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

Before and After: Tarte Big Ego Mascara

July 23rd, 2019 by Karen 9 Comments

This mascara’s hot pink tube means there’s a 99.999% chance I’ll be able to find Tarte Big Ego Mascara in the black hole that is my makeup bag. (Also, I’m wondering if I’m the only person who secretly wishes that the actual color of this mascara was hot pink to match the packaging. Hmm…)

tarte big ego mascara brush — Tarte Big Ego Mascara, $23

Two coats of this featherweight formula, which Tarte designed for mega length and volume, sweep my lashes up waaaay past their tips, hoisting them up and out. The curved, slightly hourglass-shaped brush (which is like a mellower version of Too Faced Damn Girl), is surprisingly easy to tuck under the lash base, too.

That said, the part of me that will happily wear bat wing falsies to go buy a loaf of bread at Target demands (politely) more volume…
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Unsung Makeup Heroes: It Cosmetics Brow Power Micro Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe

July 23rd, 2019 by Karen 4 Comments

What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

There’s a ton of brow pencils out there, but it’s hard to find one that ticks all the boxes. Is it long lasting? Easy to use? Does it look natural?

It Cosmetics Brow Power Micro in Universal Taupe ($24) totally gets it right. It has everything to do with the super thin pencil point. Shaped like a tiny, slanted dash — essentially, it’s a microscopic version of the best brow pencils around for drawing realistic-looking brow hairs (Tom Ford’s, the MAC one and the NUDESTIX Stylus).

it cosmetics brow power micro swatch — It’s available in one shade, Universal Taupe

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 584

July 22nd, 2019 by Karen 26 Comments

mac groundwork indianwood paint pot — Long-time loves of my cream eyeshadow life

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. Cream shadow in a pot or a stick?

Tough call, since pots are better about not drying out, but sticks are more convenient (and are easier to do precise placement on lids with)… I’m gonna go with the pot option.

2. Favorite non-perfume smell?

SO. MANY. THINGS… But warm laundry that’s fresh out of the dryer is tops, as is the scent of Coywolf’s skin. Also, indoor botanical gardens, the stems of fresh cut flowers, and books (especially old ones).

Seriously, we could be here forever!

3. When I need a little self-care, I like to…

Eat a bucket of vegetables, and leafy greens work wonders, I swear. Also, I like to drink a couple massive jugs of water, watch Notting Hill on the couch, and then go to bed early.

4. What’s your “running late, five-minute face-makeup” routine?

I’m happy to say that I have this routine down pat: 1) curl lashes with a lash curler, 2) coat them with 1-2 coats of mascara, 3) blend cream blush on cheeks, and 4) apply a nude gloss.

This is my usual get-out-the-door-NOW mom makeup.

5. A beauty product you brought with you on your last vacation?

The most non-sexy thing you can think of — Kate Somerville Anti-Bac acne face cream.

I literally never leave home without it!

Old-school makeup loves

Hiya, friend, and happy Monday. ? How’s your day going? Mine’s going really well so far… I’m drinking a massive cup of coffee (always a good thing), the sun’s out, and I’m wearing a couple of my favorite go-tos — black stretchy pants (can I get an AMEN?) and MAC Face and Body, a tried-and-true makeup gem.

In other news…I’m in the midst of reorganizing my makeup (seriously, story of my life), and I found these bottles of C4 and C5 tucked away in the back of a drawer.

I wore them for the first time in ages. I mixed both C4 and C5 together, buffed a couple thin layers of that on my skin with a synthetic buffing brush, then set with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural.

Now I remember why I love this so much. It’s lightweight, doesn’t move, looks like real skin, and layers well with primers and concealers. As far as sheer foundations go, it’s an O.G.

Anyway, I feel like a pirate finding buried treasure when I rediscover old faves… I’ve probably talked about most of my O.G. faves at one point or another over the past 12 blogging years, but I still have so much love for some of them!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I hope you have a beautiful week. ?

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

1. Cream shadow in a pot or a stick?
2. Favorite non-perfume smell?
3. When I need a little self-care, I like to…
4. What’s your “running late, five-minute face” makeup routine?
5. A beauty product you brought with you on your last vacation?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 563

July 21st, 2019 by Karen 4 Comments

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any hotter… HA HA!

Tabs always knew how to heat things up on set, whether it be with a smoldering look, a cheeky turn of his bum, or a playful paw placement. His summer kitty modeling campaigns were some of his favorites, and during the peak of his career, we were traveling. A lot. Tuscany one week and NYC the next.

It was some of the most challenging and satisfying work of my pet assisting career.

I miss the private jet, especially…

Here’s a few more of the most iconic summer modeling campaigns from Tabs.

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Saturday Surfing, July 20th, 2019

July 20th, 2019 by Karen 8 Comments

OK, cat ladies, brace yourself…

It’s officially kitten season.

The pet adoption application at the top is from the Marin Humane Society, and it doesn’t mean there’s going to be another kitty all up in the mix here anytime soon. I’m merely filling it out “just in case.”

Am I emotionally ready for another cat? I’m not sure, to be honest…but one of the lessons I’ve learned as an adult is that you’re never really ready for much, and I figure that since the Humane Society keeps applications on file for six months, if I keep my heart open, and if I’m lucky enough, Tabs will send me his purr-mission to provide pet assisting services to a new feline friend. ?

We’ll see.

Knowing me, I’ll probably come home one day with three cats, a dog and a rabbit…

I’m going to stop by later today to drop off my application and perhaps play with a kitten or two (gotta get my fix!), but first, it’s Saturday surfing time. ?

Why is red lipstick so powerful?
I’m totally down for this summer beauty trend.
Protesters in Puerto Rico are making political statements with their makeup.
Dude, you can’t escape the Insane Clown Posse. ? Last week it was all about the juggalos fooling facial recognition, and this week it’s all about #ClownCheck makeup.
How to get your cat to stay quiet in the morning (Side note: Good luck with that!)
Why do some cats hate water?
Pray tell, does any one out there actually wanna wear lava lamp nails? Anyone…?
The 11 best Keanu Reeves films to re-watch RIGHT MEOW.
I want to try these new liquid lipsticks from Honest Beauty!
Speaking of lipstick, Revlon’s doing a collaboration with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Why you (and I, note to self) need to add niacinamide to your skin care routine ASAP
Shout-out to my alma mater, UC Davis, and their Specialty Clinic for Multicultural Dermatology, which is run by Dr. Oma Agbai! (Side note: People, don’t skip sunscreen.)
I know a few of my friends here on MBB ride horses. This beauty line is made just for equestrians!

As if I needed another reason to love Sir John!

I would totally let Mariah do my makeup.

Because I love period pieces

How I look like when I’m buying cheese at Trader Joe’s

Three words: “digital fur technology”

This was weird and wonderful.

Have a great rest of your weekend! ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Ode to Winged Liner

July 19th, 2019 by Karen 11 Comments

Two little lines.

At its core, that’s what winged liner is — just two little lines — but anyone who’s ever scored two fierce flicks knows that winged liner is so much more than double dashes angling from outer corners.

To non-makeup people, winged liner may seem trivial, but we know the truth… It’s totally transformative!

On any given day, all it takes is a small adjustment in the flick of a wrist, or a choice to use a different color or finish, and I can be whatever I want. ??️??

On most days, you’ll find me wearing some variation of kitten flicks, because there’s just something about those snazzy snaps that says, “MEOW, I’m not a regular mom. I’m a cool mom.” ?

golden kitten wings — Wings: Tarte Liquid Chrome Paint. Lips: MAC Lemonade Lipglass.

On other days, though, like when I need an emotional high-kick capable of shattering a ceiling, I’ll frame my lash lines in flicks so glittery and gleaming that you can see them waaaaaaay past the cheap seats in the back.

BAM! — watch out, world, because I’m coming for you in my bad-@ss diva wings!

kat von d white out — Wings: Kat Von D Cake Pencil in White Out. Lips: MAC Nymphette.

And, of course, there’s always what I call my “comfort wings,” which are basically my makeup equivalent of black stretchy pants — a thin black line with a slightly upturned, softened, diffused edge. It’s my go-to when I wanna look cute but I’m feeling lazy.

black wings bite beauty 070 — Wings are MAC Carbon eyeshadow, lip is Bite Beauty Lip Pencil in 070.

There are infinite ways to wear winged liner — sharp, crisp and classic; or diffused, hazy and blurry. You can go bright and bold one day, or basic black the next. Big bat wings or dainty, delicate flicks. You’ve got thin lines, thick lines, single wings, double wings… There’s no shortage of styles and ways to wear those wings.

For a few hours, your wings can transform you into a powerful pin-up or a visionary vixen. Or a cool mom, like yours truly, ha ha. ?

And the next day (or, perhaps even later the same day), after you wipe your wings off, you can start all over again with something different. (If only everything in life were that easy.)

Where will your wings take you next?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF. ?

Good Girls and Great Makeup

July 18th, 2019 by Karen 9 Comments

good girls makeup — When good girls go bad

When the three ladies in Good Girls aren’t robbing their local Fine and Frugal discount grocery store; stashing kidnapped, would-be assailants in backyard tree houses; or laundering counterfeit money, I suspect they’re reading beauty blogs, watching YouTube makeup tutorials and stalking the aisles at Sephora.

Why?

Because their makeup is always on point! Who knew suburban moms falling into lives of crime could pull off shimmery olive lids?!

I just started watching this dark comedy on Netflix (season one is available now) and am THOROUGHLY enjoying the story lines AND face paint.

Whoever’s doing the makeup (wish I knew who it was) for the three leading ladies is having lots of fun with bright red lipstick, molten metallic eyeshadows, gleaming glitter and flawless foundation. It’s dramatic, yet still totally wearable, so no Sharpie Instagram brows, because, ya know…suburban moms in Michigan who commit federal crimes are that much more interesting to watch in a getaway car when they’re wearing electric teal liner and coral lips!

Even though the makeup is one of my favorite parts of the show, the characters and their flaws are pretty interesting too.

The premise? Three suburban moms/BFFs fall upon dire economic circumstances, and thus stumble into a life of crime in order to keep their families afloat.

Beth, played by Christina Hendricks, is a housewife whose husband loses all of their money after an affair and a series of bad financial decisions. Her sister, Annie, is played by Mae Whitman (remember her from Parenthood?), an immature single mom fighting to keep custody of her daughter. Comedienne and actress Retta plays Ruby, their lifelong friend and unofficial member of the family, has two kids (one with a serious illness) and is married to a cop-in-training.
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A Must for Coral Lip Lovers Is Now on Sale for 50% Off: Bite Beauty Lip Pencil in 070

July 17th, 2019 by Karen 6 Comments

This coral lip makes me almost as happy as when Connor says “YAAAAAAAAAS, QUEEN!”

I’m *not* wearing a lipstick, by the way. It’s Bite’s Lip Pencil, with the very numerical name of 070, and right now it’s on sale on the Sephora site for $9 (full price is $18, so it’s half off).

I love how intense it looks, and I like the finish, which is halfway between a matte and a satin. Oh! — and the creamy, featherweight formula coasts across lips like a lipstick.

I hope the deeply discounted price doesn’t mean it’s going away (crosses fingers and toes), but if that’s the case, at least you can grab it while it’s still around for a good price.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. How was your day?