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

The Mega Moisturizing Lippies in Edward’s Best 8-Color Lipstick Palette Could Best the Driest Climate

November 8th, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

Edward's Best 8-Color Lipstick Palette by Edward Bess — Wearing Jasmine Blossom Lipstick from the $75 Edward’s Best 8-Color Lipstick Palette by Edward Bess

I want to hang out with Edward Bess…

I mean, have you seen this man’s mane? It looks like it should be moving in slo-mo in a shampoo commercial with, like, birds singing in the background and sh*t.

We could hang out, talk hair, and chat about the $75 Edward’s Best 8-Color Lipstick Palette and how it’s creamy lipstick heaven in a pan. Eventually, I’d segue into my master plan to become the world’s first lipstick nomad/cat lady.

We’d be at Starbucks. I’d reach across the small table, take his hands in mine and say, “Edward, I think it would be really cool to travel the world with a whole cadre of lipsticks, like 100 of them, and take pics of myself wearing a different shade in every new location.”

He would respond, “That’s a wonderful idea, Karen. Let me help you…”

The pigmented lippies in this 8-pan palette could get me through at least one country — perhaps one with a dry, cold climate, since all of these are crazy moisturizing, and wearing them soothes my lips like ahhhhh.

“Edward,” I’d ask, taking a sip of my pumpkin spice latte, “may I french braid your hair?”

“Of course,” he’d reply. “You may.”

Edward Bess Edward's Best 8-Color Lipstick Palette — From the left in the top row: Nude Lotus, Pure Impulse, Rose Demure and Tender Love; bottom row: Candid Affair, Jasmine Blossom, Deep Lust and Midnight Bloom

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It Took 21 Pixi-Perfect Shades To Make the Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely

November 8th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

Twenty-one powders for $28. You get 16 eye shades, three cheek powders, a highlighter and a bronzer in the Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely.

Just some quick pics and swatches here on my NC42 skin…

It’s available now at Target stores and online.

Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely eyeshadows — The eyeshadows

Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely cheek and face powders — Cheek and face powders

Pixi Perfection Palette in Lit-Up Lovely swatches — Eyeshadow swatches

Unsung Makeup Heroes: The Too Faced Shadow Brushes Essential 3-Piece Set

November 8th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

“Made with luxurious teddy bear hair!”

Every time I see that phrase on my Too Faced Shadow Brush Set tube, I see a sad teddy bear with long, luscious ’80s rocker hair, like Bret Michaels had back in his hair heyday before he stormed the reality TV show circuit with a weave.

(No judgement, Bret! It’s all good!)

When I mentioned these brushes last week, I got some requests to review the set, so here goes… 🙂

First, it’s darling, isn’t it? $39, comes with three eye brushes, a cute carrying tube, and it’s in the permanent line.

I like this set, a lot, mostly because of the epic Crease/Blender brush. I mean, none of the brushes are slouches, but that one takes the cake.

The bristles are made from synthetic fibers, otherwise known as “luxurious teddy bear hair,” and yup — there’s Bret Michaels again in my mind’s eye…

It includes:

One Crease/Blender Brush — This one’s like a thinner MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush, and it’s fab for applying shadow in the crease (more on this in a sec).
One Lid/Smoker Brush — This dense, flat eyeshadow brush is all about quickness and precisely packing tons of color on lids.
One Liner/Smudger Brush — Like a hobbit-sized version of the Lid/Smoker Brush. I use it to line my lash lines with eyeshadow or soften the edges of pencil eyeliner. In a pinch, I’ll also use it to fill in my brows.

For me, the Crease/Blender Brush headlines this show. That brush — I kid you not — I use practically every day.

It’s shaped like the MAC 224, only thinner, and that makes it perfect for placing eyeshadow right where I want it.

Very handy, particularly in smokey eye looks, or any looks with precise placement in the upper and/or lower crease.

Of course, it’s also OK for blending, but I think its forte is placing product, and not buffing. For blending, I like fluffier brushes, like the MAC 224, with bristles that fan out to spread product over a wider area.

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Made Since 1982

November 8th, 2013 by Karen 26 Comments

Weird and cool.

The powder I use to set my concealer (MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Medium) popped out of its pan a few days ago. I’m not sure how or why it happened. I’m just happy it popped out in one piece, to be honest.

I’ve used it almost daily for the past four years!

A little dab ‘ll do ya. I use a small amount under my eyes to keep my concealer from scooting, and it works great. Never looks like cake frosting and doesn’t settle into my fine lines.

When I picked up the powder, after my heart resumed beating, I turned it over and found some writing on the bottom.

It says “Made Since 1982” in a typeface that kind of reminds me of The Terminator movies.

I wonder if this is embossed on every MSF pan…

Do You Have Any Wear-Time Boosting Tips To Help Your Makeup Last Longer?

November 8th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

I never would’ve guessed that one of the truest ways to test the longevity of my makeup would be during a massage, as drool slowly works it way down the side my chin, and my cheeks and face are smushed into that toilet seat-shaped contraption thing at the end of the massage table.

You know, that thing they have you put your head into when you lie down on your tummy so they can work on your back. It’s very strange… I always close my eyes to block out the weirdness.

Anywho, after my last deep-tissue massage, when I left the room and met up with my friend Jen in the ladies’ lounge, Jen looked really surprised.

Jen: Wow, how was your massage?

Me: Good! She tenderized me like Rocky on a side of beef.

Jen: I can’t believe your makeup stayed put.

Me: It did? Cool.

Jen: You must have tricks.

Me: Not really, but there are a bunch of different things you can do. It just depends on how much time you want to invest in the process.

1. Spritz and spray, the makeup way

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray — That’s my jam!

Perfect for low-maintenance ladies, a makeup setting spray is one of the quickest, easiest ways to help your makeup last longer. My favorite one — like, literally, I’m almost never without it — is Urban Decay’s $29 All Nighter.

Basically, it sets your makeup so it lasts longer and won’t scoot around throughout the day.

It’s just a spray, so there’s not much to it. Hold the bottle about an arm’s length away from your face and spritz. I use it after I finish my makeup but before mascara.

I mean, you could use it after your mascara, and I’ve seen girls do that, but I always do mine before, thanks to the advice of a Sephora makeup artist buddy of mine named Chelsea. That way, you don’t risk your mascara running due to having wet lashes.

2. It’s prime time, baby!

Starting with a face primer also helps boost your wear time. Just apply it before your foundation and concealer.

It doesn’t take much. I use a bit all over my face, let it sink in for a minute or two, then take a tissue and dab it lightly to remove any excess. Then I continue with my regular routine.

I wear primer, oh, every day, mainly because I really think it makes my skin look smoother in pics, but it also has the side effect of making other products last longer. I use this one form MAC that I love called Prep + Prime Natural Radiance, which is so good for dry skin, and it doesn’t give me breakouts!

But there are plenty of other good ones out there.

If you can’t decide, or you want to do some research, stop by a Sephora, Nordstrom or any beauty counter that gives samples. That way, you can try some first to see which ones work best for you and your skin and makeup routines. You want something that will layer well with the products you’re currently using.

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Because the Eyes Are the Nipples of the Face: Bobbi Brown’s New Smokey Eye Crayon Kajal Liner

November 7th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Bobbi Brown Crayon Kajal — That’s Bobbi Brown’s new Crayon Kajal in Black Coffee on my lash and water lines

“The eyes are the nipples of the face.”

Yes, truer words were never spoken. 🙂

Ha! OK, let me explain. I was watching My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding the other day (whatever, don’t judge!), and that’s what one of the girls (14 years old, wearing booty shorts with pink rhinestone hearts) said while she was doing her makeup for a matchmaking party her parents arranged to help her find a husband.

FUN FACT OF THE DAY: The quote is originally from The House Bunny, starring Anna Farris.

So that’s what I kept thinking this morning while I was applying my eyeliner, Bobbi Brown’s new Smokey Eye Kajal Liner in Black Coffee.

Face nipples. I’m lining the nipples…OF MY FACE.

The liner’s new and comes in six colors, including the Black Coffee shade I’m wearing here. Their big selling point: that they’re super soft, smooth and won’t tug at your skin. They’re also very, very pigmented (also known as uber-pigmented) and easy to smudge. Better for messy rocker chick looks with soft diffused liner than looks with sharp lines.

The fancy formula stays creamy, so you can buff it out and play with it throughout the day, but it still lasts 5-7 hours along my lash lines.

Which is cool.

Of course, that wear time doesn’t extend to my water lines, where it gives up the ghost in 1-2 hours. If you’re looking for a long-wearing liner that will set and last there, Smokey Eye Crayon Kajal probably isn’t ideal.

Bobbi Brown Crayon Kajal Swatches from the left: Black Amethyst, Black Coffee and Noir — Swatches from the left of Black Amethyst, Black Coffee and Noir

Something like Bobbi’s Long-Wearing Gel Eyeliner might be better. Twelve hours on lash and water lines. Jet, the basic black, used to be my jam. I wore it all the time until my water lines started acting up (no idea why). Now I use Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil in Perversion.

Now, even with that limited water line wear time, Bobbi never billed these as long-wearing, so there’s that. They’re designed first and foremost for smokey eyes.

Bobbi Brown Crayon Kajal Swatches from the left: Jade, Pacific and Storm — Swatches from the left of Jade, Pacific and Storm

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This Gemini Likes the Topshop Smokey Eye Palette in Constellation

November 7th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

The $24 Topshop Smokey Eye Palette in Constellation, available now at Topshop stores and topshop.com.

By the way, what’s your sign? 🙂

Topshop Smokey Eye Palette in Constellation swatches — Swatches…

Of Lists and Lashes: 15 Things I Learned Today About Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara and Life

November 7th, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

15 Things I learned today about Bobbi Brown’s Smokey Eye Mascara and life in general

Today is a new day.
The world is not falling apart. It only felt like that for a little while.
It helps to set a timer when you write. Ten minutes is a good starting point. More than that, and you’re apt to spew a lot of crazy talk.
When it comes to busting through writer’s block, don’t think too much. Avoid the urge to self-edit. Just dictate the words as you hear them in your head.
It helps to read about writer’s block when you have it (go figure).

A little light reading…

3 Simple Steps for Staring Down Writer’s Block

How to Identify the Dread Writer’s Block and Its Relatives

How to Deal with Writers Block

Strategies for Overcoming Writer’s Block

Overcoming Writer’s Block

The constant sound of construction in my neighborhood (it seems like all of my neighbors are doing work on their homes right now) is surely contributing to my agitation.
It almost always helps to make lists.
Playlists are also pretty cool.

It also helps to straighten your hair (seriously), and flat irons are great.

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