Karen

10 Things I Love About BECCA

February 10th, 2015 by Karen 39 Comments

I can’t even think about this dual-ended liner without getting a little verklempt. With a metallic bronze on one end and a rich violet with deep brown and purple propensities on the other, it makes my heart sing when I talk about it.

When I finally get around to writing that 10-volume unabridged edition of My Makeup History (by Karen and Tabs), Cabrera will get its own chapter. It’s one of my greatest pencil liner loves of all time.

2. Flowerchild Blush

Becca Halcyon Days Collection Flowerchild Mineral Blush — BECCA Flowerchild Mineral Blush

This long-wearing golden peachy pink is an everyday summer staple of mine.

I this blush. There’s no other way to put it.
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The Beautiful Beasts in Paul & Joe’s Menagerie Are Wild About Laid-Back Color: The Spring 2015 Menagerie Collection Face and Eye Color CS Palettes

February 9th, 2015 by Karen 23 Comments

Wearing the new Paul & Joe Face & Eye Colors in CS 0996 and CS 094 from the spring 2015 Menagerie collection — Wearing the new Paul & Joe Face & Eye Colors in CS 096 and CS 094 from the spring 2015 Menagerie collection

Paul & Joe’s spring Menagerie collection is not simply a collection of printed animals on powder pans. It is a representation of my not-too-distant future, a future in which I am a woman of advancing years living on a farm on the Big Island of Hawaii surrounding by cats (obviously) and various other fauna.

Despite El Hub’s protests, we adopt a hippo and an elephant, in addition to ducks (and cats), and all of them live together harmoniously, much as they do on these pans. 🙂

Paul & Joe Menagerie Spring 2015 collection Face & Eye Color CS from the left: Elephanteau (096), Les Flamants Roses (094) and Girafe (095), $39 each — The $39 Face & Eye Color CS palettes from the left in Elephanteau (096), Girafe (095) and Les Flamants Roses (094)

I think I’m physically incapable of not smiling when I look at these limited edition palettes, and they’re also a lot of fun to use, especially on casual makeup days when I’m rocking a ponytail, white tee and jeans (with my ASPCA cat Vans).

Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color in CS 096 — Face & Eye Color in Elephanteau CS 096

The powders are multifunctional eyeshadows/blushes/highlighters and can be used on your eyes and cheeks.

Paul & Joe Menagerie Spring 2015 Face & Eye Color CS in Les Flamants Roses — Face & Eye Color in Girafe CS 095

They also smell like candy hearts. 🙂 And the scent is fairly strong (typical of Paul & Joe). Luckily, I like it.

Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color in CS 094 — Face & Eye Color in Les Flamants Roses CS 094

Just like real life on a farm, these animals have jobs. The cat moonlights as an eyeshadow, the hippo works as an accent shade for eyes, the duck dances as a highlighter, and the elephant assists cheeks (while also doubling as an eye color).

Really, though, you can use any of them on your eyes or face, although Greta in the cube next to you might roll her eyes if she sees you wearing the blue hippo on your cheeks.

But who cares? Do it anyway. I did the other day, haha! I wanted to see how the eyeshadows would work on my cheeks, and they worked great. The smooth, easy-to-blend powders deposit a tiny bit of fallout, but it’s not enough to warrant calling the avenging makeup angels down to unleash their wrath of fire and brimstone. Nothing like that.

Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color in CS 096 Swatches — Face & Eye Color in Elephanteau CS 096

Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color in CS 095 Swatches — Face & Eye Color in Girafe CS 095

Paul & Joe Face & Eye Color in CS 094 Swatches — Face & Eye Color in Les Flamants Roses CS 094

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3 Fascinating (and Slightly Frightening) New Beauty Tools From Sephora

February 9th, 2015 by Karen 26 Comments

1. Sephora Collection Show Curl XL lash curler ($17)

I’m a dedicated Shu Uemura lash curler girl, and when mine went missing a few years back, I seriously lost my sh*t! Like, I had a full-on ballistic meltdown.

But I’m also a curious kitty who likes to meow new thangs.

This one is designed, first and foremost, for deep-set eyes (which I don’t really have) and incorporates advanced Cyberdyne Systems-like technology, like an “extreme curved band shape” for dramatic lash curls. It’s also extra large and has a long handle to help you get as close as mathematically possible to your lash lines…

Or something like that. More importantly, it comes in three colors (of course my favorite one is the one with the hot pink band), and each one includes two spare replacement pads.

Sephora Collection Show Curl XL (bottom) with a Shu Uemura Lash Curler (top) — The Sephora Collection Show Curl XL (bottom/front) with a Shu Uemura Lash Curler (top/back). See how Show Curl’s band is curved?

“But does it work!?” she cried, clenching her fists by her sides and stomping her feet in a fresh storm puddle.

Yeah…it actually does, but it takes a little getting used to. It’s quite large, and I kept pinching my lashes on my first few tries, which could be partly due to muscle memory, since I’ve spent 10 years using Shu’s curler.

This curler nicely lifts my lashes, though — especially the ones on the ends that are inherently harder to curl — and the effect is pretty dramatic and defined. It’s a good starting point for mascara.

Sephora Collection Show Curl XL (right) with a Shu Uemura Lash Curler (left)

I’m still hooked on Shu’s curler and don’t see myself ever giving it up, but the Sephora Collection Show Curl XL is a worthy contender. It might also be the cat’s meow if you have deep-set eyes.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B/B+

2. Sephora Collection Long Lashing Contoured Eyelash Comb ($14)

HOW SCARY IS THIS CONTRAPTION?

The first time I ran the comb through my lashes, I thought of that chant from the end of A Christmas Story. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”

Thankfully, I have not, yet.

Not as of 2:56 p.m. on February 9, 2015.

Um…so this one’s truly innovative. It’s a lash comb, but the teeth are arranged vertically, so instead of holding the handle parallel to your lash line, you hold it perpendicular.

I think it’s about a million times easier to use than conventional lash combs, like, I don’t have to hold it at weird angles. I just hold the brush above my lashes, and brush down a few times.

That’s it.

It’s way more intuitive and, I guess, ergonomic than old-fashioned lash combs. Definitely easier to manipulate and hold, and it separates lashes well.

Added bonus? The comb folds in half for travel-friendly convenience.

Bravo, Sephora! 🙂
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+
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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 359

February 9th, 2015 by Karen 37 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for February 9, 2015

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Stripes, plaid or polka dots?
All three at once!

Just kidding.

Kind of. 🙂 But if I had to pick one…I would definitely pick plaid.

I LOVE plaid shirts, and I won’t say no to a really well-fitting pair of plaid pants.

Do your brows match your hair color?
Uh…not really. My brows are my natural hair color, which is a dark, dark brown — almost black — but my current hair color is some kind of chocolatey thing. They haven’t matched in a really long time, and I also — oh, I also always go one shade lighter when I fill in my brows because I feel like it makes them look less harsh.

So the long answer to a short question is “no.”

This week I’m really looking forward to…
I’m really looking forward to Saturday, because El Hub got us tickets to the symphony!

Should be a lot of fun. It’s been a few years since we’ve gone, and I get to dress up a little.

What advice would you give to a friend who wants to get into your line of work?
Hmm…

For blogging, get really handy with a camera. Not only is it empowering to not have to depend on other people to take your pics, but it makes everything easier. And when you sit down at the keyboard, try to approach your projects from a place of joy and love. Leave all of your other baggage out of the mix.

Try to, at least. It’s very hard sometimes, but try.

If you were a song today, what song would you be?
Charli XCX’s Boom Clap.

‘Nuff said.

Your turn. 🙂 Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Stripes, plaid or polka dots?
2. Do your brows match your hair color?
3. This week I’m really looking forward to…
4. What advice would you give to a friend who wants to get into your line of work?
5. If you were a song today, what song would you be?

I would raise my cup of coffee to you, but I’m not drinking coffee today… I’m drinking tea.

It’s good green tea, though. 🙂 So I raise my cup of tea to you, my friend! I hope you have an easy week highlighted by bouts of honest laughter.

In other news…I’m kind of heartbroken about what happened on The Walking Dead last night, because first Bob, then Beth, and now this? It feels like all of the loving, gentle characters who had hoped for a better world are being picked off, one by one.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 333

February 8th, 2015 by Karen 11 Comments

Dear Tabby is written by Tabs the cat, commonly regarded as “the world’s first plus-size kitty supermodel.” Founded in mid 2012, it has quickly become the most widely syndicated cat advice column on earth — known for its fresh, feline perspective on lifestyle, fashion and style issues affecting cats and humans.

An unconventional office romance

DEAR TABBY: I’ve had a crush on the same cat since we were kittens, but I don’t think she even knows I exist. You see, I work late a lot. I’m a certified kitty accountant (you know how it is, Tabby, married to my job), and I think she must also work in the area, because I watch her through the windows of my office late at night.

Sometimes I’ll see her chatting with other cats under the street lamps and, yeah, it makes me jealous, but I’m also very introverted and shy.

I rarely, if ever, go outside, whereas she, on the other paw, is a free spirit who stays out all night. It’s a classic case of when opposites attract.

My question is this: how do I let her know I’m interested without coming on too strong, and should I even bother? We work in the same area, but it’s as if we’re worlds apart.
— Interested Introvert

Just let the rhythm move you — Let the rhythm move you

DEAR INTERESTED: I’ve counseled many cats in situations similar to yours, where one of the interested parties works indoors and the other one works outside, and here’s what I tell them: yes, I think you should absolutely let her know how you feel, and don’t worry about coming on too strong. Romance is all about taking risks.

I suggest interpretive dance. Express your feelings through dance one night, and try to get her attention through the glass. You’ll never know what might be unless you try.

A cat who wants to be more than friends

DEAR TABBY: This week, completely out of nowhere, my best guy friend cat brought me a mouse, then started nuzzling me and purring.

I was like, “Whoa, whoa, whoa! What are you doing?!” and he looked terribly hurt.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s a very cute tom cat, but he’s also seeing one of my friends.

What should I do, Tabby? I’m not against purr-suing a relationship with him, but not while he’s seeing another cat.
— Friendly Tension

You have to be very upfront with some cats

DEAR FRIENDLY: Your reaction was completely understandable. He’s putting the moves on you while he’s seeing someone else!

In this case, I think you just have to be crystal clear with him. Spell everything out.

Let him know that you would never consider dating him while he’s seeing someone else, and proceed with caution. Take it slowly when dealing with friendships and matters of the heart.
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7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

February 7th, 2015 by Karen 322 Comments

Rise and shine, morning glory! Guess who actually got some sleep. Yup, yours truly, so I feel about 900 times better today.

It was pouring rain last night, but the sun is out again this morning. It looks like it’s going to be a fantabulous day. I might even have a cup of actual coffee instead of Throat Coat or Theraflu.

Heck, I may even venture outside… Ooh! — dare to dream, LOL! 🙂

In other news, what do you think about this for a side project: a 6-foot-tall wooden kitty condo wrapped in chicken wire for the deck, so that Tabs can chill out for short breaks under the stars (and I don’t have to worry about him running into any hungry coyotes)? I’d need El Hub’s help to cut the wood because I’m not a Miss Power Tools, but what do you think? If you were a tabby…would you like a kitty condo like that?

Must plan…

Good luck in the giveaway. I’ll talk to you soon.

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. and international readers.
You must be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).
Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:
- Have you ever written a computer program? If so, what did it do?
- Can you read music?
- Valentine’s Day: thumbs up or thumbs down?
- What’s your current favorite makeup look?
- Have you ever built anything with power tools?
- Something you’re building up the courage to do?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, February 9, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

7 Things I Learned This Week, Makeup and Beauty Related (and Otherwise)

February 6th, 2015 by Karen 21 Comments

1. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm doubles as an improv face moisturizer.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm — Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm, $19

I’ve been dangerously obsessed with this $19 lip balm lately (OK, yes, I get obsessed a lot).

It is SO GOOD, hella moisturizing, but not sticky though, and it tastes and smells like honey.

That’s pure win right there.

I keep a jar on my nightstand and put some on my lips at night before bed, and in the morning my lips always feel better.

But that’s not what I learned this week. This week, while I was resting in bed (Nurse Tabs was supervising), I learned that Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm is also a boon for sore noses.

This cold I’ve had has done a number on my nostrils. 🙁 But last night I was too tired to get up out of bed and get my face moisturizer from the bathroom…so I applied a little Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm around my nostrils instead.

Um, wow? They felt much better, and now that I think about, Nuxe Rêve is probably also a totally kick-@ss cuticle softener (note to self: give this a try).

2. A fab foundation find/combo!

This was just a happy makeup accident earlier this week. Even though I’ve been really liking the new NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, I was feeling like Stromboli, the color that most closely matches my neck, was still just a little too yellow for me.

So I mixed it with L’Oreal’s True Match Lumi (the shade I wear is called Sun Beige) to get a closer match.

Wonderfulness ensued.

The two of them together are all kinds of magical. Good on their own, they’re even better mixed together. They turn into a super foundation! Both are already lightweight with a natural-looking finish and great coverage, but mixing them together turns everything up a notch.

I mix equal parts of each (about half a pump) on the back of my hand, and then apply that to my face with my fingers. Then I gently pat it down with a damp BeautyBlender.

It covers just about everything but still looks natural, and I can even skip pore-smoothing primer beforehand.

Loreal True Match Lumi — L’Oreal True Match Lumi

3. When a torrent of snot is streaming out of my nostrils, the last thing in the world I want to do is wear gloss or lipstick.

Lipstick and/or lipgloss + boogers + Kleenex = hot mess.

Do not go there.

I thought I’d test some lipgloss the other day while I was mostly laid up in bed (watching Lifetime), but I kept accidentally touching my lips with the Kleenix every five minutes.

Agh!
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10 Reasons to Love Tom Ford Beauty

February 6th, 2015 by Karen 23 Comments

Tom Ford Spring 2015, available now online and at Tom Ford counters

1. The limited edition collections…

Whenever one of Tom’s limited edition color collections drops, I’m reminded of my recurring need for a dedicated makeup fainting couch (Note to self: invent that).

Like this morning, when I laid eyes on the new spring 2015 collection in all its purple, teal and blue glory.

The duos, the nail polishes and that cray-cray mascara? BANANAS.

2. Eye Defining Pen in Deeper

It’s $55, and yes, that’s crazy expensive, but Tom’s Eye Defining Pen in Deeper is also outrageously good.

When that mysterious billionaire benefactor I’ve been waiting for since my freshman year eventually knocks on my door and says, “Karen! Let me fund your beauty-loving lifestyle!” I’m going to stockpile hundreds of these pens and keep them in a special climate-controlled underground makeup lair.

Now it looks busted, like a much-loved teddy bear. 🙂

Whenever my neurons aren’t firing well and I can’t string two sentences together, I pull out Cognac Sable.
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10 Things I Love About BECCA

1. Cabrera Liner

2. Flowerchild Blush

The Beautiful Beasts in Paul & Joe’s Menagerie Are Wild About Laid-Back Color: The Spring 2015 Menagerie Collection Face and Eye Color CS Palettes

3 Fascinating (and Slightly Frightening) New Beauty Tools From Sephora

1. Sephora Collection Show Curl XL lash curler ($17)

2. Sephora Collection Long Lashing Contoured Eyelash Comb ($14)

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 359

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 333

An unconventional office romance

A cat who wants to be more than friends

7 Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

7 Things I Learned This Week, Makeup and Beauty Related (and Otherwise)

1. Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm doubles as an improv face moisturizer.

2. A fab foundation find/combo!

3. When a torrent of snot is streaming out of my nostrils, the last thing in the world I want to do is wear gloss or lipstick.

10 Reasons to Love Tom Ford Beauty

1. The limited edition collections…

2. Eye Defining Pen in Deeper

3. The Brow Sculptor

4. Nail Lacquer in African Violet

5. Cognac Sable Eye Quad