The vibrant blues, greens and purples that make up the NARS Eyeshadow Duo family (hello, Rated R!) make it easy to overlook the gorgeous neutrals in the line.

Case in point: Kalahari ($35).

Part of the permanent collection, it’s one of my all-time François faves. Both of its shimmery shades — the golden peachy bronze and rich cocoa brown — excel at brightening up tired eyes, imparting a natural glow to lids that never looks overdone, and helping me fake a good night’s sleep.

Without Kalahari in my life, I’d probably look 200 times more tired, LOL!

Shimmery golden, peachy bronze on the left; cocoa brown on the right

These are shades I like to pat on my lids with a flat shadow brush when I’m pressed for time but still want a polished look, and I’ll just use a finger to blend them into the crease. Then, if I have a couple minutes to spare, I’ll line my eyes (both Urban Decay Bourbon and MAC Powersurge play well with these shades), and apply two coats of mascara.

Tada! An easy peasy way to look reasonably well put together.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I promise I’ll write you

Did you know that some gals carry hot sauce in their purses? It’s true! I saw an episode of Cheaters where a woman busted out her own personal bottle of Tabasco sauce at a restaurant. Her dedication inspired me — in an unrelated but equally silly way — to start carrying cuticle oil with me everywhere I go.

Why cuticle oil?

Because I wash my hands, a lot. Consequently, my cuticles look like shredded carrots, and regular hand lotion just wasn’t cutting it.

But then disaster struck when a bottle of cuticle oil accidentally opened in my purse… Oily phone = beauty grouch.

It put an end to my cuticle carrying until I came across this little miracle at Sephora last weekend: Sephora Brand Cuticle Pen ($12).

What is it?

Perhaps not surprisingly, it’s a click pen filled with moisturizing cuticle oil.

It comes in three different flavors — Healing Eucalyptus, Stimulating Lavander and Original. I have it in Original, which moisturizes and softens with shea butter and the oils of Aloe vera, jojoba, apricot and evening primrose.

As you can probably imagine, it’s not complicated to operate. Just twist the bottom of the click pen to deploy the oil through the brush at the opposite end, and paint with the oil-soaked tip directly on your cuticles.

Brush it good… brush it REAL good

Continue Reading…

1. Mood:

Unusually calm for a Monday… We’ll see how long that lasts, LOL!

2. What’s your favorite body lotion at the moment?

I’m fickle when it comes to body lotions and rarely stick with the same one for long, but last week was all about Vaseline Sheer Infusion. Over the weekend I started crushing hard on Olay In-Shower Moisturizer — a *powerful* enabler of laziness (review coming soon!).

3. Yay or nay for ankle booties?

Yay with skinny jeans or leggings.

4. Are you a creative person?

It depends on my general well-being from day to day. On bad days, your average piece of cold, greasy bacon has more imagination than I do.

5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:

It’s a NARS kinda day. I’m going with the Kalahari Duo (LURVE!) on my eyes, Sweet Revenge Lipgloss on my pucker and the Portofino/Malibu Multiple Duo on my cheeks.

6. Are there any beauty items on your holiday wish list?

I’m thinking about hand delivering my list to Santa at the mall to make sure he gets it. On the list so far — the NARS I Want You Lip Gloss Set and Chanel Professional Makeup Brush Set.

7. How did you sleep?

Pretty well, mostly. I’ve had some insomnia lately, but I took a sleeping pill before bed last night , and that helped. With the exception of one weird dream (I ran into Roger Sterling from Mad Men at the grocery store), I slept soundly through the night.

8. What are your plans for the upcoming holidays?

Home to visit our family in Hawaii, but I’ll be back in the Bay by New Year’s Eve. On that note, does anyone know much about pet sitting services? Any things to know before I look around? King Tubby Tabs will need an assistant while I’m out of the office.

9. Outfit:

Stretchy dark jeans with a black t-shirt and brown sweater.

10. Weekly goals:

Get a small Christmas tree, go running at least three times before Saturday, and find a kitty sitter/executive assistant for Tabs.

It’s hard getting back to the grind after a long weekend, isn’t it? I’m determined to make this a good day, though.

I was chatting with a friend last night about ruts and routine tasks, and how they tend to overtake life. It’s not always easy to see the forest through the trees… I told myself that today, if I start feeling overwhelmed, I’m gonna take a step back and remind myself to keep everything in perspective.

If you have a sec, pop in and let me know what’s shaking in your land of milk and honey. Just copy the list below, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le list

1. Mood:
2. What’s your favorite body lotion at the moment?
3. Yay or nay for ankle booties?
4. Are you a creative person?
5. Eyes/lips/cheeks:
6. Any beauty items on your wish list?
7. How did you sleep?
8. What are your plans for the holidays?
9. Outfit:
10. Weekly goals:

Do you believe there’s power in positive thinking? I think there is, and I’m positive we’re going to have a great week (assuming we make it through Monday, ha!).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen