Just For Fun

My bare bones basics for natural makeup looks are devoted to evening out my skin tone, covering up dark circles, filling in my brows, adding a little color to my cheeks and lips, and then doing whatever extra I can to brighten and open my eyes, which usually means incorporating a curl-holding mascara and a shimmery shadow on my lids and in the inner corners.

Yeah…I guess that’s quite a bit of makeup for an allegedly “natural look.” (“Air quotes.”) 🙂

Not everything here is necessary, of course. I switch things up all the time, depending on the clock and how far behind it I am, and how I’m feeling that day, but this is my general list. I can’t wait to read yours!

Basics for a “natural makeup look”

• SKIN: MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance, MAC Face and Body Foundation, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
• DARK CIRCLES: MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast, MAC Pro Longwear Concealer and YSL Touche Eclat
• BROWS: Hourglass Arch, MAC Brun and Cork Eye Shadows
• COLOR FOR CHEEKS: MAC Give Me Sun Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, MAC Warm Soul Blush, MAC Cantaloupe Blush
• LIPS: MAC Subculture Lip Liner, and whatever nude gloss happens to be in my purse at the moment. 🙂
• EYES: Clarins Be Long Mascara (curl hold like WHOA), MAC Ricepaper Eye Shadow and MAC Woodwinked Eye Shadow

How about you? What are your staples/go-to bare minimum requirements for a natural makeup look?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday!

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

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

1. Do you have a lucky charm?
   No, but they are magically delicious, haha. Nope, I’ve never had a lucky charm.
2. Do you ever wear strapless dresses?
   Yes. I like ’em a lot, as long as I have a comfortable bra. My wedding dress was strapless actually.
3. Do you know how to sew or otherwise make clothes?
   No, but it sounds cool, and I still would like to learn. When I was 14 I did ask for a sewing machine for my birthday, and I actually got one, but I had no idea how to use it. I guess it never occurred to my parents to include lessons or to find somebody to teach me how to sew (there was no such thing as YouTube back then), so it just collected cobwebs in a storage room for years.
4. Are you wearing anything green today?
   Currently, no, but I will once I change out of my pink sweatpants.
5. Favorite green nail polish, eyeshadow, liner, etc?
   Favorite green polish is Chanel Jade, favorite shadow is MAC Greensmoke (or Humid; it’s a tossup) and favorite liner? Urban Decay Stash.
6. What does your wallet look like?
   It’s an obnoxiously bright yellow wallet from Kate Spade, but I love it because I can always find it in my purse.
7. Did you ever get detention in school?
   Maybe once or twice because I was a big ol’ nerd. The only reason I ever got it was for being late to first period.
8. Have you ever done (or would you ever do) nail art on your toes?
   I like it on other people but not on my toes because they are very long. I’ve talked about my freakishly long alien toes before… You do not need to hear any more about them.
9. Are you planting a garden this year?
   I am! We started last weekend by cleaning off the deck, getting (and building) some wooden planter boxes and planting some snapdragons, Gerbera daisies… I got a couple of lavender shrubs, a bunch of tomatoes and, oh! — two bell pepper plants and a purple basil.

   And a bunch of catnip, of course.

10. Have you ever done anything crafty before, like scrapbooking or making candles?
    Years ago I took a one-day scrapbooking class. It was fun, but I never really did anything with it after.

    And in college I went through a phase where I made beaded necklaces (“She’s making jewelry now.”).

Now it’s your turn. Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em! 🙂

1. Do you have a lucky charm?
2. Do you ever wear strapless dresses?
3. Do you know how to sew or otherwise make clothes?
4. Are you wearing anything green today?
5. Favorite green nail polish, eyeshadow, liner, etc?
6. What does your wallet look like?
7. Did you ever get detention in school?
8. Have you ever done (or would you ever do) nail art on your toes?
9. Are you planting a garden this year?
10. Have you ever done anything crafty before, like scrapbooking or making candles?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Hope you have a wonderful day. Fish and chips for everyone!

Wait — is that English or Irish?

Quick, don’t over-think it! Dewy or matte? Matte or dewy? 🙂

For everyday stuff and real life, I prefer dewy, because I think it looks more natural and less “done.”

But when I’m going to take pics, I definitely prefer matte. I just think it looks much better in photos — less shiny and not as distracting. It’s also easier on the pores.

But with shimmer, I still like to wear a little on my upper cheekbones, so even when I do matte skin, I can get a nice contrast between the matte and the shimmer, which I like.

How about you? Do you prefer dewy or matte skin?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

Um…yeah! So what if it’s cheesy; it’s totally fun. I did it back in high school with my friends all the time. In band (BAND GEEKS 4 LIFE) my friends and I would wear the same lipstick for performances.

And I can vaguely recall my friend Jen and I wearing the same matching Wet ‘n’ Wild lipstick throughout most of sophomore year… Actually, we also did it in college, even though we didn’t go to the same school. We were both all about MAC Paramount Lipstick back then (it’s this really dark, very ’90s matte brown).

Hmm… With the ’90s making a comeback now, it would go well with some denim overalls, a plaid button-down shirt and Timberlands (they’re baaaaaack! I saw a knockoff pair at DSW last week. Run for the hills!). 🙂

So tell me, have you ever worn matching makeup with anyone? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday, babe.

As much as I wish I could say, “Oh, yeah! I’ve definitely worn rainbow makeup and hair,” I can’t, because I have not.

Clearly, I need to rectify that situation ASAP. 🙂

I have worn rainbow accessories, though, as in rainbow bracelets…

And rainbow toe socks…

But no rainbow hats.

I don’t know if I could pull off a rainbow hat, but Tabs can. 🙂

I have worn rainbow-style manicures, though, where I paint each nail in a progression of colors…

Seriously, you gotta try the rainbow mani sometimes. It’s fun! And you’ll smile every time you look down at your nails.

How about you? Have you ever worn rainbow anything (makeup, clothes, socks, hair)?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day, friend!

This has been one of those weeks that just flies by, not that I’m complaining.

I love the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, thanks to the clocks springing forward. I don’t know about the whole daylight savings time idea, but I like that when I’m finished working, usually between 6-7, and walk outside, it’s not totally dark. I can actually take a walk before dinner, which is so nice!

I feel like it’s almost time to take out the warm weather goodies again, ya know? Scents, sandals, shorts, dresses…

It’s not quite shorts weather here yet, but it’s a good time for spring scents. Today I’m wearing MAC Turquatic for the first time in months! It’s my ultimate warm weather fragrance.

Anywho, that’s enough rambling from me… I hope you have a lovely day!