travel

An Insider’s Guide to Makeup Shopping in Italy

March 1st, 2016 by Carolina Braina 80 Comments

I don’t know about you, but being the beauty lover that I am, whenever I travel to a foreign country I’m always on the hunt for makeup products I can’t find back home. No fridge magnets for me; lipsticks are my favorite souvenirs! 😉

Follow me today on a little virtual shopping spree of Bologna, so that the next time you visit Italy, you’ll be perfectly capable of finding your way through the Italian beauty jungle on your own.

Let’s go to the old town then, shall we? Since there’s a lot of variety in terms of stores, it’s definitely the best place for shopping, and we can do a bit of sightseeing too… I’ll see you by the Neptune Fountain, Bologna’s most popular meeting point.

Neptune Fountain Bologna Italy — Neptune Fountain and Piazza Maggiore, the main square, in the background

If you’re interested in high-end cosmetics, we should go to a profumeria (beauty store). Most profumerie belong to big retail chains, like Sephora, Limoni or Douglas, but quite a few independent stores still survive. Some of these are called bioprofumerie and only carry natural and organic products. Would you like to check one out?

Limoni Beauty Store Bologna Italy — This Limoni beauty store used to be a church, and it was built in the 18th century. Can you see the décor inside? Pretty cool, eh?

Tortellini Pasta Bologna Italy — Tortellini on display, one of Bologna’s many specialties

Oh, you’re saying you’d rather go to a makeup counter? Well, actually, here we don’t really have makeup counters. Our department stores are usually smaller than those in the US, and most of the time their beauty departments only have self-service aisles instead of counters.

If you’re looking for what you’d call ‘drugstore makeup’, we can’t go to a drugstore.

Why, you ask me? Well, because our drugstores (farmacie) are very different from American ones and don’t sell much else other than medicines. The only beauty products you can find there are French pharmacy skincare (Bioderma, La Roche Posay, Avène, and the like), so if you’re interested in Maybelline or similar Italian brands, we should go to a supermarket instead.

Here, all supermarkets have a beauty corner where you can find products in the drugstore price range. The same types of products can also be found at Acqua & Sapone or Tigotà, two retail chains that specialize in cleaning supplies and personal care items.

I don’t know if you have something similar in the US, but they kinda remind me of drugstores, minus the drugs!

Italian Drugstore Bologna — A farmacia (drugstore) on a pedestrian street in Bologna’s old town

KIKO Store Bologna Italy — In the old town there are nearly 25 miles of porticoes, which will keep us sheltered from any kind of weather

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3 Beauty Lessons Learned on a Trip to Tahoe

September 3rd, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

Man, oh man, I sure do love to travel. The food, seeing the sights, sampling the local cuisine, meeting people from other walks of life, the food…

I’m detecting a trend here! 🙂

The Lychee shave ice from Organic Ice, a little shave ice shack at South Shore on Lake Tahoe

The crab cake sliders from Riva Grill

The fire roasted medley from Base Camp Pizza
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3 Lessons Learned About Travel: Perfecting the Art of Packing

May 4th, 2012 by Karen 24 Comments

3 packing lessons learned from kauai trip

Traveling is not one of my favorite things about traveling. I mean, the actual traveling part — the getting there — is not my idea of fun.

The rushing, the waiting, the feeling that I’m always forgetting something, the lugging around of luggage, and that strap from my carry-on bag that digs into my shoulder, the airport security checkpoint, the man who keeps sneezing next to me without covering his mouth (come on, sir!), and oh, they don’t serve food on this flight? No problem, I’ll just eat the kid behind me on the plane who KEEPS KICKING MY CHAIR, GAH!

At least it’s only a five-hour flight…

But one thing I do like about traveling is picking up new travel tricks to make future trips easier.

Over the past few years, I think I’ve gotten pretty good at a few aspects of air travel, like remembering where I parked my car after the return flight (TIP: snap a picture of your parking space with a camera phone) and zipping through the security checkpoint (TIP: wear shoes without buckles or laces that you can easily slip on and off), but packing? — packing is still not one of my strong points.

I over-pack. That’s all there is to it. I’m the girl who brings 15 pairs of underwear for a five-day getaway because you just never know if you’ll need the extra drawers. Like, what if I work out, and I want to change my underwear after? Right? I’d rather have more pairs than less.

But I am getting better at streamlining. I think. And I even learned a few new packing lessons on my recent trip to Kauai…

1. Pack in twos

It seemed counter-intuitive to me at first, but by doubling up on certain pieces of clothing, I had enough to cover my needs.

For example, on this trip I planned/hoped to exercise every day, but instead of packing five sports bras — which was my inclination — I only brought two. I’d work out in the first one, wash it in the hotel room sink, and hang it up on the balcony to dry.

If it was still damp the next day, I’d wear my second bra, and alternate between the two of them like that.

Saved a lot of room in my suitcase.

2. Work those workout clothes

Even if you don’t plan to hit the gym on your trip, bring that workout wear anyway. It’s usually lightweight, comfortable, easy to clean (even in the sink or bath), quick drying, suitable for spontaneous outdoor activities (like hiking, sightseeing, etc.), and wrinkle resistant. Plus, it doesn’t take up much room in your luggage or add a lot of bulk to your bag.

Gray tank top by Zella

I brought a few pieces from Zella on this trip, the in-house Nordstrom brand that’s basically like Lululemon but a little cheaper. I think their stuff is pretty stylish and definitely comfy. Perfect to wear on hikes.
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Kauai, Day 5: Jungle Hikes, Kayaks and Ke’e Beach

May 1st, 2012 by Karen 18 Comments

I’m a little sad about having to leave Kauai this morning, but vacations never last forever…

Who am I kidding? I’m very sad about it. No more falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing on the beach, no more secret swimming holes and snorkeling spots, no more lush tropical landscapes, jungle hikes, waterfalls or fresh papaya picked from farms down the street!

And what about the kitties!? Poor Tuxie, Tortie Girl and Tabby Mac. Who will feed the kitties!?

Oh…I know someone else will. I hope. It’s time for me to pass the torch/Friskies box to another CCL.

In other news, we kept busy yesterday, trying to squeeze in as much fun as possible on our last day here. We started with a kayak ride up the Wailua River (just one small part of it) and a hike to the Secret Falls, and finished the day at Ke’e Beach, located at the very end of the paved road that runs along the east and north sides of the island. There’s nothing else beyond it except treacherous jungle hikes and steep cliffs along the coast.

It’s going to be tough leaving this beautiful island, but that’s the thing about beauty — it’s everywhere we look. 🙂 This time tomorrow I’ll be back in the Bay, so I’ll see you again soon from California.

But before that, here’s one last look (for now) at lovely Kauai…

This way to the Secret Falls

Diving feet first into the Wailua River…

This way to adventure!
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Kauai, Day 3: Bumble and Bumble and a Boat Called Sea Breeze

April 29th, 2012 by Karen 18 Comments

The boat day.

Kauai’s majestic NÄ Pali Coast beckoned El Hub and I, so we embarked upon a 4-hour tour!

Since I knew the trip called for high winds, I didn’t bring along my new hat (by the way, I found it at Target for $12!), but I still wanted something to protect my new highlights.

Enter the new Bumble and Bumble Color Minded Line. All three pieces here are TSA friendly (2 ounces apiece). You get a shampoo, conditioner and a UV Protective Styling Balm for $28. The products have a light floral scent that I like, and the shampoo and conditioner keep my knotty hair under control.

But most importantly, they’re keeping my highlights from getting brassy.

I’ve been bringing the UV Protective Styling Balm with me everywhere, including on the boat yesterday, and reapplying after each dip in the water.

Also picked up a bottle of Ocean Potion Aloe Gel to help soothe El Hub’s sunburned skin (NOTE: He’s not crazy about the Neutrogena spray sunscreen I mentioned the other day).

Ocean Potion is one of the few topical drugstore aloe gels I’ve found that doesn’t list alcohol, which can be quite drying, high up on the list of ingredients. Aloe is the third ingredient on the list; the first two are water and glycerin.

I discovered it a few trips back and just love the stuff.

Onward to the NÄ Pali Coast!

Our trusty ocean steed: the Sea Breeze.

Just look at those cliffs… Some are more than a thousand feet high, straight down to the ocean.

During the winter months, huge swells buffet the Hawaiian islands, and waves as high as 70 feet crash against those cliffs.
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Kauai, Day 2: Snorkeling, Sweet Treats and a Savory Pie

April 28th, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

Greetings, fellow beauty lover. Happy Saturday! I hope your weekend got off to a good start. I just wanted to say a quick hi before I try to burn off some of yesterday’s indulgences (and my, have I indulged). It was a day filled with food, fun and Friskies (more on that later)!

To take care of my beauty business yesterday, I used the mighty MAC 266 brush to fill in my brows with MAC Concrete Eye Shadow.

Shh… Don’t tell anyone, because this probably sounds a little makeup obsessive, but I preloaded it with Concrete and brought it along for the day to touch up after getting out of the water. Ya know, just in case we decided to do something else. 🙂

Next to the 266, we have Hourglass Superficial Mirage Waterproof Bronzer.

I can’t really remember how waterproof it actually was/is…but I used it en lieu of actual powder. I still wanted to wear something with a bit of a matting effect, and I love the little brush that comes with it. It’s wide, with dense bristles, and the shape fits the contours of my face just right.

As a lip/cheek option, I brought Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon, because I like the color, it’s water resistant, and you can use it as a blush and/or lip tint (versatility win!).

MAC Zoom Waterfast Lash took care of my mascara needs. It’s a basic black waterproof mascara, good for lengthening, and it gets the job done (helped along by my beloved Shu Uemura Lash Curler).

The sunshine, humidity, chlorine, salty air and water are all tough on my skin, and so I also brought three MAC Studiofinish Concealers with SPF35 as well. Three because I use the one in NW25 to slightly brighten my under-eye area, the NC42 one on blemishes (it’s my color match) and the darker NC45 one for when I tan. I like these because I can apply and blend them with my fingers and only have to use a dab to even out my skin.

On my lips, I went with the same Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother Cooling Hydragel SPF20, except I chose shade Sheen 50.

And then to clean up after the beach — a necessity because I look to’ up when I get out of the water — I used Olay’s Wet Cleansing Cloths in Sensitive.

With the car gassed and ready for the day’s adventures, El Hub and I fueled up with breakfast at Tutu’s Soup Hale on the makai side (ocean side) of Kuhio Highway, just past the Wailua River as you drive north from the Lihue airport.

It’s cute, quaint, clean and a great breakfast spot. Lots of parking, friendly staff, a creative menu, all-day breakfast and yummy food? What more could you ask for?

Oh, yeah. They serve more than just soup. 🙂

El Hub had (and finished!) The Kahuna — with scrambled eggs, tomatoes and avocado on multigrain bread; served with a papaya slice on the side, YUM!
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Kauai, Day 1: Purple Potatoes, Potstickers and Pruny Swimming Pool Skin

April 27th, 2012 by Karen 38 Comments

Aloha, and happy Friday. It’s a few minutes after sunrise, and I’m off to get in a quick run before it gets hot. Today we’re thinking about driving up to the North Shore to do some snorkeling. It’s a little early in the year for it up there (winter and early spring are the big wave months), but I’m hoping the water’s nice.

Pool products of the day: Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray in SPF30, Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream for Face in SPF 55 PA+++, Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother Cooling Hydragel SPF20 in Glaze 60

I’ve never tried this particular spray sunscreen before, but I do like sprays. This one? You can spray on wet skin. I haven’t been using it long enough to gauge how well it works, but I like the consistency and the light floral scent (smells just a little bit like sunscreen, but not bad).

Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection Cream for Face is an oldie but a goodie. It’s VERY water resistant, just like it says on the tube, haha! No, really, it is. And it never gives me breakouts. It’s great for dry/oily combo skin like mine.

And the only color product I’ve been wearing so far has been Neutrogena’s super moisturizing Soother Cooling Hydragel SPF20 in Glaze 60. It’s a lightly tinted berry with a light minty flavor that really does feel cooling on my lips.

It’s just a little splash of color for when I pop out of the water.

Cafe Coco on Kauai

“May I show you to your table, miss?”
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Beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia

June 11th, 2011 by Karen 54 Comments

Welcome to Vancouver, British Columbia

Ah, Vancouver. Only two days here, and I’ve already fallen in with you.

Despite the sun having been a little shy while we’ve been here, it hasn’t been cold. Nothing a windbreaker or a light jacket couldn’t handle, and Vancouver’s friendly residents provide more than enough warmth to keep the chill away.

There’s a lot to see and do here. Yesterday El Hub and I visited Granville Island and its large public market. A 2-minute ferry boat ride connects the small island, which is home to dozens of shops, a few art galleries, restaurants and a huge indoor public market filled with local noms, to the rest of Vancouver. I’m 99.9% sure I even saw — no kidding — Carrie Anne Moss buying some cheese. OMG, Trinity!

After the market, we biked around Stanley Park, a huge urban park bordering downtown Vancouver (like New York’s Central Park), and chatted up locals and tourists alike. The people seem friendly and unguarded here. Back in the city, thousands of fired up Canucks fans were on their way to bars and restaurants to watch the game. On the sidewalk, I heard a voice behind me. “Karen?” It was MBB reader Jen (what up, girl!?). We spent a good 10 minutes just shooting the breeze on a street corner. It’s such a small world.

The city attracts people from many different countries, and the diversity is evident everywhere you turn. Just walking down the street you overhear countless accents and languages. I think that’s so cool.

Haven’t really had a specific plan while I’ve been here other than to relax, take some pictures, eat, relax and eat some more… So far, mission accomplished.

Vancouver Stanley Park
It’s an epidemic! The locals have Stanley Cup Finals fever. Someone actually swam out to this statue of a woman sitting on a rock and put a Canucks jersey on her. Awesome!