T-minus two brushes to dazzling!

Guess who didn’t realize that she left all of her makeup brushes at home until she was two hours into a three-hour drive to Redding from the Bay Area last weekend?

Go on, guess. Her name starts with “K.”

“Kar…”

Here’s a hint: she was supposed to be going to a fancy schmancy Mother’s Day brunch with her hub’s family.

“Kare…”

Yup! Yours truly. So when we got into town I had El Hub take me to the nearest MAC counter to pick up some emergency supplies, namely a Veluxe Brow Liner in Deep Dark Brunette, a 224 Tapered Brush and a 109 Small Contour Brush.

Seeing as how I usually use at least half a dozen different brushes for most of my real-deal makeup looks, it was actually kind of fun seeing what I could do with just one eye brush and a face brush.

Didn’t turn out half bad! — so I thought I’d write it down.

A two-brush makeup tutorial for a Mother’s Day brunch-tested look with gold, brown and coral.

If you’re blazing through your makeup without a minute to spare and have to apply multiple products with the same brush…

• Begin by applying the lightest products first
• Quickly clean the brush head a bit between products, swiping it back and forth across a dry paper towel
• Try to stick to products with similar formulas — powders with powders and creams with creams

You most definitely do not have to use these same brushes or products for something like this. If you don’t have anything here, swap it out for a product from your stash.

Products used in this look, clockwise from the pan in the lower left: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach (under-eye concealer), Bobbi Brown Stick Foundation in Honey, MAC Face & Body Foundation in C5, MAC Powerchrome Eye Pencil in Rich Glance (gold eye shadow stick), MAC Powerchrome Eye Pencil in Copper Strip (copper eye shadow stick), MAC Veluxe Brow Liner in Deep Dark Brunette, Dolce & Gabbana Smoky Eyeshadow Quad (gold and brown powder eye shadows), Dolce & Gabbana Instense Khol Eye Crayon in Graphite (liner), COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Mascara (black mascara), Guerlain Terra Nerolia Bronzer (matte bronzer), MAC Ripe For Love Blush (peach blush), Giorgio Armani Summer Collect Face & Eye Palette (highlighter), MAC Studio Careblends Pressed Powder in Medium Dark (face powder), MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush (tapered eye brush) and MAC 109 Small Contour Brush (face brush)

1. Apply your foundation and concealer with your fingers
2. Apply a base all over your lids with your shimmery copper eye shadow stick
3. Blend! — with a finger
4. Highlight the inner corners of your eyes with your shimmery light golden eye shadow stick
5. Fill in your brows
6. Load a tapered blending brush with face powder to set your under-eye concealer
7. Sweep your shimmery golden powder eye shadow all over your lids with the same brush
8. Blend your shimmery dark brown powder eye shadow into the outer corners of your eyes with the same brush
9. Line your upper and lower water lines
10. Coat your upper and lower lashes with mascara
11. Cut down on the shine by loading your face brush with face powder and applying that to your forehead, nose and chin
12. Sweep a matte bronzer below your cheekbones and around the edge of your face and jawline with the same brush for contouring
13. With the same brush, apply a peach blush to the apples of your cheeks
14. Still with the same brush, dust a peachy bronze highlighter on your upper cheeks
15. Add a coral lipstick…
16. Now give yourself a hand because you’re done!

The finished look…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

I have a new post up over at the Ladies’ Home Journal beauty blog, Gloss Daily.

5 Tips to Step Up Your Eye Makeup Game

If you have a second, pop on by, and if you like it, please Tweet, Like and/or leave a comment.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Keep calm and carry on…

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

I could spend days — literally DAYS! — listing all of my stressors.

In fact, just thinking about the length of the list is totally stressing me out.

Right off the top of my head, there’s…

• April 15. Also known as tax day ’round these parts. This year will go down in history for me as the year of the Great Excel Spreadsheet Meltdown. And no, not great because it was awesome. It was bad, and all thanks to one accidental click. Forehead, meet desk. Repeat.
• Deadlines. They’re always looming, like dark, angry clouds… Yeah, it’s hard to put a good spin on the concept of deadlines. You know it. I know it. In general, they suck.

I’m sure you have your share of stressors, too. Finals, work projects, important things that absolutely must get done, lest you feel the wrath of your boss/co-workers/partner/children/demanding diva cat, and everything whittles away at your beauty time.

One word: argh.

It’s time to take some of those 24 hours back. By equipping yourself with more makeup and beauty products that multitask, you can get more done in less time.

Here are a few products to help you primp under pressure…

Clairol Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up ($6.99)

Clairol Nice N’ Easy Root Touch-Up ($6.99)

I don’t know about you, but when I go to get my hair colored at the salon, it can turn into a half-day affair.

Well, when you just can’t stand staring at your roots in the mirror any longer (been there, done that!), an at-home coloring kit like Clairol’s Nice ‘N Easy Root Touch-Up ($6.99) can help, especially if you can’t/don’t want to spend hours in a salon. This one comes in 14-shades, so chances are there’s one for you.

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation ($9.35)

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation ($9.35)

I’m not one to shy away from multi-step makeup, but sometimes, I simply have to. If time doesn’t permit my regular primer, foundation and concealer, multitasking makeup like COVERGIRL’s $9.35 Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation saves the day.

A liquid formula combining primer, foundation and concealer in a single bottle, it shaves minutes off my beauty routine (I wear it in Golden Tan).

Oh, it lasts a long time, too, so your makeup will go the distance for you.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream and Lash Serum Duo ($24.99)

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Cream and Lash Serum Duo ($24.99)

It combines a hydrating eye cream with a lengthening lash serum in the same convenient tube (you just unscrew the top part). It’s also sleek enough to squeeze skinny makeup bags for primping on the go.

Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response ($7.99)

Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response ($7.99)

Long day or night ahead? With prescription-strength wetness protection, Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response has something to say about that. Stay dry and fresh for 10-12 hours with an odor-absorbing formula that, in the case of the Serene Citrus Scent, smells to me like a combination of baby powder and peach gummies.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A quick eye makeup tip to try with cream eye shadow sticks

Years from now when we look back and pour over the beauty history books, I think spring 2013 could be remembered as the Era of the Cream Shadow Stick.

Seems like every time I pirouette or sashay around a corner in my teal Franco Sarto platform sandals, I trip over a display gleaming with twist-up shadows…

They’re everywhere!

The idea isn’t necessarily new, but with so many lines putting their own twist on it this season, there’s a good chance you’ve already been tempted by a stick or two.

Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick Eye Colours in Seashell, Grey Pearl and Sand Glow

Jouer’s Crème Eyeshadow Crayons

Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Sticks

Neutrogena’s Crease Proof Eye Shadows

I mean, how could you not? With their slim profiles, they’re so easy to tuck into your makeup bags, and so blasted easy to use. Just swipe and blend out the edges.

Done!

Pretty straight forward, but get this — I figured out another way to work these sticks, and it has been BLOWING MY MIND!

I picked it up from a Laura Mercier makeup artist buddy named Courtney last week, and I’ve been using it ever since.

Normally, my biggest issue with applying one of these sticks directly on my lids is that sometimes I over-apply.

No big whoop with neutrals, like beige and gold, because they don’t contrast dramatically with my natural skin tone, but if I’m using a darker shade, like a rich black or deep navy, different story. It takes me forever to smooth out the edges to get those nice gradients I like.

So instead of my usual way of wielding these sticks, thanks to Courtney’s tip, I’ll use a tapered brush, or a domed fluffy brush, like a MAC 224 or 217 instead.

Here’s what I do:

1. Twist up the shadow to reveal just enough room to run your brush back and forth along the stick
2. Load your brush by swiping the tip back and forth
3. Sweep the shadow directly on your lids, and layer as much as you see fit

Load your brush by running it along the side of the stick…

A soft, subtle smokey eye with Jouer’s Crème Eyeshadow Crayon in Abstract, applied with a MAC 227

I think the brush is faster for me because it’s just easier to regulate how much product I’m applying, and in the end, I spend less time buffing and blending.

And with the darker shades, in particular, it’s cheetah fast! Just a quick and easy way to create smokey eyes without having to deal with any fallout or 20 minutes of intense blending.

Try it sometime, and let me know how it turns out. I tell ya, it rocked my world.

No more Walking Dead till October…

So while I was visiting my folks out in the East Bay yesterday we spent a good 30 minutes talking about The Walking Dead finale and the coming zombie apocalypse.

Especially my brother and his girlfriend — they’re also big fans of the show.

This was in the afternoon, before the finale aired, and we were going into detail about our “zombie contingencies.”

Since I’m fairly confident that I’ll get bitten during the early days of the zombie outbreak, I let my family members know how I hope to be treated after the fact. Like, I’d prefer to stay close to the family, if that’s an option, as opposed to being left to roam the countryside with zombies I don’t know.

Call me crazy.

Ideally, I’d like my own room with a television in it and the Clueless DVD playing on loop, but if that’s not an option, a jewel-encrusted harness would be fine.

I’ll try not to bite anyone.

It would also be nice if, occasionally, someone would brush my hair and spray some perfume on me. Maybe also change my shoes from time to time (if it’s not too much trouble).

So what did you think of The Walking Dead finale? Can you believe we have to wait until October before we find out what happens next?

No spoilers here, but the comments are fair game!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

“As you can see, Karen’s not wearing any makeup at all…”

There I sat, feeling totally and completely naked and blinking wildly under the bright studio lights, as a layer of perspiration glistened on my forehead.

I’ve attended one-day makeup classes — sometimes called master classes — like this one before. Brand-sponsored classes usually held in large department stores. I really enjoyed the ones put on by MAC and Chanel, and yesterday’s, led by Bobbi Brown Manager of North American Artistry Marc Reagan, at the Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco, was just as interesting and fun.

It followed a similar set up. There’s a fee to attend, in this case $100 (my attendance fee was covered by the company), which is then redeemable toward the purchase of products at the end of the class.

Marc, a seasoned pro on Bobbi’s elite Beauty Team, has worked his magic on celebs and backstage at Fashion Weeks all over the world. At yesterday’s class, he demonstrated a bunch of different techniques and products on a model and answered questions while the attendees followed along, applying the techniques and trying the looks on themselves.

This time was a little different for me, though, um, because I was the model.

When I was asked, first thing I thought was, “FUN!” Second thing I thought was, “Oh, gawd! He’s going to have to take off all my makeup first! Holy sh*t!”

I’m the type of gal who applies concealer and gloss just to go get the mail outside, so I was a little nervous at first to be up there in front of the class without my “armor.”

But once I got used to it (as much as that’s possible), it was actually kind of liberating…akin to wearing a crazy cool shirt or something and just not giving a hoot.

The two-hour class was jam packed with tips. Marc did a two-phase makeup look on me, first walking the class through a natural, everyday look with the basics before cranking up the drama with more color, and between turning my head left and right at Marc’s direction, I typed a few notes on my phone.

1. Ramp up the wear time of your favorite Bobbi Brown foundations by layering them with one of Bobbi’s facial moisturizers

Ever notice that Bobbi’s line doesn’t include a face primer? It turns out, that’s because all of the brand’s facial moisturizers contain a primer in the formula.

So smart, right? Layering one of Bobbi’s facial moisturizers under your fave foundation not only helps to hydrate and protect your skin, but it also extends the wear time of the products you apply next.

A few of Bobbi Brown’s moisturizers from her Skin Care Luxuries travel exclusive kit

2. Keep two brushes on standby to apply under-eye concealer

When applying under-eye concealer, Marc recommends first applying with a flat brush before using your ring finger to pat and blend in the edges. The flat brush places the concealer where you want it on your skin, as opposed to just pushing it around.

Then, to set your concealer and ensure that it lasts through the day, fully load a tapered fluffy brush with plenty of powder (don’t be shy!), and gently pat that on top.

3. Bring a Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick with you in your makeup bag

Does Marc have a go-to Bobbi Brown product? As a matter of fact, he does! Bobbi Brown’s Foundation Sticks, and he says, “every woman needs one in her makeup bag.”

With the sticks, which Marc says always look natural and never heavy or cakey, you can build them up for heavier coverage, or sheer them out wherever you need less. You can also wear them alone or set them with a powder, and if you want to touch-up during the day, the Foundation Sticks even layer well atop powder.

Bobbi Brown’s Foundation Stick in Honey (for reference, I wear MAC NC42)

4. Save time on your blending by pressing brush heads into your palms first

After you’ve loaded your blush or bronzer brush with product, instead of tapping the brush against the side of the sink or a paper towel to unload the excess, press the loaded brush head into your palm several times.

It forces the powder into the bristles, distributing it more evenly, which consequently distributes the product more evenly on you! — ultimately saving time on blending.

Dang, I wish I’d thought of this one… It’s seriously genius, right?

5. Play with shimmer by layering a matte on top

If you ever feel like a shimmery finish is a little too shiny, temper the high-shine finish by layering a matte product directly on top of your shimmer.

Marc did this on me, creating a soft sheen by applying Bobbi’s shimmery peach Nectar Shimmer Brick on the tops of my cheekbones, and then buffing a bright pink matte blush, Peony, on top.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. One last thing! A little birdie told me that Bobbi Brown will be releasing darker shades of her BB Cream in the fall, so keep an eye out for those around the time the leaves start turning.