Daily Beauty

Powder, and Not Flour, Powers Laura Geller’s 25 Shades of Baked Holiday Eyeshadow Collection

November 5th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

What are your favorite baked goods?

Croissants, fresh French bread, cupcakes or sourdough? How about brick-oven pizza crust, blueberry muffins, bear claws or holiday eye palettes?

Wait — what was that last one?

Holiday eye palettes, like Laura Geller’s new 25 Shades of Baked Holiday Eyeshadow Collection, with its piping hot jewel-toned and neutral baked shadows.

The shimmery finishes should be perfect fits for holiday parties, and just think of all the looks you could do with 25 shades! 🙂

It’s on the menu now for $66 over at qvc.com.

Reservations not required.

Dolce & Gabbana National Artist Christian McCulloch Will Be in San Francisco This Saturday

October 31st, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

It being Halloween and all, how about some eye candy? Walk with me, while we take a quick excursion to the Land of Dolce & Gabbana…

If you’ve never crossed paths with Dolce & Gabbana’s Desert Quad ($67, and part of the brand’s permanent line), try to, especially if you love warm brown on your eyes. It’s an absolute joy to blend!

And speaking of joy…if you plan to be in San Francisco this Saturday, November 2, swing by the Dolce & Gabbana counter at Saks Fifth Avenue in Union Square.

D&G national artist Christian McCulloch will be there giving makeovers at the counter.

I met Christian last spring, and he was a ton of fun and a tremendous resource with a vast arsenal of makeup tips.

Call the Dolce & Gabbana counter at (415) 438-5225 to schedule an appointment. No minimum purchase necessary, and it’s free to attend. 🙂

Dolce & Gabbana Lipsticks in Ultra (left) and Amethyst (right) — Lipsticks in Ultra (left) and Amethyst (right), $32 each

Dolce & Gabbana Perfect Matte Concealer — Perfect Matte Concealer, $40

Dolce & Gabbana Warm Rose Liquid Matte Foundation — Warm Rose Liquid Matte Foundation, $66

Dolce & Gabbana Rose Beige Perfect Luminous Foundation — Rose Beige Perfect Luminous Foundation, $59

Dolce & Gabbana Nude Nail Lacquer — Nude Nail Lacquer, $24

Dolce & Gabbanna Desert Quad Swatch — Desert Quad, $67

Dolce & Gabbana Swatches from the left: Concealers in Classic and Creamy; Perfect Luminous Foundation in Rose Beige and Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Warm Rose — Concealers in Classic and Creamy; Perfect Luminous Foundation in Rose Beige and Perfect Matte Liquid Foundation in Warm Rose

Dolce& Gabbana Lipstick Swatches in Ultra (left) and Amethyst (right — Lipstick Swatches in Ultra (left) and Amethyst (right

Latest Hair Obsessions: Kerastase Bain Elixir Ultime Shampoo and Masque Elixir Conditioner

October 30th, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

I brought home both of these goodies after my last haircut on the recommendation of my stylist, Alis, and I lurve them.

My mop had been parched lately and was looking a little dull, especially the ends, for which Alis suggested Bain Elixir Ultime Shampoo ($42 for a 250ml bottle) and Masque Elixir Ultime ($65 for a 200ml jar), both by Kerastase.

BAIN ELIXIR ULTIME ($42)

A versatile, nourishing oil providing ultimate shine, softness and nourishment for all hair types

Silicone and paraben-free

Gently cleanses while nourishing and purifying

Strengthens hair, leaving it soft and shiny

MASQUE ELIXIR ULTIME ($65)

A beautifying oil treatment for all hair types

Revives and restores hair

Nourishes deep into the hair fiber

Pumps up the shine

Leaves hair feeling weightless

I was wary of the prices ($65 for a hair mask? OMG!), but Alis assured me that both products would last a good, long while, and I think she’s right. I’ve only been using a dollop of each one for my hair, which is pretty thick and unruly, so I should be able to stretch these out for — I’m hoping — 6 or more months.

Both of them contain a blend of oils — maize, pracaxi, camellia and argan — to soften and add incredible shine, without a lot of weight, and they’re recommended for all hair types.

Gotta say…I’m a believer! It’s only been a couple weeks, but I’m sure my mop is shinier, and the ends definitely feel less crunchy.

I also don’t feel like my hair has a coating/residue (ugh, hate that) after I rinse off in the shower, and best of all, after my hair dries, it still has a good deal of volume.

Both the Bain Elixir Ultime and Masque Elixir are available now.

The MAC RiRi Hearts MAC Holiday Collection: Nail Lacquer in RiRi Woo

October 29th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

OK, Rihanna. I get it — you love wearing red. Me too. It never goes out of style.

MAC’s Nail Lacquer in RiRi Woo, a classic cool red with a creamy finish, goes buck wild with pigment! — so much pigment that you can wear one coat and be totally fine.

I strongly suggest wearing it with an industrial strength base and top coat, though, because I applied two coats without either one (laziness, yo!), and huge chips appeared on two of my nails later on the same day I painted them.

Poo.

I mean, I am pretty rough on my nails, so your results may vary. I put mine through a lot, between the typing and the opening of so many cans of gravy, but I question the formula’s ability to keep up with this cat assistant’s lifestyle. 🙂

(I’m only half joking.)

Deborah Lippmann Nail Color in Stronger, Created With Kelly Clarkson

October 25th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

Ever since I saw Kelly Clarkson perform live last year (it was at this weird free concert for the grand opening of a Microsoft store) I’ve been a not-so-secret superfan.

She was so good live. Seriously, girl can sang!

Stronger isn’t my favorite one of her songs (that would be Don’t Rush), but it’s in my top five. It’s one of my exercise anchor songs because it gets me through the last five minutes on the treadmill.

Whatever it takes!

Kelly helped Deborah create this tenacious, vivacious violet with colorful pieces of hexagonal glitter, and Kelly even wore it to the 2013 Grammy Awards.

It’s super sparkly…! I used two coats for these swatches, but one looks good, too (just has less glitter).

It’s available now for $19 online and at Deborah Lippmann counters.

Deborah Lippmann Stronger Swatch — Two coats…

Stila’s $34 Color Outside the Lines Holiday Smudge Stick Set Encourages Artistic Rule-Breaking

October 24th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Whoa! Art class flashback…

I’m tempted to draw pictures of fruit bowls with Stila’s new twist-tip Color Outside the Lines Smudge Stick Set ($34), but the sticks aren’t designed for notebooks. The creamy pencils are designed to smudge, line and shade lids all day long.

Stila definitely didn’t skimp on the pigment with these, and they’re also waterproof and long lasting.

The limited edition holiday set is available now at Ulta stores and online.

3 Out of 4 Mockingjays Recommend Rogue Red Glosstini Nail Polish From the Covergirl Hunger Games Collection

October 22nd, 2013 by Karen 8 Comments

Covergirl Hunger Games Rogue Red Glosstini Nail Polish

Future revolutionaries, take note. Next time you start a rebellion, keep a bottle of Rogue Red Glosstini from the Covergirl Hunger Games collection close…because it just seems right to wear a glittery reddish gold polish on your claws/paws while you’re usurping authority.

That, and it’s only $3.79!

That’s a small price to pay for defiance. 🙂

I really like this one, even if it isn’t entirely unique (reminds me of Riveting from the China Glaze Capitol Colours collection).

It’s glittery, pigmented and smooth. Great, great and great.

I’m using two layers here, but I think I could have gotten away with just one.

Check your local drugstore for availability (this one seems a little hard to track down online).

Covergirl Hunger Games Rogue Red Swatch — Rogue Red Glosstini (two layers)

Covergirl’s Hunger Games Collection Lipslicks Smoochies Sizzle Gloss in Violet Flare Should Satisfy Your Appetite for Smoochies

October 21st, 2013 by Karen 9 Comments

Covergirl Hunger Games Collection: Lipslicks Smoochies Sizzle Gloss in Violet Flare

Next time you get a craving for a glittery sheer purple gloss (seriously, it could happen), the odds may ever be in your favor, assuming it happens while Covergirl’s Lipslicks Smoochies Sizzle Gloss in Violet Flare ($5.99) is available in stores.

NOTE: Not recommended for use in the arena, as the shine could make you easier to track. Better to just wear this one on dates with Peeta and/or Gale. 🙂

Find it training now with the rest of the Covergirl Hunger Games collection at Ulta stores and online.