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

How To Do an Easy, Cute Half-Up, Half-Down Hairstyle

January 10th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

Good morning and happy Friday, friend!

It’s been a little slow going here this morning at Casa de MBB because I stayed up late last night partying like a rock star…

Uh, not. Actually, I got sucked into a movie I started watching at 9 called The Brass Teapot (pretty good, Twilight Zone-ish) and stayed up past my usual 10 o’clock bedtime.

Forget brass teapots… Could someone please pass the coffee pot? Stat.

So I’m feeling kinda tired, but also actually pretty good, too. Last night during dinner El Hub and I had a long talk about the importance of positivity in our lives.

Yes, I know that sounds hella cheesy, but ya know, I am a hella cheesy person and proud of it. 🙂

It’s especially important as we get older…because more and more of the people we know start getting sick, passing away and facing truly difficult situations.

Sorry. I don’t want to bring you down at all (that’s never my goal, ever), but I just think it’s important that we try to be as optimistic and happy as possible in our lives, because what else is there, really? You gotta keep that boat afloat, ya know? As hard as it is sometimes.

Anywho, that’s enough waxing philosophic for now… How about a video?

This one’s just a quickie.

I posted a pic last week of my hair half up, half down to showcase an ear cuff I like by Kristin Perry, and a few of you asked to see a tutorial.

Well, I don’t know how much of a tutorial this turned out to be, but I tried.

The style’s pretty simple — kind of funky and Hunger Games-ish, which is probably why I like it so much — and you may be able to do it with products you already have around the house.

Products mentioned in the video

A flexible hold hairspray like Pantene Pro-V Touchable Non-Aerosol Hairspray Flexible Hold ($4)
A hairbrush (I used a Mason Pearson Pocket Mix Brush that I got as a gift, but any hairbrush will do)
Goody Bobby Pins ($3)

Do you have any well-behaved earrings at home that deserve to be shown off? Hint-hint! This is a good hairstyle for that.

You know, I really enjoy making these videos, but they are very challenging in different ways than writing and taking pics. A big thing I’m still trying to figure out is where to place the camera. I probably should have backed up a couple feet for this one to show my entire head, but we live and learn, I guess.

Oh, well. I still hope you like it and give it a try (even if it’s only in secret at home).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. tgif. 🙂

Anchored in Bold, Bright Shades, the NARS Spring 2014 High Seize Collection Sets Sail for Spring

January 9th, 2014 by Karen 41 Comments

Anchors aweigh, NARS fans! This is your captain speaking. Before we cast off, I’d like to thank you for choosing Tabs the Cat Tours (a division of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC) for your travel needs.

It should be smoooove sailing up the coast this afternoon, and as we cruise into spring, you should see plenty of shimmery finishes, metallic moments and splashes of sheer color off the starboard bow.

I’d like to remind you to please wear your life jacket at all times. It is of the utmost importance, as we may experience sweeping moments of makeup ecstasy.

Our destination: the dreamy plums, turquoises, golds, pinks, greens and peaches in the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection. Hold on to your makeup brushes, because we’re heading into High Seize!

NARS Spring 2014 Collection High Seize — Set sail for High Sieze with the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection

The entire NARS Spring 2014 High Seize collection includes…

CHINA SEAS DUO EYESHADOW ($34): An iridescent turquoise with gold infusion and an iridescent plum
KAUAI DUO EYESHADOW ($34): A gold lamé and an iridescent smokey orchid
KHAO SAN ROAD LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A metallic aquamarine
PUERTA DEL SOL LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A parrot green with shimmer
ANNÉES FOLLES LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer violet
BIMINI LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer pink guava
TIMANFAYA SATIN LIP PENCIL ($25): A mandarin red
NĀ PALI COAST MULTIPLE ($39): A shimmering rosy peach
WIND DANCER NAIL POLISH ($19): A cantaloupe

NARS China Seas Duo Eyeshadow ($34)

Please direct your gaze to the starboard side, as we plunge into the life aquatic with China Seas, the first of two eyeshadow duos in the collection.

Submerge your lids under its shimmery iridescent turquoise. Then, take a dip in its sparkling, iridescent reddish plum…

Both of the shadows in this duo will lap your lids with a soft sheen. I like how they blend seamlessly into each other — but please, do be careful of the fallout. A bit of powder finds its way onto my cheeks whenever I forget to tap off my brush before applying, but it’s not enough to need a life preserver.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

NARS China Seas Swatch — China Seas Swatch

NARS Kauai Duo Eyeshadow ($34)

Hold on to the railing, friends, because we’re heading into some exciting big waves courtesy of the thrilling Kauai Duo Eyeshadow, which makes a splash with its mirror-like shine and bold pigment.

This duo is the flashier of the two. Every time I see that shimmery metallic yellow gold and iridescent smokey orchid sparkling on my lids, my breath catches, and I feel so alive! — like the time I paddled into a six-foot wave and actually surfed the damned thing (I even dropped in, OMG!).

Grab this one if you want to focus attention on your eyes, but more mature NARS fans might want to go easy on it by wearing these shadows close to their lids or lash lines, since the high-shine finish just loooooves to point out fine lines.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

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These Milani Power Lip Lasting & Moisturizing Gloss Stains Pack a Powerfully Pigmented Punch

January 9th, 2014 by Karen 22 Comments

Milani Power Lip Mango Tango — Wearing the new Milani Power Lip Lasting & Moisturizing Gloss in Mango Tango

Yeah, I’m turning into *that* girl — the one who applies a glossy lip stain right before bed just to see if it’ll still be there in the morning.

I did it the other night with one of Milani’s new Power Lip Lasting & Moisturizing Gloss Stains, and El Hub was like, “Why are you wearing lipstick to bed? Got a hot date?”

Milani Spring 2014 — The Milani Power Lips collection, new for spring 2014

“First,” I replied, “it’s not a lipstick. It’s a stain. And second, yes, babe, Tabs and I are going as soon as you fall asleep.”

LOL! As if. Tabs is a total night owl, whereas I’ve usually zonked out by 11. I could never hang…but if I could, I’m sure any of these eight stains could hang with me.

These glossy lip stains are DOPE! They cling to lips like I cling to outdated ’90s references. 🙂

Milani Power Lip Swatches from the left: 01 Red Control, 02 Cabaret Blend, 03 Raspberry Tart, 04 Pink Lemonade, 05 Macaroon, 06 Strawberry Sugar, 07 Mango Tango and 08 Creamy Cafe — Swatches from the left: 01 Red Control, 02 Cabaret Blend, 03 Raspberry Tart, 04 Pink Lemonade, 05 Macaroon, 06 Strawberry Sugar, 07 Mango Tango and 08 Creamy Cafe

So, back to that bedtime test I was talking about, the following morning, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the coffee pot and saw the stain from the shade I’d applied before bed (07 Mango Tango).

That’s an 8-hour wear time! — assuming you’re just dreaming about RyGos and mumbling in your sleep. Add munchies and meals to the mix, however, and the wear time drops to 4-6.

Still not bad at all, considering that each tube is only $6.49.

I like these. They remind me of YSL Glossy Stains, only not…

I mean, they’re the same idea — they look and feel like shiny glosses but eventually wear down to satin lip stains — big come in totally different packaging.

The YSL Glossy Stains come in a tube with a doe-foot applicator, while the Milani products come in a click pen tube with a brush applicator.

I don’t mind the click pen, in this case, but I’m not exactly crazy about it. I think it’s a little more challenging to use, like to line the edges of my lips, than YSL’s doe foot, in part because it’s difficult to control how much product it applies. I can’t, for example, imagine using it in the passenger seat as we’re driving to the movies.

Milani Power Lip in 01 Red Control — 01 Red Control

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How To Get Big, Bouncy Curls

January 8th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

I’ve gotten a few requests for a video on the curly hairstyle I wear a lot in pics, so here goes.

Best (or at least my favorite) part about this style is that it’s easy. All you really need is a curling iron and some hairspray (and a sense of adventure!).

OOH! And get this: after you curl your hair, you can probably keep the same style for a couple (or few) days if you don’t wash your mop.

It’s the ultimate in lazy girl hairstyling. 🙂

Products mentioned in the video

Thank you for watching! Hope you’re having a great night.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. That’s NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu on my lips, in case you were wondering.

Meet theBalm’s Cindy-Lou Manizer

January 8th, 2014 by Karen 30 Comments

DUDE! That is so balm…

Get it? theBalm…?

LOL! Sorry. I never get tired of doing that. 🙂

What can I say? I love ’90s slang.

I also love highlighters, like this new one here, Cindy-Lou Manizer ($24), a beautiful opalescent peachy pink with a soft sheen finish.

You can wear it as a highlighter with your favorite corals, peaches or warmish pink blushes, or use it as an eyeshadow.

Today I wore it on the tops of my cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose. I like that it’s shiny, but not so shiny that my skin looks oily when I wear it.

Gonna try it in my inner corners next.

It’s available online now and coming this spring at theBalm counters.

theBalm Cindy-Lou Manizer swatch — A swatch of Cindy-Lou Manizer

Like Tabs, Milani Eye Tech Perfection Liquid Liner Has Curve Appeal

January 8th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

This liner, like Tabs in his groundbreaking spread for Playcat magazine, celebrates curves!

The shape of Milani’s new felt-tipped liquid liner looks really cool — kind of futuristic, like what I imagine liquid liner pens would look like in Bladerunner.

Instead of being shaped like a run-of-the-mill pencil, it’s curved, which they say makes it more ergonomic and easier to use, and by holding the pen at different angles, you’re able to create different liner looks.

Sooooo, does it work?

Well, it’s easy enough to use, and it feels pretty good in my hands, but truth be told, I’m not seeing much difference between using it and a regular liquid liner.

The liner itself? It’s a’ight. I like that it’s dark. It’s a true black shade, but I wish it was a little deeper and glossier.

As for the water-resistant formula, it doesn’t transfer into my creases, which is a big plus, but whatever you do, keep your hands off it! The formula flakes when I rub my eyes.

I know, I know… Gotta break that habit.

I am able to draw fairly sharp lines with the flexible felt tip, but only if I go slowly (things get a little jagged if I’m rushing).

Eye Tech arrives online and at CVS, Walgreens and Wal Mart stores next month. It comes in a single shade, 01 Black.

The New Milani Lip Intense Liquid Colors Are More Intense Than Daniel Craig’s Eyes and Prettier Than a Posy

January 8th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

Makeup Math Word Problem No. 1

QUESTION: At noon a train leaves St. Louis for Chicago. On that train sits a cat lady obsessed with her tubby tabby. Quantify the intensity of her obsession, which, as you know, is quite intense, and double it. Now, multiply that by 20, and add 10. What do you get?

ANSWER: LOL! I have no idea. 🙂 But whatever the answer is, it approximates the intensity of the pigments in these new Milani Lip Intense Liquid Colors.

These pigments are insane! To quote Joey Lawrence from Blossom, “WHOA!”

Milani Lip Intense Liquid Color swatches from the left: 01 Red Extreme, 02 Pink Rave, 03 Fiery Coral and 04 Violet Addict — From the left: 01 Red Extreme, 02 Pink Rave, 03 Fiery Coral and 04 Violet Addict

I’m having a hard time believing these are less than $7 each ($6.49 to be exact). If these four full-coverage liquid lipsticks played dress-up in fancier packaging, I think they could hang with Chanel.

Milani Lip Intense Liquid Color wands from the left: 01 Red Extreme, 02 Pink Rave, 03 Fiery Coral and 04 Violet Addict — Wands from the left: 01 Red Extreme, 02 Pink Rave, 03 Fiery Coral and 04 Violet Addict

They feel so good on my lips — like thin, non-sticky glosses — and last a good, long while (I get about 6 hours), almost like they’re long-wearing liquid lipsticks.

YES!

I do, however, have to watch out for that white line that appears on my bottom lip… You know the one I’m talking about. With these I see it after about three hours of wear. No biggie. When it shows up, I just wipe it off with a makeup wipe or Q-Tip.

As for flavors and scents, well, I’d probably love this one if I wasn’t trying to get back in shape (uh…someone had a A LOT of chocolate over the holidays). These taste and smell like butterscotch.

Mmm…butterscotch.

Milani Lip Intense Liquid Color in 04 Violet Addict — 04 Violet Addict

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Is There a Story Behind Your Interest in Makeup?

January 8th, 2014 by Karen 66 Comments

Too Faced Candy Bar Pop-Out Makeup Palette and iPhone Case — Talk to me!

Did a friend introduce you to it? Or was it your sister or your mom? Did it happen quickly or take a long time? Or was it something that cropped up spontaneously — pure makeup happenstance — where you were totally oblivious to makeup until the one random day you spotted a particular tube of lipstick and BAM! — fell in love? What’s the story behind your interest in makeup? Here’s mine…

First, I was always fascinated by makeup, but my mom, not really being a girly kind of girl, didn’t keep a lot of it around our house, so I didn’t have many opportunities to play with it until that one fateful day…

I think I was around six or seven at the time. Mom had bought a bunch of stuff (a nice haul!) at a Mary Kay party, but she never wore any of it. It all ended up in a bathroom at home that nobody ever used.

So, I would sneak into the bathroom and hold the eyeshadow palette in my hands, gazing at the untouched pans, and thinking that the palette was just about the coolest thing ever.

One morning, I tried to sneak it out of the bathroom, but it was a total fail. I had it under my Hello Kitty t-shirt, and as soon as I stepped into the hallway, it dropped, landing right in front of my mom, haha!

I didn’t get in trouble, but I’m pretty sure my mom thought the incident was weird…

Fast forward a few years to middle school, where I was surrounded by chicks who wore eyeliner. That was the thing at our school at the time — colorful pencil eyeliners in purple, blue and green.

I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup, and I didn’t dare bring it up with my parents because they were strict, so I just stared in envy at my classmates as they lined their eyes in the bathroom.

This was after everyone doused their hair with Aqua Net, of course. Hello! — it was the late ’80s, and we all had hair out to [ here ].

Then, one day, I found a purple Lancome liner in the band room.

Yes, I was a band geek. I know you can picture it, LOL!

I asked around to see if anyone had lost an eyeliner, but no one claimed it. In no time, I was sharpening the tip with my pencil sharpener and drawing a shaky line along my upper lash line in the girls’ bathroom.

Maaaaaaan, that was it. I was hooked. For the rest of seventh grade, I wore that pencil almost every day. Granted, I had no idea what I was doing with it and looked a hot mess — I wish there had been beauty blogs at the time — but I loved it. I’d put it on in the bathroom at school every morning, and take it off before going home every afternoon. It was my secret beauty ritual, and the unofficial start of my interest in makeup. 🙂

So, my friend. Is there a story behind your interest in makeup? Were you introduced to it by a friend? Did you start wearing it as a teen? Or as an adult? I would love to hear your makeup story in the comments (and please, it doesn’t have to be long or involved). I’d just like to know a little more about you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day!