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Karen

What Are the Best Drugstores for Beauty Products?

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What are the best drugstores for beauty products?

What a coincidence! Reader Aimee must have known I was planning a jaunt to Tar-ghay today. 🙂

Hi Karen!

I’m traveling to Miami in the US next month, and I’d like to hear about your favorite drugstores in the US…

Which of these are best for make up (price and variety): CVS, Target or Walgreens? Thanks!
–Aimee

Hi Aimee,

You’re a girl after my own heart. Whenever I travel, I always try to do a bit of beauty research beforehand, and I’m stoked about your enthusiasm for drugstore makeup. I’ve been a Rite Aid regular (aka a Walgreens wallflower) since as far back as I can remember. Drugstores are veritable cosmetics cornucopias!

I’ve shopped all three of the stores you mention — CVS, Target and Walgreens — and have generally had good experiences with each.

Target

I end up going to Target a lot because of 1) how close and 2) how big it is. In addition to carrying the big drugstore beauty lines (your Revlon, Cover Girl, L’Oreal, etc.), they also carry “higher end” drugstore brands, some of them exclusive to Target (at least in the US), like Sonia Kashuk, JK Jemma Kidd, NP Set and Boots.

Target also has testers, which makes swatching easy, but I’m not crazy about their makeup return policy. Most of the time products have to be new, unused and in their original packaging.

CVS

With more than 7,000 stores in 45 states, chances are there’s a CVS somewhere nearby. They have a great selection of drugstore brands and a fantastic product return policy. Truth be told, I’d shop at CVS more often if there wasn’t a Target so close. They accept returns on any opened or unopened beauty products and will refund the full purchase price, no questions asked. Just be sure to bring your receipt or invoice. Oh, and some CVS stores carry the awesome NYX line, which is one of my favorite drugstore brands for colorful eyeshadows and blushes.

Walgreens

No joke, but I used to haunt the Walgreens beauty department back when I worked in downtown San Francisco. Walgreens carries many of the same beauty lines that CVS and Rite Aid do at very nearly the same prices, but I don’t visit as often as I used to (there isn’t one close).
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Lancome Ultra Lavande and the Artist Once Again Known as Prince

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lancome ultra lavande

Mr. White must have liked Mr. Purple.

Mr. White was my middle school music teacher, and one year in band he had us play a medley of Prince songs as an ode to The Purple One (I played the flute). Imagine, if you will, a room filled with 13-year-olds, their instruments out of tune, rocking out to Raspberry Beret and Purple Rain. And while it must have been painful for him, Mr. White sat through the entire thing with a straight face. I only wish I’d had the foresight to tape the ghastly tune; it would have made an awesome ringtone.

This occurred to me today while playing with the purples in Lancome’s spring collection, Ultra Lavande, a limited edition release for eyes, lips, cheeks and nails. The release recently pranced onto shelves and online, and, for the record, it went well with Take Me With You (MY FAVE!) playing in the background. 🙂

For the lowdown on the entire Lancome Ultra Lavande Collection, check out The Lancome Ultra Lavande Collection for Spring 2011: Now THAT’s a Lot of Purple

lancome ultra lavande open
A few Lancome Ultra Lavande clockwise from the gold pot on the lower left: Ombre Magnetique Long Wearing Shadow in Disco Gold, Ombre Magnetique Long Wearing Shadow in Disco Silver, French Touch Absolu in Berry Rose and Butterflies Fever Ultra Lavande Blush

Butterlies Fever Ultra Lavande Blush ($40)

Butterflies Fever Blush was the piece I was most excited about before the collection came out, and I think it looks just as beautiful in person as it does in pictures. The color’s a lot lighter then I thought it would be, however, and the darker purple shades in the smaller butterflies turned out to be an overspray (bummer). BTW, the flecks of glitter in the pan are HUGE! MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

Ombre Lagnetique Long Wearing Shadows in Disco Gold and Disco Silver ($25 each)

Both deliver mad sparkle. If you like gobs o’ glitter and don’t mind a somewhat dry cream texture, these might make you wanna boogie down. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

French Touch Absolu Lipstick in Berry Rose ($35)

How cute is this tube? It’s got a cool disco ball thing goin’, but it picks up every fingerprint. This pigmented creamy berry, unscented and unflavored, feels smooth and slick on my lips. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

lancome ultra lavande open
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A New Look at NARS Spring 2011 with Tzigane, Hollywoodland, Bateau Ivre and Nouveau Monde

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nars spring 2011

When the NARS spring 2011 makeup collection sprung earlier this month, it didn’t strike with the force of a thousand Easter bunnies. In other words, it didn’t knock me off my feet.

I liked the repromoted Angelika and Super Orgasm Lip Glosses but felt the Soft Touch Pencil in Celebrate, the Lip Gloss in Nana and the Pure Matte Lipstick in Madère were just okay. Seriously, what’s a 35-year-old suburban gal gonna do with a neon green eyeshadow (Celebrate) that lasts all of 5 minutes on her skin?

And then came today.

I tried four more goodies from the collection this afternoon — the Lipstick in Tzigane, Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland, Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre and Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde — and now NARS is singing my tune.

THESE are the kinds of products I was hoping to find in this collection; until today, I just didn’t know they were here.

They must have been hiding like Easter eggs. 🙂

The look features fresh, exciting eyes with a touch of fun color, and a lovely lipstick I could easily wear to work (or a brunch date!). It’s modern, yet wearable makeup with a springy edge, and I can totally see myself cruising the neighborhood with it on as I walk my plus-sized tabby down the street.

nars spring 2011
Clockwise from the lower left: Eyeshadow Duo in Nouveau Monde, Lipstick in Tzigane, Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Hollywoodland and Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Jan. 31

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the makeup and beauty blog monday poll

  • You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
    Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 155. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
  1. Mood:

    2. Like Tony the Tiger says, “Grrrrrreat!” 🙂

  2. What’s one beauty trend you’d like to try?

    3. Lash extensions (where an aesthetician individually glues false lashes to your natural lashes to make ’em look longer). I doubt I’d go there, though, because some experts recommend not using pencil liners with them. The friction caused while using pencil liners can loosen extensions where they’re attached. GURL, I loves me some drag-a-licious lashes, but not if getting them means having to forsake my stick of MAC Powersurge.

  3. Is there anything you’d tell yourself of five years ago?

    4. Lots of stuff. That was 2006…which was when I first got married. I’d tell myself to just start making babies already. Oh, and I was in pretty good shape back then, so I’d also tell myself to spend more time walking around in bikinis, haha!

  4. One-piece pant suits: love ’em or leave ’em?

    5. Leave ’em. I can appreciate the convenience of not having to think about coordinating a shirt with pants, but they’re a logistical challenge in the bathroom. You have to work your way out of the top first — no easy task when they’re usually over-decorated with unnecessary buttons and zippers — while simultaneously keeping the bottoms from dragging on the bathroom floor, LOL! Way too complicated. Plus, I can never find them in my size, and I hate getting pants hemmed.

  5. When no one is looking I…

    6. Dance around Tabs like an “MTV girl” (remember that scene in The Fighter?); or I read Us Weekly (or Cat Fancy), watch bad horror films about exorcisms, or shave my toes.

  6. Quick! — what’s the first makeup/beauty product that comes to mind?

    7. Clarins Hydraquench Cream. My face would FREAK without it, for reals.

  7. I’m a good friend because…

    8. I’ve always got your back.

  8. I’m a bad friend because…

    9. I don’t call enough.

  9. Hair up or down?

    10. Down. My bangs are still out of control, but the rest of my hair has been rather well behaved lately.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. To enjoy each and every day (I’m committed to keeping it simple this week).

How was your weekend, boo? Mine was super chill. I got some extra sleep, did some house cleaning, got in a good workout and watched a LOT of TV (a cop show called Southland; have you seen it?).

Drop in to say hi when you get a chance. I hope your week gets off to a great start.

  • To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.



1. Mood:
2. What’s one beauty trend you’d like to try?
3. Is there anything you’d tell yourself of five years ago?
4. One-piece pant suits: love ’em or leave ’em?
5. When no one is looking I…
6. Quick! — what’s the first makeup/beauty product that comes to mind?
7. I’m a good friend because…
8. I’m a bad friend because…
9. Hair up or down?
10. Weekly goals:

Come say hi, okay? Miss you!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Summer 2011 Makeup Collection: A Sneak Peek!

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Last week Chanel’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer Fashion Show in Paris revealed a sneak peek at some of the pieces from the upcoming Chanel Summer 2011 Makeup Collection.

I’ll have full details on the release soon, but for now, here are a few things to expect coming down the pipe around July.

Chanel Summer 2011 Makeup Collection

  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION OMBRE ESSENTIELLE in Gris Exquis
  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION OMBRES TISSÉES in Beiges
  • CRAYON SOURCILS
  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION ROUGE COCO SHINE in Royallieu

Prices TBD.


Peter Philips, Creative Director of CHANEL Make Up, doing his thang!

All the Chanel products used on this runway look…

Face

  • VITALUMIERE AQUA Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15
  • POUDRE UNIVERSELLE LIBRE  Natural Finish Loose Powder
  • ECLAT LUMIERE Highlighting Face Pen
  • CORRECTEUR PERFECTION Long Lasting Concealer

Eyes

  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION OMBRE ESSENTIELLE in Gris Exquis (available July 2011)
  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION OMBRES TISSÉES in Beiges (available July 2011)
  • STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF Long Lasting Eyeliner in Ebène
  • CRAYON SOURCILS (available July 2011)
  • MASCARA INIMITABLE in Noir

Cheeks

  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION OMBRES TISSÉES in Beiges (available in July 2011)
  • JOUES CONTRASTE Powder Blush in Rose Pétale

Lips

  • SOIN TENDRE LÈVRES Hydrating Lip Treatment
  • EXCLUSIVE CREATION ROUGE COCO SHINE in Royallieu (available in July 2011)

Nails

  • LE VERNIS Nail Colour in Tendresse


The Chanel Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture Show, January 25, 2011

What do you think? I’m loving the cat eyes and the kissable, nude lips.

Photo credits: Vincent Lappartient

What to Wear on Your Winter Trip to San Francisco

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San Francisco’s Union Square, June 2010

Hi, ladies. Aside from the brief period of time I spent away at college, I’ve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area all my life. I love it here, and it definitely feels like home. 🙂 When I opened this note from reader Tzu, I couldn’t wait to share.

Hi Karen,

I’ll be visiting San Francisco next week and was wondering if you could give me suggestions on what to pack in terms of clothing? I’m in NYC, and I know I won’t be needing my winter/snow woolly mammoth coat, but should I pack spring clothes? Layers? Any suggestions would be great! Thank you!
–Tzu

Hey Tzu,

Adventure awaits! I think you’re going to love San Francisco, but before I jump into suggestions, please promise me something — that you’ll never, ever refer to San Francisco as “San Fran” (bluh!) or “‘Fricso” (double bluh!) while you’re here. Try “S.F.” or “the City,” and merchants will take you for a local (as opposed to a tourist).

The weather is generally mild in winter — too warm for snow, but too chilly for shorts. It rains a little more than usual, and temps typically range from the low 40s to mid 60s.

In the city itself, the different districts and neighborhoods also have their own micro climates. You can literally go from one end of the city to the other (a distance of just 7 miles) and go through banks of thick fog, patches of sun, and areas of rain, which means it helps to be prepared for anything.

I think you’re wise to leave your heaviest snow coat at home, but you’ll still want to bring a warm coat, especially if you plan to do any walking (a good likelihood considering the poor parking). It also gets colder at night. Not East Coast cold, mind you, but chilly enough.

Layers are totally key; lightweight (but warm) sweaters, t-shirts, scarves, hoodies — basically, anything that you can peel off if the sun peeks out and put back on when it goes away.
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Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 124

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Tabs for MAC Spider Cat

What I want to know is, can a cat get a driver’s license? Because mine needs one. I’m tired of always having to drop whatever I’m doing to shuttle Tabs around.

When I took this job, I thought, “Gee, Tabs is a successful kitty model. This will look good on my resume.” But I was never told I’d have to work weekends. Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy being his assistant, but the hours suck. I was so looking forward to doing a little shopping at the mall this afternoon, but then I got this text from Tabs (who happened to be in the other room):

“Take me to Petco. I’ll be ready in 5.”

And I can’t just say “No” either. I need this job.

Anywho, before I take his majesty shopping, here are the most recent pics from his kitty modeling portfolio. It was a busy week!

Who is Tabs the Cat? About three years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂

Tabs for Smashbox The Tabby Files

Tabs for the Cargo Castaway Collection
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