Karen

Delicate Deluxe: The New $80 Bobbi Brown Deluxe Lip & Eye Palette Is a Double-Decker of Delicate Glamour

November 10th, 2014 by Karen 36 Comments

A couple weeks ago my friend Jen and I were chatting about makeup when one of us brought up Bobbi Brown.

Now, Jen’s a recent convert to the cult o’ Bobbi, so I asked her what she liked about the brand, and she said, “When I wear it, I still feel like I look like me, and not like I’m trying to be someone else,” which I totally get. I think it’s why Bobbi’s makeup strikes a chord with so many women, myself included.

I know that when I don’t want to fuss with five different colors blended into my crease, there’s always Bobbi Brown.

For her latest foray into holiday makeup, Bobbi created a double-decker palette designed to flatter all skin tones. The new limited edition Deluxe Lip & Eye Palette ($80) contains two tiers of makeup in lovely tortoiseshell attire, with one tier filled with neutral brown, gold, pink and beige shades for eyes, and another tier with pink, mauve and rose lipsticks for lips.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 346

November 10th, 2014 by Karen 43 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for November 10, 2014

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.

If you were an instrument in a symphony, which instrument would you be?
I’d really want to be a cello, because the cello is kind of moody, but there’s still a sweet sadness to it.

But I’d probably end up being a piccolo… They’re small, and sprightly, and high pitched, and you really can’t ignore ’em.

Have you ever driven or been a passenger in a motor home?
Driving a motorhome is basically my nightmare, so no to the driving! — but yes to being a passenger. My parents had one, and when I was a teenager they went through this phase where they wanted to drive all over the United States with the whole family in it.

I just remember the constant motion in that enclosed space and not being able to get out FOR HOURS. Needless to say, I listened to my Walkman a lot.

How do you feel about psychics and fortune tellers? Have you ever been to one?
I’m open to the possibility that there are legit people out there with psychic abilities.

The only time I’ve been to a psychic was when I was working at a law firm. I was in my early 20s, and the office I worked for did this fun thing where they’d hire a bunch of psychics, and then all of the employees would go to them.

The first thing the lady said to me when I walked in was, “You’re not meant to do this.” LOL! She was talking about me someday becoming a lawyer.

Yeah, deep down, I already knew that…but it was nice having her confirm it.

What was your best (and worst) job interview or audition?
Not to toot my own horn, but I usually do OK in interviews. People tell me I can be quite charming (when I’m not driving them crazy).

As for my worst interview ever? Well, it didn’t start off badly, but it got there in a hurry. It was for a job as a legal assistant in a building’s basement with no windows. I just remember being taken down there and seeing these stacks of documents up to the ceiling and hearing a menacing hum, like some force was telling me to stay away. I don’t know if the hum was from the air conditioning or just the building itself, but I couldn’t breathe! It was terrible.

I did not take that job, by the way.

If you could hang out with the teenage characters in any movie or TV show, which show or movie would it be?
Gilmore Girls! Rory and Lane, the early years.

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

1. If you were an instrument in a symphony, which instrument would you be?
2. Have you ever driven or been a passenger in a motorhome?
3. How do you feel about psychics and fortune tellers? Have you ever been to one?
4. What was your best (and worst) job interview or audition?
5. If you could hang out with the teenage characters in any movie or TV show, which show or movie would it be?

What’s the recipe for a good Monday? For me, it usually involves getting a good night’s sleep, waking up to a fresh pot of coffee, and then saying hi and doing the Monday Poll with you. So, hi, and good morning! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 321

November 9th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Acclaimed kitty supermodel and business mogul Tabs the cat sat down with me for a very special interview this morning (he was paid in treats), and we covered important topics like pet peeves, bucket lists and zodiac signs.

We didn’t have time to get to all of your questions this time, but keep ’em coming because Tabs definitely wants to do it again. 🙂

This post is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan #proplancatpartner. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

About Purina Pro Plan Cat food

Whenever I fill his bowl with Purina Pro Plan Indoor Care dry cat food, Tabs comes running from wherever he is in the house, even when he still has some food left. I guess he prefers it fresh…as in straight out of the bag! Purina Pro Plan’s wide range of dry and wet cat foods and snacks, sold exclusively at pet specialty stores, can be found in three unique nutritional platforms — Savor, Finesse, and Focus — with each formula designed to provide advanced nutrition to help bring out the best in your cat. For more information about them, visit www.proplan.com, and follow Purina Pro Plan Cat on Twitter @proplancat.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,

Karen and Tabs

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

November 8th, 2014 by Karen 289 Comments

Kaw, kaw! So, Birdman… Seemed like a long movie to me, but I thought it was interesting and different. The whole thing plays out like one long camera shot, so the scenes sort of flow into each other. I’ve seen that effect before, but I liked the way it worked here.

In the movie, Michael Keaton’s character plays an aging, washed-up actor everyone knows as the man who formerly played Birdman, a comic book superhero he stopped playing in movies many years earlier (kind of autobiographical in that way, since Michael played Batman in the late ’80s and early ’90s). Now he’s producing, directing and starring in his own Broadway play, after investing his life savings into it, and most of the movie is about the shenanigans backstage before opening night. Oh, and he’s also losing his mind… Or something like that.

I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite movie of the year so far, but I liked it.

In related news, TWO WEEKS TILL THIS!!!

Your nephew and I are very excited. 🙂

How are things going in your neck of the woods? Do you have any plans this weekend or for Veteran’s Day?

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:
- What’s your favorite dish to order at a restaurant?
- What are your current favorite shoes?
- Are you more sinister, seductive or sweet?
- A makeup look or hair style you’ve been too afraid to try?
- A product you would love much more if it were smaller?
- Does it bother you if your friends don’t like someone you’re dating?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time). 🙂
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sometimes, Colors Are More Vivid After Dark, Like When They’re Part of the New $20 Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics After Dark Stained Gloss Test Tube x 4 Set

November 7th, 2014 by Karen 15 Comments

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics After Dark Stained Gloss Jealous — Wearing OCC’s Stained Gloss in Jealous, from the new $20 Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics After Dark Stained Gloss Test Tube x 4 Set

A lot can happen after dark…

Vampires can rise, cats can prowl and raccoons can subvert!

Sometimes, vivid, colorful stained glosses can thrill…

That’s right. Vivid, colorful stained glosses After Dark, which is the name of OCC’s new holiday set.

Strange name for such bright colors? Perhaps. But don’t let it stop you from rocking these glossy finishes during daylight hours, or for gifting the set to your favorite makeup-lovin’ vampire.

The Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics After Dark Stained Gloss Test Tube x 4 Set ($20)

Yes, vampires, because with two moody, vampiric shades in the set (the sheer glossy black and the reddish orange), you know I had to go there. It was low-hanging fruit.

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Benefit’s Blushes Lighten Up for the Holidays With the $36 Benefit Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O’ Blushes Holiday Set

November 7th, 2014 by Karen 21 Comments

Behold! In my hand, friends, isn’t just the latest holiday set from Benefit. What we have here is bonafide makeup history!

Yes, years from now, when some intrepid filmmaker/makeup lover makes a Behind the Music-style documentary about Benefit and the Bene-babes who love it, the new $36 Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O’ Blushes will get a mention, for sure, since it’s basically Benefit’s version of the moon landing.

For the first time ever, the brand is releasing a palette filled with their famous Box O’ Blushes (and one rand-o pan of Watt’s Up Illuminator) in a limited edition holiday set.

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Sephora VIB Adventures…

November 7th, 2014 by Karen 46 Comments

Have you hit up the Sephora VIB sale? (It’s ongoing through Nov. 10 for VIB members) When I tried jumping online yesterday morning, I couldn’t get through. I guess the site was overwhelmed, so I ended up driving to the Sephora store down the street here in Novato.

What transpired was probably the least exciting Sephora VIB trip ever recorded in the history of womankind, because all I mostly did was stock up on my staples and the products I use all the time…

I also wanted to pick up another bottle of Laura Mercier Flawless Fluide Foundation in Chai, but they were totally and completely out.

HEARTBREAK!

The splurge for the trip was the T3 BodyWaver 1.75″ Professional Curling Iron, which is designed for loose waves and volume, which I like, but I haven’t tried it yet (it gets mixed reviews, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed). I’ll let you know…

My hair has hit that point where it refuses to cooperate unless I actually, ya know, do stuff to it.

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Rollin’, Rollin’, Rollin’, These Lip Balms Are Rollin’: The eos + Rachel Roy Holiday 2014 Smooth Sphere Lip Balms

November 6th, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

And the award for Lip Balm Most Likely to Double as a Cat Toy goes to…the eos + Rachel Roy limited edition Smooth Sphere holiday 2014 collection lip balms, yay! 🙂

Tabs loves playing with these things. They look like Easter eggs or bouncy balls, but they’re actually little lip balms. If I leave one sitting out, Tabs will bop it around the condo like it’s a crinkly ball.

Of course, now that I’m telling you this, and I want to take a picture of him playing with them, he has absolutely no interest in doing that whatsoever.

Cats.

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