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The Latest in Cat Couture: Star Wars Headpieces

September 24th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Petco Star Wars Princess Leia Cat Headpiece
Petco Star Wars Princess Leia Cat Headpiece
“Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope!”

Tabs, who likes to keep his paw on the pulse of feline fashion, predicts that this Star Wars cat accessory is the next big thing.

Here, Marmalade is modeling the lovely Princess Leia Cat Headpiece, available now at Petco stores and online. (Also available in Yoda.)

It’s quite a bargain at only $5. 🙂

Petco Star Wars Princess Leia Cat Headpiece

Petco Star Wars Princess Leia Cat Headpiece
The Petco Star Wars Princess Leia Cat Headpiece
There are 10 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

Four Tiny Tempting Treasures Frolic in the New $20 Too Faced Cosmetics Beauty Blogger Darlings Set

September 24th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings
The new Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings set ($20)

I firmly believe that good things come in small packages…and not just because I’m too “vertically challenged” to reach anything on the higher shelves at the grocery store. 🙂

Teeny-tiny, travel-sized, diminutive and mini — if it’s small and cute, me likey, me likey.

Entering stage left on pint-sized feet this fall, the new Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings set, available now online and at Sephora.

Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings
Cuteness, warp factor 12!

The $20 kit, a $55 value, comes with four pocket-sized pieces of Too Faced makeup beloved by beauty bloggers…including a certain makeup-lurving cat lady you might know, what-what!

Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings

Decorate yourself with deluxe mini-me versions of Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer (OMG, smells so good!), Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer and Shadow Insurance Eye Shadow Primer.

Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings

[Continue reading…]

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Kits and Sets, Makeup, Too Faced

5 Things I’ve Been Lovely Lately, Starring Songs, Pencils, Books, Scrubs and Scents

September 23rd, 2013 by Karen 42 Comments

5 Things I'm Loving Right Now
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion

1. The song called Royals, by Lorde

So there I was, in the car, zipping down to my hair appointment the other day, when it starts raining.

It’s the first rain of the season, and I’m not overjoyed about it, but then a song comes on the radio (I think I’m physically incapable of driving without listening to music, especially in the rain, for some reason) that completely steals my attention.

It’s by 16-year-old singer/songwriter Lorde, from New Zealand, and I loved it from the first bar.

I have to warn you, though — it’ll get stuck in your head. Guaranteed.

You have been warned…

Oh, Lorde’s eye makeup in the video? KILLER.

2. The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Perversion

Not sure why, but my water lines have been super sensitive lately, and they only thing they’ll tolerate is UD’s $19 Eye Pencil in Perversion.

It’s just fantastic. Super black, without any green or blue undertones, and it lasts all day long.

It’ll keep you on your toes, too, because it sets quickly, so you have to blaze through your work if you want to do any smudging along your lash lines.

And then there’s the name — Perversion — which just makes me laugh.

Every time I see it, I say something like, “Ooh, I love Perversion,” or “I’m so totally into Perversion.”

Try it sometimes. It’s fun. 🙂

3. Parallel, a novel by Lauren Miller

Do you ever get a book based solely on the cover?

I used to do it all the time. Now I try to read reviews and go with recommendations (keep ’em coming!), but sometimes I still just grab a cool cover. 🙂

Like Parallel, by Lauren Miller — I love that type on the cover. It’s so clean and elegant. And the shape of that R? LOVE IT.

Rs (Arrrs!) are one of those deal-breaker letters, ya know? If the R is funky, no can do…

I started reading it in bed last night and could not put it down. I would’ve stayed up all night, but then I would have paid for it today.

It’s about a young woman who thinks she might be experiencing life in two parallel worlds.

Cra-zaaaay!

The writing is crisp, sharp, and the story moves like a sprint. All day I kept trying to sneak in a few pages, but Tabs was watching me like a hawk (no young adult reading on company time).

[Continue reading…]

There are 42 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Beauty Tips, Just For Fun

iTouch, Therefore iTabs

September 23rd, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments



Tabs the Cat for the iPhone 5s

Tabs the Cat for the iPhone 5s

The first thing Tabs did when he got his new iPhone 5s was program the iTouch feature to recognize his paw print.

That way, if the phone ever gets lost or stolen, no one else can access his contacts or massive library of kitty modeling selfies.

Seriously, though, this phone is going to be a big hit with cats. The new iTouch pawprint scanner is supposed to work great. 🙂

There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

An Easy Everyday Neutral Look With MAC Permanent Products (and Pics of My New ‘Do)

September 23rd, 2013 by Karen 64 Comments

MAC Soft Brown, Sable Brownscript, Texture, Sketch
You can’t go wrong with MAC neutrals…

The new hair!

And the neutral look I wore all weekend. 🙂

First off, the hair. Remember how I couldn’t decide whether to keep the lighter brown and caramel highlights or go darker for fall?

Well, I was still waffling when I sat down in the chair on Saturday morning, but then I showed this pic of Megan Fox to Kelli, one of the fabulous colorists at A-Line salon in Corte Madera (they get five stars on Yelp), and we started brainstorming ideas.

Tom Ford Lipstick in Sable Smoke topped with MAC Big Baby Plushglass
Tom Ford Lipstick in Sable Smoke with MAC Big Baby Plushglass on top…

I came this close to not changing the color at all, but then I asked Kelli, “What would you do if you had free reign?”

She thought about it a minute, looked again at the pic of Megan Fox, and said, why don’t we make your roots closer to your natural color, change the current light brown to a dark chocolate, and darken your highlights? She thought that going dark would frame my face and be a fun look for fall.

Um…SOLD.

MAC Deep Brunette Veluxe Brow Pencil (eyebrows); and Clarins Be Long Mascara (upper and lower lashes)
Brows and lashes: MAC Deep Brunette Veluxe Brow Pencil (on my brows, of course) with Anastasia Brow Gel, and Clarins Be Long Mascara (on my upper and lower lashes)

I feel like a completely different person with dark hair!

And I kindasorta love it…

It’s fun to switch things up, ya know? It’s a really easy way to change your outlook.

Deep thoughts on hair…

If you’re ever feeling hair adventurous, but you can’t figure out what kind of cut/color you want, ask your stylist, “What would you do with my hair if you could do whatever you want?”

You don’t have to go with their suggestion, but it’s a good conversation starter and gets the creative juices flowing. Of course, it always helps when you know and trust your stylist and feel comfortable with them. I don’t know if I’d try this with someone new, but it depends… Sometimes you just know, you know? When there’s a good vibe?

Speaking of changes, I took a break last weekend from the vampire makeup I’ve been rocking lately (smokey eyes, dark lips and catwalk brows) and wore this soft neutral look mostly using MAC permanent collection products.

Dolce & Gabbana Blush in Peach (cheeks), Make Up For Ever Mat Bronze Bronzing Powder in 40 (under my cheekbones to contour) and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal (my upper cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and my cupid's bow)
Face makeup: Dolce & Gabbana Blush in Peach (cheeks), Make Up For Ever Mat Bronze Bronzing Powder in 40 (again beneath my cheekbones to contour) and Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal (my upper cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and my cupid’s bow)

[Continue reading…]

There are 64 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), MAC Makeup

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 290

September 23rd, 2013 by Karen 61 Comments

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Sep. 23, 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 five years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

  1. How dedicated are you to your skincare regimen?
    Well, pretty dedicated. I’m in my late 30s now, and I’m at that point where I don’t feel like I can slack anymore when it comes to skincare. I try (the key word here) to watch what I eat, exercise, drink plenty of water and get to bed by a decent hour.

    And besides the whole getting older thing, I’ve been through some really rough patches with my skin — bad breakouts, mostly — and when I slack at all in my anti-acne regimen, things tend to go south very quickly.

  2. How often do you go to bed without removing your makeup?
    I can’t remember ever doing it, although I’m sure I have. Most of the time, though, unless I’m literally unconscious, I’ll find the energy to do it.
  3. What’s your favorite beauty ritual?
    Getting my hair done at the salon. It’s my favorite thing in the whole wide world! I get to sit on my bum, read magazines and chit-chat for a couple hours, and at the end of it all — new look!
  4. How would you describe your style: easy, experimental or excessive?
    How about, “easily experimentally excessive”? 😉

    No, really, I’d say experimental.

  5. If you color your hair, how old were you when you first started?
    In college, I think around 18 or 19. It was with an at-home highlighting kit, and I ended up with chunky tiger stripes.

    SUCH A HOT MESS! — although at the time I thought it was the coolest thing.

  6. When it comes to makeup, what’s your biggest gripe?
    Honestly, it’s the time. Eye makeup can take me SO LONG to do, especially when there are multiple shadows and lots of gradients and transitions involved. My eyes aren’t symmetrical, and I have to do little tweaks on each eye to make everything appear even.
  7. If you had to narrow down your entire fall wardrobe to a single fall uniform, what would it look like?
    Dark gray skinny jeans, a cozy black sweater and my comfy olive green Fergie boots.

    Cat lady confessional: the main reason I’d opt for a black and gray theme is because the colors hide tabby fur so well.

  8. What’s your go-to purse this fall?
    I’ve been looking around for a new bag but have yet to find one that moves me (and carries all of my crap). So for now, it’s still the Poverty Flats Satchel from summer.

    It’s a great bag and really does go with everything.

  9. What’s your biggest skincare gripe?
    Ugh! Breakouts, particularly around my chin.
  10. What was the highlight of your weekend?
    Going to the salon! 🙂 I finally got my hair colored.

    I ended up going darker for fall.

Le List

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. How dedicated are you to your skincare regimen?
2. How often do you go to bed without removing your makeup?
3. What’s your favorite beauty ritual?
4. How would you describe your style: easy, experimental or excessive?
5. If you color your hair, how old were you when you first started?
6. When it comes to makeup, what’s your biggest gripe?
7. If you had to narrow down your entire fall wardrobe to a single fall uniform, what would it look like?
8. What’s your go-to purse this fall?
9. What’s your biggest skincare gripe?
10. What was the highlight of your weekend?

What do ya got going on today? Are you busy?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 61 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 262

September 22nd, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Tabs for Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eye Primer

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).

It’s that time again!

Yup, gravy time. 🙂

Just kidding… Sort of. I mean it’s Sunday — time for another installment of Sundays With Tabs, world-famous kitty supermodel/blogger/entrepreneur — and it’s almost time to give him a can of Fancy Feast Gravy Lover’s for dinner.

I usually do it right before we go to bed, and he meows up a storm!

This week’s installment of Sundays With Tabs features five new ad campaigns starring Tabs. Let him know which one is your favorite, too. He always values your opinion.

Hope you had a great weekend. Tonight I’m just doing a zillion loads of laundry and getting in as much Lifetime television watching as possible — you know, to fuel up for the week.

See you very soon.

Tabs for the Lancome Novel Affair Fur Shadow

Tabs for the MAC Casino Collection

Tabs for Essie Moon Rock Claw Polish

[Continue reading…]

There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

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

September 21st, 2013 by Karen 381 Comments

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway

Tabs the Cat Presents a Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway

Hello and happy Caturday/Saturday to ya! I’m really, really excited this morning.

Well, more like my roots are excited, because I’m finally, after what feels like eons, going to the salon to get my hair colored today. HOORAY TIMES INFINITY! 🙂

No cut today (I’m growing it out), just roots and a touchup for my highlights. The plan is to stick with the same color I have now (because if it ain’t broke…), but I’m not 100% certain that’s going to happen.

I found this picture of Megan Fox a while back when I was looking for hair inspiration, and I absolutely love the rich, chocolately color. I figure it’s fall, so it’s as good a time as any to go darker, but I know myself way too well… I’d probably love it for about a day or so, and then start getting itchy again for lighter hair.

We’ll see, we’ll see. I usually decide the second my butt hits the chair.

When I told El Hub about my hair plans, I figured he’d be on board because he likes my hair long, but he was surprisingly nonchalant about the whole thing. He mumbled something about not getting too attached to it because I’ll “eventually just chop it all off anyway,” which is totally true, hahaha!

Whatevs. It gives me something to do.

In other news, I hope your weekend got off to a lovely start. Are you in prime relaxation mode? Before you grab that second cup of coffee, enter this weekend’s Sephora eCard giveaway. It only takes a minute, and RyGos and Tabs think you should.

It’s just my way of saying thank you for visiting. Whenever you visit MBB, I always hope you leave with a smile. 🙂

Good luck, and have a wonderful weekend, babe. Maybe we’ll bump into each other on Twitter or Facebook today.

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • 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:
    • Do you prefer lighter or darker nail polishes (or both)?
    • How do you usually apply your foundation — technique, brush, fingers, sponge?
    • Have you ever ridden a Segway?
    • What’s a nude lip product you absolutely love?
    • What was your biggest accomplishment this week?
    • What did you have for dinner last night?
    • Do you like marshmallows in your hot chocolate?
  • You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
  • The giveaway ends on Monday, September 23, 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

There are 381 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Giveaways, Just For Fun

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

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