Karen

MAC Trip Collection: Travel Exclusives for Spring and Summer 2009

April 4th, 2009 by Karen 51 Comments

mac trip

I love to travel…

Even if it’s just a quick day trip up to the Napa Valley or down to Fisherman’s Wharf, El Hub and I will try to swing a small vacation every few months if we have the time and moolah.

No matter where we go, I’m always on the lookout for makeup and beauty because you never know what you’ll find, particularly at airports. Totally nerdy, I know, but I actually like getting to the airport early so I have time to hunt for products. Sometimes I’ll find limited edition items special to airports (they call ’em travel exclusives) from big lines like Estee Lauder, Clinique and MAC that aren’t available at their regular stores and counters.

This spring and summer, MAC has a special travel exclusive collection called MAC Trip. It features nine limited edition eye, cheek and lip palette products on sale at various airports and travel hubs around the world.

If you have an hour to kill at the airport before your next flight, keep your eyes peeled for MAC Trip. Some of the palettes take me back to other limited editions like Barbie Loves MAC and Strange Hybrid.

Pricing and availability will vary from airport to airport, but the approximate US prices are $35 for the eye, $22 for the lip and $30 for the lip and cheek palettes.

MAC Trip Eye Palettes

5 Cool Eyes

mac cosmetics cool eyes palette

Prismique: A creamy white with pearl
Springtime Skipper: A yellow green with golden pearl
Water Nymph: A blueish green with golden pearl
Flashtrack: A frosted dirty navy
Knight Divine: A charcoal with silvery pearl

5 Warm Eyes

mac cosmetics warm eye palette

Whistle: A pastel pink
Da Bling: A bright pink with golden reflects
Parfait Amour: A vivid blueish violet with pearl
Leisuretime: A cranberry plum with pearl
Cassette: A blackened eggplant

5 Neutral Eyes

mac cosmetics neutral eyes palette

Bisque: A soft muted beige
Mineralism: A frosted light taupe
Say, Yeah: A pinkish coral with golden pearl
Sable: A muted bronze with golden pearl
Bateau: A dirty midtown brown

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Brights Rule, Girls Drool: Bold Spring Shoes, Bags and Dresses

April 3rd, 2009 by Karen 44 Comments

marc jacobs bag violet

TGIF, gals! Sorry I’m ~~a little~~ hella behind with blogging today, but it was one of those days where every little thing took longer than usual. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

So, about last night! — thanks for helping me figure out my lipstick for the Saks Fifth Avenue event! I ended up wearing a mix (yup, a mix) of Chanel’s Porto Rotondo and Lipari Aqualumiere.

I gotta give it up to the 30-something girls who can still party like rocks stars on school nights because I sure can’t. One of my BFF’s, C-Money, was my plus one for the evening, and after the show we went out for a late dinner. By the time I got home it was almost midnight, and I was totally wiped out (I’m usually asleep by then!).

me-and-cmoney
That’s one of my BFF’s, C-Money. We’ve been friends for over 20 years!

Needless to say, I can’t come-on-shake-shake-it like I did in my 20s. To all Thursday night partiers everywhere — PROPS!

Anyhoo, last night’s Saks fashion event was pretty fun. It was a mini-spring show hosted by the bodacious blogging babes over at Fab Sugar.

microphone

They had the models stand on little blocks instead of a runway, and then the spectators walked around checking out the clothes, drinking (free cocktails) and not-so-quietly rocking out to a killer ’80s music mix.

I liked that you could get so close to the clothes. I love big, glitzy runway shows, but sometimes when you really want to see the clothes there’s someone with big hair sitting in front of you.

I was hoping to win a Marc Jacobs purse they gave away in a raffle, but no such luck. I pray it went to a good home…

Saks puts on mini-fashion events like this one every so often. You can find out about upcoming local events on the Saks Fifth Avenue website.

The whole time I was at the show I was surrounded by expensive spring purses and shoes. Dude, it was totally like teasing a dog with bacon. Even though everything was out of my price range, it was still a lot of fun to window shop.

The purses were all about color, like the violet Marc by Marc Jacobs purse ($500) shown up top.

rebecca minkoff mustard yellow

And yellow was in the house. I couldn’t stop drooling over the Morning After Mini purse by Rebecca Minkoff ($550). Toting it around would be like having a little slice of sunshine on your arm.

rebecca minkoff yellow detail

Check out the gold hardware detailing on the side. Ohmigosh, SO CUTE!

christian louboutin shoes teal

There were plenty of rich blues and teals, too, like this patent leather Picador slingback heel by Christian Louboutin ($625).
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Keep Looking Up

April 3rd, 2009 by Karen 2 Comments

Because you never know where you’ll find something beautiful.

Bridge Over Tranquil Waters

April 3rd, 2009 by Karen 3 Comments

It wasn’t the easiest one to cross, let me tell you!

101 Wedding Makeup Looks

April 3rd, 2009 by Karen 36 Comments

Your special day has finally come, and, no, I don’t mean the premiere of The Hills. It’s even better than that! It’s your wedding day. 🙂

Your plate is already spilling over with wedding plans, making sure that everything turns out right — the guest list, the seating charts, the flowers, menus and music.

With so much to do, the last thing on your mind should be your makeup. That’s where this post comes in.

It’s your beautiful face people are going to be staring at all night long. Leave a lasting impression with the help of these 101 wedding makeup looks. Go from bridezilla to bombshell in the time it takes to say “I do.”

Please note:

The images can be clicked and lead to each respective look/tutorial.

If you like this post, you may also be interested in 101 Hairstyle Tutorials.

Wedding Day Makeup Lesson by Chanel: Classic Chanel style meets makeup instruction in this helpful video. I think it makes an excellent way to start our quest for the perfect makeup for a perfect day.

Wedding Day Makeup Before and After: This video shows you some really great shots of before and after wedding makeup, so you can have a clear plan for the look you want for your big day.

Sexy Bride Makeover!: This tutorial by Beauty Cast even shows a surefire way to apply false eyelashes — there’s one great mystery solved!

South Asian/Arabic Bridal Makeup Looks: Here’s a nice selection of very exotic and beautiful bridal looks! Dramatic and sexy…

MAC Makeup Tutorial for a Bridal Look: Here’s another wonderful tutorial with ideas on choosing a bridal look that’s a good fit for your personal style.

Do It Yourself Bridal Makeup: If you aren’t one for hiring outside help, these tips will help you create flawless makeup that you can do yourself. Be brave!

Wedding Day Makeup Tips for Brides:: This is a great post with a range of wedding day tips from what concealer to use, to how to apply colored mascara. Be prepared ahead of time, and avoid a last-minute panic.

Tips for Long Lasting Wedding Makeup: Use these great tips to make your makeup last, and keep your fresh face even after hours on the dance floor with your new hubby.

How to Add Unconventional Touches to Bridal Makeup: This is where your creativity comes into play. Work your magic, and show your fun, sexy side in your wedding day makeup.

Summer Makeup Tips for Brides: Since the majority of weddings happen in or around summer, use these makeup tips to fit the season (think fresh summery glow).

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Chanel Cote D’Azur Summer 2009 Aqualumiere Lipsticks: What to Wear Tonight?

April 2nd, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

Chanel Cote Dazur Summer 2009 Aqualumiere monte carlo

Hey, cuties. I urgently need your help!

I’m going to a fashion event tonight at Saks Fifth Avenue called Worn to Be Wild (I’ll take and post pictures), and I’m trying to figure out what to wear on my lips.

I’m still mentally beat from yesterday’s paper deadline. That coupled with the waking-up-with-the-chickens thing this morning has rendered me useless. I haven’t been able to get my sh*t together all day long — this entry has been a struggle.

Will you please help me pick a lipstick to wear tonight? I can’t make a decision, but I’d like it to be one of the Aqualumeire Lipsticks ($28) from Chanel’s Cote D’Azur collection.

It’s made up of six luscious coral, brown and rose shades…

Chanel Cote Dazur Summer 2009 Aqualumiere ischia

Chanel Cote Dazur Summer 2009 porto rotondo

Chanel Cote Dazur Summer 2009 Aqualumiere lipari

Chanel Cote Dazur Summer 2009 Aqualumiere salina

Chanel Cote Dazur Summer 2009 Aqualumiere panarea

Please let me know your fave in the poll or the comments. My mushy brain would be most grateful. 🙂

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I better remember to bring my camera tonight… I have to show you pictures of some pumps and sandals I saw in the Sak’s shoe department (aka HEAVEN ON EARTH).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Say Hello to Glow with MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder

April 2nd, 2009 by Karen 24 Comments

mac transparent finishing loose powder top

Are ya heading over to MAC to check out the new Colour Ready collection today? If you have some time to play at the counter, dust the new Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder ($21) on your pretty face.

The entire MAC Colour Ready collection

MAC says Prep+Prime Finishing Powder sets makeup, eliminates shine and makes your skin glowl while reducing the look of fine lines and the size of pores. That’s a tall order, right? So does it deliver?
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