Karen

Gimme, Gimme Moisture: Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Moisture Masque

February 16th, 2008 by Karen 18 Comments

An oasis of opulence and glam, Las Vegas sits in the middle of the Southwestern American desert, and the dry air here zaps what little moisture exists in my already parched skin, leaving it feeling tight and uncomfortable. Before braving the casinos this morning (momma’s gotta win big to fund her Sephora run!), I remedied the situation with facial moisturizing TLC, courtesy of Peter Thomas Roth’s Mega Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Masque.

Product: Peter Thomas Roth Mega Rich Intensive Anti-Aging Cellular Moisture Masque
Use: A moisturizing masque to hydrate normal, dry or sensitive skin
Price: $60
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

Unlike clay masks with thick, heavy consistencies, PTR’s moisturizing mask feels light. The consistency upon application reminds me of Lubriderm body lotion but feels even lighter and less sticky than that. A product’s scent helps determine whether or not I would use it regularly, and PTR’s light, slightly medicinal scent smells nice and fades quickly.

I slathered a layer upon my face, neck and decollete and left it on for 10 minutes. The mask dried but didn’t flake off like most clay masks will. The formula actually seemed to soak into my skin. After rinsing it off and looking at myself in the mirror, my skin looked and felt smoother and less irritated.

What’s in this magical, moisturizing brew? Let’s see… in addition to edible-sounding (although the product is not approved for consumption) ingredients like sweet almond oil, aloe vera and pomegranate, PTR contains a laundry list of scientific-ish anti-aging compounds like Firma-Cell-4, Syn-Coll and Argire-Line, which, according to the product packaging, work together to combat fine lines and deep wrinkles. I have to be up front — I find it really hard to quantify how effective anti-aging products are because I’m 32 and don’t have a lot of wrinkles (yet, ha!). Looking in the mirror, I tried to see a difference in my fine lines but couldn’t really detect a change, so I’m not sold on the anti-aging aspect. To be fair, my results could be different after a more extended bout of testing.

But the mask is still incredibly moisturizing, making it a fantastic addition to any dry skinned gal’s (or guy’s) skin routine. I could really feel the difference out here in the dry desert air.

Today, I’ve got a few fun things lined up. First up, breakfast at our hotel, the Golden Nugget.

At some point today, I plan to win a jackpot while playing the slot machines (gotta think positive!). Then, I’ll head to the strip to visit Sephora and the cosmetics section of Barney’s New York department store. I hope to find a bunch of brands I can’t get back in the Bay. I suspect El Hub will drag me out of makeup nirvana and force me to eat lunch at a buffet, sigh. Viva Las Vegas!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Jump Start Your Morning: Wei East Intensive Herbal Eye Treatment Pads

February 15th, 2008 by Karen 18 Comments

Non-morning people of the world, unite! Before my morning coffee, I’m a puffy-eyed, grumpy beast. If you are, too, then I’ve got your new best friend right here: Wei East’s Intensive Herbal Eye Treatment Pads.

Infused with an herbal blend of green tea, chrysanthemum extract and peppermint, these disposable herbal eye pads refresh and de-puff tired, sleepy eyes (like mine). This morning I crawled out of bed, fired up the coffee and tore open a pack. The pads rest gently upon your puffy eyelids. There’s no adhesive, so you have to lie down or tilt your head back to keep them in place. I chillaxed on the couch for 10 minutes while the coffee brewed.

They’re wonderful right after getting up in the morning, when you’re mind is in that shady zone between fast asleep and half-awake. With subtle notes of tea and peppermint, the soft pads cool and refresh the senses. Relaxing on the couch, I let my mind wander, reflecting upon the day ahead. After 10 minutes, my eyes weren’t as puffy as they were before, and I felt invigorated, refreshed and ready to rumble.

One box of 16 packets (each packet holds two pads) runs $36, which breaks down to about $2.76 per pack. Yes, I probably could have simulated a cheaper version of the experience with a candy cane and a wet washcloth, but on extra-rough mornings when I can barely even grunt or gesture, these pads will be worth it. Sometimes, you need all the help you can get in the morning, and Wei East’s pads could be just the thing to make the morning a lil’ bit easier.

Purchase Wei East Intensive Herbal Eye Treatment pads at at Weieast.com.

Well, we *finally* made it to Friday! Are you ready for this jelly? You better be! Reporting live from Las Vegas, Nevada…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

19 Pink Shoes: How to Kick Valentine’s Day Ass

February 14th, 2008 by Karen 42 Comments

Dear Cupid,

Happy Valentine’s Day, yo! I know you’re super busy today spreading love and all, but could I trouble you for a small favor? Would you please stop shooting me with those love arrows?? Each one makes me fall in love with a new pair of pink shoes!

First, I fell for these casual cuties…

Converse – All Star Core HI ($42)

Sugar Origami Batik Floral ($73.95)

Vans – Classic Slip-On ($44.95)

Dr. Martens 1460 W – Series ($113.95)

Then, my heart melted for strappy sandals…

Ralph Lauren – Amelie ($107.06)

Fornarina – Violet ($129.56)

Manolo Blahnik – Snake Print Sandal ($675)

Charles by Charles David – Pandora ($103.95)

But you couldn’t stop there, could you? You had to take it a *step* further, forcing me to fall in love with pink pumps!

Nine West – Luxious ($92.95)

Miss Sixty – Callista ($179.95)

Betsey Johnson – Cayden ($190)

BCBGirls – Sandy ($99.95)

BCBGirls – Iggy ($98.95)

Zinc – Missy ($92.95)

Emilio Pucci – 783997 ($593.95)

Manolo Blahnik – Satin d’Orsay ($655)

Miu Miu Deco Patent Platform ($695)

Betsey Johnson – Clovis ($180)

Christian Louboutin – Covered Platform Peep-Toe ($760)

Dude, seriously. Stop toying with my heart! Point your love arrows someplace else. Might I suggest targeting a VH-1 reality TV dating show mansion like the Flavor of Love or Rock of Love abodes? There are plenty o’ people looking for love, you cherubic little bastard. Go wreak havoc with someone else’s heart!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Paint it Pink, Paint it Black: Lancome Stylish Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette

February 13th, 2008 by Karen 31 Comments

No matter how hard I try, I am physically unable to pack light for trips. My main weakness: makeup. I always bring way more than I should.

If I were forced to pick just one eyeshadow palette to bring with me on, say, a three-day trip to Las Vegas, that palette would have to be the new Lancome Stylish Neutrals Color Design Artist Palette.

This Friday morning El Hub and I catch a flight to Las Vegas (4:00 a.m., OUCH!) to hang out with my in laws, who are flying over from where they live in Hawaii to meet us there. We haven’t seen them in a while. It’s just a short three-day trip, so I don’t want to bring my entire makeup collection (actually, I do). Lancome’s Stylish Neutrals Palette has everything I should need.

It would be an understatement to say I’m a lil’ obsessed with this palette. I’ve been rocking the colors for a week. Here’s a super easy tutorial of a pink and light purple eye using four of the shadows.

This map shows where the shadow placement should go:

First, prep your eyelids. Apply a few dots of your favorite concealer and blend it thoroughly with a concealer brush. I used Dior Long-Wearing Moisturizing Concealer and Billy B’s Paintbrush #5.

Next, apply MAC Shadestick in Pink Couture to your lids and barely into your crease.

Use warm fingers to gently smooth out the edges.

Now, grab a fluffy rounded edge brush, like the MAC 252 or Sephora Shader brush, and apply Lancome’s Optic eyeshadow (#1), a cool grey shimmer, to the brow bone.

With the same brush, apply Off the Rack eyeshadow (#2), a metallic light pink, to your lids on top of the MAC Pink Couture Shadestick. Concentrating most of the color on your lid, bring the eyeshadow color up into the crease, fading it as you move upward.

Next, still with the same brush, apply a shimmery mauve like Exhibition eyeshadow (#3) into the outer V. It’s a light but highly pigmented color. Go easy on it if you plan to wear the look to work. Be sure to dilute it first by tapping the brush against the side of the sink, or swipe the brush head against a piece of tissue or the back of your hand. Apply the color slowly, one layer at time. It’s always easier to add color than to take it away.

Now, using a stiff angled brush like the MAC 266 (yay!), apply Backstage Pass eyeshadow (#4), a dark matte burgundy, beneath the lash line. I prefer soft lines, so I applied the shadow dry. If you prefer more intense color and defined lines, wet your brush before using it.

Next, grab a small fluff brush like the MAC 228, and blend a little more Optic eyeshadow (#1) just beneath the line you created with Backstage Pass (#4).

To finish the look, fill in your brows, curl your lashes and add two coats of mascara.

For my brows I used a MAC 266 brush with Concrete Eyeshadow, and on the lashes I used the Shu Uemura curler and Shu’s Precise Volume Waterproof Mascara.

Don’t forget your blush and your gloss! Here, on my cheeks I went with MAC Mocha blush, and on the lips that’s MAC Spice lipliner and Chanel Pink Crystal Glossimer lipgloss.

I like this look’s lil’ color punch. It’s not over-the-top and takes my laziness to new and glorious heights. All six shadows and the Shadestick work so well together and in so many different combinations that I can create any of several different eye looks in 10 minutes from start to finish.

I hope you had a mellow Wednesday. Keep on truckin’, girlfriend!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Did Ya Ever Wonder…

February 13th, 2008 by Karen 31 Comments

…what a beauty book looks like before it actually ends up on the bookstore shelf?

Here’s a side view of a beauty book manuscript I’m helping to edit. I’ve been working on it all morning long. I can’t reveal the name of the author or the book title yet (it still doesn’t have a title), but ya’ll will be the first ones to get the skinny once it’s ready. 🙂

Anyway, after an hour or so of reading the manuscript, I started getting antsy, so I grabbed my pan of MAC Parrot eyeshadow and held it for comfort. Sidenote: Yes, I am a weirdo.

With MAC Parrot in one hand and the manuscript in the other, I experienced a sudden Makeup and Beauty Blog math moment (Insert clouds parting overhead and sunlight streaming through *here*)! The width of one 400-page beauty book manuscript is approximately equal to the width of one pan of MAC Parrot. The Pythagorean theorem it ain’t, but you know what they say — knowledge is power, yo.