MAC Heaux Lipstick, a matte berry from the new RiRi Hearts MAC Summer collection

What it do, RiRi Woo? The lipstick MAC remixed for Rihanna is back for a second act, and she brought along a few friends.

If you wanted (but missed) RiRi Woo the first time around, you’ll get a second chance to scoop it up, along with the rest of the five-piece limited edition RiRi Hearts MAC Summer collection, online starting tomorrow, June 18.

I had a play date with the collection this morning and had magnetic field day…

By magnetic, I mean opposites that attract, because for me, opposites permeate these products. Intense lip colors contrast with the sheer blush on cheeks, and the matte lipsticks and blush sit in stark contrast to the shimmery, sparkly highlighter.

I like it. The whole dang idea.

Sure, the collection is short and sweet, but you get a lot of juxtaposition here. The look doesn’t seem flat at all, which can be an issue with some collections that feature this much matte.

Maybe it’s just a flashback to my English Major days, but I also like to think that MAC and Rihanna intended for the opposing elements to be symbolic of RiRi, whose stage persona seems both raw and vulnerable at the same time.

That, or perhaps I’ve listened to Stay one too many times…

Lipsticks in RiRi Woo, RiRi Boy and Heaux ($15 each)

From the left: Heaux, RiRi Boy, RiRi Woo and Lustre Drops in Barbados Girl

Far and away, I think the most popular pieces from this collection are going to be the lipsticks ($15 each). The core girls/guys on Team MAC love intense color, and red RiRi Woo, lavender RiRi Boy and berry Heaux deliver it in droves.

But gosh, these sure feel dry… They tug at my skin and feel like I’m wearing a thick layer of cornstarch on my lips.

That said, the mega matte way these look is still pretty bangin’. They’re chic and oh! — photograph very well.

I like these for their looks, because they’re definitely not the most comfortable lip products or the easiest to apply. If you don’t mind suffering for your fashion, you’re in luck. These are like 5-inch spiked heels in lipstick clothing. Plus, the whole matte thing is so hella ’90s, which I love.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Powder Blush Duo in Hibiscus Kiss ($26)

Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush

Cheek this out, babe!

I flipped a sprocket when I saw the neutral bronze and coral in this Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush Duo ($26), but my fever waned when I swatched it for the first time.

The blasted thing feels hard to the touch and applies very sheer.

It shows up a little better on my skin when I apply it with the brush (which, unfortunately, also takes longer), but still — not by much. I have to really build this up in layers to get a look I like. Sorry, no intense flushes here, but this might light your fire if you like super sheer cheeks.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-

Lustre Drops Liquid Highlighter in Barbados Girl ($20)

What a nice surprise! From the Lustre Drops in Barbados Girl, I expected a clone of Pink Rebel, but it’s actually a different deal. This liquid highlighter contains more bronze, and there are tiny flecks of glitter swimming around in it.

The effect’s flashy enough to notice from a few feet away, but it’s not gonna hit anyone over the head and say, “LOOK AT ME!!”

I’d call this perfect if it wasn’t so easy to over-apply. The glitter can get a little goopy if you use too much (yep, like I did at first).
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

Swatches of Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush on the left and Lustre Drops on the right (unblended and blended)

Lipstick swatches from the left: Riri Boy, Riri Woo and Heaux

May your cat liner always look purrrfect!

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. What did you do last weekend?
   Just errands and housework on Sunday, but Saturday was “meow” day. My day. Slept in, worked out, went to the Bliss Spa at the W Hotel in SF for a massage and then out to dinner at the The Front Porch. (SOUL FOOD! If you go, you gotta try the baked mac ‘n’ cheese.)
2. Folks who are fun to travel with?
   Jen and Cindy, my two best buddies from high school.
3. Did you ever go through a rebellious stage?
   Not really. I wasn’t the type to start sh*t with my parents or teachers or anything. I think I was pretty easygoing.

   But I did go through a rough patch in my late teens. I was learning how to assert myself about things I liked and didn’t like, and maybe it looked a little like a rebellious stage to my parents. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t doing exactly what they wanted me to do (keep studying science and go to medical school).

   Ah, growing pains…

4. Your current favorite hand cream?
   I picked up a small tube of Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream at Bliss Spa last weekend, and dang if that stuff’s not pretty great! It absorbs quickly, works well and doesn’t leave me with greasy fingers.
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
   Two scrambled eggs with some canned tuna and chopped green onions. Oh! — and a cup of coffee.
6. Something you keep meaning to do but haven’t gotten to yet?
   Yargh! Find a gym up here in Novato with a good spinning class and free weights.
7. When was the last time you went to the beach?
   Geez, I don’t know. February, I think? El Hub and I went for a walk along Ocean Beach in SF.
8. How do you feel about high-waisted cut-off jean shorts? Yes or no?
   I see a lot of teens/tweens wearing this look, and it’s stressing me out! For me, no.
9. Do you drink enough water?
   I try to, but lately, I don’t think so. I gotta work on that this week.
10. One thing you’re working on this week?
    Well, drinking more water. That’s one thing.

    But I also need to get better about managing stress, which I think boils down to working too late on the computer. Every day I intend to get up from my desk by 6 p.m., but I keep breaking my own rules! What’s up with that? Frankie says relax, dammit! Gotta get up, go eat dinner, watch some TV, spend time with El Hub.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What did you do last weekend?
2. Folks who are fun to travel with?
3. Did you ever go through a rebellious stage?
4. Your current favorite hand cream?
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
6. Something you keep meaning to do but haven’t gotten to yet?
7. When was the last time you went to the beach?
8. High-waisted cut-off jean shorts — yes or no?
9. Do you drink enough water?
10. One thing you’re working on this week?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Too Faced Cocoa Rose Full Bloom Ultra Flush Powder Blush, $19. Available now at Too Faced counters and online.

I stocked up on some body care goodies at the Bliss Spa yesterday. Yes, the Blood Orange + White Pepper scent is my fave.

Also, if you happen to stop by the SF Bliss Spa at the W hotel for a massage, ask for Casey. She’s amazing! I left my treatment feeling like a whole new girl.

Tabs the cat.

Kitty supermodel, two-time Academy Award winner (for Lincoln’s Cat) and The Cat’s Speech), author, blogger, astronaut, spokesperson, feline wunderkind, hip-hop artist, reality TV star, entrepreneur (founder of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC., the company behind Rent-A-Tabby and numerous makeup and beauty brands).

Truth be told, there aren’t many titles Tabs hasn’t held.

Earlier today while watching Man of Steel I got to thinking about greatness and motivation, specifically what drives successful individuals to accomplish great things.

After having accomplished so many things, what gets Tabs up in the morning? What motivates him to keep trying so hard at everything he does?

Well, I think he’d say the obvious, gravy, but I think it’s more than that. Something else.

He already has enough gravy stockpiled to last him a decade, and yet he keeps testing his limits, getting up early and staying up late, pushing himself harder and further.

Why? For what reason?

I guess one answer to that is, why not?

Which reminds me, have you seen these recent ad campaigns starring Tabs?

(Oh, and have you already entered this weekend’s $50 Sephora gift card giveaway?)

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