Makeup

Clarins Wonder Perfect Mascara Is Almost Perfect

September 13th, 2009 by Karen 11 Comments

clarins wonder perfect mascara review

Happy Sunday, girls. What have you been up to today?

I’m going casual with my look but still having fun with a new product.

One thing I really love about weekends is dressing down my makeup, and Clarins has this new mascara called Wonder Perfect ($23.50, available in Black, Brown and Blue) that suits my weekend philosophy to a T.

Just one little coat of this glossy, highly pigmented mascara (I have it in Black) increases lash length, pumps up the volume and holds a curl all day long.

clarins wonder perfect mascara review no mascara
Lashes, au naturale

clarins wonder perfect mascara review one layer
With one layer

I like the way it looks after one layer — natural with a little kick…
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From Runway to Realway: A Fashion Week-Inspired Violet Matte Lip

September 11th, 2009 by Karen 24 Comments

mac-vena-cava

In case you haven’t heard (LOL!), New York Fashion Week kicked off yesterday, giving us a look at upcoming fashion and makeup trends for spring 2010.

I like to think the shows are like magic makeup crystal balls that give us a glimpse of what might come to pass and plop down on makeup counters early next year.

Spring still feels like a million miles away, but those runway looks have a tendency to go marketing mainstream.

While flipping through the runway slideshows on Style.com today (SO MUCH FUN!), the violet matte lip in the Vena Cava show caught my eye.

It’s the lip in the picture at the top of the post. What do you think of that purple? — classy yet kinda dangerous? Like something Audrey Hepburn might wear if she were turned into a vampire? 🙂

MAC did the makeup for the runway show. Their magicians used lip colors from the MAC Pro line.

For my “real way” look, which is like a poor girl’s runway version, I improvised, using products from both MAC and Benefit.

mac cosmetics ny fashion week spring 2010 vena cava lip 1

I like how it turned out, and it’s easy enough to do again.

What you’ll need:

A foundation, or a light face or eye primer like Benefit Lemon Aid ($20)
A fuschia lip or eye pencil like MAC Technakohl Liner in Full of Fuschia ($14.50)
An inky, blackish purple lipstick like MAC Lipstick in Cyber ($14)

NOTE: I ended up using MAC Mattene lipstick in Night Violet instead of Cyber, but it’s limited edition and may be hard to find. They’ve got the same vibe, though.

mac-cosmetics-fashion-week-spring-2010-vena-cava-lip swatches
Swatches from left to right: Benefit Lemon Aid, MAC Technakohl in Full of Fuschia, MAC Mattene Lipstick in Night Violet

Step by step, ooh baby:

Start by applying a thin layer of foundation or primer to your lips with your finger to mask the natural color.
Next, line and fill your lips with the fuschia pencil.
With a lip brush, apply a thin layer of the blackish purple lipstick until you reach a level you like.
If you think your lips look too shiny, mattify them more by patting translucent loose powder directly on top of the lipstick.

All done!

mac cosmetics ny fashion week spring 2010 vena cava lip 5

For the full runway Vena Cava experience in your living room at home, just add sunglasses and your best Zoolander pose.

mac cosmetics ny fashion week spring 2010 vena cava lip 2
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it…

mac cosmetics ny fashion week spring 2010 vena cava lip 4
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it…

mac cosmetics ny fashion week spring 2010 vena cava lip 3
Vogue!🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Do You Think of White Eyeshadow?

September 11th, 2009 by Karen 47 Comments

shiseido fall WT 907 eyeshadow
Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color in WT 907

Happy Friday, home skillets! 🙂

I’ll be away from my computer for a bit, but I wanted to say a quick hello and share a few nibbles from Shiseido before I roll.

I’ve been messing around with a few things from their permanent collection: eyeshadows from the Luminizing Satin Eye Color Shadows ($25) line, their Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil in Brown ($20) and Distinguish Mascara in Black ($22).

WT 907, the shimmery pearl-white pictured up top, has me seriously contemplating white shadow, but I’m not exactly sure how to wear it.

I’ll probably try some in the inner corners of my eyes… I’m assuming/betting that’ll brighten ’em up.

What do you think? Any ideas for potential color combinations?

What does one do with white eyeshadow?

shiseido fall 2009

shiseido fall 2009 swatches
Swatches from left to right without flash: Luminizing Satin Eye Color in WT 907, Luminizing Satin Eye Color in BR 618, Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil in Brown, Distinguish Mascara in Black

shesiedo fall 2009 swatches with flash
Swatches with flash

Do you ever wear white eyeshadow? If you do, how do you wear it? Help me brainstorm ideas in the comments.

Back in two shakes! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Urban Decay Primer Potions: Primed and Ready

September 10th, 2009 by Karen 33 Comments

urban-decay-primer-potion-1

Looking to step up your makeup game this fall, girls? Consider a few of Urban Decay’s new primers for face, lips and lashes:

These bad boys deliver an almost airbrushed application for smooth skin, luscious lips and longer, thicker lashes.

To get the most bang for your buck, Urban Decay International Makeup Artist Eric Jimenez suggests a few insider tricks.

urban-decay-spring-2009-24-7-glide-on-eye-pencil-eric
Smile, Eric!

Flawless makeup in t-minus three, two, one…

Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion — Pore Perfecting

urban-decay-primer-potion-2

What it is:
An oil-free, velvety foundation primer with a texture like medium-weight lotion.

What it does:
Minimizes the size of pores, gets oil under control (great for areas like the t-zone) and helps foundation look smooth and flawless.

How to apply:
Begin by cleansing and moisturizing your skin. Cleansing encourages better absorption of moisturizer. Blot away any excess with a tissue.

Next, with your favorite foundation brush (interestingly, Eric prefers stiffer synthetic brushes made from Taklon or nylon), apply Pore Perfecting Primer to forehead, nose, the apples of the cheeks and chin. Blend in an outward direction.

While the primer is wet, apply your foundation with the same brush. Eric suggests blending both together, rather than layering one on top of the other, because “You get more of an airbrushed effect.”

Breaking it down

Eric likes synthetic Taklon or nylon brushes precisely because the man-made fibers don’t absorb as much product as natural fibers do. With that, he says, you can really make your foundation last, as one is apt to use and waste less.

If you have very oily skin, avoid applying primers and foundation with your fingers. Being warm, they can stimulate the pores on the face to up their oil output.

Live where it’s hot and humid? Pore Perfecting keeps makeup in place even in the stickiest, steamiest locales.

Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion — Brightening

urban-decay-primer-potion-3

What it is:
A lavender-tinted, oil-free primer to brighten, smooth and extend the wear time of foundation.

What it does:
Brightening’s color-correcting lavender tint adds a reflective, but not necessarily shimmery, look to foundation. Eric applies it wherever there are fine lines, like the fine lines around the eyes, nostrils, mouth, and in the hollows of the cheeks. Opt for this formulation if you have combination skin.

How to apply:
Apply in the same manner as the Pore Perfecting formulation (the steps above).

Breaking it down

Anticipating a big event? Exfoliate the night before, not the morning of. The reason being that exfoliation stimulates the production of oil, which means shine. It can also change the color of your skin for a short time, giving it a warmer, pink tone.

And when you want heavier coverage (like for photo shoots), apply primers with a sponge, rather than a brush.

Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion

urban-decay-primer-potion-4

What it is:
A hydrating, protein-rich mascara base packed with silk protein (aka gossamer) and panthenol.

What it does:
Eyelash Primer Potion is like a POWERUP for mascara, boosting lash thickness and length. It also makes mascara more water- and smudge-resistant.
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Lip Look: Effortless Red Holiday Lips with NARS Forbidden Red and Greek Holiday

September 9th, 2009 by Karen 79 Comments

nars greek holiday gloss forbidden red velvet matte lip pencil

Bling-a-ling-a-ling! Pick up your the iPhones, my Blanche Deverauxs. The holidays are calling (bonjour!), and they look smokin’ in this glossy, tomato-red lip from NARS.

Oh, did I mention that it’s totally easy to use?

I would have never thought to layer NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Forbidden Red ($24, a warm red with a touch of orange) beneath NARS Lip Gloss in Greek Holiday ($24, a sheer, shimmery golden pink), but a friend insisted I give it a go.

SO glad I did, because not only is it sexy as hell, but it wasn’t hard at all to do.

I used to be totally scurred of red lips. Lining and then filling them with with lipstick and lip brush, blotting and layering — it was all too much!

I wish I’d known about NARS Forbidden Red (or products like it) way back when… Velvety smooth and packed with pigment, this fatty-bo-batty lip crayon is like a lipstick and liner rolled into one. The no-tug formula glides across my lips, applying with ease.

No need for separate lip products or brushes, the red lip becomes streamlined and simple — just line the lips, fill them in and you’re done. It’s perfect for makeup enthusiasts wanting to spread their wings.

nars forbidden red velvet matte lip pencil

I dig Forbidden Red by itself, but topping her off with Greek Holiday gloss adds a little something extra without taking the look over the top.

nars forbidden red velvet matte lip pencil greek holiday gloss top

Party-hopping girls could wear this lip to holiday cocktail parties later this year. Or, if you’re like me, you could rock it in your living room while watching The Golden Girls on Lifetime while you down frozen yogurt with your cat.

tabs-jumping
This is the face you make when your cat unexpectedly jumps on your back

tabs-cranky
This is the face your cat makes when he hates you. Coincidentally, it’s the same one he makes when he loves you.
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How to Fake False Lashes with Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara

September 7th, 2009 by Karen 22 Comments

lancome hypnose drama mascara review

I love the look of dramatic false eyelashes, but they aren’t the most practical things for everyday use. Momentarily overlooking how much a good pair can cost (WTF?!), I don’t always have the time, patience or coordination, either.

Enter Lancome’s new Hypnose Drama ($24.50, comes in just one shade called Excessive Black) mascara. It’s like the imitation crab of the eyelash world, delivering most of the flava of the ~~fake~~ real thing at a fraction of the cost.

It makes my naturally thin, short and sparse (read: sad) lashes appear thicker, longer and generally more fab.

But (there’s always a but) this false lash fabulosity comes at a price, and I’m not talking about the $24.50.

First, the pros

With even a single layer of Hypnose Drama, I’m convinced my lashes look longer, thicker, fuller and better defined, showcasing the most delicious shade of glossy black, and curled lashes hold all day long (although it’s not waterproof) without any noticeable flaking or smudging at all (YES!).

The product would be an all-around great performer if it weren’t for one thing…
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Philosophy Supernatural Superglossy Lip Gloss SPF 15: Weekend Warrior!

September 6th, 2009 by Karen 24 Comments

philosophy superglossy review 3
Top: Share the Love; Bottom: Live in the Moment

Howzit, home skillets?

Did your Sunday get off to a good start? I haven’t checked in yet because last night’s Lobsterfest/True Blood marathon wore me out. I’m still a little bleary eyed from overdosing on food.

I wanted to quickly mention the new Philosophy Supernatural Superglossy SPF 15 Lip Glosses ($16.50) we talked about the other day.

I’ve been alternating between Share the Love (a creamy, sheer pink) and Live in the Moment (a semi-sheer, shimmery brown) all weekend long. Both colors have been my dressed-down lip glosses, since I’ve been in the mood for casual makeup looks (must be the heat).

philosophy superglossy review
Live in the Moment

philosophy superglossy review 2
Share the Love

The deets:

Non-sticky, thin and moisturizing texture feels lovely on my lips
The faintly minty scent fades quickly
Flavorless formula
Semi-sheer color
High-shine finish
The addition of SPF 15 is a nice bonus

I think Philosophy’s got a winner with the Supernatural Superglossy line. I like both of these shades and plan to pick up a couple more.

If you dig uber-shiny lip glosses that don’t feel sticky on the lips, think about giving the Supernatural Superglossies a try. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A

Yikes! I just noticed the time. I’d better get going. El Hub and I volunteered to drive a float in this year’s Labor Day parade here. We’re towing a three-piece band and passing out candy, yum!

I’ll be back soon. Have a great one today.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Philosophy Supernatural Collection and a Big TGIF!

September 4th, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

philosophy-supernatural-collection
Clockwise from lower left: Superglossy Lipgloss SPF 15 in Share the Love and Live in the Moment ($17 each), Instant Sunshine Natural Mineral Bronzer ($28), Lit From Within Cream Blush in Bare Your Soul ($23) and You Make Me Blush Mineral Blush Duo in Sunny/Bright ($25)

TGIF

TGIF and good morning, lovelies! We made it to Friday. 🙂

How was your night? Mine was filled with running… that is to say I went for a run after work, watched Project Runway (so glad Mitchell finally got the boot) and let my imagination run wild with Philosophy’s new Supernatural Makeup Collection (available now).

If you’re into natural makeup and stuff that’s easily tolerated by a variety of skin types, this new collection of sheer colors for face, cheeks, eyes and lips might be worth checking out.

Philosophy says they’re free of parabens, phthalates (plasticizers used in everything from children’s toys to eyeshadows and nail polish), mineral oil, talc, sulfates, propylene glycol and fragrance — and they won’t clog pores or irritate skin.

philosophy-supernatural-collection-swatches

I really like the textures and colors from what I’ve seen. They strike me as things I’d want to wear on my “non-makeup” days.

As soon I’ve spent some time wearing them out of the house, I’ll let you know how they hold up to everyday use. 🙂

What are your plans for the holiday weekend? Doing anything fun?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen