Beauty Tips

9 New Year’s Weight Loss Tips

January 5th, 2008 by Karen 50 Comments

How are those New Year’s resolutions coming along? I know that a bunch of you really wanted to make it a priority to lose weight and get fit, and I’m right there with ya!

2008 started off with several cardio and weight lifting sessions, but on Thursday I caught a bad cold, so I haven’t been to the gym in a few days. Once I get over this nasty cold, though, the fitness will again be on like Donkey Kong! Are ya with me?

First up: planning my workouts. I found an old issue of Women’s Health, a magazine I love, with a cardio and weights plan, and I’ve scheduled January sessions into my calendar. Once I commit those workouts to paper, they’re etched in stone (paper, actually). No excuses. They become like scheduled business meetings. Each workout gets me closer and closer to my goal, and big goals are all about baby steps.

Anyway, last week I got a few nice e-mails from readers asking for weight loss tips. Richard Simmons, I am not (no one else works those short shorts like he does), but I’ve got a few tricks that have helped me lose some poundage in the past, and I’m happy to share them with ya.

1. Ready, set, go!

I enjoy exercise, so getting motivated usually isn’t my problem, but I do have tough days. When I’m not feeling the spirit, I resort to good ol’ fashioned mental trickery.

If I’m feeling lazy and stuck on the couch, I strike a deal with myself: I put on my gym clothes, prep my water bottle and iPod, and slip into my running shoes. Then, I stand totally ready at the door with my keys in hand. If after all that preparation I still don’t feel like exercising, then I am allowed to skip out on my workout.

I don’t know why, but once I’m all dressed up and standing in the doorway with keys in hand, I almost always think to myself, “What the hell, I’m already dressed and ready to go. I might as well.”

I’ve been using this trick for years, and I’ve never actually taken the option to ditch the gym. Weird, huh?

2. Bookmark the USDA National Nutrient Database.

The biggest thing that helped me lose weight before my wedding was understanding and tracking how many calories went in and out. When I started not only watching what I ate, but also understanding how many miles I’d have to walk or run to burn off that brownie, it changed everything. I was finally able to lose weight.

Along with reading nutritional labels on food, I started using the USDA National Nutrient Database to help me learn how many calories were in the foods I ate.

What makes the site really handy is that you can search on different food serving sizes. Say, if I want to know how many calories are in a cup of raw broccoli, or in a single stalk, or in a given weight of broccoli, the site will tell me.

In addition to providing caloric information, the site provides the minerals, fats and amino acid (protein) content of foods, but the numbers I usually look at are just energy in kcal (calories), protein and fat.

What works for me is writing down everything I eat, including portion size (1 cup, 2 cups, etc.) and calories per serving. At the end of the day I add up all of the numbers and subtract the amount of calories I’ve burned from exercising. Having the numbers lets me track my progress.

3. Buy pants that make your butt look cute.

Why are gyms so often covered in 360 degree mirrors? It’s just cruel.

It ain’t rocket science, but I figure if I’m going to be staring at myself jiggling up and down from all angles, I might as well look cute.

I walked into the Lululemon Althetica store a few weeks ago and asked the sales girl to find me a pair of pants that made my butt look “super hot” (No, I’m not making this up). She put me in a pair of their bestselling exercise pant, Reverse Groove.

It’s reversible, wicks and does a pretty good job of making my big ol’ bum look grab-worthy. You won’t lose 10 pounds on the spot, but at least a cute gym outfit makes it that much easier to stare at your bad self in the mirror.

4. Cut it up.

I have a very intense sweet tooth, and when it kicks in I have a hard time resisting my cravings. I don’t deny myself sweets when I’m watching my diet, but if I decide to indulge there are a few things I’ll think about beforehand.

First, I’ll look at my numbers and see how many calories I’ve eaten and burned. If I worked out extra hard that day, and I have the extra calories available, then I’ll have my treat. But, if I know the snack would take me over my calorie limit, I’ll skip it and tell myself that if I’m still craving it tomorrow, I can work it into tomorrow’s meal plan. It gives me a little something to look forward to.

What I crave most often is chocolate, and in particular the fudge slice cake at Safeway. When I’m craving it I’ll cut one slice up into fourths. Then, I’ll just eat one fourth that day and save the rest for later on in the week. That way, I don’t feel like I’m depriving myself, and my sweet tooth gets satisfied.

5. Speaking of shoes…

Certain activities are high impact and hard on your body. If you plan to do much running, then get yourself some good shoes. Go to a specialty running shoe store and have your running stride analyzed. A trained sales clerk will study your stride and recommend shoes that fit based on how your feet hit the ground. I first did this in 1996 and learned that my left foot is neutral (meaning that the ball and heel hit the ground evenly), and my right foot overpronates (my ankle tends to roll out). Don’t settle for shoes designed for someone else’s feet. Find a shoe that works for you.

6. Wear one earbud.

I know it’s safest to run without earphones on because you can hear traffic and aren’t distracted, but sometimes I need the extra kick I get from music. If I’m going to run with my iPod, then I wear one earbud and leave the other ear free. It takes a little getting used to, but that way I can still hear cars and traffic around me. To keep that earbud in place, I take the one I’m not using, stick it underneath my shirt and then weave it underneath my bra strap. That keeps it from flying all over the place.

7. Pick up a few workout DVDs.

Marin County floods at least a few times each winter, so I have a backup plan for when I can’t make it to the gym: exercise DVDs. I’ll do yoga or watch a dance class in my living room. It’s not the same as running four miles on the treadmill, but it’s better than nothing, and I don’t have to put on my contacts or brush my hair to visit the living room. Hell, I could even wear my pajamas.

To keep myself interested and the workouts fresh, I rent different workout DVDs from Netflix. That way, I don’t have to spend a lot of money on DVDs and can switch up my workouts. Netflix has a huge selection of workout DVDs, and plans start from $5/month.

And if I can’t make it to the gym and don’t have a workout DVD I’m interested in doing, I pop in season three of Sex and the City (the pinnacle of the series, IMHO) and hop on my portable exercise bike. Next thing I know, poor Aiden’s heart gets broken, an hour has passed, and I’m really, really sweaty.

8. Drink lots of water.

Drinking massive amounts of water helps keep hunger away (and has the added benefit of clearing my skin). A couple glasses of water before and during meals also stops me from overeating.

9. And speaking of drinks…

One quick way to cut calories is to dilute juice drinks. If I’m hankering for orange juice, I’ll fill my glass half way with OJ and the rest with water. I don’t like overly sweet drinks, so it doesn’t bother me, but if you can’t stand the taste, you can start slowly by mixing 3/4 juice, 1/4 water. Just remember that a full glass of orange juice (regular 8 oz glass) has about 100 calories, so 1/4 of a glass has 25 (or 5 minutes on the exercise bike).

If you intend to lose weight in 2008, I feel your pain. I hope you’re making progress on your goals. What are your favorite weight loss tips?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Beauty Snacks on the Run

January 2nd, 2008 by Karen 27 Comments

Variety is the spice of life, they say. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for new things to try, aka new “beauty snacks” to help me through my workouts.

fussytabby-beauty-snacks-final

Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you get to skip the SPF, or the exercise. A half hour before I leave the house for a quick run around the neighborhood I smear Shiseido sunblock on my face and neck. Then, right before stepping outside I apply Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream Lip Protectant Stick on my lips. This clear stick moisturizes and protects my lips with SPF 15. Don’t you hate it when your hair whips around in the wind and gets stuck in your gloss? It never happens when I’m wearing this because it isn’t sticky. It’s light and smells a little like 8-Hour Cream, but the scent fades quickly.

I don’t always remember to use SPF on my lips before exercising, so as a gentle reminder to myself I keep my tube of this in my running shoes. Right before I leave for a walk or a run, I place the tube in the space where I keep my shoes and then put it back into a shoe when I’m back home again.

A tube is $17 online and can also be found in many of the Elizabeth Arden vending machines that are popping up all over the place.

A hot limited edition red from Essie

It may not be sandal season, but I still gotta have my toes done or my feet look like monkey paws. I’ve been digging this groovy red polish from Essie. It’s a limited edition shade called “E! Live from the Red Carpet.” Red like the red carpet, get it? I’m really picky about my reds, and I really like this because the color has a lot of warmth. If you like tomato red shades on your tootsies, then I think you’ll like it. A bottle is $8 and available at salons and Ulta stores.

Official pervert status achieved

Singer Chris Brown is too cute. And the boy sure can dance. I feel a little weird because I just found out he’s 18, holy crap. Is it strange that I just want to hang out with him so that I can feed him homemade cookies and warn him about loose women?

Hot stuff, part one: Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel

Nor Cal’s “cold” winter continues and so does my need to seek out any and all things warm. Right now I’m drinking some Mighty Leaf Tea (African Nectar rocks!) and waiting for my Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel mask to work its magic.

A dermabrasion-peel treatment in a tube, this exfoliating treatment unclogs pores, reduces fine lines and wrinkles and removes dead skin cells without leaving my skin feeling tight or dry. And it’s oil-free and non-acnegenic to boot.

This bad boy has three types of exfoliators:

beta hydroxy acid – removes dead skin and smoothes rough patches;
acetyl glucosamine – loosens the bond between the old layers of skin on the face (eww) to reveal new skin underneath;
and natural exfoliants of bamboo extract and finely milled pumice for physical resurfacing.

The best part about this mask is the warming sensation. Five minutes after I slather a layer on my face, I wet my fingertips and start massaging the mask. That triggers the product to warm. I’m not talking wimpy heat from the touch of my fingers – it gets really warm and feels sooo nice, especially when I’m freezing.

The warming sensation comes from magnesium sulfate, dimethicone and silica. It not only feels nice but also softens skin and opens pores.

At $45 it ain’t cheap, but one tube should last a while. It leaves my skin feeling super soft and glowing.

Yes, hair helps keep you warm, but it ain’t cute when it’s on your upper lip

Upper lip hair is like Tila Tequlia on MTV – it appears out of nowhere and then is suddenly all over the frickin’ place.

In between paragraphs, I actually got rid of my ‘stache with Sally Hansen Hair Removal Wax Strip Kit for Face, Brows and Bikini ($7). In three minutes, I pulled out a Sally Hansen Wax removal strip, warmed it up between my palms, pressed it onto my upper lip hair and then ripped it off (quickly, of course) for a smooth and hair-free upper lip. Hooray, no more Magnum P.I. lip!

The box says you can use these on your brows and bikini line, but I only use them for upper lip hair because I find that the strips aren’t shaped well for use on my brows, and the wax isn’t strong enough for hair removal on the bikini line.

Doesn’t this Wednesday feel like Monday? I think I need another cuppa coffee.

Have a wonderful day, and I hope you’re all recovered from your New Year’s festivities!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Looks Back on 2007

December 31st, 2007 by Karen 29 Comments

Ahhh, the last day of 2007. I always get a little sad when I know something is coming to an end; I guess it’s the thought of a part of my life ending and knowing I’ll never be able to go back (unless I drop $10 million for those time travel plans on eBay).

When I started this blog, I never imagined how much fun it would be. This year has been, to quote my eighth grade East Bay self circa 1989, “hella cool.”

Dita Von Teese – Interviewing MAC Viva Glam spokesperson Dita Von Teese at the Macy’s Passport fashion show was a trip. She was so stunningly beautiful and I was so nervous. The other day, I listened to the audio recording of the interview and laughed because I even SOUNDED sweaty.

Paris Hilton – The Dita experience really helped, though, when the time came to interview Paris Hilton for the release of Can Can, her new perfume. It was a level of celebrity that I’d never experienced before — body guards, press folks, rabid fans foaming at the mouth. It was the first time I’d interviewed a really high profile celebrity AND the first time I had to do it in a room filled with people watching me. What a learning experience.

SF Fashion Week – But my favorite event of the year was hanging out with MAC backstage at SF Fashion Week. I fell in love with a few products, learned a lot and met other beauty bloggers, like Erika and Christine.

Laura Mercier – There was plenty of Laura Mercier love last spring.

Tokidoki bag – The Tokidoki bag fit all my stuff AND rocked my world.

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash – Unfortunately, I experienced getting pimples on my butt for the first time. Fortunately, Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash saved my ass (pardon the pun).

43 makeup things – Thanksgiving was an excuse to eat turkey, wear stretchy pants and think about the 43 makeup things I’m thankful for.

43 non-makeup things – Thanksgiving also provided an opportunity to give thanks for everything else.

Chanel Glossimers – I became a fiend for Chanel Glossimers.

Philosophy’s Purity Made Simple – And Purity Made Simple simply rocked my world.

Chanel Garden Party Quad – Chanel’s National Artist John Fussell helped me fall in love with the Chanel Garden Party Quad, and now there’s no turning back!

Smashbox’s Lori Taylor – Smashbox’s Lori Taylor gave some backstage tips from L.A. Fashion Week.

Billy B. – I met and interviewed one of the nicest guys in the beauty biz.

MAC’s awesome Louise Zizzo – Louise Zizzo saved me from myself when the MAC Mattene collection came out.

Celebrity makeup artist Bruce Grayson – Bruce Grayson’s makeup tips from the Emmy’s red carpet.

Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog – I heard from Shy in Chi-town.

Guide to Smart Clubbing – You asked for tough love, and in the Guide to Smart Clubbing I gave it to ya (hey, I’ve had a lot of practice).

Curiositease – And my number one makeup love, MAC, didn’t let me down.

Pigments and Glitters – Remember when I was grouchy about Pigments and Glitters?

MAC Loose Beauty Powder – I fell in love.

Smoke Signals – It rocked my world.

MAC Mad Libs – We had a lil’ fun together.

MAC Mattene lipsticks – Where’s my plaid shirt and my Pearl Jam CD? MAC Mattene lipsticks took me back to the 90s.

A quick smokey eye with MAC shadow – Oh, this is old school.

But the best thing that happened to me this year was meeting all of you. It’s been fun getting to know you and learning about your lives. You’d think that it would be hard to make a connection behind a computer screen, but sometimes I feel like we’re all just having a cup of coffee together and gabbing about makeup.

I hope you make the most of this fantastic last day of the year!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Beauty Tips from … Van Halen

December 7th, 2007 by Karen 25 Comments

Everything I ever needed to know about beauty I learned from Van Halen.

Okay, maybe not everything, but closer analysis of the picture below reveals several key tenants of looking good, no matter your age.

Might as well jump!

van-halen

1. Avoid crunchy hair. Keep it soft and natural looking.

Whatever decade you’re in, crunchy hair is never cute. In this pic, the boys of Van Halen manage to keep their manes looking big, yet touchable; each band member has hair you could easily run your fingers through. Soft, moveable hair always looks great, whether you’re cruising Sephora or banging your head on stage.

2. If you’re going to go trendy, stick to one trend at a time.

Notice how the only band member who doesn’t look completely insane is Michael Anthony, the bass player sporting a white t-shirt and jeans. I like trends as much as the next girl, but too many at one time is usually a bad idea.

I could probably forgive Eddie Van Halen for wearing overalls without a shirt, but the fact that the overalls are in a red camo print makes this completely unacceptable. Too many trends at one time, Eddie!

And would someone please explain why leggings keep coming back in style? If you’re going to wear leggings, choose a basic color, please!

David Lee Roth’s tight red leggings cause my eyes to beg for mercy. Had he chosen basic black, at least he would’ve looked classic, like pictures of Mikhail Baryshinikov during his prime ballet dancing years.

3. Shoes can make or break the outfit.

Although David Lee Roth is rocking those unforgivable red superhero tights, he does get a few points for the gold and red sequined boots.

Creative footwear almost always trumps boring, lunch lady comfort shoes in the fashion department. If I have to stare at you for any length of time, please don’t make me look at some boring, ugly shoes that send me directly into REM sleep.

4. Stretch.

Check out David Lee Roth’s high kick. Wowee, wow, wow! Homeboy could’ve been a rockette! Yes, doing cardio and lifting weights is important to staying fit, but one cannot neglect the importance of stretching.

If left to my own devices I’d never stretch — I’m not flexible at all — so I have to force myself to sneak in some stretching while watching reality TV, which seems to make it less of a chore.

5. Go for clothes that skim but don’t hug your curves.

I know I’m picking on poor Diamond Dave for those awful red pants, but, seriously, they didn’t have to be two sizes too small. If you’ve got a tight body by all means work it. But leaving a little room for the imagination never hurts.

V/H on the D/L

I can’t lie… for many years I kept my love for Van Halen on the down low. Growing up, my friends and I mostly listened to hip hop.

I remember my best friend getting the RUN D.M.C.’s Raising Hell tape and listening to the song It’s Tricky for three straight days until we memorized the lyrics. Yes, girl, I said TAPE, which meant hitting the rewind button and waiting a good 30 seconds before the song played again!

There was no world outside the realm of rap or R&B, so when I “discovered” the extensive genre of mid-80’s butt rock (Van Halen, Bon Jovi, etc.) I felt that I had to keep it secret or face being labeled a hip hop pariah.

Of course, looking back on this after 20 years, it’s all so funny to me now, but I still remember the pressure I felt to fit in.

To all the young ladies reading this blog, if you’re feeling like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole, know that you aren’t alone. Keep your chin up, sweetie, because it does get better. Finding your way just takes some time. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Total Beauty Debuts Today

December 6th, 2007 by Karen 6 Comments

Hey ya’ll … Makeup and Beauty Blog is now part of the new Total Beauty network, WOOT!

Total Beauty brings together tips and reviews from a huge network of beauty bloggers just like me.

If you like reading my blog and want to show some love, please visit the “Blogs We Love” section and click on the Makeup and Beauty Blog link!

Show your girl some love, ya’ll!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Beauty Snacks

December 6th, 2007 by Karen 21 Comments

I have a very dysfunctional relationship with the neighbor’s wretched tabby cat. He comes by a few times a week and meows at my door, begging for snacks. I let him in. I feed and pet him. He bites me. He leaves. It’s like this every single time. He’s such a user, but I fall for it every time.

Anyway, the beast came by yesterday for a visit and as he nibbled my arm I started thinking, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we all had somebody who would give us beauty snacks?”

fussytabby-beauty-snacks-final Beauty Snacks (like Scooby Snacks, but cooler)

Sephora sales

Did you know that if you type the word “sale” into the search bar on Sephora’s Web site, you get a list of everything on the site that’s discounted? I do this often and find lots cool stuff perfect for holiday stocking stuffers — brushes, makeup, body products — for less than $10.00.

Some products have deep discounts, like this NARS Hot Sauce lip palette, on sale for $30.00 (originally $50.00).

nars-lip-palette-hot-sauce

I run the Sephora sale search a few times a week ’cause I like a good deal. You know your girl loves a sale!

Daily Motivator

At the risk of appearing completely cheesy, I thought I’d share a special site with you because, frankly, it has saved my butt on many occasions. When I’m feeling blue, or when things get crazy, and I need to check myself (before I wreck myself), I visit the Daily Motivator for quick shots of wisdom. Some might find Ralph Marston’s daily motivators and observations corny, but I like ’em. They help me stay motivated and remind me to keep things in perspective.

Use the force, Luke

daily-motivator

Taye Diggs: Hottie, actor … hip hop dancer?!?!

My friend J-Money sent me an e-mail yesterday inviting me to a one-time, advanced hip hop class taught by master dance teacher, TAYE DIGGS (star of one of my fave movies, Brown Sugar). Did ya’ll know Taye could dance? I sure as heck didn’t. I’m going to the two-hour class in February. You better believe I’ll be hustling for a spot up in the front so I can watch him, um, teach.

Hopefully Taye will teach in this outfit

taye-diggs-jazz-hands-hearts-final

Neutrogena Soft Color Blush

Damn, these blushes rule. They’re cheap (about $6.00 for a huge pan), look natural and are easy to apply. When I’m in a hurry, these are my go-to blushes because they don’t streak (even on bare skin), blend easily and aren’t chalky.

If you’re blush shy or new to blush then these are good starter products (ditch the included brush, though, ’cause it’s useless). I have Sunny Spice, Divine Wine and Soft Suede colors in my collection.

Back to MAC Program

Yesterday, while I was rifling through one of the several piles of makeup in my living room, I found a stash of used MAC Lipglasses and empty brush cleaner bottles. I keep all my used MAC stuff so I can participate in “Back to MAC,” MAC’s recycling program. You bring in six used product packages (lipstick, Lipglasses, compacts, etc.) and get a free lipstick in return. There are a few exceptions, so find out what’s considered a recyclable product on the MAC Web site.

I bet I’m the last person in the world who needs another lipstick, but hey, I’m heading to the counter after work if traffic isn’t bad. What color should I get?

Lazy Beast Cardio 101

Most of the time I love working out and going to the gym, but when it’s cold and rainy I get lazy. On those days, I reach for a workout DVD at home. It won’t substitute for a three-mile run on the treadmill, but it’s better than nothing.

Workout DVD’s can be expensive, so I rent mine from Netflix. Their huge selection helps stave off workout boredom. Right now I’m really missing Hawaii, so I’ve been doing a 30-minute hula workout called “Island Girl Dance Fitness Workout for Beginners.”

The workout is low impact, but it sure works up a sweat. I love the tropical scenery, and I’m a sucker for upbeat island music.

Coffee break

Mmm, coffee. I can’t survive without my morning cup. Coffee’s tasty but it stains teeth like crazy! I asked my dentist what I could do and she suggested using a straw, so I keep a pack of bendable straws in the kitchen cupboard and always use them when I drink coffee, tea and red wine at home. It’s weird at first — I like sipping my coffee through my front teeth, and my friends and El Hub gave me a lot of crap for it — but eventually I got used to it. Now my teeth stay sparklin’ white.

Girl, wherever you are I hope it’s warm because it’s cold around my ‘hood! How are you holding up in this rain?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Makeup and Beauty Tips from Paris Hilton

November 18th, 2007 by Karen 86 Comments

Tip #1: Wear a scent that means something to you.

For some people, scent is highly tied to memory, like how a whiff of men’s Eternity can bring back memories of one’s lame ex-boyfriend (I’m not bitter).

I used to sneak a spritz or two of my mom’s Chanel No. 5 when I was a wee child. For Paris, the fragrances of Jean Patou hold a special place in her heart.

The first perfume she ever wore was Jean Patou’s 1000 because her mom wore it when Paris was young. Jean Patou’s Joy was another one. “It just smells like my grandma,” said Paris. “She always used to wear it. She passed away from breast cancer a few years ago, so it kind of reminds me of her when I wear it.”

Paris signs a pic for a fan at the CAN CAN release event held at Macy’s Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California on November 17, 2007

Just as fragrance can influence how we feel, it also affects how people remember us. That’s why Paris decided to make perfumes. “I wanted to do a fragrance because I feel like it’s such a big part of life.”

CAN CAN was really personal for her. She enlisted the help of friends and family in making it. Step one was to create a batch of sample fragrances with the help of a perfumer — one of those professional smell expert gurus — based on some of her favorite scents. With her three or four favorites in tow, she went home to do a little good ole’ fashioned market research. “I’ll have them smell,” said Paris of her friends and family, “and see what they like best.” With their input, she chose the fragrance she thought would appeal to the widest audience. The result was CAN CAN, a fruity floral with notes of clementine flower, cassis, nectarine, musk and amber.

This is the fourth fragrance campaign for Paris, who also did campaigns for her other perfumes: Heiress, Just Me and Paris Hilton. CAN CAN is the fourth campaign but the first with a distinct theme. She called it the best of the photo shoots she’s done for a fragrance so far. She danced and posed on a Moulin Rouge themed set while her self-titled debut album, Paris, played in the background. “We’ve always done really beautiful shots,” she said, “but not really a theme, so it was really fun.”

Paris is often reminded of how her fragrances can influence every day life. Dudes and chicks stop her on the street to tell her that they’re wearing her stuff. “I always go and smell them,” she said. I wore CAN CAN on the day I did this interview, so from now on every time I catch a whiff of it I’ll remember that day. I almost shoved my wrist up her nose at one point but thought it faux pas.

Thousands of rabid fans showed up to the event. Apparently it pays to be tall when you’re jostling other Paris fans for camera phone pics.

Tip #2: Rock the lipgloss.

CHANEL Glossimer lipgloss, YES!

Paris was rocking a fierce look in our interview. She was wearing a sleeveless cream top and black skirt by BCBG and hot pink Christian Dior shoes. Ladies and gents, you know how your girl loves the shoes. I briefly thought about stopping the interview to have my photographer (El Hub) take shots of Paris’ fantabulous footwear, but alas, I only had six minutes to get through all my questions. So sorry, fellow shoe lovers!

Paris-hilton-interview-can-can-valley-fair-santa-clara-macys-close-up

For her makeup, Paris wore a silver, sparkly eye with thick black liner on the top lid along with a soft flushed cheek. She had on MAC shadow and Max Factor blush. The focal point of her look was a pink lip topped with a layer of Chanel Glossimer lipgloss in Astral #104. “I love the glitter in it,” she said.

For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to motivate myself to do stuff by using Chanel makeup as a self-motivator — i.e. Karen does ‘X’ tasks and gets two tubes of Chanel lipgloss — but after seeing Paris wearing Glossimer, I’m afraid I’m going to cave, like, really soon. Perhaps tomorrow, even. Girlfriend’s lips looked *super hot*.

MAC Prrr Lipglass, YES!

When Paris is working, she spends a lot of time in hair and makeup with her stylists and makeup artists, so on her days off she doesn’t like to wear a lot of makeup. She does love her gloss, though, and can’t live without MAC Prrr Lipglass. “When I’m just like, chilling,” she said, “I’d rather just put on mascara, and like, really cute lipgloss.”

Maybelline Great Lash, NOOOO!

And what is Paris’ mascara of choice on her days off? Maybelline Great Lash, the one from Rite-Aid in the pink and green tube.

I thought, “Are you serious, girlfriend?” I would’ve put my money on Paris being a Diorshow kind of girl. I had some Plushlash in my purse, and I thought about giving it to her as a gesture of goodwill mascara salvation. Paris, girrrrrrl, if you’re reading this, I’m gonna hook you up with some Plushlash, STAT!

Tip #3: Get the glowy look with weekly facials and Kate Somerville products.

Paris is known for her dewy, glowy skin. She said her secret is a weekly facial at Kate Somerville, a spa located down the street from her house. She and Kate are homies, and Paris gets treatments with extractions at the spa when she isn’t too busy with work.

Extractions? I cringed.

I wish you could see Paris’ Christian Dior shoes in this pic. They were *awesome.*

“You know,” she said, “it’s good for you. Everyone should do it. And like Lasergenesis, which makes your skin really, like, plump … it’s just this light that goes on your face.”

Kate Somerville offers a full skin care line, and Hilton is an avid devotee. “I use all Kate’s products,” she said. She can’t live without Nourish moisturizer and Exfolikate (formerly known as Kate in a Jar) exfoliating treatment. On the day of our interview, beside the sparkly eye and lip, Paris’ skin actually had very little shine. It was a very matte skin look, which is really trendy right now.

“I just think it’s good to just take care of yourself and get massages and drink water,” she added.

Tip #4: Planning ahead never hurts, especially when it comes to skin care or the quest for beauty-product world domination.

Paris’ quest for world domination doesn’t stop at the fragrance counter. She is currently working on a makeup line and would also love to create skin care products. Her take home message for skin care: start young! I hear ya, girl. Like I always say, the best anti-aging secret is sunscreen (and don’t forget your neck, oy!).

Tip #5: Be polite and sweet to everyone.

Although I never really watched Paris’ show, “The Simple Life,” I’ve read a lot about her in the news, and truth be told I didn’t know what to expect from this interview. Would she roll her eyes because I wasn’t from Newsweek or the New York Times? Girlfriend did say she didn’t use the Web too much, and she’d never heard of beauty blogs before. Would she spend the entire time text-messaging Nicole on her massive jewel-encrusted smartphone?

To my surprise, she was nice. Although she seemed a bit guarded and heavily media trained, she was sweet and fully engaged throughout the conversation. The moral of this story? Despite all of the drama surrounding Paris in the news, I found her to be a sweet girl who works hard and loves her family.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that it was, dare I say, hot.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Before you jet, beauty lover, check out the home page for more makeup reviews. 🙂

Product Reviews, Makeup, Fragrance, Face of the Day (FOTD), Just for Fun – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume; Clinique Holiday 2007 Happy & Bright Makeup; Weekly Beauty Roundup; Chanel Holiday 2007 Palettes and Glosses

November 4th, 2007 by Karen 26 Comments

More Holiday Wish List 2007 – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume

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It’s been months since I’ve gone surfing and I miss being in the ocean. Just looking at the blue packaging and bottle for Elizabeth Arden’s Mediterranean perfume makes me feel like I’m in Hawaii, sitting on my board and waiting for the next wave to come and carry me away.

Aside from the beautiful bottle and packaging, the best part about this perfume is that the scent isn’t too heavy or cloying. Mediterranean is described on the Elizabeth Arden Web site as a “radiant woody floral.” Imagine a hybrid between the best parts of Fresh’s Lemon Sugar perfume and Covet.

When I spray it on I get an initial burst that’s lemony and white floral. It then dries down to a light, black tea scent. On me Mediterranean smells gender neutral and not overly feminine or sweet.

If you have a girlfriend, sister or mom who likes perfumes that aren’t too sweet then she’ll love this. It would also be a great gift for a friend who loves beachy scents but doesn’t like strong “tropical” notes like pikake or tuberose.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle you see in the pic above is $47.50, but for the holidays Elizabeth Arden’s got a special set that includes the 1.7 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray, Body Lotion and a wee Eau de Parfum replica for $52.00. Don’t you love the extra goodies in gifts sets? I sure do.

A Holiday 2007 Face of the Day with Clinique’s “Happy & Bright” Makeup

Here’s a face of the day I did with Clinique’s Holiday 2007 “Happy & Bright” makeup. What do you think?

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I used the pink shade farthest on the left all over the lid, then the peach shade to highlight the browbone and inner eye. I put the lighter brown shade in the crease and used the darker brown on the far right to line the top and bottom. Then I finished it off with two coats of BECCA The Ultimate Mascara in Black.

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On the cheeks I used the lightest touch of MAC’s Dollymix blush with Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony layered on top.
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I finished the look off with Raspberry Glace Different Lipstick and Camisole Full Potential Lipglass on the lips.

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I really love these colors. They are buildable and pretty much mistake proof. My next Clinique Holiday 2007 mission: use the Pink Truffle quad to create a gentle smoky eye!

Weekend Reading Just For You

Your weekend isn’t over yet! Here’s the latest beauty buzz from The Beauty Blog Network.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic – Christine Explains how Antioxidants Work
A Touch of Blusher – All About Japanese Cosmetics
All Lacquered Up – All Lacquered Up Reviews OPI’s Holiday in Hollywood Dazzling Darks & Neutrals
Beauty and Fashion Tech – Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Homemade rich nail cream
Etailers Mall – The Blog – PlumSmoke
Face Candy – Bridal Beauty
Makeup Moxie’s Beauty Blog – Makeup Moxie Reviews Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
Musings of a Muse – The Muse’s First Look at the Sephora 2007 Catalog
Mystical Beauty’s Musings – How do you feel about your makeup talking to you?
Savvy Skin – Skimpy Thinning Eyebrows
SugarShock – Fragrance Notes: Factory Girl
Temptalia – MAC Curiositease Review, Swatches, and Photos!
Makeup Loves Me – Refreshing Facial at Fresh

And oooh girl, I know you didn’t miss Makeup and Beauty Blog’s MAC Holiday 2007 Curiositease Lip Sets: What to buy, What to pass up!

A Few More Random Thangs Currently Up in My Grill

Because the world is constantly moving toward randomness…here are few tidbits that have crossed my radar in the last few days.

In definance to all the laws of the universe, somehow Christian Bale came SECOND PLACE to Wentworth Miller in Entertainment Weekly’s Ultimate Hottie Poll, BOO!

That’s okay, I’ll comfort you, Chris
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I saw this kid dancing on “The Soup” and I laughed for about 10 minutes straight. I kept rewinding and laughing, rewinding and laughing. He’s my hero.

Not that I need any more TV in my life, but Torchwood on BBC is FANTASTIC. Tivo it, yo!

What’s My Motivation?

Today I was in an infinitely better mood then yesterday because last night I slept twelve hours. No joke. Every moment of sleep was like manna from the heavens. Ahhhh!

In between working it out at the gym and watching the Colts and Patriots game (that Tom Brady is HAWT!) I thought of all the stuff I have to get done this week that I just don’t want to do.

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