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Walmart Gets Into Cosmetics in a BIG Way

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cosmetics-sign

WalmartI’m always on the lookout for beauty bargains and news, so when Glam Media asked me to review the newly expanded cosmetics department in Walmart stores, I cleared out some haulage space in the back of the 4-Runner and drove out to the closest store.

I haven’t been to a Walmart in years. The store I reviewed is in Richmond, spread out on two floors, but once inside it only took a minute to spot the large “Cosmetics” sign showing me where to go.

cosmetics-section-shot

In terms of selection, the new department dwarfs anything I’ve seen in a while. It’s huge, to say the least (three long aisles; I’m guessing 600 square feet of cosmetics).

almay-and-neutrogena

They carry most of the big drugstore brands like Neutrogena, Almay and Covergirl. The only product I looked for but couldn’t find was Sally Hansen Lipgloss, but the store did have Sally’s nail polishes.

checking-out-rimmel

It was time for the ultimate test: the price check, so I parked my boo-tay in front of the Rimmel section and went to work.
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Estee Lauder Baie Rose Peony Body Splash Made a Splash with Me

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estee lauder pleasures baie rose peony splash

If there’s such a thing as a body splash intervention, I think I need one! I’m addicted to Estee Lauder’s Pleasures Baie Rose Peony Splash ($52).

It’s one of three new spring limited edition body splashes (joining Sandlewood Amber Splash and Jasmine Violet Splash) from EL’s long-running Pleasures fragrance line.

Each of the splashes takes the classic Pleasures blend of lilies and jasmine and tweaks it just a little bit.

Body splashes are lighter than perfumes and eau de toilettes, with fragrances typically lasting less time on the skin. That’s why many gals prefer them, particularly in warmer weather, in place of heavy or cloying perfumes.

The original Pleasures scent is an old-school fave of mine (soooo 1997!), and Baie Rose adds a yummy rose to the mix.

I think EL got the balance of rose just right in Baie Rose. It stops way shy of matronly and rests solidly in the Land of Great.

On me Baie Rose smells of lilies, first, and crushed roses on a fresh, dewy spring morning after a night of April showers — clean, crisp, feminine and young. Lurvely!
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Lock Down Your Eye Makeup with Too Faced Lockdown

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too faced lockdown shadow insurance primer

Guess who needs some makeup first aid? Yup, the weather here in Nor Cal is hot again, and EVERYTHING’s blooming. Not only have my eyes been a watery mess thanks to all the allergens in the air (ah-CHOO!), but I’m also sweating like a medieval beast.

My eye makeup hasn’t stood a chance for days. I’ve either been crying from allergies or melting from the heat.

Alas, must I sacrifice everything to the warm weather gods?

To survive the past few steamy, pollen-fueled days, I’ve graced my lids with Lockdown, a new line of cream shadows by Too Faced ($18.50).

The simple wash of shadow adds a little punch without going for the knockout. I think it’s a fab look for lazy days or hot days when the thought of heavy makeup is the last thing on my mind.

To create the Lockdown line, Too Faced injected their famous long-wearing eye makeup primer, Shadow Insurance (LOVE!), with colorful shimmer.

What’s the result? How ’bout six long-lasting shades that pack plenty of shimmer and pigment to spare.

  • Prisoner of Love: A soft, shimmery pink
  • Bedroom Eyes: A shimmery taupe
  • Bondage: A shimmery champagne
  • Dramarama: A shimmery milk chocolate
  • I’m Guilty: A shimmery teal
  • Jail Bait: A cool and shimmery pink

too faced lockdown jailbait im-guilty drama rama swatches
From left to right: Jailbait, I’m Guilty and Dramarama

So far I’ve tried Jail Bait, Dramarama and I’m Guilty…

Isn’t that shimmer crazy good?
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Apr. 20

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stairway
San Francisco’s Queen Anne Hotel

  1. Mood:

    2. Happy but sniffly (bad allergies today!)

  2. First words out of my mouth this morning:

    3. I said, “Oh, HAI!” to Tabs after he climbed up on the bed to wake me up.

  3. Something I’m looking forward to this week:

    4. Meeting my friends, J-Money and C-Money, for dinner in San Francisco on Friday night. We haven’t gotten together since J-Money’s wedding last November.

  4. One thing I’d like to improve about myself:

    5. I’d like to be more punctual.

  5. On my makeup lust list:

    6. Up-Lighting Illuminator and Almost Bronzer from Clinique’s Summer 2009 collection

  6. Last dream I can remember:

    7. It was early this morning. I dreamt I was having coffee and croissants with Michael Cera. Whenever I’d set down my croissant, he’d reach over and tear off bits without my permission and ask me for home buying advice. Yes, it was a little weird.

  7. Cheeks and lips:

    8. NARS The Multiple Orgasm (LOL!) and Chanel Monte Carlo

  8. Outfit:

    9. A gray dress, blue sweater and yellow shoes

  9. Fragrance:

    10. I can’t stop spraying Estee Lauder Pleasures Baie Rose Peony Splash ($52)

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. To go for a run every day, to paint my toe nails, to cross off at least half of the things on my to-do list and to prepare a few new vegetarian recipes for dinner

Ahhh-CHOO, girls! My allergies are full-on crazy today. It looks like I’m going to have to bust out the waterproof mascara because for me allergies always equal runny eyes. Anyway, enough about my pollen woes. Please join in and let me know what you’re up to by copying the empty list below and pasting it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

Mood:
First words out of my mouth this morning:
What I’m looking forward to this week:
One thing I’d like to improve about myself:
On my makeup lust list:
Last dream I can remember:
Cheeks and lips:
Outfit:
Fragrance:
Weekly goals:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I just learned the winners of the 2009 Glam Network Awards. I didn’t win, of course, and that’s cool. There’s always next year! Big congrats to all these great blogs:

congratulations-1

Beauty: Temptalia
Fashion: The Fashion Police
Celebrity & Entertainment: The Celebrity Cafe
Lifestyle: Health Castle
Living: Making It Lovely
Shopping: The Purse Blog
Family: Black and Married with Kids, Honest Baby
Best Newcomer: Stylemaven
Best Design: V Magazine
Best Use of Photography: Chubby Hubby
Most Creative: Fafarazzi
Most Humorous: Guanabee
Best Tagline: Adventures in Stiletto Jungle
Judges Pick: Makeherup

Thanks for your votes. Each day I write for MBB makes me feel like a winner. Cheesy, but true. 🙂

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Apr. 19

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Help Inspector Tabs find the MAC imposter

Our intrepid Inspector Tabs is trying to figure out which of the following items is NOT a past, present or upcoming MAC Cosmetics collection.

Can you lend him a helping paw?

Which of the following is not a past, present or upcoming MAC Collection?

View Results

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC A Rose Romance Just A Pinch Gel Blush Face of the Day

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mac a rose romance just a pinch gel blush fotd

After seeing swatches of MAC’s upcoming A Rose Romance collection, a few of you gals asked to see a face of the day using Just A Pinch Gel Blush.

Of the A Rose Romance products I’ve tested so far, this one’s my favorite. Just A Pinch applies with full pigmentation, blends easily and doesn’t streak at all.

The sheer, reddish rose shade looks similar to Benefit’s Benetint liquid blush, and the thin, moist gel formula feels similar in consistency to Tarte’s Cheek Stains, making it the hybrid love child of two of my favorite blush products.

MAC, if you’re listening, I love this stuff! Please release it in more shades.

mac a rose romance circa plum pigment of summer eyeshadow

Today, I complemented the blush look with a few other A Rose Romance items. On my eyelids I added Circa Plum Pigment, and I applied Of Summer Eyeshadow on the brow bone. Then, to warm up the purple colors, I added two eyeshadow shades from MAC’s permanent collection into the crease — Soft Brown and Sable.

I think the eyes look soft, so I tried a slightly bolder lip, layering Tender Tryst See Thru Lip Color beneath a mix of Steal My Heart and Virgin Kiss Lipglasses (all from A Rose Romance).

What do you think?

I ain’t afraid of no ghost!

who-you-gonna-call

With my coffee this morning I looked through the pics I took last night on the SF Ghost Hunt tour… The tour started at the historic Queen Anne Hotel, the site of a former girl’s school around the turn of the last century. Legend has it that the friendly ghost of a woman named Mary Lake, the head mistress of the old school, still haunts the joint.

While ghost busting on the second and fourth floors, I snapped a ton of pictures with my trusty Canon Powershot. In some of the pics, odd glowing spots can be seen…
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