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

Dressing Room Makeup Hack: Use Your Shirt As a Protective Barrier When You’re Trying on Clothes

August 18th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

Anthropologie white and yellow striped top — Things I do inside dressing rooms…

Have you ever accidentally gotten makeup on the clothes you were trying on in a dressing room?

(Uh…I am totally guilty of doing this, and yes, I’m a little ashamed.)

Even though I always do my best to keep it from happening, sometimes it’s darned near impossible! — like if it’s a shirt or a dress that’s really hard to take on or off.

It almost happened to me a while back when I was trying on a white dress at Ann Taylor. I was wearing a full face of makeup, and the dress I wanted to try on had a very narrow opening at the neck.

Standing in the dressing room, I realized that there was no way I was going to get in or out of the dress without getting makeup on it…and that’s when I had an aha moment! I draped the shirt I was wearing that day, which happened to be black, over my face like a veil, where it could work as a protective barrier between my makeup and the dress. Then I slipped the dress over my head without leaving a mark on it.
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Tuesday Tip: Apply Moisturizer Before Your Face Primer

August 18th, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

Let's get ready to moisturize and prime! — Ready to moisturize, blot and prime!

I know I say this all the time, but that’s because it’s freakin’ true! — it really does take a village, so to speak, when you’re trying to do the whole smooth/flawless skin thing, or as close as you can get to it.

Oh, my goodness, yes, it would be SO nice if it were possible to do it all in one easy step, but that hasn’t been my experience. There are lots of steps involved in getting as close as possible to perfect-looking skin for me, and it takes a lot of work, especially upfront prep work at the beginning of the process.

But here’s something that helps, and I always do it, without fail: I always apply moisturizer before my face primer.

When I do, my skin looks smoother, my makeup lasts longer, and everything I apply on top of moisturized skin just seems to work better.

I really don’t know why… Maybe the moisturizer plumps the skin and makes whatever I apply on top of it look smoother. Colors also look richer and more intense.

Here’s my basic process…

Step 1: Moisturize

First, I moisturize, and it’s the first step when I’m applying my makeup (before this, however, right after washing my face in the morning, I apply any skin serums and products with SPF).

My combination skin is more dry than oily (but it’s also oily on my forehead and around my nose and chin), so I reach for rich moisturizers, and I like ones that don’t contain SPF, in this case, to avoid the telltale white cast that can happen when you mix SPF-containing products and flash photography. I also like moisturizers that don’t pill or clump when I apply other products on top of them.

Once my face is fully moisturized, I give the moisturizer enough time to fully absorb and sink in, which is usually around five minutes. Note: this step is very, VERY important because if the moisturizer is still wet in spots, products applied on top of it won’t last as long as they should/could.
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Is Anyone Else Breaking Out Right Now?

August 18th, 2015 by Karen 54 Comments

Wearing no makeup — Wearing absolutely no makeup

Please tell me I’m not the only one breaking out right now. Sad panda! I’ve got a few tiny whiteheads along my hairline, my jawline, and some on my chest as well, and this is probably TMI, but I’m going there anyway…but I have one on my left booty cheek, too.

AND IT HURTS.

Anywho! Thank goodness the ones on my face at the moment aren’t the painful red kind I get sometimes on my chin, because those are the worst.

This current breakout is probably half due to not sleeping well at night because of this extreme heatwave we’ve been having (and us not having air conditioning), and half due to Three Twins Salted Caramel Ice Cream, which I’ve been eating A LOT of lately. Whenever I up my dairy intake, I break out, but dangit! — why’s it gotta taste so good?

Is anyone else breaking out right now? Inquiring minds want to know.

In fact, let’s do this as a poll…

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. What are you breakout triggers? My main ones are dairy, hormones and not drinking enough water.

Best of Benefit Sephora Exclusive Kits

August 17th, 2015 by Karen 21 Comments

If YouTube could figure out a way to transmit a glass of lemonade and a plate of cookies while people were watching videos like this one about the new Best of Benefit Sephora exclusive kits, they could take over this whole freakin’ planet, NO JOKE.

One cool thing about these kits, which are all exclusively available at Sephora, is that two of them contain adorable mini versions of completely brand new products.

Here’s a look at all three of them. If you have any questions about anything in the video, holla at me in the comments.

sephora best of benefit — The Sephora Best of Benefit Kits

benefit do the hoola — Benefit Do the Hoola Beyond Bronze Kit ($34)

benefit operation pore proof — Benefit Operation Pore-Proof Kit ($34)

benefit theyre real sexy run — Benefit They’re Real!: Sexy on the Run ($32)

Products mentioned…

Benefit Do the Hoola Beyond Bronze Kit ($34)
Benefit Operation Pore-Proof Kit ($34)
Benefit They’re Real!: Sexy on the Run ($32)

As always, thank you for watching. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

#LiveInColor With Féria (SPONSORED)

August 17th, 2015 by Karen 8 Comments

Advertorials like this one are brought to you by my sponsors. They’re carefully chosen based on what I think you might like; however, this post was entirely written by the sponsor.

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Watch as trendsetting designer Helen Castillo, singer-songwriter Elliphant, and Zoe of electro duo ASTR bring out their fearless side through their Féria hair color.

Which Féria are you? Color your world with over 30 shimmering shades at www.LiveinColor.com.

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 386

August 17th, 2015 by Karen 36 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.

Mountains or ocean?
I love both for different reasons, but I’m a water baby at heart. I’ll take the ocean — ideally warm, tropical oceans with gentle, rolling waves and clear teal blue waters…

I feel at home by the sea.

In my opinion, if you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
- Persistent and unafraid to make a complete fool out of yourself (sometimes)
- Willing to set aside your ego
- Willing to try new things and let go of the past
- I think it also helps to be likable, since it usually takes a lot of people up in the mix to be successful at something…unless you live by cutthroat rules, but in my experience, people like to hire/work with people who can not only get the job done, but are also polite, friendly people who would be fun to hang out with.
Places where you feel safe?
- In my bed at home
- The living room at my parents’ house in Union City
- In quiet, air-conditioned libraries with big windows (no idea why)
What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
If you’re into it, why the heck not? I went through a phase in the ‘90s when I desperately wanted to be Gwen Stefani and wore them all the time, even to class, LOL!

Granted, I probably looked ridiculous, but who cares? I had fun. 🙂

Have you ever had your tarot cards read?
I have not, but I’d like to someday. It sounds very interesting!

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

1. Mountains or ocean?
2. If you want to be successful at something, you have to be __________.
3. Places where you feel safe?
4. What’s your stance on wearing rhinestones on your face?
5. Have you ever had your tarot cards read?

Good morning, sweet girl (or boy)! I hope you slept well. It’s a quiet, still morning here in Novato…one of those mornings that you know is going to be an epically, scorchingly hot day, haha!

We’re in the midst of a record-setting heatwave here in the Bay Area with temps around 100 degrees, and when your place doesn’t have air conditioning, well…you gotta get as much work done as possible by about 2 p.m., because after that, the heat is unbearable.

Yesterday El Hub and I took refuge at the mall. We hit up the Chipotle in San Rafael (“Guacamole is extra.”), and then watched that new Jason Bateman thriller called The Gift.

Oh, my gosh — SO good. And so many plot twists. I may or may not have screamed, “AHHHHHHHHHH!” at the top of my lungs during one of the startling scenes (El Hub yelled, “OH, SH*T!”). Yes, we are those people, LOL!

Enjoy the rest of your Monday, and have a peaceful week. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 359

August 16th, 2015 by Karen 9 Comments

Tabs isn’t just about brawn and beauty. He’s brainy, too. Like, did you know that he has a degree in women’s studies from UC Davis, and that this fall he’s pursuing his PhD in peace and conflict studies at UC Berkeley?

I guess that probably doesn’t surprise you. I mean, why would it? After all, Tabs is a cat who gets sh*t done.

With the new school year right around the corner, we’ve been preparing things here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC for his scholarly schedule. He’ll still be doing kitty modeling, of course, but school will be his priority. I’ve been tasked with researching back-to-school cat-themed supplies, and here are 17 of them. 🙂

1. 2016 Weekly Planner Graphic Cats Engagement Calendar ($9.95)

If you liked it then you should’ve put a cat on it! This weekly calendar will keep you organized while showing the world your penchant for all of teh kittehs.

2. Hello Kitty Pouch: B&W Check Collection ($15.50)

Store your pencils, pens and emergency cat treats in this chic black pencil pouch…

3. Assorted Curious Cats Pencils with Toppers ($18.75)

Why settle for just one cat pencil with a topper when you can have a variety?

4. Cat With Cherry Pink Backpack ($13.99)

—-> Quite possibly the cutest backpack EVAR. If they made cat-sized versions, Tabs would totally rock this, no doubt.

5. Hello Kitty Trapper Keeper Binder ($10.99)

Store your assignments in this stylish Trapper Keeper to protect them from homework-eating canines.

6. Cute Cat Insulated Lunch Tote ($19.99)

Lunch, otherwise known as “my feline employer’s favorite subject.”
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Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

August 15th, 2015 by Karen 388 Comments

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

What a day! I had an interesting, exciting one yesterday. That’s why I wasn’t around much. Tabs had to hold down the fort at MBB headquarters because I was in the city shooting five (!) videos for a makeup project later this year, and I’d never done anything quite that official before, with a producer and a director and props and big studio lights.

That’s different than how I usually do my videos in my living room, haha. The only thing missing was Tabs all up in my grill. 🙂 Hopefully it all works out, and I’m able to share the videos when they’re done.

I’m still a little tired from having to be on so much yesterday, so I don’t feel like pushing myself this weekend. My priority is taking it easy. I should do some housecleaning and run some errands, but that’s it. If El Hub says he wants to go kayaking down a raging river, I may have to decline.

I hope you had a good week, my friend. Please tell me someone did something nice for you. I always wish that.

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:
- What’s your favorite non-sunscreen product that contains SPF?
- Someone you know who talks A LOT?
- Best musical makeup collaboration between a brand and an artist?
- Have you ever tripped or fallen at an inopportune moment?
- Your pick for Best Lipstick of All Time?
- A word you pronounce differently than most people?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, August 17, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen