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

Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara: The One-Hit Wonder

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smashbox hyperlash mascara review

Lovely lashes after just one coat? Like, when does that happen? Mascaras that only need one layer to work well are even rarer than hit movies starring J. Lo (still lovin’ ya, Jenny!).

Maybe that’s why I like Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara ($21, available in a single shade called Blackest Black). A single coat makes lashes look visibly thicker, darker, smoother and uber-glossy. The tips of my lashes fan out at the corners, too, for that doe-eyed lash look I really love.

Straight up, I can’t remember the last time I thought the first coat of a mascara looked this good.

smashbox hyperlash review one layer of mascara
One layer
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, May 3

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  1. Mood:

    2. Got a touch of the Monday blues this morning, but it’s just a minor case.

  2. Hair?

    3. A low, loose ponytail (with a headband)

  3. Do you have any exciting plans this summer?

    4. No, not really, but I would like to get back in killer running shape and finally get at least a few pieces of new furniture for the condo. I’d love to sneak in a weekend trip to Tahoe at some point, and maybe another one to San Diego if it works out.

  4. What’s the last thing you’ve eaten?

    5. Two slices of whole wheat toast with a generous layer of — wait for it — Nutella!

  5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

    6. Nothing yet, but I set aside the Clarins Instant Sun Light Eye Quartet & Liner Palette and Smooth Compact Highlighter for my makeup today.

  6. What’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to you?

    7. Turning down the opportunity to go to law school. Deep down inside I knew it wasn’t right for me, and I’ve never rarely looked back.

  7. What’s something you like about yourself?

    8. My sense of humor (I guess I should have started this one with a joke) 🙂

  8. Something I’m looking forward to this week?

    9. I told myself that if I meet my goals this week I can swing by Anthropologie on Friday to pick up this dress as a reward. LOL! Sometimes maintaining a positive attitude requires mental slight of hand (or straight-up bribery).

  9. Outfit:

    10. I’m still in my jammies — dark gray yoga pants, a white tank top and a blue zip-up sweatshirt

  10. Weekly goals:

    11. Keep checking tasks off my to-do list (I really want that dress!), get better about stretching every day, complete the 30 Day Shred at least three times, and drink a big glass of water first thing every morning (fitness experts say, among water’s many other benefits, it’s also a good source of energy).

What’s up, girls? I’m loaded up on allergy meds (thank ye gods for Zyrtec and Flonase!) and ready for anything nature throws at me!

Let me know how you’re doing. If you’re new to the Monday Poll, it takes just a minute. Just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments. 🙂

Le list

1. Mood:
2. Hair:
3. What are your plans this summer?
4. What’s the last thing you’ve eaten?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. What’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to you?
7. What’s a quality you like about yourself?
8. Something you’re looking forward to this week:
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Let’s slay the Monday blues! Who’s with me?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chat It Up in the Open Thread

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makeup and beauty blog open thread

Heya, girl. 🙂 It’s late Sunday afternoon; do you know where your weekend went?

Mine seems to have vanished in the blink of an eye!

I know it’s late in the day for an open thread, but why not, right?

The open thread is basically where we just chat in the comments. Any topic you like, from your favorite book (mine’s To Kill a Mockingbird), to the trip you’re planning to take, your favorite flavor of ice cream, highlight of your day — or just drop in to say konbanwa.

Random pictures to get the conversation started…

See you in a few! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 85

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Was featured on the cover of GQ

Tabs was featured on the cover of GQ

Even though I’ve known Tabs for most of his life, I learn new things about him every day, like how he turned down the role of Vincent Chase in Entourage. Yup, he said he didn’t want to be typecast. 🙂

Here are some other things you may not know about Tabs. He…

Likes the return policy at Sephora

Likes the return policy at Sephora

Voted People Magazine's Most Beautiful Tabby

Was voted People Magazine’s Most Beautiful Tabby

Isn't a morning person

Isn’t a morning person

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This Week’s Top Posts… and Notes from WordCamp SF

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Top posts of the week

Good morning, glory. 🙂 Are you up and at ’em yet? I’m still warming up my engine…

Wasn’t this week a good one for lip products? Rimmel surprised me yet again! This time it was their $6 Moisture Renew Lipsticks. I swear, if that company keeps overachieving like this, I can think of some big department store brands with reason to worry.

I’m just going through my notes from the WordCamp conference in the city yesterday and coming to the unfortunate conclusion that it wasn’t a great event (for info from a GREAT blogging conference, check out these notes from Blog World 2009), but I did pick up a few juicy tidbits of blogging information. If you’re interested, I’ll paste them down at the bottom of this post.

Back to beauty — what was your favorite product this week? Have you given those Rimmel Lipsticks a try?

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick: A $6 Drugstore Dream

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick“Despite the somewhat flimsy packaging and the fact that you might have to layer these lipsticks, they’re winners in my book. Based on price, wear time and their hydrating formula, keep these in mind (a BOGO sale might be a perfect opportunity to stock up!).”

15-Minute Morning Makeup: Easy Peasy Neutrals with Urban Decay and MAC

15-Minute Morning Makeup with Urban Decay and MAC“Lately my morning makeup’s been like Switzerland (neutral). 🙂 I know it’s just a phase, but I haven’t been wanting to spend the time, ya know? Here’s a simple eye that only takes about 15 minutes to do. It features black liner and shimmery brown shadow with just a bit of blending and smudging.”

Benefit Boo Boo Zap: You Can Be My Hero, Baby!

Benefit Boo Boo Zap“As far as kicking pimples to the curb, Boo Boo Zap works fast — faster than the long list of benzoyl peroxide products I’ve tried in the past (and that includes Proactiv). The scent might turn some ladies off (it smells like strong medicine!), and it’s not the least expensive spot treatment on the market, but I think it’s well worth a try.”

Wimpy Lashes, Meet MAC Opulash Mascara

MAC Opulash Mascara“With Opulash, MAC is venturing into totally tubular Clinique Lash Power/DiorShow territory. I’m sure you remember DiorShow… With its tubes of mascara that surround each lash? Opulash also coats with tubes of mascara, and despite how long lasting it is, it still washes right off with nothing but warm water; no extra eye makeup remover required.”

Too Faced Perfect Lips Liner Loves Lips in the Nude

Too Faced Perfect Lips Liner“Lining and filling with this soft, creamy pencil evens out the natural color of my pucker and increases the wear time of other lip products like Too Faced Glamour Gloss. Not only does it play well with others, but it wears well by itself for that coveted no-makeup look.”

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Should You Be Sweet on Tokidoki’s Perfetto Eyeliner?

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A few weeks ago, at the height of my torrid affair with Tokidoki makeup, I picked up this cute little number. It’s a liquid liner called Perfetto Eyeliner in Donutella ($16, a medium pink, one of eight shades).

Everything about it just screamed, “Lurve me, Karen!” — the little girl with the donut skirt, the fine felt-tip pen, the pigmented, creamy pink liner…

But the minute I got it on my eyes, I exclaimed, “Oh, boy!”
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