Karen

5 Days of Chanel Rouge Coco: Take Me to 31 Rue Cambon

February 26th, 2010 by Karen 43 Comments

Paris seems light years away from my computer screen in California, but La Ville-Lumiere gets a oui bit closer with Chanel Rouge Coco in Cambon 31 ($30) on my lips.

Named after Coco’s Paris apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, this creamy pinkish red exudes the confident elegance of an impeccably cut Chanel tweed suit.

My closet may never meet a real suit crafted by Karl and Co., but Cambon makes me feel like the lights of Paris are right outside.

A spritz of my favorite Chanel perfume, Coco Mademoiselle ($95), and I slip into my favorite black dress (belted shift from H&M, $35)…

I can almost hear Coco whisper in my ear, “Oui, oui.”
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Boots vs Blacktrack: How Do Expert Sensitive Cleansing Wipes Fare Against Long-Wear Eye Makeup?

February 26th, 2010 by Karen 29 Comments

I try to wait until I finish a pack of cleansing wipes before looking for a new one to try, but I’ve been wearing a lot of long-wearing eye makeup lately (MAC Blacktrack!!), and the Physicians Formula Organic Wear Towelettes I’ve been using just haven’t been up to the task.

Perusing the beauty aisles at Target the other day I noticed Boots Expert Sensitive Cleansing & Toning Wipes ($4.50) 1) because I like the font on the package (LOL!), and 2) because they’re made for sensitive skin (mine’s been extra sensitive lately).
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New in Beauty, Feb. 26: Eyeshadow Duos from Chanel and a Waterproof Mascara from Estee Lauder

February 26th, 2010 by Karen 11 Comments

New in Beauty

OOH! Chanel is launching new eyeshadow duos and a new Inimitable mascara for summer
Estee Lauder says their new Sumptuous Waterproof Bold Volume Mascara ($20) stands up to tears, saltwater and even snow
If you struggle with hyper-pigmentation, check out Shiseido’s White Lucent skincare line ($48-170)
I wonder if BVLGARI’s BLV Eau d’Ete Eau de Toilette ($62) smells like the ocean in a bottle…
Shu Uemura’s bestselling Cleansing Oils are getting dressed to travel (can’t wait to try the $24 Anti-Oxidant Fresh Cleansing Oil Duo)
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Pressed Shimmer Powder ($15) — what a MOUTHFUL! — comes in four colors from Fair Light to Medium Dark
What do ya think of the makeup looks in MAC’s Spring/Summer 2010 Trend Report?
Bobbi Brown’s limited edition Bonfire Palette ($60) for lips, cheeks and eyes comes with five eyeshadows and three shades of Pot Rouge
Would you pay $64 for Caudalie’s Vineexpert Dietary Supplements?
Just in case you were wondering, T3’s Twirl 1.25 Curling Iron ($119) emits ionic energy and far infrared heat (LOL!)
Is it hairspray or leave-in treatment? Ojon says their Restorative Hair Treatment Spray ($27) doubles as both
I *really* wish I could put pants on this bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier Super Male Eau de Toilette ($78)
WANT: Estee Lauder’s Bronze Goddess Luminous Body Lotion ($32)
Tarina Tarantino’s Fuchsia Revolution Brush Set ($69) comes with five cutie-patootie hot pink brushes for face and eyes
The zits on my chin would like to meet Go Clear acne products ($25-70)
After being on worldwide backorder since its fall 2009 launch, Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue ($65) is NOW IN STOCK! 🙂
Win a trip to NYC to watch the movie premiere of The Runaways, courtesy of Make Up For Ever
What time is it? It’s time for Kerastase to launch a new spring line called Chronologiste

Bravo on ya! Looks like we made it through another workweek, ladies. 🙂 Even though it’s still pretty early Friday, I like to pretend the weekends start around mid-day Wednesday, LOL! It just makes things easier.

Have a great one today. Tabs says hi.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Healthy Hair in 4 Easy Steps

February 26th, 2010 by Karen 12 Comments

Can’t go a day without your Chi or T3? Did winter really lick your locks? If your coif is crispier than a bucket of KFC, here are four steps you can take to rescue and restore damaged hair.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Mmm… KFC. 🙂

4 Steps to Shiny, Healthy Hair

by Rachel Hayes, Daily Makeover

The key to creating any gorgeous hairstyle is to start with healthy, shiny hair. Guest editor and NYC salon owner Sam Brocato shares his best beauty tips on how to score healthy hair even after months of winter abuse. Sam and his team have worked with countless celebrities including Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, and Claire Danes.

Step 1: Lather Up Gently

Basic winter hair care starts with a gentle shampoo that won’t strip hair of moisture.

Try to shampoo less than 3 times a week and use a dry shampoo in between washings.

If you simply can’t part with a favorite shampoo or daily wash, blend two parts shampoo with one part conditioner for added moisture.

If you’re ready for something new, try a conditioning treatment that has a mild foaming agent like my Brocato Constructor.

Check out more of the recent beauty coverage on Daily Makeover

5 Days of Chanel Rouge Coco: Have You Heard This Legende?

February 25th, 2010 by Karen 78 Comments

I like to think of myself as the girl next door (the one with the cat), but Chanel Rouge Coco lipstick in Legende 11 ($30) makes my inner diva want to storm the gates!

I guess that’s why I whipped out the fan today (LOL!), broke out the bling and worked the hair a la Mariah. 🙂

Legende’s cool, creamy pink outright aches for a red carpet to strut (sporting five-inch heels and a Karl Lagerfeld haute couture gown, fo’ sho’).

But she’s not averse to daylight affairs, either, like lunch dates with eye looks in blues and pinks.
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Two Ways to Win MAC’s (SOLD OUT) Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach

February 25th, 2010 by Karen 681 Comments

UPDATE: Mar. 1, 2010. The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Jackie! 🙂

And that’s when my father-in-law said something I’ll never forget: “I was traumatized by peaches.”

To clarify, he wasn’t referring to MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach ($25). No, when he spoke those words a few months ago, I’d assumed he was talking about the singer, Peaches , who can be kinda scary, no doubt!

It turns out my father-in-law was talking about a summer job he had as a young man picking peaches.

But I digress…

Ripe Peach, the guest of honor in today’s giveaway, was released with MAC Spring Colour Forecast. Since then it’s become notoriously difficult to find.

If you, too, have been traumatized by peaches — rather by an inability to track this one down — today could be your lucky day! 🙂

The prize

One lucky lady will win MAC Blush Ombre in Ripe Peach (a $25 value), a coral powder blush with a finish that’s about halfway between shimmer and matte.

How to enter…

2ways2enter Entering is easy. There are two different ways, and you can do both of them for two chances to win.

First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. In it, tell me about your current favorite blush.

It’s hard to pick just one, but Blushbaby comes to mind. It’ll always hold a special place in my heart (it was my very first MAC blush). A matte rosy pink with a natural finish, I reach for it when I want a quick, pretty flush.

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win MAC’s (sold out) Ripe Peach Blush Ombre (a $25 Value) http://bit.ly/8YRBmo

Recap…

Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win MAC’s (sold out) Ripe Peach Blush Ombre (a $25 Value) http://bit.ly/8YRBmo

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Sunday, February 28.

à¤¸à¥Œà¤à¤¾à¤—à¥à¤¯!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

UPDATE: Mar. 1, 2010. The giveaway is now closed. Congrats to the winner, Jackie! 🙂

Is There a Benefit Product You Can’t Live Without?

February 25th, 2010 by Karen 70 Comments

Dear Benefit:

I would if you ever discontinued Creaseless Cream Liner in Birthday Suit ($19).

So don’t. 🙂

Yours in perpetuity,

Karen

On me (NC35) this shimmery champagne cream shadow is like getting three extra hours of shuteye, and I can even apply it without a brush, haaay! Ah, to be a lazy makeup beast…

How about you? Is there a Benefit product you can’t live without?

Some conversation starters…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Days of Chanel Rouge Coco: There’s Something About Perle

February 24th, 2010 by Karen 84 Comments

Momma always said, “You can’t go wrong with pearls.” Okay, well, maybe she didn’t say that, but I totally think she should’ve because I loves me some pearls. 🙂

Classic, timeless, and they go with practically everything — kinda like Chanel’s new Rouge Coco lipstick ($30) in Perle 02.

She’s not as outgoing as her sister, La Pausa, but Perle’s soft glow still earns her lots of looks.

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