Search Results for: smokey

How Would You Describe Your Signature Makeup Look?

August 24th, 2008 by Karen 45 Comments

My signature makeup look is a simple, subtle smokey eye. I call it signature because I wear it all the time, LOL! It takes no more than 15 minutes to do, and I think it’s appropriate both for work or a night on the town.

How would you describe your signature makeup look? If you have a picture of it hosted online (I recommend flickr or photobucket), post a link to it in the comments, or send it to me in an email. I’ll put ’em together in a fun future post with all of our signature looks! Who knows? Maybe Tabs will make an appearance in his slimming stripes. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

10 Reasons to Love Chanel

August 17th, 2008 by Karen 32 Comments

With next week an exciting one for MAC lovers (like me!), I got a little nostalgic for one of my other favorite brands: Chanel. When it comes to elegant colors, finely milled eye shadows and sophisticated packaging, my heart longs for Chanel. MAC brings out my fun side, but Chanel is like the little black dress of my makeup world.

So, in celebration of next month’s Lifetime television movie (airs Sept. 13, 2008) on the life of Chanel founder Coco Chanel, let’s take a look back at 10 reasons to love Chanel.

10 Reasons to Love Chanel

Chanel Fall, Holiday 2008 Makeup Collections by Chanel’s New Golden Boy
“In less than three years, the value of gold has more than doubled, now selling for more than $900 an ounce. Chanel must have noticed how much people have been lovin’ on gold lately because both of their upcoming fall and holiday makeup collections go after gold in a mad, crazy way.”

The #1 Best-Selling Chanel Lip Liner
“When it came time in the class to apply my lip color, one of the makeup artists ceremoniously presented me with a Nude lip liner dual-ended pencil, gazing intensely into my eyes with the seriousness of an initiate in a cult.”

How to Attend a Free Chanel Master Makeup Class
“Did you know Chanel provides free makeup classes for customers? The sessions are called Chanel Master Classes, and I went to my very first one last Saturday at my neighborhood Macy’s store.”

Chanel Makeup Studios Make Going International as Easy as Placing a Call
“…nirvana is just a phone call (and a credit card) away. US residents may order Chanel’s international products by calling any of the three US Chanel Makeup Studios. Reach the Honolulu studio at (808) 953-6100. Ask for Sheila, the studio’s fabulous Chanel makeup artist, and tell her “Hi!” for me.”

Gaga for Gold with Chanel Fall 2008
“…the collection just arrived at Chanel counters nationwide. I fell in love with five of the products in this release — two of the Glossimers (Delight and Gold Light), Facettes D’Or Highlighter in Gold Fever and two of the lipsticks (Pepeete and Formentera).”

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Perfume, How I Love Thee
“Even though Coco Mademoiselle is in the oriental fragrance family, it doesn’t smell stuffy or old-lady at all. It’s youthful and sophisticated. You won’t smell like an old lady who lunches and totes small terrier dogs in Burberry outfits. You will smell like a confident young woman strutting down the street in a classic black suit.”

Face of the Day: Chanel Oasis Quad and Leopard Lipstick
“Today felt like a bold lip kinda day for me, so I decided to take Chanel Leopard Hydrabase Lipstick out for a spin. I didn’t want Leopard to be lonely, so I paired her with her new best friend, the Chanel Oasis Quad (from this year’s summer collection)!”

Lip Look: Chanel Papeete and Gold Light
“Here’s the lip look I’m wearing this morning, done with Chanel Papeete Aqualumiere lipstick and Gold Light Glossimer from the Fall 2008 collection. What do you think — fun and sparkly?”

Chanel Glossimer Lip Gloss, A Makeup Addiction in the Making
“The sparkle factor is high on these glosses. It’s very grown-up glitter though! I love looking at the color and seeing the different flecks of gold, silver, pink and green. Glossimers are thick but aren’t as sticky as MAC Lipglass. You can still feel them on your lip, unlike thin lipglosses.”

Face of the Day: Simple Smokey Eye with Chanel Winter Nights Quad
“As far as complete looks are concerned, this one is quick and easy to do. I used shades from the Chanel Winter Nights Quad, a versatile set with four basic, but pretty shades of pink, peachy gold, green and light brown. The look works well for the office or for things like family functions or semi-formals.”

How do you feel about Chanel?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

9 Things I Wish I Could Do

August 14th, 2008 by Karen 57 Comments

1. Master using the MAC 224 windshield wiper brush.

2. Teleport to Hawaii, catch some early morning waves on Oahu and then have macadamia nut pancakes from Boots & Kimo’s for breakfast.

3. Interview C. Bale for the blog. *gushes*

4. Perfect the art of the blended, grey smokey eye (I have a hard time with this one!).

5. Keep Tabs safe indoors without feeling guilty about stealing his outdoor cat freedom.

6. Be able to ride a bike without having to hold on to the handle bars.

7. Get my parents to understand what a blog is.

8. Have coffee with El Hub at a Paris cafe and spend the afternoon at the Musee d’Orsay.

9. Sleep in.

What are some things you wish you could do? Share them with me in the comments. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Clarins Jazzy Colours Fall Collection: Cooler than Jazz Hands

August 12th, 2008 by Karen 32 Comments

So Chic Colour Quartet, $40

Take a break from all the berry and chocolate dominating this fall’s makeup collections, and take a look at Clarins. Their Jazzy Colours collection evokes the carefree elegance of the Roaring Twenties, and its grey, blue and rose shades make me want to dance the Charleston in a fringe dress, ha! All I need now is a bob haircut.

I think it’s time to embrace my inner flapper. 🙂

The full Jazzy Colours collection actually goes on sale later this summer, but I pulled recon this afternoon at Nordstrom, and a friendly Clarins counter makeup artist was kind enough to let me swatch the collection’s two Colour Quartets ($40), which are already available online.

So Sublime offers a bit more color punch with royal blue, shimmery peach, shimmery hot pink and shimmery silver shades.

So Chic black with silver glitter, plum matte, shimmery khaki and shimmery white shades are perfect for a purple smokey eye.

So Sublime Colour Quartet, $40

So Chic
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18 MAC to School Makeup Tips

August 11th, 2008 by Karen 83 Comments

Guess what? I decided to go back to school on Saturday. Yup, I attended a 2-hour MAC Studio Talk makeup class at Bloomingdale’s in SF, and, like the Chanel master class at Macy’s a couple weeks ago, it was packed with makeup tips and new product information.

Watching a video at the start of class

If you love makeup, brand-sponsored classes like these are a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. I found out about the MAC Studio Talk class through the Bloomingdale’s website. Ask in the stores, as well (check with the counter staff), because other brands offer similar classes.

Makeup classes like these are often free, but sometimes stores or brands will charge a nominal fee. Classes are usually kept small (30 people or less), and in some cases hands-on (as was the MAC Studio Talk class), where you’re able to apply products on yourself. Other times, they’ll be more lecture-style. To reserve a spot in a MAC Studio Talk class through Bloomingdale’s costs $75, but that amount also applies toward the purchase of MAC products at the end of the class. If you were planning to spend some money on a new collection anyway, a class like one of these may be a fun way to couple your new products with some professional instruction.

MAC Studio Makeup Talk

Each student was given a choice to learn either a bridal look or a club-inspired look. I chose the club look, and the instructors described each step in the process. I picked up a few tips along the way.

1. Beat the Heat with MAC Wipes

When it’s hot out, store MAC Wipes ($17) in the fridge. It keeps them feeling crisp and refreshing against your skin when used to remove your makeup.

2. Fix+ to Soothe Red Areas

If you have red, splotchy skin, spritz Fix+ ($16) over your entire face before applying your makeup. Not only does the spray prep skin for makeup application, but it contains soothing chamomile as well.

3. Primer Reduces the Need for Touch-Ups

Face primers are great for oily skinned ladies and gents. You won’t have to reapply your makeup as often throughout the day if you use a primer first. MAC has two kinds, Prep + Prime Skin ($23) and Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 ($28).

4. Use Fast Response Eye Cream to Minimize Fine Lines

If you have fine lines around your eyes or mouth, apply Fast Response Eye Cream ($28.50) to the areas before applying any of your makeup (even foundation). The formula contains optical diffusers to minimize the appearance of fine lines.

5. Layer Foundation: It’s Easier to Add Than to Take Away

A little foundation goes a long way. It’s better to start with less and to build it up to the coverage you want. It’s easier to slowly add product than it is to take it away.

6. Studio Tech Foundation for Medium Coverage

MAC Studio Tech ($29), a cream foundation in a compact tends to be lighter than MAC’s fluid foundations. I’m normally an NC 35, but Studio Tech in a slightly darker NC 37 provides great medium coverage and helps soften and diffuse lines on the skin.

7. Use Downward Strokes to Apply Foundation

Facial hair and fuzz tends to lie vertically on the skin, from top to bottom, so when applying foundation with something like a 190 Foundation Brush ($32), use downward strokes to and go with the “grain” of the hair.

8. MAC Blot on Your T-zone for a Natural Look

For a natural look, top MAC Studio Tech foundation with MAC Blot Pressed Powder ($21). In the class, I dusted the Medium Deep shade on my T-zone with a 187 Duo Fibre Brush ($42).

9. Apply Bronzer Like a Pro

When you apply bronzer, think of a capital letter E. With Refined Golden Bronzer ($21) and a 187 brush, start near the outer corner of your right eye, swiping down the curve of the cheek bone (under the apple of your cheek). Then, swipe back up the same way. From there, swipe over the right temple onto your upper forehead just below your right hairline. The overall shape you’re shooting for resembles a capital E on the right side. Do the reverse on your left.

10. Apply Blush Like a Champ

When applying blush, grab a 187 duo fiber brush. Swipe it on the blush pan once or twice, tapping off the excess powder. Smile in the mirror to make the apples of your cheeks more prominent and apply with the blush using a small, circular motion. Repeat the process, moving the color up from the apples to the hairline.

11. Tame Unruly Eyebrows

If your brow hairs lie in different directions, Brow Set ($13.50) is a handy product to have around. It’s a gel that acts like hair spray for yours brows, keeping them in place. It even comes with a mascara brush. In a pinch, you can also use it to tame stray hairs elsewhere on the face.

12. Prime Your Eyes with Paint Pots

Eye primer extends the life of your eye shadows. Painterly Paint Pot ($16.50) is a great multi-purpose eye primer. It’s a creamy, nude beige shade that goes with almost all colors. Apply the product over the entire eye using a flat brush like the MAC 242 ($23). You don’t need to use lots of product when it comes to Paint Pots; less is more.
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6 Ways to Take Your Nails to the Next Level

August 9th, 2008 by Karen 13 Comments

Sometimes, the easiest, least expensive way to switch up my look is with a polish change. One of my weekend mental health rituals has long been to set aside a few *me* minutes to paint my nails in front of the TV. A new nail color and a mani/pedi at home recharges my batteries and helps me start the coming week with a positive attitude.

Here are 6 ways to take your nails to the next level.

Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat
“When a sales person at Pure Beauty introduced me to this product in 2003, I was initially turned off by the price. Ten bucks for a bottle of clear polish seemed ridiculous! She insisted that I wouldn’t regret it and oh-so-helpfully reminded me of their full-refund policy, so I happily handed her some cash and skipped off into the sunset.”

Save a Few Bucks at the Nail Salon by Getting a Polish Change
“What’s the difference between a polish change and a manicure? It depends on the salon, but usually during a polish change the nail technician won’t file your nails down, won’t cut your cuticles (you’re never supposed to cut your cuticles at the salon, anyway), and they may skip the soaking part.”

Splurge or Steal: Essie Neon Delivers Chanel Nail Colors for Less
“All of the colors, with the exception of Mini Shorts, have that thick, high shine, classic finish Essie is known for. Mini Shorts doesn’t seem to be quite as shiny as the other shades are, and I’m not sure why that is, but a high shine top coat like Seche Vite should bring the shine up to par.”

The Lippmann Collection Nail Studio: A Manicure and Pedicure in Paradise
“A Lippmann manicure is less painful than a typical mani/pedi treatment. Cuticles aren’t cut, hands and toes are soaked in large bowls of warm water rather than spa tubs with jets, and the nails are only filed in one direction to prevent breakage. It’s more of a holistic approach to nail care.”

Play to Win with Lippmann Collection Fall Nail Colors
“Lippmann Collection polishes have a reputation in the beauty world. They’re known for their durability, and that’s not hype, either; early last month I got a mani/pedi at the Lippmann nail bar in Hawaii, and the coral color on my toes is STILL fresh and intact. I’ve been reapplying top coat every five days, but even that, with most other brands of polish, would not have been enough to make the color last as long as it has so far.”

China Glaze Ink Nail Polish: Wow, That’s Bright
“I was pretty stoked to give the colors a try when I spotted the kit because I’ve been going through a bright nail polish phase. I couldn’t wait to try these colors on.”

OOH! I got some good makeup tips (and a fun smokey eye technique) in the MAC Studio Talk at Bloomingdale’s this afternoon. I’ll blog ’em tomorrow, but right now I’m about to make some tea and get ready for bed.

Did you have a good day? What was the prettiest thing you saw today? Mine was a display of Annick Goutal skincare products. I thought the packaging was gorgeous.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Lip Look: Today with Chanel Formentera Lipstick

August 7th, 2008 by Karen 17 Comments

chanel-aqualumiere-formentera-final

My obsession with pink lipstick kicked into high gear again. Today I’m wearing beigey pink-gold Chanel Formentera Aqualumiere Sheer Colour Lipshine SPF 15 ($27).

Part of the Chanel Fall 2008 makeup collection, Formentera shines like mad yet feels whisper light on my lips. It’s a pretty option when you want the staying power of a lipstick with the shine of a gloss. I’ve been pairing it with subtle smokey eyes, like this khaki-grey eye with Benefit Cream Shadows or this black-champagne eye with Clinique’s Midnight matte.

ALERT: Coco Chanel Heads to Lifetime Television!

Confession time: I loves me some Lifetime (“Television for Women!”) movies, especially ones starring B-list celebs like Tori Spelling. I can’t resist dramatic woman-in-peril story lines.
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Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow: A Quick Look

August 5th, 2008 by Karen 56 Comments

The Benefit brand sorta slipped under my radar for a couple years, but I used to be a big fan.

Back when I worked in downtown SF and every other person worked for a dot com (*rolls eyes*), I remember wearing Benetint and Dr. Feelgood. I’m not sure why I stopped following the line. I guess it fell into the same black hole that swallowed my Hello Kitty lunch box and black jelly bracelets.

I decided to take a new look at Benefit recently and noticed a few things, like their Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner ($19), lil’ pots of cream shadow similar to MAC Paint Pots. Bellasugar wrote about them in a recent post, and so far I dig ’em too.

I went to see all 15 shades in person at a freestanding store, and three of them really stood out:

Birthday Suit: light tan shimmer
Skinny Jeans: khaki-grey shimmer
Strut: grey-black shimmer

Birthday Suit

Skinny Jeans

Strut

A Smokey Eye with Benefit’s Cream Shadows

Try a quick and easy smokey eye using Skinny Jeans on the lid. After applying Skinny Jeans, add Strut to the outer corner of the eye, finishing with a swipe of Birthday Suit on the brow bone.

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