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

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Twig Satin Lipstick

April 18th, 2019 by Karen 18 Comments

Meet some of my favorite MAC nude shades this week from the MAC Strip Down collection.

I’m a bonafide twig expert! — self proclaimed, of course. I have twigs in every pocket of every jacket. Literally.

And there are two reasons for this:

Because I like to wear MAC Twig lipstick
And because Connor has to pick up all of the twigs she finds whenever we leave the house and adds them to her collection of “treasures that we keep by the front door.”

So, yeah, with the power vested in me by the State of California, I declare myself a twig expert. ?

MAC Twig is such an old-school favorite. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it is not the color of most tiny branches. Really, I don’t know why it’s even called “Twig,” unless somebody somewhere had a dream about a pinkish brown tree…?

Yeah, it’s in the realm of brown, but I think it’s more pink than brown, so if you like the idea of a nude lip color that splits the difference between a Barbie pink and a true brown, a la MAC Paramount, take a look at Twig.

Like other MAC nude lip greats, it’s subtlety different from other nude lip colors in ways that a casual bystanders would have absolutely NO CLUE about. Like my husband — he would never be able to tell the difference between Velvet Teddy and Twig, but you and I? We would.

mac twig swatch — The ultimate trifecta of MAC rosy brown nude lippies!

[Continue reading…]

Budget Beauty for $10 or Less: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Mauve-olous

April 17th, 2019 by Karen 8 Comments

sally hansen mauve-olous — After four days, this drugstore mani looks just as fresh as day one.

Hooray for budget beauty! In this new series, we talk about sweet finds you can get for $10 or less.

GAH. I’m getting really antsy to paint my nails with the Chanel Cruise colors. (That purple? It’s just calling my name.) So I’m gonna do that tonight, but before I go there, shout-out to my current nail polish situation, Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel in Mauve-olous, which is indeed marvelous.

OK, this is… I painted my nails on Friday night after one of those epic bathroom sessions that El Hub makes fun of me for, because I literally can spend almost two hours in the bathroom after I put Connor down to bed. He’s like, “What are you DOING in there? Did you fall in the toilet and get stuck? Now you can’t get out?” (Side note, no, that only happens to my Velvet Teddy Lipstick, ha! ? ) And I’m like, “Dude, I’m just living my best life in here, OK?” I was so happy to have some time to myself, so in celebration of that, I did a hair mask, a face mask, and I also painted my nails. ??

I did two coats of Mauve-olous on top of bare nails, and then the Miracle Gel Top Coat on top, which is the process Sally Hansen recommends, and look! — after four whole days, there’s only a little bit coming off at the ends of my nails (as to be expected). But really, no big chips. Sure, the shine has dulled, but the polish still more or less looks like fresh paint. I’m betting this could easily go six or seven solid days.

I’ll be wearing it again, for sure.

By the way, Mauve-olous is one of those colors that looks very different in different lighting. Like, I’ll go into the bathroom, and it’ll be peachy pink, but it’s mauve-rose in full sun. I think it’s really beautiful, and it’s affordable, too — about $8 a bottle.

Oh! — and another bonus of the Miracle Gels is that they dry relatively quickly. You don’t have to sit there for 45 minutes while you wait for your nails to dry. For two coats and the top coat, I’d give them 20 minutes to completely dry down.

It’s good stuff!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Whirl Matte Lipstick

April 17th, 2019 by Karen 12 Comments

mac whirl lip swatch — Taking MAC Whirl for a whirl…

Meet some of my favorite MAC nude shades this week from the MAC Strip Down collection.

Fun fact about MAC Whirl: Back in the day (as in pre-2015), Whirl, a dark matte brown with a tinge of rose, only existed as a lip pencil.

Way back before the dinosaurs ? disappeared, I used to outline my lips with Whirl pencil, fill them in, and then top everything off with Chapstick to create my own DIY Whirl lipstick.

Yeah!

In 2015, MAC finally turned this iconic color into a lipstick — the Whirl Matte Lipstick we know and love today.

I know there’s this whole thing that Whirl is a very “Kylie Jenner lips” color (as if she invented it ? ), and yes, it’s definitely one of those lipsticks that will help you get that specific look. In fact, whenever a friend asks me for a Kylie Jenner lips recommendation, first, I try not to outwardly groan… Then, I suggest MAC Whirl. But really, though, whenever I see Whirl, I think more of ’90s supermodels like Linda and Christy and Cindy. It has a very early Bobbi Brown chicness to it IMO, and I love ? it.

There’s also another reason why I love it… Because it’s similar to the color of my gums.

Yes, I realize that that is an odd thing to like about a nude lipstick, but I’m looking at my gums here, and it really is the color of my gums. (Side note: I’m not gonna show you my gums. Hi-res pics of my gums do not need to exist on the Internet.)

Maybe that’s why Whirl is the ultimate nude lipstick for so many people. It matches the color of their gums, ha ha ha! Anyway, here it is on lighter skin and darker skin.

mac whirl lipstick swatch — NC42, babes!

[Continue reading…]

The 2019 Chanel Cruise Makeup Collection in Action: A Few First Impressions

April 16th, 2019 by Karen 16 Comments

chanel cruise makeup collection 2019 — A few pretties from the Chanel Cruise 2019 collection

Despite my obsession with The Love Boat as a child, I’ve never taken a cruise…because HELLO, CLAUSTROPHOBIA! But I might consider one if the destination were Chanel. LOL! “Hello, ladies and gentleman!” announces the captain over the ship’s intercom system. “Next stop: Chanel, a.k.a. ‘Your Makeup paradise.’ Please watch your step as you disembark the vessel.”

Who’s comin’ with me? ??

The new Chanel Cruise collection arrives in port next month, and judging by the pieces I wore today, Lucia Pica was going for a subtle look, as in sheer, luminous highlights on the high points of the face; soft, subtle contours on eyes and cheeks; a rosy brown lip; and a soft glossy glow on the lids.

I like it. Of course, I’ve been really into non-crazy makeup lately.

A few first impressions…

DUO BRONZE ET LUMIÈRE EXCLUSIVE CREATION BRONZER AND HIGHLIGHTER DUO IN CLAIR ($70): This subtle powder highlighter duo, which is the lighter of the two duos in the release, has a light peach matte on one side and a luminous pinkish peach on the other. The lightweight, finely-milled powder feels almost creamy, like the NARS Dual Intensity Blushes, and it’s very elegant and smooth… It’s definitely NOT appropriate for bling-bling highlights.

DUO BRONZE ET LUMIÈRE EXCLUSIVE CREATION BRONZER AND HIGHLIGHTER DUO IN MÉDIUM ($70): This one feels just as light as Clair, but it has a matte neutral chocolate bronzer on one side and a rosy gold highlighter on the other.

Note: It is VERY, VERY sheer, which I don’t mind, because it makes the product easy to control.

It should suit lighter lasses and medium-toned mavens particularly well.

Also noteworthy: The bronzer doesn’t have warm orange tones, so it’s a straight-up brown. If I apply it too heavily, I look like I have dirty stripes on my face…which is why I think you’re forced to wear it sheer.

(Works great as an eyeshadow duo, too.)

ROUGE COCO FLASH IN HYDRATING VIBRANT SHINE LIP COLOUR IN CONTRASTE ($38): This silky, moisturizing rosy brown lipstick looks a tad frightening in the bullet, but I think it’s totally wearable, comfy and oh, so shiny.

The formula smells and tastes a little like roses, and the color lasts about two hours for me.

I’m low-key addicted to this formula… Can I haz all teh colors, plz?

OMBRE PREMIÈRE GLOSSTOP COAT EYESHADOW IN LUNAIRE ($36): No glitter. Just pure silvery gloss.

Wear time is quite limited at about an hour. This is lighter than a MAC eye gloss, but not as light as the NARS one, which, overall, I like better because it lasts longer.

LE VERNIS LONGWEAR NAIL COLOUR IN AFTERGLOW AND PURPLE RAY ($28 EACH): Ooh! Pastel nails! I like that these aren’t simply pink or peach pastels. Afterglow is a grayish beige with a subtle golden pearl, and Purple Ray is a lavender cream with a subtle gray undertone.

I’ll be taking these for a spin after my current Sally Hansen mani disappears (or I remove it, whichever comes first).

chanel cruise makeup collection 2019 k — I’m wearing the bronzer/highlighter duos in Clair and Medium on my eyes and cheeks. There’s also a touch of the silver eye gloss in the inner corners and the center of my lids. On my lips is Rouge Coco Flash in Contraste, and I’m also wearing blush in this pi (I felt naked without it!). It’s Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Bronze.

chanel cruise makeup collection 2019 swatches — I’m an NC42 in MAC.

The best thing I’ve tried from the collection so far is Rouge Coco Flash, and it’s gorgeous and effortless! I think I just found my new everyday lipstick.

It’s pricey…but you can wear it down to the nub.

I also like the face duos, but they might be too sheer for some peeps, especially considering the $70 price. You really have to appreciate the subtlety of the look Chanel was going for in order to “go there,” because there are similar products out there that will cost you a lot less.
[Continue reading…]

Product Spotlight: The MAC Shiny Pretty Shadows From the Get Blazed Collection

April 16th, 2019 by Karen 5 Comments

mac glitz please closeup — Lids: MAC Shiny Pretty Shadow in Glitz Please with a little bit of MAC Soft Brown blended in the crease. Lips: MAC Mehr and Whirl Matte Lipsticks mixed together. Cheeks: Clinique Cupid Blush

“It’s classy. Not trashy!”

You may recall these glistening gems from your last buried treasure discovery…or from the last MAC Holiday collection, but if you don’t, or if you missed out the last time around, grab ye one from the new MAC Get Blazed collection. The glittery, glistening eyeshadows have a metallic base…which may sound a bit frightening if sparkly makeup isn’t your thing, but the glitter doesn’t go overboard, so they’re shockingly chic, fun and wearable (and NOT excessively frosty or ’80s).

Yup, even for daytime.

mac glitz please — What I’m wearing to volunteer at Connor’s preschool today. I’ll be “the glitter mom,” ha ha ha!

[Continue reading…]

Spellbound by MAC Strip Down: Mehr Matte Lipstick

April 15th, 2019 by Karen 18 Comments

Meet some of my favorite MAC nude shades this week from the MAC Strip Down collection.

DUDE, the world is your oyster when it comes to nude lipsticks. I mean, there are so many out there, right? But you know, when I think about the old-school, original nude lip look, I think of MAC.

I started wearing MAC in the ’90s, and that’s when I became aware that nude lips were totally a thing.

MAC has created so many iconic colors — colors that everybody rips off. Hello, old-school Whirl? We all know that Kylie was “deeply inspired” by it (don’t worry, I won’t go off on a Kardashi-tangent!).

I think MAC has some of the best of the best nude lipsticks because they have so many matches for the multitude of subtly different shades of bare lips out there, and you can see this in their “new-ish” nude lip collection, Strip Down, which is on the MAC site right now.

I call it new-ish because the first time I saw the product list, I thought, “Oh, I know Whirl!” and “Check out Paramount!” The collection is all about re-promotes, and most of them are O.G. greats.

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 572

April 15th, 2019 by Karen 33 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. Who takes care of your brows?

To quote the great De La Soul, “It’s just me, myself and I.”

2. If/when you incorporate an accent nail into your manicure, which finger do you typically use?

I don’t do accent nails anymore (I prefer wearing all the same shade), but when I did, I’d always pick my ring finger, and I do it on both hands. To me it always seemed more balanced that way. I wonder if anyone out there did an accent middle finger. Or an accent thumb?

3. YOU MUST CHOOSE: Would you rather 1) have to walk around with bare feet for a week (no shoes, no socks, no slippers — absolutely nothing. Just your plain ol’ bare feet on the ground), or 2) have to skip absolutely ALL teeth-related maintenance for a week (i.e. no brushing of any kind, no flossing, no mouthwash, NOTHING)? Note: “Neither” is not a valid option. You have to pick one.

First of all, GROSS. Second, as much as it would kill me, because I’m such a stickler for oral hygiene, I’d go with option 2… I’d rather have a funky mouth than worry about stepping on a nail or broken glass.

4. What’s a perfume you’ve worn for years and still love to this day?

Estée Lauder Pleasures. My fave back in college!

5. Last thing you said to someone?

“Go back to sleep, lovie. It’s not time to wake up yet.”

Ya learn something new every day

In my case, the last tidbit of knowledge had to do with nail polish. My fingers are finally painted for the first time in two weeks, YAY! They’ve been bare for a spell because after I removed my last manicure, a peachy pastel by Sally Hansen, I told myself that I’d paint my nails in a few hours, but of course I got distracted, so the few hours turned into a few days, which turned into two weeks…

I course-corrected that on Friday and painted my nails a creamy mauve — Sally Hansen Mave-olous, one of the Miracle Gel Liners.

No chips so far! It held up well all weekend long, but I think I’m *almost* ready to shift gears into something other than a pastel… It feels like time for a change.

What’s the situation with your nails today? Are you wearing a fresh coat?

Have a good rest of your Monday, ‘k? ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

1. Who takes care of your brows?
2. If/when you incorporate an accent nail into your manicure, which finger do you typically use?
3. Would you rather 1) have to walk around with bare feet outside for a week (no shoes, no socks, no slippers, absolutely no nothing, just your plain ol’ bare feet on the ground), or 2) have to skip absolutely ALL tooth maintenance for a week (so no tooth brushing, no brushing your teeth with toothpaste on a finger, no flossing, no mouthwash, NOTHING)? By the way, “neither” is not an answer, you have to pick one or the other.
4. What’s a perfume you’ve worn for years and still love to this day?
5. Last thing you said to someone?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 549

April 14th, 2019 by Karen 5 Comments

His majesty surveys his domain…

“All this,” he bellows, “as far as the cat eye can see, from the old oak tree to the grassy knoll, belongs to Tabs the Cat Industries LLC.”

Tabs has been a benevolent kitty dictator. Now in his thirteenth (or fourteenth) spring, he doesn’t have to do much battling anymore. There is peace across the land (except for his feud with Harris).

Now, King Tabby can enjoy the fruits of his labor. The gravy, like the wine, flows freely.

[Continue reading…]