When I’m feeling great, I think of myself as a strong and tough girl, but my inner warrior’s been MIA for weeks. I’ve felt kinda beaten down. This morning I wanted — correction — I needed a pick-me-up, and I turned to Clinique Party Red. Every time I looked at myself in the mirror today, this red lip reminded me of the fighter I know I can be.
To get the look, a classic red lip and neutral eye, I used a few items from the Clinique Party Red holiday makeup collection (available soon).
Butter Shine Lipstick in Parisian Red, $14 (limited edition)
A warm and creamy brick red, Parisian Red belongs to Clinique’s line of Butter Shine Lipsticks. Its soft, buttery texture feels moisturizing, and it’s easy to apply (even straight from the tube).
With a glossy finish, this shade of red has visible pizazz but isn’t “too sexy” for work (although it might be too sexy for church, LOL!). Makeup and Beauty Blot Rating: A
Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Sparkling Nude and Lucky Penny, $14.50 each
From top to bottom: Sparkling Nude, Lucky Penny
Sparkling Nude
Lucky Penny
For my look today I wore Lucky Penny (a shimmery light tan) on the lid and Sparkling Nude (a shimmery beige) on the brow bone.
Both shades applied without a hitch, blended easily and lasting all day long without noticeable creasing or fading. If you haven’t tried any of the Quick Eyes Cream Shadows, try to find one of these neutral shades, stat, because not only are they cute and long lasting, but they even work well as a base for powder eyeshadows. Makeup and Beauty Blot Rating: A+
Brush-On Cream Liner in True Black, $14.50
A deep and creamy shimmerless black, True Black looks great worn as a thick line on the upper lash line. It’s really dark and highly pigmented, and even though it isn’t a shimmer shade, the black packs some gloss when it dries. If you like MAC Fluidlines, then I think you’ll love this! Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
Swatches
From left to right: Parisian Red, Lucky Penny, Sparkling Nude, True Black
I’m a PC, and I’ll Eat Your ATM Card!
Late yesterday I was in the middle of doing my bank deposit at an ATM machine when all of a sudden a Microsoft Windows error popped up: “Runtime error!!!” with all these exclamation marks and evil-looking X’s. Seconds later the ATM screen went totally black … and then a very naughty looking giant red triangle with a red exclamation mark appeared in the middle of the screen.
Note to file: if this ever happens to you at the ATM, the prognosis is NOT GOOD.
The machine swallowed my card, the checks I was depositing and drove me a little insane. To make matters worse, there wasn’t an emergency telephone number anywhere. Yup, totally SOL.
Yesterday this wasn’t funny to me at all, but it is today. I guess that’s the Party Red lipstick working her magic!
Hope your Thursday didn’t involve any ATM card swallowing incidents!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Dao says
October 30th, 2008 at 8:27 pmOMG, I hope your account is not messed up! I know there are a lot of identity thefts happened at the ATM these days. Please call you bank and inform if you haven’t already did so.
Red is a powerful color, that’s what my mom said. She also told me if you want to feel successful, wear red. Most of the times it works, that’s an extra tip for you 😉
Dao´s last blog post..Don’t Mess with the Vampire: a Halloween FOTD
Rosie says
October 30th, 2008 at 9:23 pmHi!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and never commented, but after reading about your experience with a hungry ATM, I just had to share mine. I was in Ireland last winter break with a literature class, when one night the ATM decides to malfunction. After freaking out for a bit, and trying to figure out what to do, I spot my professor a ways down the street. (Or, more accurately, her hair. It was really big and light… kind of like a beacon. ) I had to stay behind from the next day’s morning activity to retrieve my card from the bank. Stressful at the time, but funny now. Hope it all worked out OK. Have a great Halloween!
Marisol says
October 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pmOh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance
Just get on the floor and do the New Kids dance
Don’t worry about nothing cause it won’t take long
We’re gonna put you in a trance with the funky song
Cause you gotta be…
(Chorus) Hangin’ tough
Singing tough
Singing tough
Are you tough enough?
Hangin’ tough
Singing tough
Singing tough
We’re rough
The Brush-On Cream Liner in True Black looks intense and I like that. I am going to be in the Bay Area this weekend so I hope to haul a bit. Have a fabulous Friday!
Marisol´s last blog post..TILT 10.30.08
Loni says
October 30th, 2008 at 11:40 pmThat super sucks. Nothing puts the cherry on a crap week like money and technology problems. I hope you’re able to get it under control soon.
The red lip looks great. I think Clinique is kind of on a roll this season, between this look and the new blackberries.
Karen too says
October 31st, 2008 at 12:28 amThat green top really made your lips pop! I’m sorry you’re going through a rough spot, hope it’ll improve soon! 🙂 At least you’re putting out some great blogposts these days.
Miss QQ says
October 31st, 2008 at 6:24 amHi Karen. That ATM machine sure was nasty, but the way you described it made me laugh. Glad that you are feeling good today. This look is gorgeous. Your green top and red lips made me feel very Christmas-y. 😉
lexi says
October 31st, 2008 at 8:51 amMs. Karen!
you’re wearing my favorite look – neutral shadow/black liner and red lips! i think it’s my inner Parisian girl! did you use a liner with the lipstick? Because you piqued my interest with the black honey pencil liner – i’m now going to have to peep out this lipstick and black cream liner. How does this compare to fluidline?
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:54 amHi Dao,
I called the bank and got it all worked out. 🙂
That’s *great* advice from your mom. Maybe I should start rocking that lip 24-7!
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:55 amHi Rosie,
Oh no! That must’ve been really stressful. I wasn’t sure what to do either. When I was at the ATM some lady came up to use the ATM right after the screen went black and then very snarkily said, “Good luck with that,” and I swear I wanted to throw my purse at her. Good thing you had your professor to talk you down! Honestly they should post a number for a 24 hour help line on those things.
Anyway, it’s pretty funny to me now. Hope you have a great Halloween!
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:55 amHi Marisol,
OMG… I have to tell you, back in the day I actually had a huge NKOTB poster on my bedroom wall. Jordon Knight was my man! Seeing him on The Surreal Life totally killed the fantasy though.
It’s raining here so drive safely and bring your rain coat!
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:55 amHi Loni,
I called the bank and did all the stuff I had to do. 🙂 I’m glad to just put it behind me, but at the time I wanted to beat the crap out of that machine!
I agree with Clinique being on a roll this season. I really liked what they did for holiday last year, and didn’t know if they’d be able to top it, but this year’s collection have been really great. Do you think you might pick anything up?
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:55 amHi Karen Too,
Thanks, hon. 🙂 I hope so, too.
How’s your Friday been?
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:56 amHi Miss QQ,
🙂 Yeah! I’m already ready for the holidays! I love this time of year, but it seems as I get older it goes by faster and faster.
Hope you are having a great Friday! Do you have your makeup worked out for your retro outfit?
Karen says
October 31st, 2008 at 9:56 amHi Lexi,
This look is a *classic*. Plus, it’s also one I can depend on to make me fee like I’m ready for battle.
I didn’t use a liner for this lip. I applied this straight from the tube (it was a little bit of a miracle, if I do say so myself)… but I think if I have more time to get ready I’ll bust out my trusty MAC 316.
The liner feels a bit softer and creamier than Fluidline. The finish is has more gloss to it, too (I find Blacktrack to have a very matte finish). It’s pretty easy to use if you have a good brush! Plus, it stays on all day and doesn’t smudge or smear. I think you’ll like it if you are a fan of the Fluidlines. 🙂
Katee says
October 31st, 2008 at 2:00 pmoh you always look so cute in pictures!
Katee´s last blog post..Happy Halloween!!
shin says
November 1st, 2008 at 8:35 pmyeah, sparkling nude looks wonderful on someone with a fair skin tone. its great for those low-profile makeup days where u just apply, smudge and go. lucky penny’s good too for fairer toned ladies who want a darker eye than just shimmer. 🙂 love these two prodcuts!
shin´s last blog post..Why?
Karen says
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 amHi Katee,
Thanks, girlie!
Karen says
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 amHi Shin,
I agree… they are really easy to apply and give eyes a pretty sparkle without too much fuss!
Do you have any of the other Quick Eyes shades?