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

Glowing Peaches, $10.47 Each: The Revlon Highlighting Palette in Peach Glow

September 15th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I’d kind of freak if I walked by a peach tree with glowing fruit, but Revlon’s Highlighting Palette in Peach Glow is still, hands down, one of my favorite drugstore products right meow.

Like its sister, Revlon’s Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow, you can work it as a blush, a highlighter or an eyeshadow.

But because of that brown in the center, Peach Glow can also serve as an improv bronzer, too.

You know, in a pinch.

Probably my favorite way to wear it, though, is the most traditional. Swirling all of the shades together, and applying that as a highlighter, for a bevy of glowing, buttery golden peachy goodness!

Ah…

Using it that way, all mixed together, I think it looks a lot like one of my favorite high-end highlighting powders, the Ambient Lighting Powder in Radiant Light by Hourglass, with the biggest difference between the two being their finishes (and price). I think Revlon’s is slightly shinier than Radiant Light…and maybe more obvious, or less nuanced.

Radiant Light also has tiny flecks of golden glitter in it, and Peach Glow doesn’t (a minor thing considering the big difference in price; Peach glow costs $10.47, while Radiant Light costs $45).

Revlon-wise, if you’re a darker diva and/or have a warmer skin tone, I’d suggest Peach Glow, and if you’re a lighter lass, Rose Glow would be the way to go.

The Revlon Highlighting Palettes in Peach Glow and Rose Glow are available now at drugstores, Ulta and online.

Glide Through Your Days and Nights With Nine New Colors and Plenty of Perversion in the Urban Decay Ten 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set

September 15th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

I’m a big fan of Perversion.

I like to get it on…my water and/or lash lines. I’m always down for that action. Oh, yeah…

I appreciate that Urban Decay included a full-size Perversion Glide-On Eye Pencil in their new $52 Ten 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set ’cause really — a girl can never have too many jet-black pencil liners. Still, I think it might’ve been cooler if they’d swapped it out for a new color.

Nine of the 10 long-lasting, smooth pencils in the limited edition kit are minis in new shades, while Perversion, the solitary full-size pencil in the set, has been around the block a few times, if you know what I’m sayin’. 😉

With the minis being new shades, I wonder why UD didn’t go all out with new shades for the entire set, but I digress…

Taupe plays a major role here, so if you like earth tones and grayish browns in matte or shimmery finishes, whee! — you’ll have a great time. I know I did with Smokeout, the satiny blackish taupe, which I’m wearing below.

I’m hoping, and crossing my fingers, toes and eyes, that UD releases a full-size version of Smokeout soon. I see some serious Unsung Hero potential there.

Color junkies, don’t despair about the taupe. The set also includes a nice mix of blues and purple, and even a shot of gold, giving those who aren’t totally Team Taupe room to play.

Urban Decay Ten Swatches from the left: Perversion, Glitter Rock, Moonspoon, Vacancy and Faint — Swatches from the left: Perversion, Glitter Rock, Moonspoon, Vacancy and Faint

Urban Decay Ten Swatches from the left: Gonzo, Smokeout, Mugshot, Stargazer and Voodoo — Gonzo, Smokeout, Mugshot, Stargazer and Voodoo

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 338

September 15th, 2014 by Karen 35 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.

Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
When Tabs isn’t running my life like a little dictator, my sweet tooth is.

I have noticed, though, that over the past few years some of the sweet things I used to ravenously crave, like Reese’s Pieces and Ghirardelli milk chocolate, don’t light my fire the way they used to. Now they taste almost too sweet for me.

I think I’m gradually turning into one of those peeps (mmm…peeps) who likes a little salt with her sweets.

Who’s been doing your brows these days?
To quote De La Soul, “It’s just me myself and I.”

What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
Surprisingly, for once, it had nothing at all to do with capri pants, haha.

We talked about books. She just finished rereading The Great Gatsby (she’s on a classics kick), and I’m in the middle of Daughter of Smoke and Bone and loving every minute of it.

This week I give myself permission to _____.
This week I give myself permission to take it easy because, note to self, not everything has to be difficult, Karen!

Have you ever fostered an animal?
No, not yet. I’d love to. I can definitely see myself fostering kitties someday, but my current employment contract stipulates that I not take on any additional jobs assisting other felines while I’m employed by Tabs… He’s spoiled and ferociously territorial. I’d be worried about bringing any other cats into this office environment.

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

1. Do you prefer spicy, salty or sweet?
2. Who’s been doing your brows these days?
3. What was the last topic you and your BFF talked or texted about?
4. This week,I give myself permission to _____
5. Have you ever fostered an animal?

So, I’ve been on a Karl Lagerfeld quote kick lately (blame it on the sweatpants!), and the more of them I read, the more I’m convinced that hanging out with him would be simultaneously terrifying and fun.

Homeboy says some crazy sh*t! Some of it is just so ridiculous that I can’t help but laugh.

“When I was four I asked my mother for a valet for my birthday.”

But he also says some things that resonate with me…

“I’m never content with what I do. I live in a sort of permanent dissatisfaction. I think that’s the secret to doing things well.”

I don’t know about it being the secret to doing things well, but I can relate to the part about never being content with what I do.

Freakin’ Karl… I’d love to have coffee with him someday. I think a conversation with him would be wonderfully weird and inspiring.

And speaking of inspiration (and lame transitions, yes), here are some things I’ve been liking lately…

Celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder’s YouTube vids. I watched a bunch of them on the treadmill last Friday during my long run for the week. She’s worked with Megan Fox, Rosie Huntington-Whitley and Jessica Alba, among others. Her vids are really easy to follow, and I love her accent (although I’m not sure what it is).
Butter London makeup artist and manicurist Katie Jane Hughes on Instagram. I dig her FOTDs. Her style is accessible with a bit of an edge.
These cat eye glasses by Vogue Eyewear. I need new specs and am totally lusting over these frames. What do you think — black or brown?

I hope you have a wonderful Monday, babe, and a great week. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 313

September 14th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

This post is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan #proplancatpartner. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

It sucks when you don’t get any downtime.

Forty-five minutes after his paw stepped off the catwalk at New York Fashion Week last Thursday, Tabs was on a flight from JFK bound for Kansas.

It’s because I booked him for back-to-back kitty modeling jobs immediately after New York, even though I didn’t think it was a good idea at all. I thought he’d need some rest after walking in so many shows, but he insisted, and whatever tabby wants, tabby gets.

The Kansas job was an historic first for us — an on-location shoot for a brand new line of eyeshadow duos made by Tabs. So he was both the model and the client.

It worked out great. They did the shoot in a corn field and hired a local turkey actor. I couldn’t believe they actually found a turkey who could model, but Tabs said the bird had skills…

And then right after the Kansas shoot, Tabs took the redeye to Los Angeles, where he had a couple of meetings and worked on four more kitty modeling jobs.

He only got back from L.A. this morning, and now he’s upstairs in the sink taking a nap.

If you’re interested, here are the kitty modeling campaigns Tabs worked on… 🙂

Tabs for the new Awesome Air Cat Eyeshadow Trio — Tabs for the new Awesome Air Eyeshadow Trio in Sunrise

New Fall Favorites Cat Eyeshadow Duos in Turkey and Chicken — Tabs for the new Fall Favorites Cat Eyeshadow Duos in Turkey and Chicken

Tabs for Determination, a new fragrance for cats

[Continue reading…]

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

September 13th, 2014 by Karen 310 Comments

Shoot.

I just realized that I missed out on a free bear claw…

The last time I went to Panera Bread they said I’d earned one through their membership thingy program, but I had to use it by the ninth. I didn’t want it then because I was there for lunch, and it was noon. Now I’m too late…

See, there’s an important life lesson there. Never look a gift bear claw in the mouth. No matter what time it is, no matter if you want it or not, don’t wait. You take that bear claw, and you eat that bear claw, you hear me? 🙂

LOL!

In other news, happy caturday! Rise and shine, pal o’ mine. I hope you got a good night’s sleep. I slept pretty well, considering the scary movie I watched last night. (A sci-fi horror thriller called The Machine on Netflix. Brace yourself for the opening scene. That’s all I’m saying.)

Purr usual, I haven’t figured out what I’m doing yet today… I know that we definitely need some groceries (we’re down to carrots, soy milk and instant decaf coffee, blech!), so probably Trader Joe’s right away. After that, we’ll see.

Good luck in the giveaway, babe, and have a wonderful day. 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:
- What’s your favorite Asian makeup brand?
- Has anyone ever sketched or painted a picture of you?
- Raw cookie dough: yea or nay?
- Does your cat have a cute meow?
- Are you currently happy with the state of your brows?
- Do you have a crush on anyone at school or work?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

NARCISO Eau de Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

September 12th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

NARCISO Eau de Parfum by Narciso Rodriguez

For reasons I don’t understand but am not totally surprised by, I keep calling this new fragrance by designer Narciso Rodriguez, “NAR-SISCO,” as in the Thong Song Sisqo.

Don’t know why…since it’s about a million degrees of separation from shaking butts in booty floss, but sometimes things happen that we aren’t meant to understand. 🙂

I’ve been wearing it all week long (the eau de parfum, not the booty floss), even though its cedar, amber and musk notes make it seem a little warm for the late summer heat wave we’ve been having, and the gardenia and Bulgarian rose notes give it another level of creaminess that would probably make the scent better suited for chunky knit sweaters and knee-high boots. A splash of vetiver keeps it from being too hot and heavy, though, which is nice.

You can find NARCISO Eau de Parfum ($95 for a 1.6-oz. bottle and $112 for a 3-oz. bottle), Scented Body Lotion ($54 for a 6.7-oz. bottle) and Musc Oil Parfum ($155 for 1.6-oz.) now exclusively at Bloomingdale’s stores and online.

Giving Mortals Angelic Skin: The It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance Palette

September 12th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

Radiant…

That’s a word that gets used a lot in beauty circles, isn’t it?

“Her skin was so radiant that one could read by it!” It’s like, naw, forget the candles. Just bring that girl with the radiant skin over here, badum-bum! 🙂

Speaking of radiance (how’s that for a lazy girl segue)…I’m kind of lovin’ the CC+ Radiance Palette by It Cosmetics ($38). The bronzer, blush and highlighter make me feel fresh-faced and bright.

Must be the finishes. They all have a little sheen to ’em, which adds a soft glow to the skin.

Oh, and the wear time? Exceptional. If Tabs refrains from rubbing his forehead all over my face, I get around 10-11 hours of great color from them.

In the pic below I’m wearing the blush and bronzer (the highlighter I’m wearing is the new Aura by Urban Decay — review coming soon).

You can find It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance now at Ulta stores and online.

In Vice3, Urban Decay Clutches to Its Vices With 20 New Eyeshadows

September 12th, 2014 by Karen 26 Comments

Vice, thrice. Nice!

I enjoy humming the Miami Vice theme song to myself when I use the new Urban Decay Vice3 Palette ($60).

Duun-dah-dun, dah-dahdun dah-dah-dahda-dun.

Dahdun-dahdun-dun-dun-dun, dahda-dun-dahdun-dahdun-dun-dun-dun…

Why?

Because I can. 🙂

But that’s just one of many reasons to break into song while using this palette, with another being the included cute matchy-matchy clutch.

(In some circles, I go by the nickname “Clutch Collector,” or “Hoarder of Bags,” or “Lover of Anything She Can Stuff Gel Pens and Cat Treats Into…That Still Zips Up.”)

Urban Decay Vice3 packaging — The latest in Vice from Urban Decay…

The new case is one of several tweaks Urban Decay made to Vice3, the new followup to their popular Vice and Vice2 palettes. The brand also trimmed it down, making it slimmer and easier to travel with (this Vice is goin’ places!); raised the price by a taco (that’s $1 in layman’s terms); changed the layout; and included 20 new eyeshadow shades.

[Continue reading…]