Karen

How To Cover Dark Circles

December 26th, 2013 by Karen 50 Comments

Dear Dark Circles,

I know we’ve been seeing each other for — oh, I dunno — 15 years? But if you ever decide to permanently skip town, please know that I would have absolutely no problem with that at all. Feel free to leave whenever you want. In fact, I don’t even care if you say goodbye. 🙂

LOL! Yeah, my dark circles and I… It’s almost like we’re partners in crime, the way we’re always together.

Here’s the combination of products I’m currently using to keep them on the down-low (as much as possible) and the way I use ’em.

Products mentioned in the video

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
The MAC 165 Brush is no longer available, but here’s something similar from Sigma Beauty, the F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush
MAC Shaping Powder in Lightsweep

This isn’t the only approach I take, but I’ve been doing it this way for a while when I need heavy duty coverage.

Hope you find it useful, and thank you as always for watching!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Tabs makes a cameo appearance in this one. 🙂

P.P.S. Some Prep + Prime Highlighters are used exclusively (mostly) for highlighting, but I learned this method, using Bright Forecast as an under-eye color corrector, from a MAC artist. Really depends on what you want to do with the product.

MAC Magnetic Nude Collection Lipstick and Lipglass Combos

December 26th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Yay! The MAC Magnetic Nude collection comes out today.

If you’re heading to the counter, here are a couple of lip combos with the Lipsticks and Lipglasses from the collection.

You know, for ideas. 🙂

1. Close Contact Lipstick and Hell Bound Lipglass

2. Carnal Instinct Lipstick and Hell Bound Lipglass

3. Sensual Sparks Lipstick and A Quiet Roar Lipglass

4. Morning Rose Lipstick and Oh My Darling Lipglass

[Continue reading…]

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 9: 7 Ways to Win a Prize Package of Nine Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soothers (Ends Saturday)

December 26th, 2013 by Karen 111 Comments

Summer might seem like a zillion cold days away, but it’ll be here before ya know it.

At least that’s what I tell myself every time I put on that third outer layer before leaving the house…

Stepping outside lately involves an infinity scarf, a thick jacket, a zippered hoodie and a button-down sweater. It’s a process! 🙂

Barely a week into winter, and I’m already thinking about summer.

Yup, I can’t wait until it’s pool weather again, heading to the pool with just the essentials — ya know, a towel, sunscreen and a tube of my favorite poolside lipgloss by Neutrogena.

When the weather heats up I always — always have at least one of these moisturizing, lightweight and shiny glosses with me. They have SPF 20 (score!) and just the right amount of tint to add some color to my lips.

But that doesn’t mean they’re only for summer. I think they look just as cute this time of year, and I actually have a couple tubes in my purse right now.

Today’s giveaway features all nine of the MoistureShine Lip Soother shades by Neutrogena. Wouldn’t you (and your lips) love to be covered in glossy, hydrating color right meow? If so you’ll definitely want to enter today’s giveaway.

A nine-piece prize package featuring Neutrogena’s MoistureShine Lip Soothers with SPF 20 valued at $58.41 that includes:

Nine (9) MoistureShine Lip Soothers with SPF 20 in Shimmer, Glimmer, Glisten, Shine, Gleam, Sparkle, Sheen, Glaze and Glow valued at $58.41

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. 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:
- Are you/were you close to your grandparents?
- What’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?
- Do you have any pictures or artwork on your bedroom walls?
- Did you complete any home improvement projects in 2013?
- If you had the chance to go back to school to study whatever you wanted to, what would you study?
- Milk chocolate or dark?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Saturday, December 28, 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

P.S.

If you have a moment today, here are a couple more giveaways you can still enter…

Don’t forget to enter these ongoing giveaways, too

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 8: 7 Ways to Win a Prize Package of All Eight Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks (Ends Friday)

December 25th, 2013 by Karen 157 Comments

I’m extra stoked about today’s giveaway because it’s for one of my very favorite things in the Neutrogena line, their MoistureSmooth Color Sticks.

Yup, I’ve always got either Juicy Peach or Fresh Papaya with me in my purse.

I love how moisturizing they are and how they look like crayons (it’s like eighth-grade art all over again!).

Today’s prize package is all kinds of cool because you’ll be getting all eight of the MoistureSmooth shades!

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks small — This is what you’ll be winning! All eight of Neutrogena’s MoistureSmooth Color Sticks ($8.49 each)

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Swatches from the left: Juicy Peach 10, Fresh Papaya 20, Sweet Watermelon 30, Bright Berry 40, Warm Caramel 50, Warm Caramel 50, Soft Raspberry 60, Plum Perfect 70 and Rich Raisin 80

Let’s get your makeup bag filled with fresh new color for 2014, shall we?

An eight-piece prize package featuring Neutrogena’s MoistureSmooth Color Sticks valued at $67.92 that includes:

Eight (8) MoistureSmooth Color Sticks in Juicy Peach, Fresh Papaya, Sweet Watermelon, Bright Berry, Warm Caramel, Soft Raspberry, Plum Perfect, and Rich Raisin valued at $67.92

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. 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 many lip products do you currently have in your purse?
- What’s a typical five-minute makeup look for you (or the quickest look in your repertoire)?
- Will you be doing any post-Christmas shopping?
- What’s your favorite Christmas song?
- Have you ever spent the holidays away from home?
- Would you like another serving of dessert?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Friday, December 27, 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

P.S.

If you have a moment today, here are a couple more giveaways you can still enter…

Have w wonderful holiday!

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas From the Makeup and Beauty Blog Family

December 25th, 2013 by Karen 93 Comments

Good morning, glory! Merry Christmas! 🙂

I’m here at my parents’ house (in my childhood bedroom) in the East Bay just waking up. Everyone else is still sleeping in the house, but I wanted to quietly wish you a happy holiday, tell you how much I love you and whisper a heartfelt “thank you.”

Thank you for stopping by my little corner of the crazy-verse on your journeys, for being a friendly face, for offering a kind word from time to time in the comments when I need one, and for simply smiling when you visit because your joy brightens the world.

Thank you, friend. Seven Christmases together and still going strong.

Sending you big virtual (kitty and human) hugs today…

Sometimes this whole blogging thing can get a little lonely, especially during the week when it’s just Tabs and I in my cluttered office and makeup and camera setups for hours on end, and then I post a review or something, and you comment to say that you like one of the colors I’m wearing or ask if I watched something on TV, and I smile because, just like that, I don’t feel alone anymore, and don’t feel quite so strange for carrying on so many (long) conversations with my cat.

With lots of love today and best wishes for a wonderful holiday, your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,

Karen & Tabs

The Five MAC Magnetic Nude Lipglasses Are Quarter Quell Approved

December 24th, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

MAC Steel Kiss Lipglass from the Magnetic Nude collection — Steel Kiss Lipglass, a dirty mauve with green pearl

I really hate to sound so dramatic (insert El Hub disagreeing with that statement [HERE]), but if I were forced to enter a Hunger Games Quarter Quell with nothing save the contents of my purse, you better believe that among the survival gear, sharp cutlery and cans of cat food (never know when you’ll meet a feline friend in the arena), you’d also find a MAC Lipglass or two. Or 12. Because there is NO WAY I’m going into a nationally televised fight not wearing any makeup.

No. Way.

MAC Magnetic Nude Lipglasses $15 each US and $18 CAN — The five Magnetic Nude Lipglasses, $15 each US and $18 CAN

Any (or all) of the five new Lipglasses from the new MAC Magnetic Nude collection would do. I could use brick red Hell Bound for serious @ss-kicking, and wear any of the other nudes in the launch for lurking, plotting, or during the tender moments and on-camera contemplation…

Remember the real enemy!!

MAC Overspiced Lipglass from the Magnetic Nude collection — Overspiced Lipglass, a dirty muted coral

MAC A Quiet Roar Lipglass from the Magnetic Nude collection — A Quiet Roar Lipglass, a creamy off-white

MAC Hell Bound Lipglass from the Magnetic Nude collection — Hell Bound Lipglass, a brick red with golden pearl

[Continue reading…]

Keep Lips Covered Up While Nude With the Potently Pigmented MAC Magnetic Nude Lipsticks

December 24th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick from the Magnetic Nude Collection — Carnal Instinct, a deep brick red with golden pearl and a Frost finish

Despite it officially being winter (Merry Christmas Eve, BTW), I’ve been spending a lot of time with nudists lately…

Don’t laugh. 🙂 They’re actually really fun to hang out with!

The ones I met don’t even insist that we take off our clothes in public, which is great because — hello! It’s winter, and it’s cold here (well, California cold).

I’m talking about the four new lipsticks in the MAC Magnetic Nude collection, of course, and they’ve quickly become my jam (overtaking the Hawaiian Sun Lilikoi in the fridge). They go with practically everything.

The four MAC Magnetic Nude Lipsticks, $15 each US and $18 CAN — The four Magnetic Nude Lipsticks, $15 each US and $18 CAN

The deepest shade, brick red Carnal Instinct — the one at the top — looks dramatic on medium and lighter skin tones and more neutral on darker damsels.

I bet it’ll look gorgeous paired with warm brown or copper eye looks.

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick from the Magnetic Nude Collection — Sensual Sparks, a dirty cool caramel with an Amplified finish

Sensual Sparks, the creamy caramel nude, is a dead ringer for Tom Ford’s $49 Sable Smoke, and it’s so beyond pigmented that it’s almost insane (gotta love the full coverage of MAC’s Amplified finish)! If your lips are naturally very rosy or red, and you have a hard time finding nudes that can actually cover up your natural lip color, this is the tube you’ll want to swatch first.

Same thing goes for Close Contact, the creamy peach, which shares the Amplified finish. I don’t think it’s as warm as Sensual Sparks, which might make it a better fit for you if your skin tone is cooler.

MAC Close Contact Lipstick from the Magnetic Nude Collection — Close Contact, a creamy peach with an Amplified finish

Speaking o’ cool…Morning Rose, the last of these shades, is a soft cool rose with a Cremesheen finish — also pigmented, but not as pigmented as the other lipsticks in the launch. A very delicate, pretty pink, I think it’s lovely on its own or layered with pink glosses that have cool blue tones.

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick, a deep brick red with golden pearl and a frost finish — Carnal Instinct Lipstick, a deep brick red with golden pearl and a Frost finish

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick, a dirty cool caramel with an Amplified finish — Sensual Sparks Lipstick, a dirty cool caramel with an Amplified finish

[Continue reading…]

12 Days of Giveaways, Day 7: 7 Ways to Win a Prize Package of Neutrogena Healthy Skin Bronzers and Blushes (Ends Thursday)

December 24th, 2013 by Karen 119 Comments

On the seventh day of giveaways,
Neutrogena gave to me,
Seven blush-es in a pear tree.

Allow me to clarify. For the winner of today’s giveaway, no, today’s prize package does not include a pear tree (the shipping would be a nightmare, LOL!), but I’m guessing you’d be cool with that because you’d be getting an entire wardrobe of Neutrogena blushes.

Yup, yup. 🙂

For natural-looking, pinch-your-cheeks color, look no further than today’s prize package of three Healthy Skin Blends blushes and four Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzers.

I recommend these to friends all the time. If you’re looking to wear a little color on your cheeks but don’t want it to compete with the rest of your look, give ’em a try. They’re some of my favorite drugstore products out there now.

Time to get cheeky in three, two, one…

A seven-piece prize package featuring Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Blends blushes and Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzers valued at $80.43 that includes:

Three (3) Healthy Skin Blends blushes in Clean, Sunkissed and Pure valued at $34.47
Four (4) Healthy Skin Custom Glow Blush & Bronzers in Natural Glow, Posie Glow, Rasin Glow and Rosy Glow valued at $45.96

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Open to U.S. 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:
- Do you blush easily?
- Who was the first person you slow danced with?
- Tell me about a piece of jewelry you wear all the time.
- What are you hoping Santa brings you this Christmas?
- What are your TV show guilty pleasures?
- Did you treat yourself to any gifts this year?
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Thursday, December 26, 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

P.S.

Merry Christmas Eve! Here are a couple more giveaways you can still enter if you haven’t already…

Karen

Products mentioned in the video

1. Close Contact Lipstick and Hell Bound Lipglass

2. Carnal Instinct Lipstick and Hell Bound Lipglass

3. Sensual Sparks Lipstick and A Quiet Roar Lipglass

4. Morning Rose Lipstick and Oh My Darling Lipglass

Don’t forget to enter these ongoing giveaways, too

Have w wonderful holiday!

Don’t forget to enter these other ongoing giveaways