Just For Fun

Have You Ever Cut Your Own Hair?

June 18th, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

Note to the young people of the world! You probably don’t want to cut your own hair and then take pics… (me, circa 1990)

Yes, I have cut my own hair, and yes, it was disastrous.

During the darkest period of my hair bear days, a friend told me that she cut her own bangs, and she made it sound really, really easy. “Just cut different pieces unevenly from your bangs. Do it! You’ll love it!”

Um…

The reason for the uneven pieces was that when you pumped up your hair with hairspray, a curling iron and a blow dryer to get it to stand up, the choppiness would better recreate the appearance of a wall of hair cresting like a huge wave.

The higher, the better, of course. 🙂

I grabbed a pair of scissors from the kitchen and went to town, cutting random pieces of different lengths from my bangs. There was absolutely no rhyme or reason to it, just chop, chop, chop.

By the time I finished, my head looked awful, because my hair was also very wavy at the time, and when you cut wavy hair without any regard for the curl pattern, you end up with a hot mess.

Things got a little better when I pumped it up, which disguised the choppiness somewhat, and I really did end up with something resembling the look I wanted of a wave cresting on my head.

I don’t know… It was still pretty terrible, especially when I’d let it air dry and do it’s own thing. I looked like a reject from The Muppet Show.

How about you? Have you ever cut your own hair?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 276

June 17th, 2013 by Karen 58 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll — May your cat liner always look purrrfect!

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 four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

What did you do last weekend?
Just errands and housework on Sunday, but Saturday was “meow” day. My day. Slept in, worked out, went to the Bliss Spa at the W Hotel in SF for a massage and then out to dinner at the The Front Porch. (SOUL FOOD! If you go, you gotta try the baked mac ‘n’ cheese.)

Folks who are fun to travel with?
Jen and Cindy, my two best buddies from high school.

Did you ever go through a rebellious stage?
Not really. I wasn’t the type to start sh*t with my parents or teachers or anything. I think I was pretty easygoing.

But I did go through a rough patch in my late teens. I was learning how to assert myself about things I liked and didn’t like, and maybe it looked a little like a rebellious stage to my parents. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t doing exactly what they wanted me to do (keep studying science and go to medical school).

Ah, growing pains…

Your current favorite hand cream?
I picked up a small tube of Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream at Bliss Spa last weekend, and dang if that stuff’s not pretty great! It absorbs quickly, works well and doesn’t leave me with greasy fingers.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Two scrambled eggs with some canned tuna and chopped green onions. Oh! — and a cup of coffee.

Something you keep meaning to do but haven’t gotten to yet?
Yargh! Find a gym up here in Novato with a good spinning class and free weights.

When was the last time you went to the beach?
Geez, I don’t know. February, I think? El Hub and I went for a walk along Ocean Beach in SF.

How do you feel about high-waisted cut-off jean shorts? Yes or no?
I see a lot of teens/tweens wearing this look, and it’s stressing me out! For me, no.

Do you drink enough water?
I try to, but lately, I don’t think so. I gotta work on that this week.

One thing you’re working on this week?
Well, drinking more water. That’s one thing.

But I also need to get better about managing stress, which I think boils down to working too late on the computer. Every day I intend to get up from my desk by 6 p.m., but I keep breaking my own rules! What’s up with that? Frankie says relax, dammit! Gotta get up, go eat dinner, watch some TV, spend time with El Hub.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What did you do last weekend?
2. Folks who are fun to travel with?
3. Did you ever go through a rebellious stage?
4. Your current favorite hand cream?
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
6. Something you keep meaning to do but haven’t gotten to yet?
7. When was the last time you went to the beach?
8. High-waisted cut-off jean shorts — yes or no?
9. Do you drink enough water?
10. One thing you’re working on this week?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 248

June 16th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Tabs the cat.

Kitty supermodel, two-time Academy Award winner (for Lincoln’s Cat) and The Cat’s Speech), author, blogger, astronaut, spokesperson, feline wunderkind, hip-hop artist, reality TV star, entrepreneur (founder of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC., the company behind Rent-A-Tabby and numerous makeup and beauty brands).

Truth be told, there aren’t many titles Tabs hasn’t held.

Earlier today while watching Man of Steel I got to thinking about greatness and motivation, specifically what drives successful individuals to accomplish great things.

After having accomplished so many things, what gets Tabs up in the morning? What motivates him to keep trying so hard at everything he does?

Well, I think he’d say the obvious, gravy, but I think it’s more than that. Something else.

He already has enough gravy stockpiled to last him a decade, and yet he keeps testing his limits, getting up early and staying up late, pushing himself harder and further.

Why? For what reason?

I guess one answer to that is, why not? 🙂

Which reminds me, have you seen these recent ad campaigns starring Tabs?

(Oh, and have you already entered this weekend’s $50 Sephora gift card giveaway?)

[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!

June 15th, 2013 by Karen 383 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Katie F! Congratulations, Katie! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

I’m having a meow day today (meow!). That’s the plan.

I really wanted to sleep in this morning, but I woke up at, gosh, it must have been 4:30 or 5. Part of it was the light. It gets bright here early now, and I had some weird dream about bikes… A weird, stressful bike dream.

Some bikes got stollen, and there was this — well, that was the gist of it. I was stressed out about it, about bikes being stolen. I was really emotionally invested in these bikes for some reason, LOL!

So, for my meow day, I’m going to meet my friends Jen and Cindy at Bliss Spa in the city for a belated birthday celebration, where I plan to be tenderized like a side of beef. And then afterward, we’re going to get soul food at a place called The Front Porch.

I’m very excited about the shrimp and grits. 🙂

I hope you have a great Saturday/Caturday, and good luck in this weekend’s giveaway (deets to enter are just down below). Talk to you soon.

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, when was the last time you rode a bicycle? What sounds do you hear right now? What was your last dream about (the last one you remember)? Have you ever painted someone else’s nails? Would you rather get a massage or a facial? Do you have any plans for the Fourth of July? — you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/18H0cLo

The deadline to enter is Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Katie F! Congratulations, Katie! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

How Often Do You Touch Up Your Makeup Throughout the Day?

June 14th, 2013 by Karen 34 Comments

Doopdadoo… Even Wonder Woman does her makeup. Note the dark hair and thin brows…

How often do you touch up your makeup throughout the day?

Once? Twice? Three times ~~a lady~~?

Over the course of an average day, I’d say three or four.

More if I’m at an event or a party where I know pics are being taken. Then I may touch up every couple hours, or whenever I see a camera emerge from someone’s purse.

It’s usually a quick check in the mirror and a fast fix here and there. Enough to make sure I’m not the one person in the shot with lipstick or gloss on her teeth. 🙂

But when I’m just chillin’ at home in my stretchy pants, I don’t touch up often. Maybe just a glance when I go to the bathroom.

Sometimes, though, just for fun, even when I’m home alone, I’ll keep tweaking my makeup throughout the day…

There have been many days I started with a bit of smudged liner along my upper lash line and ended with full-on smokey panda eyes, haha!

How often do you touch up your makeup throughout the day? Inquiring minds want to know!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

What’s the Most Difficult Aspect of Dealing With Your Hair?

June 12th, 2013 by Karen 49 Comments

I got 99 problems and my hair is one…

My wavy hair has a natural tendency to go big, puffy, unruly and wild. It would be so cool if I could romanticize the situation by saying, “My hair’s like my personality! It wants to roam free, and it simply will not be tamed!”

But I can’t.

So I won’t. 🙂

I’ve had more awful haircuts than I can count, and have spent many, many hours and possibly millions of watts frying my hair into submission, trying to outwit its natural tendencies.

The hardest thing about dealing with my hair has always been just figuring out what the hell to do with it…

My mom has naturally straight hair and has never really been into hairstyling, so she had no clue. And none of my friends growing up had curly hair, so I couldn’t turn to them for advice, either.

It took a looong time — maybe 20 years — to finally get some kind of handle on my hair.

Now, I mostly know how to wrangle it into submission, so these days, I’m more concerned about my roots. I used to be able to go at least two months between touch-ups, but as more gray peeks through, I’m down to every six weeks.

I actually don’t mind going to the salon to get them done. Its a nice break to sit still for a few hours and read trashy magazines and drink tea. 🙂

How about you? What’s the most difficult aspect of dealing with your hair?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 275

June 10th, 2013 by Karen 50 Comments

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

Have you ever had a bunk bed?
No, and I desperately wanted one. I begged and pleaded with my parents every year as a child, even though I had my own room and didn’t have to share one with my brother.

I just liked the idea of sleeping in the upper bunk of a bunk bed. It seemed like the coolest thing ever for sleepovers and impromptu forts constructed with blankets and whatnot.

Are you working on any self-improvement projects?
Yup, time management.

I can’t say it’s a new project, though, because I’ve been working on it for, oh, about 38 years, LOL!

I’m also trying to increase my upper body strength — you know, so I can change the 5-gallon water jugs myself and open bottles of pasta sauce without asking for help.

When was the last time you wore a fancy formal gown?
My wedding in July of 2006.

How long does it take you to do your eye makeup in the morning?
Usually between 5-15 minutes. Longer if I plan to take face pics.

How many different places have you lived?
Eight, from the time I was born until now.

This week I’d like to [FILL IN THE BLANK].
Remember to stop and smell the roses every day, and finish working by 6 every night (7 at the absolute latest!).

When was the last time you went to Vegas (have you ever been to Vegas)?
It’s been a minute, that’s for sure. I think it was Blogworld back in 2009.

I want to go back, but not because I’m a big gambler (other than playing Kitty Glitter). I want to go back for the sights, the spas and the good restaurants.

What’s your favorite doughnut?
Ooh! That’s a tough one. Glazed, or plain cake doughnuts, especially with a cup of coffee in the morning.

And if I’m feeling extra fancy, lemon jelly-filled. 🙂

How often do you prepare meals for yourself?
Daily. Working as a demanding kitty supermodel’s personal assistant, I find that it’s usually quicker to prepare a quick lunch in the kitchen here at the office than it is to go out.

El Hub and I will do takeout once or twice a week — usually Thai, Japanese or Mexican — but most nights we eat in.

Did you have any posters on your bedroom walls as a kid or when you were a teenager?
SO MANY! — but the cheesiest one, by far, was the huge New Kids on the Block poster next to my desk, haha!

Second cheesiest: that one with the fluffy kitten hanging by its paws from the tree branch with the words, “Hang in there.” I had that one on the back of my closest door.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. Have you ever had a bunk bed?
2. Are you working on any self-improvement projects?
3. When was the last time you wore a fancy formal gown?
4. How long does it take you to do your eye makeup in the morning?
5. How many different places have you lived?
6. This week I’d like to [FILL IN THE BLANK].
7. When was the last time you went to Vegas?
8. What’s your favorite doughnut?
9. How often do you prepare meals for yourself?
10. Did you have any posters on your bedroom walls as a kid or when you were a teenager?

Deep breath in, deep breath out. Now, ahhhh…

What do you say we make a pact right now to not stress out too much this week?

It’s important. I’m game if you are.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 247

June 9th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

I’ve been having a wonderful birthday weekend so far, and so has Tabs. Thank you for all of the sweet birthday wishes. I hope you’re having a good time, too.

Who is Tabs the Cat? About five years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model). 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I hope you enjoyed this special birthday weekend installment of Sundays With Tabs. To see what else acclaimed kitty supermodel Tabs the Cat has been up to over his seven years on this earth, check out Sundays With Tabs, the Archives: From Anastasia to Zoya.