Grrr… Sometimes with Tabs I feel like I’m living with an unscrupulous roommate. I have to watch him like a hawk! That cat is ALWAYS up to something shady. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
How Assertive Is Too Assertive for Cosmetics Sales Staff?
Evenin’, ladies. How was your day? Mine was filled with earth tones and nylon because I visited a carpeting store to learn about flooring.
Talk about excitement!
I was just petting Tabs and reading the news online when I came across this interesting article about aggressive sales people.
Now, I fully accept that with makeup comes a large degree of marketing. Beauty is big business, after all, and it comes with the territory.
But isn’t there a line between reasonable salesmanship and overbearing manipulation?
When store clerks and counter reps ask if they can help me, that’s a great question, but “Are you gonna do anything about those dark circles?” is not.
When it comes to makeup and beauty products, I don’t mind subtle attempts to garner my affections — pretty packaging and glossy photos, friendly sales staff, the music bumping behind the counter. As a matter of fact, those are some of my favorite things about makeup! 🙂
But I don’t want to be made to feel bad or, for that matter, hard sold anything, blech!
So I’m wondering — how far is too far when it comes to making a sale?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Saturday Surfing
- Chanel Jade polishes now available online — Chanel
- Bella’s favorite looks from the first day of New York Fashion Week — Bella Sugar
- Are you happy? — Typecut
- How to do what you love for a living — Zenhabits
- Red hot lips with Paula Dorf’s Carousel Lip Pencil — The Notice
- A look and video tutorial featuring MAC Night Violet Mattene — Zoffe’s Makeup
- This picture of Chicago speaks to my inner city girl — Small Signs in a Big World
- Spend $50 at Stila.com and get a free Runway Collection Palette (an $82 value!) — Stila.com
- NARS and CK cosmetics on sale up to 75% off — Sephora.com
- A closer look at Dior’s Fall Purple Jazz Makeup Clutch — The Punk Cat
- Got acne? A few solutions from Clinique, Vichy, Maybelline and more — Chic Profile
Whew, we made it to the weekend! 🙂
In the wee hours of the morning a freak thunderstorm struck the Bay Area. It was kind of scary — bursts of lightning flashing across the bedroom walls in my little apartment, and thunder rattling the windows and blinds.
I got worried about Tabs, who was outside working the night shift, so I asked El Hub to go outside and look for him.
El Hub found the little guy cowering in the woods next to the building, crying and mewling. He was crouched low to the ground, looking up at the sky as loud thunder roared.
Poor little guy!
Sucks when your little kitty brain doesn’t understand high pressure systems…
The storm passed early this morning, so I’m off to run some errands. Gotta look at carpet and laminate flooring, two things I have absolutely no clue about.
How’s it going this weekend? Whatever you’re up to, I hope you get some time to do something fun. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Keanu Reeves: His Best Hair?
I’ve had a thing for Keanu “cool breeze over the mountains” Reeves since high school. Born September 2, 1964, the Hawaiian-Chinese-English actor’s been a fixture of fan tribute wallpaper art ever since 1989’s Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
When the Matrix came out, I dreamed of living on the Nebuchadnezzar with Neo. Sure, it would have been a rough life, but we’d have our love to keep us going. 🙂
Not a huge fan of the scraggly beard he sports a lot nowadays, but I’m all about that buzz cut and swat outfit. Hello, fantasy!
Loading ...Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
From Runway to Realway: A Fashion Week-Inspired Violet Matte Lip
In case you haven’t heard (LOL!), New York Fashion Week kicked off yesterday, giving us a look at upcoming fashion and makeup trends for spring 2010.
I like to think the shows are like magic makeup crystal balls that give us a glimpse of what might come to pass and plop down on makeup counters early next year.
Spring still feels like a million miles away, but those runway looks have a tendency to go marketing mainstream.
While flipping through the runway slideshows on Style.com today (SO MUCH FUN!), the violet matte lip in the Vena Cava show caught my eye.
It’s the lip in the picture at the top of the post. What do you think of that purple? — classy yet kinda dangerous? Like something Audrey Hepburn might wear if she were turned into a vampire? 🙂
MAC did the makeup for the runway show. Their magicians used lip colors from the MAC Pro line.
For my “real way” look, which is like a poor girl’s runway version, I improvised, using products from both MAC and Benefit.
I like how it turned out, and it’s easy enough to do again.
What you’ll need:
- A foundation, or a light face or eye primer like Benefit Lemon Aid ($20)
- A fuschia lip or eye pencil like MAC Technakohl Liner in Full of Fuschia ($14.50)
- An inky, blackish purple lipstick like MAC Lipstick in Cyber ($14)
NOTE: I ended up using MAC Mattene lipstick in Night Violet instead of Cyber, but it’s limited edition and may be hard to find. They’ve got the same vibe, though.
Swatches from left to right: Benefit Lemon Aid, MAC Technakohl in Full of Fuschia, MAC Mattene Lipstick in Night Violet
Step by step, ooh baby:
- Start by applying a thin layer of foundation or primer to your lips with your finger to mask the natural color.
- Next, line and fill your lips with the fuschia pencil.
- With a lip brush, apply a thin layer of the blackish purple lipstick until you reach a level you like.
- If you think your lips look too shiny, mattify them more by patting translucent loose powder directly on top of the lipstick.
All done!
For the full runway Vena Cava experience in your living room at home, just add sunglasses and your best Zoolander pose.
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it…
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it…
Vogue!🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Do You Wear Different Fragrances in Fall?
YSL Parisienne Eau de Parfum, $85 for 3-oz. bottle
I do, particularly fall and winter versus summer and spring. In the colder months, I gravitate toward fragrances with heavier notes, like musks, roses and blackberries. They just feel cozier and more appropriate for colder climes to me.
I’ve been trying to find new fragrances to alternate with some my old fall standbys like Stella, Coco Mademoiselle, Givenchy Irresistible and Vera Wang Look.
Have you had a chance to sniff Yves Saint Laurent’s new YSL Parisienne? Give it a try when you get a chance. It’s a blend of blackberry, Damask rose (used a lot to flavor food and make rose water) and sandalwood. That’s the bottle shown up top.
The scent kinda reminds me of Stella because they have the same rose thing going on, but it also has the blackberry and a pinch of pepper.
Do you wear different fragrances in fall, and are there any you come back to year after year?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
What Do You Think of White Eyeshadow?
Shiseido Luminizing Satin Eye Color in WT 907
Happy Friday, home skillets! 🙂
I’ll be away from my computer for a bit, but I wanted to say a quick hello and share a few nibbles from Shiseido before I roll.
I’ve been messing around with a few things from their permanent collection: eyeshadows from the Luminizing Satin Eye Color Shadows ($25) line, their Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil in Brown ($20) and Distinguish Mascara in Black ($22).
WT 907, the shimmery pearl-white pictured up top, has me seriously contemplating white shadow, but I’m not exactly sure how to wear it.
I’ll probably try some in the inner corners of my eyes… I’m assuming/betting that’ll brighten ’em up.
What do you think? Any ideas for potential color combinations?
What does one do with white eyeshadow?
Swatches from left to right without flash: Luminizing Satin Eye Color in WT 907, Luminizing Satin Eye Color in BR 618, Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil in Brown, Distinguish Mascara in Black
Swatches with flash
Do you ever wear white eyeshadow? If you do, how do you wear it? Help me brainstorm ideas in the comments.
Back in two shakes! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Bloggerati Spotlight
- A step-by-step guide to getting modern, playful “Bohemian-chic” hair — Talking Makeup
- It’s easy to fall for these budget fall makeup shortcuts — Makeover Momma
- A primo product combo for fine, wavy hair — Hair Thursday
- Amber’s got a monopoly on board game-inspired beauty — Beauty Blogging Junkie
- Need a new job? Sell Stella & Dot jewelry from home — A Mom in Red High Heels
- Have you tried Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne Eau de Parfum Spray?? — Makeup Bag
- Ooh! A black smudge pot? — Product Girl
- Been wanting to try ANSR’s pricey anti-aging and acne treatment products? Enter this giveaway by Wednesday — Spoiled Pretty
- Cool 3 Custom Color makeup tips and a tour — Beyond Beauty Basics
- A peek inside a DJ’s carry-on bag — The Jet Set Girls
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen