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

MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

September 14th, 2015 by Karen 42 Comments

mac studo waterweight foundation — MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation from the left in NC15, NW22, NC35 and NC50

MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation ($33). I’ve been daydreaming about and looking forward to this one for what feels like ages, and not just because I’m a water-baby at heart, but also because it’s a serum formula, and I absolutely do not ever want to go back to the time when most formulas looked and felt heavy, caked-on and obvious (perish the thought!). Serum foundation formulas usually feel lightweight and slippery (the good ones), like you’re slipping into a fine silk chemise, ooh-la-la. You do feel something when you’re wearing them…but it isn’t annoying or obvious.

Serum foundations also excel at pore blurring and disguising fine lines and little imperfections. So yeah, since those are among my daily adversaries (the struggle is so real), I was all over this one.

MAC Studio Waterweight is a bonafide serum foundation, and if you like natural-looking, moisturizing medium-coverage foundations with lightweight formulas, put it on your iPhone Notes list of products to try ASAP.

First things first, the finish.

GAW-GEOUS.

I’m gonna call it a sheen, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it dewy, because it isn’t shiny at all. It’s more refined than that, and velvety. Very natural looking.

As one of those lucky ladies with combination skin, I really appreciate that. My skin just can’t make up its mind! It’s oily on my forehead, dry on my cheeks and acne-prone along my jawline and around the edges of my forehead.

Oh — and there are also noticeable pores and fine lines up in the mix.

mac studo waterweight foundation dropper — MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation from the left in NC15, NW22, NC35 and NC50

I’ve been wearing and testing Studio Waterweight in shade NC42 for a few days, and I’m very happy with it. In many ways, I like it more than Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum, which I used a ton this summer.

Other than the big difference in price (Diorskin Nude Air is $53 versus $33 for MAC Waterweight), Waterweight also comes in three times as many shades (25 shades versus eight, most of which have peach or pink undertones).

mac studio waterweight ingredients 2 — Active ingredients…

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 340

September 14th, 2015 by Karen 32 Comments

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.

Are you currently using any serums?
Yes! I’ve got two in rotation at the moment…sort of, except for not right at this second, because I ran out of one of them and need to replace it ASAP. But when I do, I’ll have two in rotation again. The first is Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate, which I use mostly for hydration and to even out my skin tone. I’ve gone through two big bottles of it, and I still love it. The second is good ol’ Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, another anti-aging serum which I’ve been using for years because it’s high in antioxidants and helps my skin texture.

What was a game-changing makeup product for you?
I really wasn’t into lash primers AT ALL before I met Estee Lauder’s Little Black Primer. Basically, I thought they were a waste of time and money, but Little Black Primer totally changed that. Now I feel like it’s a necessity for me and my lashes. Whenever I use it under mascara, it kicks things up several notches. My lashes look longer, curlier and more lush. I just finished a tube (Why does it seem like I always run out of batches of beauty products at the same time? It’s so weird…) and need to replace it ASAP.

Do you have a favorite pair of boots?
YES! I love boots, which is a little funny because I’m all about toe freedom in spring and summer, but I don’t mind confining those bad boys when it gets cold.

I have a pair of sassy suede olive green boots by Fergie (as in the singer! — Fergalicious) that I’ve worn for the past few seasons. They’ve held up well, and they’re my favorite pair to wear in fall, although I don’t know how much use I’m going to get out of them this year because they have also have a heel, and I keep noticing that my lower back gets all wonky when I wear high heels. Baby Girl has been keeping me in flats these days.
Do you do oversized rings?
On a daily basis, no, because I can’t type with ’em! They’re too heavy and distracting, but I do like to wear a tasteful cocktail ring on special occasions.

Have you ever had a disaster with bangs?
Honestly, when have my bangs not involved a disaster? It seems like every time I get bangs something goes awry. I have wavy hair, and the shorter it is, the more unruly it gets. All of my bangs disasters have come about because of this. You’d think I would have learned this lesson by now, but noooo. There’s one variety of bangs I can handle, and that’s the side sweep. I love me a good side sweep…

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

1. Are you currently using any serums?
2. What was a game-changing makeup product for you?
3. Do you have a favorite pair of boots?
4. Do you do oversized rings?
5. Have you ever had a disaster with bangs?

Hi! Helloooooo! *waves from my desk in Northern California* 🙂 Happy Monday to ya. I think that today will be the day when I get my first fall pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks (decaf, of course). It’s actually overcast and cool outside right now. Are you in?

And P.S., I won’t refuse to split a brownie with you. Just putting that out there.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 363

September 13th, 2015 by Karen 48 Comments

I know that you know a lot about Tabs through his modeling, philanthropy and other endeavors — his fabulous life — but here’s a look behind the glam at what it’s really like to live with Tabs on a day-to-day basis.

I worry sometimes that he’s older than I always thought he was

I mentally prepare myself — scratch that. I keep trying to mentally prepare myself for the day when I wake up, and I don’t have Tabs there to greet me.

I can’t even handle the thought… It makes me so sad. 🙁

A few months ago, we took him to the vet for his regular checkup, and the vet said, “I think he may be a little older than we initially thought he was…” His eyes aren’t as bright as they once were, and he’s starting to slow down. He’s also getting ornerier, and he sleeps more during the day.

I worry that I might not have the time I thought I’d have with him, and I know that seems very greedy of me and self-centered, but I can’t help it. I just want my companion to live forever.

I think about collecting his whiskers…

A couple weeks ago I found one of his little whiskers — I call ’em little whiskees — while cleaning the living room, and his whiskees are interesting in that they aren’t all white. Some of them are black, and some of them are black with little sections of white.

I picked it up, and I walked up to El Hub and asked, “Do you think it would be too crazy cat lady if I saved all of Tabs’s whiskees?” because I’d been thinking about how when he finally goes to cross the rainbow bridge, I won’t have anything of his with me, and El Hub said, “Yes, that would be very crazy cat lady of you.”

So I threw it out…but you know what? I’m gonna start collecting his whiskees anyway, and then when he finally goes away, I’m probably going to spread his ashes on the hill behind us, because he loves being outside.

I feel guilty sometimes when I see outdoor kitties lounging around

Oh, Tabby, I wish you could be the outside cat that I know you see yourself as, always running around, chasing things and lounging about.

When I see kitties outside, especially at the end of the day enjoying the sunset or napping, I wish Tabs could have that same luxury, but I know that it’s probably safer for him to spend the evenings indoors. Where we live here in Novato, there are wide open spaces with coyotes (we see them a lot) and other predators around.

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Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

September 12th, 2015 by Karen 370 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, LISA!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

On your next trip to San Francisco, you can take a cable car right to the front door of the Powell Street Pro Store @maccosmetics at 45 Powell Street and then have @pinkberryswirl down the street for desert! What. A. Day. #makeup #noms #pinkberryobsession

A video posted by Karen (@karenmbb) on Sep 12, 2015 at 7:16am PDT

Good morning, sweet girl (and boys). I’m sitting here with a rumbly tummy, which I never do on Saturday mornings, because I am trying to get out of the house ASAP, and I’m running a little late.

I’m going to another one of those Sephora classes at the store down the street, this one called Correct and Conceal, which sounds right up my alley.

I hope you had a fun Friday night. Yes, I did end up playing that D&D-ish game with El Hub, and you know what? I was entertained. I did not totally hate it, and El Hub was really good at being, I guess, the game master and telling a story.

Who knew? That man surprises me every day.

My character is a 17-year-old girl named Bijou, and when I told El Hub that’s what I wanted to name her, he said, “You really want to name this girl Bijou?” and I said, “Yes, her name is Bijou.” And she has a winged cat with navy blue feathers.

Of course. Of course she does. 🙂

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

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:
- Best work party ever?
- How often do you wear waterproof makeup?
- A boring yet necessary beauty essential?
- Have you ever seen a mirage?
- What are your lucky numbers?
- A product you’re currently lusting after?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

H&M Cat Lady Clothes, Clothes for Cat Ladies in Training and Maternity Stuff, Too

September 11th, 2015 by Karen 44 Comments

We are cat ladies; hear us ROAR!

Or at least meow… Meeeeeow!

I was really feelin’ the cat lady love at the San Francisco Union Square H&M store yesterday, where I was perusing the maternity section, but it was hard to concentrate because I kept getting distracted by things like this adorable outfit with a navy blue top and tiny short-shorts.

It has cats all OVER it!

Look at it styled on this mannequin with a taupe purse and black booties (the picture at the top). If I wasn’t so round at the moment, I’d be all over it.

They also had a white short-sleeve tee with a little pocket in the same print, but the fabric felt a little scratchy.

Super cute though.

Eventually, I focussed long enough in the maternity section to find this…

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The SF MAC Powell Street Store: Studio Waterweight Application Tips, Zuca Bags, Haute Dogs and a Viva Glam Miley 2 Lip Combo

September 11th, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

For Bay Area beauty junkies (and visiting makeup lovers), a trip to the San Francisco MAC Powell Street Pro Store (45 Powell Street, right down by Union Square) is a must, because when it comes to beauty shopping, it’s an iconic stop, tantamount to visiting the Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39 or Lombard Street… When you’re in SF, if your schedule permits, you gotta do it!

I stopped by yesterday to check out the new MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation and get some application tips.

Studio Waterweight reminds me a little of my beloved Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum. It comes in a bottle with a dropper and has a consistency on the thinner side of the spectrum. It just recently arrived on counters, so it’s super new.

I talked to a very sweet makeup artist named Hannah (Hi, Hannah!) at the store — here she is right here — who recommended tapping and blending it on the skin with something like a wet MAC Pro Performance Sponge (MAC’s version of the BeautyBlender).

The Studio Waterweight release also features a super soft synthetic face brush with short, compact bristles and a slightly angled head called the 196 Slanted Flat Top Brush.

Oh, my gosh! — the bristles are SO soft. Hannah said that if you use this brush instead of a sponge, it helps to alternate short strokes with a stippling motion for the most natural-looking skin.

I’m testing Studio Waterweight today and through this weekend and will have more to say about it soon…but my first impression? Very silky and lightweight, which I’m excited about.

Of course I also had to wander around while I was the store (of course), and I spotted these MAC travel bags with matching mirrored compacts that say “MAC San Francisco.”

How cute are these!? Wouldn’t it be fun to travel and collect different MAC bags like these in different cities? That’s something I’d like to do.

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Huge Beauty Event at Space NK Stores Tomorrow, Sept. 12

September 11th, 2015 by Karen 3 Comments

If you live near a Space NK store (here’s a store locator), there’s a bad-@ss in-store gift-with-purchase offer happening tomorrow, one day only, Saturday, September 12. It’s called “Autumn Beauty Edit,” and it’s going to be happening at each of their 23 U.S. stores (I think it’s U.S. only).

The kicker is the size of the gift. It’s a HUGE $400 value if you buy $250 or more at the store. So that’s $650 of products for $250.

It’s part of a big deal beauty event where you can also get a makeover, learn about fall trends with the in-store makeup artists and, of course, play with products.

It probably won’t be too hard to hit $250 because Space NK is a very high-end store (read: expensive), and their stuff is kind of pricey…but coupled with a $400 GWP it seems like a pretty good deal.

You get a ton of stuff and this huge Space NK clear makeup bag, which also holds a surprising amount.

In total you get (a $400 value)…

Space NK Limited Edition Cosmetics Bag
Bumble & bumble Repair Blow Dry (15ml)
By Terry Mascara Terrybly in Black Parti-Pris (4g)
Cane + Austin Miracle Pad (x 5)
Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara in Black (4g)
Darphin Stimulskin Plus Reshaping Divine Serum (3ml)
Diptyque Eau de Parfum (assorted, 12ml)
Eve Lom Cleanser (20ml plus muslin cloth)
Goldfaden MD Fresh A Peel (5ml)
Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Hydrating Aloe (30ml)
LOVE THIS ——> Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipstick in Icon (0.85g)
James Read Tan Accelerator (25ml)
Juara Candlenut Body Crème (44 ml)
Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum (7ml)
Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Bloodroses (0.68g)
Lancer Intensive Night Treatment (7.5ml)
Leif Kakadu Plum and Macadamia Nut Hand Balm (75ml)
Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencil (assorted, 3.1g)
Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Facial Moisturizer (30ml)
Mila Moursi Cryo Serum Ice Cube Infusion (5ml)
Mio The Activist Firming Active Body Oil (30 ml)
Miriam Quevedo Extreme Caviar Restructuring Luxe Serum (50ml)
Natura Bissé Tensolift Neck Cream (5ml)
Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream (15ml)
Original & Mineral Atonic Thickening Spritz (50ml)
Philip B. Nordic Wood Hair & Body Shampoo (15ml)
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo (2.25oz)
Radical Skincare Eye Revive Crème (5ml)
Ren Wake Wonderful Night-Time Facial (10ml)
Rodial Pink Diamond Instant Lifting Serum (5ml)
Roloxin Lift Revitalizing Facial Treatment (0.07oz x 2)
THIS —–> Sunday Riley Good Genes (10ml). (It saved my skin after a bad breakout on my chin that lasted, like, three years.)
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser (15ml)

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A Sunny September Day in San Francisco

September 11th, 2015 by Karen 23 Comments

It’s not often when you can visit SF and walk around in a dress, sweater and sandals and NOT be cold, although it does happen…and when it does, it’s usually in September or October. Sometimes it’s hard to predict Karl the Fog (that’s what they call it) and our unpredictable Bay Area microclimates.

But my trip to SF yesterday went well! Thank you very much for the maternity clothes recommendations. I found some pretty good prospects at H&M, and I’m keeping a list of the ideas you gave me in my cat lady day planner. I’ll show you what I found yesterday in a little while, but I have a couple other things I have to do first.

In the meantime, San Francisco says hello. 🙂

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