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

The 2014 Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael, California

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Did you ever draw on the sidewalk with chalk when you were a kid? I remember doing that a lot… Sometimes we’d use real chalk when we were lucky enough to have some, and sometimes we’d also use these white rocks we’d just find on the ground around the neighborhood.

Chalk rocks, we called them.

Yeah, I was never as good at street art as these folks here…

Behold the marvelous madonnari of Marin County!

Last weekend El Hub and I went to an Italian Street Painting festival in the town of San Rafael. Basically, the town closed off a section of street, and then a bunch of madonnari, which is Italian for “street painters,” created works of art right there on the asphalt with chalk.

All of the works were somehow themed around the 1940s, with some of them more lighthearted than others, but there were lots of different styles and subjects represented.

It was very cool watching the artists work, and I actually saw a couple things that reminded me of applying eyeshadow.

One girl cracked a big piece of chalk into smaller pieces she then sprinkled over a section of what looked like her subject’s leg, and then worked the smaller pieces together with her hands to create a wash of color.

Totally reminded me of messily applying liner on the lids and then smoothing it out with a buffing brush.

One of my favorite works was the one of Vivian Leigh from Gone With the Wind (there’s a pic down below). It almost looked like a photograph. The blues and greens in her eyes were so beautiful…

Oh, incidentally, while I was there I also had my first Rainbow Popsicle in about 20 years! 🙂

So, what happened to the paintings after they were done? I’m not sure, but I spoke with someone later that day who said that they’re all just washed away…

They’re photographed extensively, and there’s a raffle and donations to raise money for different causes and charities, but yup. Pretty soon they’re gone.

Soiree and Quick Million: My Two Favorites From the New MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

MAC Studio Nail Lacquers in Soiree (left) and Quick Million (right), $12 each

Well, Tabs, when you put it that way…

You do understand that "No" is not an option, correct? — You do understand that “no” is not an option, correct?

So, this afternoon your nephew/my employer sent me the above threatening text (his anger evident by the lack of punctuation) in reference to my current mani-pedi situation, which is, at the moment, pretty tragic.

He suggested that I pick my two favorites from the new MAC Studio Nail Lacquer collection ($12 a bottle), and get them on my claws ASAP.

Soiree and Quick Million: My Two Favorites From the New MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Soiree Swatch — Two coats of Soiree

Among the 36 shades in the launch, my favorites right now are warm golden bronze Soiree (a metallic copper with hints of rose gold) and glittery pale gold Quick Million (has hexagonal flecks of coppery rose gold glitter in it and a very Deborah Lippmann-esque vibe).

MAC Studio Nail Lacquer in Quick Million Swatch — Quick Million (two coats)

Both shout “SUMMER!” to me and should go great with a tan, so they’re going on my tips and toes this week.

They also remind me of these Kate Spade watches I’m currently lusting over…

I’m thinking about getting one with my Nordstrom birthday gift card — you know, ’cause I’m all about being on time…

HAHAHA! She has jokes today. 🙂

The MAC Studio Nail Lacquer Collection: The Formula, Finishes and Wear Time

Last weekend I tested creamy Rebel, a dark reddish plum shade, for wear time and durability, starting with a layer of MAC Underlacquer base coat, upon which I added two layers of Rebel on top.

At the time, I felt like I didn’t need a top coat because of how shiny, and almost gel-like, it looked, but I think I’ll use one next time I reach for one of the creams.

Because it needed it.

While these don’t seem to chip as easily or quickly as MAC’s O.G. nail polishes did, which would normally chip within a day or two for me, with Rebel, at least, I still saw chipping on day three.

Poo.

I applied it on Thursday evening, and by Sunday night, there were tiny cracks at the tips of all my fingers.

Next time I wear one of these, I’m adding a topcoat, just in case, and I’ll let you know if the formula fares any better.

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Oh, Stop, Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Innocence! You’re Making Me (MAC) Blush, Baby

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

Wearing the new Chanel Innocence Joues Contraste Powder Blush from the Chanel États Poétiques fall 2014 collection

“Oh, what’s this?” said the girl, plucking the blush from atop the makeup counter. From the pretty packaging, she could see it was a Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush. “I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“That’s Innocence,” said the smiling sales associate behind the counter. “Go ahead, check it out.”

“Innocence ($45),” the girl repeated, feeling the smooth packaging in her hand. “Ooh, I love the Contraste Powder Blushes.”

When she pried open the compact, she couldn’t believe her eyes!

The blush staring back at her looked like MAC Blushbaby, one of her favorite MAC blushes of all time.

“What the what!?” 🙂

Chanel Innocence and MAC Blushbaby: Are they exact dupes?

I freakin’ love Chanel Innocence, in part because it looks so much like Blushbaby, but it isn’t an exact dupe, which makes me like it even more. Innocence has just a tad more pink — Blushbaby a tad more beige — but I think both of them are totally worthy of your everyday makeup bag.

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Innocence, $45 — Joues Contraste Blush in Innocence, $45

Chic cheeks and sophisticated pink

Just like MAC Blushbaby, Innocence brightens and lifts cheeks in a sophisticated way. It’s pink, but not a Barbie pink, or an overly obvious pink you might see on a doll’s cheeks.

It’s a chic cheek (sorry, lame, but I had to go there!) you could wear all the time, and to almost any occasion — work, book signing, pool party.

Chanel Innocence Joues Contraste Powder Blush (left) and MAC Blushbaby (right) — Chanel Innocence (left) and MAC Blushbaby (right)

What do I love about Innocence?

Everything. 🙂

Well…sort of, except the price, but that’s the way it is with Chanel.

It’s everything I love about Chanel’s Joues Contraste Blushes. It applies smoothly, without any patchiness, and it couldn’t be easier to blend, build up or sheer down.

Chanel Innocence Joues Contraste Powder Blush Swatch — Innocence

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 328

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 33 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for June 30, 2014 — Jazz hands!

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Shower gel or bar soap?
Brrrrr showwp.

LOL! Sorry. My mouth is full of banana right now. I’m trying to be better about eating a little something right after I exercise so I don’t crash.

Anyway! Lately, bar soap, because my skin’s been weirdly, unusually sensitive. I can’t even handle exfoliating gloves or washcloths or anything else that feels scratchy, so I’ve been using bar soaps a lot.
I’m currently a big fan of _____.
Bright lips, bold lashes, soft brows, and otherwise very little on my skin.

Why? Because it’s been hella hot the past few days here in Northern California, and to be honest, I haven’t been wanting to wear much makeup.

I’ve been lovin’ on basic looks with super bright lips like I’m wearing in the pic at the top (I actually wore that on Saturday — creamy, orangey red Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick in Fire).

That, with just a bit of MAC Strobe Liquid in Golden Elixir (OMG, they need to reissue that ASAP!), with my brows done, mascara and under-eye concealer.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is ______.
Keep your mouth shut, take a deep breath and walk away. Then try it (whatever it is) again in 10 minutes.

Are you the kind of gal/guy who can pull off wearing a white outfit and not get it dirty throughout the day?
Hell to the no! I love wearing white, especially in summer (it’s so crisp and cool), as long as I have a Tide Pen with me.

What makeup are you wearing right now?
- Tom Ford Brow Sculptor in Espresso (SO GOOD)
- Make Up for Ever HD High Definition Concealer (just picked this up yesterday; taking it for a spin!)
- Gloss D’Enfer Maxi Shine in 940 Nahema Stack (a sheer orange from the summer 2014 collection)
- That’s it for now, but that’s about to change. 🙂

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

1. Shower gel or bar soap?
2. I’m currently a big fan of _____.
3. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is ______.
4. Are you the kind of gal/guy who can pull off wearing a white outfit and not get it dirty throughout the day?
5. What makeup are you wearing right now?

Good morning, sweet girl! (Or sweet boy, if you’re one of the five dudes who reads MBB.)

It’s a new week, and you know how I like to get a little cheesy at the start of the week, right? Well, today I’m thinking about magic. 🙂

Like, I’m looking at my to-do list, and I’m already feeling on edge. But before I started to spiral, I reminded myself that life is kind of magical. Thing is, sometimes you have to look for it (the magic). That’s why I’m a big fan of the 5-minute walk.

It’s good to get up and walk around, maybe see a flower or two, put on a pretty lipstick or spritz some perfume — just as long as you get up from your computer, because as much as I love computers, they are not usually where the magic hides.

OK, that’s enough corniness for now (sorry). Have a great day, and may the magic find you (get up from that computer!).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 302

June 29th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

A Tabs the Cat Comic, Surely You Jest, Part 1

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

Kitty supermodel, media mogul, former professional athlete — Tabs wears many hats.

One might think that with his complete and total domination of so many categories, the public would tire of Tabs, but in fact we see the opposite effect.

His fans are always hungry for more (much like Tabs himself when it comes to gravy).

The other day he sat down with US Weekly (the celebrity cat edition) for a special exposé article. Here’s a preview of the piece if you don’t subscribe to the magazine, followed by Tabs’ latest media venture, part 1 of a new graphic novel titled Surely You Jest.

Hope you enjoy. 🙂

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Tabs

As you know, Tabs likes to wear a lot of bling, even though he already has built-in bracelets and necklaces on his patterned tabby fur. But he’s particularly fond of Kate Spade and Tiffany for day-to-day wear, and for red carpet, Chanel and vintage estate jewelry.
He was offered the part of Buttercup in the Hunger Games, but he turned it down due to a scheduling conflict.
He has several Formula 1 racing championships under his belt.
He owns a summer home on Lake Como in Italy next door to George Clooney.
He was the best man at Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan’s wedding.
He does all of his own stunts.
He’s fluent in several languages, including Tagalog, Hawaiian Pidgin, French, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin.
He’s hosted Saturday Night Live more than any other cat.
He has a thing for fancy candles.
He loves wheat bread.

And now, it’s comic time! Look for part 2’s thrilling conclusion next week… 🙂

Surely You Jest, Part 1: A Tabs the Cat Graphic Novel

So, what is the #MyGreatCat campaign?

“We want cat owners everywhere to not only recognize what makes their cats great but be empowered to share that,” says Purina Pro Plan Cat food brand manager Aaron Williams.

For each picture or video you share on your social media channels that includes the hashtag #MyGreatCat from now through August 31, Purina Pro Plan will donate one pound of cat food — up to 50,000 pounds — to hundreds of cat rescue groups nationwide through the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue network.

That’s right! Every time you share a pic or video of your feline employer just being awesome in his/her own way, you’ll be feeding a hungry cat.

About Purina Pro Plan Cat food

Purina Pro Plan Cat understands that every cat is different in her own wonderful way. That’s why Purina Pro Plan’s wide range of dry and wet cat foods and snacks, sold exclusively at pet specialty stores, can be found in three unique nutritional platforms — Savor, Finesse, and Focus (Tabs loves the Focus!) — with each formula designed to provide advanced nutrition to help bring out the best in your cat. For more information, visit www.proplan.com/cat.

About Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue

Rally to Rescue is a partnership of Purina Pro Plan and select pet rescue organizations across the country who give adoptable pets the care they need and the loving homes they deserve. Since 2005, Rally to Rescue organizations have saved over 600,000 pets. To learn more about the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue network, visit www.proplan.com/rallytorescue or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rallytorescue.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

June 28th, 2014 by Karen 298 Comments

nce upon a time there was a Sephora store that happened to be built on a fissure between our world and the world of magic. For six minutes around the Witching Hour every night, magic would seep up through the crack, disabling the electronic surveillance system, and infusing all of the products in the store with magic!

One night, an employee was working late at the store to prepare for a big launch, stocking the shelves and making sure that all of the registers were set with enough shopping bags and other supplies for the following day. Because of that, when the magic time happened, the employee saw everything! The products came to life!

They panicked. They didn’t know what to do. No human had ever seen them alive before.

The products all cherished their brief time alive every night and merely sought to live normal lives. When the magic fled the store every night, it was painful for them. All they really wanted was to be able to remain alive the rest of the time.

The products were afraid the employee would ruin everything. She would tell others, and the products feared they would lose even their short time alive, so they refused to let her leave. “No, miss!” they told her. “You’re not going anywhere. You stay right there while we try to figure this out.” But what could they do? They only had six minutes each night.

Finally, after six minutes, the magic retreated, as it always did, and the products returned to their inanimate state.

The employee, thoroughly freaked out by all of this, promptly fled the store, and hasn’t been seen since.

–TRUTH–

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! 🙂 Good morning.

It looks like it’s going to be a nice day around here. It hasn’t been too hot lately. It’s kind of mild, actually, for summer. Might be a nice day for a hike.

I hope you have something fun lined up for this weekend. Anyone heading out of town? Or doing any gardening? Any pool parties perhaps? How about a barbecue?

I don’t think I have anything going on, as far as I can remember right now. I’m not quite feeling 100% yet (I’ve had bad cramps), so I’m not anticipating anything too ambitious.

Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway. I wish I could do one of these with 1,000 winners every day.

I’ll talk to you soon (I still haven’t had my first cup of coffee, and I’m REALLY looking forward to it).

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:
- Tell me about your favorite park.
- Did you ever have an imaginary friend when you were a kid?
- Does your fur friend/cat/dog/ferret/etc. have any unusual talents?
- Most soothing lip balm?
- Best smelling hair product?
- Most underrated skin care product?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, June 30, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time), which is, incidentally, someone’s birthday. 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Stinky Boys and Coping Mechanisms: The Nest Lemongrass & Ginger Reed Diffuser and Diptyque Figuier Hourglass Diffuser

June 27th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

I live with two boys, and both of them are stinky (granted, one of them is a cat).

As our condo isn’t very big, there are times when the boy funk permeates every surface and hangs in the air like a poison fog. Out of sheer desperation, I’ve developed a number of coping mechanisms and tools to help me deal with it.

First, I open windows on opposite sides of the house (for cross ventilation) and light candles from Bath & Body Works. I also keep a couple of room fresheners in my office, which is right next to Tabs’ throne room (aka the bathroom where Tabs keeps his litter box), at all times.

Right now the air fresheners are summery to match the season. One is the Nest Lemongrass Ginger Reed Diffuser ($38) up at the top, which I keep on my windowsill, where it fills the room with a sparkly, summery ginger lemon scent.

And then on my desk I keep the Figuier Hourglass Diffuser by Diptyque.

A sturdy hourglass-shaped bottle filled with scented oil, it has a plastic diffuser in the center.

Each time you turn the hourglass over, some of the oil drips down into the diffuser, and the scent fills the room for about 20 minutes.

Got this as a gift, and I loooove the scent (like going for a walk in the woods early on a spring morning and snacking on figs) but it’s obnoxiously expensive ($150!).

I’m currently on the prowl for a less pricey option…

If you’re interested, both are available now at Neiman Marcus stores and neimanmarcus.com.

P.S. Hi, babe. How are you doing tonight? I hope you’re doing something fun. I’m just taking it easy on the couch in front of the TV because I don’t feel extra great. My lower back is killing me (I think it’s cramps).

Dr. Tabs is taking pretty good care of me…

Actually, no he’s not. He doesn’t have a lot of patience for patients, LOL! He’s like, “I know you’re not feeling great, but where’s my damn gravy, woman!?”