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

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette: Like a Portable Photograhy Lighting Kit That Fits in a Purse

October 4th, 2013 by Karen 38 Comments

Just when I thought there was absolutely no way Hourglass could improve upon the perfection of their Ambient Lighting Powders, they go and release a stunning new Ambient palette and effectively knock my cat lady socks off.

(No, seriously, I wear cat lady socks.)

New for the holidays, the $58 limited edition trio ($67 CDN) comes with three Ambient Light Powders and a travel-sized bottle of Veil Primer.

Be warned — when you open the palette and gaze upon Dim Light, Radiant light, and the new limited edition Incandescent Light, you may experience beauty vertigo and feel the need to sit down, so take care to open it within reach of your fainting couch. 🙂

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Dim Light — Dim Light

If you haven’t partaken of these Ambients before, you’re in for a treat. The line of universally flattering pressed powders was designed to sort of simulate different lighting effects, like candlelight, by diffusing, softening and tinting light on the skin.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette Incandescent Light — Incandescent Light

[Continue reading…]

Makeup Storage Ideas: Acrylic Lipstick Organizer

October 4th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

One of the great unsung joys in life is lipstick organization. NO, SERIOUSLY!

I love seeing all the names clearly, and the fact that I can find shades quickly without having to rifle through a bag or a drawer makes me want to do the robot.

Hooray for saving time!

This no-frills acrylic lipstick organizer holds 24 bullets. You can find it now for $6.99 at The Container Store and online.

What Are You Wearing on Your Nails?

October 4th, 2013 by Karen 36 Comments

Guerlain La Laque Couleur in 861 Sulfurous — Two coats of 861 Sulfurous

I’m still wearing La Laque Couleur in 861 Sulfurous ($23), which is from Guerlain’s new holiday collection. I think I may have heard my nails sighing in relief after I painted them, LOL! I’ve been neglecting them for so long, and they needed some attention.

How about you? What are you wearing on your nails today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

This Is Why I Heart Trader Joe’s…

October 3rd, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

There’s always something new and interesting to try!

Like these new noms that I’m very excited about, like this Harvest Blend Herbal Tea…

Or this Pumpkin Spice Chai Tea Latte Mix, om nom nom!

Or this jar of Lavender Salt Scrub from TJ’s toiletries aisle…

Oh, and this bag of Tropical Tendency Trek Mix was full a couple days ago… I totally have no idea what happened to it. It’s a mystery. 🙂

Are you also a TJ’s fan? What are some of your favorite fall and holiday specials? (Dark chocolate stars, perhaps?)

The Chanel Collection Nuit Infinie De Chanel Collection for Holiday 2013: Cheeks and Lips

October 3rd, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Chanel Collection Nuit Infinie De Chanel: Cheeks and Lips

Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Accent ($43): A sheer pinkish beige with a hint of plum and a sheen finish; I need 2-3 layers to see it on my cheeks
Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in Moon Light ($52): A sheer peachy beige with glitter; I’d use this sparingly, otherwise skin can end up looking REALLY glittery
Rouge Allure Lipstick in Radieuse ($34): A blueish pink with a smooth and creamy texture and soft shine finish; surprisingly wearable
Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in La Precieuse ($43): A vivid red matte that leans slightly blue; similar to MAC Ruby Woo, but with a thinner texture and less severe matte finish
Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in La Desiree ($43): An extremely pigmented burgundy red matte with smooth texture; can’t skip the lip liner with this one

Chanel Accent Joues Contraste — Joues Contraste in Accent ($43)

Chanel Radieuse La Desiree La Precieuse 1 — Rouge Allure and Rouge Allure Velvet Lipsticks ($34 each)

[Continue reading…]

Chanel Goes for the Glitter on Lashes and Lids in the New Collection Nuit Infinie de Chanel for Holiday 2013

October 3rd, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

Chanel Collection Nuit Infine de Chanel Collection for Holiday 2013 — Wearing makeup from the new Chanel Collection Nuit Infinie de Chanel Collection, new for holiday 2013

Assuming Tabs the naughty ninja kitty doesn’t knock the tree over again, my Christmas is going to have some major competition — and not from the glittering, diamond-encrusted Beyonce-themed ornaments (I WISH). Chanel’s holiday collection is officially in the house, and it’s ready to glimmer and glisten, big time, on lids and lashes.

Chanel Collection Nuit Infinie De Chanelfor Holiday 2013 — 9 of the 14 pieces from the new Collection Nuit Infinie De Chanel

From what I’ve seen of the collection so far, it’s a full-on glitter parade, especially on eyes. I mean, it’s so glittery that I’m pretty sure that if holiday tinsel could talk, it would yell “BISH STOLE MY LOOK!” at the top of its lungs.

Hey, I’m not complaining! I love me some glitter. I just wish it showed up more readily in these pics. In all of the shots I took today, the glitter appears much more subdued than it does in real life.

I tried, le sigh.

It’s too bad that it’s so hard to get security clearance here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, because I would love to see your eyes twinkle when you saw how these eyeshadows, mascara and liner radiate in person.

I guess we’ll have to just settle for the next best thing, which is you and me hanging out on opposite ends of the keyboard. 🙂

Ready to get to it? Glitter in three, two, one…

Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Initiation ($36)

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Initiation — Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Initiation

A sheer, glittery platinum bronze
One of two Illusion D’Ombre cream eyeshadows in the collection
Can wear alone or as a base for other shadows
Soft, bouncy texture
Apply with fingers or a brush
I apply with a flat eyeshadow brush (easier for me to control the product).
Non-creasing, long wearing
This particular pot might be old since it seems to have dried up (the shadow should touch the edges of the jar)
Experienced some fallout because of the glitter, but it’s not crazy.
Camera has a hard time picking up the sparkle; appears much more glittery in real life
Prefer this one over the second shade, Fatal, because it’s easier to wear on warm skin
Love the color, love the sparkle, wish it didn’t exhibit fallout (shouldn’t for the price)

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Initiation on my eyes — Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Initiation on my lids

Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Fatal ($36)

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Fatal — Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Fatal

A shimmery, silvery purple with red undertones
Second cream shadow from the collection
Reddish purples make me look like I’ve been crying, so I have a hard time pulling this off
Not as glittery as Initiation, but still very shimmery (borders on a frost)
Texture’s slightly smoother, more bouncy
Easier to apply and blend
No fallout
Loved the texture and application, not so crazy about the color
Better for cool-toned gals/guys who can carry purplish reds well

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

[Continue reading…]

Won’t Let Go…

October 3rd, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

The trees in my neighborhood have so far refused to say so long to summer…

I admire them for that. 🙂

There’s still a lot of green out there, even on the old oak tree outside my living room window, but I know it’s only a matter of time… It’s already chilly here at night — too chilly to leave any windows open — and now I have to wear slippers to keep from shivering when I step on the kitchen tiles in the morning, bluh.

What’s it like out yonder way? Does it feel like fall yet in your neck of the woods?

How Do You Feel About False Lashes, and Do You Have Any Application Tricks?

October 3rd, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

I false lashes, but because they take me forever and a day to apply, I definitely don’t wear them as often as I’d like.

What usually holds me back is time, and that’s my biggest tip. Unless you’re a false fringe expert who normally blazes through the process in 5 minutes or less, I think you have to budget extra time — in my case, at least 10 minutes — to fix things when/if they go wrong.

Sometimes it’s a last-minute decision, too, which I don’t recommend. I’ll finish an elaborate eyeshadow look on my lids and think, “False lashes would totally take this look to the next level!” So I’ll give it a try, thinking it’ll only take a few minutes.

Nope. No can do. I have to work slowly, and not under pressure from the clock. I usually need at least 10, preferably 15 minutes total, to put on a single pair, and that’s assuming everything goes according to plan.

My best tip/trick? It’s from a makeup artist friend who once suggested that I skip curling my lashes before applying falsies (thank you, Courtney!). Apparently, it’s a little easier to set false lashes on uncurled, straight lashes than on curled lashes.

Who knew?!

But if you absolutely must curl your natural lashes beforehand, just curl the tips. That way the rest of the lash shaft stays straight.

How do you feel about false lashes? Do you “go there” often? And what are your favorite false fringe tips?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen