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

Oui, Cargo, I Would Love To Meet You in France! Introducing the New Cargo Let’s Meet in Paris Holiday Kit

November 25th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

I’ve always wanted to spend at least one Christmas abroad in a beautiful place like Paris…

It only took one visit there some years ago for me to fall deeply in love (most beautiful municipal parks I’ve ever seen), even though I spent the whole time wishing I’d paid closer attention in high school French class. (Try buying an umbrella from a street vendor during a downpour in Paris. Yeah! Not the easiest task.)

If I do ever spend a Christmas in Paris, I’m making room in my luggage for Cargo’s Let’s Meet in Paris holiday kit.

The chic set’s rich red and black shades for lips and eyes also sparkle.

I can see it now… Exploring the City of Lights wearing these lush lashes, shimmery black liner and bold red lips.

So sophisticated, are oui! 🙂

The $36 kit (an $85 value) comes with a combination of five new and repromoted full-size and travel-sized products…

1 Red Essential Lip Color (new)
1 Travel-size HD Lip Primer (new)
1 Swimmables Eye Pencil in Black Sea (new)
1 Travel-size Reverse Lip Liner (repromote)
1 TexasLash Mascara (repromote)

You can meet the Let’s Meet in Paris holiday kit now at Ulta stores and ulta.com.

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris: Red Essential Lip Color — Red Essential Lip Color

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris: Reverse Lip Liner — Reverse Lip Liner

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris: Swimmables Eye Pencil in Black Sea — Swimmables Eye Pencil in Black Sea

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris: TexasLash Mascara — TexasLash Mascara

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris: HD Lip Primer — HD Lip Primer

Cargo Let's Meet in Paris swatches — From the left: Red Essential Lip Color, Reverse Lip Liner, Swimmables Eye Pencil in Black Sea, TexasLash Mascara and HD Lip Primer

This Tom Ford Jasmine Rouge Nail Lacquer Is…Shameless

November 25th, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

For guys/dolls with an unabashed weakness for classic creamy reds (and who don’t mind dropping a little extra cheddar on their nail polishes) comes the new $32 Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Shameless.

It’s one of two polishes in the new Jasmine Rouge holiday color collection, available now at Tom Ford Beauty counters and online.

“Introducing Tom Ford’s audacious new red lip and nail pairings: two duos of classic crimson or sumptuous cherry shades inspired by the daring femininity of his private blend fragrance, Jasmin Rouge. They evoke the scent’s decadent, spiced floral notes and iconic red bottle, and capture its mood of hedonistic glamour.

“Experience the power of crimson with Tom Ford Lip Color in Rouge Fatal and Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Shameless. Indulge in rich cherry with Tom Ford Lip Color Vampire Kiss and Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Trophy Wife.”

— Tom Ford Beauty

Inspired by a fragrance? Does that mean the polishes are scented?

Well, nope. They most certainly aren’t.

But it is crazy pigmented. Even though I’m wearing two coats in the swatch above (force of habit!), I’m sure I could’ve gotten away with one.

The smooth, flawless formula is a cinch to apply with the easy-to-control brush. Granted…it probably should be for the price.

Gorgeous color, though.

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 299

November 25th, 2013 by Karen 49 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for November 25, 2013

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 six years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Do you wear mascara on your bottom lashes?
I usually do, both for pics and real life, ’cause I think it opens up my eyes a little, and you know I’m always down for anything that helps me look like I’m more awake.
Watching figure skating on TV: yes or no?
Big ol’ YES! Not that I really know what’s going on or follow it religiously, but it’s one of my favorite things to watch during the Olympics.

What’s your favorite kind of pie?
I can seriously eat half an entire pecan pie in a single sitting, and depending on the size of the pie…maybe the whole thing.

I am so not joking either.

Is there someone in your life who’s always encouraged you to chase after your dreams?
My sweet, loving husband. 🙂 He’s always been supportive of my writing dreams. I never would have sent out those first freelance writing query letters or started Makeup and Beauty Blog if not for his encouragement.

Besides laughter, what’s the best medicine?
Any of the following: a mani/pedi, a tub of Three Twins ice cream, sleep, stretchy pants…

Have you ever dedicated a song on the radio to someone?
LOL, no! Although I used to think that was the coolest thing back in the day, especially if you were on the receiving end of a song dedication.

Back when I was a teen, I listened to this radio show called Love Lines every night on the local hip-hop station (KMEL) in the hopes that Evan Luck (Bay Area folks, remember him?!) would say, “This Bobbi Brown slow jam is for Karen in Union City…” HAHA!

Where do you feel the safest?
At night in my bed with El Hub and Tabs beside to me.

Who makes the best drugstore nail polish?
Oh, there are so many great ones, but I have a soft spot for Sally Hansen. Her Insta-Dri polishes have saved my butt so many times!

What shoes are you wearing today?
A pair of comfy caramel brown low-heeled Frye boots I got last year on sale at Nordies. They totally keep my feet warm.

Hello, would you like whipped cream with your hot cocoa?
Yes, please!

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

1. Do you wear mascara on your bottom lashes?
2. Watching figure skating on TV: yes or no?
3. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
4. Is there someone in your life who’s always encouraged you to chase after your dreams?
5. Besides laughter, what’s the best medicine?
6. Have you ever dedicated a song on the radio to someone?
7. Where do you feel the safest?
8. Who makes the best drugstore nail polish?
9. What shoes are you wearing today?
10. Hello, would you like whipped cream with your hot cocoa?

Catching Fuego!

So…I watched Catching Fire twice this weekend and, uh, I’m a little ashamed. 🙂

And you know what? If someone were to ask me to go see it with them tonight, I would probably go again.

Oh, my gosh! I liked it so much… But yes, I see a lot of movies and love young adult books, so there’s that.

Yesterday at brunch (Ever been to Marvin’s in Novato? We like to go on Sunday mornings. I love their blueberry pancakes with powdered sugar on top, yum!) El Hub and I spent the entire time talking about the movie, which we watched the night before.

Anyway, we were sitting there getting our breakfast on and talking about the movie (no spoilers, I promise), when I started thinking how much I’d like to see it again (which I don’t do very often; last time was the first Hunger Games movie), and then out of nowhere El Hub says we should!

Life lesson here: if you can, marry a man who’ll take you to Sunday brunch and then invite you to watch Catching Fire for the second time in two days.

This morning I’m heading to the MAC Pro Store in the city to get a close look at the new brushes and some usage tips, which I’ll definitely be sharing with you, of course.

You enjoy your day, ‘k? Blueberry pancakes for everyone!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 271

November 24th, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

Who is Tabs the Cat? About six years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂

Wowzers! What a whirlwind of activity. It’s been hectic up in here today at the headquarters of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC. It was our annual Thanksgiving office party, which of course means I’ve been opening cans of gravy all afternoon.

The party is actually kind of weird because — well, I mean, for a few reasons — the company doesn’t really have any employees other than me and Tabs, and he’s the FEO (Feline Executive Officer). Tabs throws the party every year primarily for the photographers who work with him on kitty modeling shoots, you know, as a way to say, “Meow!” (Thank you!) to them for making him look so good.

It’s also maybe a tad unusual for a tabby cat to throw a party — I mean, a party of this magnitude.

Gravy fountains, an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, a catnip-infused oxygen bar and cameos by some of the hottest cats in the business (Garfield, anyone?). It was a pretty big to-do.

But, thankfully, it’s over now, and I can finally rest.

Ah…

Oh! Almost forgot. Here are the latest kitty modeling pics in Tabs’ online portfolio. Hope you enjoy. 🙂

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

November 23rd, 2013 by Karen 462 Comments

WOW! OK…I don’t want to bore you if you aren’t a Hunger Games fan, but Catching Fire was SO GOOD.

No spoilers, I promise.

I only wish I’d reread the book before seeing the movie last night because — I don’t know — the book was also SO GOOD. 🙂

How’s it going today, babe? I hope you have a great weekend lined up. I’m fueling up on coffee right now to help me through a run, and after that, who knows? Maybe a quick trip to the mall.

I do have to do some grocery shopping and laundry today, but those are my only chores…

Good luck in this weekend’s giveaway. I’ll talk to you soon.

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:
- Have you ever played in the snow?
- What’s your favorite Thanksgiving side (mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc.)?
- Do you ever pluck, wax or shave your toes (yes, your toes)?
- Who makes the best eyeshadow formula (but maybe not necessarily the best colors)?
- Are you right-handed, left-handed or ambidextrous?
- Do you ever apply your eye makeup without a mirror?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, November 25, 2013 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Fit for a Queen: The New Napoleon Perdis Empress Eye Palette

November 22nd, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

My pulse quickens when I open the new Empress Eye Palette by Napoleon Perdis. 🙂

Now, it doesn’t beat as fast as it did during the exciting parts of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (just got home from watching it, and now I’m weirdly emotional… I get attached to the characters, you know?), but it definitely flutters, especially when I see the green, purple and blue shades tucked between the mellower brown, beige, pink and peach.

Methinks it strikes a perfect balance between colorful and wearable shades.

The kit’s available now at Neiman Marcus and neimanmarcus.com for $59.

P.S. SEE IT!!!

Le Métier de Beauté’s Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Saint-Domingue Has a Fresh, Unusual Combination of Colors and a Knack for Staying Out of Trouble (Also Known as My Fine Lines)

November 22nd, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Whoop! I just had a NARS moment.

I swiveled Le Métier de Beauté’s Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Saint-Domingue open, and you know how some NARS limited edition collections leave you scratching your head at first?

It’s happened to me more than once. Sometimes the color pairings seem a little odd at first glance, but then I start digging in, and everything clicks (or usually does).

That’s how it was for me at first with this four-pan palette of powder eyeshadows. The rosy peach matte, matte periwinkle blue, shimmery reddish golden purple (so pretty!) and shimmery gunmetal gray aren’t the kinds of colors I would think to put together, but once I started playing with them, they started making sense.

At $95, the limited edition set, exclusive to Saks Fifth Avenue stores and online, isn’t exactly budget (that’s an understatement!), but they are an interesting blend of colors that go together in unusual ways.

“This exquisite collection, inspired by the uniquely rich, colorful Creole culture that was born out of Haitian, West African, and French influences on the island of Hispaniola, features soft, misty neutrals combined with rose and shimmering plum. Kaleidoscope Eye Kits contain four complementary shades in one compact that create a prism of color for the eye. The kaleidoscope is easy to carry and has a mirror on the top for on-the-go touch-ups.”
— saksfifthavenue.com

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A Black Lipstick for Black Friday: MAC Hautecore Friday Lipstick Goes on Sale for One Day Only, November 29

November 22nd, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Take heed, shopaholics! If you plan to dive headlong into the Black Friday fray next week (November 29), steer clear of anyone roaming retail halls with a ravenous twinkle in their eye…

Case in point:

I know this because it’s a lesson I learned the hard way (of course). Years ago, on a dark and stormy November night…

OK, not really, it was daytime, and the weather was fine. 🙂 But it was during a particularly vicious Bebe sample sale in South San Francisco. A woman with this exact same look on her face walked up to me and pulled a skirt I was holding from my hands.

Shocked, I stood there with my mouth agape for about five silent seconds before my cavewoman instincts kicked in. I was about to run her down and stab her with one of my knitting needles (I’d been standing in front of the store for hours to get into the sale, during which time I finished knitting not one, but two, scarves). Thank goodness I came to my senses and refrained.

So yeah. Watch out for those hard-core shoppers, man! They don’t mess around…

Hopefully, online shopping won’t be that traumatic this year. If you plan to do any cyber-shopping on November 29, swing by the MAC website, because that’s when and where the new MAC Hautecore Friday Lipstick goes live.

MAC Hautecore Lipstick — Hautecore all up in yer grill

The brand-spankin’ new matte black lipstick will be available exclusively online that one day only.

MAC Hautecore Friday Lipstick Swatch — A swatch of Hautecore Friday on my NC42 skin

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