Makeup

MAC Holiday 2015 | Magic of the Night Color Collection and Gift Sets

October 7th, 2015 by Karen 28 Comments

This year I really, really hope I get an invite to a Hogwarts-style enchanted garden/magical nighttime holiday event because then I’ll have the world’s most fitting excuse to get gussied up in makeup from the MAC Holiday 2015 Magic of the Night collection.

I just hope I can find the right black-tie pregnancy dress, hmm… 🙂

Oh, boy! This collection is a doozy. It’s a big one, and it’s split into two parts. First, there’s the color collection, spell caster’s codename “Magic of the Night.” And then there are several holiday gift sets in three different categories, appropriately named Enchanted Eve, Irresistibly Charming and Viva Glamorous.

Playing with these pieces today it was pretty much love at first swipe. The color theme and deep jewel-toned smoky eyes, gleaming skin and matte lips are totally my style, and I’m a sucker for the magical vibe.

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Guerlain Holiday 2015 Winter Fairy Tale Collection Highlights

October 7th, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

“SNOW DAY!”

Two words I have never spoken in my life, although I’ve always wanted to, but growing up here in this part of California, the only snow we get is on TV, except for the fake kind they use at the mall by the scary Santa…

No offense to any mall Santas out there, but the ones I remember were terrifying! They were just so big and loud and red and sweaty…

Wait — what were we talking about?

Oh, yeah! Guerlain…

guerlain holiday 2015 eye blush palette — The eyeshadows from the Guerlain Holiday 2015 Eye & Blush Palette (it’s a compact with two tiers)

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Make Up For Ever Holiday 2015

October 6th, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

Hold me close and kiss me deeply, MUFE, as we snuggle by the Christmas tree and the roaring fire…

Hello, holiday collections! MUFE, you had me at glitter and hot pink. 🙂

Make Up For Ever’s holiday 2015 collection is cutie-cute-cute, and as for the packaging, there’s no man junk visible within a three-mile radius.

The collection includes six limited edition sets, and here’s a look at three of them (not shown are the lash kit, the gloss duo and the mini brush kit). They’re some of the best deals I’ve seen so far this holiday makeup season.

make up for ever holiday 2015 15 artist shadow — Make Up For Ever Holiday 2015 15 Artist Shadow palette ($59, a $221 value)

make up for ever holiday 2015 artist shadow — The Make Up For Ever Holiday 2015 15 Artist Shadow palette

The colors themselves are all re-promotes from the permanent line, so these aren’t brand new products, but you may not mind, even if you already have a few of the colors…

And the reason for that? Price break!

make up for ever holiday 2015 artist plexi gloss collection — Make Up For Ever Holiday 2015 Artist Plexi-Gloss Collection ($150, a $228 value)

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Constructivist Paint Pot

October 6th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

mac constructivist paint pot — MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist ($22)

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

When you’re on your second pot of MAC Constructivist — wait, I think this might be my third? — it’s probably time to put flowers in its hair, stick it on a float, and throw a parade for it (don’t forget the brass band). Or, you could give it the Unsung Heroes treatment. 🙂

Dude, what a snazzy little Paint Pot! This pearlescent reddish brown cream eyeshadow is a $22 member of the MAC permanent line, and we’ve been hanging out even more than usual lately.

If you love brown eyeshadows as much as I do (and I know my girls are out there; I can’t be the only one!), Constructivist is absolutely must-have, especially if you’re also a MAC fan and a lover of neutral shadows.

Flexibility is Constructivist’s super power. You can wear it by itself (which I do all the time), or use it as a base under other powder eyeshadows, and hello! — it looks lovely with so many different shades, but I’ll talk about that more in a second.

mac constructivist paint pot 2 — MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist ($22)

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NARS Steven Klein Holiday 2015, Part 2: The Color Collection

October 5th, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

Gray does not grandstand in the new NARS Steven Klein holiday 2015 color collection, but if it did, and there were more gray in the release, [THIS] would be right about where I’d insert a 50 Shades of Grey joke about my cat’s never-ending need to dominate my life.

Um, yeah! You know how NARS is with their holiday collections — they like to take the road less traveled, which in this case means nothing too candy cane-covered or outwardly holiday-ish. This year’s color collection, a collaboration with fashion photographer Steven Klein, has an artsy edge to it, and by “artsy edge,” I mean that if a billionaire playboy were ever to invite you to the secret playroom in the back of his mansion, this collection would suit your favorite pair of shiny dominatrix boots quite nicely.

As NARS puts it, imagine “Fantasy. Roles. Rules.”

nars steven klein holiday 2015 lipsticks — NARS Steven Klein Killer Shine Lipsticks in Redemption, Besame Mucho and No Shame ($29 each)

nars steven klein killer shine — NARS Steven Klein Killer Shine Lip Glosses in Special Force, Fast Life and Provoke ($28 each)

Shiny vinyl-like finishes play a big part in this 15-piece limited edition launch of pieces for eyes, cheeks, lips and nails. As they are with the Steven Klein holiday gifting sets we looked at last week, lip products are again the stars of the show. There are three lipsticks and three glosses in a completely new formula called Killer Shine, and they’re so glossy and bright that your dominatrix boots be totes jelly.

NARS also carries that same concept of lovely lusters over to the products for eyes, cheeks and nails.

And now that I think about it…there’s very little, if any, matte here, so if you’re drawn to glitter and shimmer like a moth to a flame, then holla! — you’ll probably find something to like in this release.

nars steven klein holiday 2015 vengeful — NARS Steven Klein Dual-Intensity Blush in Vengeful ($45)

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NARS Steven Klein Holiday 2015, Part 1: The Gift Sets

October 2nd, 2015 by Karen 20 Comments

It wouldn’t be the holidays at NARS without a gift set with some man junk…

nars steven klein full service — NARS Steven Klein Full Service Mini Kabuki Brush Set ($95)

And a lady in a Jason Voorhees mask…

So, yeah. It’s pretty much business as usual over at NARS! 🙂

The brand likes to scoot along the razor’s edge with their holiday collections, often doing collaborations with cutting edge artists, and their holiday releases are anything but boring and traditional. Instead of reindeers and candy canes, we get ladies in lingerie wearing sexy aliens masks.

This year’s collab is with fashion photographer Steven Klein, and it’s a big one. I’ve split it into two parts, with this first video covering the gift sets, which arrive on the NARS website and at NARS boutiques October 5, and then in stores November 1.

Here are some swatches and pictures, and there’s a lot more info in the video at the top. I hope you see something you like.

nars steven klein dispair cheek palette — NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette ($65)

nars steven klein dispair cheek palette 2 — NARS Steven Klein Despair Cheek Palette Blushes in Nico, Savage, Esoteric and Ferocious

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Benefit Holiday 2015 | First Impressions

October 2nd, 2015 by Karen 10 Comments

Why do I suddenly feel the urge to wear neon and listen to Wham!?

Oh, maybe it’s this: the Benefit holiday 2015 collection and its candy-colored, ’80s theme.

My goodness, girlfriend. It just occurred to me that, depending on your age, you may not have heard of Wham! — which is a thought that makes me want to take a long walk off a short pier (dramatic much?).

Seriously, though, they’re one of the quintessential ’80s party bands.

benefit holiday 2015 party poppers — The Benefit Holiday 2015 Party Poppers ($45) Best of Benefit kit, coming to all Benefit counters and stores

benefit holiday 2015 your bright to party party hoppin — The Benefit Holiday 2015 Your B.right! to Party Best of Benefit kit ($49, coming to all Benefit counters and stores) and Party Hoppin’ kit ($39, exclusive to Ulta)

Speaking of parties, this year’s Benefit holiday 2015 collection Best of Benefit kits sure look like they’re having a blast (look at those bright colors!). I’m getting distinct notes of out-of-control New Year’s Eve parties that can’t stop, and won’t stop, until well after dawn.

benefit holiday 2015 party poppers 2 — Benefit Holiday 2015 Party Poppers ($45) Best of Benefit kit, coming to all Benefit counters and stores

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theBalm Holiday 2015 Collection First Impressions

September 30th, 2015 by Karen 13 Comments

I hope the holidays are hella balm, girl, because you know what!? YOU DA BALM.

You da balm dot com!

The balm…? Get it??

Alright, alright, I know. Weak word play…but it’s so much fun. 🙂

thebalm in the balm of your hand 1 — Yes, I’m actually holding theBalm In the Balm of Your Hand palette ($39.50) in the palm of my hand…

The holidays have officially begun over at theBalm. Their new holiday 2015 collection is available now, and it’s just two pieces — actually, two palettes. One of them is called “In theBalm of Your Hand Greatest Hits Vol. 1,” so you’ll literally be able to hold theBalm in the palm of your hand.

Both palettes are filled with some of the brand’s most popular products, so there aren’t any new colors here. One consists of powder and cream products for eyes, cheeks and lips, and the other contains a trio of powder highlighters.

thebalm in the balm of your hand 2 — theBalm In the Balm of Your Hand palette ($39.50)

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