Karen

MAC Sugarsweet Collection Pictures and Swatches

March 12th, 2009 by Karen 56 Comments

MAC Sugarsweet MAC Cosmetics Swatches

“Oh, sweet thing, don’t you know you’re my everything?”
— Chaka Kahn/Mary J. Blige

Just one look at the MAC Sugarsweet Collection set my sweet tooth throbbing.

This pastel confection of pink, green and peach eyeshadows, lipsticks, glosses and Mineralize Skinfinish Powders reminds me of cupcakes, candies and all the tasty goodies associated with stretchy pants. 🙂

I took a sneak peek at about 90% of the collection (the counter was missing some bits) last night. When the full collection arrives at MAC counters on the 19th, I’ll update the post with the additional swatches. For the entire product list and pricing, here’s a handy thread on Specktra.

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics shadestick side view
Shadesticks (from left to right) in Butternutty, Cakeshop, Lemon Chiffon and Red Velvet

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics tri color lipglass
Tri-Color Lipglasses (from bottom to top) in Just Dessert, Simply Delicious and Tasty

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics lipsticks
Lipsticks in Bubbles, Lollipop Loving and Sweet Thing

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics aquavert dear cupcake sugarshot eyeshadows
Eyeshadows in Aquavert, Dear Cupcake and Sugarshot

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics aquavert eyeshadow
Aquavert Eyeshadow

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics dear cupcake eyeshadow
Dear Cupcake Eyeshadow

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics sugarshot eyeshadow
Sugarshot Eyeshadow

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics perfect topping mineralize skinfinish
Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping

mac sugarsweet mac cosmetics refined mineralize skinfinish
Mineralize Skinfinish in Refined
[Continue reading…]

MAC Grand Duos Mineralize Blush Collection: Swatches, Pictures and First Impressions

March 12th, 2009 by Karen 29 Comments

mac cosmetics grand duos all

Good afternoon, blushing beauties! 🙂

I’m a big fan of flushed cheeks — they make me feel healthy, happy and bright — but apart from steamy make-out sessions or pinched cheeks, the way I get them is with the help of a good blush.

mac cosmetics grand duos display

A good blush? Yep, perhaps like one from MAC’s new Grand Duos Mineralize Blush Duo Collection ($22.50 each). Ohmygosh, say that five times fast!

Remember last summer’s Sonic Chic Mineralize Blush Collection? Well, these new pressed powder blush duos are their cousins, with half of every pan housing a Mineralize Blush and the other half a frosty solid color in a complementary shade.

mac cosmetics grand duos earth to earth
Earth to Earth

The collection includes seven blushes in various shades of pink, plum, rose and brown.

Like MAC’s other Mineralize Blushes, the new duos have the same baked look and domed shape, with veins of shimmer running through them. MAC added a twist by injecting each pan with a complementary solid shade in a frosty finish. The result? A split personality blush duo — half multi-colored shimmer, half solid frost — meant to be swirled together and worn on the cheeks for a shimmery glow.

mac cosmetics grand duos hot planet
Hot Planet

I’m a big fan of MAC’s Mineralize Blushes. I like how they add just the right amount of cheek shimmer without looking too oily or unnatural, but I’m not totally sold on the combo of blush and solid frost in the same pan.
[Continue reading…]

Mandy Moore: Her Best Hair?

March 12th, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

makeup blog beauty blog how to apply makeup mac cosmetics

Amanda Leigh “Mandy” Moore, born April 10, 1984, was just 15 when her breakthrough single, Candy, hit the airwaves in 1999.

Now, don’t even pretend you don’t know the lyrics, baby girl. It’s spontaneous pop music singalong time!

So baby come to me
Show me you are
Sweet to me
Like sugar to my heart, baby
I’m craving for you
I’m missing you like candaaay!

LOL! Whatev, you know that was fun. 😉

Anyhoo, since Candy was released little Miss Mandy has been busy making both music and films (who else cried while watching A Walk to Remember?).

She’s all grown up now, and as of last Tuesday totally hitched. Yup, Mandy said, “I do” to singer Ryan Adams, to whom she got engaged last month.

I wonder how she wore her hair during the ceremony. I always admired how Mandy’s never been afraid of taking risks with her hair. Long or short, blonde or black — whatever she rocks I think she always looks great.

Loading ...

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

New in Beauty

March 12th, 2009 by Karen 4 Comments

Bond No. 9 Presents Astor Place

This April, Bond No. 9 Presents Astor Place

Oddly, the lovely bottle reminds me of Circus Circus. I think that says more about me than it says about the bottle for Bond No. 9’s new Astor Place, which is supposed to echo the angles and cubes of a Rosenthal sculpture.

The scent? Bond No. 9 describes it as “an example of when downtown [New York City] meets uptown. It’s a seductive fresh floral — a freesia-poppy-violet leaf composition that simmers down into the smooth, steady notes of teakwood and musk.”

For Mother’s Day, Bond is offering Astor Place in a limited-edition $300 Swarovski bottle, delicately decorated with topaz crystals, pretty!

How much will the non-bejeweled version cost? How about $220 for a 100ml bottle and $145 for a smaller 50ml one. Hello, VISA? Ouch.

Stila Spring Stimulus Plan

Barbie may love Stila, but I love a good deal. Now through April 11, Stila’s offering a 20% discount and free shipping on all orders placed on their site (using coupon code STIMULUS at check out). No minimum orders, either. 🙂

Why, that brings the cost of the Barbie Loves Stila Beauty Cans down from $40 to $32. Hmm…

Introducing Victoria’s Secret Heavenly Bloom

Victorias Secret heavenly bloom

LOL! Heavenly Bloom is the soft, subtle, innocent member of the Dream Angels fragrance collection, or as VS puts it, “Blissful with fresh Yellow Freesia, delicate Magnolia Flower and pure Blonde Woods, heavenly bloom captures the true essence of spring.”

FLORAL FRUITY-WOODY
TOP: Yellow Freesia. Sparkling Mandarin, Honeydew Melon, Pear Blossom
MIDDLE: Magnolia Flower. Jasmine Petals, Blooming Gardenia, Apple Flower, Apricot Nectar
DRY-DOWN: Blonde Woods. Musk
EAU DE PARFUM: 2.5 OZ $52
SCENTED BODY LOTION: 8.4 OZ $20
SOLID FRAGRANCE RING: $30

Pevonia Says: Get Sunkissed Without the Risk

Pevonia 3-step sunless tanning
Get a tropics-worthy tan no matter how far you live from the beach. Pevonia’s three-step sunless tanning regimen means not having to wait for summer.

Step 1: Buff your way to brighter skin with Pevonia Ligne Tropical De-Aging Saltmousse ($32).

Step 2: Reveal a natural-looking, golden tan with Pevonia Ligne Soleil Self-Tanning Emulsion ($38).

Step 3: Protect your perfect tan with Pevonia Ligne Soleil Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30 ($40).

Step 4 (optional): Go totally overboard, tanning yourself bright orange for fun (optional). 🙂

Jo Malone’s Sweet Lime & Cedar Looks Delish

Jo Malone Sweet Lime and Cedar
I’ve always wanted to visit a Jo Malone store for their fragrance combining sessions where you get to experiment by mixing different scents. One of these days I’ve got to try it.

Jo says the new Sweet Lime & Cedar fragrance was inspired by the diverse flavors of Thai food, balancing zesty fruits with fragrant, aromatic leaves, delicate flowers, spices and nutty woods. Mmm… It sounds delicious to me. I’d like mine with pad Thai and yellow curry, please. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. SHOOT! I wish I’d seen this sooner. Each week through March 23, BellaSugar will give away a $500 Benefit gift certificate to one of her lucky readers. To qualify each week, just complete a minimum of three reviews on the site (click here for the full details). The more reviews you do, the more entries you get. Let me know if you win!

Chanel Summer 2009 Cote D’Azur Collection Pictures and Swatches

March 11th, 2009 by Karen 47 Comments

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 top pic

Whew! What a long day. After school this afternoon I couldn’t resist swinging by the mall to check out the new Chanel Summer 2009 Cote D’Azur Collection, yea!

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Powder 1
Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Powder

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Soleil Tan De Chanel Precious Loose Bronzing Powder Effet Hale 2
Soleil Tan De Chanel Precious Loose Bronzing Powder in Effet Hale

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Makeup Base 3
Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Makeup Base

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Powder Terre Ambre Terre Epice 4
Soleil Tan De Chanel Moisturizing Bronzing Powder in Terre Epice and Terre Ambre

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Joues Contraste Powder Blush In Love 5
Joues Contraste Powder Blush in In Love

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Lumieres Facettes Iridescent Effects Plein Soleil 6
Lumieres Facettes Iridescent Effects Eyeshadow Quad in Plein Soleil

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Ombre D'Eau Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow Seashore Source 8
Ombre D’Eau Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow (from top to bottom) in Seashore and Source

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Soft Touch Eyeshadow Island 9
Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Island

Chanel Cote DAzur Collection Summer 2009 Soft Touch Eyeshadow Sand 10
Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Sand
[Continue reading…]

MAC Viva Glam VI Special Edition Lipstick Makes It Official: Lavender Lipstick Reigns This Spring

March 11th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

mac-viva-glam-vi-lipstick-special-edition
Fergie, the face of MAC Viva Glam VI

Wowza! MAC’s really pushing lavender lipstick this spring.

Prince would be so proud! 🙂

Earlier this year there was the lovely Lavender Whip, a creamy pale violet from the Cremesheen collection.

Then, Fashion Mews Lipstick, a sheer and frosty lavender, purred her way into my heart as part of the MAC Hello Kitty collection.

And now it’s creamy pinkish purple Viva Glam VI Special Edition Lipstick ($14), the latest addition to the Viva Glam line.

mac-viva-glam-vi
[Continue reading…]

Barbie Loves Stila: Swatches, Pictures and All-Around Hotness

March 11th, 2009 by Karen 16 Comments

Barbie Loves Stila Can top view

Heya, pretties! How’s your Wednesday coming along? I’m a little giddy right now because I just met some friends for coffee.

My new homegirls, Foxy and Jewel, are two of the four limited edition beauty cans from Stila’s new Barbie Loves Stila collection ($40 each).

I must admit, as I sat there slurping java through a straw (gotta avoid staining those chompers!), I felt a little underwhelming in the presence of such hotties. Foxy and Jewel look so glamorous-flossy-flossy in their hot pink canisters.

Barbie Loves Stila Foxy Doll Can Side

But these girls aren’t just pretty on the outside; they each come with lipgloss, mascara and a gaw-geous coordinating palette with two eyeshadows and a blush.

Foxy’s sassy, summery orange, gold and berry shades are hard to ignore.

Barbie Loves Stila Foxy Doll Palette Foxy Lip Glaze Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara

Barbie Loves Stila Foxy Doll Palette

barbie loves stila foxy doll swatches
Swatches from left to right: Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara in Black, Stila Lip Glaze in Foxy (sheer orange with gold glitter), blush in matte berry, eyeshadow in shimmery goldish brown, eyeshadow in shimmery goldish beige

Barbie Loves Stila Jewel Doll Can Side

She’s the girl who commands attention when she enters a room, whereas Jewel’s the consummate girl next door (who just happens to be stunning, LOL!). Her makeup in shades of pink, peach and brown is all about flirty and fun.
[Continue reading…]

Spa Ritual Lacquer Nail Polish: Loved by Dentists

March 11th, 2009 by Karen 23 Comments

spa ritual nail polish

My mom would totally flip out if she read this, but it’s the honest to gawd truth: when bottles of nail polish are too tight for me to open with my hands, I wrench them open with my teeth. I chomp down on the caps pirate style, arrgh! — gnarling and twisting until they come lose.

So nasty, I know! Besides the damage cap biting can do to teeth, it leaves bite marks all over the cap, which I’ll forget about when I lend a polish to friends. Usually a text or email will follow along the lines of, “Did a small animal get a hold of the bottle??” or “Did you use your teeth to open it? GROSS!”

Thanks to Spa Ritual Lacquer ($9), my cap-biting days are over.

The smart folks at eco-friendly Spa Ritual have a simple solution that works wonders — a rubbery, non-slip cap that’s a cinch to open.

Unlike regular slippery smooth nail polish caps, Spa Ritual’s rubberized cap is ridged and easy to grip.

The cap on a bottle of nail polish may seem like a silly detail, but I can’t tell you how many times my lotioned hands have struggled to open a bottle of polish.

spa ritual nail polish delight

As for the polish itself, it delivers fabulous pigmentation and shine. I tried three shades from Spa Rituals’ spring collection: Delight (a creamy, pale greenish blue), Marvel (a shimmery lavender) and Treasure (a shimmery golden orange).
[Continue reading…]

Karen

Which of Mandy's hairstyles do you like best?

This April, Bond No. 9 Presents Astor Place

Stila Spring Stimulus Plan

Introducing Victoria’s Secret Heavenly Bloom

Pevonia Says: Get Sunkissed Without the Risk

Jo Malone’s Sweet Lime & Cedar Looks Delish