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

Do You Prefer Dewy or Matte Skin?

March 14th, 2014 by Karen 30 Comments

Quick, don’t over-think it! Dewy or matte? Matte or dewy? 🙂

For everyday stuff and real life, I prefer dewy, because I think it looks more natural and less “done.”

But when I’m going to take pics, I definitely prefer matte. I just think it looks much better in photos — less shiny and not as distracting. It’s also easier on the pores.

But with shimmer, I still like to wear a little on my upper cheekbones, so even when I do matte skin, I can get a nice contrast between the matte and the shimmer, which I like.

How about you? Do you prefer dewy or matte skin?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

See Subtle Signs of Lovely Light With $70 Chanel Jardin De Camelias Illuminating Powder

March 13th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

If this were a PowerPoint slide about Chanel’s $70 Jardin De Camelias Illuminating Powder, the key bullet points would be…

Super pretty in the pan
Super subtle on the skin
Super expensive

Available now exclusively online as part of the new 11-piece Jardin de Camelias collection, Chanel Jardin de Camelias Illuminating Powder, it’s a sheer ivory highlighting powder with a dainty pinkish rose opalescence.

The super subtle shimmer and rosy pink tint are probably easier to see in real life, where they create a delicate halo of light that dances off the skin, illuminating it all day long.

Chanel Jardin De Camelias Illuminating Powder swatch — Chanel Jardin De Camelias Illuminating Powder Swatch

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It’s Zen and the Art of Camellia Blooming With Coco’s New Quad: The Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Jardin Zen

March 13th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Wearing the new Chanel Jardin Zen Quadra Eye Shadow on my eyes

Oh, OK! I get it. Jardin Zen. The name of this Chanel quad means “zen garden” in French, and that’s kind of what the pattern on the pans looks like — one of those Japanese gardens with the little stones that someone rakes cool patterns and design into. Neat.

Of course, Coco Chanel’s zen garden would have to have a design that looks a little like her favorite flower, the camellia. It’s only logical.

Just like mine, if I were ever to make one, would have cats and cupcakes on it. 🙂

A new limited edition online exclusive available now on chanel.com, the Chanel Quadra Eye Shadow in Jardin Zen is part of the 11-piece Jardin de Camelias collection.

A beautiful Monday through Friday eyeshadow palette of basics for the girl/guy who wants something other than a bunch o’ browns. I’s like a Chanel Flap bag, with its chain and quilt detailing, but in a color like greige, as opposed to basic black. Something you could wear all the time, and it goes everything, but it’s a little different, ya know? I like that.

You get a gorgeous violet gray, a golden beige, a pastel pink and a soft black — all colors that are easy to work into an everyday makeup routine. Practical, but not too boring or basic.

Being from Chanel, it’s expensive, though, but it’s also Chanel quality. Sure, you’re paying a premium for the name, but I also think the shadows perform extremely well.

Long-lasting, easy to blend with other shadows and each other, and they contain a perfect amount of pigment. Plus, they don’t crease, as long as I wear them with primer.

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Current Hair Styling Product Obsessions From Oribe, Kerastase and Clarins

March 13th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

New hair obsessions from Kerastase, Clarins and Oribe

Hair are a few products that have been rocking my mop lately.

Get it…? Hair? 🙂

Oribe Foundation Mist ($24)

My stylist buddy Alis at Fox + Stone Salon has been raving about Oribe Foundation Mist for ages, but I decided I needed a bottle after I hair modeled (is that even a phrase? Hair modeled?) for that Oribe class at the salon a few weeks back.

Basically, it’s hair primer. Sprayed on wet or dry hair, it smooths the hair cuticle so that styling products apply more smooth and evenly. It also detangles, enhances shine and provides UV protection.

The effect is subtle…but it is noticeable and I dig it.

I mean, it’s not a dramatic, in-your-face difference that’s gonna make you go “WHOA!” when you see yourself in the mirror, but my hair is definitely shinier, less tangly and easier to style when I prep it with this. I also see a little more volume.

I’ve been using it daily, and I’ve already decided to get another bottle when this one runs out.

Kerastase Spray a Porter ($35)

Game changer!

Seriously, where has Kerastase Spray a Porter been all my life?? If you want big, messy bed head/beach hair, it’s right here.

It even passes the “El Hub Test.” He normally never notices when I do something different with my hair (seriously, it took the man TWO WEEKS to notice that I added pink streaks), but whenever I wear this, he usually says something like, “Babe, your hair looks hot.”

LOL!

It’s very similar to Bumble & Bumble’s Salt Spray but less drying and doesn’t leave my hair feeling crunchy. Sprayed on wet or dry hair, it adds texture, volume and light hold. Perfect for lightly lifted, bombshell Victoria’s Secret beachy waves.

I use this after the Oribe Foundation Mist. I just spray it on my roots, on the ends, in my bangs — basically all over the place. Really great for sulty, slightly messy hair that isn’t too messy.

Clarins Sunscreen Spray Oil-Free Lotion SPF30 ($35)

Clarins Sunscreen Spray Oil-Free Lotion SPF30 is really freaking cool. It’s a new dry oil sunscreen spray for body, hair and scalp! It’s like sun protection multitasking to the Nth degree.

It’s water resistant, sweat resistant, doesn’t leave my skin or hair feeling greasy, and it smells like a tropical vacation. For use on wet or dry skin or hair.

Bay Area Clarins fans, pop by Bloomingdale’s in SF to visit the new Clarins spa opening this Friday, March 14. Just Call (415) 856-5459 to book an appointment.

U Luxury Color Protectant Hair Perfume in Bianca ($35)

OK, U Luxury Color Protectant Hair Perfume in Bianca hasn’t officially made it on to my Hair Obsessions list yet because I just started using it, but I still think it’s worth mentioning because it’s kind of interesting and neat.

Hair perfume — just like the name says — but with UV protection. It has a citrusy grapefruit scent (you know I loves me some grapefruit), although I do have to say that when I first smelled it, the alcohol was very, very strong. It’s the first item listed on the ingredient list, so I hope it doesn’t dry out my mop.

Have You Ever Worn Matching Makeup With Anyone?

March 13th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

Um…yeah! So what if it’s cheesy; it’s totally fun. I did it back in high school with my friends all the time. In band (BAND GEEKS 4 LIFE) my friends and I would wear the same lipstick for performances.

And I can vaguely recall my friend Jen and I wearing the same matching Wet ‘n’ Wild lipstick throughout most of sophomore year… Actually, we also did it in college, even though we didn’t go to the same school. We were both all about MAC Paramount Lipstick back then (it’s this really dark, very ’90s matte brown).

Hmm… With the ’90s making a comeback now, it would go well with some denim overalls, a plaid button-down shirt and Timberlands (they’re baaaaaack! I saw a knockoff pair at DSW last week. Run for the hills!). 🙂

So tell me, have you ever worn matching makeup with anyone? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday, babe.

With CC Cream SPF 35, When It Comes to Healthy-Looking Skin, Bobbi Brown Says You Can Have It All

March 13th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

OoooOOOOooh!

Bobbi Brown’s new CC Creams with SPF 35 ($44 per tube) are supposed to perform a number of beauty feats, from color correcting to protecting your skin from sun damage to evening out your skin tone over time.

That last claim is the most interesting one to me…

“A dream cream for healthy-looking skin — this concentrated yet lightweight formula color corrects, illuminates and protects for brighter, more even-toned skin (instantly and over time).”

— bobbibrown.com

I haven’t had a chance to try it yet because when I spotted it at a counter last weekend I was already wearing a full face of makeup (#makeupaddictproblems), but I did swatch them on the back of my hand.

First observation: they seemed pretty sheer and felt like MAC’s CC Colour Correct cream products.

I’m guessing they’ll be good for someone who wants to wear a color-correcting base/illuminator beneath foundation, or someone with great skin who doesn’t really wear a lot of face products and just wants a little boost.

You can find it now at Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrowncosmetics.com, available in three different shades.

When Two Become One: Mixing Foundation Shades To Get a Match

March 12th, 2014 by Karen 40 Comments

Wearing Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation in Amber and NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Stromboli — It’s a match! Here I’m wearing a mix of Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation in Amber and NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Stromboli…

I held on to it for many years — the hope that somewhere out there was a bottle of foundation with my name on it. A perfect match for my skin tone in a perfect formula.

Yeah, I don’t know what I was thinking! 🙂

It sounds kind of crazypants now that I think about it — like I was going to just walk up to a counter and see a shade called “KAREN (THE CRAZY CAT LADY ONE FROM NOVATO).”

LOL!

Well, at least things are better now than they were in the ’80s and early ’90s. There weren’t a whole lot of foundation options back then if your skin had a little color.

There are huge shade ranges nowadays and many more brands, which is super cool because I have found shades that get really close to my skin tone, but I’ve still yet to find a perfect match off the shelf.

I’m guessing that I’m not the only person facing this issue.

But you know what? There is hope (cue Disney theme song: “Somewhere, out there!”). If you’ve been unable to find a perfect match, you might be able to make one yourself.

I’m talking about mixing, babe. Mixing foundations.

And you can do it in a bunch of different ways. There are some companies that will actually custom mix a color for you, like over at prescriptives.com with their online beauty advisor chats. They ask you a series of questions over a webcam to create a custom color just for you.

Or, you can do what I do, which is more random, but when you get it right you feel awesome! — like a foundation ninja/MacGyver.

I highly recommend it, and if you decide to give it a try, here are a couple of different approaches you can take…

1. Mix two shades (one darker than the other) of your favorite foundation formula

This one’s the easiest and probably most obvious way, where you mix two shades of the same foundation or tinted moisturizer formula, one that you know you like. I do this all the time right on the spot, usually on the back of my hand, while I do my makeup with NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer or MAC Face & Body Foundation.

MAC Face & Body Foundations in C4, C5 and C6

I usually keep two bottles in my main makeup bag — one lighter than my skin tone, or like my skin tone in the middle of the winter; and one darker than my skin tone, or closer to what my coloring is when I have a little tan.

Then it’s magic cauldron time. I mix until I get a match, which usually takes a minute or two.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizers in St. Mortiz and Cuba

I’ll play with different ratios throughout the year, like maybe do three parts of the lighter shade and one part of the darker shade during winter, half and half in spring, then mostly the darker shade, with just a taste of the lighter shade, in summer.

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With the Weather Warming Up, Sonia Kashuk’s New Spring 2014 Collection (and Some of Her Face Products From Fall) Hit Right on Target

March 12th, 2014 by Karen 22 Comments

Nods to warmer days ahead with Sonia Kashuk Spring 2014 (and some Fall 2013 warm weather faves)

Just got back from a walk with Sonia! 🙂

You know, Sonia Kashuk?

No, not in person, silly! But she was with me in spirit, as I was wearing some products from her new spring line.

They’re available right now at Target stores and target.com.

Her spring collection is HUGE this year — 37 pieces total.

Here are the ones I wore today, along with some fall face products (permanent collection) that seemed perfect for the warm weather we’re having.

Eye Shadow Quad in Up in Smoke ($13.69, spring)

Sonia Kashuk Up In Smoke Eye Shadow Quad — Eye Shadow Quad in Up in Smoke ($13.69)

One of three new quads added to the family this spring. The other two are called Prima Ballerina (with rose and lavender shades) and Island Dreams (blues and greens).

Up In Smoke’s beige, taupe, gray and charcoal struck me as fall colors at first, but this is makeup, and there are no rules. 🙂 Perfect for when you want to wear a smokey eye while everybody else is rocking pastels.

With super shimmery, buttery soft shadows that seem more expensive than they really are, it reminds me of a disco dancing version of Tom Ford’s She Wolf trio.

Pearlescence Longwear Creme Shadows in Diamond and Quartz ($8.99 each, spring)

Sonia Kashuk Pearlescence Longwear Creme Shadow in Diamond (top) and Quartz (bottom), $8,99 each — Pearlescence Longwear Creme Shadow in Diamond (top) and Quartz (bottom), $8.99 each

My favorite thing from Sonia’s spring collection so far! These are completely new additions to the line.

Despite being shimmery metallics, they stay away from my fine lines (which I really appreciate). Sonia claims these smooth pigments actually help eyes look brighter and more youthful, and ya know? Maybe. I definitely do feel like my eyes look younger and more alert when I wear ’em.

Sonia Kasuk Pearlescence Longwear Creme Shadow in Quartz (left) and Diamond (right) — Pearlescence Longwear Creme Shadow in Quartz (left) and Diamond (right), $8.99 each

They’re easy to apply with fingers or a brush and don’t crease or move once they’re on my lids.

Joining the shades shown here, pale champagne Diamond and rosy Quartz, are a bronzy brown called Tiger’s Eye and an icy taupe called Moonstone.

Satin Luxe Lip Colour SPF 16 in Pink Buff and Very Berry ($9.99, spring)

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color SPF 16 in Pink Buff (left) and Very Berry (right), $9.99 each — Satin Luxe Lip Color SPF 16 in Pink Buff (left) and Very Berry (right), $9.99 each

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