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A Clinique Black Tie Violets Tutorial and TGIF!

Karen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:10:46 +0000

Because it’s raining cats and dogs out here today, I figured I’d have to make my own sunshine, so I took a stab at a tutorial on the look from yesterday’s Clinique Black Tie Violets face of the day (see some swatches here).

If you decide to give it a try, snap a couple pictures of yourself, and shoot them off to me at karen@makeupandbeautyblog.com. I’d love to see your handiwork (don’t worry; I won’t share them on the blog unless you ask me to)!

Ready?

What you’ll need

A shimmery purple cream eyeshadow like Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Rock Violet ($15)
A shimmery violet eyeshadow like the second shade from the left in the Clinique Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad in Black Tie Violets ($25)
A shimmery brownish plum like the third shade from the left in the Clinique Black Tie Violets Quad
A shimmery violet gel liner like Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner in Violet Luxe ($15)
A shimmery blackish plum eyeshadow like the one on the far right in the Clinique Black Tie Violets Quad
A shimmery pinkish purple shadow like the shade on the far left in the Clinique Black Tie Violets Quad
A lengthening black mascara like Clinique Long Pretty Lashes in Black ($15)
A shimmery plum blush like Clinique Shimmering Stripes Powder Blush in Tuxedo Plums ($30)
A shimmery reddish blue lip liner like Clinique Defining Liner for Lips in Pomegranate ($14)
A shimmery hot pink lipstick like Clinique High Impact Lip Colour SPF 15 in Extreme Pink ($14)

Eyes

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Nonstick Lipgloss Greatest Hits

Karen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:26:20 +0000

Happy Tuesday, ladies. This morning, fellow beauty addict Toni finds herself in a sticky situation…

Hi Karen!

I’m on the hunt for a fabulous but very non-sticky lipgloss. I’ve enjoyed a Jesse’s Girl gloss I got at Rite Aid, but I’d love something with a little more color/pigmentation. I wonder what your readers call their favorite non-sticky lipglosses? Or can you make some suggestions?

Thanks so much!

Toni

Heya, Toni. Every girl needs a list of go-to non-sticky glosses. Here are some of my budget AND splurge-worthy faves.

Sally Hansen 12-Hour Lip Treatment ($6): Like a nonstick, vanilla-scented (but sans flavor) drugstore version of MAC Lipglass. Each tube packs may-jah color and shine, intense moisture, and lasts hours on my lips without budging one bit.
Sonia Kashuk Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss ($9): BARGAIN ALERT! With a thin, non-stick formula that’s both taste- and fragrance-free, Sonia’s new $9 glosses feel surprisingly like $27 tubes of Chanel Aqualumiere Glossimer.
Philosophy Supergloss Lip Gloss SPF 15 ($17): If you dig uber-shiny, sun-protecting lipglosses that don’t feel sticky on your lips, think about giving the Supernatural Superglossies a try.
NARS Lipgloss in Supervixen ($24): Less sticky than MAC Lipglasses and Chanel Glossimers, NARS Supervixen feels light on my lips and doesn’t have a noticeable taste or smell.
Chanel Aqualumiere Lipgloss ($28): Boy, are these bad boys built to shine! All nine of the shades deliver loads of sheer, super shiny color. Chanel, ya done good!

Lipgloss lovahs, can you recommend any non-sticky formulations for Toni? Let’s get her out of this sticky situation.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Snow Bunny Beauty Tips

Karen — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:25 +0000

Snow bunny Jo wants to look her best this winter, and she’s getting ready for a grand adventure on the slopes.

Hiya Karen (oops, feel like I know you!),

I’m about to go skiing for 5 months. I’ve always used cream blush (especially the MAC ones), but now I need one that will give strong color but that won’t rub off too easily with goggles, gloves and possibly snow!

I’m terrified about beauty on the slopes to be honest, so any advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Jo

Hi, Jo. Sounds like an awesome trip. I’m really excited for you!

Before we start, I gotta come clean. Snow and I don’t always get along (I’m more of a surfer girl), but here are some things that should help keep your makeup where it belongs.

1. Start with a makeup primer

Primers are typically colorless lotions or gels applied before foundation, blush and/or powder to anchor your makeup in place. It’s simple: when I wear a primer, my blush lasts longer, and I don’t have to reapply as often throughout the day. Take a look at Korres Face Primer; deluxe sample tubes are just $10 at Sephora.

2. Try a layer of powder blush above your cream blush

Whenever I wear a cream blush, dusting a layer of powder blush on top really seems to lock in the color. If you can swing by the MAC counter before your trip, bring some of your favorite cream blushes with you, and ask the MAC makeup artists for coordinating powder blush recommendations. Oh, and if you don’t have one already, shop around for a good blush brush. I really like the MAC 129 ($34).
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The Spellbinding MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief! A Saturday Tutorial

Karen — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:00:58 +0000

Hey, homies. What’s shakin’? Despite the lack of posts so far today, I haven’t been out busy doing exciting things. As a matter of fact, I’m still in my jammies at home (and it’s after noon!). I’ve just been sitting at my computer playing with Photoshop and MAC Magic, Mirth and Mischief.

I thought I’d put together a quick tutorial for the shimmery blue/silver/peach look from yesterday. This one’s a little more complicated than usual for me, but it’s still pretty easy overall.

What you’ll need

A neutral matte cream eyeshadow base like MAC Paint Pot in Painterly ($17)
A shimmery silver eyeshadow like the silver side from MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Blue Sorcery ($20)
A shimmery blue eyeshadow like the blue side from MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Blue Sorcery ($20)
A shimmery golden peach eyeshadow like MAC Arena ($15)
A dark black eyeliner like MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline ($15)
A black liquid liner like LORAC Front of the Line Pro ($22)
A black mascara like MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash ($13)
A matte peachy blush like MAC Blush in Peachykeen from the Hocus Focus Colourful Face Kit ($38)
A shimmery pink highlighting power like MAC Beauty Powder in Pretty Baby from the Hocus Focus Colourful Face Kit ($38)
A shimmery warm beige highlighting powder like MAC Beauty Powder in Sunsparkled Pearl from the the Hocus Focus Colourful Face Kit ($38)
A brownish pink lip liner like MAC Lip Pencil in Spice ($13)
A peach lipstick like MAC Lipstick in Surprise Me ($14)
A shimmery peach gloss like MAC Dazzleglass in Phiff! ($18)

Eyes

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What’s Your Favorite Waterline Eyeliner?

Karen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:13:03 +0000

Hi, ladies. Do you ever think about your first time?

Mine was 1988… It was fifth period lunch, and I was in the girls bathroom.

I’m talking about the first time I lined my waterline, of course. It took me 15 minutes per eye because they kept watering like crazy.

I’m 100% sure it looked awful, but I remember feeling so fly! I used purple liner to go with my outfit — a purple Esprit sweater, stretch pants, slouchy socks and shoes. Yup, good times…

My stroll down waterline memory lane was triggered by this e-mail from MBB reader Stephanie:

Hey Karen!

I’m a late bloomer in the eyeliner department! I’ve just started doing waterline eyeliner, but it doesn’t work well for me. It’s like my waterlines are *too watery.* Do you have any tips because I really like the look! Thanks a mil!

Stephanie

What’s up, Stephanie? When it comes to drawing attention to the eyes, nothing beats those waterlines. I’m a big fan.

First things first — finding a product that’s 1) easy on the eyes and 2) stays put!

Champions of the waterline!

Cargo Plant Love Liners

Here are my current waterline favorites…

Cargo Plant Love Liner in Black ($16): A smooth, organic, long-wear liner free of parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes and fragrances. NOTE: I just checked the Sephora website for availability, and it looks like this and most of the Cargo Plant Love makeup line are MIA online. Finding this one might take a phone call or a trip to the store.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero ($17): This rich, dark black liner has legions of devoted followers! It’s so soft and buttery, yet lasts long and strong once it dries.
MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack ($15): Of these three, I think Fluidline lasts the longest, but it also takes the most effort and requires a brush to apply (for me). Totally worth it in my book, though, and as a bonus it doubles as an eyeshadow base.

Other liners to consider

Friends on Twitter and Facebook had a few more recommendations. The girls love…
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