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

Checking In: NARS Dragon Girl | Caboodles | Chanel at Ulta | Vogue Magazine

March 1st, 2023 by Karen 11 Comments

Today I really wanted to wear NARS Dragon Girl lipstick but couldn’t find it, but I guess that makes sense seeing how The Great Makeup Purge happened around these parts in the last couple years, LOL!

This pic of me wearing it is from 2017, and ya know what? I’m actually relieved I made myself get rid of it because chances are I probably would’ve kept it and worn it still, and even I have to admit that’s pretty gross.

I’m going to pop by Ulta today because 1) I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without Dragon Girl (it’s a must-have red) and 2) I need to buy Connor a last-minute birthday present. She’s turning seven tomorrow, can you believe it?

Time really does fly when you’re having fun — and raising a tiny human!

During the last few trips to Ulta, she’s admired the Caboodles, so she’s going to finally get one this year for her birthday.

I doubt that she’ll want to put makeup in it, though, because during her last dance performance, she absolutely refused to wear any makeup beyond the dance team bare minimum requirement of red lipstick. No blush, no eyeshadow, no glitter. Just red lipstick. I KNOW. I was shocked, too.

Hmm, now that I think about it, maybe I’ll get her a stick of Dragon Girl, too.

Her Caboodle will probably hold play jewelry or art supplies (or both), no doubt!

While we’re on the subject of Ulta, GIRL… Did you know Ulta sells Chanel makeup now? Yes! It looks like they carry a lot of the line, too, including my favorite Chanel foundation, Vitalumiere Aqua. I have quite a few points saved up, so I might be doing a lil’ Chanel shopping there soon.

Question for you. Were you an “Allure” subscriber like I was before they shut down their print magazine? I still really miss it. Sigh! Anywho, they sent me the latest copy of “Vogue” as a replacement, and you know what? I’m really enjoying it! Maybe it’s because I’m starved for a beauty magazine I can hold in my hand, but I’ve been devouring the latest issue with Erykah Badu on the cover.

This is my favorite Erykah Badu song, by the way

I’m going to try to finish work early today, so I can do all the pre-birthday prep that needs to happen before tomorrow (including Connor’s annual birthday lasagna). Time to shred some mozzarella!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

How Do You Fill Up Your Cup?

February 28th, 2023 by Karen 8 Comments

Sometimes I like to do this thing where I pick a few words or a phrase to set the tone for my week! This week’s phrase is “fill up your cup.”

It’s basically a reminder to be nice to myself — to do things throughout my day and week that replenish my physical or mental well-being in some way.

Are you good about filling up your cup?

I’m notoriously not great at it. I’m the type of person who will move throughout my day from morning until night constantly checking off task after task to keep work and life going, but I’ll forget to build in time for myself to truly rest and recover.

So, I’m trying to get better at filling up my cup! Because I love lists, I started by making a short one:

Get enough sleep (go to bed at 8)
Wake up at 5:30
Enjoy all the personal care things: skin care, doing my hair, ironing my outfit for the day, etc.
Spend the rest of the time before 7 doing fun stuff just for me! Ideas: Journaling, reading, working out (but it can’t be torturous, something like stretching or yoga)
Some kind of fun hobby, like photography

It’s only been two days and I can already feel a difference in my body and in my mood. I think it really helps to have that time to do something kind for yourself that’s for you and you alone.

In what ways do you fill up your cup on a daily basis?

Do you paint, workout, dance or read? I would love to know what nourishes you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 770

February 27th, 2023 by Karen 24 Comments

My neighbor’s cat Mr. Willoughby and I would like to remind you that you’re fabulous. Have a great day!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. Taupe or blue eyeliner?

Blue. I could use some color in my life today.

2. Are you guilty of Instagram brows?

GIRL. So guilty. I rocked those bladed brows for a few years, OMG!

3. How much do you enjoy journaling?

I enjoy it a lot, but I haven’t been doing it nearly enough over the past few years. I’m trying to get back into the habit of doing it daily. Part of it is because when I allow myself to just babble about whatever I want on the page, it’s kinda like pressure release for my brain. I feel so much better afterwards. Clearer. Another part of it is that I’m not able to hold as much as I used to in my mind. Like, for years and years I could remember all the small details of what a typical day in my life was like when I was 16, 26, 36… Now that I’m in my 40s and feel so busy all the time, I have a harder time remembering the small stuff. I want to remember those things, though, ya know?

4. A 2000s makeup trend you’d rock again?

Glossy lips all the way! I would like to leave the frosty lid (from the lash line all the way up to the brow bone) behind, however.

5. Romantic comedies: yes or no?

Yes, please. Even though they’re predictable and cheesy, I still love them.

6. Something good that’s happened to you lately?

We spent a lot of family time together in Monterey last weekend, and my heart is so full.

7. Where shall we go today, Sephora or Ulta?

Let’s go to Ulta because Sephora NEVER seems to have what I want in stock lately.

8. Banana bread or zucchini bread?

Zucchini bread, but only if I don’t have to shred the zucchini. I’ll have mine with a hot cup of jasmine tea, please.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Taupe or blue eyeliner?
2. Are you guilty of Instagram brows?
3. How much do you enjoy journaling?
4. A 2000s makeup trend you’d rock again?
5. Romantic comedies: yes or no?
6. Something good that’s happened to you lately?
7. Where shall we go today, Sephora or Ulta?
8. Banana bread or zucchini bread?

P.P.S. Good morning, my friend. I’ve been thinking a lot about ways we can “fill up our cups” — simple things to help our lives feel more joyful and balanced. To fill up your cup a little today, I want to remind you that you’re a good person. I know you’re trying your best, so keep it up! You can do it.

Take care and have a great rest of your Monday!

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 750

February 26th, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

Hey, cat lady! Hope you’re doing well. We just got back from a weekend trip to Monterey, California. It’s been a while since the last time I visited, and it was fun family time with good seafood.

Speaking of seafood…all of the felines I have been lucky to assist over my career as a pet assistant have had a long, rich history in the aquaculture business.

For instance, Tabs was a seafood enthusiast and a silent partner in many fish-related businesses. Some of his kitty modeling campaigns involving fish were among his biggest and boldest.

In fact, he was pretty good friends with our former fish roommate, Sushi — that was, until Tabs tried to eat him (long story). Shortly after, their relationship soured.

Rosie

Rosie was a little upset at first when I told her we were going to spend this weekend in Monterey, but her eyes lit up when I mentioned we were going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Turns out she’s part of a cat advisory group researching ways to make seafood more sustainable for cats.

Unbeknownst to me, she volunteered her land — a.k.a. our land — as the site of a groundbreaking new aquaculture science facility. Because of this, she thought it would be OK to text me on my day off. 🙄

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, February 25, 2023!

February 25th, 2023 by Karen 3 Comments

Hiya, beautiful girl.

Welcome to the weekend. I hope you get the chance to rest and recover, ideally with a kitty friend nearby!

This week’s reading

Does your skin actually benefit from makeup with added skin care benefits?
Elf is morphing into a makeup giant, one tube of $6 mascara at a time.
I see a few favorites on this list of 15 makeup items from Sephora you can apply with your fingers.
Why are spray-on skin care products so popular now?
How to spot the difference between skin purging and breakouts.
Is your pillowcase eating up all your expensive skin care?

Why your skin barrier matters!

I can barely remember what happened last week, to be honest.

I need to get back into this habit.

Um, gorgeous!

My nails need some TLC ASAP!

Have a wonderful rest of your day!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What’s the Oldest Piece of Makeup in Your Collection That You Still Use?

February 24th, 2023 by Karen 9 Comments

I know, kinda gross, but let’s be real. Some of us don’t always stick very closely to expiration dates!

Last year I did a major makeup purge, so most of the ancient pieces from MBB Ye Olden Days are gone. However, one of the handful of items I kept was a NARS palette of single shadows and blushes from — wait for it — 2015.

Yup, I still use it. Eight years is a long time to hold onto makeup, but since I’m the only person who uses this palette and the powders don’t look or smell gross, I figure I should be fine.

How about you? What’s the oldest piece of makeup in your collection that you still use?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Checking In: A Beauty Bakerie Palette, Hourglass Eyeliners and Enthusiastic Empties

February 23rd, 2023 by Karen 6 Comments

Warm tones and shimmer from the Do It For the Graham Palette by Beauty Bakerie

Ever wonder why Graham crackers are called “Graham” crackers? I was wondering this the other day while swatching the Do It for the Graham Eyeshadow Palette by Beauty Bakerie.

I'm an NC42 in MAC, by the way — I’m an NC42 in MAC, by the way

Turns out the crackers have an interesting history, and that the word “Graham” is always capitalized because Graham crackers are named after a real person.

I know. So many fun facts!

Between all the trees blooming and the crazy winds lately my allergies are officially on fire. Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing every two seconds… Spring’s around the corner, and just when I start thinking it might be my new favorite season, pollen changes that in a hot second, LOL!

Just looking at this makes me want to sneeze

On that note, I’ve been searching for waterproof eyeliners that don’t budge. I know, I know, I could just skip wearing eye makeup on those days, but I’ve been on a beauty roll for the past few months and want to keep it up! Wearing face paint definitely helps with my mood, and on the days when I feel more put together, I’m just that much happier, ya know?

Lil’ liner haul

Speaking of eye makeup, remember the Hourglass Solstice pencil from last month? It’s a beautiful golden bronze from the Hourglass Waterproof Gel Eyeliner line. I finished it – yay!

You know how it goes though. Instead of replacing it like a sane person (ha) I wanted to try something new, so I grabbed these two Hourglass liners last week at Sephora: the shimmery bronze 1.5 MM Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Bronze and the cool matte brown Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Cave.

Hourglass liners: Some initial thoughts

Bronze 1.5 MM Liner: The skinny tip in this is super cool. It’s so precise! If you have a hooded lid situation like I do and prefer your liner to take up minimal space, it’s absolutely lovely for a touch of definition on the lash and water lines. Long wearing, too. My only concern is that I’m going to go through it quickly! $
Cave Waterproof Gel Eyeliner: Hmm. Mixed feelings so far about this cool brown. On the positive side, I love the cool tone of the rich, brown color. It reminds me of well worn, wet smooth brown pebbles that you’d find in a stream. There’s very little red in it, which I think is especially great for adding depth to the lash line. On the not-so-great side, when I wear it on my water line, it transfers more compared to the Solstice shade. I think I’m going to keep wearing it until I finish it, then go back to Solstice.

Empties are my jam, man

RE: Solstice again. I was thrilled to finish a liner all the way through! What is it about emptying out and finishing a makeup that’s so satisfying? I’m at the point where it’s more exciting to finish something all the way down to the last bits and bobs instead of accumulating lots of things I only use on occasion.

Do you ever feel this way? Or is it just me?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Happy Sweet 16, MBB!

February 21st, 2023 by Karen 35 Comments

Today my sweet Makeup and Beauty Blog turns 16.

To think that a little MAC haul and a blurry picture taken next to the heater in my old apartment (LOL!) would lead to so much.

If you would’ve told the Barbie Loves MAC version of Karen that one day MBB would eventually help her find a place in the beauty world writing for brands she loves, she would probably do a dance of joy in her jaunty cap!