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MAC The Simpsons Collection: Coming Soon to the Springfield and Shelbyville Malls

August 21st, 2014 by Karen 45 Comments

MAC Simpsons Collection
Wearing the new MAC The Simpsons Collection while on vacation in Springfield

“Excellent…” she said maniacally, her fingers steepled in front of her, Mr. Burns-style.

The Simpsons! 🙂

Twenty-five years and still “doh!”-ing strong (LOL! Ooh, bad pun.)

You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later — that MAC would eventually collaborate with Team Springfield. It was just a matter of time before MAC would accumulate the requisite amount of bright pigments for the products and packaging. I mean, seriously — that red, yellow and blue, and the lacquered black edges? It’s so very MAC!

I should say here before we really get into this that I’m a kid at heart and a lifelong cartoon and comics fan, so I’m a sucker for silly things and makeup that doesn’t take itself too seriously (or really anything that doesn’t take itself too seriously).

To quote the great Bart Simpson, “Don’t have a cow, man, it’s makeup!”

OK, well, I added that last part…

MAC Simpsons Collection
MAC The Simpsons Collection

I can see how this particular collaborative pairing may have worried fervent MAC fiends, considering the preponderance of primary colors like bright yellow and blue in The Simpsons. I wondered if the makeup colors were going to look too cartoony or costume. Who knew, right? I swore I’d seen packaging like this at Party City next to the sexy clown costume.

Well, fear not, fabulous reader, because this collection does not channel The Simpsons literally. It’s whimsical, yes, but it’s also bold and pretty. While trying everything on, I had many more “Ooh!” moments than “Eww…”

MAC Simpsons Collection
MAC The Simpsons Collection

MAC That Trillion Dollar Look Quad

Take That Trillion Dollar Look, the green quad, and one of two quads in the collection (my favorite one!), for instance.

Hello, how am I supposed to say no to a bright lime green eyeshadow? Answer me that. How?

Talk about fun, especially if you dig that classic MAC girl look.

You know the one I’m talking about — the bold eyes with a dash of drag queen fabulousness.

The shadows in That Trillion Dollar Look are all rich, intense and shimmery. In other words, catwalk ready.

MAC Simpsons That Trillion Dollar Look Quad on my lids, Powder Blush in Sideshow You on my cheeks and Lipglass in Grand Pumpkin on my lips
Wearing that Trillion Dollar Look Quad on my lids, 7 Lash on my upper lashes, Powder Blush in Sideshow You on my cheeks and Lipglass in Grand Pumpkin on my lips

Pop a pair of spiky 7 Lashes (a re-promote from the permanent line decked out in special Springfield packaging) on your eyes and don MAC black from head to toe, and you’ll fit right in with the makeup artists at your favorite MAC counter.

MAC Powder Blush in Sideshow You

That Trillion Dollar Look Quad, by the way, looks awfully epic with Sideshow You, the satin light peachy coral Powder Blush.

I think the greens in the quad go really well with the peachy coral. Plus, there’s something about this blush that simulates a youthful flush. I swear, when I wear this, I look like a wee lass of 29. I wore it out to dinner with a girlfriend this week, and the waitress actually carded me. 🙂

So pigmented, this blush, so use a delicate hand.

If Sideshow You catches your eye, remember this date: September 4. That’s when the collection launches in stores and online, and Sideshow You is an online exclusive.

Mmm...doughnut

MAC Lipglass in Grand Pumpkin

While we’re at it, I think Sideshow You looks as tasty as a Homer-style doughnut when paired with Grand Pumpkin, a bright creamy orange Lipglass.

It’s kind of a holdover, I guess, from summer’s orange lip trend, so if you aren’t ready to bid farewell to orange lip colors, now’s your chance to grab one more before it’s “Full steam ahead to fall!”

MAC 7 Lash false lashes

Why have I not tried these before?? They’re re-promotes from the permanent line, but they’ve got that special edition packaging.

They’re so nice, long, lightweight and great. I love these.

The lashes are in spiky bundles (spiky like Marge’s lashes or Lisa’s hair), and they bring bad-@ss drama without heavyweight lash noise. Just be careful if you intend to clean and reuse them because they’re very delicate (but fab!).

MAC Simpsons That Trillion Dollar Look Quad
That Trillion Dollar Look Quad; Eye Shadows from the left in Lisa’s Spikes, Apple Squishee, 2 Dozen and One Greyhounds, and Chalkboard Dreams ($44 U.S./$53 CAD)
MAC Simpsons Marge's Extra Ingredients Quad
Marge’s Extra Ingredients Quad, Eye Shadows from the left in Harpooned Heart, Sexy PB & J, Beehive Blue, and Vivacious Vacuum Cleaner ($44 U.S./$53 CAD)
MAC Simpsons Powder Blush in Sideshow You (online exclusive; $24 U.S.;$28.50 CAD)
Powder Blush in Sideshow You (online exclusive; $24 U.S./$28.50 CAD)
MAC Simpsons Powder Blush in Pink Sprinkles ($24 U.S.;$28.50 CAD)
Powder Blush in Pink Sprinkles ($24 U.S./$28.50 CAD)

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There are 45 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, MAC Makeup

Eyes Go Au Naturel With the Bare Necessities in Sonia Kashuk’s New Eyeshadow Palette

August 20th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

Sonia Kashuk Bare Necessities Eyeshadow Palette (1)

Sonia Kashuk Bare Necessities Eyeshadow Palette (2)

Sometimes you run into an eyeshadow palette that you just know you’re going to be all over like a plus-size tabby on an open can of gravy.

That’s how I am about Sonia Kashuk’s new Eyeshadow Palette in Bare Necessities ($14.29).

It houses six nude powder eyeshadows, and get this — there are a couple of mattes, too, so it’s not just shimmer town as far as the eye can see.

Sonia Kashuk Bare Necessities Eyeshadow Palette (3)

I really like the color temps here. None of the colors are too warm or cool, so most gals (and dudes) should be able to rock ’em.

Oh, and the palette? It’s only $14.29.

HOLLA! 🙂

Look for it at Target stores.

Sonia Kashuk Bare Necessities Eyeshadow Palette (4)

Sonia Kashuk Bare Necessities Eyeshadow Palette (5)

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

My Mind Keeps Telling Me No…

August 20th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments






Maneki Neko (1)

Maneki Neko (2)

But the two maneki-neko cats that live on the windowsill in my office keep telling me, “Do it! You need the Kate Spade Hello Tokyo Cat Purse, Jimi Flats and Cat iPhone 5 Case.”

I’ve had my eye on these for a while…

I’m not sure how much longer I can resist that purse, man. The cuteness is clawing at my soul.

For the record, I’m going to file this under “Crazy Cat Lady Problems.”

Maneki Neko (3)
“Meow! We need a new friend, Karen. NEED!”
Maneki Neko (4)
“Three maneki-neko cats are better than two… We’re just sayin’.”
There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

Turn on Your Eye High Beams With the Giorgio Armani Beauty Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Eyeshadow Palette

August 20th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

Giorgio Armani Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Eyeshadow Palette
Wearing the new Giorgio Armani Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Eyeshadow Palette, $88 (!)

Words one does not expect to hear at a Giorgio Armani Beauty counter: “Where’s, like, the dollar menu?”

Because everything is pricey! — like this new $88 eye palette from Giorgio Armani’s Fade to Grey fall 2014 collection.

Amani Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Eyeshadow Palette

That’s a lot of glow, yo.

The sleek, stylish black packaging houses two absolutely beautiful eye luminous shimmer shadows, side by side — one, a warm, shimmery golden peach, and the other a purply taupe-ish grey.

On lids, these shadows are like Buzz Lightyear, reflecting light to infinity and beyond. The super shiny finish makes my eyes look BIG, doe-eyed and bright, and the effect is even more pronounced when I incorporate a dramatic mascara, like Armani’s new Black Ecstasy, which I’m wearing here.

Giorgio Armani Fall 2014 Fade to Grey Eyeshadow Palette

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There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Giorgio Armani, Makeup, Palettes, Product Reviews

For a Plush Pout, Call 1-800-NARS Velvet Lip Liner

August 20th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

NARS Nihiwatu Velvet Lip Liner
Wearing the new NARS Velvet Lip Liner in Nihiwatu ($24)

Ooh! shiny…

But not shiny like the sparkling mega twinkle of Ryan Gosling’s smile. More like the shiny finish of a classic Chanel flap bag — ideally one in black leather with gold hardware (that’s a hint, El Hub, in case we win the $160 million Mega Millions jackpot this week).

Um…please excuse my crazy hair and lack of makeup today, LOL! I literally put this face on in five minutes before snapping these pics (it’s a long story, but it has to do with tomorrow and a certain long-running American cartoon).

NARS Velvet Lip Liners from the left: Lanikai, Belle Mare, El Agua, Costa Smeralda, Nihiwatu, Playa Dorado, Anse Soleil, Waimea, Patong Beach, Medano Beach, Mirihi Island Beach and Karekare
NARS Velvet Lip Liners from the left: Lanikai, Belle Mare, El Agua, Costa Smeralda, Nihiwatu, Playa Dorado, Anse Soleil, Waimea, Patong Beach, Medano Beach, Mirihi Island Beach and Karekare

Thanks to a slight sheen, these new $24 NARS Velvet Lip Liners (which are awesomely named after beaches!) pop in a way that matte lip liners don’t. The velvety finish reflects just enough light to be eye-catching. Because of it, you could probably even wear them alone and skip lipstick altogether if you wanted a long-wearing lip color that you didn’t have to touch up throughout the day.

NARS Velvet Lip Liner Swatches from the left: Lanikai, Belle Mare, El Agua, Costa Smeralda, Nihiwatu and Playa Dorado
Swatches from the left: Lanikai, Belle Mare, El Agua, Costa Smeralda, Nihiwatu and Playa Dorado
NARS Velvet Lip Liner Swatches from the left: Anse Soleil, Waimea, Patong Beach, Medano Beach, Mirihi Island Beach and Karekare
Anse Soleil, Waimea, Patong Beach, Medano Beach, Mirihi Island Beach and Karekare

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There are 18 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Collections, Lips, Makeup, NARS, Product Reviews

Answer This: What’s the Secret to Gorgeous Hair?

August 20th, 2014 by Karen 28 Comments

MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Fearless, a deep bluish pink

Ah, the age-old questions…

What’s the meaning of life?

What’s my purpose in this world?

Who built the pyramids?

Why do cats barf so much?

What’s the secret to gorgeous hair?

To me, all of the above remain mysteries, but I do think there are some things you can do to gorgeous-ify your hair and make it worthy of a Pantene commercial, like, not washing it every day, which I know sounds really gross, but it totally helps retain your color, if your hair is color-treated like mine.

When it comes to hair, genetics plays a part, but I think its significance is often overstated. I’ve seen so many hair makeovers where the person upgraded their coif quality by leaps and bounds, and the before and after pics look like totally different people. Depending on your hair health, there’s usually a lot you can do with your hair.

Avoiding heat styling as much as possible, at least for me, is probably the biggest hair booster. I limit myself to once, maybe twice a week because it seems like the less I mess with blowdryers, flat irons and hot rollers, the better off my hair is in general. It’s not as dry, better behaved and less unruly, and I get fewer split ends.

I think it also really helps to scour the universe until you find a stylist who completely understands your hair and its texture. Somewhere out there is the perfect someone for your hair. It’s a question of tracking them down.

What do you think? What’s the secret to gorgeous hair?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 28 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

I’m Really Lichen Golden Mossy Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale

August 19th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments






Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale (1)

Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale (2)

Next to Downtown Brown, which I love for its practicality, Forest Fatale is my second favorite Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow shade.

An ethereal, almost mystical golden mossy color, it’s a beauty all on its own. It doesn’t need any help.

Forest Fatale is like waking up on a bed of leaves in an enchanted forest, and looking up to see sunlight filtering through the branches of the trees above you.

I simply lurve it, but it has a darker side…

Ooh! Mysterious. Don’t worry, though — it’s a good darker side.

Layer it on top of a black base like MAC Smolder Eye Kohl, and jello, drama! Forest Fatale transforms into a total @ss-kicker color worthy of cute brass knuckles and a kickin’ moto jacket (complete with skull and crossbones).

Yes, I said cute brass knuckles…because you know I’m not about to roll with a pair of fugly ones. 🙂

Fashionable Forest Fatale is also an affordable $7, and you can find it now at Ulta stores and online.

Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale (3)

Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale (5)

Maybelline’s Color Tattoo Pure Pigments Eyeshadow in Forest Fatale (4)

There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

August 19th, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
Laura Mercier’s Secret Brightening Powder

By no means is Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder sexy or exciting.

It’s a loose face powder with a single talent, but it’s a talent I quite appreciate.

It sets under-eye concealer — and it’s not flashy, but it does its job well. If dark under-eye circles are a bane of your existence, as they are mine, Secret Brightening Powder is freaking fantastic.

I’m serious! — it belongs on the periodic table of elements. That’s how special I think it is. The light-as-air setting powder has white pigments in it that create a subtle brightening effect and help to cancel out dark shadows.

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

I’ve been using this stuff with concealer on my dark circles off and on for years, and it never looks caked-on or riddled with creases. It keeps my concealer from scooting around and also increases wear time. Perfect for when you’re hardly getting any sleep, and/or you’ve been recently bitten by a zombie, and you’re this close to turning.

Because, clearly…when one is losing their last vestiges of humanity, dark under-eye circles are still a concern. #priorities 🙂

Anywho! I’ve had this one jar for, like, seven years. Yeah…it lasts a long time. It only takes a tiny amount to set your concealer.

The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.

To apply, I load a small amount (you don’t want to apply too much; otherwise, it looks obvious) on a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the MAC 217, and layer that directly on top of my under-eye concealer using a patting motion, rather than a swiping motion.

(You don’t want to swipe, lest you can accidentally swipe away your concealer and end up looking MORE tired. No me gusta.)

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
That’s my paw for scale…

Once applied, Secret Brightening locks down your concealer, where it should behave for the rest of the day.

It comes in two shades, too. The first, #1, is for fair and medium skin tones, while #2 is for medium, tan and darker skin tones. A 0.14-ounce jar will set you back $24, and you can find it now at Laura Mercier counters and online.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face, Laura Mercier, Makeup, Unsung Heroes

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