Face of the Day (FOTD)

A Shimmery Green Pick Me Up

December 8th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

Have you ever, after the end of a long day, just put on makeup on top of the makeup you’ve been wearing all day just for the heck of it fun? No? Yes? Maybe?

(Please say yes.)

That’s what happened here with a bunch of things from Revlon!

Sometimes you’ve just gotta swipe on some shiny green eyeshadow, ya know? The one in the Revlon Fully Loaded palette is on the frostier side, so if you like a high beam gleam, you might just love it.

Speaking of shimmer, the Twilight Gleam Highlighter has glow for days. I like my beams o’ light on the subtle side, so it’s not something I’d wear regularly on my upper cheekbones, but as an inner corner highlight, yeah, I’m into it.

I really like the ’90s vibes I get from this lip liner (Nude) and lipstick (Bare It All) combo. Out of habit, I blended in the lip liner, but the next time I plan to leave it unblended to get that ’90s-style supermodel lip with very defined edges.

I’m also wearing Revlon Big Bad Lash Mascara, which has lots of curl and lift, but not a ton of volume, and the ColorStay Eyeliner in Brown, too.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I hope you’re having a great Wednesday so far.

Buttery Brown Matte Eyes and Plum Lips with the Jane Iredale Naturally Matte Eye Shadow Kit and Covet Beyond Matte Lip Stain

November 30th, 2021 by Karen 8 Comments

Why are the first couple days back to work after a long holiday weekend so rough? I swear I feel everything I’m doing is in slow motion!

I had back-to-back meetings all morning, and so I put on some makeup. It’s a lot easier to be perky on camera when you’re wearing buttery brown matte eyes and matte plum lips, and yes, you can quote me on that, LOL!

The eye, cheek and lip products I’m wearing here are all Jane Iredale, a “clean” (air quotes) line you can find at Ulta and Pharmaca.

I love how her powder eyeshadows blend so easily. If you’re the type of person who likes to do one or two colors on your lids and then call it a day, I think you’ll love her eye palettes. The one I’m wearing in these pics, Naturally Matte ($59), is a great option for everyday looks. All the colors are neutral and totally wearable.

This was my first time trying a Jane Iredale matte liquid lipstick. The plum shade I’m wearing, Covet ($32), has high pigment and lasts through drinks and snacks.

I was kinda surprised by the Peaches & Cream Bronzer ($44), because on me, the shimmery peachy-tan looks more like a highlighter on my tan skin. It reminds me a lot of the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks, but just a touch less frosty.

I’ve got a few deadlines looming so I’m going to get back to doing what I do! I hope your Tuesday has been great.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Totally unrelated, but I forgot to mention that all throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, we were listening to yacht rock at our house, and now these songs have been playing on repeat.

Make a wish, baby!

Meet you all the way

Seriously, somebody stop me

A Daytime Look With Shimmering Taupe-Gold Lids, Bronze Liner, Peachy Cheeks and a Pink Stained Lips

November 18th, 2021 by Karen 5 Comments

jane iredale solar flare fotd products — Feeling like a fancy lady in Jane Iredale!

One of the things I love most about Jane Iredale makeup is how I still feel like “me” when I don it, but just a little more put together version of myself. I had a bunch of meetings yesterday (three hours in front of that tiny camera), and I wore this look with shimmering taupe-gold lids, bronze liner, peach cheeks and a lovely pink lip stain.

A few quick thoughts on the Jane Iredale items…

Eye Shadow Kit in Solar Flare: Blends flawlessly! I like how my eyes look defined but not overly done. The shimmer on these powders is more intense than I expected (could be a good, or a not-so-good, thing, depending on how your lids do with frosty finishes).
GreatShape Contour Kit in Warm: I’m wearing the peach and tan shades on my cheeks, and the beige shade as a highlight on my upper cheekbones and underneath the arch of my brows. Like the eye kit, the powders blend seamlessly. I bet this kit could also double as an eyeshadow palette in a pinch. Lovely!
Lip Stain in Forever Pink: OH! SO! GOOD! It’s a lovely, lightweight and long-wearing stain that feels oh-so-moisturizing on my dry lips. Apparently, you can also wear it as a blush?! I can’t wait to try that ASAP.
PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner: A lash primer you layer under mascara. I didn’t really see a big difference from it…but I’m going to try it with a few other mascaras, just in case.
Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice: I did a couple coats on top of the primer, and my lashes didn’t look as big and curly as I usually like… I ended up layering Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara on top to bump up the volume.

How do you usually feel after long meetings? I get really antsy… My body REALLY wants to move after sitting for a while. In fact, after my video calls were done, this is how I felt! 😁

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy Thursday! 🤗

Face of the Day: Rosy Neutrals for Work With Laura Mercier

October 27th, 2021 by Karen 9 Comments

rosy neutrals for work laura mercier — Shimmering lids with matte cheeks and lips for a polished work look

Happy hump day! 🤗

So…this is my new favorite work look. I’m calling it “rosy neutrals,” and it’s been in steady rotation for the past couple weeks.

Cream shadows FTW

I stumbled onto it quite accidentally. See, I didn’t have any clean eye brushes around (story of my life), so I ended up grabbing a few Laura Mercier cream stick shadows and let my fingers do the blending.

Gotta love cream shadows, right? They’re great for those quick and easy eye looks! I’m thinking I need more LM cream stick shadows in my life ASAP. Do you have any favorites? I want to get some matte and shimmer finishes.

A multitasking blush/highlighter brush

OK, back to the brushes… Now that I think about it, I actually only used a total of two brushes for this look — a fan powder brush to dust some MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, and a split fiber brush to blend and apply my blush and highlighter (Laura Mercier Ginger Blush and Indiscretion Illuminator).

Have you ever used a split fiber face brush? They’re interesting. One side of the brush has bristles that are better for more intense application, and the other side has another type of bristle better for more diffused application.

MAC makes one I use and love called the 127 Synthetic Split Fiber Face Brush. To apply blush with it, I use the side with the tan bristles (the more intense side), and for highlighter, I go with the black bristles (the diffused side). To blend, I sweep the tip of the brush to buff out any hard edges.

It’s a pricey brush at $37, but it’s a workhorse IMHO! Worth the investment. I use it almost daily.

Speaking of workhorses…

If you’re on the market for a rosy brown neutral, you need to get Laura Mercier’s Nu Prefere Lipstick into your life! If you’re a MAC Velvet Teddy girl, you’re going to LOVE this shade. It’s a lot like MAC Velvet Teddy, but a little pinker (more pink?), so it’s slightly brighter with a little more sheen. I also think Laura Mercier’s Rouge Essential Creme Lipstick formula is a tad more user-friendly and isn’t as drying as the MAC Matte Lipsticks are.

Makeup worn in this look

Eyes: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colors in Wild Rose and Kiss From a Rose (inner corner), and Rose Thorn (outer corner); Ilia Clean Gel Liner in Dusk (tightline), Laura Mercier Caviar Volume Mascara, Chanel Boy de Chanel Eyebrow Pencil in Brown

Cheeks: Laura Mercier Blush Color Infusion in Ginger, Laura Mercier Face Illuminator in Indiscretion

Lips: Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel Lipstick in Nu Prefere

Base: Laura Mercier Tinted Moiturizer in Wheat, Laura Mercier Flawless Lumiere Radiance-Perfectiong Foundation, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Golden

Skin care prep: Laura Mercier Refining Creme Polish, Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Creme, Laura Mercier Multi-tasking Moisturizer, Nourishing Rose Oil, Laura Mercier Hydrating Lip Balm, Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer

I’m having the craziest week!

I’m talking deadlines upon deadlines at work, and lots of quick, last-minute turnarounds. I’m trying to get through it with a smile on my face! 😅

It helps when I force myself to take breaks, and I actually schedule them into my day. When a break comes around, I make myself take a walk so I’m not tempted to do anything else productive. Haha.

While I walk, I often listen to music, and here’s what I had on rotation yesterday:

Take me back…

The more I listen to this, the more I hear old-school MJ!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

This Week’s Makeup and Hair Uniform: Monochromatic Makeup With a Casual Braided Crown

October 5th, 2021 by Karen 12 Comments

ilia multi use pigment — I’m wearing Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation on my lids, lips and cheeks

Good morning and happy Tuesday! I’m trying a new makeup and hair uniform this week — monochromatic lids, lips and cheeks with a casual braided crown.

I used a multi-use cream by Ilia in a warm coral pink to easily pull the makeup together before a video meeting. Technically the cream is designed to be worn as blush and lipstick, but I decided to wear it as an eyeshadow just for fun. I see makeup artists doing this kind of thing all the time so I’m comfortable with experimenting, but ya know, you do you!

So, this hairstyle. I call it a “casual braided crown” because it’s one of those looks that’s supposed to be a little messy. I didn’t really realize just how messy it was until I took a pic of the back, OMG!

I just made this face when I realized the craziness happening back there…

Nobody on video calls actually sees the back of your head so I’m totally fine with it, but I’m seriously cracking up with how crazy it is, LOL!

Anyway, anybody else trying a “uniform” this week?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Easygoing, Effortless Daytime Makeup With Ilia and Saie

September 8th, 2021 by Karen 14 Comments

ilia saie september 2021 — Hooray for a little bit of face paint!

I treated myself to some new makeup last weekend — a taupe cream shadow, a matte coral-pink cheek and lip cream, a brown pencil liner and a new mascara.

ilia saie september 2021 k3 — Swatches from the top: Ilia Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint in Fresco, Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation, Ilia Clean Line Gel Liner in Dusk and Saie Mascara 101

I’m still in the “getting to know you” stage with everything, but here are some quick thoughts on these pieces, all which are part of Ilia’s and Saie’s permanent collections.

Ilia Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint in Fresco: So good! Pigmented and easy to blend, with a crease-free formula that lasts. The sheen finish is forgiving on fine lines, too.
Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation: Where has this been all my life? It’s long-lasting on cheeks and lips, and a little goes a long way. Blends and layers like a dream.
Ilia Clean Line Gel Liner in Dusk: I bought this mostly because the color reminds me of MAC Coffee, and I like the twist-up packaging. It stays on my lash and waterlines all day long.
Saie Mascara 101: Just OK. Great length and decent lift, no flaking or smudging. Easy to remove. I could use more of a volume boost, though, especially at the roots.

ilia saie september 202 -k2 — From the mascara wand: Saie Mascara 101, Ilia Color Haze Multi-Use Pigment in Temptation, Ilia Clean Line Gel Liner in Dusk and Ilia Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint in Fresco

ilia saie september 2021 k1 — I popped on a little bit of gloss (Chanel Rouge Coco in Physical) on top of the lip pigment just for fun!

I’ve liked what I’ve tried from Ilia so far, and so I just added these things to my wish list.
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A Summery Makeup Look With Coral Cheeks and Lips and Blue Lashes, and Carrying On

July 28th, 2021 by Karen 13 Comments

OK, so fun fact: right before I put on this makeup, I had a minor meltdown. Long story short, El Hub is back in the office and Connor’s at camp, so it’s just me and Rosie all by ourselves at home, and even though I love her torbie-tude and her sassy company, I’m having trouble adjusting to being alone again. For over a year now, I’ve constantly had someone nearby, and now that I’m by myself again for long stretches of time, well, it’s weird. It’s waaaaaay too quiet. I thought I would love having so much time to myself, but when the house is silent and all I can hear is the hum of the air conditioner…I feel isolated and very lonely.

Anyway, I’ve been trying this new thing where I “lean in” to whatever uncomfortable feelings I’m experiencing, so that instead of fighting it, I allow myself to just feel the feelings and let the sadness pass over me. Does that make sense? Leaning into it for me usually means walking for 10 minutes or so on the treadmill or outside to get my body moving, and listening to music. Sometimes I cry to get it all out. After I do this, I usually feel better.

Yesterday this was the song I listened to while I walked…

Afterwards, I felt so much better that I even put on some makeup. Not a ton, but just enough to feel like myself again. I did blue lashes with coral cheeks and lips and a touch of bronzer. Very summery!

I only used a handful of products…

The main focal point is the blue mascara, which, by the way, is Blue Ya Mind by Colourpop. I bought it on a whim at Ulta last month, and eh, it’s just OK. I probably won’t buy it again because it’s not particularly great at curling or fattening up lashes on its own, but when I layer it on top of a waterproof mascara, it’s doable. I have it here on top of a single coat of waterproof Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara.

I’m also wearing my favorite gel bronzer and gel blush by Chantecaille on my cheeks and lids. I like to do a 50/50 mix on my cheeks, let that layer dry, and then dab just the blush on the apples of my cheeks. For my eyes, I applied the bronzer on my lids with my fingers. SO EASY!

The blue lashes and bronzy coral cheeks pair well with a matte coral lipstick (MAC Crossfade), but I think a coral gloss would’ve looked good with this too.

Makeup worn in this look

BASE: Avene Solaire UV Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, Hourglass Veil Retouching Fluid in Sand
EYES: Chanel Boy de Chanel Brown Pencil in Deep Brown, Colour Pop Volumizing Mascara in Blue Ya Mind, Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer, Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara

CHEEKS: Chantecaille Radiance Gel Bronzer, Chantecaille Cheek Gelee in Happy

LIPS: MAC Crossfade

Is anybody else out there experiencing something similar? I can’t be the only person having trouble adjusting to the latest new normal.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Plethora of Plum! Plum Lids, Liner and Glossy Plum Lips (and a Poll)

July 23rd, 2021 by Karen 25 Comments

plum liner with honest beauty get it together palette — When your hair is crazy but you go with it.

I just saw a picture of Toni Colette (LOVE HER) in a magazine, and her makeup looked so beautiful… I wish I knew who the makeup artist was because I really like it. It looks like she’s wearing dark plum liner, matte neutral lids and a glossy plum lip… Anyway, I’m into it, and it inspired my makeup yesterday.

Of course, I had to put my own spin on it! 😁 Toni looks like she’s wearing full coverage based on how even her skin looks, and her brows look bold (but not too bold) and filled in, but I did a softer brow and just the sheerest amount of base I could get away with.

One of these days I’ll try a version of this look with fuller coverage and bolder brows. I think it could look very elegant for a dinner party or a night out with the girls.

I have the details listed below, but ya know, as always, if you have any questions about it, hit me up!

Makeup worn in this look:

BASE: Avene Solaire UV Tinted SPF 50

EYES: Honest Beauty Get It Together Eyeshadow Palette, Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara, Boy de Chanel Eyebrow Pencil in Deep Brown, MAC Prunella Pencil, Hourglass Retouching Fluid in Sand

CHEEKS: Chanel Blush No. 20, Laura Mercier Ginger

LIPS: Chanel Rouge Allure in 91 Seduisante and Rouge Coco Gloss in 754 Confusion

In other news…

People magazine, by the way. I don’t have a subscription, but a free issue arrived randomly in the mail, and despite the fact that I’m not really into celeb gossip…if I’m in a waiting room or at the salon, I will devour US Weekly and People with no shame.

Anywho, the feature with Toni was a Q&A with a bunch of questions I thought I’d “borrow” for us here. It might be fun if you’re up for it! You know I love me a poll, and not just on Monday mornings, ha!

Here we go. Just copy and paste, and add your answers in the comments:

Copy and paste

Last time I sang out loud

Last thing I discovered about myself

Last moment of self-care

Last time I bonded with a horse

Last moment of bliss

Here are my answers…

Last time I sang out loud

This morning in the shower, and the song was De Ja Vu by Olivia Rodrigo, which is a bit too high for my vocal range, but I try anyway.

Last thing I discovered about myself

I like rowing more than running.

Last moment of self-care

Last night. I put my phone on sleep mode and stashed it in another room about an hour before bedtime so I wouldn’t be tempted to mindlessly scroll before going to sleep. I’ve been doing this for the past week, and it helps me fall asleep faster.

Last time I bonded with a horse

The one and only time I ever rode a horse, which was in Hawaii a couple years ago.

Last moment of bliss

Yesterday morning. I’d finished a long spinning class, and my body felt so spent (in a good way). Then when I was stretching afterwards, and the sweat was just rolling off every inch of me, I just felt so relaxed and chill… It was glorious!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! 🤗