Wearing Pixi All-Over Magic Powder in No. 2 Rose Radiance on the apples of my cheeks and No. 3 Brightening Radiance on my upper cheekbones

These new Pixi All-Over Magic Powders ($24 each) take me back to my teens, and those kinder, gentler days when I’d wake up every morning with a built-in youthful glow.

Subtlety and sheen characterize the three brightening blushes and highlighters (one isn’t shown here), each of which contain five colors designed to be swirled together when applied.

No. 2 Rose Radiance (applies as a warm pink with shimmer)

No. 3 Brightening Radiance (applies as a light pinkish peach with shimmer)
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Okay, methinks it’s time to stop scaring the neighbors. With last week’s beehive and that other blast to beauty’s past, I got more than a few sideways glances every time I went outside.

I don’t really know my neighbors very well, but I’m sure they know me — as the crazy lady who walks her cat on a leash while wearing lots of eye makeup and bathrobes, ha! I love it.

I kept getting that look. You know the one, where they’re afraid to make eye contact, but their glassy, straight-ahead stares betray what they’re really doing, which is watching you from the side with their peripheral vision… I do it a lot at restaurants to see what everyone else is eating, haha.

This morning I decided to give ‘em a break and go back to wearing something a little less shocking in public. Out came the new Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Palette ($45).

The Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Palette from left: Eye Shadow in White, Metallic Eye Shadow in Tin, Eye Shadow in Storm, Long-Wear Eye Paint in Onyx

Have you seen it yet? One of three new kits in the just-released Choose Your Glam collection, it comes with four powder eyeshadows perfect for black/gray smokey eyes.

I’ve been chomping at the bit for this one, specifically for the sparkly black Long-Wear Eye Paint in Onyx.

Bobbi makes a pretty big deal about how it can be worn either wet or dry, but isn’t that true of most powder shadows?

Eh, with glitter like this, who the hell cares!? They can say whatever they want as long as they catch me when I swoon.
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(Bzzzzz…)

Do you hear that? Um, I think it’s coming from my hair!

Marge came over today to help me brainstorm Halloween costumes and dish about the World Series (we both think the Giants will win in 6).

I’m still not sure what I’m going to do/wear to the Monster Bash tomorrow night, but if worse comes to worst, I could always wear some go-go boots with a mini-skirt and build a big Marge-inspired beehive.

What do ya think? This was my first one ever, and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Hair’s how to get this obnoxiously high hairdo (mine measured 8 inches from my crown to the tip of the hive, yikes!) in four easy steps.

What you’ll need:

• A lightweight volumizing mousse like Got2B Fat-Tastic Hair Thickening Plumping Mousse
• A hairdryer, the lighter the better, because you may be holding it for a while (I like the T3 Featherweight and Rusk W8LESS)
• A comb or brush
• A maximum hold hair spray like Big Sexy Hair Spritz & Stay
• A stocking, preferably one the same color as your hair
• Something to fill the stocking with, like fabric batting, packing peanuts or air-filled packing cushions
• HELLA bobby pins

Countdown to big hair in 3…2…1!
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Gimme, gimme jewel-toned blues and greens, soft browns, pinks and golds!

SING IT WITH MEH!

Gimme, gimme jewel-toned blues and greens, soft browns, pinks and golds!

ONE MORE TIME!

Gimme, gimme jewel-toned blues and greens, soft browns, pinks and golds!

I’m as happy as a kid at the front of the deep fried Twinkie line at the county fair. Girl, grab your ball gown and bedazzled mask, and prepare to be lured by a Smashbox Masquerade.

Available online now, Masquerade’s a small but comprehensive fall release with seven limited-edition pieces dressed in sophisticated indigo blue packaging. Pink, gold and peach shades softly light up lips and cheeks, and rich browns and beiges — along with a sprinkling of jeweled shimmery greens and blues — smolder on the eyes.

I think there’s something scary seductive about this collection. When I read the color story, I felt the shades drawing me into a fantasy that starred detailed satin ball gowns and glittering masquerade masks. I think the collection’s much prettier and softer than last year’s Reign, which had a cool edginess to it, but some of the colors in Reign weren’t the easiest ones to wear (two words: red eyeshadow).
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I’m practicing avoidance right now.

I should be packing for my trip on Monday, but I’m browsing the web instead. Why? Because it’s more fun than packing, yay!

Okay, just a few more minutes… Then I’ll pack.

Question: What makeup do you like to bring when you travel?

• 4-step flawless foundation – Bella Sugar
• Been partying too much? Try these 10 post-party tips — Daily Makeover
• ALERT! ALERT! Christine has MAC Love Lace swatches! — Temptalia
• 5 fabulously inexpensive gifts for mom and baby — Raging Rouge
• Let’s go NARS Night Clubbing! — Cosmetosaur
• This lovely letter couldn’t have come at a better time — Icing
• Is it time to go gray? — Times Online
• Everything but the harem pants… — A Cat of Impossible Colour
• 50 quotes on living a life of adventure — Abundance Blog
• Would you trust a friend to do your wedding makeup? — Sugar Social
• How to make a music player for your blog or site — Leg Blog de Sushi
• Smokey the Bear probably would not have approved of old school Christmas tree lighting — Old Christmas Lights
• Santa, please bring me these Moleskin Diaries for Christmas — Kitty’s Drawings
• I’m a little obsessed with Ragdolls — Of Cats

Sing it, Tom!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen