Makeup

NARS Charlotte Gainsbourg Collection for Summer 2017: Swatches and First Impressions

April 4th, 2017 by Karen 27 Comments

nars charlotte gainsbourg summer 2017 — The NARS Charlotte Gainsbourg Collection for Summer 2017, coming to NARS counters April 15th

Oh, my gosh!!! I’ve been painstakingly growing out my bangs for the last… How long’s it been? A month and a half? But now I’m this close to throwing in the proverbial hair towel and chopping them off because of Charlotte Gainsbourg.

I’ve been looking at pictures of her and listening to her music all day long because, hello — gotta set the mood for the new NARS Charlotte Gainsbourg Collection, and this woman works some fierce bangs action. Charlotte, girl, you’re giving me so much hair inspo right meow. 🙂

And makeup inspiration, too! Charlotte’s new collab with NARS is kind of incredible. It completely contravenes the whole more-is-more thing happening in makeup, like an anti-Instagram/heavy contouring/blinding highlight kryptonite, with sheer coverage, sheer skin, sheer cheeks, sheer lips and barely-there color on the eyes.

It’s fresh, easy, approachable, and very evocative of Charlotte’s makeup style (and mine right now).

In most of the pictures I’ve seen of her, Charlotte’s skin looks real! She’s wearing very minimal coverage (most of the time, it doesn’t look like she’s wearing any foundation or concealer at all, but I think she probably is), maybe with a pink or dark lip, barely-there color on her cheeks, and lashes and liner. Or she’ll do a subtle smoky eye with neutral lips, which seems like a very French aesthetic to me.

Charlotte is half French, half English and the daughter of two famous people, English singer Jane Birkin and French actor/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, and she’s starred in more than three dozen movies, many of them in the UK and France. Her experience with movie and stage makeup inspired this launch.

The collection encompasses 18 LE pieces and arrives on April 15th with lots of exciting new formulas, including things we’ve never seen from NARS before, like the Hydrating Glow Tints, Lip Tints and Velvet Duo Eyeshadows.

There are also three new shades of the Multiple Tints (which are still relatively new) and the snazzy Au Poil Brush Roll, which is — wait for it — $175 (!).

SAY WHAT?! Yeah.

nars charlotte gainsbourg collection swatches 2 — Swatches from the top: Multiple Tints in Alice, Jo and Jeanette; Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in London Clinic and Blindfold; Lip Tints in Double Decker, Ephelide and Promise

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The Lust List, Vol. 3: Stuff I Kinda Want

April 4th, 2017 by Karen 40 Comments

Girl, I’m an equal opportunity lust-er.

Ha ha ha! I don’t even know if that makes sense… In addition to makeup and hair products and skin care and nail polish and everything else that you can shove into your basket at Sephora, I lust after clothes, and the urge is particularly strong at the beginning of a new season, because I’m thinking, “Oh, the weather’s changing! I need to update my wardrobe.” 🙂

I mean, “need” in this case is totally in air quotes, because I’m not walking around in my birthday suit or anything, but ya know, I’d like a few updates, because I’m kind of tired of wearing the same shirts over and over again. Ever since I KonMari’d my closet, which happened shortly before I got pregnant with Connor, the same five shirts and two pairs of pants that I’ve been able to shoehorn myself into have been in steady rotation, and I’m feeling the itch to switch things up ASAP.

The Lust List, Vol. 3: Stuff I Kinda Want

Madewell Fleet Jacket ($118) — I’m lusting after this Madewell jacket so hard! I have something similar that I got from Loft a few years ago, but it’s a little too big for me, so I look like a kid dressing up in her mother’s clothes when I wear it.
And in your 40s, that’s not a good look.

The Madewell version looks a bit shorter, more streamlined, and I really like the zippered pocket in the front.
Madewell Stripe Recycled Cotton Ringer Tee ($32) — This striped tee is also from Madewell. I have two black-and-white striped shirts from Loft that I got 50% off a couple seasons ago, but both of them have holes already, gah.
I want this as a replacement shirt… I like the black detailing around the neck and sleeves.

Do you have any Madewell tees in your closet? Are they, in fact, made well?
Athleta Knot Zephyr Tank ($49) — I’ve been spending a lot of time lately on the Athleta website, and gosh, they have a lot of cute (but reeeeeeally expensive) workout clothes.
I’m crushing on this mint green tank top. It’s from their line of super soft clothing, and I’m into super soft. I like how it drapes (I don’t like tight workout tops), and THE KNOT ON THE FRONT IS SO CUTE.
Athleta Estuary Aqualuxe Swim Dress ($79) — They also have swim dresses. Who knew? You can actually swim in ’em (I think you have to add your own bottoms, though).
I’d like this dress for actually wearing as a dress, but I can’t say that I’m averse to the idea of being able to jump into a body of water in it at a moment’s notice.
Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle and Lilac Path Eau de Parfums ($115 each) — So, I know that it seems #basic to wear floral fragrances at the beginning of spring, but I don’t care, because Aerin does awesome florals. Her scents remind me of Tocca in that they’re light and pretty and not too in your face. Mediterranean Honeysuckle and Lilac Path sound like lovely spring updates, don’t you think?
Sephora Mixology Eyeshadow Palette ($34) — I mostly like this palette from Sephora because of the design, LOL!
Stila Magnificent Metals ($24 each) — I swatched some Stila Magnificent Metals on the back of my hand while wandering around Ulta a couple weeks ago, and I haven’t been able to get them off my mind.
So glittery! So sparkly! I wouldn’t be crushed if one or two found their way into my life…
Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remove Lip Oil Stick ($18) — Does one really need a separate makeup remover just to take off long-wearing lipstick?
Naw, but this one from Urban Decay is clear! I don’t know why, but I find this endlessly fascinating.

What’s on your lust list, babe? Clothes, makeup, shoes, books, technology, accessories, pet accessories?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Front Row Fabulous With the Giorgio Armani Front Row Collection

April 3rd, 2017 by Karen 16 Comments

If I someone told me that I was going to sit in the front row at Paris Fashion Week for the Chanel show, my first reaction would be, are you for real!? I would LOVE that, but then…what would I wear? A designer closet, I do not have, and I don’t know if I could get away with high-waisted black Zellas.

Hmm…

The Giorgio Armani Front Row Collection: A new launch of LE lipsticks and gloss-like liquid lipsticks

These are nudes with ‘tude. There are six nude lipsticks ($38 each), six nude lip glosses/liquid lipsticks ($37 each) and a long-wearing nude liquid lipstick ($38) in the release, but before you grab a cup of Sleepytime Tea and peel off your pants (a.k.a. your trousers, for those of us from the UK) to take a nap, these are not snooze-worthy nudes. This is an Armani-style magnum opus of nude with pink, coral and beige works of art.

But let’s be real here — you can find these color families for less. That’s true, but Armani’s lipstick, liquid lipstick and lip gloss formulas (these are all unscented and unflavored) are different in the best possible way. While I was swatching these, I kept thinking, “Why aren’t more brands ripping off Armani??”

Lip Maestro (liquid lipstick): Front Row Collection

Lovely Lip Maestro in 514 ($38) is the solitary liquid lipstick in the launch. An opaque neutral pink, it has a half-matte, half-satin finish, which is something you don’t see every day.

giorgio armani lip maestro 514 — Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in 514 ($38)

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The Latest From the Deck of Scarlet Palette Subscription Service: Edition No. 01

March 31st, 2017 by Karen 8 Comments

deck of scarlet 01 — There’s something kinda 50 Shades about this, amiright?

I feel like this lady on the Deck of Scarlet No. 01 Edition palette is about to 50 Shades me…like her sole mission in life is to punish you and pleasure you at the same time. *cracks whip* ?

This is the latest palette from upstart beauty brand/makeup palette subscription service Deck of Scarlet. You pay $29.95 ~~per month~~ every other month, and get a different limited edition eye, cheek and lip palette with some pencils on the side, and if the combo for a particular month doesn’t do it for you, you can skip that one without having to pay for it.

The products are cruelty free, made in the USA, and you can only get them online.

The big twist, other than the whole palette subscription angle, is that every new palette is a different collaboration with a different popular vlogger.

This is their third one (ironically called No. 01), and it’s a collab with YouTuber Evon Wahab.

I really don’t know anything about her, but I looked her up on YouTube and saw the front of her channel page, and she’s really pretty.

The palette has three powder eyeshadows, a contouring powder, a highlighting powder, two lipsticks, a lip liner and an eye liner.

Honestly, I’m not into lipsticks that come in palettes, but I like the coral one here, Kiss the Coral. It’s a warm, satiny coral that feels fab.

I do like that the palettes have separate covers to keep the powders from mingling with the lip products, especially considering that the powder products like to scoot around, particularly the eyeshadows. I have to remember to tap off my brush, or I end up with lots of fallout.

The shadows remind me of NYX. They’re soft, pigmented and look intense in swatches, but they sheer out pretty quickly on lids. I think they’re good for blown-out smoky looks because they blend easily, but if I’m working quickly, the colors tend to all blend together. So they’re easy to over-blend.

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15-Minute Makeup: Colorful Springy Green and Purple Eyes With the Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tints in Mighty Moss and Portly Plum

March 31st, 2017 by Karen 4 Comments

I looked outside my window this morning and noticed that the oak trees on my street have their leaves again! When you look up, all you see is green. It’s gorgeous!

So, I wanted to wear green today.

It is possible to wear color and still finish your makeup in 15 minutes or less

You know, I also wanted to attempt a 15-minute look that wasn’t 100% neutrals.

It’s easier to do quickie makeup with smoky browns and beige (which you know I love), but sometimes I like to challenge myself (but not too much), so I paired a green lid with a purple lower lash line, pink cheeks and pink lips today.

It reminds me that you CAN wear color while doing speedy makeup. It IS possible. You just have to be careful how you go about it, and I think that it also helps to focus on either your eyes or your lips.

Pick one — eyes or lips

If you go with bright lips, you get a lot of bang for your buck. With a bright red, coral, purple, pink or something else, you can dial back everything else, and don’t have to try as hard with your eyes and your skin, etc.

And when you’re in a major rush, bright lips are usually easier to do than bright eyes. There’s more room for error, and you don’t have to worry as much about perfect symmetry.

I mean, do you want to be moving like a makeup maniac at 100 miles per hour for your 15 minutes, or would you rather take a leisurely lip stroll?

I’m just sayin’.

clinique mighty moss 2 — Wearing Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta on my cheeks and Bite Beauty Lip Liner in 008 topped with MAC Fulfilled Plushglass on my lips

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MAC Next to Nothing Collection Face Colours, Pressed Powders and Fan Brushes

March 30th, 2017 by Karen 16 Comments

mac next to nothing foundation — The new MAC Next to Nothing Foundations, coming to MAC counters and online April 6

Next to nothing sounds like my approach to cat naps.

Hey, man! When I want to take a nap, it’s pants off, window cracked open, and then I peace out! Like, instantly.

Connor Claire does it too. She’ll pull off her pants in her pack ‘n’ play, and bam! — she’s asleep in 5 seconds.

Seriously, try it sometime. De-pants, then nap. It’s totally a thing. 🙂

A new sheer foundation from MAC

Next to Nothing is also the name of MAC’s new sheer liquid foundation, which really does feel like you’re wearing next to nothing. It’s a barely-there whisper of opalescence in a 1.2-oz. glass bottle with a pump, and it’s $31. Nine shades are coming to the permanent line, along with a line of Next to Nothing Pressed Powders and two synthetic fan brushes, starting April 6th.

mac to nothing swatches light final — From the top: Light and Light Plus

I think of Next to Nothing as almost like a liquid CC or a BB cream. It blurs my pores and covers juuust enough of my freckles to have a place in my arsenal.

Along the MAC family spectrum of sheer foundations, it sits about halfway between Face and Body (which is sheerer and doesn’t blur my pores as well) and MAC Studio Waterweight (which has fuller coverage and a matte-er (more matte?) finish.

If you like Face and Body but wish it was better at blurring pores, you should totes give Next to Nothing a try.

mac next to nothing swatches medium final — Medium, Medium Plus, Medium Dark and Medium Deep

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Unsung Makeup Heroes: The Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tints

March 30th, 2017 by Karen 3 Comments

clinique chubby stick shadow tint for eyes — The Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tints ($17 each)

The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of our all-time favorite permanent collection products.

My cat… He’s kind of a chubby cat, but he prefers that we call him “husky” or “big-boned.” He is the boss, so I gotta do what I gotta do, but I won’t be calling the Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tints for Eyes the “Big-Boned Stick Shadow Tints,” because that would be weird. 🙂

I freaking lurve these things! They’ve been part of the Clinique permanent line for a while, and I love ’em so much that I’ve amassed a small army. I use them all the time.

True to form, these are tints, and they’re sheerer than a lot of the shadow sticks out there, like the MAC Pro Longwears and the Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier sticks. They deposit a good amount of color, but they quickly sheer down when you blend them out.

I know that some people aren’t going to be into that, but if you’re a 10-minute-makeup gal (or dude) who just wants a little somethin’-somethin’, but you’re not about to spend hella years blending in your outer V, these are great for that. They’re fantastic for easy, colorful eye looks.

There’s a mess of neutrals in the line that I wear all the time, like Bountiful Beige, Ample Amber, Lots O’ Latte (which is a gorgeous, GORGEOUS taupe) and warm brown Fuller Fudge, which I just wore the other day. And we’ll throw Curvaceous Coal in with the neutrals, too, since it’s a shimmery gray.

If you love BBNs (browns, beige and nudes) like I do, these are excellent everyday colors.

clinique chubby stick shadow tint for eyes swatches 1 — Swatches from the top in 01 Bountiful Beige, 04 Ample Amber, 03 Lots O’ Latte, 03 Fuller Fudge and 08 Curvaceous Cora

There are also some wonderful other colors. Among the greens, I like Mighty Moss and Whopping Willow. In the blues, there’s Big Blue and Massive Midnight. And oh! — the purples and pinks? You gotta give ’em a try.

All of the shades are pigmented, but they aren’t so pigmented that they take forever and a day to blend. They always seem to look elegant, refined and natural.

Well…as natural as a green or blue eyeshadow ever looks.

clinique chubby stick shadow tint for eyes swatches 2 — From the top: 05 Whopping Willow, 06 Mighty Moss, 10 Big Blue, 12 Massive Midnight, 09 Lavish Lilac, 11 Portly Plum and 07 Pink & Pretty

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New LE Shades! NARS Pop Goes the Easel Collection Velvet Lip Gloss in Bait, Suck and Disruptor

March 29th, 2017 by Karen 6 Comments

nars pop goes the easel velvet lip glide swatches — NARS Pop Goes the Easel collection Velvet Lip Glides from the left in Suck, Bait and Disruptor ($26 each). All three are Nordstrom exclusives, and they’re available now (not pictured: Impossible Red).

Someone on Instagram asked me earlier if I could recommend a non-matte liquid lipstick, and the first thing that popped into my head were these NARS Velvet Lip Glides.

The Velvet Lip Glides are part of the NARS permanent collection, but these three — Suck (why is it called that…?), Bait and Disruptor — are LE Nordstrom exclusive shades from the Pop Goes the Easel collection.

nars disruptor — Bright cherry red Distruptor, BAM!

I think the Velvet Lip Glides are just generally BOMB. They’re super saturated, comfy, and they don’t bleed my lips dry, unlike so many other liquid lipsticks that are ridiculously drying. The formula stays a little wet on your pout. It doesn’t dry all the way down, and did I mention that they’re REALLY comfortable? They feel kinda like a moisturizing, long-wearing gloss (non-sticky), except that they last much longer.

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