Smile! Just a quick shot of the MAC Temperature Rising makeup I’m wearing today

When was the last time you got a makeover?

I’ve had three since February. The first was at Sephora for Valentine’s Day, and the second for a Bobbi Brown Master Class at Saks. Both were lots of fun, and I learned so much and left feeling happy.

My most recent makeover was about two weeks ago at a Nordstrom Pretty Party.

The gal who did my makeup was sweet, but I wasn’t crazy about the finished look. I think we just had vastly different styles.

The foundation was a few shades too light and a little too beige (so my skin looked gray), and then it was set all over with an iridescent sparkly powder (hello, pores). She also skipped filling in my brows and applying under-eye concealer, two things I always do before leaving the house, even if I’m just going out in the front to get the mail.

On the bright side, it was a learning experience. Next time I go in for a makeover, I plan to bring extra cleansing wipes and a bag of emergency makeup just in case it doesn’t turn out quite the way I hope it does.

When was the last time you got a makeover? Did you like it? How did it turn out?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for April 29, 2013

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. Which side of the bed do you sleep on?
   The left (my right?). El Hub sleeps on my left.

   Which reminds me, he does thing thing where he rolls in his sleep like a log down a hill, and it’s always in the same clockwise direction. When he’s really fired up and just rolling and rolling, I up half the night whispering to him, “Sweetie, roll the other way. You’re rolling again. Go the other way.”

   Haha! Otherwise, he’ll roll me right off the bed.

2. This summer, I hope to __________.
   Make the most of every ray of sunshine, and spend as much time as possible outside.
3. When was the last time you visited a museum?
   Geez, I honestly can’t remember… Maybe a few years ago to the San Francisco Academy of Sciences.

   Wow, it has been a while. Gotta rectify that.

4. Would you ever consider letting your hair go completely gray?
   I’ve flirted with the idea. Everyone in my family goes gray early (hair color is my BFF). I think I can picture myself with long, luxurious gray hair, but I’m not ready yet.

   Ask me again in roughly 13 years.

5. Have you ever lost your phone?
   Thank goodness, no (knock on wood!). That would be right up there with losing my wallet.
6. Do you like to listen to music in the car?
   Yes, if I’m by myself or with just one other person, but sometimes in a packed car, with the radio blaring and everyone talking at the same time, it’s just too much. I get stimulus overload.
7. What kind of cake would you like for your birthday?

   Mmm… Cake. A moist and light, melt-in-your-mouth white layer cake with raspberry filling and butter cream frosting, and/or a pistachio ice cream cake from Baskin-Robbins.

8. Favorite four places to get your grub on in your town?
   Well, Novato isn’t exactly a culinary capital of the world (or the Bay Area), but I have some favorite spots. If you’re ever out this way, try Arun Thai or Tavola for dinner, Marvin’s for breakfast or brunch, and Rustic Bakery for pastries, soups and salads.

   Whoa! My tummy just rumbled…

9. What are a couple of reasons you like to wear makeup?
   Because it goes great with chronic insomnia, haha. But seriously, I think I look more rested when I’m wearing a little concealer and mascara. And then there’s the whole artistic, creative side of it that I’ve always enjoyed. I also feel like it’s a craft where there’s always room to grow, so it’s challenging in a fun, relaxing way.
10. If today were T-Shirt Slogan Day, and everyone was wearing a t-shirt with a phrase on the front, what would your t-shirt say?
    “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.”

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. Which side of the bed do you sleep on?
2. This summer, I hope to __________.
3. When was the last time you visited a museum?
4. Would you ever consider letting your hair go completely gray?
5. Have you ever lost your phone?
6. Do you like to listen to music in the car?
7. What kind of cake would you like for your birthday?
8. Top four places to eat in your town?
9. What are a couple of reasons you like to wear makeup?
10. If it’s T-Shirt Slogan Day, what does your t-shirt say?

Okay, gimme a big smile.

Are you smiling…? I hope so. It’s Monday, we’re in it together, and we’re going to have a great week!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Comics! Your nephew has been trying to get in on the action lately. Literally. The comic book scene. But since he didn’t trust anyone to do his story justice, he decided to do it himself.

He sketched a storyboard directly into Photoshop this weekend, and then worked on the final draft from there. For the story, he drew from his own real life adventures, or so he said.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Who is Tabs the Cat? About five years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Listed in the Guinness Book of Cat Records as the World’s First Plus-Size Kitty Supermodel, Tabs the Cat honed his craft on the runways of New York, Paris and Milan. You can view his extensive body (of work) here, Sundays With Tabs, the Archives: From Anastasia to Zoya.

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Cat! Congratulations, Cat! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet.

Rise and shine, morning glory! Saturday is Caturday.

Have a wonderful weekend. I’m gonna hop on the treadmill for a few miles before meeting my fam to celebrate my dad’s birthday. That’s about all I’ve got going on.

Good luck in this weekend’s Sephora giveaway. Details to enter are just down below (basically, all it takes is a comment and/or a tweet on this post).

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, what’s your favorite flower? Does your pet prefer wet or dry food? Do you wear shoes inside the house? What are some things you collect? How often do you shave your legs? When you shampoo, do you rinse and repeat? How often do you wash your makeup brushes? Do you line your water line (inner rims of your eyes)? — you get the idea.
• Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
  • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/ZrNx9o

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 11:59PM (PT).
• Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
• A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
• Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
• Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
• Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
• The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
• Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Cat! Congratulations, Cat! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet.

Have you ever stopped to count? I did the other day, just for kicks, and was like, WHOA! No wonder I feel like I’m always cleaning those suckers.

From start to finish, for an eye look with 1-3 shadows, I probably average between 8-12 brushes.

1. Foundation brush
2. Blending brush to buff foundation
3. Concealer brush
4. Domed fluffy brush (to apply powder to set concealer)
5. Powder blush for face powder
6. Bronzer brush
7. Blush brush
8. Angled brush to fill in brows
9. Flat eye shadow brush to apply color to lids
10. Tapered blending brush to blend eye shadow
11. Domed brush for crease
12. Small pencil brush for lash lines

When I’m in a hurry, of course, I pare that waaay down to maybe a brow brush, a concealer brush, a powder brush, a blush/bronzer brush and a domed eye brush.

How about you? How many brushes do you usually use to apply your makeup?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.