Karen

I Have an Idea! Let’s Brainstorm MAC Playland Lipstick and Lipglass Combos

April 8th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Sweet Experience, a bright pink, and Lipglass in Carousel, a creamy pink — MAC Playland Lipstick+Lipglass combo idea #1: Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky + Lipglass in Pure Silliness

I miss recess…

Remember recess in school, when bell would go off every 45 minutes, and you’d sprint out of the classroom to the playground and basically run around and raise hell for 10 minutes?

Those were good times, yah? Good times…

I have a theory about recess. I think that if adults were mandated or otherwise required to take 10-minute recess breaks every 45 minutes, people would generally be less grumpy.

Picture yourself hanging upside-down next to your coworkers on a jungle gym, or sprinting down the street with everyone to see who makes it to the corner and back first. 🙂

I’m serious! — adult recess could revolutionize work as we know it, LOL!

But all kidding aside (yeah, right), I am a big fan of breaks, even though I haven’t always been very good about taking them.

I’ve been trying lately, though. Every day for the past few weeks I’ve been taking two 10-15 minute breaks per day, ideally away from the computer. I think it makes a big difference in my mood, too. Sometimes I’ll go for a quick walk; other times I’ll play with makeup, but it only counts if I get away from my computer.

See, the computer is the thing.

Today on my first break this morning I went for a 10-minute walk at the Indian Valley Open Space Nature Preserve, which is a couple blocks away.

That was like a mental health break, because I really needed to get outside.

Then on my second break I played with some of the 11 lip products from the new MAC Playland collection. I wanted to mess around with some bright, glossy lip combos using the Lipsticks and Lipglasses.

Combo Idea #1: Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky + Lipglass in Pure Silliness

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick and Pure Silliness Lipglass — Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick and Pure Silliness Lipglass

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky, a hot pink and Lipglass in Pure Silliness, a creamy lilac — Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky, a hot pink and Lipglass in Pure Silliness, a creamy lilac

Combo Idea #2: Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around + Lipglass in Live It Up

MAC Toying Around Lipstick and Live It Up Lipglass — Toying Around Lipstick and Live It Up Lipglass

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around, a hot coral pink, and Lipglass in Live It Up, a creamy orange — Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around, a hot coral pink, and Lipglass in Live It Up, a creamy orange

Combo Idea #3: Frost Lipstick in Head in the Clouds + Lipglass in Bright Side

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick and Bright Side Lipglass — Head in the Clouds Lipstick and Bright Side Lipglass

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In the MAC Playland Collection, MAC Toys With Chromatic Candy Colors

April 8th, 2014 by Karen 78 Comments

OK, you win. We’re playing hooky today, but if we’re gonna do this, let’s do it right.

After all, we’re heading to MAC Playland, for goodness sake! I am not about to get sidelined by sore feet.

No, ma’am!

First, let’s ditch the heels in favor of a good pair of walking shoes. We’re going to be covering A LOT of ground today, so we all need to be comfy.

You know I love ya, doll, but I don’t want to hear about your bunions en route to the carousel. 🙂

Hmm…

As for meals, we’ll be feasting upon cotton candy pinks and frozen lemonade yellows, and that’s just to start (you know I’m all about the snacks, yo).

In Playland, there are 22 colorful rides, also known as products, so we should really get going.

I have our tickets right here, but before we go, can I just say that I wouldn’t want to ditch work with anyone else? Just you. 🙂 We’re going to have so much fun today! Makeup partners in crime for life!

The MAC Playland collection

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink! — seriously, if you’ve ever wanted to rock a ROYGBIV of MAC products on your face, you could do it here. In North America, the collection arrives at maccosmetics April 15, MAC counters, stores and maccosmetics.com April 17, while it docks at international piers in May.

It’s a fantastical voyage to a playground of color — a bright break from the naked 9-to-5 beiges and browns we’ve seen so much of lately.

MAC Playland Lipglasses — The MAC Playland collection Lipglasses, $15 each

When a collection features a yellow Lipglass…you pretty much get the feeling right off the bat that the color story isn’t heavily rooted in reality.

Yup, this one’s for the dreamers — the gals and guys who like their makeup with a dose of theatrical whimsy.

Of Playland’s 22 pieces, half of them — 11 — are Lipsticks and Lipglasses. I think of the release as a lip collection, first and foremost, with a handful of multitasking eye and cheek products — three Casual Colors (creams for both cheeks and lips), four Chromagraphic Pencils and four loose Pigments — there to reinforce the idea of makeup playtime.

MAC Playland Lipsticks — The MAC Playland collection Lipsticks, $16 each

Make a mental note to check out the Amplified Lippies in this launch because they’re bangin’. I think Sweet Experience, Happy-Go-Lucky, Toying Around and Red Ballon are right up there with iconic MAC Amplified shades like Girl About Town and Impassioned. You’ll want to get on that ride, ASAP.

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick — Amplified Creme Lipstick in Happy-Go-Lucky, a hot pink

MAC Playland Lipstick — Frost Lipstick in Playland, a frosty yellow gold

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick — Frost Lipstick in Head in the Clouds, a red with pearl

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick — Amplified Creme Lipstick in Red Balloon, a hot fuchsia

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Sweet Experience, a bright pink

MAC Toying Around Lipstick — Amplified Lipstick in Toying Around, a hot coral pink

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A Tabby’s-Eye View of Novato

April 7th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

It sure was nice and sunny today. Tabs scanned the hills, the awnings and every nook and cranny on the deck this afternoon. He’s convinced, as strange as it sounds, that birds are moving in on his turf, and by moving in, I mean moving in!

I think he thinks that a family of birds is nesting in that hanging planter there down below — the one next to the bird feeder. He was obsessed with that planter all day long.

Luckily, he’s mostly a ground-dwelling cat, perhaps due to his girth, and doesn’t try to jump up on things. He’s content waiting down below like a shark for one of the birds to fly a little too low…

If you know what I mean.

Unfortunately, the neighborhood birds have other plans for my deck gardening this year. So far they’ve destroyed three pots filled with cat grass seedlings and two large planters filled with radishes that had just begun to sprout.

Hmm… Looks like the cat grass is going to be grown indoors this year, and radishes just may be out.

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Chanel Vert Khaki Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow

April 7th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

I am LOVIN’ this shimmery khaki green eyeshadow, desperately, though I should note that whenever I wear it on my lids, the urge to crank open a fire hydrant so that everyone in the neighborhood can frolic through the spray, perhaps to a choreographed dance routine, befalls me.

(SIDE NOTE: seriously, I have always wanted to do that…)

Now, I’ll wear khaki greens any time of year, but the warmer months — especially June through August — after I’ve normally darkened a shade or two and it’s like a coral partaaaaay 24/7 on my cheeks and lips, Vert Khaki becomes my BFF. I just love how well it works with juicy, summery corals…

And hot pinks…

And golds and bronzes, too.

I gotta hand it to Chanel. Their eyeshadow singles cost an arm and a leg, but at least they don’t hold anything back. This one, in particular, looks crazy good!

Even though green eyeshadow can be a huge leap for some, I think Vert Khaki is possibly the closest you can get to a natural-looking khaki green.

Yeah, with this on your lids, it definitely looks like you’re wearing colorful eyeshadow, but it’s not totally in your face.

It’s on your face… 🙂

LOL! Vert Khaki has some gold in it, along with a touch of warm grayish taupe (which really comes through when you buff it down), and I think those extra touches keep it from looking too out-there-cray, you know what I’m sayin’?

With this on your lids, you won’t feel like people are staring at your green eyeshadow. No, they’ll be admiring your sultry eyes, ooh-la-lah.

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BECCA Ever-Matte Skin Shine Proof Foundation: Oil Better Knot Stand in the Way of This Marriage

April 7th, 2014 by Karen 32 Comments

Oh, Matte, yes! A thousand times YES!

I think I’m going to cry…

I’ve been wondering when you’d ask. You just made me the happiest girl in the world. 🙂

I actually thought you might pop the question that morning two weeks ago when we were getting ready for work. You were thinking about it that day weren’t you, Matte? We were standing in front of the mirror together, and I was holding on to you so tightly, and we looked into each other’s eyes, and I thought, “Yes, I could spend the rest of my life with you, Matte.”

Haha! It’s kind of crazy that we can spend all day together without driving each other nuts. Isn’t that crazy, Matte? I’ve never known a liquid matte foundation that left my skin looking so smooth and feeling so comfortable.

And the way you take control of oil on my forehead, nose and chin? — gosh, that’s so frickin’ hot. You always keep the shine away, baby, even on your own. I’ve never known another matte like that. Because of you, I don’t even need setting powder. That’s epic, Matte.

Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation in Bamboo — BECCA Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation in Bamboo, one of 19 shades in the line

Of course, it doesn’t hurt that you look so good in pics, haha! Oh, you know it’s true. You’re easy on the eyes. You look so natural on my skin. Not fake or mannequin-like at all. Honestly, because of problems in my past with that, I didn’t think I’d ever commit to a matte foundation…

Before you.

I love how just the smallest amount patted on my cheeks, my nose and around my chin and mouth give me medium coverage. And how if I want more opacity, all I have to do is add and blend another layer.

Before (left) and after (right) Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation — Before (left) and after (right) BECCA Ever-Matte Shine Proof Foundation

Now, your family — it’s big, Matte — and you know that I love your family, but are we going to invite all 18 of your brothers and sisters? Because that’s going to be a big-@ss wedding. Bigger than we talked about.

Why don’t we just call your cousin, and have her meet us at City Hall? We could elope right then and there.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 317

April 7th, 2014 by Karen 42 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 seven years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

What are your most comfortable shoes? Jeans?
If we’re talking, “ultimate comfort,” it would have to be my running shoes (the Brooks Ravenna 4; I have them in black and purple with the neon laces), because I can spend 10 miles in them, but for everyday tooling around town, I have a pair of Toms Classic Canvas flats I like a lot. And I also like my Reef’s flip-flops.

For jeans, my AG Adriano Goldschmied super skinny ankle jeans. I walked into Nordie’s one day and said, “I need a pair of jeans that feel like pajama jeans,” and these are the pants I left with.

Have you ever been wine tasting?
I have, and I enjoy it very much! We’re conveniently close to Napa out here. You can talk to the people around you, so it’s social, and I like the variety. You get to taste a bunch of different wines, and not just have a single glass. I also like wine tours, because you can learn some fun facts about the property you’re visiting or the wines you’re tasting.

Swedish massage or deep tissue?
Swedish massage when I want TLC; deep tissue when I need tough love.

But I should clarify — with Swedish massage, I need at least medium pressure. Anything less than that feels like my skin’s just being pushed around.

Are you a light sleeper?
Nope. I’ve slept through thunderstorms, earthquakes and El Hub’s snoring (for years).

Are you good under pressure?
I’d like to think so. I’m better at handling it when I’ve had enough sleep.

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

1. What are your most comfortable shoes? Jeans?
2. Have you ever been wine tasting?
3. Swedish massage or deep tissue?
4. Are you a light sleeper?
5. Are you good under pressure?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. It’s always good to feel a sense of accomplishment. Try to start your day with a really short to-do list of just two things (even if have you have many more things to do), and try to cross them off as soon as you can. Getting a couple things under your belt will help propel you through your day.

Have a great week, babe. 🙂

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 290

April 6th, 2014 by Karen 16 Comments

Who is Tabs the Cat?
About seven years ago I befriended a stray, flea-bitten tabby cat with a bad case of worms. I could see he’d fallen on hard times, but his profound knowledge of high fashion and department store cosmetics led me to believe that he was more than meets the eye. We became fast friends, and now he’s actually my boss (and a successful kitty model).

The sun was out in full force today, as were the neighborhood crows…

But more on that in a second. 🙂

Tabs went for a wonderful walk this afternoon and soaked up plenty of outdoor adventure and sunshine.

He had a blast. First, he met one of our new neighbors who, despite pet assisting for an unruly Rhodesian Ridgeback, turned out to be quite nice. The man even gave Tabs a quick scratch under the chin.

Tabs got his fill of grass, too. He was workin’ it like a lawnmower, LOL! Everything was going great until a pair of HUGE crows, evidently unafraid of me and Tabs, landed nearby and started cawing.

“Go away! Go away!”

That’s how it sounded…

Tabs didn’t know what to make of ’em. He didn’t attack. He just stared, curiously.

For Tabs, it was the most thrilling walk of the year so far.

And in kitty modeling news, Tabs has been keeping busy, of course. With spring finally here, the winter campaigns are finished, and now it’s time for outdoor activities, travel and water/leisure sports.

Yup, it’s a good time to be a kitty supermodel. 🙂

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

April 5th, 2014 by Karen 339 Comments

Rise and shine, morning glory!

I love that phrase… 🙂 I’ll tell you the story behind why I use it one of these days.

How did you sleep? Did you have any dreams? I don’t remember if I did last night. Sometimes I do, but last night is just a sleepy blur.

The sun is out this morning, but I don’t know how long it’ll last, so after I finish my French toast, I’m going for a long walk outside (yes, I’m brining cat treats).

Not much new to report. Last night I did see the new Captain America movie with El Hub and thought it wasn’t bad. Honestly, though, sometimes the superhero movies sort of merge together for me. I love sci-fi — you know that — but the Marvel comic themes generally stick to a handful of story lines. Vengeance, misunderstood hero, quest for power, greed, bizarre need to destroy the world in order to rebuild it anew.

Anywho, I hope you have a nice weekend lined up. I have some blog work to do (some BIG stuff happening next week), but I’ll try to spend some time outside. I do have to repair the damage the storm did to the garden on my deck.

Oh! And guess what? Some neighborhood birds totally destroyed the planter filled with cat grass seedlings for Tabs. I guess they found the seeds yummy.

Yeah, Tabs was none too pleased about that.

Good luck in the giveaway. 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:
- How do you feel about cosplay? Have you ever dressed up in costume for a convention or anything like that?
- Have you ever been on a work retreat? How was it?
- Write a quick haiku. Here’s mine: Yesterday I strayed; I played with other kitties; it made Tabs jealous.
- What’s the best concealer and why?
- What’s something you love about yourself?
- When was the last time you went to a library?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, April 7, 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