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

Seven Films in Running for Best Makeup Oscar

by 20 Comments

Three special effects-laden movies, one outrageous comedy and three touching dramas make up the seven films competing for nominations in the best makeup category for the 81st annual Academy Awards.


Three of the films — The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight and Hellboy II: The Golden Army — are also up for consideration in the visual effects category.

The effects-heavy pics are going head to head against the dramas The Reader, Synecdoche, New York and The Wrestler, and the comedy Tropic Thunder for Best Makeup. In Tropic Thunder Robert Downey Jr. plays (both literally and figuratively) an Australian method actor playing a black soldier, LOL!




Members of the academy’s makeup branch will view 10-minute excerpts from the seven shortlisted films on Jan. 17 before voting to nominate three films for final Oscar consideration.

They announce the nominations on Jan. 22, but the big show happens exactly one month later. Are you rooting for one film in particular?

Which film should win the Oscar for Best Makeup of 2008?

Which film should win the award for Best Makeup?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Spring 2009: Mystic Eyes Quad Swatches and More!

by 59 Comments

Leave it to Chanel to elevate brown eyeshadow into something extraordinary. I wasn’t sure if the brown, plum and taupe eye shades from this year’s Bohemian Fantasy collection would be able to top last spring’s ultra hot Aurora Blues, but after swatching ’em I think they have.

These colors are earthy, but they aren’t boring at all. There’s a good mix of cool and warm tones, too, so nobody gets left out, yay!

From left to right:

  • Sand Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow: warm shimmery taupe
  • Delta Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow: cool yellow gold
  • Brown shade from Mystic Eyes Quadra Eyeshadow: neutral deep brown with gold flecks
  • Pink shade from Mystic Eyes: cool, shimmery light pink
  • Silvery gray shade from Mystic Eyes: neutral, shimmery gray taupe
  • Light brown shade from Mystic Eyes: warm, shimmery gold brown
  • Magic Night Soft Touch Eyeshadow: shimmery plum brown
  • Brun Precision Eye Definer Crayon: dark, shimmery gold brown

The only thing from this release hasn’t really rocked my boat has been Liberty Soft Touch Eyeshadow (a shimmery beige). It sure looks a lot like MAC Shroom…

A few days ago I did a soft and smokey plum brown eye with a wash of Delta over my entire eye, lining the upper and lower lash lines with Brun liner, and then smudging Magic Night eyeshadow on top of the liner.

I paired it with Fandango blush and Aqualumiere lipstick in Malta to complete the look.


[Continue reading…]

Queen Latifah: Her Best Hair?

by 30 Comments

Did you see Queen Latifah working her royal purple gown at the People’s Choice Awards the other night? I think she does a great job with her looks for red carpet events.

I’ve been a fan since her Ladies First days. Like her ever-evolving career, her hairstyles have also gone through some changes. Now, if only girlfriend would make another rap album (OOH! With guest artist Lauryn Hill… Hey, a girl can dream.).

Which of Queen Latifah's hairstyles do you like best?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Oooo… tabbies first, tabbies first


Check out the first face I saw this morning. Tabs has taken it upon himself to work as my alarm clock, waking me up with wet kitty kisses just before the a$$ crack of dawn. It’s REALLY annoying, but he’s got me figured out. He knows I can’t stay mad at him long.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. It hasn’t occurred to me for years, but I forgot that Queen Latifah is just a stage name. Her real name is Dana Elaine Owens.

Flirt Flowerific Fragrance: A Light Floral for Spring

by 54 Comments

Doesn’t Flirt’s new perfume, Flowerific ($35, available at Kohls in February), look totally trippy? Look at those colorful posies! The whole thing makes me feel like I’m in some brightly lit, pyschedelic flower fantasy, LOL!

I was really expecting the scent to reflect the packaging, but Flowerific’s a surprisingly simple perfume — a light floral that starts off with a burst of honeysuckle and freesia before settling into a light water lily. Despite its lack of dimension, I think it’s a lovely fragrance that reminds me of sandals and floral dresses.

Each of the notes in the scent reveal themselves quickly, and, like early spring blossoms, Flowerific doesn’t last very long. I spritzed it on my wrist at breakfast, and by lunch it was mostly gone.

No problemo, though, because sometimes I prefer lighter scents, and I think Flowerific will totes work for me in the spring.

Flirt Flowerific Perfume Spray

Price: $35 for a 1.7-fl oz. bottle
Use: A simple and light floral fragrance
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

If heavy perfumes tend to give you a headache and you’re sniffing around for something light and feminine, you might really like Flowerific. I’m guessing it would also wear well with most scented lotions and body washes, particularly those with similar notes, like Bath & Body Works Freesia and Dove Go Fresh in Water Lily. If you like those scents, you might enjoy Flowerific, too.

Still lovin’ ya, Big Red!

I’m a little bummed today because El Hub and I had to say g’bye to our little pickup truck, Big Red. Her engine conked out (210,000 miles), and we’re donating her to the American Cancer Foundation. Today we said our last goodbyes…

She was one of the reasons I fell in love with El Hub. There’s something hot about boys in trucks. On our very first date he dropped me off at home in Big Red, and as I was getting out everything in my purse spilled onto the seat.

El Hub just smiled kindly (he was trying to be smooth) while I picked up all 20 tubes of lipgloss (LOL!). That’s when El Hub oh-so-slyly said, “Don’t worry… if I find anything else I’ll just give it back to you the next time I see you.”

I know it’s a little silly to be pining over a car, but I have so many good memories connected to her. She will be missed! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel Spring 2009 Hydrabase Lipsticks: Red, Coral and Pink Bold Lips

by 29 Comments

Toot-toot! All aboard the Chanel Spring 2009 Bohemian Fantasy Rouge Hydrabase Lipstick train (what a mouthful!). It’s a non-stop ride straight to the land of decadent reds, corals and pinks.

Are you ready to roll?

The six colors released for the spring collection offer the same trademark creamy coverage that characterizes other Chanel Hydrabase lipsticks ($27).

My favorites are the boldest colors pictured above from left to right — Euphoria, Fuego, Rose Rebelle and Gipsy Scarlett.

Two more subtle colors — Fiesta (left) and Beige Desire (right) — were also included in the release.

Bold but wearable

The colors are bold but not in a harsh way. I think these are bright and cheerful, not moody or dark. There are no vampire lips here, LOL!


[Continue reading…]

9 Blue Posts: A Homage to Blue Eyeshadow

by 27 Comments

It’s winter, ladies, which means cold linoleum and gray days. I’m longing for warm seas and sunny skies, but until spring I’ll have to get my silver linings in other ways. Maybe these 9 blue eye makeup looks can help.

MAC Red She Said Face of the Day: Navy Blue, Bronze and Brown Smokey Eye


“I tried this brown, bronze and navy blue smokey eye. When I was done with the look, I walked around the room by myself, pretending I was contemplating impressionist paintings in a fancy art gallery.”

MAC Blue Zone Face of the Day


“I hate having a lot of errands and household chores to do over the weekend, but sometimes that’s just how it goes. I did this blue and purple eye while I whined my way through five loads of laundry.”

A Copper, Tan and Blue Eye with Cargo Color Palette in Vienna


“I knew today would be a rough day and wanted to wear something colorful (while still safe for the office) and upbeat. It’s a shimmery copper and tan eye with blue accents and features a few different holiday and fall products, including the new Cargo Color Palette in Vienna ($28).”

A Blue, Pink and Silver Eye with Clarins So Sublime Quartet


“I didn’t think I’d be able to use the colors in the So Sublime quad when I first saw them a few weeks ago because they seemed too bright, but playing with them today changed my mind. I like the results. I think I’ll include this eye in my regular rotation of work friendly (yet colorful) looks.”

MAC Cult of Cherry Face of the Day Using the Shadowy Lady Quad


“A few days ago, reader Lexi asked to see a face of the day with the Shadowy (Shady!) Lady quad. That sounded like fun, so here’s the look I wore to work yesterday — a light purple eye with a bright blue liner.

MAC Cosmetics Naughty Nauticals Face of the Day: A Light Purple and Blue Eye

mac-cosmetics-naughty-nauticals-1
“I didn’t want to look like a purple drag queen, so I decided on a light purple eye with blue accents using a few colors from the MAC Naughty Nauticals collection.”

Mally City Chick Smokey Eye Kit in Nolita Navy: Makes Blue Eyes Easy


“There was a time when blue eye looks terrified me worse than MJ’s Thriller video scared me as a kid. Nature’s rarest color isn’t always easy to work with, and even the simplest of blue eye looks can quickly devolve into hot blue messes if you don’t know which products to use and where to put them.”

MAC Cosmetics Blue and Green Face of the Day

mac-cosmetics-parrot-fotd-sprout-eye-4
“We’ve had a stretch of unseasonably warm weather here in the Bay Area, but this morning started off overcast and gloomy. To brighten up my Monday, I did this blue and green eye with MAC Parrot and Sprout.”

Face of the Day: A Pink and Blue Pastel Eye

fotd-eye-1.jpg
“Pastels aren’t usually my style, but today the makeup gods chose to bestow enough courage upon me to attempt this pink and blue eye, inspired by Shiseido’s spring makeup look.”

Keep warm, and happy hump day!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Skin Care on the Cheap: 5 Tips (and a Giveaway!)

by 136 Comments

Update: The contest is closed! I’ll be contacting the winner shortly. Thanks for entering. 🙂

Ballin’ on a budget? Yup, I hear ya. If you’re trying to think of ways to save money on your beauty and skin care routine, skin experts like Erin Welch, dermatologist at Denver Dermatology Consultants in Denver, Colorado, suggest hitting up the local drugstore.

“There is definitely a misconception that drugstore products can’t get the job done,” says Dr. Welch, “but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only are you saving lots of money by avoiding the department store for similar products, but you’ll find that some of the items are actually very impressive.”

Here are five drugstore skin care tips (and a giveaway) to keep that purty face lookin’ great!

1. Look for a gentle cleanser and avoid harsh soaps.

Skin produces a layer of natural protectant called the acid mantle, which contains a mixture of oils and other secretions that help it retain moisture and prevent the growth of unhealthy bacteria.

“If you wash your skin with a very harsh soap and strip off the mantle, it takes over 24 hours for the skin to regenerate it,” says Dr. Welch. And if you’re stripping off the acid mantle faster than your body can repair it, you’re leaving your skin vulnerable to drying and more prone to infection.

For sensitive skin, Dr. Welch recommends gentle pH balanced cleansers like pHisoderm Cream Cleanser ($5), pHisoderm Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser ($5) and pHisoderm Unscented Facial Bar ($5). “All these cleansers will help maintain the skin’s protective acid mantle in order to retain the skin’s natural moisture and healthy balance.”

2. Opt for salicylic acid treatments if you have adult acne.

“Adult women’s skin is very different than teenage skin,” says Dr. Welch. “With time and with age our skin becomes drier, so if you’re experiencing acne, you want to be sure you’re using products that aren’t going to dry your adult skin.

“I tend to steer my adult patients to products that contain salicylic acid only and to use benzoyl peroxide in moderation (or to skip it altogether).” She likes Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash ($6), the Clean & Clear cleansers ($6) and pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads ($5).

3. Incorporate an effective anti-aging product into your skin care routine.

With so many overpriced and overhyped anti-aging products on the market, how do you choose one that actually works? “I recommend Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum ($20) to my patients,” explains Dr. Welch. “Ranked number one in effectiveness for mass market anti-aging serums by Consumer Reports, this anti-aging serum contains pentapeptides shown to boost colagen prodution and stimulate cell row, helping to smooth out lines.”

4. Remember to apply sunscreen on your lips!

Yes, your face and neck need protection from the skin’s rays, but don’t forget to also protect your lips with a lip balm containing SPF. Dr. Welch recommends Softlips lip balm ($4). It contains SPF 20 and feels smooth upon application — perfect for layering beneath your favorite lipstick or lipgloss.

5. Find a nightime anti-aging treatment.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ($22) is an intensive anti-wrinkle treatment that works while you sleep to reduce expression lines and deep wrinkles. “This exclusive combination of pure Retinol and an essential mineral complex is a great alternative for people who find prescription strength Retin-A too irritating,” she says.

New Year, New Skin: The pHisoderm and Softlips Giveaway!

I think it’s time for a giveaway. 🙂 Win $60 in skin care products from pHisoderm and Softlips!

Enter today’s Phisoderm and Softlips giveaway by signing up to receive my updates by email or by leaving a comment on this post (or both!). If you’re already signed up for the updates, you don’t have to do anything else to be entered to win — you’re already entered — but you can double your chances by also leaving a comment on this post (a comment about anything at all). 🙂

The Prize

One lucky winner will receive 13 items from the pHisoderm skin care and Softlips lip care lines ($60 value).

  • pHisoderm Cream Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($5)
  • pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Cleansing Pads ($5)
  • pHisoderm Unscented Facial Cleansing Bar ($5)
  • pHisoderm Deep Cleansing Cream Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin ($5)
  • pHisoderm Foaming Facial Wash ($7)
  • pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash ($5)
  • pHisoderm Anti-Blemish Body Wash ($6)
  • Softlips Raspberry with Green Tea Extract ($4)
  • Softlips Cherry ($4)
  • Softlips Strawberry ($4)
  • Softlips Vanilla ($4)
  • Softlips Tint in Rose ($3)
  • Softlips Tint in Bronze ($3)

How to Enter

Again, there are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them to double your chances.

  1. If you haven’t already signed up to receive Makeup and Beauty Blog daily email updates, then enter your email in the pink box below (or click this link).
  2. If you have already subscribed to the email updates but want to double your chances, add a brief comment at the bottom of this post (be sure to use a valid email address).

Enter your email address:

I’ll choose the winners at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 8. The contest is open to all US and international readers. Good luck, my budget-loving beauties!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.