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

Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche for the Bath? Yes, Please

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Back in the 80s there were these “Calgon take me away” commercials with an overstressed lady who looked ready to pitch a fit.

As a kid, I didn’t understand those commercials — first, why the lady looked so stressed out, and then why she looked so happy in the bath.

But I get it now.

Lord, I get it now.

Enter Chanel’s new Chance Eau Fraiche Foaming Shower Gel ($47.50, 6.8-oz bottle) and Moisturizing Body Cream ($75, 7-oz. jar).

Both are inspired by Chanel’s Chance Eau Fraiche Perfume, a light citrusy floral with notes of lemon, jasmine and vetiver.

Getting ready for bed at the end of a bad day, these two little luxuries help to lift my spirits and push my cares away.

Eau Fraiche Foaming Shower Gel fills the tub with soothing bubbles and cleans from head to toe, adding light moisture to my perpetually parched skin. It’s definitely a splurge, but it’s a nice one, no doubt. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Chance Eau Fraiche Body Cream feels thick and rich to the touch (not greasy), offering light moisturization without leaving a noticeable film. If you have alligator legs and feet like moi, you might need something a little heavier. While related to the Chance Eau Fraiche scent, this version of the fragrance smells a little more like oranges and jasmine to me (still lovely) and lasts for hours after the bath. Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Being Chanel, both products are on the expensive side, but if you’re in the mood for luxury and like citrusy scents like lemon, orange and grapefruit, you might give ’em a try.

Daily photo

Check out who got finally got his MAC Hello Kitty Lucky Tom palette in the mail today!

And now Tabs insists I call him by his new stage name, “Lucky Tom.”

He’s trippin’…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

14 Pink Shoes for Valentine’s Day

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My dearest Cupid,

Is there a sign on my forehead that says, “Easy prey?” Every Valentine’s Day your arrow hits me, and every Valentine’s Day I fall in love with 14 more pairs of pink shoes! What’s going on here?

1. Christian Louboutin Mirrored Platform Pumps, $1,295

2. Miu Miu Platform Pumps, $950

3. Valentino Classic Meena Peep Toe Pump, $695

4. Vans Classic Slip-Ons, $42

5. Christian Louboutin Suede Fringe Pump, $1,095

6. Nine West Blitzen, $90

7. Christian Louboutin Patent Platform Pumps, $695

8. Etnies Myra II, $40

9. Stella McCartney Strappy Sandal, $745

10. Charles by Charles David Chirp Pump, $134.95

11. Manolo Blahnik Jeweled Satin d’Orsay, $715

12. Kate Spade Clarice, $300

13. Seychelles Proper Etiquette, $100

14. Manolo Blahnik Jeweled Slingback Sandal, $1,190

Oh, Cupid, maybe next year you’ll take mercy on me and just leave a pair of shoes on my doorstep. If you do, please don’t forget to throw in some Moleskin and Foot Petals. Thanks… You’re the best.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Hello Kitty Face of the Day: Peaches, Anyone?

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Seriously, how many times can one blogger say “Meow” about a makeup collection? But that’s how it makes me feel, so I’ll say it again: MEOW! It’s MAC Hello Kitty time. 🙂

My first reaction was mixed when I saw the promo pics for MAC’s latest collaboration. Sure, I was drooling over the branding and packaging from the start (I love Hello Kitty; always have), but the colors just didn’t look like stuff I could wear every day.

Well, color me lame and call me crazy because after seeing the collection in person last night, I’m fully on board now.

Matter of fact, a few stray kittens decided to follow me home last night: Eye Shadow 4 Lucky Tom palette, Tahitian Sand Beauty Powder, Fun & Games Beauty Powder Blush and Cute-Ster Lustre Lipstick.

The Lucky Tom Eyeshadow Palette Colors (from left to right): Creme Royal, Paradisco, Stylin’, Lucky Tom

Fun & Games Beauty Powder Blush

Tahitian Sand Beauty Powder

Cute-Ster Lipstick

Tabs was riled up this morning and snipping at my ankles because he hadn’t received his pre-ordered Lucky Tom palette yet. I had to tear him away from mine (did I mention he’s OBSESSED with HK?) long enough to do my face of the day.

For the eyes, I started with a thin layer of Perky Paint Pot over the eyelid.

Then, with Tabs locked in the other room, I went to work with the eyeshadows, patting Paradisco on the lid and Creme Royal inside the inner corner of the eye.

Next, I lined the upper lash line with Stylin’ and the lower line with a mix of Lucky Tom and Creme Royal.

To finish the eyes, I curled my lashes and added two layers of MAC Dazzlelash mascara (it happened to be nearby).

Now, for meow lips… (couldn’t resist) 🙂

I lined them with Pink Treat Cremestick Liner topped off with a layer of Cute-Ster Lipstick and some MAC Lipglass in Clear.

After blowing myself a kiss in the mirror I moved on to the cheeks.
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Go Crazy Bold with Make Up For Ever Faux Lashes

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Don’t pull any punches this Valentine’s Day, and GO FOR THE BOLD! Try on a pair of crazy bold false lashes like Make Up For Ever’s Alexandra Faux Lash ($15). Her thick black fringe and dramatic length demand your full attention.

I did this look with Alexandra yesterday, pairing her with demure pink cheeks and a strong red lip.

If you’re hitting the clubs with friends on The Big V, this could be a fun look to wear. It’s playful and says to the world, “Hey, ya’ll! You can’t stop this love machine!”

The key to the look is the lashes — the bigger the better. Here I’m wearing Make Up For Ever, but you might also look at falsies from other brands like Shu Uemura, Revlon or Ardell.

  1. Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in #0L, $17: matte black eyeliner
  2. Smoky Lash Mascara, $22: black mascara
  3. Faux Lash Alexandra #110, $15: dramatic false lashes with lash glue
  4. Sculpting Blush #8, $24: matte, bright pink blush
  5. Aqua Lip Pencil in #8, $17: true red lip liner
  6. Lipstick #205, $18: bluish red lipstick
  7. Mist & Fix Make-Up Fixer Mist, $27: makeup fixing spray

Eyes: Not to steal anything away from the lashes, I kept the eyes simple, starting by lining my upper and lower lash lines with (1) Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in #0L. Then, I curled my lashes and applied two coats of (2) Smoky Lash Mascara. Finally, I glued (3) Faux Lash Alexandra lashes on my upper lash line, aligning the shorter end of the lashes with the inner corner (the side closest to my nose).
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How Closely Do You Follow Makeup Expiration Guidelines?

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It’s easy to tell when a quart of milk goes bad, but what about a pan of cream eyeshadow?

When it comes to the shelf life of cosmetics, there are no hard and fast rules, no FDA mandated regulations or requirements. Just general guidelines.

I have to admit that I don’t follow them to a “T”. I can’t bring myself to toss a $27 tube of Diorshow Iconic Mascara just because I’ve had it open for three months.

But, sadly, all of the makeup we love so much will eventually expire. No one wants to waste expensive beauty swag, but creams and oils go rancid, preservatives break down and bacteria can breed after a product has been open too long.

Some cosmetics companies clearly have expiration in mind. Cargo just announced a line of glosses called blu_ray Lip Gloss with Timestrip that incorporates a tiny strip embedded in the cap to keep track of how long a lip gloss has been open.

Some General Makeup Expiration Guidelines

Oil-free foundation: 1 year
Cream or compact foundation: 18 months
Concealer: 12-18 months
Powder: 2 years
Blush and bronzer: 2 years
Cream blush: 12-18 months
Powder eyeshadow: 2 years
Cream eyeshadow: 12-18 months
Eyeliner: 2 years
Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months
Mascara: 3 months
Lipstick: 2 years
Lip liner: 2 years
Lip gloss: 18-24 months
Nail color: 1 year
Fragrance: 2-5 years

How closely do you follow makeup expiration guidelines?

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For more on makeup shelf life…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Hello Kitty On Sale Now at Nordstrom Stores

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Hey, ladies! It looks like MAC couldn’t wait. They bumped up the release date for MAC Hello Kitty at Nordstrom stores. The collection is on sale now, at least at some Nordstrom stores nationwide. Call your counter just in case to make sure.

I stopped by the mall after dance class and took these stalker-y pictures with my phone. I almost melted when I saw the product packaging. It’s even cuter in person!

I’ll put up a face of the day tomorrow featuring a few goodies. 🙂

Hope you are having a great night! It’s time for me to catch the new episode of The City.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Clinque Fresh Bloom: At First Blush, No Surprises

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The model for Clinique’s First Blush collection looks so fresh and dreamy, doesn’t she? I can totes see her running through dewy fields barefoot on a spring morning.

So those of us at home can get the eye look (sans dewy field), Clinique gives us four Fresh Bloom Eye Shadow pans ($16.50) with First Blush, each with two shimmery pastel colors: Cherry Blossom (a light and dark pink), Tiger Lily (a light and dark copper), Maple Blossom (a light and dark taupe) and Apple Blossom (a light and dark green).

I’m a sucker for embossed flower patterns… That gets me every time.

I did the eye look using each of the four shadow combinations, placing the lighter color from each on the lid and brow bone, and the darker shade in the crease.

After applying the shadows for each of the four looks, I added two coats of Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara on the top lash line and lined the lower lash line with the darker shade from Maple Blossom.


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