simple is the one I always come back to. It takes off everything, even waterproof mascara, and doesn’t strip my skin or cause breakouts. It’s probably my favorite Philosophy product, evah (have you seen Sephora’s cute $10 travel-sized sample bottle?).

Purity Made Simple isn’t the only Philosophy product I use on a regular basis. Their bath gels, scrubs and lotions have some of the best textures and scents around and leave my skin oh so soft and yummy. 🙂

A few more fab Philosophies…

  • Amazing Grace Perfumed Buffing Wash ($26), Shave Gel ($15) and Perfumed Body Spritz ($25)
  • Unconditional Love Firming Body Lotion ($34)
  • Soul Owner Foot Cream ($14)
  • Kiss Me Very Emollient Lip Balm in Clear ($10)

Ladies, I say we end the weekend on a high note. 🙂 What a good philosophy, yah?

I think it’s time for a giveaway!

The prize

One lucky lady will win the following four great bath and body products from Philosophy (a $101 value):

  • Cinnamon Hot Dots Shower Gel, $16
  • She Colors My Day Charity Bubble Bath, $20
  • When Hope is Not Enough Omega 369 Body Scrub, $30
  • When Hope is Not Enough Omega 369 Body Lotion, $35

philosophy cinnamon hot dots

philosophy she colors my day

philosophy hope is not enough replenishing body lotion

philosophy when hope is not enough hydrating body scrub

How to enter…

There are TWO different ways to enter the giveaway, and you can do both of them for TWO chances to win.

First, enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. In it, tell me your Philosophy on Love love.

My philosophy on love? Don’t be stingy with it.

Follow meSecond, enter by following me on Twitter if you haven’t already. You’ll be automatically entered to win future MBB giveaways and can keep up with all the weirdness that seems to follow me on a daily basis, ha! 🙂
(NOTE: If you’re already following me on Twitter, you’re automatically entered to win.)

Recap…

  1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
  2. Follow me on Twitter if you haven’t already.

I’ll choose the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 PM PST on Tuesday, July 14.

Buona fortuna!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 276 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, July 12

July 12th, 2009 by Karen 18 Comments

Tabs for Kat Spade

This weekend was a BIG one for Tabs. The modeling jobs just keep rollin’ in. Tonight he’s off to Milan to shoot a spread for Armani, and then from there he heads to Tokyo to film a commercial for Mountain Dew.

That’s just the life of the fabulous and furry, I guess. 🙂

To see what Tabs has been up to this week, click here to view a gallery of his latest collaborations.

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There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun Keywords: tabs

Makeup and Beauty Blog on Twitter

July 12th, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

Tabs on Twitter
Click here to follow me on Twitter…

What is Twitter? — As far as I can tell so far (and I’m VERY late to the party), Twitter is at least two different things, the first of which is the reason I refrained from using it for so long.

The beauty of Twitter

  1. It’s an instant messaging/chat service similar to the old AOL chat rooms, AIM or MSN, except that it makes it easier to carry on conversations with large groups of people (from one to potentially millions of people in the same conversation!) and archives each individual message (aka a Tweet) on the web.
  2. Twitter’s also a great way to find and instantly communicate with people and businesses with similar interests (in my case cats, photography, blogging, writing, randomness, makeup and beauty).

How do I know this?

Because of something that happened last week…

It was early on Thursday morning. I was at my computer, drinking coffee in my pajamas and catching up on beauty news online. I saw a blurb in my feed reader for a blog post titled, “Illamasqua Coming to Sephora!!!!”

Holy shizz! Fo’ reals? I couldn’t believe my eyes, so I Googled for info and called Illamasqua to confirm.

It was true, and guess where the news first broke — where did it first appear?

You guessed it: Twitter. 🙂

Even though I’m afraid I’ll get sucked in, that I’ll need a Twitter intervention by Christmas, who cares? All of the big cosmetics and beauty companies are tweeting out coupon codes, announcing new products, events and sales on Twitter; I can no longer resist.

If you have any Twitter tips or just want to scold me for taking so long to join, let me know in the comments (or via Twitter, ha! Love the irony). I pledge to make up for my lateness with frequent Twittaway beauty giveaways and breaking beauty news.

Quick and easy

I was also really surprised by how easy it was to make a Twitter account. It’s free and easier than ordering a book on Amazon. The toughest part was choosing a username.

My first choice (mbb) was already taken. I’d wanted something short because of how people send messages on Twitter, and “makeupandbeautyblog” isn’t exactly short, right?

So, on Twitter I’m karenmbb. Tweet ya later.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Do you use Facebook? On Facebook I’m at facebook.com/makeupandbeautyblog. I have my Twitter and Facebook accounts linked, so you can reach me at either one.

There are 22 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, News

True Blue Morocco Collection Rose Petal and Orange Flower Shower Cream from Bath and Body Works

July 11th, 2009 by Karen 18 Comments

true-blue-morocco-rose-petal-orange-flower-shower-cream

I’ve been spending way too much time in the shower lately…

It’s because I’m having such a good time singing (showers have the *best* acoustics!) the virtues of True Blue Morocco Rose Petal and Orange Flower Shower Cream ($15). 🙂

It’s a moisturizing, rose-scented body wash from the new True Blue Morocco collection by Bath and Body Works, and I think it smells amazing!

Morocco me

Inspired by the North African country of Morocco, Rose Shower cream is one of six products in BBW’s latest line of body washes, lotions and scrubs. The collection brings to life some of the scents and symbols of Moroccan culture, like saffron, dates, mint, yogurt, tea and Moroccan rose.

BBW made sure the products don’t just smell good; they work well, too, thanks to cleansing and moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, sweet almond oil and honey.

Atypical Bath and Body Works packaging

I love how exotic and refined Rose Shower Cream’s dark blue bottle looks, like something you’d find in an old world apothecary. It looks like frosted glass, but it’s actually plastic, so you don’t have to worry about dropping the bottle in the shower (like I did).

I’m a packaging ho, and all the bold, jewel-toned colors and minimalist bottles in the True Blue Morocco line really appeal to me. They’re different — not BBW’s typical packaging, which with all the pastels, butterflies and flowers sometimes borders on Limited Too territory. 🙂

Rose and citrus notes

The bottle isn’t the only thing that breaks away from the usual Bath and Body Works fare. Most of BBW’s florals smell very overwhelming and sweet to my nose, so I was expecting a typical BBW brew of intense roses mixed with brown sugar or vanilla.
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There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Product Reviews, Skin Care

Saturday Morning Surfing

July 11th, 2009 by Karen 25 Comments

Saturday morning surfing

  • Makeup Brushes 101— Woman’s Day
  • How to do a crescent manicure in 2 minutes flat — BellaSugar
  • Here’s a quick fix for when you get mascara on your eyeshadow — AllThatGlitters21
  • I want Jessica’s Burlesque Beauty nail polish in Ruffled Bottoms! — Vampy Varnish
  • Avon is still calling — The Independent

Saturday plans?

Do anything fun last night? We watched Public Enemies and it was… eh, okay. I enjoyed ogling J. Depp and C. Bale, but the story kind of dragged. The movie felt about 30 minutes too long. Unless you’re a hard core J. Depp or C. Bale fan, it might make a better rental.

This morning I woke up pre-dawn because Tabs jumped on the bed and plopped smack dab on top of my very full bladder. Yup, good times… I love that cat, but sometimes I suspect he secretly loves to mess with me.

What are you up today? I was going to just do household stuff, but I’d rather hit the Apple store to play with the new iPhone and then head back to the Chanel counter to pick up an Eye Gloss from the new Venice Collection.

Tabs says hi. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 25 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Does It Bug You When Other Peeps Use Your Beauty Products?

July 11th, 2009 by Karen 32 Comments

Borrowing beauty products

I don’t mind when El Hub uses the Philosophy Unconditional Love body wash in the shower, but some of my beauty products are off limits, even to him. I’m super picky about my hair stuff, for example, and most of my shampoos, conditioners and styling products are used to treat specific issues like dryness, color protection or curl control — issues I know El Hub doesn’t have to deal with when it comes to his mane.

I don’t mind when a friend or loved one “borrows” a dollop of one of my shampoos, a spritz of a volumizing hairspray or a dab of department store lotion, but not my Bumble & Bumble Curl Conscious, LOL! Please, I beg you, not that. 🙂

Do you mind when your significant other, roommates or family members borrow your beauty products, or are you cool with sharing your body washes, lotions, shampoos, etc.?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 32 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Frenzy: A Pink Pigmentation Bonanza!

July 10th, 2009 by Karen 56 Comments

illamasqua makeup reviews intense lipgloss frenzy top 2

Holy crap! Illamasqua’s Intense Lipgloss in Frenzy ($20) does NOT mess around. This stuff is pigmented like nobody’s bidness!

illamasqua makeup reviews intense lipgloss frenzy karen2

Just the tiniest bit of this creamy hot pink provides almost opaque coverage. I’d wager to say it packs something like twice as much color as usual for a gloss — it’s *that* pigmented.

I love the rich, blinged-out look of this shade, but truth be told it’s hella high maintenance.

How high maintenance is it?

Frenzy’s like the Kimora Lee Simmons of the lipgloss world!

illamasqua makeup reviews intense lipgloss frenzy swatch

The first time I tried it on I made the mistake of smothering my lips with a thick layer. Color ended up bleeding outside of my natural lip line, and I looked pretty scary — like one of those nightmarish clowns that haunts childhood dreams.
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There are 56 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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