Face

On the Road Again With the Bobbi Brown Rose Shimmer Brick, a Traveling Semi-Exclusive

June 6th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

bobbi brown rose gold shimmer brick

It’s a feeling I know all too well…

That gut-busting moment that usually happens to me at airports, when I’m totally stoked about an upcoming trip. I’m through the security check, got my shoes back on, walked all the way down to the gate, and then, as I’m rifling through my makeup bag, I realize, “Crap! I don’t have my [INSERT YOUR CAN’T-LIVE-WITHOUT-IT MAKEUP ITEM HERE].”

Thankfully, if that ever happens to you, and the product happens to be Bobbi Brown’s Rose Gold Shimmer Brick, you might be able to grab a replacement right then and there.

bobbi brown rose gold shimmer brick

You may remember it from Bobbi’s Rose Gold collection earlier this year — the multipurpose shimmery compact for cheeks and eyes?

In it, five shimmery strips in various shades of peach, pink, gold and bronze sit side by side. You can wear ’em separately as eyeshadows or mixed together with a big fluffy brush and worn as a pinkish peach blush or highlighter, like I’m doing here in these pics.

Still available online (and probably also at many counters, although you may have to ask), it’s just being re-promoted as a travel exclusive (or non-exclusive, as the case may be) and pushed out to select airports and duty-free shops.

Could come in handy if you’re ever stuck at the airport and need a quick hit of shimmery golden pinkish peach…

bobbi brown rose gold shimmer brick swatches

When it comes to application, I find that using a light touch seems to help. If I go overboard, with either the individual shades or the mix, the powders appear to exaggerate the size of my pores and emphasize my fine lines (boo).

bobbi brown rose gold shimmer brick
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In the Bronzer Olympics, the NYX Matte Bronzers Get the Gold

May 30th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

nyx matte bronzer
Wearing NYX Bronzer in Medium

To the uninitiated, spotting the differences between the new NYX Matte Bronzers and the many other compact bronzing powders currently on counters is like trying to tell the difference between Coke and Pepsi blindfolded without tasting either one.

In other words, it’s tough.

After all, like most of the bronzers vying for our attention this summer, these new ones from NYX promise to do the same things — deliver a natural-looking, honey-like glow for your skin.

But if MAC is trying to rule the department store market with their Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders, NYX is going after drugstore divas and budget-minded babes with their five new Matte Bronzers.

At $9 each, the prodigious 0.33-ounce pans shout “BARGAIN!” from their perches in drugstore makeup aisles. For the price of one MAC Pro Longwear Powder, you could get two of these from NYX and still have enough change left over for a drugstore ice cream cone (do you like mint chocolate chip?). 🙂

I’ve been wearing three of the five shades this week, and impressed doesn’t come close to describing how I feel. Blown away is more like it.

nyx matte bronzer

nyx matte bronzer
Clockwise from the lower left: Medium, Deep and Light

None of that “BS” Oompa-Loompa orange business here. No way. The golden russet glow these bestow upon skin is worthy of beach barbeques and pool parties.

Very long beach barbeques and pool parties.

How long?

Well, starting with that first buttery cob of sweet corn, they last past the late-night singalongs and woozy revelations (like “S’mores are so genius!” and “Whoever invented nude wedges deserves a medal!”), and all the way until you’ve said your goodbyes before packing up the cooler to head home.
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The NYX Illuminating Bronzers: Has NYX Invented a $9 Time Machine? Inquiring Minds Want to Know

May 30th, 2012 by Karen 50 Comments

nyx chaotic illuminating bronzer
Wearing NYX Illuminating Bronzer in Chaotic on my cheeks

Shimmery bronzing powders in almost blush-like shades of luscious peach and pink aren’t exactly uncharted territory. Chanel, for example, has been there, done that, a few times before.

But NYX weaved quite a tapestry together with their three new Illuminating Face and Body Bronzers. By combining eminently flattering shades with a pearly finish and a soft, comfy texture, and then keeping the price well below department store, they created something greater than the sum of its parts.

All it took was a few swipes of Narcissistic (a beige), Chaotic (a golden peach) and Magnetic (a peachy pink) to get me hooked on all three.

nyx illuminating bronzer compacts

The marketing material doesn’t say, but I wonder if NYX co-created them with Cher, because they are, after all, designed to “turn back time.” 🙂

How so?

By bestowing a natural radiant glow to the skin that also diffuses incoming light, helping skin appear softer and, or so I hope, younger.

Yeah…I can’t even begin to tell you how appealing that sounds now that 37 is officially less than two weeks away!

But seeing as how I can’t really stop this train I’m on, I’ve been doing my best to ~~slow it down~~ embrace the inevitable with positivity and panache.

Now, when people call me “ma’am,” I try to own that sh*t! — but that does not mean refusing a little makeup help along the way.

Like Fox Mulder with his aliens, I really want to believe, LOL!

What do you think? Do I look 10 years younger wearing Chaotic, my favorite of the three shades, up there at the top?

Okay, how about 5? 🙂

nyx illuminating bronzer open
The NYX Illuminating Bronzers, clockwise from the lower left: Narcissistic, Chaotic and Magnetic

nyx illuminating bronzer swatches
Swatches from the left for comparison: NYX Illuminating Bronzer in Narcissistic, Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder in Sable Beige, NYX Illuminating Bronzer in Magnetic, NARS Blush in Luster, NYX Illuminating Bronzer in Chaotic and Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Luminous Bronzing Powder in Sable Rose
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MAC Unsung Heroes: MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Golden Bronze

May 28th, 2012 by Karen 28 Comments

mac golden bronze

The worst part about getting captured by makeup supervillians is the diabolical beauty limits they always to place on their captives. Only one highlighting product per person? You gotta be kidding me.

But being forced to pare down doesn’t have to be horrendous — not with MAC Iridescent Powder/Loose in Golden Bronze in the mix.

It lets you get your shimmer on in a multitude of ways, which is important, not only when you’re being subjugated by makeup supervillains, but pretty much any time, because variety, like the crushed red pepper chili flakes I’ve been putting on my food, is the spice of life. 🙂

With more of a pearly shimmer than a glitter like whoa!, Golden Bronze is one of the best kept secrets in MAC’s permanent line.

I first heard about it a few weeks ago from MAC Pro Artist Keri B, who couldn’t stop singing its praises.

First chance I got, I stopped by my favorite MAC counter (in the Nordstrom at Corte Madera) to take a closer look, and even the artists there had nothing but good things to say about it. “A little goes a long way,” and “It’s really easy to blend.” Golden Bronze was always popping up at MAC Pro training classes and photo shoots, they said.

Um, sold!

I’ve been wearing it a lot lately, also up to Napa yesterday, and I can’t believe it took me all this time to finally get a jar. I think it really gets along well with my warm skin tone, and I love that there are just so many different ways it can be worn. Ways like…

Applying it as a standard highlighter

For a lazy, sun-dappled glow like, “Look at me! I’ve spent my entire day getting massages and eating grapes by the pool,” I like to pat Golden Bronze on my upper cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose, on my cupid’s bow and in the middle of my chin with the MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush, which has just the right precision for this kind of thing.

mac golden bronze

Mixing it with foundation

And for an airbrushed look with a golden sheen, I’ve been adding a dash of Golden Bronze to my MAC Studio Sculpt SPF 15 Foundation, and then buffing the mixture on my skin with the MAC 182 Buffer Brush.

It’s just a little something extra — a slight dewy sheen — and that’s one of the best things about Golden Bronze, how you can mix it in with so many different things!

Adding it to body oils and moisturizers (tinted ones and regular face moisturizers, too)

The next time you don an outfit where you show some skin, try sprinkling a little Golden Bronze into your favorite moisturizer, and apply that to your legs, arms and shoulders. It’ll give you a gorgeous golden glow.

Running low on lotion? No problem. Just buff Golden Bronze directly on to your skin. I like to use something like the MAC 182 Buffer Brush — something big and fluffy.

I love the way it makes my shoulders glow (super pretty when you’re wearing an off-the-shoulder shirt or tube top).
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MAC Is Sailing Into a New Bronze Age: A Look at the MAC Hey, Sailor! Bronzing Powder in Soft Sand and Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board

May 19th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments

Wearing MAC Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board

I love bronzer. I do. And I wear it almost every single day to give my skin some extra warmth and definition. For sculpting, the general rule (of course, rules are meant to be broken) is to apply it to the areas of your face that naturally recede, like the hollows of your cheeks or your temples, and also to enhance your prominent places, and the areas of your face that you’d like to make more prominent (sometimes with the help of a highlighter), which are often cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of your nose.

The MAC Hey, Sailor! collection features four limited edition powder bronzers, two in the MAC Bronzing Powder line ($24 each in Soft Sand and Refined Golden), and two MAC Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders ($28 each in Nude on Board and Sun Dipped).

This week I took two of them out for a spin, the Bronzing Powder in Soft Sand and the Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board, the later being the one that really caught my eye.

Now, I’ve used the MAC Bronzing Powders before and like them just fine, but I do prefer some of MAC’s other bronzers, namely the Careblend Powders from last year’s Surf Baby collection, which feel smoother to me, with finer grains and, to my eye, I think they look more natural on my skin.

We didn’t get any new Careblends this time around (bummer), but that doesn’t mean MAC left us in the lurch. I think we got something equally great in the Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders, and I’ve been obsessively using and loving Nude on Board, one of the two Hey, Sailor! Longwear shades, this entire week.

The MAC Bronzing Powder in Soft Sand and Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board

Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board ($28)

I love the way this bronzed yellow’s sheen works with my NC42 skin. Like last year’s Careblends, the finish looks flawless, and the lightweight formula blends easily on bare skin and atop foundation.

Oh, and so far, no breakouts (knock on wood!). 🙂
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A (an A+ if my skin stays clear)

Bronzing Powder in Soft Sand ($24)

I’ve also worn Soft Sand a few times this week, one of the two Hey, Sailor! powders from MAC’s Bronzing Powder line, and I like it just fine.

No problems blending, and I think it looks natural, but it also feels a little grainier and takes a couple more minutes to blend. It’s a fine bronzer, but I think you get a lot for the extra $4 MAC charges for the Pro Longwear Bronzers.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

mac nude on board pro longwear bronzing powder
Pro Longwear Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board, $24

mac nude on board pro longwear bronzing powder
Pro Longwearing Bronzing Powder in Nude on Board

mac soft sand pro longwear bronzing powder
Bronzing Powder in Soft Sand, $24
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Shore Enough, the MAC Hey, Sailor! Blushes Are Softer Than Usual Summer Fare

May 17th, 2012 by Karen 21 Comments

mac fleet fast

I love blush more than drag queens love high heels, more than club kids love glow sticks, and more than cat ladies love fat, fluffy kittens with blue eyes and pink collars with rhinestones.

Coral and warm peach blushes are frequent summer stars, like the two $21 limited edition Powder Blushes from the MAC Hey, Sailor! collection, available online now at maccosmetics.com and coming to North American counters and stores May 24.

It’s interesting, but peachy Launch Away! and pinkish golden coral Fast Fleet aren’t what I typically expect from summer blushes. Maybe that’s why I like them so much.

I’m used to seeing brighter colors and bolder shimmer on cheeks in summer, but these babes seem fairly subdued by comparison, with a low-key soft focus satin finish.

Both are very forgiving, especially when it comes to my pores and fine lines, and they last an admirable 8-10 hours on my combination dry/oily cheeks.

The two new Hey, Sailor! Powder Blushes

Launch Away!: If you like NARS Sex Appeal blush, you just might love this easy-to-blend peach. It takes two layers to show up on my NC42 skin, but if you’re lighter than I am, you could easily get away with one. Launch Away! might not play well with very dark skin tones, but pale pretties who like the way they look in warm colors are in luck.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Fast Fleet: One light layer of this pigmented pinky golden coral delivers plenty of color. I love how it doesn’t compete for attention with the intense orange and red lip colors in the Hey, Sailor! collection, and I can’t wait to pair it with some of my bright MAC permanent line lip faves like Lychee Luxe, Cockney and Lady Danger. If you wear bold reds or coral lip looks often, ding-ding-ding! We have a winner here. 🙂
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+

mac fleet fast
Wearing Powder Blush in Fleet Fast

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The Many Highlights of MAC High-Light Powder in Crew

May 17th, 2012 by Karen 31 Comments

mac hey sailor high light powder

Don’t tell the rest of my makeup this…but I’ve been showing product favoritism toward highlighting powders lately, as evidenced by the forlorn, shimmery creams and liquids gathering dust in the corner of my office.

Currently docked in the port of my daily makeup bag? The new MAC Hey, Sailor! Highlight Powder in Crew ($29).

mac crew highlight powder
High-Light Powder in Crew, $28

The four purple, pink, orange and yellowish beige shades in this superfine pressed powder swirl together seamlessly, creating a combined color that adds a peachy, pinkish beige glow to the skin.

No glitter here! Crew’s pearly sheen glows softly, like light passing through a seashell (very Becca-esque). From some angles, I think it even looks matte.

And second to the snazzy design on the pan, the finish is my favorite thing about High-Light Powder in Crew.

It’s just so forgiving! — unlike highlighting powders super high in shimmer and shine, which can call attention to every single flake and pore on my cheeks. Crew, on the other hand, makes my skin glow without highlighting (pun intended) every imperfection.

It’s a fresh-faced look, like I’ve been tooling around the Bay on a sailboat with Detective Stabler, the wind sweeping my hair as we share guava mimosas and feed each other grapes and cheese.

Mmm…cheese (SIDE NOTE: the non-dairy experiment is not going well).

mac hey sailor high light powder

mac crew highlight powder

mac hey sailor swatches highlighter blushes
High-Light Powder in Crew; Powder Blush in Fleet Fast and Launch Away!
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What Do Cosmic Chameleons and Rimmel Match Perfection Blush Have in Common? Not as Much as I’d Hoped

May 16th, 2012 by Karen 31 Comments

Rimmel Match Perfection Blush in 004 Medium/Dark

Drugstore nirvana. That’s what it feels like when I find a new drugstore blush that perfectly matches my skin tone. I get a real buzz from it, like a sweet treat sugar high. OOH! What glosses can I pair with it!? All that possibility, and oh — so much money saved!

A good drugstore blush can have a powerful therapeutic effect on my brain. I just wish my health insurance covered blushes…

Rimmel’s new $10 Match Perfection Blushes (available in four shades) cost less than the average co-pay, and while they might look like standard blush trios in their big pans, they have a sci-fi-ish formula containing blue sapphire pigments that allegedly emulate your natural skin tone.

Rimmel says they adapt to the colors and contours of the face, creating a natural flush, and you can either wear the colors in the trios separately, or swirled together to create a single shade, which is the way I’ve been wearing them this week.

rimmel match perfection blush stack

rimmel match perfection blush 001 light
001 Light

rimmel match perfection blush 002 light medium
002 Light/Medium
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