Kate Somerville

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

February 2nd, 2018 by Karen 38 Comments

senita athletics top — Cute cutouts for the win

1. Tops with back detailing

Cutouts and braids and peek-a-boo details, oh, my! I’m into tops with cute back action right now, because, let’s be honest…the only part of my body NOT covered in food at any given moment is my upper back. And if it’s the only part of me that’s going to be devoid of half-chewed Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies and organic string cheese, by golly, it’s going to be cute!

2. Kate Somerville Wrinkle Warrior Pink Plumping Mask

This moisturizing gel mask is pink and sparkly — although I can’t quite figure out how the shimmer works, because I don’t really see it on my skin when I look directly at it; it’s like sneaky side sparkle — and smells a like little like a triple berry smoothie.

It’s SUPER hydrating, too. I’ve been using it a few times a week in the morning when my skin feels even drier than usual.

kate somerville wrinkle warrior pink plumping mask — Sparkly!

When I apply a layer after cleansing and toning in the morning, eat breakfast and putter around for a bit, then wash it off, my skin looks and feels plump and moisturized. Kate S. says the moisture magic is from something called “HA3,” which stands for three types of hyaluronic acid, but really, every time I see “HA3” on the jar, I think “Ha-Ha-Ha!” instead. 🙂

All jokes aside, I love this as a makeup prep step in the a.m. because everything I put on top of my skin after it — foundation, concealer, powder, etc. — looks much smoother.

3. Classical Art Memes

These are totally a thing.

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Sephora Beauty Insider Collectible Pin Set

January 18th, 2018 by Karen 23 Comments

Throughout the entire history of “Karen going to Sephora,” which is a long history, I’ve never gotten as excited about a Sephora Beauty Insider points exchange as I got for this Collectible Pin Set.

How cute is this!? It’s sooo cute, right? I had to (“had to,” air quotes) go to Sephora last week… Was it last week? Yeah, it was just before I got sick.

Anywho… I had to pick up another bottle of Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion because I was down to the last drop, and without it my face totally breaks out. So, I ran to Sephora, grabbed it, grabbed an $8 lipstick too (we’ll talk about that in a second), and when I was at the front counter, I saw this cute little set of four enamel pins.

sephora beauty insider collectible pin set — I couldn’t say no.

When the sales associate asked me if I wanted to redeem any points, I didn’t use my standard answer, which is almost always “no” because I’m hardly ever really moved by any of the chintzy samples they give away for like 500 points, but I saw these pins and was like, “YES, GIRL. HOOK A CAT LADY UP.”

OK, there are four pins… There’s a peace sign with painted nails. That one’s very sassy.

sephora beauty insider collectible pins peace — Nail art lives!

There’s this unicorn, whom I’ve named “Treasure.”

sephora beauty insider collectible pins unicorn — Say hi to Treasure.

This trio of cute little hearts…

sephora beauty insider collectible pins hearts — Hearts are my thing, man.

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Kate Somerville Tight’N Cryogenic Tightening Gel Keeps It Cool

December 15th, 2017 by Karen 20 Comments

I’ve finally found something cooler than the other side of the pillow, and it’s Kate Somerville Tight’N Cryogenic Tightening Gel.

And it literally might be the coolest thing I’ve ever used, ever, because it’s like sticking your face into an industrial strength freezer… But it’s also $125, and I’m still deciding whether it’s a necessary step, or one of those skip-able skin care bells and whistles.

Like carrot cake, this new skin tightening foam is weird and wonderful at the same time. You’re supposed to use it as the last step in your skin care routine, both in the morning and at night.

When you push the pump, a white fluffy foam shoots out, which then starts crackling loudly, like crinkling paper or a bowl of Rice Crispies when you pour milk into it.

You apply it with your fingers to your face and neck, avoiding your eyes, nose and mouth.

That’s when the cooling begins, and you feel your skin getting colder and colder and colder…

It’s not painful or anything, but it feels *cold*, and numbing, like somebody’s rubbing ice cubes on your face after the dentist injected you with Novocaine.

And your skin stays like that — really, really cold — for a long time. Thirty minutes or so. It’s fascinating! And so, so, weird.

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Mostly Makeup-Related Friday Ramblings: The Urban Decay Basquiat Collection, New Makeup Setting Sprays, and Mom Brain (It’s a Legit Thing!)

April 28th, 2017 by Karen 21 Comments

urban decay basquiat collection final — I had some fun today with the Urban Decay Jean-Michel Basquiat Collection.

Hey, guys! Happy Friday. 🙂 I hope you’re having a good one so far. I hope it hasn’t been too hectic or stressful. Sometimes on Fridays I feel a mix of relief, because it’s the end of the week, and a little bit of…I dunno, anxiety? Just because I like to leave things in a good place for Monday. You know what I mean? I like to fix up my office a little and have a plan for what I’m going to do the next week, maybe take pictures if I need to or go to the arts and crafts store for props.

I also like to do a little housecleaning if I can get to it, just so that I don’t have to think about it over the weekend, and I can actually, maybe relax.

So even though I’m super excited that it’s Friday, it’s tinged with slight stress, LOL.

Anyway…

Today I started testing some new products from Urban Decay. They have a new collection out called UD Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Yup, inspired by the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. That’s his artwork on the packaging.

urban decay basquiat collection 1 — The Urban Decay UD Jean-Michel Basquait Collection

I saw the neutral Gold Griot Eyeshadow palette and thought, “Girl, I need to get that on my lids ASAP,” so I’m wearing it.

I’ve got a warm brownish red in the crease (I used reddish brown Anatomy Glide-On Eye Pencil as a base), a bronze lid and a soft navy cat eye flick. I’m also wearing the UD Gallery Blush Palette and two of the collection’s lipsticks, warmish brown Epigram and purplish pink Exhibition, mixed together.

I’m thinking about throwing on some glitter later to take it up a notch if we go out to dinner (we’re thinking pizza). 🙂

urban decay basquiat collection k1 — That’s the UD Gold Griot Eyeshadow Palette on my lids (also used Anatomy 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil as a base), the Gallery Blush Palette on my cheeks, and the lipsticks in Exhibition and Epigram mixed together on my lips.

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Friday Skin Care Chitchat: Kate Somerville, Caudalie, GLAMGLOW, AMOREPACIFIC and Ole Henriksen

February 1st, 2013 by Karen 43 Comments

Wow, it’s been a while since we chatted about skin care. Heck, I think the last time might’ve been last summer? After that trip to the Bliss Spa in SF, when those helpful aestheticians gave me those great product recs.

Anywho, last weekend I noticed I was running low on a couple of things I’ve come to adore, so on Saturday night I stopped by Sephora to restock, and I figured that while I was there, I could use one of my Christmas gift certificates to find something new. 🙂

Two of the products I picked up, Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac Clearing Lotion ($39) and Caudalie’s Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-CrÃ¨me ($39), I’ve loved for a while.

Absolute gold!

Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion and Caudalie Vinosource Cream Sorbet — Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion ($39) and Caudalie Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-CrÃ¨me ($39)

Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac Clearing Lotion

I’ve been breaking out, off and on, around my chin and mouth (hormonal acne…UGH!) this past year, and Kate Somerville’s Anti Bac Clearing Lotion, when I use it consistently, has helped clear up my skin.

An acne treatment lotion with 5% benzoyl peroxide, it layers well beneath makeup and doesn’t have that funky, tell-tale benzoyl peroxide scent found in so many other BP products.

Now, I get a tight, panicky feeling in my chest when I think about running out and not having a spare bottle around…
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+

Caudalie’s Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-CrÃ¨me

Second item: Caudalie’s Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-CrÃ¨me. I love it so much, I’m now on my third bottle.

The lightweight, mousse-like lotion absorbs instantly into my skin, and it’s moisturizing enough to handle the driest patches on my face. And WOO HOO! — it doesn’t seem to make my breakouts worse.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+

GLAMGLOW, AMOREPACIFIC and Ole Henriksen

After I re-stocked on the must-have skin care supplies, my basket still felt a little light, so with that gift certificate burning in my pocked, I also picked up…

Ole Henriksen Truth to Go Wipes, GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Clearing Treatment, AMORE PACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Peel — Ole Henriksen Truth to Go Wipes, GLAMGLOW Super-Mud Clearing Treatment and AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Peel

AMOREPACIFIC Treatment Enzyme Peel ($60)

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