Makeup

A Face of the Day with the Urban Decay Shattered Face Case

September 10th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

Today was the first day in a really long time that I wore a sweater and long pants…

Bluh.

On the one hand, I’m gonna miss the hell out of summer. On the other hand, it’s nice when your office isn’t hotter than a sweat lodge.

I kid you not, yesterday it was so hot in hurrrrr that I had hallucinations! — including one with Tabs meowing to the tune of R. Kelly’s Ignition.

One of the coolest things about the cooling weather, though, is that it means holiday makeup isn’t too far away.

Yeah, boo. H-O-L-I-D-A-Y.

If you’re the type to pre-plan your Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s makeup months ahead of time, 1) you’re much more organized than I am, and 2) you might really dig the new $44 Urban Decay Shattered Face Case.

It’s one of a dynamic duo of recently released Face Cases from Urban Decay (now available on urbandecay.com and coming soon to stores and counters), with a mix of wearable cool-toned beige, gray and purple eyeshadows, and slightly warmer peaches and pinks for cheeks and lips.

When my neighborhood Fed Ex guy, who likes to joke around with me, noticed my makeup today, he said he’s seen me look “much crazier.”

I’m pretty sure it was a compliment. 🙂

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This Desert Rose Comes in Pink: The Marvelously Moisturizing, Long-Lasting Le Metier de Beaute Colour Core Lipstick in Fiji

September 10th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

Friggin’ flakes and dry lips! You’re always messing with my lipstick master plans. Like last week, what was up with that? You knew I wanted to wear MAC Vegas Volt all week long — when in Rome, right? — so what happened? Why you go and do me like that?

The heavy-duty casino air conditioning and parched Nevada desert wreaked havoc on my lips. To make matters worse, I wasn’t drinking nearly enough water.

My lips were flakier than that roommate I had in sophomore year who never paid her share of the telephone bill, and yes, I’m showing my age. Back before everyone had cell phones, people actually used to share a land line.

I know, crazy stuff. 🙂

Much as I love Vegas Volt and wanted to wear it nonstop last week in the desert, MAC’s Amplified Creme lipstick formula isn’t exactly hydrating. I knew I’d need a lippie with more moisture. Much more, like Le Metier de Beaute’s Color Core Moisture Stain Lipstick in Fiji ($32).

Le Metier de Beaute Fiji Lipstick — Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© Colour Core Lipstick in Fiji ($32)

Le Metier de Beaute Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipstick in Fiji

An opaque warm pink with a cream finish, Fiji is one of 26 permanent shades in Le MÃ©tier’s Colour Core Moisture Stain Lipstick line.

Wear time like whoa!

This was my first rodeo with this particular family of lippies, and based on Fiji, it won’t be my last. Because I love it. It lasts a whopping 4-5 hours and delivers more moisture than a raging river.

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NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley, Cat Eyes and a Growing Crisis Among Cat Ladies

September 9th, 2013 by Karen 35 Comments

NARS Black Valley — Wearing the new NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley ($25)

According to recent research in the field of cat lady psychology, incidents of Kitty Stockholm Syndrome among humans held hostage by cats is at an all-time high.

A random sampling of cat ladies between the ages of 22-65 indicates that the rate of Kitty Stockholm Syndrome, or KSS, a trauma that occurs when humans empathize with their cat captors, affects a staggering 99.9% of women held hostage by their cats.

Because of the stigma attached to KSS, and fearing retribution at the paws of their feline captors, many cat ladies are reluctant to publicly discuss the phenomenon. But a few brave souls, like blogger Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog, have been willing to speak about it on the record.

Karen recently sat down with us for this exclusive interview to reveal what goes on in the mind of a cat lady KSS sufferer…

“Oh, sure,” said Karen, a veteran beauty blogger and cat lady who’s lived with KSS since 2007. “I’ve got KSS, big time, but it doesn’t really manifest itself until I actually leave the compound.

“Take last week. My captor, Tabs, stayed at home while I went to Las Vegas for a conference. Now, you might think I would have used the trip as an opportunity to escape, but the entire time I was there, I kept thinking about Tabs — wondering if he was watching birds through the windows, or sleeping, or eating the potted catnip plant he forced me to install before leaving.

“I thought of him so much that it even came through in my makeup!

“I wore cat eye liner over the entire trip, exactly the way Tabs likes it, too — in a true black shade, dark and dramatic, with a flirty, feline flick at the end — using the new NARS Eye Paint in Black Valley ($25).

“By the way, NARS Black Valley? All sorts of rad.

“Wait! — you haven’t tried it yet? I know this interview is supposed to be about KSS, but seriously, we have got to get you on the Black Valley train, ASAP.

“It’s from the new NARS Eye Paints line of long-wearing potted gels that do everything — almost like MAC Fluidline/Paint Pot hybrids. You can use ’em to line your eyes (both lash and water lines), as cream shadows, or as bases for powder products.

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Fresh, Poised and Polished With Le Metier de Beaute Kaleidoscope Face Kit in Flawless

September 2nd, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Le Metier De Beaute Flawless Face Kaleidoscope Face Kit — Wearing Le Metier de Beaute’s Flawless Face Kaleidoscope Face Kit ($95)

I’m really looking forward to going to Las Vegas tomorrow because 1) it’s for Photoshop World! — and I can’t wait to get my learnins’ on; 2) I am absolutely, positively certain that this will be the trip I finally win a mega-zillion-dollar jackpot (gotta think positive); and 3) I’m not even stressing about packing tonight.

Much.

I’m not even stressing about packing, much. 🙂 Fortunately, it helps that I never fully unpacked my luggage after Kauai. Plus, ever since the Kaleidoscope Face Kit in Flawless from Le MÃ©tier de BeautÃ© entered my life, makeup packing has gotten noticeably easier.

Le Metier Beaute Kaleidoscope Face Kit in Flawless — Le Metier de Beaute Kaleidoscope Face Kit in Flawless ($95)

Like Optimus Prime, this road-ready, incredibly pricey four-pan face palette transforms. Each of its pans swivels out — WOOSH! — and then pops out from the bottom, so you can replace them when you’re finished.

Le Metier de Beaute’s Flawless Face Kaleidoscope Face Kit

The kit includes…

Classic Flawless Face Finish Translucent — a colorless, yellowish beige powder
Highlighter in Whisper — a pearlescent light peach highlighter
Radiance Powder Rouge in Echo — a warm pinky peach blush with a golden sheen
Le Metier Bronzer — a warm golden brown with flecks of golden glitter (although the glitter doesn’t really show up on my face when I wear it)

Reasons to toot-toot, beep-beep!

This kit has what it takes to create, dare I say it, flawless skin.

It’s redonk how expensive it is, but man! — it’s got the goods. Le Metier de Beaute probably could have called it anti-aging because I swear it takes a few years off. The powders are just so finely milled that they don’t look fake or heavy at all on my skin, not even close up.

When I do the bronzer, blush, highlighter and face powder combo, all four of them sit atop my trusty MAC Face+ Body, and my skin looks fresh and polished with a pretty glow. Not overly made up.

Le Metier De Beaute Flawless Face Kaleidoscope Face Kit swatches — Swatches from the left: Classic Flawless Finish Translucent Compact Powder, Highlighter in Whisper, Radiance Powder Rouge in Echo and Bronzer

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Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…You’re Not Half as Shiny as These Three New Clarins Graphic Expression Fall 2013 Collection Joli Rouge Lipsticks

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Clarins Spicy Cinnamon Joli Rouge — Now that’s a Spicy Cinnamon! — A Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in Spicy Cinnamon ($26), one of three new shades for fall.

Those matte lippies have such sass! — always seducing makeup lovers with their fabulously flat finishes.

Recent intel gathered from credible sources indicates that 1) I’ve been watching a ton of 24 lately, and 2) matte lip products have been quietly taking over ~~the world!~~ makeup bags one tube at a time.

The conspiracy runs deep, too. You can’t trust anyone…

Uh…sorry about that. Random Jack Bauer moment. They really should put a warning label before that show. “Too many back-to-back episodes may result in product paranoia.”

Hmm, where were we?

Oh, yeah! So, I’ve been diggin’ the flat finishes coming out for fall, but that doesn’t mean I love luminous lipsticks like the three new fall Joli Rouge Lipsticks from the Clarins Graphic Expression collection any less. They reflect so much light that I can practically read by ’em in the dark!

Well, not really, but medium-weight, full-coverage rosy Pink Camellia, orangey brown Spicy Cinnamon and plummy Royal Plum do almost look like glosses on my lips.

Clarins Joli Rouge Fall 2013 Lipsticks from the left Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum — Fom the left Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum

Clarins Joli Rouge Fall 2013 swatches from the left Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum — From the left: Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum

Clarins Pink Camellia Joli Rouge — Pink Camellia

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Like Gatorade for Your Lips, New Mega Moisturizing Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colours in Pinky Beige and Spiced Berry

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Wearing the new Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Spiced Berry ($9.99, available now at Target)

Mark my words! Come hell or high water! I AM GOING TO TARGET TO BUY THAT CAT LADY SWEATER TODAY!!

I’ve had it on my to-do list for… Heck, I don’t know how long it’s been on there. At least a week. El Hub’s car has been in the shop, so he’s been taking my Mazda to work, which has left me at home with Tabs.

Not that I mind (except for the sweater).

But I’m mobile again. Got my car back, so I can run a few errands this afternoon. Tabs needs gravy (Seriously, he really does. There isn’t a can left in the house.), and I need that sweater from Target.

When I’m there, I’m gonna swing by the Sonia Kashuk section to see if they have her Satin Luxe Lip Colours with SPF 16.

Babe, have you tried these before? I’m kicking myself for not getting on the train sooner because they’re kind of the sh*z. I’ve been wearing the two newest shades in the fall collection, Spiced Berry and Pinky Beige, off and on for the past couple of weeks and lovin’ it.

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Pinky Beige and Spiced Berry — See the colors at the bottom of the tubes? Makes it so easy to find whichever shade I’m looking for.

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colour SPF 16

Oh, yeah. And they’re less than 10 bucks ($9.99 to be exact). The buttery, featherweight formula feels almost exactly like a $22 MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick to me, and they’re super duper smooth, so there’s none of that annoying business where the color settles into the lines on my lips.

More to love

They’re unscented and unflavored.
Contain SPF 16.
Last from 2-3 hours, which isn’t bad for something this lightweight.
And each tube has that see-through part, which makes it easy to find the shade I’m looking for at a glance.

OK, but are they worthy of a precious permanent place in your purse?

I think so…but my definition of “permanent” is more like long-term temporary. 🙂

If they do deserve that kind of love, it’s on account of how moisturizing they are — like we’re in the desert, and our Jeep Wrangler just stalled off-road 20 miles from the nearest service station, and then you apply one of these, and it’s like a giant bottle of Gatorade for your lips.

Yeah, that moisturizing.

If your pout gets crazy dry and flaky like mine does, or if you travel a lot by plane (can’t stand that recycled air!) or live somewhere with very low humidity, I think you’ll appreciate it.

Plus, the colors are totally on point for fall.

Pinky Beige

Pinky Beige just might be the perfect creamy nude. Not too cool nor warm, it’s medium coverage and massively low maintenance. You could probably pair it with any color smokey eyes — black, gray, bronze, green, blue — no problem at all. Hands down, it’s one of the most flexible, affordable lip colors you could add to your makeup bag this fall.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Spiced Berry

Spiced Berry’s shimmery finish caught my eye immediately. It’s got good glitter, ya know? Not that cheer champ stuff, but the kind of glitter that goes great with sleek black dresses, patent pumps and dainty gold jewelry.

If you like vampy lip looks or think you might like them but have yet to give ’em a try, Spiced Berry could be a good place to start.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Swatches (for reference, I’m an NC42)

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Pinky Beige Swatch — Pinky Beige

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Spiced Berry Swatch — Spiced Berry

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For Makeup That Goes the Distance, There’s the New Long-Wearing MAC Retro Matte Collection, Pro Longwear Paint Pots and Eye Liners

August 29th, 2013 by Karen 24 Comments

The New MAC Pro Longwear and Retro Matte collections

Forget flash-in-the-pan and fly-by-night colors that disappear faster than you can say, “I’m going to need years of therapy to recover from that Miley Cyrus performance.” The new Retro Matte and Pro Longwear collections are built to last with long-wearing lipsticks, lip liners, cream shadows and pencils ready and waiting to go the distance this fall.

The MAC Retro Matte Collection

Down-and-dirty deets on the new MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks, Pro Longwear Paint Pots and Eye Liners

Permanent or limited edition: Limited edition
Availability: Next week! They’ll be online starting the week of September 3, in North American MAC stores/counters September 12, and available some time in September at all international MAC locations.
Inspiration: Actually? Ruby Woo Lipstick’s matte texture and finish. MAC decided to increase the number of shades available in Ruby Woo’s ultra-flat matte finish.
Includes: eight matte Lipsticks ($15 US, $18 CDN each) and eight Pro Longwear Lip Pencils ($19.50 US, $23 CDN each)

As someone who experienced the ’90s firsthand and owned several MAC mattes over that time, I have mixed feelings about this encore of matte lips…

To their credit, they last a looong time, which I like. They barely break a sweat after six hours, even through meals, but dayum! — what’s with all the flakes?!

At least these new MAC Lipsticks don’t seem as drying as the old-school versions, based on the couple I wore today, but they definitely aren’t heavy with hydration. I probably won’t be wearing them daily, no matter what, because matte formulas like these usually leave my lips drier than the Sahara.

I gotta admit, though, that flat finish looks really cool…

Can. Not. Wait. to wear the bright pinks and reds with cat eyes this fall.

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots and Pro Longwear Eye Liners

MAC Pro Longwear collection — All four of the Pro Longwear Eyeliners and four of 12 MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots from the new Pro Longwear collection

Permanent or limited edition: Permanent
Availability: Available now online, and coming to North American stores and counters September 5; internationally some time next month.
Inspiration: Vibrant colors and long-wearing cream shadows and liners.
Includes: 12 Pro Longwear Paint Pots ($20 US, $24 CDN each) and four water-resistant Pro Longwear Eye Liners ($19.50 US, $23 CDN each). There’s also a 242 Shader Brush ($25 US, $30 CDN)

Oh, boy! I’m stoked about the liners and Perky Paint Pot, in particular. Remember it from 2008’s Fafi? Yeah, good times… (Wow, can you believe we’ve been together that long? HOLY CANNOLI!)

The MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks…

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Bright Lips Are the Big Draw in the Illustrative MAC Antonio Lopez Lip Palettes

August 28th, 2013 by Karen 28 Comments

MAC Antonio Lopez: 3 Lips/Fuchsia in Candy Yum Yum — Wearing the new MAC Antonio Lopez: 3 Lips/Fuchsia palette lipstick in Candy Yum Yum

Bold lip lovers say what?! In your dreams, are your lips ever super saturated shades of red, pink or purple?

Heck, even if they aren’t, draw a big red Sharpie heart around September 12 on your calendar (or ask Siri to remind you), because that’s when the MAC Antonio Lopez collection lip palettes arrive.

MAC Antonio Lopez product packaging — Wants that hat!

MAC Antonio Lopez 3 Lips Nude Fuchsia Red Boxes — Oh! The boxes have the same design…

I’m pretty stoked about two of ’em — 3 Lips/Fuchsia and 3 Lips/Red. At least for me and my bold lip-lurving heart, they steal the limelight away from the 3 Lips/Nude palette.

If you like powerful pouts, watch out for 3 Lips/Fuchsia and 3 Lips/Red. Their smooth, super saturated colors do NOT mess around. Both palettes get mad love from me.

As for the Nude palette…

MAC Antonio Lopez: 3 Lips clockwise from the reds on the left: Red, Nude and Fuchsia — MAC Antonio Lopez: 3 Lips clockwise from the left: Red, Nude and Fuchsia

MAC Antonio Lopez: 3 Lips/Fuchsia shades from the left: Candy Yum Yum (a matte neon pink) and Moxie (a matte mid-toned bluish pink) and Violetta (a violet/purple with an amplified finish)

MAC Antonio Lopez 3 Lips Red — MAC Antonio Lopez: 3 Lips/Red shades from the left: Scarlet Ibis (a bright matte orangey red), MAC Red (a bright bluish red with a satin finish) and Deeply Adored (a matte deep scarlet)

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