Just For Fun

Saturday Surfing, Feb. 11, 2017

February 11th, 2017 by Karen 7 Comments

spacenk spring beauty edit 2017 — Coming to SpaceNK stores February 16th

I may or may not have just opened all of these minis from the SpaceNK Spring Beauty Edit gift-with-purchase set and liberally applied them to various places on my body, my face and in my hair. ?

SpaceNK’s new GWP comes with some sweet samples, yo! — including dry shampoos from Oribe and R+Co, as well as this Ouai hair mask, which I’m so excited about trying that I’m literally (OK, figuratively) salivating at the mouth…

It’s valued at more than $400, and you also get this gigantic beauty bag, too. (Please excuse the chipped mani.)

It’s yours with any $250 purchase at the SpaceNK Spring Beauty Edit event on Thursday, February 16th, at all 27 SpaceNK US stores. There will also be spring beauty trend talk and brand experts on hand for makeovers and to give advice and tips.

And now some highlights from the week in beauty news… 🙂

Who will win the coveted Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling? Last year went to Siân Grigg, Duncan Jarman and Robert Pandini for The Revenant. This year I’m betting on Suicide Squad.
Tell your RBF to take a hike, because Estée Lauder will be re-launching the Victoria Beckham makeup line on March 1st, OHEMMMMGEEEEEEEE!
NEW MAKEUP ARTIST OBSESSION! Her name is Erin Parsons, and she does BAD-@SS work.
Don’t call it a comeback; it’s been here for years! Behold…the return of shampoo!
Lock down those lashes, and stop smearing and smudging with this little lash trick.
So who really runs the world? Why, Blue Ivy Carter, obvs. Beyoncé is launching a line of beauty-related products named after her 5-year-old daughter.
Talk about lightweight and luminous lusciousness, the new spring shades of Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder sound absolutely d-r-e-a-m-y.
OK, I really like the sound of these La Prairie Eye Shadows. Elegant and ladylike.
Check out these six new beauty innovations that you need to meet, like, yesterday.
Here are seven things you can do to raise a trailblazing daughter (according to The Notorious RBG).
Introducing athleisure makeup! — the newest thing to hit the beauty scene. In other words, “yoga pants for your face.”
In honor of Black History Month, shout-out to business pioneer Sara Spencer Washington, an inventor, business owner, salon owner and self-made millionaire in the 1930s and ’40s.

Michelle Phan is relaunching Em Cosmetics.
Have you heard of Beauty Pie??
And, in case you missed it, Giorgio Armani released six new Lip Maestro Notorious Liquid Lipsticks, the new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Volume II Eye Palette is incredible, and Tom Ford has TWO new spring cream blush duos that look uber-natural.

Now I’m off to an early salon appointment with my friend Alis, which I’m VERY excited about! I can’t even begin to tell you… She just moved to Vegas, but she’s in town for the next week, whoo-hoo! I’m still feeling anxious about having to find someone new to cut my mop, but at least for now, I know my hair is in good hands. 🙂

I don’t think today is the time to do anything crazy or high maintenance, so I’m just going in for a trim.

And on Sunday I’m going to a Pilates class for the very first time — yes, my core is terrified. My friend is teaching, so she’s letting me test out the class.

I’ve always wanted to try Pilates, so I’m really looking forward to it.

How goes it on your end of the keyboard? What are you up to this weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Light, Old-School Shampooing, and the Golden Girls Have a Café

February 10th, 2017 by Karen 16 Comments

1. Meet me at Rue La Rue Café

As you may or may not know, I am moderately — OK, intensely — obsessed with The Golden Girls.

There are lots of reasons. Like, I dig their naughty humor (even though it went over my head when I was younger), the camaraderie among the women, the fabulous ’80s fashion, and Sophia Petrillo had THE BEST lines.

Well, get your shoulder pads and your shimmery genie pants ready, because a Golden Girls-themed cafe is now open in New York City!

It’s called Rue La Rue (of course it is).

Do you think they serve cheesecake?? (They do.) I want to fly cross country just to have brunch.

Also in breaking Golden Girls news, all seven seasons start streaming on Hulu February 13th.

You’re welcome. 🙂

2. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Light

Bronzer!

I love bronzer. Always. 24/7/365. But with all the rain we’ve been having (seriously, it just won’t stop!), my skin hasn’t seen the light of day in…I can’t even remember how long. I look borderline jaundiced. The yellow tones are turned up, and I have zero natural bronzy glow.

hourglass cosmetics summer 2015 — Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light

I rediscovered Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light last week (I just sort of forgot about it for a while), and it’s giving me life. I’ve been all about that sun-kissed deliciousness.

Funny thing is…when it first came out, I just felt so-so about it. I think it was because I wasn’t using it with the right brush, but the trick, I’ve found, is it to use the biggest, fluffiest face brush you’ve got, one that covers a big area, and lightly pat the product (don’t sweep).

The undertones are warm and delicate, so if you use a face brush with a compact, dense brush head, you run the risk of ending up with orange, shiny stripes. If you apply it with a big, fluffy powder brush, on the other paw, and do a series of light pats on your cheek bones, across the bridge of your nose and around the edges of your face, it warms everything up and bathes your skin in the light of a buttery sunset.

Straight magical.

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10 Things That Go Through Your Head When You Do Smoky Eyes for the First Time

February 8th, 2017 by Karen 14 Comments

Do I really need eight eyeshadows for this look? Well, if YouTube says so, then I guess it must be true. Here goes…
Am I doing something wrong?? I thought I’d look like a Kardashian, but I just look like I got into a reality TV show brawl.
Why does this eyeshadow keep creeping up toward my eyebrows!? I can’t stop it!
OK, so this looks nothing like that YouTube tutorial I just watched. What the hell!?
Um…why does one eye look totally different than the other? Should I just keep blending?
I AM SO SICK OF BLENDING.
So, maybe applying all of that black eyeshadow at once wasn’t the best idea.
How did all that eyeshadow end up on my ears?
All done! I’m so Insta ready. 🙂 Now let me just take a quick pic of myself with my phone… Holy crap! This looks NOTHING like it does in the mirror.
Oh, well. I guess I need more practice, but now I gotta wash all of these brushes… BLUH!!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 461

February 6th, 2017 by Karen 46 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past NINE (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine. ?

1. Have you ever been drunk at work?

Yeah. But, um…it’s been over 20 years. And it only happened twice.

Well, one of those times I actually went into work hung over.

Oh, and I had cold, spicy Chinese food for breakfast that day. Bad idea.

2. Have you ever been to a Renaissance fair?

I went with a few kids from my history class when I was 14, and here’s what I remember: I remember Cindy buying a black crystal necklace, which was very Cindy at the time because she was going through a Stevie Nicks/witch phase.

I also remember — oh, gawd! — my teeth really hurting because I’d just gotten my braces tightened, but I desperately wanted to eat one of those huge Renaissance fair turkey legs, so I got one anyway, and it took me like five hours to eat it because my teeth were hurting so much.

3. If you were to write a note to a stranger on a bathroom mirror with lipstick, what would you write?

“F*ck yeah, girl, just do it!”

4. Are you quick on your feet? Like, do you think you could catch a chicken with your hands like in Rocky?

Yes! There are many things I can’t do, like I can’t lift super heavy weights, and I’m terrible at catching projectiles that are flying quickly through the air, but I’ve got quick feet and good balance.

So watch out, chickens!

5. Have you ever sprayed perfume on your feet?

Not perfume, but I have sprayed Bath & Body Works Body Spray on my feet… I believe it was Juniper Breeze.

Happy Monday

How’s it going, friend? I hope your Monday got off to a good start.

I ended up prepping a whole bunch of grilled veggies for the week last night instead of going all out with a Super Bowl spread, but that’s good, because now I have snacks for the week. 🙂

I’ve kinda got a lot on my mind today… El Hub started his new job, so he’ll be busy for a while, which just means that I might not see him very much while he gets acclimated.

Not a big deal… Just a transition.

How are things in your neck of the woods? If any challenges come your way, I’m sure you’ll handle them gracefully.

Have a wonderful day. Talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…

1. Have you ever been drunk at work?
2. Have you ever been to a Renaissance Fair?
3. If you were to write a note to a stranger on a bathroom mirror with lipstick, what would you write?
4. Are you quick on your feet? Like, do you think you could catch a chicken like in Rocky?
5. Have you ever sprayed perfume on your feet?

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 435

February 5th, 2017 by Karen 6 Comments

It’s almost time for the Super Bowl! — and the Puppy and Kitten Bowls, of course.

Tabs flew out to Houston early yesterday morning because he’s one of the officials in the Kitten Bowl this year.

Are you ready for the Kitten Bowl? — Let’s hope the officiating is good…

Yeah, they needed someone who played the game and understands how to work in front of a camera. Yup, he still gets jobs like that because of his career with the Mill Valley Wildcats.

Other than officiating the big game today, Tabs has been working a lot on his spiritual and mental well being this week. He’s been feeling a lot of pressure lately, getting older in the kitty modeling world.

I mean, it’s not easy staying at the top as long as he has.

Sure, it takes dedication and hard work, but it also takes a strong will and a healthy mind.

That’s where downtime and meditation come into play…

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Do “Best of Beauty” Lists in Magazines Influence Your Makeup Decisions?

February 4th, 2017 by Karen 25 Comments

allure nylon magazine — A couple of mags on my reading list

You know the lists I’m talking about — the best-of products for hair, makeup, skin, etc. The roundups. They pop up a lot around the end of the year, and sometimes also between the seasons.

Allure does them every year, and they’re pretty extensive. I read a good one recently in Real Simple.

Back before social media, blogs and YouTube, magazines had more influence over how I spent my makeup money. Now, not so much. I’ve definitely purchased products based on magazine best-of lists before, but I can’t remember the last time I did it. It’s been a few years…

At one point a few years ago, I remember seeing Maybelline Great Lash Mascara and NARS Orgasm Mascara win year after year after year, and thinking, “Yeah, Orgasm is a good blush, for sure, but there are SO MANY other great blushes out there. Why does it keep winning??”

I dunno…

I love reading those lists, because I love lists (you know me). I think they’re interesting, but when I’m in the mood to do some hauling (which I still love to do, much to El Hub’s chagrin), I don’t really use them.

How about you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Are you doing food and snacks for the Super Bowl? I want to do something low key but also yummy that doesn’t take a lot of time to plan. It’s just going to be El Hub, Connor, Tabs and me, so burgers? Nachos? What are you doing? Do you have any favorite dip recipes? Inquiring minds want to know.

P.P.S. GO FALCONS! 🙂

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

February 3rd, 2017 by Karen 26 Comments

aldo stessy k shoe — The Aldo Stessy K shoe ($80)

1. Lip print errrthang

It started with a sweater I got ages ago at Nordstrom by a brand called Halogen that I, um…haven’t worn since I got pregnant with Connor last year.

A photo posted by Karen | Makeup and Beauty Blog (@karenmbb) on Feb 3, 2017 at 8:46am PST

Essentially, the sweater looks like a pair of bedazzled lips on my boobs, LOL!

I think it’s super cool.

I also LOVE this pair of Aldo Stessy K heels.

Aren’t they incredible!? They’re just so… They have… There are lips ALL OVER THEM (even on the soles and inside the shoes!)

And they’re high, too! I’m guessing the heels are 4-5 inches, and I’m so out of practice when it comes to walking in heels… It’s a skill, right? If you don’t use it, you lose it.

I received these as a gift. I also looked for the same shoe in a flat, but I couldn’t find one… There is this really cute purse, though!

2. This $5 cat headband by Etude House

I’ve also been loving this headband by Etude House because — you guys, if you’re a cat lady, why hide it? There’s no shame in that game. I mean, if you’re going to be a CCL, then accessorize like a CCL. Go all the way!

etude house cat headband — All about that CCL life…

It’s bomb-@ss and only $5.20! It also stays put on my head. It never slips off, unlike those headbands that are a little too small or too snug and start to slip off as the day goes on…because why wouldn’t you wear a cat ears headband all day long?

I’ve actually worn it to bed, and it stayed put overnight.

Oh, and it’s really, really, REALLY soft. I wish they also make a black cat version.

3. Old Navy Rockstar Jeans

As I was digging through my closet this morning, I rediscovered a couple of pairs of Old Navy Rockstar jeans that I kindasorta misplaced for a while.

They usually go for between $30-35 a pair and come in a bunch of different rinses and regular, tall and petite lengths. The mid-rise ones I have also tuck in the gut pretty well.

I just saw that they also have high-rise Rockstars, too. I’m gonna go tonight, and try them on.

old navy high rise rockstar jeans — Mind blown! The Old Navy High-Rise Rockstar Jean!

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How Old Were You When You Started Doing Any Sort of Facial Hair Removal (Brows, Upper Lip, Etc.)?

February 3rd, 2017 by Karen 32 Comments

mac men love mystery — What do you mean I have a mustache?

I was in college! I think I might’ve been 19 or 20 at the time. That’s when I started plucking my brows doing stuff to remove my upper lip hair. And it all started with facial bleach, which was…not my most genius idea, LOL! Because I just ended up looking like a girl with an orange mustache.

When I was sort of coming of age in the ’90s, facial hair, at least in the circles I ran in, wasn’t a big deal. Like, all of the girls I knew in high school had upper lip hair, and nobody ever did anything about it. It was just there. No big deal.

And I definitely had upper lip hair because — UGH! — this boy who allegedly liked me in freshman year would come around at lunchtime and just say ridiculous things, like, “Ooh, do you have a mustache? Because it looks like you have a mustache. I wonder what it’s like to kiss a girl with a mustache!” ?

You know, typical 14-year-old boy… That’s how they spit game. LOL!

Anyway, I was aware of it (the hair) back then, but I didn’t do anything about it until I was in college.

I don’t know if that was because I was busy with band and studying (I was a nerd). I think it was more just a sign of the times. No one I knew really talked about hair removal or brow plucking at the time, and it wasn’t a thing in the magazines (“the” magazines, LOL!). I don’t recall Seventeen doing an extensive exposé on removing your upper lip hair or anything like that!

It’s interesting, though, because my friend Jen has a bunch of cousins who are all about 15 years younger than we are (but they aren’t so young anymore; they’re getting married and having kids!), and I remember that they started plucking their brows and waxing their upper lips when they were younger than Jen and I were when we started doing it. I think they were like 13 or 14 when they started doing that stuff.

I don’t know… Do girls start removing their upper lip hair at that age now? I hope not! I want Connor Claire to be blissfully unaware of it as long as she can.

How old were you when you started doing any sort of facial hair removal?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🙂

P.P.S. Are you watching the Super Bowl on Sunday? I think we’re pulling for Atlanta around here, just to give someone new a chance, LOL.