Makeup

Like We Did This Morning, Laura Mercier’s Easy-to-Use Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Bronze Rises and Shines

November 27th, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

Wearing the new Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Bronze ($24)

What if my eyelids naturally shimmered, and all I had to do was be awake? I’d probably stumble out of bed as usual, with my crazy-@ss hair and (sometimes) crusty drool around the corners of my mouth, and shamble to the bathroom.

But then! — then I’d gaze upon my reflection in the mirror and be almost blinded by my shimmery eyes. Wham, glam, thank you, ma’am!

Of course, that’s just a fantasy… Real people don’t have eyelids that naturally shimmer (le sigh), but I think I may have found the next best thing, Laura Mercier’s $24 Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Bronze, one of four shades in the new Art Deco Muse collection.

Illuminating Eye Colour in Gilded Bronze ($24)

These eyeshadows have a luminous, pearlescent finish and a soft, almost bouncy texture similar to the MAC Extra Dimensions (which I love!), and they shower eyelids with shimmer and pigment.

Gilded Bronze, an easy-to-use neutral bronze with taupe tendencies, is my favorite of the bunch. I have a feeling it’ll get along swimmingly with skin tones on both ends of the color temperature spectrum.

For the kind of shine I can comfortably wear to daytime events, I just pat a miniscule amount directly on my lids (I think you can get away with using less on darker skin) with a firm, flat eyeshadow brush like Laura’s All Over Eye Colour Brush, and buff out the edges with a tapered blending brush like Laura’s Pony Tail.

Then, I curl my lashes, treat them to Chanel Le Volume Mascara, swipe a smidgen of Laura’s stunning Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge gloss on my lips, and “Why, yes, I am ready for my closeup, Mr. Deville.” 🙂

Alternately, for a bolder, high-shine metallic shimmer, I’ll simply add a second layer.

More to adore about Glided Bronze…

When the medium-sized flecks of shimmer catch the light, they demand attention! This is definitely not a shadow for shimmer shy wallflowers.
The buttery smooth formula blends easily into other shadows.
I don’t detect any fallout at all.
When I layer it on top of my NARS primer, it resists fading and settling into those annoying little lines on my lids…

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What’s the Matte-er With Public Nudity? According to Urban Decay, Absolutely Nothing, Thanks to the Mattes in the New Naked Basics Palette

November 26th, 2012 by Karen 29 Comments

urban naked basics palette — Wearing the new $27 Urban Decay Naked Basics palette on my eyes, with Crave on my lids and lash lines, Faint in the crease and Venus along my brow bone

NOVATO (MBB) — Makeup mavens predict a dramatic rise in public nakedness over the holidays this year as legions of Urban Decay fans don the all-matte shades in the new $27 Naked Basics Palette.

Many plan to go to work naked, spend time naked in their living rooms, at clubs, and even at local eateries and shopping centers.

“Yesterday I got naked at Trader Joe’s,” said Karen, editor and co-founder of Makeup and Beauty Blog, “and with these six neutral shades, none of which are too cool nor warm, just about anyone can get naked anywhere they please.”

urban decay naked basics palette — Swatches from the left: Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked2, Faint and Crave

Honk if you love mattes! I think it’s always a great idea to have some mattes around for adding contrast, depth and dimension to eye makeup looks, and Naked Basics comes complete with six useful shades — four beiges, one medium brown and a dark brownish black.

Urban Decay, the brand that sparked a neutral eyeshadow resurgence/revolution with their Naked and Naked2 palettes, imagined that the mattes in Naked Basics could work as companion colors to the company’s other neutral shades.

Stay tuned, because Naked Basics bares all on Sephora and Ulta counters, and in select Macy’s stores soon, and online at urbandecay.com November 29.
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Unsung Heroes: Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara

November 23rd, 2012 by Karen 33 Comments

I have a theory that if by some magical force we were all turned back into babies and allowed to go buck wild in a drugstore, I doubt that very many of us would go goo-goo, gaa-gaa over Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara based solely on its simple, unassuming tube.

I mean, just look at it. That’s some pretty basic packaging right there. No neon to speak of, vibrating brushes, fancy fonts or flashing lights.

But man! — I gotta say, this $7 workhorse is quite a wonderful drugstore gem.

My reasons for having kept a tube of it in my makeup bag for the past few years (I literally never leave home without it) reads like an awesome laundry list (or an awesome list of awesomeness from Trader Joe’s).

First and foremost, it’s only seven bucks! And it’s carried in probably 5,000 drugstores nationwide.

I think those are two pretty great reasons, but Full ‘N Soft Waterproof also does all of the things I want a mascara to do — adding length and separation to my lashes while holding a curl, so that I look wide awake (even when I’m not).

What about raccoon eyes? you might ask.

Great question, but nope. None of that. Full ‘N Soft doesn’t flake, smudge or run, and one of the things I really like about it is how well it layers.

No bumps or clumps, just smooth, evenly coated lashes, which means I get control over how my lashes look.

When I want them to look natural, like for the beach, I just apply one or two layers for that feathery, separated look. Or when I’m craving something more dramatic, I’ll do three or four.

Either way, I think my results with this mascara are consistently great.
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Unsung Heroes: Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Gold

November 23rd, 2012 by Karen 26 Comments

On super busy days (ahem, like the first time you host Thanksgiving dinner at your house), getting an extra five minutes to put on some makeup in the morning can mean the difference between success and a nervous breakdown.

Those 300 critical seconds could end up saving someone from being shanked with a butter knife, and preventing me from spontaneously transforming into a brains-craving zombie.

To take absolute advantage of those vital minutes of life-saving meow time, there’s Laura Mercier’s $22 Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Gold, a shimmery cream shadow capable of overcoming a number of makeup and beauty challenges like…

Problem: Totally tired eyes.
Solution: Let’s not even go there about my insomnia issues and the 50 shades of purple I’ve been waking up with under my eyes. This cream shadow’s softly golden finish glows like a tropical vacation in a tube. Wearing it I feel like I look relaxed and well rested, almost like I just woke up from a three-day power nap (I WISH).

Problem: No time for brushes.
Solution: Gold’s as quick and easy to use as pecan pie is to love (my favorite, BTW — much more than pumpkin). I pat and blend a small amount on my lids with a finger. Takes all but 60 seconds.

Problem: Getting the look of effortless eyes.
Solution: Easy like Sunday morning, Gold highlights eyes with a whisper, versus a SHOUT. But you still look like you’re wearing something, making it a great choice for busy mornings, brunches and first dates (among other events).

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Rich, Red and Opaque, Laura Mercier Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge Is Red-dy for Action

November 22nd, 2012 by Karen 23 Comments

laura mercier laque rouge lip lacquer — Wearing the new Laura Mercier Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge ($22)

Red hot mama or not, Laura Mercier’s new $22 Lip Lacquer in Laque Rouge, from the new Art Deco Muse Collection, is not a lipgloss I’d want to wear on the dance floor while Bizarre Love Triangle pulses over loudspeakers.

No, it is not ideal for such situations — like when you’re shaking your groove thang and that cute boy across the room makes goo-goo eyes at you…

(You know what I’m talking about.)

There are better lip products for times like that, like perhaps sheerer products, like good ol’ MAC Big Baby and Ample Pink.

Limited edition Laque Rouge is so rich, red and opaque that a lip liner and a steady hand are practically required.

Normally, my lazy side would say, “pish-tosh!” to something like that. “I’ll pass.” But Laque Rouge forces me to reconsider. It’s one of the shiniest, most intense fire-engine reds I’ve even seen, and wearing it makes me feel like a (short, Filipino) ’40s screen siren.

What is it?

A full-coverage, intensely pigmented lipgloss with a lacquer-like finish.

What’s the texture like?

The medium-weight formula feels a little sticky, but comfortable, and it applies evenly without streaking.

Is it moisturizing?

Very! My parched pout had a few flakes before I put it on the other day, and after a few hours, my lips felt about a million times better, softer and satiated. I also like that the formula doesn’t emphasize every little crack or flake.

What’s the taste/scent situation?

Non existent, because it has neither.

And how about wear time?

I get anywhere from 4-6 hours per application (less if I’m sipping or snacking).

Is it similar to any other products?

Are you familiar with Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Icon or MAC Extreme Sheen in Drive By Love? — because it reminds me of both of those, and other pigmented, high-shine glosses.

Anything else I should know?

Yay for the easy-to-use doe-foot applicator! For a super precise look, though, you might also want a lip brush for getting into corners, and for your cupid’s bow.

One more thing — Laque Rouge seems to lean a little warm on me and has yellow undertones, so it might not be a great fit if you prefer your reds with a blue base. If that’s the case, MAC Russian Red Lipglass might be a better choice.

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Lids Strike It Rich With Yves Saint Laurent Creme D’Eyeliner in No. 7 Gold Star

November 21st, 2012 by Karen 10 Comments

Ever been cruising a beauty department and suddenly start daydreaming about leopard-print carpeting and YSL?

Really?! Me, too! 🙂

It happened the other day while I was playing with the new Yves Saint Laurent Northern Lights holiday collection.

The quads? Mmm-kay. The blushes? I thought they also were pretty cute, but the new $25 Creme D’Eyeliner in No. 07 Gold Star?

Love it!

Note to self: if I ever inherit a mansion from a mysterious billionaire benefactor (BTW, WHERE ARE YOU?!), I’m painting one of the rooms from floor to ceiling in this warm, bronzy gold (and installing leopard-print carpeting and red velvet curtains).

Can you picture Tabs in a room like that wearing his Hugh Hefner robe?

LOL! Here’s my point: this cream liner is opulent and rich.

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With the New MAC Taste Temptation Lipglasses, Purples Reign

November 21st, 2012 by Karen 8 Comments

mac revenge is sweet lipglass — Wearing the new MAC Revenge Is Sweet Lipglass from the Taste Temptation collection

Oh, it’s time! It’s time! He’s coming on stage. Quick, take out your lighter and hold it up like this while we sing along. “Purples reign! Purrrples reign!”

What do you mean, “Those aren’t the lyrics”?

Of course they are… Okay, sure, I’m changing them a little, but it’s only because I’ve got these new purple MAC Taste Temptations Lipglasses ($15 each US, $18 CDN) on my lips and my mind.

There are three of them in the new 16-piece release, and to keep playing with the whole Prince/royalty metaphor, vivid purple Revenge Is Sweet commands the royal guard, while pale mauve Good Times softly sways the crowd, and shimmery lilac Perky (not shown here in this post) aims to ascend to the purple lipgloss throne.

This morning, after I grabbed my scepter and donned my bejeweled crown, I took two of them, Revenge Is Sweet and Good Times, out for a tour of the kingdom…

Alright, I was actually wearing a pair of stretchy pants, my new hoodie and sitting at my messy desk with Tabs on my lap, but come on, where’s the fun in that?? 🙂

mac revenge is sweet and good times lipglass from taste temptation — Revenge Is Sweet on the left and Good Times on the right

mac good times and revenge is sweet lipglass swatches — Swatches of Good Times on the left and Revenge Is Sweet on the Right

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The New MAC Taste Temptation Mattene Lipsticks Roll Out a Vibrant, Velvety Welcome Matte for Lips

November 21st, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

mac night blooming mattene lipstick from the new taste temptation collection — Wearing the new MAC Night Blooming Mattene Lipstick from the new Taste Temptation collection

Just how beguiling are the Night Blooming and Seductive Intent Mattenes from the new MAC Taste Temptation collection? Well, that depends on how fired up you get about opaque, vibrant lipsticks with an oh-so-smooooove texture.

I cannot get enough of these two tubes. For $15 a pop ($18 for my gals up there in Canada), they do it to it! You could pretty much be wearing anything else — a ‘tow-up terry cloth tracksuit, a pair of men’s over-sized camo capris, gnarly jean shorts — whatevs. Just throw on one layer of either of these two lipsticks, and you’d be like, “Yeah, I’m totally rocking these hella big camo capris on purpose…” 🙂

Just one layer is all it takes (side note: there’s one more shade, a mid-toned grayish lavender called Nocturnal Instincts, in the Taste Temptation collection not shown here).

Both the mid-toned blueish pink Night Blooming and vivid purple Seductive Intent have that great MAC Mattene formula right in the middle of the makeup Goldilocks Zone. They’re neither too slippery nor too thick, which makes them super easy to apply. No liner required.

mac seductive intent and night blooming mattenes from the new taste temptation collection — The Mattenes in Seductive Intent on the left and Night Blooming on the right ($15 US, $18 CDN)

mac night blooming and seductive intent swatches — Swatches of Night Blooming on the left and Seductive Intent on the right

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