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

Karen

Givenchy Gloss Interdit Lip Gloss: Pretty Plum Shades for Fall

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Three of the four Givenchy Gloss Interdit plum shades, from top to bottom: Velvet Purple, Sensual Chocolate, Lilac Confession

Earlier today I spent some quality “me” time with the plummy shades from Givenchy’s new Gloss Interdit ($25) line of lip glosses.

  • Lilac Confession: a bright, cool-toned lilac with shimmer
  • Sensual Chocolate: a shimmery plum-brown
  • Velvet Purple: a shimmery berry
  • Rose Taboo (not shown): a rosy mauve

Don’t they just scream fall?

Based on the plums, Givenchy scored big with these 15 new glosses, loading ’em up with vibrant color, blinding shine and a smooth, non-sticky texture.

Givenchy also added hyaluronic acid microspheres, which are en vogue in a lot of beauty products now. They’re said to bind with water in the skin to, in this case, produce plumper, smoother lips with fewer deep wrinkles.

I don’t know if it’s more due to wishful thinking or microsphere technology, but I think I see a subtle difference in the size of my lips when I’m wearing these (although I can’t feel a difference).

In short — I think Interdit’s the Givenchy Gloss Interdit is packin' heat hotness, but let me know what you think. 🙂

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From left to right: Lilac Confession, Sensual Chocolate, Velvet Purple

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Velvet Purple
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Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting Lotion with SPF 15 and Sunny Tiburon Afternoons

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Last Sunday it was unpredictably hot and sunny here (finally, summer!), so I took my camera and a bottle of Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting Lotion with me to the nearby town of Tiburon, a seaside hamlet and tourist stop about a 20-minute ferry ride north of San Francisco.

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On a sunny day (that is, when the fog stays out to sea), Tiburon’s within sight of some lovely landmarks like Angel Island (formerly known as the Ellis Island of the West), Alcatraz (formerly known as Al Capone’s beach house) and the Golden Gate Bridge.

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I spent about an hour walking around outside, cruising along the waterfront and pier in a sleeveless sundress, snapping pictures of sailboats and seagulls, and thanks to the Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting Lotion SPF 15 ($8) I was wearing, my skin didn’t burn at all. 🙂

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One of three new moisturizers in the Aloe Fresh line released earlier this summer, Vaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting lotion’s lightweight and absorbs fast.

Because it absorbs so quickly, it takes me about half as much time to apply as the Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15 I’ve been using since June.

It definitely feels moisturizing (not sticky or greasy), without leaving a film, and I love the fact that it doesn’t smell like sunscreen; instead, I think it smells just like it should (like fresh cut aloe Vera).

On top of everything else, it’s priced right, costing a third less than Aveeno ($8 vs. $12).

Yea! Another pleasant surprise from Vaseline… I’m always glad to find a new budget body lotion with SPF. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Lady Gaga: Her Best Hair?

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Pop singer Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, born March 28, 1986) rules when it comes to wacky hairstyles, recently stepping out in a purple/pink/blonde ‘do.

Even though I don’t always understand what she’s trying to do with her looks, I give her snaps for originality and risk taking.

Truth be told, this hair poll was the first to leave me at a loss for words (there’s no easy way to describe hairstyle numero uno). She’s not exactly a “long with loose waves” kinda gal, but I like that about her.

Which of Lady Gaga's hairstyles do you like best?

View Results

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Bloggerati Spotlight

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The Beauty Bloggerati

Good mornin’, ladies. How was your night?

Yours truly finally caught the premier of America’s Best Dance Crew. I’m still blinking the sleep from my eyes this morning, but I had to ask — which crew do you like more: Rhythm City or Vogue Evolution? 🙂

What’s your Tuesday looking like? I have a couple of reviews to finish (Givenchy’s shiny new lip gloss sure is … shiny) and then some paperwork to do.

I think Tabs wants Starbucks. Maybe I can ask him to get something for me while he’s there, ha!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How Do You Apply Powder When You’re Out and About?

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Photo by MR+G

Reach for those thinking caps, ladies, because Alice needs our help! 🙂

Hi Karen,

At home I apply MAC Blot [MAC Blot Pressed Powder] with the 188 Small Duo Fibre Brush, but I was wondering if there’s a way to bring the brush along without having to buy a brush roll. Is it okay to use the powder puff that comes with the compact? I’ve heard that’s very unsanitary.

Thank you!

Hi Alice,

To borrow a line from Mariah (love ya, Mimi!), I can’t live, if living is without my MAC Blot Pressed Powder. 🙂

My compact is like a Hollywood starlet’s dog — It goes everywhere with me.

When I head out of the house, though, I’ll use it with a retractable drugstore brush like the EcoTools Recycled Retractable Kabuki Brush ($10).

It’s light, portable and delivers a natural veil of powder on the skin (perfect for touch-ups).

And it’s way cheaper than a $45 MAC Brush Roll, which means not having to stress as much about potentially losing it.

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And I think powder puffs are fine if you’re conscientious about regularly cleaning them. I’ll thoroughly hand wash mine every few days with shampoo to remove any built up oil or powder, and then I’ll let it air dry on a clean surface.

Keep in mind that applying powder with a puff can result in heavier coverage, so be mindful of that when you’re doing touch-ups between classes. 🙂

Ladies, what do you use to apply powder when you’re out and about?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I can’t believe it, but I spaced out and forgot about last night’s premier of America’s Best Dance Crew Season 4!
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Eye Love Cucumbers Eye Gel: Cucumbers Ain’t Just for Salads Anymore

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I’m riding a wave of nerdiness right now, loving the clever wordsmithery that went into naming Eye Love Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel ($15).

Eye Love Cucumbers… Get it? 🙂

My name is Karen, and I’m addicted to puns.

(HI, KAREN!)

Okay, so the name was the real reason I wanted to give the product a try.

Cucumbers: not just for salads anymore

One of several natural skincare goodies in the Yes to Cucumbers line, Eye Love Cucumbers Eye Gel is a highly-absorbent, moisturizing gel with some great things to offer.
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