1994 KAREN: Hello?
2014 KAREN: Hi, is this Karen?
1994 KAREN: Yes, it is.
2014 KAREN: This is going to sound totally weird, but, um…this is your future self, Karen. From 2014.
1994 KAREN: Shut the front door! What? Who is this? Jen, is that you?
2014 KAREN: No, really. It’s me, Karen. I mean, I’m also Karen. I’m calling you from 20 years in the future.
1994 KAREN: You sound… Dude, how’s that even possible? Who is this!? Someone’s pulling my leg. Are you that guy from the bus stop the other day? The Terminator one?
2014 KAREN: Nope, not that guy. Although I do remember him. Tall, in the green plaid shirt —
1994 KAREN: No way! How do you know that?
2014 KAREN: He was a physics major. Really cute and funny. I think he wanted to ask us out, now that I think about it.
Anyway, I only have a few minutes here, so that’s enough about boys. I have something very important to discuss with you.
1994 KAREN: Man, this is blowing my mind! If you’re really from 20 years in the future… I need more proof. Tell me something else only you — I mean we? — would know.
2014 KAREN: OK. Well, right now you’re probably wearing Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick.
1994 KAREN: NO WAY!!!
2014 KAREN: You’re struggling in chem and, truth be told, college has been a lot lonelier than you thought it would be. You also really miss Mom, Dad and Al, but you’d never admit that to them.
1994 KAREN: OK, I am officially freaked out right now. This is incredibly freaky…
Well, then I guess I should ask why you’re calling. Is it something bad? It’s something bad, isn’t it?
2014 KAREN: No, no, not at all. I just really wanted to say hi and — I know this sounds weird — remind you that you’re stronger than you think.
1994 was a hard year, but you’re gonna be OK. It might not seem like it now, but everything’s going to work out.
1994 KAREN: Really??
2014 KAREN: Yes, really.
I wish I could say more…but the contract I signed forbids me from disclosing anything specific that could alter the course of our life.
1994 KAREN: Gotta be vague… I get it. I totally get it. I’ve seen the Terminator —
2014 KAREN: — 500 times, haha!
1994 KAREN: Still, thank you — what should I call you? Future Karen? I feel better just knowing you’re there.
2014 KAREN: I’m almost out of time… Just remember to listen to your gut, Karen. It won’t steer you wrong.
1994 KAREN: I will, but don’t go! Wait. I know you can’t say details, but what’s the future’s like? Are there flying cars?
2014 KAREN: Dude. Please.
1994 KAREN: I take that as a no. Shoot. OK, is Johnny Depp still hot??
2014 KAREN: Smokin’.
1994 KAREN: Good to know. Are all the girls still wearing Clinique Black Honey Lipstick?
2014 KAREN: Oh! Funny you should ask. Get this: it’s still around, but Clinique is taking the color and releasing it as a bunch of different products — a nail polish, a gel liner, a gloss and an eyeshadow, which I’m actually wearing today!
1994 KAREN: What?! Clinique Black Honey in eyeshadow form? You’re blowing my mind right now.
2014 KAREN: I know! It’s crazy, right? Yeah, it’s actually really cool. You’d like it. It’s a shimmery, coppery purplish brown. Doesn’t look like much in the pan, but once you sweep it in the crease, it takes on a life of its own. More of the coppery purple comes through, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.
1994 KAREN: Um, sold!
2014 KAREN: Haha! Why am I not surprised?
1994 KAREN: I’ll keep an eye out for it when it comes out in 20 years.
2014 KAREN: Good. Listen, K, they’re telling me I have to go now, but I want to tell you one more thing.
1994 KAREN: Shoot.
2014 KAREN: Just…don’t be so hard on yourself, OK? Through all the ups and downs and when you’re feeling sad and lonely, be nice to yourself, and remember that I love you. I absolutely, positively love you.
1994 KAREN: Awww! Thanks, future K. Love you, too. I can’t wait to meet you. This is weird… Take care of yourself. Us.
2014 KAREN: See you soon.
–click–
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick was my first real beauty purchase!! This shadow looks gorgeous…
Thats such a gorgeous shade! Your skin looks flawless in these pics Karen! A new foundation routine? 🙂
Beautiful eyeshadow for a different take on the smokey eye. I will be checking it out for sure! You look amazing with it, it kind of reminds me of a darker version of Laura Mercier’s African Violet…
I was almost sure this would be reddish and muddy on me so I never really took a look. Now that I have seen it on you, I must swatch it tomorrow! So frickking gorgeous!
Looks gorgeous on your skin tone <3
Monica.
A beautiful eyeshadow, and a beautiful post. Karen, you are my imaginative posting IDOL. 🙂
I think I need to investigate that Ballet Flats shade too (*must own all ballet things!*)
Awwwww…. the conversation with yourself was surprisingly touching!
What a stunning color!
I was thinking about getting that shadow the other day. It feels very Naked 3 like, but different (I hope)
Coolest. Post. Evah.
Black Honey lipstick … Sigh… There are days that I love it, and then there are days when I just can’t stand it.
You rock, pretty lady! Purrs from SoCal!
I love your creativity, this post is awesome. And the eyeshadow looks really pretty too.
That’s such a beautiful look and this post is just lovely!
This was a fun read! Looks gorgeous!
AWW this post just warms my heart! <3 And are you still wearing the Becca Matte foundation in this photo? Because dang girl it looks so good. Like naturally poreless good.
Aww, what a great post! This is the sweetest post about eyeshadow I’ve ever read. 🙂
This was just the thing I needed to read right now. I’m struggling quite a bit in my first year of college (especially today). This was a really touching post for your past self. Thanks for sharing!
Aw, what a sweet post!! Well we’re 1994 lipstick sisters, I must have gone through at least 3 Black Honey almost lipsticks. This eyeshadow looks great and I’d love to see the gel liner!
Though, small print, I actually never use Clinique any more for fear of going back to the 90’s. LOL!
Awwww, that was a really sweet post. I started feeling a little emotional, what with all the positive advice and love declaring! 🙂
First of all, this look is amazing! Love the eyeshadow! Not sure if I could pull it off with my fair skin, but it looks gorge on you. Second of all, this post brought tears to my eyes! Beautifully written and wonderfully loving. We should all write these kind of letters to our past selves. And hey, if we can include makeup references, all the better 🙂 Thanks for a lovely post Karen! This is exactly why your blog is my fave.
I think I need this! Black Honey is my only Clinique BFF!
gorgeous shade! i’ve never been one for black honey; when i was younger it was not red enough, and now it’s too dark. but i can get behind the black honey eyeshadow. why so long, clinique?
I LOVE this color!
This post is so lovely and so engaging to read <3 Loved it karen! x
Such a beautiful shade and looks gorgeous on you!
I can honestly say that this is the only beauty review that has made me cry…! Beautiful. Gonna take Future K’s advice myself 😉 xxx
I got this shade in a GWP mini palette a long time ago with two eyeshadows (the other is called Lucky Penny, I believe) and a blush. I reach for those two eyeshadows more than any others, especially when I just want a quick natural wash of color, I go for Lucky Penny. When I have more time I love using Black Honey in the crease 🙂 Looks amazing on you!!!
Hi Karen, you look gorgeous in this pictures, but most important, I loved how you wrote this mini review, it was kind of touching and showed me a part of your past. I’m like the 1994 Karen in 2014 Paula’s form!!!
Also I wanted to ask you if this eyeshadow could work in a everyday casual makeup for college (maybe really blended) with my NW20 skin.
Greetings from Chile!
xoxo
Paula