Why, yes, I am carrying eight tubes of gloss on my person at the moment. How ever did you know?
Oh, you say that my bulging makeup bag gave it away?
Well that explains it. 🙂
Part of me wants to believe that one day I’ll transform from a chronic makeup over-packing caterpillar into a streamlined beauty butterfly with a tiny makeup bag.
I mean, if a street cat like Tabs can rise to the top of the plus-size kitty modeling game, why can’t I get by with my makeup essentials in a tiny makeup bag? Crazier things have happened.
Should my transformation ever transpire, I’ll probably rely on multipurpose products, like Aerin Beauty’s new Sweet Pea Lip & Cheek Color, a satiny, cool-toned pink cream blush that also doubles as a lipstick.
Aerin Beauty, a pretty pricey high-end makeup line that only launched a few months back, carries products that appeal to my fussy-free side — products like Sweet Pea, designed for elegant, natural makeup looks that are also easy.
Blend in one layer with your fingers for cheeks that look like you just finished a brisk walk. Add a second layer, like I’m wearing in these pics, for a brighter flush.
Sweet Pea sure is easy to use, and I love the effortless look, but I think there are similar shades out there that cost considerably less, and some of them even last longer (on my cheeks, Sweet Pea lasts from 4-5 hours; on my lips, about two).
I also wish that it handled the dry spots on my face a little better. The formula tends to catch on flakes, sometimes emphasizing dry areas.
For a multipurpose product, it’s a pretty Sweet Pea, but I don’t feel a ravenous hunger to stockpile.
PRICE: $42
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Happy Valentine’s Day
I woke up this morning to find roses in the living room (and now I feel extra guilty for leaving El Hub’s present to the last minute).
Here, let’s put them on my desk so we can all enjoy them. 🙂 I don’t think El Hub or Tabs will mind.
Ooh… I love how the petals go from pale pink to hot pink at the tips.
Hey — that make might make for a cute ombre manicure.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
Too bad about the Aerin blush-it’s a pretty color but my BECCA cream blushes last longer.
Karen says
Hi Cindy,
I love the Becca blushes. Do you have a fave shade?
Denise S. says
Not feeling that color blush but El Hub really hooked you up nice! Love the roses!
Karen says
Hi Denise,
Yah, he and Tabs have a knack for picking out great bouquets. Happy Valentine’s Day to you. 🙂
Ruchita says
I have a little bag in my purse just for lipglosses. I think I have about 6 in there right now. 🙂 Sweet Pea is a pretty color, but I might pass on this one.
Those roses are so pretty!
Karen says
Hi Ruchita,
It’s only right that your glosses get their own special bag! 🙂 Do you know what ones you have in there? I’ve got several tubes from Dior, MAC, Palladio (a drugstore brand that I just started using), Burt’s Bees and Clarins in mine.
Ruchita says
I’ve got MAC, some L’Oreal and Burts Bees. I’ve been good lately about finishing products before trying new ones! 🙂
P.S. I just had to share this great video I saw about a two-legged cat named Caffrey. He’s a cutie!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
My fav is Turkish Rose, a fab everyday shade. LOVE your roses–so pretty!
gio says
That’s a very pretty shade! Love the roses too.
Rainy Days & Lattes says
Beautiful roses! 🙂 They are very manicured ^_^
Hope you enjoy your Valentine’s! the Aerin gloss is so luxe!
Kiss & Make-up says
Aw, how sweet that your husband got you roses! I got my man heart-shaped chocolated but I didn’t get anything in return, bad boyfriend bad!
Dickens says
Happy Valentine’s Day, Tabs and Karen! Your roses are just beautiful! Not meaning to be at all morbid, but I read an article the other day that made me blubber like a baby. Here’s the article:
My Sweet husband, John, and I were married for 46 years. Each Valentine’s Day, he’d send me the most beautiful flowers containing a note with five simple words: “My love for you grows.” Four children, 46 bouquets and a lifetime of love were his legacy to me when he passed away two years ago.
“On my first Valentine’s Day alone, 10 months after I lost him, I was shocked to receive a gorgeous bouquet addressed to me … from John. Angry and heartbroken, I called the florist to say there had been a mistake. The florist replied, “No, ma’am, it’s not a mistake. Before he passed away, your husband prepaid for many years and asked us to guarantee that you’d continue getting bouquets every Valentine’s Day.” With my heart in my throat, I hung up the phone and read the attached card. It said, ‘My love for you is eternal.’ “
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
Oh my goodness this story is making me tear up. So sweet!!!
Karen says
I got teary when I met Rex! 🙂
Kim says
Dickens! What the heck? Now I’m crying at my desk. To be fair, you did warn us. And it was a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Krisabelle says
Oh my gosh, that’s the kind of story that makes Valentine’s Day one of my favorite holidays, even before I had someone special. Thank you for sharing that!
Teri says
I really love the packaging of this brand, it has something very luxurious and feminine. Lovely shade, too bad about the formula not being perfect for the price point. But still a super pretty product ^^
Monica P says
The flowers are beautiful. My husband sent me flowers as well .. quite unusual for him. Hmm, wonder what he did?
Monica.
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
I am super curious about Aerin products. Maybe I won’t check out the cream blushes (if it lasted 4-5 hours on you, it’d probably last 2 on me :/) but that cute zip palette you featured was cute!
Also, what are you doing for your hubs, Karen? 😀
Jay @ Wayfaring Beauty says
Such a pretty shade but I don’t think it’s worth the price point. $42 is a bit too high when there are great dupes on the market for a lot less. Plus I don’t like that it catches dry spots since the apples of my cheeks can get a little flaky in the winter.
Gorgeous roses!
hanna says
I really like their packaging, but I feel like it is a little too steep of a price.
Jennifer says
I LOVE this! It’s really amazing on you and I love Aerin Lauder!
Kim says
Beautiful flowers, Karen! Waiting until the last minute is spontaneous and I’m pretty sure El Hub loves that about you, so you’re really making him doubly happy. How’s that for a positive spin? 🙂
Aerin has been catching my eye when you’ve posted about them but I think it’s the packaging more than the product. Attractive stuff. 🙂
Krisabelle says
Happy {belated} V-Day, Karen! Gorgeousness on the roses. Those are my favorite kind – the ones that change colors! I hope you and El Hub (and Tabs, obvs!) had a fun Valentine’s this year! My fiance and I went to eat at this dope restaurant called Double Zero (http://www.doublezeroatl.com/) and had some of the yummiest food and vino ever! If you’re ever in the ATL, you would love it! We took photos of the food like total nerds and posted them to Instagram, lol! I’m sure everyone appreciated their candlelight being interrupted by flashes dancing off the white plates!