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

Somewhere along the way, I became the type of makeup person who’d rather have one thing they really love instead of 10 things they kinda like, and when it comes to lipgloss, the only one I’m rollin’ with these days is Rare Beauty’s Stay Vulnerable Glossy Lip Balm in Nearly Apricot ($20), a sheer coral.

With a super shiny finish and a sheer hint of tint, this gloss ticks all the boxes!

It’s sticky enough to hang onto my lips for a few hours, but not so terribly tacky that it’s distracting and it never leaves my lips feeling parched or flaky.

The level of obsession is so high at the moment that I keep it with me in my purse at all times, and if Connor happens to be in my orbit, I;ll ask her if she wants to wear a little bit too, and she always says yes.

It’s a pleasure to wear and reapply, and I reach for it often!

It comes in six shades:

• Nearly Neutral, a soft neutral pink;
• Nearly Rose, a flushed pink;
• Nearly Berry, a soft berry;
• Nearly Mauve a soft mauve; and
• Nearly Apricot, a soft coral.

If you’re looking for a gift for mom, hint, hint, she’ll love this gloss. Or, get it as a gift for yourself. Or gift it to anyone in your life who loves a shiny, easy-to-wear gloss with loads of hydration and just enough tint and shine to make that pout pop!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Caramel or chocolate?

Caramel!

2. Do you wear body sprays (aka body splashes)?

I do! I like ‘em because they’re light and don’t tend to give me headaches. I like the ones that aren’t too sugary sweet.

3. Something that makes you feel fabulous?

Goodness, this is probably going to sound super boring, but it is what it is. I really love wearing an outfit that fits me well. If the pant legs or the shirt sleeves are too long, or if whatever I’m wearing is just a smidge too big or tight, then I don’t feel super great.

4. A morning ritual that you look forward to?

There’s nothing like that first cup of coffee, oh my goodness!

5. A small goal you’d like to accomplish this week?

I’m going to write a little something every day. Even if it’s just a small little thing, it’s what I’ve got to do to get back in the habit every day.

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. Caramel or chocolate?
2. Do you wear body sprays (aka body splashes)?
3. Something that makes you feel fabulous?
4. A morning ritual that you look forward to?
5. A small goal you’d like to accomplish this week?

Happy Saturday, sweet friend.

It’s nice to see you. How has your week been? Good, or even great, I hope!

Things here at Casa MBB have been a little crazy!

In the span of a week, we adopted rescue dog Marnie Marie, and we’ve jumped into the deep end of all things puppy —crate training, house training, vet visiting (for a well-check appointment), behavior training, seriously, all the training.

I think the fact that she’s an Aussie takes things to the next level, too.

I didn’t realize just how unique it is to live with a herding dog until I saw her belly sail over me as she leapt over my couch and dove into the cushions like it was nothing.

Side note, when this happened, I swear it was all in slow motion! Have you ever had a dog jump over you in a high rainbow arch? IT IS INSANE.

It’s been a big change for all of us, and to be honest, I don’t know if I was quite ready for the intensity of the upheaval of our lives, but that’s just how the world keeps turning, I guess. I can’t help but think of something my wise old landlady, Lucy, told me years ago when I mentioned that I wasn’t sure if I was ready for the big changes in marriage. She said, “You’re never going to be ready for anything,” and it was some of the best advice I ever received.

I’ve still yet to figure out how to balance everything I want to get done. All week long I’ve been trying to find the time and mental space to write, and I’ve been anxious about not getting as much time at the keyboard as I’d like.

I know I just have to give everyone in our house, including myself, lots of grace.

Anyway, thank you for listening.

Have a good rest of your Saturday. I’m off to take Connor to dance rehearsals for a few shows that are coming up. Yup, May is another big dance month for her! I’m so lucky that I get to care for some many sweet daughters. I’m officially a mom of three now.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

If you would’ve asked me this time last week about the biggest change in my life lately, I would’ve said that I got a new pair of glasses, LOL!

I honestly would’ve never predicted that I’d be sitting here one week later wearing those same glasses to take a high energy Australian shepherd for a walk. Seriously, life is so crazy.

Say hi to our newest family member Marnie! Her full name is Marnie Marie. 🙂 Of course we would give our dog daughter a middle name.

Anyway, I’ve been needing new glasses for a while; the last time I bought a new pair was pre-pandemic back in 2020! Back then I bought a sassy pair of pink Kate Spade frames, and while I liked the look of them in pictures, I hated wearing them because of the thickness of the frames; whenever I’d look out sideways I’d see the frames, which was super distracting. I rarely wore them, so instead, I’ve been rocking a pair of super old glasses from 2018 for the last FOUR YEARS. I know.

Side note, have you ever bought a new pair of glasses and then rarely touched them? I’m guessing this happens more often than not.

When I went to the optometrist a few weeks ago to get my eyes checked, this was the last pair that I tried on after testing out, I kid you not, 50 or so pairs.

What was kinda strange to me was that it felt weirdly high stakes to try on different colors and styles of frames. I guess I’ve gotten used to seeing myself a certain way, so the thought of going too far out of my style comfort zone was intimidating.

I didn’t want a pair that looked exactly like the ones I already was wearing, but I couldn’t bring myself to commit to a style that was completely different. I dunno, maybe this is something that happens as one gets older? You get so used to seeing yourself a certain way, and next thing you know, you have the same hairstyle for 30 years.

I think this pair is different enough because of the shape and the slightly edgier vibe, but it still has hints of the previous pink tortoiseshell pair I loved wearing.

Oh! Another thing. The lenses! I can’t believe I’m saying this out loud because I’ve been in denial for so long about my near-vision, but these are progressive lenses. That’s when you have glasses that are like the old-school bifocals but without the harsh line, so you can see things that are both near and far. I gotta say that even though it took me a while to accept that, they’re super handy to have because I’m no longer constantly removing my glasses to look at my phone, or having to carry multiple pairs of glasses wherever I go.

It’s a whole new world!

Anywho, that’s one of many new things that’ve been happening lately.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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 more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. What’s something that happened recently that made you feel capable?

Well, I fixed a broken toilet in the morning, and I felt pretty good about it! I know it seems like a small thing, but I didn’t have to call anyone, and I figured it out all on my own.

2. Do you wear a sun hat when you go outside?

I try to, especially in the warmer months. I’m on a mission to be extremely diligent about wearing them in the next few months because I saw a dermatologist last week and got prescriptions for Retin A and hydroquinoine. I’m on a mission to find affordable, cute sun hats so I can stash them all over the place. In my car, at work, by front door so I won’t forget when I leave the house, everywhere!

3. Jeans in the summer: yes or no?

Yes, but they’ve gotta be lightweight, a little stretchy and not too tight.

4. Something you manifested that actually happened?

Pretty sure I manifested this dog. LOL! Yeah, she ended up coming home with us.

5. A small goal you’d like to accomplish this week?

To give all the animals in our house plenty of grace this week, especially myself. Sure, the house didn’t get cleaned over the weekend, and I’m behind on the laundry. And all the things that usually happen like clockwork in the morning didn’t get done on time. That’s OK, though. It’s a time of transition, and it won’t be forever.

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. What’s something that happened recently that made you feel capable?
2. Do you wear a sun hat when you go outside?
3. Jeans in the summer: yes or no?
4. Something you manifested that actually happened?
5. A small goal you’d like to accomplish this week?