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

Karen

Thoughts on “The Voice” and Kelly Clarkson’s Makeup

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kelly clarkson red eyeshadow
Red eyeshadow!

Do you ever watch The Voice? Dude, I’ve been watching The Voice a lot lately, 1) it seems like they have a new season every 15 minutes, and 2) because I’m a sucker for any combination of the following: joking banter between Adam and Blake, Jennifer Hudson throwing shoes, and Kelly Clarkson talking a mile a minute about something and all of the judges teasing her for it.

Even though (grumble, grumble…) the show usually, as of late, culminates in America voting for a young, pretty pop female singer in the finale, it’s my favorite current guilty TV pleasure (that and Midsomer Murders).

Occasionally I yell things like “I would die. I would JUST DIE if I met Mariah Carey in person” at the television, or “I would bet money Kelly Clarkson’s wearing Urban Decay Naked Heat.”

Speaking of that, THE MAKEUP. It’s good. Especially Kelly’s. I’m always surprised by the stuff she wears because she really seems to love color and taking risks.

Mariah Carey has also been a guest coach in the last few knockout round episodes, and her style and Kelly’s are so different from each other.

I mean, Mariah’s makeup always looks damn good, too (Kristopher Buckle is her go-to artist), but I can’t remember the last time I didn’t see her in anything other than some sort of bronze lid or a subtle smoky eye with the same exact eyeshadow placement paired with either a pink or nude lip.


Her makeup never really changes, but she always looks b-o-m-b.

While I totally get sticking to something that works, I gotta say, Kelly’s makeup is so fun, and she always tries something different. In this season so far, she’s worn red eye eyeshadow in one show, then a purple eyeshadow in another. I also LOVE that she’ll wear different eyeshadow shapes and placements. I tracked down who I think does her makeup for the show, and I think it’s Gloria Elias-Foeillet, who does makeup for a bunch of celebs (including Missy Elliot!).

Hmm… I just realized something. See the edge of Kelly’s lips in the pics with the nude lips? She’s wearing dark un-blended lip liner. How very 1997! I wonder if there’s a stage makeup reason for that (perhaps to define the edge so the lips look fuller?), because the liner is relatively subtle and not something you see right off the bat unless you’re looking closely.

Or maybe she just likes late ’90s-style lip looks?

(Now those are some deep thoughts, ha ha!)

Maybe I should just ask, since I’ve been low-key stalking Gloria’s Instagram lately. I really dig how she balances between classically beautiful makeup and artsy looks. She’s a new person to follow if you love makeup inspiration like I do. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup-Wise, What Took You a Lot of Trial and Error to Figure Out?

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winged liner taupe

Winged liner.

Not that I ever figured it out, but to even get where I had a modicum of slight confidence in my ability to use it.

A big part of it has to do with my lid shape. Mine are slightly hooded (and they’re getting even more hooded as I get older), so I have to be *really* mindful of 1) the thickness of the line along my lash line and 2) the angle it extends upward and outward. I also have to start thickening the line midway along my lash line.

And if I don’t stick to the game plan and don’t do all of the above, my eyes end up looking smaller and more hooded than usual.

It took me a while to figure this out. Seriously, like years. But winged liner and I are now at a really good place in our relationship, LOL! I love wearing it, especially in colors other than black.

Ooh! I love me some taupe, bronze and gold winged liner!

Makeup-wise, what took you a lot of trial and error to figure out? Was it disguising dark circles? How to do your base? Smoky eyes? Nail art? Subtle shimmer? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Good morning! 🙂 I hope you’re having a good one so far. I’m chugging along, but I’ve got a sick toddler at home. 🙁 I’m pretty sure it’s a cold, but her colds always turn into bad coughs, which gets a little scary and worrisome sometimes…

She’s on the mend now, but the cough is still lingering, and she isn’t sleeping well because it keeps waking her up.

Tabs has been a doting caregiver though. He checks on her all the time, as if to say, “Can I get you anything? Catnip tea? Tuna melt? Turkey egg omelet?”

The Best Glue for False Lashes

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urban decay lash glue the best
The best!

It had been a minute since the last time I wore false lashes, but I went there on Halloween. Thankfully, I remembered an absolutely game-changing tip when it comes to falsies. If you’ve every had trouble applying them (and who hasn’t?), what you need to do is hunt down a set of UD Urban Lash False Eyelashes.

They’ll make your life easier.

Doesn’t really matter which style… Seriously, it’s not about the lashes themselves, although they’re pretty good too.

But I’m all about that lash glue. I think it’s the best out there. I stockpile Urban Decay falsies just to get more of the glue!

I think it’s even better than Duo lash glue, which you can find everywhere and almost everyone (except me) seems to like… I think it’s 1) stinky and 2) almost too sticky, and unless I place it perfectly that first time, it’s darned near impossible to lift the lashes off to re-position them.

Urban Decay’s glue, on the other paw, doesn’t stink (YAY!), and it has some “leeway” to it, meaning that I can lift off the lashes and put them back on a few times (which always happens because I never get it perfect on the first try) before committing to the final positioning.

It’s just so easy! Plus, once it’s dry, it doesn’t move at all.

The viscosity of the UD glue is perfect, too. It isn’t too runny or too thick, which are other issues I have with Duo. The consistency of the formula varies wildly, whereas I’m consistently able to apply the exact amount of UD’s glue I need on the lash band.

Oh, and when you open the tube, there’s also the teeny, very skinny applicator, and it’s easy to get just the littlest amount of glue on your false lashes with it, which is crucial because you want to use the least amount of glue you can get away with (bonus: one tube will last a while).

halloween 50s girl
Is it weird that I have a favorite lash glue?

Did I mention the style I’m wearing in this pic? It’s called HBIC.

I mean…by no means is it a natural lash look, but it’s great for ? parties and cutting-loose days.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

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hourglass ambient lighting palette vib sale
One of my greatest Hourglass loves (and one of the things I use the most from the entire line)

Even MOAR ideas!! On the off chance that you haven’t already heard, there’s a Sephora VIB sale this month! To give you some ideas, I’m highlighting some of my favorite makeup that you can find at Sephora this week.

I’ve been the proud, happy owner of this highlighting palette ever since the first time it came out in 2013, and I lurve it just as much today as I did five years ago.

The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is $62 at full price, a.k.a. HELLA EXPENSIVE, but the Sephora VIB discount kicks it down to $49.60, which is a teensy bit easier on the wallet.

Whenever someone near or above 30 asks me for a highlighter recommendation, this palette, along with MAC Hush, are the first two things that come to mind.

Why?

Well, each of the three face powders in the Ambient Lighting Palette has a lovely opalescent glow…

Hmm, let me rephrase that, because I don’t know if “opalescent” is quite the right term. Basically, I think the finish is unlike anything else out there. Opal, or pearl, would indicate some obvious shine, and the Ambient powders aren’t even close to shiny. They’re a velvety pearl, if that makes any sense, because while you can can definitely see light bouncing off your skin when you wear them on your upper cheekbones or down the bridge of your nose, they’re nowhere close to shimmery or frosty or shiny.

It’s the subtlest of glows (here are some swatches). You might not even be able to tell at first that there’s something there, but when you look closely…there is!

From sephora.com…

What it is:
A palette featuring three shades of Ambient Lighting Powder, the high-tech, soft-focus finishing powder that recreates the most exquisitely flattering types of light.

What it does:
Ambient Lighting Powder is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on skin. Unlike traditional powders, which merely cloak imperfections, Ambient Lighting Powder utilizes photoluminescent technology to filter out harsh light and refine the appearance of the complexion. The powders deliver a multidimensional luminescence to every skin tone, making it appear softer and lit from within. The finishing powders enhance skin in any type of light, including flash photography. With three universal shades available in the Ambient palette, you can create any desired effect.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens

What else you need to know:
This palette includes Incandescent Light, a shade exclusive to this palette, and two existing shades, Dim Light and Radiant Light. This product is free of talc, gluten, fragrance, and nano particles.

“I learned early on how different types of light can truly flatter the complexion. Growing up, my mother had pink light bulbs in all of the lamps throughout the house. She loved pink light because it was the softest and most flattering, and she always wanted to look good. I used this concept of lighting in Ambient Lighting Powder.”

— Carisa Janes, Hourglass Founder

Hourglass products are 100 percent cruelty-free.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 549

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monday poll margarita
Cheers to Monday

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Good question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past gazillion years (more than 10!). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a great start. ?

1. Do you fur babies sleep with you in bed?

No, not really. Once in a while he’ll grace us with his presence for an hour if he’s got nothing else going on, but otherwise he’d rather kick it on the couch or on top of a pile of freshly folded clothes (cats!).

2. Dainty, tiny jewelery or big, bold pieces?

Tiny jewelry please, and please let there be some method of securing whatever it is fully it can’t fall off my body.

3. Would you rather walk around with a sharp, uncomfortable and painful rock in your left shoe for three years OR have to live with Kanye West for six months?

Both sound equally unbearable, but I’d pick living with Kanye with six months, since it’ll be over sooner than later.

4. How are your special effects makeup skills?

Do the butterflies I drew on Connor Claire’s cheeks for Halloween count? LOL! I’ve actually never really tried doing special effects makeup. Never had an interest in it. Gimme the pretty, girly stuff any old day.

5. Carving out your brows: necessary or unnecessary step?

If you asked me this circa 2014 I would’ve said totally necessary, but now, fughetaboutit.

That’s a mango smoothie in the top pic…

…A mango smoothie with a margarita mixed into it! Oh, and is my head unusually small or is that glass unusually big? I can’t really tell, ha ha!

Which leads me to today’s bonus question: margaritas. Love them or leave them?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Question time! Here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to you soon.

1. Do you fur babies sleep with you in bed?
2. Dainty, tiny jewelery or big, bold pieces?
3. Would you rather walk around with a sharp, uncomfortable and painful rock in your left shoe for three years OR have to live with Kanye West for six months?
4. How are your special effects makeup skills?
5. Carving out your brows: necessary or unnecessary step?

BONUS QUESTION: Margaritas. Love them or leave them?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 526

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It is rarely spoken about, but Tabs is part of an ancient covenant of cat wizards and witches…

Some days, when the astrological alignments are just right, he’ll don his wizarding hat, go outside, and cast druidic spells…

He is commonly regarded as the most magically gifted cat wizard of Southern Novato, and I’m pretty sure he put a charm spell on me.

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Saturday Surfing, November 3rd, 2018

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paul and joe cats

Hiya and good meow-ning!

I have been informed by my employer, and by “informed,” I mean that somebody has been biting the living daylights out of my ankles and hair (yes, hair), that National Cat Day occurred last Monday, October 29th.

I was aware of this, but I neglected to give an appropriate gift to my employer, as is customary on the aforementioned holiday.

Sorry, Mr. Tabs! I hope the following peace offering of Paul & Joe Beaute cat-themed products (observe how the tabbies bear a striking resemblance to you), along with 30 days of extra gravy servings, help to make up for my lapse in judgment.

paul and joe cats

paul and joe cats

Now hug your favorite feline ? and get cozy. Let’s do some Saturday Surfing reading!


I love this song by Dua Lipa. Reminds me of ’90s dance music.


One of my faves. A throwback to when MC used to actually sing live (why doesn’t she anymore?).

Those Louis V. cat pajamas are nuts! — but if I were a character in the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy (I just finished the third book, by the way, which turned my brain into mashed potatoes), I’d wear them to Netflix and chill with Tabs.

Oh — I also just remembered that I just finished the best show on Netflix called The Bodyguard, and no, it isn’t a remake of the Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner movie.

It stars Rob Stark!

And he’s great in it. It’s like a British version of 24 with thrilling plot twists and exciting, tense moments. Get into it!

Have a great rest of your day, friend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sephora VIB Sale Recommendations: IGK Bad & Bougie Amla Oil Deep Repair Shampoo and Deep Repair Conditioner

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igk bad bougie

More with the ideas! —-> If you haven’t heard, there’s a Sephora VIB sale in November, so I’m highlighting some of my favorite makeup that you can find at Sephora this week.

I’m hell-and-gone addicted to this deep-repair shampoo and conditioner (they’re $25 each) from IGK Bad & Bougie.

The first day I took my hair out into the world after using Bad & Bougie…which, I’m sorry. Every time I see that name I feel like I’m talking about a poodle that needs to be walked.

Anyway! I ran into my HIIT instructor while running errands, and she said the nicest thing you can say to someone obsessed with maintaining a shiny mane. “Wow! Your hair looks like a really expensive drag queen’s wig!”

At that point, guuuurl, I knew it was true love.

Botany moment! — a plant oil called “amla” powers this power couple. It’s normally made by soaking dried amla fruit (otherwise known as Indian gooseberry) in oils, and it’s commonly used as an Ayurvedic hair treatment.

From sephora.com:

Types of hair it’s good for

  • Straight
  • Wavy
  • Curly
  • Coiled
  • Tightly coiled

What it is
A deeply nourishing shampoo and conditioner to nourish, strengthen and protect — immediately and over time.

Key benefits

  • Repairs even the most damaged hair
  • Improves hair health and look
  • Lightweight/non-greasy conditioning

If you want to know more…
Bad & Bougie Amla Oil Deep Repair Shampoo makes hair stronger immediately and overtime, instantly hydrates, softens, and enhances shine. It’s formulated with amla oil for nourishment and shine, coconut oil for hydration, and conditioning and a patented vegetable protein complex that works from within the hair shaft to build stronger and healthier hair. The lightweight formula deeply repairs even the most dry, damaged, color- or chemical-treated hair—without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.

What it is formulated WITHOUT

  • Parabens
  • Sulfates
  • Phthalates

What else you need to know

  • This product is cruelty-free, color safe with UV protection, and formulated without mineral oil, petroleum and gluten.

Here’s the thing: If you’re already a fan of shampoos and conditioners where a plant oil is the star ingredient, and you’re looking for a set that tames and flattens hair that’s rambunctious and naturally kinda big and wild (which is a common thing with these types of hair products), you won’t get that effect from Bad & Bougie. This shampoo and conditioner will *not* weigh your mane down in any form or fashion.

This combo is all about the bounce-bounce-bounce, and even though it’s hella hydrating, your hair retains big-@ss volume. MASSIVE volume. I love it, obviously, since I subscribe to a “bigger the hair, the closer I can get to achieving magical unicorn status” philosophy.

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