That’s me wearing the new $30 Too Faced Cosmetics Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer (from the new Hello Sunshine summer 2013 collection) below my cheek bones, in the creases of my eyes and around the edges of my face…

Bronzer fiend says what?

What?

I’m addicted to bronzer. Have been for a while, but it’s progressed to the point where I feel naked when I’m not wearing any bronzer at all, like I’m running through the aisles at Trader Joe’s wearing nothing but my skivvies and a pair of flip-flips and trying to avoid making eye contact with anyone while I clutch six bags of coconut chips in my arms.

Awkward…

It’s a problem, but at least it’s easy to fix. I just make a point of carrying from one to three bronzers with me at all times (’cause you never know when the urge for NARS Laguna, MAC Give Me Sun or Benefit Hoola will strike).

Okay, not all times. But most.

Except for lately, because I’ve been in the mood to travel light. I rediscovered this small, striped Kate Spade wristlet that I like, and it’s just too small for three bronzers and the kitchen sink.

I guess the stars were aligning when I met the new $30 Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer. A light golden brown with subtle shimmer, it keeps me bronzed from brunch to bed, so I don’t have to bring it with me for touch-ups when I leave the house.

Too Faced says that the formula, which combines film formers and polymers with long-lasting pigments, lasts as long as it does because of its “double bond formula…” And yes, I’m picturing two Daniel Craigs.

They also claim that it’s out of this world! — as in universally flattering, and I can see that. Mostly. I do think it may go ashy on the deepest skin tones…

Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

Too Faced Endless Summer 16 Hour Long-Wear Bronzer

Wearing Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun (from the new Bronze Goddess collection) on my eyes

When I was getting ready this morning, I grabbed my eye shadow palette crush o’ the moment, Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun from the new Bronze Goddess summer (!) collection, and I wondered about how other makeup lovers like to wear eye palettes.

Par exemple, when you grab a palette, do you usually stick to the shadows in that palette, or do you like to mix and match them with other shades?

I’m not really strict about sticking to the colors in a single palette; it’s mostly about proximity, LOL! If something’s close by and will work with the palette I want to wear, then I’ll add it into the mix. But if I’m traveling and only have room in my bag for a single eye palette, then I’ll just stick to those colors.

A few of my favorite spring and summer palettes…

Estée Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Batik Sun ($48)

Too Faced Summer Eyes Summer Sexy Shadow Collection ($36)

Chanel Ombres Matelassées Eyeshadow Palette in Pearl River ($80)

Guerlain Écrin 4 Couleurs in Coup de Foudre ($59)

What about you? When you wear an eye shadow palette, do you tend to stick to just those colors? Are you an eye shadow palette purist, or do you like to mix it up?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder ($32), one of four pieces from the new Hello Sunshine collection for summer 2013, coming soon to Too Faced counters and online

Pack your swimsuit, friend, because you and I are heading to the beach this summer with Too Faced Cosmetics.

Too Faced Hello Sunshine Collection for Summer 2013

Their four-piece Hello Sunshine collection will be surfing onto counters and our lovely faces soon. Take a peek at these pics and swatches, and let me know what you think.

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder, $32

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

Too Faced Sweetheart Beads Radiant Glow Face Powder

Here I’m wearing the new Too Faced $21 La Creme Lipstick in berry pink Loganberry, one of four new berry shades available now at Too Faced counters and online at toofaced.com

Berries in the springtime? Absolutely! Why not?

Too Faced just added four new shades to their deliciously creamy and potently pigmented La Creme Lipstick line, and if you love berry shades, your makeup bag runneth over with good luck.

From the left: Bumbleberry, Loganberry, So Berry Sexy and Teddy Berry

Swatches from the left on my NC42 skin: Bumbleberry, Loganberry, So Berry Sexy and Teddy Berry

What’s “The Secret to No Makeup Makeup”? Why, it’s a $39 palette from Too Faced, and I’m wearing it here!

What’s the secret to no-makeup makeup? I’ll tell ya, it is NOT not wearing makeup.

Oh, gosh. Was that a double negative? I should probably strike that from the record…

Here’s the deal: for me, the no-makeup makeup look usually (as in almost always) involves the wearing of makeup.

Yes, I realize how that sounds. I mean, if you don’t want to look like you’re wearing any makeup, why not just skip the makeup, right?

Well, because if I do that, I resemble these guys…

We no wear makeup!! Want brains!!

Researchers at the prestigious (fictitious) Too Faced Institute of Technology believe they’ve identified and isolated the secret to the no-makeup look, and they’ve added it to their new $39 The Secret to No Makeup Makeup Fresh & Flawless Face Palette.

Everything in this six-piece kit is designed to help you achieve a fresh, flawless look.

A bright under-eye area, bronzed and shimmery skin, flushed cheeks — that’s the idea.

Beginning from the left, that huge pan of peachy, golden tan goodness is called Bronzing Veil, and it’s something of a contouring powder, perfect for defining your cheeks.

As I think it’s a little light for me (I’m an NC42), I like to use it more as a highlighter.

Two blushes occupy center court. One, a cool-toned rosy pink called Creme Blush, and a matte, cool-toned pink powder blush with tiny flecks of golden glitter.

And on the right side of the palette, three creams — from the upper right, a light, peachy beige concealer (thought it looked kinda funky on me, too light and beige, so I didn’t use it for these pictures); a shimmery, cool-toned highlighter in the Luminize pan; and the Brighten pan in the lower right houses a cool-toned pinkish beige for highlighting beneath the arch of each brow and the under-eye area.

Too Faced also thoughtfully included a fold-out card with three different tutorials on it, and each one shows the proper products to use and placement.

1. The Wake Up Makeup Look: simple and natural-looking
2. Nude Radiance: color on the cheeks
3. Red Carpet Contour: a full-on, dramatic look

I tried the Red Carpet Contour look for these pics…

Swatches from the left: Bronzing Veil, Creme Blush, Powder Blush, Concealer, Luminize and Brighten