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

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

An Urban Decay Face of the Day With Naked3: A Rosy Gold Daytime Smokey Eye

by 26 Comments

Urban Decay Naked3
Wearing the new Urban Decay Naked3 Palette on my eyes

Whoa, boy. I am a sleep-sheepy today…but that wasn’t going to stop me from playing naked.

I mean playing with naked — Urban Decay Naked3.

Just a few shots of the look I’m wearing. I think it’s a little more wearable and daytime-friendly than the look I did on Monday.

Urban Decay Naked3

I also incorporated some colors from the Naked and Naked2 palettes, just to see how well they’d work with Naked3’s rosy gold.

I think it went well.

Quick breakdown of what I used!

On my eyes I’m wearing…

  • The Urban Decay Naked3 Palette (shimmery rose gold Liar on my lids and glittery blackened rose Blackheart in the outer corners)
  • The Urban Decay Naked Palette (Buck, the matte brown shade, in the crease)
  • The Urban Decay Naked2 Palette(Foxy, the matte beige shade, on the brown bone)
  • UD’s new 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Blackheart, glittery blackened rose from the new Blackheart and Darkside liner duo (along my lower lash lines)
  • UD’s new 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion, a true black from the new Perversion and Pistol duo (water lines)
  • UD’s new 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Venus a shimmery beige from the Venus and Crave duo (worn as a base all over my lids under the other products)
  • Clarins Be Long Mascara (my lashes)
  • MAC Brun Eye Shadow (brows)

Urban Decay Naked3

On my cheeks and lips that’s…

[Continue reading…]

What’s One Beauty Service You Absolutely Refuse to Pay For?

by 57 Comments

I’m talking things like manicures, pedicures, waxing, hair coloring, facials. For me, it’s any sort of brow maintenance. I do — and have always done — my own brows, mostly ’cause I have an irrational fear of someone accidentally waxing, threading or tweezing them into oblivion.

I always think of this scene I saw unfold at a Benefit counter, when a woman walked up in tears after a dicey threading session at a brow salon elsewhere in town. Poor thing had red, patchy areas below her brows, which were pencil thin and totally uneven. The Benefit girls did a wonderful job of reassuring her, and telling her that everything was going to be OK. They showed her how to fill in her brows until they grew back again and suggested the products she could use.

Another thing I refuse to pay for is body waxing. DUDE! — I can wax my legs, upper lip and lady parts no problem (Underarms are a different story, though. Too ticklish.), but I don’t do it very often because shaving is so much quicker and more convenient for me.

So what’s a beauty services you absolutely refuse to pay for? Manicures? Pedicures? Facials or Waxing? Anyone out there daring enough to cut their own hair (I’ve known someone who’s done that before)? Inquiring minds want to know…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day. 🙂

The New Sigma Beauty Enlight Collection $165 Set Was Made for Neutral Lovers

by 14 Comments



















The Sigma Enlight Collection set, $165 (a $209 value)
The Sigma Enlight Collection set, $165 (a $209 value)
The entire Sigma Enlight Collection as a set, $165 (a $209 value)

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Sigma Land is paradise for neutral lovers.

Yup, Sigma Beauty has a new collection of neutrals and brushes coming December 9, and here’s a sneak peek.

The entire collection is available as a set for $165, or you can get the products individually.

Reviews, swatches and looks coming soon…

“The Sigma Beauty Enlight Collection includes an array of products with a new take on neutrals. This collection contains one eye shadow palette, three lip glosses, three eye liners, three eye shadow bases, three powder blushes and three eye brushes. All of the products featured in the collection were created to add a unique warmth and calmness to your makeup routine.”

— Sigma Beauty

The Sigma Enlight Collection includes…

  • Enlight Collection, $165 (a $209 value)
  • Eye Shadow Palette — Warm Neutrals, $39
  • E34 — Domed Utility Brush, $12
  • E52 — Soft Focus Shader Brush, $14
  • E54 — Medium Sweeper Brush, $12
  • Eye Shadow Base — Awake, $13
  • Eye Shadow Base — Composed, $13
  • Eye Shadow Base — Neutralize, $13
  • Blush — Mellow, $12
  • Blush — Peaceful, $12
  • Blush — Serene, $12
  • Eye Liner — Eclipse, $9
  • Eye Liner — Nutmeg, $9
  • Eye Liner — Vintage, $9
  • Lip Gloss — Hint, $10
  • Lip Gloss — Tint, $10
  • Lip Gloss — Tranquil, $10

Sigma Lip Gloss - Tint, $10
Lip Gloss – Tint, $10

Sigma Lip Gloss - Hint, $10
Lip Gloss – Hint, $10

Sigma Lip Gloss - Tranquil, $10
Lip Gloss – Tranquil, $10

Sigma Eye Shadow Palette - Warm Neutrals, $39
Eye Shadow Palette – Warm Neutrals, $39

Sigma Blush - Mellow, $12
Blush – Mellow, $12

Sigma Blush - Serene, $12
Blush – Serene, $12

Sigma Blush - Peaceful, $12
Blush – Peaceful, $12

Sigma Eye Shadow Base - Awake, $13
Eye Shadow Base – Awake, $13

Sigma Eye Shadow Base - Composed, $13
Eye Shadow Base – Composed, $13

Sigma Eye Shadow Base - Neutralize, $13
Eye Shadow Base – Neutralize, $13

Sigma Eye Liner - Eclipse, $9
Eye Liner – Eclipse, $9

Sigma Eye Liner - Vintage, $9
Eye Liner – Vintage, $9

Sigma Eye Liner - Nutmeg, $9
Eye Liner – Nutmeg, $9

Sigma Enlight Brushes
The brushes

Fall Favorites: The Makeup I’ve Been Using and Loving This Fall

by 61 Comments

OK, so I know I’m talking waaaay too fast in this video and I’m super stiff (like a robot version of myself, haha!), but I was very nervous.

I assure you — this is not an android stunt double. It’s me, Karen. It’s just that it’s been ages since I filmed one of these, so please forgive me for rambling and staring off into space like a crazy person.

With that said…I actually enjoyed doing it, so I might do more vids in the future.

Anywho, fall faves! Here are prices and links for the products I mention in the video…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict (no, not the robot version),

Karen

What’s the Best Makeup Purchase You Can Make for $5 or Less?

by 32 Comments

Truth is, there are tons of great budget beauty products out there, but here’s one I like for $3.49: Essence Gel Eyeliners.

Have you tried ’em before? They’re so great! — waterproof, smudge-proof, super smooth and easy to apply. And they’re like the Hulk once you get them on your lids. They absolutely will not budge unless you ask really, really nicely.

I’m in a thick cat eye liner phase, so these have been my jam lately. I’ve been alternating them with the MAC Fluidlines and NARS Eye Paints to make the pricier products last longer.

I mean, $3.49! That’s less than Starbucks, and they’re available all over the place — drugstores, Ulta and online.

Which reminds me, an Ulta store is opening a few miles away from me in San Rafael. Actually, it might be open right now… I think this calls for a quick trip. 🙂

What’s the most bad-@ss sub-$5 makeup product you can think of? Or, if you can do it, combination of products that add up to $5 or less? And sure, sales and eBay deals count.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

With Three Products and a Leopard-Print Bag, Jouer’s Party Perfect Holiday Set Has Hard-Working Pet Assistants Saying Meow

by 16 Comments

Jouer Party Perfect
With the leopard-print canvas bag that comes with the set

Does anyone ever have fun at work holiday parties? I envy you if you do, because when I worked in the city, I did not.

It was a stuffy office bloated with big egos and rife with corporate intrigue!

OK, not really. 🙂 But it was very hard to unwind around my bosses, and when I absolutely, positively couldn’t wiggle my way out of it, I’d show up to make an appearance, say “Hi!” to whoever might notice my absence, and peace out quietly as soon as I could sneak out the door…

The parties are better now at my current gig as assistant to the CEO of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC.

Tabs usually invites all of his kitty modeling peers and industry heavyweights (like Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s feline associate), and of course there’s always an open bar where the catnip cocktails flow freely…

I don’t really get to par-tay like a rockstar because of my admin duties, like making sure the guests get home safely and that no one steals anything (don’t get me started on the time a Ragdoll pilfered Tabs’ fine art collection).

Long story short, these occasions are usually quite entertaining, and they give me an excuse to wear party makeup.

Thing is, I can’t go really over the top since these are technically work gigs. I still have to look somewhat responsible, which is why Jouer’s Party Perfect holiday kit might work perfectly.

Jouer Party Perfect
Ready to party wearing Jouer’s Party Perfect set on my eyes and lips
Jouer Party Perfect
In my paw for scale…

When I showed this three-piece set to our CEO, he promptly sent this memo: “Mrrroow. Meeeeow. *Purr*”

That’s corporate shorthand for “Chic and sophisticated. I approve.” 🙂

The limited edition release comes with three Jouer makeup essentials for classically simple party looks, and it comes with a roomy zippered leopard-print canvas bag, inside which you’ll find…

Jouer Meg
Meg Lipstick

Jouer’s Hydrating Lipstick in Meg, a creamy, moisturizing honey pale pink with Brazilian Cupuacu Butter. Perfect for a classic nude lip.

Because my lips are so pigmented, I like to bump it up with a lip liner, and top it off with a sheer pink gloss for extra shine.

Jouer Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner
Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner

The set also comes with Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Leopard, a bronzed chocolate liquid liner that softly shimmers to take your cat eyes up a notch from basic black.

Jouer Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner
Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner

[Continue reading…]

Net-a-Porter’s Luxury Limited Edition Glossybox Comes With Eight Products for $40

by 12 Comments





This limited edition Glossybox is a great deal! It’s $40, from Net-a-Porter, and comes with several full-sized beauty products seasoned with deluxe and travel-sized samplers from brands like RBG, Klorane, Ellis Faas and Kevyn Aucoin (there’s more; the full list’s below).

This one’s a one-shot deal for $40 and comes with eight products, but if you like the idea of trying lots of new products every month, that’s what Glossybox is for. It’s a subscription service, where you pay — I think it’s $21 per month — for a box of five different beauty products delivered right to your door.

It’s a great way to discover new beauty gems and holy grails.

They also have different subscription durations, like six months for a slight price break ($19.17 instead of $21/month). The three-month plan for $20/month could be a good Christmas gift sweet spot for the beauty lover in your life.

In the Net-a-Porter box here, you get an Ellis Faas Mascara, which regularly costs $34 (I like it for length) if you buy it separately, and the very pigmented Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Duo, which regularly costs $42, so right there between those two products alone you’re looking at a huge savings.

Not too shabby tabby.

Everything in the $40 Luxury Limited Edition Glossybox from Net-a-Porter

  • Brighten skin, minimize dark spots and protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays with Natura Bissé’s Diamond White SPF 50+++ Oil-Free Brilliant Sun Protection (10ml/0.34 oz.)
  • A shimmering nude and sophisticated dark-blue make up a complementary combination in Kevyn Aucoin’s The Eye Shadow Duo – No. 206 (4.8g/0.16 oz.)
  • Perfectly lengthen and separate lashes with the velvety formula of Ellis Faas’ Mascara E401 – Black
  • Get intense hold and shine without flakiness or build-up using Philip B’s Oud Royal Gravity-Defying Gel (14.8ml/0.5 oz.)
  • Rejuvenate cracked skin and strengthen nails with RGB’s Jojoba and Biotin-enriched Cuticle Oil (12ml/0.40 fl.oz.)
  • Klorane’s Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (50ml/1.06 oz.) is the ultimate secret weapon to cleanse lackluster locks while adding texture and volume
  • To soften, soothe, and restore skin, try Avène’s Thermal Spring Water spray (50ml/1.7 fl.oz.)
  • Joya’s Âmes Sœurs Roll-On Parfum (1.5ml/0.05 fl.oz.) offers notes of Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange Blossom and Jasmine in a roll-on design for easy application

Quantities are limited, so if you like the idea, better act fast. It’s available at net-a-porter.com.

Laura Mercier’s 17-Piece White Magic Holiday Collection Promises To Brighten Spirits While It Illuminates Lips and Lids

by 12 Comments

Laura Mercier Flamingo Creme Smooth Lip Colour, Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour and Gunmetal Smoke Tightline Cake Eye Liner
Wearing a few pieces from the new Laura Mercier White Magic Collection: Flamingo Crème Smooth Lip Colour Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour and Gunmetal Smoke Tightline Cake Eye Liner

I’m really hoping to feel some holiday magic this year because last Christmas was a blur. You know all the fun (sometimes frantic) things that come with the holidays, like spending time shopping for meaningful gifts, carefully wrapping presents (as opposed to just slapping things together with tape) and decorating the tree? Last year, everything I did was last-minute. This year, I want to take the time to really savor the holidays and make them a priority, you know? Life is too short.

That magic I mentioned? — there’s actually some happening now over at Laura Mercier counters, where the White Magic holiday collection is available.

Laura Mercier White Magic
Five of the 17 pieces from the White Magic collection

The 17-piece limited edition launch heralds the holidays with shimmery pastels, illuminated skin and shiny, glossy lips.

When I look at these products, I think of the word, “glow.” But not in a bronzed, beachy way. I’m thinking more in terms of regal, otherworldly winter ice queens riding silent sleighs across snow-covered fields…

White Magic is one of those collections with a healthy dose of shimmer and pastel.

Ya know, I do like pastels, and I think a little shimmery white or baby blue on the lids close to the lash lines can look very artsy, particularly with thick cat liner, but generally, with my tan and warm skin tone, I think they get a little lost on me. But I think they can look phenomenal on gals with lighter skin, and on younger women (shimmer isn’t always so forgiving on mature skin).

The collection isn’t all pale colors and shimmer, though. There are moments in which darker, more intense colors break through, and those are the ones that make me do grabby hands. 🙂

Like Mocha Myth lipstick, which is like an updated version of the classic ’90s brown lip…

Laura Mercier Mocha Myth Crème Smooth Lip Colour, $26
Mocha Myth Crème Smooth Lip Colour ($26)

It’s a dark, neutral reddish brown — totally something someone could have worn back in 1994 with a plaid shirt, hoop earrings, jeans and Timbaland boots, except that back then, the lipsticks were almost always matte. This one’s smooth, comfy and creamy, with a metallic finish that seems fresher. I bet it would look striking on gals with darker skin tones, especially as an everyday lip shade. And it’s great for dry lips.

Laura Mercier Flamingo Crème Smooth Lip Colour, $26
Flamingo Crème Smooth Lip Colour ($26)

Pinkish purple Flamingo lipstick also caught my eye. (It’s referred to as Girly on Laura’s website… Not sure if that’s a typo.) It’s a lot like one of my favorite MAC lipsticks, Syrup, except that Laura’s is slightly sheerer and more pink.

Now, I know that a purple-toned lipstick might sound a little scary, but it depends. Find the right one, and you can use it as a nude lippie. I think the pink in this one makes it wearable and flattering.

Laura Mercier Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour
Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour ($26)

[Continue reading…]

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.