Here’s a Face of the Day that I did with Lola Laptop’s Color to Go in “Joy.” I’m a sucker for packaging, and I love how sleek and sophisticated this looks.

What I liked about it
- Cute packaging
- Captive Eyeshadow is a beautiful, highly pigmented bronze.
- Gloss has a great texture and is not sticky
- Huge mirror in compact
- Unusual color combo

What I didn’t like about it
- Lots of large chunky glitter in the gold enchant shadow (too disco for me)
- No lip brush

So I never wear pinks on my eyes but this palette helped to push me out of my regular makeup comfort zone, which I appreciate. Here’s what I used:

- Enchant on the brow bone
- Captive on lid
- Charm on outer third of lid
- Cherish on lash line

On my lips I first applied a layer of Allure, which looks dark in the pan but is actually very sheer. I popped a thin layer of Entice on top.

I have to admit, it took me a while to figure this palette out. These shadow colors are shades that I’m not normally immediately drawn to, but after some practice (and lots of blending) I liked the result of the eye very much. I felt like I had to use a lot of color to get it to show up, but that may just be because I have darker skin.

If you are lighter then I suspect you’ll have an easier time with this. Oh, and while it’s not quite my style, if you like big flashy glitter gold glitter than you’ll love the highlight color, Cherish.

The Lola Laptop Color to Go Palette is $36.00.

Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

I’m exhausted, ya’ll. The last two days have really taken a lot out of me. I think I’m crashing from the adrenaline rush, plus I’ve had very little sleep and too much coffee.

I’m glad it’s Friday because today is my day off and I’m looking forward to digging into more of the Lola Holiday/Fall loot today. Perhaps I’ll even pop by the movies to catch the new Resident Evil flick, too.

Hope your Friday so far has been fun and that wherever you are that your feeling rested, happy and loved. Oh, and I also hope your brows look good, too! =)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Bonjour! Today is part three of our Tarte Fall 2007 reviews, so we travel to Paris via Tarte’s Prêt-a-Porter Palette, a dual personality palette with shadows, cream blushes, and lipsticks for two different smoky eye looks. The other day we took a look at the green smoky eye from the I Love NY side, so today we’ll check out a gray/purple smoky eye from the Paris, Mon Amour side.

Oui, oui, grab your croissant

Product: Tarte’s Ready-to-Wear/ Prêt-a-Porter Palette – Paris, Mon Amour side
Use: to create a gray/purple smoky eye look, comes with coordinating blush and lipstick
Price: $44.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+!

I followed the instructions in the “How to Get the Look” booklet that comes with the palette, and used:

Tarte products:
- deep purple shadow from the upper lash line into the crease
- gray-purple over lid and up into crease
- pale pink on brow bone
- deep purple on lower lash line applied with wet eyeliner brush
- coral rose cream blush on cheeks
- burgundy rose lipstick on lips

This look also includes:
- two coats of L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black
- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation, Translucent Powder and Secret Brightening Powder
- MAC Concrete in brows
- MAC Bare Canvas Paint as shadow base

What I liked about it

I lurves this smoky look. Usually I have a hard time with purples because I end up looking like a post-fight street thug, and when I started applying these shadows I initially thought it was not going to end well. There was purple, purple, everywhere and it was not a pretty sight. But after ditching the palette brushes and working quickly before the MAC Paint dried I ended up very pleased with the results.

Just for the hell of it on one eye I tried using the palettes’ small brushes (an eyeliner brush and shadow brush) to apply the shadows, which is what the booklet tells you to do, and let me tell ya it was so not crackin’. The shadows are sheer and the eyeliner brush is tiny so it took forever to apply it and to blend. It took forever to get the purple dark enough. The brush was fine for wetting and applying the purple shadow on the bottom lash line, though. And while the eye shadow brush was alright for applying color onto the brow bone it really wasn’t working in my crease because it was too big, so I ended up using my MAC 217 to get the gray-purple into the crease.

Sidenote: MAC lovers, I had a minor epiphany when doing the other eye. When working with MAC Paint it pays to apply shadows quickly before the paint dries. It makes blending easier.

The burgundy rose lipsticks also blend together well and have a slight sheen that’s very pretty. The coral rose cream blush has a little bit of sparkle to it but it’s subtle. I plan on pairing this with Nars Torrid, a coral blush with shimmer, in the future. I think it’s going to look crazy good.

What I didn’t like about it

Obvs there was the palette brush issue, but that’s minor if you own your own brushes. Another small point is the shadows are set close to the cream blush, so I have to be aware of which way I’m stroking my brush so I don’t get deep purple shadow all over blush.

The final word

This palette rocks. It has a few minor flaws: blah brushes, and no eye primer base to grab the shadows. Usually when I get palettes there’s one or two colors I can’t wear but everything in here works for me. You really do get a lot for your money in terms of usability. If you’re a makeup addict-in-training who already has a few basics brushes and a cream base or two then check it out, and get ready to explore the lovely world of green and purple smoky eyes.

Last night I went to dance class for the first time in a month and I’m hurting. My hip hop teacher, Jackie, busted out a song from a new R&B artist Ray Lavender, and it’s called “Donkey Kong.” HA HA HA! The lyrics are kind of lame – “she got that donkey kong bouncing in that blouse.” Um, what? Still, the beat is sick and I can’t stop dancing to it. The song hasn’t been officially released yet so there isn’t a video, but you can hear it via this youtube clip. I warn you though – once you hear it you won’t be able to get it out of your head.

Have a great day, and get some dancing in, even if it’s just in your kitchen while you’re making dinner.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tarte’s Health Couture 2007 fall collection continues to move me. While the ready-to-wear/prêt-a-porter palette appeals to the makeup addict in me, easy-to-use products like Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty really speak to my inner lazy bum.

Face of the Day with Tarte Products

Because there are some days when I barely have enough time to brush my teeth, I like to have makeup around that doesn’t take a lot of time to apply that still allows me to look put together. In this Face of the Day below, I’m barely wearing anything:

Tarte products:
- Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty on cheeks
- Lashes curled with Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler, and then followed with 4-in-1 Mascara
- Inside Out lipstick in Sweet Dreams

This lazy bum makeup look also includes:
- MAC Concrete shadow in brows
- Laura Mercier Translucent setting powder over entire face
- MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer mixed with MAC Fast Response Eye cream
- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder underneath eyes

It looks natural, doesn’t feel heavy and took less than ten minutes. Viva la lazy, ya’ll.

What to bring home, and what to pass up

So what’s worth bringing home this fall from Tarte’s Health Couture 2007 releases? Don’t miss out on the Cheek Stain and the Inside Out Lipsticks!

No Skill Required – Natural Beauty Cheek Stain

- Easy to work with (no brush required)
- Highly pigmented color

What I liked about it
This “no skill required” gel is what put Tarte on the makeup map, and has won awards from magazines like InStyle, Cosmo and Self. Natural Beauty indeed gives a natural looking flush! This red–toned blush has a dewy look on cheeks and has no glitter. I apply just a lil’ bit of it with my fingers and I look like I was just at the gym working on my fitness. Good consistency (not to thick or oily) and smell (oranges) too.

What I didn’t like about it
Although I like the color, I have to be a careful with the amount that I put on. The color is bright and has a lot of pigment for a gel blush, so if I accidentally put too much on I look like a crazy old lady who can’t lay off the rouge. Also, I wish the staying power was longer. I have oily skin, and after a few hours the blush seems to slide right off.

The final word
A lovely color that would be good for ladies or makeup loving gents who want an easy, natural cheek look. Apply sparingly or risk Bozo the Clown mega-status.

Inside Out Lipsticks are Easy and Pretty, but Skip the Juice

Product: Inside Out Vitamin Infused Lipstick Powered by BORBA nutraceuticals
Use: As a matte lipstick. The BORBA powdered drink is supposed to clarify your skin.
Price: $22.00 for a tube and a package of BORBA Skin Balance Aqua-less Crystalline
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

- Semi-matte finish, highly pigmented colors
- Easy to apply
- Sweet Dreams shade is a dusty pink-rose, Zen is plum-berry
- Powdered BORBA nutraceutical drink tasted “interesting”
- Cute packaging

What I liked about it
At first glance, I though that the clear center in this lipstick would give it a sheer look. The colors, like the natural beauty gel blush, are also highly pigmented. Both colors have a semi-matte texture, and are easy to apply. I didn’t use a lip brush and just slapped a layer on directly from the tube with very little effort, yet the look was still relaxed but refined.

What I didn’t like about it
The accompanying pack of “Skin Balance Aqua-less Crystalline” by BORBA is a clarifying pomegranate antioxiant powder drink that’s supposed to help control blemishes, surface oil and detoxify skin. Control blemishes? Sign me up.

I’ve got a hyper-sensitive sense of smell, and this drink smelled really “grassy” to me. It made my tummy churn. It’s got zero calories, which I suppose is good, and it tasted like a mystery drink with no distinct fruit flavor or sugar. I can’t say if it helped clear my skin. I’ll just stick to drinking obscene amounts of water, which has always helped me to keep the zits away.

… okay, so it didn’t really taste like chicken, but it definitely tasted weird

The final word
I won’t be downing any BORBA powdered drinks anytime soon, but I’ll definitely be toting this lipstick on my days when I don’t want to put in a lot of makeup effort. Sweet Dreams was my favorite natural-looking color out of the two.

4-in-1 Lashes Equals 4 Coats of Mascara for makeupandbeautyblog.com

Product: Rejuvelash Lash Sxhilarating set; includes Rejuvelash Declumping Lash Exhilarator; Lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 Mascara; Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler
Use: To curl and define lashes
Price: $40.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: C+/B-

- lash curler with unique “ergonomic” design
- 4-in-1 mascara builds and thickens easily
- Rejvelash declumping very high gloss

What I liked about it
If you already have thick and abundant lashes then you’ll dig 4-in-1 mascara because it gives lash emphasis without looking too over-the-top, and holds a lash curl well. Rejuvelash is an interesting product that comes with this set. It’s a clear gloss that you put on later on in the day to revive your lashes. I liked that it was glossy and de-clumped my late-day lashes.

What I didn’t like about it
I really wanted to fall in love with this curler, just ‘cause it has those cute “ergonomic” purple handles. However, I felt like the width of the lash curl area should be slightly bigger because it kept pinching me. Ouch! I compared it to my MAC curler, which is slightly longer by just a touch, but that little bit of room prevents me from getting pinched lashes.

After Four Coats of 4-in-1

Even on my minimal makeup days I like my lashes to look big and flashy, and I had to use a lot of the 4-in-1 to get them to the thickness and length that I like. I used four coats in this picture, lol. That said, even though it built up nicely I wish I didn’t have to put in so much effort to get there.

The final word
Natural lash beauties will like 4-in-1 mascara. I will stick to my MAC curler, but if you’ve always hated having to put your fingers through the looks of your mascara curler, then Tarte’s version is worth at least a try. Rejuvelash is a neat gloss that busy makeup lovers will like to give late day lashes an instant lift.

BAH! It’s Monday. I’m still recovering from the weekend. I stayed up late last night to watch Transformers (more than meets the eye) and it totally brought me back to my childhood days at the babysitters, when there were no girls to play with and I was stuck hanging with a bunch of roughneck boys who always made me be Bumblebee and never ever, let me be Optimus Prime. BOO! I’m not bitter. Anyway, watcha doing this tonight? I’m looking forward to watching The Hills and getting my haterade on via Spencer Pratt (ultimate BLAH) and Justinbobby (semi-BLAH.)

Have a kickin’ day and I hope it goes by fast!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Gentle Fume Quad, Take Two

Despite our rocky start, the Smoke Signals Gentle Fume quad and I are starting to become fast friends. I’ve discovered that it really comes in handy when you want to look like a vampire (a cute one, of course). I wore Rondelle on the entire lid, Waft on the outer third and a teeny tiny bit o’ Carbon in the outer v. (Big ups to my blogging buddy temptalia.com for suggesting this look!) I wore this out yesterday and can safely report that I felt 100% non-drag queeny. That’s Burnin’ on my lips along with Bazaarish Lipglass on top, and lil bit of Emote on the cheeks!

Lol, I just realized that this looks like a high school senior pic with a messy kitchen as the background


MASCARA REVELATION: L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black + Max Factor 2000 Calorie = BIG DRAMATIC LASHES!


Whenever I have a rough day I like to head to the drugstore to grab an ice cream cone and look at makeup. Yeah, yeah, yeah…I know it’s kind of eighth grade but it’s a nice pick me up and it keeps me from dropping serious stress cash at the MAC counter.

I’ve got straight, medium length lashes that aren’t full or thick, so I’m always looking for mascara. My favorite drugstore mascara lately has been L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. It’s really glossy and dark and builds up my ho-hum, straight lashes nicely. Despite its great color and thickening power, I’ve noticed that it really doesn’t hold a curl from the lash curler. Within an hour or so I have stick straight lashes again. Boo!

Today just for fun I layered L’Oreal Voluminous over MAX Factor 2000 Calorie. 2000 Calorie has excellent curl hold, but the color isn’t as glossy or dark as Carbon Black. Layering the two mascaras makes a dramatic difference, and I loved the results: I got thick and glossy lashes that kept the curl throughout the day.

Before

…and after

From the earlier FOTD

The only thing is I have to work quickly when applying this both mascaras. I used Waterproof 2000 Calorie, which dries really fast, so if I wait to long to apply the Carbon Black it starts to get flakey and hard to apply.

If you’ve got these two around then give it a go, and let me know if it works for you (I hope it does!)

How’s your Wednesday been so far? I hope that your coffee tastes perfect and that you’re feeling happy and pretty.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

So here’s the Smoke Signals Gentle Fume quad. You might notice that it looks a little world weary, like it was in after school fight where the girls took off their earrings and busted out a jar of Vaseline. Damn if this quad wasn’t the bane of my existence this weekend! I love it and I hate it at the same time!

The “Gentle Fume Incident” happened when I first tried it on Thursday night. I put a little swatch of Rondelle on my wrist. “OHHH!” I thought. “Love!” Unfortunately it was all down hill after that. For some unknown reason I was physically unable to stop myself from putting on layer after layer of Waft! It was like the ghost of Ru Paul (should s/he ever become a ghost) came and guided my brush further and further into the palette to turn my eye makeup into the uber-ist, fiercest Filipino drag queen eye makeup ever. And let me tell you, there are some fierce Filipino drag queens!

After recovering from to the trauma of El Hub asking if I was trying out for a job at Asia SF, I tried again on Saturday after getting some inspiration from the Chris Brown video, Wall to Wall. The video is all about Chris (what a cutie!) being lured into a life of the undead by some vampire hotties who just happen to be wearing lots of black vinyl and smokey eye/Smoke Signal-ish looks.

Here’s what I ended up with:

I used:
Concrete on brows
Bare Canvas Paint on lid
Rondelle all over lid
Lithograph Fluidline on top and bottom lashline applied with soft, pointed concealer brush
Waft layered on top of fluidline
Waft and Gentle Fume brought barely into crease
The tiniest amount of Carbon in the outer v
Blacktrack fluidline on top and bottom waterline
Orpheus Kohl Power Pencil on top lash line
L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara

Cheeks:
Ablaze and a touch of Emote. Ablaze shows up highly pigmented, so use this sparingly unless you want to look like Bozo the clown!

Lips:
Barely Lit lipstick
Bare Truth Lipglass on top
Soft & Slow Lipglass applied on lower pout

After the “Gentle Fume Incident” I was wary of putting on too much color. And looking at these pics I almost feel like I should’ve put more on to increase my vampire-osity, but that could be my inner drag diva trying to find her way out again. I still love Rondelle, and will keep trying to find ways to make this pretty quad wearable.

It’s been a great weekend so far! My childhood friend and good buddy J-MONEY called me at the crack o dawn to announce her engagement. Her man, M-MONEY, popped the question this weekend. Maybe we’ll do some bridal makeup posts to celebrate. YAY, wedding!!!

J-money and K-love on the catwalk at SF Fashion Week

Hope ya’ll are having fun so far this weekend. Enjoy your Labor Day!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen