Karen

Have You Ever Worn Rainbow Anything (Makeup, Clothes, Socks, Hair)?

March 12th, 2014 by Karen 25 Comments

A MAC Makeup Rainbow! — Like a double rainbow all the way! — all the way across the sky!

As much as I wish I could say, “Oh, yeah! I’ve definitely worn rainbow makeup and hair,” I can’t, because I have not.

Clearly, I need to rectify that situation ASAP. 🙂

I have worn rainbow accessories, though, as in rainbow bracelets…

And rainbow toe socks…

But no rainbow hats.

I don’t know if I could pull off a rainbow hat, but Tabs can. 🙂

I have worn rainbow-style manicures, though, where I paint each nail in a progression of colors…

Seriously, you gotta try the rainbow mani sometimes. It’s fun! And you’ll smile every time you look down at your nails.

How about you? Have you ever worn rainbow anything (makeup, clothes, socks, hair)?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day, friend!

This has been one of those weeks that just flies by, not that I’m complaining.

I love the extra hour of daylight at the end of the day, thanks to the clocks springing forward. I don’t know about the whole daylight savings time idea, but I like that when I’m finished working, usually between 6-7, and walk outside, it’s not totally dark. I can actually take a walk before dinner, which is so nice!

I feel like it’s almost time to take out the warm weather goodies again, ya know? Scents, sandals, shorts, dresses…

It’s not quite shorts weather here yet, but it’s a good time for spring scents. Today I’m wearing MAC Turquatic for the first time in months! It’s my ultimate warm weather fragrance.

Anywho, that’s enough rambling from me… I hope you have a lovely day!

Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2014, and a Heads-Up About Possible Changes to Their Lipstick Line

March 12th, 2014 by Karen 19 Comments

I was a picture-taking madwoman at Saks in the city last Friday afternoon. I must have taken 200 pics, including these of Dolce & Gabbana’s new spring collection…

Lots of golds, browns, peaches and pinks — nothing too crazy here — but I like the color choices.

Alex (hi Alex!), the makeup artist I spoke to there, said that almost everything in the collection is re-promoted from the permanent line. The only new pieces are the two lipsticks.

Also, secret squirrel FYI, but Alex mentioned that about half of the line’s lipsticks are going to be discontinued soon (sad face!). He didn’t say exactly which ones or when, but he said that several of the bolder colors will be replaced by nudes. I know that’s kind of vague, but just something to keep in mind if there are any shades you can’t live without. (Update as of March 13: I just heard from Dolce & Gabbana, and they won’t be discontinuing shades. They plan to add 20 shades with a revamped formula to the existing Classic Cream Lipstick line. Expect to see reds, pinks, nudes, oranges, purples and corals.)

The spring collection is available now at Dolce & Gabbana counters and online at saksfifthavenue.com.

Dolce & Gabbana spring 2014 swatches — Swatches on my NC42 skin…

Ask MBB: How To Get Bold, Full Brows That Still Look Natural

March 11th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

In tonight’s very special episode of Ask MBB, the housemates face a crisis of epic proportions…

Wait — wrong intro! Sorry, too much Bravo. 🙂

In this installment, MAC Senior Artist Victor Cembellin goes buck wild for brows — a subject I could seriously discuss for days.

FOR DAYS!

Productions mentioned…

If you’ve ever wanted bold, lush, full brows that still look natural, press play.

Thank you for watching, my friend. I know I don’t say this enough, but I love you. I love you, and I hope you’re having a good night.

Sorry, feeling a little sappy right now. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Got any burning makeup questions for Ask MBB? Leave them for me in a comment down below.

P.P.S. In other news, new cat sighting in my neighborhood. I spotted him on my walk the other day…

Wouldn’t ya know it? The one time I don’t have cat treats in my pocket, a new cat crosses my path. It’s so unfair. #catladyproblems

I’ve named him Lucky, and while he doesn’t know it yet, he is going to be my new kitty BFF. 🙂

The New MAC Studio Sculpt Lash Mascara’s Toothy Brush Yearns To Take a Bite Out of Criminally Short Lashes

March 11th, 2014 by Karen 14 Comments

Open up and say, “Ah.”

“Ahhhh.”

Ha! This is a pretty accurate depiction of the way I look at the dentist’s office, sans the snot that’s usually running out of my nose, the black streaks of mascara-laden tears streaming down my cheeks and, let’s be real here, the glittery eye boogers that are usually up in the mix.

I’m sorry, was that TMI? 🙂

Anyway, teeth! I keep thinking about them, and not just because I’m supposed to go back to my freaking dentist’s office this or next week for round two of “The Tooth Scaling Chronicles,” but also because of the two sleek, toothy rows of bristles on the new MAC Studio Sculpt Lash mascara’s brush.

Don’t they look like really, really sharp teeth?

Or maybe I just read and watch too much sci-fi…

OK, so this mascara? I think it’s a lot like an eighth-grade dance.

Hear me out…

You know how when you danced with your lab partner but wanted to dance with the hot guy in varsity wrestling instead?

Like that, it’s OK. It’s nice enough. Adds some decent length, separation and lifts the curl a bit, but it won’t get you to walk the long way to math class for a slight chance at running into it in the halls, if you know what I mean.

It’s fine…but I’d rather hang out with MAC Extended Play Gigablack mascara, which has been my go-to MAC mascara for the past couple of months because of its better lengthening muscle and curl lift.

If you’re one of those lucky gals/dudes with built-in mega-fringe (JEALOUS!), or if you’re just looking for a little extra length and separation, MAC Studio Sculpt should do you fine.

I do think the thin, skinny bristles are totally precise. They do not mess around, and with them I feel like I have a lot of control over where I place the bristles.

Beware…because MAC Studio Sculpt Lash wants to sink its teeth into your lashes! You can find it now at MAC counters and online at maccosmetics.com ($16 a tube).

The New MAC Mineralize Glasses: When It Comes to Moisture, These Glasses Are More Than Half Full

March 11th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

MAC Mineralize Glass in Modern Romance — Wearing MAC’s new Mineralize Glass in Modern Romance ($22), one of 12 shades available now

This one’s totally for the gals on Team Cremesheen (of which I’m one!). The new MAC Mineralize Glass lipglosses are the bombdizzle (did I really just say that?), especially if you appreciate the super smooth texture of the Cremesheens and love hella hydrating glosses.

MBB FUN FACT: I always bring a tube of Deelight Cremesheen Glass with me whenever I travel by plane 1) because I lurve it and 2) because of how dry my lips get, but I may have to cheat on Deelight a little with one of these new Mineralize Glasses… They’re just SO moisturizing — maybe even a little more than the Cremesheens — and have a similarly silky smooth, non-sticky texture.

MAC Mineralize Glass in Cheerful, a mid-toned coral with a creamy finish

Could the secret to their hydrating handiness be hiding among the 77 moisturizing minerals (of which I can’t find a list) packed into each tube? Perhaps! I do have to say that my perpetually parched pout feels smoother, softer and quenched when I wear them.

The texture, while similar to the Cremesheens, feels a touch thicker to me. When I apply a Cremesheen Glass and rub my lips together, the formula feels very thin and almost watery, whereas the feel of these Mineralize Glasses reminds me of a MAC Plushglass…except without the bee sting.

MAC Mineralize Glass in Tender, a light cool pink with a creamy finish

They come in 12 shades, grouped into Frost and Cream finishes, and I’m kinda hot for the Frosts…

Hot for the Frosts? LOL!

The Frosts! You know how some frosty glosses can settle into lip lines and look funky? These don’t do that. Both the Frosts and the Creams apply smoothly and evenly, and they don’t pool into different areas of my lips or look patchy.

I think MAC did a bang-up job with these finishes.

MAC Mineralize Glass in Got Style, a mod-toned cool mauve with a frosty finish

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Have You Ever Lightened Your Hair and/or Brows?

March 11th, 2014 by Karen 26 Comments

MAC Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipglass — Do blondes really have more fun? Inquiring minds want to know!

Hair, yes, brows, no, although I have seriously considered lightening the latter, particularly when I’ve had ombre hair.

The only thing that’s stopped me has been the maintenance aspect. I just haven’t thought I could deal with the upkeep… My brows are naturally dark and, having really dark roots, I can’t imagine the in-between stage.

Oh, too much…

My hair, though, I’ve lightened quite a few times. I think my first attempts were in middle school, and oh, my gosh! — do you remember Sun-In? I remember using it in — I think it was sixth or seventh grade? — and having, like, straight-up orange hair!

I also used that cream bleach made for upper lip hair by Jolene that you could get at the drugstore? Again, I ended up with orange hair…and an orange mustache, haha!

But, you know, I was young and had no absolutely idea what I was doing. All I knew was that it was fun (except for when it really didn’t work out). 🙂

By high school, I’d grown out of that phase and kept my hair mostly dark, but I went through another hair-lightening spell in college when I had a single thick, almost bleach-blonde streak in my bangs, a la Rogue from X-Men.

Looking back on it…I think I might’ve looked a little crazy-pants, but I thought it was hot sh*t at the time, LOL!

Through my 20s and my 30s up till now, I’ve gone back-and-forth between various shades of caramel. I think that with hair color, especially when you lighten it, it almost feels like you’re taking on a different personality. Everything — your clothes and even the way your makeup looks — seems different. I think it’s fun.

My hair is now probably the darkest it’s been in a really long time, but I may go light again soon…

Who knows? I’ll probably do something on a whim. 🙂

How about you? Have you ever lightened your hair and/or brows?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Tour and (Reverse Eyeliner) Makeover at the New Flagship MAC Pro Store at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco

March 10th, 2014 by Karen 47 Comments

OK, fellow MAC zealots, are you ready for a treat?

In this extended play (read: 33-minute-long!) makeup tutorial, MAC Senior Artist for North America Victor Cembellin works his magic on me with a “reverse” eyeliner look at the new flagship MAC Pro Store at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco (phone: 415-402-0658), which just opened its doors late last week.

The video is much longer than my usual 10-minute vids, but it’s jam-packed with Victor’s insider pro tips. I just can’t get over how much useful information he covers!

It’s neat seeing a real makeup master’s technique. Seriously, I could watch this man do circles in the outer corner for days!

The makeover was also a little historic in that it was the first makeover at the new store, and I’m kindasortathrilled to play a tiny part in MAC history. 🙂

The new flagship store is DOPE! Not only do they have everything in both the MAC and MAC Pro lines, but there’s also 45 of the Bay Area’s best makeup artists on staff.

There are stations in the center of the store for makeovers, and for even more personal attention, there’s a private suite in the back for more in-depth makeup training.

Sh*t is crazy! — but in the best possible way. I actually came this close to driving back into the city the next day to play some more, LOL!

The new store is located at 45 Powell Street in San Francisco’s Union Square right next to the cable car turnaround…

I can’t wait to go back!

Products mentioned in the video…

What you see when you first walk into the store — that middle section is where the artists do makeovers, and there’s also a lash bar, and a private makeup room in the back for personalized lessons.

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Spring Is Almost Here!

March 10th, 2014 by Karen 13 Comments

Spring is right around the corner, babe! Out here in Northern California we’re in that in-between stage, where it’s not exactly warm, but not exactly cold, either.

It’s winter-ish, or spring light. I can go outside in jeans, a sweater and flip-flops for a while, but once the sun goes down, the temperature drops.

Still, I can smell spring in the air…and it’s doing a lot for my soul! Everything smells fresh and clean and different — new and green, like the everything is waking up after a long sleep.

We got a lot of much-needed rain over the past week (hence the pics of raindrops in the cobwebs), but not today.

Last weekend I pulled on my (still favorite) Zella hoodie, grabbed my camera and went outside for a quick walk, and it was beyond nice not having to bundle up under 15 layers.

I’m also starting to hear baby birds chirping. 🙂

Yay! Spring is almost here!