What’s up, ladies? TGIF! I hope it was a good week for you. Mine felt like it flew by quicker than Ralph Tresvant’s solo career. Exciting new spring makeup from DuWop, MAC and Dior helped to pass the time. 🙂
Yesterday I played with some of the new products and put my camera to the test. Stay tuned for full reviews of Fountain of Youth Foundation, Circle Block Concealer, Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder and Coral Riviera Blush over the coming days. 🙂
Face and cheeks
- DuWop Fountain of Youth Foundation: I’m really liking the dewy finish of this light-medium coverage foundation. It looks natural, without looking oily, in both pictures and real life, but I’m still on the fence as far as the brush applicator, which seems to handle distribution better than it handles blending.
- DuWop Circle Block Concealer: I feel just so-so about this concealer/ corrector combo. The peachy color corrector does a decent job covering up dark circles, but finding the ideal ratio of corrector to concealer has been a little tricky. The first time I tried it I guessed wrong and applied way too much of the corrector, which left my under eye area looking orange and kinda gross. This one’s gonna take some practice to figure out.
- MAC Prep+Prime Transparent Finishing Powder: WOW! Color me blown away. This powder has game. It adds a natural glow to my skin and appears to soften the look of fine lines and pores. I also dig that it doesn’t look chalky or heavy in pictures. I’m in love…
- Dior Coral Riviera Blush: Um, hello hotness? This blush delivers a warm bronze, with a coral hue and shimmery golden glow all in one fell swoop. From the swatches, I expected more of a straight coral blush with golden shimmer, but a surprising amount of bronze showed up on my cheeks. And it’s the bronze tint that makes me think Coral Riviera’s gonna look smokin’ hot with a summertime tan.
The eyes and lips
Since I was in the mood for some color in the look, I went with a green and blue eye using Cargo Tahiti Palette and Benefit Bad Gal Waterproof Liner, finishing with a shimmery coral lip using Dior Addict Gloss in Coral Lame. Side note: Coral Lame was a limited edition gloss, but if you’re looking for something similar, try Laura Mercier Lip Glace Lipgloss in Bellini. 🙂
Do you have any plans for the weekend? I hope you have some time to yourself.
It’s supposed to be warm here in the Bay Area… If it’s clear, I may head into SF tomorrow to visit the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Mishel says
March 27th, 2009 at 2:18 pmOh wow! This is such a beautiful look, love the peacock inspired colours!
And I am liking that lip colour alot, reminds me of that yummy peach bellini Olive Garden has…
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:53 pmHi Mishel,
Laura Mercier’s Bellini is one of my faves. It’ll look great on you!
Amanda says
March 27th, 2009 at 2:23 pmLOVE the eyes. total hotness. your entire FOTD (foundation, powder, etc) photographed really well today-you look great.
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:54 pmHi Amanda,
Thanks! I was really surprised with the foundation and powder combo. I am liking it!
I think in the future I’ll give Cargo Tahiti more love. She’s a fun palette.
How’s your Friday going?
Elena says
March 27th, 2009 at 2:29 pmWhoa, Karen, you look HAWT! I’m going to have to dupe this look immediately, lol. I’m not really in the market for a new foundation (I just bought one a month back and I’m really liking it) but how do you feel the DuWop would work with more oily skin? I am in the market for a new finishing powder in the next couple of weeks, so that’s kind of exciting. 🙂
I think I’ll try the bright blue and green eye when I go out with my friends tonight and see how it works out for me. 🙂
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:56 pmHi Elena,
Thanks! What foundation did you buy?
Right now I can tell that DuWop’s doing a good job on my oily forehead. It’s moderately oily though, not super oily like it used to be a few years ago. I think if you used a primer beforehand and a good setting powder you’d be good to go.
If you end up doing this look send me a pic! I’d love to see it. Have fun with your friends tonight. 🙂
tali says
March 27th, 2009 at 2:34 pmOH MY GAWD!! The eye look is hot! I need to try it! I love how you did it. I would never have come up with that combo.. its so nice on your brown eyes.. super flattering!
Ugh.. no chanel or dior summer collections in the uk till may! 🙁 Since i saw it ive been in love with that riviera blush!! Im suffering just looking at it!
I hate the uk.. not that the sugarsweet collection was that great or anything.. but its still not available here unless you have macpro! So annoying!!!!
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:57 pmHi Tali,
Thanks! I like how it turned out, too. 🙂
Bummer that you guys don’t get the summer Chanel until MAY! That’s killer!
If you desperate for the blush I think Nordie’s ships internationally — you just have to pay mega bucks for shipping.
YadiQ says
March 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pmyou go girl
rock that color ! i did a light smokey black purple and pink eye today using my mika shu palette adorned marguerite!
it feels like spring in ny today !
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:58 pmHi Yadi,
Mika Shu, Mika Shu! Why is that so much fun to say?
I’ve never been to NY in the spring. I bet it’s lovely!
Are you ready for the weekend? TGIF!
lipglossme says
March 27th, 2009 at 2:48 pmwowzers! I love, love, love the eye color!
What are you using for mascara on this one?
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:58 pmHi Lipglossme,
That’s Chanel Exceptionnel in black!
Bj says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:11 pmLove how you used the palette on eyes, im still playing with mine lots of options. Im lusting after this blush though, shortly im sure ill convince myself to purchase you definitely helped out on that one too karen!
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:59 pmHi BJ,
Thanks! I am still playing with this palette too. I’m gonna try to work up the courage to do crazier looks with it… one of these days, LOL!
I think this blush is a good summertime makeup investment. You could easily wear it every day. 🙂
Vanessa H says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:33 pmKaren, this color looks beautiful on you!!
I hope you don’t mind, I’m totally copying this look for girls night out tonight!
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:04 pmHi Vanessa H,
I totally don’t mind! I’d love you to rock this look. 🙂 Send me a pic if you end up doing it
What do you and the girls have planned for tonight?
sarah says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:37 pmOMG! i love it!
my mouth dropped!!! so prrrrettty Karen!
NEED to get that cargo palette. which brushes did u use for ur eyes?
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:03 pmHi Sarah,
Thanks! 🙂 You’ll love this palette — it’s a lot of fun!
Regarding the brushes I used
Fingers to apply MAC Painterly Paint Pot all over the eye;
MAC 219 to apply the blue on the lid;
MAC 217 to apply the medium green on the lid;
MAC 224 to apply Soba in the crease;
Sonia Kashuk angled eyeshadow brush to apply both light green and dark green on lower lash line;
and MAC 226 to blend.
Whirl says
March 27th, 2009 at 3:39 pmKaren,you should really throw away all matte blacks and browns you own.
I mean eyeshadows.
This is your best eye make up ever,i mean it.
The best i have seen on you,and i have been reading your blog forever.
Your dark skin,brown eyes and black hair just scream for fresh bright make up,like this one.
Please give up the browns,they steal your beauty.
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:05 pmHi Whirl,
Aww, thanks! I am glad you popped by to say hello. It’s nice to meet you.
I dunno if I could go cold turkey on the browns and blacks, LOL! They do come in handy. 🙂
Arianne says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:05 pmI love this look Karen. So spring-like. I should start digging out my bright shadows too. 🙂
Arianne´s last blog post..EcoTools Brushes in Toronto!
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:06 pmHi Arianne,
Thanks, girl!
We should all dig out our brights and have a virtual bright makeup party. 🙂
Vanessa H says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pmWe’re going to Downtown Fullerton here in Southern California…lots of restaurants and bars 🙂
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pmHi Vanessa H,
Sounds like fun! Have a good time and enjoy… yay, Friday!
Shefali says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:52 pmGorgeous Karen!! Love the eye look! Is that Cargo quad still available?
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:55 pmHi Shefali,
Thank you! Yup, it’s still available. You can get it at Sephora or online.
Whirl says
March 27th, 2009 at 4:59 pmKaren,remember you wanted to pull out a look using your new Dior Electric lights palette?
Please play with it once you’ve got a minute,can’t wait to see the outcome,thanks in advance!
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:58 pmHi Whirl,
Sure! It’s been kind of a crazy week… I’ll try to put a look up in the next few days (hopefully this weekend).
Mariko says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:13 pmi looooovez it! so pretty!
Kypris says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:26 pmLove the look, it’s very fresh and makes me feel cheerful. 🙂
By the way, I’ve been reading your posts for a while, but have been too shy to comment much. I love all the makeup advice I’ve picked up from your site! It’s also a terrible addiction as I love makeup but I can’t afford to buy all the pretty things that I see in your posts, and I don’t wear it often enough to buy that many either. Oops…
Karen says
March 27th, 2009 at 6:00 pmHi Kypris,
It’s very nice to meet you! I’m so glad you decided to say hello!
You’re not alone in your makeup addiction. 🙂 What are your favorite brands?
Maggie says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pmLOVE the look! it’s gorgeous! the mac finishing powder looks like it works really well! i LOVE the colors in your eyeshadow too! GORGEOUS! 😀
amy says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pmLove that look!!!!!! You look amazing. Have you tried the Dior Harmony in the rose tones? I think that one would suit my coloring better and was wondering whether you thought it was worth the investment?
lesley says
March 27th, 2009 at 5:42 pmThe Japanese Tea Garden in GG park is so pretty, also very relaxing. You chose a great time to come into the city, the weather has been so beautiful as of late. Hubby and I are planning on going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Sunday, should be fun 🙂
I really like how you did your eyes for this by the way, it looks so subtle from the whole face shot, but then I guess up close you really get to see how vibrant the colours are! 😀
Hope you have a good weekend!
Holly says
March 27th, 2009 at 6:34 pmYou look so gorgeous in the picture! The make up is amazing too!
shivotra says
March 27th, 2009 at 7:34 pmlove the eyes 🙂
Kate says
March 27th, 2009 at 7:42 pmYour skin looks brilliant here. So lovely.
Marisol says
March 27th, 2009 at 9:38 pmSuch a gorgeous look Karen! You look stunning!
I am so happy for the great weather that we will have this weekend. Have fun if you do go to GG Park. I am thinking of going to the De Young Museum to see the YSL exhibit or maybe the Warhol one. We will see!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Marisol´s last blog post..Untitled
wenvers says
March 28th, 2009 at 12:14 amWhow! You look amazing Karen, what a great FOTD!
wenvers says
March 28th, 2009 at 12:14 amWhow! You look amazing Karen, what a great FOTD!
Catherine says
March 28th, 2009 at 1:18 amWoah… that eyeshadow palette is gorgeous! And I’ve seen it at Sephora so many times! How do you like Cargo shadows by the way? I never really see any hype about them, but the quads are all so pretty…
Catherine´s last blog post..I’m back! 😀
Miss QQ says
March 28th, 2009 at 6:13 amHi Karen. Beautiful look!
Glosslizard says
March 28th, 2009 at 8:58 amSeriously gorgeous, girl! I love that look, and you look like a beauty queen in the photo! 🙂
Speaking of Dior summer, have you seen the Pearly Lilac quint? Ooooohhhhh, want!
gina says
March 28th, 2009 at 9:10 amyou look sooo BEAUTUFUL in this picture 🙂 the colors look gorgeous on you, have a fabulous weekend
gina´s last blog post..Reading Makes My Heart Smile
flora says
March 28th, 2009 at 11:50 amlove the close up pic of the eyes….ive gotta try it out! ive never played with those colors together so this would be fun 🙂 now id have to convince the hubby to take me out tonite so i can sport the look 😛
jessica says
March 28th, 2009 at 1:28 pmyou look blootiful– like a Hawaiian princess ^.^
noi says
March 28th, 2009 at 4:39 pmthe first thing that i noticed was that uber-cute floral hair clip on your tank 😀 i love floral hair clips! i used to wear them in high school and i didn’t care if i looked like i was going to the Bahamas in a Catholic-all-girls school uniform lol :))
love the eyes! and the blush! 😀 it reminds me of how i mix my Red Earth Illumnating Blush with a bit of Bloom’s bronzer in Aloha.. same coral-bronzey results! 🙂 and the gloss reminds me of my NYX gloss in Fabulous 😀 might try that FOTD this summer! 😀
noi´s last blog post..Beauty Lows: Shu Uemura vs. The Face Shop Blushers
Nadrah says
March 29th, 2009 at 7:00 amKaren you look beautiful! I love how you used bright colours. It looks fresh and natural on you. That blush is to die for as well!!
Nicole15 says
March 30th, 2009 at 12:31 pmyour eyes with the cargo tahiti palette are fa-fa-feirce! love it! this is summer in a palette for sure. think green grass, blue skies/ocean, coral riviera is your sunset. you cannot go wrong you tropical beauty you! LOL 🙂