You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. Mint green: love it or leave it?
   Absolutely love it. Mint green clothes, makeup, accessories… Mint green for me, please.
2. What’s the one thing that you feel makes the biggest difference in your makeup look?
   Filling in my brows, for sure. They sort of fade away at the halfway point on each side, and I feel like filling in the sparse parts strengthens my look and draws more attention to my eyes.
3. What was the last really sugary, brainless, cheesy book you read?
   Sugar and Spice, the latest book in Lauren Conrad’s L.A. Candy series. Brainless, yes. Fun, absolutely!
4. Something you did last weekend?
   Watched the new Star Trek with El Hub.

   Eh…I liked it. Didn’t love it, but I liked it. It was loud! Full throttle, action-packed the whole time. I kind of felt like I was being yelled at by the screen and left the theater totally exhausted, but there’s always great styling and makeup in Star Trek. I’d go just for that.

5. Have you ever been lost in the woods?
   Thankfully, NO! What a nightmare.



6. Favorite comic strip?
   The Far Side! Always loved Gary Larson’s weird sense of humor…
7. Something currently missing from your summer wardrobe?
   Sunglasses and shorts. I’m super picky about both!
8. High-waisted pants: yea or nay?
   Nay! But thank you for asking.
9. What’s one beauty product every gal needs?
   A fantastic black mascara. Right now for me that’s Chanel Le Volume de Chanel.
10. Do you have a favorite place to nap?
    I’m not picky when it comes to napping. I can practically sleep standing up, but I’ve gotta go with the living room couch.

    Sometimes on sunny Sunday afternoons I’ll also catch a few “Z’s” in my hanging patio chair on the back deck.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. Mint green: love it or leave it?
2. What’s the one thing that you feel makes the biggest difference in your makeup look?
3. What was the last really sugary, brainless, cheesy book you read?
4. Something you did last weekend?
5. Have you ever been lost in the woods?
6. Favorite comic strip?
7. Something currently missing from your summer wardrobe?
8. High-waisted pants: yea or nay?
9. What’s one beauty product every gal needs?
10. Do you have a favorite place to nap?

What time is it where you are? What are you up to now?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

In this business, reputation is everything. Word of mouth is the best marketing. Being known as the cat who gets the job done is priceless.

That’s Tabs. He’s the cat who always gets the job done — the fixer of the kitty modeling community, if you will. When a big brand like Dolce & Gabbana comes out with a new cream blush that no one’s ever seen before and they have no idea how to sell it, whom do they call?

They call Tabs.

Why?

Because there are no excuses. No whining. No complaining (unless they run out of gravy on the set). Just stunning good looks, a powerful purr machine and a tum powered by gravy. In other words, the complete package.

This week Tabs modeled for a bunch of big beauty brands, and here’s a quick look at his portfolio.

(more…)

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Mich! Congratulations, Mich! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet.

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway

G’morning, cutie, and happy weekend (FINALLY).

It’s Caturday, so you know what time it is…Sephora eCard giveaway time!

Take a second before you grab that next cup of coffee to enter with a comment on this post and/or a Twitter tweet (see details below).

Enjoy the rest of your day!

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

• One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

• There are two ways to enter, 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, a comment about anything at all, like, how do you take your coffee? Are you wearing a fragrance today? Do you pet assist for a dog or cat? Do you make your bed daily? What’s your favorite sheer lipgloss? Bun or ponytail? Do you wear a different foundation in the warmer months than you do during winter? Have you ever painted someone else’s nails? — you get the idea.
• Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
  • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/16G8YaY

• The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 11:59PM (PT).
• Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
• A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
• Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
• Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
• Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
• The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
• Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Mich! Congratulations, Mich! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet.

Get more Tabs on Instagram!

Tabs thinks you should, mostly because I post a ton of pictures of him.

There’s also makeup pics and random snapshots of fun things I run into throughout the day.

You can follow me here. Hope to see you there soon!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Bright pink lipsticks like MAC’s Impassioned…

There’s nothin’ like a quick pick-me-up after a long day, ya know? A glass of lemonade, a couple dozen kitty hugs, a splash of perfume, a swipe of gloss, a brush of bronzer…

And when I want my pick-me-up to take the shape of something beautiful, I almost always go with a bright lip, like MAC’s hot pink Impassioned Lipstick, because it’s easy to use and packed with POW!

Other beauty-based pick-me-ups I frequently enjoy…

• Nude Skincare Hydrating Water ($20) and MAC Fix+ ($21). I keep both refreshing bottles on my desk and spritz them on my face throughout the day to keep my skin hydrated and give my mood a quick lift.
• Annick Goutal Neroli Les Colognes ($175). I like to dab a small amount on my wrists… First thing that comes to mind whenever I catch a whiff: summer vacation.
• CND Solar Oil ($7.50). This one’s a little unusual, I know, but I get a thrill out of moisturizing my cuticles and nails with brush-on conditioners, perhaps because my mom’s always going on and on about how “you need to take care of your cuticles!”
• MAC Plushglass in Nice Buzz ($20). The tingle tells me I’m alive! ALIVE! And the shimmery golden color looks great layered atop almost anything.

What about you? What are some of your best beauty pick-me-ups? Sock it to me in the comments.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen