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The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Rise and shine, morning glory. 🙂 What’s shakin’ out yonder way? Anything new to report? How’s your weekend coming along? Mine’s been a restful one so far, more out of necessity than design. No laundry, no house work, no big projects. Just lots of yummy food (had thai takeout last night), television and Tabs. Today I’m looking forward to making homemade strawberry ice cream for the first time… I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Wasn’t this an effing fantastic week for makeup? It was downright amazing! The hits just kept coming, one after another. I can’t remember the last time I was this inspired by so many different products from different companies. Benefit blew me away with the Annie and Maggie Collection palettes, but that wasn’t all; Chanel rocked my world, repeatedly, with everything I saw this week from Les Contrastes de Chanel.

So what were your favorite new products of the week? Hmm… That’s a tough one for me this time, but I’ll say the new Rouge Coco Lipstick in Chalys for lips; for eyes, the Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad; and for overall face — now THAT’s a tough one — it’s a tossup between the Benefit Annie and Maggie Collection palettes. They’re both so pretty!

Chanel Les Contrastes de Chanel Collection Rouge Coco LipsticksTHE CHANEL LES CONTRASTES DE CHANEL
ROUGE COCO LIPSTICKS

Dagnabbit, Coco! Why you gotta make me fall in love with you over and over again? Your three new limited edition (I just found out these shades are being added to the permanent line, huzzah!) Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour Lipsticks ($30 each) from the fall 2010 Les Contrastes de Chanel Collection sing a summery song of seduction, and you know what? I’m totally listening.

Each fall dark, serious shades and heavy matte textures crop up on makeup counters, so the pink, peach and coral lippies in Les Contrastes are welcome breaks from the norm. The colors make me think of summer sunsets, like the one I missed last night!

Chalys, the shimmery coral, adds a bright but not overwhelming pop of color to pouts; while the other two shades offer sophisticated options for nude lip looks. Try Chintz (the soft peach) if you wear warm-toned shades well, or Rose Dentelle (the cool baby pink) if cooler colors suit you better. Read more…

Benefit Scene QueenBENEFIT SCENE QUEEN
THE ANNIE COLLECTION PALETTE

So there I was, minding my own beeswax, when I caught Tabs staring at his reflection in the big @ss mirror that comes with the new Benefit Scene Queen The Annie Collection palette ($38). I think he might have been checking his eyeliner (cat’s got wicked tightlining skillz) or plotting makeup larceny…

I swear, Benefit must have a soothsayer on staff because they always know what I’m craving. The particular mix of dramatic neutrals in this stash of goodies for eyes, lips, face and cheeks is, again, right up my alley. The second of two new limited edition Sephora exclusives from Benefit Trend Makeup Artists Annie and Maggie (peep the other palette, Sunday Funday, here), Scene Queen’s big drama is designed to steal scenes (and the limelight).

The palette comes with all the fixin’s for some serious smokey eyes, among other looks, with makeup in shades of blue, gray, beige and black, along with a pop of juicy coral for cheeks and lips, yum! Read more…

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow QuadCHANEL ENIGMA
EYESHADOW QUAD

There’s something to be said for tradition. Take fall makeup, for instance, and the Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad ($56). Although I love that Chanel went totally renegade with the summery Rouge Coco lipsticks and Glossimer lipglosses from the Les Contrastes collection, it’s also kind of comforting to get seasonal products that typify the season, ya know?

The moment I saw this quad, the first thing I thought was, “What’s the connection between these shades and the new Rouge Coco colors?” I didn’t immediately see how/if the four shimmery shades of peach, chocolate gray, violet gray and dark plum were related to the lippies, but I think I’m beginning to understand.

Doesn’t the shimmery peach shadow in the quad look related to Rouge Coco lipstick in Chintz? I feel like its golden pink undertones also play off the iridescence in the Petite Peche, Coral Love and Rose Dilemma Glossimers. Read more…

NYX Blush NYX POWDER BLUSH
IN RED AND PINCHED

Bargain hunting, blush loving NYX fans, lend me your ears (and cheeks!). Now, for the mere price of two scoops of fancy shmancy gelato, you can dupe (nearly) two more iconic blushes from MAC and NARS.

Meet Red and Pinched, the new summer additions to the NYX Powder Blush line ($6 each).

Pinched, a shimmery golden peachy pink, reminds me of a slightly pinker version of NARS Orgasm, while matte Red could pass for a clone of MAC Frankly Scarlet.

The newcomers are like summer salsa, spicing up NYX’s already wide range of blushes with a price point bound to make beauty bargainistas wanna dance! Read more…

5 Makeup and Beauty Lessons I Learned from Watching True BloodTHE BEAUTY OF
TRUE BLOOD

In HBO’s True Blood, the vampires have come out of the proverbial closet. In the show, which centers around the mortal and immortal residents of a town called Bon Temps, Louisiana, the generally law-abiding humans, vamps and other preternatural citizens live alongside each other, doing their best to abide by their natures while following the rules of Southern decorum.

Of course, drama ensues, and that’s what makes the show so fun to watch!

Lafayette Reynolds, the flamboyant cook/road crew worker/man of several questionable illegal pursuits, is one of my favorite residents of Bon Temps. How many guys can work lace and rhinestones and still look tough at the same time? Not many, I contend!

A sage of unique style, Lafayette has taught me so very many timeless makeup and beauty lessons. Read more…

Benefit Sunday Funday PaletteBENEFIT SUNDAY FUNDAY
THE MAGGIE COLLECTION

The situation: The My So-Called Life marathon you hosted last night was a BIG success, but it went all night long, and now you have just 10 minutes to do your makeup before you meet your Jordon Catalano lookalike for brunch. What to do! what to do!

Yes, it’s totally unfair that dudes get to just pull on a plaid shirt and call themselves “date ready.” Life is cruel that way, but thank goodness for palettes that facilitate fast makeup like the new Benefit Sunday Funday The Maggie Collection palette for eyes, lips, face and cheeks ($38).

This cutie pie (isn’t the packaging to die?) comes with a nice mix of neutrals and breezy pops of color perfect for easy, natural-looking makeup looks in almost no time flat.

Exclusive to Sephora, it’s one of two new limited edition palettes by Benefit Trend Artists Maggie and Annie Danielson, the daughters of co-founder Jean Ford. The color palettes are the first from Maggie and Annie, but they won’t be the last, as the duo also plans to launch a Benefit holiday kit and future seasonal kits going forward. Read more…

Bobbi Brown Denim & Roses PaletteBOBBI BROWN
DENIM & ROSES PALETTE

Right after trying on the new Denim & Rose palette, I peeled off my stretchy yoga pants and squeezed into my favorite skinny jeans because it just felt right.

It’s rock n’ roll meets roses today with this palette for sooty, smokey eyes (for your inner bad gal) and soft lips and cheeks (for your angelic side). I LOVE the mix of edgy — well, edgy for Bobbi — dark navy, gray and neutral shades for the eyes, and the ultra femme pinks for lips and cheeks.

The nine-piece palette rides onto counters next month as part of the Denim & Rose makeup collection for fall 2010, and most of its colors are new. The sole exception, Navajo eyeshadow, also stars in Bobbi’s permanent collection.

I really appreciate when makeup lines create palettes from scratch with fresh colors, rather than recycling stuff that’s already part of their permanent line. I don’t mind occasional re-promotes, but big ups to BB and her crew for keeping us on our toes. Read more…

The Becca Bombora PaletteBECCA BOMBORA
PALETTE

If the best things in life are free, why the heck does the Becca Bombora palette have to cost $65 bones?

Even though the five-piece limited edition summer palette for eyes, lips and cheeks costs an arm and a leg, I gotta say, she’s one classy lady. Drugstores everywhere may curse her existence, but all the way from her packaging to her pigments, fine textures and blendability, Bombora looks and feels luxe.

That said, you may have heard this color story (or one like it) before. With its teal, peach, coral and two golds, the palette might remind you of MAC To The Beach. Like, if MAC To The Beach were a carefree barefoot surfer girl who lives out of her car and chases big waves up and down the coast, Bombora would be her more refined older sister who only stays at five-star seaside resorts. Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Don’t Miss These Summertime Drugstore Gems

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I’ve been on a drugstore beauty kick lately, and here are some of my favorite gems of the summer so far.

I’m a little bummed the weekend’s almost over, girls. They never seem long enough, ya know?

Did you do anything fun? I had a pretty good day. I went to dance class early this morning, spent a couple hours working and then went to see The Time Traveler’s Wife.

I loved the book and wanted to see the film even though it got kinda panned by critics (Rottentomatoes 36%). I’m glad I did, too, because I think it absolutely does justice to the book — both sad and happy at the same time.

Enjoy the last few hours of the weekend. Have a great night (are you watching True Blood?). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Do $8 Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayons Give the $22 Bobbi Brown Lip Crayons a Run for Their Money?

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sonia-kashuk-velvety-shine-lip-crayon-review-swatches-final

Seriously, let’s just hand Sonia Kashuk the keys to the drugstore makeup queendom already.

SK consistently creates quality makeup able to pass for department store stuff, and the best part is it’s *always* affordable.

Like her $8 Velvety Shine Lip Crayons from last spring…

They’d be almost dupes for Bobbi Brown Lip Crayons ($22) if it weren’t for the fact that they cost a fraction of the price.

sonia kashuk velvety shine lip crayon swatches
Swatches from left to right: Sonia Kashuk Pale Pink, Bobbi Brown Posey, Sonia Kashuk Luscious Pink

Sonia’s lip crayons even feel like their far more expensive Bobbi cousins, with a similar non-sticky texture, opaque coverage and super shiny finish. Plus, like Bobbi’s crayons, Sonia’s last all day without drying out my lips.

sonia-kashuk-velvety-lip-crayon-review-luscious-pink-closeup
Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayon in Luscious Pink

sonia-kashuk-velvety-lip-crayon-review-pale-pink-closeup
Sonia Kashuk Velvety Shine Lip Crayon in Pale Pink

sonia kashuk velvety lip shine crayon review luscious pink
Luscious Pink

sonia kashuk velvety shine lip crayon review pale pink
Pale Pink

Bobbi’s lip crayons do come in a wider selection of colors, though, and I like the faint cooling sensation they produce.

But I’m not sure those make them worth the extra cost…

Sonia Kashuk’s Velvety Shine Lip Crayons come in three shades (Hot Pink, Pale Pink and Luscious Pink). I’ve tried Luscious Pink (a creamy rose) and Pale Pink (a creamy pinkish coral).

I’m totally in love with Pale Pink; it’s almost twins with Bobbi Brown’s Posey, which I wore a few days ago in my look for Ivy League. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A-to-the-PLUS!

I didn’t see the Velvety Shines available on the Target website, but they should be carried in your local store.

Saturday plans?

It looks like the fog took a day off today here in the Bay Area, so we just might get a sunny day.

No big plans for me other than a run around the neighborhood, and then maybe a trip to the mall to do some window shopping.

I promised myself that I couldn’t have any fun, though, until I got my laundry done, boo! The only clean shirts I have left either have holes in ’em or look like they’re made out of cat fur. 🙂

Four loads o’ laundry, here I come!

What are you up to today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. For more on Sonia Kashuk’s recent spring makeup line, check out Face Candy’s review here.

Easy 4-Step Eye Makeup with Illamasqua

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illamasqua sirens fotd final final

Hiya, ladies. I had fun with this week’s Benefit 4-Step Eye Look, so I decided to try another one — this time using products from the UK’s rising makeup star, Illamasqua.

More on the Illamasqua brand…

It’s a shimmery and smokey black, gray and bronze eye, and it makes heavy use of Liquid Metal in Enrapture (a shimmery bronze cream) and Powder Eye Shadow in Lestat (a matte black).

Blend till you can’t blend no more!

illamasqua sirens-eye closeup

Like the Benefit look from a few days ago, this look involves just four steps, but it can still take a while to complete, thanks to the amount of blending required. Seamlessly transitioning the black matte into the bronze cream shadow isn’t something I’d try if I only had a couple minutes to get ready, so if you’re gonna give this one a try, consider budgeting a few extra minutes to blend.

I had to restart this look twice, wiping everything off each time, and had to remind myself not to get frustrated. If you end up with black eyeshadow all over your face, no worries! Wipe it off and start over again. That’s the beauty of makeup, right? You can always start with a clean slate.

Illamasqua 4-Step Eye Makeup Look

illamasqua sirens map final

  1. I start the look with Liquid Metal in Enrapture applied over my entire eyelid and along the lower lash line with a MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush. I take care to concentrate most of the color on the lid, gradually decreasing the saturation of color as it moves toward the brow bone.
  2. Next, I use a MAC 217 Blending Brush to apply a light layer of Lestat into the crease, diffusing the edges and blending into the the bronze shadow.
  3. For a smokey effect, I pat several layers of Lestat onto the outer half of the eye, concentrating most of the color in the outer corner (the side closest to my ear), and blend away any harsh lines with my trusty MAC 217 brush.
  4. To finish the eye portion of the look, I load a MAC 219 Pencil Brush with Lestat, smudge it along the outer half of my lower lash line, and use my MAC 217 to gently diffuse the edge.

Illamasqua Sirens for Lips and Cheeks

For the rest of my makeup, I went with a hot pink and gold lip with shimmery golden peach cheeks. Illamasqua’s new Sirens collection helped. 🙂
[Continue reading…]

How Do You Soothe Chapped Lips?

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063009-lip-collage

At a family barbecue a couple weeks ago I ate an obscene amount of mango (apparently too much mango). They’re one of my fave fruits, but they can also irritate my lips.

That’s because Mango contains a substance called urushiol (mostly in the tree’s sap, but there’s also a very small amount in the skin of the fruit), the same toxin found in poison ivy and poison oak!
Also see: source

For days after the BBQ my lips felt dry and peeled like mad. It was awful!

Coincidentally, reader Cari e-mailed asking for tips to soothe her peeling lips…

Hi Karen,

I enjoy reading your very informative blog everyday but I have a major, out of control problem that you haven’t covered!

I have big, beautiful plump lips but they peel EVERY DAY. Big ol’ gobs of cells that collect in the corners of my mouth. Ew.

I’ve tried Vaseline, Chapstick, coconut oil, every gloss imaginable but nothing seems to stop the sheds. You wanna know the most awful thing about it? They tend to peel a couple of hours after I’ve applied the prettiest lipgloss I own. FRUSTRATING!

So, I figure I need a lip exfoliator but I’m LOST (with Jack and Kate) when it comes to this. I’ve seen your gloss posts and you work your lips on the regular so you’ve gotta know something I don’t. Or maybe you’re just lucky. Either way, can you help a sista out? I’ll be sure to xoxo once I get this peeling thing under control!

Heya, Cari. Here are some things I do when my lips are chapped or dry:

Drink lots of water

I drink *hella* water. Not only does it help keep my skin clear, but it’s good for the “constitution” (LOL!) and even helps keep my lips from drying out. When I’m not drinking enough water, my lips will peel like cray-zaaaay!

I like to keep a water bottle next to me while I work and sip from it throughout the day.

Try a hydrating lip gloss

Not all gloss formulas are hydrating, and some are more moisturizing than others. A few of my favorite hydrating ones include Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimer ($27), Smashbox Limitless Long Wear ($21), MAC Lipgelle ($14) and Estee Lauder Tender Lip Balm ($14).

Try lip conditioner or lip butter

Lip conditioners and lip butters have a thinner formula than glosses but deliver rich hydration along with subtle color and shine. Two I always reach for are MAC Lip Conditioner in Gentle Coral ($15) and Korres Lip Butter in Plum ($9).

Slather up with one of these lip balms

Before applying lipstick or gloss, I’ll prep my lips with a layer of a hydrating balm about 10-15 minutes beforehand. Then, before bed, I’ll reach for a balm again.

Some lip balms tend to make matters worse, but here are two that have worked well for me: Philosophy Kiss Me in Clear ($12) and Clinique Superbalm Lip Treatment ($12).

Exfoliate

Only when my lips are irritated or chapped, I’ll gently exfoliate once about every other day.

Tarte sells one I like called fRxtion ($11). It exfoliates and conditions at the same time. Plus, it comes in a travel-friendly lipstick tube that you can just pop in your purse.

My favorite things about it are how yummy it smells and tastes — like brown sugar. I have been tempted to nibble, ha! Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to chomp on it, too. 🙂

Sometimes I’ll also exfoliate at night before bed, mixing olive oil, a teaspoon of honey, two teaspoons of white granulated sugar and a dash of lemon juice. I’ll apply the concoction with a finger or a toothbrush and *gently* rub on my lips.

Tenderonis, I know you’ve got a few beauty tricks up your sleeves. How do you soothe chapped lips, and what products do you use to keep your pucker looking and feeling soft?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Are Your Favorite Pigmented Lip Glosses?

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Highly pigmented lip glosses

Can I ask you to recommend some lip glosses which have good color payoff? My natural lips are kinda plummy-pink…

Cheers,
Kewal

Hiya Kewal,

I love lip gloss more than Spencer Pratt loves his creepy, fleshy beard!

Here are some of my favorite pigmented lip glosses, in no particular order.

  • NARS Lip Gloss ($24): These are semi-sticky with a medium weight; they’re also taste- and fragrance-free. The one I can’t get enough of is called Belize, a shimmery, pinkish mauve with golden pearl.
  • MAC Lipglass ($14): Or, if you prefer a thicker gloss, check out MAC’s Lipglasses. They come in tons of colors! My favorites — Lychee Luxe (a shimmery, reddish coral), Nymphette (a shimmery, pinkish gold) and Spite (a creamy, plummy brown).
  • Chanel Celestial Lights Glossimers ($27): If you’re looking for a little more bling than either the NARS or MAC glosses pack, splurge for one of the ultra-pigmented, uber-sparkly Chanel Celestial Lights Glossimers. I really heart Venus, a sparkly hot pink.

Do you have any other pigmented lip gloss suggestions for Kewal?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays Without Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, May 24

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Tabs loves his Chanel

Tabs, like his cat mom, loves himself some Chanel. When I called Hotel Cattyfornia earlier today to see how he was doing, his “executive assistant” informed me that he’s been meowing non-stop about the new Chanel Celestial Lights Glossimers ($27 each).

Chanel infused each of the eight new shades with more glitter than Mariah Carey’s bathroom sink!

Tabs’ favorite shade is Venus. What’s yours?

chanel celestial lights levres scintillantes glossimers

chanel celestial lights levres scintillantes glossimer swatches final

Which Chanel Celestial Lights Glossimer is your favorite?

View Results

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, May 18

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leonards-malasadas

  1. Mood:

    2. Cheerful. I slept well last night, and I’ve been able to catch up on some reading on this trip.

  2. Outfit:

    3. Khaki green jersey sundress.

  3. Eyes/cheeks/lips:

    4. Urban Decay Get Baked Palette on my eyes, NARS The Multiple in South Beach on my cheeks and Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Venus on my lips.

  4. What book are you reading?

    5. How to Write Fast (While Writing Well) by David Fryxell

  5. A song that can always get you on the dance floor?

    6. It Takes Two, by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.

  6. What’s your least favorite type of clothing:

    7. High-waisted pants. I have a short torso, so when I wear high-waisted pants that end up just below my boobs I look completely redonkulous. Oh, and I also hate having to wear socks… They oppress my feet.

  7. What lotion are you wearing today?

    8. I picked up a random bottle of Vaseline Firming Smoothing Body Lotion at Longs Drugstore yesterday. Not bad stuff.

  8. Do you dance by yourself when no one is watching?

    9. HECK YAH!

  9. What was your last meal?

    10. Two malasadas (Portuguese doughnut holes; deep fried doughnuts covered in sugar) from a Leonard’s Malasada truck last night. Not exactly the most nutritious of meals, but very tasty!

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Learn to stand-up paddle board, spend lots of time with my family, relax.

Good morning, pretties! I hope your Monday’s been smooth sailing from that first sip of coffee.

Let me know how things are going with you. Just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers to the Monday Poll in the comments. 🙂

Le List

Mood:
Outfit:
Eyes/lips/cheeks:
What book are you reading?
Song that always gets you out on the dance floor:
What’s your least favorite type of clothing?
What lotion are you wearing today?
Do you dance when no one is watching?
What was your last meal?
Weekly goals:

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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