Tom Ford Beauty

Makeup Musings: F*ck Imperfections

June 4th, 2021 by Karen 22 Comments

I put on some make up yesterday, and to be honest…I didn’t feel super great about it.

For one, I am deeply out of practice, and blending is a perishable skill, let me tell ya. So, my blending skills aren’t as “keen” as they once were. Two, I wore much less makeup than I normally wear when I plan to take pics of it with a DSLR camera, photography lights, off-camera flash and the other photography doo-dads, and makeup intended to be photographed is a whole different beast than makeup for everyday real life. Mainly, the lighting is different, and mobile phone cameras incorporate a bunch of fancy AI to compensate for the smaller optical sensors. Long story short, things don’t always translate the same in pics.

ALSO, lately, all I’ve wanted to wear are “real life looks.” This is my face, this is who I am and, quite frankly, I’m rarely in the mood to go through the 2,341 steps I used to do when I put on a full face for pics.

Thing is, though, when I look at these pics, I’m having a hard time focusing on the good stuff. I keep comparing myself to the Karen from years ago, a girl who was photo-ready all the time… Heck, I’d contour just to take walk around the neighborhood and pet the cats, LOL!

I see these pics of myself now and think, “Oh, boy. I probably should’ve used a color corrector to hide that dark spot in my inner corner more thoroughly, and I should also cover that dark patch above my upper lip with concealer, and why didn’t I do something about that heavy lid?!” I should’ve done this, I should’ve done that, yadda-yadda-yadda.

I hear all of these things in my head, but I realize that most people who see these pics aren’t going to perceive all of these things as “faults.” They’ll probably just see pictures of a smiling mid-40s stranger wearing bright lipstick.

If I were my daughter and was picking apart pictures of herself, I’d be heartbroken to hear her criticize herself so intensely. 🙁 I’d tell her that I can only see the happy look in her eyes and that I’m impressed by how beautifully and naturally she blended her blush. I’d tell her that I love the joy in her smile.

I don’t know where this propensity to constantly critique myself comes from, but I also know that we are our own worst critics. I know logically that most of the things I perceive as faults are issues that are simply not there, or things that people don’t notice at all…but that doesn’t stop me from seeing them!

I’m working on it, though. I’m working really, really hard on loving myself more, both inside and out, and that’s why I’m saying to the universe (or really anyone who’ll listen), f*ck the idea of imperfections. I don’t want to live feeling like I need to correct things that are “wrong” with my face anymore. I’m soooooooo done.

So, here’s a gentle reminder for me (and for you just in case you need it), that what you may perceive as faults aren’t as bad as you think they are.

I think you look pretty freakin’ fabulous, OK? So here’s to us — as I raise my cup of Earl Grey tea with a splash of creamer! Here’s to our sparkling eyes, our joyful smiles and our beauty, both inside and out.

I hope you have a wonderful Friday. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Makeup Musings: My Makeup Style Is Evolving, and I’m Leaning Into It and Seeing Where It Goes

June 3rd, 2021 by Karen 12 Comments

One of the things I’ve always loved about makeup is the potential to explore so many different paths, and there are so many ways you can change your style and your technique, and just ways to evolve with it. Like, during one stage of your life, maybe you’re wearing full-coverage foundation and false lashes everywhere. Then, maybe 5-10 years later your idea of “dressed up” is wearing mascara and brow pencil, which you only wear to work meetings.

I think there’s something very cool about being able to reinvent yourself, and makeup is here for that. That’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved it.

This idea struck me right after I finished this look with the Tom Ford Disco Dust palette, MAC A Little Tamed Lipstick and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. Seriously, my makeup style has changed a lot over the past six months, and I can honestly say that I don’t love doing a complicated base as much as I used to.

Foundations, concealers and the constant quest to create a flawless base — I kid you not — used to THRILL MY SOUL, but now, even when I just wear a little tinted moisturizer, it feels like I’m wearing too much.

I don’t know if it’s because I’ve become more comfortable in my skin, or if it’s because I’ve just gotten so used to putting on some sheer tinted sunscreen and calling it a day, but, at least for now, the thought of layering, mixing and buffing 10 different base products to achieve a skin-like effect isn’t something I want to do.

And you know what? Makeup is cool with that. It’s creative. It’s malleable. There are options. It’s designed to change and evolve with you. A full makeup bag contains endless possibilities.

That said, I’m thinking that maybe it’s time to explore the wide, wide world of tinted sunscreen serums (I’ve got my eye on this one and this one) and sheer BB creams. I don’t know where this is going to take me, but I’m excited to find out.

I’m wearing the following pieces in this look…

Tom Ford Disco Dust Quad

Chanel Black Wood pencil liner

Clinique Pretty Easy Pen in Black

Urban Decay Brow Beater Pencil in Neutral Brown

MAC Clear Brow Set

Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Wheat

Hourglass Retouching Fluid in Sand

Lancome Le Monochromatique in Ooh La la

Lancome Le Monochromatique in Soiree

MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour in A Little Tamed

Have you gone through any major makeup pivots in your life? How has your styled changed lately? When did you start wearing more or less? Did a particular event or moment change your point of view? I’d love to hear about it.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

FOTD: Khaki and Copper Tones for a Zoom Call

June 24th, 2020 by Karen 21 Comments

Wore this look on a Zoom call with a beauty brand yesterday (it was Urban Decay to talk about their latest Naked palette, for the nosey noodles who were wondering!), and in classic K-dawg fashion I banged it out in 15 minutes before it started because that’s how I roll.

And, um…Connor also had a social distancing playdate at the park shortly before the call was scheduled to start, and we made it back home by the skin of our teeth, ha ha ha! Whenever I’m pressed for time but want to look gussied up, I always fall back on smokey eyes and nude lips. This khaki and copper version relies on just two products.

I paired the eyes with peach lips and cheeks because EASY. PEASY.

I’m also wearing a little more base makeup than I have been lately because I knew that “makeup people” (air quotes) were going to be present, so if there were ever a time to load up on a little more concealer, this was it.

Since we’re on the topic of quick looks, what’s your default medium-impact makeup look when you’re pressed for time?

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Neon Lights: 3 Colorful Looks

July 1st, 2019 by Karen 18 Comments

The three colorful looks in this post have a couple things in common.

I wore them all to preschool drop-off in the last few days (the pink look at the top was from this morning!).
I did all of them using the $29 LORAC Neon Lights palette.

In the Neon Lights palette, that yellow is more of a goldenrod, which I’m kind of disappointed by because I wish the palette had a lemon yellow… The goldenrood just isn’t yellow enough for me.

Wow, that’s something I never thought I’d ever say!

Say “what,” Karen? You’re not wearing a sh*t-ton of browns for once? LOL. Neutrals are normally my wheelhouse, it’s true. I usually default to them because they fit my my lowest energy state, ha ha ha! Plus, you can’t really muck up neutrals.

Still, I’ve been itching to wear more color. I’ve just been trying to think of ways to feel comfortable doing it, because as fun as bright, intense glittery looks are, I feel a little crazy wearing that kind of makeup when all I’m doing is bringing coywolf to school or toddler ballet class.

The colorful looks here are my speed because, even though there’s a bright focal point in every one, there are still subtle-ish elements, like the foundation.

Something Sam said in that ’90s makeup video I mentioned the other day resonated with me. To paraphrase, she said that it’s not the things you pile on that make a look look cool. It’s what you leave out, so I basically went super minimal on the base in all of these colorful looks.

I’ve also been VERY inspired by Katie Jane Hughes lately. She’s a makeup artist I follow on Instagram, and she is JUST SO DAMN GOOD. She’ll paint a delicate swish of sparkly green shadow or sketch a skinny slice of neon yellow liner, so you can tell she loves wearing color, but she also likes to go minimal with the base.

I’m a little obsessed with her at the moment!

LOOK 1: PINK SUMMER SUNSET

Eyes: Bolt, Girls and Atomic eyeshadow from the LORAC Neon Brights Palette, Chanel Dimensions de Chanel Mascara, Maybelline Bold Brown Tattoo Studio Liner, IT Cosmetics Brow Power Micro in Universal Taupe, Urban Decay Yeyo liner (as a base)

Base: MAC Next to Nothing Foundation in Medium Deep (all over, applied with fingers) and Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Honey Bronze (patted with fingers on cheeks, nose, around the lips, and under the eyes)

Lips: MAC Stripdown Lip Pencil and MAC Open Presence Lipstick

LOOK 2: BLUE NOTE

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5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

September 21st, 2018 by Karen 38 Comments

sally hansen color therapy fall 2018 — New shades of Sally Hansen Color Therapy polish from the left! — Falling Deep, Bronze Reflection, Dusty Plum, Pink and Harmony, Cashmere Calm ($7.99 each)

1. These gorgeous nude Sally Hansen Color Therapy nail colors

I can’t decide what to wear for the next installment of Desperately Seeking Persistent Polish! Too many choices… I’m leaning toward dark burgundy Falling Deep, since I wore a pastel cream last week. What do you think?

2. MAC Cosmo Lipstick

Busted this out for the first time in months and remembered why I love it so much. This neutral pink with a hint of brown is a lovely everyday lip color, and it looks amazeballs with brown and taupe eyeshadows!

3. Kim’s Convenience

I found the best show on Netflix! In every single episode, there’s at least one moment where I have to hit pause and scream to nobody in particular that “SERIOUSLY, THIS SHOW IS BASICALLY MY LIFE.”

I’m not Korean, and my parents never owned a grocery store (they’re both retired accountants)…and I’ve never lived in Toronto (Bay Area strong!), but the family stuff rings so true growing up Asian with immigrant parents — ESPECIALLY the miscommunication and how the family members express their love for each other. I’ve laughed and cried my way through both of the seasons on Netflix. It’s the most authentic show I’ve ever seen about growing up in an Asian immigrant family, but it’s also just good. Very witty, funny writing IMO.

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14 Days of Ravishing Red! — Day 11: Red Wine and Witchcraft With Tom Ford Dahlia

February 12th, 2018 by Karen 27 Comments

Are you ready for 14 Days of Ravishing Red? Stay tuned as we explore ravishing red ? lipsticks, lip liners and glosses every day on our way to ? Valentine’s.

Potently powerful Tom Ford Black Dahlia Lipstick is deep, dark, moody and perhaps slightly dangerous…and a little bit unhinged, LOL! Like, it could either kiss you or cut you to shreds, depending on how the wind’s blowing.

LOL!

Basically, it ain’t playin’. I feel like I’m one of the girls in The Craft when I wear it, and we’re sitting around a bonfire in the woods making flames dance with witchcraft.

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14 Days of Ravishing Red! — Day 7: Matte Orangey Red Lips With Tom Ford Cristiano

February 7th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

Are you ready for 14 Days of Ravishing Red? Stay tuned as we explore ravishing red ? lipsticks, lip liners and glosses every day on our way to ? Valentine’s.

There’s absolutely nothing shy or coy about a fiery, orangey red, especially one that’s as opaque and matte as Tom Ford Cristiano. I think it has a little bit of a vintage vibe to it, yeah? Like Betty Draper would’ve gone MAD HARD on this lippie back in the day.

I’ve noticed that orangey red lipsticks, particularly matte ones like Cristiano, look extra vibrant when you wear them with a navy blue or denim top. I don’t always coordinate my makeup and my clothing, but if a bold statement orangey red is involved, I’ll grab a blue dress or shirt when I’m getting dressed in the morning.

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10-Minute Work or Weekend Makeup With Red Blush, Red Lipstick and Smudgy Bronze-Black Cat Eyeliner

January 13th, 2018 by Karen 24 Comments

10 minute makeup — Today’s 10-minute makeup

A few things:

It’s Saturday morning, and I’m wearing the same pajamas I put on Thursday night.
My head feels like it’s being squished in a vice (yes, I’m still a walking germ factory).
I haven’t washed my hair in three (four?) days.

But thanks to the healing power of makeup, I can pretend I briefly look like I’m a somewhat functioning adult, LOL!

This 10-minute makeup look was 1) to help myself feel better, and 2) for Sheena (yay for the Bay, girl, woo-hoo!), who liked the NUDESTIX Intense Lip + Cheek Pencil in Purity post earlier this week but wanted to see me use a darker color from the line.

This time I used warm red Stiletto, and I used it as both a blush and a sheer lip color. And then I also did a smudgy, bronze-y black cat eye.

Everything I used is listed below, and if you have any questions, you know where to find me (hints: it involves Netflix, a laptop and my couch).

nudestix stiletto — When you’re trying to not look like you’re a walking germ factory…

One note about the skin. I used a very sheer liquid skin tint to even everything out just a touch, then boosted the coverage on my cheeks with a loose foundation. This is a very cool shortcut I like to do when I’m pressed for time/have very little patience.

Also, because I went into this look planning to only spend 10 minutes on it, and because the pencil was an opaque bright red, I opted for the sheer lip stain because I figured I’d be able to fudge the edge of the lip line (which I did).

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