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

Lifting Brows One Swipe at a Time, the New Too Faced Instant Attitude Brow Lift

December 11th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Hey, lady, can I give you a lift?

Well…I never say yes to strangers trying to pick me up, but since you’re a pencil, and you’re offering to lift my brows, why not? 🙂

Please excuse my weird expression at the top of this post. I figure, life is too short to not laugh at yourself while applying $20 Instant Attitude Brow Lift by Too Faced, LOL!

Trust me, though, it gets better after the buffing…

A new addition to the Too Faced line, Instant Attitude launches with the rest of the spring 2014 collection tomorrow (Dec. 12). It’s a chubby eye pencil that comes in a matte vanilla shade designed to create the illusion of higher arches.

Apply it beneath your brow bone, or along the entire length of each brow like I’m doing here, and then buff down with a finger or brush (I used Too Faced’s Lid Brush from the fab Shadow Brushes Essential 3-Piece Set).

The result? Instantly lifted brows! Oh, yeah…

Too Faced Instant Attitude Brow Lift before — Before…

I actually do this trick all the time for pics and video. How does it work? Well, generally, applying lighter colors makes that part of the face look as if it’s closer to the viewer (think highlighting). Lighter colors beneath the brow, like with this pencil, bump up that area visually, giving it a bit of a lift.

Too Faced Instant Attitude Brow Lift after — And after…

You can do this with a bunch of different products, too, like concealers, eyeliners — anything, really — as long as it’s several shades lighter than your skin tone.

This new pencil from Too Faced is ideal for this on account of how easy it is to buff into the skin. I usually do this trick with a MAC Chromographic Pencil in NW25/NC30, which I have to swipe more than a few times to soften and remove any harsh lines.

Instant Attitude, by comparison, blends quicker. Swish, swish and done.

Too Faced Instant Attitude Brow Lift Box — Packaging

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Bulletproof Brows By Too Faced Cosmetics Blazes Through Building Sweat-Proof Brows

December 11th, 2013 by Karen 32 Comments

Too Faced Bulletproof Brows — Wearing the new Bulletproof Brows by Too Faced

Chocolate: 1. Treadmill: 0.

In the Battle of Sweets Vs. Sweat, I can usually bribe myself into working out (“bribe” being the key word here), but I just couldn’t do it last night.

I’d planned to test the sweat-proof-ness of long-lasting new Bulletproof Brows by Too Faced, which I’d been wearing all day, but the Dark Chocolate Stars won in the end…

They always win… (*shakes fist!*)

Trader Joe's Mini Dark Chocolate Stars — Oh, my gawd, Becky… TOTES AMAZE-BALLS!

I actually did wind up testing Bulletproof on the treadmill later in the day, but we’ll get to that in a few. 🙂

A new Too Faced brow product recently launched with the spring Haute Chocolate collection, Bulletproof comes in just two colors — Universal Brown and Universal Taupe — and with the product, which comes in a round compact with a mirror, you also get a dual-ended tool with an angled brow brush on one end and a spoolie on the other.

Too Faced Bulletproof Brows Universal Brunette — $30 Bulletproof Brows in Universal Brunette (one of two shades; the other’s called Universal Taupe)

Too Faced says that Bulletproof Brows has a “cashmere clay formula” that works like a powder, gel, pencil and setting wax in one, and that’s supposed to translate to waterproof, smudge-proof and budge-proof brows in 60 seconds.

It works like Benefit’s brow zings but waaaaay better.

The drier formula might take a little getting used to, but once you figure out how much to apply (at first, I thought it was easy to go overboard with) and find the sweet spot, it looks effortlessly natural.

Good stuff. 🙂

I wore Universal Brunette in my brows yesterday for at least nine hours, and my brows looked full and fresh — no patchiness — the entire time. Even my brow bald spot (EFF YOU, RAUL!) stayed hidden.

Too Faced Bulletproof Brows before — Before Bulletproof…

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MAC Stress Shopper’s Diary: Products I Recently Picked Up To Brighten My Look

December 11th, 2013 by Karen 47 Comments

What’s the recipe for a MAC stress shopping session?

Start with a really long week. Add a heaping tablespoon of waking up early every morning looking really, really, REALLY tired. Throw in free shipping on the MAC website, and BAM! Next thing you know, there’s a little black box on your doorstep, and your husband is shaking it and looking at you suspiciously because he’s thinking that the last thing you need in the world is ONE MORE BLUSH. 🙂

These are the days of my life…

Yeah, so I picked up a few things from MAC I’ve been wanting for a while. Most of them are products to help brighten and enliven my look (wish me luck!).

Products mentioned in the video…

Shaping Powder in Lightsweep, $16.50
Shaping Powder in Accentuate, $16.50
Powder Blush in Cantaloupe, $17
Powder Blush in Style, $17
Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose, $25
Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast, $25
Eye Shadow in Swiss Chocolate, $10
Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone, $21
Prep + Prime Liner Filler, $21
Pro Palette Large/Single, $8
Pro Palette Blush X6 Insert, $2

MAC Shaping Powder in Lightsweep — Shaping Powder in Lightsweep (MAC Pro)

MAC Shaping Powder in Accentuate — Shaping Powder in Accentuate (MAC Pro)

MAC Cantaloupe Blush — Cantaloupe Blush (MAC Pro)

MAC Swiss Chocolate — Swiss Chocolate Eye Shadow

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Looking for a No-Fuss Blush for Your Makeup Bag? Try the New Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blushes in Something About Berry and Peach Beach

December 10th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Something About Berry

If, one day, you catch yourself gazing into a drawer filled with Too Faced Sweethearts Blushes and beaming with delight, I’ll be that voice in the back of your mind saying, “See, told ya this would be AWESOME!” 🙂

“Based on our best-selling Sweetheart’s Perfect Flush Blush, we’ve developed two more no-fail color palette blushes to take the guesswork out of creating a sweet, romantic flush. In each baked, heart shaped blush there are three individual color swatches. Blend all three swatches together for one universal shade or use each swatch individually for custom color.”

— Too Faced Cosmetics

I dunno what happened, but when I opened these two new spring blush shades in Something About Berry and Peach Beach, it was as if I could see the future! — I mean, I can TOTALLY see the Sweethearts Blushes being seen as Too Faced’s take on Benefit’s Box O’ Blushes.

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush in Peach Beach — Peach Beach, $30

Can you imagine?? A whole collection of Sweethearts Blushes in different shades? These two new spring colors join last year’s Candy Glow, and I can’t imagine why Too Faced would stop at just three.

Keep going, Jerrod! 🙂 (Sending vibes of positive reinforcement…)

Great for blush beginners (or really anyone who wants a no-fuss blush in their makeup bag), the Sweethearts contain a perfect amount of sheer color, apply smoothly, and require hardly any blending.

Too Faced Peach Beach Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush — Peach Beach

Peachy pink Peach Beach — similar to MAC Style Blush but slightly sheerer — has a beautiful bronzy golden sheen. On lighter lovelies, it should look absolutely gorgeous all by itself.

Darker damsels might love it as a highlighter, where I think it would look stunning layered atop coral and peach blushes.

Too Faced Something About Berry Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush — Something About Berry

Fuchsia Something About Berry, the other shade, is simply a stunner. With its peachy golden sheen, it absolutely pops on tanned skin. Pick this up now! — and save it for summer to wear with a sheer hot pink gloss.

Love, love and LOVE! Set a reminder to check ’em out when they launch online December 12.

Too Faced Something About Berry Peach Beach Swatches — Sweethearts Blushes in Something About Berry (left) and Peach Beach (right)

And Now for Dessert, Bon Bon, Taffy, Jelly Bean, Lollipop and Pink Chocolate: The Five New Too Faced Spring 2014 Haute Chocolate Collection La Creme Lipsticks

December 10th, 2013 by Karen 25 Comments

Too Faced La Creme Lipsticks Haute Chocolate Spring 2014 — From the left, the La Creme Lipsticks in Bon Bon, Jelly Bean, Lollipop, Pink Chocolate an Taffy ($22 each)

The five new La Creme Lipsticks in the Spring 2014 Haute Chocolate Collection from Too Faced are so creamy — so dreamy — that I almost forgot about the citrus tree-killing cold snap outside. (Grrr… I think it eighty-sixed my beloved dwarf orange tree.)

Someone pass me some hot tea and another pair of socks, thanks!

I love that these crazy opaque colors evoke spring without going the usual pastel route, and they’re oh, so smooth…

Hello, it’s the ’80s calling on this giant old-school cordless phone. Is Karen there??

Why, yes. Yes, she is. 🙂

I think I may have worn something like Lollipop to the eighth-grade dance in 1989…along with my Jessica McClintock dress, haha! — except that this is an updated version with smaller flecks of glitter.

I’d wear this one with a peach or coral cheek because pairing it with a blush shade too similar to the color of the lipstick could look a little dated (picture Joan Cusack in Working Girl).

Too Faced Taffy — Taffy, a warm peachy pink nude with a cream finish

I love Taffy because — well, because it’s delicious. 🙂

But seriously, I love warm peachy pink nude Taffy because it doesn’t look washed out or unnatural; it just might be my new favorite everyday lip shade. I bet it would look amaze-balls with with smokey eyes!

Oh, but you might want to pat it down when you first apply to smooth it out, because I’ve noticed that Taffy likes to hang out in my vertical lip lines (how rude!).

Too Faced Jelly Bean La Creme Lipstick — Jelly Bean, a bright creamy red

Doesn’t bright creamy red Jelly Bean look like a purr-fect partner for black cat liner? Cat lady says, “MEOW!”

Too Faced Bon Bon La Creme Lipstick — Bon Bon, a creamy coral pink

Same goes for creamy coral pink Bon Bon. Both shades have pigment that’s off the charts! Totally opaque, and they feel fabulously smooth.

Too Faced Pink Chocolate — Pink Chocolate, a creamy pinkish brown

And then there’s Pink Chocolate — sort of an updated version of a ’90s brown lip. If you were to wear it with a plaid shirt and Timbaland boots and blast Biggie and Lil’ Kim, you’d be reliving my college experience, LOL!

Of all five shades here, it’s the least pigmented, but by no means would I call it sheer. More like “semi-opaque cream.”

They’re unflavored, but the lot of ’em smell faintly of marshmallows to me. Wear time clocks in around 3-4 hours for the more pigmented ones, and a little less for the others.

Too Faced La Creme Spring 2014 swatches in Bon Bon, Jelly Bean, Lollipop, Pink Chocolate an Taffy — La Creme Lipsticks from the left: Bon Bon, Jelly Bean, Lollipop, Pink Chocolate and Taffy

Look for the five new La Cremes, along with the rest of the Too Faced spring 2014 Haute Chocolate collection, at toofaced.com starting December 12.

The New Too Faced Candy Bar Pop-Out Makeup Palette & iPhone Case, and the Life and Times of an International Kitty Supermodel’s Harried Pet Assistant

December 10th, 2013 by Karen 26 Comments

Wearing (and holding!) the new Too Faced Candy Bar Pop-Out Makeup Palette and iPhone Case ($25)

KAREN: “I’m so sorry, Mr. Lagerfeld, but I have to briefly place you on hold. Tabs’ emergency line is ringing, and I need to answer it.

(Picks up phone.) “Hello, Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, Office of the President. This is a secure line. How may I assist you?”

TABS: “Meow.” (“It took you long enough.”)

KAREN: “Oh, hello, sir. Did you mean to call me on the emergency line? I have Karl on hold, and he’s kind of in a cranky mood…”

TABS: “Meeeeowww. Mrow.” (“No time for pleasantries, woman. What’s the status on the Too Faced Candy Bar Pop-Out Makeup Palette report I asked you to prepare?”)

KAREN: “Well, I was just about to type up the final draft and email it to you, but I can relay the highlights to you over the phone. Do you have a moment? I don’t want to interrupt your vacay on Kauai…”

TABS: “Mrow. Mrrow-mrow-mrow!” (“You know I’m always on the job, even on vacation! Give me the abridged version; I have two minutes before the limo gets here, and I don’t want to be late for my deep-tissue kitty massage at the Four Seasons.”)

KAREN: “Understood, sir. Well, let’s see, the essentials — it’s $25, limited edition, new for spring, and it comes with 11 powder eyeshadows, a matte bronzer and a matte blush. You can also pop out the palette and use the case as a cover for your phone, but it only works with the iPhone 5 (and possibly the 5s).

“I experienced some minor fallout from the shadows. As for blending, the mattes blended pretty well, as did the shimmers, although the lighter shimmers could use a little more pigment. The darker shades, however — in particular the purple and blue — made my eyes a little teary.

“Regarding the packaging, it’s cute, but the pans are rather small. I couldn’t help but accidentally cross-pollinate the colors.”

Too Faced Candy Bar Palette — The Candy Bar Palette in its case

TABS: “Mrrrwow?” (“The bronzer and blush?”)

KAREN: “I really like them both. Very pigmented, smooth, easy to blend. Again, the smaller pan sizes are kind of a pain because they don’t quite fit my bronzer and blush brushes easily.”

Too Faced Candy Bar Pop Out Makeup Palette Swatches — Swatches…

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For Spring, Too Faced Went Cocoa for Cosmetics! The New 11-Piece Too Faced Haute Chocolate Spring 2014 Collection Is Here

December 10th, 2013 by Karen 39 Comments

Baby, it’s cold outside. How ’bout some Haute Chocolate? The new 11-piece cocoa-crazy Too Faced Haute Chocolate collection should satisfy that sweet tooth. 🙂

All of the pieces are new. We’re talkin’ two cocoa-themed palettes, five sweet shades of lipstick, two frosted blushes and two brow defining products to keep your look sweet come spring, and in classic Too Faced fashion, the feminine, wearable collection also features a perfect pinch of sass.

Eyes and brows stay relatively neutral, while brighter pops of pink, peach, coral and berry brighten lips and cheeks.

As for timing, you won’t have to wait long to get your chocolate fix because all of these pieces, except for the Chocolate Bar Palette, arrive online December 12. The Chocolate Bar, a Sephora exclusive, goes on sale a week later on December 19.

Here are pics and swatches of the entire release! More detailed reviews to follow…

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette — Chocolate Bar Palette, $49

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And the Cherry On Top? Nicole by OPI Oil to Go Cuticle and Nail Moisturizer Takes Out Dry Cuticles

December 10th, 2013 by Karen 9 Comments

Smells like cherry cough drops…

Weird, but cool.

Really, if you think about it, who says cuticle oil can’t smell like cherry cough drops (intentionally or not)? Is there a law that limits cuticle moisturizing fragrances to a list of pre-approved scents (lavender: approved; orange: approved; cherry cough drops: UNAPPROVED!)?

I don’t think so — which is great, because at least cherry cough drops are interesting.

Nicole by OPI Oil to Go cuticle and nail moisturizer ($7.99) has interesting packaging, too. Designed for on-the-go gals, it looks almost like a lipgloss in its tube.

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