Lips

The New Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Flush, Natural Beauty and True Love

April 24th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss Flush — Wearing the new Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss in Flush

The what

These are a completely new line of shiny, permanent collection glosses from Tarte released as part of Tarte’s summer collection. They’re available now in nine shades (Sephora and online) for $19 each, which gets you a 0.27-ounce tube.

I’ve always liked Tarte’s LipSurgence products (the Lip Tints, Power Pigments, Lip Lusters, etc.) because of how natural they look on my lips, the great plant-based ingredients, and because of how low-maintenance they are (the twist-up pencils that don’t have to be sharpened, and the wearable colors).

When I saw the familiar names — Blissful, Blushing Bride, Exposed, Fearless, Flush, Natural Beauty, Tipsy and True Love — shades that were already in the Power Pigment lip pencil and Cheek Stain lines, I had high hopes for these.

Even Park Ave Princess, another one of the new shades, is also a Bronze & Glow Matte Bronzer and Cheek Tint, so one could get all matchy-matchy if they were so inclined.

Formula, flavor and finish

They feel a lot like Chanel’s Glossimers to me — thick, but not sticky. They’ll make it through a cup of tea, for instance, but won’t make it through lunch.

Officially, Tarte describes them as having a vanilla flavor and scent, which I kind of get as more of a vanilla buttercream…but maybe that’s just my tummy talking. I haven’t had lunch yet.

As for the finish, they start out super shiny but mellow out over the course of an hour or two.

I have very pigmented lips and these shades are the boldest one of the nine, although from the lip swatches you can still see that a lot of my natural lip color comes through.

I initially thought these might be challenging to wear based on how dark they appear in their tubes, but they actually apply semi-sheer on the lips. Despite looking different in the closeup lip shots, Natural Beauty and True Love look almost like the same sheer shiny red from a few feet away.

Product Performance: This hybrid addition to tarte’s signature LipSurgence line delivers all the plumped-up benefits of a gloss and pigmented performance of a tint in an antioxidant-rich formula. Each ultra-hydrating, vanilla flavored lip gloss imparts natural-looking color to enhance your complexion while drenching lips in moisture and mega-watt, non-sticky shine. Infused with vitamin E, jojoba seed oil and flower extract, this multi-tasking formula helps smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles while moisturizing dry lips for a healthy, plumped-up appearance that lasts. The unique applicator wand features an ergonomic tip that gently glides around the shape of your lips for a foolproof application every time.

Available in glossy versions of eight signature tarte shades: flush, blushing bride, tipsy, blissful, fearless, natural beauty, exposed & true love.

Powered By: vitamin E: natural preservative that also acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient & antioxidant; jojoba seed oil: natural soothing extract that leaves lips soft, supple & smooth; flower extract: moisturizes for healthy, hydrated lips

–tarte.com

Of these three, Flush, a subtle, creamy neutral pink, is my fave. I definitely think it’s a color that would work well for a lot of different skin tones.

Here’s the first batch of three — the brightest of the nine — in Flush (a berry rose), Natural Beauty (a sheer, shimmering red) and True Love (a watermelon). Stay tuned for the next six… 🙂

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss Swatches from the left: Flush, Natural Beauty and True Love

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss Doe Foot — Doe Foot

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss Flush Lip Swatch — Flush Lip Swatch

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss Natural Beauty Lip Swatch — Natural Beauty Lip Swatch

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MAC Unsung Heroes: Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil

April 21st, 2014 by Karen 10 Comments

MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil, $19.50

I staunchly support giving matte pinkish beige MAC Staunchly Stylish Lip Pencil ($19.50) time in the spotlight right now because of all of the peach and pink shades that came out with the spring collections, which I think it works so well with — especially neutral and warm pinks and peaches.

It’s one of those lip pencil perennials you can wear year round, but it’s really in its element now.

It can also rock with corals, I’ve noticed.

Not so much with intensely orange or red ones, but with quiet corals that have a peachy pink bent, it’s all gravy.

I know it looks kind of dark in the swatch, but it’s like the color of nude lips on a kisser. The perfect barely-there lip pencil, and talk about flexible.

Staunchly Stylish is like the yoga master of lip pencils; it goes with so many colors!

Non-drying, it skates across my skin without tugging at all, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it moisturizing. It doesn’t make my normally cray-cray dry lips worse, though, and that’s pretty good. When I wear it my lips don’t get flaky or dry.

It also lasts a long time, fading slowly over the course of 8-9 hours.

MAC Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil with Revved Up Patentpolish Lip Pencil — Staunchly Stylish Pro Longwear Lip Pencil with Revved Up Patentpolish Lip Pencil

Oh! — if you happen to have the new MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils in creamy peach Revved Up, yellowish pink Go For Girlie or mauvey pink Kittenish, I think Staunchly Stylish looks fab with those shades, as well as creamy peach Lots of Laught Lipglass…

And creamy pink Carousel Lipglass from the MAC Playland collection.

And light pink Toying Around (super pretty!).

And the Mineralize Glasses in Lovingly Yours (a pinkish nude) and light cool-toned peach cream Be Nice.

Seriously, it can do so much! Please give it a try one of these days.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The MAC Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from MAC’s permanent collection

Hey, Baby Doll, Let Me Holla at You for a Minute: YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush in 1 Fuchsia Desinvolte

April 17th, 2014 by Karen 17 Comments

Yo, yo, yo, Baby Doll! Don’t walk away. Come here for a second. I just want to tell you something.

Damn, Baby Doll Kiss & Blush…you foine.

For real though! Must be that hot-@ss outfit you’re wearing. You kinda looked like a nail polish I know from over there. My bad. I’m sorry. I see you now. You’re a multitasking mousse lipstick and blush with a matte finish, all up in one sexy bottle.

Baby Doll Kiss & Blush in 1 Fuchsia Desinvolte is one of 12 shades available now at YSL counters and online at neimanmarcus.com[/caption]

You’re a little heavy, and I like that. Must be that glass bottle. Shoo’… And that flocked doe-foot applicator?! I love me some curves. I’d wear you on my lips and cheeks like a pair of skinny jeans!

YSL Baby Doll Kiss Blush Doe Foot Applicator — Doe-foot applicator

YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Ingredients — Ingredients

You’re new around here, yeah? I can tell you’re different from the other multitasking lip and cheek products that strut their stuff down this block.

Let me caress you for a moment… It’s alright. Ooh, mousse texture. Fluffy. Kind of creamy, too. I bet you’re so smooth that you’d glide along my cheeks and my lips without any patchiness.

That’s classy, girl. Classy with “C,” not a “K.” 😉

You’re a keeper; I can tell. Not one of those fly-by-nights that just bounces after an hour or two. C’mon, let me take you out sometime. We could hang out on my cheeks for 6-8 hours, on top of foundation, bare cheeks or even atop powder. Or we could just kiss on the lips for 4-5.

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The New Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks Are Making Hearts Melt Under Oodles of Bold, Opaque Color

April 16th, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

Too Faced Melted Violet — Wearing the new $21 Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Violet by Too Faced Cosmetics

NOVATO — “They’re kind of like purse parties,” said Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog, “but without the purses, obviously, and with much, much more cheese.”

The beauty blogger and self-proclaimed pioneer of the melted party movement hosted one of them recently — so-called “melted parties,” where women (and some men) get together to celebrate “things that make you melt.”

“It’s the latest party crazy sweeping the nation.” said Karen. “A fun festival of figurative flambé!”

At Karen’s last melted party, guests nibbled on tuna melts and fondue (both cheese and chocolate varieties, she was quick to add), then played with blue-eyed kittens and chubby-pawed puppies while watching The Notebook.

All things that make you melt.

The new $21 Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks by Too Faced Cosmetics

The melted theme often extends to the dress code, as well, as Karen frequently encourages melted party guests to arrive wearing makeup like the new $21 Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks by Too Faced Cosmetics.

Too Faced Melted Swatches from the left: Melted Coral, Melted Fuchsia, Melted Nude, Melted Peony, Melted Violet and Melted Ruby — Swatches from the left of Melted Coral, Melted Fuchsia, Melted Nude, Melted Peony, Melted Violet and Melted Ruby

“These opaque liquid lipsticks,” said Karen, “which are new to the Too Faced line, have set the melted party movement on fuego! I like ’em for many reasons — first among them being the pigments. They’re intense! They literally lavish lips in smooth, saturated color, so they look great in selfies. On top of that, they last 4-5 hours, so you can raise the roof without having to stop for touchups.”

According to Karen, the slanted tip applicators make them easy to apply. “Even the brighter and more intense colors like Melted Fuchsia, Melted Violet and Melted Coral are a snap to use. I can even skip a lip liner.”

Too Faced Melted Fuschia — Melted Fuschia

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Letters to Coco and Reflections on a Chanel Summer, Part 2: Packing Pearls, Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour and Happy Glossimer

April 11th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

Chanel Summer 2014 — Wearing the new Chanel Reflets D’Ete De Chanel Summer collection on my lips and tips

Letters to Coco

This is part two of a three-part series of posts titled “Letters to Coco,” a series of letters written in the summer of 2014 from me to my best friend (in my head), Coco Chanel. In this second letter, which features summer collection standouts Pink Tonic Nail Polish and Happy Glossimer, we’re just about to leave on our summer trip. 🙂

My dearest Coco,

Hey, babe! Can I just say that I’m excited!? OMG, Maldives! T-minus 24 hours and counting. Seriously, you do not even know how badly I need this trip. Tabs has been working me to the bone. I am literally — literally — counting down the seconds till I can unchain myself from my desk, LOL!

Oh, and excellent call on choosing the Maldives. I’ve never been before. So stoked!

I’m doing some last-minute packing tonight, so let me know if you need me to bring anything for you. I know that you’re very busy, and I actually have a little bit of room left in my carryon bag, haha!

Of course I’m bringing the essentials — sunscreen, hat (uh…I keep thinking that the only person who should be wearing a straw fedora is Justin Timberlake, but I can’t help myself), swimsuit, sunglasses, pearls and my trusty bottle of No. 19, aka “your best summery scent ever,” IMHO.

Oh! — I’m also bringing one of the five polishes in your Reflets D’Ete De Chanel Summer collection, the fuschia shade, Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour, ’cause, you know, I like to be prepared.

Chanel Happy Glossimer (a sheer coral jelly, $29.50) and Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour (a fuchsia, $27) — Happy Glossimer (a sheer coral jelly, $29.50) and Pink Tonic Le Vernis Nail Colour (a fuchsia, $27)

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I Have an Idea! Let’s Brainstorm MAC Playland Lipstick and Lipglass Combos

April 8th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Sweet Experience, a bright pink, and Lipglass in Carousel, a creamy pink — MAC Playland Lipstick+Lipglass combo idea #1: Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky + Lipglass in Pure Silliness

I miss recess…

Remember recess in school, when bell would go off every 45 minutes, and you’d sprint out of the classroom to the playground and basically run around and raise hell for 10 minutes?

Those were good times, yah? Good times…

I have a theory about recess. I think that if adults were mandated or otherwise required to take 10-minute recess breaks every 45 minutes, people would generally be less grumpy.

Picture yourself hanging upside-down next to your coworkers on a jungle gym, or sprinting down the street with everyone to see who makes it to the corner and back first. 🙂

I’m serious! — adult recess could revolutionize work as we know it, LOL!

But all kidding aside (yeah, right), I am a big fan of breaks, even though I haven’t always been very good about taking them.

I’ve been trying lately, though. Every day for the past few weeks I’ve been taking two 10-15 minute breaks per day, ideally away from the computer. I think it makes a big difference in my mood, too. Sometimes I’ll go for a quick walk; other times I’ll play with makeup, but it only counts if I get away from my computer.

See, the computer is the thing.

Today on my first break this morning I went for a 10-minute walk at the Indian Valley Open Space Nature Preserve, which is a couple blocks away.

That was like a mental health break, because I really needed to get outside.

Then on my second break I played with some of the 11 lip products from the new MAC Playland collection. I wanted to mess around with some bright, glossy lip combos using the Lipsticks and Lipglasses.

Combo Idea #1: Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky + Lipglass in Pure Silliness

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick and Pure Silliness Lipglass — Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick and Pure Silliness Lipglass

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky, a hot pink and Lipglass in Pure Silliness, a creamy lilac — Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky, a hot pink and Lipglass in Pure Silliness, a creamy lilac

Combo Idea #2: Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around + Lipglass in Live It Up

MAC Toying Around Lipstick and Live It Up Lipglass — Toying Around Lipstick and Live It Up Lipglass

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around, a hot coral pink, and Lipglass in Live It Up, a creamy orange — Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around, a hot coral pink, and Lipglass in Live It Up, a creamy orange

Combo Idea #3: Frost Lipstick in Head in the Clouds + Lipglass in Bright Side

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick and Bright Side Lipglass — Head in the Clouds Lipstick and Bright Side Lipglass

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7 Cat Lady Things You Could Do While Wearing the 7 New NARS Lip Gloss Shades

April 4th, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

NARS Priscilla Lip Gloss — A crazy cat lady holding a cat flask while wearing the new NARS Lip Gloss in Priscilla, a shocking pink

What are some things you can do while wearing the seven brand new shades in the newly reformulated NARS Lip Gloss line?

Hmm… Well, you could start writing that young adult novel you’ve been meaning to, and by “you” I mean me (and maybe also you); you could have donuts for dinner; or, if you’re a cat lady like me, you could…

1. Hug your cat while wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Tasmania

NARS Tasmania Lip Gloss — That’s me wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Tasmania, a pink cantaloupe

If time permits, bury your face in his or her tummy while saying, “Mmmmm, delicious tabby belly meat!”

Do this until he or she gets angry.

2. Fall in love at the Humane Society while wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Sixties Fan

NARS Sixties Fan Lip Gloss — Here I’m wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Sixties Fan, a pomegranate

While there, you could also seriously consider adopting a cat. Or two. Or twelve. And pretend not to hear your husband when he says, “Twelve is just too many!”

I mean, how could you not fall in love with a kitty like Kanji, a gorgeous boy with the most beautiful blue eyes in the world?!

3. Wear a cat t-shirt to the mall while wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Salamanca

NARS Salamanca Lip Gloss — That’s NARS Lip Gloss in Salamanca, a pink flamingo, on my lips

Bonus points if the cat on your shirt is wearing glasses.

4. Look for kitty-themed home decor at Anthropologie while wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Quito

NARS Quito Lip Gloss — Here I’m wearing NARS Lip Gloss in Quito, a bright strawberry pink

Why?

Because surrounding yourself (and your kitty and non-kitty companions) with cat-themed home decor takes your cat lady-ness to the next level.
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MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil Swatches and a Break in the Storm

March 31st, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

It has been gloomy, wet and gray here all day today, both outside my house and inside my head.

CRANKY! — with a capital B for BRAT. That’s what I’ve been today.

Not even swatching all 12 of the new MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencils could cheer me up, which is like…unfathomable.

I mean, hello! — they have names like “Pleasant,” “Fearless” and “Revved Up,” and just look at how bright and shiny they are. Oh, yeah, and supremely moisturizing.

I just felt cooped up, tense and scatterbrained this afternoon. At one point I turned on Milli Vanilli’s Blame It on the Rain and listened to that for a while…

Didn’t help, so I just sat in my chair and pouted. 🙁

And then, finally, there was a break in the storm we’re having (which, incidentally, laid waste to my deck garden), and I saw sunshine outside. Sweet blue skies and sunshine, rejoice!

I pulled on my Zella hoodie, a pair of tennies and told Tabs, “BRB.” Then I went for a walk.

Just walked around my circle, down the big hill, then up the street and back. I looked for cats but didn’t see any. I also made myself look at random things — everything — really closely, like at the glistening wet asphalt and the rain drops hanging from the pine needles overhead and the lavender bushes along the side of the road and how they all lean the same direction together like choreographed dancers.

And then I felt better.

Better about everything.

Isn’t that weird? I spent hours today unsuccessfully trying to will myself to feel better (it’s nothing, really, just one of those days), and Mother Nature did it in 10 minutes.

That’s some powerful stuff right there. 🙂

In other news…here are swatches of the 12 new MAC Patentpolishes on my NC42 kisser (they’re $20 each US, $24 CDN).

I reviewed them last week but didn’t swatch all of the colors, so here goes. Maybe if you’re trying to decide among them, the swatches will help.

The MAC Patentpolishes are available online now at maccosmetics.com and coming April 3 to North American MAC counters (internationally this May).