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

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Chanel Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense

August 3rd, 2015 by Karen 18 Comments

chanel waterproof eyeliner 2 — Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense ($32)

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of my all-time favorite permanent collection products.

I know what you’re probably thinking (probably). “Karen, duuuuuuude! How is it humanly possible to get excited about something as basic as another black pencil eyeliner, let alone one that costs $32!?”

GIRL, trust. I didn’t want to fall in love with Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense. In fact, if I had never known it even existed, I probably would have gone about my business perfectly content with my ride-or-die standby, MAC Smolder, but you know how it goes when you get that itch to try something new.

And that’s what happened here. In the process, I found what I believe to be THE BEST DAMN BLACK PENCIL LINER ON PLANET EARTH — and possibly the universe. I’ve been using it at least a few times every week since April.

Now, you might be wondering, what the heck is it? — I mean, other than a liner.

Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof liners are twist-up, long-wearing waterproof pencil eyeliners with a thin pencil tip on one end and a hidden sharpener on the other.

The tips feel quite hard to the touch but glide on the skin like creamy kohls with no tugging, so they’re easy to apply.

Unlike many creamy kohls, though, which scoot around on your eyes throughout the day, these don’t move AT ALL once they’ve completely dried down, which take about five minutes, and that allows for plenty of time to smudge and play.

They’re available in a bunch of colors in Chanel’s permanent line. Chanel also likes to periodically release limited edition shades that make me want to drop to my knees and cry with joy (like I did with Orchidee from the summer collection), but if I could only wear one of them for the rest of my cat-lovin’ life…it would been 88 Noir Intense.

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

August 3rd, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

1. bkr 500-ml Water Bottle in “Holiday” ($35)

I love, love, LOVE this 500-ml bkr bottle my friend Marisol got me for my birthday. It’s half the size of the full liter-sized bkr bottle I got for myself earlier this year, and for some reason, I guess because it’s much easier to carry around, when I carry it instead of the bigger bottle I end up drinking more water.

Both of them are made of the same solid, sturdy glass and have super cushiony rubberized sleeves to fully protect them (and they’re available in literally dozens of colors). Unlike my bigger one-liter flamingo-colored bkr bottle, “Minty” (that’s what I’ve named her) fits into my purse and the cup holder in my car, so she’s become my to-go bkr, while the bigger bkr mostly stays on my desk.

2. Chanel Les Beiges All-In-One Healthy Glow Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen ($45, available in six shades)

Yargh! — so obsessed.

I’ve been wearing this awesome tinted moisturizer a lot lately instead of full-coverage foundation, like when my family visited last week and also on my girls’ trip to Napa, because I can use it really fast!

It has a semi-matte, natural-looking finish, medium coverage, and it does lots of very lovely pore blurring (#yaaaas). The shade I use is called 40, by the way, but it’s also available in five other shades, all with a very light floral fragrance.

3. Trader Joe’s Cocoa Almond Spread ($3.99 for a 13-ounce jar)

Nutella is still my number one hazelnut spread because I think it’s smoother and more hazel-nutty, but to its credit, TJ’s “faux Nutella” is also pretty damn tasty!

It’s their Cocoa Almond Spread (but it also has hazelnut in it), and it’s been totally hitting the spot. I grabbed a bottle at TJ’s last Saturday because I didn’t want to drive all the way across town to Target just to get a jar of Nutella…because sometimes a girl just really, really, REALLY needs to have some Nutella (or something like it) on toast.

I may or may not have already finished half the jar…
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 384

August 3rd, 2015 by Karen 31 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.

Your favorite frozen treat?
All of them! My sweet tooth fiends for the frozen stuff like ice cream, ice cream cake, gelato, etc.

It’s hard to narrow it down, but right now I’m all about Three Twins Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

I also love good old-fashioned Popsicles, too, especially the red ones and the orange ones.

The purple ones, though? Forget about it. I don’t want anything to do with the purple ones…

How are you with DIY home projects?
Not bad, I guess. I think if I had more free time I’d be decent, like I think I could probably sand and repaint a chest of drawers. I definitely do like to see household projects from start to finish, but I don’t have as much patience as I used to…

Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
Oh, my gosh, yes! Back when El Hub and I started dating, there was a guy who lived in the apartment under mine who I called “12-year-old neighbor” because he looked and acted like a 12-year-old guy living on his own for the first time.

He did a bunch of obnoxious, inconsiderate things, but the most obnoxious things all involved noise, like he’d blast his music at all hours (the worst was early on Sunday mornings), play Halo on full blast in the middle of the night, and leave the same DVDs playing on repeat for days.

Eventually, enough people complained to the landlady that she gave him the boot.

I did a dance of joy in my living room that day. 🙂

Sweet, sour or savory?
Sweet.

Then sour.

No too savory, for the moment, because the thought of savory food makes my tummy turn (I’ve been trying to get over a stomach bug).

Has anyone ever read your diary?
Yeah, my mom.

When I was five my mom took me to a Hallmark store because I wanted to get a journal, so I picked out a cute one with a unicorn on the front that said, “Secrets, Dreams and Happenings.” 🙂

I wrote with abandon for weeks! Nothing too exciting, though, just your typical five-year-old kid stuff like “My brother stole my toy and I’m really mad!” and “I played outside today and had fun!”

But I thought it was the coolest thing in the world until my mom made me show it to her one day…

After that happened, I didn’t want to write in it anymore. I just didn’t feel like it was mine. Plus, I was afraid she’d read whatever I wrote and I’d get in trouble.

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

1. Your favorite frozen treat?
2. How are you with DIY home projects?
3. Have you ever had to live next to noisy neighbors?
4. Sweet, sour or savory?
5. Has anyone ever read your diary?

Hello, friend! Greetings from the headquarters of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC.

I think your nephew/my kitty boss/micromanager extraordinaire currently feels the need to supervise my activities closely, because he’s sitting next to my desk in a patch of sunlight and watching me.

I’d like to think that he’s feeling extra lovie-dovie…but he probably just wants food.

I hope you had a good weekend. Believe it or not, the highlight of mine was looking for pillows, LOL!

I know that sounds weird, but I’m very picky about my pillows, and I need a new one because I’ve been sleeping on my side a lot lately. My lower back’s been super wonky, and sleeping on my side feels a little better. If you have any pillow recommendations for side-sleepers, holla! Please let me know.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 357

August 2nd, 2015 by Karen 8 Comments

My darlings,

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes… Yes, kitty models read! My life is not just quick quips on social media. I also love getting lost in the pages of a good book, and here are 15 of my very favorite reads — all of them highly recommended for both cats and professional pet assistants.

1. National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America ($19, amazon.com)

Because I’ve always enjoyed locally sourced food. This field guide is a must for any serious feline chef.

I suppose you could also use it for birding too.

2. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life ($9.72, amazon.com)

Speaking of birds, I reread this book at least once a year. Yes, it’s that good. It’s filled with lots of practical advice for writers and will make you laugh along the way.

It’s a classic in the writing genre, and it really helped me get through my memoirs. I particularly like the advice on not self-editing while you write your first draft.

3. Chanel: Collections and Creations ($32.47, amazon.com)

I turn to this book whenever I need inspiration. It’s filled with lovely, luxuriant pictures on every aspect of Chanel — clothes, jewelry, accessories, makeup, fragrance — from throughout the brand’s storied history.

I always keep it on my coffee table next to a bowl of Feline Greenies.

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

August 1st, 2015 by Karen 415 Comments

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

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! My goodness, it’s Caturday. 🙂

How’s it going this morning? Tabs, El Hub and I are chugging along, purr usual, although there are some nasty wildfires out here in Northern California. There’s smoke all across the horizon. The closest one of the big fires is less than an hour away near Lake Berryessa, and that one has us a little nervous.

Did you do anything fun last night? We went to see that movie, the new Mission Impossible, and uh…Tom Cruise does not look his age. I don’t know if it’s all movie magic or just clean livin’, but yeah, I’ll have what he’s having, LOL!

Good movie though. Lots of action and car chases and stuff, of course. Exactly what you expect in a Mission Impossible.

After that we just came home, and I sort of passed out. I think it was only about 9:30 (!). I don’t know why, but I’ve been more tired than usual lately… I must be taking lessons from Tabs.

Have a good weekend, OK? Give yourself a hug from me. I’ll talk to you soon, and good luck in the giveaway.

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:
- Do you know anyone who sleepwalks?
- Do you have any chronically dry patches on your skin?
- Stew, ceviche or jambalaya?
- Have you ever jumped on a giant trampoline?
- What are your current favorite accessories?
- What’s a good idea for a new MAC collection?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, August 3, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Kisses for You From the MAC Veluxe a Trois Collection Lipsticks and Cremesheen Glasses

July 31st, 2015 by Karen 17 Comments

Three, or trois, as my high school French teacher Madame Sonsteng would say en Francais, is the magic number for the MAC Veluxe A Trois collection, and you gotta say it all slow motion and stretched out like, “twaaaahhhhhhhh.” Veluxe a twaaaahhhhhhh!

Technically, the collection doesn’t arrive on counters or in stores till August 13, but it’s already available online.

We took a look at the eye products in the release a little while back, but you know how it is with MAC… There’s a new collection out every 3.5 seconds, so here’s a quick refresher.

The collection is coming to stores and counters soon, but you have to please do me a favor now and read this list out loud like a robot (because it’s just more fun that way). 🙂

The MAC Veluxe A Trois collection includes…

6 new Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow Trios ($25 each)
6 Lipsticks ($16 each)
4 Cremesheen Glasses ($20 each)
2 Haute & Naughty Mascaras ($22 each)
247 Flat Shader Brush ($25)

The stars of the show, obviously, are the new Veluxe Pearlfusion Trios, but the Lipsticks and Cremesheen Glasses are interesting, too. I’m looking forward to wearing a number of them this fall in looks. Check it…

mac veluxe a trois lipsticks — MAC Veluxe a Trois Lipsticks from the left in Cremesheen Lipstick in How Tropical, Cremesheen Lipstick in Pillow Talk, mplified Lipstick in Royally Riotous, Cremsheen Lipstick in Flowerscope, Cremesheen Lipstick in Quelle Surprise and Cremesheen Lipstick Heux

mac veluxe a trois cremesheens — MAC Cremesheens from the top to the bottom: Softly Lit, Richyly Revered and Dark Outsider (not pictured, Loud & Lovely)

mac flowerscope — MAC Cremsheen Lipstick in Flowerscope

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The MAC Electric Cool Collection Plugs Into Maximum Color and High Voltage Frost

July 31st, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

These new $22 MAC Electric Cool Eye Shadows are electric!

But no…not literally electric. You do not have to plug them in, nor will you experience a jolt if you touch one of the springy, soft pans with your finger, but wouldn’t that be weird if it actually happened?

Oddly, I can see it being a thing someday in the not-too-distant future — women paying good money to get mildly electrocuted by their eyeshadow — because, I mean, people already pay to put snail slime on their faces, so getting zapped by an eyeshadow isn’t much of a jump.

In this case, though, by “electric,” I’m referring to intense pigment and frost; in other words, a whole lotta fun. 🙂

You might remember this family of shadows from A Novel Romance last year, within which were eight Electric Cool Eye Shadows (a few of which reappear here), and I guess MAC deemed them worthy of a comeback, because they’re back in their own 16-piece limited edition collection, and it’s available now on the MAC website and coming to MAC stores and counters August 6 through September 17.

So, watt (get it?) are they?

Sorry. Couldn’t help it. 🙂

Much like Chanel’s Illusion D’Ombre cream shadows, they have a soft, springy texture, and when you press down on them, they actually bounce back! The formula isn’t quite a cream or a powder; it’s something in between.

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Would You Rock a Fringed Purse?

July 31st, 2015 by Karen 15 Comments

urban originals project fringe bag — Urban Originals Project Crazyheart Fringe Purse ($88, available now at Nordstrom)

A fringed purse, as in a purse with fringe, as opposed to a purse living on the outskirts of society…

Get it? Fringe?

OK, that was pretty dumb, but you know you laughed! 🙂

So, I’m totally down with bags that have a little extra something-something, like an embellishment here or an accoutrement there, especially if they’re a more-is-more type of bag.

What I like about these bags I saw at Nordstrom the other day is how they move…where the fringe sways like a pony’s mane when you strut down the street. I kinda love that.

sole society fringe bag — Sole Society Faux Leather Fringe Hobo ($64.95, also at Nordstrom)

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