Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 341

September 21st, 2015 by Karen 30 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.

Have you ever taken candy from a stranger?
Does gum on an airplane count?? Because those are the only times I can remember — having someone on an airplane offer me a stick of gum, and I took it partly to be polite, because I figured, if I’m gonna be stuck next to the same person for five hours, I want to be cool with them, you know? Plus — and I realize that this is very doomsday of me — if the sh*t ever hits the fan on a plane, you better believe I want an ally.

So, long story short — yes, I have taken candy from strangers.

Sorry, mom! I know you told me never to do that…

Does lining your water line freak you out?
Nah, not really…but I think that’s because I wear contacts, so I’m used to having objects all up in my eyeball grill.

If I didn’t wear contacts though…

An urban legend that scared you as a kid?
Oh, gosh — Bloody Mary scared the crap out of me!

Remember that one, where if you looked into a mirror in a dark room and said “Bloody Mary” three times, the ghost of a woman was supposed to appear next to you in the mirror?

It was all the rage at slumber parties for some reason…but I was always too terrified to try it! And when another girl would do it, I’d run away to a different room in the house and start reciting The Lord’s Prayer over and over, LOL!

Yes, I was that child…

Even after all these years, I still get shivers from this story!
Have you been doing much cooking lately?
Not so much lately because of Baby Girl. I didn’t really feel like it for the first couple months of pregnancy. I pretty much hated all food stuffs except for select breakfast items…but I’m over it and starting to eat more normally again, which means that I’m getting back into cooking (also, one can only eat so many frozen waffles before they hit their limit).

Thank goodness for El Hub. He did his best to keep us both fed while I refused to go anywhere near the kitchen.

Something you realized you had to get over?
I realized that I had to get over perfectionism. It’s usually referred to as if it’s a good thing, but it’s usually not. It has gotten in my way so many times throughout my life and held me back in more ways than I care to admit.

I’ve realized that it’s usually better to just go ahead and finish things on a schedule, by a deadline, even if the work isn’t picture-perfect in your head.

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

1. Have you ever taken candy from a stranger?
2. Does lining your water line freak you out?
3. An urban legend that scared you as a kid?
4. Have you been doing much cooking lately?
5. Something you realized you had to get over?

Good morning, sweet girl! Hello from the sun-shiny Northern California side of the keyboard. I’ve got a warm cup of green tea (decaf, of course) here and a tabby supervising me from across the room, so it’s been a great morning so far.

I feel amped up, and I think it might have to do with the green smoothie I had a little while ago. It was my first one in months (veggies and I have been mortal enemies since mid-June). Amazing what a little liquified greens can do…

I hope your Monday is going well. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 364

September 20th, 2015 by Karen 6 Comments

Cat purr-sues literacy

DEAR TABBY: I really enjoy it when my assistant reads to me. I find it very soothing, and I would love to be able to read to her and, in the future, to other cats. My assistant has been kind enough to tutor me, but I’m having a hard time picking it up. I used to think that I was a quick study because I’ve learned how to open the cupboards at the office, and I also understand doors, but this whole reading thing is going over my head.

I was wondering if you happened to know of any good reading programs for cats (free or paid), or if you have any tips. — EAGER READER IN REDDING

P.S. My friend Earl helped me write this letter because I couldn’t do it myself. 🙁

DEAR EAGER READER: I admire your stick-to-itiveness. Please know that you’re not the only cat out there who struggles with reading. It’s actually a very common issue — so common that I started an organization to help called Cats for Literacy. We have after-school programs for young kittens and evening programs for adult cats who want to improve their reading skills. Visit the website at catsforliteracy.org to find a program near you.

Once you’re more comfortable with the fundamentals, practice by reading things you enjoy. I highly recommend Cat Fancy for its stunning photography and engaging profiles. And, of course, my column here.

I know that with dedicated study, you’ll be able to read Dear Tabby entirely on your own.

Cat deals with heavy petting

DEAR TABBY: My kitty modeling agency is small compared to yours, but even at my level, I’ve learned that good help is hard to find. My one and only assistant is great in many ways. She’s punctual, energetic when it comes to keeping me entertained with feather toys, and she’s a fantastic cook and gravy preparer, but she’s also the worst masseuse I have ever known. She has absolutely THE WORST petting technique.

She taps my head like I’m a dog and even — I kid you not — literally rubs me the wrong way.

I understand that every assistant has their strengths and weaknesses, and nobody is perfect. I definitely don’t expect perfection, but even if we could just slightly improve her petting abilities, it would be a big improvement.

I hope that my assistant doesn’t read this because I don’t want to hurt her feelings. Overall, I think she’s doing a wonderful job.

Tabby, what do you think I should do? Have you ever had an assistant that was great in so many ways but lacking in one particular area? And have you had much success sending employees to get outside training? — TOO MUCH TAPPING IN TOPEKA

DEAR TOO MUCH TAPPING: Of course I’d never admit this to my assistants because I like to keep them on their toes, but both of them are primo, top-notch at petting. I have, however, experienced a similar issue with one of my employee’s family members. My female employee’s mother does the same exact thing, and it drives me batty.

Here’s what I do: I let her get one or two pets in, but then after the third one I gently nip her on her hand — not to draw blood, but just as a reminder of who’s boss.

She’ll come at me again, of course — they always do — so I’ll repeat the process until she gets the technique right.

If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to escalate the situation, and I recommend dropping gentle hints. Print out a guide to successfully petting your cat. Google it. There are tons of them online. And place that on her desk first thing in the morning with a sticky that says, “FYI.”
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Comment to Win a $50 eGift Card From MAC! (Ends Monday)

September 19th, 2015 by Karen 386 Comments

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

I’m kind of on the fence about my latest TV obsession, the new Beverly Hills 90210, except that it’s not new at all, because it’s from 2008.

Netflix, ya know? I watch so many things I never would have found, but I started watching it, and I’m wondering, are any of the actors actually in their teens?? I mean, it takes place at West Beverly High School. Couldn’t they have hired an actual teenager for at least one of the parts?

But I digress…

How’s it going, my friend? What are you up to this weekend? I’m absolutely not excited about it, but I have to do some housecleaning. 🙁 Since El Hub thinks he spotted a mouse in the kitchen the other day, I am officially freaked out. I’m also extremely disappointed in Tabs for failing in his duties as the company’s lead mouser. I’m starting to wonder if he fibbed on his resume.

Right now, though, I’m on my way to another one of those Sephora classes. This one’s called Perfectly Paired Lips and Cheeks.

These classes are great, BTW! You should totally look into them. They’re fun, and because they’re early in the morning, they help me get an early start on the day. Four stars and two thumbs up!

I hope you’re doing something fun today. Talk to you soon, and good luck in the giveaway.

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:
- Something you’re always very careful about?
- A saying that drives you crazy?
- I know this is TMI but…
- Something you’ve gotten very good at lately?
- Finish the sentence, “With my makeup I never…”
- My significant other has [ADJECTIVE] [NOUN].
One entry per person.
You must use a valid email address to win.
The giveaway ends on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Current Nail Polish Situation: MAC Blog This and Simply Swinging

September 19th, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

It’s gonna be a purple paw weekend! I’m wearing two of the polishes from the new MAC MACnificent Me! collection, which arrives online September 21 on the MAC website and at stores and counters October 1 through November 12.

The lighter purple is called Simply Swinging, and the darker one is Blog This! — a name that I totally love. 🙂 I’m wearing two layers of each.

With MAC nail polishes, I find that I really need to wear them with a base and top coat; otherwise, they’re chip city within a day.

I used Sally Hansen’s Green Tea Bamboo as the base coat with OPI’s Top Coat on top, and so far, so good! I’ve only had the mani two days, but I haven’t seen a chip yet.

Oh! — if you’re wondering, the bag is by Sonia Kashuk.

What’s your mani situation heading into this weekend? Are you sporting freshly painted paws today? Lacquer-loving minds want to know. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC MACnificent Me! Collection | Video Review, Pics and Swatches

September 18th, 2015 by Karen 16 Comments

mac macnificent me eye shadow x 9 — MAC MACnificent Me: Eye Shadow X 9 ($40)

So, what would be MACnificent right now? How about a vanilla milkshake and some fries!? But that just might be me doin’ my #pregnantladythings. The upside of the new MAC MACnificent Me! collection is that everything is calorie-free!

What makes you MACnificent? Is it your impeccable style, your sense of humor or your ability to wear crazy colors on your lids and lips and make them look completely legit?

Whatever it is, I think you’ll be able to find something of interest in the new MAC MACnificent Me! fall 2015 collection. 🙂

mac macnificent me eye shadow X 9 2 — MAC MACnificent Me: Eye Shadow X 9 ($40)

mac macnificent me eye shadow — MAC MACnificent Me Eye Shadow in Cheer Me On, Well Behaved and Everyone’s Darling ($16 each)

This collection has a neat twist. The six models for the campaign, whose identities haven’t been announced yet (as of Sept. 18, 2015), were chosen from among the zillions of MAC fans who submitted their picture and bios and answered the question, “What makes you MACnificent?”

The collection drops on the MAC website September 21, and then arrives a little later on MAC counters and stores October 1 through November 12.

And it’s a huge one! — 42 pieces, with a number of traditionally fall-ish items like dark berry and plum lip colors.

Here’s a glimpse…

mac macnificent me paint pots — MAC MACnificent Me Paint Pots from the left: Stroke My Ego, Imaginary and Nice Composure ($22 each)

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How to Do Perfect Red Lips

September 18th, 2015 by Karen 24 Comments

Some things are really hard — climbing Mount Everest, saying no to the last French fry, learning how to breakdance when you’re over 30 and completely inflexible (particularly in the hamstrings) — but other things, like achieving a perfect red lip, aren’t that hard at all.

Smooth, symmetrical red lips with crisp, yet not harsh, edges are easy with the right tools, a few tips and a little practice. By the end of this post, you will NOT look like a demented clown about to go on a rampage at a children’s birthday party (although this happens sometimes when I try to do lip liner on bare lips). Pretty soon you’ll be doing ’em like a seasoned pro.

So, let’s start at the very beginning, which is a very good place to start. 🙂

Um…I think I may or may not have just quoted Sound of Music, but whatever!

1. Apply lipstick to the center area of your lips

Begin by applying (directly from the bullet) the red lipstick you’d like to wear around the center area of your lips. The key here: don’t take the lipstick all the way out to the edges.

At this point, as is the case so often with makeup, if you’re doing it right, it’ll look kinda weird…

2. Now drag the lipstick out to your natural lip line

Using a lip brush loaded with the same red lipstick, fill in the edges around the area you applied from the bullet a moment ago, dragging some of the existing lipstick out while also painting all the way to the edge of your lip line. We’re doing this because the brush is more detailed than the lipstick bullet.

Try to get that lip line smooth and even, but it doesn’t have to be perfect at this point.

3. Line your lips with a lip liner in a complementary color

Now set aside the lip brush, and grab a sharpened red lip liner (sharpen it first, because we want the point to be nice and sharp) in a color that complements your lipstick.

Take that lip liner, and start drawing a line right around the edge of your lip, following your natural lip line, and we have two reasons for this. First, we’re creating a boundary for our red lipstick outside of which we won’t go, and second, we’re also using this as an opportunity to tweak the shape of our lips, if need be, to make them look perfectly symmetrical. Like, one side of my lips is thinner than the other, so I slightly overdraw that side at this step to make my lips look even and full.

Next, with the same lip brush you used earlier, although this time without any extra product on it, gently merge the line you created with your lip pencil into the lipstick to soften the appearance of the lip liner.
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Fri-Yay Makeup Fun: Glossy Lids and Winged Liner

September 18th, 2015 by Karen 19 Comments

Winged liner.

Sometimes I wanna wear it with eyeshadow; sometimes I wanna wear it with eye gloss.

Yeah, that’s right! Eye gloss — the super shiny stuff, which isn’t known for being eminently wearable, not with that glistening, glossy finish that gleams and beams, but I think it can look super cool when paired with something unexpected like winged liner.

In this look, I love the contrast between the glossy, wet-looking lids and the crisp black liner. It’s like I just got back from charging the waves! Surfer girl meets sassy secretary. 🙂

Make the red lip a matte, and you’ve got an unusual, interesting twist on a classic black winged liner-red lip combo.

The best part of this look is that it’s easy to do, which for me makes it perfect for Fridays when my mind is on other things (like pumpkin spice lattes).

Starting with bare lids, just curl your lashes if you need to (mine are pin straight, so this is a must). Then draw your winged liner, and tight-line your upper water line.

Wait for the liner to dry, and then apply and pat a clear eye gloss on your lids from lash line to brow bone (I don’t go too far into the inner corner with the gloss; otherwise, it starts to look heavy and a little weird).

Finish by loading up your lashes with mascara.

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FYH (For Your Hair): Side Part or Center Part?

September 18th, 2015 by Karen 39 Comments

For me, side part all the way. I’ve always had one, even back when I was a kid.

The evidence…

Just call me the Karate Kid — Back when my hair looked like Ralph Macchio’s from *The Karate Kid*

Try for a second to not be distracted by the terrible hair or the short-shorts (what can I say? It was the ’80s), and focus on the hair part. It’s slightly off center. We’ll call this the early beginnings of a side part.

And years later, during my hair bear phase (again, I have no excuse, other than the fact that it was the ’80s), the side part cemented its reign by dominating my bangs…

This was my eighth-grade school picture. From what I can recall, I was very disappointed with my hair that day because the bangs were not nearly high enough.

Please note the braces and full, lush, untouched brows.

What I wouldn’t give to have those brows back…

But this post isn’t about brows! It’s about parts — and I want to know about yours: do you have a side part or center? 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen