Summer Sendoff: 12 September Posts You May Have Missed

1. A Blue, Pink and Silver Eye with Clarins So Sublime Quartet

“I didn’t think I’d be able to use the colors in the So Sublime quad when I first saw them a few weeks ago because they seemed too bright, but playing with them today changed my mind. I like the results. I think I’ll include this eye in my regular rotation of work friendly (yet colorful) looks. Yes, Virginia, you too can wear hot pink eye shadow!” Read more…

2. How To: A Purple Smokey Eye with Stila Convertible Eye Color in Violet

“I hate going to work completely tow’ up, but it seems like I’m always running late. What I need are makeup tools and tips to help me save time when I’m getting ready for work, and I think I found one: Stila Convertible Eye Color ($20). ” Read more…

3. The Chanel Smoky Eye Quad Seduction

“She arrived dressed to thrill in a sleek black compact — four sophisticated shadows born to seduce and built to weaken knees. Crafted to create the ultimate smoky eye, she prepared to do her dance of makeup seduction. Even before I opened the Chanel Smoky Eye Quad ($56), I could hear her siren song.” Read more…

4. Looking for Cheap, Stylish Ways to Organize Your Makeup?

“Your local art store may have just the thing you need to keep your growing makeup stash organized. Most arts and crafts stores stock unvarnished wooden boxes in assorted shapes and sizes. They make perfect (and affordable) makeup storage containers. I spied these boxes, each ranging from a whopping $1.50 to a staggering $3, at my local Ben Franklin Craft Store this afternoon. They’re perfect for storing eye shadows, blushes, glosses or whatever your makeup-lurving heart desires.” Read more…

5. MAC Cosmetics Cremesheen Product Pictures and Swatches

“A new kid’s in town, and her name is Cremesheen — MAC Cremesheen. The collection joins two other major MAC releases that arrived on counters nationwide today: Suite Array, and Gold Fever (exclusive to Nordstrom stores). Say hello to Cremesheen’s 14 new lipstick colors.” Read more…

6. Diorshow Iconic Mascara Lengthens, Curls and Defines Lashes with Ease

“Some products are so good in certain ways that their strengths totally outweigh their weaknesses. For me, Diorshow Iconic Mascara ($27) is one of those products. The newest member of Dior’s lash arsenal doesn’t produce the thickest lashes I’ve ever seen. It doesn’t thicken as well as, say, Chanel Exceptionnel does, but it lengthens, curls and defines lashes so amazingly well that I don’t mind at all.” Read more…

7. Pop Beauty Wallet Eye Shadow Palettes Are Cute, Convenient and Affordable

“Smokey Rose’s purple, faux-snakeskin case is packed with enough to create several different smokey looks — 12 eye shadows (shades of neutral pink, rose and blue), four blushes and two lipsticks. I can totally see myself packing these for a weekend trip! And the price… I really like the sound of $42 for 18 products. That works out to $2.33 each!” Read more…

8. Miss Oops Mishap Tape Prevents Wardrobe Mishaps

“Carrie Bradshaw can get away with flashing her bra straps on Sex and the City, but I never got behind the fashionably visible undergarments trend. Some girls can pull it off, but when my bra straps show, I feel exposed. When I’m wearing a loose-fitting dress or top, I reach for Miss Oops Mishap Tape ($7).” Read more…

9. Benefit Dallas Blush Gives Cheeks a Peachy Glow

“When I was growing up in the 80s and listening to hip hop in the ‘burbs, I totally wanted a pony. In terms of transportation, I figured a pony would be soooo much cooler (and much more interactive) than my yellow bike with the banana seat. My bike was a’ight, but a pony would have been able to jump fences when I needed to escape the playground bully (let’s call her Tammy… B*tch, you know who you are!).” Read more…

10. JK Jemma Kidd for Target Hits the Mark

“Target used to be where I’d go for deeply discounted bargains on budget beauty products, kinda like an upscale Wal-Mart, but the company has been on a roll lately when it comes to beauty, expanding the number of premium brand beauty products carried in Target stores. Yes, girl, the House of Tar-ghay now sells $18 eye shadows.” Read more…

11. Pixi by Petra Strand: Target Scores Again

“Target’s on fuego right now! They’ve ditched their strict low price image and now carry a growing number of high-end, top quality beauty products like Pixi by Petra Strand. Take Tarte’s ‘health couture’ philosophy, Benefit’s commitment to versatility, and Pop Beauty’s love of color et voila! — you’ve got Pixi.” Read more…

12. NP Set by Napoleon Perdis: More Beauty at Target

“Target set the beauty world ablaze earlier this month with the release of three new prestige beauty lines — JK Jemma Kidd, Pixi by Petra Strand and NP Set by Napoleon Perdis. NP Set, by famed Australian makeup artist Napoleon Perdis, may look a little familiar to Perdis fans. The logo harkens back to his first major makeup release, aptly named Napoleon Perdis. The line sells at Ulta stores and at a slightly higher price point than Target’s NP Set.” Read more…

Happy Saturday, girls! I’m slowly recovering from last week. I slept in, and now my next order of business is to watch the six episodes of Golden Girls waiting on the Tivo. Allegedly, I was supposed to work on my fitness this afternoon, but we’ll see how that goes.

What are your plans today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen