Whoa! Time to go get my hair cut, but I still haven’t decided what to do!
When I asked style icon and world-renowned kitty supermodel Tabs what he thought, he twitched his tail twice and plopped his husky body beside the new Laura Mercier Eye & Cheek Palette ($60, available now) sitting on my desk.
Tabs believes that if you’re going to be looking at yourself in the mirror for 2-3 hours at the salon (haha, I accidentally typed “saloon”), you want to look cute. Normally, I’d apply some mascara and gloss and head out the door, but today Tabs insisted that I “break my cycle of lameness” (his words via text) by incorporating Laura’s new palette of six eyeshadows and two blushes from her Lingerie Collection for spring 2012.
I asked Tabs how much the packaging factored into his suggestion, as it does appear to match his fur, but he licked his tum and pawed at the purple, beige, taupe, gray, pink and peach shades as if to say, “It’s because the colors are so fresh and fun.”
He never did make a suggestion about my hair…but he did purr his approval when he saw this look featuring purple smokey eyes, bright pink cheeks and rosy lips.
Eyeshadows, top row from he left: Buff Pearl, Tawny Apricot and Rich Cocoa; Eyeshadows, bottom row from the left: Pale Pink, African Violet and Black Plum; Blushes on right: Rose Desire (pink shade) and Fresh Peach (peach shade on far right)
Eyes and cheeks: Laura Mercier Eye & Cheek Palette; Lips: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush from Holiday 2011
Some thoughts on the palette…
- Okay, it’s official! African Violet Eyeshadow is my new favorite purple. 🙂 It sparkles with fine flecks of golden shimmer, and I think it looks downright gorgeous all by its lonesome on lids.
- The Rose Desire and Fresh Peach Blushes, despite how bright they appear in their pans, actually look moderately pigmented on my skin, and I love the natural flush they give to cheeks.
- The dark matte shades, Rich Cocoa and Black Plum, don’t hold anything back! They go all out when it comes to pigment. To dilute them a little, I start by brushing one on the back of a hand, and then use a different brush to pick up the color from there before applying it to my lids.
Note to self
Five days into the new year, and I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’d like to accomplish in 2012, like furnishing the dining room, fixing up the house, taking a yoga class (or a martial art) and being a great wife to El Hub and cat mom to Tabs.
One of my wishes for all of us is that we’re able to do our thing this year, that thing that makes us happy, whatever it might be. If you’ve always wanted to take up needlepoint, take up needlepoint! — even if your friends or family think it’s silly (I love needlepoint designs with cats in them).
If there’s anything you’ve been wanting to do or try, go for it! 🙂 This month is a great time to start. One tiny step at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be there.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Bing says
The lip colors suit you very well! And cheers to sticking to what you want to do and go for it.
Tabs is a handsome poser. I guess years of professional experiences pay off. I want to see more photos of your two together in the future.
Janelly says
Holy crap I might need this! Too bad I made the mental note to not buy anymore makeup until Valentine’s Day so I can treat myself to my true love…makeup that is 😛
yari says
Go for the tousled bob!!!!! I cut my hair into a pixie cut almost 2 months ago and I LOVE IT!!!! Hair grows back so it doesnt bother me when I cut it. 🙂 Btw I am totally loving this palette just dont want to fork over 60something bucks for it.
steph b says
I adore African Violet. It is my go-to easy purple wash. It doesn’t look bruisy or garish on my pale skin and really makes my green eyes glow. I’m also loving MUFE Aqua Cream in 2. The purplish-taupe is gorgeous.
Christina says
I adore your makeup look! I might have to pick up this palette after passing on last year’s Laura Mercier’s Silk Road palette.
And I am so ready to make the most of this year! I really hope I can get to where I want to be 🙂
Marian says
I can’t wait to see what you do : )
Funny that you mentioned needle crafts. I am going to take up crochet. I’ve ordered all of the stuff to make an afghan. I’m so excited. I can’t wait for it all to get here!
Anna says
Do your thing- LOVE IT! Last year I vowed to be a better wife and mom. I grew a lot. Being a better partner didn’t just help my husband and child, it made me happier as a person. This year, I’m going to figure out how to age gracefully while doing my thing. 🙂 Btw, you look gorgeous! I’d be happy if my hair looked like your pre-haircut ‘do.
Martha says
I LOLed at “break the cycle of lameness”. I recently cut a bit off my hair and am now wishing I had let it grow. Oh well……
Vonvon says
I have always liked African Violet but I still haven’t gotten it!
Hmmm, I could feel a lemming coming on….. Or may be I should just pick io African Violet alone….
Vonvon says
Pick up, not io…..
iPad…..;P
Katherine G says
The Laura Mercier palette looks awesome, and not too bad on the price for what comes in it. As for the hair, when I am undecided, I go for some different layers rather than make a huge change with a cut. In the past, I have had shorter (about bob length) and super long (butt-length) hair. I tend to play with color, layers, and different styles now rather than different cuts. I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t, and what I am willing to deal with when it comes to working with my hair. I will say if you go shorter it’s much harder to pull it back for the gym or a run.
Michaela says
Love it! So pretty! Your cat is adorable, btw.
Matildaben says
I have African Violet in the holiday eyeshadow palette and it has become one of my top 5 shadows. I’m about NC25 skin tone and it’s perfect on me. A purple that’s as versatile as a neutral, and simply gorgeous. You can wear it alone or over cream shadow as a wash, or create a look with other colors.
PinkGlitter says
In your preview post of this palette I thought the bright pink blush looked similar to NARS desire. Just noticed that the bright pink in this palette is named Rose Desire.
Stef Smith says
This palette is bit pricey for me, I’m saving up for the Naked 2 palette from Urban Decay! *LOVE*
Tabs’ head is almost as big as your head! There’s something about a big cat though, more to love! You like your cats like I like my men! 🙂
Chryztyners says
Wow, this is a perfect palette! I can imagine bringing just this one on my travels. Oh, and this year, I also wanna start doing yoga and running. Gotta stay fit!
Kate & Zena says
That palette is so pretty! The purple is so pretty! I need this palette.
I know, it’s time for me to get a trim too. My bangs are starting to drive me insane! I’m going to have to push them to the side until my appointment though.
Unfortunately for me, January 5th came, and Zena is now 8 years old; that is 51 in dog years for her weight group. IT IS UNFAIR. She is supposed to stay 3 1/2 FOREVER. I need an Eternal 3 1/2 Year Old Potion. I can’t bare seeing my poor Zena grow older. She’s my puppy!
Grace says
I love Laura Mercier!
But is it just me or do the swatches look lighter than when applied? I love your eye makeup and it looked less pigmented swatched. What is your grade for this palette? I’m still trying to decide
veronica panduro says
Are they matte or shimmer? It looks lovely!
Emily says
Thankyou for this!!
I have literally been stalking the web looking for swatches of this palette.
Tell me how do you rate the value/quality?
mn says
You and Tabs make a great duo.
I’m happy the purple works for you. I’m so pale that I always think I look like I have a black eye when I put it on.
With regards to hair- I’m a big fan of how it was pre- Christmas Loyd, but march to the beat of your own drum and do whatever makes you happy. As my mom always says- hair grows out.
Kim says
This is a really nice, springtime-feeling look! I love the Do Your Thing advice. I’m voting for your martial arts class. I used to teach kickboxing (well, more cardio karate) for years before the fellas were born. It was super-fun. 🙂
Btw, very random note. Did you know that Ben from Lost and Arlene from TB were married in real life? I just saw that in EW yesterday and was like “NO WAY!”. Out loud and everything. 🙂
Girl says
I’d be happy if this boy I am crazy about would finally come around….
Nina says
i agree Karen — we all need to do our thang! 🙂
that palette is pretty! one of the few LM palettes ive been lusting after.
Sunny says
Love the palette! African violet is truly a stunning purple, and I love the peachy blush!
Hurray for doing your thing!
Fieran says
Please print out that first photograph of you and Tabs and frame it. Seriously, that’s a Hallmark moment 🙂
Love the palette but I’m all shopped out with makeup. I managed to get to the MAC Pro store in New York as well as the NARS store on Bleecker Street. It was way too much fun…but now I’m going to start using what I bought, make some dents and hit some pans 🙂
Karen says
Ooh, what did you get at MAC Pro and at the NARS store?
Fieran says
I figured being in New York was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, I should get some nice products so I got: Iris Apfel Howzat eyeshadow, Rhubarb Blush, Into The Sun mineralize eyeshadow, and Twilight Falls eyeshadow from MAC. From NARS, I got the Yochiyo brush, Smudgeproof shadow base since you raved about it :), Torrid blush, Exhibit A blush and the Happy Days velvet gloss lip pencil.
Harshleen says
Love that pic of you and Tabs!
corallista says
Gorgeous! Love African Violet and Black plum as well!
Karen says
Thanks, Corallista!
Nika says
Just wanted to say how well the colors compliment you. 🙂 Love it!
DalaLuz says
Gorgeous palette, and the colors really look great on you, although it may just be that your radiant smile makes everything glow with warmth 🙂 Love your energy and style, as always!
Veneeta says
I only finished saying this morning that I won’t be buying any more makeup this month, not even the Naked2 palette, but then you had to go and show this 🙁
I love the pic of you and Tabs 🙂
Meredith says
I absolutely love the colors in this palette because there is really something for everyone in it! It’s fun and colorful, dark and neutral all at once.
p.s. your note to self is fabulous!
Julie says
Just came across your blog and I love you! Great info and I love your spunk! And your cat is cute! I’m a manicurist so I love to see what other nail stuff there is and how one feels about it! Keep up the good work and thank you!
Helene Ottoson says
I have been looking around for eye palettes and I just wanted to say that this look is very
beautiful. You just look lovely and fresh in these colours.