Karen

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 305

January 6th, 2014 by Karen 43 Comments

The Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll for January 6, 2014

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’s one lipstick you never get tired of?
MAC Impassioned. It still takes my breath away after all these years…

A fear you’d like to conquer?
Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m afraid of doing things the right way, if that makes any sense at all. I just want to get out of my own way in 2014 and stop with the self-sabotage. No more working so late that I’m wasted and tired the next day, no more procrastinating in the mornings — stuff like that.

How often do you curl your lashes?
Every. Single. Day.

Mine are pin straight!

What’s one thing you’ve been putting off doing?
Going to the optometrist… I desperately need new contacts. I cam hartly see teh keybpard anumore. 🙂

Best celebrity to be trapped on a desert island with?
I’m sure RyGos would be lovely company (and easy on the eyes), but from a survival standpoint, Survivorman’s Les Stroud would probably do more to keep me alive and get me home in (hopefully) one piece.

GO LES!

Something beautiful (anything at all)?
The sound of wind chimes tinkling in the wind, the quiet early mornings in my neighborhood right before the sun climbs over the horizon, El Hub and Tabs napping together peacefully on the couch.

Would you rather wear a dress or pants?
A dress, for sure. But it has to be something comfortable — not binding — with pockets.

Your favorite comfort food?
Grilled cheese sandwiches, preferably with tomato soup on the side.

El Hub is no chef (sorry, babe!), but the man makes a mean grilled cheese.

It’s perfection! I’m telling you, girls (and guys), if you can, marry a man who makes a good grilled cheese sandwich.

What’s a fragrance/scent that reminds you of high school?
Oh, gosh, CK One… In senior year everyone and their mother wore that scent.

What’s one thing you did last weekend?
Rented Don Jon and thought, eh, it was OK. I think it tried to be more profound than it actually was.

It wasn’t the explicit content that bugged me. I just thought a lot of the dialogue fell flat. I liked Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s acting and directing, but the movie didn’t rock my world. In this case, I have to politely disagree with the Rotten Tomatoes rating of 81%.

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

1. What’s one lipstick you never get tired of?
2. A fear you’d like to conquer?
3. How often do you curl your lashes?
4. What’s one thing you’ve been putting off doing?
5. Best celebrity to be trapped on a desert island with?
6. Something beautiful (anything at all)?
7. Would you rather wear a dress or pants?
8. Your favorite comfort food?
9. What’s a fragrance/scent that reminds you of high school?
10. What’s one thing you did last weekend?

First poll of the year, buddy! I think we should commemorate the occasion with extra coffee. 🙂

A lot more coffee.

I had a tough time falling asleep last night, so I’m a little groggy this morning. The caffeine will help, though, I’m sure.

Have a good one today. Your nephew says, “Mrow.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 277

January 5th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Dear Diary:

I swore this weekend that I would get outside and enjoy myself, obligations be damned, and I did! I actually took a little time off today. I went for a wonderful drive through Wine Country this afternoon, and it was pure bliss.

To feel the wind in my fur, smell the cheese in the air, and leave my kitty cares behind — I really need to do things like this more often. My tabby batteries feel recharged.

Yup, it was a great way to start the new year. 🙂

Of course, my assistant was beside herself when I got back to the office. Something about the insurance not covering cat driving? Honestly, I have no idea what she’s talking about half the time…

Anywho, I trust she’ll figure it out. That’s why I hired her, after all.

Oh! — you’ll like this. I had some very interesting kitty modeling jobs last week. It being the holidays and all, the companies I worked with gave me a little more editorial control than usual. I got to plug two of my new business ventures (I’m getting into accessories and personal motivation), and since I’m no fool, I gladly took the free publicity.

As usual, here are some pics from the campaigns. Hope you enjoy them. Meow to you soon.

XOXO,

Tabs

Who is Tabs the Cat? About six 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). 🙂

[Continue reading…]

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

January 4th, 2014 by Karen 610 Comments

Forget Santa’s workshop. I want to visit the Sephora at the North Pole!

And since this is my fantasy we’re talking about, I want the rainbows and unicorns version — the one where the customers are all friendly makeup-loving animals (as opposed to man-eating beasts). 🙂

Rise and shine, morning glory! This being Caturday, I’ve allotted myself an extra cup of coffee.

OOH! Words cannot describe how excited that makes me…

In other news, it’s time for — drumroll, please — another giveaway! I’m working us back into our regular swing of things around here with the weekly Saturday Sephora festivities (I need my routines).

The holidays are behind us, but winter is not (bluh). At least in the run-up to Christmas and New Year’s, even though it’s cold outside, we have something fun to look forward to. Now, for the next couple of wintry months, we’ll have to work together to keep the blahs at bay.

I’m ready if poo are.

Giveaway starts in 3, 2, 1…

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 soup?
- What kind of case do you have on your phone?
- Your least favorite beauty trend?
- Do you ever wear mittens or gloves?
- Do you have any pictures or paintings of animals on your walls?
- What’s one tip you could give about something you know well?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, January 6, 2013 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).
Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME! 7 Ways to Get More Makeup in Your Life ($355 Value, International Only)

January 3rd, 2014 by Karen 745 Comments

This giveaway is strictly for my makeup buddies outside the US. 🙂

I did my best to put together a kick-@ss package for you gals (and guys). It’s my way of saying “thank you” for visiting MBB and for spending time with me and Tabs. Even though we’re many miles (or kilometers) apart, it feels like we’re neighbors.

The prize? $355 in products from some of my favorite brands! — like MAC, Benefit, Too Faced, Stila, Laura Mercier and Hello Kitty.

I wish I could get every sponsor to include you gals overseas, but sometimes they can’t/won’t. I do try, though. I want you to know that I appreciate and love you. I’ve known many of you for years (you know who you are!). Thank you, as always, for helping to make this little corner of the Internet a better place.

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. You can read the full terms and conditions there, but here’s the gist of it: the giveaway is open to international readers only — no U.S. readers for this one, as the 12 Days of Giveaways series was closed to international readers. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on January 10, 2014.

MAC Woodwinked Eye Shadow ($15)
MAC All That Glitters Eye Shadow ($15)
Benefit Fine One One ($30)
Benefit Bella Bamba Ultra Plush Lip Gloss ($16)
Benefit Hoola Ultra Plush Lip Gloss ($16)
Too Faced Better Than False Lashes Nylon Lash Extension System ($35)
Too Faced Beauty Blogger Darlings Set ($20)
Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer ($30)
Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($20)
Laura Mercier Lingerie Collection Eye & Cheek Palette ($60)
Stila Color Me Glossy Lip Glaze Set ($28)
Stila Color Outside the Lines Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner Set ($34)
Hello Kitty Say Hello Eyeshadow Palette in Wild Thing ($36)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Makeup-Loving Astronauts Aboard the International Space Station Report That Guerlain’s New Météorites Blossom Spring 2014 Collection Has Entered Earth Orbit

January 3rd, 2014 by Karen 20 Comments

Guerlain Météorites Pearls in 03 Medium

Guerlain spring 2014, girlfriend!

All I have to say is “SWOON.” They reformulated their Meteorites Pearls highlighters — you know, the multicolored makeup marbles that look like hard candies? — and they designed the entire 14-piece Météorites Blossom spring 2014 collection around them.

The new pearls, which you’re supposed to swirl together with your brush and then apply, use something called “stardust technology.”

How very sci-fi-ish of the marketing department. 🙂

The new formulation is supposed to be even more luminous than before, and better at brightening and disguise…

Hello! — I am so totally down with both those things. Right now I look and feel like I could use 10 years of sleep, which is what I get for staying up too late watching Breaking Bad (watch it!).

Back to the pearls…

There are three new permanent line shades, with each one made for a specific task. The first, 02 Clair, which is shown here, corrects redness with green pearls while champagne and white pearls illuminate.

The second one is 03 Medium, a neutral combo of beige, champagne and peach pearls designed to make skin glow.

And the third new one, 04 Dore, has chocolate-colored, fuchsia and beige pearls for smoldering radiance.

Review coming soon…

Each pack of pearls is $60, and they’re available now with the rest of the 14-piece Meteorites Blossom spring collection (other than the pearls, there are shadows, a brow kit, blushes, a mascara, two lipsticks, one lipgloss, a nail polish and a brush) at Guerlain counters and online.

My, What a Beautiful Bottle: Balenciaga’s New Rosabotanica Eau de Parfum

January 3rd, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Is it weird to like a perfume because of the bottle? How ’bout the bottle and the box? ‘Cause truth be told, they’re my favorite things about Balenciaga’s new Rosabotanica Eau de Parum. I love the way it looks on my dresser.

Bee-yoo-tee-full…

I wear the original Florabotanica all the time (love that mint note!), which is why I wanted to give this new version a sniff.

Like the original, it has notes of rose, but in place of the mint, the fragrance gets its kick from spicy pink pepper. As the fragrance dries down, it takes on a warm creaminess.

I like it. But I love the bottle. 🙂

“The fragrance opens with crystalline floral accents of hyacinth and creamy green notes of fig leaf, refreshed by the natural green character of petitgrain. The experimental rose offers bright vegetal notes while sparkling, slightly bitter drops of grapefruit and fresh spicy notes of pink pepper and cardamom enhance its personality. The white ambery dry-down is cleared by a structure of vibrant and luminous white woods, made of cedarwood, vetiver and patchouli with clean woody notes.”

— neimanmarcus.com

The scent seems very intimate and kinda naughty to me, like it should be worn with Agent Provacateur lingerie in an expensive hotel room.

Very cool…and unlike your dime-a-dozen fruity florals (yawn). Worth a sniff if your nose likes complex scents, a la Frederic Malle and Tom Ford.

It’s available now at Neiman Marcus stores and neimanmarcus.com.

7 Ways to Win a $100 Gift Card From Ulta Beauty and $29.97 in Products From the COVERGIRL Bombshell Collection! (Ends Monday, Jan. 13)

January 3rd, 2014 by Karen 420 Comments

You know how in every group of gal pals, each gal kinda has her own role? You’ve got the mother hen, the braniac, the tomboy, etc.

Me? I usually fall into the role of “the funny one,” or “the weirdo writer.”

I always thought it would’ve been fun to be the one all the boys flocked to, aka “the sexy one,” but alas, seduction was never my forte.

I seriously could not seduce my way out of a paper bag. (Remind me to tell you about the time I dove into the ocean without my glasses or contacts on and swam away from a cute guy…who ended up being El Hub.)

Even though I’m not a seductive siren by nature, I still think it’s fun to role-play, especially with makeup. It’s like stepping into someone else’s shoes for a while or playing a character for a day.

Covergirl Bombshell Collection — A few things from the new Covergirl Bombshell collection…

Characters like “The Bombshell.”

Enter COVERGIRL. This spring, COVERGIRL is channeling bombshell beauty with their vampy new Bombshell collection of cream shadows, liquid liners, mascaras, lipsticks and nail polishes in colors designed to tempt and seduce.

Which brings me to this…

You know what I’m about to say, right? 🙂

IT’S GIVEAWAY TIME!!

And mini-tutorial time, too. I’ve joined forces with Ulta Beauty and COVERGIRL this week to bring you a bodacious bombshell giveaway and a sneak-peak at a makeup tutorial I’ve been working on using products from the new Bombshell collection.

To go along with this, I’ll be posting a step-by-step coppery golden eye makeup tutorial to YouTube next week.

By the way, if any of the COVERGIRL makeup in these pictures catches your eye, all COVERGIRL products will be buy one, get one 50% off at Ulta Beauty stores and online at ulta.com from January 5-25, 2014. #ULTABombshelling

A coppery golden eye look with cat eyeliner using the COVERGIRL Bombshell collection…

Applying COVERGIRL Bombshell Shineshadow in Gold Goddess ($8.99)

Applying COVERGIRL Bombshell Shineshadow in Copper Fling ($8.99) — Blending COVERGIRL Bombshell Shineshadow in Copper Fling ($8.99) in the crease

Applying COVERGIRL Cheekers Bronzer in Copper Radiance ($4.99) — Sweeping COVERGIRL Cheekers Bronzer in Copper Radiance ($4.99) into my outer crease ($8.99)

Covergirl Bombshell Intensity Liner in Pitch Black ($8.99) — Lining my upper lash lash lines with COVERGIRL Bombshell Intensity Liner in Pitch Black ($8.99); by the way, I’m also wearing COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Glossy Nail Color in Bombshell ($5.99) on my nails

Lining my lower lash line with COVERGIRL Bombshell Shineshadow in Gold Goddess ($8.99)

Coating my lashes with COVERGIRL Bombshell Mascara in Very Black ($11.99)

Applying COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Cherry Twist ($8.99) on my lips for a daytime look

Switching to COVERGIRL Lip Perfection Lipcolor in Bombshell ($6.99) to turn up the intensity

Now, on to the giveaway!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. You can read the full terms and conditions there, but here’s the gist of it: the giveaway is open to U.S. readers 18 and up (you must be an adult according to your local laws) and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 13, 2014.

One lucky lady or gent will win…

A $100 Ulta Beauty gift card
COVERGIRL Bombshell Shadowshine Eyeshadow ($8.99, color TBD)
COVERGIRL Intensity Liquid Liner ($8.99, color TBD)
COVERGIRL Bombshell Intensity Mascara ($11.99, color TBD)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How Long Does It Take You To Get Ready in the Morning?

January 3rd, 2014 by Karen 39 Comments

Doopdadoo...just takin' my sweet time. — Doopdadoo…just takin’ my sweet time.

For the record, I’m not exactly a speed demon in the A.M. (totally not a morning person). Couple that with my penchant for, as my mom likes to call it, “dilly-dallying,” and we’re left with something other than a model of efficiency and proper time management.

Like on a typical morning it takes me…

15 minutes — wash my face, brush my teeth, do my daily morning skincare routine and “handle some business” in my office, aka the bathroom (whatever, it’s the truth)
10 minutes — shower if I’ve exercised that morning (tack on 5 more minutes if I need to wash my hair)
5 minutes (or 20) — do my hair if I didn’t wash it the night before and it’s already curled or straightened; 20 minutes if I need to style it from scratch
20-25 minutes — makeup
15 minutes — figure out the clothing/accessories/shoes situation, and get dressed

All in all, about an hour or so, give or take 15-20 minutes, and that’s assuming I’m moving at a good clip (for me), and not getting distracted by things like the #StarbucksDrakeHands videos…

How about you? How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 10 minutes? 45? An hour or two?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Thank you for all the great blog post ideas yesterday. Apparently, among other things, I need to do a hair tutorial, STAT. Alrighty then (she starts planning…).

What are you up to today? Tabs has me running around, per usual, and I’m also waiting for a furniture delivery because for Christmas El Hub and I got each other a new media stand from Cost Plus World Market.

Finally! No more TV on the floor…

Dude…when you and your partner start getting each other furniture for Christmas and you’re both really excited about it, I think that’s when you know you’ve reached the point of no return in your relationship, LOL!

Have a good one today. 🙂