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

Soap & Glory Now Available at Ulta

September 17th, 2015 by Karen 32 Comments

It’s a good thing my immediate supervisor is a cat because most human beings would wonder why I’m sitting here at my desk sniffing my arms and hands…

It looks pretty weird, especially when my eyes roll back in my head. I’m glad I don’t have to explain myself to a disinterested 20-pound tabby. 🙂

But if I were to do it anyway, I’d tell him, “Hey, man! I’m wearing Soap & Glory Righteous Butter body cream, and it smells divine!” — just like one of my favorite fall/winter scents, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle (although some gals feel that it smells more like the now-discontinued Dior Miss Cherie).

I LOVE this brand, and not only because their products smell amazing (although that’s a big plus) and their pink packaging is way cute (also helps too!), but also because of the size of the line.

They have a full range of face and bath stuff, and everything I’ve tried works great for my dry skin. I really like their Righteous Butter body cream, their exfoliator, their hand cream (which is on my desk right meow) and their foot cream. My skin is considerably less alligator-like when I regularly use them.

soap glory flake away — Soap & Glory Flake Away

I began to panic a little starting a few months ago when I noticed a dwindling amount of Soap & Glory stuff being carried at Sephora, and then one day, it was all gone! Panic much!? Maybe a little…

But as it turns out, my panic was for naught because — yay! — Soap & Glory is now available at Ulta!

Homie, seriously, if spend any more time at Ulta, they’re going to have to set up a rollaway bed and a feeding station for Tabs, and I’ll be going even more often now that I know I can get Soap & Glory.

Remember when the brand lowered their prices a few months back but kept the same sizes? (Really, who does that??) I thought that was very cool.

soap glory hand food heel genius — Soap & Glory Hand Food, and Soap & Glory Heel Genius

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Pre-Fall Ulta Haul!

September 16th, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

What the world needs now is 1) love, sweet love; 2) free pumpkin spice lattes (I finally had my first one of the season yesterday, and it was so good that I felt myself float out of my body and fly toward the sun, OMG!); and 3) more lady-dates.

MOAR LADY-DATES.

You know what a lady-date is, right? It’s when you go out with a friend — ideally, someone who likes makeup as much as you do — for coffee, snacks or what have you, and then, ya know, if you happen to wander into someplace where lipsticks and eyeshadows are available for perusal…so be it. 🙂

I went on one a couple weekends ago with my friend Marisol. We had acai bowls, then paid homage to our homeland, also known as Ulta.

Here are the things that came home with me that day.

It was mostly a nail-centric visit, because my nails have been very crabby lately (they’ve been splitting, boo), with a sprinkling of skin care and body care, and a dash of makeup for good measure.

PRODUCTS MENTIONED

As always, thank you again for watching.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Do You Do Anything to Protect Your Hair From the Sun?

September 16th, 2015 by Karen 26 Comments

If I know ahead of time that I’m going to be spending a lot of time outside and it’s a sunny day, like if I’m going sightseeing in the city, going for a hike or doing something like kayaking (which I highly recommend!), I try to do something to protect my hair.

Usually that’s putting it up in a low bun and hiding it under a brimmed hat, or hiding out under an umbrella if I remembered to bring one (or if I’m hanging out by the pool).

My gal pal/stylist Alis always reminds me to cover my hair in the sun (yup, I have colored hair from roots to ends), and she knows my hair very well. It’s one of those things I always try to remember…but it usually slips my mind. I definitely notice that my color jobs last longer when I’m good about it though.

Just gotta remember!

How about you? Do you do anything to protect your hair from the sun?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Would You Ever Take Sexy Boudoir Pics?

September 16th, 2015 by Karen 25 Comments

I think you already know your tabby’s answer, WOW! 🙂

So…I’m totally undecided on this. If I can get back into bikini shape after Baby Girl is born, and only if the pics are taken with film and NOT a digital camera (too risky), and the pics are only for El Hub’s eyes, then I might consider it…but only if the pics are very high-end and tasteful, and I have a Heidi Klum-caliber lighting team (check out how they light her on Project Runway; it’s otherworldly).

Oh, and only if nobody ever knows about it (this is key).

Those are a lot of conditions, I know.

Then again, even if by some miracle I grow a set of six-pack abs and a perky bosom falls into my lap, I still probably wouldn’t do it, because — real talk — I have a really hard time acting all schmexy in front of the camera.

I have no idea how so many people do it on Instagram! Holy crap!

Unlike Tabs, I am not a natural when it comes to seductive posing, and I know this because when I tried to take some va-va-voom pics of myself for the MAC A Novel Romance collection last year, I could not stop laughing the whole time! — and that was with ME snapping the pics. Seriously, it took at least 30 frames, with most of them looking absolutely insane, to get a couple semi-decent pics.

MAC A Novel Romance Collection: Wearing the Quad in An Amorous Adventure, Powder Blush in Fun Ending, Cremesheen Lipstick in Good Kisser and Fluidline Eye Pencil in Black Brilliance — This shot took FOREVER to get

I can’t even imagine how much harder it would be with a real photographer and various states of semi-undress in the mix. By the end of the session, that photographer would probably hate my guts, LOL! Yup, they’d be earning their money that day, that’s for sure.

Would you ever take sexy boudoir pics? DO TELL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Have You Ever Left in the Middle of a Service (a Hair Appointment, Manicure, Massage, Etc.) for Any Reason?

September 15th, 2015 by Karen 32 Comments

Surprisingly, no, but there have been many times when I probably should’ve trusted my gut and said, “Screw this!!” to being polite, and just got up and left. It would’ve saved me lots of money and time.

The incident that still bugs me the most to this day — I can’t think about it without frowning and growling, grr! — was a massage at a fancy spa that my friend Christine and I went to right before my wedding NINE YEARS AGO.

You might think that the passage of almost a decade would make the wound less painful, but noooo.

We decided to do a full-on girls’ day, so we both booked facials and massages at this high-end hotel spa that charged high-end prices. I was in hardcore treat-yo’-self mode at the time because the wedding was in a couple days, and I figured, why not? It would give me a chance to relax, and I’d done all of the wedding planning by myself, so I was wound pretty tightly. (I would not suggest this to anyone. Even though it saves money, it’s super stressful… Get thee some help! — especially if you’re doing a destination wedding. *steps off pulpit*)

Anyways, I NEEDED THE HELL OUT OF THAT DEEP-TISSUE MASSAGE.

When it came time for my appointment, the massage therapist took me into a room which happened to be right next to the hotel gym, where there were multiple TVs with the volume turned up, and the noise boomed though the very thin walls. The sound from the TVs completely drowned out the serene whale songs that were being piped into the massage room, allegedly for my relaxation.

All throughout my massage, all I could hear was a TV sports announcer from the game that was on, dudes cheering the game in the gym and my teeth grinding as I got progressively more aggravated… I asked the massage therapist if there was anything she could do, like if she could call the gym and ask them to turn the TV down, or perhaps get me some earplugs, and she said no.
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What’s Your Basic Skin Care/Skin Prep/Makeup Process? Here’s Mine…

September 15th, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

What’s your basic skin care/skin prep/makeup process? Here’s mine…

1. Hydrating mist all over my face

MAC Fix+ ($22) has been my long-time and still current jam. I almost always have a bottle with me, and I even bring one of these travel-sized one with me on trips.

But I’m eager to try Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herb and Rosewater. It’s only $7, so a third the price of Fix+, and my friend Kwmechelle (hey gurl, haaaaay!) swears by it. Right now it’s at the top of my never-ending list of things to get next time I visit Ulta.

2. Face cream (with a separate eye cream around my eyes)

Because I don’t usually start doing my makeup right after I wash my face and do my morning skin care, I usually take a few minutes to moisturize once more before putting on le face paint. I’ve been using Embroyolisse, which is available online at Sephora for $28, for my face and MAC Fast Response Eye Cream ($31) for my eyes.

3. Primer

I use one primer for my face — currently Make Up For Ever Step 1 Smoothing Primer ($36) — and a separate primer for my lids, and you can probably guess which one that is! 🙂 Yes, it’s NARS Pro-Longwear Smudge-Proof ($25).

As for under my eyes, I rarely apply primer under my eyes, but I know it’s a step that a lot of people do.

4. Color correcting around my face (if necessary)

I have a few spots of darker pigment around my left eye and the left side of my lip, which I sometimes color correct with either an orange primer ($36 Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Radiant Primer Peach) or an orange concealer (The Burnt Coral side of $25 MAC Studio Conceal and Correct Duo in Rich Yellow/Burnt Coral).

*sigh!* It really does take a village…

5. Foundation or tinted moisturizer

Which one I use depends on what I’ll be doing that day and how my skin’s behaving, like whether it’s been more oily lately, or dry, or if there’s a pimple par-tay on my chin, but most of the time, if I have the time, I’ll use some kind of medium- or full-coverage serum foundation.

You probably already know this, but I really like Diorskin Nude Air in 40 Dore ($53) for full coverage, and now I’m also liking MAC Studio Waterweight in NC 42 ($33) for medium coverage.

Or, if time is of the essence and I barely have five minutes to go from zombie Karen to full-blooded, real-life Karen, I’ll wear a tinted moisturizer like Chanel Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid SPF 15 in 40 ($45) instead.
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MAC Guo Pei Collection: Fall 2015

September 15th, 2015 by Karen 29 Comments

Years from now, in the distant future, when historical beauty buffs/artistic archeologists look back on MAC’s 2015 limited edition releases, the award for Best Dressed Collection could easily go to MAC Guo Pei.

This one is a beauty! — and the packaging is also unusual for MAC. The compacts, lipsticks, brushes and glosses are all wearing fabric accents with floral flourishes (there’s even a cute little lady bug on the print) and have details like real stitching on the fabric sides.

mac guo pei night sky — MAC Guo Pei Eye Shadow X 4 in Night Sky

mac guo pei morning light — MAC Guo Pei Eye Shadow X 4 in Morning Light

mac guo pei zenith ethreal orchid brave red — MAC Guo Pei Lipsticks in Zenith, Ethereal Orchid and Brave Red

Unfortunately, the designer treatment also results in one of the more expensive MAC collections around. The two eyeshadow quads are — brace yourself for it — $70 each (!).

Yes, that’s crazypants.

Thankfully, the shadows are up to par for MAC. Unlike the shadows in some of MAC’s other limited edition quads and palettes, which for me are sometimes hit or miss (some feel harder than usual and aren’t as pigmented as their permanent collection counterparts), these are of comparable quality to the shadows in the permanent line.

Thank goodness for that.

All of the shadows in the two quads swatch beautifully, and I haven’t had any problems with blending, skipping, fallout or patchy/uneven application.
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5 Fabulously Affordable Fall Lipsticks

September 14th, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

I have a tabby by my side (as opposed to on my lap — what’s up with that?), and I’m wearing a snuggly long-sleeved sweater and long pants to keep away the unseasonably fall-like chill outside.

I’m also wearing layers, as weird as that sounds, but it’s brisk and overcast outside. The leaves have even started to fall, and I’m seriously contemplating socks (toe oppression!).

Technically, it may not be “that time of year” yet, but I’m definitely getting a fall vibe.

There’s no way I’m ready for El Niño or the cold weather fall entails, but I do feel full-on ready for fall makeup, like these five fabulously affordable fall lipsticks that are all less than $10 each.

1. L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive in Blake’s Red ($8.99)

Blake, as in Lively, the lucky lady with the long, luscious blonde hair (and, um, Ryan — oh, what’s his name? Not Gosling! Ryan Reynolds, how dare I?! — Ryan Reynolds’ baby mama). L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive in Blake’s Red is her red addition to the L’Oreal Colour Riche Collection Exclusive line.

Blake’s Red is a beauty of a neutral red, neither too warm nor cool, with an opaque demi-matte finish, and it won’t just work through fall. This one will also carry you through the holidays.

I love this lippie with classic fall looks, and it suits a wide range of skin tones. Wear it with a simple cat eye for something vintage, or a black or gray smoky eye (a la Robert Palmer’s Addicted to Love video), or metallic golden lids.

SO PRETTY!

Because it’s by L’Oreal, it has their very strong floral flavor and scent (both fade quickly), which folks seem to either love or hate. I don’t mind it at all.

It’s available now online for $8.99 and at drugstores and Ulta.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipcolor in Toast of New York ($7.99)

This is so old-school, you guys! I wore this color back in the day, and it’s making a comeback again.

I feel like there have been an overabundance of dark browns with almost grayish undertones lately, and I like that look on some people, but I feel like it looks a little macabre on me. THIS kind of brown has a little yellow in it, and I think it makes it more wearable. The matte finish also has a hint of a shine to it.

It’s available now online for $7.99 and at drugstores and Ulta.

3. COVERGIRL Star Wars Limited Edition Colorlicious Lipstick in Dark Purple 50 ($6.99)

Do you think this lipstick is on the dark side or the light…? Ooh, Star Wars reference! Where’s my light saber, Tabs?! 🙂

This dark purple berry is a classic fall color. It’s from the new limited edition COVERGIRL Star Wars collection, and it has a creamy finish.

It’s also flexible. You can wear it as a stain by applying one layer, then blotting, or build it up like I’ve done here. I’m wearing three layers, so it looks a little vampy.

It’s available now online for $6.99 and at drugstores.
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