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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Jan. 10

by 113 Comments

  • 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 three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 152. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
  1. Mood:

    2. A little groggy, but after a few cups (or perhaps maybe a vat) of caffeine ye olde mental motor will be cranking at full speed. Right now I’m drinking a mug of Green Tea Tropical, by Mighty Leaf. Have you ever had it? It’s so good!

  2. Pressing beauty issue o’ the moment?

    3. The skin on my body’s itchy, dry and uncomfortable right now. 🙁 I think it’s because it’s been so darn cold here in Nor Cal (FYI, chilly for the Bay Area means 40s and lower 50s), and the combo of brisk air on the outside and dry central heat on the inside’s sucking all the moisture out of my skin.

  3. Pajama Jeans: yea or nay?

    4. Don’t hate, but I keep seeing commercials for these stretchy pseudo-denims (“Where style meets comfort!”) and have come very close to ordering a pair. Hey, you also get a free gray crew neck tee with each purchase!

  4. Things you always seem to be doing:

    5. Washing makeup brushes, searching for the lint roller, microwaving frozen veggie burritos, carrying laundry up and down the stairs, slathering on lotion, writing lists…

  5. One positive thing you’re doing today to make your life a little better?

    6. Come hell or high water, my @ss is getting on the treadmill and running four miles. IT IS DECIDED.

  6. Something on your shopping lust list?

    7. Some over-the-knee boots. I’ve been resisting because I’ve been afraid of looking like a short, brown Jack Sparrow, but I saw a petite gal rockin’ them at the mall yesterday and she looked really cute. I’d like a pair in black suede, with a 2-inch heel. Got any suggestions for me?

  7. Last movie you watched?

    8. Camille with James Franco and Sienna Miller. He’s a parolee and unwilling groom forced to marry a woman he doesn’t love. On their honeymoon trip to Niagra Falls there’s an accident, and Sienna’s character, Camille, ends up “kinda” dead — of course she doesn’t realize it, and mayhem ensues. Also in the film: several brightly painted carnival ponies, an oddly touching scene involving a formaldehyde sponge bath and breathtaking shots of the waterfalls. If the plot and pacing were tighter it might’ve been cool, but the flick falls flat.

  8. Last person you smiled at?

    9. El Hub, right before he walked out the door for work.

  9. Outfit?

    10. I’m dressed purely for warmth right now: stretchy black pants (Pajama Jeans would certainly spice things up!), a pink long-sleeve thermal and gray zip up hoodie.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Continue the organizational kick I’m currently on, find an ab workout DVD I don’t hate (situps = blah!), eat plenty of fruit/veggies with every meal.

Heya, ladies. It’s been a little slow going this morning (this tea needs to hurry up and kick in already!), but otherwise it’s been a good on this end. If we worked together, I’d pop by your cubicle and drag you out for a cuppa joe so we could catch up. Since we’re separated by a computer screen, the Monday Poll will have to do for now. Take a moment to let me know what’s up, will ya? 🙂

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



1. Mood:
2. Pressing beauty issue o’ the moment?
3. Pajama Jeans: yea or nay?
4. Things you always seem to be doing:
5. One positive thing you’re doing today to make your life a little better?
6. Something on your shopping lust list?
7. Last movie you watched?
8. Last person you smiled at?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Ready to have another stellar week with me? I think we can do it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 121

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Tabs for NARS Angelika Lip Gloss

Do you believe in the power of positive thinking? Lately I’ve been practicing my positive affirmations, and I really think they help. The trick I like to use is to phrase things as if I’m doing them right now in the present. I’ll say things like, “I’m preparing Tabs’ gravy exactly the way he likes it,” or “I’m making good use of my time,” or “I’m having a great run.” And I’ll repeat each one to myself like a mantra as I visualize the successful completion of each task.

Unsurprisingly, the only ones that haven’t been working are the ones pertaining to Tabs. This morning I made him a can of Fancy Feast tuna in gravy for brunch because I was too lazy to do it last night (he did still have plenty of dry food in his bowl though), and to protest what I’m sure he perceives as substandard living conditions, he bit my ankle in the kitchen.

This week he was busy doing his kitty modeling thing, so we didn’t see each other very much. He shot campaigns for MAC, NARS and Dolce & Gabbana, among others.

Who is Tabs the Cat? About three 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). 🙂

Here are the most recent pics from his portfolio.

Tabs for the MAC Peacocky Collection

Tabs for the Hourglass Aura Collection
[Continue reading…]

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

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The Makeup and Beauty Blog Weekly Roundup

A Typical Sunday Morning…

TABS: “Meow, meow, meow, meow!”
KAREN: “I’m up, I’m up!”
TABS: “Mrrrrrrow…”
KAREN: “But if it’s morning, why’s it still so dark outside?”
TABS: “Mrow.”
KAREN: “Well that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
TABS: “…”
KAREN: “Okay, sorry. I take it back.”
TABS: [Purrrrr]
KAREN: “Yeah, yeah. You’re lucky you’re so dang cute.”

Heya, ladies. Good morning. How long have you been up? It’s just after 7 here and so foggy outside that I can’t even tell if the sun has come up.

What did you do yesterday? El Hub and I drove up to a town called Yountville for lunch. It’s one of the little places along Highway 29 in wine country about an hour north of here. We were sort of chasing the sun, but it was just as cold and overcast up there as it was down here. Still, it was nice to get out of dodge for a few hours.

Other than that, my Saturday was blissfully uneventful. 🙂 A trip to Target (nothing beauty related jumped out at me), I cleaned the kitchen, watched Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing & Charm School on Netflix (not bad, stars Marisa Tomei, whom I like; picked it because I liked the name), and went to bed around midnight.

So did you have any beauty highlights this week or try any new looks you’d like to share? Mine was probably this one here, although it’s not really new for me. I like how summery it felt despite the weather outside.

In case you missed anything, here’s one last look at some of the things we talked about this week on the blog. Whatever you’ve got going on today, I hope there’s room for fun.

The Weekly Roundup: Posts You Might Have Missed

Dior Montaigne Soft Pink Design QuintTHE DIOR MONTAIGNE SPRING 2011
SOFT PINK DESIGN QUINT

Expect a downpour at Dior this spring when the new Montaigne Collection comes to town, but you won’t need your umbrella for this storm. That’s because it’ll be pouring pearls when the 13-piece release for eyes, lips, cheeks and drips on Dior counters, in Dior stores and at Sephora in the next few weeks.

Named after the Paris address where the first Dior boutique opened back in 1946, the palette of pearly grays and baby pinks suggests spring soirees in the City of Lights, and to these soirees you’re wearing pearls. It’s a soft, sophisticated, natural look, and passersby won’t be able to miss your subtly shimmering glow.

To my eye, the Soft Pink Design Quint ($58), one of two for eyes in the release, characterizes the collection’s vibe with its nuanced pinks and grays. It comes with (almost) everything a girl would need to live the eye portion of the look — an eyeshadow base, a liner, two shimmer shadows and one glitter shadow. The only thing missing: mascara. Read more…

The Dior Montaigne Soft Pink Design All-In-One Artistry PaletteTHE DIOR MONTAIGNE SOFT
PINK DESIGN ALL IN ONE ARTISTRY PALETTE

Today I took the brand spankin’ new Dior Soft Pink Design All-In-One Artistry Palette ($58) from the Dior Montaigne spring 2011 collection out for a spin using the little tutorial that comes with the palette as a guide.

I love it when products come with those things (sending positive reinforcement to all the companies out there) because they make looks as easy as 1-2-3.

It’s too blasted expensive, so it loses big points for that, but I find this quint extremely easy to work with. I love the textures and didn’t expect there to be as much pigment as I found. If you can get past the price and want to get an early start on spring with an eye palette in soft pink, gray and mauve, consider Dior’s sassy Soft Pink Design. Read more…

Tarte EmphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner in Shimmering IndigoTARTE EMPHASEYES AQUA GEL
EYELINER IN SHIMMERING INDIGO

This may sound a little selfish, but I sure hope Tarte adds their new emphasEYES Aqua Gel Eyeliner in Shimmering Indigo to their permanent line, because I love the way it looks with brown eyes.

The pigmented purplish blue gel liner, a QVC exclusive shade (you get not one, but TWO for $25), comes in a twist-up pencil, making it more convenient than most gel liners.

According to Tarte, half of the product consists of water — with minerals, as well as vitamin E, cucumber and aloe suspended within it — and judging by how creamy and moist the liner feels along my lash line, I believe it.

It also shimmers on my eyes in a way that makes it look to me like late afternoon light reflecting on the surface of a pond, ah… Read more…

Tarte Smooth Operator Eye BaseTARTE SMOOTH OPERATOR
AMAZONIAN CLAY EYE BASE

To quote (and then paraphrase) the great Sade, “No need to ask, he’s [she’s] a smooth operator.” Except her charms aren’t working on me. 🙁

The new Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Eye Base ($22) may be a touch too light for this brown girl, but lighter lasses, listen up. This pretty pink primer just might shine for you.

The warm yellow undertones in my skin don’t agree with Smooth Operator (it turns gray on me), but that shouldn’t happen if you like the way you look in shades of cool-toned pink.

Released as a QVC (yep, that QVC) exclusive last December, Smooth Operator Eye Base looks to me like a hybrid of two other products, Benefit Eye Bright Pencils and Urban Decay Primer Potion. It combines the light pink color of Eye Bright with UDPP’s fluffy, smooth texture. Read more…

Is China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Sea Spray a Dupe for Chanel Riva?IS CHINA GLAZE SEA SPRAY
A $5 DUPE FOR CHANEL RIVA?

If price made your pretty nails pass on Chanel’s breathtaking but budget busting resort collection Riva ($27, ouch!), Anchors Away!

One of 12 nautical shades in the new China Glaze Anchors Away Collection for spring goes by the name of Sea Spray (about $5).

With a familiar marine-like blue vibe and similarly subtle micro glitter, both could be cousins, judging by the way they look in their bottles.

But how do they look beside each other on nails? Well, they aren’t twins, but they come fairly close. Sea Spray looks a little darker than Riva does and isn’t as creamy. And its micro glitter is silver, while Chanel’s is teal. Read more…

Is MAC Delft a Dupe for Siahi Fluidline?IS MAC DELFT A DUPE FOR
MAC SIAHI FLUIDLINE?

Oh, Delft is one of my all-time favorite MAC Paint Pots! I picked it up a few years ago when it was part of the permanent collection, but it seems to have gone MIA since then (at least online).

It’s a shimmery teal with a hint of gold, and it, like the rest of the Paint Pots, feels softer and slightly fluffier than the Fluidlines do to me.

I usually wear the Paint Pots as cream shadows and/or eyeshadow bases, although they’ll double as liners, too.

About Delft, it’s like Siahi’s lighter, greener cousin; however, they both have very different shimmers. Siahi’s looks rather teal to me, while Delft’s is more of a straight up gold.

While I was rutting around in my stash for Delft, I also noticed that teal blue Korres Eyeliner Pencil in Blue Petrol looks a little like Siahi as well, except that it’s darker, with a matte finish. Read more…

The Dolce & Gabbana Secret Garden CollectionTHE DOLCE & GABBANA SECRET
GARDEN COLLECTION FOR SPRING 2011

I wonder what Lewis Carroll would have thought about the secret garden of pink Post-It notes that decorate my desk and my notebook. Of course, the note are totally unnecessary, because there’s no way I’m going to forget about the new 12-piece Dolce & Gabbana Secret Garden collection for eyes, nails, face and lips. When it hops into town this spring, I’ll need a fainting couch to catch me when I fall (in love). 🙂

The colors look so bright and authentically springy that I can almost smell fresh-cut grass and sunshine when I look at them (I swear I can smell the sunshine).

But the story behind the collection, according to Dolce, is one of mystery. Read more…

Is Chanel Aragonite Glossimer a Dupe of NARS Moon Fleet?IS CHANEL ARAGONITE A DUPE OF
NARS MOON FLEET?

Yesterday I almost judged a book by its cover. After reader Mahnaz asked how Aragonite, one of the new Glossimers from the Chanel Les Perles de Chanel spring collection, compared to NARS Moon Fleet, my initial reaction was, “Uh oh! Chanel must have copied NARS.”

But then I pulled out both colors and gave the question more thought. Both shades are related, but NARS Moon Fleet, a permanent color from the line, is a sheer and shimmery yellow gold, and I think it looks much darker and yellower than Aragonite does.

What about other possible Aragonite dupes? Hmm… How about Chanel Glossimer in Galactic (circa 2007)? Read more…

The China Glaze Anchors Away CollectionTHE CHINA GLAZE ANCHORS
AWAY COLLECTION

Ahoy, matey! The new China Glaze Anchors Away Collection for spring 2011 just docked onto my doorstep, so I thought you’d want to see some swatches.

Do these colors make you wanna hoist your sails or walk the plank?

The limited edition polishes, each around $5, will be available at select beauty stores this spring. Read more…

The NARS Spring 2011 CollectionTHE NARS SPRING 2011
COLLECTION

Since I have a weak spot for NARS blushes that’s right up there with my weak spot for Häagen-Dazs dulce de leche ice cream, I was shocked, and a wee bit disappointed, to hear that Francois left the blushes out of his collection for fall.

But I wiped away my tears today when I saw these pics for the small 11-piece collection for eyes, lips and nails. The shimmery earth tones with metallic finishes; the sheer, sparkly cool purples and pinks; and even a couple of unexpected greens and blues? NARS started with safe neutrals but sprinkled them with just enough brights to keep a girl on her toes, and what he came up with looks to be a lot of fun.

Plus, almost all of the colors are new (two of the lip glosses are repromotes). Read more…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Are Your Milestone Perfumes?

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What are your milestone perfumes?

Are there any fragrances or other scents that take you back to a special moment or an important phase in your life? I can imagine this wouldn’t be easy to answer in a movie theater with the scent of popcorn in the air, but this morning, when I wasn’t expecting it, I caught a whiff of something that took me back to my wedding day. I must have brushed the bottle by accident, but the memory it triggered was as bright and clear as the actual day.

Here are some of my milestone perfumes listed in reverse chronological order (’cause that’s how I roll). What are some of yours? 🙂

Cover Girl Navy (1990)

Ah, the scent that started it all… Every high school freshman girl in my class wore Liz Claiborne (remember the triangle bottle?), but since I couldn’t afford it, I saved my pennies and bought Navy at the Thrifty’s drugstore near my house. I went through that bottle like it was goin’ out of style, dousing myself with it and hairspray in the girl’s bathroom between classes. There’s still a bottle in the bathroom at my parents’ house.

Yves Saint Laurent YSL Paris (1993)

I’ll never forget the day I went to the store to buy Paris with my mom and dad for Christmas my senior year. I wore it every day from then on through graduation, and then took the bottle with me to college. I was so lonely that first year away, but Paris is one of the few things that always reminded me of home.

Estee Lauder Pleasures (1994)

This one takes me back… Whenever I catch a whiff I picture those little black backpacks, and floral dresses or plaid shirts worn with Doc Martens.

Gucci Envy and Gucci Rush (1999)

After college I moved to San Francisco for work and bought both of these with my very first “grownup” paycheck. I have so many good and bad memories tied to these scents… Man, my early 20s were rough.
[Continue reading…]

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

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

Win a $50 Sephora eGift card from Makeup and Beauty Blog

Rise and shine, morning glory. It’s going to be a beautiful day. 🙂

How was your night? I spent mine relaxing with the men in my life, a remote control and some leftover Chinese food. Speaking of remote controls, you know what movie I really enjoyed? Do you remember Mickey Blue Eyes — the Married to the Mob-type comedy with Hugh Grant, James Caan and Jeanne Tripplehorn (“Fuggedaboutit!”)? Tabs queued it up using Netflix online.

It was released in 1999, which was back before Robert Pattinson stole Hugh Grant’s foppish hair, but thanks to Netflix I’ve been seeing a lot of movies I missed the first time around.

Anywho, what are your plans for today? Are you doing anything fun? I’m hoping that after doing my chores around the house we can drive up to Napa for the day, but I don’t know about that… It’s awfully Hundred-Acre Wood right now. If the fog doesn’t clear, I may just visit Sephora instead, because that’s always fun.

And, ya know, it’s even MORE fun when you’ve got one of these in your pocket/purse (I think you know what time it is):

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora

  • One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (or $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. What’s the name of your favorite romantic comedy, where do you see yourself in five years, do you regularly wear eyeshadow primer — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/g9smZ5

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, January 9, 2011 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. The winner may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal.
  • 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 Lindsay a.k.a. RVAfashionista! Congratulations, Lindsay! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Two Ways to Win a Clarins Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder for Face and Décolleté

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

clarins barocco collection holiday 2010 review

Eureka! There’s gold on them thar cheeks, faces and décolleté — Clarins Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder, that is.

Clarins formed it into delicate gold-dusted nuggets, which they plopped into an elegant black cylinder decorated with a black scroll and tassel. It’s perfect gold rush material, and they even included a black powder puff.

Are ya ready to strike gold today? 🙂

A Makeup and Beauty Blog Giveaway!

  • One (1) Limited Edition Clarins Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder for Face and Décolleté (a $35 value).

  • 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. Tell the story behind your favorite piece of gold jewelry, or about the time you tried to find the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, or about the time you auditioned to become a Solid Gold dancer! — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a Clarins Barocco Shimmering Gold Powder for Face and Decollete (a $35 value) http://bit.ly/egDoas

  • The deadline to enter is Friday, January 7, 2010 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).
  • 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 Tina. Congrats, Tina! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Jan. 3

by 79 Comments

  • 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 three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 151. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
  1. Mood:

    2. A little sleepy (today was the first time I’ve had to wake up before 8 in ages) but excited about the day ahead. I’m feeling extra organized and positive!

  2. One thing you’d like to learn in “the 2011”?

    3. While watching The Fighter, a movie about boxing, last weekend, it hit me (haha) that knowing how to throw a punch would probably be a good life skill to have. I don’t plan on joining a fight club or getting into a bar brawl or anything; I just want to have enough muscle memory to clock someone should I ever need to throw down.

  3. One thing you love about yourself?

    4. My weird sense of humor. Sometimes I can be reserved when I first meet people, so when it comes out of the woodwork I think it catches them off guard.

  4. What’s your current beauty obsession?

    5. Bangs — it’s amazing how just a few snips can change your look. I haven’t been this enamored with them since my hair bear days in the late ’80s/early ’90s.

  5. Your favorite eyeshadow brush and why?

    6. I’m majorly infatuated with the MAC 239 at the moment. The dense brush head applies just the right amount of color, and the size is big enough to cover a decent amount of area, yet small enough to do detail work.

  6. What’s your eyebrow maintenance routine?

    7. I pluck below and between the brows with a Tweezerman to give them an arched shape, trim the tops with scissors and then fill in sparse areas with Benefit Instant Brow.

  7. Have you ever actually stuck to a New Year’s resolution?

    8. Yes! During my junior year in college I wanted to get more physically fit, so I set a goal to run the San Francisco Bay to Breakers (a 7.46 mile race that winds through the city) in May. I started running short distances around my house, gradually increasing them over time. When May rolled around I ran the race just fine — well, the flat parts at least. The hills just about killed me.

  8. What’s surprised you most about your life so far?

    9. That I can make all the plans I want, but part of the equation seems to always involve a crapshoot — being at the right place at the right time, knowing somebody who happens to know somebody else, that kind of thing. Sometimes it works in my favor, and sometimes it doesn’t.

  9. What’s for lunch today?

    10. It’s really cold out, so a bowl of hot, comforting corn chowder sounds good right now.

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Cross off everything on my daily to-do list, cook a couple of healthy dinners and find some new running music.

Another year, another Monday poll, babe. You’re probably back at the grind, getting ready to tackle your regularly scheduled programming (LOL!), but if you’ve got a second, will you please pop in? I’d love to hear from you so we can start the new year together. 🙂

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



1. Mood:
2. One thing you’d like to learn in “the 2011”?
3. One thing you love about yourself?
4. What’s your current beauty obsession?
5. Your favorite eyeshadow brush and why?
6. What’s your eyebrow maintenance routine?
7. Have you ever actually stuck to a New Year’s resolution?
8. What’s surprised you most about your life so far?
9. What’s for lunch today?
10. Weekly goals:

Let’s set the tone for 2011 by having a fabulous week, ‘kay? I’m sending lots of positive energy your way…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Were Your Best and Worst Beauty Experiences of the Week?

by 40 Comments

My best…

I had a shockingly great hair week, which is weird considering all the rain we’ve been having. High humidity normally turns my ‘do into a frizzy mop, but lately all I’ve had to do is comb down my bangs after I shower and let my hair air dry. Badda-bing, badda-bang — bouncy waves and perfectly parted bangs. I think my cut has reached its sweet spot — that mythic stage at which it has grown out exactly enough in every imaginable way, and every strand falls precisely where it needs to be.

It’s perfect wash-and-wear hair. Practitioners of the tao de hair sometimes refer to this stage as “hair enlightenment”…and it only lasts for a few precious days each cut.

Okay, that was just crazy talk.

My worst…

I must have gotten food poisoning from my pizza on New Year’s Eve because when we got home after dinner I went to the temple in my bathroom and repeatedly prayed to the porcelain gods. It was over pretty quickly that night, and I didn’t think much of it until the next day when I noticed some little red spots beneath my eyes (!). I think they’re broken blood vessels (from the strain of heaving). 🙁

I sure hope they’re only temporary… Thank goodness for concealer, is all I gotta say.

What were your best and worst beauty experiences of the week? Please share yours in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I hope you’re enjoying the last few hours of the official holiday season. Sleep well, and I’ll see you first thing tomorrow morning.

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