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Chat It Up in the Open Thread

by 76 Comments

makeup and beauty blog open thread

Heya, girl. 🙂 It’s late Sunday afternoon; do you know where your weekend went?

Mine seems to have vanished in the blink of an eye!

I know it’s late in the day for an open thread, but why not, right?

The open thread is basically where we just chat in the comments. Any topic you like, from your favorite book (mine’s To Kill a Mockingbird), to the trip you’re planning to take, your favorite flavor of ice cream, highlight of your day — or just drop in to say konbanwa.

Random pictures to get the conversation started…

See you in a few! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This is referring to one of the above pictures, what is your running workout like? And do you do any other exercise to keep in shape?

    xoxo

    Reply

    • Hi Devs,

      I have a limited time to work out, so I try to get as much bang for my buck by doing 30 minutes of running at various speeds. Today I did 30 minutes, switching between 6.0mph (a comfy, but somewhat fast pace) and 6.5 (a pace where I can still hold a conversation, but just barely) every three minutes. Some days I’ll do about a minute or two of a very fast pace (7.5-7.8) and then three minutes of my “chill” pace, which is 5. I’d much rather do these types of treadmill workouts because they make me work harder and keep me from getting bored. 🙂

      Reply

  2. I really need to start working out regularly. I do walk a lot on campus (and apparently I do get the weekly minimum requirement that way lol) but it’s really not enough!

    On a kind of related note, I replaced all my shoes inserts today with the Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Sport ones! They were on sale for $9.99 at CVS, down from $16, and I got $3 extra bucks with one pair (sadly the limit for the deal lol). I’m super excited because I’ve been needing some new inserts for a looooong time. 😀 😀 😀

    Also made a Mitsuwa/Marukai run with SO this morning, and not only did I get a few new skincare/beauty goodies, we got some delicious mochi after lunch, which we brought home and then brought out to our nearest Starbucks (at the Westfield 10 minutes walking distance from our apartment) to enjoy. I also got my free birthday drink. 😀

    &&&& I’m *almost* done cleaning & doing laundry!! Then I just have to finish writing up my 125 (Computational Modeling in Bioengineering … not that that means anything to anybody lol) homework. I don’t think I’ve had this productive of a weekend in a LONG time! 😀
    .-= Catherine’s last blog post… Caudalie Beauty Elixir =-.

    Reply

    • Walking is a great workout. It’s low impact and you get to be outdoors! 🙂

      Hmm, how about supplementing your walks with an at-home fitness DVD?

      Now I’m hungry for mochi… om nom nom!

      Reply

      • Oooh, that sounds like a really good idea. I’ve tried doing calisthenics at home by myself but I have a really hard time staying motivated. Can you suggest any fun DVDs for beginners?

        & duuude, that mochi was so good. 😀 😀 😀

        Also, I was actually at Mitsuwa looking for a refreshing spray for the summer (not so much that the summer makes me dry as working over full time between two very air conditioned environments does). Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir made me oilier and I want one that’s small and portable. Got any recs?
        .-= Catherine’s last blog post… Caudalie Beauty Elixir =-.

        Reply

      • Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred is still my fave.

        I also have her “Banish Fat Boost Metabolism” cardio DVD but have yet to break it in. I’ll let you know if it’s any good.

        As for refreshing sprays, I like MAC Fix+!

        Reply

  4. I have a ton of housecleaning to do! Now that the semesters over I have no excuse not to vacuum weekly and shampoo the rugs monthly. And clean the bathroom. And the kitchen. Oh my god, I’m going to be so busy just cleaning! (And I kind of want to repaint my apartment. But first I need my landlady’s approval…)

    i have foster cats and the current four we have right now are not getting along AT ALL. For the first time since I’ve started fostering (only six months) a cat peed on my bed. I guess I should be flattered that they consider it their territory? And then one of them got poop in the kitchen (Don’t even ask…)

    So, now that I don’t have the stress of school, the foster cats have started acting up… Awesome…

    Reply

    • You and me both. I wish the bathrooms would clean themselves.

      I’m so sorry to hear the kittehs are all acting up! And the bed thing sounds awful. Was it very hard to clean up?

      Reply

      • Seriously! I would kill just for a self cleaning mirror!

        Aww, thanks! I’m having a bit of a pity party right now, but they’re acting better already (They’re also in separate rooms)

        It wasn’t too hard to clean, it just kind of ruined movie night! It was a bit awkward to pause the movie so I could clean it up… But luckily it was a symbolic statement, and not a literal one, so it wasn’t too much!

        Also, I meant to say, I had one foster for about a week that looked EXACTLY like Tabs! He was super cute and I carried him around the apartment like a toddler (he looked over my shoulder). I kind of miss him right now… 😉

        Reply

        • Oh my god, I need one! I love how calm the cat is! I had a kitten we were pretty sure was deaf and I became positive when he went over to sniff the vacuum while it was turned on…

          He went to Foster #2 (I take care of the sick and shy/problem ones, so when his cold went away, so did he), but I have no doubt he’ll get adopted in a heartbeat! He was soooo friendly that all he needs is someone to visit him!

          Reply

          • He sounds like a lovely cat. Do you ever get to find out what happens to the kittehs after they move on? I would be tempted to keep tabs on them.

          • Sometimes the coordinator tells me. The other day it was a sad update, so I’m a bit mixed on keeping up to date…

            And other times they come back! The current two are returnees to my apartment, and the two before that were new to me, but had been returned as well. Unfortunately, its extremely traumatizing and I think its one of the reasons they’ve all been a bit tense!

    • My pet rabbit used to pee on my bed all the time. I had to put up a barricade to keep her from jumping on the bed when I’m not there! She still gets through it from to time to time, but I think she’s pretty much got the hint that the bed’s my territory, ha!
      .-= Tammy’s last blog post… Bored With Your Manicure? Try Nail Art! =-.

      Reply

      • I’m glad I’m not the only one! I have a plastic sheet to put on my bed when I’m not home, but I was literally in the other room!

        Oh well, thats life with pets!

        Reply

  5. Where did the weekend go? It was in the 90s here today and that just made me laaaaaaazy. Got a couple of crazy days at work hosting a big meeting because my boss was fired on Friday (a good thing in the long run but not great timing) and then my surgery on Wednesday. Made some soup this weekend for the recouperation.

    Beauty breakthrough of the week — Ceralip lip balm from La Roche-Posay (gotta love CVS coupon machine). Fantabulous stuff. Cleared up my chapped lips in minutes. No exageration. I’m thinking this could be my new overnight magic potion.

    Reply

    • Good luck with the surgery on Weds. I hope it all goes smoothly! What kind of soup did you make?

      Oh, and that lip balm sounds great! I’ve heard of La Roche-Posay… they make sunscreen that supposed to be really fantastic.

      Reply

      • I made the chicken soup, mom is adding some matzo balls when she gets here tomorrow. Gotta love mom.

        Haven’t tried their sunscreens but will check them out. This lip balm is impressing more and more. After a day in an air conditioned, dry office my lips are still feeling good. That never happens.

        Reply

  6. Perhaps I’m just eyeliner-pen challenged, but how on earth do people get a straight, even line on their left eye if they are right-handed? I recently got my first few MAC items, one of which being the Penultimate Eyeliner, and I love the way it looks and applies. Except for the fact that my left eye looks wonky. 🙁 Anyone have application tips?

    Reply

    • Hi Alex,

      I’m right handed too. When doing my left eye, I usually start from the outside (the side closest to the ear) first and then go inward… then I retrace the line going from inward to outward. Oh, and I start with a thin line and then work up to the desired thickness. Both these things seem to help a lot.

      Oh, and the ease of use also depends on the actual pen itself. I’ve tried a few pen liners, but the easiest one by far (and my favorite) is LORAC’s Front of the Line Pro. Here’s a review I did on it a few months ago:

      Liquid Liner Made Easy with Lorac Front of the Line Pro

      Reply

      • Oooh, thanks for the tips! I’ve been starting on the inside of the eye as opposed to the outside. Starting on the outside with a thin line makes more sense. I’ll have to try the LORAC liner after I get my next paycheck. 😉

        Reply

      • Sure thing! As with anything practice makes perfect. Maybe sit down one weekend when you have some time to spare w/your liner and some makeup wipes… spend some time playing with the application process until you find something that really works for you. That’s how I did it. 🙂

        Reply

  7. Its monday lunch time here and my wkend did go pretty quick 🙁

    Saturday had a bubs baptism, was all good except 4 the hair i got in my entree at the restaurant after lol, saw a poor lady stack it on the dance floor, im not evil, i do feel embarrassed 4 them when ppl fall over but 4 some reason i cant help but laugh my head off, i figure its not that bad since i laugh at myself when i fall over aswell 🙂 hehe

    Sunday i slept in till noon 🙂 spent a couple hrs cleaning the house then went 2 a friends house in the evening and noticed i had a sore throat and chest 🙁 came home bout midnight and went straight 2 bed but didnt sleep cos i was getting hot then cold and sneezing 150000 times 🙁
    Woke up feeling really crap 2day, cant taste anything 🙁 gonna spend the day lazing around reading beauty stuff 🙂 thinking i might make some chicken soup 2night 🙂 yummm

    Anyone have any special tips 4 the bestest chicken soup??? 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Lee,

      Sounds like you had a jam-packed weekend. I hope you get better soon!

      As for chicken soup… I don’t have a clue. My idea of “cooking” chicken soup is opening up a can of Campbell’s and throwing it in a pot.:)

      Reply

      • thanks 🙂

        lol i like that idea, but i prefer 2 cook my own since i read an article which had the reason chicken soup is known 4 healing the flu and things like that, cos when u boil a chicken some enzyme releases from the bones and thats what makes u better!!! 🙂

        I also like 2 add a chunk of garlic cos its antibacterial so it blasts away the germs 🙂

        Reply

      • I’ve heard the same thing about garlic… it’s supposed to be really good for you if you eat it raw. I’ve tried it before and even though it tastes gross, it totally works.

        Reply

        • yeh its good stuff i actually take garlic tablets aswell when i get sick, when i was in greece last yr on my honeymoon i got the flu sooo bad on the tiniest island where theres no hospital or anything lol and i couldnt find garlic tablets anywhere so i got mum 2 send me some over…its easier than munching on a garlic clove lol and less stinky lol

          also its really good 4 ur hair and skin

          Reply

  8. What did you think of L.C.’s book? Every time I see it I am tempted to pick it up but I always am like “eehh another day”. I just finished To Kill a Mockingbird and I loved it! It is definately in my top 5 favs. By the way hope you are having a great night. My weekend flew by like it was never even here 🙂

    Reply

    • Molly, that’s one of my FAVORITE books. You’ve got to see the movie… it’s excellent and very true to the story.

      As for LA Candy and Sweet Little Lies, LC is no Harper Lee, but if you’re in the mood for a fun, fast and easy read her books fit the bill. 🙂

      Reply

  9. Hey Karen, and everyone else! :]
    Yes, my weekend flew by! I had a wedding on saturday and my makeup was really pretty so im proud of myself. I actually bought my first MAC lipstick which is the Lady Gaga one! Im super excited loll! It’s the little things that make me happy 😛
    other than that, i brought back the Too Faced bronzer set i bought from sephora because i found it was just sparkles on my face..so i thought it just wasnt worth 43$.
    I still need to buy my cleanser and moisturizer and concealer though! Im thinking of the Boscia cleanser and the Clinique moisturizer.. i tried the samples and im loving those 2. But Boscia is more expensive than Purity so im a bit hesitant.
    Also, for the wedding i went to sephora so that they can do my foundation (for free!) which was awesomee! I love sephora! 😀

    I’ve gotta say, i can’t believe I’ve been in the dark for so long. I’ve always liked makeup but i just never really played around with it that much. After discovering makeup gurus on youtube and these blogs back in December, I can’t live without them! They’ve just helped me discover my passion for makeup all over again 😀 so thank you for that! And also thank you for teaching me how to properly apply my makeup.. that’s something our mothers should teach us when were like 10 years old.
    Have a good Monday!

    Reply

    • Hi Yiota,

      Oh, what a fantastic lipstick to start your collection with! That shade is an epic color. 🙂

      What foundation did they use on you at Sephora? I’m always looking for new ones to try.

      Reply

      • They used Makeup For Ever’s HD liquid foundation with the HD powder and the smashbox primer along with Nars’ orgasm blush! It looked really nice and natural but you’ve probably already tried all of those 😛

        I was debating between Creme d’nude and Lady Gaga..I want to go buy creme d’nude now so badly!

        Reply

        • Creme d Nude is sooo pretty 🙂 i use it alot cos it goes with most outfits and makeup looks, at first i thought it would be a bit pale and maybe look trashy but it doesnt totally wipe out ur natural lip colour and it still shows its own colour if that makes sense lol, it looks really really really good on 🙂

          Reply

        • The Smashbox primer / MUFE HD foundation and powder / Nars Orgasm blush is exactly what I use when I want to look polished yet natural!

          Reply

  10. Just reaad a great book I think you would enjoy Karen. Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison. Yes she’s talking about the Philosophy brand HIAJ. The book is really about friendship but opens with 7th grade best friends giving each other makeovers and experimenting with makeup. So fun to hear about Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific shampoo and Tickle deodrant. Maybe you’re too young? Anyway a quick and enjoyable read!
    .-= Cindy (Prime Beauty)’s last blog post… Becca & Amrita Singh on sale at Hautelook! =-.

    Reply

    • I like the title of that book! Titles are a big thing for me, so I’ll try and skim a few chapters next time I’m at the bookstore.

      I kinda remember Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific but not Tickle deodorant. I came of age during the Lee Press-On Nails and the Revlon “Flex” Shampoo era. Remember those?

      Reply

  11. Hey Karen!

    What are some of your favorite workout songs? I’m always looking for new music to incorporate in to my workout routine 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Janet,

      Here are the ones that I listened to on my iPod today:

      Phoenix — Lisztomania
      Phoenix — 1901
      Kesha — Tik Tok
      La Roux — Bulletproof
      Empire State of Mind — Jay-Z
      Blowing Me Up — JC Chasez
      Get By Talib-Kweli

      How ’bout you?

      Reply

  12. Hi Karen,
    Hope you had a great weekend! I have a question for yout. Today I went to the MAC Store to do some ‘Back-To-Mac’in.’ I selected two eyeshadows as my freebies – Hey and All That Glitters (your review this week did the trick). Most of my B2M empty containers were depotted eyeshadows so there was no silver pan. The salesperson said that they need the full container-including the silver pan- to qualify for the B2M program. She said she would let me do it “this time” (thank goodness!) but for future…must have pan. It seems to me that approach does NOT reward MACs most loyal customers. If I have purchased multiple 15 slot palettes, it stands to reason that I have spent some significant $$$ on MAC and it would be nice to take advantage of B2M via depotting the e/s. The other confusing part is that I’ve returned empty e/s pots (sans pan) to MAC stores and Macy’s without issue, leading me to believe that there was no problem with the state of my empties. Am I missing something? What do you think? Is this the official policy for B2M? Thanks so much for any insight, Karen!! I appreciate your thoughts.

    Best,
    Karen F

    Reply

    • Hi Karen F,

      Interesting. I’m not a depotting kind of girl (like to keep my eyeshadows in singles), so I’ve never experienced this issue before. I have heard stories of the different counters/stores having different B2M return policies, though. If anybody else would like to weigh in on this I’d like to hear about it.

      Also have you tried contacting MAC through their website for the official word? They have a pretty good Live Chat service during the weekdays.

      Reply

      • Karen F, I think it honestly just depends on the counter/store. I went to a Nordstrom MAC counter with 12 eyeshadow containers that I had depotted and they accepted them just fine! Call a couple different counters and ask before going- that’s what I did 🙂

        Reply

  13. I do remember Lee Press-On nails but not Flex so much. I remember Finesse shampoo too. “Sometimes a girl needs a little Finesse” ha! In the opening scene, the two 7th grade girls are swapping Lip Smackers. Later on when they’re grown up, one of them becomes a beauty editior so there are references to current products too. It’s fun and ends well if predictably.
    .-= Cindy (Prime Beauty)’s last blog post… Becca & Amrita Singh on sale at Hautelook! =-.

    Reply

  14. The P90x is my favourite at home work out dvd. The first time I did the Plyometrics workout from the P90x series my legs were sore for DAYS after. You really work up a sweat and I would highly recommend it. I don’t really follow the diet or exact schedule for it but it is great to do one in while. Oh, and the Ab Ripper X is AWESOME!
    Hope you all have been having a great weekend!

    Reply

    • Hi Ana (and everyone else),

      I need help with my abs! I have the wimpiest ab muscles. 🙁 I’ve been trying to build up my ab strength via good old fashioned situps but I get so discouraged. Does anybody knows of a good ab workout DVD? Or any good tricks/tips?

      Reply

      • I find using a weight plate or medicine ball while doing ab exercises helps my abs TONS! It is (obvoiusly) more difficult but it does more for your muscles! Also, as hard as it is, consistency is key!

        Reply

      • One of the best ab workouts I have used is a DVD called “I Want That Body” by Tamilee Web. She has 3 sections — arms, butt/legs, and abl — both regular and advanced. The advanced ab section is awesome!!

        Reply

  15. Wow, I’ve been away from blogging for a few days and there are already 35 posts on this page that I haven’t read. It’s Monday here so I’m starting the week by reading make up and beauty blog!

    kiss
    .-= diane’s last blog post… 1 May in Vama Veche =-.

    Reply

  17. Heya Karen … missed this yesterday. I think I crashed early. It was a fun weekend, with the bestie and her famiy coming over, visiting the arts fest and just doing stuff around the house.

    Im stoked for a short work week and a mini vacay to Austin, Tx, one of my fave places in the world! 🙂

    Reply

  18. My weekend went by surprisingly slow, which is nice. I cooked my first vegetarian meal (creamed corn casserole) and went to LUSH for the first time as well 🙂 I also got my Zoya nail polished in the mail and started using the color Yummy on my fingernails, which is a tad outside my comfort level but the color is fun!

    Reply

  19. Hey Karen! I’m sorry I missed the open thread yesterday, because I have been wanting to check in with you! I have been so busy recently 🙁 I’m hoping for some free time this week to catch up on all your lovely blog posts 🙂

    I hope you have a lovely Monday! It’s raining cats and dogs here.

    Reply

  21. Totally unrelated to anything else on this thread, but I was in Oklahoma City for a kids’ soccer tournament this weekend and went to the OKC bombing memorial and museum. If you’ve never seen the memorial, it’s astonishing. The designers created the most thought-provoking and arresting visual. Where the Murrah building used to be, you walk through a huge iron gate with large digital-style clock numbers engraved on it that say “9:01”. As you pass through the gate, you look out on a long rectangular reflecting pool, towards another huge gate that has the numbers “9:03” on it. The numbers reflect the moments just before and after the bomb went off, and the pool symbolizes the moment that life changed forever between the two times. To your left is a grassy knoll featuring 162 frosted glass chairs. Each is lit from within and has a brass base with the victim’s name inscribed. The chairs for the 19 children killed are noticeable smaller than the adult chairs. To your right is the new museum portion of the memorial, fronted by the “Survivor Tree”, a hundred-year-old elm that for some reason survived the epicenter of the blast (even though car and building parts were found over a block and a half away from the 4000-lb. bomb’s velocity)…the tree’s foliage was totally burnt and boughs scarred, but it is absolutely lush and gorgeous now. I have been to many memorials during various travels, but have never seen a design that so perfectly captured a moment in time like this one. Just wanted to share my impressions here.

    Reply

  22. To any of the SoCal readers – have any of you been to the Beauty Habit boutique in person? How far is it from Laguna Beach per se? I’ll be in that area next month. I would LOVE to buy more P&J makeup in person.

    Reply

  23. Morning Karen! the weekend flew by for me….can’t believe I’m at work on Monday morning-ugh! I’ve already been to the dentist this morning. Not a bad weekend though-did a quick Sephora and DSW run on Friday (yay!…and all i got at sephora was concealor! But, full disclusure, that is b/c they didn’t have the new stila smudge stick eyeliner pencils I wanted to check out. I think I’ll try back on Wednesday or so. I tried on a new perfume while there, and may be that as well..it’s the new Fresh one, citrne de vine or something like that).

    Kinda random, but I must rave about my new Dyson vacuum! Our old one died, and since we have 3 indoor pets we upgraded to the dyson animal. Holy cow, batman, that thing is soooo awesome. I’m amazed and repulsed at the same time about how much gunk we get out of the carpet every 2 days.

    Finally, I have another purple lipgloss rec for you-Illamasqua gloss in Move-it’s a pinky purple, but definitely has purple tones. And my frined just got a stila 3 gloss set (I think it’s from the jewels collection) and it has an awesome deep purple gloss in it. But you have to get the whole set.

    Reply

    • oh, and Tuesday is a marked calendar day for two releases I’m highly, highly anticipating: the new Sookie stackhouse book-#10 comes out, as well as the CD from a “new” group, the Courtyard Hounds, which are 2/3rds of my favorite, favorite, favorite group ever-the Dixie Chicks! I so cannot wait to get both ASAP.

      Reply

  24. Morning! I have 2 make up questions,

    has anyone tried Mark cosmetics? I have a coupon and am wondering if they’re worth checking out,

    where can I find Deborah Lippmann in stores?

    Thanks!!

    Reply

  25. I think the issue with Back to Mac and eyeshadows is that since they were depotted and the product itself was not actually used up, that’s why they gave you some grief. I guess because anyone could go in, depot their shadows, and then try to return the remaining plastic to get a free lipstick. But I mean, you spent more on the eyeshadows in the pans than in palate form, so I don’t see why they should give you any trouble! That is a lot of moola!! I’m glad they let it slide!!

    How did you like Hey? I have All That Glitters but I heard Hey was similiar…but I do like those kind of shades.

    Reply

  26. oh my god i have like no time to get in shape, summer started here in like today !! i have to speed up !! for now i will focus on stretching more.

    Reply

  28. I know this isn’t exactly “make-up” related, but any suggestions on how ton control crazy hair because of the humidity? My hair is going wack now (aka I straighten it in the morning and walk outside and it’s wavy within .10 seconds 😉

    Reply

  29. Hey Karen!

    I was glancing through your Saturday Surfing sites, and wondered, where do you find all the beauty blogs that you post? Do you use certain keywords or something that you, specifically, are searching for beauty-wise?

    Have a great one!

    Reply

  30. I’ve been working out recently, using the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I’m on day 4 now, I skipped yesterday cuz I was out all day. I was so sored the past few days, but I can’t feel the sore anymore, which is great! And I’m liking 30 Shred a lot! I hope I can stick with it till level 3.

    I’ve never been a fan of exercising. If you go to high school with me, I’m always the person slacking off at the back of the gymnasium LOL. And I hate running too. But DVD workout might be a great start for me to get active again.

    Let’s hope it works =D
    .-= Rica’s last blog post… icyrambles: In and Out #1 =-.

    Reply

  31. DIY Lipstick Fix-It —

    My MAC Creme in My Coffee took a trip through the washer in my jeans pocket 🙁 Now most of the product is in the cap and I can’t get it out. Any advice on how to save it? It’s only a few months old

    Thanks!

    Reply

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