Breaking news: Tabs and Marmalade seen chilling on top of the cat tower in my living room!
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Unsung Heroes: Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara
I have a theory that if by some magical force we were all turned back into babies and allowed to go buck wild in a drugstore, I doubt that very many of us would go goo-goo, gaa-gaa over Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara based solely on its simple, unassuming tube.
I mean, just look at it. That’s some pretty basic packaging right there. No neon to speak of, vibrating brushes, fancy fonts or flashing lights.
But man! — I gotta say, this $7 workhorse is quite a wonderful drugstore gem.
My reasons for having kept a tube of it in my makeup bag for the past few years (I literally never leave home without it) reads like an awesome laundry list (or an awesome list of awesomeness from Trader Joe’s).
First and foremost, it’s only seven bucks! And it’s carried in probably 5,000 drugstores nationwide.
I think those are two pretty great reasons, but Full ‘N Soft Waterproof also does all of the things I want a mascara to do — adding length and separation to my lashes while holding a curl, so that I look wide awake (even when I’m not).
What about raccoon eyes? you might ask.
Great question, but nope. None of that. Full ‘N Soft doesn’t flake, smudge or run, and one of the things I really like about it is how well it layers.
No bumps or clumps, just smooth, evenly coated lashes, which means I get control over how my lashes look.
When I want them to look natural, like for the beach, I just apply one or two layers for that feathery, separated look. Or when I’m craving something more dramatic, I’ll do three or four.
Either way, I think my results with this mascara are consistently great.
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Unsung Heroes: Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Gold
On super busy days (ahem, like the first time you host Thanksgiving dinner at your house), getting an extra five minutes to put on some makeup in the morning can mean the difference between success and a nervous breakdown.
Those 300 critical seconds could end up saving someone from being shanked with a butter knife, and preventing me from spontaneously transforming into a brains-craving zombie.
To take absolute advantage of those vital minutes of life-saving meow time, there’s Laura Mercier’s $22 Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Gold, a shimmery cream shadow capable of overcoming a number of makeup and beauty challenges like…
Problem: Totally tired eyes.
Solution: Let’s not even go there about my insomnia issues and the 50 shades of purple I’ve been waking up with under my eyes. This cream shadow’s softly golden finish glows like a tropical vacation in a tube. Wearing it I feel like I
Problem: No time for brushes.
Solution: Gold’s as quick and easy to use as pecan pie is to love (my favorite, BTW — much more than pumpkin). I pat and blend a small amount on my lids with a finger. Takes all but 60 seconds.
Problem: Getting the look of effortless eyes.
Solution: Easy like Sunday morning, Gold highlights eyes with a whisper, versus a SHOUT. But you still look like you’re wearing something, making it a great choice for busy mornings, brunches and first dates (among other events).
Just a Taste
I was running around like a crazypants yesterday (we hosted this year for the first time!), but I did manage to grab some snaps of the Thanksgiving spread before we chowed down.
This was just a sampling of what we had on the table, because at Filipino holiday celebrations, it’s traditional to have enough to feed a small army and then some. The idea is to make enough to give to your family, friends and neighbors so that they’ll have leftovers to eat for the next few days. 🙂
Two Ways to Win the New Benefit Fine-One-One Cheek and Lip Trio
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Mykeshia! Congratulations, Mykeshia! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
You know what would go really well with that second piece of pumpkin pie…?
A new Benefit Fine-One-One Cheek and Lip Trio. 🙂
Silly rabbit, it’s not for eating (although when I see it I think, “cupcake frosting”). This cream brightening stick trio is for illuminating lips and cheeks, and for imparting a glow that rivals the one I had after yesterday’s Thanksgiving meal.
I hope you’re ready to glow, because today’s giveaway start in 
Enter now (it only takes a comment and/or tweet)!
One lucky lady or gent will win a new Benefit Fine-One-One Cheek and Lip Trio ($30 value), a push-up stick trio of brightening pink champagne, sheer watermelon and soft coral creams that blend together beautifully on cheeks and lips.
- There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, what are your favorite Thanksgiving (or other holiday) side dishes? Best Benefit products of all time? Which do you prefer, powder blushes or creams? Have you ever been caught rocking out in your car? What’s your all-time favorite face powder? — you get the idea.
- Second, you can enter by following me on
Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win the New Benefit Fine-One-One Cheek and Lip Trio! http://bit.ly/QeP66K
- The deadline to enter is Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 11:59PM (PT).
- Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
- A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
- Contest is open to individuals of the United States and internationally who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
- Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
- The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
- Void where prohibited by law.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Mykeshia! Congratulations, Mykeshia! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Rich, Red and Opaque, Laura Mercier Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge Is Red-dy for Action
Red hot mama or not, Laura Mercier’s new $22 Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge, from the new Art Deco Muse Collection, is not a lipgloss I’d want to wear on the dance floor while Bizarre Love Triangle pulses over loudspeakers.
No, it is not ideal for such situations — like when you’re shaking your groove thang and that cute boy across the room makes goo-goo eyes at you…
(You know what I’m talking about.)
There are better lip products for times like that, like perhaps sheerer products, like good ol’ MAC Big Baby and Ample Pink.
Limited edition Laque Rouge is so rich, red and opaque that a lip liner and a steady hand are practically required.
Normally, my lazy side would say, “pish-tosh!” to something like that. “I’ll pass.” But Laque Rouge forces me to reconsider. It’s one of the shiniest, most intense fire-engine reds I’ve even seen, and wearing it makes me feel like a (short, Filipino) ’40s screen siren.
What is it?
A full-coverage, intensely pigmented lipgloss with a lacquer-like finish.
What’s the texture like?
The medium-weight formula feels a little sticky, but comfortable, and it applies evenly without streaking.
Is it moisturizing?
Very! My parched pout had a few flakes before I put it on the other day, and after a few hours, my lips felt about a million times better, softer and satiated. I also like that the formula doesn’t emphasize every little crack or flake.
What’s the taste/scent situation?
Non existent, because it has neither.
And how about wear time?
I get anywhere from 4-6 hours per application (less if I’m sipping or snacking).
Is it similar to any other products?
Are you familiar with Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon or MAC Extreme Sheen in Drive By Love? — because it reminds me of both of those, and other pigmented, high-shine glosses.
Anything else I should know?
Yay for the easy-to-use doe-foot applicator! For a super precise look, though, you might also want a lip brush for getting into corners, and for your cupid’s bow.
One more thing — Laque Rouge seems to lean a little warm on me and has yellow undertones, so it might not be a great fit if you prefer your reds with a blue base. If that’s the case, MAC Russian Red Lipglass might be a better choice.
Happy Thanksgiving: I’m Thankful for You
Happy Thanksgiving, love. I know I’ve said it before, but I still can’t believe this is our sixth (!) one together. When they say, “time flies,” girl, they sure aren’t kidding.
I’ve been up for a couple hours already working in the kitchen on the sides for today. There’s a (hopefully yummy) corn casserole baking in the oven at this very moment, and the house smells like nom. 🙂
I really wish you were here (but I’d need a much bigger living room). After so many years together — your stories, graduations, new careers, weddings, kittens, puppies, babies and world travels — I feel like you’re my extended family now. Growing up I always wished I had a sister, and now I have them all over the world! Over the years, I’ve come to realize that MBB is so much more than the lipsticks, eyeshadows (Nutella) and collections we talk about.
Alright, before I get too cheeseball on ya, I just wanted to say thanks…
- Thank you for visiting, for all of your comments, your tweets and emails, and for just allowing me to be a small part of your life. It’s a privilege, and I never, ever take that for granted.
- Thank you for sharing your stories (and for those great pics of your pets).
- Thank you for constantly teaching me new things. Now, I know where to kayak if I should ever visit the East Coast. Thanks to you, I also know a lot more about choosing the right dining room table and interior paint.
- Thank you for humoring me and my cat “enthusiasm.”
- Thank you for making this blog an exception to the rule that online comments and forums be plagued by rude, inconsiderate remarks.
- Thank you for affirming my belief that all of us have a great many things in common.
- Thank you for your enthusiasm.
- Thank you for your compassion.
- Thank you for seeing the beauty in mundane things.
- Thank you for putting up with my blabbering about [INSERT HOT MALE CELEBRITY OR TRADER JOE’S PRODUCT HERE].
- Thank you for overlooking my typos and grammatical mistakes, and for forgiving me when I repeat myself (repeat myself, repeat myself).
- Thank you for expanding my view of the world by reminding me just how small it is.
Thank you for just being you.
When I started this whole blogging thing back in 2007, I never expected this — something that would push me creatively and bring me so much joy. You’ve been there for me through a lot of ups and downs, always cheering me on, holding my hand and lifting my spirits when I needed a friend.
I’m so, so thankful for you. Love you very much. Have a happy Thanksgiving.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
No Idea Where It Went
Added to the many mysteries of the universe: where the last letter of this tube of Bobbi Brown Shimmer Lip Gloss in Black Pearl ($23, from the new Caviar & Oyster collection) went.
