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Black Friday Beauty: It’s a Jungle Out There!

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To put it mildly, there’s gold in them thar hills! You name the store, they’ve got a Black Friday sale. With the down economy, companies are desperate to separate us from our savings, but I have a feeling these aren’t necessarily the best deals we’ll see. I think the offers will get better over the next few weeks as Christmas nears…

Suki Pure Skin Care

They’re offering some limited edition gift sets, like the Luscious Color Kit. It comes with their tinted active moisturizer in Natural, triple cream eye definer shadow/liner/brow in Gossamer and pure cream stain lip/cheek in Vermilion for $100.

Or how ’bout the Deluxe Nourishing Travel Kit? You get their moisture rich cleansing lotion, concentrated nourishing toner, exfoliate foaming cleanser, intensive brightening cream, intensive brightening masque and pure facial moisturizer all housed in a sleek all natural bamboo tube case ($75).

Shu Uemura 20% off Friends & Family

Save 20% and get free shipping with Shu Uemura’s Friends & Family sale. Use promo code SHUFRIENDS at checkout; good through Dec. 1.

Benefit Cosmetics

Get free US Standard Shipping with any $25 purchase at Benefit Cosmetics using code BLAKSHIP at checkout. They’ve also got some nice gift sets like this Benefit Peace, Love & Glossiness lip gloss set for $26, available online or at Sephora, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s stores. You get six of their most popular colors for about $4.25 each!

Or, check out the Benefit Primpcess glamorous eye primping kit for $34. A limited edition jewelry box design housing their boi-ing 02 concealer; creaseless cream shadow/liner in r.s.v.p.; 3 powder shadows for contouring, accenting & lining; BADgal mini mascara; eye bright instant eye brightener and brushes galore.

Prescriptives

Get free standard shipping on orders $50 and up, as well as their full-size Colorscope Lipcolor with any $35 purchase using promo code PXHOLIDAY3 at checkout.

Sephora

The store’s a regular gold mine today, but it’s gonna be a madhouse, too. I’m just gonna shop online. They’re offering free shipping on select items using promo code GIFTY at checkout.

Bath & Body Works

They’ve got an interesting $15 limited edition VIP Gift Bag ($100 value) with any $40 purchase.

Mark

Get a free Paint the Town bangle bracelet, a free juice gem in Juicy Fig and free standard shipping on orders of $20 or more using promo code GLAM8 at checkout.

Jo Malone of London

First, they’re offering free shipping plus your choice of two fragrance samples. Second, they’re offering a free-ish signature travel case with their Grapefruit Cologne 9ml, Nectarine Blossom & Honey 15ml and a Grapefruit Deluxe Candle Sample with any $150 Jo Malone online purchase using code JMEVENT at checkout. Good through Nov. 30.

Macy’s

Huge markdowns on thousands of products and free shipping sitewide with a $99 purchase using code GOBBLE at checkout through Nov 30. Check out the Clinique Perfectly Happy Gift Set, $49.50 (regularly $69). It comes with Pure Fragrance, Body Cream and Perfume Rollerball/Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in Whisper duo.

More Black Friday beauty deals…

TGIBlackFriday.com

BlackFriday.info

Are you on the lookout for Black Friday deals? Find anything good?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Non-Makeup Edition

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It’s not always easy to remember the things I have to be thankful for because, like a lot of people, I get caught up sweating all the small stuff in life — the carpet needing to be vacuumed, the laundry piling up or how I’m running low on concealer, eek!

Earlier today I posted the 43 makeup-related things I’m thankful for. Well, here’s the non-makeup version of my list.

I scribbled these down in my notebook on the plane ride back from Florida last night. It was a rough ride. There was heavy turbulence flying over the Gulf of Mexico, and every time the plane would knock my head against the back of my seat, I’d get another idea for the list.

Here they are, the 43 (non-makeup) things I’m thankful for this year, in no particular order… 🙂

1. The good news that El Hub and I just got about my MIL’s health. She’s not out of the woods yet, but last week’s operation was a success.

2. Visiting new places.

3. Luggage with wheels… No kidding.

3. Teen vampire fiction.

4. Minty dental floss and modern orthodontia. When I was a kid I had a wayward fang that made me look like a vampire from the side. Thanks for the braces, Mom and Dad.

5. Those awesome little umbrellas and plastic stirrers that go in tropical bar drinks. I’m gonna start using them at home to liven up my milk, guava juice and coffee…

6. The people who still love me despite my numerous faults.

7. Tabs. I just adore that stupid cat…

8. OTC meds for indigestion. Seriously, thank gawd for Tums and Pepto (it blackens the poo!).

9. Good workouts.

10. Polydactyl cats, because weird is cool.

11. Kanye West’s Graduation CD. The track, Stronger, got me through many a tough time.

12. Heated swimming pools.

13. Modern women’s apparel. Could you imagine if we were still wearing corsets and gowns? Give me a wrap dress, stretchy pants or sweats, please.

14. Popcorn, Life Savers Gummy candies and Vitamin Water.

15. Sleeping in.

16. My health.

17. The wisdom that comes with having made so many mistakes in life.

18. Apple computers and the iPhone (they make my life easier).

19. Arch inserts and quality running shoes.

20. Heaters.

21. Down comforters.

22. Random acts of kindness.

23. Seeing my brother in love.

24. Stylish winter boots.

25. The Jamba Juice Orange Dream Machine … YUM!

26. For the chance to have been my BFF’s matron of honor. There was a moment in the Catholic ceremony when I held her hand during a prayer. Before letting go, I gave her hand a good squeeze, and she squeezed mine back. It was a small gesture but reminded me of all the good and bad times we’ve shared throughout our 20-year friendship.

27. Puzzle games like Tetris and Jumble.

28. Older women in Chanel tweed suits, with nicely coiffed hair and age appropriate makeup. It gives me something to work toward, LOL!

29. Washing machines.

30. The Golden Girls.

31. Dictionary.com… What can I say? I can’t spell.

32. Karaoke.

33. The Canon Digital Rebel XTi camera, EF 50 mm f/1.8 II lens and good lighting.

34. Kitty kennels.

35. Afternoon tea.

36. That I said yes to a second date.

37. Good hair days.

38. People who laugh at my jokes.

39. The first waves of the day at Waikiki beach (before the big crowds).

40. Days when I hit “random” on my iPod and the playlist turns out to be magic.

41. Singing in the car.

42. Toe socks.

43. All of you who read this blog! 🙂

What are you most thankful for this year?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Makeup Edition

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Happy Thanksgiving, ladies! Guess who’s back in the foggy Yea Area, aka home.

I hope you’re having a great day so far. Is there a turkey in your immediate future?

I was sitting here at my computer, daydreaming about food, when I remembered that last year I made a list of 43 makeup and beauty related things I was thankful for. It was a play on the website 43things.

I can’t believe that was a year ago… I swear — the older I get, the faster time flies!

For sure, there’s much more to life than makeup, but for now here are 43 more (makeup and beauty) things I’m thankful for, *raises glass*. 🙂

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Makeup Edition, 2008

1. My favorite makeover of 2008.

2. Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Perfume.

3. Trying out this crazy pastel eye in the Shu Uemura Rebirth Spring Collection Tutorial got me thinking outside the box.

4-9. My favorite Chanel of the year: Summer 2008 , Smokey Eye Quad, Aurora Blues Spring 2008, Les Tissages Blushes, Aqualumiere lipglosses and Leopard Lipstick.

10. The MAC Fafi collection made me realize that makeup stakeouts = fun.

11. Olay Quench Mousse, aka moisturization for lazy ladies.

12. MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl: a hidden gem.

13. Bobbi Brown’s Beach Shower Gel gave me my ocean fix.

14. I learned so much and had a lot of fun attending MAC and Chanel makeup classes.

15-16. Dior Eyeshadow Quints that really brought the hotness: Golds 569 and Earth Tones from the Impression Cuir collection.

17. The Essie Neon Collection made me fall in love with yellow nails (wait… that sounds bad).

18. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer.

19. So long, Chewbacca legs: Say howdy to the Gilette Venus Embrace.

20. Clinique Long Glass Glosswear SPF 15 protected my pucker from the hot summer sun.

21-24. The mascaras that rocked my year: Chanel Exceptionnel, Shu Uemura Precise Volume, Clarins Wonder Mint (aka the Teal Terror), Diorshow Iconic.

25. Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof in Noir stayed on my waterline through tears of joy at my brother’s graduation.

26. I fed my brush addiction with Sonia Kashuk’s fanstastic Synthetic Flat Top Blusher, Eye Shadow and Face Brushes.

27-32. The MAC releases that made my heart skip: Neo Sci Fi, Cremesheen, Cult of Cherry, Cool Heat, Beauty Powder Blushes, and Originals.

33. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows.

34. Drool-inducing palettes: Mika Shu, Cargo Vienna Palette, Clarins So Sublime, Laura Mercier Toolbox, Stila Front Cover Look No. 4, Beiges de Chanel, Lancome Couture Warms and Sonia Kashuk Blue Lagoon.

35. My easiest smokey eye, EVER.

36. Bag Balm: not just for udders anymore!

37. Poof! makes “dropping off the kids at school” (*ahem*) a more pleasurable experience.

38. Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Mist.

39. Clean & Clear Soft In-Shower Facial kicked my clogged pores to the curb.

40. Sally Hansen Fall Nail Lacquer Colors by Tracy Reese.

41. The bargain hunter in me loved The Cosmetics Company Store.

42. More bargain lovin’ with Aussie Opposites Attract hair products.

And holla! — Last, but not least…

43. Give the girl a hand with Miss Oops Mishap Tape!

What beauty products are you thankful for?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Comodynes Oats Makeup Remover Facial Cleanser Wipes: Simply Clean

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I was cruising a Bed, Bath & Beyond a few weeks ago, looking for couch covers, when I spotted their ginormous, new beauty section. The company has been rolling them out in their larger stores nationwide.

Anywho, that’s when I spotted Comodynes Oats Makeup Remover Facial Cleanser Wipes ($6). I can’t resist makeup wipes, so I picked them up but hadn’t gotten around to using them until this week.

Takes It Off; Takes It *ALL* Off

I opened the pack after Jen’s wedding last Saturday, and wouldn’t you know it? — these things rock. A single wipe was all it took to remove my full-coverage foundation, long-wearing MAC Fluidline Gel Liner AND several layers of heavy duty Chanel Exceptionnel thickening mascara. Not bad.

The wipes feel soft against my skin, kinda like the stretchy fabric of L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes. In fact, they’re so soft and moisturizing that they didn’t irritate sensitive areas like the skin around my waterline (they’re even alcohol-free).

Comodynes Oats Makeup Remover Facial Cleanser Wipes

Price: $6 (20 big wipes per pack)
Use: A superb makeup removing moist towelette; even removes long-wear and waterproof eye makeup with ease.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

No Sticky Film, Yay!

And, unlike L’Oreal Skin Genesis Wet Cleansing Towelettes, Comodynes wipes don’t leave a sticky film. I’ve gotten used to following up makeup wipes with water and a facial cleanser like Chanel Precision Cleansing Milk, but since these leave almost no detectable residue (just the faintest moisturizing coating and light rose scent), I could use them sans cleanser in a pinch.

Get More

At 8-by-8 inches, Comodynes wipes are huge! I’m going to cut some of them in half and stuff ’em back in the package (a plastic pouch that seals with a sticker). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Brown Skin Is Beautiful Skin

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Hi, girls. I don’t usually reprint posts from the archives, but I stumbled across one from June 2007 that still strikes a chord with me.

I think it’s more about being considerate than it is about political correctness, cultural mores or stereotypes, but tell me what you think.

—REPRINT—

Two weeks ago I watched an Oprah episode titled “Children Ashamed of the Way They Look,” which also launched a new campaign to promote self-esteem for younger girls, O Girl, O Beautiful.

Oprah’s guests — celebs and a few regular people — talked about their experiences with beauty and self-esteem within their various communities.

The story of two of the guests, Tangela and her son Najee, resonated with me, and here’s a copy from the Oprah website:[Continue reading…]

Nars Mounia Blush: More Wearable Than It Looks

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“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” says the English proverb. And why shouldn’t we? Answer: because looks can be deceiving, as they are for Nars Mounia powder blush ($25).

When I swatched this shimmery reddish brown coral with golden pearl before I left for Florida, I was convinced it was going to cause crazy clown cheeks. It looked almost like bright paint in the pan and on the back of my hand.

Undeterred, I busted out my Shu Uemura 7.5EX fan brush ($35). Because Mounia was so intense in the pan, I applied slowly, shooting for very thin, sheer layers.

To my surprise, the shade didn’t look anywhere near as bright on my cheeks. It delivers a bright yet natural, just-pinched flush — not at all what I expected.

That’s Mounia on my cheeks and colors from the JK Jemma Kidd Fashion Palette on my eyes and lips.

With bright red cheek colors like Nars Mounia, I like to wear neutral lips and eyes because if I don’t — if I wear too many bright colors at the same time — it looks like there’s a party on my face, LOL!
[Continue reading…]

85% off Stila Eyeshadows at Costco!

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BIG thanks to reader Glosslizard for emailing to let me know that Costco is selling a set of six Stila eyeshadow duos for $16.99! They retail at Sephora for $20 each, so that’s better than six for the price of one. Check or call your local Costco for availability.

Glosslizard said the set includes Kakiji, Lily, Salome, Fandango, Vieux Carre and Mara Simba. “I know it’s probably shady ‘gray’ retailing or something (way too good to be true, ya know?),” she warned, “but I just couldn’t pass it up! And, I had to let you know!”

What a great deal! Thanks, G!

Even more Stila

Stilacosmetics.com is also offering (but not through Costco) a free #87 Spiced Rum Lip Glaze ($22 value) when you spend $30 or more and use coupon code GLAZE4U at checkout.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Let me know when you find good deals. We gotta share the makeup love, yo! 🙂

Beauty Snacks: Sites of the Day, Nov. 25

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Gimme That Old School BH 90210

OPI is rolling out a collection in January inspired by the newly revamped version of the 90s TV classic Beverly Hills, 90210. To this I give a big fat BOO! I want shades inspired by the old school show, with names like The Brenda-Kelly-Dylan Love Triangle and Kelly’s In a Cult.

A Rainy Day Makeup Project

Bellasugar shows how to make a lipstick palette out of a pillbox.

Un-Wrinkle My Lips, Please

OOH! I’ve been wanting to try this stuff. Beauty Addict takes a look at Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Lip ($30), a peptide product that promises to plump, smooth and hydrate lips.

Are You Down With Slow Blogging?

Slow is the new blog! Well, that’s what those in the new slow blogging movement believe, LOL!

Shop Wisely This Holiday Season

Be a responsible shopper this holiday season with these savvy shopping tips.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Ernest Hemingway’s (1899-1961) most productive writing years were the 10 years he spent living on Whitehead Street in Old Town Key West. He spent his thirties on Key West and wrote 70% of his published life’s work — including For Whom the Bell Tolls and To Have and Have Not — in a small, second-story writing studio overlooking his estate’s tropical gardens. Surrounded by his many cats, he would peck away at a little typewriter from dawn until about noon, and then either head downtown to get drunk at Sloppy Joe’s saloon or spend the afternoon deep sea fishing.

Hemingway was many things — a womanizer, manic depressive, egotistical, an alcoholic — but he was also a brilliant storyteller and one of my favorite writers of all time.

Here are some pictures of the place he called home…
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