Karen

These New L’Oreal Spring Nail Colors Make It Hip to Be Riche

February 28th, 2012 by Karen 45 Comments

loreal nail color riche swatches

Sometimes, nothin’ beats playing with nail polish, especially when you’re having a less-than-idilic day.

You know how it goes… Some days are just better than others, and today was not one of my better days. Couldn’t write to save my life, but things did start looking up when I started seeing L’Oreal’s Nail Color Riche line on my nails ($5.99 each, available now in dozens of shades).

You know what they say — when all else fails, swatch. 🙂

Here are pics of a baker’s dozen of them, a sampling of 13 of the new spring shades in the Color Riche line. Of these, Safari Chic is probably my fave (I’m wearing it on my toes right now), but dark blue After Hours, metallic teal VIP Status and He Red My Mind are serious contenders.

I’m wearing three coats here, which seems to be the sweet spot, at least for me. A few of the lighter colors apply a little streaky.

Other than that, I like the formula. It’s a little thick, and still very smooth, and after almost two weeks on my toes (with a base and top coat), Safari Chic looks as good as new.

loreal after hours swatch
After Hours

loreal grecian goddess swatch 560
Grecian Goddess

loreal safari chic swatch 520
Safari Chic

loreal haute couture red 470
Haute Couture Red

loreal he red my mind 430
He Red My Mind
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An Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Has Been Spotted in Capri: The New Bronze Goddess Capri Collection, Coming in March

February 28th, 2012 by Karen 31 Comments

estee lauder bronze goddess capri

It’s never good when you get a text from your boss that starts with the words, “Uh, oh.”

There I was, sitting at my desk, minding my own business and surfing the Lonely Planet website on my break for summertime surf destinations, when I hear the familiar sound of my iPhone signaling a new text message. I look down at the screen and see the words, “Uh, oh.”

Long story short, because Tabs booked back-to-back kitty modeling jobs for every week this summer, I don’t get to take any vacation time through September.

Not one day.

“Uh, oh,” he says. “All booked up for summer. No vacations for either of us.”

Either of us, he says. As if! He’s not the one stuck in Novato. He gets to see the world, stay at four-star hotels, eat at the best restaurants, and never has to pay a thing, while I’m eating grilled-cheese sandwiches at home and having Mango Bars for dessert.

Sometimes, it’s just not fair…

Seriously, his idea of slumming it is having to stay at the Four Seasons on The Big Island, instead of Maui.

I know, I know — Tabs is the talent; I’m just the assistant. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a right to get angry.

Oh, well… Hopefully these new pieces from the limited edition Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Capri Collection can cheer me up.

The summer 2012 release coasts on to counters stores next month (it’s currently available now online) and comes with two summery fragrances and 13 bronzed bits, some new and some re-promoted, in sun-kissed shades of gold, brown, turquoise and white.

Reviews coming just as soon as I finish transcribing Tabs’ manuscript.

Oh, yeah — didn’t I mention? He’s writing his autobiography right now. It begins, “Meow, mrow, meow-meow.”

What a diva, right? Cat’s got some nerve… 🙂

Here’s a quick look at seven pieces from the release. Have a look, and let me know what you think.

estee lauder bronze goddess capri bronze sands
Pure Color Five Color Gelee Powder EyeShadow Palette in Bronze Sands

estee lauder bronze goddess capri shimmering sands
Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelee in Shimmering Sands

estee lauder bronze goddess capri molten lava
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Molten Lava
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My Dry Claws Crave Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream

February 28th, 2012 by Karen 26 Comments

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream Review

Last weekend I did the unthinkable… I encouraged a friend to forgo a caramel cupcake in favor of trying a beauty product.

I know! My sweet tooth was so ashamed, but ever since I picked up Caudalie’s $19 Hand and Nail Cream from Sephora, I’ve felt compelled to push it on all my friends.

“Dude,” I said to her, inches away from the tantalizing treat, “put down that cupcake, because you need to try this hand cream I just got at Sephora.”

Normally, I’d never dream of denying someone the chance to get their sugar on, but that’s how moved I was/am by Caudalie’s cream.

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream Review
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Gold Fingers

February 28th, 2012 by Karen 3 Comments

Chanel Le Vernis in Gold Fingers ($28), from the new Las Vegas de Chanel collection.

Food Truck Heaven

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 15 Comments

Pics of what I ate at Off the Grid last Sunday.

I got my meal from the Koja Kitchen food truck. Above are the Kamikazi fries: criss-cut fries, kimchi, green onions, signature sauce and Japanese mayo. If you’re a meat eater, you can order it with Korean BBQ Beef, too.

I also had a Teriyaki Zen KoJa, a vegan seasoned patty with pineapple, Japanese seasoned romaine lettuce and teriyaki sauce on a toasted rice bun.

YUM!

With the Four-Piece Las Vegas de Chanel Collection, Coco Is Gambling on Gold

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 36 Comments

las vegas de chanel collection

It’s Vegas, baby! 🙂

One of the things I’m trying to pull together this year is a trip to Vegas with my childhood friends.

The mission? — to eat at some of Sin City’s yummiest restaurants and visit a fancy spa (or two), because a well-fed Karen plus deep-tissue massage equals one happy camper.

While I’m there, I’m also hoping to stop by the newly remodeled Chanel boutique at the Bellagio hotel.

To build some buzz around the new store, which opened earlier this year, Chanel recently released a four-piece collection of mostly golden baubles for lips, eyes, nails and cheeks called Las Vegas de Chanel, and this afternoon I tried my luck with three of the four pieces from the release.

las vegas de chanel lucky stripes
Lucky Stripes Iridescent Powders for Eyes and Cheeks

las vegas de chanel gold fingers
Le Vernis in Gold Fingers

las vegas de chanel vegas gold
Le Crayon Levres in Vegas Gold
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The Estee Lauder Mad Men Collection, and a Letter to Don Draper

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 64 Comments

estee lauder mad men collection

Dear Mr. Draper,

Thank you so much for your kind note! It’s always so nice to hear from you.

As you know, I’ve served as head of West Coast operations here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC, for five years now, and while I currently love what I do, I feel it soon may be time for a change. Your recruiter couldn’t have picked a better time to contact me.

I’m so flattered that you and your team believe that I should be the person to take the new International Pet Modeling/Gravy Division at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to the next level.

I had my lawyer skim through the contract you sent over, and I have a couple of quick questions.

First of all, how flexible are you on the requirement that all employees drink during the day? I understand if it’s part of the corporate culture, but I’m something of a teetotaler and have a difficult time functioning even after a small glass of wine. If possible, I’d like to remove that clause.

Also, I must insist on having my own office and assistant. I was informed that Ms. Olson’s desk is located near the employee break room. I do not know how Peggy feels about that, but such an arrangement would not work for me.

If I do accept the position, I would also like to be able to invite friends of mine to the office from time to time, like Cherry and Evening Rose. Both are part of the new Estee Lauder Mad Men collection. Not only are they very familiar with your work, but I would go so far as to call them admirers of yours…

estee lauder mad men collection boxes

estee lauder collection cherry lipstick creme rouge pouches

estee lauder mad men collection creme rouge in evening rose and lipstick in cherry
Lipstick in Cherry on the left and Creme Rouge in Evening Rose on the right

estee lauder mad men collection creme rouge in evening rose
Creme Rouge in Evening Rose
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 209

February 27th, 2012 by Karen 61 Comments

A new pair of running shoes! I wonder how far we’ll go together…

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:

I’m all smiles today. 🙂 I feel like last weekend did wonders for me. I was able to catch up on some sleep and watch a few hours of brainless TV, which always improves my point of view.

It’s Girl Scout Cookie season! Do you have a favorite kind?

I could eat an entire box of those Lemon Coolers, which I guess are called Savannah Smiles now, in a single sitting. Yesterday I purchased two boxes from the scouts on my street and can’t wait to devour them after dinner tonight!

One thing you absolutely must finish today?

I put off cleaning my office all weekend long, again, which is unfortunate, because now it looks like it was hit by a tornado.

What’s one lesson you wish you’d learned earlier in life?

That waiting for the “perfect time” to do something could lead to a lifetime of waiting.

If you were given the choice to see five years into your future, would you take it?

That’s a tough one… Maybe if I knew I had the power to change whatever future I saw; otherwise, probably not. Where’s the fun in the journey if you know how things will turn out?

Is there anything you wish you spent less time doing?

Worrying, for one. And I could definitely spend less time, as my mom would say, “dilly-dallying in the morning.” To put it mildly, morning is not my most productive time of day.

What’s one of your makeup mottos?

Yes, you most certainly do need another tube of pink lip gloss.

List three makeup brushes you couldn’t/wouldn’t want to live without:

1) The MAC 266 Small Angle Brush for filling in my brows, 2) the Trish McEvoy 62 Fan Brush for applying foundation and 3) the MAC 224 Tapered Brush for applying under-eye concealer.

Someday I’m going to…

…visit Cannes, stop getting in my own way, cook a pecan pie from scratch, get a dining room table, and lose that last five pounds.

Weekly goals:

To break in my new running shoes, to get my email Inbox under control (it’s pushing 6GB!), to make plans to have lunch/dinner with friends next month, and to try enjoy each and every day.

Good morning and happy Monday to ya. 🙂 How goes it this morning? So far, so good on this end of the keyboard. I just finished my first run with a new pair of running shoes, so that’s been the highlight of my Monday morning so far.

I had to retire my old pair… Poor things had worn through the soles.

Do you have a favorite kind of running shoe? I’m a Sauncony girl, myself, and have been since 1996, but when I first started wearing ’em, man! — they weren’t nearly as cute as they are today, LOL!

If you have a minute this morning, please stop by, and let me know how you’re doing in today’s Monday Poll.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. It’s Girl Scout Cookie season! Do you have a favorite?
3. One thing you absolutely must finish today?
4. What’s one lesson you wish you’d learned earlier in life?
5. Would you want to see five years into your future?
6. Is there anything you wish you spent less time doing?
7. What’s one of your makeup mottos?
8. Three makeup brushes you couldn’t live without:
9. Someday I’m going to…
10. Weekly goals:

Have a lovely Monday, my friend.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen