Karen

How Often Do You Coordinate Your Nails With Your Makeup and/or Outfit?

July 2nd, 2014 by Karen 27 Comments

Not very often, but I feel like I should do it more because I like the look, and it’s a fun idea, but I dunno… It takes a level of planning and organization that — well, let’s just say — I sometimes lack. 🙂

I’ll do it every once in a while, though, like for a special occasion, or when it just randomly works out, but I think the last time I purposefully coordinated (because sometimes I do it by accident and don’t even realize for hours) my nails, outfit and makeup was for my wedding back before the last ice age, LOL!

I usually do my nails in the beginning of the week, so to match stuff after that, they have to match with my nails.

I feel like I could/should be more thoughtful about the whole thing because nails can totally take a look to the next level.

How about you? How often do you coordinate your nails with your makeup and/or outfit?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day.

Pro Palette Redux! The New LORAC PRO Palette 2

July 1st, 2014 by Karen 18 Comments

Do you remember the LORAC Pro Palette from 2012?

I thought it was/is pretty good. Apparently it was also a hit, because LORAC made a sequel.

Here’s to hoping it’s more Terminator 2 than Hangover 3 (she said, raising a half-empty bottle of Glow Vitamin Water Zero).

The LORAC PRO Palette 2 is available now for $42 at Ulta stores and ulta.com.

P.S. Oh, boy. That navy shade in the top row will be epic for the dark blue liner/nails look. 🙂

Iced Tea, Texture and Fried Treats at Sol Food Restaurant in San Rafael

July 1st, 2014 by Karen 6 Comments

I think I’m so used to El Hub and my family not even blinking an eye anymore when I whip out my camera to take pictures of food that I forget it’s kind of weird.

Last Sunday I was craving Puerto Rican food, so we drove down to Sol Food in San Rafael, one of my favorite restaurants when I want something upbeat, tasty and lively.

When we go, we usually eat outside on their back patio, but it was packed that day, so we grabbed a couple spots on their small counter pressed up against a wall.

The walls are painted bright colors and have lots of neat textures, like old doors, fastened to them.

I’d never noticed the doors hanging on the walls before because I’m usually entranced by the old pictures, but this time I took a ton of pics with my camera of the walls and, of course, my food.

I was clicking away, oblivious of time, when I noticed a woman sitting next to us at the counter looking at me funny. El Hub said, “She does this all the time,” referring to me and my picture taking. “ALL THE TIME.”

Hahaha!

The lady, Dottie, was very nice. “That’s a little weird,” she said.

“Yeah, it is!” I agreed. “I always take pictures of my food. It’s kind of my thing.”

Dottie was a blast. Hey, Dottie! 🙂 Even though I’m pretty sure she isn’t reading this, whatev.

She said she was 65 years old, but she didn’t look anywhere near that. Of course I had to ask her for her secret. She said, “healthy living, and an ‘I don’t give a sh*t attitude.'”

Who knew?!

I ordered large quantities of fried food because my PMS was/is in overdrive. I had a niño pobre — breaded fried prawns on toasted french bread with lettuce, tomato and cilantro lime mayo — and mariquitas, which are sliced, fried green plantains. And an orange mango iced tea.

Yeah, my tummy just rumbled. 🙂

Currently on the Bathroom Shelf: Fourth of July Sun Protection Products From Neutrogena, L’Occitane, Vichy, Avene and Philip Kingsley

July 1st, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

Sun protection from Neutrogena, L'Occitane, Philip Kingsley, Vichy and Avene — Sun protection from Neutrogena, L’Occitane, Philip Kingsley, Vichy and Avene

It’s almost Fourth of July, and fireworks are completely legal in my bathroom!

Wait — that was weird.

By fireworks, I’m referring to exciting sun protection products, like these things currently celebrating their independence on my bathroom shelf. 🙂

Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 110

When a two-digit SPF ratings just isn’t enough, there’s Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil-Free Lotion SPF 110, which I’ve been using every day for about a month.

The oil-free formula is fabulous to the max! Not only is it easy to apply makeup on top of it, but it doesn’t pill up into little flecks, or otherwise behave strangely no matter what I wear it with — primer, foundation, whatever else.

Best of all, it’s not greasy! — so when I put it on my neck, it doesn’t feel all sticky and gross. For $12.99, you get a 3-ounce tube, and it’s available now at drugstores, Ulta and online.

L’Occitane Jenipapo Gel-Protecting Body Jelly Milk SPF 20

I like L’Occitane’s Jenipapo Protecting Body Jelly Milk SPF 20 for a couple of reasons.

First, the name. Jenipapo.

That’s pure win right there. 🙂

As for the formula, I like it for light SPF protection when I only plan to catch a few rays while running errands or going for a quick walk.

It’s a lightweight, moisturizing sunscreen lotion that smells ah-maze-balls! It starts with notes of watermelon, orange, pineapple, frangipani and Lily of the Valley, and dries down to a smooth vanilla musk.

It launched last May with a whole slew of skin care, fragrance and sun protection products in L’Occitane’s Au Brasil line, a range inspired by the fabulous foliage of Brazil.

Jenipapo, a fruit tree found in Brazil’s Cerrado tropical savanna, is said to be very moisturizing.

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For a Chic Twist on a Neutral Look, Try Pairing Dark Blue Eyeshadow With Dark Blue Nails, and Use the Shadow as a Liner

July 1st, 2014 by Karen 29 Comments

Blue liner and nails with NARS Giove and Chanel Orage — Here I’m doing a Vulcan mind meld on myself… Kidding. I’m wearing Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Giove as a liner on my lash lines and Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Orage on my claws.

QUESTION: Why use a blue eyeshadow instead of a blue liner?

ANSWER: Why not?

Picture it: dark blue liner coupled with super deep, dark, almost black nails, only, instead of using a pencil, gel or liquid liner, you use a powder eyeshadow.

NARS Giove and Chanel Orage — Incidentally, that’s Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick in Petal on my lips.

Do you ever just get stuck in a rut and feel like you’re wearing nothing but brown and beige? Feel like trying something different but don’t want to go over the top?

I’m always looking for ways to keep things interesting for myself, especially when it comes to wearable makeup looks — ideally chic and wearable, but not totally snooze-worthy, if you catch my drift.

One day I decided to pair dark blue liner with dark blue claws, and the first thing I thought when I finished was, “Why haven’t I done this before?”

Seriously, though, why use a blue eyeshadow as a liner instead of an actual blue liner?

NARS Duo-Intensity Eyeshadow in Giove — Ciao, NARS Giove!

Using a dark blue eyeshadow as a liner, instead of a dark blue pencil, gel or liquid eyeliner, creates a more diffused edge, so the overall effect looks softer.

I’ve done it with lots of different liner styles, too, like spicy cat eye looks, and even soft washes of color, where the liner is smudged along my upper and lower lash lines.

Sometimes I’m just in the mood for a blurred edge (and the accompanying less attention to detail).

Just for fun: add dark blue nails

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Orage, $27

I like seeing the flash of dark blue on my fingers whenever I tuck my bangs behind my ears or push my (nerdy Gamma Ray computer glasses) up.

And it think it sort of reinforces the blue liner, too. You know, more blue.

I also like how the softer liner contrasts with the harder edge of the dark blue nails, so you also have that contrasty thing going.

I call this liner look the Tabby T-1000 (after the liquid metal Terminator from T2)

For this cat liner look, I applied metallic dark blue NARS Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow in Giove ($29) with an angled brush.

First, I applied it dry to create the shape of the cat eye and get that softer edge. Then I wet the brush head, dipped it back into the pan, and applied the shadow on my lash line close to the lashes, to sort of intensify the metallic finish and crete a subtle gradient.

You could definitely keep it simpler by picking one — just wet or just dry — but ya know. I’m just saying.

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What Are Your Top Three Makeup Must-Haves for Hot Weather?

July 1st, 2014 by Karen 31 Comments

Call me on my banana phone! — Hey, girl, haaay!

**RING! RING!**

KAREN: Gurl, why you call me on your banana phone? You know it’s only for emergencies.

KAREN’S IMAGINARY FRIEND: Emergencies!? This is an emergency! This is a makeup emergency! A triple 9-1-1 orange alert makeup emergency of the utmost importance!

KAREN: I feel you, dog… What’s up?

KAREN’S IMAGINARY FRIEND: It is hot in hurr!

KAREN: No sh*t. I’m in the pool right now… A pool of my own sweat!

It smells like roses, of course…

KAREN’S IMAGINARY FRIEND: Does not.

KAREN: Does too.

KAREN’S IMAGINARY FRIEND: Does not!

KAREN: Does too.

KAREN’S IMAGINARY FRIEND: Anyway, the emergency I called you about?

KAREN: Shoot.

KAREN’S IMAGINARY FRIEND: Well, like, everything I put on my face keeps sliding off because it’s so hot. I’m freakin’ out! What can I do to stop my makeup from melting?

KAREN: Ah, I get it. I can totally help you with that. I’m gonna text you a list of products…

Wait — can you get texts on that banana phone?

LOL! Imagine having a conversation like that with yourself on a banana phone in public. People will think you’re cray. 🙂

There was a point to this whole little story, though… I’m wondering about hot weather makeup product tips — hot as in shirtless Ryan Gosling in a chaise lounge. What are your top three?

Here are mine…

Primer: I use this to anchor my face makeup. MAC Prep + Prime Natural Radiance is my favorite for hot weather.
I’ve also started really liking Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer.

I’m a BIG believer in primer.
Foundation: In particular, MAC Face & Body. It evens out my skin tone, feels light, and, like a tired 20-pound tabby, it doesn’t move once it sets.
Highlighting Lotion: Sometimes, when I’m not in the mood to wear foundation, I’ll apply a layer of highlighting lotion, just to give my skin a little extra lift.
Favorites includes MAC Strobe Cream and MAC Strobe Lotion in Golden Elixir (discontinued… OH, THE HORROR!).

Hot weather makeup product tips — what are your top three?

Talk to me! (Banana phone optional.)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Karen

A Wave of Color To Wash Over Nails

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 7 Comments

Now that’s a big wave!

Doesn’t this picture look kind of like a wave of rainbow colors? I’m thinking, “Starburst commercial.”

Mmm… Starburst. 🙂

These are 31 of 42 new MAC Studio Nail Lacquers ($12 each).

Each row from left to right, on the top row, that’s Black Glow, Nocturnelle, Rain of Flowers, Formidable, Anti Fashion, Rebel, Saint Germain and Snob.

The second row from the top, that’s Sour Cherry, Flamingo Rose, Shirelle, Impassioned, Instant Crush, Only in Florida, Erogenous and Delicate.

The third row, that’s Tropical, Quick Million, Soiree, Silver Dew, Screaming Bright, Girl Trouble, Coffee Break and Quiet Time.

And the bottom row, that’s Gold Pearl, Pink Pearl, Blue Pearl, Green Pearl, Leather, Underlacquer and Overlacquer.

The 2014 Italian Street Painting Festival in San Rafael, California

June 30th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Did you ever draw on the sidewalk with chalk when you were a kid? I remember doing that a lot… Sometimes we’d use real chalk when we were lucky enough to have some, and sometimes we’d also use these white rocks we’d just find on the ground around the neighborhood.

Chalk rocks, we called them.

Yeah, I was never as good at street art as these folks here…

Behold the marvelous madonnari of Marin County!

Last weekend El Hub and I went to an Italian Street Painting festival in the town of San Rafael. Basically, the town closed off a section of street, and then a bunch of madonnari, which is Italian for “street painters,” created works of art right there on the asphalt with chalk.

All of the works were somehow themed around the 1940s, with some of them more lighthearted than others, but there were lots of different styles and subjects represented.

It was very cool watching the artists work, and I actually saw a couple things that reminded me of applying eyeshadow.

One girl cracked a big piece of chalk into smaller pieces she then sprinkled over a section of what looked like her subject’s leg, and then worked the smaller pieces together with her hands to create a wash of color.

Totally reminded me of messily applying liner on the lids and then smoothing it out with a buffing brush.

One of my favorite works was the one of Vivian Leigh from Gone With the Wind (there’s a pic down below). It almost looked like a photograph. The blues and greens in her eyes were so beautiful…

Oh, incidentally, while I was there I also had my first Rainbow Popsicle in about 20 years! 🙂

So, what happened to the paintings after they were done? I’m not sure, but I spoke with someone later that day who said that they’re all just washed away…

They’re photographed extensively, and there’s a raffle and donations to raise money for different causes and charities, but yup. Pretty soon they’re gone.