Collections

Blossoming Soon: Two New MAC Collections for Spring 2014, Namely MAC A Fantasy of Flowers and Prep + Prime CC Colour Correct

January 22nd, 2014 by Karen 22 Comments

MAC A Fantasy of Flowers Spring 2014 Collection — New from MAC for spring 2014: A Fantasy of Flowers

G’mornin’, glory. 🙂

So, PR pics aren’t usually my thing (I’ll take my Canon and a pile of products any day, son!), but with these two new collections from MAC, I had to share.

MAC A Fantasy of Flowers

My inner (wannabe) botanist is super stoked about A Fantasy of Flowers. Its 34 pieces of prettiness arrive online January 30 and at counters February 6 in North America (international babes, it hits your shores in March at all locations except Japan).

The release looks like a veritable botanical garden of gorgeous Mineralize Eye Shadows, Blushes, Skinfinishes, and floral-themed Lipsticks, Cremehsheens and Nail Lacquers, too.

And the blooming doesn’t stop there. The release also features three brushes and a pair of mascaras…but really, you know I’m drooling over the pretty, pretty colors, LOL!

MAC A Fantasy of Flowers Lipsticks from the left: Fleur D'Coral, Naked Bud, Dreaming Dahlia, Rose Lily, Snapdragon and Heavenly Hybrid — Lipsticks from the left: Fleur D’Coral, Naked Bud, Dreaming Dahlia, Rose Lily, Snapdragon and Heavenly Hybrid

We’ll see six petal-perfect Lipsticks in MAC’s Lustre finish, namely pale creamy peach Fleur d’Coral, neutral sheer nude Naked Bud, sheer reddish-coral Dreaming Dahlia, sheer pastel pink Rose Lily, mid-tone blueish pink Snapdragon and mid-tone berry Heavenly Hybrid ($15 each US, $18 CDN).

MAC A Fantasy of Flowers Cremesheen Glasses from the left: Nectarsweet, Flare for Fantasy, Pagoda, Playful Petal, Star Quality and Galaxy Rose — Cremesheen Glasses from the left: Nectarsweet, Flare for Fantasy, Pagoda, Playful Petal, Star Quality and Galaxy Rose

And for a finish that shines like morning dew, take a gander at the six gleaming Cremsheens ($20 each US, $23 CDN). Choose from soft pinkish-peach Nectarsweet, mid-tone pinkish beige Flare for Fantasy, frosted cool pink Pagoda, electric magenta Playful Petal, bright orange-coral Star Quality and mid-tone violet pink Galaxy Rose.

But what about eyes and cheeks?

Well, how ’bout a bouquet of shimmer with a bevy of Mineralize Skinfinishes, Pigments and Fluidlines…

Mineralize Eye Shadow ($21 each US, $25 CDN)

In the Meadow, an icy shimmering white, dirty olive green, golden mint green and pale yellow (frost)
Pink Sensibilities, a pinkish brown, chocolate brown, yellow pink and icy blue pink (frost)
Golden Hours, a copper bronze, golden brown, soft golden peach and pale yellow gold (frost)
Great Beyond, a deep blue violet, dusky plum, icy white lilac and soft mauve violet (frost)

Pigments ($21 each US, $25 CDN)

Lily White, a pale buttery yellow shimmer
Chartreuse Bouquet, a shimmering acid green
Violet, a vivid bright violet purple
Pink Pearl, a shimmery lavender-pink

Fluidlines ($16 each US, $19 CDN)

Sassy Moss, a vivid green
Phlox Garden, q vivid violet

Haute & Naughty Lash in Black ($21 each US, $25 CDN)

Mineralize Skinfinishes ($30 each US, $35 CDN)
Perfect Topping, a pale pearlized pink
Stereo Rose, a copper bronze

Mineralize Blushes ($25 each US, $29.50 CDN)

Azalea in the Afternoon, a mid-tone cool pink
Petal Power, a coral pink with gold shimmer

MAC A Fantasy of Flowers Mineralize Eye Shadows in Golden Hours (left) and Great Beyond (right) — Golden Hours (left) and Great Beyond (right)

[Continue reading…]

The Tarte Cheek Stains Don Snazzy New Outfits, Shrink Down Several Sizes…

January 21st, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Cheeks, by Tarte. LOL! Sounds like a fancy fragrance commercial. But seriously, I’m wearing the new Tarte Cheek Stain in Fearless ($30)

I sure do like the new packaging for these Tarte Cheek Stains. So, so pretty…but I loved the old-school packaging, too.

I get it, though. It’s good to switch things up every once in a while. Heck, I’m a firm believer in frequent wardrobe changes. El Hub makes fun of me all the time because, seriously, I bring along at least two extra pairs of shoes (and sometimes jackets) whenever we leave the house. I mean, you just never know when you’ll need a different pair of shoes.

Right…?

No? Is that just me?

Oh, well. 🙂

The newly repackaged Tarte Cheek Stains, $30 each

Importantly, these eight gel- and cream-based blushes work just as well as the originals. Two swipes on my cheeks, either atop bare skin, tinted moisturizer or foundation, then some quick blending with my fingers, and I’m flushed and blushed for the day.

Fab-ooo for quick, natural-looking cheeks, and each of the shades has a corresponding color in Tarte’s new LipSurgence Power Pigment pencil line — ya know, if I want to get all matchy-matchy (I must admit, sometimes, I do).

But…sad face time. 🙁 Why are these so small? I mean, I like minis as much as the next makeup lover, but these are half as big as the originals (0.5 ounces versus 1), and yet cost the same amount.

What gives?

I’ve been loving and wearing Tarte’s Cheek Stains for a good 7+ years and have always felt that, sure, even though they’re $30 each, because they lasted such a long time, they still seemed like a great deal.

Now? Not so sure.

Tarte Cheek Stains from the left: Blissful, Blushing Bride and Exposed — From the left: Blissful, Blushing Bride and Exposed

Tarte Cheek Stains from the left: Fearless, Flushed and Natural Beauty — From the left: Fearless, Flushed and Natural Beauty

Tarte Cheek Stains from the left: Tipsy and True Love — Tipsy and True Love

[Continue reading…]

For Potent Pigments in Petite Pencil Packaging, There’s the New LipSurgence Power Pigments by Tarte

January 21st, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

Tarte Fearless — Wearing the new Tarte LipSurgence Power Pigment in Fearless on my lips

I shop in the petites section, I collect mini perfumes, and I have a reoccurring dream where I’m opening my front door, and there on the ground before me is a basket of baby munchkin kittens looking for a nice lady to adopt them.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this: I do believe that good things come in small packages. 🙂

Cute! The new Tarte LipSurgence Power Pigments, $24 each

Like these sleek LipSurgence Power Pigment pencils by Tarte. They’re new for spring, streamlined and skinny (unlike my favorite tabby), and being added to the permanent line.

Compared to Tarte’s existing 0.10-ounce LipSurgence pencils, these diminutive 0.04-ounce ones, which are supposed to be more pigmented, are so petite that I almost mistook them for travel minis. The bigger versions look downright gargantuan by comparison!

Tarte LipSurgence Power Pigment comparison — The O.G. larger pencils on the left and the new Power Pigments on the right

What’s the skinny on Tarte’s tiny LipSurgence Power Pigments?

They’re available in eight vibrant, look-brightening shades.
The antioxidant-rich formula has a refreshing hint o’ peppermint (both flavor and scent).
According to Tarte, the tiny tubes make precise application easier, while minimizing waste and the size of your carbon footprint (uh…).
They also contain vitamin E, an antioxidant, as well as a natural anti-inflammatory and preservative; shea butter, which is supposed to help skin maintain its elasticity; and carnauba wax for smoooove application.

Each of the eight shades is also designed to perfectly pair with one of Tarte’s new recently repackaged Cheek Stains (review coming soon).

[Continue reading…]

Ever Since I Started Wearing These Milani Gold Label Nail Lacquers, Spring Fever Has Been Spreading From My Fingers to My Toes

January 16th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

The new $4.69 Milani Gold Label spring 2014 nail polishes

Currently…

I am wearing a tabby t-shirt covered in cat hair (without a sweater for the first time in months)
I have glitter all over my hands
My hair is up in a scrunchie
The windows are open, and there’s a nice breeze blowing through my office

There’s only one thing that could make this moment better… Oh, look at that! There it is. 🙂 The 12 new Milani Gold Label nail polishes.

This all seems too good to be true…

Wait — maybe I’m dreaming. Karen, wake up! Get up, get up, get up!

Nope, I guess not. I guess this is real, and look — it’s even 70-something degrees outside.

Weird…

It’s gotta be these new $4.69 Gold Label polishes (part of a new Milani line). The springy, cheerful colors — six creams and six glitters in playful pinks, purples, greens, blues and corals — must be contagious. Seeing them on my paws, I almost forget it’s still winter and that tomorrow isn’t the day of the big Easter egg hunt.

Like the polishes in Milani’s regular Nail Lacquer line, these new USA-made Gold Label lacquers are DBP-, toluene- and formaldehyde-free.

They also have a mightier brush, or rather, a flatter brush that I think makes them a little easier to use. Maybe that’s why they cost a tad more ($4.69 each versus $4.49).

I’m not sure yet about the formula — if it’s different than Milani’s regular polish formula — because I haven’t had enough time with them yet, but I’ll know more by tomorrow. I’ll let you know what I find out.

They definitely do seem thick (think Essie) and smooth, and the flat brush is great. Makes it easy to paint nice, crisp edges along the bottom of my nails.

I do notice that I have to be careful about unloading the brush before applying to make sure I don’t lay down too much polish. They are quite thick.

Here’s a quick look at the 12 shades coming next month. Oh! In each of these pics, I’m wearing two layers.

Milani Showy Sea-Green 01 — Showy Sea-Green

Milani Splendid Strawberry 03 — Splendid Strawberry

[Continue reading…]

The New Four-Piece Essie Resort 2014 Collection Offers Languid, Beachside Luxury for $8.50 a Bottle

January 16th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

I’ve been trying to put my finger (Get it? Ba-dum-tss!) on what it is I find so intriguing about the new Essie 2014 Resort collection.

I mean, it’s not the symphony of eye-catching brights Resort 2013 was. That one still makes my heart flutter (The mint green! The turquoise!), and yet I’m drawn to 2014 like a sailor to a mermaid’s song.

Yes, sweet siren, sweep me away…

Essie Resort 214 from the left: Resort Fling, Under the Twilight, Find Me an Oasis and Resort Fling — From the left: Resort Fling, Under the Twilight, Find Me an Oasis and Resort Fling

It’s gotta be something. Maybe it’s a combination of the way the mellow shades — the shimmery beige (It has silver sparkles swimming in it. SO CUTE!) and icy blue both contrast and coordinate with the brighter coral and deep plum.

The colors tell a tale of hills and dales, highs and lows, and I love that! This Resort is definitely not a one-note collection.

Typing away today, reading that word over and over again — resort — I find it difficult to stay in the moment. My thoughts keep wandering to other places, never mind that I’m sitting in front of a keyboard consuming large quantities of coffee and gnawing on a hunk of day-old sourdough bread. And forget that I’m wearing a crumb-covered wrinkled pink t-shirt with a picture of a tabby cat wearing glasses.

Resort… 🙂

I’d much rather be sipping cocktails by candlelight at a Ritz Carlton or dipping a painted toe into the salt water lagoon at the Kauai Grand Hyatt (I’ve always wanted to stay there).

No, those images are much better than the real life picture of grubby Karen currently sitting at her computer…

OK, I think I’ve got it! — what makes me like this collection so much. These understated shades are just so true to that resort lifestyle. Their beachside elegance would look right at home peeking out from under a cashmere blanket around a fun bonfire, or with tiny diamond-studded earrings and a bikini next to the hotel pool.

I’m crushing hard on icy blue Find Me An Oasis. It reminds me of the opaque white manicures I was seeing all over the place last summer, only more refreshing and resort-y. I love how smooth it is, too. Zero streaking. I’m wearing two coats in this pic.

Essie Resort Fling — Resort Fling (three coats)

[Continue reading…]

The Urban Decay Spring 2014 Collection: Nakedness Strikes Again With New Lines of Lipglosses and Loose Finishing Powders

January 13th, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

Wearing the new Urban Decay spring 2014 collection — Introducing the new Urban Decay spring 2014 collection

What if…

What if my neighbors saw me naked today? What if it should have been totally weird, but it was actually pretty great?

What if I strolled, all gloriously nude, past a group of them in our little circle on my morning walk with Tabs (gotta get that Vitamin D, yo!), as the sun beamed down on my cheeks?

What if I said, “Hello,” smiling and waving at all the neighborhood kids and their parents? “Nice day for a walk.” 🙂

What if —

Uh…DUDE. You do realize that I’ve been referring to wearing Urban Decay’s new spring 2014 collection, right? I wouldn’t actually walk around my neighborhood in the buff.

OK, where was I going with this…?

Oh, yeah! Urban Decay’s latest launch. It’s all about — you guessed it — more nakedness! And skincare benefits.

This time the focus is on naked skin and lips. This spring, the line is getting even more nude (nakeder?) with two brand new products lines, and two new Beauty Balm shades.

First things first, the most exciting stuff (well, at least to me): the brand new Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipglosses.

Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss ($20 each, nine shades)

Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss — Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss

As if I needed another excuse to hoard sheer neutral lipglosses… Yeah, these are totally up my alley. Sheer, smooth, non-sticky and super hydrating, the formula contains skin-friendly ingredients like avocado oil, shea butter, Hyaluronic Filling Spheres, rosehip seed oil and vitamins A, E and C.

According to Urban Decay, these are also supposed to dramatically improve the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles, lip volume and hydration, to which I say…OK.

My lips have been flaky and dry lately (it has a lot to do with the heater being on 24/7), but they do feel a little better when I wear these. My lips also feel refreshed, as the formula faintly tastes and smells like mint (just a little; it’s not obnoxious).

There are nine shades in the release, all of them wearable nudes, bronzes and pinks.

I suspect that a few of the lighter nudes, like Walk of Shame, Nooner and Naked, will look quite alike on very pigmented lips, but that’s where the sheer brights — Lovechild, Liar and Streak (my faves) — come in.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

Urban Decay Walk of Shame Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss — Walk of Shame, a pale nude pink with subtle micro-shimmer

Urban Decay Nooner Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss — Nooner, a light neutral nude

[Continue reading…]

With Provocative Pink Pairings for Cheeks and Lips, the NARS Final Cut Collection Arrives in Time for Valentine’s Day

January 10th, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

NARS Descanso Satin Lip Pencil — Wearing the new NARS Final Cut collection on my cheeks and lips

Right now, the only thing that sounds better to me than biscuits, mashed potatoes and buttered corn (I love KFC’s sides!) and my booty on the couch is the NARS Final Cut collection.

Key words: pink, blushes, lip pencils and illuminators. And pink.

NARS Final Cut Collection — Eight of the 9 pieces in the new NARS Final Cut collection

Grabby hands! I haz them. 😀

In Final Cut, a limited edition release coming arriving next month, NARS re-imagines pink lips and cheeks with modern femininity. Like @ss-kicker boots worn below a frilly lace dress, the colors are edgy and fierce.

Nice.

The collection includes four Blushes, four Satin Lip Pencils (my favorite formula in the NARS lip product line) and one shimmery liquid Illuminator. And yes, pink.

Lots and lots of pink.

The nine-piece NARS Final Cut collection…

Sex Fantasy Blush: a pale lavender pink ($29)
New Attitude Blush: a cherry blossom pink ($29)
Final Cut Blush: a peachy coral ($29)
Love Blush: a tea rose ($29)
Adelaide Illuminator: a shimmering lavender pink ($30)
Stourhead Satin Lip Pencil: a pale lavender pink ($25)
Villa Lante Satin Lip Pencil: a cherry blossom pink($25)
Torres del Paine Satin Lip Pencil: a peachy coral ($25)
Descanso Satin Lip Pencil: a tea rose ($25)

Each of the blushes has a matching lip pencil, with the idea being that you can wear matching sets of coordinating colors together — a lip pencil with its matching blush. Or, of course, you can mix things up and wear any of the colors together. The liquid highlighter goes with everything.

Here are pics and impressions on eight of the nine pieces (I’ll post my thoughts on the fourth blush, Final Cut, soon). In a word: beautiful. In two words: absolutely beautiful. And four more words for good luck: super wearable, super flattering.

NARS Sex Fantasy Blush — Sex Fantasy Blush

NARS New Attitude Blush — New Attitude Blush

NARS Adelaide Illuminator — Adelaide Illuminator

NARS FInal Cut Satin Lip Pencils — The FInal Cut Satin Lip Pencils

[Continue reading…]

Anchored in Bold, Bright Shades, the NARS Spring 2014 High Seize Collection Sets Sail for Spring

January 9th, 2014 by Karen 41 Comments

Anchors aweigh, NARS fans! This is your captain speaking. Before we cast off, I’d like to thank you for choosing Tabs the Cat Tours (a division of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC) for your travel needs.

It should be smoooove sailing up the coast this afternoon, and as we cruise into spring, you should see plenty of shimmery finishes, metallic moments and splashes of sheer color off the starboard bow.

I’d like to remind you to please wear your life jacket at all times. It is of the utmost importance, as we may experience sweeping moments of makeup ecstasy.

Our destination: the dreamy plums, turquoises, golds, pinks, greens and peaches in the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection. Hold on to your makeup brushes, because we’re heading into High Seize!

NARS Spring 2014 Collection High Seize — Set sail for High Sieze with the nine-piece NARS spring 2014 collection

The entire NARS Spring 2014 High Seize collection includes…

CHINA SEAS DUO EYESHADOW ($34): An iridescent turquoise with gold infusion and an iridescent plum
KAUAI DUO EYESHADOW ($34): A gold lamé and an iridescent smokey orchid
KHAO SAN ROAD LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A metallic aquamarine
PUERTA DEL SOL LARGER THAN LIFE LONG-WEAR EYELINER ($24): A parrot green with shimmer
ANNÉES FOLLES LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer violet
BIMINI LARGER THAN LIFE LIP GLOSS ($26): A sheer pink guava
TIMANFAYA SATIN LIP PENCIL ($25): A mandarin red
NĀ PALI COAST MULTIPLE ($39): A shimmering rosy peach
WIND DANCER NAIL POLISH ($19): A cantaloupe

NARS China Seas Duo Eyeshadow ($34)

Please direct your gaze to the starboard side, as we plunge into the life aquatic with China Seas, the first of two eyeshadow duos in the collection.

Submerge your lids under its shimmery iridescent turquoise. Then, take a dip in its sparkling, iridescent reddish plum…

Both of the shadows in this duo will lap your lids with a soft sheen. I like how they blend seamlessly into each other — but please, do be careful of the fallout. A bit of powder finds its way onto my cheeks whenever I forget to tap off my brush before applying, but it’s not enough to need a life preserver.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

NARS China Seas Swatch — China Seas Swatch

NARS Kauai Duo Eyeshadow ($34)

Hold on to the railing, friends, because we’re heading into some exciting big waves courtesy of the thrilling Kauai Duo Eyeshadow, which makes a splash with its mirror-like shine and bold pigment.

This duo is the flashier of the two. Every time I see that shimmery metallic yellow gold and iridescent smokey orchid sparkling on my lids, my breath catches, and I feel so alive! — like the time I paddled into a six-foot wave and actually surfed the damned thing (I even dropped in, OMG!).

Grab this one if you want to focus attention on your eyes, but more mature NARS fans might want to go easy on it by wearing these shadows close to their lids or lash lines, since the high-shine finish just loooooves to point out fine lines.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

[Continue reading…]