Palettes

Working Through Some Things With the Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Twilight Pink Lip & Eye Palette

November 6th, 2013 by Karen 30 Comments

Bobbi Browxn Deluxe Lip and Eye Palette — Wearing the new Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Twilight Pink Lip & Eye Palette

Friend, I’m hoping you can help me through this bout of grade-A writer’s block by forgiving me for rambling and blabbering on (more than usual) while I slog my way through it.

Truth is, after 8,729 posts about makeup (seriously, that’s how many posts I’ve done)…sometimes you run out of new ways to say, “This is (or isn’t) a pretty kick-@ss palette.”

First, this was supposed to be a post about Bobbi Brown’s new limited edition $80 Twilight Pink Lip & Eye Palette, but whether it ends up being that or something else, we’re about to find out.

Ha! I made myself laugh…

At least that’s a start. 🙂

So, back to the palette. It’s new for the holidays, houses 10 powder eyeshadows in a mix of matte, shimmer and glitter finishes; four sheer lip colors and two tiny brushes (which, eh, are just OK).

See, here’s the good thing about wearing smokey eyes…

Uh…I don’t even know what I’m talking about. I’m just going to sit here and move my fingers until I think of something to say.

I warn you — it might take a while.

Bobbi Brown Deluxe Lip and Eye Palette eyeshadows — The eyeshadows

Alright, Karen, what’s the most surprising thing about this palette?

Gosh, Karen, I don’t know. I keep trying to think of a snappy intro, like, I could make a joke about Twilight, the movie, or maybe say something about the lack of warmth in the palette.

Gawd, my hand is throbbing… This is what I get for not cleaning the floors. I actually fell, slow motion, in my office today, and the lamest thing of all was that I was barely moving when it happened. I was just walking slowly to my chair.

Honestly, it’s a miracle the bookshelf didn’t fall on me.

I guess we can just file that under “Not-So-Exciting Things That Happened Today.”

As for things filed under “Good Things That Happened Today,” I did a dark smokey eye with this palette, and it didn’t turn out half bad.

Bobbi Brown Deluxe Lip and Eye Palette lip products — The lip products

Maybe I should talk about the palette now…

OK, the palette, the palette, the palette! It’s by Bobbi Brown, new for holiday, WOOTY TOOT TOOT! Bobbi Brown’s new limited edition holiday palette features 10 powder eyeshadows and four lip colors housed in one sleek mirrored kit. There are also two mini brushes included as well for on-the-go touch-ups.

I HATE THAT WORD FEATURED. I HATE THAT WORD HOUSED. I HATE FEATURED, HOUSED, BOASTS, OFFERS, because I would never, ever say any of those words in casual conversation. Holy sh*t, this is angry, angry typing. I can barely see straight.

Anyway, new palette, new for holiday. It’s got a lot of cool-toned colors.

Oh, boy, I’m not going to be able to use any of this at all. Keep breathing, don’t freak out, pretend you’re just talking to Jen.

I guess I would tell her that most of the colors are very cool-toned, with a couple of neutrals. Not a lot here for people in the warmer skin tone department.

I hate that word, “department.”

Bobbi Brown Deluxe Lip and Eye Palette packaging — The packaging

[Continue reading…]

A Gift That Really Does Keep Giving: The Essentials Eye Palette by Clarins

November 5th, 2013 by Karen 17 Comments

Clarins Essentials Eye Palette — Wearing the new $45 limited edition The Essentials Eye Palette by Clarins

True, there are many lovely holiday gifts out there now for the beauty junkies in your life (and that includes yourself!), but not all of them offer the added bonus of simultaneously helping others.

Chances are your resident makeup loving do-gooder pal will love the assortment of 10 wearable beige, brown and taupe mineral eyeshadows in the new $45 Clarins The Essentials Palette, and when she hears about how Clarins partnered with the PurProject organization to help preserve the Kuntanawa culture and ecosystem in Brazil, she’ll appreciate the gift even more.

According to PurPuroject and Clarins, the Kuntanawa people of the Amazon basin in Brazil heavily depend on the forest for their livelihood, and today they struggle to maintain their culture as deforestation threatens their environment.

Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette — Neutrals, neutrals, everywhere!

Clarins has vowed to plant 10,000 trees to preserve the Kuntanawa culture and ecosystem, with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this limited edition palette going to support the initiative.

Clarins The Essentials Eye Palette swatches — Swatches of the darker shades…

[Continue reading…]

My Warm Skin Tone Is Warming Up To the Neutral Cool Shades in the Bobbi Brown Smokey Cool Eye Palette

November 4th, 2013 by Karen 23 Comments

The Sisterhood of Sparkly Shadows will probably kick me out of the sorority for this, but eff it! — I’m saying it anyways: Bobbi Brown’s Smokey Eye Cool palette could really use one fewer glittery eyeshadows and one more matte brown.

There. I said it. 🙂

“This carefully edited mix of six eye shadows is the perfect palette for those who prefer their smokey eye look on the cool side. Featuring everything you need to take eyes from day to night including Bobbi’s beloved base shadow in Ivory and an array of sparkly and shimmery textures in cool grey hues. A Mini Dual Ended Shadow/Liner brush completes this mirrored compact-all it needs now is a bow.”

— bobbibrowncosmetics.com

I’m really not trying to hate on the sparkly stuff, ’cause you know I love me some glitter.

WOO-HOO! TEAM GLITTER! *fist bumps*

It’s just that I tried to make this work using only the six shadows in the set (it comes with three mattes, one shimmer and two glitters), but I couldn’t tie them all together without a medium brown shade to ease the transition from the lighter shades into the darker ones.

It’s like a piece of the puzzle is missing, ya know?

Now, if I were able to swap one of the Sparkle Eye Shadows, which are Bobbi’s take on pressed glitters, for an easy-to-use golden brown along the lines of MAC Cork, it would be so on…

Bobbi Brown Smokey Cool Eye Palette swatches from the left: Ivory Eye Shadow, Graphite Sparkle Eye Shadow, Smokey Grey Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Truffle Eye Shadow, Platinum Sparkle Eye Shadow and Caviar Eye Shadow — Swatches from the left: Ivory Eye Shadow, Graphite Sparkle Eye Shadow, Smokey Grey Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Truffle Eye Shadow, Platinum Sparkle Eye Shadow and Caviar Eye Shadow

[Continue reading…]

A One Night Stand With the NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette

October 31st, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

Filed under “Conversations I Have With My Pan of NARS DOLCE VITA Blush”:

ME: We have to talk.

NARS DOLCE VITA: OK. About what?

ME: Our relationship.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Alright, that was ominous… Should I sit down?

ME: If you want.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Are you breaking up with me? Is this a breakup?

ME: Oh, gosh, no! I still think we should see each other. It’s just… I dunno. I need more…

NARS DOLCE VITA: Space?

ME: No! Excitement. I was going to say “excitement.”

NARS DOLCE VITA: So what — are you a swinger now? You want to start seeing other blushes?

ME: No. I mean, I want to stay together, but it’s been 12 years. I just think we should…re-evaluate our status. Maybe switch to something more fluid? Like an open relationship?

NARS DOLCE VITA: Oh, I get it. Open. OK, just don’t tell me about your one night stands.

ME: Not even the one I’m having right now with the new NARS One Night Stand cheek palette?

NARS DOLCE VITA: Wait — what? Are you? Is he that limited edition holiday palette?

ME: Yes. Six blushes total, and three of them are new.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Oh, great.

ME: I actually think you two would get along.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Right! So, tell me about him.

ME: Well, the new ones are shimmery alabaster Devotee Highlighting Blush, bright pink Mistinguette Blush and fleshy pink Goulue. You already know the others — golden brown Laguna Bronzer, golden peach Orgasm and sheer peach Deep Throat.

NARS DOLCE VITA: Do you…love this palette?

ME: I don’t know. I mean, I probably would if all of its shades were new. I do really like the highlighting blush. It reminds me of NARS Albatross, only more pinkish beige? If I could have it in a single…

NARS DOLCE VITA: OK, stop. Fine, I’m willing to try. If this means that much to you, we can try sharing, but I’m not making any promises.

[Continue reading…]

A Memo From Management, and a Bronzey, Smokey Cat Eye of the Day With the MAC Stroke of Midnight and Nocturnal Holiday Collections

October 30th, 2013 by Karen 32 Comments

MAC Stroke of Midnight Eyes Warm — Wearing products from the MAC Stroke of Midnight and Nocturnal holiday collections on my eyes and lips

To all current and future employees of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC:

It has recently come to the attention of management that several employees celebrated National Cat Day yesterday, October 29.

While the formal acknowledgement of the fabulousness of felines is always encouraged, we would like to take this time to remind you that, here at Tabs the Cat Industries, every day is Cat Day.

Purr the management, please advise your teams that kitty-themed clothing and makeup are mandatory components of the company dress code.

Please direct all inquiries regarding this memo, or eye makeup looks, like this bronze and brown smokey cat eye using products from the new MAC Stroke of Midnight and Noctural holiday collections, to Karen in the executive offices, care of Tabs the Cat. Karen would be happy to purr-vide you with further details.

The MAC Stroke of Midnight and Nocturnal holiday collection products I’m wearing in this look

MAC Stroke of Midnight Eyes — The Stroke of Midnight Eye Shadow X 5 compacts

[Continue reading…]

Dolce Vita Takes Center Stage in the NARS Splendor in the Grass Cheek Palette

October 29th, 2013 by Karen 27 Comments

It’s hard to say what’s more splendid about the new NARS Splendor in the Grass Cheek Palette ($49) — the fact that it comes with one of my favorite NARS Blushes, Dolce Vita…

…or the fact that it doesn’t come with Orgasm.

Don’t get me wrong — I love NARS Orgasm, but sometimes it’s like the Kardashian sister of the NARS Blush family. It’s everywhere! And you just can’t escape it no matter how hard you try. (SIDE NOTE: anyone else out there convinced that Kris Jenner is a Svengali marketing genius?)

As the largest pan in the palette, dark rosy pink Dolce Vita takes Orgasm’s place on center stage, but truth be told, I can see how it might look a little dark and scary at first glance.

Give it a chance, though, ’cause it’s all kinds of awesome. When my default blush, MAC Blushbaby, is out of reach, I’ll often grab Dolce Vita.

It’s easy to blend, I barely have to use any of it at all, and it works with almost every eye and lip color combination.

And I think the other two blushes in the palette — Sex Appeal, a subtle, appealing peach matte and Angelika, a sheer pink with golden glitter — are just as fab.

Oh, and psst! You can blend them with each other and Dolce Vita to create custom cheek colors.

Last (but not least), the highlighter, golden Albatross. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just not a prime candidate to wear highlighter because of how shimmery they are, sweep this one on your upper cheekbones and down the bridge of your nose. It just might change your mind.

NARS Splendor in the Grass swatches from the left: Sex Appeal, Angelika, Dolce Vita and Albatross — From the left: Sex Appeal, Angelika, Dolce Vita and Albatross

[Continue reading…]

In the High Court of Holiday Makeup, What’s the Verdict on the New NARS Guy Bourdin Crime of Passion Palette?

October 25th, 2013 by Karen 34 Comments

THE SCENE: A crowded courtroom.

PARTIES PRESENT: The Honorable Judge Karen presiding, with Attorney-at-Law Tabs the Cat representing his client, the new NARS Guy Bourdin Crime of Passion palette.

NARS Guy Bourdin Crimes of Passion — Limited edition packaging

Judge Karen pounds her gavel (which incidentally looks like a lint roller) repeatedly.

JUDGE KAREN: “Order! Order in the court!

“Counselor Tabs, your client, the limited edition NARS Guy Bourdin Crime of Passion Palette for eyes, lips and cheeks, stands before the High Court of Holiday Makeup today to be judged on its shopping worthiness this holiday season.

“On the count of eyeshadow fallout in the first degree, how does your client plead?”

COUNSELOR TABS: Mrrrow. (“Not guilty, Your Honor.”)

JUDGE KAREN: “And on the count of weird color combinations in the first degree, how does your client plead?”

COUNSELOR TABS: Mrrrow. (“Not guilty, Your Honor.”)

JUDGE KAREN: “And on the count of brief wear time in the first degree, how does your client plead?”

COUNSELOR TABS: Mrrrow. (“Not guilty, Your Honor.”)

JUDGE KAREN: “Lastly, on the count of difficulty blending eyeshadows, how does your client plead?”

COUNSELOR TABS: Meeee-ow. (“Guilty, Your Honor.”)

The crowd collectively gasps…

JUDGE KAREN: “Order! Order! I will have order in my courtroom!

“Thank you for your service to the court, Counselor. You may now approach the bench, so that I may feed you turkey-flavored Temptations.” 🙂

What’s the verdict?

I’m this close to saying that the only crime the new Crime of Passion palette commits is AWESOMENESS because it has so many great things going for it, like excellent wear time (all day for the eyeshadows, bronzer and blush, and 4-5 hours for the lipgloss), super wearable colors that should suit most skin tones, and eyeshadows that stick like electromagnets to my lids.

I’m talking zero fallout — zilch — even when I packed it on, and not one grain of powder appeared beneath my eyes, not even when I used the dark black shade.

The $59 palette, which arrives at NARS counters, boutiques and online next month, comes with useful basics you can easily dress up or down.

The palette includes…

Larger Than Life Lipgloss in Deep Throat, a new shade in a shimmering sheer peach
Eyeshadow in Jezebel, a new shimmery reddish brown
Eyeshadow in Naiade, a new metallic light rose
Eyeshadow in Pandora, a re-promoted matte black
Blush in Deep Throat, a re-promoted sheer peach
Bronzing Powder in Laguna, a re-promoted brown bronzer with golden shimmer

But there’s one big catch (at least for my right wrist), and that’s blending these eyeshadows together.

I guess that’s the tradeoff (sigh). These latch on to skin so well that, yes, there’s no fallout, and they stay put a solid 10-12 hour with very little creasing or fading, but they also take near Herculean effort to blend into smooth gradients.

I definitely feel like I have to swoosh with my blending brush back and forth more than I do with other NARS eyeshadows.

[Continue reading…]

The Laura Mercier Artist’s Palette for Eyes Turns Super-Blended Eye Looks Into Works of Art

October 17th, 2013 by Karen 50 Comments

Laura Mercier Artist's Palette 2013 — Laura Mercier’s new Artist’s Palette for Eyes ($48)

Some artists wield pencils. Others command paint, clay, pen or pastels.

My medium of choice: cat fur.

Gurl, you don’t even know! My cat is one hairy beast. In fact, he’s so hairy that a sculptor could fashion a different life-size model of him out of stray tabby hairs and fur balls every week.

My second favorite artistic medium would have to be eyeshadow, I think, mostly because there are just so many different things you can do with it, and this new palette by Laura Mercier is unlocking my inner artiste, big time.

The $48 Artist’s Palette for Eyes (a Sephora exclusive) will have you itching to break out your makeup brushes. The six warm neutrals, and six cool pinks and purples, practically beg to be swept, blended and patted on lids in any number of enticing holiday eye looks.

Come to mama, smokey eyes!

Don’t even worry about busting your wrist while blending these eyeshadows. They’re pigmented, but the soft, finely-milled powders blend ridiculously well.

[Continue reading…]