Just a list of nine things — makeup, beauty and otherwise — that I’ve been loving lately.
1. Diorskin Nude Air Serum
I finally broke down last week and dropped 53 large on a bottle of the new Diorskin Nude Air Serum in Honey, and the funny thing is…I had about a week’s worth left of the fatty-bo-batty sample I got from Sephora last month, but the thought of not having it around anymore sent me into a minor (OK, major) panic.
I’ve raved plenty about this foundation lately (I’d been using the sample this whole time), so I won’t bore you with all the details right meow. In a nutshell, though, I think it does a phenomenal job of blurring pores, feels lightweight, and it has a velvety finish that looks crazy natural.
The coverage is medium, but you can build it up to just shy of full.
Unfortunately…it’s annoyingly expensive, but dang if it isn’t great on so many levels.
2. A Beautiful Day by India Arie
I really like listening to this song in the morning. It’s very sweet and uplifting and helps me get my day started on a good note. 🙂
3. Balenciaga Paris l’Édition Mer
Officially, this fresh, sparkling elixir, which was inspired by the depths of the ocean, has notes of bergamot, yuzu (a citrus fruit from East Asia), shisho (an herb from the mint family), wet lilies, seashore accord and dry wood.
Unofficially, the scent reminds me of salty skin after a day at the beach. I also catch whiffs of warm ocean breezes, fresh peeled oranges and chilled Champagne.
It’s kinda like a more masculine version of MAC Turquatic, and if a dude walked by me wearing this, I would probably follow him for several blocks, and then tackle him somewhere along the way.
Kidding.
OK, not really. 🙂
$145 for a 2.5-oz. bottle, available now at Neiman Marcus stores and online at neimanmarcus.com.
4. GLOSS Moderne hair care
Speaking of stuff that smells good, I’m totally addicted to the GLOSS Moderne line of shampoos, conditioners and serums because they smell just like coconuts! — and they leave my hair looking shiny and glossy.
$45-65, available now at Neiman Marcus and online at neimanmarcus.com.
5. Trader Joe’s Organic Fairtrade Rooibos & Honeybush Tea
I just picked this up at Trader Joe’s yesterday, and I’m already rueing the day I return to the store only to find it missing.
It’s a sweet, smooth red herbal tea made with plants native to South Africa (tastes a little like honey tea, but not quite as sweet).
$2.49 for a 1.4-oz. box of 20 tea bags, available now at Trader Joe’s stores.
6. Empire
This show about a family of hip-hop moguls is totally over-the-top, drama-for-your-mama fabulousness! I’ve been marathoning it for days.
Terrance Howard plays the main character, Lucious Lyon, a gangsta rapper turned entrepreneur, but I’m pulling for his ex-wife, Cookie, played by the gorgeous Taraji P. Henson.
SO GOOD.
I warn you, though… Once you start watching it, you may not be able to stop.
7. Flourless Thumbprint Breakfast Cookies
I’ve made these twice in the past week and forgot both times to take pics before the cookies disappeared into the nether regions of my belly.
The recipe, which I got from my new favorite cooking website, ohsheglows.com, is super easy — just five ingredients! — and it comes together quickly.
Try it. They’re delicious and healthy. Plus, who doesn’t like cookies for breakfast?
8. Green nail polishes (like ORLY Color Amp’d in La La Land)
Preferably ones with a cream finish!
9. These tabby cat socks
Tabs wholeheartedly approves of these socks.
I wish I knew who the designer was… They were a gift from my employer’s feline-loving friends over at Purpose Litter. (Scented litter: fancy! Available now at Target stores and target.com).
One can never have too many pairs of cat lady socks. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I got some bunny socks at Old Navy the other day for under a buck! Target had some super cute Easter socks in the dollar bins, but they were kid sized.
Hi Chelsea,
LOL, not gonna lie, I’ve had my moments when I’ve seriously considered getting kid-sized things from Target! Le sigh…
I keep forgetting to ask ya — how are you liking your Chanel waterproof mascara?
This foundation is the bomb. I already asked on Twitter and IG but what’s your favorite way of applying it? With a brush? Beauty blender?
Empire is my favorite show at the moment. Cannot wait for the 2 hour season finale tomorrow although I’m going to miss it. I hope it will be back with season 2 soon!
Hi Agata!
I usually use fingers and then blend it out with a Real Techniques Buffing Brush spritzed with MAC Fix+. I then set it with a powder, as it seems to do better with a powder than without. I haven’t tried it yet with a BeautyBlender because I can’t find mine, boo! It’s around here somewhere. How are you applying it? I’m curious to know.
Also, I hope that you’re doing OK, and that your flight back home wasn’t too rough.
I have been applying mine with just fingers but it’s messy that’s why I was wondering if there is a better way. I also set mine with a powder (I do that with every foundation, in fact).
I am doing ok, could be better. I am just bummed it happened to me. The flight was fine, they accommodated me in a seat where I could keep my leg straight but I was relieved to be back at home. Not being able to work out or Zumba is the hardest part of this recovery!
1. India.Arie made her debut in this post. Just goes to show that we really are twinsies (different hair, different ethnicities, different parents and all. But hey, no need to major in the minors ☺️).
2. EMPIRE!!!! So, this show. I’ve yet to watch it but I keep hearing that I should. Guess who’s marathoning (is this a word) this this weekend? Poor sentence structure aside, Terrance Howard is total eye candy. The badder (his character) the better. And Taraji is fabulous. I guess you should’ve worked just a little harder to convince me that I NEEDS to see this 🙂
The End.
Hey Kwmechelle!
Totes. Virtual sisters 4-eva. 🙂
OK, so if you’re a Terrance fan then for sure you will love this show… I won’t spoil the story for ya but let’s just say he has his bad boy moments. The music’s pretty catchy, too (I think Timbaland produces most of the songs) so you also have that to look forward to. After you marathon it we’ll have to dish!
How have you been? Did you do anything for St. Patrick’s day? We went to a local Irish pub for lunch and a St. Paddy’s Day beer. El Hub is part Irish, so I get to celebrate by proxy.
Lovely list Karen that Dior Skin foundi looks so amazing.. expensive but sounds like totally worth it .. and medium coverage is even better 😉
Those tabby printed socks.. ummm !! They are freaking awesom .. 🙂
And that beautiful day song.. is currently playing in a loop!! 🙂
Hi Poo,
Thank you!
I need to get a sample of the diorskin..btw do you still use the Laura mercier foundation you loved ?
Hi Varsha,
I do, although it’s been about a month since I’ve worn it. Now I usually do the Dior, or a mix of NARS and L’Oreal True Match Lumi.
Sometimes on a bad day, I make a list of things I love & it cheers me up. I enjoy reading other people’s lists as well; thank you for taking the time to share with us!
Hi Holly,
I do that too! It makes me feel so much better to take stock of the good things and see them on the page. What things have you been loving lately?
Hi Karen; thank you for responding! Lately I’ve been loving Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Blush Orchid & Garnier’s Moisture Rescue Gel-Cream. I also discovered an English author, SJ Bolton, who writes incredible thrillers. My other obsession (besides reading & makeup) is food; right now, I’m all about Korean & Cuban cuisines. I think I could happily eat a kimchi pancake everyday! And lastly but by no means the least, my favorite find is an all-natural sleep supplement, Super Snooze by Sundown Naturals, which actually shuts my brain off at night so I fall asleep in minutes rather than hours. So, those are a few of my favorite things!
I am wearing foundation every day to finish one so I can justify going out and getting this one. I just can’t justify spending so much money if I still have so many other bases lying around.
Girl, I Loooooooveeee Empire. I love Cookie’s outfits. She is fierce! And how is that Terrance Howard hasn’t aged since 1985?
I love India Arie too. And I don’t have anything of hers on any of my devices. Must fix that stat.
I’m glad to hear you’re eating cookies for breakfast, even if they are healthy. 🙂
Yeah, so I’m gonna need that foundation. Blurs pores you say?
I love Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum, and I NEED those socks badly!!! I found similar ones on Etsy, but they’re black and white instead of grey. Not sure how I feel about white socks, so the hunt continues!
I LOVE “Oh, She Glows”! Have you ever visited “Averie Cooks”? I learned an amazing cherry bread recipe from there.
Ok..love all these picks but those SOCKS….CUTE ATTACK!!! love them! Ive seen some super cute “cat lady ” socks springing up all over the place now but unfortunately most of the ones I spotted have been mainly polyester yuck. So im still on the hunt for comfy cat socks!
I love your lists! I totally love the socks too. I’m sure Tabs has your beauty blender somewhere under a sofa. It’s rolly and soft and easy to bat. I’ve wanted to try the Mac Turquatic but I think I want to get the Orbe perfume since I love the smell of the hair products.
Green nail polish looks pretty for spring. Everybody is talking about Empire! I saw the first episode . I’m definitely going marathon all the episodes soon!! My daughter would love those cat socks, I’ll look for them at my local Target.
I LOVE Laura Mercier’s Fluid line foundation. I got a sample based on your recommendation and had to buy some. I’m in the hunt for a good setting powder, I just haven’t found the right one yet. What are you favorites?
I saw a cat scarf on Amazon that I may have to buy. I love all things cat…one of mine keeps stepping on the keyboard right now.
I really want to try that foundation, I’m hoping their lightest shade is still a good match for me.
What a fun list of favorite things! I’ve heard such great things about the Dior foundation, but I’m afraid that it wouldn’t be enough coverage for me. I’m using the BB Cream and I love that, but it is definitely heavier…but then it was 24 degrees with almost hurricane-force winds here today. And I love the description of the Balenciaga scent. Even tho’ I know it wouldn’t work with my body chemistry, I would love to smell it on others!
The socks and green polish are sooo cute!! I also LOVE Empire! It’s crazy good and I just love me some Cookie lol. I can’t wait for it to come on tonight! I’m happy it’ll be on for 2 hours but I’m sad it’ll be the season finale. I’m not ready for it to come off yet lol
My adoration for has grown thanks to your shout out to India.Arie. Her music can give me life at my lowest and highest! Good choices, Karen.