Product Reviews

A Bit of a Bear, Kevyn Aucoin Tenacious Matte Lip Color Is Worth the Fight

July 31st, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

Kevyn Aucoin Matte Lipstick — Wearing Kevyn Aucoin’s Matte Lipstick in Tenacious

If I were a makeup artist working on an artsy-fartsy magazine shoot, I wouldn’t think twice about putting Kevyn Aucoin’s $32 Matte Lip Color in Tenacious on a model because it’s one of those rare, otherworldly lipsticks that takes your breath away in pics.

I can see it now, maybe with a bright green or shimmery gold on the lids…

When Nicki Minaj’s Pink 4 Friday Lipstick came out in 2010, this is what I was hoping that was going to look like (instead, it looked pretty ghastly on me).

Thing is, as much as I love how Tenacious looks in pics, in real life, it’s kind of a bear. Being highly pigmented and matte makes finding its sweet spot — the right amount to wear — difficult. Too little and it looks uneven and streaky; too much and it settles into my fine lines, leaving me looking like a hot mess.

Eventually, I get there, but not before a lot of layering, blotting, and pat-pat-patting with a finger.

Tenacious is definitely not a color you can absentmindedly swipe on your lips and bop along your day. Even after it’s applied, it’s like a needy boyfriend who requires frequent check-ins.

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Tingly, Non-Sticky Lip Injection Color Bombs by Too Faced Cosmetics: Around These Balms, You Can Let Your Hair Down, Baby

July 30th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb Bigger Berry — New $21 Lip Injection Color Bomb in Bigger Berry, by Too Faced Cosmetics

Yup, I’m still waiting.

Still waiting for that personal wind machine I keep hoping someone will invent. The battery-powered, artificially intelligent one that follows me around wherever I go, ensuring that my hair is kept in a permanent state of wind-blown divaliciousness worthy of Mrs. Carter/Sasha Fierce herself.

Yeah, that would be AWESOME.

But then there’s the whole issue of getting your windblown hair stuck in whatever lip product you’re wearing (#firstworldproblems).

Sticky, shiny lipglosses? Sooo great for flashing pouty faces at strangers on the bus, like that cute boy in the glasses (oh, hai!), but really, really annoying when your hair accidentally gets stuck to your lips.

Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bombs from the left: Bigger Berry, Coral Pop, Candy Burst, Eastwood Red, Never Enough Nude and Plump It Up Pink — From the left: Bigger Berry, Coral Pop, Candy Burst, Eastwood Red, Never Enough Nude and Plump It Up Pink

Coming soon to rescue lips from wind-whipped hair, the new Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bombs ($21 each), a line of six chubby twist-up stick balms to lavish lips with a stain of color while plumping them up at the same time.

Why give them a try? — well, other than the fact that they won’t stick to your lips outside or while you’re posing in front of your wind machine?

Why try these Lip Injection Color Bombs by Too Faced Cosmetics?

Because they’re lightweight, comfortable and non-sticky! They feel just like a lip balm but look way more intense than that.
Because they smell (faintly) and taste like yummy strawberry candy.
Because the slightly shiny satin finish goes with almost any makeup look from dressy to casual.
Because of their smooth, even color
Because of their 2-3 hour wear time, which isn’t bad for such pigmented balms.
Because they’re pretty darned moisturizing (the formula contains mango butter and Vitamins A, C and E to soften and smooth yo’ pout), although not quite as moisturizing as Neutrogena’s similar MoistureSmooth Color Sticks.
Because of the way they tingle when they’re applied (they’re lip-plumping products, after all) and how it reminds me I’m alive! The sensation reminds me of MAC’s Plushglasses and lasts about 5 minutes before I don’t notice it anymore.

As for the lip plumping effect, it’s very subtle with these, so if you were hoping to come away with lips like one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, you might be disappointed.

Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bombs from the left: Bigger Berry, Coral Pop and Candy Burst — From the left: Bigger Berry, Coral Pop and Candy Burst

Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bombs from the left: Eastwood Red, Not Enough Nude and Plump It Up Pink — From the left: Eastwood Red, Not Enough Nude and Plump It Up Pink

Too Faced Lip Injection Color Bomb swatches from the left: Bigger Berry, Candy Burst, Coral Pop, Eastwood Red, Never Enough Nude and Plump It Up Pink — From the left: Bigger Berry, Candy Burst, Coral Pop, Eastwood Red, Never Enough Nude and Plump It Up Pink

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She’s a Pretty Rebel: The Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette

July 30th, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

I’m about as naturally rebellious as a miniature pony at a 5-year-old’s birthday party, which is to say not very rebellious at all.

My idea of shaking things up is playing Katy Perry a little loudly in my office (shout-out to my next-door neighbors, who’ve heard me sing Teenage Dream at the top of my lungs many times).

But the winds, they are a-changin’. 🙂 I am a bona fide rebel now — a Pretty Rebel, that is, thanks to Too Faced Cosmetics, and all I have to say is, “Welcome to the Thunderdome, b*tches! Sh*t just got real!”

WARNING: You may find yourself pumping your fists randomly toward strangers when you wear this limited-edition eyeshadow palette. I did when I opened the door this morning to say hi to our FedEx guy.

He was like, “Hi. Why are you doing that? I like your eye makeup. You’re making me a little nervous.”

Pretty Rebel is the star attraction in the Too Faced Cosmetics Fall 2013 makeup collection. Inside the gold, black and pink packaging reside 10 powder eyeshadows, all of which are new shades.

You’ll find mostly saturated, shimmery colors and jewel-toned metallics here, with a sprinkling of mattes and glitters — the kinds of colors I’d be more inclined to wear on a Friday night, as opposed to a Sunday brunch with the fam.

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Chanel Khaki Bronze Le Volume de Chanel Mascara: Heralding the Start of a New Bronze Age

July 30th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Chanel Khaki Bronze Mascara — Wearing limited edition Chanel Khaki Bronze Le Volume de Chanel Mascara ($30)

There was a time when I felt that mascaras in colors other than black were incredibly depressing. Having naturally black lashes, I felt that attempting to overpower their natural pigment with anything other than black seemed like (yawn) a waste o’ precious time. I mean, there are only so many hours in the day in which one can work on important projects like tracking down new shirtless pictures of RyGos.

Ya feel me?

Chanel Khaki Bronze Le Volume de Chanel Mascara, $30 — Khaki Bronze Le Volume de Chanel Mascara, $30

That changed when I discovered fun fringe pigments like blue and plum and their ability to create eye-catching effects on different colored irises.

Plums often look amazing with blue, hazel, brown, green and gray eyes, and blues deepen and enrich brown, green and hazel eyes, among other eye colors.

It was a little weird at first seeing my lashes coated in Chanel’s latest adventure into the world o’ colorful mascaras, Le Volume de Chanel in Khaki Bronze ($30). Much as I love Le Volume (my favorite high-end mascara when it comes to dramatic lift, curl and thickness), I didn’t fall for Khaki Bronze immediately because it lightens the look of my lashes a shade or two, an effect that grew on me over time.

I was on the fence about it the first couple of tries, but I changed my tune when I saw how it looked in pics.

The name describes it perfectly — Khaki Bronze.

If you wear warm bronze, gold or dark khaki shadows often, I think you’ll want to treat your lashes to Khaki Bronze. It creates beautiful music with each of those shadow shades, bringing out their various tones and nuances. I’m wearing it here with the dark golden khaki color in the new Chanel Mystere quad as a liner and with bronze and gold shadows on my lids (MAC Bronze and Woodwinked), and I think they complement each other perfectly.

The Le Volume mascaras are all about drama, so if you like your mascaras quiet (shh…), then you may want to unload much of the product from the brush before applying.

Me, I lurves me some Beyonce/Mariah/Diva-licious lashes, so I go full-on, all-out with two, or sometimes three (or four!) coats.

I exercised a little restraint for these pics… For these I’m only wearing two. 🙂

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Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel in Destiny, and Conversations With My Magic 8-Ball

July 29th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Chanel Destiny Blush — Blushing for the camera with Chanel Le Blush Creme de Chanel Cream Blush in Destiny on my cheeks

KAREN: Oh great, all-seeing Magic 8-Ball, may I ask you a question?

MAGIC 8-BALL: Yes, definitely.

KAREN: Can you see my destiny?

MAGIC 8-BALL: You may rely on it.

KAREN: Do you see a new fantastic everyday cream blush in my future? Something that I can just blend with my fingers or any old brush I have on hand, and it’ll last at least six hours, maybe eight?

MAGIC 8-BALL: As I see it, yes.

KAREN: Is it from the new Chanel Le Brush Creme de Chanel line that launched with the Fall 2013 Superstition collection?

MAGIC 8-BALL: Without a doubt.

KAREN: If I were to wear it, might a stranger confuse me with an applicant for clown college? In other words, would my cheeks look like Bozo’s or Ronald McD’s?

MAGIC 8-BALL: Very doubtful.

KAREN: Will it look flawless and natural on bare skin or atop foundation and power?

MAGIC 8-BALL: It is certain.

KAREN: Do you foresee this blush highlighting my pores or emphasizing their size?

MAGIC 8-BALL: Don’t count on it.

KAREN: Interesting… Would you say that it’s similar to the satiny, silky, long-wearing cream blush I’ve been obsessed with for a year, By Terry’s Ginger Glaze?

MAGIC 8-BALL: Signs point to yes.

KAREN: Is it Chanel’s golden beige blush creme in Destiny?

MAGIC 8-BALL: It is decidedly so.

KAREN: SWEET! So…will I be wearing Destiny when I finally win the lottery?

MAGIC 8-BALL: Better not tell you now.

KAREN: 🙁

Chanel Destiny Le Blush Creme de Chanel, $38 — Destiny Le Blush Creme de Chanel, $38

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These Inglot O2M Nail Enamels Say to Nails, “Don’t Forget to Breathe”

July 26th, 2013 by Karen 17 Comments

When you hear the term, “breathable beauty products,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Let me guess — it wasn’t nail polish, right? 🙂

Lacquer isn’t exactly the first thing that pops into my head when I think about “breathable beauty products.”

Breathable foundation? Sure, I can see that. Don’t want mah precious pores gasping for air.

But breathable nail polishes?

Hmm…

Well, with these new Inglot O2M Breathable Nail Enamels, it’s their schtick.

Their designed to allow oxygen and water to pass through the enamel to the surface of the nail.

Kinda cool, although I’ve never actually thought of my nails as suffocating beneath my polish, but ok. Inglot says the formula is supposed to contribute to healthier nails.

I do have to say that when I wore six of the 16 numerically-named (grr) shades a while back, my nails did seem like they were in pretty decent good shape when I removed the polishes.

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Like Real Pixie Dust, Zoya’s Glittery PixieDust Polish Collection Is Pretty Magical

July 23rd, 2013 by Karen 34 Comments

Zoya PixieDust Nail Polishes for Fall 2013 — The six-piece Zoya PixieDust collection for Fall 2013

Some textured nail polishes make me feel a little queasy…

Oh! — especially the flat matte ones that feel extra gritty (eww, my skin just crawled).

But even if textured lumps and bumps aren’t your cup o’ tea, I think the six polishes in Zoya’s new PixieDust fall collection are worth a look/feel.

Why?

Because they glisten with gallons and gallons of glitter and cray-cray pigment!

Yeah, and not just cray pigment, but crayÂ². In fact, four of the six — orange Dhara, magenta Arabella, green Chita and blue sunshine — only need a single coat.

The other two — Golden beige Tomoko and purple Carter (my fave!) — are two-coaters, but that doesn’t make me like them any less. Both still coat my nails completely, covering them in opaque color and buckets of glitter.

The intense jewel tones in the release remind me so much of fall that I almost feel like putting away my flamingo shorts.

Zoya Carter PixieDust Nail Polish — Carter PixieDust

Zoya Dhara PixieDust Nail Polish — Dhara PixieDust

Zoya Arabella PixieDust Nail Polish — Arabella PixieDust

Zoya Chita PixieDust Nail Polish — Chita PixieDust

Zoya Sunshine PixieDust Nail Polish — Sunshine PixieDust

Zoya Tomoko PixieDust Nail Polish — Tomoko PixieDust

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A Shot of Rosy Pink From READY Color Boost The Adrenaline Rush by bareMinerals Keeps Cheeks Blushing All Day Long

July 17th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

bareMinerals the Adrenaline Rush Color Boost — That’s READY Color Boost The Adrenaline Rush by bareMinerals on my cheeks

I’ve never thought of having a “power neutral” blush before, but I suppose if one can have a power song that pumps them up (what’s yours?), a blush that you can count on to pump you up seems just as logical. 🙂

Or maybe that’s makeup logic, also known as the same sort of reasoning I use to justify getting another coral lipstick/nude gloss/blue nail polish…

READY Color Boost The Adrenaline Rush by bareMinerals ($29) promises to give a rush of rosy color to your cheeks. It’s new and part of their Power Neutrals collection, a flexible family o’ neutral products designed to accompany you from the boardroom to the bedroom, ooh la la!

bareMinerals The Adrenaline Rush Ready Color Boost, $29 — The Adrenaline Rush Ready Color Boost, $29

A pan of face/cheek powder with a luminous beige, a matte rosy pink and a matte mauve, the shades can be worn individually or mixed together.

I like to mix ’em all together for a light rosy blush with a quiet sheen that leans slightly cool on my cheeks. On my NC42 skin tone, it’s a pretty subtle effect, but I think it still lifts my look a little.

bareMinerals READYÂ® Color Boost is an innovative concept in solid mineral technology. Created through a unique cold-pressed method, this formula combines a proprietary SeaNutritive MineralTM Complex composed of positively-charged, antioxidant-rich sea minerals with cold-pressed camellia oil. Color Boost delivers skin-nourishing benefits for softer, smoother skin while enhancing the complexion with a subtle hint of fresh, radiant color.
— bareminerals.com

Unlike a real adrenaline rush, this one is less fleeting. Actually, it lasts a really, really long time. I wore it last Saturday to Pier 39, and it lasted something like 12 hours, looking fresh the entire time.

Back when my skin was super oily in my teens and 20s, I would’ve loved something like this. Blushes were always pulling disappearing acts on my cheeks back then.

bareMinerals The Adrenaline Rush Ready Color Boost swatches unblended (three from the left) and blended (far right) — Adrenaline Rush Ready Color Boost swatches unblended (three from the left) and blended (far right)

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