It took all of two made-for-tv volcano flicks in the ’80s (one about Mount St. Helens and the other about Pompeii) to scar me for life.

Growing up near one of the world’s most geologically active fault lines wasn’t half as scary as the thought of mountains spewing lava and ash, yikes!

But so far the closest I’ve come to anything volcanic has been my brushes with MAC’s Volcanic Ash line of skin care products.

It’s not so much a line as a duo of products, and both are part of the Style Black collection. One of the two, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator ($20), has been released before (see an earlier review), but the second, Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask ($20), is brand new.

I always get a little nervous when I try new skin care products because I can never predict how my combo dry/acne-prone skin will react.

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask

Sometimes it’s good to be dirty. I guess that’s where the mask comes in. It’s loaded with actual volcanic ash and oils like jojoba, lavender, evening primrose and sunflower.

Add water and the paste warms ever so slightly. That’s the thermal part (Kilauea would be proud, LOL!).

MAC recommends using it one to three times per week to deep clean and moisturize the skin (should not be used near the eyes).

Is it really volcanic?

One thing those volcano disaster movies taught me was that volcanic ash can REALLY screw people up.

In dry, powder form it contains particles that can cause serious eye trauma, worsen open wounds and even lead to respiratory problems.

But in clay form — that’s a whole different story.

Throughout history, different cultures have used volcanic ash clays for health and beauty. Even our girl Cleopatra was a fan.

So, does it work?

I know a thing or two about gunk… Last week my acne-prone skin decided to freak out. The stress of moving, excessive junk food and insufficient sleep all joined forces to summon pimples on my forehead.

Continue Reading…

The giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted. Please check the home page for current giveaways.

BEEP! BEEP! More MAC Style Black coming atcha.

Today’s giveaway features Seriously Hip, another one of the Nail Lacquers from the collection.

The prize

One lucky lady will receive a bottle of MAC Nail Lacquer in Seriously Hip (a $12 value), a shimmery black with flecks of golden glitter.

How to enter…

Entering is easy. There are two different ways, 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. In it, tell me something that always makes you feel hip.

This one’s easy! Ain’t nothin’ out there makes me feel hip like a cute pair of high heels.

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Style Black Seriously Hip Nail Lacquer http://bit.ly/QT4tB

Recap…

1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:
   
   RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Style Black Seriously Hip Nail Lacquer http://bit.ly/QT4tB

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Wednesday, October 7.

Maika’i Pomaika’i!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted. Please check the home page for current giveaways.

The giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted. Please check the home page for current giveaways.

Girlfriend, don’t be scurred! There’s more to MAC’s new Style Black collection than dark black lipstick and smoldering smokey eyes.

And even if you aren’t on board with the lip and eye products in purple, black, blue and gray, what about trying a dark shade on your nails instead?

Fingertips and toes in deep shades like Style Black’s Nail Lacquer in Baby Goth Girl (one of three nail polishes in the release) look hella chic and modern.

Are you ready for this jelly?

I think it’s time for a MAC Style Black nail polish giveaway.

The prize

One lucky lady will take home a bottle of MAC Nail Lacquer in Baby Goth Girl (a $12 value), a shimmery, purplish black with pink and gold pearl.

How to enter…

Entering is easy. There are two different ways, 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. In it, name one or more of your favorite nail polish colors.

I get crazy with my nails, sometimes painting multiple colors on the same hands! But one shade I love enough to cover all of my fingers and toes with is Essie Midnight Cami (a dark blue).

Second, enter by following me on Twitter and retweeting (RT) the following message:

RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Style Black Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer http://bit.ly/3KzsI8

Recap…

1. Enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to use a valid email address so I can reach you if you win.
2. Follow me on Twitter and retweet the following message:
   
   RT @karenmbb: RT to MAC Style Black Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer http://bit.ly/3KzsI8

I’ll pick the winner at random from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. PST on Saturday, October 3.

Buena suette!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted. Please check the home page for current giveaways.

I hope you’re having a great Friday, chicas!

How was your Thursday night? Mine was fairly chill. I got takeout Chinese food, played with some MAC lippies and watched Management on DVD. Have you seen it? Starring Steve Zahn and Jennifer Aniston? It flew under my radar when it came out earlier this year, but I liked it way more than I thought I would. I don’t think its Rottentomatoes score does it justice (46%).

I’ve been playing with a couple of the lip products from MAC’s recent DSquared and Dazzleglass Creme launches, and I think I’ve found a hawt new pink lip look.

What you need

• A deep cool pink lip pencil like MAC Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat ($15)
• A sheer, yet dark pink lip balm or lip conditioner like MAC DSquared Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix ($15)
• A shimmery blueish pink gloss like MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Do It Up ($18)

A lip brush like the MAC 316 Lip Brush ($20)

From left to right: MAC Cremestick Liner in Pink Treat, MAC DSquared Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix and MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Do It Up

Continue Reading…

(Click here to see the video embedded in this post)

Let’s give a warm, makeup-lurvin’ welcome to the mini-mighty MAC 214 Short Shader Brush ($23), a tool re-released with the new Style Black collection. It’s my latest must-have MAC eye brush.

A total all-star, it gets precious shelf space beside the 217 Blending Brush and 266 Small Angle Brush.

The 214 may not look like much, but, among other things, she’s able to precisely blend and apply eyeshadows and liners along the upper and lower lash lines. The firm, dense natural bristles are really able to pack on the color, and the shape of the head — wide and flat — makes it maneuverable in tight spaces around the base of my lashes.

I love the sharp, precise lines I can make with it.

After lining my eyes with a pencil, liquid or gel liner, I’ll reach for the 214 and wet it with eye makeup remover. Then, I’ll gently run it along the edge of the liner.

CRISP!

While there are less expensive brushes out there, I think the 214’s a worthy tool. It’s just a great multi-tasking makeup brush.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen