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

Get Gorgeous Gradients In No Time With New Giorgio Armani Liquid Eye Tint

January 26th, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

Wearing Giorgio Armani Eye Tints in 06 Green Iron (lids) and 01 Obsidian (lash lines) on my eyes, Milani Powder Blush in Coral Cove on my cheeks and Chanel Rouge Allure in Insaisissable on my lips — Eyes, courtesy of the new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints in 06 Green Iron (my lids) and 01 Obsidian (lash lines)

There is not a tough row to hoe when it comes to ramping up and using these new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints to create hazy, smoked-out eye looks.

They’re perfect for beginners, and/or lazy people (like moi!), and/or anyone hell bent on rocking a “smoky eye ’til I die” lifestyle. You can get a beautifully buffed cloud of hazy fog around your eyes without having to use a zillion eyeshadows.

Of course, feel free to use a zillion eyeshadows on your lids whenever you want (lord knows I do), but sometimes it’s just nice to know you don’t have to. With these, you can do simplified versions of your favorite foggy eye looks with gorgeous gradients in less time than it takes to get to the front of the line at Starbucks, order a delicious drink covered in caramel and whipped cream, and wink at the barista. 😉

Five of the 12 Giorgio Armani Eye Tints, from the left: 01 Obsidian, 02 Minuit, 05 Onyx, 06 Green Iron and 10 Senso ($38 each) — Five of the 12 Giorgio Armani Eye Tints, from the left in 01 Obsidian, 02 Minuit, 05 Onyx, 06 Green Iron and 10 Senso ($38 each)

Despite the way these look in their tubes, they are not lipglosses (although I can totally see myself pulling one out of my purse at the movies in the dark). They’re actually a brand new line of water-based liquid eyeshadows that can also be used as liners. Interestingly, the formula feels like a cream (they’re thicker than Josie Maran’s Coconut Watercolor Eyeshadows) but dries to a powder finish.

The lightweight, non-sticky formula is supposed to last 16 hours without smudging…

Truth be told, I do not want to be wearing these or any eyeshadows for 16 hours, because that would mean I’m having a very, very long day. I have worn them for stretches of eight hours, though, and yes, they stayed put without scooting around or settling into the crease…but I had to be very careful. The slightest touch lifts them right off your lids.

As for the coverage, it’s quite versatile. For instance, you can easily do a solid block of opaque color using one as a liner, or sheer one out and do a smokey eye.

A few ways to use the new Giorgio Armani Eye Tints…

As eyeliners! Just trace your lash line with the tip of the applicator, and then smudge out the edges with an angled brush.
As straight-up eyeshadows. Smear a bit on your lids, then smoke out the edges with a blending brush.
As a base, upon which you can layer other schtuff.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 357

January 26th, 2015 by Karen 31 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for January 26, 2015

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.

What’s the most unusual thing in your handbag right now?
Several bags of organic Throat Coat tea.

And I’m not just talking about two bags. I’m talking about seven or eight, and I have no idea why they’re in there or how they got there.

They’re all Throat Coat, too, which is weird.

Oh, and there’s also a pair of dirty underwear…

Wait! Let me explain (I assure you, there’s a completely logical explanation).

It’s because yesterday I put on a pair of skinny jeans that I’d worn earlier in the week. (Whatever, I didn’t want to wash ’em. Don’t judge.) So I put them on, and we were in a hurry because we were going to Cheesecake Factory for lunch, so I’m like, doop-da-doo, I’ll just put on these skinny jeans…

We left the house, drove about 20 minutes to the restaurant, and then we sat down at our table at Cheesecake Factory, I put my napkin down, my hands in my lap, and I felt a weird lump in my left thigh…

Yeah, it was the underwear I’d previously worn with those jeans.

Has that ever happened to anyone else? Anyone??

What qualities have you been looking for in your lip products lately (moisturizing, long wearing, etc.)?
It’s winter here in the U.S., and even though it doesn’t get too cold where I live in Northern California, my lips get super dry, so anything I wear this time of year has to be very moisturizing and very comfortable. Another big plus for me is build-ability and whether I can build the product up if I feel like wearing something bright or sheer it down if I want to wear it like a stain.

What’s a food you’ve come across that you absolutely, positively could not eat?
In local Hawaii-style parlance, it’s called tako poke. It’s a kind of octopus salad, and El Hub loves the stuff. He will eat it from dawn till dusk, but I can’t… I mean, I tried to once, and I came very close to almost getting it in my mouth, but then I saw the little tentacles — uh! I couldn’t do it.

Reading or hearing spoilers before you watch a movie, see a show or read a book?
No spoilers please. I would rather not know what I’m getting into, but my friend Cindy, for her it’s not a big deal.

Now, if I happen to accidentally read a spoiler, it doesn’t completely irritate me, but I try my best to not know what’s going to happen. I like to be surprised.

What was the last beauty product you touched before filling out today’s Monday Poll?
I think it was deodorant. 🙂

It was deodorant, because I just finished running, and I couldn’t even stand the scent of myself, so I put on some deodorant.

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

1. What’s the most unusual thing in your handbag right now?
2. What qualities have you been looking for in your lip products lately (moisturizing, long wearing, etc.)?
3. What’s a food you’ve come across that you absolutely, positively could not eat?
4. Reading or hearing spoilers before you watch a movie, see a show or read a book?
5. What was the last beauty product you touched before filling out today’s Monday Poll?

Hello, my friend! Deep breaths. It’s Monday, but that doesn’t mean we have to be all stressed out about it. My goal this week is to be a mirror…

I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Let me kind of explain — whatever you project outward will reflect back at you, so this week I want to have calm and joyful energy, so that Tabs will hopefully reflect calm and joyful energy right back at me (I doubt this will happen).

Here’s to having a wonderful week! I hope something cool happens to you today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 331

January 25th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

NOVATO, Calif. — This week in an interview with Feline E-News, kitty supermodel Tabs the cat, also known as the Heidi Klum of Project Runway: Novato, discussed his new low-carb wet food lifestyle.

“I want to continue contributing to the world of kitty modeling in my golden years,” says Tabs, “and my personal veterinarian says that a low-carb, high-protein carnivorous lifestyle will keep me sharp.”

According to Tabs, he offered to do all of the hunting himself, but his creative team advised against it due to the demands on his time.

“I’m focussing on wet food,” he says, “and it’s been an easy transition from kibble, although I do miss my crunchy snacks. I feel better though. I haven’t felt this good since I went to Brazil to train with the Gracies [Tabs has a black belt in jiu-jitsu].”

If this week’s crop of kitty modeling pics are any indication, the early results are looking good. 🙂

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7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

January 24th, 2015 by Karen 377 Comments

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. Happy caturday. 🙂 Right now I’m watching a small bird hop up and down on a branch on the old oak tree outside my window and listening to it chirp. It sounds like she’s saying, “Hey, everyone! This branch here is the best! You gotta check it out!”

This week sure went by fast… I can’t believe it’s already Saturday. I hope you did something fun last night. I made a kick-@ss TJ’s frozen veggie pizza (added some extra artichoke hearts, tomatoes and broccoli) and rented a Liam Neeson movie (A Walk Among the Tombstones; wasn’t bad).

Now I’m gonna hop on the treadmill, and then? I don’t know what we’ll do today. Maybe drive into the city because it’s supposed to be pretty warm. There’s an awesome crab place at Pier 39 I’ve been thinking/dreaming about.

Good luck in the giveaway. Talk to you soon.

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

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget 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:
- Close your eyes and tell me about everything you hear and smell…
- What’s the coolest thing you did all week?
- Who makes the best French fries?
- How often do you iron your clothes?
- Something on your nightstand right now?
- Prettiest perfume bottle?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, January 26, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How to Build Your Courage for Crimson Lips

January 23rd, 2015 by Karen 25 Comments

5 tips to build your courage for crimson lips — Don’t be scurred!

Dude! Valentine’s Day? I know it’s hella commercial and cheesy, but I don’t even care. Chocolate, love and baby cherubs? You can’t go wrong with that. Plus, crimson lips? If there’s a day to go crazy with crimson, it’s gotta be V-Day.

But what if you’re scared to wear really red lips? What if you like the idea of going full-tilt Gwen Stefani, but you’re too terrified to try?

These five baby steps will build your courage for crimson lips. Remember, Drake was on Degrassi Jr. High once upon a time. Everybody’s gotta start somewhere.

1. Keep calm, and start with a red lip tint or balm

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Cherry — Wearing Fresh Sugar Lip Tint in Cherry ($22.50)

Before going all the way with opaque red lips, you can take a baby step with a tint.

Red balms and tints are like crimson kitten heels, and years from now, when you’re strutting around town in the red lipstick version of 5-inch stilettos, you’ll think back to your starter balms…

When you wear a red balm or a tint, you’ll get a sense of what it’s like to wear red on your lips without the full-on shock of something opaque like MAC Ruby Woo.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments — Ease your way into red with something like Fresh Sugar Lip in Cherry (pictured in the center)

And that shock at seeing yourself in red lipstick for the first time is a legitimate thing. The first time I wore red (I think it was in high school, which would place it in the early Cretaceous Period), I didn’t recognize the person staring back at me in the mirror. A red lip balm reduces that risk.

Some tints/balms to try…

Fresh makes a great one called Sugar Lip Tint in Cherry ($22.50). Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Red Dahlia is also gorgeous (and affordable at $6.99).

2. Shine with a sheer red gloss

NYX Butter Gloss Cherry Pie — Wearing NYX Cherry Pie

If you’re more of a gloss girl, you could skip the balm, and go for a sheer red gloss instead. It’s the same idea of easing your way into red with a baby step.

Look for a sheer red gloss that lets most of your natural lip color through. That way you won’t have to worry about the gloss migrating outside your natural lip line.

Check out Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Taylor ($19) or NYX Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie ($4.99).

3. Text a friend

Think of her as your makeup training buddy. Here’s the scenario: you’re visiting a makeup counter and trying to choose your sheer red gloss, but you can’t decide. Do you go with a sheer blue-based gloss or a warm-toned yellowish red? Sparkles or no sparkles?

Gah! These decisions are tough. 🙂

If all of the reds start to look the same, swatch the top contenders on your arm or the back of your hand, then take a quick pic with your phone.

Text it to a friend who (hopefully) knows a little bit about makeup, and ask her which shade she likes best for you, because it never hurts to have a second opinion.
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NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder: I Got 99 Problems But This Powder Ain’t One

January 23rd, 2015 by Karen 18 Comments

These days, my pores run the show. They drive the car. They’re the CEOs of my face, and every face-related product I use, from foundation to primer and powder, like the one I’m wearing here, new NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder, has to keep the CEOs happy.

And $36 NARS Soft Velvet does.

What is it exactly?

Honestly, it’s a loose powder. It does not exist to bring about world peace, but it will, however, set your foundation and concealer (and it does so without appearing thick or heavy), blur those pores (yea!), smooth the texture of your skin, and soak up that pesky oil patch in the middle of your forehead. You can wear it all by itself on bare skin, or on top of other products.

My skin always gets dry this time of year, so this isn’t the best time for me to assess an oil-controlling product, but I’m guessing that if I were in one of my oily skin phases, like when I could fry egg rolls with the grease on my forehead (throughout my teens and early 20s), this would have laid a decent smack-down, although it probably wouldn’t have gone home with the championship belt.

Before NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder

The before shot: Wearing NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation on my face — The before shot: Wearing NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, but without powder.

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5 Fine Ways to Introduce a Little Chanel Spring Into Your Step

January 23rd, 2015 by Karen 38 Comments

Clockwise from the upper left: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise, Jardin de Chanel Blush Camerlia Rose, Chanel No. 19 Poudre and Les 4 Ombres Mluti-Effect Quara Eyeshadow in in Tisse Rivoli — Clockwise from the upper left: Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise, Jardin de Chanel Blush Camerlia Rose, Chanel No. 19 Poudre and Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quara Eyeshadow in Tisse Rivoli

At any given second of any given day you’re likely to find at least one or two pieces of Chanel in my makeup bag.

What can I say? I worship at the altar of the double CCs.

Chanel is always (always) a good idea, and to that end, here are five fine ways to introduce a little Chanel into your life this spring.

1. Chanel Jardin de Chanel Blush Camelia Rose ($55)

Let’s be real. The last thing on this earth I needed was to fall in love with another pricey Chanel blush, but I have. The flower pattern on the pan always brings a smile to my face (and it isn’t just brushed away after the first few swipes).

Technically, it’s a pinkish peachy mauve with a dash of plum and a finish somewhere in the heavenly ether between matte and satin. Un-technically, it’s like blasting Taylor Swift and dancing around your room first thing in the morning. 🙂

This is one of those Chanel blushes that I’m sure I’ll remember years from now and think of fondly with a sparkle in my eye…

Wearing Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tisse Rivoli on my eyes, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Longn-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise on my lash lines, Chanel Jardin de Chanel BLush Camelia Rose on my cheeks and Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque on my lips — Wearing Chanel Les 4 Ombres in Tisse Rivoli on my eyes, Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ardoise on my lash lines, Chanel Jardin de Chanel BLush Camelia Rose on my cheeks and Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque on my lips

Availability: Limited edition, and available now at Chanel counters and online at chanel.com.

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Romanesque ($35)

In The World According to K-Dawg (publication date: soon), hot pink lips are always a good idea, and La Romanesque is a fresh take on the concept.

While in tune with the current matte lipstick revival, it has a velvety matte finish, so it isn’t as flat as most mattes. It has the faintest whisper of shine, which makes it kinder and more approachable.

Whenever I wear it, I like to blur the edges. First, I’ll apply it directly from the tube, smack my lips a few times to disperse the color, then I’ll push it out to the edges of my lips with a lip brush, and pat a few times with a finger for a casual, barely-there edge, effortless and ladylike.

Availability: Permanent, and currently being re-promoted as part of the Chanel Spring 2015 Reverie Parisienne collection. Available now at Chanel counters and online.

3. Chanel Quadra Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow in Tissé Rivoli ($61)

A satin finish and a dash of plum spice up Tissé Rivoli’s shimmery golden taupes.

Whenever I wear this quad, which is one of the permanent collection quads in the recently revamped baked eyeshadow fam, on my lids, I’m sure I have a little extra spring in my step.

I think it’s one of the most universally flattering Chanel quads, and its mix of shimmery golden taupes and plums suit a wide range of skin tones because they aren’t excessively cool-toned or warm, so I have free rein over the cheek and lip colors I wear them with.

I like to do a soft wash of color with one of the lighter shades and mix one the darker or mid-toned shades for a hazy, smokey eye.

If you’re tired of the pastels that typically dominate shelves for spring, try Tissé Rivoli.

No rush though. It’s in the permanent collection, so it isn’t going anywhere.

Availability: Permanent, and available now at Chanel counters and online.

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NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation Is a Lightweight, Long-Lasting Jill-of-All-Trades

January 22nd, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation costs $48, and with a $48 foundation, you basically want that scene from When Harry Met Sally. Like, you want to feel that way when you use a $48 foundation, and then you want the lady next to you to say, “I’ll have the foundation she’s having.”

I mean, I wouldn’t actually pretend to have a big O in the middle of Sephora or anything, because hello! — we live in a digital age of smartphones and video, and knowing my luck, I’d blurt out “It feels like I’m hardly wearing anything at all! Yes, yes, YES!!! It’s so natural looking on my skin!” inevitably, some pervert would be filming me, and it would get around on the Interwebz, and my mother would see it…

The way NARS describes this foundation, you’d think you’re reading about the invention of time travel in Scientific American. With new “Even Tone Technology,” one drop/pump is supposed to deliver 16 hours of weightless, oil-free full coverage, and with long term use, it’s also supposed to make skin tone appear more even.

It’s an all-encompassing Jill-of-All-Trades foundation without SPF (meaning that it shouldn’t produce a white cast in pictures with a flash), and it’s available in 20 shades.

So, how well does it really work?

Pretty well. It’s not the CERN of foundations or anything, and the claim to offer full coverage from a single pump seems like a stretch to me, but you can build it up for more coverage (with a caveat, which I’ll get to in a minute).

I’d say it has one foot in the medium-coverage pool, and the other foot in the full-coverage pool. Of course, “full coverage” is open to interpretation, and one person’s full coverage is another person’s medium. My definition might be skewed by Laura Mercier’s Flawless Fluide, one drop of which covers every. Single. Thing on my face.

One pump of NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation gets rid of any redness around my nose, cheeks and forehead while unifying the skin tone all over my face, but I still have to do some spot concealing on the freckles around my eyes, and I can still see the patch of skin above my upper lip that appears gray on camera unless it’s fully covered.

You can build the foundation up for fuller coverage by using more product, but then that interferes with its natural-looking mojo…

Being a curious kitty with an inquisitive nature, I’ve tested this in a number of ways — atop one primer, atop two primers (which is what I usually do with Laura’a Flawless Fluide), by itself, with a powder on top, applied with my fingers, applied with a Beautyblender, applied with a foundation brush, and at the end of the day, the simplest way works best. Just the product all by itself applied with fingers on bare skin (well, bare skin prepped with my skin care). That’s it.

Before NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Stromboli…

Before applying NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in Stromboli

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