The cat eye look I wore in Reno earlier this week, made possible by the LORAC Real Life to Red Carpet Eye Tutorial ($36). The five-piece kit comes with LORAC’s otherworldly Front of the Line Pro liquid liner, among other great stuff, and I’ll post a full review with pics (of course!) in the next few days. For now I’ll just say this: it kicks serious booty! 🙂
When I looked down and saw these terrible rough patches of skin on my knees. Yikes! I guess I better be more vigilant about exfoliating… Looks like it’s time to bust out the MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator.
What were your best and worst beauty experiences of the week? Please share yours in the comments.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Molly says
Best- grabbed those wet n’ wild coloricon shadows in nutty, kitten and lagoon. and found that this site ( http://temptalia.com/thedupelist.htm ) was totally right about nutty- it’s a great dupe for MAC’s satin taupe, which I covet, but can’t afford regularly!
Worst- sprained my ankle and have a horrible purple swollen foot, so I can’t wear anything complicated in the foot department. 🙁
Karen says
Hi Molly,
I’m sorry to hear about your foot, but I’m glad you found that shadow! Those WNW trios are great. 🙂
Cooper says
I moved to Korea last month and today I went to Skin Food, which is about 3 minutes from my house. The great part was that I picked up a few single use masks and looked at the offerings to research at home (the English descriptions aren’t very detailed). The Korean lady who told me my skin was dry, when in fact, I’m fairly certain she could see her reflection in my post-run, pre-morning shower greaseball forehead, wasn’t as great. I left there second guessing myself in terms of skin care. Aaaackkk!
Karen says
Hi Cooper,
Oh, that’s super cool that you’re living in Korea! How are you liking it so far? Are you there for work or school?
Halley says
Worst experience: I think I went a little overboard with my mascara a couple of days ago and I kept feeling something in my eye for the whole day. I was also at a coffee event at my school, so people probably wondered why I kept rubbing the corner of my eye >.<
Best: I finally tried on the Confessions of a Concealaholic from benefit at Sephora today and I loved how it brightened my eyes. I didn't even need any eye shadows and it was a great no-make up but polished look.
P.S. I also got the Lorac kit today along with the Tarte Beauty in a Box. I'm still trying to make up my mind about the Lorac one, though I'm loving the Tarte kit (especially the eye Lock & Roll!). Can't wait to read your review on Lorac 🙂
Karen says
Lock & Roll is awesome, right? Did you have any trubs with the powder coming out of the rollerball?
Halley says
nope, the powder came out really nicely (once i removed the plastic covering hehe)
Karen says
Oh that’s good. I’ve heard some ladies have trubs with it. 🙂
Tania says
Karen,
The highlight of my week occured today when we went to Olathe (kansas city area) on a girly outing.
WORST: I speed walked my way to Nordstrom’s to the MAC counter to find it so packed with peeps they looked like ants on a sugar cube. Uggh I guess I will have to wait longer for Sassy Grass to be mine!
BEST: Went to Sephora store but it was busy (not as busy as the MAC counter) so I went to Sephora inside JCPenny. Ahhh relief less peeps! I gave into temptation and bought some blotting papers infused with Tea Tree and some Benefit boi-ing concealer. Much better….
Karen says
Hi Tania,
How are you liking the Boi-ing Concealer? Do you use it on skin imperfections or to cover up dark circles?
Abby says
Best : Putting on my Stila Peony cream blush as both as blusher and eyeshadow. It looked so natural and gave my eyes a bit more standout colour without looking like I’d put on blush. When I clicked today to put on a thin layer of creamy shimmery eyeshadow I just about died of love! completely made my week beauty wise.
Worst : Forgetting to charge my Clarisonic 🙁 I loved it till it recently ran out of battery, so I didn’t charge it for a few days and my god my face turned into a volcano, I recharged it and after a day my skin was almost back to normal. Good old Clarisonic proving it’s worth 😀
Karen says
Hi Abby,
Have you seen the new colors for the Clarisonic Mia? They have it now in purple and blue! So cute.
Abby says
Oops, late replying but yup I saw them on your blog just a few hours ago and my god. It’s totally gonna be my sister christmas present. She’s tried to steal mine a few times – which resulted in making her buy me a new brush head. I wish I had the purple though and I could give her my pink 😛 I’m not that cruel though .. 😛
makeup morsels says
Best: found the Koji eyelash curler No. 71!
Worst: somehow lost my toothbrush so now I’m using a crappy disposable one
Karen says
Hi Makeup Morsels,
What so special about the Koji eyelash curler?
Beth says
Best – It’s not a direct beauty thing, but we’ve just had our bathroom totally redone. The floor just needs to go down and its finished. I’m looking forward to spending many hours lounging int he new bath. I also discovered Lush’s “The Comforter” bubble bar. I’m always buying things from there, but somehow this one slipped under my radar. It’s gorgeous, smells sweet and turns the water hot pink!
Worst – I think its all the dust and not really being able to get into my bathroom properly, but my skin is just ugh at the moment. I’m not really breaking out, but its not as smooth as I’d like.
Karen says
Lucky you to be getting a newly redone bathroom! I’m majorly jealous. Ours works fine, but it looks straight out of the 70s, LOL! What I’d give for a killer tub.
What colors did you choose for the decor?
Beth says
We’ve gone really simple. The Bath/sink/toilet are white and we’ve got white tiles and white walls.
We’re going to have a few sets of bright coloured towels and shower curtains so we can change the colour scheme really easily in future. At the moment, I’m thinking white/black/red and white/black/turquoise will be where I start.
I think I’m going to get a few nice scented candles too, just to make it extra-luxe!
Karen says
Sounds very pretty and soothing! I bet it’ll be nice to spend time in there.
Krystal says
My best and worst were probably the same look, worn on Friday. I did some costume bruising makeup tests that came out really well; after wearing it to work to pick up my paycheck, a bunch of people did a double take and asked what happened to me. I looked absolutely terrible (black eye, bruising from a fake sucker punch to the jaw, and bloody nose), but it was terrific.
Karen says
Hi Krystal,
That’s pretty cool. What were you doing the tests for? Are you doing makeup for a play or a show?
Krystal says
I’m working on a film production doing makeup for the local university film school. It looks like it’s going to be really fun; hopefully I can keep up with the rest of the crew!
Aparnaa says
BEST: I’ve finally got a casual look down that looks natural but pretty – and it involves mascara, which most girls go crazy over but I never did! So that works for me. I feel really polished when I head to work now.
WORST: I discovered fine lines on the upper eyelid next to my tear ducts. WHY. Definitely ran to Sephora and bought Korres anti-wrinkle cream. Oh my poor skin…
Karen says
Hi Aparnaa,
Welcome to the wonderful world of mascara! What tube did you get?
Aparnaa says
Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Splashes actually. It doesn’t budge for time or man and holds a curl like no other! Amazing!
Deirdre says
Best: Getting away with only Studio Fix powder instead of any proper foundation all week!
Worst: My epic fail at trying to apply false lashes! I’ll conquer them some day….
Karen says
Hi Deirdre,
I feel ya pain about the false lashes. Did you try to apply full length falsies or halves? I find that half-length or three quarters tends to be much easier (and I’m a total klutz). You can also try cutting one of the lashes you have right now in half and using them only on the outer corners of your lash line (the side closest to your ear).
Amy says
Best: I really wanted a blue eyeliner so I went to Bobbi Brown and get this gel eyeliner in Cobalt Ink. I was going for the new Denim one, but they ran out of stock and it doesn’t look nice on me anyway. I also got another blue eyeshadow, Midnight 12, and both products are GORGEOUS!!!! I did a look using the eyeliner and eyeshadow, paired with a pink blush and lipstick, ARGH! I think it turned out pretty nice.
Worst: My hair got SOO greasy this week I have no idea what happened.
Karen says
Hi Amy,
Your look sounds really pretty!
Regarding your greasy hair, have you ever tried using dry shampoo? It might help control the greasiness.
Steph B says
Best: Discovered Goody Spin Pins. I have layered hair so buns, even messy buns, are challenging. I usually end up having to wind an elastic around them which is fine for casual running around but not my fav for nicer looks. These magic pins hold everything in place (or out of place for a messy bun) without showing. Fabulous!
Worst: Attempted a slight cat eye with champagne shadow and black liner for work. Need to get a better liner for this because the one I used smudged at the wing and was a hot mess by mid-day.
Still searching for a satin, not frost, version of MAC’s Naked Lunch. I’ve been systematically swatching the various counters.
Karen says
I’ve heard great things about those Goody Spin pins!
What black liner did you use for your cat eye look?
Steph B says
I used the Physician’s Formula black gel. I don’t usually wear black because it just seems too harsh — this came in their stack of three. The purple stays put so I’m not sure what the deal was. I’m thinking of getting Front of the Line in brown so it is a softer, but still crisp and defined look.
Karen says
If you end up getting that Lorac liner make sure to get the “Pro” version! Also you might want to save your receipt – I had somebody tell me that the brown didn’t work as well as the black. I’ve only tried the black (which is fantastic!), so that’s just something to keep in mind.
Steph B says
Thanks for the tip. I had seen both the regular and pro in the past and wondered if there is a difference. They were out at Ulta so I’m going to hit up Sephora this week. Will play with both testers on my hand to see if there is noticeable difference in the way they apply.
Nina says
The good was doing good eyemakeup all week – so happy with that.
Bad was … a pimple on my left eyelid. LIke of all places to grow – why there???
Karen says
Ugh, I hate those! But I think I hate the ones that pop up near my nose or in between my brows more… those hurt like crazy!
Nina says
They hurt!!! I exfoliated last night in the hopes of making it pop but no deal. Its still there!
Lee says
Best was not going greasy all wk, so my makeup stayed pretty much all day 🙂
Worst was the couple of giant volcanos erupting on my forhead 🙁
Karen says
Hi Lee,
Pimples are a bummer. Do you use any acne creams or anything to keep ’em in check? I’m a big fan of alternating benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid myself.
Lee says
Hey Karen 🙂
yeh i use cliniques spot treatment gel its sal acid, i used 2 use peroxide creams but they dry my skin out 2 much 🙁
What ones do u use?
Twetriz says
Best: I got on the mail after a month of wait my new Sephora brush collection, I am very happy with it!
Worst: With a toothache and my dentist is on vacation… *cries*
Karen says
Oh no! Tooth pain is never fun. When is your dentist coming back?
hannah :) says
best: picked up a $5 NYC eyeshadow kit at tarjhay 😀 comes with primer and illuminator too! also, got 4 shinesational lipglosses (by maybelline) i think i have an addiction!! got peach sorbet, crushed candy, glamorous guava, and sparkling grape. yum. new life goal? collect all 14 heehee 🙂
worst: WNW 99 cent lipstick. it makes my lips lumpy. that is not NOT natural.
Tiso says
Worst: I was getting ready for a dinner date with DH and I was using Fyrianne’s Pixe Epoxy for the first time & blam! I was not ready for the intensity that the product brought out of my shimmery shadow. I little OTT for me. Really it was quite shocking! So I had to rework it w/out starting over – just to mute it a it bit.
Best: On the dinner date w/ DH – as the young hostess was taking us to our table she kept looking into my eyes – I’m hoping she thought I looked stunning rather than she was just stunned! 🙂
Alison says
Best: Yesterday, I did my friend’s makeup for her wedding reception. It was my first time playing “makeup artist.” I must have done alright, because after I finished her makeup, two of her bridesmaids asked me to do their makeup too! It felt really good knowing that I could help them feel more confident and beautiful for their special occasion! (Although of course, they were all beautiful to begin with!)
Worst: I am a compulsive eyebrow plucker, but lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been going a bit overboard and plucking my brows into oblivion. So I decided to grow them out. It is SO HARD not to pluck the new growth- it looks so straggly!
Thincspot says
I finally got serious about my alligator heels this week and decided that they needed some serious TLC. I usually use a pumice stone in the shower and it just has not been cutting it with all the sandal wearing this summer. I have been adding a deep moisturizing routine to my nightly foot regime using Burt’s Bees Hand salve (in the yellow round tin). A good massage with this and a pair of socks to lock in moisture has left me with softer and non scaly heels in just two days. I just use this on my hands with moistutre gloves most times but, I’m amazed at how well it worked on my feet… gotta love Burt’s Bees.
ace says
best: i just bought benefit’s scene queen palette, which i LOVE. now i can sit holed up in my bedroom learning lines and look good too!! 😀
worst:… the whole sitting holed up in my bedroom learning lines bit…
jen. says
Best: I tried the LM tinted moisturizer that came in my Sephora VIB bag. I was really pleasantly surprised. I’ve heard people rave about how great it is, but I thought the shade I had would be too dark for me. It looked pretty good, though!
Worst: I had to do a sleep study a couple weeks ago and I am STILL breaking out from all the goo/ tape they put on my face. Really weird spots- right at the bottom of my chin and jawline and surrounding my eyes. Ugh. Hopefully it’ll clear up soon.
Mai-Huong says
Hey Karen! I would say that my best beauty experience would be finding out that Nivea creme is actually a great facial moisturizer! It doesn’t irritate my oily, acne-prone skin at all and actually seems to help calm down my breakouts. Also makes an excellent cheap eye cream.
The worst? The rain and humidity is wreaking havoc on my poor hair! Not cool!
Marisol says
My best was getting my brows done this week. It’s too early for Halloween & I ain’t planning to look like Friday Kahlo.
My worst was the fact that I have been unmotivated with my make up lately. I’ve been getting up early and been doing a simple look. I have so many products that i should be using them. No more laziness.
Alice says
Best: I achieved the almost perfect brow shape (almost just because there’s always room for improvement!)… Since my brows are asymmetrical, I always try to make them look as similar as possible… And after many years… I finally nailed it!
Worst: having to rush through my pedi cause I was late! It didn’t come out that bad, but I see lots of imperfections… I can’t wait to have enough time to do it properly. The colour is awesome though. 🙂