Karen

What Makeup Do You Never, Ever Wear?

July 26th, 2018 by Karen 33 Comments

All this talk about under-eye concealer, and about forgoing it lately, has me thinking about the kinds of makeup that people *don’t* wear. Incidentally, I’m actually surprised to hear that so many of you gals (and guys) forgo under-eye concealer! I’m really shocked. I thought I’d be in the minority, but I don’t think I am.

Anyway, I’m scrolling through my makeup mental list, and here’s what I’ve got…

Powder lipstick. I realize that this is rare, but NARS released a palette of them in the Erdem collection, and even though it was kitschy cool, the lazy lady in me was NOT having it.
Gel liner… I KNOW. This too has been a relatively recent development, and my MAC Blacktrack is very sad about it. 🙁 These days, I do either pencil liner or liquid liner because it’s faster for me, and I don’t have to use an extra brush. I can see myself going back to Blacktrack eventually, though…
Liquid blush — specifically Benefit Benetint (or really any of the liquid tints from Benefit). Loved them in my 20s, but I rarely wear them now.
False lashes. The time they take, and I don’t do enough often enough to justify the extra glam.
Loose pigments. Just sooo messy.
Any and all forms of contouring products. Nope, not for me.

That’s all I can think of at the moment…

How about you? What are some categories and kinds of makeup you never, ever wear?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte With SPF 40

July 25th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

it cosmetics cc oil free — Super new! —> It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF 40 (I wear it in Tan, which is fine for everything below my eyes but borderline ashy on my forehead right now because, somewhat ironically, I have a tan at the moment.)

Does It Cosmetics CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte tinted moisturizer hold the secrets of the universe?

Nah, but wouldn’t it be nice if it did, though?! I could finally figure out what the heck happened to Jon B.!

My club jam back in the day. Someone please rescue him from whatever wormhole he feel into.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte with SPF 40 ($38 for a 1.08-oz. bottle)

The teal tube may have a summery look, but it’s something I’ll wear year round. It’s a lightweight medium-coverage tinted moisturizer that’ll have everyone around you believing you’re having a seriously sweet skin day — although, heads up, it won’t fool the frenemy who goes straight for the jugular and points out a ripe zit immediately before saying something like, “Me? Oh, I never get pimples.”

Bless her heart!

“Developed with plastic surgeons, Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte delivers color-correcting full coverage, anti-aging skincare, and SPF 40 broad-spectrum physical sunscreen—all with a poreless, natural-looking matte finish that lasts. This multitasking, complexion-perfecting breakthrough instantly camouflages skin imperfections including dark spots without creasing or cracking and is clinically tested to reduce shine and control oil for up to 12 hours. It’s also infused with charcoal to detoxify, colloidal clay to absorb oil, and tea tree extract to combat blemishes—plus, an advanced anti-aging serum made of hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, niacin, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and antioxidants. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time.

“It delivers seven benefits, all in one! Full-coverage matte foundation, SPF 40 UVA/UVB broad-spectrum physical sunscreen, brightening color corrector, hydrating anti-aging serum, poreless finish primer, dark spot concealer, and moisturizing day cream.”

— sephora.com

Smaller pores and even tone? Yes and yes. And here’s the kicker, which takes it over le top: the matte finish totally locks down shine, and it’s just matte enough. Not too harsh.

it cosmetics cc oil free tan- — A tan girl wearing Tan

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Ditching Under-Eye Concealer: Chapter 1

July 25th, 2018 by Karen 26 Comments

it cosmetics cc illumination oil free — Here’s to trying new things! *raises coffee cup*

For the next seven days, I will be ditching under-eye concealer, which is craziness, considering the fact that there was a time when I’d literally never leave home without it.

No, seriously, I used to apply under eye-concealer to pick up the mail…right outside the house.

Lately, however? Nuh-uh. It has NOT been doing me any favors, and I don’t know exactly what happened, because I really haven’t changed my skin care routine. Suddenly, though (or so it has seemed to me), everything I put under my eyes looks heavy and thick and textured and like — pardon my French — crêpe. I feel like I’m looking much older than I am.

It appears that I have come to a fork in the road, and I can either completely cover the dark areas under my eyes but look 10 years older, or, I can wear less (or maybe nothing at all?) and look kinda tired…but closer to my age.

I’ve also realized that maybe the darkness I see under my eyes is all (or mostly) in my head, and that, my friend, is kind of blowing my mind right now…

Anyway, still not ready to quit concealing cold turkey, so my plan is to experiment at length with non-concealer-y products, like illuminators, tinted moisturizers, sheer foundations, and basically whatever else I stumble upon that looks like it might work. I hope to find a solution that doesn’t age me as much as standard concealer.

And hey, maybe I’ll get better at accepting myself and the inevitable march of time along the way.

So, in my last non-concealer-y product experiment, I tried It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination Color Correcting Full-Coverage Cream in Tan under my eyes, and I wore it with the new It Cosmetics CC+ Oil-Free Matte (also in Tan) on the rest of my face.

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Estée Lauder Double Wear Deep Dive: Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30

July 24th, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

estee lauder double wear water fresh makeup honey bronze — When you have enough oil on your face to fry meats and various potato products and then some

What is Deep Dive? I’m glad you asked! It’s a new series in which I’m reviewing a bunch of Estée Lauder Double Wear products from their permanent collection. Let’s find out what’s good! ?

Back in the day (like, when people carried pagers and weren’t at all trying to be ironic about it, and beards on hipsters weren’t ubiquitous), my skin was Oil Slick City. Now, my face resides in a rustic hamlet called Oh So Dry It Hurts, although it’ll visit its former residence every once in a while.

Does it do this because it has nothing better to do? Or, does it do it because it thinks it’s funny (haha!) to torment me? Or, maybe it just goes there because it’s hot.

Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30 ($42 for a 1-oz. bottle)

A couple weeks ago, during a blisteringly hot week in Novato when my forehead produced enough grease to fry a whole chicken, it was clear to me that I needed to change my foundation game to better handle the heat. Luckily, the Double Wear Dream Team over at at Estée Lauder cooked up Double Wear Nude Water Fresh Makeup SPF 30, an oil-free AND oil-controlling liquid foundation that’s both lightweight (it’s runny like a serum foundation) and long-lasting.

“Real-skin flawless. Real protection. 24-hour staying power. Waterlight. This fluid, long-wear makeup feels like you have nothing on. Moves comfortably with your skin. Looks fresh, natural, healthy, even-toned. With SPF 30 and anti-oxidants, it’s your invisible defense against environmental damage from UV rays and pollution. Instantly and continuously hydrates with a moisture complex of red fruit extracts, including watermelon, lychee seed and apple. In shades for all skintones.”

— esteelauder.com

Back in my oily-skinned heyday, the only real way to lock down shine was with a heavy layer of matte, caked-on makeup, but it’s a totally different story now. Now, there’s no reason why oil-prone peeps can’t get comfy coverage that feels like they aren’t wearing anything at all.

estee lauder double wear water fresh honey bronze swatch — Honey Bronze is a pretty spot-on match for MAC NC42 skin.

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What Are Some Little Things That Bring You Joy?

July 24th, 2018 by Karen 25 Comments

Rise and shine, pal o’ mine! Happy Tuesday. Some of mine, in no particular order…

Hot, crispy French fries with lots of salt
When roots sprout from a plant cutting. I have a small jar of water on my kitchen windowsill right now with a cutting in it from one of my plants from The Lady Sanctuary, and every time I see the little roots growing from it when I wash the dishes, I smile. 🙂 Because it’s a reminder that life finds a way to keep going.
Ladybugs
My tabby’s fluffy ear tufts
Stumbling upon a friendly horse while I’m hiking
When El Hub tucks me under the covers before saying goodbye when he leaves for work at the crack of dawn in the morning
Hearing Connor say a new word for the first time. The latest additions to her vocabularly include “happy,” “cookie,” “apple” and “ham!”

How about you? What are some little things that bring you joy?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Shower Files, Summer 2018 Edition: Moisture Mania

July 23rd, 2018 by Karen 12 Comments

Yup, still spending an inordinate amount of time in my shower. Also yup, I’m still a lizard person (and thus still require moisturizer). It’s hot here now, and I’ve been living for lotion and oils. If your skin could use a quenching kiss of extra moisture, you might like one or more of these…

Everyone 3-in-1 Citrus & Mint Lotion ($10.99, 32-oz. bottle with a pump)

A huge 32-ounce bottle of this organic cruelty-free lotion will only set you back $10.99, to which I say “What a deal!” This lotion is GREAT, and I can’t deny deriving a great deal of pleasure from seeing the huge bottle on my shelf.

This is what I use when I DON’T want to use a thick, heavy body cream but my skin still needs/wants more moisture.

Ingredients
Purified Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glyceryl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearyl Alcohol, Organic Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Esters, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, EO® Organic Herbal Blend [Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Organic Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Organic Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, and Organic Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract], EO® Essential Oil Blend [Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil , Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil], Xanthan Gum, Sodium Phytate, Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Potassium Sorbate, *Limonene

As far as lotions go, it’s the runny side, but it isn’t greasy. It’s kinda like Curel or Lubriderm, and I’d initially presumed, because of the consistency, that it wouldn’t be very hydrating, but it is.

Oh, it is… I can almost hear my skin sighing in relief when I use it, and I think it smells soooo good, too. I get more of the orange than the mint, and the fragrance is of that magical variety that doesn’t overwhelm other perfumes.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5 out of 5 hearts.

Yes to Ultra Hydrating Moisturizing Coconut Oil Stick ($9.99 for a 2-oz. stick)

What can I say? I still love them Daisy Dukes (even though I probably should’ve stopped wearing them 10 years ago), and this solid stick moisturizer is booty shorts BFF material.

Ingredients
Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trihydroxystearin, Glycerol Caprylate, Glycerol Undecyleneate, Fragrance (Parfum), Coumarin

It leaves your legs a little shiny, but not in that oiled-up semi-scandalous Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover way.

Note: The scent will follow you around. In fact, you’ll leave a trail of coconut in your wake, which is a plus in my book.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ 4 out of 5 hearts.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 534

July 23rd, 2018 by Karen 23 Comments

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. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?

Seriously, this one’s SO brutal because I just got my nails done for the first time in two years, so the wonderfulness of having professionally painted paws is still fresh in my mind, but despite the joy I would get from looking down at perpetually perfectly painted nails…I’d still go with the massage, because I love that loose-y goose-y feeling after an intense deep-tissue session.

And it would HAVE to be deep tissue. I got a Swedish massage a few years ago, and it just felt like someone was rubbing lotion on me for an hour.

2. Your favorite cheese?

A sharp white cheddar with BITE, and I’d like a piece right now with a handful of cotton candy grapes. Thx!

3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?

Well, duh! Tabs, obviously. 🙂

4. Last time you wore false lashes?

Honestly, I can’t remember. It was definitely more than six months ago… It may have been more than a year?

5. What time did you get up this morning?

5:45, and it was relatively easygoing this morning. I had minimal sleep inertia, which is surprising considering that I stayed up later than I wanted to last night. I started The Glass Forest and couldn’t put it down.

I’m still a little groggy, but what else is new? LOL!

Come on ride the train…and ride it (WOO WOO!)

Can you remember the last time you rode a train? Last year a new passenger rail line called SMART that goes from Sonoma to Southern Marin started up in my neck of the woods, and I rode it for the first time yesterday!

El Hub, Connor and I were in the mood for adventure, so we took it up to Santa Rosa in Sonoma, where we grabbed lunch and did some sightseeing for a couple hours.

Dude, that train is all kinds of fancy! There are power outlets by every seat, hooks for bikes, overhead bins for your stuff, bathrooms *and* a snack bar! The scenery on the way to Santa Rosa was gorgeous, too. Rolling hills and farmland, vineyards, cows, horses.

It reminded me of the trains El Hub and I rode when we went to Europe before we were married a billion years ago.

Of course, yes, I sang “Come on ride the train…and ride it. Woo! Woo!” the entire time.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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

1. Once a week for a year, would you rather get a free manicure and pedicure by a trained professional who comes to your house, or a free 60-minute massage at your favorite spa?
2. Your favorite cheese?
3. If you had to be haunted by a ghost, by whom would you choose to be haunted?
4. Last time you wore false lashes?
5. What time did you get up this morning?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 511

July 22nd, 2018 by Karen 11 Comments

Yesterday, July 21, was a day that will live in infamy. Just as we feared, the feud between Harris the cat and Tabs finally boiled over. Early yesterday morning, while Tabs was doing his rounds and checking all the office doors and windows, he spotted a suspicious long-haired brown tabby through the sliding glass door in the employee lounge. The tabby was canoodling up to the corporate barbecue.

Without approval.

It was a gross violation of company policy, and Tabs, as CFO (Chief Feline Officer) of Tabs the Cat Industries LLC, knew he had to act. Immediately, Tabs poofed up his tail, raised up on his haunches, and proceeded to mewl at the top of his lungs, but Harris was undeterred. He taunted Tabs through the window, faux-nonchalantly licking his paw and kitty hugging the barbecue.

This standoff continued for 20 minutes until eventually Harris wandered off, but it highlighted serious problems with company security.

This morning, by executive order, Tabs created the new Division of Inconsiderate Varmint Arrest, or D.I.V.A., a new special feline forces squad, and he personally conducted the first patrol himself.

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