Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

The Body Shop Nomadic Goddess Baked Powder Bronzer in Warm Glow Is First to Leave the Party

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the body shop nomadic goddess makeup collection

Shhh… Do you hear that?

That’s the sound of The Body Shop’s new Baked Powder Bronzer in Warm Glow ($21) whispering, “Come take a closer look.” 🙂

One of two new powder bronzers in the Nomadic Goddess summer makeup collection, Warm Glow appears aptly named, imparting a golden brown sheen with hints of peachy pink and faint micro-glitter.

First, would I call it a bronzer? Well, that depends. Darker divas might find that it makes a better highlighter or blush. In my case, I don’t feel it’s dark enough to contour with, and I probably wouldn’t use it as a basic bronzer. Lighter lovelies, on the other hand, should get to use it both ways — as a bronzer or a blush — with more of the brown coming through on their skin.

The Body Shop says they make this and their other powder products by hand, baking them in terracotta discs that bind the pigments together. I can see it now… men and women dressed like cooks in a kitchen, covered from head to toe in excess powder!
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MAC Pro Longlash Mascara for a Flirty Fringe in a Flash

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mac pro longlash review
Look, ma… mad fringe!

In one way, MAC mascaras are like Speidi — they tend to get mixed reviews. Some people love ’em; others, not so much.

I’ve been in the love-’em camp for a while because I’ve had great luck with the last few I’ve tried, most notably Opulash, and more recently Pro Longlash ($13), which I’ve affectionately dubbed “The Flash.”

And like the comic hero, Pro Longlash works f a s t , delivering long, glossy lashes in a few quick swipes.

It’s been around for a while as part of the MAC permanent line and comes in two shades, Pitchblack and Barelash. Pitchblack, the shade I’ve been wearing, is carried on MAC counters and in the company’s regular and MAC Pro stores. Barelash, however, is exclusive to MAC Pro stores.
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New in Beauty, May 20: Too Faced Gets Naked and Benefit Goes Lite

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makeup and beauty blog new in beauty may 19 2010

New in Beauty

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What’s the Best Office Makeup for Brown Girls?

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Earlier this week MBB reader Jessimae asked what I thought was a great question in the comments on Fiona’s guest post titled Office Makeup: How to Look Polished and Professional at Work.

“Hey Karen,

Could you do one of these for browner girls? Many of the shades… would contrast with my skin tone.”

Hi, Jessimae. Let’s see… Ultimately, it depends on what’s considered appropriate for your workplace and what you feel comfortable wearing, but here’s an idea for a conservative look based on neutral colors I’ll sometimes wear (for reference, I’m an NC35).

A neutral look

For the eyes, I might combine two or three neutral MAC eyeshadows like Arena, Shroom, Soft Brown, Woodwinked, Saddle, Sable, Cork, Brown Script or Soba. I think all of them look fab on darker skin and work well together, which means not having to think too hard or work too fast in the morning.

Then, I’d line the eyes with either a brown or black liner (I’m a fan of the MAC Technakohls in Graphblack and Brownborder) followed by two coats of mascara.

For the lips and cheeks, I see NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/Laguna working well. I’d sweep Orgasm Blush on the cheeks and then contour with Laguna Bronzer.

To complete the look, I’d go with NARS Dolce Vita Lipstick, a sheer dusty rose.

Do you have any ideas for Jessimae? I bet you do. 🙂 To share, just copy the following list, and paste it with your ideas in the comments.

What’s a good office makeup look for brown girls?

Your skin color:
Skin type:
Hair color:
Eye color:
Age (optional):
Recommended eye color(s) and why:
Recommended cheek color(s) and why:
Recommended lip color(s):

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Illamasqua Blush in Lover Is Like a Coral on the Hush

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illamasqua lover blush

When the cold goes away, the corals come out to play. It happens every summer just like clockwork; lovely little coral blushes bloom on makeup counters galore.

It’s great if you happen to love coral, but what if you feel it’s too intense for your skin tone?

illamasqua lover blush

Here’s an idea: you could try something like Illamasqua’s Powder Blush in Lover ($23).

illamasqua lover blush

It’s more of an apricot with a matte finish than a vibrant coral, subtler than, say, MAC Hipness, but with just enough pigment to give cheeks a light kiss of color.
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Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner: So Smooth It’s Almost Criminal

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neutrogena nourishing eyeliner review

QUESTION: How smooth are Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliners?

ANSWER: Well, they’re about a billion times smoother than this dude…

Like Tom Cruise’s feet in that scene from Risky Business, these richly pigmented $8 drugstore liners practically glide, in this case across lash and water lines.

They’re part of Neutrogena’s permanent makeup collection and come in six eye-illuminating shades — Twilight Blue, Brown Sugar, Brushed Pewter, Plum Drop, Cosmic Black and Spiced Chocolate.
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