Quick show of hands: Chanel Venice Murano Quad ($56) — yay or nay?
A Trip to Venice
And I Do My Little Turn on the Catwalk
Takin’ it back to the old school today with one of my favorite pictures from San Francisco Fashion Week 2007. I can’t believe that was two years ago…
Retro Roundup: One Year Ago on Makeup and Beauty Blog
I’m so relieved it’s Friday, girls… Even though the time flew by, it still felt like a long week.
Do ya have any plans for the weekend? We might go see Public Enemies tonight. Yea! Popcorn, C. Bale and Johnny Depp … oh, yeah, and El Hub, too! 🙂
I was feeling a little nostalgic this morning (and sleepy), so I looked through the archives to see what we were talking about this time last year. TGIF!
Speaking of C. Bale, it just occurred to me that I haven’t seen either of his last two movies, Terminator: Salvation or now Public Enemies. WTF?
- Tuesday Beauty Tips: Be Good to Yourself
“Wear a new fragrance on an important day in your life, like your wedding or graduation. Strong emotions will reinforce a connection with that fragrance so that years later, just the slightest whiff will bring those old memories back to life.” - How to Attend a Free Chanel Master Makeup Class
“These courses are more than simply an opportunity to learn (not that there’s anything wrong with learning); you also get to play with soooo much Chanel. The entire Chanel makeup line is at your disposal to test, touch and drool over. HOLLA!” - Makeup Tutorial: A Peach, Brown and Green Eye for Summer
“If you’re trying to fight the good fight against dark circles, then clean up excess eyeshadow with a MAC Wipe before applying MAC Select Moisturecover concealer with a MAC 194 brush.” - Loving on MAC Love Connection Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo
“MAC’s Love Connection Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo ($14) makes me nostalgic for the olden days (um, like 2003), when one pan of eye shadow, a primer, eyeliner (if I was feeling adventurous) and some mascara gave my eye makeup itch all the scratch it needed. Ahh, take me back!” - Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment: Declare Your Independence from Acne
“Pimples just hate this stuff. Usually, right after (*ahem*) ‘Aunt Flo’ pays a visit, tiny pimples erupt on my forehead and remain there for about two weeks. This time around, my forehead still broke out, but it was much clearer within four days of using the spot treatment; by the end of a week, my forehead was smooth and zit-free.” - MAC Cosmetics Mineralize Eyeshadow Face of the Day
“I paired my new hair with this very quick face of the day using an old MAC Cosmetics Mineralize eyeshadow duo called Silversmith. Starting with MAC Paint in Shimma on my lid and into the crease, I then dusted a layer of the light blue from Silversmith on top.”
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Say No to Oily Skin and YES To Tomatoes Trouble-free Facial Wash
Ever since the sticky summertime heat sent my combination skin into oily overdrive, I’ve been on the prowl, looking for a cleanser to break up all of this excess oil action.
Lately, I’ve been reaching a lot for Yes To Tomatoes Trouble-free Facial Wash ($10).
What’s with the tomatoes?
It’s a facial cleanser designed to remove excess oils and impurities from both oily and combination skin, and I expected it to smell like, well, tomatoes. Nope — it actually smells really good, like a combination of fresh, ripe watermelon, lemons and floral soap (but nothing like tomatoes).
Then where does it get its name?
From a key ingredient: lycopene.
According to the company (Yes To Carrots), “Lycopene is a natural compound responsible for the gorgeous red color of tomatoes. Its potent anti-oxidant properties are fantastic at fighting free radical damage, and preserving healthy skin cells.”
The compound’s also said to protect hair and skin from sun damage and pollution; promote healthy, softer skin; and to encourage a balanced, clearer complexion.
Yes To Tomatoes is one of three product lines: Yes To Tomatoes, Yes To Carrots and Yes To Cucumbers.
Tightness: yes or no?
A small, dime-sized amount of the gel takes care of my face and my neck. It works quickly, breaking up any oil and grease on my face. After I rinse, it leaves my skin feeling fresh, sans any sticky residue or uncomfortable tightness.
Packaging trubs
The sleek white tube means it doesn’t take up a lot of room on a bathroom shelf. That may seem like a minor detail (and it is), but I’m frustrated by bath products that come packaged in oddly shaped bottles that take up too much room in the bathroom, where shelf space is limited, right?
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MAC Gets Crafty with Wearable Colors in the Colour Craft Collection
Did you get a chance to check out the new MAC Colour Craft collection today, tenderonis? After seeing the bright promo pics I was expecting a cray-zaaay explosion of color, so I steeled myself for yet another arty, not-too-wearable release (*ahem*, Style Warriors!).
But Colour Craft took me by surprise. The bulk of this humungo 33-piece collection actually consists of — gasp! — wearable shades.
MAC gave us a good mix of shimmery neutrals, golds and bronzes along with fun pops of purple, pink, blue and orange thrown in for eyes. Pink and plum dominate the lip colors, while cheeks get a hefty dose of shimmer in sunset shades of pink, gold, bronze and coral.
Here are some things that really stand out to me…
Mineralize Eyeshadow Quad in Assemblage: I almost overlooked this quad, but after seeing it on my friend Elena I knew it was special.
It comes with four shimmery shades of silvery white, yellowish gold, gray and black eyeshadows that complement each other perfectly.
I’m lovin’ on the gray shade. Some can be too cool for my skintone, but this gray has a hint of warm golden taupe that seems to make it more wearable. Hmm…
I’m also lovin’ the versatility. MAC shows us several ways to wear it, featuring it in three of the eight Colour Craft face charts (Crazy Haute, Madly Creative and Nice Mix Up).
I can’t wait to turn out some looks with this bad boy!
Assemblage on NW 20 skin with flash
Assemblage on NC 35 skin with flash
Madly Creative Lipstick: Madly Creative looks like the lipstick version of MAC Cremestick Liner in Gingerroot, aka one of the best nude lip liners, evah!
It applies as a frosty, peachy pink with silver pearl; I think it could end up one of those great universal colors flattering to both warm- and cool-toned babes.
SIDENOTE: If you’re a Gingerroot fan, consider stocking up. MAC’s discontinuing the color (boo!), and soon it’ll be going, going, gone… 🙁
Cheeky Bronze, Madly Creative on NW 20 skin with flash
Cheeky Bronze, Madly Creative on NC 35 skin with flash
Cheeky Bronze Mineralize Skinfinish: This shimmery blush adds a golden coral flush to my skin.
Can you imagine it on tanned cheeks? Love!
I plan to wear it on low-maintenance makeup days… Tinted moisturizer, mascara and lipgloss + Cheeky Bronze on the cheeks = one easy, effortless summertime look!
Cheeky Bronze, Madly Creative Assemblage on NW 20 skin with flash
Cheeky Bronze, Madly Creative Assemblage on NC 35 skin with flash
Mineralize Eyeshadow Quads, $19.50
Assemblage
Eccentricity
Fashion Patch
Girlish Romp
Natural Flare
Odd Bits
Lipsticks, $14
Colour Crafted, Trimming Talk
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Cookie Monster
Why did I eat all those macarons from Laduree bakery in one sitting?
Why do I want to eat more?
Are Laduree macarons laced with crack?
So many questions…
Pretty in Pink
Isn’t she?
From top to bottom: Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Frenzy ($20) and Sheer Lipgloss in Rouse ($20).
Illamasqua to Launch in 27 U.S. Sephora Stores September 2009
Upstart British makeup brand Illamasqua will soon be crossing the pond.
I spoke with a contact at Illamasqua this morning and confirmed that in addition to the upcoming July 30th launch of their first counter at the new Sephora flagship store at 5 Times Square in New York, the line will also be available at 27 Sephora stores across the United States starting September 2009.
Rollout to be completed by Christmas 2009
The brand plans to launch at a select number of stores starting on September 15th, with plans to fully rollout counters to all 27 by Christmas.
Locations will include Sephora stores in Honolulu, Las Vegas, Miami, Seattle, Boston and San Francisco (Powell Street, WOOT!). I’m currently working on finding a full list of the stores and will update this post once I’ve tracked it down.
Select, best-selling items
Illamasqua plans to sell a limited range of 200 of their best-selling items. Included will be their entire range of nail varnishes, as well as select items for eyes, lips, cheeks, face and body. Prices will range from $18-30.
Online availability
If you don’t live near a Sephora — don’t fret. The brand will also soon be available at Sephora online. I’m still confirming the date of online availability but will let you know as soon as I know more.
Can I just say, YAY? What great news to wake up to on a Thursday morning!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen