Merry Christmas Eve morning, lovely lady. How did you sleep?
I think I slept well… I mean, I’m not sure. I think it’s too early to tell, LOL! My engine hasn’t even revved up yet. Judging by the darkness and silence outside, the chickens aren’t even awake!
While my neurons and I just lay here in the darkness contemplating Christmas, here’s a look back at some recent posts you may have missed.
Carmindy’s New Smoky Eye Kit Makes One Heck of a Stocking Stuffer
Leave it to makeup artist Carmindy (of TLC’s What Not To Wear) to make smokey eyes even easier than flipping your hair (well, almost). Her new Perfect Smoky Eyes Kit ($23, part of the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy line) comes with three coordinating eye products perfect for creating understated, elegant, just plain pretty smokey eyes.
The Urban Decay Show Pony Palette Is Ready to Party
For this (sassy) shimmery teal and peach look, I started with a layer of Urban Decay Sin Primer Potion beneath my shadows to increase their staying power and then added Urban Decay Skyscraper Mascara for extra oomph on my lashes.
Olay In-Shower Body Lotion Is Cutting Out the Middle Man
Thank you, Olay In-Shower Age Defying Body Lotion ($7), for turning me into a well-oiled, lotion-applying machine. Depending on how long I stick with creamy Olay In-Shower Body Lotion (I’m fickle when it comes to lotions), I could save hundreds of hours over the rest of my life. That’s because it basically eliminates the five minutes I’d otherwise spend applying lotion after every shower.
Lightening Up with the China Glaze Up and Away Collection
The shiny-happy mix of creamy brights and pastels in China Glaze’s new collection look like the colors from a Deee-Lite video. So playful and girly! And most of the 12 apply smooth with full coverage. The two that didn’t for me (the lighter shades) — Something Sweet and Light as Air — gave me some trubs in the streaking department, but I still really like the colors.
Lip Look: Hourglass Extreme Sheen Gloss in Siren
Well, hello, pigment! When it comes to color, Hourglass Cosmetics’ Extreme Sheen Lipgloss in Siren ($28), a shimmery reddish copper, does NOT mess around. It’s like a technicolor dream in tube form! Super rich, right? And opaque color isn’t the only thing this gloss has going for it…
DuWop Foundation of Youth, Revisited
Despite having a few negatives, Foundation of Youth is still one of the best foundations I’ve tried in recent years. I’m not a fan of the goofy brush-a-ma-bob or the limited selection of colors, but I LOVE how natural it feels on my skin and how beautifully it photographs (takes very well to the flash).
Holiday Party Makeup: A Casual Get-Together with Friends
Just like the office party look I tried earlier this month, this look’s also pretty conservative, relying on cool browns, pinks and golds for the eyes, lips and cheeks. It relies on products from the Clarins Palazzo D’Oro collection.
12 Ways to Fake a Good Night’s Sleep with Makeup
‘Tis the season for late nights, ladies — holiday parties, cramming for finals and waiting up for Santa. If you’re not getting enough shuteye over the holidays, why not fake a good night’s sleep with a little help from makeup?
Let Korres Delight Your Lips with Moisture and Sheer, Shiny Color
Gah! This freezing cold’s been suckin’ the moisture clean out of my lips. If it’s not the dry chill in the air outside, it’s the heater running indoors all night long. My lips need help! I’m hoping these new hydrating Mango Lipsticks from the Korres Delight Your Lips Set do the trick because I love the way they look.
NARS Unsung Hero: Gothika Lipgloss
While I was ferreting around in my miscellaneous makeup drawer a while back, I spotted an old friend, NARS Lipgloss in Gothika ($24), a shimmery berry that sings with tiny golden sparkles. It may look scary dark in the tube, but it applies semi-sheer on my lips with just a wee dash of color! And, big plus, it’s sheer enough to apply on the fly without the help of a mirror. 😉
Yes, Clairol Herbal Essences, You May Tousle Me Softly
The Tousle Me Softly shampoo, conditioner and spray gel are part of a six-piece line of cleansers, conditioners and styling products made to work together for soft, sexy, mussed-up hair. But here’s the thing about the messy hair look: there’s a fine line between “just messy enough to be socially acceptable,” and “plain ol’ jacked-up, busted bed hair.”
DIY Beauty with Kitchen Cosmetics
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to become a better cook, and because I’m also hopelessly addicted to beauty, I’d like to include a smattering of DIY kitchen beauty recipes as well. There’s just something about making homemade beauty products, isn’t there? — the idea of whipping something up from scratch, skipping the preservatives and really *feeling* the ingredients in your hands?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Lisa S. says
Ok , the holiday party look is one my favorites that you’ve done. Polished, pretty and totally do-able for about everybody.
Karen says
Thanks Lisa S! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
shontay says
I’m loving your new hair Karen. You’re gorgeous and I love the effort you put into your site. I just want to say happy holidays in case I don’t post again within the next few days.
Karen says
Hi Shontay,
Thank you for this lovely note. 🙂 You just made me smile! Happy holidays to you, and may 2010 bring you lots of luck and joy!