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The Lust List, Vol. 4: Stuff I Kinda Want

April 11th, 2017 by Karen 35 Comments

Still on the hunt for the perfect black-and-white striped tee! And, apparently, some other things too…

The Lust List, Vol. 4: Stuff I Kinda Want

  1. Caslon Relaxed Slub Knit U-Neck Tee ($25) — I kinda want a Caslon relaxed v-neck tee now because I’ve given up on the Madewell tee, since a few of you gals mentioned getting holes in yours. 🙁 *sigh*

    I already have some Caslon tees that I wore all through my pregnancy with Coywolf, and they’re still in great shape, so hopefully this one with the stripes would hold up well.

    The only things is…the stripes are pretty thick, so I’m afraid I might feel like a referee in it. I wonder if there’s a version with thinner stripes.

    P.S. Who knew one could be so picky about stripe width?

  2. Beautyblender Pro ($20) — I recently took a close look at my Beautyblender for the first time in ages, and MAN! — it’s tow up! I think Tabs went to town on it when I wasn’t looking, because there are huge chunks missing from the side of it!

    How do these things happen right in front of my face? I have no idea.

    So I need/want another one (ideally, a black one).

    I do love the hot pink ones, though, but the black ones don’t look as dirty after you’ve used them.

  3. Tom Ford Neroli Portofino All Over Body Spray ($67) — Yes, I thoroughly recognize that spending almost $70 for a fancy Tom Ford Body Spray is completely redonk, since it’s basically a bougie lady’s version of a body splash, but I can’t help it!
  4. Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips ? Lipstick in Hot Emily ($34) — Forever. That’s how long I’ve been wanting to try Charlotte Tillbury makeup. Should I dip my toe into the pool with this coral lippie?
  5. Estée Lauder Defining Powder Brush ($47) — What is this u-shaped brush contraption by Estée Lauder, and why do I feel compelled to run it across my cheeks?
  6. Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio ($62) — I’m currently on a cream blush kick, which is why this Hourglass trio of blush, bronzer and highlighter caught my eye. I have the blush/bronze duo version from waaaaay back (seriously, it’s been years), so it’s gotta be time to swap it out for something new… Right?? That’s what I’m telling myself, haha!
  7. Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush in Water Lily ($26) — Speaking of blush, have you tried Stila Watercolor Blush? I really like the look of the rose shade, Water Lily.
  8. Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Coconut Oil Polish ($36) — I have yet to sniff this Coco Rose Body Coconut Oil Polish by Herbivore, but judging by its name, I hope/bet it smells otherworldly.
  9. Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Small Bag ($128) — I’m completely committed to packing light when I go to Oahu in June, and this bag by Lo & Sons has a detachable compartment on the bottom for shoes and sundries (!). How brilliant and super cool. Plus, you can slip it onto the handles of your carry-on luggage too.

That’s what I’m currently coveting. How ’bout you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 35 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

MAC Future Forward: Justine Skye Iridescent Powder and Dua Lipa Cremesheen Glass

April 11th, 2017 by Karen 9 Comments

mac future forward packaging
MAC Future Forward collection (two of the three pieces)

In the future!

In the future, I predict that MAC will release a different new musically charged piece of makeup every month, starting this month, and they will do it for the next two months after.

Um…I’m not really going out on a limb there, because, uh, yeah. MAC Future Forward. It’s their latest musical collaboration, and it encompasses three LE items (yeah, it’s a small one), a different one of which which will be released in each of the next three months. Each one is a collaboration with a different singer. There’s one for Justine Sky, one for Dua Lipa and one for Lee Hi, and this was the perfect excuse for me to add some new songs to my running playlist, which has been in dire need of new tunes for months.

I mean, I love you, Lisa Lisa, but you can only listen to Head to Toe so many times before it starts driving you nuts.


“U Don’t Know,” Justine Skye


“Be the One,” Dua Lipa


“Breathe,” Lee Hi

American R&B singer Justine Skye did a pastel purple with pink pearl Iridescent Face Powder ($27, coming April 13th to select MAC locations and online Justine Sky Iridescent Powder[/caption]

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There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews

The MAC Min Liu Collection Is Pretty in Pink and Red

April 10th, 2017 by Karen 9 Comments

mac min liu for mac collection
Pieces from the new Min Liu for MAC collection (six of 10)

Happy Valentine’s Day! ?

Um…yes, I do realize that it’s April, LOL! 🙂 But look at all the pink and red in this collection. It totes reminds me of Valentine’s Day.

It’s the new limited edition MAC Min Liu for MAC collection, and it’s a collab with fashion designer Min Liu, the gal behind Ms MIN.

I looked through the line’s Spring/Summer 2017 look book this morning, and this outfit with the white pants spoke to me…

I know that the pants are long for fashion’s sake, but seriously, this is me every. Single. Time I put on a pair of pants at a store. #shortpeopleproblems

The collection contains 10 pieces, and most of them are new. The only re-promote I see is Blacktrack Fluidline.

There are two $20 lipsticks, two $18 Lipglasses, a $29.50 Eye Shadow X 2 Duo, a $40 Pearlmatte Face Powder, a $26 Cream Colour Base, a $35 Makeup Bag and a $52.50 Brush Bag with three short-handled brushes.

The launch arrives April 20th online and in stores (available through June 1st).

Trendy tassels

First things I noticed were these trendy tassels! They remind me of earrings. I thought they might get in the way of applying the lip products (no likey fringe in my gloss, please), but they don’t, yay!

mac min liu for mac collection packaging

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There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 470

April 10th, 2017 by Karen 17 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 10 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine. ?

Before you start this week’s Monday Poll, I encourage you to take a few deep breaths, and prepare yourself mentally, because you *have* to pick from among the two scenarios in each of the questions. ? You gotta pick one or the other.

Why?

Because it’s more fun/messed up that way. ?

1. Would you rather have to wear wool knee-high socks and boots every day during the hottest summer ever, or wear flip-flips and bare feet during the coldest winter?

Eegh! Both sound equally terrible…but I guess I’d rather have hot, sticky feet than cold, wet feet. That does NOT sound appealing… I’d go with the boots and socks in summer.

2. Would you rather run 10 miles wearing an itchy, puffy wedding gown (And you can’t stop to take any breaks. You have to run the entire time, so no walking, crawling or hitching a ride with Jake Gyllenhaal on his gorgeous, majestic horse.), or shave your left eyebrow in its entirety?

I’d pick the 10 miles in the wedding gown. It would be absolute torture, for sure, but I can’t afford to lose my left eyebrow… No way. My left eyebrow is my good brow, and I simply can’t afford to lose it.

3. You’re in the middle of a group interview for your dream job. Would you rather accidentally poop in your pants, or have your boob fall out (and you don’t realize it for 10 minutes)? Oh, and the poop is stinky.

This one’s easy! Boob falling out.

4. Would you rather have a completely drunk tattoo artist give you permanent eyebrows, or give you tattoo eyeliner?

Well, crap! This ones’s hard, because if the drunk tattoo artist messes up my brows, that’s a major focal point all jacked up, but if he/she messes up my liner, I “guess” I could conceal it, maybe, by doing smoky eyes all the time (which I practically do anyway, ha!).

But I can’t even stand the thought of having a tattoo needle anywhere near my lash lines, ugh!

I dunno… I guess I’d take my chances with the liner?

Yeah, I’d go with the eyeliner (nooooooo!).

5. Would you rather receive a gift of 100 brand new Chanel lipsticks, or 100 brand new Tom Ford lipsticks?

Too hard, too hard! Either one would be otherworldly, amaze-balls INCREDIBLE, but since I have to choose…I’d go with Chanel. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste.

Remember, you have to pick one scenario or the other, because it’s more messed up fun that way.

1. Would you rather have to wear wool knee-high socks and boots every day during the hottest summer ever, or wear flip-flips and bare feet during the coldest winter?
2. Would you rather run 10 miles wearing an itchy, puffy wedding gown (And you can’t stop to take any breaks. You have to run the entire time, so no walking, crawling or hitching a ride with Jake Gyllenhaal on his gorgeous, majestic horse.), or shave off your left eyebrow in its entirety?
3. You’re in the middle of a group interview for your dream job. Would you rather accidentally poop in your pants, or have your boob fall out (and you don’t realize it for 10 minutes)? Oh, and the poop is stinky.
4. Would you rather have a completely drunk tattoo artist give you permanent eyebrows, or give you tattoo eyeliner?
5. Would you rather receive a gift of 100 brand new Chanel lipsticks, or 100 brand new Tom Ford lipsticks?

P.P.S.

Have an amazing Monday, my sweet friend!

There are 17 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 444

April 9th, 2017 by Karen 3 Comments

Tabs had no idea he was being watched/stalked this morning on his walk. As he was surveying his domain and taste-testing the foliage, the neighbor’s Shih Tzu was watching the watcher. Tabs had no idea that he was the one who was actually under surveillance.

It was kind of embarrassing.

Lots of interesting things in the circle this morning, notwithstanding the dog that caught Tabs totally unawares.

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There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

Saturday Surfing: April 8, 2017

April 8th, 2017 by Karen 10 Comments

What do you think is going on here…? A Strawberry Shortcake lookalike contest? A deep conditioning session? An audition to play one of the little mushrooms in a live-action Super Mario Bros. film?

Honestly, one of the best things about babies is dressing them up, haha! — even when the “dressing up” part consists solely of a shower cap.

Hello and happy ? Caturday, friend! I had one of those mornings today where I groggily opened my eyes, slithered out of bed, ambled down the hall, stumbled down the stairs and made a beeline for the coffee machine.

I’ve had one huge cup already, so I almost feel human again… Almost.

What are you up to?

If you feel like browsing the web, here are some things that caught my eye this week.

  • Damn, back in the day, two of the most powerful women in ? makeup — Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein — sure knew how to throw shade.
  • You know I love me some Carolina! 🙂 And if she loves the new Lancôme Matte Shaker Liquid Lipsticks, I know I’ll love them too.
  • Looking for inspiration for your next hairdo? How about leopard-print hair dye? Yes…it’s a thing.
  • ‘Tis a gloriously amusing thing when @sshole cats photobomb pics, especially wedding pics.
  • Taylor over at My Lucite Dreams is always introducing me to new makeup lines, including one I really want to try called ? Red Apple. How pretty is that blush and bronzer?
  • Paris raves about this Liquid Foundation by EX1. Being a foundation junkie and all, I’m intrigued!
  • You may find yourself “ooh-ing” with delight when you see Rae rockin’ these beautiful Burberry lipsticks.
  • Um…totally not makeup related, but Oreo is releasing salted caramel and coconut versions of their phantasmagorical cookies. You’re welcome. 🙂
  • Yup, I’ll probably need one or two or 12 of these YSL Volupte Tint-In-Balms.
  • Milani is all about highlighting this spring.
  • I love this: an entire calendar of famous actresses and no ? photo editing whatsoever. Photographer Peter Lindbergh calls it “a cry against the terror of perfection.”
  • What was it really like behind the scenes with Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn? Take a peek behind the beauty curtain in this behind-the-scenes look at old Hollywood.
  • SO MANY PRETTY COLORS in the Marc Jacobs Matte Highlighter Gel Crayon line!

And some videos


Bougie bridal makeup (love the shirt, Andrew!)


Samantha’s favorite full-coverage foundations for oily skin.


Get a natural glow on mature skin with the new MAC Next to Nothing foundation.


Adia hauls some high-end highlighters, including one of my faves from Tom Ford.


Get a flawless finish without the cake face.

I gotta do a little spring cleaning today, so bluh on that. But after that there’s a skinny lemon bar recipe I’ve been dying to try.

What’s your plan for today? Please tell me it involves a cat (lie to me if you have to). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Fri-Yay Makeup Fun: Playing With Liner and Mascara Placement for Big Ol’ Bambi Doe Eyes

April 7th, 2017 by Karen 6 Comments

nars rue allent velvet duo eyeshadow

You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about eyeliner placement lately…because that’s what you do when you’re obsessed with makeup, haha!

No, but seriously, I’ve thinking about other ways to wear it than my usual black tightline/smudgy lower lash line combo.

Here’s something I’ve been experimenting with: placing my liner right along the middle of my lower lash line. It creates an optical illusion that draws attention to that concentration of liner and lashes, and “I think” it makes my eyes look more striking and bigger…which is always a great thing in my book!

And yup, the illusion seems to work regardless of what may or may not be going on along your top lash line. You can leave it unlined, line it — whatever strikes your fancy.

First, start by lining the center portion of your lower lash line, and I sort of use the widest part of my iris as a guide to figure out where to start and stop the lining. Just make it long enough to mostly cover that center portion of your lower lash line.

You can use a pencil liner, or you can load a thin eyeliner brush (like an angled brush) with gel liner, cream liner or powder eyeshadow.

Tip! If you’re using a powder shadow to line and want more intensity, load your brush head with eyeshadow first, then wet it with a makeup setting spray (I’m currently lurving Make Up For Ever Mist + Fix, but MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ also works great) before applying your eyeshadow to your lash line.

Some people like to wet their brush first, then run it across the powder eyeshadow pan, but in my experience that can make the shadow feel harder after it dries.

Next, after you place your liner, use a finger or a Q-tip to smudge the edge.

After that, apply some mascara on your lower lashes, just directly above the liner, being careful to keep your outer and inner lashes mascara-free, and that should put the focus on that center portion of your lower lash line, and make your peepers really pop! 🙂

nars rue allent velvet duo eyeshadow

nars rue allent velvet duo eyeshadow

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There are 6 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To

Behold! Introducing a New Collection of MAC Extra Dimension Blushes and Skinfinishes (Highlighters)

April 7th, 2017 by Karen 17 Comments

mac extra dimension collection
From the new MAC Extra Dimension collection — the MAC Extra Dimension Blushes (nine of 11, $28 each) and Extra Dimension Skinfinishes (three of three, $33 each), available now in the permanent line

Picture it: another dimension beyond ? our own, where brownie calories don’t count.

Actually brownie, ice cream, cake, doughnut and pie calories… And doughnuts.

Did I mention the doughnuts?

Also, the cats there clean up their own litter boxes.

Yeah, it’s amaze-balls. 🙂

But, sadly, this is not that dimension… In this dimension, brownie calories do count (boo!); however, for what it’s worth, there is an Extra Dimension of new blushes and highlighters open right now at MAC (yay!).

mac extra dimension blush into the pink sweets for my sweet
The new MAC Extra Dimension Blushes in Into the Pink (top) and Sweets for my Sweet (bottom)
mac extra dimension blush rosy cheeks husehd tone
The New MAC Extra Dimension Blushes in Rosy Cheeks (top) and Hushed Tone (bottom)

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There are 17 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: MAC Makeup, Makeup, Product Reviews

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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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