Karen

Baby, It’s Cold Outside: Makeup to Last Through Rain, Sleet or Snow

February 14th, 2012 by Karen 32 Comments

Makeup to Last Through Rain, Sleet or Snow

This post is part of a series sponsored by Walgreens.

Yesterday I wasn’t quite singin’ in the rain, but I did hum as I walked in it. 🙂

Yep, it’s been raining here in Northern California (Sunday night was even stormy!), and I’ve been doing my best to stay dry. I’ve been mostly successful at it, too, except for an incident yesterday…

I had to brave the elements to run a few errands, and when I walked under an awning outside, one of those streams of 33-degree almost-freezing water shot straight down the back of my top.

I could have screamed! And I almost did, but I talked myself down by thinking about some of my favorite makeup for inclement weather.

Products like…

1. Maybelline Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara, $8.49

A friend of mine who works for a high-end makeup brand turned me on to this budget bad boy. We were commiserating one afternoon by email about our short, stumpy lashes when she confessed her love for Maybelline’s Full ‘N Soft Waterproof Mascara.

It’s also become a flake-free, smudge-resistant favorite of mine, thanks to sweaty yoga workouts and rainy days. Not only does it plump and lengthen, it also keeps my curled lashes lifted all day long.

2. Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer, $7.49 each

Rimmel’s Eye Definers have superhuman strength, because once they latch on to my lash and water lines, they don’t let go!

Clockwise from the gold shade on the lower left: Precious Gold, Purple Shock, Deep Ocean and Emerald Sparkle

I love the fun, funky shades, but Rimmel also included a couple of conservative colors for good measure (like black and brown).

3. L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, $7.99 each

Not quite a cream or a powder, these spongy new potted shadows feel soft to the touch. Waterproof, sweatproof and crease-resistant, too, the Infallible Eyeshadows are also easy to apply with a finger, which makes ’em prime candidates for rainy days when I’m in a rush.

From the left: Golden Sage, Perpetual Purple, Iced Latte, Continuous Cooca, Sultry Smoke and Eternal Black

4. Revlon Cream Blush in Rosy Glow, $9.99

I like to apply this sheer pink cream blush beneath my powder blushes when I know I’m heading out in the rain. Rosy Glow gives the staying power of other cheek products a boost.

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Rimmel Glam Eyes HD Eyeshadow

February 13th, 2012 by Karen 15 Comments

Rimmel Glam Eyes HD Eyeshadow in English Rose, $5.69. Available now at drugstores, Ulta and online.

My Dry Lips Love Moisture Rich L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm SPF 15

February 13th, 2012 by Karen 21 Comments

Sheer lippies are sure having a moment right now, aren’t they? Drugstores have been downright brimming with ’em lately. Especially moisturizing ones like the Maybelline Baby Lips and Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters. I must spot a new sheer lipstick, gloss or balm at the drugstore every time I visit.

L’Oreal is even getting in on the game with a new line of unflavored, unscented, super sheer hydrating balms with SPF.

Available in eight non-sticky, barely there colors for $7.99 each, the new Colour Riche Balms deliver luminous lips with a tinge of tint and SPF 15.

And they are loaded with moisture. I mean gallons of it! According to L’Oreal, they’re supposed to keep lips quenched for a full eight hours.

Now, I don’t know about eight hours…but after switching back and forth between Caring Coral and Pink Satin both days last weekend, my lips feel great. They haven’t been this smooth and soft since the beginning of winter.

The Colour Riche Balms remind me of the Revlon Lip Butters, which I think pack a little more pigment, but I prefer the texture of these. They seem — I don’t know — more elegant? And slightly slicker and smoother, almost like Dior’s $28 Addict Lipsticks.

Caring Coral on the left and Pink Satin on the right
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Sometimes, Swipe-and-Go MAC Mineralize Concealer Is the Way to Go for Me

February 13th, 2012 by Karen 37 Comments

Even when I’m just running a quick errand out to Target for dish soap or to Petco for takeout (Tabs usually orders the Fancy Feast Tuna or Turkey in gravy), I always try to remember to apply at least a smidgen of concealer before I leave the house.

Because you just never know… That friendly person in line at the Starbucks might hold the keys to your dream job; you might even cross paths with that dumb@ss turd-monkey who broke your heart in high school (FYI: you were always way too cute for him).

Because “you never know” is a mantra of mine, I like to keep a couple of different swipe-and-go concealers close. Lately, one of them has been MAC’s new liquid Mineralize Concealer ($19).

It’s perfect whenever I don’t have a lot of time to deal with brushes and buffing, like when I’m in a rush to make it to yoga class or to Starbucks for emergency tea/coffee — basically, times when all I really need/want is a little makeup to take the edge off, so to speak.

And MAC Mineralize is like concealer stretchy pants, and by that I mean it’s comfy. 🙂 It might not last as long, look as formal, or provide as much coverage as MAC Pro Longwear, so it’s not something I wear often to take pics, but I think it’s comfortable, lightweight and brightening, and there are times when those really hit the spot.

If you like MAC Select Moisturecover, that might be another reason to give Mineralize a try. I find them both to have similar formulas — moisturizing, with semi-opaque coverage — but Mineralize seems a tad more concentrated and pigmented to me. Because of that I think it offers a little more coverage and seems to latch on to my skin a bit better.

Just as another point of difference, Mineralize has a brush tip applicator, versus the doe foot that comes with Select Moisturecover.

A few other observations about MAC Mineralize Concealer…

I like that it steers clear of my fine lines and doesn’t stand out or appear heavy on my skin
I find that I have reapply about halfway through the day, but a little does goes a long way, so this particular tube should last me a few months (more or less)
Available in the following 15 shades: NW15, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW40, NW45, NW50, NC15, NC20, NC30, NC35, NC42, NC45 and NC5

MAC Mineralize Concealer swatches from the elft: NC20, NW25, NC35 and NC42
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 207

February 13th, 2012 by Karen 55 Comments

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:

Wiggly? Is that a mood? I’m having a tough time settling down this morning, but I gotta get cracking on a few things. Time’s a wastin’!

Something people are surprised to learn about you?

When I meet people that I’ve come to know online, they’re often surprised by my height, or lack thereof (I’m just 5-feet-one without heels), and my voice. I’m not sure why about the voice (I sound like this), but it happens a lot.

What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?

I love, LOVE getting my hair cut and dyed. It’s just so relaxing to hang out at the beauty salon for a few hours, ya know? Chat and read magazines. Heaven!

Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?

Ugh! When I was in my 20s, my mom must have tried to pawn me off on every available doctor in Northern California. None of the dates ever panned out, though (thank gawd!).

Pickles: yum or gross?

Yum, if they’re the sweet and crunchy kind.

Can you cook?

Eh, I’m okay, at best. I can put together something edible and tasty, but I don’t think I’ve ever prepared a full meal from start to finish that made anyone’s eyes roll back in their head from ecstasy (I wish!).

A memory about your childhood home?

I remember there being a little nook in the hallway where my parents kept a small picture of The Last Supper, a few bottles of holy water and various other somewhat scary (to a child) Catholic bits. I remember it always terrifying me for some reason, so I’d sort of sprint by it down the hall.

What would make you happier?

Well, I think I’m pretty happy now, but I’d love to be better about managing my time. Sometimes I feel like I take longer to do things than I should.

What’s your favorite kind of music?

Oh, I could never pick just one. I like a little bit of everything. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of pop, hip hop and some country thrown in for good measure.

Weekly goals:

To sneak in a run every day, to work on managing my time, to eat a salad every day, and to organize a few lunch dates with girlfriends.

Have you ever left for work or gone to an event, and then, an hour or so after leaving the house, realize that your bra feels itchy and uncomfortable?

Gah! It’s happened to me so many times it’s ridiculous, so now I stash emergency bras all over the place, because you just never know when you’ll need a change.

Yesterday, I was cleaning out my car and found one in the glove compartment that I’d forgotten about.

“Hmm… How’d this get here?

Haha!

Random, I know, but it’s been one of those Mondays. 🙂

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

1. Mood:
2. Something people are surprised to learn about you?
3. What’s one part of your beauty routine that you really enjoy?
4. Has a relative ever tried to set you up on a date?
5. Pickles: yum or gross?
6. Can you cook?
7. A memory about your childhood home?
8. What would make you happier?
9. What’s your favorite kind of music?
10. Weekly goals:

Hope that your start of the week hasn’t been too shabby, tabby, and that you’ll swing by and say hello!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Driftwood

February 13th, 2012 by Karen 5 Comments

Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 178

February 12th, 2012 by Karen 9 Comments

Is pet assisting right for you?

If you’re considering a career in the exciting, fast-paced world of celebrity pet assisting, let me tell ya — it’s not all glitz and glam.

Sure, there are advantages, like travel. One week it’s Paris to “get the gravy situation in order.” Next week it’s Napa Valley for fresh organic catnip.

But for all its perks, you do have to sacrifice a lot…

First, you can kiss your weekends goodbye, because celebrity pet employers basically own your @ss. And yes, I speak from experience.

Today was supposed to be my first Sunday off in weeks, and I had plans to go for a hike before catching a late movie with El Hub.

As often happens, I had my hand on the doorknob when I received a text from Tabs. In it, he said it was “of the utmost importance” that I organize his vast collection of accessories by color and ribbon width, and it absolutely, positively had to be done by tonight.

Big surprise.

He also insisted that I take some pics of him to give to his stylist, who then, after checking with our focus group, would color coordinate his outfits for the upcoming awards season.

So I’ve basically spent my entire afternoon with a diva kitty supermodel wrapped in a rainbow of ribbons.

Le sigh!

Here’s a look behind the scenes at some of the outtakes…

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The MAC Vera Collection Plushglasses Are Making Me Smile

February 12th, 2012 by Karen 10 Comments

Wearing MAC Plushglass in Pretty Plush on my lips

I’m alive…ALIVE!!

The tingle from my MAC Plushglass reminds me that I’m alive. 🙂

I’ve always been more of a MAC Lipglass kinda girl, but I have been quite enjoying the Plushglasses from the new MAC Vera collection this week.

Like the Lipglasses, they have MAC’s signature vanilla flavor and scent, but in a thinner, less sticky formula.

They also have a little bite to ’em — a slight bee-sting sensation that’s supposed to plump your pout. Of course, I can’t see a difference in the size of my lips with them on, but when it comes to lip plumping products in general, I almost never can. Gimmick or not, the effect appears to be subtle, though, and the slight sting subsides on me after about 10 minutes.

I was a little busier than usual this week and felt like I was always running behind. But three of the five MAC Vera Plushglasses — Pretty Plush (a soft pink with white pearl), Fashion Fanatic (a creamy pale pink) and Confetti (an orange coral with pearl) — helped me get through it and were never far from my side. At least one of the three was either in my purse or a jacket pocket at all times.

MAC Plushglass in Fashion Fanatic

MAC Plushglass in Confetti

Plushglasses from the left: Confetti, Fashion Fanatic and Pretty Plush
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