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

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Mascara: One for the Girls With Natural Lash Curls

August 5th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Is the new MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash mascara right for you?

Well, if you happen to be blessed with Zac Efron-like lashes, all super curly and bee-yoo-ti-ful, then perhaps, yes. In Extreme Dimension could be the best thing since pizza-scented Febreze.

(Actually, there’s no such thing as pizza-scented Febreze, but doesn’t it sound great?)

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Tube — Cute curvy tube

That’s because its one weakness is holding curls, but if you’ve already got ’em, you’re golden.

Other than wimpy curl hold, it delivers lots of bells and whistles for girls/guys who love dramatic black lash looks — no clumps, no flakes or smudges, and you get lots of really lovely length, separation and volume (just shy of the epic Le Volume de Chanel).

Plus, it doesn’t make my lashes feel crunchy or weighed down, and removing it before bed is a snap.

MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash Stubby Brush — The stubby brush is a cinch to use

But DAMN! What’s up with the curl? Immediately after I apply the first coat, the curl from my Shu starts relaxing. In no time flat, my naturally straight lashes are back to being straight, sans any curl or lift.

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These New MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints Place Supreme Importance on Sheer, Shiny Color

August 5th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

MAC Gwi-Yo-Mi Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint, a mid-tone raspberry — MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint in Gwi-Yo-Mi, a mid-tone raspberry, one of six new shades in the MAC So Supreme Collection

Filed under THINGS I NEVER EXPECTED IN THIS LIFETIME: that I would find cat hair in my bellybutton, that I would ever gush over a panini press (“DUUUUUDE, that thing has seriously changed my life!”), that I would be trying to buy pink satin culottes in 2013, that I would ever derive such joy from a brush tip lipgloss applicator like the one on the new MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints ($20 each, and available in eight shades).

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass — Click-y pen packaging, oh yeah!

It’s not like it’s a newfangled invention or anything… Versions of these brush pen glosses have been floating around for a hot minute, but just in case you’ve been in deep space cryosleep for the past 50 years and just woke up today, to use ’em, all you do is twist the bottom of the pen, listen for the click-click-click, and watch with glee as gloss gushes from the opposite end. Then, apply to lips. 🙂

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglasses from the left: Bubble Gum, K-Wow, Simply Wow, Heart & Seoul, Kiss Kiss, Blushing Berry, Gwi-Yo-Mi and Glorious Intent — From the left: Bubble Gum, K-Wow, Simply Wow, Heart & Seoul, Kiss Kiss, Blushing Berry, Gwi-Yo-Mi and Glorious Intent

Wearing these glosses is like getting to that part in a relationship with someone when you finally feel comfortable wearing your rattiest bra around them, and no longer feel the need to don that itchy, push-up Victoria’s Secret “come hither” number every single night.

Not to say that these Sheen Supreme Tints are like old, ratty bras… They’re just really, REALLY easy and comfortable. Just twist, apply with or without a mirror, and that’s that.

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipglass Swatches from the left: Bubble Gum, K-Wow, Simply Wow, Heart & Seoul, Kiss Kiss, Blushing Berry, Gwi-Yo-Mi and Glorious Intent — Swatches from the left: Bubble Gum, K-Wow, Simply Wow, Heart & Seoul, Kiss Kiss, Blushing Berry, Gwi-Yo-Mi and Glorious Intent

Maybe I’m just way too easily amused (that’s for sure, ha!), but sh*t is hella fun. WAY more entertaining than the regular old doe-foot applicators on squeeze tubes, like painting in eighth-grade art class, where looking back…I’m pretty sure my teacher, Mr. Freed, was a big-time hippy stoner.

MAC Bubble Gum Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint, a soft warm pink — Bubble Gum Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint, a soft warm pink

Anywho! You’ll have to be OK with sheer glosses to appreciate the wonders of these Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tints, because MAC purposefully dialed down the pigment level of all eight shades.

MAC K-Wow Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint, a soft cool pink — K-Wow Sheen Supreme Lipglass Tint, a soft cool pink

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 283

August 5th, 2013 by Karen 61 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.

Which makeup brush do you use the most?
The MAC 217 Blending Brush, which I love like Buzz Lightyear (to infinity and beyond!!).
Three convenient products it helps to have in your purse?
Cat treats, a really great pen and ponytail holders.
Three favorite languages to hear spoken?
Tagalog (it reminds me of my parents and home), French and Italian.
About how many times have you painted your nails this month?
It’s still early in the month…so three.
Best eyeshadow primer?
It’s a tossup between NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and MAC Painterly.
Have you ever worn an updo?
Yup! They’re perfect for formal occasions like weddings.
Are you happy with your brows?
Grrr… Yes and no. Yes because they’re finally starting to grow out (I’ve been trying to grow them out lately), but no because “Raul,” the bald spot on my left brow, is still harassing me.
Best moisturizing makeup product?
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector! It’s so great!
Have you ever lost your keys/purse/phone?
No, no and no (knocks on wood).

I lose jewelry left and right, which is the main reason I mostly stick to costume pieces, but so far I’ve managed to avoid losing the other stuff.
Most unusual thing in your purse right now?
A pair of heart-shaped neon sunglasses I got from Target a while back.

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. Which makeup brush do you use the most?
2. Three convenient products it helps to have in your purse?
3. Three favorite languages to hear spoken?
4. About how many times have you painted your nails this month?
5. Best eyeshadow primer?
6. Have you ever worn an updo?
7. Are you happy with your brows?
8. Best moisturizing makeup product?
9. Have you ever lost your keys/purse/phone?
10. Most unusual thing in your purse right now?

I wanted to tell you about this really interesting book I started reading the other day called Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus & Sharpen Your Creative Mind (find it here). I found it through a website I like called 99U, which has great self-helpy articles on fostering your creativity and achieving personal goals.

The book has this to say about the building blocks of a great daily routine:

“Start with the rhythm of your energy levels. Certain times of day are especially conducive to focussed creativity, thanks to circadian rhythms of arousal and mental alertness. Notice when you seem to have the most energy during the day, and dedicate those valuable periods to your most important creative work.”

And…

“The single most important change you can make in your working habits is to switch to creative work first, reactive work second. This means blocking off a large chunk of time every day for creative work on your own priorities, with the phone and e-mail off. By definition, this approach goes against the grain of others’ expectations and the pressures they put on you. It will take willpower to switch off the world, even for an hour. It feels uncomfortable, and sometimes people get upset. But it’s better to disappoint a few people over small things, than to surrender your dreams for an empty inbox.”

And many more really inspiring tips and testimonials from successful creative people. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a creativity boost.

Have a wonderful day and a spectacular week, my friend. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The NARS Soulshine Cheek Palette: Perfect Vacation Partner

August 5th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Oooh, GURL. This NARS Soulshine Cheek Palette ($41) is totally coming with me to Kauai later this month (El Hub and I are going for vacation). The bright peachy pink, golden apricot and soft rose look like they’ll be perfect partners for a tan. Ideal for doing nothing but sitting by the pool, eating fries, drinking margaritas (on the rocks with salt) and reading.

Grghghh… I just drooled a little. 🙂

This palette is the more intense of the two new limited edition NARS Cheek Palettes available now exclusively at Sephora stores and sephora.com, so if bright blushes are your thang, you might want to check it out.

The Soulshine palette features a peachy pink with gold shimmer, a sheer golden apricot and a soft rose with golden shimmer.

NARS Soulshine Swatches — Soulshine swatches

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 255

August 4th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

When you’re a world-famous, jet-setting plus-size kitty supermodel at the pinnacle of your career, life is not a box of chocolates. No, it’s a bag of Moroccan anchovies purchased fresh from a bazaar. It’s cilantro lime fish tacos and deep-sea fishing trips off the coast of Key West. It’s milk mimosas at the Grand Hyatt on Poipu Beach in Kauai.

This week’s kitty modeling jobs took Tabs all the way from Novato, California, to North Africa for Guerlain. As one of the busiest cats in the kitty modeling business, he even had his own driver — a nice fellow with dreams of starting his own catering company for international business felines.

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 was just a quick two-day trip, Tabs’ fourth to Morocco. He’s back here at home now, sunning himself on the living room floor in the late afternoon light.

I don’t know if you follow the kitty modeling business or not, but if you do, here are his professional exploits from this week. Tabs and I hope you enjoy. 🙂

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A Peek Inside the Office of Carisa Janes, CEO and Founder of Hourglass Cosmetics

August 3rd, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

I’ve always been fascinated by the things that people surround themselves with in their daily lives, especially in the spaces where they get sh*t done, like their offices.

I like to see what’s on the walls, the books on their shelves, the view outside, whether there’s a jar of candy on the desk — that kind of thing. I dunno why, but I think it’s interesting to catch a glimpse into someone else’s day and imagine them doing their thing.

While I was in Venice Beach earlier this week, I got the chance to check out the office of Hourglass Cosmetics CEO and Founder Carisa Janes…

Carisa Janes and me! — That’s Carisa Janes, CEO and Founder of Hourglass Cosmetics on the left and moi on the right

Isn’t it neat to think that whenever we walk into a Sephora and see an Hourglass Cosmetics display, all of that makeup we see on the shelf and swatch on the back of our hand passed through this office?

Kind of cool, yeah?

7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!

August 3rd, 2013 by Karen 385 Comments

The coffee’s brewing, there’s a husky tabby purring on my lap, I’m wearing stretchy pants, and I’m about to organize my blush drawer, starting with these True Hue ones from Buxom, which are fab!

It doesn’t get any better than this. 🙂

I’m serious! I’m excited about just staying home this weekend and catching up on some cleaning.

I really am my mother’s daughter, LOL!

And while we’re on the subject of excitement, how does a $50 shopping spree to Sephora sound?

That’s right, babe, it’s giveaway time, because I love ya THIS MUCH!

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: When was the last time you went to Sephora? What does your alarm clock sound like in the morning (literally or metaphorically)? What’s your favorite game? Do you wear a watch? Do you ever listen to audiobooks? What shortcuts do you use to finish your eye makeup quicker?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Sunday, August 4, 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

P.S. Congrats to Nicole for winning last weekend’s $50 prize with her comment, “I am obsessed with Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil! Highly recommend!” I got your email, Nicole! I’ll follow up with you soon.

Moisture Reins Supreme in This New Batch of Six MAC Sheen Supreme Lipsticks

August 3rd, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

MAC Pleasurefruit — Wearing the new MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick in Pleasurefruit ($17)

The first time I tried the MAC Sheen Supreme Lipsticks waaaay back in 2011 (Eek! Was it that long ago?!), I loved how shiny and smooth they looked and how creamy and slick they felt.

But man! They sucked every dang molecule of moisture from my lips! They left my pout so parched that I started calling them “the cactus lipsticks,” and whenever I wore one I half expected tumbleweeds to roll past my field of view…

Dry, dry, DRY.

Thankfully, this new batch of six limited edition shades is much improved. Or at least I think so. I’m not sure if MAC tweaked the non-sticky formula, but it sure seems that way to me. They certainly feel much more moisturizing, and no more cactus lips.