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A Drugstore Makeup Look: Mostly Faux Freckles, Winged Liner and Bright Magenta Matte Lipstick

May 19th, 2020 by Karen 14 Comments

maybelline master precise liquid liner
Some of these freckles are real, and others…not so much!

The faux freckle trend has been around for a while, and I’m giving it a try. Have you tried it yet?

Today I wore a smattering of freckles for fun, and ya know…it’s a little weird to touch up your real freckles to make them blend in and look as “freckle-y” as your fake ones, but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do in the pursuit of makeup experimentation!

How to fake freckles

This sprinkling of speckles comes courtesy of a drugstore brow pen in a warm brown shade.

physicians formula magentle

Here’s what I did:

  1. After finishing my makeup (base, blush, eyes, everything), I lightly dabbed the pen on top of any existing freckles to darken them, since they were hidden under tinted moisturizer and concealer.
  2. Next, I stippled a few extra faux spots for funsies.
  3. Then, I waited a couple minutes for the freckles to dry.
  4. When they were completely dry, I diffused the spots a tad by gently dabbing a skunk brush that I’d used earlier to blend my base… It just took the edge off so they wouldn’t look as obviously fake.

And that was it! If you don’t have a brow pen, a brow pencil works too — either option creates a lovely semi-transparency, so your freckles don’t just look like dots drawn on your face, and has a longer wear time than, say, a creamy pencil liner would.

If you don’t have a brow pen or pencil around, you can also regular pencil eyeliner; however, if you’re going to go the liner route, you’ll want one that 1) has a matte finish and 2) is long-lasting and/or waterproof to prevent your spots from smearing all over your face.

No winged liner woes here

Also up in the mix of this look? Winged liner! I haven’t done wings in a minute, so I’m very rusty. So I cheated a little and used surgical tape on the outer corners to set the angles.

You can use regular tape too, but I prefer the surgical tape because it doesn’t pull my skin as hard.

maybelline city bronzer
Hello, winged liner.

Whatever tape you use, wait until your liner is completely dry before lifting it off; otherwise, the tape might remove product where it’s still wet and leave your dots with fuzzy edges.

This is particularly important if you’re using runny or runny-ish liquid liner.

Oh! — and to make sure the tape doesn’t remove any of your base, do your eyes before your foundation, concealer, etc.

One last thing — everything in this look is drugstore.
[Continue reading…]

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Face of the Day (FOTD)

More #MismatchedManis: Essie Gels Coutures and Sally Hansen Miracle Gels in Blues and Brights

May 18th, 2020 by Karen 4 Comments

sally hansen miracle gel fish teal braid mintage
Sally Hansen Miracle Gels in Fish-Teal Braid and Mintage

Mismatched manis should come with a warning: once you start, ya can’t stop.

At least that’s been the case on my end of the keyboard!

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back to wearing a single color on both hands ever again. 🙂

sally hansen miracle gel apollo you anywhere lemon heaven
Sally Hasen Miracle Gel in Apollo You Anywhere and Lemon Heaven
essie beau tie surrounded by studs
Essie Gel Couture in Beau-tie and Surrounded by Studs

I’ve just about #mismatchedmani’d all the colors in my collection of Essie Gel Coutures and Sally Hansen Miracle Gels, which means the next thing to do would be to collect more colors… Right? That’s solid logic in my book.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 4 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Essie, Nails, Sally Hansen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 627

May 18th, 2020 by Karen 19 Comments

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. When do you usually eat dinner?

    Usually about 5:30, which is pretty early for me, but since El Hub works finance hours and Connor’s bedtime is at 8, it’s a good time for us. That way we’re not all completely ravenous, and there’s plenty of time to get Connor ready for bedtime without rushing.

    2. Denim overalls or a denim dress?

    I’ll take the overalls, but only if there are lots and lots of of pockets.

    3. Stick foundation or powder foundation?

    Stick.

    4. What’s keeping you going these days?

    Honestly? Caffeine. Coffee in the morning, and earl grey tea after lunch to get through the afternoon.

    5. How would you fare if you had to watch a llama at your place for two weeks?

    It would be difficult because we don’t have a fenced in backyard, so I couldn’t just stick the him in an enclosed space to prevent him from wandering off, but, still… I’d find a way to make it work! I would do OK, I think.

    6. What does your perfect brow look like?

    Full from inner corner to the tail, but not to the point that they look painted in or blocky. Soft edges around the inner corner and tail, too. Nothing too “carved” or too perfect, please. I like a slight element of chaos, so a few rebel hairs would be cool, too.

    7. Vintage or modern?

    Vintage.

    8. Contacts or glasses?

    Glasses, please. I have contacts, but I rarely wear ’em these days.

    9. Oatmeal or waffles?

    Oatmeal.

    10. Spring or summer?

    Late spring.

    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. When do you usually eat dinner?
    2. Denim overalls or a denim dress?
    3. Stick foundation or powder foundation?
    4. What’s keeping you going these days?
    5. How would you fare if you had to watch a llama at your place for two weeks?
    6. What does your perfect brow look like?
    7. Vintage or modern?
    8. Contacts or glasses?
    9. Oatmeal or waffles?
    10. Spring or summer?

    P.P.S. Happy Monday! ?

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 607

May 17th, 2020 by Karen 5 Comments

Tabs was a lover.

He loved many things, including gravy, fame, fashion, fabulous fur and fantastic bargains. He was a die-hard budget beauty fan. Of course, he also loved the finer things in life, including Chanel and Dior, but he never turned his nose up at a good deal. After all, he came from meager beginnings as a stray cat on the mean streets of Mill Valley.

Even when it came to kitty modeling, he would take any job if it was for a product he believed in, regardless of the price point. And he had a blast doing it. Some of his favorite kitty modeling jobs were for drugstore beauty products.

Milani, Maybelline, L’Oreal, Revlon, NYX, e.l.f. and more. A good product is a good product. Every cat knows that.


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There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

Saturday Surfing, May 16th, 2020

May 16th, 2020 by Karen 3 Comments

Happy Saturday, friend. ? Good morning. I hope you slept well. Today promises to be a colorful day here thanks to a new box of sidewalk chalk (a present from my brother!). For weeks, Connor and I have been hop-scotching and garage-floor-doodling with the last shards and slivers of sidewalk chalk we had because, apparently, sidewalk chalk, like hand sanitizer, is scarce ’round these parts. There are lots of chalk artists out there. Getting a new box felt like finding pirate treasure!

We didn’t even blink when we saw the few broken bits, because you know what they say… You take what you can get when it comes to sidewalk chalk during a pandemic. ?‍♀️

  • Does wearing makeup interfere with the effectiveness of a mask? According to dermatologist Dr. Carrie L. Kovarik, the answer is no; however, the combo of foundation, lipstick, perspiration, hot breath and friction can irritate your skin.
  • There’s an “ugly makeup revolution” happening, and yes, it’s a real thing. The term was coined by Berlin-based makeup artist and activist Eszter Magyar, and it refers to makeup that pushes back on the typical Instagram selfie face on social media. “Pearls glued to skin, rimming an eyelid like so many warts. Black scribbled words across a red-painted face, screaming at the viewer to ‘eat the rich.’ Pollack-like splatters of blue on yellow lips. There’s something dreamlike about them. Some are playful and childlike – Dr Seuss would approve. But others are sinister and menacing, aggressive and slightly brutal. They look like they hurt to wear, and some of them do.”
  • COOL! ——-> Speaking of atypical makeup, this makeup artist paints her ears with tiny scenes. ??‍♀️?
  • The makeup artist behind HBO’s Euphoria, Kirsten Coleman, hosted a Zoom virtual makeup tutorial yesterday.
  • Makeup brand e.l.f. is teaming up with Chipotle (as in the build your own burritos)… All I have to say to this is 1) what the hell? And 2), is guac extra? ?
  • Favorite read of the week ——-> In the Coronavirus Crisis, I Can’t Visit My Sick Mother — So I Wear Her Perfume Instead.
  • The low-down on skin care cult classic Biologique Recherche P50 lotion.
  • Some dermatologists are unbothered by blue light.
  • These are the trendy nail shades for summer 2020, according to J. Lo’s manicurist, Tom Bachik.
  • Maybelline just launched a new line of fast-drying nail polishes.


Base for those who don’t like wearing foundation.


Wait for the trombones!!!


Welcome to my youth.


When I lived in SF, I’d go to this beach all the time.


LOOK AT TERRY’S CRAFT ROOM!

How are you doing today? Speaking for myself, I see an afternoon nap in my future…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Have You Cut Hair (Yours or Someone Else’s) During Quarantine?

May 15th, 2020 by Karen 19 Comments

Chop!

Not yet! But El Hub just got some Wahl clippers from Costco and has been going on and on about how they’re allegedly goof-proof, and how I should totally trim his hair for him, and I’ll do just fine…

To that I say “ruh-roh!” ? There are many hair-associated tasks I do fairly well… Hello, I’ve waxed my own lady bits (too much info?!). But none of my at-home barbering attempts have gone anyplace good.

I’ll let you know if I accidentally (or perhaps subconsciously) carve a cat face on the side of his head. ?

How about you? Have you cut any hair in quarantine yet?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair, Just For Fun

A Wearable, Colorful Drugstore Makeup Look: Navy Liner and Lashes With Orange Cheeks and Lips

May 14th, 2020 by Karen 6 Comments

honest blood orange
All the makeup I’m wearing today is from the drugstore.

Totes on a budget beauty kick right now, and everything in this navy and orange look is drugstore.

honest beauty blood orange
Budget beauty at its best

I’ve been slowly but surely mining my makeup collection lately and rediscovering old loves. Also finding new faves…

Budget brow wow

Case in point: Maybelline’s brow pencil. It’s the one in peach packaging with the angled applicator, and it’s just as good as the $$$ Anastasia brow pencils at Sephora IMO. It has the perfect amount of pigment — enough, but not so much that it makes you look like you’re plotting someone’s demise. Plus, it doesn’t budge! It stays put through long runs, planks and burpie push-ups (so fun…NOT). You’ll find it in four shades for $5.99 each — Blonde, Soft Brown, Deep Brown and Medium Brown. I wear the Deep Brown one. It’s a beautiful ashy brown with a hint of gray.

The ace of budget base

Speaking of affordable, can we talk about this base combo for a second? — Neutrogena Hydro Tint plus Maybelline’s Age Rewind Concealer equals magic?

I’ve been a fan of both products for a while, but I never realized they could be such a great budget-friendly combo for no-makeup makeup.

Hydro Tint ever-so-slightly evens everything out while keeping your skin looking natural, and then I dab and blend a little Maybelline Age Rewind where I want a little more coverage (like on the hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and dark areas underneath my eyes).

The end result looks natural and even (and doesn’t look thick). The two products layer perfectly.

Long-lasting liner for under ten bucks

I’ve also recently discovered some new-to-me things that totally deserve the spotlight, including these Coverigrl twist-up eyeliners, which are available in six $7.99 shades (and currently on BOGO for 50% at Ulta!).

honest blood orange
See how the blue sparkles? So pretty! BTW, I’m wearing the Long Live Lipstick Tee in Papaya from my store.

I’m also wearing a shimmery deep blue here on my upper lash lines, and I love that glimmer. I had to do a few layers (like three), but once it’s on, it doesn’t transfer into the crease or creep into the lower lash line.
[Continue reading…]

There are 6 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: COVERGIRL, Drugstore Beauty Finds, Eyes, Honest Beauty, Lips, Makeup, Neutrogena

What Are Some Beauty-Related Things You’ve Learned About Yourself Lately?

May 13th, 2020 by Karen 38 Comments

I wanna hang out at the drugstore (six feet away from you…with a mask on, of course)

What are some beauty-related things you’ve learned about yourself lately? Inquiring minds want to know. ?

I never thought a mandatory shelter-in-place order would be so enlightening, beauty-wise, but I also never thought I’d see a global pandemic, so there ya go. ?

Here are three of mine:

1. I can’t handle my base looking or feeling heavy at all in any way (and it’s giving me déjà vu).

This is a complete 180 from my makeup style a few years ago, when I’d wear a full-glam face — lashes and contour and everything! — just to go get emergency M&Ms and a loaf of bread at the store. Now, if I feel even remotely like I’m wearing one more brushstroke of product than necessary on my cheeks, I’ll remove everything and start again.

It’s interesting to me how my makeup tastes have changed over the years. (Probably a good idea that I didn’t get any permanent makeup done.)

2. I’ve rediscovered my love for drugstore beauty products.

I’ve always loved drugstore beauty products, but over the years I’ve swayed back and forth between preferring higher end or budget beauty. Nowadays, though, because of the economic uncertainty, if I have to replace something, I look to budget beauty first, and I’ve found some gems lately! — like Aveeno Stress Relief Body Lotion and Pantene Rose Water Shampoo and Conditioner.

3. I kinda like my grown-out grays.

It’s been about 18 months since I stopped dying my hair, and although I like how low-maintenance it has been, I haven’t been thrilled about how it looks, ya know? But that’s changing. Now I kinda like seeing those silvery sparkles in my hair, and I also like that I’m not freaking out about seeing all the roots since the lockdown started.

How about you? Have you learned anything new about yourself, beauty-wise, lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 38 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

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