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Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Karen

Top beauty editors recommend best anti-aging products. Special offer + chance to win! [Sponsored Post]

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If only looking good and maintaining a youthful appearance was as easy as traveling to your local Walgreens. Well, this September, it is! With the Walgreens More Than Beautiful event, which highlights the benefits of simple beauty solutions to look and feel your best, it’ll be like getting a personalized beauty report from experts — for free!

As part of More Than Beautiful, Walgreens is teaming up with trusted editors from the likes of Allure, Vogue, Glamour, and Self to provide advice and recommendations for achieving great hair, skin, and makeup with an emphasis on what we all seek — anti-aging perks. One grand-prize winner and 25 runners-ups will win goody bags loaded with must-have items including RoC®, the French anti-aging expert solution.

We can all see it… With each passing year, our skin’s ability to renew skin cells slows down, resulting in a loss of elasticity and the beginning signs of wrinkles (Ack!). According to Walgreens More Than Beautiful experts, RoC® products are developed through strong partnerships with dermatologists, contain pure, active ingredients and are clinically proven to deliver visible and lasting results for healthier, younger-looking skin. RoC® has continued to build on its unique understanding of the skin aging process to develop the best and most effective skin care solutions for women.

Unlike anti-aging products from other leading brands, RoC® products don’t just mask your symptoms; they work to improve your skin’s overall health. And, with Walgreens savings offer — buy 1, get the 2nd 50% off all RoC® products (in store and online) — that’s definitely More Than Beautiful.

This month, stop by Walgreens to get your free beauty advice, savings, and a chance to win a More Than Beautiful prize pack.

Does Rimmel Max Volume Flash Waterproof Take Lashes to the Max?

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rimmel max volume flash waterproof mascara review

Have you been watching the US Open? I’m probably the world’s worst tennis player (sports involving projectiles = not a strong suit) and only know the bare basics of the sport, but I sure like watching it. Team sports are great, but there’s just something about watching two world class athletes go one-on-one, ya know? Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that most of the dudes are cute, heh!


WERK, Andy!

Today was all about the ladies, though, and watching Maria Sharapova duke it out with Caroline Wozniacki got me thinking about — big surprise — makeup.

If, by some miracle of modern science, I morphed into an elite 35-year-old tennis player, I’d be all about waterproof mascara. With that unlikely future in mind, today I gave Rimmel’s Max Volume Flash Waterproof Mascara ($7, available in a single shade called Black) a try.

rimmel max volume flash waterproof mascara review wand

Rimmel designed it to quickly add dramatic volume, so I took two layers with me for a test drive on the treadmill this morning.

So how’d she fare?

Well, after four miles of pounding the fake pavement through a raging torrent of sweat, there were no smudges to speak of beneath my eyes. 🙂 They remained clean and mascara-free (no panda eyes whatsoever!). Just for haaay of it, I left everything on when I jumped in the shower. Even after THAT, inky black Max Volume Flash hung on like a champ.

And its extreme aversion to water isn’t the only thing that makes it stand out from its competitors. It doesn’t clump, either, and remains easy to remove with my regular Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser.
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Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick: A Bullet I Could Bite

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hourglass femme rouge lipstick review

Before El Hub I kissed quite a few frogs, and truth be told a few of those kisses were…awkward, like the one with Mr. Sharp Tooth (it was like a single vampire fang!), or the one with Señor Saliva (like kissing a slobbery puppy), or Mr. Mannequin (the dude never bent his elbows).

The first time I tried on the new Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick ($30, available in 12 shades), I was reminded of those frog kisses, because, well, something felt…off.


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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Sept. 6

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  1. Mood:

    2. Relaxed, happy and feeling positive about the week.

  2. What’s your favorite kind of doughnut?

    3. I like your run-of-the mill glazed ones, please (no twists… I’m not into twists).

  3. Cropped pants — yay or nay?

    4. On me, BIG nay. They make me look even shorter than I already am.

  4. Do you ever brown bag your lunches?

    5. When I worked in the city, I would usually pick something up from one of the food courts down there. It gave me a break from the office. Now, since I’m usually working at home, I eat here, but once or twice each week I’ll treat myself to the salad bar at Whole Paycheck (aka Whole Foods).

  5. Is there anything that you wish you had more of?

    6. Time, sleep, patience, cats (LOL!), comfortable stretchy jeans…

  6. Your favorite quickie hairstyle?

    7. If I’m wearing it up, I like messy buns with a headband. If it’s down, I’ll flat iron the top layers and ends. Both only take a few minutes to do.

  7. What’s potentially the most embarrassing song someone would find on your iPod?

    8. There are too many to name! 🙂 — but I’ll go with Rump Shaker, by Wreckx-N-Effect.

  8. Describe your biggest beauty disaster:

    9. I was in sixth grade, but I remember it like it was yesterday. My parents had forced me to chop my hair short like a boy’s (as luck would have it, this was around the time I got boobs). Oh, I cried rivers as I left the salon, and then just when I was beginning to come to terms with my new hair, a lady at a Hallmark store referred to me as a “nice little boy.” I’ve had some bad haircuts in my day, but that one was by far THE WORST!

  9. Current mascara crush?

    10. Chanel Inimitable Intense! The stuff blends so incredibly quickly, and I love how easy it is to build volume with it at the base of my lashes.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. To hang on until Mercury leaves retrograde on Sept. 12, to stick to my running schedule, to sing at least one song every single day, and to finish reading two inspirational writing books by next Monday.

What up, cutie patootie? It’s the Labor Day holiday here in the U.S., which is when we salute hard workers everywhere by taking the day off. 🙂 Well, actually, a lot of us still work today (sorry). If you do have the day off, however, I hope you’re doing something fun.

Drop in and let me know how you’re doing today. Talk soon!

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



1. Mood:
2. Favorite kind of doughnut?
3. Cropped pants — yay or nay?
4. Do you ever brown bag your lunches?
5. Is there anything that you wish you had more of?
6. Your favorite quickie hairstyle?
7. Most embarrassing song on your iPod?
8. Biggest beauty disaster?
9. Current mascara crush?
10. Weekly goals:

I hope yours is a wonderful week filled with fun, promise and adventure. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 103

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Your Makeup and Beauty Blog horoscope
Disclaimer: Tabs is NOT a certified astrologer…but he does read Susan Miller, a lot.

Your September beauty horoscope

Aries (March 21- April 19)
Work it, Aries! A New Moon in Virgo on September 8 will inspire you at work. Your job (or your search for a new one) will be your focus for a few weeks, so treat yourself to some work-friendly makeup. May I suggest Bobbi Brown or Trish McEvoy?

Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Virgo’s large and in charge this month and will help you keep on top of things, sweet Taurus. You’ll be extra-organized! — making this a good time to clear out clutter everywhere, including your makeup collection. After the middle of the month, Venus and Mars will move to Scorpio and your relationship sector, so get your booty call makeup bag in order (now!).

Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Do you feel that, Gemini? Love is in the air (through the middle of the month), thanks to Venus and Mars being in Libra, so surround yourself with scents that make you feel sexy. Don’t worry, though. You won’t do anything too cray-cray. 🙂 Saturn will keep you from acting impulsively.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Tread lightly, lovely Cancer, because Mercury remains in retrograde through September 12, and things could still go awry. If you’re thinking about getting your hair done, you might want to wait one more week. When Jupiter and Uranus near your career and reputation sector, things could change at work (for the better). Keep those gorgeous eyes open to new opportunities…and relationships. 🙂

Leo (July 23-August 22)
Have some fun this month, Leo! Schedule a day or night out with your girls. Maybe a trip to a spa, or meet for a mani/pedi and brunch. Use your leadership skills to help get things going. You always bring great ideas to the table.

Virgo (August 23-September 22)
The New Moon comes to town on September 8, vivacious Virgo, inspiring you to work it out! Hit the gym, and load up on healthy snacks. With Saturn, Venus and Mars in your finance sector, it’s also a good time to haul (MAC Fabulous Felines, anyone?), but do your research first to avoid impulse buying.

Libra (September 23-October 22)
Dayum, you look good this month, girl! With Venus and Mars in your sign, you’ll be hard to resist. Bust out your sexiest smokey eye, and wear your hair down, because your love life’s about to heat up!

Scorpio (October 23-November 21)
Where do you see yourself in a year, sweet Scorpio? With the Sun and Mercury in Virgo this month, this would be a good time to take stock and to evaluate your look. Venus and Mars enter your sign around the middle of the month, and things could heat up with your love life. Now might be a good time to learn how to do that sexy hairstyle you’ve wanted to try.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21)
Triple check your makeup before leaving the house this month, my dear Sagittarius. Comb over every detail, not just with your makeup, but on the career front, too. And if you’re planning a big change, do your research now while the Sun and Mercury are in Virgo.

Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
You’re the life of the party this month, Cap, so line up a few of your favorite party looks (how ’bout a bright pink lip and false lashes?). If at any time you feel a little uncertain about yourself, call upon your inner cheerleader. She’ll be your best advocate.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18)
Watch your beauty budget this month, Aquarius, and keep your eyes peeled for bargains. Be ready to pounce! With Venus and Mars in Libra early this month, there are great deals to be had on beauty and travel.

Pisces (February 19-March 20)
Treat yourself well this month, pretty Pisces, especially if you don’t feel your best. Get plenty of rest (you deserve that spa day!), and turn to the Sun, while it’s in Virgo, to help you through any rough spots.

May the stars be with you,

Kate Winslet: Her Best Hair?

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Kate Winslet: Her Best Hair?

James Cameron’s historic disaster movie isn’t what turned England’s Kate Elizabeth Winslet (born October 5, 1975) into a titanic success, but it probably didn’t hurt. The English actress and occasional singer, the youngest person to garner six Academy Award nominations, has been acclaimed for both dramatic and comedic performances, in productions ranging from period to contemporary, and from major Hollywood blockbusters to less publicized indie films.

Since a busy 2008 (Revolutionary Road and The Reader, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress), Kate has been keeping a low profile, but she comes storming back in 2011, starring opposite Matt Damon, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard and Gwyneth Paltrow in Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming action-thriller, Contagion.

Kate’s creativity also extends to her lovely locks, which she’s worn literally HUNDREDS of different ways over the years.

Which of Kate's hairstyles do you like best?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you’re new here, thank you for visiting. Makeup and Beauty Blog is a makeup blog with daily product reviews, beauty tips, giveaways and the random shenanigans of a crazy cat lady/makeup enthusiast named Karen (that’s me!). 🙂

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