Now, where’d I put my makeup brushes…?
Oh, I should have put them right there! — in the convenient little elastic slots built into the buxom makeup bag that comes with the new Bare Minerals bareEscentuals Oh La Luxe Holiday Kit ($79).
The silver carrying case is just the shiny icing on the cake, though, because inside are nine loose powder Eyecolors, three Blushes, two All Over Face Colors and one Liner Shadow (click here to see swatches of the whole shebang).
Top row, Eyecolor from the left: Amour, Clover, Queen Phyllis Celestine, Exotic Victoria; bottom row: Kir Royale, Cable Car, Gossip, Montana and Wild Jungle
Top row, Blush from the left: Pearl Blossom, Vintage Peach and Bosh; Bottom row, All Over Face Colors in Bare Radiance and Faux Tan
I love the soft grayish green Shadow Liner, which I think looks great wet or dry, and like the Eyecolors — the whole idea of them — but I’m particularly fond of the lighter shades. Two of the glittery ones, Gossip and Celestine, and two of the shimmer-ish shades, Montana and Amour, which have a very subtle sheen, are my favorite pieces in the kit; I just love how softly illuminating they are.
But I’m still figuring out how to play with the darker shades like Cable Car. They have the same loose powder consistency as the lighter colors, but being darker I think they’re more noticeable when they end up where they aren’t supposed to be. In other words, I keep making a mess with them.
As for the Blushes Blushes Face Colors? Gorgeous, although I do have to apply several layers to be able to see them clearly on my cheeks. And this is weird: I think they might be a little drying.
Wearing Eyecolors in Montana, Celestine and Gossip along with Wild Jungle Liner Shadow on my eyes
Wearing Blush in Vintage Peach on my cheeks and All Over Face Colors in Bare Radiance and Faux Tan on my face
Being loose powders, all of these do require a pretty steady hand, even the lighter shades. Thank goodness I’m not a heart surgeon because 1) I barely passed chemistry (DOH!), and 2) I don’t have the world’s greatest hand-eye coordination. Almost immediately after I opened the first jar I had eyeshadow all over the inside of the bag, on top of my bathroom counter and sprinkled down the front of my freshly washed (white) shirt.
Lovely.
Moderate coordination could be a prerequisite for this kit, but I think it does have some good things going for it. Perfect for the holidays. A gal could keep the case and even give away some of the pieces as little nicknacks or stocking stuffers to makeup obsessed friends.
PRICE: $79
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Oh, could you do me a quick favor? When you get a chance, would you mind asking your feline nephew here to behave? Because he’s been on a full-on tabby tear today!
I think it might have something to do with the sunny weather… He must have swiped my ankles at least 20 times today, which I understood to mean, “TAKE ME OUTSIDE!” 🙂
Look at that tum!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Alison says
October 12th, 2011 at 9:09 pmIn response to the blushes being drying: I tried using Bare Minerals foundation and blush for a while, and it made my cheeks develop dry, scaly patches (ugh, I know). I later found out that lots of people with sensitive skin (me!), or conditions like eczema (also me!) and rosacea, have problems with the ingredients in Bare Minerals. So no, that doesn’t sound crazy at all!
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:56 amHi Alison,
Good to know that I’m not the only person this has happened to. What makeup do you like using for your sensitive skin? I’m always looking for new recs.
Happy Thursday!
Alison says
October 13th, 2011 at 11:30 amHi Karen,
I have somewhat oily, acne-prone skin that’s also sensitive, so it can be a challenge for me to find foundations, powders, etc. that don’t anger my skin in some way.
Foundation-wise, for fuller coverage, I like MUFE’s Mat Velvet +. But one drawback is that if you have any dry patches (which I sometimes do in the winter, despite my general oiliness), it really clings to those.
For lighter coverage, I like Laura Mercier’s Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer and NYX’s HD foundation. I’m actually really shocked at how nice the NYX foundation is, seeing as it’s not really a “high end” brand.
I use Tarte’s Amazonian Clay powder to set my foundation, and I’ve never found it to have any drying effects.
And happy Thursday to you too 🙂 Thursdays are always my longest, hardest day of the week, so I need a little bit of good will to get me through!
Heidi says
October 12th, 2011 at 9:48 pmWhen I tried the foundation and blush it made me itch, so, yeah, I think the ingredients can be tricky for fussier skin.
Something is definitely up with cats today. Missy’s been trying to scratch me all evening.
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:55 amMissy, are you being a diva AGAIN? 😉
Heidi says
October 13th, 2011 at 11:37 amUh, your use of the word “again” implies that there might be times when she’s actually NOT being a diva! : )
Jessi says
October 12th, 2011 at 10:06 pmOh Tabs! He is positively the best thing about this post! Besides your gorgeous face of course!
I don’t need the makeup, but I wish I could get the makeup bag. The brush slots are nifty!
Jessi recently posted … Ghosts of Manicures Past Pt. 2
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:55 amHi Jessi,
Tabs sends his love to you! He also hopes that your neighbor’s dogs are behaving themselves.
Have a nice day!
Spirale Rouge says
October 13th, 2011 at 3:07 amThe makeup bag reminds me that I have to buy a new one (bigger) !
I just discover this blog, very interesting, I will come back!!
.
http://spirale-rouge.blogspot.com/
..
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:54 amSo glad you like the site! 🙂 Hope we get to chat again soon.
Stephanie Fabian says
October 13th, 2011 at 3:09 amI love the way you talk about Tabs..it’s just so cute!!!!
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:54 amAww, thanks Stephanie. I’m a little bit of a crazy cat lady, as you can tell.
Do you have any pets?
Stephanie Fabian says
October 13th, 2011 at 2:16 pmYes I have 2 dogs and I talk to/about them like they’re babies ha ha
Swatch And Learn says
October 13th, 2011 at 5:45 amI agree with Jessi about Tabs and the Bare Minerals kit. Hehe, what a cutie pie Tabs is. 🙂 I never get tired of seeing photos of him.
Swatch And Learn recently posted … AQUIESSE Luxe Linen Candle Review & Pictures
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:53 amIsn’t the bag super cool? I love it! Hope you’re having a nice Thursday so far!
AnieJ says
October 13th, 2011 at 5:48 amI think I may have inadvertently adopted Tabs’ long lost twin because Sparky sure looks dang-nab close to identical; he’s got the fluffy white tum that hangs a bit low, too!
While I gave the bareMinerals foundation some of the best years of my skin, I just never really got into having mostly loose powders for shadow and blush. The whole thing I just find difficult, but I think I’ll take a closer look at the new shadow palettes with pressed shadows. Those are right up my alley! Great bag though…shame to miss that…
AnieJ recently posted … Estee Lauder Equalizer Smart Makeup SPF 10
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:53 amYay! It’s all about tabbies with the low-hanging tum. 🙂 How long have you been Sparky’s assistant?
Twyla Munden says
October 13th, 2011 at 6:02 amI do love my BareMinerals foundation as I can mix & match to coordinate with my fading tan at its different shades but I just can’t find myself using the eyeshadows I’ve purchased in the past. I find the eyeshadows don’t ‘attach’ to my eyelids even with primer… that said I haven’t tried them with the NARS primer… so maybe I will..
And as for Tabs desire to go outside, my 2 monsters run for the patio door as soon as they here the lock click… they beat at the windows and the screens in hopes I will set them ‘free’ and normally I do but the hornets are ‘stunned’ this time of year and like to come in my apt.. lol..
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:52 amCats are so funny. Tabs used to rally for freedom at our old apartment by pawing at the blinds in the middle of the night. It was REALLY annoying.
How are your monsters (LOL) on the patio? Can you leave them out there without supervision? I wish I could let Tabs chill out there, but he’d wreck havoc on my plants.
Reena says
October 13th, 2011 at 6:09 amI love Bare Escentuals! Such gorgeous eyeshadow colors!
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:49 amHi Reena,
What are your favorite loose shadow shades from the line?
Chris25 says
October 13th, 2011 at 6:21 amTabs, you behave right now! Or else I won’t send that basket of Belgian catnip I promised you for Christmas. 😛
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:49 amYeah! Otherwise he can’t visit his cousins Rocky and Jazz over the holidays! 😉
JoElla says
October 13th, 2011 at 6:29 amI can’t use their foundations, they make me itch like crazy, and BE’s blushes just never blend out correctly for me. I do like their AOFC and shadows and liners.
What helps me not get minerals all over the place, I tap the container down on my counter first.. this I have found helps settle the product and makes it easier for me not to have spillage.
Now for Tabs..
TABS!! Be good boy! No seriously.. be good boy!
yeah yeah, okay.. *gives belly rub* okay try to be a good boy today!
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:49 amThanks for the tip, JoElla. I’ll try tapping the jars next time I bust these out.
I’m giving Tabs your virtual belly rub. So far he’s been behaving, but we’ll see how long that lasts.
Hope you’re having a lovely Thursday so far. Any plans for the weekend yet?
Joyce says
October 13th, 2011 at 6:36 amVintage Peach blush looks great on you. It’s very subtle, but still very pretty. =)
but I’m a major klutz with loose makeup. I always spill them everywhere.
Joyce recently posted … Giveaway Reminder + Another Giveaway!!!
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:48 amMe too! I made a mess yesterday, wah!
Kim says
October 13th, 2011 at 6:43 amI’d be a disaster with loose shadow – I can barely control the pressed. 🙂 That is definitely a snazzy bag, though.
Oh, Tabs. First, blaming your assistant for the bad weather, now swiping at her when it’s sunny? Can’t you be pleased? Gravy, you say? 🙂
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:47 amThe bag rocks! Now I just need a trip to go on… Preferably one involving lots of delicious carb-laden treats. Calgon, take me to Italy!
What shadows are you wearing these days? Are you still into your glitters?
Kim says
October 13th, 2011 at 12:53 pmOh, I hear that. One of my friends just asked me to go to Italy with her in April. I might have to take her up on it! 🙂
I’ve been very lazy and only doing boring, brown liner and mascara. When I do grab a shadow it’s usually from my Givenchy quad or one of my Clinique pinks. I try to stick to the single color (you know, ’cause of those droopy lids!). HAHA!
Chelsea says
October 13th, 2011 at 8:04 amBeautiful colors… and more beautiful Tabs!
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:45 amHi Chelsea,
I like these shades too. They included lots of wearable things!
Tabs says hello and sends hugs!
Nina says
October 13th, 2011 at 8:51 amwhat is it w/ tabbies and the swiping of the ankles? LOL does that to me all the time! 😀
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:45 amPerhaps it is one of those genetic mutations, like curled ears and whatnot. 🙂
Tabs especially loves hiding beneath the stairs when he does it. When I walk up or down he’ll shoot out like a furry cannonball!
I think that it’s so wonderful that you guys brought LOL into your fur fam. To think that once upon a time he was a little guy living on the street.
Nina says
October 14th, 2011 at 2:32 pmmost probably so!
what LOL does is get behind a wall and swat at my ankles when i pass by!
we’re so blessed w/ LOL, i think he is our most affectionate cat. Anja and Linus are siamese-s and can be a bit standoffish at times. 🙂
the outdoor cat we feed has a name now — his name is Greenbens. 😀
sara says
October 13th, 2011 at 8:51 amLOOK. AT. THAT. TUM!!!! so glad he’s my kitty nephew 🙂
also my cat, old gregg, has joined tabs in the fraternal order of the gravy (fancy feast division). it’s an obsession.
Karen says
October 13th, 2011 at 10:43 amHi Sara,
LOL! I heard Tabs typing on the keyboard late last night. Maybe he and Old Gregg were Skyping? 🙂
Marian says
October 13th, 2011 at 11:43 amOh…I really want this! I love Bare Minerals. It really works for me. I love the whole line, from foundation to the Buxom glosses. I don’t have a problem with mess. This kit is soooooo tempting to me!
gio says
October 13th, 2011 at 11:47 amNice set! And Tabs is so cute!
gio recently posted … QOTW: Do you wear eyeshadow that matches your eye color?
Clara says
October 13th, 2011 at 3:45 pmYou know, I’ve always thought that Vintage Peach was the NARS Orgasm for the incredibly pale, cool-toned ladies out there…
mn says
October 13th, 2011 at 7:42 pmPerhaps it’s close minded of me but I wont even attempt to use loose powders. I have an all white bathroom with no counter space so it would just been inviting trouble.
Oh Tabs, that TUM! When I see it I think of Fergie ‘My tum, My tum, My tum, My lovely little tum.
Jackie says
January 19th, 2012 at 1:23 pmI just bought this kit today! After weeks of swooning, I went into Sephora on my lunch break (dangerous) and to my delight it is now on sale for $59! I simply couldn’t pass it up. The bag alone is to die for in my opinion. I can’t wait to try the colors out. I have never used any BE shadows only their powders and bronzers. A sales lady in Sephora told me theres all sorts of things you can do with the shadows. For instance, add a little glitter/color to a clear lipgloss or wet a liner brush and use as eye liner or add some cream and create a cream blush with the face colors. Thought I’d share when I came across your cute beauty blog 🙂