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

Ten Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win Benefit’s Celebutante Set

December 29th, 2009 by Karen 427 Comments

UPDATE: Dec. 31, 2009. The giveaway is now closed, and the winner will be contacted soon. Good luck! 🙂

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Brrr! It’s so cold up in here, girls. I’m back home in frigid Novato, Caly-for-nigh-ay — home of the Mighty Marin Raccoons, yee haw! Tabs hasn’t stopped meowing since I walked in the door, and that was a half an hour ago. Lawd, he doth protest!

It’s awfully late here, but it’s not too late for today’s giveaway, yes? 🙂

The prize

One lucky lady will win the Benefit Celebutante set (a $34 value), with eight Benefit bestsellers including…

High Beam: a shimmery pink highlighter for the face and body (for swatches and a how-to, click here)
Benetint: a liquid, rose-colored cheek and lip tint (check out some swatches here)
Dallas: a shimmery peach blush (review and swatches)
Lip Gloss in I’m With The Band: a sheer, shimmery golden pink (review and swatches, also here)
Full-Finish lipstick in Lady’s Choice: a warm dusty rose/pink (here for swatches)
Full-Finish lipstick in No Competition: a deep plum (see some swatches)
Velvet Eyeshadow in Leggy: a shimmery light pink (swatches here)
Velvet Eyeshadow in Dandy Brandy: a shimmery golden brown (some swatches here)

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How to enter…

2ways2enter Entering is easy. There are two different ways, and you can do both of them for two chances to win.

First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a post about anything at all.

OOH! Speaking of Benefit, I love their Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit. It’s a shimmery golden beige cream eyeshadow that totally lights up my eyes.

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win Benefit’s Celebutante Set (a $34 value) http://bit.ly/6WHCeb

Recap…

Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win Benefit’s Celebutante Set (a $34 value) http://bit.ly/6WHCeb

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, December 30.

Alles van die beste!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

UPDATE: Dec. 31, 2009. The giveaway is now closed, and the winner will be contacted soon. Good luck! 🙂

10 Must-Have Beauty Products from a Makeup Artist’s Kit

December 29th, 2009 by Karen 58 Comments

Written by Allison Barbera

Today Allison of New England-based Allison Barbera Makeup Artistry reveals the secrets of a professional makeup artist’s kit.

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I recently went on a weekend trip and had to scale down my makeup kit (normally a 3-foot-tall, multi-compartment wheeled kit). I only brought the essentials — the products I most often use on myself and constantly find myself suggesting to clients.

I’ve tried a lot of products, and these 10 are the ones that I think can’t be beat.

1. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

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Eye primer is always the first step in my makeup process. Because most people like to draw attention to their eyes, it’s important that the shadow stays on and doesn’t crease. Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($17) eye primer does exactly that, and a little goes a long way.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils

Talk about smooth! Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($17 each) truly does glide on, and it’s easy to work with when you want a smudged liner look. It’s also great on the waterline, and comes in a variety of colors.

3. DiorShow Mascara

It’s a cult favorite for a reason — it works. I use it on myself and on my clients because it lengthens, thickens, and doesn’t clump. I use the original >DiorShow Mascara ($24) for an everyday look, but I like Diorshow Blackout ($24) for a more dramatic look.

4. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder

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A truly matte bronzer is hard to find, but Benefit has done it. I apply Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder ($28) all over the face after foundation and powder, and it really evens out the skin. It can also be used to contour lighter skin.

5. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

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I use this after foundation, and it really helps set it. I work with a lot of brides, and Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($30) is the product that keeps their makeup on all day. It gives a flawless finish to the skin and doesn’t feel heavy at all.

6. NARS Blush in Orgasm

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The perfect peachy pink. NARS Blush in Orgasm ($25) flatters most skin tones and builds and blends with ease. That, and the compact lasts for a while, so it’s also a good value.

[Continue reading…]

Did You Color Your Hair This Year?

December 29th, 2009 by Karen 31 Comments

Did you color your hair this year?

Yes, ma’am, I did. 🙂 Well, my hairdresser did. She covered up my grays and gave me highlights — not pink ones like this Photoshop image (thank goodness!), but caramel highlights.

How about you?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Tuesday, ladies. How’s it going today? I’m just about ready to head to the airport for our trip home to California. We had a nice visit, but I just got an email from Tabs. He said he’s “running low on gravy — hurry home.” 🙂

10 Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win the Urban Decay Hall of Fame Set

December 28th, 2009 by Karen 403 Comments

UPDATE: Dec. 30, 2009. The giveaway is now closed, and the winner will be contacted soon. Good luck! 🙂

Can you believe a new decade starts this week? Weird, right? I’ve been spending some time thinking about my resolutions for 2010, and so far on the list: 1) get back in shape, 2) take some personal enrichment classes (photography, makeup artistry, yoga/meditation) and 3) improve the way I handle stress.

Maybe I need more Urban Decay in my life… They have a pretty interesting approach to stress relief, LOL! Relaxation through gorgeous makeup.

That reminds me — can’t forget today’s giveaway. 🙂

The prize

One lucky lady will win the Urban Decay Hall of Fame set (a $29 value). This bad boy comes with five Urban Decay bestsellers…

One large Eyeshadow Primer Potion
A small 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (a deep, dark black)
A small Lipstick in Midnight Cowboy (sheer, shimmery beige)
A small Pocket Rocket Lipgloss in Timothy (a pinkish coral)
A small Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara

3 urban-decay-best-of-2

3 urban decay best of 4

How to enter…

2ways2enter Entering is easy. There are two different ways, and you can do both of them for two chances to win.

First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all.

I’m tragically in love with UD’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon… It’s faboo by itself or layered beneath powder shadows. Better still, stuff stays on like Donkey Kong!

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win an Urban Decay Hall of Fame set (a $29 value) http://bit.ly/8GSYcr

Recap…

Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to win an Urban Decay Hall of Fame set (a $29 value) http://bit.ly/8GSYcr

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Tuesday, December 29.

SÄ—kmÄ—s!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

UPDATE: Dec. 30, 2009. The giveaway is now closed, and the winner will be contacted soon. Good luck! 🙂

3 Ways to Wear MAC’s Devil May Dare

December 28th, 2009 by Karen 9 Comments

Written by Kristen of Sugar Social

Today Kristen of Sugar Social shows us a few choice ways to wear MAC Devil May Dare.

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MAC’s Devil May Dare eye palette, part of the Magic, Mirth, and Mischief! holiday ’09 collection, is a versatile palette stocked with six eyeshadows that can be worn on virtually any skin tone. Reasonably priced at $36, it’ll carry you through the winter (and beyond) with an endless variety of day/evening eye looks like these.

But first, the shades! 🙂

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These looks can also be created with shadows from MAC’s permanent collection. Below is a list of substitutes for each shade in Devil May Dare.

Oh My Darling: Shroom
Dare Ya: Pink Venus or Da Bling
Sorcery: Embark
Gold Tease: Gleam, Motif, or Flip
Prankster: Greensmoke
Devilishly Dark: Sketch or Cranberry

Daytime Look #1: Au Naturel

This look is perfect for ladies who prefer something demure. It sculpts and polishes the eye without looking overly makeup-y. The shimmer in the shadows illuminates without over-depositing color. Best of all, it’s super easy and quick.

Dip a flat shadow brush (like MAC 213 Fluff Brush) in Oh My Darling (the shade used as the base for all the eye looks shown here). Sweep the shadow from your lashline up to the brow bone.
Dip the same brush in Dare Ya, a light pink that appears neutral on most skin tones. Cover the lid with it, extending just past the outer corner of the eye. The shade looks fabulous on ladies with darker skin tones. I think it illuminates the eye without overpowering the look.

Daytime Look #2: Fresh and Pretty

For those who want a finished eye with more intense (but still daytime-appropriate) color, give this look a whirl. It’s pretty and fun — not overly dark around the eye. Those who are averse to dark eyeshadow may like it as an evening look.
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View of Chinaman’s Hat

December 28th, 2009 by Karen 11 Comments

Chinaman’s Hat on East Oahu.

No Snorkeling For You!

December 28th, 2009 by Karen 8 Comments

Normally Shark’s Cove is mellow and perfect for snorkeling, but the big waves that hit the North Shore nixed our plans.

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Dec. 28

December 28th, 2009 by Karen 37 Comments

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Kamehameha Highway, Oahu, HI

Mood:

A little tired but otherwise good. 🙂

A New Year’s Resolution?

To take better care of myself. Can’t say I’ve been eating well or working out enough lately, so it’s time to get back on track.

Hair?

Ugh! Frizz central. My bangs have been out of control. I’ve been resorting to a pinned-back look, pushing most of it into a ponytail. Not my cutest hair, I must say.

Highlight of your weekend?

After Christmas, it was the huge (20′) waves I saw at Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. The ocean was churning and moving up a storm! — a stark reminder that I’m not the one in charge. I’ll stick to surfing the tiny three-to-four footers at Canoes (a patch of beach in Waikiki), thank you very much.

Eyes/lips/cheeks:

Nothing at the moment (I just washed my face again). Getting ready to apply Time Balm concealer to my dark circles.

Doing anything for New Year’s?

I’m not sure yet. Probably something mellow, though, like dinner and a walk along the water in Sausalito.

Favorite lipgloss of the day?

NARS Greek Holiday. I brought six different colors to Hawaii, but it’s been the only one I’ve worn.

Something you’d like to do today?

Try to have some fun!

Outfit:

An old pair of Lucky jeans (they’re my most comfortable pair) and a blue striped tank top.

Weekly goals:

Get home safely on Tuesday, have fun at my mom’s birthday dinner (happy early birthday, mumsy!) and make the most of the last few days of 2009.

Heya, ladies! Happy Monday afternoon. 😀 I know it’s later in the day than usual for the Monday Poll, especially for you East Coasters, but drop me a line when you can. You know the drill. Just copy the empty list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. A New Year’s Resolution?
3. Today’s hair?
4. Highlight of your weekend?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Plans for New Year’s?
7. Current favorite lipgloss?
8. Something you’d like to do today?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

I’m on a mission to make these last few days of 2009 good ones! Who’s with me?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen