Karen

What’s One Beauty Service You Absolutely Refuse to Pay For?

November 20th, 2013 by Karen 57 Comments

I’m talking things like manicures, pedicures, waxing, hair coloring, facials. For me, it’s any sort of brow maintenance. I do — and have always done — my own brows, mostly ’cause I have an irrational fear of someone accidentally waxing, threading or tweezing them into oblivion.

I always think of this scene I saw unfold at a Benefit counter, when a woman walked up in tears after a dicey threading session at a brow salon elsewhere in town. Poor thing had red, patchy areas below her brows, which were pencil thin and totally uneven. The Benefit girls did a wonderful job of reassuring her, and telling her that everything was going to be OK. They showed her how to fill in her brows until they grew back again and suggested the products she could use.

Another thing I refuse to pay for is body waxing. DUDE! — I can wax my legs, upper lip and lady parts no problem (Underarms are a different story, though. Too ticklish.), but I don’t do it very often because shaving is so much quicker and more convenient for me.

So what’s a beauty services you absolutely refuse to pay for? Manicures? Pedicures? Facials or Waxing? Anyone out there daring enough to cut their own hair (I’ve known someone who’s done that before)? Inquiring minds want to know…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Happy hump day. 🙂

The New Sigma Beauty Enlight Collection $165 Set Was Made for Neutral Lovers

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

The Sigma Enlight Collection set, $165 (a $209 value)

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Sigma Land is paradise for neutral lovers.

Yup, Sigma Beauty has a new collection of neutrals and brushes coming December 9, and here’s a sneak peek.

The entire collection is available as a set for $165, or you can get the products individually.

Reviews, swatches and looks coming soon…

“The Sigma Beauty Enlight Collection includes an array of products with a new take on neutrals. This collection contains one eye shadow palette, three lip glosses, three eye liners, three eye shadow bases, three powder blushes and three eye brushes. All of the products featured in the collection were created to add a unique warmth and calmness to your makeup routine.”

— Sigma Beauty

The Sigma Enlight Collection includes…

Enlight Collection, $165 (a $209 value)
Eye Shadow Palette — Warm Neutrals, $39
E34 — Domed Utility Brush, $12
E52 — Soft Focus Shader Brush, $14
E54 — Medium Sweeper Brush, $12
Eye Shadow Base — Awake, $13
Eye Shadow Base — Composed, $13
Eye Shadow Base — Neutralize, $13
Blush — Mellow, $12
Blush — Peaceful, $12
Blush — Serene, $12
Eye Liner — Eclipse, $9
Eye Liner — Nutmeg, $9
Eye Liner — Vintage, $9
Lip Gloss — Hint, $10
Lip Gloss — Tint, $10
Lip Gloss — Tranquil, $10

Sigma Lip Gloss - Tint, $10 — Lip Gloss – Tint, $10

Sigma Lip Gloss - Hint, $10 — Lip Gloss – Hint, $10

Sigma Lip Gloss - Tranquil, $10 — Lip Gloss – Tranquil, $10

Sigma Eye Shadow Palette - Warm Neutrals, $39 — Eye Shadow Palette – Warm Neutrals, $39

Sigma Blush - Mellow, $12 — Blush – Mellow, $12

Sigma Blush - Serene, $12 — Blush – Serene, $12

Sigma Blush - Peaceful, $12 — Blush – Peaceful, $12

Sigma Eye Shadow Base - Awake, $13 — Eye Shadow Base – Awake, $13

Sigma Eye Shadow Base - Composed, $13 — Eye Shadow Base – Composed, $13

Sigma Eye Shadow Base - Neutralize, $13 — Eye Shadow Base – Neutralize, $13

Sigma Eye Liner - Eclipse, $9 — Eye Liner – Eclipse, $9

Sigma Eye Liner - Vintage, $9 — Eye Liner – Vintage, $9

Sigma Eye Liner - Nutmeg, $9 — Eye Liner – Nutmeg, $9

Fall Favorites: The Makeup I’ve Been Using and Loving This Fall

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 61 Comments

OK, so I know I’m talking waaaay too fast in this video and I’m super stiff (like a robot version of myself, haha!), but I was very nervous.

I assure you — this is not an android stunt double. It’s me, Karen. It’s just that it’s been ages since I filmed one of these, so please forgive me for rambling and staring off into space like a crazy person.

With that said…I actually enjoyed doing it, so I might do more vids in the future.

Anywho, fall faves! Here are prices and links for the products I mention in the video…

YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch ($40)
Clarins Be Long Mascara ($25)
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($28)
NARS One Night Stand Cheek Palette ($65)
MAC Stroke of Midnight Eyes: Warm Eye Kit ($39.50)
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked ($22)
Guerlain Maxi Shine Gloss d’Enfer in 400 Gold Tchlack ($30)
Guerlain Protective Base Coat ($23)
Guerlain Le Top Coat Gel ($23)
Marc Reagan’s Twitter, @MarcRegan (He’s a Makeup Artist and Manager of Artistry for Bobbi Brown)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict (no, not the robot version),

Karen

What’s the Best Makeup Purchase You Can Make for $5 or Less?

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 32 Comments

Truth is, there are tons of great budget beauty products out there, but here’s one I like for $3.49: Essence Gel Eyeliners.

Have you tried ’em before? They’re so great! — waterproof, smudge-proof, super smooth and easy to apply. And they’re like the Hulk once you get them on your lids. They absolutely will not budge unless you ask really, really nicely.

I’m in a thick cat eye liner phase, so these have been my jam lately. I’ve been alternating them with the MAC Fluidlines and NARS Eye Paints to make the pricier products last longer.

I mean, $3.49! That’s less than Starbucks, and they’re available all over the place — drugstores, Ulta and online.

Which reminds me, an Ulta store is opening a few miles away from me in San Rafael. Actually, it might be open right now… I think this calls for a quick trip. 🙂

What’s the most bad-@ss sub-$5 makeup product you can think of? Or, if you can do it, combination of products that add up to $5 or less? And sure, sales and eBay deals count.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

With Three Products and a Leopard-Print Bag, Jouer’s Party Perfect Holiday Set Has Hard-Working Pet Assistants Saying Meow

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Jouer Party Perfect — With the leopard-print canvas bag that comes with the set

Does anyone ever have fun at work holiday parties? I envy you if you do, because when I worked in the city, I did not.

It was a stuffy office bloated with big egos and rife with corporate intrigue!

OK, not really. 🙂 But it was very hard to unwind around my bosses, and when I absolutely, positively couldn’t wiggle my way out of it, I’d show up to make an appearance, say “Hi!” to whoever might notice my absence, and peace out quietly as soon as I could sneak out the door…

The parties are better now at my current gig as assistant to the CEO of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC.

Tabs usually invites all of his kitty modeling peers and industry heavyweights (like Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld’s feline associate), and of course there’s always an open bar where the catnip cocktails flow freely…

I don’t really get to par-tay like a rockstar because of my admin duties, like making sure the guests get home safely and that no one steals anything (don’t get me started on the time a Ragdoll pilfered Tabs’ fine art collection).

Long story short, these occasions are usually quite entertaining, and they give me an excuse to wear party makeup.

Thing is, I can’t go really over the top since these are technically work gigs. I still have to look somewhat responsible, which is why Jouer’s Party Perfect holiday kit might work perfectly.

When I showed this three-piece set to our CEO, he promptly sent this memo: “Mrrroow. Meeeeow. *Purr*”

That’s corporate shorthand for “Chic and sophisticated. I approve.” 🙂

The limited edition release comes with three Jouer makeup essentials for classically simple party looks, and it comes with a roomy zippered leopard-print canvas bag, inside which you’ll find…

Jouer’s Hydrating Lipstick in Meg, a creamy, moisturizing honey pale pink with Brazilian Cupuacu Butter. Perfect for a classic nude lip.

Because my lips are so pigmented, I like to bump it up with a lip liner, and top it off with a sheer pink gloss for extra shine.

Jouer Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner — Leopard Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner

The set also comes with Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Leopard, a bronzed chocolate liquid liner that softly shimmers to take your cat eyes up a notch from basic black.

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Net-a-Porter’s Luxury Limited Edition Glossybox Comes With Eight Products for $40

November 19th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

This limited edition Glossybox is a great deal! It’s $40, from Net-a-Porter, and comes with several full-sized beauty products seasoned with deluxe and travel-sized samplers from brands like RBG, Klorane, Ellis Faas and Kevyn Aucoin (there’s more; the full list’s below).

This one’s a one-shot deal for $40 and comes with eight products, but if you like the idea of trying lots of new products every month, that’s what Glossybox is for. It’s a subscription service, where you pay — I think it’s $21 per month — for a box of five different beauty products delivered right to your door.

It’s a great way to discover new beauty gems and holy grails.

They also have different subscription durations, like six months for a slight price break ($19.17 instead of $21/month). The three-month plan for $20/month could be a good Christmas gift sweet spot for the beauty lover in your life.

In the Net-a-Porter box here, you get an Ellis Faas Mascara, which regularly costs $34 (I like it for length) if you buy it separately, and the very pigmented Kevyn Aucoin Eyeshadow Duo, which regularly costs $42, so right there between those two products alone you’re looking at a huge savings.

Not too shabby tabby.

Everything in the $40 Luxury Limited Edition Glossybox from Net-a-Porter

Brighten skin, minimize dark spots and protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays with Natura Bissé’s Diamond White SPF 50+++ Oil-Free Brilliant Sun Protection (10ml/0.34 oz.)
A shimmering nude and sophisticated dark-blue make up a complementary combination in Kevyn Aucoin’s The Eye Shadow Duo – No. 206 (4.8g/0.16 oz.)
Perfectly lengthen and separate lashes with the velvety formula of Ellis Faas’ Mascara E401 – Black
Get intense hold and shine without flakiness or build-up using Philip B’s Oud Royal Gravity-Defying Gel (14.8ml/0.5 oz.)
Rejuvenate cracked skin and strengthen nails with RGB’s Jojoba and Biotin-enriched Cuticle Oil (12ml/0.40 fl.oz.)
Klorane’s Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (50ml/1.06 oz.) is the ultimate secret weapon to cleanse lackluster locks while adding texture and volume
To soften, soothe, and restore skin, try Avène’s Thermal Spring Water spray (50ml/1.7 fl.oz.)
Joya’s Âmes Sœurs Roll-On Parfum (1.5ml/0.05 fl.oz.) offers notes of Frankincense, Myrrh, Orange Blossom and Jasmine in a roll-on design for easy application

Quantities are limited, so if you like the idea, better act fast. It’s available at net-a-porter.com.

Laura Mercier’s 17-Piece White Magic Holiday Collection Promises To Brighten Spirits While It Illuminates Lips and Lids

November 18th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

Laura Mercier Flamingo Creme Smooth Lip Colour, Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour and Gunmetal Smoke Tightline Cake Eye Liner — Wearing a few pieces from the new Laura Mercier White Magic Collection: Flamingo Crème Smooth Lip Colour Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour and Gunmetal Smoke Tightline Cake Eye Liner

I’m really hoping to feel some holiday magic this year because last Christmas was a blur. You know all the fun (sometimes frantic) things that come with the holidays, like spending time shopping for meaningful gifts, carefully wrapping presents (as opposed to just slapping things together with tape) and decorating the tree? Last year, everything I did was last-minute. This year, I want to take the time to really savor the holidays and make them a priority, you know? Life is too short.

That magic I mentioned? — there’s actually some happening now over at Laura Mercier counters, where the White Magic holiday collection is available.

Laura Mercier White Magic — Five of the 17 pieces from the White Magic collection

The 17-piece limited edition launch heralds the holidays with shimmery pastels, illuminated skin and shiny, glossy lips.

When I look at these products, I think of the word, “glow.” But not in a bronzed, beachy way. I’m thinking more in terms of regal, otherworldly winter ice queens riding silent sleighs across snow-covered fields…

White Magic is one of those collections with a healthy dose of shimmer and pastel.

Ya know, I do like pastels, and I think a little shimmery white or baby blue on the lids close to the lash lines can look very artsy, particularly with thick cat liner, but generally, with my tan and warm skin tone, I think they get a little lost on me. But I think they can look phenomenal on gals with lighter skin, and on younger women (shimmer isn’t always so forgiving on mature skin).

The collection isn’t all pale colors and shimmer, though. There are moments in which darker, more intense colors break through, and those are the ones that make me do grabby hands. 🙂

Like Mocha Myth lipstick, which is like an updated version of the classic ’90s brown lip…

Laura Mercier Mocha Myth Crème Smooth Lip Colour, $26 — Mocha Myth Crème Smooth Lip Colour ($26)

It’s a dark, neutral reddish brown — totally something someone could have worn back in 1994 with a plaid shirt, hoop earrings, jeans and Timbaland boots, except that back then, the lipsticks were almost always matte. This one’s smooth, comfy and creamy, with a metallic finish that seems fresher. I bet it would look striking on gals with darker skin tones, especially as an everyday lip shade. And it’s great for dry lips.

Laura Mercier Flamingo Crème Smooth Lip Colour, $26 — Flamingo Crème Smooth Lip Colour ($26)

Pinkish purple Flamingo lipstick also caught my eye. (It’s referred to as Girly on Laura’s website… Not sure if that’s a typo.) It’s a lot like one of my favorite MAC lipsticks, Syrup, except that Laura’s is slightly sheerer and more pink.

Now, I know that a purple-toned lipstick might sound a little scary, but it depends. Find the right one, and you can use it as a nude lippie. I think the pink in this one makes it wearable and flattering.

Laura Mercier Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour — Twilight Caviar Stick Eye Colour ($26)

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New Urban Decay Nail Colors in Blackheart and Zodiac, and the New Naked 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencils

November 18th, 2013 by Karen 18 Comments

So, what goes well with Naked? I mean…other than fun?

How about two new never-before-seen Nail Colors from Urban Decay?

New Nail Colors (SRP $15 each)

BLACKHEART — smoky greige with red and multicolored shimmer
ZODIAC — smoky green with gold, green and blue 3-D micro-glitter

UD says both of these new shades are going to be extremely limited edition. I’m just sayin’…

Inspired by the Naked3 shade of the same name, smoky greige (yes, greige) Blackheart is loaded with red and multicolored shimmer, while smoky green Zodiac, which UD calls the “sultry little lovechild” of Moondust Eyeshadow, is infused with gold, green and blue 3-D micro-glitter.

What do ya think? Do they make you want to throw off your clothes and run around naked? Or, stay fully clothed and go get Naked? Or none of the above?

Urban Decay Blackheart Nail Color — Blackheart Nail Color ($15)

Urban Decay Blackheart Nail Color and Zodiac Nail Color — Blackheart (left) and Zodiac (right)

Urban Decay Blackheart Nail Color Swatch — Two coats of Blackheart

Urban Decay Zodiac Nail Color Swatch — Two coats of Zodiac

And that’s not all. Naked3 also gets some new pencils….

The four Naked 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencils (SRP $16 each)

ZERO + WHISKEY — zealous black cream + rich brown matte (coordinates with Naked)
PERVERSION + PISTOL — blackest-black matte + light gray-brown shimmer (coordinates with Naked2)
BLACKHEART + DARKSIDE — smoky black matte with rosy red micro-glitter + purple-taupe satin (coordinates with Naked3)
CRAVE + VENUS — deepest, darkest brown-black matte + soft, off-white shimmer (coordinates with Naked Basics)

Each one comes with two liner shades inspired by one of the Naked palettes. Three of the eight shades in the lineup are UD bestsellers, but the other five are completely new.

“When we first introduced our original Naked palette, we created a Double-Ended Eye Pencil to go with it. Eventually, we loaded the palette with a brush instead, but people BEGGED us to sell the pencil on its own. It’s been so popular that we’re launching that original duo (Zero/Whiskey) as a regular part of our line AND adding three new color combos — one for each of our other Naked palettes.”

— Urban Decay

The new Naked 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencils and Nail Colors are coming soon to Sephora, ULTA and select Macy’s stores, and online to sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, beauty.com and urbandecay.com.