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

1. All the purses at Clare V

Last June, I bought the black Gosee Clutch as a birthday present for myself and I love it!

It’s super soft and big enough to fit the necessities, but it’s not so big that I’m tempted to throw ALL THE THINGS into it. Anywho, I’m now thinking I “need” (air quotes) one of their smaller purses for fall adventures. I like this one and this one!

2. Matte claw clips

“Why are all my claw clips so shiny?”

I found myself wondering this terribly deep thought (ha ha) when I was wandering around Ulta yesterday and ran into a display of matte claw clips.

Anywho, I ended up buying a pair of the matte black ones! Sure, they’re standard issue claw clips, but I feel like the matte finish updates them a little.

3. Kimbap from Trader Joe’s

I feel like everyone and their mama has been talking it up!

TJ’s kimbap is a veggie Korean dish you can find in the frozen section. Think tofu, veggies and rice rolled up in seaweed and cut into pieces — kinda like sushi!

I bought a couple rolls and found that if I’m not in the mood to cook and want something filling but not too heavy, kimbap hits the spot!

Side note, if you’re like me and forever trying to eat enough protein, eat some cottage cheese on the side. It fills out the meal nicely.

Apparently the TJ’s kimbap is sold out in a lot of stores, so if you’re lucky enough to have it in stock at your store, grab a few.

4. Planning stuff way with friends far ahead

For the last few years I haven’t been great about planning timely outings with my friends. Last-minute stuff rarely seems to work out, so I’m actively planning fall excursions with my people far in advance so I have lots to look forward to!

5. The scent of tomato vines

Our deck tomatoes are in full swing right meow!

I love smelling the vines and leaves when I go out there to pick tomatoes. It’s such a small thing, but it brings me so much joy.

What’ve you been loving lately?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF. Thank you for sweet comments on the “First Day” post from yesterday. Sending you a warm hug on this fabulous Friday!

Oh my goodness! I don’t know why I continue to be shocked by the big feelings on the first day of school, but here I am once again, sitting at my desk with dried tears on my cheeks and a swirl of emotions in my chest.

For the last two weeks, I’ve been solely focused on supporting and building Connor up to get her ready for second grade. In between chaperoning playdates and adventures with her girl gang, there’ve been a few “I don’t want to go back to school” moments, with lots of tears and hugs.

The past few days have been spent preparing, planning and trying to get her braced for the first day. We’ve packed bags, talked about things to look forward to, planned outfits — I’ve always believed that if you’re anxious about a transition that it always helps to prepare as much as you can, so that’s what we did.

When El Hub and I walked her to her classroom this morning, she was in good spirits — a little nervous but still cheerful. After she dropped off her backpack and said hi to her teacher, she walked into the classroom without looking back. No tears at all, which was great!

Once we walked away from the classroom, though, I cried, which I did not expect at all. You know that friend you have who is fine until she’s not? That’s me, LOL!

It’s the intensity of the feelings that shock me. What I know deep down is that one day she really won’t need me; she’ll walk through a door and won’t look back, and even though logically I know that’ll be a good thing, part of me is having a hard time accepting it.

So, I try to joyfully be present for the brief time I have with her. One of the strange blessings that comes with having a child in your 40s is that you become so acutely aware of the passing of time. I know how quickly these years will pass. In the blink of an eye 10 years will fly by and she’ll be going into her senior year of high school. Craziness!

Anyway, before I start crying again, on a somewhat random beauty-related note, this was the first year El Hub has been able to be home for the first day of school, so I had all these plans to put makeup on this morning so he could take a “proof of mom” picture of me and Connor.

I ended up only having time to do my hair and put on tinted sunscreen, so my dreams of looking at least semi-decent did not happen, LOL!

I’m going to Ulta and Sephora to buy a present for a friend and to do some browsing to cheer myself up. If there’s anything you’ve found lately that you’ve been really into, let me know. I could use the distraction.

Send a virtual hug this way, will ya?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I must’ve been 10 or 11 and in middle school

It was when I started breaking out on my forehead, and my mom was more concerned about it than I was.

I wasn’t really a girly-girl and didn’t really think about how I looked; I think I was still very much a child and way too busy being a kid!

The only reason why I even thought about it was because my mom, who genetically isn’t prone to acne, would make me sit still so she could hold my face and stare intensely at it. Then she’d mumble all sorts of things about pimples and I would just get annoyed and run away, ha ha ha.

Eventually she brought me to a dermatologist, who told me to use a benzoyl peroxide bar soap that dried out my skin. She also prescribed an antibiotic which didn’t really help at all.

In high school I eventually started a steady routine of face wash, toner (remember Sea Breeze?) and Oil of Olay sunscreen. I think it was SPF 15 or something! I remember the light pink bottle with the black cap.

Anyway, I was thinking about timelines for skincare the other day when Connor and I were getting her ready for bedtime. She still uses Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo for washing her skin and hair, and it’s still working for her.

We chatted briefly about when it might be a good time to start doing a skincare routine because she gets an occasional small pimple, so I’m thinking that maybe 8 or 9 would be a good time to introduce a daily gentle face wash, moisturizer and sunscreen. I don’t know if that’s too early, though. I want her to stay an oblivious kid for as long as she can, you know? I also want her to have good skincare habits though.

How old were you when you started thinking about skincare?

Were you relatively young? Did you wait until your teens? Or is it a recent thing? Let me know in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Oh my gosh, friend. First day of school for my not-so-little one is Thursday! We’re all going a little crazy, LOL!

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. Pick a type of eyeliner to wear today — sharp and crisp or smokey and smudged?

I like both, but I’ll go with smokey and smudged on the upper lash line today. It’s easier for me to do and I can layer some cream shadow on top!

2. How often do you do meal prep at the start of the week?

Rarely! In theory I like it, but I tried it once or twice and found it isn’t my style. I like having the freedom to make whatever I’m craving on a given day. Plus, I get tired of eating the same thing over and over again.

3. Have you ever been picked for jury duty?

I did jury duty once for a trial when I was in my 30s . I don’t remember much other than waiting around for long periods of time for things to start. I think we were paid like $8 a day for our service at the end of it? There was a lot of sitting and I’d get very antsy.

4. What’s your secret to velvety soft skin?

Hmm, for me two things help a lot. The first is choosing a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip my skin. Oil-based and creamy cleansers are my BFFs! The second is applying whatever hydrator I’m using on damp skin shortly after I step out of the shower.

5. What makeup brands were popular when you were in high school?

I remember Clinique was *the* brand all the girls wanted to wear. I also remember Revlon, Covergirl, Maybelline, Max Factor and Wet ‘n’ Wild being a big deal, too. Oh, and I can’t forget Corn Silk and Coty for face powder!

Well hello there and happy, happy Monday. How’s your day going? I feel a little disorganized right now, but you know, once I make a short list, everything’s gonna be OK.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you’re feeling rested and ready for what’s ahead. I have a feeling that good things are waiting around the corner for us all!

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. Pick a type of eyeliner to wear today – sharp and crisp or smokey and smudged?
2. How often do you do meal prep at the start of the week?
3. Have you ever been picked for jury duty?
4. What’s your secret to velvety soft skin?
5. What makeup brands were popular when you were in high school?

Hi, friend! Happy Saturday to ya.

About the pic up top, around these parts, back-to-school season is always marked by beautiful pink lilies that pop up alongside of the road. If you ever visit Marin county in August, you’ll see these flowers, otherwise known as the naked ladies.

It’s crazy to me that August is almost over. I got an email the other day from Connor’s second grade teachers with the schedule for the new school year, and thank goodness they did, because I totally forgot that school starts at 8:30 on the dot, ha ha ha! I seriously thought it was 9… I guess it’s been a good summer. 🙂

I think Rosie will be happy to have her quiet house back!

She spent a long time snuggling with me this morning while I drank my coffee because Connor and El Hub went fishing at the crack of dawn.

Connor recently graduated to a “big girl fishing pole” and caught her first fish! I think Rosie is very proud and not-so-secretly hoping that she’ll have some fresh nibbles to eat later when they get back. I keep telling her to lower her kitty expectations because I have a feeling Connor is a “catch and release” kind of fisherwoman.

I hope that Saturday is treating you nicely. How is life on your end?

This week’s reading

• Quiet luxury nail polish is a thing. Side note, is it me, or do the shades just look like classic colors?
• Fun fact, J’Adore is now 24 years old, which is CRAZY to me. I still remember walking into Sephora and sniffing it when it first came out! Anywho, there’s a new iteration of it made without alcohol.
• Just in case you’re in the market for a new paddle brush.
• Shark (as in the vacuum brand) just added new hair styling tools to their lineup.
• Your luxury guide to lipstick.

Every time I watch Hung do makeup, I feel so inspired

Have you tried the latte makeup trend?

These dudes are still around

Well, I know what I’m doing today

Girl, put your records on

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen