Since returning from his vacation last week, Tabs has been a terror around the house. He stays up all night long partying and picking fights with the neighborhood cat thugs. He even has another scar on his nose! I can’t bear to see that gorgeous face get scratched up…

Here are a few new pictures of Tabs the Terrible doing what he does best: nothing at all! Click here to view the gallery.

Nars Super Orgasm Blush: Less Glitter, Please

“All awkward name issues aside, I have to give Super Orgasm props. It begets cheeks with a perfect, just-pinched, shimmery peach color. Super Orgasm Blush would totally be the stuff of legend if it weren’t for one flaw — massive, meteoric chunks of golden glitter.”

Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal in Plum By Night Brings the Hawtness

“For once Tabs wasn’t the sexiest thing in the house. Today the honor went to Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal in Plum By Night ($23.50), one of two limited edition glosses from the Givenchy Holiday 2008 collection. A dark, shimmery berry shade with multi-colored glitter that’s oh-so-very fine, this cream gloss not only looks pretty, but also feels fabulous on the lips.”

5 More Makeup and Beauty Tips from Paris Hilton

“When it comes to makeup, Paris loves lipgloss. This time last year she was all about Chanel Glossimer in Astral. Before that, it was MAC Lipglass in Prrr, but lately she’s been lovin’ on Laura Mercier Liquid Crystal Lipgloss in Citrine, a bright golden coral.”

MAC Smokey Eye Tutorial: Halloween Flashback

“Hey, ladies! On Halloween some of you asked for a tutorial describing the MAC Smokey Eyes look I wore to dinner. I was in the mood for MAC today, so I thought I’d give it a try. It’s heavy on MAC products, but you could definitely use similar products from other brands.”

OMG! Bed, Bath & Beyond Goes Major Makeup

“We were just about ready to leave the store when I turned a corner and there, before my starstruck eyes, was a sight of such profound beauty that I almost dropped the shower caddy and slipcover I was cradling in my arms. What I saw was the biggest makeup and beauty department I’ve seen outside a MAC or Sephora in quite some time…”

Yves Saint Laurent: A Career Retrospective

“I played hooky earlier this week and drove into San Francisco to visit the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park. The museum has on display a new exhibit featuring a career retrospective of clothing designer Yves Saint Laurent, who passed away on June 1 of this year.”

Bobbi Brown Copper Diamond and Party: Bobbi vs. Bobby

“If there’s a season to go crazy for shimmery glitter-full makeup, then this has got to be it. Even reserved, conservative lines like Bobbi Brown get in on the action. This month Bobbi debuts two glitzy new collections — Copper Diamond and Party, and both are high on shimmer, glitter and metallic finishes.”

Dior Sparkle Shine Glitter Top Coat For Lips Gets the Party Started

“There are those rare times, though, when a truly dynamic glitter gloss takes my breath away. That magical feeling swept over me when I first marveled at Dior Sparkle Shine Glitter Top Coat for Lips ($24.50), a limited edition lipgloss from the Dior Night Diamond holiday collection.”

43 Things I’m Thankful For: The Non-Makeup Edition

“I scribbled these down in my notebook on the plane ride back from Florida last night. It was a rough ride. There was heavy turbulence flying over the Gulf of Mexico, and every time the plane would knock my head against the back of my seat, I’d get another idea for the list.”

Aussie Opposites Attract Shampoo Does Double Duty as a Fast, Cheap Brush Cleaner

“…Aussie Opposites Attract Shampoo worked great! Caked on concealer, dried gel liner, crusty cream shadow (eww) — it removed even the most stubborn makeup, breaking up the product within seconds. And the suds rinsed out quickly, too.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Well, cover me in jewels, and bring my royal scepter because the regal shades of rich purple, deep ruby and gold make the Essie Winter 2008 collection ($8 each) a royal tour de force!

The colors remind me of His Royal Purpleness, Prince, from the height of Purple Rain fame.

Bold and Beautiful: creamy ruby red
Damsel in a Dress: creamy deep berry
It’s Genius: shimmery purple with gold flecks
Rock Star Skinny: creamy blood red
Sexy Divide: shimmery violet
Shift Power: metallic gold

Continue Reading…

In five short years the Garnier Fructis hair care brand from L’Oreal has become a giant in the $5 billion US shampoo, conditioning and styling category, ranking as the number two brand overall. Next month, the company launches seven new products and, according to Garnier Assistant Vice President Mario Aragon, becomes the first mass range (read: $budget$) to target wavy hair.

The new Wonder Waves shampoo and conditioner are supposed to strengthen and promote wave retention throughout the day. The styling products — a mousse and a spray — will provide lightweight control and definition. Priced at $3.99 SRP each (daaAAaamn!), the shampoo and conditioner weigh in at 13 oz., while the mousse will come in a 6.8 oz. can. Expect the hair spray in an 8.5 oz. pump.

I can’t wait to give these a try, even though I don’t expect them to set the world on fire. I’m just glad to see they’re priced accordingly and take the economy into consideration.

And in January Garnier releases some new volumizing products. The company says the new Fructis Body Boost Fortifying Shampoo and Body Boost Fortifying Conditioner will pack lightweight formulations to add volume with a relaxed effect. Like the new Wonder Waves products, they’ll be priced at $3.99 SRP each (big 13 oz. bottles), and a companion product, Fructis Style Full Control Mousse, will complement the volumizing shampoo and conditioner with lightweight control formulated for all hair types. It, too, will cost just $3.99 (for 6.8 oz.).

I like what Garnier is doing as far as their pricing model… It’s easy to remember. Rather than fluctuating the prices of their different products, they alter the quantity while maintaining the same $3.99 price point, so the most costly products still cost $3.99 but come in a smaller container.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Globe Trotting Cats!

Artist and mother Lisa M. Dalton started The Travel Kitty Project to teach her son geography and to help people share travel stories.

Travel Kitties are small stuffed animals Lisa sews by hand (soo cute) and sells on Etsy. People bring their Travel Kitties along with them on trips and take pictures of them posing with landmarks, ha! I love it! You can follow their adventures on the Travel Kitty Blog.

Really, Japan?

I love the colors and composition of photographer Ruben Frosali’s work. He really makes Japan come alive in his shots. A few of my favorites: We’re Meant to Be Together, Donnie Darko Tokyo and Japanese Man Hairstyle.

Sci-Fi Makeup

Satellite 3‘s spacey makeup merges sci-fi packaging with makeup colors inspired by heavenly bodies like planets, stars and comets. Beam me UP, Scotty!

Booming Budget Salons

Even when the economy goes to sh*t, women will still find ways to get their facials, eyelash extensions and blow outs. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all. Former regulars to pricey salons and spas like Bliss have started migrating to budget-friendly beauty salons like Feet Island and Sai Kay 21 (great names!).

Goin’ Gray

I haven’t worn a gray nail polish in years, but this I gotta try — check out these shades from Carolyn New York. I’m getting the itch to go gray!

Happy day after turkey day! Gobble, gobble…

Whew! Today was hectic. I had to pick up Tabs from the kitty hotel today because they were closed yesterday. He seems fine, a little needier than usual, but I think it’s kinda sweet. I like to think he misses me.

After getting Tabs I caught up on some blogging and resisted the urge to hit the stores for Black Friday. I did do some online window shopping, though, loading up shopping carts at Sephora, Old Navy and J. Crew, but I chickened out and closed my browser without pulling the trigger.

Hope you had a great day!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen