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

Ask Me Your Skin Care Questions (or Any Questions) at the SpaceNK Larkspur Store This Saturday, May 6th

May 4th, 2017 by Karen 3 Comments

Hey, love. You know, I can’t even begin to count the number of times we’ve chatted in the comments, not just about makeup, but about all the little things that happen in our everyday lives — what we’re reading, what we’re binge-watching, and what our crazy cats are doing to put us in our place (LOL!). Sometimes, it’s just a quick “Have a nice afternoon.” But all of those little things we’ve shared over the last 10 years have meant so much to me.

If you happen to be in the Bay Area on Saturday, May 6th, please swing by the Space NK store in Larkspur for a MBB Meetup from noon – 2 p.m. It’s a beautiful store in a lovely mall with lots of cool brands you can’t find at many other beauty stores, and while you’re there you can grab a makeover or a quick skin treatment.

More importantly, we’ll get to hang out!

I will FINALLY get to hug you (if you’ll let me, because I’m a hugger, just to warn you!) and thank you for not just reading the blog, but for sharing the ups and downs over the years.

Of course, we can chat about makeup, too. If you’ve been jonesing for something new — makeup, anti-aging skin care, a new fragrance, a Mother’s Day gift for Mom — I’ll try to help with that.

MBB Meetup at the SpaceNK Larkspur Store
Saturday, May 6th
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Marin Country Mart
2011 Larkspur Landing Circle
Larkspur, CA 94939
(415) 419-5904

See you (hopefully) soon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tropical Baby! 14 Months Old

May 4th, 2017 by Karen 16 Comments

The Coywolf just turned 14 months old, and she’s just as sassy as ever. This tropical blue ensemble was a gift from her Nana and Grandpa from their trip to Hawaii.

Connor Claire loves carrying around this hairbrush for some reason, LOL! It’s her new favorite thing.

She tries to brush her hair with it…mostly with the wrong side, but it’s still adorable.

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What I Wore Wednesday, Vol. 11: Bright Pink and Green Eyes With the Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquiat Tenant Palette

May 3rd, 2017 by Karen 8 Comments

urban decay basquiat tenant palette — BRIGHTS!

I think I may have unintentionally gone ? unicorn with this look.

That was not my plan, I swear!

In my head, I pictured this eye look as being a lot pinker… Or is it more pink? I can never remember that one.

Guess who played with the UD Jean-Michel Basquiat collection today.

This girl! 🙂

I was thinking of hot pink in the crease, hot pink along my lower lash line, and bright green and purple accents, but then temptation struck! — which is what happens when you’re dealing with a palette that inspires you to try different things.

So, I started by putting a little bit of purple in the outer corner, but then this happened. Whoopsie-daisy! It’s less pink than I thought I wanted it to be, but with makeup I always reserve the right to change my mind.

You know how it is.

Technically, the inner corner highlight on my lower lash line isn’t an eyeshadow, by the way. I used the UD Gallery Blush Palette (also from the Jean-Michel Basquiat collection). There’s a super intense yellow gold highlighter in there, and I liked the idea of that playing against the green on my inner lid.

Oh, and for that bright green pop on my lid I mixed the green and blue from the Tenant palette.

urban decay basquiat tenant palette 3 — That moment when someone stands too close to you…

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Kevyn Aucoin The Molten Lip Color for a Marvelously Metallic Mouth

May 3rd, 2017 by Karen 8 Comments

kevyn aucoin molten lip color — The Molten Lip Colors by Kevyn Aucoin, $30 each

Imagine melting down a handful of pirate treasure gold coins (because who doesn’t have a few spare gold doubloons around the house?!), then finding a way to get that gloriously golden liquefied goodness on your lips without requiring a trip to the emergency room.

That’s what The Molten Lip Colors by Kevyn Aucoin look like on your pout.

There are six shades, and they’re $30 each in the permanent line.

They’re kinda pricey…but that’s normal for Kevyn Aucoin.

kevyn aucoin molten lip color bronze — Bronze

Lip colors. I don’t want to call these liquid lipsticks because they don’t have that liquid lipstick feel, where it’s like they’ve latched onto your lips and are sucking all of the moisture out of them.

But I don’t want to call them glosses either, because it’s more like they’re halfway between a shiny gloss and a liquid lipstick.

Have you ever tried the NARS Lip Glides before? These remind me of them.

kevyn aucoin molten lip color rose gold — Rose Gold

One thing I really like is that they all look fairly different, unlike most metallic lip color lines where the individual shades look more or less like dupes of each other.

These are also full coverage and pretty darned pigmented. They really do look like their respective colors. If you’ve ever dreamed of titanium-tinted lips, girl, Kevyn’s got ‘chu covered.

kevyn aucoin molten lip color copper — Copper

In the technical department, the non-sticky, medium weight formula is unflavored and unscented, too, so there’s no funky fruity or floral business happening.

kevyn aucoin molten lip color carbon — Carbon

The pearly particles also don’t settle into my lip lines, so instead of hitting the fast-forward button on my lips 10 years (which a lot of metallic lip products do), these almost turn back the clock. Almost. Especially the lighter shades like Copper and Rose Gold, which is my fave.

kevyn aucoin molten lip color titanium — Titanium

As the colors wear down over the course of about three hours (give or take), they fade evenly while avoiding all of those little lip flakes that metallic lipsticks so often cling to.

kevyn aucoin molten lip color gold — Gold

If I could, though, I’d make the formula a little less drying (although starting with a layer of lip balm helps), and I’d revamp Carbon, the darkest color, because it takes a lot of wrangling to keep it in place.

Other than that, I really like these! Definitely take a look at Rose Gold and Copper, if you can. They seem to be the most wearable.

But Bronze is fun, too. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Super Important Question (Not Really): How Photogenic Are You?

May 3rd, 2017 by Karen 26 Comments

OK, I know this is a weird question, because it seems weird to answer questions like this about yourself, but if you only knew! This is a blog, so I get to toss out the bad pictures, haha. I swear, it takes 20 pics like the one above to get a single decent shot, and the only reason I can look semi-OK in pictures now is because I’ve been doing it every day for 10 years!

Hoh! I’ve taken some really, really awful pics… JUST HORRIBLE. But I’ve figured out a trick or two, like turning my body a certain way (when I have my right shoulder facing the camera, I like that better) and tilting my head at certain angles (chin slightly tucked, and I imagine that there’s a string pulling me up from the top of my head to elongate my neck). If I do all of that stuff, I look much less cray-cray than I otherwise would if left to my natural devices.

I mean…it only took a decade and a million pics, LOL! Now after all of that, I think I’m moderately photogenic.

How about you? Are you photogenic? Do you like the way you look in pics? Also, do you have any surefire how-to-take-a-good-picture tips?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day. 🙂

Try The Estée Edit Metallishadow Crème + Powder for Glossy, Grungy Cool

May 2nd, 2017 by Karen 10 Comments

estee edit solar blast — Metallishadow Creme + Powder in Solar Blast by The Estée Edit

Don’t these Metallishadow Crème + Powder jars by The Estée Edit look like the Tom Ford Cream and Powder Eye Colors from the side?

estee edit metallishadow 2 — They totes do, yeah?

First time I saw ’em I made the (totally logical, I think) makeup leap of, “Haaay, TF dupes!” but ’twas not meant to be. 🙁 They’re really not that similar.

Bummer, too, because it would’ve been nice to find a bargain version of Tom Ford’s cream shadow duos, but I’m not shedding a single holographic rainbow glitter unicorn tear because either way, these are cool. There are seven of them for $25 each, and now they’re available in The Estée Edit permanent line.

There’s a cream shadow under the flip top and a loose metallic shadow tucked away underneath that when you unscrew the top.

estee edit metallishadow — Three of the seven Metallishadows from the top in Aquanova, Solar Blast and Cyberella

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The Lust List, Vol. 7: Stuff I Kinda Want

May 2nd, 2017 by Karen 9 Comments

the lust list may 2 dresses — Spring (dresses) on my mind

It’s 88 degrees here right meow, and when I looked in the drawer earlier where my summer shorts were supposed to be, I only found two pairs of jeans shorts…

Where the heck did my other shorts go?!? Did I Konmari them into oblivion? I can’t remember.

Anyway, the next most logical thing for me to do was to go online and look for new spring dresses, HAHA! Obviously.

So, these are all from Old Navy and LOFT, and the main reason for that is because both are within easy driving distance of my house (Vintage Oaks in Novato). And also because Old Navy has good deals (all their dresses are on sale online right now), and their dresses are machine washable.

Let me tell you, when your clothes almost always have baby food and/or cat hair on them, machine washable is VERY important.

All of these caught my eye for one reason or another…

Old Navy Off-the-Shoulder Chambray Shift Dress ($37) — I love me some chambray! And I love the detailing at the bottom, but I don’t know if if I should “go there” with this dress, because I can see the Coywolf pulling down that top part while we’re in line at Target and exposing my bosom for all the world to see.
Old Navy Fit + Flare Cami Dress ($25) — The cut of this dress might be a little too young for this 40-something-year-old gal, but I sure do love the tropical print.
Eh, if you’re in your teens or 20s, you could totally rock this, and I’ll rock it with you in spirit.
Old Navy Sleeveless Pintuck Swing Dress ($30) — Hello, yellow! So bright and happy. 🙂 I love the idea of this dress swinging in the breeze…
Old Navy Fit & Flare Cutwork Midi Dress ($42) — I’m thinking that the length of this dress might make me look pint-sized, but oh, the color!
Ah, imagine all the coral lipsticks you could wear with it…
Old Navy One-Shoulder Swing Dress ($25) — Homegirl can’t say no to a good striped dress, or a ruffle, for that matter! This dress combines both.
Old Navy Jersey Tee Dress in Red Stripe ($24) — If the ruffle is too much, and I feel like it would be on some days, this red and white striped number could be a cute alternative, yeah?
Loft Bontanic Cold Shoulder Dress ($89.50) — The print on this reminds me of vintage china tea cups, which I’m fascinated by for some reason.
Loft Lace Halter Dress ($118) — I love the deep teal, the lace, the cut and the halter neckline… I seriously love EVERYTHING about this dress. Thing is, OH! I forgot to mention that I never pay full price for Loft, ever, because they go on sale every other day. No, seriously. They run 40% and 50% off sales often, so if you see something you like, just wait for it.
Loft Beach Floral Medallion Halter Dress ($59.50) — How pretty is this print? I think the burgundy would look * amazing with gold jewelry.
* It would also conceal baby food stains well. #justsayin
Loft Islander Ruffle Midi Dress ($69.50) — Baby food stains would be harder to hide on this white and khaki dress, but I like the thought of wearing this dress with a stack of gold bangles on both arms.
Loft Plaid Flutter Dress ($79.50) — This dress looks so breezy and comfortable, ah… What a perfect Saturday dress.

That’s me! What’s on your lust list, babes? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Unsung Heroes: Take the Plunge Technakohl Liner

May 2nd, 2017 by Karen 20 Comments

mac take the plunge liner — MAC Take the Plunge Technakohl Liner on my water lines

I’m sitting here at my ask wearing a tank top and shorts (no, not booty shorts…although I kinda wish they were) for the first time in… I can’t remember, and, of course, to go with my springtime ensemble, I’m also wearing blue and green eyeshadow. Because it’s spring (the sunny part). And fun times shall be had by all. 🙂

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.

So, on account of the blue/green action on my lids today, I’m also wearing MAC Technakohl Liner in Take the Plunge.

mac take the plunge swatch — MAC Take the Plunge (you probably already know this because I’ve said it literally hundreds of times over the years, but I’m an NC42 in MAC-speak, for reference)

Intensely pigmented teal Take the Plunge is a knockout on water lines, and if you wear blue, green or, heck, gold or neutral eyeshadows, and you pop Take the Plunge along your water line, your eyes will strike down strangers in their tracks. BOOM! Especially if you have brown eyes.

No, seriously! Take the Plunge would stop somebody dead in their tracks, and they’d be like, “GURL! What’s happening on your water line?!”

OK…so maybe most people wouldn’t do that, but I totally would (and I may have in the past, haha #makeupweirdo).

Take the Plunge is part of the MAC Technakohl Liner fam, which is MAC’s line of twist-up eyeliners. They have a super skinny tip, so you don’t have to use a pencil sharpener to sharpen them.

I mostly wear it along my water line, because I love what it does for my brown eyes. I think they look much more chocolatey. 🙂 But I also think it looks amazing along lash lines, too. Plus, you can really get between your lashes with that tip.

The creamy formula also smudges well, so it’s easy to buff out with a brush, which means that it ALSO works great as a base for powder shadows.

Sometimes I’ll use it as a cream shadow by layering it on top of powder shadows in the outer corner. No matter what I do with it, it lasts all day, too!

And, most importantly, on my eyes, which are prone to freak out, Take the Plunge never makes my water lines water, or feel itchy, dry or otherwise funky.

mac take the plunge liner 1 — Backups, babe! (In this look, I’m also wearing the Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquiat Eyeshadow Palette on my lids in Tenant and the Gallery Cheek Palette on my cheeks; on my lips I’m wearing MAC Love at First Bite Lipstick and Cha-Cha-Cha Cremesheen Glass from the Fruity Juicy collection

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