Karen, Author at Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup - Page 1607 of 1879

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

What Do You Use to Apply MAC Mineralize Skinfinish?

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I was digging through some unpacked boxes this morning when I came across a buried treasure — my beloved stash of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powders. 🙂

They’d been MIA since the move last month, lost at the bottom of a dark cardboard prison.

But they’re finally free! Free to shine!

With their frosty metallic finish, these colorful pressed powders work great as highlighters for face and body.

While I was lining ’em all up on my dresser like little makeup soldiers (yes, I’m a weirdo), I remembered an e-mail from MBB reader Bernice.

Hi Karen,

I’ve been a silent reader of MBB for a few months now and recently hopped onto the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish bandwagon. Ohmygosh, they are soooo pretty! 😀

There’s just one thing — I have no idea what brush I should use to apply them.

I tried searching the ‘net, but it seems that views are generally rather divided, and I can’t quite decide which brush I should use.

Could I get some advice, please? Thank you!

Bernice

Hi, Bernice. WOO HOO! Welcome to The Cult of MAC MSF-Loving Babes! 🙂

I just love the soft candle-lit glow they give to my skin — when I get the application right, that is. With the wrong brush, they’re easy to over-apply.

So, how to get the right shimmery glow without looking greasier than a bucket of KFC?

I’ve tried using them with a bunch of different brushes (blush, powder, even a kabuki), and these are the ones I like best: the MAC 187 ($42) and 188 ($35) Duo Fibre Brushes.

Both deposit whisper sheer layers of powder, providing for a lot of control to build up color and shimmer slowly.

  • 187 Duo Fibre Brush: Often referred to as “the skunk brush,” this synthetic brush head feels wonderfully soft to the touch.
  • 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush: A smaller version of the 187, the 188 has a smaller brush head with a flatter top.

Neither one is cheap, but they are versatile. I also use my 187 to apply liquid foundations, cream blushes and even loose powders, so I think you get a lot of brush for your money.

Also, if you happen to have a fan brush at home, give it a try because they tend to lay down super sheer layers of color — perfect for MAC Mineralize Skinfinish.

Sometimes I use Shu Uemura’s 5.7EX ($35), another fabulous multitasker (it excels at applying bright/intensely pigmented blushes).

I hope these suggestions help. 🙂

Keep me posted on your progress!

MACaholics, it’s time to pick your brain. What do you use to apply Mineralize Skinfinish Powders?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Have You Ever Hidden Your Beauty Purchases From Your Partner?

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Sometimes, when I go shopping for makeup, I bring along my “BIG PURSE.” That way I can sneak my purchases back into the house without hearing El Hub ask, “Do you really need more lipgloss?!?”

On the phone with a friend the other day, I found out that she does the same exact thing (except that her BIG PURSE is way bigger than mine, LOL!).

Are we the only ones?

Have you ever hidden your beauty purchases from your partner (or your parents, if you live with ’em)?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How Extreme Is Bobbi Brown’s Extreme Party Mascara?

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bobbi brown extreme party mascara review

Why is everything so “extreme” these days? The word brings out my inner grammar grumpasaurus, 🙁 especially when it’s thrown in front of things like pizza. “Extreme sports,” I can fathom; “extreme pizza,” not so much.

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And then I heard about Bobbi Brown’s new Extreme Party Mascara ($22). “Party Mascara” I would’ve been okay with, but “Extreme Party Mascara”?

Seriously, what makes it so extreme? Are there flames and zombies involved? 🙂

bobbi brown extreme party mascara review brush

But, as usual, curiosity got the better of me, and I had to give it a try. I read that Bobbi created Extreme Party Mascara to mimic the look of false lashes. Her site even calls it her Boldest. Mascara. Ever.
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Lights, Camera, HydrAction! — Dior’s Tinted Moisturizer Delivers Exceptional Coverage

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I knew Dior HydrAction Deep Hydration Skin Tint SPF 20 ($38) was something special when I tried taking a few pictures with it on.

Most of the time I’ll wear a full-coverage foundation for pics because many tinted moisturizes appear too sheer for flash photography — not HydrAction, though. It disguises EVERYTHING, and almost passes for a foundation in pictures.

dior-hydraction-karen
Dior HydrAction in action! I have no idea what’s going on with my hair…

Lightweight

But while it may cover like a foundation, it doesn’t feel like one on my skin. It’s light, lets my skin breathe and looks so natural that I sometimes forget I even have it on — perfect for days when I want good coverage but don’t want the weighty feel of a foundation.

Dior’s “ultra-fine pigments and light-reflecting micro-pearls” must be magic… One small blueberry-sized dollop of the richly pigmented formula covers all of my red patches, pigmentation spots and pimples, leaving skin that’s almost flawless (as close to flawless as my skin gets).
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Nov. 2

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  1. Mood:

    2. The time change is playing tricks on my internal clock, so I’m a little sleepy, but otherwise peachy. 🙂

  2. Do you consider yourself a good cook?

    3. When I have enough time and the help of a good recipe to follow, I think I’m decent, but I’ve never made a dish that made anyone’s eyes roll back in their head.

  3. Are you a spender or a saver?

    4. A little bit of both! Makeup and shoes are my weaknesses…

  4. What do you think about black lipstick?

    5. With the right outfit, accessories and attitude to go with ’em, an opaque black lip could look super hot.

  5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

    6. I haven’t finished getting ready yet, so for now just some basics: MAC Eyeshadow in Concrete in my brows, Dior Sculpt Concealer on my lovely dark circles and Dior HydrAction Tinted Moisturizer all over my face.

  6. Last movie you loved?

    7. Management, starring Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston. As weird as he is in it, Steve Zahn cracked me up. It’s a quirky romantic comedy with some great unexpected twists.

  7. Spiders?

    8. I can deal, as long as they aren’t too big or too furry.

  8. What’s the weather like out your way?

    9. Cloudy with a chance of meatballs! Okay, not really. It’s clear and bright this morning. Temps up around 65 right now.

  9. Outfit:

    10. Dark skinny jeans (a big fat YAY for stretchy denim), white t-shirt and a tan blazer.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Get to bed before midnight every night, squeeze some push-ups and sit-ups into my workout routine, stay loose while writing, and give Tabs a good brushing.

Yikes, when did November happen? I can’t believe it’s almost 2010!

Before you start tackling your responsibilities today, take a second to check in. To fill out the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. Are you a good cook?
3. Are you a spender or a saver?
4. Black lipstick?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Last movie you loved?
7. Spiders?
8. What’s the weather like out your way?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

I hope your Monday’s being good to you. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 60

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I need your help, ladies! This afternoon I sent Tabs to the grocery store to pick up some macaroni and cheese (I had a craving), but he hasn’t come home. I think he might be lost. Can you help him find his way home?

Please use the map below to help T-Money find his way home. 🙂

Can you help Tabs find his way home?
Click here to see the solution…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Are you ready for the new week, chicas? I think I already have the Monday blues. I’ve been trying to chase ’em away with leftover Halloween candy, but it’s not working… Maybe I just need one more Snickers. 🙂

Right now I’m eating canned chili over rice and downloading Adventureland in iTunes. What are you up to tonight?

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