• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

Archives for November 2012

Benefit’s The Bronze of Champions Kit Goes for the Glory of Sun-Kissed Eyes, Lips and Cheeks

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments

benefit the bronze of champtions
Wearing the new Benefit Bronze of Champions Kit ($32)

Weee are the cham-pions…my frrriend.

And weee’ll keep on bronnnzing…till the ennnnd.

Weee are the cham-pions. WEEE are the cham-pions!!

SWWWIPE on some Hooola…’cause weee are the cham-pions……OF THE BRONNNZE!!

— “We Are the Champions” (1977), by Queen, lost recording

benefit the bronze of champtions

benefit the bronze of champtions
[Continue reading…]

There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Benefit, Face, Kits and Sets, Palettes, Product Reviews

A Face of the Day With the New Benefit World Famous Neutrals Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Kit

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 33 Comments

benefit world famous neutrals most glamorous nudes ever
“Maybe you need to move the camera to the left a little?”

This is the face you make when your parents try to FaceTime you from across the Pacific Ocean for the very first time, LOL!

Both my mom and dad are retired, in their mid-60s and not the most technologically savvy people. Example: Even though I’ve explained it to them a bunch of times over the last six years, they still don’t understand what a blog is (“Why do you post so many pictures of makeup and Tabs on the internet?”).

But bless their hearts for trying and for keeping an open mind to new gadgets and gizmos.

They’re on Oahu right now, and it’s been a couple days since I’ve seen them, so they FaceTime’d me (is that even a verb?) this morning to say hello and to show me the ocean. How sweet!

Because they’re my parents, I spent 10 minutes looking at my dad’s left ear before they figured out how to hold the iPhone. When they finally worked it out, my mom grabbed the phone to chat…

ME: “Hi, Mom. Whatcha up to?”

benefit world famous neutrals most glamorous nudes ever

MOM: “Oh, I went to a country line dancing class this morning. It was a lot of fun. Dad says he went to the gym to walk on the treadmill, but I think he went to the buffet instead. You know. Retired people stuff.”

ME: “That’s cool.”

MOM: “Where’s my tabby?”

ME: “He’s sleeping at the top of his cat tower. I’d wake him, but I’m not in the mood to get scratched.”

MOM: “You know, if I had a grandchild, I’d take her on vacation with us.”

ME: “You know, you already have a grand-cat.”

MOM: “I know! But I can’t take Tabs with me to Hawaii. If I had a granddaughter, I could bring her to the pool, the beach and all that fun stuff.”

ME: “Are you asking for a grandchild so you can have something to do on vacation?”

benefit world famous neutrals most glamorous nudes ever

MOM: “I’m just saying. If you had a baby, it would keep me busy. Ideally a girl. Hint, hint.”

ME: “Ummm…”

MOM: “Just something to think about!

Oh, I like your eye makeup today. What are you wearing?”

ME: “It’s a new kit from Benefit called the Most Glamorous Nudes Ever.”

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Most Glamorous Nudes Ever closeup
[Continue reading…]

There are 33 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Benefit, Face of the Day (FOTD), Kits and Sets, Palettes

Who Wore It Better? — The Tweed Newsboy Cap

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 20 Comments

tabs versus marmalade: who wore it better?

BREAKING NEWS: TMZ is reporting that the temporary celebrity ceasefire between kitty supermodel Tabs the Cat and feline fashion upstart Marmalade has ended.

This, despite the cats, who’ve shared an on-again, off-again working relationship for months, recently being spotted spooning together at the top of the exclusive Novato Cat Towers.

Now, however, it looks like the two talkative tabbies are rivals once more.

A source close to both parties claims that tempers flared on Thursday after Tabs bumped into Marmalade at the food bowl. At the time, the orange cat was wearing the Tweed Newsboy Cap, an accessory made famous last year by Tabs.

According to witnesses, that’s when Tabs went ballistic.

tabs versus marmalade: the tweed newsboy cap

Of course, this begs the question…

Who wore the Tweed Newsboy Cap better?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

There are 20 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Tabs

Not Just Nude…Uber Nude

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments




It’s funny to me that Bobbi Brown called this the “Uber Nude Lip & Eye Palette.” LOL!

Okay, so maybe I’m way too easily amused.

It’s available now at Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrowncosmetics.com.

There are 9 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Beauty

Decorating Details

November 30th, 2012 by Karen 15 Comments





Now that the dining room’s painted and the table’s on its way (one more week ’til delivery!), I’m going to try to keep riding this wave of decorating momentum before it loses steam.

Not sure if any of these pieces from Anthropologie will work in the room, but I like the idea of having touches of green and coral. What do you think? Too much color with the blue walls? Maybe I’ve been living in beige rooms for way too long…

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Daily Photo

Benefit Set Out to Make This Christmas One of the Best Ever With Their New World Famous Neutrals Kits

November 29th, 2012 by Karen 32 Comments

Benefit World Famous Neutrals
The brand-spankin’ new Benefit World Famous Neutrals kits

If you decide to add one of Benefit’s new World Famous Neutrals kits to your holiday wish list, there’s a good chance (at least 93.5%) that your sis, mom, BFF or Secret Santa will find it hard to resist keeping it for herself.

(Because that’s totally what I’d be tempted to do.)

These three new $30 Sephora exclusive kits are some of the most exciting neutrals I’ve seen since Naked2, and I’m going bananas (B-A-N-A-N-A-S) over the colors, almost all of which are new.

Just when I thought the whole neutral palette craze was completely played out, along comes Benefit to put their signature spin on it.

First, they created “Eyenessa,” the magical, mystical makeup maven/character who graces the covers of all three World Famous Neutral kits, and judging by her giant hoop earrings and affinity for gold jewelry, she’s a girl after my own accessories-lovin’ heart. 🙂

Second, there’s the Creaseless Creams! — which are my favorite things about these. Each kit comes with two of them in tiny pots, along with four Longwear Powder Shadows.

Now, it seems like every brand has a nude/neutral palette of powder eyeshadows, but not many of them come with cream shadows. By including two Creaseless Creams with each of these, Benefit takes these kits to the next level. I think the Creams give Bene-babes much more power to layer and create their own custom combos.

What do ya say we take a closer look now at each of the kits? 🙂

Benefit World Famous Neutrals

KIT #1: Most Glamorous Nudes Ever

Abracadabra! This spellbinding kit’s combination of rich, warm neutrals is prompting me to put my obsession with Skinny Jeans on pause (BTW, have you tried Skinny Jeans yet?? It’s one of my favorite cream eyeshadow colors of all time!). The kit features two enchanting Creaseless Creams of its own, the shimmery champagne Birthday Suit and My Two Cents, a shimmery warm golden copper.

The kit also comes with Longwear Powder Shadows in Call My Buff (a pearly, peachy beige), Kiss Me I’m Tipsy (a warm reddish brown with a hint of plum), It’s Complicated (a shimmery pinkish gold) and Gilt-y Pleasure (a shimmery peachy gold) to add even more glow to your eye looks.

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Most Glamorous Nudes Ever closeup

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Most Glamorous Nudes Ever overhead

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Most Glamorous Nudes Ever box front
[Continue reading…]

There are 32 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Benefit, Eyes, Kits and Sets, Makeup, Palettes, Product Reviews

For a Pin-Up Perfect Pout, Try Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Deco Rouge

November 29th, 2012 by Karen 13 Comments

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Deco Rouge ($26)
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Deco Rouge ($26)

While it’s true that quick escapes from the zombies — especially those fresh ones that can run — are a little easier if you aren’t toting around 24 different tubes of red lipstick, the makeup code of conduct is clear on the topic of red lipsticks. No tube gets left behind.

I’m always looking for a new excuse to grow my red lipstick collection/arsenal, and if you are too, don’t miss Laura Mercier’s new $26 Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Deco Rouge ($26) from the Art Deco Muse collection.

Before I’d even touched the tube, I had a feeling it might be special when I saw it worn down to the nub at a counter…

And then it was love at first swipe. The stuff of pin-up girl dreams, it’s a warm, blazingly bright tomato red unemcumbered by scents or flavors.

laura mercier deco rouge creme smooth lip colour

laura mercier deco rouge creme smooth lip colour swatch
[Continue reading…]

There are 13 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Laura Mercier, Lips, Product Reviews

The Empire Strikes Back With Bobbi Brown Shimmer Nail Polish in Black Pearl

November 29th, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Nail Polish in Black Pearl

Because we’re friends, I’m going to tell you the real reason I’m head over heels in love with Bobbi Brown’s $18 Black Pearl Nail Polish without you thinking that I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.

Okay, here goes…

It’s the color of Darth Vader’s helmet.

bobbi brown black pearl shimmer nail polish

I spent years scouring the universe (and nail polish displays) for a nail polish the color of Vader’s helmet, and finally, after all these years, success! Mwahahahahaaa!

Emperor Palpatine will be pleased…

($18; available now at Bobbi Brown counters and bobbibrowncosmetics.com)

Sure, Vader’s a really bad guy, but you have to admit — that helmet holds a certain allure.

It’s shiny, which I like, and the color’s quite complex (like Vader himself). Sometimes, it looks more gray than black, and when the light hits it right, I see dark, gloomy purple undertones…

Bobbi Brown Black Pearl swatch

If I ever bump into George Lucas again at the movies, I’m telling him about Bobbi’s Black Pearl Polish because I think Darth would totally love it, especially on his toes, where he could probably get away with a single pigmented coat.

I can see it now… Vader, at the end of a long day hunting down rebels on the Death Star, takes off his boots for a few minutes of “me time” while painting his nails.
[Continue reading…]

There are 25 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Bobbi Brown, Nails, Product Reviews

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 16
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

Makeup and Beauty Blog features daily product reviews, makeup tips and beauty news — like an interactive version of a monthly print magazine, except with occasional pictures of my cat.

Recent Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 878

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 894

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 893

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 892

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 891

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 771

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.