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

Estee Lauder Tawny Lip Pencil Plus MAC Nymphette Equals Pure Genius

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Oh, happy day, fellow Liz Lemons! I just found an *awesome* lip pencil that looks like one of my favorite MAC Lipglasses but comes in stick/pencil form.

It goes by the name of Tawny (sooo ’80s Whitesnake video); it’s a shimmery golden pink — one of the 14 new Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencils ($19).

Almost a dead ringer for MAC Nymphette, yah?

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A swatch of Tawny

I’ve always worn Nymphette all by herself, but I’ve often wished for a coordinating pencil that I could wear with it to make it last a little longer on my lips.

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Nymphette layered on top of Tawny

EL must have ESP because a base layer of Tawny totally extends Nymphette’s wear time, and because the two colors go together so well, Nymphette’s looks just as gorgeous as ever.

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Everything about this pencil rocks. The formula? Smooove, lightweight and creamy … like a lip glider.

Nymphette fans, you gotta give Tawny a try. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

We’re Living in a Material World, and I’m a Benefit Matterial Girl

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Happy late mornin’, ladies. 🙂 Here’s some good news to go with your afternoon tea or coffee — the makeup world’s latest gift to oily gals, Benefit Matterial Girl ($24).

Previously only available in Asia, it’s a loose, blendable mattifier — an ultra-sheer beige powder to camouflage even the greasiest patches (I use it on my forehead and nose) and create a fresh, matte look for use from dawn till dusk.

Cutie pie packaging

The pink bows on the jar had me at hello…

For starters, I love how compact it is (it fits in my palm) and that it doesn’t take up a lot of space in my makeup bag.

This bad boy takes me back…

I remember dancing to Madonna’s Material Girl (I had that shizz on tape) as a kid, rewinding for DAYS. I still hold out hope of one day being carried across a stage in a pink dress, le sigh. 🙂

material-girl

Application tips

Although it comes in just one shade, it was developed to flatter a rainbow of skin tones. I’d call it a sheer beige tint. I bet it’d work well for most gals, but I’m guessing pale-to-medium skinned beauties will be able to rock it hard.

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But if your coloring is similar to mine or darker, well, you may have to get a little creative with how you use it.
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Two Ways to Win Philosophy Field of Flowers 3-in-1 Shower Gel

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Sometimes a bubble bath works wonders for the soul.

I remembered this while I was in the tub today, as I marinated in a mound of frothy bubbles long enough for my fingers and toes to resemble raisins.

My weapon of choice? Philosophy’s Field of Flowers 3-in-1 Shower Gel.

Its fresh, freesia scent and big, squishy bubbles — which seem to last forevah — cheer me up instantly and get me squeaky clean.

I’m thinking it’s time to spread the Philosophy Field of Flowers love, so how about another giveaway? 🙂

The prize

One lucky lady will take home one bottle of Philosophy Field of Flowers 3-in-1 Shower Gel (a $16 value).

How to enter…

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. Tell me about your day, what you’re eating for dinner or what makeup you’re wearing. 🙂

For dinner I’m eating portobello mushroom ravioli. Yum!

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

RT @karenmbb: RT to Win Philosophy Field of Flowers 3-in-1 Shower Gel http://bit.ly/14Zv0y

Recap…

  1. 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.
  2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:

    RT @karenmbb: RT to Win Philosophy Field of Flowers 3-in-1 Shower Gel http://bit.ly/14Zv0y

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 PM PST on Wednesday, September 2.

Kasmet!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Cheers You Up When You’re Feeling Blue?

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Heya, chicas. Hope your day’s been a good one so far.

Things are much better on this end. A pint of Haagen-Daz Dulce de Leche fro-yo, a long bath and some Sex and the City episodes from season deux (remember when Carrie dates the new Yankee?!) helped lift me out of my funk. 🙂

Earlier while I was chillin’ in the tub, I got to thinking about the different things that comfort us when we’re feeling out of sorts. For me, most of the time a relaxing activity, like watching a movie, helps a lot, but I also have those moments when a long run or walk does the trick.

What cheers you up when you’re feeling down? Please share a few of your favorites in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 and a Quick Holla at My Girls

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Hi gals,

Hello and good morning — oops, more like good afternoon. I’ve been MIA because I spent the morning plastered to the couch watching The Family Stone with Tabs, my favorite blanket and a box of Kleenex.

Last night I got nada for sleep, and this morning I woke up with a migraine and an overwhelming feeling of weepy, PMS-y yuckiness. You ever have one of those days? Ugh.

I’m sure it’ll pass quickly, but for now I think I need to let it work through my system. I swear tears sometimes feel like fibrous roughage for the soul.

Of course, I couldn’t leave you hanging without a beauty fix, which is why I wanted to quickly share my new favorite lip product, Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15 ($20).

It tints lips with a hint of shiny red color, creating an effortless, easy look in seconds — perfect for minimal makeup days when you’re running errands, or when you need a mental health day involving the couch, the remote and your trusty cat/dog/iguana/etc.

benefit benetint lip balm swatch

Even with jacked-up hair, hella sketchy breath and ratty jammies (which, coincidentally, are covered in crumbs and Nutella), I feel a little better with this lightly tinted, non-sticky, ultra-moisturizing balm on my pucker.

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I hope your Tuesday is treating you well. BRB in a few …

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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