NYC New York Color Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stains, $4.99 each. Available now at drugstores and also online.
NYC New York Color Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stain
Jouer Tint in Orchid
Jouer Tint Lip and Cheek Color in Orchid, $20.
Drugstore Lipgloss Nirvana for Less Than $3 with the NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshines
NYC New York Color Lipshine in Midtown Mulberry
Today El Hub found out about my affair. 🙁
It had been going on since way back in 2006. That’s when I met the Sally Hansen Diamond 12-Hour Lip Treatments while cruising the aisles at Walgreens one afternoon for a pick-me-up after a really tough day.
There they were, non-sticky and pigmented, with a wear time that lasted for hours and hours…
What can I say? It just happened. When I saw they were a mere $6, I was willing to throw everything away. They were the closest thing to drugstore lipgloss nirvana I had ever seen.
But I’m not going to say I would have done it all again. No way. What I should have done is hold out for the NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshines I met last week. 🙂
Like the Sally Lip Treaments, they’re light and non-sticky with lots of rich color, but they’re an even more incredible bargain at $2.49 a pop!
Since the last experience I had with an NYC gloss was less than stellar, I expected Brighton Beach Peach (a shimmery golden peach), Midtown Mulberry (a creamy berry) and Big Apple Spice (a pearly bronze) to let me down. They’re the three Lipshine shades I recently tried (out of the 10 available).
Thankfully, it didn’t work out that way at all.
From top to bottom: Midtown Mulberry, Brighton Beach Peach and Big Apple Spice
Wands from the left: Brighton Beach Peach, Big Apple Spice and Midtown Mulberry
Swatches from the left: Brighton Beach Peach, Big Apple Spice and Midtown Mulberry
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The Long and Short of the New Buxom Amplified Lash Mascara
When the wands started oscillating, I thought I’d seen it all. After the whole vibrating/spinning mascara brush trend (so 2008!), what else could one possibly do with a basic mascara brush? Wait — I know. They could fashion one into the shape of a medieval flail, hi-ya!
But that wasn’t the end of innovation for the mighty mascara wand. Buxom’s Amplified Lash Mascara ($22), a Sephora exclusive, comes with a new twist (literally).
Available in just a single shade called Loud Black, it’s designed to thicken, lengthen and separate lashes. That’s all well and good, but I think the brush is what really sets it apart. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it before. By twisting a little knob on the end of the wand, right where you hold it, you can expand and contract the length of the brush part about a quarter of an inch. The different lengths, says Buxom, create different lash effects.
When fully extended, the brush volumizes lashes up to 600%. When in its compact position the bristles squeeze closer together to expertly comb through each and every lash for maximum length, separation and definition.
Twisting the knob one way makes the brush longer; the other way makes it shorter. And you can see it expanding and contracting right before your very eyes — like mascara magic, oooh!
I don’t have a lot of experience with the Buxom brand, but the few products of theirs I have tried have stood out more for packaging than actual performance.
Until now. 🙂 I’ve been wearing Amplified Lash for the past few days, and I must say — I like it.
I start by applying one coat with the brush in the elongated position, and then add two more coats using the shorter position. Together that gives me lashes that look dramatically longer and well defined.
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, May 9
- 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 three years, which I guess makes this somewhere around Vol. 169. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
- Mood:
- One great thing about getting older?
- What color do you use most in your eye makeup and why?
- What’s one thing your mom was right about?
- What’s your favorite book series?
- Your last sweet treat?
- Do you collect anything?
- Seersucker clothing — yea or nay?
- Your go-to eye cream?
- Weekly goals:
Peachy keen! I slept 10 hours last night and feel like a whole new girl.
After you experience a couple of life challenges, you start figuring sh*z out. Eventually, you’re not so green anymore. Like, when I was younger, I had a really hard time handling unexpected things (both in work and life), but now I feel like I can handle the curve balls much better than I could then.
Warm orangey browns like MAC Soft Brown, for sure. I wear them practically every day in the crease to create depth and to add contrast.
Sometimes, it’s better to just keep it to yourself.
The last one I really loved was The Hunger Games, but when I was a kid I was all about Sweet Valley High.
Yesterday at brunch I had a whole wheat pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting, and MAN, it was so good!
Besides makeup, shoes and the pounds of tabby cat hair on my clothes, not much. If I had more time and room, I’d like to collect vintage maps (love them) and old books.
A definite yea!
Korres Quercetin & Oak Eye Cream. I’m already on my fourth bottle! It’s hydrating, absorbs quickly and layers well beneath makeup.
To focus on ONE thing at a time (I’m trying not to multitask so much), eat a salad every day and run at least four times before Saturday.
Hey, cutie. Happy Monday! If you have a moment, will you stop by and let me know what’s going on in your neck of the woods 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. One great thing about getting older?
3. What color do you use most in your eye makeup and why?
4. What’s one thing your mom was right about?
5. What’s your favorite book series?
6. Your last sweet treat?
7. Do you collect anything?
8. Seersucker clothing — yea or nay?
9. Your go-to eye cream?
10. Weekly goals:
I hope your Monday’s treating you well. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
NYC New York Color City Mono Eye Shadows
NYC New York Color City Mono Eye Shadows ($3 each), available at drugstores in June.
Clockwise from brown shade on bottom left: Luxury Reborn, In Vogue and Broadway Look.
What Combo Would You Wear?
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Polishes from the left: Right Said Red, Malt and Model Behavior, $6.99 each.
What combo would you wear?
I’d do Malt on my fingers and Model Behavior on my toes. 🙂
Sundays with Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 138
While Tabs slept away the day (must be nice!), I spent the better part of this afternoon dealing with a text he sent me in the wee hours last night.
El Hub and I have been trying to make some progress on the home decorating/furniture front lately, and apparently Tabs isn’t happy with the direction we’re taking — something soothing, kinda beachy, in tones of tan, cream and blue.
“Quite frankly, I think this whole beach theme sucks. Since this is my home, too, I demand the inclusion of kitty-themed decor. I expect to review your ideas first thing Monday morning. Sharp.”
— Tabs
I looked around and found some ideas, but because Tabs prefers “the finer things” (his words), I could use your help with my proposal. Could you let me know which of these 10 kitty trappings you like best? 🙂
1. Tabby Cat Coffee Company Original Graphic Artwork
$79, available now online at the Geministudio Etsy shop.
2. Needle-Felted Sitting Kitty
$30, available now online at the BayColonyDesigns Etsy shop.
3. Custom Pet Portrait
$60, available now at the FuzzyMug Etsy shop.
4. Maine Coon Cat Print on Vintage Book Page
$9.99, available now at the glasslionstudio Etsy shop.
5. Tabby Cat Mini Journal
$8, available now online at the FuzzyMug Etsy shop.
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