Collections

More of a Rebellion Than a Revolution, the New Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipsticks Still Pack Some Pigment Firepower

January 5th, 2015 by Karen 27 Comments

The brand new Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipsticks ($20 each), new for spring 2015

A lot of makeup lines have been doing the sheer lip thing for a while, so really, the idea is NOT that revolutionary anymore.

Like Clinique Black Honey? That’s one of the O.G. sheer lipsticks from the back in the day, so at this point, we can safely assume that a new line of sheer lipsticks will probably not leave you slack-jawed at your desk with drool dribbling from the left corner of your mouth and a mind so completely blown that you may cease to exist on this plane because you’ve been transported to a magical makeup alternate reality…

Let’s face it. The idea has been done before.

That said, Urban Decay’s new Sheer Revolution Lipsticks ($20 each, coming spring 2015) are different in one major way: they’re significantly more pigmented than many sheer lipsticks in the same price range (for instance, the $22 Too Faced La Cremes and $19 Benefit Tinted Tinted Lip Balms), particularly the brighter colors, like hot pink Sheer Anarchy and berry Sheer Shame.

Unfortunately, the nudes in the collection all start to look the same after a while on my pigmented lips…but that’s not unusual for me when it comes to sheer lipsticks and balms.

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipsticks from the top to the bottom: Sheer Ladyflower, Sheer Streak, Sheer F-Bomb, Sheer Liar, Sheer Rapture, Sheer Anarchy, Sheer SHame, Sheer Slowburn, Sheer Obsessed and Sheer Walk of Shame — From top to bottom: Sheer Ladyflower, Sheer Streak, Sheer F-Bomb, Sheer Liar, Sheer Rapture, Sheer Anarchy, Sheer Shame, Sheer Slowburn, Sheer Obsessed and Sheer Walk of Shame

A completely new line of lipsticks en route to the permanent line, these are similar to UD’s current Revolution Lipsticks (same moderately thick, creamy texture), only they’re sheer, or sheerer — maybe about half as pigmented — but all 10 shades are still more pigmented than average for sheer lipsticks from other brands.

Because of the sheer-ish formula, though, if I had to pick just one, I’d choose one of the brighter shades, like fuchsia Sheer Anarchy or berry Sheer Walk of Shame.

I also dig red Sheer F-Bomb and orangey red Sheer Slowburn, but most of the time when I feel like wearing red on my lips, I want to go all out, like with opaque coverage, lip liner — the whole shebang.

These particular reds are like starter reds, and might be good for someone who wants to wear red on their lips, but isn’t ready for MAC Ruby Woo.

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick Swatches from the left: Sheer Ladyflower, Sheer Streak, Sheer F-Bomb, Sheer Liar and Sheer Rapture — Swatches from the left: Sheer Ladyflower, Sheer Streak, Sheer F-Bomb, Sheer Liar and Sheer Rapture

From the left: Sheer Anarchy, Sheer Shame, Sheer Slowburn, Sheer Obsessed and Sheer Walk of Shame — Sheer Anarchy, Sheer Shame, Sheer Slowburn, Sheer Obsessed and Sheer Walk of Shame

[Continue reading…]

10 Reasons to Rock Smokey Purple Eyes (and Pics of the New Purple MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in Leap From the MAC Lightness of Being Collection)

December 19th, 2014 by Karen 24 Comments

10 reasons to rock smokey purple eyes…

Because you’re on day three of “third day hair,” and your roots feel hella janky, and you really need to feel glamorous despite this.
Any excuse to bust out MAC Sketch. Any. Excuse.
Because purple smokey eyes are a temporary distraction from the chaos that is happening around your eyebrows. Note to self: schedule time for some TLC with those fussy, fuzzy little caterpillars.
Purple is the color of royalty, and what better way to stake your claim as Queen of the Crazy Cat Ladies?
Because, hello! — rainy days and Prince songs. *Cues Purple Rain*
Because it’s long past time to pay homage to one of the greatest MAC trifectas of purple power — Bamboo, Saddle and Shroom.
Because it’s been a minute since you’ve done black cat liner, which is a perishable skill. Use it or lose it, yo!
Because scientific studies prove that the best eye makeup to wear while gorging on Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Stars is smokey purple eyes… OK, not really, but in my mind this is true.
Because heaven forbid you go to HomeGoods for the fourth time this week without at least a little makeup on.
Because you never know when the urge to go dancing will hit! Preparedness is key! 🙂

[Continue reading…]

A Friday Face of the Day With the MAC Lightness of Being Collection: Brown Eyes, Peach Cheeks and Peach Lips

December 19th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

A million thank yous, MAC Lightness of Being, for lightening my metaphorical makeup load and reminding me that I don’t actually need six separate pans of eyeshadow up in the mix to have fun.

Look for the 29-piece MAC Lightness of Being collection online at maccosmetics.com starting Dec. 23, 2014, and in stores Dec. 26, 2014, through Feb. 6, 2015.

GIRL, you know how it goes. Sometimes I just get so caught up in the process (Why, yes! That third transition shade in the crease is a perfectly sane idea!) that I forget that uncomplicated makeup can be just as much fun.

The more I play with this collection (also got some swatches here), the more I see the point of these pastel shades.

Since the values don’t vary that much from each other, I find that I’m not having to spend forever and a day blending them together.

And to quote the great Tony the Tiger, that’s grrrrrreat!

The shimmery finishes have also been pretty agreeable. The frosts and pearls haven’t needed as much blending and babying as mattes often do.

For this look here, I’m only using two shadows, one of them, shimmery brown Mineralize Eye Shadow in Force of Nature, from the collection, and the other a permanent collection fave.

MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in Force of Nature — Mineralize Eye Shadow in Force of Nature, a shimmery brown with a half pearl/half frost finish ($22)

[Continue reading…]

A Face of the Day With MAC Lightness of Being

December 18th, 2014 by Karen 36 Comments

Knit, purl, knit, purl, knit, purl…

Once upon a time, I was a mediocre knitter. Then I knitted and knitted and knitted until I’d created a scarf! — and after all that knitting, and all that yarn…I was still a mediocre knitter. 🙂

I haven’t quite figured out what the knitted pattern on the new Mineralize Eye Shadows and Skinfinishes in the MAC Lightness of Being collection has to do with the overall theme of the release, but I dig it.

The names of some of the pieces have a dance motif, like Beautiful Moves, and Leap and Modern Movement, but then there’s that knitted pattern on the pans… And all the pastels? I haven’t figured out what they’re doing here either.

Perhaps the collection was designed for a troupe of dancing knitters, or maybe it was inspired by the pastel pink leg warmers I so desperately wanted back in second grade.

Or maybe I’m just reading entirely too much into it, which is probably the case.

The new MAC Lightness of Being collection metaphysically materializes on the MAC website Dec. 23, and then arrives on MAC counters a few days later on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas.

With shimmery lemon, peach, blue, gray, lavender, mint and brown colors, it’s a fresh break from more serious and weighty winter mattes.

[Continue reading…]

Correction, Colors, and Blemishes, Be Gone! The New MAC Studio Conceal & Correct Collection Is Coming Soon to the Permanent Line

December 15th, 2014 by Karen 22 Comments

The new MAC Studio Conceal & Correct Collection, coming to the permanent line on maccosmetics.com December 23, and in-stores and counters December 26 — The new MAC Studio Conceal & Correct collection, coming to the permanent line. Available online starting December 23, in-stores and counters December 26.

Under-eye concealing: it takes a village.

Honestly, though, it feels that way sometimes, with all the layering, blending, patting and tiny-little-circle-making going on beneath my lower lash lines, which I must do to disguise the fact that I roll out of bed every morning resembling Uncle Fester.

MAC is trying to make it easier with the snazzy new concealing tools in their Studio Conceal & Correct collection.

There are three new products available in multiple colors.

Studio Finish Concealer Duos ($25 each)
Studio Finish Conceal and Correct Duos ($30 each)
Chromagraphic Pencils ($16 each)

I’ve mostly been using them to keep my under-eye circles on the down-low, but they also offer enough coverage to disguise birthmarks, blemishes, moles and even tattoos.

Oh, and since all of them are bound for the MAC permanent line, whenever you do eventually get that picture of your chubby tabby cat tattooed on your shoulder, even if it’s a year down the road, you’ll be able to easily hide it from your husband.

I’m just sayin’. 🙂

The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos ($25 each)

MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left: NW10/NC20, NW20/NC25 and NW30/NC35 — The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left in NW10/NC20, NW20/NC25 and NW30/NC35

Individually, these concealers have been available for years, but I’m glad to see them here as duos in convenient complementary colors.

With these, a little really does go a long way, and I get the best results when I buff the crap outta them with a 217, then pat the edges down with a clean finger, before setting them with a little loose powder.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left: NW30/NC35, NW40/NC45 and NW45/NC50 — The MAC Studio Finish Concealer Duos from the left in NW30/NC35, NW40/NC45 and NW45/NC50

[Continue reading…]

The Jouer Holiday 2014 Collection: Chic and Polished Makeup Sets On Sale Right Meow!

December 11th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Jouer Fete Fabulous — Wearing pieces from the new limited edition Fete Fabulous 5-piece holiday color collection by Jouer

Oh, Jouer, you’re so fun!

Get it…? Jouer? Means “play” in French?

Sorry.

If you’re unfamiliar with the brand, their limited edition holiday sets are a Fete Fabulous way to break the ice.

The 5-piece Fete Fabulous kit for eyes, cheeks and lips (regularly $112, on sale now for $54) comes with a warm honey matte bronzer and a sheer rosy pink cream blush for cheeks, a shimmery gold cream eyeshadow stick and a powder eyeshadow duo containing a matte beige and an espresso brown for eyes, and a sheer berry pink gloss for lips.

I wore the kit a lot last weekend while visiting my in-laws in Redding, and it was juuust enough makeup to satisfy my appetite.

Jouer is an upscale, boutiquey line out of So Cal with a chic, understated, effortless vibe. I love their style and like to wear their stuff on weekends, or whenever I crave easy definition.

The sheer glosses in the Bisou Bisou and French Kiss lipgloss kits are fine, if not fun, especially if you like to layer sheer gloss on top of your lipstick.

If, however, your lips get dry and cracked this time of year, you may want to start with a layer of lip balm, because the glosses aren’t incredibly moisturizing.

As for the Le Petite Brush Set, on sale now for $35 (regularly $70), the bristles feel nice and soft, but brush heads themselves feel a bit stiff. They don’t have as much give as I usually like.

Because of that, these brushes do a decent job controlling cream products, but when it comes to pushing powder products around, I wish the brush heads had more give.

The Jouer Fete Fabulous 5-Piece Color Collection, originally $112, on sale online now for $54

[Continue reading…]

Clinique’s $36 The Nutcracker Suite Act II Palette Is Perfectly Purple

December 11th, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

Clinique Nutcracker Suite Act II — Wearing the $36 Nutcracker Suite Act II Palette on my eyes and cheeks, along with the Chubby Stick Baby Tint in Flowering Freesia and Blended Face Powder in Snowflake Dreams, all from Act II of Clinique’s The Nutcracker Suite holiday collection

Part deux of Clinique’s holiday collection, The Nutcracker Suite, puts the spotlight on soft, romantic colors… And purple!

The overall collection is split into two parts, with the first part, Act I, being pumped up about pink, and the second part, Act II, being passionate about purple.

In Act II, purple eyes and a sheer purple lip pair with pretty pink cheeks, and for the eyes, there’s The Nutcracker Suite Act II Eye and Cheek Palette ($36).

The Nutcracker Suite Act II Eye and Cheek Palette ($36)

Clinique The Nutcracker Suite Act II Palette — The Nutcracker Suite Act II Palette ($36)

[Continue reading…]

Is That a Griffin Gracing the MAC BollyDoll Collection?

December 9th, 2014 by Karen 37 Comments

Because if it is, “OH, HELL YEAH!!” Paws up for mythical creatures, yo. 🙂

Bright colors, bad@ss mythical beasts and playful prints are the perfect pick-me-ups on cloudy days like today, and the MAC BollyDoll makeup bag (and brush kit) collection is almost as potently positive as coffee.

From the top: MAC BollyDoll Brush Kit ($49.50 US, $59.50 CDN), Makeup Bag in BollyDoll/Blue ($36 US, $43.50 CDN) and Makeup Bag in BollyDoll/Pink ($36 US, $43.50 CDN) — Love those prints!

[Continue reading…]