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Sunscreen Shout-Out! Avene Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen and Tinted Sunscreen 50+

June 24th, 2022 by Karen 7 Comments

avene soliare uv top
SO GREAT!

This sunscreen has been in heavy rotation ever since I discovered it last summer.

I suspect that both of these bad gals will be good to the last drop! (Side note: what’s the last sunscreen you finished?) I’m well on my way to finishing both of the new liquid lotion mineral sunscreens from Avene because they’re THAT good.

Like many makeup huntresses, I’m always on the prowl… I’m always looking for that elusive “no-makeup makeup” skin — just the barest hint coverage, with just enough tint or pigment to even things out a touch, but to find something that delivers a no-makeup makeup look, offers brilliant sun protection, feels light as a feather and leaves absolutely no white cast behind? That’s the stuff of legend, or perhaps just an internet rumor, or a figment of a beauty lover’s imagination… Or is it? I’m starting to believe that the new Avene Solaire sunscreens are as close to “the one” as you can get, and, yes, in case you were wondering, both of them create the most natural-looking dewy finish, so secret admirers will assume your supernatural glow is a natural, rare gift from the heavens above.

avene solaire uv tinted before
Wearing no makeup or sunscreen…
avene solaire uv tinted
And here I am wearing the Tinted version as my base.

Essentially, these are all that and a bag of cheese puffs. After I work in the lotion (it’s very thin and absorbs super quickly), no greasy goo is ever left behind, and my eyes don’t sting, not even after I sweat.

avene solaire uv tinted swatches

In the tinted version, rather than the typical too-pink beige that seems to be the go-to color of most tinted sunscreens, Avene opted for a darker medium tone. It looks more like a bronzer at first glance, but it should suit most skin tones based on the comments on the Avene website, as long as one blends it in thoroughly. I’m a tan gal, and the tint and sheer coverage are absolute perfection for me.

INGREDIENTS, TINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALUCYLATE, METHYLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLGYCLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDROXYSTEATEARATE/SEBACATE, NIACINAMIDE, NYLTON-12, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, IRON OXIDES, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALUS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

INGREDIENTS, UNTINTED:
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ZINC OXIDE (12%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: WATER, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PROPANEDIOL, JOJOBA ESTERS, TRIDECYL SALICYLATE, METHLHEPTYL ISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 DIISOSTEARATE / POLYHYDRIXYSTEARATE/ SEBACATE, NYLON-12, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, COCO-CAPRYLATE, SILICA, AVENE THERMAL SPRING WATER, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-2 DOPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, ALLANTOIN, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN EXTRACT, LECITHIN, PHENYLPROPANOL, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) EXTRACT, TOCOPHEOL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE, ISOSTEARIC ACID, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE.

The dry patches and pimples I get sometimes (those jerks), which will avail themselves of any excuse to pop off, haven’t made an appearance when I’ve used either of these sunscreens, so I’ll be keeping them close for the rest of the summer, and perhaps the rest of my life?! That’s a grand statement, but dang, ’tis good stuff.

Oh, yeah, in case you were wondering how the tinted version compares to Bliss Block Star (another rock star tinted mineral sunscreen), Avene’s has a dewy finish, while Block Star is matte. Avene also has a higher SPF at 50+ compared to Block Star’s 30. Both are great, though!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

There are 7 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Avene, Skin Care, Sunscreen

Fresh and Summery Makeup With a Tiny Bit o’ Sparkle

June 23rd, 2022 by Karen 6 Comments

Hiya! Is it hot enough for ya? We’re barely into summer and I’m already ready for fall. LOL!

This is the makeup look I’ve been wearing lately; you might’ve read about it last week in the post about the birthday shade tent. Here it is in much better lighting. The Chanel foundation, cream stick blushes and gloss are *chef’s kiss.* Holla at me if you have any questions about anything…

Summer music list

I’ve decided that it’s been too long since I’ve made a summer playlist. I’m thinking the theme will be booty shaking dance music. LOL! I just started and so far have the following two songs, and I would love your suggestions if you have any.


IYKYK


Get it, B!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 6 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Chanel

Bronzed and Glowing Makeup With Rose Inc and Laura Mercier

June 22nd, 2022 by Karen 14 Comments

Hi, friend! I had to put on makeup today because I had a short video presentation to give to everyone at work today. Was I a little nervous? Yeah. Makeup always helps me feel more confident, though. 🙂

I’m really on a non-powdery makeup kick, so I picked up some new-to-me things from Rose Inc and Laura Mercier.

Rose Inc Skin Enhancer Luminous Tinted Serum is a sheer, lightweight skin tint with a glowing finish. You pump a little bit on the back of your hand, mix the pigment spheres into the serum with a finger or a brush, and then blend the product onto your face. Kinda fun! A 1-ounce bottle is $49 at Sephora, however if you don’t mind waiting for shipping, Rose Inc currently is hosting a 25% off site-wide sale on everything, including this skin tint.

By the way, it’s available in 14 shades, and mine is 80, in case you’re wondering.

If this formula looks similar to something you’ve seen before — good eye! Chanel makes something similar both in the form of Les Beiges Water Fresh Complexion Touch ($65) and Les Beiges Water Fresh Tint (also $65). I’ve worn the Chanel Water Fresh Tint before, and the Rose Inc version seems to have less pearl.

Anywho, this is my first time taking it for a spin, and so far I like it! I need to wear it for a few more days to figure out if it’s something I can enthusiastically recommend, so I’ll get back to ya.

Also new to me in this look are the Tinted Moisturizer Blushes by Laura Mercier ($28 each). I picked up Corsica, a sparkling peach, and Coastline, a warm bronzy brown. I’m wearing Corisca in the pic at the top.

It temperature hit the low 90s today and Corsica has so far managed to stay on my cheeks! In a magnifying mirror, I can see a little bit of patchiness (I have to look *really close*), but considering how sweaty I’ve been all day and the mask that I wore at Trader Joe’s, I think it still held up well.

I’m going to try it next on bare skin to see how it holds up!

What makeup did you wear today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Face of the Day (FOTD), Laura Mercier, Makeup, Product Reviews, Rose Inc

What’s Your Current Makeup Routine for Hot Summer Days?

June 21st, 2022 by Karen 11 Comments

My friend, happy first day of summer. It’s a hot one out here in Northern California today — supposed to hit 101 degrees Fahrenheit! Early this morning, first thing, since it was already plenty warm, I let Connor run through the lawn sprinklers. I would’ve joined her except I had already done my hair and makeup for the day, LOL!

Yup, I’ve been trying lately to do a little something-something with makeup, even when it’s hot. I’ve been on a roll recently with le face paint, and I don’t want to lose my momentum.

Here’s what I’ve been doing lately

  • Base: I start by blending a sheer, semi-matte foundation on my cheeks and nose, around my mouth and on my forehead. I pat a sheer concealer underneath my eyes and set it with the tiniest amount of powder. Then, I take a skunk brush, and I run it gently across everything to blend it all together.
  • Blush: Next, I add some color to my cheeks. I layer a coral cream blush with warm golden bronzer, and then I blend them together with my fingers. To set the cream blush/bronzer combo, I load a blush brush with a warm golden bronzer and dust it lightly across my cheeks, nose and along the edge of my face.
  • Eyes and lips:For my eyes, I keep it simple: brow pencil, mascara, eyeliner on the waterline and a pat of bronze glitter shadow on my lids. To wrap it all up, I layer a lip balm with sunscreen a pinkish nude lipstick.

And here are the products in heavy rotation!

  • Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation in 50 Beige
  • Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand
  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden
  • Chanel Les Beiges Cream Blush in No. 20 and No. 22
  • MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Give Me Sun
  • Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Brown
  • Anastasia Clear Brow Gel
  • Ilia Gel Liner in Dusk
  • Hourglass Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Ray
  • MAC Extended Play Perm Me Up Lash
  • Sun Bum Lip Blam SPF 30
  • MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

How about you? What’s your current makeup routine for hot summer days?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 734

June 20th, 2022 by Karen 14 Comments

Have a wonderful day!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

    1. Ice cream in a cone or an ice cream sandwich?

    A single scoop of Baskin-Robbins pistachio in a sugar cone, please.

    2. Do you usually wear base/foundation during the summer?

    Depends on what I’m doing and how hot it is on any given day. If I’m puttering around the house or doing low-key errands, then typically I’ll do just a tinted sunscreen (both Avene and Bliss make good ones). If I’m meeting someone for lunch or have to go in to work, then something like Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is what I’ll grab.

    3. Last skin care product you bought?

    It was a tube of sunscreen – shocking, I know! LOL. Anywho, I’ve been wanting to try a watery sunscreen to reapply over my makeup during the day, so I grabbed ISNTREE Hyaluronic Watery Sun Gel SPF 50.

    4. How are your makeup skills?

    Sufficient when it comes to quick looks. Anything too complicated… Eh, I could handle it, but it would take a good amount of time. A couple hours at the very least.

    5. Chanel or Shiseido?

    Both! Right this second, though, Chanel.

    6. Something you want to buy for yourself?

    Honestly, I want to say something fun, like a cruiser bike. Really, though, I could use a rug for my office. I’m thinking of getting a washable one from Ruggable. If you have any of their rugs, please spill the tea!

    7. Would you rather roller skate or ride a bike?

    I would rather ride a bike, but only if it’s a cruiser bike that comes with a basket full of well-behaved kittens.

    8. How’s your summer garden going?

    Eh, not so great. I’m not doing a deck garden this year because of all the stuff I have to deal with inside the house. The closest thing I’ve come to a summer garden is a basil plant that I bought at Trader Joe’s, which I bought specifically to eat!

    9. Mascara primers: love ‘em or leave ‘em?

    I mean, they’re great if you’re willing to put in the work. At this stage in my makeup journey, I will say leave ‘em. It’s just one more thing, ya know?

    Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

    Karen

    P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

    1. Ice cream in a cone or an ice cream sandwich?
    2. Do you usually wear base/foundation during the summer?
    3. Last skin care product you bought?
    4. How are your makeup skills?
    5. Chanel or Shiseido?
    6. Something you want to buy for yourself?
    7. Would you rather roller skate or ride a bike?
    8. How’s your summer garden going?
    9. Mascara primers: love ‘em or leave ‘em?

    P.P.S. Hi, there my friend! It’s a beautiful morning and a beautiful start to a new week. Take good care of yourself this week, please. Stay hydrated, put your sunscreen on and be kind to yourself. You’re doing great! 🤗

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 715

June 19th, 2022 by Karen 3 Comments

First off, happy Father’s Day to ya! Hope you had a great one. We just stuck around the house, but it was a lot of fun. Just a lot of lounging, watching TV, cooking some burgers on the grill and chillaxin’…

Rosie, purr usual, spent the day working on her science experiments.

That reminds me…

Tabs wasn’t particularly interested in science or genetics like Rosie is, but he was interested in acting as a father figure to at-risk kittens and a mentor to up-and-coming kitty supermodels.

Despite his busy schedule, he always made time for the kittens in his foundation. He would read to them, do homework with them, teach them how to strut and strike poses on the catwalk — all the basic life skills.

Rosie

Rosie’s view of Father’s Day is a little different. As an introverted, more science-minded cat, she’s more interested in the genetic aspects of parentage. She was recently tapped by Genentech to lead a study into inherited traits that get passed along from father cat to kitten, so she’s been working on that all week long.

She has a theory that vertical leaping ability is closely tied to torbie fur pattern. Why Genentech is interested in that, I have no idea. 🤷‍♀️

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Rosie, Tabs

Saturday Surfing, June 18, 2022!

June 18th, 2022 by Karen 4 Comments

HELLO, I LOVE YOU

It’s Saturday, YES! Whatever your plans are today, I hope they involve copious amounts of coffee. I’m about to grab another cup because I need the fuel.

Today we’re working on putting boxes away, moving furniture and figuring out long-term storage… It’s only taking forever, le sigh.

The house is still in post-renovation chaos, and it’s starting to make me a little crazy. I have to remind myself that one step at a time is totally fine. It will get there eventually, and when it’s done it’ll all be worth it. Oh, and I have to also remind myself not to be too grumpy about it. LOL! The struggle is real, man.

What’s new in your neck of the woods? Are you working on any big (or small) projects? I would love to hear about them.

This week’s reading

  • Do you need a fridge for your skin care?
  • 11 dermatologist favorites in the medical-grade skin care category.
  • What is skin cycling?
  • 10 budget-friendly masks for silky, soft hair.
  • Florals for everybody? Yes, please.
  • Guerlain recently revamped their Aqua Allegoria Fragrances to make them more sustainable.


Now I want to try all of these!


So pretty.


Her wallpaper, OMG!


I quite enjoyed this.


I miss my tabby boy.


Chic!


FYI.


Let’s do this.


Lovely.


The magic words: easy and fresh!

Have a wonderful Saturday, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 4 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun

Checking In: Chanel Faves, Birthday Gifts to Myself and GO Dub Nation!

June 17th, 2022 by Karen 5 Comments

Hey, friend. TGIF and happy FRI-YAY!

No joke, I could crawl into bed right now and sleep for three days straight. My deadlines haven’t been playin’ lately! I’m so glad we made it to the end of the week.

Last week I mentioned last week I was going to buy myself a gift for my b-day. I ended up with a Kelty Cabana shade tent, a 100% spur-of-the-moment purchase from our local sporting goods store, Sports Basement.

I can safely say this is the first time I’ve bought outdoor equipment for myself on my birthday, LOL! You know what, though? I’ve always wanted a shade tent for the beach and for camping, and I’m so glad I finally did it. This one is relatively simple to assemble and pack, too. I think with practice, I can easily do it myself.

As you can see, Connor loves it! I can’t wait to take it on all our outdoor adventures this summer.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a birthday without a few beauty products. I’m still on a big hair kick, so to maximize volume and add moisture to my mane, I bought Bumble and Bumble’s Invisible Oil Shampoo and Conditioner for dry hair. Both contain six lightweight oils to hydrate, detangle and reduce frizz (among other things). I also grabbed a bottle of Alterna Caviar Foam Conditioner to use as a co-wash.

I’m currently on a Chanel kick, which seems to happen a few times a year, especially in the summer, go figure.

In these pics, I’m wearing the go-to Chanel makeup “uniform” I’ve been rocking all week: Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation (SO GOOD) on my skin; Les Beiges Cream Blushes in No. 22 and No. 20 layered together on my cheeks; and Electric Brown Eyeshadow-Liner-Khol topped with Liquid Eyeshadow in Desert Wind on my eyes. I’ll try to take more pictures soon to give you a better idea of the colors and textures, however I can safely say these pieces look great in-life and in phone selfies! Super easy to use, too.

And, oh my gosh, last but not certainly not least, I’ve gotta give a shout-out to the Warriors, aka the 2022 NBA Champions.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Golden State Warriors (@warriors)

Did you watch the game last night? I had absolutely NO CHILL until the last two minutes, LOL!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 5 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Bumble and Bumble, Chanel, Just For Fun, Makeup

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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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Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

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