estee lauder

Luscious Lips and Wide Eyes Characterize the EstÃ¨e Lauder Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish Collection and Two Tone Collection for Eyes

April 12th, 2012 by Karen 34 Comments

estee lauder fuchsia vibes
Wearing EstÃ¨e Lauder Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish in Fuchsia Vibes on my lips

It looks like I got home just in time because a storm’s a brewin’! I had to make a quick trip into the city, which is why I’ve been MIA, but I’m back in Novato now, much to Tabs’ chagrin.

The air is thick and humid … like it’s about to downpour.

First thing I did when I got home — well, the second thing I did, after giving Tabs some treats (he was all, “Woman! Where were you?! I’ve been STARVING!”) — was check out two new collections coming to EstÃ¨e Lauder counters next month, the limited edition Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish Collection and Two Tone Collection for eyes.

One can never have too many sequins, I always say (well…). 🙂 Incidentally, that’s the release I’m looking forward to the most. It features six powerfully pigmented, shimmery glosses in berry, coral, red, plum and nude ($22.50 each).

Oh, fig! — which is how the glosses taste and smell. They also have the thin, smooth consistency of a lip cream yet the shine of a gloss. They remind me of MAC Kissable Lipcolours with a side order of shimmer.

As for the 10-piece Two Tone Collection for eyes, it includes the basics for creating a wide-eyed look — not necessarily flashy, but pretty and practical nevertheless.

It features three new Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascaras ($28 each) — each one has a black shade on one side for top lashes and a colorful shade on the other for bottoms — three Double Wear Stay-in-Place Dual-Ended Eye Pencil Duos ($25 each), and four Pure Colour Eyeshadow singles ($20 each).

Here’s a close look at four of the glosses, two of the pencils and one of the mascaras…

estee lauder pure color sequins
From bottom to top: Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil Duo in Onyx/Coffee, Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil Duo in Onyx/Garnet, Sumptuous Two Tone Eye-Opening Mascara in Bold Black and Rich Plum, Pure Color Gloss Sequins Finish in Purple Passion, Fuchsia Vibes, Cosmic Pink and Violet Rain

estee lauder pure color sequins
From bottom to top: Violet Rain, Cosmic Pink, Fuchsia Vibes and Purple Passion

estee lauder pure color sequins

estee lauder pure color sequins wands
Wands from left to right: Violet Rain, Purple Passion, Fuchsia Vibes and Cosmic Pink
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This Is BIG: The Tips at Both Ends of the EstÃ¨e Lauder Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava Are BIG!

March 9th, 2012 by Karen 18 Comments

estee lauder white sands molten lava

It doesn’t look like the trend toward super-sized makeup is leaving the building any time soon, and generally, that’s fine by me (as long as prices don’t rise and the products still fit in my purse).

There’s also something to be said for the ability to spot these oversized products from half a mile away, like the jumbo tips attached to both ends of EstÃ¨e Lauder’s $24 Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava.

Dang, those things are huge!

estee lauder bronze goddess capri shimmering mirage gloss eye duo in white sands molten lava
Pure Color Gloss in Shimmering Mirage (top) and Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava (bottom)

EstÃ¨e Lauder Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava hails from the new Bronze Goddess Capri summer collection.

I’ve been applying eyeliner for years and have a good deal of experience under my belt, but I am still a little afraid of poking an eye out with these gargantuan things…

(NOTE: It doesn’t come with a sharpener, but there is one sold separately for $6.)

estee lauder white sands molten lava swatches
Molten Lava (left) and White Sands (right)
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Light Shimmies on Lips Wearing EstÃ¨e Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Shimmering Mirage

March 3rd, 2012 by Karen 4 Comments

estee lauder shimmering mirage

EstÃ¨e Lauder’s Pure Color Gloss in Shimmering Mirage ($22.50) might not be the flashiest piece in the new Bronze Goddes Capri collection for summer (have ya seen the Bronze Sands palette yet?), but I still think this lemony golden beige, with its bodacious silver shimmer, deserves a serious shout-out.

I’m a sucker for shining nude lips like these, especially on weekends (when my laziness kicks into overdrive). This limited edition shade actually reminds me of a slightly cooler version of my current go-to nude lip gloss, Burberry Nude Gold, except with a side of silver glitter.

I think it’s a great gloss for lazy day makeup looks. I’ll just fill in my brows, pat a little concealer under my eyes, curl my lashes, sweep some blush on my cheeks and top things off with Shimmering Mirage.

estee lauder bronze goddess capri swatches
From the left: Pure Color Illuminating Powder GelÃ©e in Shimmering Sands, Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava and Pure Color Gloss in Shimmering Mirage
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These Shimmering Sands Are More Than a Mirage: Estée Lauder’s Innovative Pure Color Illuminating Powder GelÃ¨e in Shimmering Sands

March 2nd, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

estee lauder shimmering sands

Ever since that time I sent El Hub out to buy toilet paper and he returned with four rolls of crummy one-ply paper that felt like tree bark on my booty, I take care of replenishing the TP around here.

Stay with me. I’m going somewhere with this… 🙂

As I was on my way out the door the other day to pick up some Ultra Soft Charmin (the best!) from Target, I glanced at myself in the hallway mirror and said, “Dang, K-Dawg! You’re wearing hella bronzer, girl!”

I was shimmering, and bronzed, like I’d just gotten back from a week in the South of France.

Merci beaucoup, Estée Lauder Pure Color Illuminating Powder GelÃ¨e in Shimmering Sands ($42).

estee lauder shimmering sands
Shimmering Sands on my cheeks, across my forehead and along my jaw line

I haven’t always been this inspired by the Estée Lauder brand. Matter of fact, up until a renaissance a few years ago in which I think they started cranking out some really innovative products at a rapid clip, I didn’t often think of EL as a super bold or cutting-edge line.

Recently, releases like the Cyber Eyes Collection, Pure Color Blushes, and now this here Shimmering Sands, have totally changed the way I look at the brand.

Sands is a warm and shimmering peachy golden bronze powder from the new limited edition Bronze Goddess Capri collection, and it’s designed to be worn as a bronzer, a highlighter and/or a blush.

And that’s not all. Texture really sets this multitasking powder apart. Part liquid, powder and gel, it feels lightweight, creamy and smooth on my skin.

Throw in some punchy pigments and an almost mirror-like shine, and Shimmering Sands reminds me of a marriage between a MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, with its metallic finish, and a creamy NARS Multiple. Just really super cool.

estee lauder bronze goddess capri swatches
From the left: Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sands, Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava and Pure Color Gloss in Shimmering Mirage
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These Bronze Sands Are Limited Edition in Capri: The New Estée Lauder Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette in Bronze Sands

March 1st, 2012 by Karen 43 Comments

estee lauder bronze sands (3)

Earlier today on my walk outside with Tabs, I felt a chill in my bones. It was a little breezy and crisp today, but you wouldn’t have known it looking at Tabs. He just slinked along in his built-in fur coat, pulling me behind him on his leash.

When he felt he’d adequately secured the perimeter of the front yard and noticed me shivering, he reluctantly agreed to accompany me back inside the house.

As soon as we shut the door, I made a beeline for my makeup, thinking that a summery, beachy look would warm my cold bones. I grabbed the new Estée Lauder Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette in Bronze Sands ($45).

estee lauder bronze goddess capri bronze sands

Like a ray of late afternoon sunlight in the sunshine-stocked Bronze Goddess Capri Collection, Bronze Sands shelters five metallic powder eyeshadows in shades of gold, bronze, beige, brown and teal. A few swipes of these soft, smooth powders, which feel almost like a cream to me, and my lids glow with rich, shiny color.

Nice. 🙂

estee lauder bronze sands (1)

Other than a few flecks of teal and brown shadow showing up on my cheeks and beneath my lower lash lines, I don’t notice much fallout from these at all.

estee lauder bronze sands (2)
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An Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Has Been Spotted in Capri: The New Bronze Goddess Capri Collection, Coming in March

February 28th, 2012 by Karen 31 Comments

estee lauder bronze goddess capri

It’s never good when you get a text from your boss that starts with the words, “Uh, oh.”

There I was, sitting at my desk, minding my own business and surfing the Lonely Planet website on my break for summertime surf destinations, when I hear the familiar sound of my iPhone signaling a new text message. I look down at the screen and see the words, “Uh, oh.”

Long story short, because Tabs booked back-to-back kitty modeling jobs for every week this summer, I don’t get to take any vacation time through September.

Not one day.

“Uh, oh,” he says. “All booked up for summer. No vacations for either of us.”

Either of us, he says. As if! He’s not the one stuck in Novato. He gets to see the world, stay at four-star hotels, eat at the best restaurants, and never has to pay a thing, while I’m eating grilled-cheese sandwiches at home and having Mango Bars for dessert.

Sometimes, it’s just not fair…

Seriously, his idea of slumming it is having to stay at the Four Seasons on The Big Island, instead of Maui.

I know, I know — Tabs is the talent; I’m just the assistant. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a right to get angry.

Oh, well… Hopefully these new pieces from the limited edition Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Capri Collection can cheer me up.

The summer 2012 release coasts on to counters stores next month (it’s currently available now online) and comes with two summery fragrances and 13 bronzed bits, some new and some re-promoted, in sun-kissed shades of gold, brown, turquoise and white.

Reviews coming just as soon as I finish transcribing Tabs’ manuscript.

Oh, yeah — didn’t I mention? He’s writing his autobiography right now. It begins, “Meow, mrow, meow-meow.”

What a diva, right? Cat’s got some nerve… 🙂

Here’s a quick look at seven pieces from the release. Have a look, and let me know what you think.

estee lauder bronze goddess capri bronze sands
Pure Color Five Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Bronze Sands

estee lauder bronze goddess capri shimmering sands
Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sands

estee lauder bronze goddess capri molten lava
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Molten Lava
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The Estee Lauder Mad Men Collection, and a Letter to Don Draper

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 64 Comments

estee lauder mad men collection

Dear Mr. Draper,

Thank you so much for your kind note! It’s always so nice to hear from you.

As you know, I’ve served as head of West Coast operations here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, for five years now, and while I currently love what I do, I feel it soon may be time for a change. Your recruiter couldn’t have picked a better time to contact me.

I’m so flattered that you and your team believe that I should be the person to take the new International Pet Modeling/Gravy Division at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to the next level.

I had my lawyer skim through the contract you sent over, and I have a couple of quick questions.

First of all, how flexible are you on the requirement that all employees drink during the day? I understand if it’s part of the corporate culture, but I’m something of a teetotaler and have a difficult time functioning even after a small glass of wine. If possible, I’d like to remove that clause.

Also, I must insist on having my own office and assistant. I was informed that Ms. Olson’s desk is located near the employee break room. I do not know how Peggy feels about that, but such an arrangement would not work for me.

If I do accept the position, I would also like to be able to invite friends of mine to the office from time to time, like Cherry and Evening Rose. Both are part of the new Estee Lauder Mad Men collection. Not only are they very familiar with your work, but I would go so far as to call them admirers of yours…

estee lauder mad men collection boxes

estee lauder collection cherry lipstick creme rouge pouches

estee lauder mad men collection creme rouge in evening rose and lipstick in cherry
Lipstick in Cherry on the left and Creme Rouge in Evening Rose on the right

estee lauder mad men collection creme rouge in evening rose
Creme Rouge in Evening Rose
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January 26th, 2012 by Karen 45 Comments

estee lauder illuminating perfecting primer (1)

Oh, El Hub… Bless his heart. As much as I love that man, it took him three days to notice that I had pink streaks in my hair.

THREE DAYS.

And those streaks are not subtle.

So when he turned to me one day last weekend said, “Your skin looks really great today. Did you do something different?” I figured that the product responsible deserved a shout-out.

All hail the new EstÃ©e Lauder Illuminating Primer!

Designed for normal, combination and dry skin types, this lightweight $32 liquid primer, which I apply after moisturizer but before foundation, smoothes the skin to downplay fine lines and imperfections, imparts a soft opalescent sheen (like a mellower version of MAC Strobe Cream) and moisturizes with vitamin E and shea butter.

I like the lightweight, lotion-like texture, among other things, which reminds me of Laura Mercier’s Primer, and my nose likes the faint floral scent.

estee lauder illuminating perfecting primer (4)
Unblended (left) and blended (right)
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