Karen

Try the LORAC Mega Pro Palette 2 for Pigmented, Hyper-Blended Eye Looks

October 13th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

WARNING: Try not to think too hard about the name of the new LORAC Mega Pro 2 Palette, because it could leave your head spinning, as it has mine.

“Mega” usually means significant or major, so does that mean that you have to be a major pro to use it? And what kind of pro are we talking about? Because I’m a major pro at hoarding eyeshadow palettes. I’m also a mega pro when it comes to obsessing over the neighborhood cats. 🙂 And losing socks. I wonder… Do any of those talents apply to LORAC Mega Pro 2?

Feel free to not consider the above; otherwise, we could be here for days, and mama needs her Starbucks.

Basically, the $59 LORAC Mega Pro 2 Palette, which is available now exclusively at Ulta, could very well fool the world into thinking that you’re a world-class, “mega pro” makeup artist, even if your blending skills are mediocre.

If you like pigmented, hyper-blended eye looks, you’ll probably have a great time with it.

But there’s a catch (and it’s a big one). Before we get to it, though, first, some background…

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Current Obsession! Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

October 13th, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

You know a hair product is holy grail when 1) you talk about it nonstop, 2) you’re already making plans to hoard more bottles of it during the next Sephora VIB sale, and 3) you’re having perfect hair days left, right and upside-down.

I WILL NOT STOP until everyone on earth (or at least a majority of us) understands just how bomb .dot com Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo is! It’s the relatively new dry shampoo that’s been rocking my world lately, and it’s available now at Sephora, $22 for a 4-oz. bottle (I also gushed about it in last week’s 5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately).

Hence this video.

And then I also learned a new foundation application technique about which I have to tell you. 🙂 I got it from Butter London makeup artist and manicurist Katie Jane Hughes. She recently did a Falling for Fall makeup tutorial on her YouTube channel in which she does a cool foundation application technique. Give it a look-see if you get a moment.
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Assuming You Don’t Already, Do You Think You Could Cut Someone Else’s Hair?

October 13th, 2015 by Karen 38 Comments

Oh, hell no, girl! That would be the worst idea EVER, because I can’t even trust myself to trim my own side-swept bangs, LOL! If I were to give somebody else a full-on haircut, that poor person would most likely end up with the most terrible bowl cut the world has ever seen. It would be about as visually pleasing as zombie road kill.

But that’s just me. 🙂 Assuming you don’t do it already, do you think you could cut someone else’s hair?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Speaking of zombies #thewalkingdead, anybody else catch the season premiere of The Walking Dead the other night?

The MAC Holiday 2015 Enchanted Eve Navy Eyeshadow X 6 Palette

October 12th, 2015 by Karen 40 Comments

mac enchanted eve eyes navy — The MAC Holiday 2015 Enchanted Eve Eyes/Navy Eyeshadow X 6 Palette ($39.50), one of three Enchanted Eve Eyeshadow X6 palettes in the holiday collection

Henceforth, 2015 will be forever etched into my memory as “The Year MAC Did Bladerunner Cell Phone Meets Atari 2600 Packaging for Their Eyeshadow Palettes.”

mac enchanted eve eyes navy 1 — Mercury Alpha Corporation (M.A.C.) Digital Transponder or MAC Holiday 2015 Enchanted Eve Eyes/Navy Palette? You be the judge…

Gotta love the retrofuturistic vibe!

Buuut, as far as the eyeshadows themselves? Well, I was wondering…is it just me, or does it seem like some of the MAC holiday palettes have fallen short over the past few years? Like they just haven’t risen to the same level of quality as the singles in the permanent line?

I wore the Enchanted Eve Navy Eyeshadow X 6 Palette today ($39.50; limited edition and coming to the MAC website Oct. 18 and to MAC stores and counters Oct. 22) and spent what felt like an unusually long time building up the colors. The powders feel harder and rougher than the eyeshadow singles in the permanent line, and it leads to choppier application and just generally more difficulty blending.

mac enchanted eve eyes navy k — Wearing MAC Enchanted Eye Eyes/Navy on my lids and lower lash line; lips are MAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Double-Time with MAC Lipstick in Creme D’Nude

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 344

October 12th, 2015 by Karen 55 Comments

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

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 seven 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.

How often do you venture out of your makeup comfort zone?
Maybe twice a week… Or sometimes three. Fairly often, I guess, but not as often as I’d like. Heck, though, if I had all the time in the world, I’d go buck wild. I’d be trying something new every day, like a new eyeshadow placement or a different blush technique, because what would it matter? If I had unlimited time, even if something turned out looking absolutely hideous, I’d just wipe it off and start fresh.

One new thing I’ve been doing a lot lately are quick timed eye looks of five or 10 minutes just to see if I can do ’em, because, truth be told, I’m naturally prone to dilly-dallying.

Last Saturday I tried this five-minute makeup look by Lisa Eldridge, and actually did the dang thang in five minutes! The only thing I didn’t do was the spot concealing, which I swapped out for a black tight-line along my upper lashes instead, because that’s how I roll, yo.

What’s a makeup, skin care or hair care product that’s been rocking your world lately?
Ooh! Avene Eau Thermale Thermal Spring Water ($18), which I used last Saturday instead of MAC Fix+.

My skin’s been very dry lately because it gets freakishly windy out here in Novato every fall. (It knocked my favorite flower planter off our deck the other night.) And the vampiric wind sucks every molecule of moisture from my skin, especially after I go for my daily walk.

I wanted to try this Avene spray because I’d heard that it’s supposed to be soothing and great for sensitive skin, and it is! I’ll use it right when I start my whole makeup process (before putting anything on). I spray it directly on my bare skin, and then I also like to spray it on my face again after I’m done, like after powdering, bronzing, blushing, etc., because it also takes everything down a notch so my face makeup looks less like cake frosting.

‘Tis good stuff!

What are you wearing on your nails right meow?
The remnants of last week’s RMS Beauty Nail Polish mani with creamy orange Curious and shimmery golden Solar.

I totally intended to do my nails last night and go with something dark and dramatic, but I fell asleep watching TV on the couch, whoops!
When you take breaks during the workday (I hope you take breaks), do you like to take them with someone else, or do you prefer to spend the time alone?
Ya know…it kind of depends on whether I’m hormonal, haha! Normally, I’d always rather take my breaks with a friend, but when I’m really moody, I think it’s better for everyone involved if I take them by myself. 🙂

Someone you admired when you were a kid?
Country singer Crystal Gayle!

Fo’ reals, though. I greatly admired her long and glossy brown hair…

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. How often do you venture out of your makeup comfort zone?
2. What’s a makeup, skin care or hair care product that’s been rocking your world lately?
3. What are you wearing on your nails right meow?
4. When you take breaks during the workday (I hope you take breaks), do you like to take them with someone else, or do you prefer to spend the time alone?
5. Someone you admired when you were a kid?

Happy Monday, sweet pea. I hope your coffee (or tea) tastes extra wonderful today.

I’m having a good one so far because yesterday I managed to get Tabs to wear a seashell mermaid bra top…

Yup, cross that one off mah bucket list! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 367

October 11th, 2015 by Karen 23 Comments

It’s that time of year again! Preparations are in full swing for the annual Tabs the Cat Halloween Kitty Costume Ball, a charity event to benefit Husky House Cats International, an organization dedicated to placing extra large, lovable kitties with talented pet assistants.

This afternoon Tabs did his preliminary costume fittings, and he’s having a hard time deciding between Octo-kitty ($7.49) and Mermaid Tabs ($7.50). Right now he’s leaning toward Octo-kitty, but I’m partial to Mermaid Tabs… I just think the green goes better with his eyes.

What do you think?

If you and/or your cat work in the kitty modeling industry, keep your eyes peeled for your invite to the ball. We’ll be sending them out this week. 🙂

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Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

October 10th, 2015 by Karen 397 Comments

** THE GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, MELISSA!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Rise and shine, morning glory! There’s magic in the air… Can you feel it? It’s making the hair on my arms stand up. 🙂

Whatever you’re up to this weekend, I hope you’re having fun. I know you’re probably busy, too, and have some chores to do, but it’s important that you also take a little time for yourself. You need to recharge those batteries, my friend.

I have yet to figure out my plan for the day, but I anticipate a good breakfast (or brunch!) and a trip to the mall.

Good luck in the giveaway, and I’ll talk to you soon.

One (1) MAC eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter by leaving a comment below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Without looking them up online, can you remember any makeup company jingles or slogans?
- If you could replace any piece of furniture in your house, what would it be?
- Have you ever arm-wrestled?
- What was your last makeup or skin care “Eureka!” moment?
- Have you ever seen anyone shoplift before?
- Have you ever ordered makeup or skin care from a company overseas?
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Tarte Light of the Party Holiday 2015 Makeup Case in Action: Smoky Brown Eyes, False Lashes and Fuchsia Lips

October 10th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

Dude, I wish I’d gone to a party tonight wearing this look I did with the new Tarte Light of the Party set from the holiday 2015 collection, but instead of rocking out, I watched three episodes of 90210 (the original 1990s series; I’m re-watching it on Hulu) and ate cookies with my cat on the couch.

For what it’s worth, I did seriously consider going to the Starbucks down the street to get something warm and sweet (and decaf) and to get my butt out of the house, but I wussed out…

I do have to say, though, that if there is a beverage at Starbucks worthy of this kind of va-va-va-voom makeup, it has to be their Pumpkin Spice Latte, because those things are a party in yo’ mouth. I estimate the number of Pumpkin Spice Lattes I’ve had over the past month to be somewhere between obnoxious and obscene.

This was the makeup look I was wearing in the Tarte Holiday 2015 video — smoky brown eyes and matte fuchsia lips.

The eyeshadows are from Light of the Party ($59; it’s available now exclusively at Sephora), and that fun fuchsia lip — it’s called All Fired Up — is from the MAC Magic of the Night holiday color collection, which’ll be available on the MAC website starting October 18, and then a few days later in stores on October 22.

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