Daily Beauty

Spring Is a Time of Renewal and a Time for Fresh Life Eau de Parfum

January 16th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

#truth: Instead of calling this perfume “Fresh Life,” I like calling it “Thug Life.” No particular reason. It just makes me laugh. 🙂

I’ve been wanting a break from heavier scents after last month, and Fresh Life (“THUG LIFE!!!”) is light, airy and refreshing — kinda like a more citrusy version of Chloe.

According to the two bronze kitty bookends (they whisper to me), the official fragrance notes are sweet cucumber, sparkling moss, morning dew, grapefruit, lilac leaves, transparent magnolia, velvet bergamot, vanilla grass and dreamy cypress.

Fresh Life Eau de Parfum is a fragrance that captures the ultimate Fresh moment, conjuring the freshness of a clear blue sky, sweet morning air, a sparkling sun, and velvety water.
–neimanmarcus.com

A couple spritzes on my wrists and neck lasts all day long.

If it sounds sniff-worthy, it’s available now at Neiman Marcus and neimanmarcus.com.

I’m Resorting to Tropical Distractions With the Four New Essie Resort 2014 Collection Nail Polishes

January 16th, 2014 by Karen 20 Comments

Essie Resort 2014 from the left: Resort Fling, Under the Twiglight, Find Me An Oasis and Cocktails & Coconuts

The new Essie Resort 2014 collection and I have plans for a swatch date this morning/afternoon.

Perhaps over coffee. 🙂

Mmm…coffee.

And brunch.

Nothin’ like a good cup of coffee while you paint your paws, am I right? (Or a cup of coffee pretty much any time, for that matter. I WISH I were one of those people who could have coffee with dinner, but I can’t… It keeps me up.)

I always look forward to Essie’s resort collections, which come out between their winter and spring releases, even though it seems kind of strange to think of resorts this time of year.

Wait — maybe not. I think the idea is that this is when a lot of folks want to go on a warm vacation (myself included).

Oh, to be an eccentric billionaire…

DUDE, I’d charter a fleet of airliners to fly us off to someplace fabulous and tropical this weekend!!

Essie Cocktails & Coconuts — Cocktails & Coconuts, a shimmering warm sand

Essie Resort Fling — Resort Fling, a creamy, peachy coral

Essie Under the Twilight — Under the Twilight, a creamy, smokey plum

Essie Find Me an Oasis — Find Me an Oasis, an icy blue cream

Essie Resort 214 from the left: Resort Fling, Under the Twilight, Find Me an Oasis and Resort Fling — From the left: Resort Fling, Under the Twilight, Find Me an Oasis and Resort Fling

Essie Resort 2014 collection swatches from the left: Cocktails & Coconuts, Find Me An Oasis, Resort Fling and Under the Twilight — Swatches from the left: Cocktails & Coconuts, Find Me An Oasis, Resort Fling and Under the Twilight

I can’t wait to get these on my nails…

For the NARSissists Among Us: The New $49 NARS NARSissist Cheek Kit

January 13th, 2014 by Karen 31 Comments

NARS NARSissist Cheek Palette and Mini Blush Brush — NARSissist Cheek Palette and Mini Blush Brush, $49

Because, ya know, what the world *really* needed was another NARS blush palette with Orgasm and Laguna.

Le sigh…

I ya, NARS, and I love both of those shades, but it sure would be nice to see a blush palette without the usual suspects.

NARS Cosmetics is bringing out your inner NARSissist with the introduction of the NARSissist Cheek Palette. Named for and inspired by the brand’s devoted fans and cult followers, this inaugural palette showcases the brand’s most iconic products and beloved shades for cheeks.
— NARS PR

OK, sure, the new NARSissist Cheek Kit does also come with Devotee, a limited edition shimmery peachy pink highlighter, and a cute mini blush brush (so soft!), so it’s not simply Orgasm and Laguna (silver linings, right?).

Might be something to consider, especially if you’re trying to streamline or don’t have any of these shades.

The whole kit and caboodle arrives February 1 exclusively to Sephora and sephora.com.

NARS NARSissist Cheek Palette on the top and Eyeshadow Palette on the bottom — The NARSissist Cheek Palette on the top and the new Eye Palette on the bottom

NARS NARSissist Cheek Palette Swatches from the left: Devotee, Orgasm and Laguna — Swatches from the left: Devotee, Orgasm and Laguna

Sneak Peek! New Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils Are Coming Soon

January 10th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Just a quick peek at the new Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Colour Pencils ($16 each) coming next month to Sephora stores and occmakeup.com. I plan to review them next week.

Are you down with OCC? (Yeah, you know me!) 🙂

Like Tabs, Milani Eye Tech Perfection Liquid Liner Has Curve Appeal

January 8th, 2014 by Karen 9 Comments

This liner, like Tabs in his groundbreaking spread for Playcat magazine, celebrates curves!

The shape of Milani’s new felt-tipped liquid liner looks really cool — kind of futuristic, like what I imagine liquid liner pens would look like in Bladerunner.

Instead of being shaped like a run-of-the-mill pencil, it’s curved, which they say makes it more ergonomic and easier to use, and by holding the pen at different angles, you’re able to create different liner looks.

Sooooo, does it work?

Well, it’s easy enough to use, and it feels pretty good in my hands, but truth be told, I’m not seeing much difference between using it and a regular liquid liner.

The liner itself? It’s a’ight. I like that it’s dark. It’s a true black shade, but I wish it was a little deeper and glossier.

As for the water-resistant formula, it doesn’t transfer into my creases, which is a big plus, but whatever you do, keep your hands off it! The formula flakes when I rub my eyes.

I know, I know… Gotta break that habit.

I am able to draw fairly sharp lines with the flexible felt tip, but only if I go slowly (things get a little jagged if I’m rushing).

Eye Tech arrives online and at CVS, Walgreens and Wal Mart stores next month. It comes in a single shade, 01 Black.

New Favorite Necklace: Lucky Brand Turquoise Two-Collar Row Necklace

January 7th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

The Lucky Brand Turquoise Two-Collar Row Necklace

This was a Christmas present from my mom-in-law, and I absolutely love it! It’s a bold bib necklace that looks great with black or white tops.

In this pic below I’m wearing it with the black and gold Panthere dress from Anthropologie, but I think it also pairs well with a casual white tee shirt and skinny jeans.

You can find it now at Macy’s stores and macys.com. 🙂

The Zombie Apocalypse-Approved Sam Edelman Darwin Boot

January 7th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

El Hub calls these my @ss-kicker boots. 🙂

He usually hates my shoes, but these have earned the Husband’s Stamp of Approval — a coveted prize — because they have been deemed “practical for the zombie apocalypse,” unlike most of my other footwear.

I got these casual black Sam Edelman Darwin Boots for myself as a Christmas gift and have logged quite a few miles in them over the past couple weeks.

They’re comfy AND versatile.

Ya know, versatile for boots.

They’re also purposefully distressed, so they come with scuffs on the toes and heels, which I know isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one of the things I like about ’em.

They do run big, so if you try them on, I’d suggest going down a half size. I usually wear a 7 but got these in a 6 1/2, which fits perfectly.

I like the color, too. It’s so totally ’90s! Just add a plaid shirt.

You can find them now at Nordstrom stores and online at nordstrom.com, samedelman.com and zappos.com.

They also come in Ivory (white) and Clay (tan).

Makeup-Loving Astronauts Aboard the International Space Station Report That Guerlain’s New Météorites Blossom Spring 2014 Collection Has Entered Earth Orbit

January 3rd, 2014 by Karen 20 Comments

Guerlain Météorites Pearls in 03 Medium

Guerlain spring 2014, girlfriend!

All I have to say is “SWOON.” They reformulated their Meteorites Pearls highlighters — you know, the multicolored makeup marbles that look like hard candies? — and they designed the entire 14-piece Météorites Blossom spring 2014 collection around them.

The new pearls, which you’re supposed to swirl together with your brush and then apply, use something called “stardust technology.”

How very sci-fi-ish of the marketing department. 🙂

The new formulation is supposed to be even more luminous than before, and better at brightening and disguise…

Hello! — I am so totally down with both those things. Right now I look and feel like I could use 10 years of sleep, which is what I get for staying up too late watching Breaking Bad (watch it!).

Back to the pearls…

There are three new permanent line shades, with each one made for a specific task. The first, 02 Clair, which is shown here, corrects redness with green pearls while champagne and white pearls illuminate.

The second one is 03 Medium, a neutral combo of beige, champagne and peach pearls designed to make skin glow.

And the third new one, 04 Dore, has chocolate-colored, fuchsia and beige pearls for smoldering radiance.

Review coming soon…

Each pack of pearls is $60, and they’re available now with the rest of the 14-piece Meteorites Blossom spring collection (other than the pearls, there are shadows, a brow kit, blushes, a mascara, two lipsticks, one lipgloss, a nail polish and a brush) at Guerlain counters and online.