Karen

Behold the Benefits of This Magic Ink: Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Liner

September 14th, 2010 by Karen 40 Comments

Just in case you were wondering, the answer is yes, you may replace the words to the Lil’ Kim/50 Cent joint, Magic Stick, with the name of Benefit’s new liquid liner, Magic Ink ($20).

Magic Ink: The Magic Stick Remix

I got the Magic Ink
I know if I can hit once, I can hit twice
I hit the baddest chicks
Shorty don’t believe me, then come with me tonight
And I’ll show you maaagic
(What? What?)
Maaagic
(Uh huh, uh huh)
I got the Magic Ink!

For reasons unknown even to me, I’ve taken to singing this while I line my lids with Benefit’s new jet-black liner, and I’m pretty sure it’s driving my cat cray-cray. 🙂

For the record, it’s kinda hard to apply liquid eyeliner, even a smudge-proof one like this, while singing (try it sometime!), but in this case, I think the applicator has something to do with it.

Magic Ink comes with a thin, flexible brush a lot like the brush that comes with NYX Studio Effect Liquid Liner but less firm.
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Can You Recommend a Tinted Moisturizer for Dry Skin?

September 14th, 2010 by Karen 49 Comments

Emma, a new bride (congrats!) and MBB reader, recently emailed with a question about tinted moisturizers — something right up our alley!

Emma writes:

Hi Karen,

Hope you’re having a nice day. 🙂

I got married yesterday! How exciting is that?! It was perfect at the courthouse and then a brilliant dinner afterwards.

Anyway, that’s beside the point. I wanted to ask you and the readers what tinted moisturiser (with SPF of course) you’d recommend? I have been using Benefit You Rebel Lite but I find that the colour is too yellow and it sits on my face (I’m NW 15-20). I also tend towards dry skin (but never break out) so I’m looking for something that moisturizes well.

Can you help me?

Hi, Emma!

Ah…tinted moisturizers. I put ’em right up there with Nutella as one of the greatest inventions of all time! Seriously, I never leave home without a tube (or two or three).

But first things first — they can really vary in coverage. In general a good fitting tinted moisturizer should offer enough coverage to even out your complexion without appearing (or feeling) heavy on your skin.

I’ve used quite a few over the years, but here are three I flat-out lurve:

1. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 ($42, available in nine shades)

I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I’ve been wearing Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer FOR YEARS. It’s the barometer against which I measure tinted moisturizers because, frankly, it’s tops! I’m talking sheer-to-medium coverage that’s easy to build wherever I need some extra help, and it doesn’t bug my sensitive, acne-prone skin.

I also how natural it looks (despite containing SPF 20). Downsides? Well, it’s pricey, and it only comes in nine shades.

2. Tarte Smooth Operator SPF 20 ($36, available in 11 shades)

If you’re generally happy with your skin and just need a little help here and there, Tarte Smooth Operator might be the way to go. It’s quite sheer, having just the faintest hint of color, but it’s usually enough to eliminate any redness I might have and/or to even out my skin tone.

3. Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Skin Tint SPF 20 ($38, available in four shades)

Okay, this one’s a little hard to find these days (it looks like Dior’s replaced it with a new product called Hydra Life Pro-Youth Skin Tint SPF 20), but if you can still track it down and happen to have a skin tone that works with one of the four shades (VERY limited shade selection), you’re in luck!

This highly pigmented tinted moisturizer offers fantastic coverage and rich hydration without feeling heavy (see my original review here) on my skin. I’m serious — it’s great stuff, especially if you’re looking for full coverage.

What do ya say, homies? Do you have any other recommendations for Emma? Which tinted moisturizers do you like, and which ones do you loathe?

Please share in the comments. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Urban Decay Jackpot 24/7 Jackpot

September 14th, 2010 by Karen 18 Comments

New for holiday 2010 (yes, HOLIDAY!) — the Urban Decay 24/7 Jackpot liner kit ($39). It comes with nine travel-sized Glide-On Eye Pencils and one full-sized Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero.

The colors include Eldorado (a gold), Stash (a greenish gold), Mildew (a dark green), Electric (a bright aquamarine), Binge (a navy blue), Ransom (a bright iridescent purple), Rockstar (a dark eggplant), Gunmetal (a gunmetal gray with silver glitter), Whiskey (a dark brown) and Zero (a dark black).

I have swatches of Zero, Stash, Rockstar, Eldorado, Binge and Ransom here to wet your whistle, but I’ll also post a full review/swatches of the shades in the new kit soon!

Should You Go on the Hunt for Benefit Prrrowl?

September 13th, 2010 by Karen 55 Comments

Benefit Prrrowl ($28) sure is sneaky.

(How sneaky is it?)

It’s SO sneaky that it had me expecting something entirely different before we met.

New for fall, it’s a duo with a peacock blue iridescent mascara on one end and a sheer, shimmery pink gloss with blue glitter on the other. The iridescent blue mascara’s designed to work as a glittery topcoat for regular mascaras (or applied to bare lashes), and the gloss end’s designed to either be layered atop lipsticks or worn alone. The two are an unusual pairing, if nothing else, so I gotta give props to Benefit for originality.

benefit prrrowl review benefit prowl review swatches photos product shot

benefit prrrowl review benefit prowl review swatches photos mascara wand closeup

benefit prrrowl review benefit prowl review swatches photos mascara tube closeup
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I’d Like You To Meet Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

September 13th, 2010 by Karen 66 Comments

I’m going to ask you for a favor, young lady, and I’d like you to just do it for me as a friend. Please? I need you to channel Elmer J. Fudd while you speak the name of Benefit’s new highlighter out loud.

Are you ready? Okay, it’s called Girl Meets Pearl ($30).

Elmer J. for Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

Ha ha! 🙂

Okay, so maybe I’m too easily amused, but at least my skin’s glowing while I laugh maniacally by myself in the corner. Viva la Girl Meets Pearl!
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Sept. 13

September 13th, 2010 by Karen 71 Comments

Mood:

I’ve got a good feeling about this week.

The last person you hugged?

Does Tabs count? He’s got a lot of personality. 🙂

Uh…have you ever shaved someone’s back?

Yes (shivers!).

What’s your specialty (cooking or otherwise)?

My peach and blueberry cobbler makes grown men cry.

How many hours of sleep do you usually get?

Between six and seven, but left to my own devices I could probably sleep nine or ten.

Habits you’d like to break?

Have a seat ’cause it’s gonna be a while. I’ve got quite a few! — staying up too late, not stretching enough, forgetting to write down important things, stress eating, worrying about things beyond my control. I could go on…

One of your worst fashion disasters?

Back in 1987 (I remember it like it was yesterday) I wore a matching black and white giraffe print stirrup pant with an oversized sweatshirt. HAWT!

Your favorite junk food?

I can’t pick just one, so I’m going with Cheetos, everything sold at In-n-Out, Baskin-Robbins ice cream (all 31 flavors), potato chips (sour cream & onion, salt & vinegar, barbecue), Krispy Kreme doughnuts, chocolate brownies topped with ice cream, pizza…

Over-the-knee boots — yay or nay?

I’m leaning toward yay, but in my case I’m afraid they make me look like a very short pirate.

Weekly goals:

Two words: get ahead. I also want to start looking at airfares for a possible mini-trip sometime around the end of October, try one of the new packaged soups I found at Cost Plus World Market last weekend (see above), refrain from eating frozen yogurt every day (yes, that’s a goal because one of those self-serve yogurt shops opened last week, and it’s just five minutes away, noooo!), and do some push-ups at least twice before Friday.

Okay, was anyone else sorrily disappointed with last night’s True Blood season finale? I kept waiting for something exciting to happen. At the end I was like, “Was that it?” Instead of ending with a roar, I got a feeble, raspy meow.

But enough about Tabs. 🙂 It’s another Monday, which means it’s time for our Monday Poll.

To complete the Monday Poll and let me know how you’re doing, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. The last person you hugged?
3. Have you ever shaved someone’s back?
4. What’s your specialty (cooking or otherwise)?
5. How many hours of sleep do you usually get?
6. Habits you’d like to break?
7. One of your worst fashion disasters?
8. Your favorite junk food?
9. Over-the-knee boots — yay or nay?
10. Weekly goals: