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

China Glaze Retro Diva Nail Polishes for Fall 2009

June 19th, 2009 by Karen 42 Comments

china glaze retro diva all

I’m sitting here on the living room floor watching The Deep End on IFC and trying to decide on a polish to wear for my Friday night manicure. I’d like it to be something from China Glaze’s new Retro Diva collection.

Out next month, the collection features 12 groovy polishes (about $5/bottle) in shades of purple, burgundy, orange, red and taupe. China Glaze says the colors were inspired by platform shoes, hiphuggers and the rockin’ disco 1970s.

For a look at the 2010 fall collection…

China Glaze Vintage Vixen

When I think ’70s colors, I think pea green drapes and mustard yellow shag carpeting, but whatev. 🙂

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Cords

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Short and Sassy

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Let’s Groove

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Stella

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Skate Night

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Far Out
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Let Illamasqua Sirens Seduce You with Color

June 19th, 2009 by Karen 38 Comments

illmasqua-sirens

Lately there’s been a lot of buzz around a bright, edgy new makeup line from the UK called Illamasqua, and the buzz recently kicked into high gear on our side of the Atlantic when the company started shipping across the pond.

To cultivate our new addiction, UK makeup artist Rochelle O’Brien wrote a guest post with a great introduction to the line (Illamasqua Makeup for Your Alter Ego), and this morning I took a break to play with a few goodies from the company’s latest limited edition collection, appropriately named Sirens.

Back in middle school I was a total FREAK for Greek mythology… I totes wanted to name my future daughter Athena, and the Sirens collection brought to mind images of gossamer gowns, glowing skin and long, angelic hair.

The 15-piece collection includes a nice spread of products for eyes, lips and cheeks ranging in price from $18-30 (US) and a palette of bronze, gold, blue, pink, green and brown.

The look’s all about glowing, golden skin punctuated by bright touches of bold, eye-catching color, BAM!

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illamasqua cosmetics sirens collection

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The Sirens of Greek mythology were three mystical half-bird women who lived on a remote Mediterranean island. They were said to be so seductive that the sound of their voices on the wind could entrance passing sailors, causing them to run their ships aground on the rocky coast.

Playing with a few items from the collection, I think I know how those sailors felt!

Lipstick in Resist, $23

illamasqua sirens swatches resist lipstick

HOLY MUTHA. I would sooo crash my ship on the rocks for Resist lipstick, yo! One of two lipsticks from the Sirens collection, it’s bold AND sassy. She’s a creamy, hot pink demon! — and not for the faint of heart.

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Resist applies with rich, intense color. A single layer delivers full, opaque coverage that lasts for hours, surviving two slices of pizza and a glass of orange juice, too.

As if the incredible color weren’t enough, the moisturizing, fragrance- and taste-free formula feels silky and feather-light on my lips. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

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Bronzing Duo in Glint & Burnish, $30

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Glint & Burnish, one of two Bronzing Duos in the collection, comes with a shimmery golden brown powder and a golden peach, both for face and body.

The colors remind me of amped-up versions of MAC Beauty Powders.

illamasqua sirens swatches bronzing duo glint and burnish

These also pack intense pigmentation, and both finely milled powders feel ultra soft to the touch, literally melting into my skin.

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And then there’s the glow…

THE GLOW!

It’s magical. Super fine shimmer particles — no chunky bits of disco glitter up in this mo’ fo’ — make skin glow like a pearl.

At $30, these duos aren’t Chanel-caliber expensive, but they’re not exactly budget, either. Here, though, taking into account the large compacts, I think you get a lot for your money. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
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Beyonce Knowles: Her Best Hair (Part 2)

June 19th, 2009 by Karen 15 Comments

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Rise and shine, morning glories. TGIF!

We’re narrowing things down with this second Beyonce hairstyle poll, which includes the two top vote getters from the first poll a few days ago.

Girlfriend’s rocked way more hairstyles than I thought… Whether it’s a different color, texture or style, she’s never kept the same look for long.

We might have to make this series a Beyonce hair trilogy, LOL!

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Does anyone else get a young Mariah Carey vibe from style No. 4?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Fall 2009 Sneak Peek and Evergreen Palette Swatches

June 18th, 2009 by Karen 38 Comments

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I can see it now — the shades of green, gray, rose and sienna that have defined Venetian life for centuries.

It’s late afternoon… The city is quiet, except for a distant seagull’s cry. El Hub is guiding our small gondola slowly through labyrinthine canals lined with ancient buildings that stare down at us from high above.

Coco Chanel loved Venice, and Chanel wants us to love it, too. It’s the inspiration for the company’s fall collection. 🙂

Earlier today I saw some pics of the upcoming release and took a few Evergreen palette swatches.

chanel fall 2009 makeup collection

A friendly Chanel makeup artist told me that both the upcoming fall and holiday collections are going to be heavy on the greens.

Excellent…
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Gold Eyes, Coral Lips

June 18th, 2009 by Karen 4 Comments

One of the models from the Nordstrom Trend Show. I really liked her makeup, which is by Shu Uemura. Yes, she’s holding a bottle of home fragrance.

Okie Dokie, Tokidoki

June 18th, 2009 by Karen 5 Comments

These pink Tokidoki flats are my idea of sensible shoes. I love the bow on the back… so cute!

(Tokidoki flats available at the San Francisco Nordstrom store)

Chanel Les Naturels de Chanel Face of the Day

June 18th, 2009 by Karen 63 Comments

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Happy Thursday, ladies! How’s your day coming along? This morning I wanted to play with the Chanel Les Naturels de Chanel Eyeshadows and Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss in Nonstop (hot pink in the hizz!), so I grabbed both and put them to use in this face of the day. 🙂

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That’s Lotus, Lily, Mahogany and Slate on my eyes, layered beneath Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Birthday Suit.

To balance out the blinged-out lips, I went with a neutral cheek and applied Chanel Joues Contraste Blush in Orchid Rose ($42, also from the Les Naturels de Chanel collection), a pinkish brown blush with a touch of shimmer, onto the apples of both cheeks.

And for added glow, I swept Clarins Instant Sun Light Summer Glow Palette on the upper cheek bones.

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It’s easy to turn a look like this into something more wearable for work by switching the hot pink lip for a beige, brown or light pink one.

Swapping Nonstop for Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick in Curious (a creamy toasted almond) and Chanel Glossimer in Unity (a shimmery pinkish brown) takes the look from “I’m ready for a mojito” to “I’m ready to fill out those TPS reports.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

From Hollywood Aliens to Wedding Parties: Learn Makeup at The International Makeup Artist Trade Show, Pasadena, June 20-21

June 18th, 2009 by Karen 19 Comments

Vulcan ears rule

Angelenos, are you in the mood for makeup? If you are, you’re *so* in luck.

This weekend’s International Makeup Artist Trade Show (6/20-21) in Pasadena, California is the only show of its kind in the world. Thousands of makeup artists, manufacturers and makeup addicts will convene for the cosmetic world’s biggest brouhaha to discuss, display, discover and collect the best the makeup industry has to offer.

Want to hear how Hollywood made Benjamin’s button? — Attend Greg Cannom’s talk on Sunday at 3:30pm. He won this year’s Oscar for Achievement in Makeup for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Interested in Vulcan eyebrows and ears? — Take notes while members of the new Star Trek movie makeup team break things down Sunday morning at 10:30.

That’s not all!

Learn avant-garde makeup with Nolan Robert, winner of Lifetime TV’s Blush; compete for prizes in beauty student competitions; take a close look at beauty macro photography makeup; get answers to your questions about silicone; learn how to airbrush like a pro and SO MUCH MORE.

Advance tickets are available through today (6/18) at www.makeupartistshow.com. It’s $65 for both days or $35 for either. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on either day for an extra $5.

And the show’s 100% open to the public, meaning that you don’t have to be a makeup artist to attend (check out this video overview of the show).

The event’s being held at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, CA.

I wish I could go!!!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

For a look at the 2010 fall collection…

Lipstick in Resist, $23

Bronzing Duo in Glint & Burnish, $30

Which of Beyonce's hairstyles do you like best?