Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Do You Mind If Your Makeup Feels “Heavy” on Your Face?

September 11th, 2019 by Karen 11 Comments

Do I mind if my makeup feels heavy?

Hmm…

Yes and no. I’m not as accustomed to wearing ALL. THE. THINGS. on my face as I once was. I mean, four or five years ago, when I’d contour my nose just to go to Trader Joe’s to buy bread, I reveled in my multi-step process, but I had more time. Heck, I remember my base alone would take a minimum of seven products, and that was not including bronzer, highlighter and blush.

OMG! It was intense. Granted, I thought it looked great in pics, and I loved doing it, but that was a different time. I didn’t mind wearing lots (and lots and lots) of product on my face.

These days, I don’t wear as much makeup on a daily basis, so now I’m used to wearing makeup that feels lighter.

Once or twice a week, though, I’ll do something akin to full glam that feels heavier than my usual minimal makeup, and when I do, I don’t mind how it feels… I think I’ve still got that makeup muscle memory.

Maybe it’s just that once you get used to wearing heavy makeup, that feeling of being comfortable with it never goes away. LOL!

How about you? Do you mind if your makeup feels heavy on your face?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The DKNY Fusion Perfect Bra Is a Bad-@ss Brassiere

September 11th, 2019 by Karen 15 Comments

dkny fusion perfect bra beige — Do your girls a favor.

Transcript of me talking to a stranger in a Nordstrom Rack fitting room a few weeks ago:

Me: “Oh, my god. Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod. OH. MY. GAWD!”

Stranger in the stall next to me: *knocks politely on wall* “Miss? Are you doing OK?”

Me: “Yeah, I’m OK. I’m so sorry. I forget sometimes that I’m, ya know, out in public.”

Stranger in the stall next to me: “Erh… Alright.”

This exchanged happened as I was trying on the DKNY Fusion Perfect Bra, a lightly padded underwire t-shirt bra.

This exchange also happened shortly before I bought all of the available Fusion Perfect Bras in my size in the store (there were two!), and a few hours prior to me buying three more online at nordstromrack.com.

Seriously, SO GOOD.

My new favorite affordable everyday bra

The Fusion Perfect Bra is regularly $42, but it’s on sale now for $18.97 at “DA RACK,” as I like to call it, and while a few of the colors are sold out, there are still a good number of sizes and shades available. If you can snag your size in a color you like, all I have to say is…do your boobies a favor, and get them into this ultimate over-the-shoulder boulder holder.

Props to the marketing peeps who came up with the phrase, “perfect fusion,” because this bra is indeed a perfect blend of functionality, fit and feel.

dkny fusion perfect bra bows — Dainty details

It’s bra nirvana!

The material, a mix of nylon and elastane (a.k.a. Spandex), is softer than a baby’s cheek, a bunny tail AND your favorite cozy couch blanket, and it’s worked into two silky smooth cups and a velvety band that hug your torso with a gentle touch that’s so comfy I sometimes forget I’m wearing a bra.

It’s definitely NOT one of those itchy, ill-fitting bras that poke you and that you immediately ditch the second you get in your car (wait, am I the only person who’s done this?). I could keep this bra on all day (and possibly all night) if I needed or wanted to.

Oh, how do I love this bra?

Let me count the ways!

So flexible: The smooth material allows the bra to sit perfectly under both flowing tops and fitted tees, and it somehow miraculously seems to never get too hot against my skin.
No slip: The straps are slightly thicker than your typical bra straps (but they’re still slim enough to seem dainty), and they prevent the bra from sliding down my shoulders!
Off the hook: The clasp in the back with the hook and eye is easy to fasten.
Big ups to the cups: I like that the cups high up enough that there’s no boob spillage over the top of my bra, and no weird gaps. I also like that the padding is light enough to hide les nips, but yet it isn’t so stiff that I feel like I’m walking around town with pot holders strapped to the front of my chest.
Delightful details: The sweet bow in the front and the little teardrop peek of skin underneath it lend a feminine, dainty touch. Oh, and I also dig the subtle DKNY branding on the side. There’s a small logo at the base of the band, and it’s barely visible.

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Down the YouTube Rabbit Hole: Braids!

September 10th, 2019 by Karen 11 Comments

dutch braid messy bun — I like big braids!

You can always count me in for 1) a Keanu Reeves movie and 2) an iced latte, but a fun bun? These days, they’re hit or miss for me. Sometimes, you can’t beat a quick and messy bun for convenience, but there are also days when haphazardly shoving my hair up just won’t do.

I’m the type of gal who absolutely NEEDS to get out of her pajamas first thing in the morning; otherwise, I feel absolutely useless, and lately it’s been the same way for my hair. I need to style my hair in order to feel productive, which is why I’ve been all about braids.

The half-up Dutch braid I’ve been wearing for a while doesn’t take too much time to do (less than 10 minutes), and I feel mostly functional when I’m wearing it.

I found a good how-to video for it on YouTube last week. It’s the first style in this roundup of 10 styles, and I modified it slightly by using small hair ties instead of bobby pins.

Dude, I’ve been watching SO MANY braiding videos on YouTube lately, and you don’t even wanna know how deep I stumbled down the rabbit hole last weekend! I bookmarked a bunch of cute styles that looked easy enough to do…

These all look totally doable.

I say “yes” to crown braids!
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A Laura Mercier Moment…

September 10th, 2019 by Karen 18 Comments

laura mercier september 2019 — Dearest Laura…you’re rockin’ my world at the moment.

I’m going to assume that you are, or have been, a makeup junkie, and so therefore you have probably had one (or more) moments like I did the other night at back-to-school night, when your makeup universe collides in such a way that you’re, like, “WHOA!”

I can’t be the only one. I just can’t.

I was just sitting there in Connor’s preschool classroom wearing some Laura Mercier products when my nose honed in on someone’s perfume (I have a bloodhound’s sense of smell). It was familiar, but I couldn’t place it, and the source of that scent — swear to gosh — knocked around in my head for days, like a song stuck in my head.

Then, half asleep one night in bed, it hit me! It was Laura Mercier Eau de Lune, which I wore every day for three years straight in the early aughts.

Dang, dawg, I’ve been wearing Laura Mercier makeup off and on for almost 20 years! In fact, I can recall when it was a relatively new line. I remember going to a counter for the first time (must have been about 1997) and being intrigued by the makeup primer, which was very forward-thinking at the time. And their Tinted Moisturizer, Secret Brightening Powder, Eye Basics in Wheat and Stormy Grey eyeliner have all been in my everyday makeup bag rotation at different times for years.

Like I was saying…I just happened to be wearing a few pieces of LM makeup the other night, and it reminded me why I like wearing Laura Mercier makeup so much. Her style is colorful, but not too crazy, and has elegantly subtle touches of pizzazz, like a little glitter here, a demi-matte finish there… It’s also easy to amplify or dial down.

A few quick thoughts on what I’ve been wearing lately…

Foundation Primer ($38)

There are a few different versions of this (Oil-Free, Dry SKin, etc.), and this one is the basic Foundation Primer. It’s a colorless, lightweight primer in a moisturizing gel that instantly sinks into skin (rather than sitting on top). If you like primers that add radiance with barely-there pearl finish (like MAC’s Natural Radiance), you’ll like this, too. It’s an oldie but goodie.

Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($39)

Light as air and completely undetectable, this has a soft matte finish that looks natural to the Nth degree!

laura mercier september 2019 swatches — Lovies by Laura M.!

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The Best Cleansing Oil Is 50% Off Tomorrow on Ulta.com

September 9th, 2019 by Karen 10 Comments

You, guys! Note to self: The best makeup removing cleansing oil — DHC Deep Cleansing Oil; I’ve been using it for years! — is on sale for 50% off tomorrow at Ulta.

I’M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

Ulta is in the midst of their “21 Days of Beauty” sale event, and it’s the only sale I set alerts for this month in Google Calendar.

I can’t even count how many DHC bottles I’ve gone through, and it’s an all-the-way-down-to-the-last-drop thing. Very rich, and very moisturizing, DHC Deep Cleansing Oil is designed for all skin types, but it’s a TREASURE for my dry skinned peeps.

The main ingredient is olive oil…

Yup, that’s right: olive oil. And it feels like a really expensive olive oil, too.

It also smells a little like olive oil, but I like it. (Don’t worry; your face won’t smell like salad dressing.)

This stuff gently, but very effectively, melts makeup — including waterproof mascara, long-wearing liner and liquid lipstick. Basically, if something is stuck to your face in any capacity and you massage Deep Cleansing Oil on it, whatever it is will slip away.

It does this without drying out my cheeks, making my chin break out, or clouding up my eyes (my pet peeve!). I use one pump, which I apply directly to my face while it’s dry, and then massage away. Then I rinse with water and followup with a second cleanser (usually a foam or a cream), because I’m all about that double cleanse life.

A big 6.7-oz. bottle of Deep Cleansing Oil, which comes with a pump and lasts me a few months, is usually $28, but with the half-off sale tomorrow you can snag one for just $14.

Unfortunately, this is an online-only sale, so you won’t be able to stroll into Ulta to pick it up… Maybe this is a good thing, though, because that way you won’t be tempted to grab anything else? Glass half full, people.

Ask Siri to remind you, write it on a Post-it, do what you need to do, ’cause tomorrow is the day!

My homies are at HomeGoods

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 591

September 9th, 2019 by Karen 43 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 was the last time you were stung by a bee?

It was in elementary school approximately one billion years ago, give or take. I was in third grade. It happened on the street by our house, right as I was walking by the corner.

I remember putting my arms around myself at the time like I was giving myself a big hug. I don’t remember why, but I was doing that, and I guess a bee got stuck in the cable-knit pink vest I was wearing… ? So, my arm touched where this bee was stuck, and I got a very deep, very intense bee sting right then and there.

I vividly remember running home and my dad taking out the stinger.

2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?

Oh, girlfriend, don’t even think we’re going to drive by a Baskin-Robins ? without stopping by. We are doing this, babe! I need my scoop of pralines and cream in a sugar cone.

NEED. IT.

3. Your thoughts on waxing?

Do it! — and do it yourself at home, because it’s 1) cheaper, 2) less mortifying, and 3) did I already mention that it’s cheaper?

It’ll take a while if you’ve never done it yourself before, but you’ll get the hang of it, and when I say do it at home, I’m saying do EVERYTHING at home. Mustache, brows (be very careful though), lady parts, ‘pits. Do it all at home. You have the power!

4. Comb or brush?

Hmm… This seriously gave me pause, because you can do a lot of cool things with combs, especially teasing combs, but I’m going to have to go with a brush. They’re just so practical.

5. Something that smells funny to you?

Squid. YUCK! It has a very distinct smell, and I can’t stomach it.

OK, so I gotta know…

Does anybody else plan their makeup looks ahead of time for the week? I just starting doing it a few weeks ago, and I looooove it. Weirdly enough, I feel like planning my makeup looks ahead of time frees up my imagination, because then I don’t feel the last-minute pressure during the week.

Anyone!?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Question time! Here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon!

1. When was the last time you were stung by a bee?
2. A sweet treat you can’t resist?
3. Your thoughts on waxing?
4. Comb or brush?
5. Something that smells funny to you?

P.P.S. I hope your mascara stays smudge-free all week long. ?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 570

September 8th, 2019 by Karen 14 Comments

Tabs may have crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge last May, but he still says hi to me, and he does it often.

Sometimes he leaves his whiskers for me to discover like buried treasure. Connor calls them “Kuya’s whispers.” Kuya means “big brother” in Tagalog. “Look, I found one of Kuya’s whispers!”

His other favorite way to say hello is through a colorful sunset, and there have been some amazing ones this summer.

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Saturday Surfing, Sep. 7th, 2019

September 7th, 2019 by Karen 6 Comments

mama and cocobaby selfies — Saturday selfies!

Here’s a Caturday meta moment for ya: behold, a selfie of a selfie, with one of them taken from a toy smartphone that makes a shutter *click* sound.

And, chances are you’re looking at this pic on your smartphone right now, so that would be a picture of a picture of a picture…

SAY WHAT?! I know, I’m blowing your mind right meow. ??

Oh, and after that selfie session, Connor Claire pretended to text the pic to me and her dad before answering a pretend call from her preschool BFF. “Hewo, Kenswee? This is Connor.”

If you happen to have a kitty ? on your lap this morning, please give him/her my regards, and come say hi in the comments.

On that note, today’s reading…