Makeup

My Dark Circles and I Spy DuWop Circle Block and the Foundation of Youth

March 25th, 2009 by Karen 37 Comments

duwop summer 2009

Right now my dark under-eye circles and I (we’re inseparable!) are at Sephora checking out DuWop’s new Circle Block concealer ($28).

It’s a two part system with a pan of creamy peach waterproof color corrector in the cap and a liquid under-eye concealer in the jar (available in three shade families: light, medium and dark).

Applied first, the peach color corrector is supposed to cover dark circles and prime them for the concealer, which gets applied directly on top of the corrector.

duwop circle block

I’m trying to decide between the light and medium shades…

duwop foundation of youth

Also from DuWop for spring, the new Foundation of Youth oil-free foundation ($28) comes in six shades that look perfect for travel. The tube comes with a built-in brush, which you don’t see every day with foundation. That’s kinda cool.
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Sweaty Girls Can Benefit from Bad Gal Waterproof Liner

March 24th, 2009 by Karen 36 Comments

benefit cosmetics bad gal waterproof liner

You know how dance studios usually have huge mirrors on the walls, right? Well, sometimes I hate that.

Last night I went to dance class for the first time in two weeks because I haven’t been feeling very skinny in my skinny jeans. I’m on a renewed mission to get my fitness on, but it was mortifying to watch. Note to self: the six step? That sh*t is hard!

benefit cosmetics bad gal waterproof liner

Then again, watching stuff jigging from all angles really motivates one to lay off the brownies.

At least the mirrors come in handy when I want to check my makeup. As I was gasping for air between counts, I kept noticing the waterproof Benefit Bad Gal liner ($20) I was wearing.

New to the Benefit family, Bad Gal Waterproof Liner’s a smokey black pencil that comes with a sponge tip for smudging.

benefit cosmetics bad gal waterproof

In the past, I had trubs getting Waterproof’s famous predecessor, Bad Gal Eye Pencil, to stay put. I used it a few times and got it all over the place, but its heir works way better.
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Stila Smudge Pot 24 KT Golden Noir vs MAC Blitz and Glitz Fluidline

March 23rd, 2009 by Karen 32 Comments

stila indian summer 2009 smudge pot 24 kt golden noir

Just a quick followup to yesterday’s Stila Summer 2009 post. MBB reader Shivotra mentioned in the comments that MAC makes a Fluidline called Blitz & Glitz may work as a substitute for Stila’s new Smudge Pot 24K in Golden Noir (thanks, Shivotra!).

“I have a feeling it’s exactly like MAC’s Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz, which also has gold flecks infused with black liner.”

A girl can never have too many options, so let’s take a look at Blitz & Glitz ($15) and how it compares to Stila’s Smudge Pot 24K in Golden Noir ($20).

Stila Smudge Pot 24 KT Golden Noir vs. MAC Blitz & Glitz Fluidline

Both are essentially black gel liners/eyeshadows with golden shimmer. The most obvious difference has to be the price, with Golden Noir costing 30% more than MAC Blitz & Glitz, ouch!

stila indian summer 2009 smudge pot 24 kt golden noir
Blitz & Glitz on left, Golden Noir on right. Swatches taken in natural light.

As for appearance, the shimmery golden bits in Blitz & Glitz are tiny, giving it a subtle, opalescent finish, and the black applies rich and dark. To get the gold to shine through I really have to pack it on, which leads me to think of Blitz & Glitz as a matte black liner with just the faintest whisper of golden shimmer.

Stila Golden Noir, on the other hand, looks totally blinged out, with a higher concentration of large golden shimmer bits — almost glitter-sized bits.
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Stila Goes Indian Summer 2009

March 22nd, 2009 by Karen 43 Comments

Stila Indian Summer 2009 all

On Sunday mornings I love watching Indian music videos on Namaste America. I have absolutely *no idea* what the performers are saying, but I love the costumes, choreography and Bollywood style.

Indian-themed makeup has been all the rage lately (Givenchy Sari collection, anyone?), and now it’s Stila’s turn.

With shades of gold, bronze, pink, plum and teal, Stila’s Summer 2009 collection goes on sale this May.

My girl Saniya at I Heart Makeup has more of the deets on the launch. From the few items I’ve seen so far, Summer 2009 is rockin’ my boat.

The Charmed Eyeshadow Quad and the 24 KT Smudge Pot in Golden Noir are my favorites, but I also like the 24 KT Glosses, Mango Crush Lip and Cheek Stain and Marigold Duo.

Charmed Eyeshadow Palette, $28

Stila Indian Summer 2009 Charmed Eyeshadow Palette Closed

Isn’t Charmed Eyeshadow Palette’s packaging cute? How about the bindi appliques and matte gold compact?

Stila Indian Summer 2009 Charmed Eyeshadow Palette Open

The four shades of deeply pigmented and shimmery bronze, dusty rose, eggplant and teal look just as elegant on the inside as the packaging looks on the outside, and I think Stila thought ahead because the colors go well with the Smudge Pot in Golden Noir.

Yesterday I layered Golden Noir beneath the bronze and eggplant shades and got a surprise compliment from a makeup artist at the Nordie’s MAC counter. 🙂

Stila Indian Summer 2009 Charmed Eyeshadow Palette swatches

Be prepared to handle the quad with kid gloves, though, as the bindi decorations fall off easily with just normal handling. It’s just as delicate as it looks.

24 KT Smudge Pot in Golden Noir, $20

Stila Indian Summer 2009 Golden Noir 24 kt Smudge Pot

Golden Noir applies as a deep, true black infused with golden glitter — sooo pretty!

As I sit here thinking, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anything like it before. I wouldn’t be surprised if it sold out early.
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Thanks for Sharing Your St. Patrick’s Day Look

March 21st, 2009 by Karen 19 Comments

Thanks for sending in your looks for St. Patrick’s Day. Ya’ll are so beautiful and creative! 🙂 Among the submissions, green eyeshadow was well represented, but there were also some fun neutral looks, too.

MBB Babe: Wendy from The Netherlands

Eyes: MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre, MAC Shadestick in Sharkskin, MAC Eyeshadow in Topknot, MAC Eyeshadow in Phloof!, MAC Pearlglide Liner in Wolf, MAC Dazzle Lash Mascara in Dazzle Black
Lips: MAC Hello Kitty Lipstick in Big Bow
Face/Cheeks: MAC Blush in Gentle

Describe Your Look: “Just a bad kitty.” 🙂

MBB Babe: Felicia from Texas

Eyes: MAC Liquidlast Liner in Greeplay, L’Oreal HIP Duo in Riotous (light shade applied dry on the lid, dark shade applied wet on top of Liquidlast Liner on upper lash line), Lancome Color Design Blush in Freeze (on browbone), Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner, Ardell Fashion Lashes #124, Lancome Definicils Mascara
Lips: MAC Hello Kitty Tinted Lip Conditioner in Popster
Face/Cheeks: Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Rosey, Tarte Mineral Powder Bronzer in Hotel Heiress, Neutrogena Mineral Sheer Mineral Powder Blush in Illuminator, Prescriptives AnyWear Multi-Purpose Makeup Stick SPF 15, Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Powder SPF 15

Describe Your Look:
“I just wanted to see how the Prescriptives foundation and powder I tried on at Nordstrom earlier would look like with some eye and cheek color. And since it was St. Patrick’s day, why not play with some greens? 🙂 The green came out lighter because of the flash and the lighting in my room is all whacked so it turned out a little lime/yellowish. It’s more smokey in real life.”
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Dior Cristal Collection Summer 2009: A Few Swatches and Product Pictures

March 20th, 2009 by Karen 55 Comments

dior cristal collection electric lights palette

‘Sup, pretties! Here’s a peek at three products from Dior’s upcoming Cristal Collection, which arrives at Dior counters in May — Electric Lights eyeshadow palette ($56), Coral Riviera blush ($42) and Addict High Shine lipstick in Artist Pink ($26).

dior cristal collection coral riviera blush product shot

These blues, corals and pinks get me so excited that my mind feels like it’s going a zillion miles a minute. I have no choice but to spew with a list!

The Electric Lights eyeshadow palette is giving me hella good MAC Cool Heat flashbacks. The shimmery purplish blue shadow in center? Instant love!
Coral Rivera blush, a shimmery gold coral, is already available for purchase on the Nordstrom website. It bears a striking resemblance to one of my favorite Nars blushes, Torrid.
Right after I applied Artist Pink lipstick on my lips I did a little jig in my living room, fo’ reals! It has the cutest tiny flecks of pink and gold glitter.

dior cristal collection artist pink addict high shine lipstick lip swatch

This Dior-inspired conniption may cause me to spontaneously combust in front of my computer! If that happens, please remember that I loved you all as much as I loved concealer.
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Stila Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara Stands Up to Stair Steppers and Sweat

March 20th, 2009 by Karen 14 Comments

stila lash visor waterproof mascara review

We finally made it to Friday, homies! Here’s a big pat on the back to all us for making it through the week: *pat, pat*

Got any plans for the weekend? I slacked BIG TIME on my cardio all week long, so I might go for a run on Sunday or brave a killer gym sesh with my favorite friend/enemy/calorie blaster, the Mighty Stair Stepper Machine.

I was sweatin’ like Keith at the gym last night, duking it out with the stair stepper while I simultaneously…

tried unsuccessfully to NOT fall off at least once;
marveled at the 16-year-old on the stepper next to me who had like six phones with him and was text messaging on all of them the entire time (WTF!? I can barely fast forward to the next song on my iPod without risking my life); and
test drove Stila’s Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara, aka waterproof mascara hawtness!

Stila’s Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara comes with the Foxy Barbie Loves Stila beauty can, but it’s also available separately for $12.50.

I think it kicks my former favorite waterproof mascara, Shu Uemura Precise Volume Waterproof, in the boo-tay.

stila lash visor waterproof mascara review
One coat of Lash Visor, KAPOW!
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Ladies Love the Purple: Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow in Heather

March 18th, 2009 by Karen 36 Comments

bobbi brown long-wear cream shadow in heather

Ladies, I had a minor incident this morning on the beauty home front.

I was plucking my brows and found my very first white eyebrow hair.

yea… huzzah…

While this stone cold reminder of my trek through my 30s was a bit traumatic, I tried to look on the bright side: at least the hair was dainty and kinda cute. 🙂

If it had been super long and wiry like the hair on a Jack Russel Terrier, I would be singing another tune. That, and I’d have to start getting REALLY creative with all the close-up eye photos on this blog, LOL!

bobbi-brown-heather-eye

Speaking of close-up eye photos, here’s one of my new favorite cream eyeshadow, Bobbi Brown’s Heather ($22). And no, you won’t be able to find that white hair in this pic. It has been vanquished!

bobbi brown long-wear cream shadow in heather swatch

Heather’s a matte mauve confection from Bobbi’s recent Platinum Collection, and to steal a tune from J-Timberlake in those McDonald’s commercials, “Bah-dah-dah-dah-daaah… I’m lovin’ it!”
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