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

Saturday Surfing, June 29th, 2019

June 29th, 2019 by Karen 10 Comments

Every time I roll up to Marin Coffee Roasters — no, seriously, I literally roll up because it’s a drive-through — I like to watch the other drivers in line, because most are white-knuckling their steering wheel and rocking back and forth in their seat with a crazed look in their eye, and I don’t blame ’em, because this place sells the best coffee in the county, hands down, and when you need your coffee…you really need your coffee. Lucky for me, I live five minutes away from ’em, mwahahahahaaa!

My go-to drink of late has been their iced latte.

Now, most iced lattes taste like punishment to me — burnt, and almost sour — but MCR’s is buttery, smooth, creamy, and precariously easy to drink. Perfect amount of buzz juice, too, because they leave me peppy but not shaky, and, most importantly, they never give me a tummy ache, which has been happening more and more lately when I get something from Starbucks.

Last time at MCR, when I saw the barista walking out to my car with my drink, I felt the sudden urge to leap over the hood of my car like an American Ninja Warrior! Seriously, best dang coffee in Novato, IMO. Highly recommended.

Who makes the best coffee where you live? Hopefully, you have a cup to sip while you read this week’s Saturday Surfing!

Are the intense multi-step skin care regimens that have been all the rage for the past few years starting to fall out of fashion?
On that note, say “Greetings!” to the latest skin care trend: “Skip Care” , something I’ve evidently been sort of doing since I realized that the less I mess with my skin, the better it generally is.
BRO, I thought these guys were a comedy act at first, but apparently they’re legit interested in skin care. Meet the Dewy Dudes!
Meet the new ambassador of SK-II skin care: Yumi. She isn’t an actress or an influencer, or even human for that matter. Yumi is an AI collaboration between SK-II and Soul Machines, a New Zealand startup that creates digital humans that (who?) look and move like we do. (Side note: SKYNET, HERE WE COME.)
The best over-the-counter retinol creams, according to Shape magazine
A L’Oréal and Karl Lagerfeld collaboration will be hitting shelves in the fall.
Analyzing hair is a frustrating task for forensic scientists.
Nail tips and trends from Beyoncé’s nail artist
If you have thin hair and are longing for curls, you might want to check out these hair curlers.
Veterinarians and rescuers love these litter boxes for cats.
My future second husband (sorry, El Hub) is having a cultural moment.
Wait–are you telling me that other people also believe that Keanu Reeves as their Internet boyfriend?
And just in case you really can’t get enough Keanu…!

What goes down when you get a lash perm (Side note: NOW I WANT ONE).

One of my favorites, and part of the reason I named my daughter Claire.

I’m kind of a creeper and love seeing what beauty products people actually finish all way down to the last drop.

One of the greats

I may have lost my damn mind when SWV came out.

You have a good day, OK?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

7 Makeup Tips and Techniques I Learned From Nerding Out to This ’90s Makeup Tutorial By Sam of Pixiwoo

June 28th, 2019 by Karen 8 Comments

Nerd alert!

(Of course I mean that in the best possible way because makeup nerds ROCK.)

I nerded out big time to this ’90s makeup how-to video by Sam of Pixiwoo, and after watching it, all I wanted to do was grab my brushes (they’re clean, hallelujah!), sit down with a pile o’ makeup and a mirror, blast some Prince, and just play for hours.

Sam shows step-by-step how to do a classic, full-on ’90s matte eye similar to what Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston (two of my favorite ’90s divas) wore back in the day. Then she pairs it with a ’90s-style Pamela Anderson lip (complete with the overdrawn, un-blended lip liner…BUT DAMN IT LOOKS HELLA GOOD!).

Sam updates the look though, so it’s not straight outta the ’90s, and she does this by pairing the dramatic eyes and lips with a sheer, barely-there base. I think the final result is totally wearable but not boring, not too difficult to do, and modern looking. I would totally do this look for a dinner, or drinks with the girls, or to Trader Joe’s to buy some whole wheat bread… HA HA HA!

The tips are moderate-advanced, which I appreciate — because how many times do we have to hear the phrase “move in a windshield wiper motion” on YouTube? — and almost all of them are techniques I’ve never heard before.

1. Use a domed blending brush and a thin tapered brush to precisely apply crease color.

For detailed crease work, Sam recommends keeping these two brushes on hand so you can place your darkest crease color exactly where you want it. She starts with a domed brush to place the darkest brown shade on the outer corner, then swaps it for for a thin, tapered brush.

She loads eyeshadow only on the very tip of the brush, then removes most of it before carefully sketching a thin line in her inner crease. This allows her to place the color exactly where she wants with maximum control. GENIUS!

2. Pay close attention to where you put your fingers on your brush relative to the ferrule.

Where you wrap your fingers around the brush determines how much control you’ll have over it. If you want more control, like when you’re drawing a pinpoint thin line in your inner crease, then hold closer to the ferrule, but if you’re going for a more blended, diffused look, hold your fingers father away from the ferrule.

3. Brace your hand against your cheek so you can steady your body before drawing fine lines.

To draw fine, perfect lines, Sam likes to steady her hand by anchoring it against her cheek; then, when it’s time to sketch out the line, she uses her fingers to move the brush. Moving just your fingers minimize any jerky movements.

She does this whenever she uses liquid liner or lip liner or anything that requires precision.
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Weird Things I Like to Do

June 27th, 2019 by Karen 21 Comments

nars wanted mini eyeshadow palette closed — Teeny, tiny!

1. Terrifically tiny

You’d think that most people would find miniature versions of makeup products mildly aggravating, because why have less when you can have MOAR? But the daintiness of diminutive perfume bottles, lipsticks and eyeshadow palettes like the NARS Wanted Mini Eyeshadow Palette have me hoarding all teh tiny treasures.

nars wanted mini eyeshadow palette hand — Fits in the palm of your hand

So what if they aren’t always practical? — especially the tiny tubes of mascara. (My hands suddenly seem Shrek-sized when I’m holding one of those tiny wands.) They’re just so darned cute.

nars wanted mini eyeshadow palette open — Warm and (mostly) sparkly shadows

nars wanted mini eyeshadow palette swatches — I’m an NC42 skin tone in MAC.

I was looking at some of Connor’s tiny toys the other day and remembered how I used to love small doll-sized things when I was a kid. Apparently, I still like tiny treasures.

2. I like to torture myself with terrible movies.

If the dialogue sounds like it was written by a stoner eating Twinkies and Doritos at 3 a.m., I’m so there. Also, count me in if it involves an ex-reality TV star playing a zombie who, against all odds, saves the earth from alien invasion. But, duuuuuuude, key point: It’s not like I actually enjoy any of it! I’ll start up the movie, then see how long I can bear it before I can’t take it anymore and either need to change the channel or run out the front door screaming.

I dunno… For some reason this makes me feel stronger — like it’s the equivalent of mental weightlifting?

Tabs the Cat starring in American Shorthair Hustle — This was NOT a terrible movie, in case you were wondering.

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Liquid Lipstick Love

June 26th, 2019 by Karen 13 Comments

chanel rouge allure ink — These are fabulous!

I’m tempting fate whenever I wear lipstick with white clothes, but I like to live on the edge, mwahahahaha!

chanel luxuriant — A rebel (not really) in Chanel Luxuriant

I’ve been all about the Chanel Rouge Allure Ink liquid lipsticks ($38 each), man. They came out a few years back, and they’re still a fixture in the permanent collection. Thank goodness for that, too, because there’s really nothing else quite like them. They’re like a shy first kiss…and you can crack as many cheesy smiles with them as you want, because the creamy, pigmented formula stays smooth for hours.

PRODUCT
A long-lasting liquid lipstick with a smooth texture that glides on like a gloss and sets with a luminous, velvet-like finish.

COMPOSITION
Polymers, waxes and plant oils smooth and nourish lips, while Jojoba Oil and a unique anti-oxidant complex offer hydration and protective benefits. The applicator tip allows for comfortable and easy application. In a provocative range of red-tint shades, from tart pink to deep brown-noir.

HOW TO APPLY
Define lip contours then fill in with colour.

Source: chanel.com

The soft velvet matte finish is also softer and less “aggro” than your typical liquid lippie, which I think makes them perfect for casual summer makeup. Lately, I’ve been bouncing between warm pink Amoureaux and two bright reds — berry red Luxuriant and bluish red Choquant. There are 20 colors to choose from, and I want all of ’em.

Hey, Mr. D.J.!

Science really needs to figure out how to tap into the part of the brain that can remember song lyrics from 20 years ago with startling clarity, because when Connor and I were at DSW the other day, Hey Mr. DJ started playing over the store speakers, and I was singing along without skipping a beat.

Remember when the first few bars of this song would play in the club and everyone would lose their damn mind?? In the alternate reality that is the musical version of my life, everyone in the DSW would have dropped whatever shoes they were trying on and danced in the aisles, ha ha ha!

Speaking of blasts from the past…

I spotted ube ice cream in the frozen section at TJ’s last week!

Ube, also known as taro root, is a purple yam (Hawaiians make poi out of it), and when I was growing up, my parents would buy ube ice cream for us at the small Filipino grocery store in our town… I think it tastes like a combination of vanilla and cashews. The taste of my childhood!

Some ube ice creams are sweeter than others, and the Trader Joe’s one isn’t as sweet as some, which I like. I paced myself and ate the pint over the course of three days, but I could’ve easily finished it in one sitting with a spoon and a Reese Witherspoon movie.
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What’s Floating Your Skin Care Boat Right Now? And What’s Your Skin Type?

June 26th, 2019 by Karen 21 Comments

kate somerville skin care — Clearly on a KS kick

Seeing a quick list of the skin care products you’re using at the moment, along with knowing your skin type, would be cool. That way I can be the nosy noodle that I am and virtually peep inside your medicine cabinet, ha ha! Also, I think it would be helpful to see what other people with a similar skin type use and if there are any products that seem to pop up over and over again.

Come on, you know you wanna play!

More recent skin care on the blog

A Detailed Deep Dive Into My Current Skincare Routine

What’s Your Routine for Washing Your Face?

New Serums From Kate Somerville

Product Spotlight: Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser

First Thoughts on First Aid Beauty

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Easy Everyday Makeup Look: Summer Breeze

June 25th, 2019 by Karen 17 Comments

Today I wore this summery look to run a couple errands and drop off Coywolf at her first day of summer fun/school. I used lots of Chanel, with a mix of new and old faves, because I love the way they handle color. They use juuuust enough, so you don’t go from zero to rodeo clown in a hummingbird heartbeat.

Swatches and details on the key products down below.

Key items

Base: All I’m wearing is a 50/50 mix of It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination and Oil-Free Matte Tinted Moisturizers (the shade I wear is Tan), which I applied with my fingers on top of Aveeno Baby Sunscreen. No setting powder, no concealer.

I like the way this base looks and feels, especially when it’s hot out, because I get medium coverage with minimal product. My pores feel like they can still breathe, and the makeup stays put no matter how much I sweat. Of course, you could go for either Illumination (which works wonders as an under-eye concealer, by the way) or Matte, but I like to mix the two because HI, MY NAME IS KAREN, AND I LIKE TO COMPLICATE THINGS.

If mixing doesn’t sound appealing to you, then I recommend going for the Matte, but still adding one or two drops of your favorite liquid highlighter (MAC’s Strobe cream is the best for mixing into foundations, IMHO).

Eyeshadow: The Chanel Les Beiges Natural Eyes palette is SO GOOD. The eyeshadows have the smooth glide of gel-powder hybrids, and you can blend any combo of the colors with just few windshield wiper swipes. If you love the Chantecaille cream shadows in pots (which are fantastic but very $$$), these Chanel shadows have a similarly creamy consistency and light-as-air appearance. You won’t find any of them, even the shimmers, settling into fine lines.

Brows: Speedy brows! This was my first time trying It Cosmetics Brow Power Micro Universal Defining Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe, and I’m LOVING it. There’s a super skinny twist-up pencil on one end to draw precise lines, and a stiff brow spoolie on the other. I did these brows in a minute, and it was completely non-stressful because the pencil deposits a good amount of color, but yet it’s mellow enough to not look harsh or blocky.

Cheeks and Lips: I love how Chanel’s cream blushes blend right into your foundation without lifting it up or moving it around. I also like how they never look obvious. The blush I’m wearing here is an older one that looks like it isn’t around anymore (No. 25), but there are many other creams available on the Chanel site.

The lip combo is Rouge Allure Ink (Chanel’s lightweight liquid lipstick) in Amoreux, topped with Rouge Coco Gloss in 172 (semi-sticky but long-lasting).

More pics!

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

June 25th, 2019 by Karen 37 Comments

universal thread high rise midi shorts — One of these days, my hair won’t be so messy (but today is not that day).

1. Universal Thread High-Rise Destroyed Midi Jean Shorts

OH. SO. GOOD. The high waist on these jean shorts hits above the belly button and hold everything in, so I don’t feel like my tum-tum is hanging out the sides of my waistband, and the midi-length completely covers the cheeks and the very tops of my thighs. I feel covered up, but yet the shorts are still short enough to keep me cool and elongate my gams.

The material is a blend of 91% cotton, 7% Polyester and 2% Spandex, so it does stretch out a little, but I don’t mind because I don’t like my shorts to cling tightly to my booty. Keep in mind that because the denim stretches, the waistband starts to loosen after a few hours, so the shorts do slip down, but I just wear them with a belt and remind myself that they were only $17.99!

They’re also coated with something that’s supposed to repel stains? Thank goodness, because I need all the help I can get with white shorts.

I’m thinking of grabbing a couple more pairs!

2. Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

I’ve had several friends recommend Aveeno Baby Sunscreen (about $13), and it’s really as good as everyone says it is.

The active ingredient in this physical sunscreen is zinc oxide, which works by sitting on top of the skin to deflect and scatter UV rays. It absorbs quickly, isn’t sticky, doesn’t feel heavy on my skin, and layers well with other skin care products and underneath makeup. It doesn’t sting as I’m rubbing it in and hasn’t broken me out (knocks on wood). There is a white cast at first…but it fades after about a half an hour, so I don’t stress about it. It’s sweat-and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, too.

3. Stretching

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: Stretching is NOT my forte, as I’m about as naturally flexible as a plank of plywood. MY hamstrings are the WORST, and whenever someone in a fitness class or a workout video says “bend over and touch your toes,” I’m the person with her fingertips at the tops of her knees saying “NOPE! Not gonna happen.” But I’ve just discovered stretching videos on YouTube, and my life is forever changed.

My toes and arches felt SO GOOD after this video.

I’m about to do this one.

I like doing stretching videos because it’s easier for me to have someone lead me through different stretching positions, rather than having to think about what to do next on my own (because why would I put my body into uncomfortable positions on my own?). It also really helps having someone tell me how long to sit or stand in whatever pretzel position I’m currently in; otherwise, I’ll just peace-the-eff-out after 10 seconds.

I’ve been doing a 20-minute stretch video while I watch TV at night before bed, and after less than a week, my body feels better in the morning (and throughout the day, really), and I sleep better at night because my muscles aren’t as sore after my workouts.

YAY FOR STRETCHING!

4. Air fryers

Air fryers mimic deep frying by using hot air and just a minimal amount of oil, so they’re supposed to be great for healthy cooking. I don’t have one (yet), but I reeeeeeally want one, because at my mom and dad’s house a few weekends ago for lunch, they cooked an entire Tilapia in their air fryer, and it was so tender and juicy that I inhaled the entire fish by myself in — I’m not even kidding — less than 15 minutes! (Side note: Don’t mess with a little Filipino lady and her yummy fish, man.)

Only thing holding me back is that the machines tend to be huge and take up lots of counter/cupboard space, which I don’t have at the moment, but is something I’m actively working towards, which leads me to…
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DSW Adventures! I’m Fancying Flatform Sandals

June 24th, 2019 by Karen 16 Comments

Don’t knock ’em ’till you try ’em, man! These flat platform sandals — otherwise known as “flatforms” — combine the comfort of a flat shoe with the height of a platform, so you get the extra lift without the achy arches and lower back pain from high heels.

Side note: I can’t believe I just wrote that because it was only a few years ago when I was living in high heels practically 24/7, but now I wear flats all teh time, and my bod feels better.

At first, I poo-pooed flatforms. I thought they looked like a Frankenstein-ian monster mashup of an espadrille and a wedge, but I kept seeing them on blogs and Instagram and thought, “Hey! Those are actually really cute.”

They’re the kind of shoe you almost have to see on someone else’s feet to appreciate them as fashionable footwear…instead of as a questionable science experiment.

And once you slip them on? Ahhhhh! All is right with the world…

I was this close to giving this pair of Bjorn flatforms (at the top) a happy home today. I slipped them on and proceeded to walk around the store for 10 minutes because I forgot I was wearing them! But that’s a good sign, right? When you forget to actually pay for a pair of shoes on your feet because they’re that comfortable? That’s usually a good sign…

In the end, though, I decided to wait because I’m picky about my straps, and this pair had one too many around the ankles. If I’m still pining for them on Friday, I might go back. We’ll see.

I also liked the look of the lighter brown MIA flatforms below, but the straps were a little too loose.

Cute though!

So many flatforms…

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