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

There’s Always Room For Jell-O And Another Marvelously Moisturizing Lip Gloss: These Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gels Even Look Like Jell-O

June 11th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel Crystal Pink — Is that J-E-L-L-O? Nope, it’s Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink ($22)

My lower lip quivered like Jell-O jiggling on a school lunch tray the first time I touched one of these new $22 Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gels.

That’s because it promised moisture — and lots of it — something my perpetually parched lips always crave.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel Crystal Plum Pink — Crystal Plum (darker tube) and Crystal Pink

Shiny like a lip gloss and moisturizing like a balm, Crystal Pink and Crystal Plum make me look like I’ve been kissing Jell-O, or strawberry and raspberry jelly, which is kind of weird but also cool.

Good jelly, too. None of that shiny slime that washes up on shore, or like when you take out a bowl of cold, fatty gravy from the fridge and it wiggles like The Blob when you move it back and forth.

Ewww…

Nope, not like that.

Just a translucent veil of wet color, almost like I’m holding a piece of shiny red or purple cellophane up to my lips.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel Crystal Plum Pink Swatches — Crystal Pink on the left and Crystal Plum on the right

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Among the Many Splendours of the Sun-Kissed Clarins Splendours Summer Bronzing Compact, Fooling Your Mom Into Thinking You’ve Lost Weight

June 11th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Introducing the $35 Clarins Splendours Summer Bronzing Compact — not to be confused with Splenda, the artificial sweetener, despite the fact that the faux tan I get from it looks completely real, and that is pretty sweet. 🙂

Can’t say whether it actually tastes sweet, though…but I’m guessing, probably not.

When I used it last weekend to contour my cheeks, my mom, who I hadn’t seen in a few weeks, asked if I’d been eating enough and if I’d lost weight.

Yes, Mom, I have been eating enough, and no, I haven’t lost weight (said the girl who just had two slices of leftover birthday cake today after lunch).

It must be Splendours’ fault. A matte, medium-dark peachy golden brown, it resides on the darker side of the powder bronzing spectrum. Brushing it beneath my cheekbones sculpts them into sharp wedges of RuPaul/Tyra-style cheddar cheese.

Perfect for when I’m air quoting and don’t want my long, E.T.-like fingers (E.T. phone home!) to be distracting…

Just stare at mah cheeks, man!!

Clarins Splendours Summer Bronzing Compact K air quotes — “Air quotes”

Among the many splendors of Splendours, the 0.7-ounce pan is HUGE! It’s a tabby toe-size bigger than Guerlain’s 0.67-ounce pan of Terra Nerolia Bronzer ($69), which till now had been my default bronzer for the past two months.

That reminds me, I keep meaning to mention that Splendours might be a good alternative to paying almost 70 bones for a bronzer from Guerlain, since the colors are quite similar.

You might even like the Clarins one more, especially if you aren’t wild about tiare flower scents. I find Terra Nerolia’s fragrance intoxicating, albeit heavy.

Color-wise, Splendours, which has a faint tea rose scent, is slightly darker and less golden.

If I were also being super nitpicky, I think Terra Nerolia’s grains look and feel a tad finer, but really, unless you’re bucking for a spot in the bronzer edition of Ultimate Makeup Hoarders, I don’t think that’s reason enough to justify the difference in price.

Clarins Splendours Summer Bronzing Compact Swatch — Swatches from the left: Peach center of Splendours, outer section of Splendours, both the peach and tan mixed together (yup, from Splendours) and a comparison swatch from Guerlain’s Terra Nerolia Bronzer

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Unsung Makeup Heroes: Dolce & Gabbana Peach Blush

June 11th, 2013 by Karen 31 Comments

A couple years ago I wore this blush all the time. Almost daily.

Dolce & Gabbana Peach was my jam!

Actually, now that I think about it, it still is, and if I ever had to commit to just one blush for the rest of my life (the horror!), this could be it.

Boy, that sure would be tough, though… Every day seems to bring a pretty, new pan to discover/devour.

But I’ve always come back to Peach. It just never looks fake or heavy-handed. And it blends easily, looks great layered with bronzer or all by itself alone, and it lasts all day long, too.

Among peach blushes, that’s the total package right there.

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Chanel Starlet Le Vernis

June 11th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

The new, limited edition Chanel Le Vernis in Starlet ($27). From the Chanel Avant Premiere collection available now at Chanel counters and online.

I treated myself to some new Chanel polishes last weekend. 🙂 Wearing this on my toes right now!

Cat Lady Treasures

June 11th, 2013 by Karen 5 Comments

Grumpy brass cat bookends! A very thoughtful cat lady gift from my brother and his girlfriend.

Voted Most Likely To Steal Your Heart This Summer: The Gold, Chocolate Brown and Plum Shades in the Clarins Splendours Colour Quartet & Eye Liner Palette

June 10th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

WARNING: Do not wear the new Clarins Splendours Colour Quartet & Eye Liner Palette ($42) unless you plan to kick all other gold summer eye palettes to the curb.

Put another way, if this were makeup high school, it’s the palette that would have been voted “Most Likely To Be Mistaken for Cookies” in the yearbook.

And we all know how awesome cookies are.

Remember those things?

Wait — no, not cookies. I mean those yearbook things where the seniors cast a bunch of votes for “Most Likely To…”

I wasn’t really one of those kids, but I was voted “Too Sexy for This Band” by my compatriots in the musical arts (BAND GEEKS!). 🙂 And to this day I have no idea whether they were being serious or sarcastic…

Still, I’m surprised it wasn’t “Most Likely to Become a Cat Lady.” You feel me?

Yep, hindsight’s 20/20.

Like one of those popular girls who got nominated for everything (Best Hair, Most Likely to Succeed, Biggest Flirt, Best Pronunciation in Spanish Class), the categories in which this palette would dominate are…

Most Likely To Flatter Warm-Toned Tans
Most Likely To Dance From Dawn Till Dusk With a Minimum of Creasing and Fading
Most Likely To Be Mistaken for a Dior Quint
Most Likely To Mix It Up (as in mixing colors to create your own custom shades, which I’ve been doing a lot with this palette and really liking my results)
Most Likely To Be the Palette That Melts Your Makeup-Loving Heart This Summer

Inside are four shimmery powder shadows — three golden shades (a rose gold, copper gold and a pale gold) and a plummy chocolate brown — and a creamy plum liner, all of which work together as well as root beer and vanilla ice cream.

Clarins Splendours Colour Quartet Eye liner Palette Swatches — Swatches from the left: the powder eyeshadows in pale gold, pinkish gold, coppery gold and chocolate brown; and the cream liner in plum

For day, go casual with a single wash of color over your lids (or mix two of the shadows together), and line your lash lines with the soft, smudgy liner.

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Outfit of the Day Vol. 15: Big Cats and Birthdays

June 10th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

Built for bumming around and birthdays, the Anthropologie Jungle Romper

One really cool thing about getting older is that you start to get a better idea of who you really are — the kinds of things that matter most to you, what lights your fire, gets you angry or makes you happy or sad.

That is, unless you’re one of those lucky devils who knew exactly what you were meant to be/do from the start.

Yeah…that’s not the way it’s been for me. I’ve spent a lot of time falling and getting back up again, but c’est la vie, right? What else ya gonna do?

I guess I’m a late bloomer, but like Tabs always says (okay, not), better late than never! 🙂

One thing I think I have figured out over the years is that I’m not a huge fan of strict rules.

In most cases.

Birthdays are the exception. I do believe that everyone should go big on their birthdays, because birthdays rock, like by going big on a birthday outfit, or by wearing a special occasion nail polish, gloss or perfume.

Something to put an exclamation mark (!) on the day to help yourself feel special.

And BAM! — this year, I began my thirty-eighth year on our planet with cheetahs on my bum.

And I feel pretty good about it, too.

I stumbled on this Jungle Romper a couple weeks ago at my local Anthropologie store. I liked that I could picture Gwen Stefani wearing it while shopping for muumuus and mangoes at a farmers’ market in Hawaii (that’s an invaluable test right there).

More reasons I it…

It’s easy to dress up or down. I might wear it with a blazer, nude wedges, dainty gold jewelry and a structured satchel when I’m in the mood for fancy. For chill days, maybe a cardigan, or a khaki or denim jacket, beaded flip-flops or sandals, big hoop earrings and a cross-body or messenger bag.
Pockets. Secret storage, ma! It’s big enough for an iPhone and a handful of cat treats (VERY IMPORTANT).
Loves to travel. This romper worked out well on my trip to SoCal last month. It held through a long, 16-hour day with barely any wrinkles to show for it and remained comfy the entire time.
It’s strapping! It also comes with straps…if you want to change the look, although I prefer to wear it strapless because I think it’s easier to get into and out of on bathroom breaks (was that TMI?).

This year my birthday was pretty mellow, which was exactly what I wanted. Brunch at a place up here in Novato called Hilltop 1892, and then cake and ice cream back at the house.

Goofing around… Please note the almost empty glass of champagne

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 275

June 10th, 2013 by Karen 50 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 four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Have you ever had a bunk bed?
No, and I desperately wanted one. I begged and pleaded with my parents every year as a child, even though I had my own room and didn’t have to share one with my brother.

I just liked the idea of sleeping in the upper bunk of a bunk bed. It seemed like the coolest thing ever for sleepovers and impromptu forts constructed with blankets and whatnot.

Are you working on any self-improvement projects?
Yup, time management.

I can’t say it’s a new project, though, because I’ve been working on it for, oh, about 38 years, LOL!

I’m also trying to increase my upper body strength — you know, so I can change the 5-gallon water jugs myself and open bottles of pasta sauce without asking for help.

When was the last time you wore a fancy formal gown?
My wedding in July of 2006.

How long does it take you to do your eye makeup in the morning?
Usually between 5-15 minutes. Longer if I plan to take face pics.

How many different places have you lived?
Eight, from the time I was born until now.

This week I’d like to [FILL IN THE BLANK].
Remember to stop and smell the roses every day, and finish working by 6 every night (7 at the absolute latest!).

When was the last time you went to Vegas (have you ever been to Vegas)?
It’s been a minute, that’s for sure. I think it was Blogworld back in 2009.

I want to go back, but not because I’m a big gambler (other than playing Kitty Glitter). I want to go back for the sights, the spas and the good restaurants.

What’s your favorite doughnut?
Ooh! That’s a tough one. Glazed, or plain cake doughnuts, especially with a cup of coffee in the morning.

And if I’m feeling extra fancy, lemon jelly-filled. 🙂

How often do you prepare meals for yourself?
Daily. Working as a demanding kitty supermodel’s personal assistant, I find that it’s usually quicker to prepare a quick lunch in the kitchen here at the office than it is to go out.

El Hub and I will do takeout once or twice a week — usually Thai, Japanese or Mexican — but most nights we eat in.

Did you have any posters on your bedroom walls as a kid or when you were a teenager?
SO MANY! — but the cheesiest one, by far, was the huge New Kids on the Block poster next to my desk, haha!

Second cheesiest: that one with the fluffy kitten hanging by its paws from the tree branch with the words, “Hang in there.” I had that one on the back of my closest door.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. Have you ever had a bunk bed?
2. Are you working on any self-improvement projects?
3. When was the last time you wore a fancy formal gown?
4. How long does it take you to do your eye makeup in the morning?
5. How many different places have you lived?
6. This week I’d like to [FILL IN THE BLANK].
7. When was the last time you went to Vegas?
8. What’s your favorite doughnut?
9. How often do you prepare meals for yourself?
10. Did you have any posters on your bedroom walls as a kid or when you were a teenager?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. Now, ahhhh…

What do you say we make a pact right now to not stress out too much this week?

It’s important. I’m game if you are.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen