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

Need Your Accessories Advice on These Pink Kate Spade Glasses, Plus Some BOMB Bread From Costco

January 15th, 2020 by Karen 28 Comments

pink-kate spade glasses costco 1 — Cat lady vibes

OK, fam. Need your input on these *very pink*, very cat lady-esque frames by Kate Spade, which I tried on at Costco last weekend.

Normally, I’d be totally down for fun frames, especially fun pink ones, but I feel like going this bold would be a significant commitment, since there’s really nothing subtle about them AT ALL. If I get these, whenever I walk into a room, my glasses would walk in first. Know what I mean? (Does that make any sense at all?) Plus, what does one do when one’s outfits clash with their glasses? My last pair (also by Kate Spade) are neutral enough to go with most things, but these pink frames? Well…they aren’t neutral at all. LOL!

Let me know what you think. Too much? Or are they juuuuuust enough crazy cat lady?

By the way, in case you were unaware, trying on glasses at Costco is my definition of an exciting Friday night. #momlife

I also looked at air fryers (so exciting…), but I hesitated to pull the trigger because dang! — those things are big. I need to figure out how to squeeze one into my kitchen, which is already too crowded as it is. I’ve reached maximum gadget levels, and an air fryer would tip me into hoarder status.

I really want one, though, because everyone I know who has one raves about it.

One last Costco-related note: Get thee a loaf of cranberry walnut bread from the bakery ASAP.
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Layering Bronze Eyeshadow on Top of Black Liner To Correct Wonky Liner

January 13th, 2020 by Karen 15 Comments

Oh, my hooded lid ladies… I know you can feel me on this. There are days when my upper lash liner turns out perfectly…but then there are those other days when it does not. ?

And those days are baaaaad.

You know how it is. One minute, you’re applying your liner, oblivious to the disaster about to strike. Next thing you know, your liner has taken over half your lid. If you have hooded lids like I do, it also makes your eyes look smaller.

So, that’s what initially happened with this particular look here. Started out, I was in the mood for black cat eyeliner, but I was rushing, and things got out of hand quickly.

My liner was too thick, and the wings didn’t match. My eyes looked teeny, tiny.

Because I didn’t have enough time to remove everything and start again from scratch, I recalled the trick I’ve been using lately with light pencil liner to make my lids look less hooded, and I employed a similar technique to fix this mishap.

Here’s what I did.

I dipped a flat angled brush into a sparkly bronze eyeshadow, wet that brush head with a setting spray, and blended it directly on top of the black liner from the inner corner to about three fourths of the way out.

Why?

Well, just like how applying a light-colored liner on the upper lash line opens up the eye, layering a bronze on top of black also makes lids look more pronounced and larger than they really are.

Next, I cleaned the brush I used, dipped it into a dark brown, and blended that on the outer corner of the black liner to soften it and create the illusion of a little more lift.

I didn’t fully appreciate just how much larger it made my lids look until I got to Costco and started trying on prospective eyeglasses…

I took a pic of my face without frames so I could compare it to pics of myself wearing some of the new frames I was interested in (because I’m nerdy like that), and when I saw my makeup in the harsh overhead Costco lighting, I realized — OH, SNAP! — this eye makeup was actually working for me.

Yeah…I’m definitely gonna do this again, but, like, on purpose. LOL! 🙂

Key makeup worn in this look

Eyes: Pixi Endless Sikly Eye Pen in Black Noir, Pixi Eye Reflection Shadow Palette in Natural Beauty, MAC Omega and Brun (eyebrows), Chanel Dimensions de Chanel, MAC Brow Gel

Base: Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in Honey Bronze, MAC Strobe Cream in Pinklight, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Fair-Medium, MAC Sur Blush

Lips: MAC Boldly Bare lip pencil, MAC Candy Box Lipglass

This made me laugh so hard!

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 609

January 13th, 2020 by Karen 18 Comments

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start.

1. Right now I’m craving…

A Southwestern salad with avocado and grilled shrimp from Blue Barn, YUM.

2. I can’t leave the house without…

At least one black hair tie around my wrist, in my pocket or in my purse. This is a NEED.

3. My go-to coffee/tea order is…

For coffee, right at this particular time (subject to change), I like a 16-oz. latte with almond or oat milk, and no foam.

For tea, if it’s cold outside, then Earl Grey with lots of room for milk, and a touch of sugar. If it’s hot, then plain unsweetened iced tea.

4. I can’t get enough of …

Keanu Reeves eating Baskin Robbins ice cream in Alameda, of all places. MY FUTURE HUSBAND IS CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO STALK.

5. The last time I was on a train was…

July 2018, when El Hub, Connor and I took the SMART train from Novato up to Santa Rosa to do some exploring.

Dance your feet off

Hello! Happy Monday to ya. Who needs an extra cup of coffee this morning? Because I certainly do. This weekend was spent doing dance things with the Coywolf, who had her winter recital this weekend with her dance buddies.

Sometimes I can’t believe that she was once this little peanut in a tiny tutu…

Anywho, you have a great rest of your Monday, ‘k?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. Right now I’m craving…
2. I can’t leave the house without…
3. My go-to coffee/tea order is…
4. I can’t get enough of …
5. The last time I was on a train was…

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 588

January 12th, 2020 by Karen 4 Comments

Oh, boy, I bet Tabs is hooting and hollering in kitty heaven! His team is still in the playoffs! He loved rooting for the San Francisco 49ers. In fact, that tabby just loved sports in general.

I mean, he loved relaxing, obviously. He spent a lot of quality time napping, but he also loved sports, ever since his days playing kitty football for the Mill Valley Wildcats.

And whenever a kitty modeling campaign with a sports theme came available, he was all over it. He felt that professional sports combined most of his favorite things — competitiveness, interesting fashion, fitness and fabulous post-workout meals.

Go Niners! ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, January 11th, 2020

January 11th, 2020 by Karen 5 Comments

Hiking the trail to see the waterfall at the Indian Valley Open Space Preserve is one of my favorite things to do this time of year!

Hi, and happy Caturday, sweet girl! I read somewhere recently that you should spend at least one day a month outside. In nature. And you know what? Today is that day for me. There’s a trail here in Novato that leads to a small waterfall, and despite TLC’s fervent admonitions, I’m going to chase it. ?

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to.

It’s time for Saturday Surfing… ?

If you’d like to level-up your CCL status, may I suggest crafting your favorite feline’s very own GoT throne? ?
Go ahead, adopt that third cat (otherwise known as “the gateway cat”), because science says that being a cat lady is good for your health!
The best rendition of Van Gough’s Starry Night I’ve ever seen. (Side note: It may or may not involve multiple curvaceous orange tabbies.)
Be on the lookout for the Opte, a handheld inkjet printer for your face, which prints tiny amounts of pigment on your face to cover every dark spot — freckles, scars and hyperpigmentation, and even the ones you can’t see (Blue LED lights help the camera locate tiny dark spots the human eye might miss). It launches this summer for a cool $600.
Speaking of gadgets, L’Oréal has a smart device that creates custom formulas for lipstick, foundation and skin care.

Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx, on learning to redefine what failure means

You cannot look away.

Years ago Marc did my makeup, and he’s still one of my fave artists!

Pretty sure this is what went down when Tabs rolled up into kitty heaven.

Have a wonderful weekend. I hope yours is off to a great start. ?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Were the Last 3 Beauty Products You Finished All the Way Down to the Last Drop?

January 10th, 2020 by Karen 28 Comments

I’ll be the first to admit that part of the reason I’m asking this today is because I wanted to take a picture of my empty jar of By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care ($60), which I’ve had forever and only just finished. ?

I was hoping Santa would drop off another jar, but I guess he didn’t get the memo.

Last few empties…

By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Care
Joico Moisture Co+Wash (Side note: I just finished the last of the three bottles I’ve been hoarding since this got discontinued, and yes, I’m a sad panda. ?)
Chanel Dimensions de Chanel Mascara

How ’bout you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. T.G.I.EFFFFF.

A Triple Threat! — Blue Wings, Purple Waterlines and Peachy Glitter Eyes

January 9th, 2020 by Karen 9 Comments

Do I miss the days when I had hours and hours to whisk my eyeshadows into clouds of fluffy color?

Yes and no.

Yes, because I’m in awe of myself — literally in awe — for ever having the patience to do elaborate eye makeup once upon a time.

But also no, because banging out these quick 15-minute makeup looks before I leave for work at the bakery has taught me all kinds of creative tricks!

One thing I’ve been doing lately is combining different elements I’ve worn in various looks to come up with something new.

For this look, I incorporated three makeup elements I’ve been wearing across quite a few bakery-day looks lately.

A colorful lower waterline
Colorful cat eyeliner
Glitter

1. Work your waterline.

Lining your lower water line is an easy, low-stress way to add a pop of color to your look without committing to lots of intense blending. Here I’m wearing a dark purple liner, which is the same one I used in the aubergine look the other day.

2. Embrace your inner colorful cat eyeliner.

Not as low-stress as a colorful waterline because you have to map out your wings and line up the flicks evenly, which is never an easy task, but if you resolve to be cool with imperfection (I am these days… It’s a learning experience!), you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. You can always keep it simple by using a single bright liner — pencil, liquid or an eyeshadow applied with a wet brush — or you can jooj it up by layering different products together. Here I’m wearing a blue liner, which I topped with a shimmery blue-green shadow mixed with a glittery black shadow.

3. Go for the glitter!

I know it isn’t for everyone, but in controlled amounts, glitter really adds a little something-something. I patted a peach glitter on my lids with a finger, and even though it ended up all over the place (hello, eyebrows!), I’m cool with it.

Key makeup worn in this look

Eyes: Maybelline Tatoo Gel Liner in Striking Navy (cat liner base) and ESUM Aubergine (lower waterline). MAC Now and Zen palette (I blended Soft Brown and Omega as a base, combined Tilt and Black Tie, and patted that on top of the blue liner before patting Honeylust on top for glitter.)

Cheeks: Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio in Sunset

Lips: MAC Velvet Teddy topped with Magically Delightful Lipglass

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

New Favorite Easy Snack: Asian Pears and Creamy Toscano Cheese

January 8th, 2020 by Karen 8 Comments

The sample lady at TJ’s was giving out tiny cups filled with this fruit-and-cheese duo at last weekend. Connor took two bites and said, “Mama, this is the good-est cheese ever!”

Have you had Asian pears before? They look like apples, but they aren’t. I grew up eating different varieties of them. I think they taste like regular green pears, except they’re crunchier, slightly grainier and slightly more watery… Waterier? And they’re usually a bit sweeter too. The skin is also thicker than regular pears, which I don’t mind, but Connor likes it better when I peel them for her and serve them with the “good-est” cheese, also known as “creamy Toscano,” which TJ’s describes like so: “Trader Joe’s Toscano Cheese combines the robust, nutty characteristics of aged Parmesan with a creamy farmstead Cheddar — a particular profile that allows for maximum fromage flavoring.”

Man, that sounds good, doesn’t it? ? AND IT IS.