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

Ask MBB: Got Any Must-Have Coral Lipstick Faves?

September 10th, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

That’s MAC Vegas Volt, one of my favorite corals, electrifying my kisser…

Hi Karen!

You mentioned in one of your posts that you love everything coral. May I ask, what are your favorite coral lipsticks? 🙂

It doesn’t matter if they’re cheap or high end. I’m looking for a new one since my only coral lipstick is running out and…it’s limited edition.

I know, right?

Thank you, K!
-Emae

Hi Emae,

I admire your ability to commit to one coral shade. That’s love, right there!

I have trouble with coral lipstick monogamy. You see, I’m a coral flirt (it’s a legitimate problem), but there are a few corals I keep coming back to over and over again.

Coral Lipsticks from MAC, NARS, Hourglass, Tom Ford Beauty and bareMinerals — One can never have too many corals…

Here are some of my tried-and-true permanent collection coral faves…

NARS Lodhi Satin Lip Pencil: This satiny coral is the real deal, babe, and I start to hyperventilate when I can’t find it. It lasts for hours, doesn’t feather, and it’s super easy to apply. If I ever had to commit to just one coral — perish the thought! — Lodhi would be a serious contender.
MAC Ravishing Lipstick: This fresh, flirty coral is all innocent and sweet.
MAC Crosswires Lipstick: For potent “look at me lips,” this punchy, pigmented pinkish orange does the trick.
MAC Costa Chic Lipstick: You can’t miss this frosty, medium-toned coral. It’s one of my faves to wear with cat eyes.
Tom Ford Lip Color in True Coral: This bright reddish pink is no joke! At $48, it’s redonkulously expensive, but every time I bust out the tube, I derive great joy out of pretending that I’m hanging out with Lisa Vanderpump and Jiggy… (In these daydreams we’re talking about Manolos over tall glasses of cucumber spa water.)
Hourglass Muse Opaque Liquid Lipstick: A long-wearing, sophisticated reddish coral with a matte finish, this coral can be tricky to apply (something to think about), and a little goes a looong way. Oh! — but it looks absolutely fab with Nectar Lipgloss from Hourglasson top. I’ve been loving that combo for at least a month.

And more corals of note, because a girl’s gotta have options…

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This Desert Rose Comes in Pink: The Marvelously Moisturizing, Long-Lasting Le Metier de Beaute Colour Core Lipstick in Fiji

September 10th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

Friggin’ flakes and dry lips! You’re always messing with my lipstick master plans. Like last week, what was up with that? You knew I wanted to wear MAC Vegas Volt all week long — when in Rome, right? — so what happened? Why you go and do me like that?

The heavy-duty casino air conditioning and parched Nevada desert wreaked havoc on my lips. To make matters worse, I wasn’t drinking nearly enough water.

My lips were flakier than that roommate I had in sophomore year who never paid her share of the telephone bill, and yes, I’m showing my age. Back before everyone had cell phones, people actually used to share a land line.

I know, crazy stuff. 🙂

Much as I love Vegas Volt and wanted to wear it nonstop last week in the desert, MAC’s Amplified Creme lipstick formula isn’t exactly hydrating. I knew I’d need a lippie with more moisture. Much more, like Le Metier de Beaute’s Color Core Moisture Stain Lipstick in Fiji ($32).

Le Metier de Beaute Fiji Lipstick — Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© Colour Core Lipstick in Fiji ($32)

Le Metier de Beaute Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipstick in Fiji

An opaque warm pink with a cream finish, Fiji is one of 26 permanent shades in Le MÃ©tier’s Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipstick line.

Wear time like whoa!

This was my first rodeo with this particular family of lippies, and based on Fiji, it won’t be my last. Because I love it. It lasts a whopping 4-5 hours and delivers more moisture than a raging river.

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More Vice Is Nice: Bright Eyed Girls Will Heart Urban Decay Holiday 2013

September 9th, 2013 by Karen 55 Comments

Urban Decay Vice 2 — More newness from Urban Decay!

Bright look lovers, wondering where you can get your next fix? Answer: urbandecay.com, starting first thing tomorrow morning (Tuesday).

Their latest lovelies launch online September 10, with a focus on bold, bright eyes.

The release features a couple of new liner kits, some cute face palettes, a re-launch of the brand’s glitter liners, and a sequel to 2012’s wildly popular Vice palette (YES!!).

Oh, and there’s also a new pearly face and body highlighter, but to really check it out I have to tear my eyes away from all the pretty, pretty colors first… 🙂

Urban Decay Holiday 2013

Shattered Face Case, $44

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NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley, Cat Eyes and a Growing Crisis Among Cat Ladies

September 9th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

NARS Black Valley — Wearing the new NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley ($25)

According to recent research in the field of cat lady psychology, incidents of Kitty Stockholm Syndrome among humans held hostage by cats is at an all-time high.

A random sampling of cat ladies between the ages of 22-65 indicates that the rate of Kitty Stockholm Syndrome, or KSS, a trauma that occurs when humans empathize with their cat captors, affects a staggering 99.9% of women held hostage by their cats.

Because of the stigma attached to KSS, and fearing retribution at the paws of their feline captors, many cat ladies are reluctant to publicly discuss the phenomenon. But a few brave souls, like blogger Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog, have been willing to speak about it on the record.

Karen recently sat down with us for this exclusive interview to reveal what goes on in the mind of a cat lady KSS sufferer…

“Oh, sure,” said Karen, a veteran beauty blogger and cat lady who’s lived with KSS since 2007. “I’ve got KSS, big time, but it doesn’t really manifest itself until I actually leave the compound.

“Take last week. My captor, Tabs, stayed at home while I went to Las Vegas for a conference. Now, you might think I would have used the trip as an opportunity to escape, but the entire time I was there, I kept thinking about Tabs — wondering if he was watching birds through the windows, or sleeping, or eating the potted catnip plant he forced me to install before leaving.

“I thought of him so much that it even came through in my makeup!

“I wore cat eye liner over the entire trip, exactly the way Tabs likes it, too — in a true black shade, dark and dramatic, with a flirty, feline flick at the end — using the new NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley ($25).

“By the way, NARS Black Valley? All sorts of rad.

“Wait! — you haven’t tried it yet? I know this interview is supposed to be about KSS, but seriously, we have got to get you on the Black Valley train, ASAP.

“It’s from the new NARS Eye Paints line of long-wearing potted gels that do everything — almost like MAC Fluidline/Paint Pot hybrids. You can use ’em to line your eyes (both lash and water lines), as cream shadows, or as bases for powder products.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 288

September 9th, 2013 by Karen 59 Comments

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.

One makeup or beauty product you can’t stop hoarding?
It’s not “one” product in the strict technical sense…but coral everything — lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows. I like the way coral works with my warm skin tone. When I’m stumped for what to wear, it’s a no-brainer for me.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?
A Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabar (been eating a lot of these lately) and a big-@ss cup of Kona coffee with almond milk and a teaspoon of sugar.

I’m happiest when ______.
I’m ahead of my deadlines. It’s the worst when I feel like I’m behind schedule.

Don’t be afraid of ______.
Change. I’m definitely getting more set in my ways as I get older, and it’s a little frightening… It’s harder to go with the flow for me than it used to be. I have to force myself to try new things.

What’s one of your mantras?
“You can cry when you’re done.”

I’m an emotional person, and the tears come easily, especially when I’m overwhelmed, but crying can get in the way sometimes, you know? It can be hard to stop once I start, so I try to hold it together long enough to finish whatever I’m working on…and THEN I shut the door and lose my sh*t.

Something that inspires you?
People who are passionate about learning. Doesn’t matter what the subject is, really. If they love something and talk about it passionately, I get fired up, too!

What’s your secret passion?
Song writing.

You’d be surprised if you saw my _______.
Shoe collection. ‘Cause it ain’t small — that’s all I have to say. I only wear about half of the pairs these days because I recently decided to only wear shoes that I could easily outrun zombies in…because it’s only a matter of time before Z-Day goes down, obvs.

One thing you love about your job?
My boss. He’s such a sh*t talker, but as far as bosses go, he’s not half bad. 😉

Something you have to do this week?
Make an appointment to get my hair did. My roots are completely out of control!

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. One makeup or beauty product you can’t stop hoarding?
2. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
3. I’m happiest when ______.
4. Don’t be afraid of ______.
5. What’s one of your mantras?
6. Something that inspires you?
7. What’s your secret passion?
8. You’d be surprised if you could see my ______.
9. One thing you love about your job?
10. Something you have to do this week?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. It’s nice to be back home! I miss you. 🙂

P.P.S. You. $50. Sephora? You still have time to enter this week’s gift card giveaway for Sephora (ends tonight at midnight).

Just sayin’…

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 260

September 8th, 2013 by Karen 8 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).

Hi, babe. Hope you had a nice weekend. This was sort of a recuperative one for me. My batteries were tapped out after Vegas, I guess. I was so tired yesterday that I could barely keep my eyes open all day and didn’t get a darned thing done. I passed out before 10 last night, and slept in till 9 today.

Tabs, my kitty liege/employer, was none too pleased about that. He hopped on the bed at one point and bit me on the chin, as if to say, “B*tch, who’s gonna make my gravy!?”

Today I just did a couple things around the house, went for an easy run, Watched some TV (new eps of Portlandia on Netflix, and more of the first season of 24) and cooked a pretty good dinner, if I do say so myself, of tilapia filets on white rice with diced tomato and garlic, and a side spinach salad with candied walnuts and grilled apricot and plum slices, yum!

It was delish.

Tabs wholeheartedly agreed. He said, “meow,” about the fish, which meant a lot to me. As a world-renowned plus-size kitty supermodel, Tabs only eats premium cuisine. 🙂

Speaking of kitty modeling, here are the highlights from his week… Have a great night.

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

September 7th, 2013 by Karen 377 Comments

Aww! I wish Ryan would serve me a salad…

I’m back in the Bay, babe. Back from Vegas and Photoshop World.

The conference was fantastic. I learned a lot of stuff about photography, especially lighting, but it’s all still swirling around in my head. I need some time to let everything percolate, go over my notes, and figure out how to apply the things I learned.

I know one of the areas I want to work on is color temperature and color correction. We get lots of sunshine here in Northern California, but as sunshine is wont to do, the quality and color of it changes over the course of the day and seasons. Face shots taken at 8 a.m. have a totally different color temp than pics taken at 4 p.m., and I’m trying to get the most consistent light possible WITHOUT compromising too much on my creative freedom, because even if it means more consistent color temps, I can’t bring myself to take every pic from the same position, standing in the same spot. It’s just not my thing. I need to be able to mix things up, try different poses, wear different outfits, props, use different backdrops, let myself be inspired. It’s how I keep myself fired up and interested, and it makes blogging more fun for me.

A simple studio setup would be easier, but we don’t do things the easy way here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC. Nuh-uh, no, ma’am.

Anywho, I’m blabbering…

It’s giveaway time, so let’s get to it, shall we? RyGos would like to present you with this lovely Sephora garden salad, but you must enter this weekend’s giveaway to partake. 🙂

Good luck, and have a wonderful day, babe. Hopefully I’ll see you on Twitter or Facebook today.

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 know any full-time artists (makeup, music, visual arts, etc.)? What’s your favorite TV theme song? Have you ever gone skydiving or flown in a hot-air balloon? What’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done (it’s ok to toot your own horn)? What’s a really good inexpensive concealer? Do you have any pictures of yourself on your walls at home? Do you subscribe to any magazines? — you get the idea.
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, September 9, 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

5 Lighting Tips for Bloggers, Photography Buffs and Beginners

September 6th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Photographers wield light like authors wield words to tell stories. Different qualities of light evoke different emotions, and poor lighting can make even the most lovely person in the world look like Quasimodo.

From a photography standpoint, you always want to be thinking about light. It’s comprised of three components — quality, color and direction.

Here are five photography tips to help you make the most of your light. 🙂

1. Let there be light!

Your flash is a powerful tool that lets you manipulate light, and with it, you can guide a viewer’s eye, and make them notice what you want them to notice.

But flashes aren’t your only light sources. Windows, lamps, overhead lights, mirrors — heck, even flashlights and the light from the screen on your phone are light sources.

Now, since you can’t always be in the room with someone when they’re looking at one of your pictures, that’s where your ability to manipulate light comes into play in your photography.

One important thing to remember? You don’t always have to point your flash directly at your subject. Light reflects and bounces off surfaces, and you can use that to your advantage. Experiment by taking pictures near windows, lamps, overhead lights, bright walls (keep in mind that walls will throw a colorcast), and combine light sources — literally move them around sometimes — to create different effects.

2. What are soft boxes and umbrellas used for?

Soft boxes — those large, usually black or white rectangular boxes you see mounted on tall poles on film sets and photo shoots — are referred to as light modifiers. They’re often used to diffuse powerful lights, reducing harsh, unflattering shadows, like the kind that the flash on your camera can produce.

Without a light modifier, a flash is like a machine gun of light. Modifiers like umbrellas soften the light as it passes through them. HINT-HINT: bedsheets, curtains and other semi-transparent fabrics you already have around the house do the same thing.

3. Going the distance

Changing the distance between your light sources and your subject can create dramatically different effects. Sometimes, taking one step left or right, or forward or back, can totally change your picture. This is particularly noticeable in direct sunlight on a bright, sunny day. Sometimes all it takes is one or two steps to move your subject into the shadows, where your light is softer and probably much more flattering.

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