Archives for November 2007

Product Review, Makeup: Prescriptives The Illuminator All Over Face Color; Prescriptives Colorscope Creamy Eye Color in Smoking Gun 05

November 9th, 2007 by Karen 19 Comments

More Holiday 2007 Stocking Stuffers

Two of my favorite things about holiday makeup are shimmer and glow!

Creamy shadows, pigments, sparkly highlighters — there are so many choices. Two of my favorites this season are from the Prescriptives line, The Illuminator ($35.00) and Colorscope Creamy Eye Color in Smoking Gun ($18.00).

For the past few weeks I’ve been raving about MAC Natural Flare Beauty Powder, but now my favorite highlighter of the moment is The Illuminator, a limited edition product in the Prescriptives Holiday 2007 line-up.

If you are looking for a multiple-shade, compact highlighter, then you’ve got to pick this up. I love the sleek and clean packaging, especially the cute lil’ chain hanging from the side, which has a tiny charm at the end. Awww, how precious!

prescriptives-illuminator-case

Check out the beauty on the inside:

prescriptives-the-illuminator-flash

The mix of golds and tans — with a touch of peachy pink — give a warm, candlelit glow. On the face of the day below, I popped it on top of a pink cream blush, Laura Mercier’s Oleander. I also applied it down the bridge of my nose, temples and on my chin.

prescriptives-colorscope-creamy-eye-color-illuminator-fotd3

In addition to using it as a highlighter, you can also use it as a shadow. I’ve picked up the gold color in the middle with a small brush and applied it all over my lids for a sheer wash.

Another not-to-miss shimmer product that’s also been in heavy makeup rotation lately is Colorscope Creamy Eye Color. This long-wearing, cream shadow is a permanent part of the Prescriptives color collection. I like it mostly because (surprise, surprise) it’s super easy to apply and blend; I really like using the MAC 249 brush, a large, flat shader brush with a synthetic brush head.

prescriptives-colorscope-creamy-eye-color-smoking-gun-05-no-flash

I wasn’t initially impressed with the Smoking Gun shade, a metallic gunmetal color, when I first saw it in the pot. When I put it on my lids though — wow! It’s dark grey with subtle glitter flecks, and the contrast against my dark brown eyes really makes them pop.

prescriptives-colorscope-creamy-eye-color-smoking-gun-05

In the face of the day below I concentrated most of the color on the lashline and lid and then gradually feathered the color out as I moved it into the crease.

fotd-prescriptives-colorscope-creamy-eye-color-smoking-gun-05-fotd-110907

I also like it as a light wash over the entire lid for a subtle glow!

Is your weekend off to a good start? I hope so! I’m having a mellow night at home because I have to wake up early tomorrow with the chickens. I’m heading on out to Walnut Creek with my girl Christine to attend the Nordstrom Cosmetics Trade Show. Oops, there goes my paycheck! If you’re going too, then stop by and say hi. I’d love to meet ya.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Skincare, Drugstore Beauty Finds: Clinique Moisture On-Line; Dove Cream Oil Body Wash in Ultra Rich

November 8th, 2007 by Karen 12 Comments

The Battle Against Dry Skin Continues!

You know that Gnarls Barkley song, Crazy (“I think we’re crazaaaay”)? God I hate that song. However, I can’t help but sing it to myself whenever I look for moisturizers in the wintertime, because when the temperature drops I feel like “My skin’s going crazaaaay!”

Don’t fret; there’s hope for the scaly-skinned. Here are two choice products which I’ve found recently that fight the good fight against dryness: Clinique Moisture On-line for my face and Dove Ultra Rich Creamy Oil Body Wash for my body.

I’ve been on a Clinique skin care kick lately, which is kind of odd because I’ve never been a 3-step kinda girl. But certain products within the line really deliver, like Moisture On-line face moisturizer.

I have combo, pimple-prone skin. I use benzoyl peroxide for my acne, and although it really works for me it dries my face out, especially around the mouth area. I *always* have to layer a moisturizer on top of the BP.

For the last week I’ve been putting on a layer of Moisture On-line after applying benzoyl peroxide and it has really helped relieve the dryness. I was afraid at first that it would break me out because most heavy moisturizing creams do, but I haven’t had any pimples so far. In fact, my skin has been clearing up nicely since the introduction of this along with the Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion into my skincare routine.

It has a clean, slightly medicinal smell that I like. I wish it wasn’t in a jar, but whatevs, it works and that’s all I really care about.

In a weird twist of irony, I had some trouble finding this at the Clinique counter and at Sephora. Looks like I’ll have to be ordering Moisture On-line, well, on-line.

You might like this if you have combo, pimple-prone skin. If you’re younger and oilier this might be too heavy for you so you might check out H20+ Face Oasis, which is a slightly lighter gel moisturizer that is still very hydrating.

A 1.7 oz fl jar of Moisture On-line is $36.00.

My legs get really dry in the winter, so I need to switch to a more hydrating body wash. Dove’s Cream Oil Body Wash was a random drugstore product I picked up last week and woo hoo, I love it!

This thick body wash lathers well and gets me squeaky clean. Even though it says it’s a cream oil wash, it rinses off thoroughly and easily. It has a slightly spicy scent (reminds me of cloves) that can be overwhelming if your nose is sensitive, but it fades quickly.

A combo of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash and Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour moisturizer has totally made a difference. I can especially see it on my legs, which now look and feel soft all day long. No more alligator-eque, scaly skin. Yay!

There’s just one tiny beef I have with this product. I am not crazy about the packaging. It looks a little cheesy and reminds me of a space ship. Because of this, I’m glad it stays in my shower and not someplace highly visible like my dresser, where I’d find reason to hate it every chance I entered the room.

Despite this minor issue, Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is a winner in my book. There are three types available which offer various levels of moisturization: Delicate, Creamy and Ultra Rich. If you’re super dry like me then pick up the Ultra Rich.

A huge 19.4 fl oz bottle of Dove Cream Oil Body Wash is about $8.00.

Do you ever get on a kick where you can’t stop listening to a song? I’ve been listening to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Love Like This” non stop. It makes me happy every time I hear it. I guess it’s pretty new so there’s no video yet, but if you want to give it a listen here it is:

What song do you have stuck in your head today?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Fragrance, Just for fun: Random Acts of Beauty; Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Perfumes; Starlight Perfume by Shania Twain

November 7th, 2007 by Karen 22 Comments

fussytabby-random-acts-of-beauty

One beauty blogger. Countless hours of music video watching. Two random acts of beauty.

Fall 1981

I’m in first grade. I get home from school one day, turn on the telly and see Blondie’s video, “Heart of Glass,” for the first time. Debbie Harry is blonde and bad-ass. I decide she’s the bomb and make the pledge to be her when I grow up.

During dinner I ask my mom if I can cut my long, straight black hair. “I want it short,” I say. “Blonde, too! And I’d like to do it before school tomorrow.”

My mom rolls her eyes, plops some vegetables on my plate and snorts, “Next year.” This answer is standard operating procedure in our household so I just shrug it off. I figure, okay, I can wait until second grade. It’s not that far away. (It wasn’t until I was much older when I finally figured out the words “next year” were code for “Oh hell naaaaaw, girl.”)

Later that evening, I sneak my mom’s gray shawl out of her bedroom. I put on some Grape Lip Smackers Gloss and dance around my room while singing, “La la la lah, heart of glass!” Even though I don’t have the blonde hair, boobs, or a band for that matter, my inner bad-ass Debbie manages to manifest itself. Yes!

Summer 1984

Madonna’s “Lucky Star” video is playing on MTV practically 24 hours a day. I am convinced that the black outfit that she has on is just the thing to wear to school picture day in the fall.

While we’re shopping for school clothes at Mervyn’s (there was no Limited Too back in the day), I freak out when I discover that the children’s section has no black, fingerless lace gloves. Wait … no black mesh tops either? What the hell?

My mom hands me a glittery unicorn decal T-shirt. I kick furiously at the carpet and foam at the mouth. To hell with the unicorns! It’s the black Lucky Star outfit or death!

“Don’t you start fussing about clothes,” my mom threatens through clenched teeth. “There are starving, naked children running around in the Philippines! Do you think they whine about black lace gloves? All they want is a scoop of rice and some underwear!”

Blah, blah, blah. I tune her out and pout all the way home.

I decide there is only one way to rebel against that dumbass unicorn T shirt. I put on some of my mom’s black eyeliner and try very carefully to make it look just like Madonna’s in the video. I somehow figure out how to work the VCR, tape the Lucky Star video, and then play it over and over again. Play, rewind, dance. Play, rewind, dance. I learn the entire video by heart. Hours pass. The sun goes down.

For some weird reason my parents say nothing while this strangeness unfolds in the living room. Maybe they figured at least I was exercising and not hanging out with the neighborhood ruffians. Or perhaps they thought I was possessed by the spirits and that there wasn’t anything they could do. They’ve never clarified why they let me dance around for five hours wearing crazy black eyeliner; I suspect they never will.

That day was the first day I ever wore black eyeliner and it’s been downhill ever since. I owe part of my makeup obsession to Madge and that fateful black outfit. She’s still number one in my book. And to this day, whenever the Lucky Star video starts playing, I can’t help but bust out the dance moves. Yes!

In the Beginning, there was Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

I went to Long’s yesterday to buy some Wet Ones Wipes to clean my brushes, a packet of LifeSavers Gummies (my sixth major food group) and some Cover Girl Lash Blast.

So I’m wandering around the makeup section when lo and behold, I run into the celebrity perfume aisle. I never paid attention to it until a few weeks ago, when I had the earth-shattering revelation that not all celeb perfumes suck.

I saw perfumes by the usual suspects (J.Lo, Hillary Duff, Britney), as well as the not-so usual suspects (Antonio Banderas — LOLOLOLZ).

Suddenly I realized that there was an inordinate amount of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen perfumes and body sprays. It’s clear from the ad pictures that these were made years ago, prior to the twins’ movement into high fashion.

These girls are like the OG original gangsters of celeb perfumes. They’ve got about 10 different kinds and their perfumes take up half of the aisle. Holy shizz!

The Olsen Twins, aka the Terminators of the Drugstore Celeb Perfume World
mary-kate-ashley-olsen-perfume-set-1

For reasons unknown I really wanted to buy the $15.99 gift set, but I wasn’t exactly ready to go there.

Later on that day, I chatted with my girl Julie from Almost Pretty. She confessed to having smelled a few MK and Ashley scents and described them as being akin to being enveloped in a smelly cloud of “sparkly crack.” THANK JEEBUS I held back from buying that set.

More Holiday Wish List 2007 — Starlight Perfume by Shania Twain

I’m happy to report that not all of the drugstore celeb perfumes are steeped in scent tragedy. One budget-minded perfume that I’ve actually been liking is Shania Twain’s Starlight.
shania-starlight-bottle

The scent is very crisp, and reminds me of a mix of snow and champagne. On my skin the perfume reveals very few floral notes and smells more like a feminine, sophisticated version of men’s cologne.
shania-starlight-ad-pics

Shania looks really great in this ad campaign, too. Girlfriend is fierce in that prom dress.

If you’re on a strict budget this year (and girl…trust me, I’ve been there) then this is a great gift option for your brother or sister’s girlfriend.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle of Shania Starlight is $34.00 for an eau de toilette spray; the smaller, 0.5 fl oz. spray is $18.00.

Today I’m going to do some more MAC Holiday 2007 product testing. I’ll have some more lovely swatches and pics of the Royal Assets Eye Shadow sets and Lip Sets soon!

Aren’t you glad it’s Wednesday? We’re halfway there, ya’ll! HOLD ON!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Makeup, Makeup, Skin Care, Product Reviews: MAC Holiday 2007 Finery Limited Edition Plum Lips, Lola Spellbound Palette, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

November 6th, 2007 by Karen 37 Comments

Stocking Stuffers Galore – More Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday Wishlist 2007
fussy-tabby-stocking-stuffer

My favorite part of holiday gift giving is getting fun stocking stuffers. Forget practical stuff like socks, underwear and dental floss. BLAH! I want fun makeup. Here are a few choice Holiday 2007 stuffers that the girls (and boys) in your life will dig.

More MAC Finery! Plum Lips – Oh La Lovely

Yesterday I posted some pictures of Coral Lips, my favorite group out of MAC’s Limited Edition Finery sets. Here are a few pics of the Plum Lips set, which comes a close second.

mac-finery-plum-lips-holiday-2007-contessa

mac-finery-plum-ultra-madam

mac-finery-plum-lips-ultra-madame-contessa

mac-finery-plum-culture-class-frost

mac-finery-plum-culture-class-contessa

By far the stand out lippie here is Culture Class, a rich plum frost. I especially love it with a layer of Contessa Lipglass.

If you’re waffling between the two sets then I’d suggest looking at what colors you have missing in your lipstick collection. The Coral Lips set is definitely my favorite, but because I have so many coral colors I’d probably skip the set and go for the Plum.

In addition to being super cute, the lil’ tweed clutch is actually really handy! I put a compact and lipstick in one yesterday and popped it in my purse. Yes, I do see the irony of putting a little purse in a big purse but I was able to find my lipstick THAT much quicker.

Each set is $32.00. Buy a set for yourself and another one for your sister-in-law or best gal pal.

Lola Holiday 2007 Spellbound Palette – For the Glamour Girl

lol-holiday-2007-spellbound-palette

Lola’s Spellbound Color Clutch ($38.00) is one of the most beautiful palettes this Holiday season. It’s very vintage and 40s looking, with a pretty velvet design and rhinestone accent. You get: a mirror, three lip glosses, two crÃ¨me blushes and 18 shadow shades in coordinating pans.

This palette gives a makeup newbie all she needs for plenty of fun hours of experimentation. Plus, it’s so handy and portable and hello, really super cute. The stand-outs are the crÃ¨me blushes and lipglosses. They wear well and feel great on my cheeks and lips.

Your favorite niece or closest cousin will love it!

Bye, Bye, Dry! Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream RULES

elizabeth-arde-eight-hour-cream

My skin in the wintertime becomes a mess of alligator-esque, ashy dryness. I just discovered Elizabeth’s Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and THANK JEEBUS! Now I can’t live without it.

I’m not the only one who loves it. The Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is so great that it recently won an Allure Beauty award. Unlike lame-o Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (puke!) which wins every year for no good reason, Eight Hour Cream really deserves the title.

It’s thick and rich (I barely have to use any) but it sinks into the skin easily and doesn’t leave an oily film. It has a slightly herbal, unisex smell that you’ll either love it or hate. I don’t mind it so much because the product leaves me completely moisturized, and my skin feels soft all day. No scaly, itchy, or uncomfortable legs, hooray! It’s really all that and a bag of Cheetoes, people!

The Hand Cream is now a staple in my purse. Like the Body Treatment, it’s rich and moisturizing and doesn’t leave your hands feeling slick or oily.

Put this in everybody’s stocking. Your favorite metrosexual will forever be in your debt.

One huge 6.8 oz tube of Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Body Treatment is $25.00. The Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment is $17.00.

Need a Beauty Book Editor? Services fo’ Hire

Oh gawd! So yesterday I had all these plans to work on the blog but I got distracted by a little thing called sleep. I came home, sat on the couch, and next thing I knew it was eight or nine.

Anyway, I’m so glad that today is sunny. I am going to run a few errands, and then I get to read the manuscript of a beauty book that I’m working on for work. Yay! I’m so excited.

Hope your day has been fun so far! Doing anything exciting?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Makeup, Product Reviews: MAC Holiday 2007 Finery Limited Edition Coral, Tan and Plum Lips

November 5th, 2007 by Karen 16 Comments

Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday 2007 Holiday Wishlist 2007 Continues

WOOT! is the one word that describes MAC’s Finery Limited Edition Lipstick and Gloss colleciton. You better hurry up and grab these beautiful sets, girlfriend. They are $32.00 each for a lil’ clutch bag, two lipsticks and one lipgloss. Here are a few pics to wet your whistle; check back later today for more detailed reviews and info. I gotta go and earn my keep! See you soon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

mac-finery-plum-tan-coral-lips-holiday-2007-all

mac-finery-plum-tan-coral-lips-holiday-2007-all-2

Finery Coral Lips – My Favorite of the Bunch!

Mac-finery-coral-lips-holiday-2007-aristo-chic-lustre-lipstick

mac-finery-coral-lips-holiday-2007-ruling-class-frost-lipstick

mac-finery-coral-lips-holiday-2007-splendid!-lipglass

mac-finery-coral-lips-holiday-2007-ruling-class-splendid

mac-finery-coral-lips-holiday-2007-aristo-chic-splendid

Product Reviews, Makeup, Fragrance, Face of the Day (FOTD), Just for Fun – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume; Clinique Holiday 2007 Happy & Bright Makeup; Weekly Beauty Roundup; Chanel Holiday 2007 Palettes and Glosses

November 4th, 2007 by Karen 26 Comments

More Holiday Wish List 2007 – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume

elizabeth-arder-mediterranean

It’s been months since I’ve gone surfing and I miss being in the ocean. Just looking at the blue packaging and bottle for Elizabeth Arden’s Mediterranean perfume makes me feel like I’m in Hawaii, sitting on my board and waiting for the next wave to come and carry me away.

Aside from the beautiful bottle and packaging, the best part about this perfume is that the scent isn’t too heavy or cloying. Mediterranean is described on the Elizabeth Arden Web site as a “radiant woody floral.” Imagine a hybrid between the best parts of Fresh’s Lemon Sugar perfume and Covet.

When I spray it on I get an initial burst that’s lemony and white floral. It then dries down to a light, black tea scent. On me Mediterranean smells gender neutral and not overly feminine or sweet.

If you have a girlfriend, sister or mom who likes perfumes that aren’t too sweet then she’ll love this. It would also be a great gift for a friend who loves beachy scents but doesn’t like strong “tropical” notes like pikake or tuberose.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle you see in the pic above is $47.50, but for the holidays Elizabeth Arden’s got a special set that includes the 1.7 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray, Body Lotion and a wee Eau de Parfum replica for $52.00. Don’t you love the extra goodies in gifts sets? I sure do.

A Holiday 2007 Face of the Day with Clinique’s “Happy & Bright” Makeup

Here’s a face of the day I did with Clinique’s Holiday 2007 “Happy & Bright” makeup. What do you think?

fotd-clinique-happy-bright-110307-closeup

fotd-clinique-happy-bright-holiday-2007-110307-eye

I used the pink shade farthest on the left all over the lid, then the peach shade to highlight the browbone and inner eye. I put the lighter brown shade in the crease and used the darker brown on the far right to line the top and bottom. Then I finished it off with two coats of BECCA The Ultimate Mascara in Black.

clinique-pink-truffle-quad

On the cheeks I used the lightest touch of MAC’s Dollymix blush with Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony layered on top.
clinique-fresh-bloom-peony

I finished the look off with Raspberry Glace Different Lipstick and Camisole Full Potential Lipglass on the lips.

fotd-clinique-happy-bright-holiday-2007-110307

I really love these colors. They are buildable and pretty much mistake proof. My next Clinique Holiday 2007 mission: use the Pink Truffle quad to create a gentle smoky eye!

Weekend Reading Just For You

Your weekend isn’t over yet! Here’s the latest beauty buzz from The Beauty Blog Network.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic – Christine Explains how Antioxidants Work
A Touch of Blusher – All About Japanese Cosmetics
All Lacquered Up – All Lacquered Up Reviews OPI’s Holiday in Hollywood Dazzling Darks & Neutrals
Beauty and Fashion Tech – Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Homemade rich nail cream
Etailers Mall – The Blog – PlumSmoke
Face Candy – Bridal Beauty
Makeup Moxie’s Beauty Blog – Makeup Moxie Reviews Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
Musings of a Muse – The Muse’s First Look at the Sephora 2007 Catalog
Mystical Beauty’s Musings – How do you feel about your makeup talking to you?
Savvy Skin – Skimpy Thinning Eyebrows
SugarShock – Fragrance Notes: Factory Girl
Temptalia – MAC Curiositease Review, Swatches, and Photos!
Makeup Loves Me – Refreshing Facial at Fresh

And oooh girl, I know you didn’t miss Makeup and Beauty Blog’s MAC Holiday 2007 Curiositease Lip Sets: What to buy, What to pass up!

A Few More Random Thangs Currently Up in My Grill

Because the world is constantly moving toward randomness…here are few tidbits that have crossed my radar in the last few days.

In definance to all the laws of the universe, somehow Christian Bale came SECOND PLACE to Wentworth Miller in Entertainment Weekly’s Ultimate Hottie Poll, BOO!

That’s okay, I’ll comfort you, Chris
bale

I saw this kid dancing on “The Soup” and I laughed for about 10 minutes straight. I kept rewinding and laughing, rewinding and laughing. He’s my hero.

Not that I need any more TV in my life, but Torchwood on BBC is FANTASTIC. Tivo it, yo!

What’s My Motivation?

Today I was in an infinitely better mood then yesterday because last night I slept twelve hours. No joke. Every moment of sleep was like manna from the heavens. Ahhhh!

In between working it out at the gym and watching the Colts and Patriots game (that Tom Brady is HAWT!) I thought of all the stuff I have to get done this week that I just don’t want to do.

tom-brady

“Hmmm,” I thought, “What’s the ultimate form of motivation? What’s gonna make me want to go the extra mile to get all this craptacular crapola done?”

The answer? C to the H to the A to the N to the E to the L.

The reward for finishing my first project…
chanel-gloss

And the second…
chanel-camelias

And the third…
chanel-palette

The moral of this story? A little Chanel bribery goes a long, long way.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Product Reviews, Makeup, Fragrance – Clinique Holiday 2007 Color; Happy Ready-to-Personalize Perfume Spray

November 3rd, 2007 by Karen 16 Comments

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s that time of year again. It’s time to bust out the stretchy pants (â€˜cause I can’t say no to that second helping of mashed potatoes, yo). It’s time to display gourds of various shapes and sizes around the house. It’s also time for makeup junkies across the land to revel in the realm of “Where’d My Paycheck Go?” because of all the limited edition holiday sets that makeup companies roll out during this time.

There are palettes, gift sets and perfumes galore. Can’t decide on what to get for the makeup lover in your life? Don’t worry, girl, I got your back. For the next two weeks I’ll be featuring several drool-worthy palettes, limited edition sets and perfumes in Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday Wishlist 2007. And shhhh…I promise not to tell if you get a lil’ something for yourself.

Clinique-holiday-2007-all

Smile for the Camera, Pretty! Clinique Happy Pefume Custom Photo Bottle Rules

Five things that make me happy:

1. Getting enough sleep.
2. Warm chocolate chip cookies.
3. Having a good writing day when I feel like PURE GENIUS pours forth from my fingertips.
4. The scent of fresh cut flower stems.
5. Clinique’s Happy Perfume Custom Photo Bottle

Hello, awesomeness. Clinique’s got an online service this year where they take your favorite picture and replicate it on a huge bottle of their citrus-y and youthful scent, Happy. Here’s the skinny on how it works.

Find a picture that means something special to you or to the person you are going to give the gift to. I used this picture from my wedding:
clinique-happy-personalized-perfume-spray-original-picture

I wanted a photo that brought up good memories and feelings. And I figured that the orange rose would accent the orange “happy” font on the front of the bottle. You don’t really have to worry about matching the font, but I’m a design freakazoid, so I wanted something that would be in harmony with the overall package.

Another pic with a most excellent orange accent
midget-mac-happy

Log onto the clinique Web site to start your customization process!

You then follow a series of easy-to-follow instructions. When you’re done, you get your personalized bottle in 10 business days. Each is $52.00.

Voila!
clinique-happy-personalized-perfume-spray

Perfume is a really personal gift so I’d buy this for a friend who I knew liked citrus scents. Can’t decide which picture to use? Here are a few cute ideas:

— You and your friend during a special event, like a wedding or vacation you took together.
— A favorite pet or cartoon character.
— Something that reflects your friend’s personal interest or hobbies. Say she’s saving for a trip to France — submit a picture of the Eiffel Tower.
— A picture of her favorite hot guy, heh heh heh!

Never you mind the 20 foot of rope homeboy is carrying
christian-bale-happy

Just make sure that the picture is in jpg format, less than 4.0 MB and be 800 pixels on the shortest side.

If you’re planning on getting hitched then this would be a fantastic bridesmaids gift! Put a picture of you and your â€˜maids on a bottle and give it as a thank you gift on your big day.

Clinique Holiday Looks 2007 – Touches of Golden Elixer
clinique-holiday-2007-touches-golden-elixer-model

Clinique’s two color sets for Holiday 2007 are inspired by their perfumes, Aromatics Elixer and Happy.

The first theme, “Touches of Golden Elixer,” has warm golden and bronze tones. It’s elegant and regal, and reminds me of a golden Greek goddess surrounded by men peeling her grapes and fanning her with feathers.

clinique-holiday-2007-golden-elixer-all

I like the:

Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom, $29.50. This tawny and nude highlighter is almost too pretty to use. Use it to on cheeks, nose, chin and forehead to get a heavenly glow.
clinique-fresh-bloom-allover-color-closeup

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Allspice, $25.00. If you collect the Colour Surge Quads then be sure to snatch this up because it’s a limited edition. You get four warm tones that easily mix and match to create the perfect golden look. Some hard core MAC Pigment lovers may find these shadows too sheer, but I actually really like the buildable color and creamy texture. A very beginner-friendly palette!
clinique-holiday-2007-allspice-colour-surge-shadow-quad

Brush–On Cream Liner in Bronze, $14.50. I can’t get enough of gel liners! This limited edition shimmery-bronze is a versatile color you can use for work-friendly day or dramatic night looks.

Colour Surge Lipstick, $14.00. A bronze lippie with lots of intense color. The lazy beast in me likes this because I can just slap it on and go.

clinique-holiday-2007-touches-golden-elixer-swatches

Get this set for your mom or your favorite aunt! She’ll love it.

Happy & Bright – Perfect for Your Baby Sister!

clinique-happy-bright-model

clinique-holiday-2007-happy-bright-all

The second look, Happy & Bright, is young, festive and fresh. The cool-toned colors are fun and perfect for a party!

Get big sis points with:

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Pink Truffle (Limited Edition), $25.00
Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony, $29.50
Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glace, $14.00
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Camisole, $17.50
clinique-holiday-2007-happy-bright-swatches

So last night I decided to get a little extra boost before my nightly gym weight workout by drinking a cup of coffee at 5. Um, bad idea. I usually don’t drink coffee after 1:00; otherwise I can’t fall asleep. Here’s what I learned last night before I drifted off into dreamland at 4:00 a.m.

1. Weird people go to Safeway late at night on a Friday. Granted I was there, too, which technically would make me weird as well, but hey. If you can’t beat them…

2. There are a lot of blogs out there. There are a lot of crazy people out there. There are a lot of crazy people with blogs. These blogs get really funny at about 2:45 a.m.

3. It’s not a good idea to put on a purifying clay mask at 3:30. Should you perchance fall asleep at 4:00, then you’ll get all kinds of crap on your pillowcase. Not good.

Anyway, I’m going to spend the rest of the day in chill mode. Hope your Saturday has been relaxing and fun so far!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MAC Makeup, Makeup Reviews: MAC Curiositease Softsparkle Pencils; 5 Warm Pigments and Glitter; 5 Cool Pigments and Glitter

November 2nd, 2007 by Karen 15 Comments

Curiositease, Part Deux!

I hate to be your pusher but you know you love it, you need it, you want it… okay get your mind out of the gutter, dirty birdy. I’m talking about the MAC Curiositease Holiday 2007 collection, which drops on November 15. If you’ve got some holiday shopping to do, then put the Softsparkle Eye Pencils, Warm Pigments and Glitter and Cool Pigments and Glitter sets on your list!

A Fab Gift For Your Teenager or Your Fave Party Girl

Got a teenage daughter, a girlfriend who loves to hit the clubs or a fellow makeup junkie that can’t get enough sparkle? These sets are great gifts for the glitter girl in your life!

If you really want the rad mom o’ the year award spring for *both* the warm and cool Pigment and Glitter sets. Each $29.50 set contains five jars of Pigment and Glitter. Don’t be put off by the small jars, because there is plenty of product here (a lil’ bit of pigment goes a long way). Buy both sets and your lucky girl will get a good amount of product, 10 colors to work with, and two pretty keepsake containers to store them in.

Still rocking it out at the club? You need your wing-woman to look as cute as you, so give your best clubbing buddy the Softsparkle Eye Pencils ($29.50), which are perfect for your late nights on the town together. The five pencils are all wrapped up in cute Curiositease packaging. Just put a bow on top and then give that bad boy to her!

MAC Curiositease 5 Softsparkle Eye Pencils – $29.50

mac-curiositease-5-softsparkle-eye-pencil-all

MAC Curiositease 5 Warm Pigments and Glitter

mac-curiositease-5-warm-pigments-glitter-all
mac-curiositease-5-warm-glitter-pigment-swatches

MAC Curiositease 5 Cool Pigments and Glitter

mac-curiositease-5-cool-pigments-glitter-all
mac-curiositease-5-cool-glitter-pigment-swatches

I Don’t Shop at Wet Seal Anymore, Yo

I like these sets but don’t love them as much as the Curiositease Lipglass and Lustreglass sets. My biggest issue is that it’s too sparkle motion for my 32-year old ass. I’m bitter, I don’t wear midriff-bearing shirts and I have not purchased anything from Wet Seal since the 90s. Glitter in large doses does not speak to my soul. (I’m just kidding about the bitter part. Kind of.)

Anyway, if you’re thinking about purchasing one of the sets for yourself then I’d recommend the Cool Pigment and Glitter set. The colors were the most exciting and vibrant, especially Forest Green and Naval Blue.

Today is a WONDERFUL FRIDAY! It’s my first day off in two weeks, no joke. I spent the day writing, relaxing, and I even had the chance to go to yoga class, hooray! I really do hope that on this gorgeous afternoon you get the chance to go out, soak up some sun and work what your momma gave you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen