I hesitate when it comes to trying shimmery body products because walking around with sparkly skin holds no appeal to me, but my curiosity won out when I picked up Olay Body Wash Plus with Tone Enriching Ribbons ($5).

Olay claims the product contains things called mica minerals to add “tone enriching” shimmer to skin while delivering “deep moisture.” My skin always feels drier than shredded wheat, so I gave it a try.

I’d half hoped wondered if the shimmer would leave me looking like I’d just come home from a rave circa 1992.

Since the product’s big selling point is the shimmer, I expected to see some on my skin, but no such luck. I couldn’t see even the faintest glow — no glitter, no shimmer, nada.

I wanted to make sure it wasn’t due to my darker skin tone, so I had El Hub, who’s lighter than I am, give it a try.

Same thing. I couldn’t see any difference on his skin, either (although I give thanks every time something prompts El Hub to clean).

Continue Reading…

What’s the biggest risk you ever took with your hair?

Mine was right after a traumatic breakup in 1999. On a heartbreak whim I asked my stylist to chop my long black hair, which was down to my elbows, into a chin-length layered style with the ends flipped out.

But because that wasn’t enough of a change to purge my emotional demons, I went back the following week and asked for chunky red highlights.

I remember how liberating it felt to transform my look. It was like letting go of all of that hair somehow unloaded the baggage of my failed relationship.

Of course, I also remember how much of a pain-in-the-arse it was to grow out the new cut, LOL! I hate how my hair feels when it’s in that mid-length stage, creeping down the back of my neck.

What’s the biggest risk you ever took with your hair? Let me know in the comments. And try your luck with the Makeup and Beauty Blog slot machine (click the BET MAX button to play). Have fun and good luck!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What are some of your favorite MAC eyeshadow combinations for work or play? Are there any you find yourself reaching for all the time? — partnerships that work so well for you that you wear them over and over again?

Here are a few of the MAC eyeshadow combos I wear A LOT (click for the video).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Looks like we made it through another week, ladies.

For lunch today I met a friend in San Francisco, and the two of us hit up this Thai food place called Tara. It was hours ago, but I’m still stuffed.

I had a dish called Pad Kee Mao, which has flat noodles, green beans, and in this case shrimp in a super spicy sauce. My lips were burning up! — but they looked even hotter than they felt thanks to Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Pop Pink ($18.50).

From the new Bronze Goddess collection, Pop Pink looks hella bright in the tube, but don’t let that scur you. She leaves a shiny, semi-sheer rosy pink on the lips.

Much like Prescriptives LipShines and MAC Slimshine lipsticks, Pure Color Gloss Sticks are packaged like lipsticks but shine like a gloss.

In terms of texture, Pop Pink feels light and slick, a dead ringer for the texture of MAC Cremesheen, which I love.

And like most Estee Lauder lip products, Pure Color Gloss Sticks are unflavored (but have a light floral scent).

I’m lovin’ Pop Pink! She’s such a casual Friday lip. There’s enough pink to pull the look together, but the sheerness and shine keep it on the relaxed side. I would totally wear it with dark jeans, a suit blazer and heels.

Some ladies feel pink lips are just for summer, but I think they look great all year round.

Whew! It’s been a long week. I hope whatever you do tonight involves lipstick (even if you’re just watching TV on the couch).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The mission: to duplicate Freida Pinto’s SAG 2009 makeup look!

This time around (check out my previous attempt), I added a drugstore makeup twist.

Version 2.0 relies on some Neutrogena products, like the Nourishing Eye Duo in Starry Night ($9), an eyeshadow duo with two shimmery shades of blue.

The first time I tried this look, I ended up with a bright teal eye with a crisp black eyeliner. For Version 2.0, I decided to aim for a shimmery grayish blue on the lid. I think it’s a little closer to Freida’s original look than my last try.

Continue Reading…