Face

Tarte Tempts Blush Enthusiasts With a Fantastic Foursome of Limited Edition Holiday Shades

October 15th, 2012 by Karen 34 Comments

Yes, grasshopper. You are ready…

Ready to take the leap!

You have trained well in the pursuit of flushed cheek perfection, swirling and bouncing your blush brush, and now it is time to take your level of blush love from hobbyist to full-blown enthusiast.

You can — no, you must lead your team of four Tarte powder blushes to new heights of flushed-faced fabulosity! I have complete faith in you.

True, the four new, limited edition shades in the $35 Fantastic Foursome holiday kit are all acolytes, yet each has demonstrated great fortitude and skill.

All of them hail from an elite fighting force, the League of Amazonian Clay Blushes, arguably among the best products in the entire Tarte tribe. Their soft formula, take-no-prisoners pigment and fearsome 10-hour wear time (although Tarte advertises 12) make for some seriously long-lasting blushing.

Meet the new members of the team…

Fantastic

A cool-toned matte fuchsia, Fantastic excels at not only face-to-face flirting, but also at quickly administering a bright, just-pinched flush to the apples of unassuming cheeks. Pair it with any number of pink, purple and/or plum lipsticks or glosses currently residing in your makeup bag.

Magic

You have to believe this shade is maaaaagic! Nothing can stand in its waaaaay!

Sorry…random Xanadu moment. 🙂

This neutral pinkish coral has been trained to treat cheeks lightly kissed by the sun, which is to say that I love the way it looks with a bit of a tan.

Stellar

The team’s triple threat! Wear this peachy brown, with its flecks of silver glitter, as a blush, as a contour shade along your cheekbones, in the crease of your eyes, or as a bronzer all over your face.

Angelic

This shimmery neutral gold specializes in rapid highlighting of upper cheekbones, down the bridges of noses and along brow bones and cupid’s bows.

tarte fantastic foursome fantastic — Fantastic

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Unsung Heroes: Chanel Poudres Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder

October 12th, 2012 by Karen 23 Comments

chanel natural finish loose powder — Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Natural Finish Loose Powder in 040 Dore ($52)

My buddy Kat was giving me a ride to the airport last week when we got to talking about what I like to call, “The Chanel Effect.”

Whenever I visit a Chanel counter only intending to look, or only planning to get one thing, like a lipstick, or snagging a sample of eye cream, but then one of the makeup artists says, “Here, try this on,” hands me a mirror, and I see in my reflection what can only be described as a makeup miracle, that is The Chanel Effect.

LOL! I made myself laugh… 🙂

I experienced it a few weeks ago with Chanel’s Poudre Universelle Libre in 040 Dore, otherwise known as Chanel Natural Finish Loose Powder.

It was a Saturday afternoon. Bloated and cranky, I’d been buffeted by a monster riptide of hormones, and through a veil of tears, I told El Hub that one of two things was about to happen. Either I was going to go to a Chanel counter right then and there, or I was going to stab him with a fork.

Wisely, he suggested the former.

At the counter, one of the makeup artists talked me into trying Chanel’s $52 Natural Finish Loose Powder, a sheer, light-coverage matte powder.

After seeing myself with it on, I shot the artist a look like, good gawd, woman! I had to do a double take. The girl staring back at me in the mirror looked like she was 26!

No wonder the stuff gets such consistently high marks, despite the price and the fact that it’s only available in three colors.

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Next Stop, 1988! The New Tom Ford Beauty Cheek Color in Narcissist Evokes an Era of Big Hair and Bright Blush

October 9th, 2012 by Karen 24 Comments

What are you, Tom Ford?! Some kind of makeup psychic? Because how else could you have known that I’ve been desperately seeking an ’80s-style blush to wear with my power blazer (the one with the big shoulder pads) and slouchy leg warmers?

Your new Cheek Color in Narcissist ($55) is a veritable spectacle of intense fuchsia! — and it’s the first product from your new fall collection that I can honestly call a full-blown obsession.

And frankly, I’m surprised I like it as much as I do.

Why? Because it doesn’t exactly scream “natural-looking cheeks,” and if I accidentally apply too much, well, have you ever heard of Baby Jane?

If I’m careful, though, and get the application just right — that is, if I sweep my fan brush across the pan just once, and then dilute the color by swiping it across a paper towel before lightly dusting the brush on my cheeks — I love it. I get bright, radiant cheeks that last and last and last.

It reminds me of the way I looked a few years ago at the precise moment when I finished a half marathon…except without all of the perspiration and wicked chafing. There was a faint sheen all over my face, and my cheeks were flushed and bright.

Tom Ford Cheek Color in Narcissist — Cheek Color in Narcissist ($55)

Tom Ford Narcissist Plum Exotic Teal swatches — Cheek Color in Narcissist, Plum Absolute for Eyes and Eye Defining Pencil in Exotic Teal

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If You Can Get This to Work Well With My Skin Tone, I’ll Love You Forever, Marilyn: MAC Marilyn Monroe Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn

October 2nd, 2012 by Karen 21 Comments

mac forever marilyn beauty powder — MAC Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn

If the red lipsticks in the MAC Marilyn Monroe collection make you do grabby hands in the air (grabby, grabby, grabby!), you’re not the only one! 🙂

But don’t let those lovely lippies monopolize your affections, especially if you like pressed highlighting powders and sweet nothings whispered in your ear.

With a soft shine that whispers, “happy birthday, Mr. President,” MAC’s new pale peach Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn ($28) seeks to play up skin tones this fall without looking obvious or highlighting pores…

Pale and medium skin tones, that is. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to wear Forever Marilyn with my darker NC42 skin tone that doesn’t result in it looking ashy on me. I tried it as a highlighter, but that didn’t work, nor did wearing it as an all-over face powder.

Sorry, Tim Gunn. I tried.

MAC Marilyn Monroe Swatches from the left: Blush in Legendary, Blush in The Perfect Cheek, Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn, Eyeshadow in How to Marry and Eyeshadow in Showgirl — From the left: Blush in Legendary, Blush in The Perfect Cheek, Beauty Powder in Forever Marilyn, Eyeshadow in How to Marry and Eyeshadow in Showgirl

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Seeking The Perfect Cheek? The Legendary MAC Marilyn Monroe Powder Blushes Tint Cheeks in Silky Shades of Pink and Coral

October 2nd, 2012 by Karen 15 Comments

mac marilyn monroe legendary blush — Wearing MAC Marilyn Monroe Powder Blush in Legendary

Quick! Picture something that goes really well with strong fall eye and lip looks (but don’t tell me what it is).

Okay, now let me guess… Is it cats?

No? It’s not cats?

Alright, how ’bout false lashes? Is it false lashes?

It is?! Yay! 🙂 But wait — you say there’s more than that?

Okay, let’s say we’re looking for something easier than false lashes — something that we can wear to tone down bold eyes and lips.

Any ideas?

How about a natural-looking blush? Perhaps a MAC Powder Blush like The Perfect Cheek or Legendary ($16.50 each)?

Softer than powdered sugar but just as sweet, both of these velvety Powder Blushes take center stage with the new MAC Marilyn Monroe collection on counters this week. The launch flaunts rich red lip colors and dramatic cat eyes inspired by Marilyn’s signature makeup style, and both of these blushes — matte pinkish beige The Perfect Cheek and soft coral Legendary — promise to complement the look well.

When I met them, I thought, “Wow! Gals with milky skin tones like Marilyn’s are gonna think these are great,” but I wasn’t sure about gals with darker skin tones like mine. Then, I tried them on my NC42 cheeks…

Sweet! 🙂 For sure, they don’t appear as intense on me as I think they would on lighter lasses, but I still like the effect. Even if you’re in the NC or NW 42-44 range, I think you could still pull these off. You just might have to layer.

Babes beyond NC or NW 44, however, may want to brace themselves. These blushes are probably still worth a try, but I suspect they might appear ashy on darker damsels.

Some quick thoughts on both shades…

The Perfect Cheek

Like a paler version of MAC’s classic Blushbaby Blush, The Perfect Cheek is a true matte without any hint of shimmer or shine. If you’re hankerin’ for some color on your cheeks but don’t want to draw attention to your pores, look no further than right here! The Perfect Cheek should be neutral enough for guys/gals with warm or cool skin tones, which only adds to its awesomeness. Pair it with a true red or a reddish pink lipstick for a makeup look equal parts timeless and classic.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Legendary

One word: effortless. Lazy gals, rejoice! You won’t want to miss trying this soft coral color. When I swirl it on my cheeks (on either bare skin or atop foundation), I barely have to move to blend away any lines or edges. It’s like a dressier, grown-up version of a casual summer coral, and I’m drooling over the idea of wearing it with bold, orangey red lippies like MAC Lady Danger.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC Marilyn Monroe The Perfect Cheek Blush — Blush in The Perfect Cheek

MAC Marilyn Monroe The Perfect Cheek Blush Closeup

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Giving Cheeks a Constellation Prize: Chanel Joues Contrastes Powder Blush in Star Dust

September 26th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

chanel start dust joues contraste blush review — Wearing the new Chanel Joeues Contraste Powder Blush in Star Dust on my cheeks

Can we all agree that stars are awesome? — how they twinkle, sparkle and glimmer like glitter in the sky, inspiring poems, songs and sonnets as they hold back the darkness for zillions of years, billions upon billions of them light years away, and every one a giant, sometimes larger than our sun.

Chanel’s new soft pink Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Star Dust ($43) is a little like that… I mean, it has the twinkling part down.

The one and only blush in the new Eclats du Soir de Chanel collection for holiday 2012, Star Dust’s microscopic flecks of multicolored gold, pink, purple and green glitter glimmer on cheeks (more so in person than in pics) like diamonds in the sky.

But Star Dust isn’t any old sparkly blush. It has just enough glitter and pigment to catch the light without going astronomical. Now, I wouldn’t wear it to a disco diva dance-off, because I don’t think it’s glittery enough for that (GURL, you don’t want to battle me when I’m doing the hustle!), but that’s fine by me. Most of the time when I’m out on the dance floor with Tabs and his entourage, I try not to take the spotlight away from you-know-who. 🙂

chanel star dust blush — Joues Contraste in Star Dust ($43)

chanel start dust joues contraste blush — Closeup of Star Dust on my cheeks

chanel holiday 2012 eclats du soir de chanel swatches — Swatches from the left: Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Star Dust, Illusion D’Ombre Lonog Wear Luminous Eyeshadow in Apparence, Rouge Allure Velvet in L’Impatiente and Glossimer in Mystery

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Harmony Blush

September 24th, 2012 by Karen 30 Comments

Cheeks and MAC Harmony Blush go together like lemonade and chocolate chip cookies…

Okay, wait — that might not have come out right.

Seriously, though, have you ever had lemonade and chocolate chip cookies before? I mean together? 🙂 I know it sounds like a weird combination, but I swear it’s better than it probably sounds.

The two make harmonious music together, forming an unlikely alliance of sweet and sour that could almost be a metaphor for my life.

Case in point: last Saturday morning I crawled out of bed feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I had a bunch of chores to do around the house (and when the house is a mess, it makes everything worse), but I didn’t want to do any of it. I wanted to unwind more than anything else, and I knew that I wasn’t going to get anything productive done until I improved my outlook.

Two words: window shopping. I threw on some clothes and minimal makeup and decided to hit the mall.

I drove down to The Village at Corte Madera, which is about 20 minutes away, because they have a Nordstrom there with a great MAC counter, an Anthropologie store, Apple store, Bare Escentuals, Blue Mercury, Kate Spade and some other good stuff. Out of nowhere, I got a weird craving for a chocolate chip cookie and a glass of lemonade, so I walked over to this place called Boudin’s, a cafÃ©/bakery chain here in the Bay Area (they make a mean loaf of sourdough). As usual, of course, the universe had other plans…

Gal at the register (who was clearly not having her best customer service day): Hi.

Me: Hi! Everything always smells so good in here; it’s hard to decide. Okay, I think I’d like a chocolate chip cookie…but can you tell me first if they’re chewy or crunchy?

Gal at the register: They’re chewy and crunchy. If you buy one you can find out.

Me: Uh-huh… The thing is, I don’t really like cookies that are too crunchy, sooo I only want to buy one if it’s more chewy than crunchy. [SIGH] Okay, um, do you have lemonade?

Gal at the register: We have water and sliced lemons. But no lemonade. You can squeeze the lemons into your water and make your own lemonade.

Me: (My left eyelid started twitching) Hmm… On second thought, ya know, I think I’m gonna pass. Thank you anyway.

Then, wouldn’t you know it, as I left the restaurant empty handed and rounded the corner outside, I saw a soda machine in front of me with what? — lemonade! And me without a cookie.

Mom always says not to sweat the small stuff, but when I’m cranky and craving sweets, that’s easier said than done…

Still, I tried. I went back to walking around the mall and tried to ignore my rumbling tummy. I came upon a woman with her little girl, who looked to be about three years old, playing in the middle of the mall’s courtyard.

The girl was smiling and holding a green balloon. Suddenly, it slipped out of her hands!

Instead of screaming or bursting into tears (something I might have done had it happened to me at that moment), the girl chased after the balloon, laughing and jumping as she watched it float higher and higher into the sky.

As I watched the girl, who never stopped smiling, I felt something inside of me click. It was my reset button, turning me away from my crazy place and bringing me back to inner peace and harmony.

Which reminds me about a blush… 🙂

How do I love thee, MAC Harmony Blush? Let me count the ways…

This muted rosy beige could almost pass for a brown.
Considering its versatility, $20 is a bargain for this blush. You can use it as a contouring face bronzer, a warming blush or an eye crease color to give depth to different looks.
If you’ve ever had trouble with bronzers having orange undertones before, take a look at Harmony. It adds warmth without the orange undertones. Fantastic for skin tones from pale to medium!
I wear it when I want a natural-looking cheek color with a little warmth that won’t interfere with the rest of my makeup, like when I wear a strong eye and lip combo.
On my NC42 skin, I usually wear 2-3 layers to reach a level of color I like.
I wear Harmony a lot when I’m in a hurry. I’ll do a couple quick layers on the apples of my cheeks, and give some definition to my eyes with a small amount swiped into my creases with a 217.
Sometimes, when I want more color than I get from Harmony alone, I’ll add a brighter pink like Dollymix on top.

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Careblends Pressed Powder

September 21st, 2012 by Karen 26 Comments

Every time I hear the word, “Careblends,” it reminds me of something else…

It’s hard to explain, really, because that something is a little strange. I can’t quite call it a person, but he/she was very caring and nice.

They had a TV show that was quite popular when I was a kid. Can’t seem to recall the name of the show right now, but I remember caring for it a great deal…

LOL!

I can’t believe I haven’t given MAC Careblends Pressed Powders the Unsung Heroes treatment before. I realized this morning that I’ve hit the pan not once, but twice on a Careblends before, and considering how often I change products, that says something about how much I love this stuff.

I know I’ve raved about them before. They come in eight shades and live in MAC’s permanent line, although they occasionally make appearances as limited edition colors in collections like the Surfbaby launch.

So what exactly is a Careblends Pressed Powder? Is it a cuddly technicolor bear with an identifying icon on its tum?

No, no, it’s not. 🙂 It’s a $24 sheer-to-medium coverage tinted pressed powder with a finish a hint glossier than matte. Worn on either on bare skin or atop foundation, the Careblends look naturally flawless to me, like real skin, and I can’t remember seeing one ever look chalky.

My combination dry/oily skin also loves the way they feel — lightweight, smooth, almost like nothing at all — and they love the camera, too. They photograph really well, especially combined with MAC Face and Body, my current foundation crush.

Who might want to give them a try? Guys and girls with dry or combination skin types who like more natural looks might want to give ’em a try. Shoot, even if you have hyperactive sebaceous glands, I think they’re still worth a try. You just might want to mix them with an oil absorbing powder to help the keep shine at bay. Try a 50/50 blend of Careblends and Blot. That’s what I do when my t-zone resembles an oil slick.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

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