Karen

Does Anybody Out There Actually Wait All 24 Days to Open Those Makeup Advent Calendars?

December 1st, 2016 by Karen 11 Comments

clarins beauty delights advent calendar goodies — The Clarins Beauty Delights Advent Calendar ($125, available now)

I never had an actual advent calendar when I was growing up, but I’ve had a few of the makeup-oriented ones as an adult, and I have to say…I’ve never followed the instructions and used them in the advent calendar way.

Like with this cute one from Clarins, starting today, on the 1st of December, you’re “supposed” to open one (just one) of the little windows every day through the 24th, so that you get a different beauty treat each day until Christmas.

Clarins Beauty Delights Advent Calendar — Please note how I’m carrying it like a baby…

So, that’s the way it’s “supposed” (airquotes) to work with an advent calendar, but I’ve never used them that way because I always open them in one fell swoop! I want all the goodies, and I want ’em now! With cute things like this, I don’t have any self-control.

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NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer Review + Swatches

November 30th, 2016 by Karen 20 Comments

I just pulled two NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealers out of my makeup bag because I’ve been rockin’ them 24/7.

OK, maybe not 24/7…but most of the waking hours. Yes, I NEED concealer, LOL!

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
16 shades, permanent, $30, available January 1 at NARS boutiques and online
Chantilly (true ivory shade for a light complexion), Vanilla (tiny cast of pink or a light complexion), Creme Brulee (fair with a light pink undertone), Cannelle (light with a peachy undertone), Honey (warm peach for a light to medium complexion), Custard (yellow tone for a light to medium complexion), Macadamia (medium with a peachy undertone), Ginger (golden undertone for a medium complexion), Biscuit (medium dark natural balance of pink and yellow undertones), Caramel (medium dark yellow and golden undertones), Chestnut (medium with a pink undertone), Amande (medium dark with golden olive undertones), Hazelnut (medium dark with a warm red undertone), Cafe (dark shade with warm red undertones), Cacao (dark shade with deep golden brown undertones), Dark Coffee (dark brown with an olive undertone)

“NARS’ highest coverage concealer yet delivers natural natural-looking coverage in an oil-free cream formula that blurs, concealers and smooths imperfections with its soft-focus smoothing complex. Optimal Diffusion Powder helps maximize light diffusion with spherical surface powders designed to absorb and refract light with a powerful optical effect. Instantly transforms the look of skin to help blur imperfections. Advanced powders created with a unique, interwoven structure lay flat while staying connected for the highest level of coverage with the lightest touch. Resists settling into fine lines and pores. Collagen-boosting peptides smooth and reduce the appearances of wrinkles and pores. Hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate, soften and plump the skin for a healthier-looking complexion. Antioxidant Daily Defense delivers a cocktail of Vitamin A, C and E for environmental defense.”

— NARS PR

They’re full coverage, stay out of my fine lines and blur my pores. That’s a concealer triple threat!

I’m wearing Macadamia under my eyes in this video and Ginger on my cheeks and around my mouth.

They’re $30 each and coming to NARS counters in January 2017.

nars soft matte complete concealer — Swatches of all 16 shades of NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

Thank you as always for watching. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Crushing Hard on Chanel Pink Rubber Velvet Nail Colour

November 30th, 2016 by Karen 12 Comments

The name of this Chanel nail polish is Pink Rubber…

Dirty! I feel like a perv every time I say it. 🙂 Pink Rubber, Pink Rubber, Pink Rubber.

Pink Rubber (say it one more time) is from the Chanel winter collection, and it’s $28, limited edition and really friggin’ cool. I think it’s one of the coolest things Chanel has done in a long time.

So…why is it called Pink Rubber? Well, I think it’s because of the finish. From afar, it looks like a pretty typical matte, but if get up really closely, it looks like I dipped my nails in a vat of melted latex.

Not to take anything away from matte nail polishes, because I like wearing them sometimes, but some of them seem, I dunno…like they’re too basic. Like indoor house paint. Pink Rubber, though, has a slight sheen to it, so it isn’t completely flat.

And just in case you’re wondering, no, it does not feel rubbery.

Um…why did that also sound hella dirty? LOL! Get your mind out of the gutter, Karen. 🙂

I think the color looks like a baby pink in the bottle, but it looks more like a light pastel pinkish coral on my nails (I’m wearing three coats in these pics).

It kinda sorta reminds me of flamingo feathers, and you know how I am about anything related to flamingos. I love them.

As for wear time, I think it’s OK but not great. I applied Pink Rubber before doing my pre-Thanksgiving Cinderella chores and actually noticed a few chips the following day, so I removed it and re-applied the fresh mani I’m wearing in these pics. So far, so good after more than 48 hours this time, and I’m not using a base or top coat.

To its credit, the color doesn’t really show chips as readily as darker colors do, though, so that’s good.

Based on how it looks in its bottle, Pink Rubber (dirty!) seems like it would be basic, but the finish makes it much cooler. I’m not even usually into pale pink polishes because most of them bore me to tears (I wear lots of greens and blues), but I love Pink Rubber…

Haha, sorry, that name never gets old.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Everyday Items That Make Applying False Lashes So Much Easier

November 29th, 2016 by Karen 14 Comments

mac mariah carey 05 lashes — I wish these were my real lashes! — but they’re actually the MAC Mariah Carey 05 falsies. And they’re amazeballs.

Beyond the obvious items it takes to rock false lashes, there are definitely some everyday accoutrements and doo-dads that can make the process easier.

Before that, though, you have to start with the basics, like a great pair of lashes, and I love the Ardell 120s, because they’re only $4 each and look pretty natural, as far as falsies go.

I also love, love, LOVE the MAC Mariah Carey 05s. In fact, I’m thinking about stockpiling them when the Mariah collection comes out.

You also need a good lash glue (I’ve been using the one that comes with the Urban Decay lashes because it isn’t stinky), a healthy dose of patience and a mirror.

It’s weird… On the surface, it doesn’t seem like false lashes would be that hard to apply, right? I mean, how hard could it be? You take one, put a little glue on it, and stick it on your eye…but it is sooo much harder than that.

Like, seriously, when I first started wearing false lashes, I had to block out at least 20 minutes to get it right, but I’ve figured some things out since then. It’s a little easier now, and here are five everyday items/hacks that help.

1. A broken Q-tip (yes, break it in half)

Here’s the deal: When you put too much glue on the lash band, your gonna end up with a hot mess. Glue gets all over your lids, your lashes, and you also run the risk of having so much glue on there that your eyes stick shut every time you blink (see: things I learned the hard way).

To avoid all that, break a Q-tip in half, and use one of the broken ends (so not the cotton end) like a glue spatula. Put a little glue on there, and then apply it to your lash band.

It’s a lot easier to control where you put the glue with the Q-tip than if you try to apply it straight from the tube, at least in my experience.

2. A makeup brush…handle (yup, just the handle)

Sometimes when I apply falsies I end up with a gap between the false lashes and my natural lashes, so I’ll grab a makeup brush, flip it around in my hand so that I’m holding it backwards, close my eyes, and then I’ll line the handle up horizontally on top of the false lashes and gently press on them to get them to stick my natural lashes.

3. Tweezers

OMG! OK, now, you can probably remove your lashes from their tray with your fingers, but uh…I have butterfingers, and sometimes (read: always) I accidentally smoosh part of them when I grab them with my fingers.

They just don’t look right after that, so now I carefully lift them out of the tray with tweezers. That way they retain their shape.

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What to Do With a Glitter Eyeshadow You Never, Ever Use

November 29th, 2016 by Karen 24 Comments

tom ford winter soleil eye cheek palette warm — What can you do with it?

I love glitter, but I get that it’s not something that everybody loves.

I mean, I wish that everybody loved glitter. How could you not love glitter? OK, anyways, sidetracked…

Sometimes, like in palettes like the Tom Ford Winter Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Warm, there’s one glitter shadow that you just don’t know what the heck to do with, so you just kind of leave it there…but c’mon! You gotta show that glitter some love.

Repeat after me: “I can wear glitter!” You can wear glitter. You can! I know I say this all the time and must sound like a broken record, but I really do believe that everyone can wear glitter.

The thing to keep in mind is that you don’t have to go all out. You don’t have to load up your lids with it. You can use just a little.

Instead of a brush, use your finger. Just run it across the pan, or make little circles in it, then lightly pat that on top of another eyeshadow.

Patting on the glitter with my finger — Pat, pat, pat…

You can also apply a little on bare lids, too, but the easiest way to use a glittery shadow that I can’t find another use for is to pat it on top of another eyeshadow I’m wearing.

Patting with a finger works well for this. It gets the little glitter bits evenly distributed, like a glittery galaxy, and you’ll get a gorgeous, subtle sparkle.

BEFORE: Your standard bronzy brown eye look…

glitter from the lash line up to my brow bone — AND AFTER! — I took the glitter from my lash line up to my brow bone, because that’s how I roll these days…

Glitter doesn’t have to become “this thing,” like this full-on, orchestrated THING, where you have to wet your brush, then pack ALL OF TEH GLITTER on your lids.

It doesn’t! It doesn’t have to look super blingy or go over the top, and when you use your finger to pat it on your lids (instead of a brush), it’s very subtle.

How high you take it up is totally up to you, but generally, the higher you take it up the lid, the more dramatic the glittery look. If you want subtle glitter, start at your lash line, and stop right before you go into the crease.

In these pics, I went all out (because that’s how I roll). I went from my lash line all the way up to my brow bone — which you might think would turn out cray, but I think it’s still pretty subtle.

Try it sometime! Use your finger and pat, pat, pat. Give that glitter shadow you’ve been ignoring some love.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. OK, truth? One of the reasons I’m so into glitter at the moment is because I’m hoping that it distracts people from the hardcore dark circles I’m rockin’.

The Coywolf is teething! The poor thing was up all night long, which means that I was up all night, too.

It’s been a very interesting few days. It’s taking me back to her itty-bitty baby-hood when we weren’t getting any sleep.

I agree with Connor. Pants are way overrated!

A video posted by Karen | Makeup and Beauty Blog (@karenmbb) on Nov 28, 2016 at 10:42am PST

The New MAC Shadescents, $57 Each, Coming Soon to MAC Counters

November 28th, 2016 by Karen 21 Comments

If I told you that MAC was releasing a collection of fragrances inspired by some of their most iconic lipsticks (they are), and then told you that they were also re-releasing the lipsticks with colorful matching caps, would you almost immediately wonder, “Ooh! Will the lipsticks be scented too?”

Because that’s what I wondered about the lipsticks that accompany the new MAC Shadescents fragrance collection. I was curious, so I checked, and they aren’t (oh, you know, just sitting here smelling a whole bunch of lipsticks!). I mean, they do have that good ol’ MAC vanilla fragrance.

mac shadescents lipsticks — The MAC Shadescent Lipsticks ($17 each) with limited edition packaging

The six-scent Shadescents collection is coming soon to MAC counters with six $57 eau de parfums inspired by some of MAC’s most iconic lipsticks, each of which are also getting special matching packaging.

A video posted by Karen | Makeup and Beauty Blog (@karenmbb) on Nov 28, 2016 at 10:05am PST

The same exact lipsticks are also available in the MAC permanent collection now, but these are just extra fancy. The perfumes will be permanent, but the special edition lipsticks are LE.

The MAC Shadescents

(six scents, $57 each, coming to the MAC website and macy’s.com November 30 and stores December 8)

Ruby Woo — woody floral
Candy Yum-Yum — fruity floral gourmand
Lady Danger — woody floriental
My Heroine — woody leather
Creme d’Nude — amber musk
Velvet Teddy — wild honey

If you’re an old-school MAC-aholic, you might remember that MAC had a line of perfumes way back when, but they discontinued all of them except Turquatic.

Until now. Now they’re back in the perfume game with Shadescents.

The fragrances are all made to have personalities that match their accompanying lipsticks, like bright hot pink Candy Yum Yum.

mac shadescents lipsticks swatches — From the left: My Heroine, Ruby Woo, Lady Danger, Candy Yum-Yum, Velvet Teddy and Creme d’Nude

With sweet notes of cotton candy and pineapple, the Candy Yum-Yum scent (kind of reminds me of Thierry Mugler Angel) is equal parts playful and bubbly. I can see a girl who loves Candy Yum-Yum Lipstick wearing this as I walk by her at the mall.

mac candy yum yum -shadescent — Candy Yum-Yum Shadescent Eau De Parfum and Lipstick

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 451

November 28th, 2016 by Karen 21 Comments

So..what is the Monday Poll?

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past NINE (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine. 🙂

1. Best pie?

Well, pecan, obviously, with strawberry a close second.

I don’t know… I just really like pecan pie.

2. How do you feel about cruises?

I’ve never been on one, but I’ve heard they’re fun. I’ve watched one too many Lifetime movies about pirates, though, so I don’t know. And I might get freaked out being on the same vessel for such a long time. The claustrophobic part of me starts running through scenarios, so there would have to be a few stops along the way.

3. If your milkshake could bring all the boys to the yard, what flavor would it be?

Oreo. It would have to be Oreo.

4. Ugly cry or bitchy resting face?

Ugly cry, because I need to emote.

5. Would you rather walk around all day without your pants on or without your shirt on (you have to pick one)?

I would go with pants…mostly for practical reasons.

I mean, either way I’d be completely mortified, but my legs don’t get as cold as my upper torso does, so as long as I had a really warm sweater or a jacket on top, I think I’d be OK with my @ss and lady goods hanging out.

Two holidays down!

OK, these questions are extra cray-cray this week, but there are only so many times you can ask someone about their favorite Thanksgiving dish (but seriously, what was yours?). 🙂

Two mega holidays crossed off the list, babe! I hope you managed to avoid any family drama last week and got your fill of good food.

What’s going on this week? Do you have any projects lined up? Anything exciting? Whatever you’re doing, remember, you can handle it, and nobody can mess with you. To quote MC Hammer, “You can’t touch this.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…

1. Best pie?
2. How do you feel about cruises?
3. If your milkshake could bring all the boys to the yard, what flavor would it be?
4. Ugly cry or bitchy resting face?
5. Would you rather walk around all day without your pants on or without your shirt on (you have to pick one)?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 425

November 27th, 2016 by Karen 11 Comments

Sometimes it’s hard to tell if Tabs is really enjoying himself…or if he’s just being a cat and doing cat things.

Like on this last Thanksgiving, with my parents and El Hub’s parents and my brother here, we had a pretty full house, and Tabs was always in the mix, walking from person to person for pets and hanging out, but there were times when the convo got loud that he also seemed a little tense..but he still wouldn’t leave the room.

I dunno… It’s just hard to tell sometimes if he really likes something, or if he just can’t leave the room because it’s action, and he can’t help but be where the action is.

Did that make sense? I’m not sure if it made any sense, but I think it might’ve if you have a cat. Sometimes it’s like they can’t not be wherever the action is, ya know? — even if it appears to drive them crazy. Like they can’t help themselves.

I hope Tabs had a nice Thanksgiving this year. I think he did. He did get tons of lurvies from everyone, even though he couldn’t understand why the folks with bad allergies wouldn’t let him sit on their lap, and he devoured his few pieces of roasted turkey.

I think my tabby is grateful for a lot. I know that he loves going for walks on the hill, sitting on my lap while I work, spending quiet time with me, and he loves his custom built Tabby Command Center.

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