Search Results for: crescent row

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

November 6th, 2011 by Karen 10 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

Once upon a time there lived a very sleepy girl named Karen. Early one Sunday morning, her tabby alarm clock signaled that it was time to wake up, but, as I just mentioned, she was a very sleepy girl. 🙂

“No…” she groaned at the purr-chirping tabby alarm clock. “Need more sleep.”

But the tabby alarm clock was an uncompromising device, a simple machine that operated on gravy and lurvies, and its reserves of both were dangerously low.

The tabby alarm clock triggered its low-power alert. “Mrrrrrowww…”

Wha!? Karen opened an eye that lolled about sleepily, trying to find the source of the annoying sound. It slowly came into focus on an object about one foot —

“MRRRROWWWW!”

Karen jerked awake with a start. The noise was much louder this time.

“Tabs!” she called at the tabby alarm clock. “Let me sleep.” And she plopped back down on her pillow.

…

Silence. She must have triggered the Snooze, so she drifted back to sleep…

The tabby alarm clock processed this data through its central processing unit, which outputted a single word in reply: unacceptable. It surveyed the situation, analyzed the bed-based terrain, and determined the next most logical course of action: physical intervention.

And then it leapt.

Bringing the full force of its 18-pound low-hanging belly to bear on the human’s head, the tabby alarm clock landed with the force of an…18-pound tabby.

“Mrmph!” came the muffled cry as Karen’s hands flew to her face. Her mouth was filled with something. What? It was moving! Alive! What…?

She realized what had happend. “Tabs!”

With its mission accomplished, the tabby alarm clock hopped out of the human’s reach.

“Tabs,” Karen growled, “you need to learn how to use the can opener, because that was not cool.”

Cool. The tabby alarm clock thought it recognized that word. Cool. Yes, very cool. 🙂

A few beauty posts that caught my eye…

Julep Nail Vernis Gayle: When Eggplant Meets Creme — Ã la peach
Coconut Oil: Health and Hair Benefits — My Weekend Ramblings
The Best Teeth Whitener You’ve Never Heard Of! — Beauty Logic
Guppy Sanding Fruit Extract Nail Polish in #12 — Nihrida
How to Get a Wet-Finish, Faux-Gloss Lid (aka Glossy Smokey Eyes) — theNotice
Project Runway: Season 9 Winner Anya Ayoung-Chee on Winning the Fan Favorite Contest — Afrobella
Learn a Gorgeous, Glowy Holiday Makeup Look — BellaSugar
Wet n Wild Limited Edition ColorIcon Ice Baby Nail Color Collection Swatches — Lacquered, Painted, Polished
Fashion Inspiration: The Powerpuff Girls — College Fashion
How to Highlight Your Facial Features — JennySue Makeup
Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit: It’s the Glitter Bomb.com — Lipglossiping

The Weekly Roundup: MBB Posts You Might Have Missed

MY LAST-MINUTE MAC HALLOWEEN COSTUME,
AND BEWARE THE SHARK CAT!

Shoot, I wasn’t even planning to dress up at all this year, but Tabs insisted that I throw something on, because he didn’t want to be the only kitty on the block without a dressed up assistant/trick-or-treating companion.

I couldn’t bear the thought of hitting up the costume store, since I knew it was gonna be crazy busy, so I busted a Tim Gunn and tried to “make it work” with what I had around the house.

As far as last-minute Halloween getups go, this MAC artist costume was super easy. I slipped on a black dress, fashioned a homemade tag out of a MAC logo I found online and stuck some brushes behind my ear. I also really, REALLY wanted to sling a black brush belt around my waist (like the ones that MAC artists wear at the counter), but I kinda ran out of time. I wore a gold brush belt from the MAC Wonder Woman collection instead. Read more…

GLAM HAS ALWAYS BEEN COOL, BUT BENEFIT TAKES IT A
STEP FURTHER WITH THEIR LATEST MAKEUP KIT FOR EYES, LIPS AND CHEEKS

The power of packaging compels you! The power of packaging compels you!

And for me with Benefit’s new “I’m Glam… Therefore I am” palette ($36), it almost does. I desperately wanted to bond with B’s new kit of mostly cool-toned colors for eyes, lips and cheeks. That way I’d feel good about giving it a permanent place on my dresser, a place where I could gaze lovingly at the adorable illustrated box.

The glam gal featured on the front reminds me of the girls my friends and I would doodle on our notebooks in school, complete with gown, tiara and opera-length gloves, and her step-by-step makeup lessons imprinted on the packaging describe how to use the palette to achieve two distinct looks, one called Daytime Dahling and the other, Evening Goddess. Read more…

A SMASHBOX HOLIDAY 2011 FACE OF THE DAY
WITH THE CLICK YOU’RE IT PALETTE

Because Smashbox bestowed numbers upon the pans of powder eyeshadow and cream liner in their new limited edition Click You’re It kit, following the included tutorial card for the “Golden Smolder” look this afternoon was a little like painting by numbers.

But not exactly. It was like a weird class combining math and art…and I’ve always kinda struggled with one of those disciplines, LOL!

I got a little carried away with the olive green eyeshadow, No. 15 in the palette, so my version of the look turned out more green than gold. I like the outcome, but it definitely didn’t go exactly as I’d planned. Read more…

YOU’RE DESTINED FOR FAME (AND FALLOUT)
WITH THE SMASHBOX BE DISCOVERED HOLIDAY PALETTE

I doubt Hollywood’s even looking for a short, sassy Filipino chick without any acting experience to star opposite Ryan Gosling in an upcoming romantic comedy, but if, perchance, I’m ever stopped by a famous director at Petco and asked to play the wind beneath Ryan’s wings, you can bet I’m putting down those 20 cans of gravy, girl, because we’re going to Hollywood!

Logic places the chances of this happening somewhere below 0.000001%, but ya never know… Maybe the new limited edition Smashbox Be Discovered palette (about $60, from the new Snappy Holidays 2011 collection) will improve my odds. Read more…

THE TARTE LIP SERVICE LIMITED EDITION
LIPSURGENCE COLLECTION AND A SNICKERS-FUELED SUGAR HIGH

Believe it or not, this swatch session for the new Tarte Lip Service Limited-Edition LipSurgence Collection ($29) actually began as something somewhat normal. But then I had two of these tiny Snickers bars (because it’s physically impossible to have just one).

And then it sort of went downhill from there. Read more…

HAPPY NOSES MAKE FOR HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH THE BENEFIT
CRESCENT ROW LIMITED EDITION SET

Benefit’s at it again this year, adding fragrant fuel to the fire that is my current obsession with petite perfume bottles, by taking us down another holiday trip down Crescent Row. Their new $36 Crescent Row Limited Edition Set bundles together four of the line’s 0.43-oz. (they’re small but cute) eau de toilettes.

Even though the four fragrances in this year’s set look and seem more to me like spring and summer scents than fragrances for winter and fall, I still like them all. Fragrance is a very personal thing, of course, and opinions will vary, but these four last all day long on my skin and remain pleasant as the notes evolve. Read more…

MISS PIGGY FOR MAC COLLECTION
SWATCHES AND PICS

When I was four, my favorite thing on television was The Muppet Show. I remember sitting in front of our set and praying I wouldn’t have to get up to fix the bunny ears on top of the TV, because I didn’t want to miss a single second.

I especially loved the two old dudes in the balcony who made fun of everyone, the adorable Fozzy bear, the Swedish Chef (“Bork! Bork! Bork!”) and of course, the diva of all divas, Miss Piggy.

How could you not love a glamorous pig in high heels, pearls and opera-length gloves? Read more…

TAKE OUT YOUR DANCING SHOES FOR THE TARTE
THE STARLET LIMITED-EDITION MAKEUP VANITY

My neighbors probably don’t need another reason to think I’ve completely lost my mind, but that didn’t stop me from giving them another one today.

Since they already know that I take my cat out for walks on a leash, snap pictures of myself in the front yard, drive to the grocery store wearing false eyelashes, and periodically leap like this in the street, I figured heck â€” I have nothing else to lose. Might as well take pics of myself dancing in front of the windows while I blast Footloose and try on Tarte’s new The Starlet Limited-Edition Makeup Vanity ($52). Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Benefit Ring My Bella

September 3rd, 2011 by Karen 3 Comments

What do you think of the packaging for Benefit’s new Crescent Row scent, Ring My Bella ($36)?

Available now at Benefit counters and also online.

Benefit Ring My Bella’s official fragrance notes include…

Top notes: Pink rose petals, soft lily and summer daisy
Middle notes: Egyptian jasmine and creamy peony
Bottom notes: White patchouli, vanilla tincture and white musk

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 91

June 13th, 2010 by Karen 15 Comments

Tabs for the T3 Twirl Curling Iron

What’s the deal with these two-day weekends, ladies? Let’s start a petition! I want three days from now on. Two days is barely enough time to run errands, much less have fun. Who’s with me? I’ve got one signature from a coworker so far:

Notwithstanding the length of it, did you have a good weekend? What are you doing tonight, and does it involve True Blood? 🙂

Tabs is actually napping right now, even though this is prime tabby time (dusk). I think he’s jet lagged from all of the traveling he’s been doing lately. See, we’re entering kitteh modeling season, so things are picking up.

OOH! As a matter of fact, here are pictures from the shoots he did this week:

Tabs for Benefit Crescent Row, Another Story

Tabs Rimmel London New Royal Gloss
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The Benefits of Benefit Holiday 2009

October 8th, 2009 by Karen 24 Comments

benefit-holiday-2009-best-of-sets

Sweeeeet! EVEN MORE holiday goodness coming at ‘cha, this time from Benefit Cosmetics.

Remember their Crescent Row fragrance sets and makeup kits? If they caught your eye, check out the company’s Holiday 2009 sets.

The Glam Eyes, Sexy Starlet and Tainted Love sets each come with heavily discounted Benefit bestsellers (full sizes, not samples) like…

Glam Idol Best of Benefit Set

What: Four pieces for face, lips and cheeks.
How much: $60 (but it’s a $74 value)
Where: Check your local Benefit counter or browse online
What you get:

That Gal Primer
California Kissin Lip Shine
Posie Tint Lip and Cheek Stain (LOVE!)
A stylin’ clutch purse

Sexy Starlet Best of Benefit Set

What:A sassy set four-piece set for face, cheeks and eyes.
How much: $58 (a $74 value)
Where: Benefit counters and online
What you get:

Coralista Cheek Powder
Some Kinda-a Gorgeous Oil-Free Foundation
Badgal Lash Mascara
A cute clutch purse

Tinted Love

What: A two-piece set for lips and eyes.
How much: $38 (a $58 value)
Where: Exclusively at Sephora stores and online
What you get:

Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain
Pocket Pal (a double-ended duo; one side with Benetint and the other a clear gloss)

🙂 I love the holidays and all of the cool cosmetics sets that drop. Considering that each of these comes with full-size products, they seem like pretty good bargains.

Speaking of bargains, I think I’m addicted to Hulu.com. I’d heard about it from different people, but until this week I had no idea they had so many shows! It almost makes cable unnecessary, right?
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Benefit Holiday 2009: Followup Questions

October 8th, 2009 by Karen 24 Comments

benefit holiday 2009 celebutante no competition
Benefit Full Finish Lipsticks from left to right: No Competition and Lady’s Choice

I pulled a Cinderella last night — but not the cool glass slipper/pumpkin part. It was the part with all of the cleaning, the singing animals (in this case, Tabs) and the late-night floor mopping.

Pretty soon the new place will be clean enough, and I’ll be able to get back to commenting on a regular basis. One of the highlights of my days is commenting, and I’ve been going through withdrawals lately. I’ve still been reading them all, even though I may not have been able to respond.

Speaking of comments, I saw some great questions in response to this week’s Benefit Holiday 2009 post.

Here’s a quick followup:

1. What’s that second lipstick in the Celebutante set?

benefit celebutante 3-1

Eagle-eyed DJ and Jess caught that there are two Full-Finished Lipsticks in the Celebutante Set. Good eye, gals!

Lady’s Choice (a creamy pink) joins No Competition (a deep plum) in the set.

benefit-no-competition-full-finish-lipstick
A swatch of No Competition lipstick

No Competition is a color I like to wear with eyeshadows in gold and brown.

2. How big are the blush pans in the Powderazzi palette?

benefit holiday 2009 powderazzi and regular sized blushes

Readers Nicole and Sdpfeiffy asked how the blush pans in the Powderazzi set compare to Benefit’s full-sized box blushes.

Well, the Powderazzi blushes are about a quarter the size of the regular box blushes (a .10-oz pan versus a .42-oz pan), so they’re substantially smaller.

But consider this: choice. 🙂 I’d choose an option with three blushes over an option with one any old day.

Powderazzi also comes in a slim, portable box that’s kind to makeup bags (e.g. it’s small), taking up less space than most bulky, full-size box blushes.

And, seriously, can you remember the last time you finished an entire full-size pan of blush? I can’t. These smaller blushes seem pretty practical to me.
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Benefit Cosmetics Holiday 2009: Affordable and Feminine Makeup and Fragrance Sets

October 5th, 2009 by Karen 35 Comments

benefit cosmetics holiday 2009

Let the holiday 2009 madness begin with Benefit’s limited-edition sets, available later this month.

My mind’s a blur right now (too much coffee and too little sleep), so forgive me as I bust out the bullets:

Each set is reasonably priced between $26-46.
The quilt and chain designs along with the red, purple and gold packaging totally remind me of a blinged-out Chanel purse.
Included in the kits are arguably some of the best stuff in Benefit’s permanent line (hello, Coralista).
Love the Crescent Row scents like I do? Expect new, limited-edition body lotions for each fragrance. I haven’t tried ’em yet, but I hope they’ll be moisturizing enough to handle my alligator legs.

Let me know if any of these move you. 🙂

Celebutante, $34

benefit cosmetics holiday 2009 celebutante

This nine-piece kit packs almost everything I need to go from tow’ up to glam in a matter of minutes. The travel-sized eye and blush brushes for on-the-go touchups are a nice bonus, too.

Bring out your inner Celebutante with …

High Beam: a shimmery pink highlighter for the face and body (check out swatches along with a how-to tutorial here)
Benetint: a liquid, rose-colored cheek and lip tint (see swatches here)
Dallas: a shimmery peach blush (read a full review and view swatches here)
Lip Gloss in I’m With the Band: a sheer, shimmery golden pink gloss (peep the full review and swatches here and here)
Full-Finish lipstick in Lady’s Choice: a warm, dusty rose pink (see here for swatches)
Velvet Eyeshadow in Leggy: a shimmery light pink (see swatches here)
Velvet Eyeshadow in Dandy Brandy: a shimmery golden brown (see swatches here)

Glitz Glam & Gloss, $26

benefit holiday 2009 glitz glam gloss

Benefit Lip Gloss fans on a budget just might love this kit.

The Benefit babes loaded Glitz Glam & Gloss with three dual-headed glosses (six glosses total), each with a generous .10-oz of product (a full-sized Benefit Lip Gloss contains .17-oz of gloss).

Buying all six glosses separately (check out a review here) costs $108; grabbing ’em all at once saves a whopping $82. That’s a steal of a deal, yo!

Glitz Glam & Gloss includes …[Continue reading…]

The MAC All The Right Angles Contour Palettes Are Très (or Tres) Dimensional

April 8th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 20 Comments

*** THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT ***

TO: My fair beauts

SUBJECT: I found a highlighter that shows up on us!

Allow me to introduce you to the MAC All The Right Angles Contour Palettes.

Now let’s get acquainted! ✨

There are four of them, which are like little trios, ranging in shade family from Light to Dark, and each one comes with a cream color base, a shaping powder, and a sculpting powder. The cream product is on the lower part of the compact, and the powder tray slides snugly over it so you don’t have to worry about ruining your day by getting schmutz in the cream color base. And they also come with a mirror.

What I’m getting at here is that these little black boxes are great for traveling!

In the photo above, I’m not wearing any blush or bronzer, just All The Right Angles in Light to showcase its full effect uninterrupted.

Right off the bat, the shade of the sculpting powder (called Bone Beige) seemed off to me. MAC describes the sculpting shade in this kit as a warm brown, but compared to my beloved Too Faced Milk Chocolate Bronzer, Bone Beige is a couple shades darker and less warm.

On my skin (my undertone is usually pretty neutral), it appears more…fleshy. It doesn’t look off at all, and I don’t feel the need to wear blush when I’m wearing Bone Beige. It just threw me off upon first glance because it wasn’t what I generally expect from a lighter contour shade… I usually expect a corpse grey.

MAC All the Right Angles — MAC All The Right Angles in Light

The cream colour base in Luna is aptly named. It’s white and sparkly (not glittery), so your cheekbones can shine like a crescent moon in the night sky. The shaping powder shade is called Emphasize (accurately named, though not as cute), which is a nice subtle glow — great for daytime or no-makeup makeup. I like wearing it in my inner corners on light makeup days. It’s subtle but effective in brightening up the area and making me look like I actually slept last night.

My faaavorite way to wear Emphasize is on top of Luna, which is how I’m wearing it today! Every time I pass by a mirror and catch a glimpse, I stop, do a double-take, and then go “damn girl, you’re glowing.” I’m not sparkling; I’m glowing. It’s not very often that I find a highlighter that can actually highlight my skin tone, so I am very impressed.

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The Day in Beauty, Vol. 3: Modern Love, Viktor & Rolf V-Day Sets, Baby Names, and Weird Belly Bands

January 28th, 2016 by Karen 27 Comments

One of the more unusual things on my bucket list — and I’d say it’s right up there with wanting to learn how to play the accordion — is to go to a concert, or any really big event, and have thousands of balloons rain down from the ceiling/sky, and I blame this on David Bowie’s Modern Love video.

Have you seen it? There’s a giant crescent moon thingy suspended over the crowd, and all of a sudden it starts pouring out thousands of shiny gold foil balloons.

I thought this was extremely amazing where I was a kid (and still do).

The song, by the way, LOVE. IT. And thanks to YouTube for finally clearing something up for me. In the song, I always thought that David Bowie was singing, “It’s not really work; it’s just the power to talk,” but he’s not really saying that, OMG! He’s actually saying, “It’s not really work; it’s just the power to charm.”

Who freaking knew? I would be so lost without you, Interwebz…