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Desperately Seeking Persistent Polish: 7 Days With Sally Hansen Color Therapy Falling Deep

September 27th, 2018 by Karen 13 Comments

sally hansen color therapy falling deep swatch before after

Desperately Seeking Persistent Polish is a series where I wear a nail polish for seven days and take before and after pics to document the condition of my paws over the course of the week!

I recognize that I talk a lot lately about Smith & Cult, but I have reasons! They last, and they’re super saturated, and they also have lots of colors I don’t see anyplace else, like grayish green Bitter Buddhist, an oldie but a goodie that still knocks the cat lady socks off my feet.

Problem is…Smith & Cult is well aware of their fabulousness, and they charge you like they mean it.

$18 a bottle.

But relative to Chanel ($28, wha!?) and Tom Ford ($37, OMG!), that’s a steal…except that it’s not, so what is else is out there?

Here’s something comparable that costs less than half (!) as much: I swear on Jeremy Renner’s makeup brushes that Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish is just as good as Smith & Cult.

There, I said it.

I’ve been wearing one of their new fall shades — a rich, dark reddish brown with bronze microglitter called Falling Deep.

I’ve been wearing it for the past seven days and, quite frankly, I am shocked by how well it held up. It withstood a family plague of three consecutive colds (first El Hub, then Connor and now me), typing 2,000 words in less than 48 hours, and it made it through a moms group get-together that I went to last night in which I awkwardly pretended to be an event photographer (more on this is a second).

“Sally Hansen’s Color Therapy Nail Polish gives you color that cares while you wear! Intensive nourishment for healthy looking nails and up to 10 days fade-proof, chip-resistant Wear. 9 out of 10 women experienced a noticeable improvement in their natural nails.”

— ulta.com

Falling Deep looks like a Smith & Cult or even a Chanel polish, but it’s only $7.99! And right now at Ulta the entire Color Therapy line is marked down to $4.79, which makes them a steal.

I sandwiched two layers of Falling Deep between the same Smith & Cult base coat and top coat I’ve been using throughout the “Desperately Seeking” series, and after seven days it still looks pretty good.

Day 1

sally hansen falling deep swatch

[Continue reading…]

There are 13 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Nails, Product Reviews, Sally Hansen Keywords: desperately seeking persistent polish, nail polish swatches, sally hansen color therapy, sally hansen falling deep, sally hansen falling deep swatch, sally hansen nail polish

[The Shower Files] Gel Cream Dreams! The New Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream, Body Balm and Hand Gel

September 27th, 2018 by Karen 19 Comments

neutrogena hydroboost gel cream

A few times… Alright, alright, alright, more than a few times, I’ve stared at the shelf in my bathroom where I keep all of ‘ze body lotions and thought to myself, “K, there’s only so much skin real estate on your person, so you don’t really need another bottle of lotion.” Then I come to my senses and realize that I totally do. Ha ha ha!

I’ve had dry shins for 43 years (had to stop there for a second to remember my age, OY VEY), so it’s not like I’m never NOT going to need to moisturize… It’s exactly like my glam granny always says, “Boys come and go, but dry skin is forever.” (OK, she really didn’t say that, but I bet she would!)

Anyway, Neutrogena launched a new line of pretty good gel cream body lotions, but first…what the heck is a gel cream?

Gel creams are water-based moisturizers with a formula sort of halfway between a watery lotion and a thick cream. Most of the time, they’re slippery, jiggly and translucent, and their main selling point is how quickly they absorb into your skin. You won’t have to spend forever and day working them in. They’re also usually packed with humectants, which are capable of holding many times their own weight in water, like hyaluronic acid in the case of the Hydro Boost line, and silicone, for that signature slippery feeling.

Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream ($8.99)

Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream comes with a pump in a scented and a fragrance-free version that both quench thirsty heels and shins equally well (I swear, my legs go “Ahhh!” when I put it on), but I’m all about the scented one, which smells like lemons and freshly folded warm laundry to me. If you’ve worn any of the CLEAN fragrances, you’ll love it, as will anyone who smells you, and I have proof!

The other night after I showered and lotion-ed, I walked downstairs and plopped next to El Hub on the couch to watch the season finale of American Ninja Warrior. As he was falling asleep (at 8 p.m., ha ha ha! He works for a finance company and gets up before the chickens, so it’s a miracle whenever he stays up past 7:30), he sleep-mumbled, “You smell really good.”

This is a moisturizing CHAMP! My skin is dry, dry, dry, and it feels happy, happy, happy when I use it. It should be sufficient for fall and winters here in the Bay Area, and I bet it would even handle more extreme weather. #TeamLizard

❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4 out of 5 hearts.

Ingredients, original scent:
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide

Ingredients, fragrance-free version:
Water, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Cetearyl Olivate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sorbitan Olivate, Fragrance, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Blue 1

Hydro Boost Whipped Body Balm ($5.99)

Body balms are usually the big guns of the moisturizing world, but this one doesn’t work anyway near as well as the Body Gel Cream does for me.

Weird, I know!

It’s sightly thicker and heavier than the Gel Cream, which I thought would mean more moisture, but the Body Balm never completely sinks into my skin… It just sits on top like a layer of frosting. I’m not the biggest fan, but if you like a thick, silicone-y layer (and I know some people do), it’s worth a try.

❤️❤️ 2 out of 5 hearts.

[Continue reading…]

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Neutrogena, Product Reviews, Skin Care

Could You Handle Being Famous?

September 26th, 2018 by Karen 17 Comments

I couldn’t handle being famous…but I can handle standing next to a famous person, LOL!

Hell no! I would hate it. I mean, you know…I’d love some of the perks. I could probably deal with it for about a year, but eventually the attention would wear me down, man. I couldn’t handle having everything I did or wore or said be totally scrutinized. I like doing normal people things waaaaaay too much. Like, I need to be able to buy an extra large bulk jar of Nutella and the new Us Weekly at 11 in the evening without announcing it to the world!

I was thinking about this because of a movie I started streaming last night called Gemini. In it Zoe Kravtiz (she is her mom’s doppelganger, RIGHT?!) plays a famous actress. I only got about 15 minutes in before bedtime, but there’s a scene near the beginning where she’s leaving a restaurant and the paparazzi start harassing her, trying to elicit a reaction from her by asking rude, obnoxious questions… It did not look fun at all.

Will let you know how it turns out when I finish watching it…IN LIKE A WEEK, because that’s the average time it takes me to watch a movie at home now, LOL! I start a movie and watch for maybe 15 minutes before Tabs “needs” to inspect something on the deck or Connor “needs” a coloring partner or another load of laundry “needs” to get folded.

The cycle repeats itself every day or two until said movie has been watched, ha ha ha.

Anyway, could you handle being famous? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 17 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

The Pumpkin Spice Must Flow! Another Starbucks #PSL Look With Reviews of the New MAC Studio Fix 24-HR Concealer, Patrick Starrr Boy About Town Kit, and More

September 25th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

mat patrick starrr boy about town k
Pumpkin Spice ERRRTHANG

I’m wearing another pumpkin spice latte look today! (More reviews on the key makeup products, all the new things from MAC that are out right now, in just a sec.) But first, my latest Starbucks adventure…

mac patrick starrr boy about town
YUM

Like I mentioned yesterday, for years I thought the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte was limited to the standard-issue #PSL, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. If you look around, you can find TONS of different versions of the PSL (even healthy-ish ones)! If you’re not into the super sweet OG latte (which, I admit, can be a little much, even for my sweet tooth sometimes), you’ve gotta try this other version from The Macrobarista, which I got earlier today.

View this post on Instagram

Pumpkin Spice Latte???‍♀️ ~~~~~Approximate Macros~~~~~ Protein: 1.5g/ Carbs: 13g/ Fat: 3g ‼️90 Calories‼️ *with no whip* SUGAR: 10g Fiber: 1g Caffeine: 160mg • Here it is! The oh so awaited HOT pumpkin spice latte! • Don’t be afraid when looking at the ordering instructions! If the store isn’t slammed and you’re polite when ordering, the barista should have no problem fixing up your macro friendly drink! My best advice, show them the picture of the order screen I provide and briefly say why you’re ordering it that way. Or, just use the mobile order screen I’ve provided. • OR, if you’re too intimidated by the instructions.. use my modifications but order this as a latte, keep in mind you’ll double the calories from almond milk. • ◾️◼️The breakdown◼️◾️ Pumpkin Sauce: .5g P/ 10g C Almond Milk: 1g P/ 4g C/ 3g F SF Vanilla: <1g C ( this comes from maltodextrin which the body treats like glucose, so keep that in mind) • ✅HOW TO ORDER✅ 1️⃣Ask for a TALL BLONDE Americano 2️⃣Ask for it in a GRANDE CUP 3️⃣Ask for ONE (1)pump of pumpkin sauce 4️⃣Ask for THREE (3)pumps of sugar free vanilla 5️⃣Ask for STEAMED ALMOND MILK 7️⃣Ask for EXXXXTRA pumpkin spice topping PS.. I only included the whip for the picture! • The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, but the second best time to plant a tree is today. -Alex☕️

A post shared by Alex Moe (@themacrobarista) on Sep 4, 2018 at 9:42pm PDT

psl hot macrobarista
YUM!

[Continue reading…]

There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Face, Lips, MAC Makeup, Product Reviews

Do You Live Near a Good Mall?

September 25th, 2018 by Karen 31 Comments

Exhibit A: Typical mall booty

Yes and no. There’s an outdoor mall five minutes away from me that I like… I like that it’s five minutes away from me, and it has some great practical stores like Target, Costco, DSW (commonly referred to as “Shoe Valhalla”), Sephora (right!?), LOFT and Old Navy. They also just got a Nordstrom Rack, a Carter’s and a Banana Republic Factory Store.

So lots of everyday useful stores, but I still wish I lived closer to a proper indoor mall with more variety, like the huge three-story malls in San Francisco and the East Bay where you could walk in while it’s daylight, totally lose yourself for hours, and walk out when it’s night.

I am glad, though that I live so close to a Sephora and a Target and to places where I can get an affordable dress in a pinch, then grab a Starbucks on the way out.

Right after I gave birth to Connor, man…that mall was my safe place! When I was in my postpartum no-sleep haze, El Hub would make me go to that mall every couple days just to see people and get out of the house. It got me to wash my face, brush my hair and teeth, and put on clothes (because, let’s get real, I was wearing spit-up stained nightgowns 24/7 for months) to interact with real, live human beings.

Anyways. Malls! Do you live near a good one? If so, what are your favorite things about it?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 31 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Pumpkin Spice Everything! A Warm Red, Pink and Bronze Eye Look Using the Urban Decay Elements Palette, MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape, MAC The Blonds Lipstick in Davidblond and The Blonds Magic Dust Powder

September 24th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

urban decay elements palette k front
Shout-out to Pumpkin Spice!

How do I feel about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Hmm… Well, you know how much I like pink drinks, right? They’re delish! — but I don’t pump my fist in the air and say YAAASSS when I get one.

But I do when I get a PSL.

Also, even though I went through an intense green tea latte phase last year, ultimately, I could take or leave ’em. But the Pumpkin Spice Latte. THE PSL! It’s my most favorite drink at Starbucks, and it always has been, from even before I started wearing this tank top 24/7.

urban decay elements palette k side 1
So Karen, tell me how you REALLY feel.

Despite the forecast calling for 80-degree temps here, I’m bubbling over with PSL excitement! I got the fever bad, so I channeled it into this PSL-inspired makeup look. ? Then, I went to Starbucks and ordered a special version of the PSL based on this recipe from The Macrobarista on Instagram.

He’s a Starbucks barista who makes healthy-ish versions of Starbucks drinks.

the macrobarista starbucks psl k

He calls this refreshing version the Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it has all the spicy sweetness of the standard PSL, but (according to The Macrobarista) it’s only 90 calories with about 11 grams of sugar.

To make my life easier, I took a screenshot of his “recipe” on my phone and held it up to the cashier at Starbucks so he could type it in. ?

Now, about the makeup, my friend, this was the first “LEWK” I’ve done in a minute (been doing a lot of one shade of taupe on my lids with mascara, NARS Orgasm lip balm, and nothing on my skin). Needless to say, I felt like I was wearing everything and the kitchen sink.

But it was fun, and in the process I found some new things to love.

urban decay elements palette k looking down
When you feel overdone but then you just go with it…

[Continue reading…]

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Face, Lips, MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews, Urban Decay

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 543

September 24th, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

becca blushes monday poll september 24
Blushin’ on this beautiful Monday!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Good question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll. 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 gazillion years (more than 10!). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a great start. ?

1. Is golf ⛳ fun?

It is if it’s mini-golf and I’m winning. ?

2. What’s hiding under your bed at night?

Um…the trail of broken hearts I left behind in the ’90s? — also, Pennywise, who’s obviously only there because he’s hanging out with that terrifying clown from Poltergeist!

But seriously, I’ve got a stack of Williams Sonoma cookbooks under the bed because I like to read them before snoozing.

3. Mascara or false lashes?

Mascara, ya’ll. In fact, I’m convinced that wearing false lashes for a spell (coupled with turning 40) ruined my natural lashes. ?

4. Balayage or highlights?

Balayage, please! — but only if my friend Alis can do them.

5. How well could you handle living with five cats?

I wanna say that I could hang, because it seems like the proper CCL answer, but Tabs aggressively trained me to be a one-cat woman (he’s territorial TO THE EXTREME), so I don’t think I’d fare terribly well in a multi-cat household…

BONUS QUESTION: Chanel or Dior?

Chanel all the way.

My favorite part of doing makeup lately…

Good morning! OK, deep thoughts today because, ya know…Monday. I can’t handle anything too intense before 10 a.m. on a Monday unless it’s absolutely necessary, ha ha ha!

Here it is: I was just thinking about how much I love wearing blush — and not just because I look less zombie with some color on my cheeks, but also because of how incredibly satisfying it is to sweep that much color over such a large area of my face (applying bronzer is similarly satisfying).

Juxtaposed to how it is with eye makeup, especially if I’m attempting anything with more than two shadows where I have to be extremely careful and mindful of my placement and blending.

With blush, I can go buck wild and sweep back and forth with reckless abandon, LOL!

And yo, don’t blush brushes just feel so gloriously good on your skin? It’s like being kissed by 100 tender kittens. I’m kinda/sorta hoping that the fashion gods make it trendy to wear blush all over your face, like across your forehead, on your chin and along your jawlines, someday.

Hey, if un-blended dark purple lip liner can have its day, why not full-face blush? ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

1. Is golf fun?
2. What’s hiding under your bed at night?
3. Mascara or false lashes?
4. Balayage or highlights?
5. How well could you handle living with five cats?

BONUS QUESTION: Chanel or Dior?

There are 24 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 520

September 23rd, 2018 by Karen 7 Comments

Tabs was kind enough to agree to prepare a special Sunday night feast for us, and being a fan of free-range cuisine, he wanted all of the ingredients to be locally sourced. So, he set out early this morning to find everything he needs to make his famous zinnia ravioli and rosemary gumbo.

Like any good chef, of course he had to taste test everything.

Sourcing the best ingredients requires a keen awareness of the natural world, finely tuned senses…

And patience.

[Continue reading…]

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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