MAC’s Flashtronic Limited Edition collection is up on the MAC site! I’ve been waiting for this one all summer long. There are six new shades of Mineralize Eye Shadow and four Tinted Lipglasses. Here are a few of the looks:
I miss Hawaii …
Fabulous post-vacation skin and hair products to the rescue!
I got back from my fun-in-the-sun Hawaii vacation and found that frolicking in the saltwater, sand and sun did a number on my skin and hair. So last week I was all about skin and hair repair! I found these lovely products helped to get my post-vacation self scrubbed, moisturized and glowy.


Origins Incredible Spreadable Scrub & Exfoliating gloves from Parissa
Here’s your math for the day: Incredible Spreadable Scrub plus exfoliating gloves from Parissa equals skin smoother than a baby’s butt. Seriously. Incredible Spreadable Scrub is a salt and olive oil based exfoliator, so if you have open cuts or just got waxed don’t use it cause it will hurt like a mofo. But if your post-vacay skin is need of some serious scrubbing then this gets the job done.
The one thing that I’ve found that takes this scrub from good to great are the white exfoliating gloves which come “free” in Parissa’s waxing kits. I wax at home, so I accumulate quite a few of these gloves. And even though I’ve used other brands of exfoliating gloves in the past, for some reason the ones from the Parissa kits get the job done really well.
Don’t be surprised if you end up leaving a ring around the tub. I’m serious ladies and gents … it works.

Ocean Potion Aloe Gel
This is the best aloe gel I’ve ever used. It’s light, absorbs easily, doesn’t feel sticky and is super hydrating. I hardly ever peel but when I get the sense that my skin has had too much fun-in-the-sun I slap a layer of this on at night on my arms, shoulders, or wherever it feels dry and tight and my skin is as good as new the next morning. You don’t need to use a lot and at seven bucks a bottle it’s quite a steal.

Bumble & Bumble Super Rich Conditioner
The price tag is steep on this conditioner but it is well worth the price if you’ve got hair that’s dried out from saltwater, chlorine and sun exposure. The texture is thick but not goopy, and it sinks right in. I use a small dollop and concentrate on the ends and voila — soft and shiny hair! And did I mention the smell is divine? It’s light and floral, like honeysuckle.
I’ve got a bad case of post-vacation blues. I think I miss being in the water more than anything else. If you live somehwere where the ocean temperature is 70 degrees take a dip or go surfing for me today so I can live vicariously through you!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
MAC – Novel Twist Pre-Ordering available on Nordstrom Site
Here are some pics of the Novel Twist collection, which you can pre-order rign now on the Nordstrom site. They’ll start shipping out on July 20th. I want the two beauty powders! Cute, yah?
Great Products for Your Next Summer Vacation
I’m back from vacation! I’m still jet lagged and exhausted but I’m glad to be home in one piece. The hubby and I did a ton of fun stuff during our visit to Hawaii. This visit was all about outdoor fun in the sun. We snorkeled at Shark’s Cove, took surf lessons and swam with dolphins. We were pretty busy every day of the week, so even though I brought my usual travel makeup I only had time (and energy) to put on a few essentials. Here are the products I used that stood up to the heat and humidity and didn’t require lot of effort:

Biotherm Forget It Concealer
Being relaxed and tan on vacation is the ultimate under eye dark circle remover, but sometimes a girl needs a little help. I love this stuff because I don’t have to use a lot of it (just the tiniest drop) yet it covers thoroughly and is easy to apply with or without a brush. It doesn’t feel heavy or cakey and once I put it on it barely budges. I have this in the color “30.” The only drawback is the color selection — there are only three shades to choose from. $14.00 for a tube. [Continue reading…]
Drugstore Product Review – Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock SPF 30

Yes! It’s officially summer, which means it’s time to bring your cookies to the nearest beach/pool/nearby body of water for some fun in the sun. Before you head on out into the summer sun, do yourself a favor and slather on some of the newest sunscreens out on the drugstore shelves. There are plenty of great brands to choose from.
To get you started on your journey to sunscreen nirvana today’s review is on a one of my favorite new sunscreens on the market, Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion.[Continue reading…]
MAC – Eve C Shocks – SO HOT!
I am the first person to admit that I am very color-shy when it comes to makeup, so when MAC’s C Shock came out I wasn’t too into it. Although I really still can’t see these colors on myself, I am going to officially change my tune. I went to the website today and saw these superhot pics of Eve rockin’ the C Shock collection. Surprisingly, my fave looks were the ones with bright green and blue eyeshadow, lol. Love it!
Bang on Blue

Eye Popping

Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Sunscreen 101 – What you need to know before you buy sunscreen

Here’s my mental run through before I head to the beach: Flip-flops? Check. Cute bikini? Check. Cowboy hat? Check. Sunscreen? CHECK, CHECK, CHECK!
While many people associate sunscreen as something that you only use during the summer months, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day of the year. I am proud to say that I’m a year-round sunscreen girl, a sunscreen connoisseur of sorts! [Continue reading…]




