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All the Feels…

April 5th, 2016 by Karen 40 Comments

connor claire with mom hair

I was filling out Connor Claire’s baby book the other day when I suddenly burst into tears as I thought about her growing up.

connor-claires-baby-book

connor-claires-baby-book-feet

She just turned one month old, but I can’t even deal with the idea of her turning one year old, or five years old, or 15! Or 25!

I dunno… I just get so emotional. She’s such a tiny little person, and this can be such a big, scary world.

connor claire with mom hair 2

I worry…

Do you think this will ever go away, or will I be carrying around this worry for the rest of my life?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 40 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

A Tarte-Ful Tuesday Face of the Day With the New Tarte Double Duty Beauty Collection, Makeup Revolution, Dior and More…

April 5th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 18 Comments

TARTE Double Duty Beauty Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation

Today was one of those days when I sat down to get ready, and I wanted to switch things up but still keep it casual.

Enter: navy blue.

I’ve got a red-orange earthy palette happening naturally, and I really like how navy blue brings out the brightness in my eyes.

Maybe my jumper inspired it; maybe I just like to be two-toned. We may never know! 🙂

So right now we need to talk about the new foundations in the Tarte Double Duty Beauty collection at Ulta. I recently tried the Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation ($39), a medium-to-full coverage foundation that promises to smooth, plump, blur, and moisturize for up to 12 hours. Recommended application is with this Double Duty Beauty Foundation Brush & Spatula ($30).

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation
Tarte Double Duty Beauty Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation (available in 10 shades) with the Double Duty Beauty Foundation Brush & Spatula

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation

Tarte Double Duty
Tarte Empowered Hybrid Gel Foundation in Fair-Light Neutral, Nars Sheer Glow in Siberia, Make Up For Ever Ultra HD in Y205

[Continue reading…]

There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Dior, Face of the Day (FOTD), Guest Post, PUR Cosmetics, Tarte

MAC Future MAC Collection for Spring 2016: Reinventing the Rules of Color and Shine

April 5th, 2016 by Anna Oh 23 Comments

mac-future-collection-facesmall

Hi everyone!

Guess what? I learned a new Photoshop trick! Just in case you didn’t notice, but I have gained the power of artificial lens flares. Beware, photography! Yep, it’s totally cheesy/fabulous, but this new MAC collection practically asked for it.

This is the MAC Future MAC collection, and it’s available online right now and coming to stores April 7th. 

The collection is all about the next generation of hyper-luminous Mineralize products and new horizons of colour, and true to their description, the lip and skin products have amazingly unique textures and sparkle.

Keep reading to sneak a peek at the future of beauty…for April at least!

Future MAC: The Pout of the Future

future mac mineralize glass
Mineralize Glass (L-R) The Zone, Antireality, Telegenius, Interspatial
swatches future mac mineralize glass
Swatches (L-R) of MAC Mineralize Glass in Antireality, Interspatial, Telegenius, The Zone

[Continue reading…]

There are 23 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Guest Post, MAC Makeup, Makeup

The Urban Decay Summer 2016 Beached Bronzers and Highlighters Are All That and a Bag of Banana Chips

April 4th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 19 Comments

urban-decay-summer-2016-beached-bronzer-face
Wearing Urban Decay Sun-Kissed Beached Bronzer on my face (and on my eyes in the crease), Urban Decay 8-Hour Afterglow Highlighter in Sin on my cheekbones (and in the inner corners of my eyes) and Urban Decay 8-Hour Afterglow Highlighter in Fireball as a blush

When the fab, fashionable seven-year-old in my life (who recently made an editorial appearance in this important discussion about unicorns) saw the packaging for the Urban Decay Summer 2016 Beached Bronzer and Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Highlighter, she announced, “It reminds me of the Barbie clothes!”

And you know what?

She was totally right!

Urban Decay has an awesome early ’90s 90210/Baywatch vibe going on with these that makes me think of the hours and hours I spent playing with those oh, so early ’90s Barbie clothes — the same ones that my little lady now enjoys (although she says they’re “retro,” *cringe*).

I have such happy memories of my summers from that time that I’m all about this packaging, but as exciting as it is…the powders inside these terrifically tropical compacts are all that and a bag of banana chips!

Urban Decay Beached Bronzers and Afterglow Highlighters
Urban Decay Beached Bronzers and 8-Hour Afterglow Highlighters

[Continue reading…]

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face, Guest Post, Makeup, Product Reviews, Urban Decay

A Bronzed Babe Face of the Day With Too Faced, Estee Lauder, Hourglass and More

April 4th, 2016 by Anna Oh 25 Comments

Inspired by DVF SS16's beauty look
Inspired by DVF SS16’s beauty look

Too Faced Chocolate Bronzers

I’m in shorts right now! So let’s chat about bronzers!

I recently created a look inspired by Diane Von Furstenberg’s Spring-Summer 2016 makeup because I wanted to challenge myself to finally use some colorful eyeshadow. And…I loved it! I can’t wait to experiment with more colors now, and I would love your suggestions for eyeshadow looks!

Too Faced Chocolate Bronzers

Too Faced Chocolate Bronzers
Too Faced Bronzers (L-R) Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Soleil, Dark Chocolate

Anyways, besides the bright color on the lids, the focus of my look was all on the tanned skin. I used two different bronzers to get a multi-dimensional effect. I grabbed the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer in 02 Medium ($37 for .74oz!!!) and dusted this all over the perimeter of my face and the tops of my cheeks. This is my favorite bronzer, and I use it all-year! It’s not completely matte, so it blends into skin perfectly.

Finally, I finished with the Too Faced Bronzer in Chocolate Soleil ($30 for .35oz) right in the hollows of my cheeks.

Swatches Too Faced Chocolate Bronzer Estee Lauder Bronzer Goddess
Swatches (L-R) Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Medium, Too Faced Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Soleil, Dark Chocolate

[Continue reading…]

There are 25 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Becca, Estee Lauder, Face, Face of the Day (FOTD), Guest Post, Makeup, Too Faced Keywords: becca, estee lauder, too faced

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 417

April 4th, 2016 by Karen 30 Comments

040416-monday-poll

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

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 seven 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.

  1. What makeup colors are you wearing today?
    Today I’m wearing the new Tarte Sultry Star Power palette from the Double Duty Beauty collection.

    Yay! One small step toward business as usual!

    (Small victories…)

    It’s a cool-toned palette, so I’m wearing cool-toned matte and shimmery taupes on my eyes with smudgy black liner, matte plum blush on my cheeks and a neutral peachy lip.

    It’s by no means a perfect look because I banged it out in 15 minutes, but I’m at the point now where I don’t really care if my liner is a little wonky, ya know?

    As long as it stays up there and isn’t completely tragic, I’m happy… LOL!

  2. Whom do you feel closest to?
    Um…my cat Tabs? And El Hub, of course, and Connor Claire. 🙂
  3. Where do you see yourself this time next year?
    Hopefully someplace where I’m less tired!

    I dunno, though…

    Anywho, wherever I am, and whatever I’m doing, I hope I feel creatively satisfied. Like, I’d love to explore my other creative interests more, like with lettering and calligraphy, music (learning to play the cello and the accordion have been on my bucket list forever), painting and interior design.

  4. What do you always avoid?
    Confrontation.

    I’m not very good at it, so I avoid it whenever I can. Oddly enough, however, the universe regularly places confrontational people in my path, and so I’ve had to learn how to handle it a bit better.

    Er…and I also avoid cleaning the bathroom, ’cause it’s my least favorite household chore.

  5. What was the last fruit you ate?
    Grapefruit! I had a big ol’ one for breakfast.

    Here’s the thing about grapefruit, though: I have to have it cold (like right outta the fridge); otherwise, I can’t eat it.

    Room temperature grapefruit is a no-go for me.

Le List

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!


1. What makeup colors are you wearing today?
2. Whom do you feel closest to?
3. Where do you see yourself this time next year?
4. What do you always avoid?
5. What was the last fruit you ate?

Have a fabulous week, my friend. I hope you’re feelin’ fly.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 30 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 392

April 3rd, 2016 by Karen 14 Comments

tabs-rainbow-modeling-pose

Dear Diary,

I thought this would be a good weekend to update my portfolio. I’ve been wanting to freshen it up with some new glamour shots, you know, just to show that I’ve still got it and can still rock a cutting-edge kitty modeling campaign.

tabs-kitty-model-pose-pink-toy

tabs-over-shoulder-pose

tabs-sleeping-blanket

I’m very proud of my new dreamy shots, which I did as part of a personal photography project to demonstrate my range.

A lot of companies are going that more abstract route these days. A lot of it is what they call CGI, which stands for computer-generated imagery.

Yeah, it’s just tech talk. Whatever, I’m down with that.

tabs-sunrise-modeling-shot

[Continue reading…]

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

Leave a Comment for a Chance to Win a $50 Sephora E-GIFT CARD! (Ends Monday)

April 2nd, 2016 by Karen 406 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **

This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, CHRISTINE!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card!
Win a $50 Sephora e-gift card!

Every day is a new adventure around here. Just when I think I’ve figured something out, like a good routine to get Connor Claire fed and soothed to sleep for a couple of hours at a time, nope! — something new happens.

She was so fussy last night. Not even Uncle Tabby’s amazing nanny services could soothe her. She was incorrigible… Now watch her sleep all day long today, LOL!

Rise and shine, morning glory! Happy Caturday!

That reminds me… I bet you probably realize by now that yesterday was April Fool’s Day. Sadly, this means that the grand opening of the new Novato Cat Cafe & Cosmetics has been delayed. 🙂

In other news, I got out of the cave/house for two whole hours yesterday, and it was glorious! My parents visited and offered to watch Connor, so El Hub and I sneaked away to the mall. We got coffee, See’s candy and window shopped like real grownup people! It was the most exciting thing I’ve done in a month.

sephora-giveaway-prize-2015

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

sephora-gift-card-small-2015

sephora-giveaway-rules-2015

  • Enter by leaving a comment below.
  • Open to U.S. and international readers.
  • You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
  • Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
    sephora-giveaway-heart-2015

    • What’s a product you have in a bunch of colors?
    • What are two products you really like to mix together?
    • A piece of popular beauty advice you don’t agree with?
    • Have you ever thumb wrestled anyone?
    • Favorite boy band?
    • Amazonian clay: yes or no?
  • One entry per person.
  • You must use a valid email address to win.
  • The giveaway ends on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 406 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun

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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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