Eyes

Elevate Your Fuzzy Little Caterpillars to Golden Arches With the New NARS Brow Gel and Brow Perfector

July 8th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

Wearing the NARS Brow Perfectors in Kalamata and Suriname; Brow Gel Kinshasha, new for fall 2013 — Wearing the new NARS Brow Perfectors in Kalamata and Suriname, and the Brow Gel in Kinshasha

I like big brows, and I cannot lie.
You other brothas can’t deny.
When a girl walks in,
With her bushy brows,
And those arches on her face, I get sprung.

BABY GOT BROWS! I just misquoted Sir Mix-a-lot, what?

Guess who’s got big brows on her mind, babes. They’re kind of a thing for fall, which is probably why brands like NARS are rolling out the red carpet for big brows with products like their new fall Brow Gels and Brow Perfectors ($22 each).

NARS Brow Perfectors on the left and Brow Gels on the right — The Brow Perfectors on the left and Brow Gels on the right

I’ve been trying to grow out my fuzzy little caterpillars for a while, but it hasn’t been easy, thanks to the aftereffects of the era of pencil-thin brows known as the ’90s.

Mine naturally also sort of fade away around the middle mark, and then there’s the issue of Raul…the really annoying bald spot on my left brow. It’s like a no-man’s land up in that spot! Absolutely nothing grows there.

Yeah, thank goodness for side-swept bangs…and these new NARS Brow Perfector pencils and brush-on Brow Gels, both been of which have been helping me fulfill my dreams of Brooke Shields brows circa 1982.

The NARS Brow Perfector ($22)

FranÃ§ois and friends designed the NARS Brow Perfector, which comes in four shades, each with a natural matte finish, to fill, shape and define brows, and they made the twist-up pencil oval to differentiate it from the pack of similar products.

The oval shape is supposed to make it easier to control, helping you get the exact brow shape, angle and size you want.

There’s Salzbourg (a light brown), Caucase (a medium brown), Kalamata (a medium brownish taupe) and Suriname (a black)…

I’ve been using a combination of the two darker colors, Kalamata and Suriname (a very stark, dark black), because I feel like there’s a wide gap between them. Neither one by itself matches my natural brow color. Something between the two shades would be perfect for we lasses with dark brown locks.

NARS Brow Perfector Brow Gel tips — Oval shape of the Brow Perfector tip on the left and the Brow Gel’s tapered brush on the right

First thing I noticed about these was the texture. They’re hard — like polar opposites of soft, waxy brow pencils like Benefit’s Instant Brows.

But I don’t think that’s a problem at all. In fact, many of the harder brow pencils I’ve tried stay put longer, at least for me, and this one does, too. When I draw mine in at the crack of dawn, they still look prim and proper 12-14 hours later.

Interestingly, all of these Brow Perfector colors appear to contain gray undertones, and a couple of them remind me of some of my MAC brow filling favorites, except in pencil costume. Salzbourg makes me think of MAC Omega, and Kalamata reminds me of MAC Concrete.

These pencils apply very sheer, so I have to build them up when I want darker brows. Perfect, because I’ve been known to go overboard with darker pencils anyway — something that’s pretty hard to do with these. They may take a little longer to use, but I’ll take that trade-off for the added control these provide.

As for the twist-up tip, we have a love/hate relationship… On the one hand, I love the ease of use — no need to sharpen! — but the oval shape hasn’t been the best for fine detail work.

Even so, I like these. With a matte finish that looks natural, and epic staying power, the only change I might suggest is an easy way to sharpen them.

MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

The Brow Gels ($22)

Dude, these are DOPE! Much better than the MAC and Anastasia brow gels I’ve been alternating between for the past couple months.

They come in four shades — three pigmented and one colorless — with the pigmented shades actually being pigmented enough to see on your skin and brows.

Cool. 🙂

NARS swatches from the left: Brow Perfector in Caucase, Kalmata, Salzbourg and Suriname; Brow Gels in Athens, Kinshasa, Oural and Piraeus — From the left: Brow Perfector in Caucase, Kalmata, Salzbourg and Suriname; Brow Gels in Athens, Kinshasa, Oural and Piraeus

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2-Minute Review: Getting to Know Chanel Purple Berry Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

July 5th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Chanel Les Delices De Chanel Collection Stylo Yeux Waterproof in Purple Berry — Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Purple Berry ($30) from the Les Delices De Chanel collection

Got time for a 2-minute review?

Before you answer that, it’s Chanel. 🙂

WHAT IT IS: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Purple Berry, a limited-edition twist-up purple pencil liner from the Les Delices De Chanel collection.

WHAT IT DOES:

The texture’s on the hard side, but it’s actually relatively smooth for a hard pencil…if that makes any sense, and it doesn’t skip, which is great.
The pencil itself is very thin, which makes it easy to apply right at the roots of my lashes and water line.
This particular purple color doesn’t have heavy red undertones, which I like, because sometimes the reddish tones in purple liners give me zombie eyes.
The finish has a subtle, elegant sheen to it that reminds me a little of Becca’s Cabrera.
This thing’s like Michael Phelps in the water! It’s extremely waterproof, especially along lash lines. I wore it to the pool yesterday, and it didn’t flinch after 10 cannonballs. 🙂
For a deep purple color that lasts all day long, I apply 2-3 layers along my lash lines.
I know that for a lot of women the Chanel Stylos perform well along their water lines, but I haven’t been so lucky. For me they’re just okay. Along my water lines, I have to apply 4-5 layers to really see the color, and then it lasts about 5 hours, tops.
It’s isn’t really a smudgy kind of liner. It’s actually pretty tough to blend the edges.

Chanel Purple Berry — Additional Chanel makeup worn in this look: Convoitise Illusion D’Ombre Eyeshadow, Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Prune, Fresque Joues Contrastes Powder Blush and L’Eclatante Rouge Allure Velvet lipstick

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Early Mornings, Late Nights and Crazy Cats Don’t Stand a Chance Against the Brightening Power of Chanel’s Convoitise Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow

July 4th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Wearing Chanel Convoitise Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow ($36) on my eyes

Raising. The. Roof. Late ’90s style, for this shimmery pale golden cream, which I particularly enjoy on summer mornings when my cat wakes me up at 5 by using my boobs as his own personal obstacle course.

I think it’s the heat… It fires him up more than usual.

“Your body is a wonderland.” — Tabs the Cat

Chanel Convoitise Illusion D’Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow… Now that’s a mouthful.

It has a soft, almost bouncy texture — less dense than a MAC Paint Pot, but more solid than a Cream Color from Tom Ford — and lasts about 8-9 hours for me. With the littlest flecks of golden glitter, the reflective finish is definitely shiny, but it stops short of full-on metallic.

Chanel Les Delices de Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Convoitise — Illusion D’Ombre in Convoitise ($36)

The first time I tried it was after a rough night when it was so hot in my bedroom that I spent most of the evening trying to make the backs of my knees stop sweating through sheer force of will (didn’t work). I must’ve gotten three, or maybe four, hours of sleep, and I looked broken down and wasted the next morning.

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When Your Eyes Could Use a Little Fairy Magic, Give Them the Chanel DÃ©licatesse Ombres Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow Palette

July 4th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

Chanel Delicatese Ombres Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow — From the Land of Fey by way of Coco’s castle, the new $60 Chanel DÃ©licatesse Ombres Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow palette

Mermaids, elven archer girls and fairy princesses might not need the new Chanel DÃ©licatesse Ombres Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow palette because their immortal eyes already shimmer in sunlight, but mortal mavens looking for a luminous quad to fake their way into the Land of Fey could do a lot worse than this $60 quad.

The pink and plum shadows have an almost ethereal effect, like sunlight filtering through fairy wings, while the jade and mint green (yep, that white pan actually appears minty on my skin!) bring to mind images of water droplets glistening on a mermaid’s tail.

Part of the limited edition Chanel Les Delices de Chanel collection, Ombres DÃ©licatesse Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow isn’t only about spritely eyes, soft spring-like colors and delicate shimmer. It’s also about the Benjamins, as in it costs $60!

Chanel Les Delices de Chanel Ombres Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow — Ombres Fleuries Quadra Eye Shadow ($60)

Containing colors with medium coverage, it’s one of those quads where you can pile on the layers like sediments in the Grand Canyon and never look like you’re wearing too much makeup.

If you struggle with blending sometimes, this could be a good quad to consider, because even if you accidentally apply too much, you can just buff it out and be fine. It’s kind of magical that way.

Chanel Delicatese Quad swatches — Swatches

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Don’t Risque Your Lashes to Just Any Old Mascara When You Can Treat Them to New Better Than Sex Mascara From Too Faced Cosmetics

July 1st, 2013 by Karen 30 Comments

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara — Wearing three coats of the new Better Than Sex Mascara ($23) from Too Faced Cosmetics

If “just because it’s [INSERT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK]” is a good enough reason for you to wear sequins and four-inch heels, allow me to introduce you to your next mascara, the new Better Than Sex Mascara from Too Faced Cosmetics.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara tube — The pink tube, HEART (nice typography, too)

Yeah, I giggle whenever I say the name, like my mom just asked me what mascara I’m wearing and all I can do is grin from ear to ear, giggle maniacally and hold up the pink tube. “Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh-huh…” 🙂

Seriously, the last time I said the word “sex” to my mother was in sixth grade, when I had to get her to sign my permission slip for sex ed, and I still have not recovered from that trauma.

What you need to know

Contains a film-forming polymer for smudge-proof, all-day wear

Includes acacia senegal tree extract to nourish, thicken and lock curls into position

Contains carbon black pigments and peptides for the deepest, most intense black possible

Too Faced says it took them two years to perfect the formula

Specializes in adding lash length and separation

Takes some babying to maintain the curl

Inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s bombshell curves

Speaking of bombshells, that’s how this mascara makes me feel, but conveying that in pics is easier said than done. Sh*t ain’t easy when you’re trying to channel yo’ sexy and trigger a remote control camera shutter at the same time. Get the timing wrong, and this is what happens…

But the mascara, it does a great job, thanks in large part to its cool, curvy brush.

It’s kind of the business.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara wand — An hourglass-shaped brush, va-va-va-voom!

See how the bristles are longer at the ends than they are in the middle? Like an hourglass?

Little in the middle but she got much back!

Sorry… I really need to stop quoting Baby Got Back in casual conversation.

So, the brush, it hugs the curve of your lid, separating, coating and curling each lash for an absolutely lovely, unique lash look. I’ve been wearing 2-3 coats.

Can you see how my lashes in the middle look a little longer than the ones on the sides?

Neat, yeah? I’m pretty sure it’s the brush.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara box — Cute box

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I Dare You to Look Less Tired With MAC’s Dare to Bare Mineralize Eye Shadow

June 27th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

MAC Dare to Bare Mineralize Eye Shadow from the Tropical Taboo collection — That’s MAC Dare to Bare Mineralize Eye Shadow on my eyes ($21, from the Tropical Taboo collection)

If you were wondering why I love pale, shimmery golden shadows like MAC’s Dare to Bare Mineralize Eye Shadow (and I don’t know why you would), lemme break it down for you.

They never make me feel bloated or sausage-y (unlike my skinny jeans). They never bite me (unlike my moody tabby cat). They never show up unannounced, seemingly out of nowhere (unlike those annoyingly stiff chin hairs that always crop up when I’m driving).

All they want to do is love. 🙂 My favorite ones, like Dare to Bare, get my day started right, because they’re potent fatigue fighters, meaning that they help me look less tired.

And I sure needed the help today. My noisy new neighbors (the Finch Family) are early risers (you know, tryin’ to get that worm), and boy! — they’re loud.

I mean, I get it. Every new day is a reason to celebrate, but can’t we wait until 6:30-ish or 7? Come on, guys, cut a girl some slack.

Thankfully, I Dared to Bare this morning. It’s from the MAC Tropical Taboo collection, which landed on counters today. There are six Mineralize Eye Shadows in the release, but this one’s gorgeous mix of cream, violet and gold caught my eye first.

MAC Dare to Bare Mineralize Eye Shadow — Dare to Bare Mineralize Eye Shadow, $21

I want to decorate my bedroom in these colors… I think that’d be so soothing and conducive to good sleep.

When you mix Dare to Bare’s colors together with a wet brush (I use a 217 spritzed with Fix+) and buff that on lids, the colors melt together in a cool way. On my lids, I get a shimmery, peachy pale gold with violet accents that I can see sometimes out of the corner of my eye when I turn my head or blink.

MAC Dare to Bare applied with a 217 wet with Fix+… kinda hard to see the subtle purple flash in pics, I tried though!

Really, really pretty, and I think that it’s that subtle violet that distinguishes it from similar MAC standards like Ricepaper.

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Should You Bring the Paul & Joe Beaute Eye Liner WP & Eye Crayon Duo in Saint Tropez 001 to the Beach, Baby?

June 25th, 2013 by Karen 29 Comments

Few years ago I got to talking with a friend of mine who lived in Hawaii for some years. She said that while she lived there, she never once went in the ocean.

Paul Joe Eyeliner from Saint Tropez 001 Duo — Eyeliner from Saint Tropez 001 Duo Eye Crayon on the left and Eye Liner on the right

It kind of blew my mind. As a bonafide beach baby, I couldn’t fathom living in a place with warm, tropical water and not once stepping into it while you’re there. It’s everywhere around you, after all!

I know, different strokes for different folks, but if I could, I’d go swimming or surfing in that ocean every day…or at least every other day (everyone seems to say that, though, don’t they?).

Maybe that’s why Paul & Joe Beaute’s Beach Baby collection speaks to me…

Paul Joe Eye Crayon from Saint Tropez 001 Duo — The Eye Crayon from the Saint Tropez 001 Duo…

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Eye Gloss, Lip Gloss, We All Gloss for This Gloss: Paul & Joe’s Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice

June 21st, 2013 by Karen 7 Comments

So darned cute that heart-shaped bubbles and blue-eyed white kittens may trail behind you when you wear it. 🙂

Paul & Joe’s sweet dual-ended stick has a cream shadow (the Eye Gloss) on one end and a lip gloss on the other. Nice ($34), from the Beach Baby summer collection, is nice!

1. Adorable overload…

Paul & Joe Beach Baby Collection 2 — From the left: the Eye Liner and Eye Crayon from the Eyeliner WP & Eye Crayon Duo in Saint Tropez 001; the Gloss and Eye Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice 02; and Bermuda Nail Enamel

OOH! Look at the scripty font and chrysanthemum flowers.

Paul & Joe Eye Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice — The Eye Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice

Paul & Joe Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice — The Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice

2. Put your powder shadows on pause

Paul & Joe's Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice Eye Gloss Swatch — A swatch of the Eye Gloss

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