Becca Jewel Dust in Mazikeen, $24.
Do you do purples?
by Karen 9 Comments
Becca Jewel Dust in Mazikeen, $24.
Do you do purples?
by Karen 52 Comments
This cracks me up. Note: I can totally do the dance move the girl hamsters do at the 48 second mark, haha!
A little frazzled but otherwise good. I have about a million things to do before we leave and not enough time in the day. This third (!) cup of coffee should help power me through it nicely.
My health, my family’s health (Tabs included), you (I don’t say this nearly enough, but thanks for reading the site!) and the opportunities that popped up this year to cover neat stories (namely this and that).
I live with a furry boarder who resides in the condo rent-free. He hogs the bed and the couch and insists on premium gravy. I don’t think he considers himself a “pet,” but rather a master of the humans who surround him. 😉
Depends. On my best nights, eight to 10. During the bad insomnia phases (like now, ugh!), about five or six.
If somebody could invent a cream to remove the dark circles beneath my eyes, erase the wrinkles on my neck and lift my rapidly falling bum, that would be GREAT!
While there are many gems to choose from, the time I had really bad gas and accidentally let one rrrrrrip in a quiet room full of sixth graders watching a National Geographic special on Mayan culture really stands out.
Probably Sex and the City, but a new show I’ve been watching, The League, is starting to gain ground.
I don’t mind a brush if it’s soft and precise (a la the Chanel Aqualumieres), but if given a choice I’d go for doe foot.
When did this become socially acceptable? Please refrain from wearing your flannel Curious George pajama bottoms outside the home.
Manage my time wisely today and tomorrow, run at least five times this week, find a good spa on Oahu to visit (got any recs?) and relax!
‘Twas the Monday before Thanksgiving, and all through the house not a tabby was stirring… well, not really. Tabs is going cray-cray right now. I know he’s gonna have a great time with his pet sitter, but it’s still not the same as spending time with his mom and dad human subordinates. I miss him already!
To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.
1. Mood:
2. What are you thankful for this year?
3. Do you have a pet?
4. How many hours do you sleep at night?
5. What beauty invention do you wish someone would invent?
6. Your most embarrassing moment?
7. Your all-time favorite TV show?
8. Lipgloss applicators — brush or doe foot?
9. Pajama pants in public: fashion forward or faux pas?
10. Weekly goals:
Are ya all stocked up for Thursday? I see some carb-laden leftovers in my future, and it’s a glorious sight! 😀
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
by Karen 61 Comments
Tabs is like an enigma wrapped in a chubby, fur-covered riddle. I learn something new about him every day. Like, today I found out that he worked on a fishing boat in Alaska one summer to save money for modeling school. 🙂 Who knew?
Here are some other things you may not know about Tabs. He…
by Karen 28 Comments
STEAMCREAM, a relatively new company that just made its way over to the U.S. this fall, launched first in Japan back in 2007. It’s been building up steam ever since, zipping from Japan over to the U.K., and now over to us here.
Their entire catalog consists of one product — an $18 face, body and hand moisturizer made with what they call their “steam-infused manufacturing process.”
We use STEAM during the manufacturing process to bind ingredients together in a process called emulsification… STEAMCREAM’s emulsion is held together very loosely allowing each ingredient to break down to its purest form on contact with the skin for maximum moisturization.
The product, which is vegan as well as cruelty-free, comes in a cute 2.6-oz. collectible tin, so it’s also TSA approved. Being collectible, the tin comes in different designs, and the one I have is called Kaleidoscope.
The very first item on the ingredient list is oatmeal, known for its soothing and hydrating properties, but there are also parabens listed among the natural and plant-derived compounds, which I find a little odd. I guess they couldn’t figure out a way to leave ’em out. For what it’s worth, they appear way down at the bottom of the list, which should imply they’re here in low quantities.
by Karen 8 Comments
Rise and shine, morning glory. That’s what my mother-in-law says to gently nudge people up in the morning. She quietly whispers, “rise and shine, morning glory.” It’s definitely a kinder sound to get up to than a bleeping alarm clock, am I right?
Other than continuing to get ready for our trip to Hawaii this week, I don’t have a lot planned for today, but it would be nice to go for a walk.
What’s shakin’ out yonder way, and how was your week? Did you get any good makeup or beauty stuff or learn something new? Let’s see… I asked a friend to bring me back a bottle of Chanel polish in Riva from Las Vegas, where she saw it on a family trip. Getting Riva was probably the beauty highlight of my week.
No, not probably — it WAS the beauty highlight of my week. 🙂
CHANEL RIVA
LE VERNIS NAIL COLOUR
Um, can you say swoon? I’ve been dying — DYING! — to see the new Chanel Nail Lacquer in Riva ($27) ever since it popped up on the runway at the Chanel Cruise fashion show last May. I’ve lusted over Riva more than I’ve lusted over the abs of the official “Sexiest Man Alive,” aka Ryan Reynolds. Needless to say, that’s, um, a lot of lust.
The limited edition shade just launched online and in select Chanel stores as part of the five-piece Chanel Cote D’Azur resort collection. Also included in the release are four Rouge Coco lipsticks in Sari Dore, Perle, Taffetas Rose and Chintz ($30 each). Read more…
$2 NYC ULTRA
LAST LIPSTICKS
I seriously cannot believe these NYC New York Color Ultra Last LipWear lipsticks are just $2. TWO DOLLARS!
Like Trader Joe’s Two-Buck Chuck, (I think) these are worth way more than their price implies. I’m talkin’ hidden drugstore gems.
I didn’t expect much from the three tubes I bought on a whim last weekend, but what a pleasant surprise. Opaque, pretty colors, a smooth texture, a hydrating formula and a high-shine finish? WOW!
Wear time’s been pretty good (about five hours), and they’ve been able to withstand gin-n-juice sips of water, but they don’t really tolerate meals.
Tabs gives ‘em two paws way up for being both drugstore AND cruelty-free, and I give them two thumbs up for not having an (ob)noxious taste or scent (I’m talking to YOU, NYX Beautiful).
To top it all off, they come in 20 shades! The perfectly named Berry Rich is my favorite of the three I got.
And it makes lips sing sonnets paired with purple eye looks. 🙂 Read more…
THE MUD
CARES PALETTE
Would you like to give a gift this year that really makes a difference in someone’s life? How about one that also happens to look as pretty as the new limited-edition MUD Cares Palette ($25)?
Every last cent (that’s 100%) from the sale of the new powder eyeshadow quad goes to the NextAid organization, a nonprofit assisting children in Africa who have been orphaned by AIDS.
Make-up Designory (MUD) stocked the palette with four warm, summery shades from their permanent line — Spanish Gold (a rich golden bronze), Dulce de Leche (an iridescent beige), Cashmere (a sparkling rosy beige) and Moss (a shimmery khaki green with golden undertones). Individually, the pans usually retail for $10 each, making $25 a great deal for the quad. Read more…
ULTRAFLESH
PANTHERA MASCARA
Take your seats, everyone, so we can call to order tonight’s meeting of the Feline Enthusiasts Club.
Okay, I won’t deny that the real reason I wanted to try the new Ultraflesh Panthera Mascara ($26) is because of tube. I don’t know if Ultraflesh designed it with cat ladies in mind, but it sure as heck worked on me.
The product is currently Ultraflesh’s (seriously, what’s up with that name?) one and only item, which I guess we could say recently “pounced” on the makeup scene, LOL! For now it’s available exclusively at Sephora. Read more…
CHANEL COTE D’AZUR
ROUGE COCO LIPSTICKS
I know it’s wrong and crazy, but it’s taking all of my willpower to resist painting Tabs’ claws with Chanel Riva Nail Colour.
And it’s a good thing cats don’t have lips…because if they did Tabs would already be wearing one of the four Rouge Coco Hydrating Lip Colours from the new Cote D’Azur Collection. 🙂
Despite the season, the small five-piece release (four lipsticks and the one polish) is actually a resort collection for Chanel, which explains why it feels so beachy and tropical.
Here are swatches of three of the four shades (I’m missing coral Sari Doré), Taffetas Rose (a shimmery magenta), Perle (a shimmery pinkish golden beige) and Chintz (a shimmery pinkish coral). All of them have the same smooth, moisturizing texture and plush pigments that define the Rouge Coco lipstick line. Read more…
MUD MAKE-UP DESIGNORY
ALL THAT SPARKLES HOLIDAY COLLECTION
Sometimes I don’t feel like going all out with my makeup. I don’t want to do anything with it — blend, shade, nada. I just want a look that’s simple and easy, and preferably still pretty.
That’s where the new MUD Make-Up Designory All That Sparkles Holiday Collection ($55) comes in.
MUD’s more than just a makeup line with cosmetics, tools and skin care in prices ranging from $10-30. It’s also a makeup school, which has been around for about 10 years, with branches in Los Angeles and New York.
So far I really like what I’ve seen from the brand. The sturdy, modern packaging isn’t fancy, but most of the colors are pretty suitable for everyday wear, unlike a lot of the really cra-zay-zay (but still very cool) colors over at Kryolan, another makeup school/line.
The limited edition All That Sparkles Holiday Collection, a set of products for eyes, lips and cheeks, comes in a palette of wearable pink, silver, violet, charcoal and beige that’s easy to dress up or dress down.
With the set, you also get a roomy, zip-up makeup bag. Read more…
$7 ALMAY INTENSE
I-COLOR TRIOS
Gosh, I haven’t worn any Almay makeup since — when was that? 1992?
I vaguely remember buying something from the line at a Thrifty’s where I cruised for makeup after school. There was something about the products looking kinda stiff and serious that I still remember today. It wasn’t the kind of makeup my friends and I were wearing to school. It was the stuff “grownups” were wearing to work in tall gray office buildings downtown.
But that was literally decades ago, and the line’s changed a lot over the past few years, becoming, dare I say, cooler. Or, maybe I’ve just gotten older, heh. 🙂
I like the new Almay’s easy, breezy vibe. Think Rite-Aid meets Trish McEvoy at the Bobbi Brown counter. It’s a “we take the guesswork out of it for ya!” approach to drugstore makeup, and apparently the line is also hypoallergenic and cruelty free, which Tabs describes as “hella dope” (his words). Read more…
BECCA BEACH TINT
HOLIDAY TRIO GIFT SET
Okay, so you know the Becca Beach Tints? Talk about makeup salvation for the lazy. They’re these multipurpose, oil-free, water-resistant creams for adding a hint of scented color to cheeks and lips. Not only are they easy to blend without streaks, but you can layer them beneath blushes, bronzers and lip gloss, too.
Tubes usually go for $25 a pop, but you can save a few bucks on them with the limited edition Becca Beach Tint Holiday Set ($63). It comes with three full-size Beach Tints in Watermelon (a pink from the permanent collection), Grapefruit (a coral from the permanent collection) and Apricot (a new limited edition peach).
And the scents are delicious! The Watermelon like watermelon, Grapefruit like grapefruit — you get the picture.
The Beach Tint Holiday Set’s expensive, but I could easily see these blushes becoming an every day staple because they’re so easy to apply and they stay on all day. If you’re the type of gal who’s always rushing out the door and you’re in the mood for a splurge, this could be the perfect excuse to treat yourself this holiday. Read more…
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Have you already planned out your Thanksgiving meal? If you still have room for another dish, there are dozens of delicious-sounding recipes in the comments on our T-giving recipe exchange (I had a dream about Jennifer’s pumpkin cheesecake).
by Karen 52 Comments
Becca Fallen Angel Palette: Lip & Cheek Creme in Nectar and Highlighter in Narcissus on cheeks; Lip Gloss in Sunrise on lips
Santa knows if you’ve been naughty or nice, but Becca wants you to be both. Their new Fallen Angel Collection, seven pieces for eyes, face and lips, brings a bit of sugar to your spice.
Tawny peach lips, and cheeks with a hint of honied sparkle, contrast with sooty smokey eyes in shades of black, violet, navy and mauve, resulting in one heck of a wickedly beautiful look.
Love the imagery for this campaign!
I like to think of Becca, a pricey indie line from Australia, as sort of a beach resort-hopping version of Chanel, because I think they handle color in a similarly elegant way, except more relaxed and dressed down.
A lot of their products are waterproof, long-wearing and made to multitask, and, while interesting enough to satisfy fervent color fiends, most of them are still practical enough to wear every day.
The Fallen Angel Palette shown here, one of two palettes in the Fallen Angel Collection, comes with three creamy peach products for a pricey $52. The rather small collection also includes a few individual products (listed below), but sadly none of them are cheap.
by Karen 36 Comments
Let me start off with a short description of my hair. It’s color-treated, relatively coarse, thick, and tends to take on the shape of a mushroom when it gets longer. Lovely, no?
I’m constantly on the hunt for shampoos and conditioners to fill a variety of needs: protecting my color, smoothing my strands, not adding any unnecessary volume or weight, and adding a bit of natural shine (not that gross shine that looks like a chef has been using your coiffure to season his wok). How demanding am I? No wonder I’m single…
So, with my pith helmet securely on my head and my trusty rifle tucked under my arm, I trooped off to Sally’s one day when my last round of hair products ran out. I had to take down the lioness-like saleswoman before I reached the hair aisle, but I finally found myself perusing the new arrivals, when I spotted a small display of One ‘n Only products. I’ve used their Argan Oil Hair Treatment before (a near perfect dupe for MorrocanOil, at a fraction of the cost! Can anyone say hooray for non-branded packaging?), and having been pretty happy with the quality, I decided to take the dive and nab the matching shampoo ($9.49) and conditioner ($9.49). After having spent more time arguing with the cashier than shopping, repeating relentlessly that I did not want to sign up for a Sally Card because I already had one, I headed home to try out my mini-haul.
By this time, it had been about a week since I had used a clarifying treatment on my hair (to remove the residue left from the relatively heavy Jonathan:Dirt cream-paste and Davines Relaxing Fluid), and a day since I’d washed it, so these seemed like perfect conditions to put this stuff to the test.
Stepping into the shower, I just let the water splay over my back for a minute or two. Don’t you just love that feeling of near-boiling hot water opening every pore on your body; little tendrils of steam wrapping themselves softly around your limbs, caressing your neck, providing a sensuous release from the stress outside the glass door? Don’t tell me you don’t, because I won’t believe you.
[Continue reading…]
by Karen 25 Comments
Doctor Fealgud, it’s a Code Brown! The patient needs a cup of coffee, stat! She’s going into a decaffeinated stupor!
With cream and sugar, doctor! WITH CREAM AND SUGAR!
Howzit, ladies? Ye olde mental motor blew a head gasket this morning because I was up late last night watching the new Harry Potter movie.
I won’t post any spoilers (outside of the comments) today, but I will say that this one scared me more than the other ones did. If you’ve seen it, let me what you thought in the comments. I didn’t read the book, and I’d also like to hear what someone who read it has to say. I’ve read some mixed reviews.
Weird… You wouldn’t think that sitting relatively still in a movie theater for a few hours could be as tiring as it appears to have been, judging by my dark circles this morning, but it gives me an excuse, like so many things do, to try new makeup.
I’ve been trying to find a good drugstore concealer, and I picked up this one by Almay last week called Smart Shade with SPF 20 ($9) in Medium. It’s the darkest of the three shades it comes in.
The company claims these change color to match your skin tone when they’re applied. The Medium shade definitely does darken as you work it in, but I can’t tell if it’s just darkening as it dries, or actually responding to my skin tone… Either way, it sure is neat to see it change color on the skin.
After using it a few times this week, I think it’s time to set it aside and get back to shopping. I mean, it’s easy to blend, and I like the color changing aspect, but the Medium shade is lighter than I expected and has pinkish beige undertones that lend a gray cast to my skin. Plus, the coverage is just way too sheer for this brown girl.
If you get real deal Holyfield dark circles, you’ll probably need something more opaque, but if you have good luck with beige/pink face products and only need mild coverage, it’s probably worth a try.
Before you Tom Cruise outta here, we can’t let those good waves go to waste. Are you up for a little Saturday Surfing with me?
Via Milo Minousky’s Munchkinland
Have fun today. 🙂 Tabs says hi.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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