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

I gotta hand it to carnies because that juggling stuff is hard work!

Simply put, the more tasks and projects I try to juggle at the same time, the harder it becomes to maintain a beauty regimen.

All of the time consumers that come with moving, coupled with my regular work, have sapped much of my time and energy for makeup. By virtue of necessity, I’ve had to resort to a lot of super-minimal makeup looks — filled-in brows, dabs of concealer beneath my eyes and now, thanks to MAC, a single layer of mascara.

It takes mere seconds to apply, but a single layer of MAC’s new Zoom Fast Black Lash ($13) gives lashes a dark glossy black finish and extra length. The outcome’s a quick and easy natural lash look with KICK, and it totally fits with a minimal makeup vibe.

If you’re looking for a go-to mascara that adds length and a vibrant, inky black finish yet won’t look totally fake on your lashes, then consider giving MAC’s $13 Zoom Fast Black Lash a try.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. If you’re on the hunt for a new mascara but aren’t moved by this one, Walgreens has a $5 off $25 printable coupon (Yea for drugstore makeup!). Good today and tomorrow only (9/29 – 9/30).

Hey there, Tenderonis. How was Monday? I bailed on my responsibilities this afternoon and hit my nearby MAC counter to play with the new DSquared collection for lips, face and eyes.

I swatched everything the counter had in stock, which was nine of the 11 items. Of course, the two that were missing just happened to be the two I was MOST looking forward to (Lip Erase ($16) and DSquared Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix ($15)), but c’est la vie, le sigh!

I’ll track down the two stragglers later this week. In the meantime, let me know what you think about these.

DSquared Shape and Sculpt Powder in Bone Beige and Emphasize

DSquared Shape and Sculpt Powder in Bone Beige and Accentuate and Sculpt

From left to right: DSquared Lipstick in Nude Rose and Blood Red

Continue Reading…

Morning, ladies. How was your night?

I spent mine chillaxing around the apartment, which I think I needed. I did a little reading (Sookie Stackhouse; I’m on Book 4) and fooling around with makeup (BIG surprise!).

This morning I’d like to answer two of the questions a few of you asked about MAC Style Black. The first question comes from Faye.

MAC Style Black Mineralize Eyeshadows: How’s the fallout?

QUESTION: How was application quality for the shadows? I hesitated to get these because I’ve had issues with the Mineralize shadows in the past — they always seem gritty and hard to blend, with fallout. How are these? – Faye

Heya Faye,

I actually find them pretty easy to blend, but fallout is a common concern when it comes to MAC’s Mineralize Eyeshadows.

The two Style Black ones I’ve tried so far, Young Punk (the shimmery purplish black) and Gilt By Association (the shimmery blackish bronze), apply smooth, and I haven’t experienced much fallout with either one.

By applying all of my eye makeup first — before concealer, foundation and everything else — I think it minimizes the impact of minor fallout with these.

Here are a few more things you might try to improve your results with these and other Mineralize shadows:

• Use a flat, firm shadow brush with a small brush head. I like the MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush ($25). I think it works better for me than fluffy brushes like the MAC 217 Blending Brush ($27). Fluffy brushes will distribute shadow over a wider area, while firmer brushes will deposit denser color in a smaller area and will generally provide better control.
• Press to apply. With my firm eyeshadow brush, I’ll use a gentle pressing motion (as opposed to a windshield wiper motion or small circles) to really pack the shadow onto my eyelid.
• Start with a creamy base. A wet, creamy product like MAC Cream Colour Base will give Mineralize shadows something to adhere to, and I get better results from them here than with non-creamy primers.

MAC addicts, do you use any tricks or tips when you apply MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows?

Continue Reading…

I’m having a blast exploring different ways to wear MAC’s new Style Black collection.

Earlier today I tried a bronzy black smokey eye using Mineralize Eyeshadow in Gilt By Association ($20).

It turned out better than I thought it would! At first I was afraid (I was petrified) the slippery Cream Colour Base would look too messy, but I found that as long as I didn’t overuse it, it stayed put reasonably well.

This is a look I’ll definitely wear again, maybe with a white, brown or bronze top and some gold jewelry.

Tutorial: What you’ll need

1. An eyeshadow primer like Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($17)
2. A creamy black eyeshadow base like MAC Cream Colour Base in Black ($17)
3. A shimmery blackish bronze shadow like MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Gilt By Association ($20)
4. A shimmery, peachy golden eyeshadow like MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked ($15)
5. A shimmery, bronze pencil liner like MAC Eye Kohl in Powersurge ($15)
6. A black liquid pen liner like LORAC Front of the Line Pro ($22)
7. A black mascara like MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara ($13)
8. A black gel liner like MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack ($15)

Swatches from left to right: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC Cream Colour Base in Black, MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow in Gilt By Association, MAC Eyeshadow in Woodwinked

Continue Reading…

Rise and shine, ladies. TGIF!

This shimmery purple eye comes courtesy of two products from the new MAC Style Black collection, the Greasepaint Stick in Black and Mineralize Eyeshadow in Young Punk. That’s Young Punk layered on top of the stick on my lids.

Also in the mix: the Eye Kohl in Smolder along the waterlines (upper and lower), Young Punk along the lower lash line and two coats of the new Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara on my lashes.

I was shooting for something wearable enough for a business meeting…

Oh — remember the Origins GinZing Eye Cream-concealer trick for dark circles we talked about the other day? I used it for this look, mixing GinZing with Laura Mercier Secret Concealer and applying under my eyes.

Continue Reading…