Karen

Are There Any Things You Won’t Do in the Name of Beauty?

September 4th, 2013 by Karen 34 Comments

I would do anything for love…but I won’t do that!

I have done my share of weird things in the name of beauty.

Case in point: the time I turned into a lion and wandered the streets of San Francisco.

But there are things I won’t do, like snail slime… I’m not doin’ that.

When it was so trendy a few years ago, I almost considered it, since it was supposed to turn back the hands of time, but I just couldn’t do it. I have snails in my garden, and I kept thinking, snail butts, snail butts, snail butts… Ew.

And even though I’m always moaning and groaning about my short, stubby lashes, I’ve also never tried any real deal lash growth products like Latisse.

I know they work for a lot of people, but I’m a little freaked out by the idea of applying hair growth products so close to my eyes.

And then there’s cosmetic surgery… I am personally deathly afraid of knives, but I’ve seen cosmetic surgery done on some people, and it totally works for them. I figure, do what makes you feel good about yourself. End of story.

How about you? Are there any things you won’t do in the name of beauty?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Tabs the Cat for the Rainbow Circus / Alice in Wonderland Themed Mini Top Hat

September 4th, 2013 by Karen 6 Comments

Available now in these and many other styles from Etsy seller TrulySweetCircus, $22.95.

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Illamasqua Zygomatic Cream Blusher

September 4th, 2013 by Karen 12 Comments

About the Author
The following guest post was written by Tiffany Nguyen of willworkformakeup.blogspot.com. You can also find Tiffany on Twitter and Instagram.

You know that shade of blush that just seems to always suit you, without fail? For me, it’s a pinky beige. Something not too pink, nor too brown; more of a complexion enhancer, if you will. I’m actually kind of embarrassed to admit that I have more than a few variations of this in my collection, but one blush in particular stands out in my mind…maybe because I feel like it doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves!

Illamasqua is a brand that just knows how to make blush. I’m a fan of their powder blush formula, too (Hussy, anyone?), but their cream formula is particularly divine. Zygomatic is a seemingly boring pinky beige, but coupled with its dewy, long-lasting, non-sticky formula, and it becomes one of the select few fail-safe blushes in my collection I know I can always rely on.

Although Zygomatic certainly does not fall short in the pigmentation department, it’s not quite as dark as it appears in the pan, so it’s probably better suited for light and medium skin tones. It’s creamy without being greasy, and it blends out with close to no effort at all (I use a brush, by the way. Not really of fan of using my digits!).

The long-running Makeup and Beauty Blog Unsung Heroes series features much-loved permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious beauty brands.

I have terrible lighting in my apartment, and I often fall victim to the I-thought-I-barely-had-any-blush-on-but-I-actually-look-like-a-clown phenomenon once I see myself in natural light, but not with Zygomatic. Being more of a subtle shade, once it’s on, my complexion just appears awakened and healthy, rather than looking as though I’ve obviously applied a cheek color. Great news for those of us who may be more heavy-handed with our blush application (you know who you are!).

[Continue reading…]

Touch Up After You Touch Down: Benefit Introduces New Automatic Kiosks at 25 Airports This Fall

September 4th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

“This way to baggage claim…and this way to Benefit!”

Ever your find yourself in Austin wishing you had Dallas?

If Benefit is your jam — as it is mine, says the girl who went BAT SH*T CRAZY when she saw this pink Benefit vending machine at the airport! — now you can get glam on the go with Benefit’s glorious new Glam Up & Away automatic kiosks.

I’m serious, seeing one of these right when you step off the plane is like being greeted by an old friend. “Ahh…” 🙂

These luxe new kiosks are landing at 25 airports this fall, including Austin, Houston, Savannah, Cleveland, Raleigh and yes, Vegas, baby!

As you can see, against a backdrop of uninspiring airport design, the cute kiosks are hard to miss.

Like little cosmetics candy stores, each one is stocked with 30 Benefit bestsellers, and you can even get tips and suggestions on the user-friendly touchscreen while you peruse.

The Porefessional, with some other Benefit goodies

Boxed blushes and more (yay, my favorite Hoola bronzer is there!)

[Continue reading…]

I’m Tiffany Nguyen of Will Work for Makeup, and This Is My Makeup Life

September 4th, 2013 by Karen 17 Comments

The terrific Tiffany Nguyen of Will Work for Makeup

The My Makeup Life series asks beauty biz insiders, bloggers, makeup mavens and artists to share their holy grail products, tricks, tips and favorite beauty tools. Is there anyone you would like to see featured in My Makeup Life or questions you think I should ask? Let me know here.

Name: Tiffany Nguyen
Location: Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Day job/current gig: Pharmacy student
Hangouts online: willworkformakeup.blogspot.com, Twitter and Instagram
Current favorite product: Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder in 04 Sun Blondes. Instantly believable sun-kissed skin? Yes, please.
Beauty inspirations: My best friends, clear blue skies, tropical beaches
One word that best describes your outlook on beauty: Ever-changing

What makeup/beauty products can’t you live without?

Armani Master Corrector in 1 to neutralize under-eye darkness, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Dior Matte Bronzer in 002 Honey Matte (bring it back, Dior…or else!), Shu Uemura eyelash curler, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara, and C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm, for the softest lips ever come morning.

When did you start getting into makeup?

I’ve been enamored with makeup for as long as I can remember, and I think my mom not allowing me to wear it during my teens just made me obsess over it even more. It had become a full-blown addiction probably by the time I turned 16.

What’s your best beauty time-saving trick?

Skip the foundation. Instead, I like to dab liquid concealer liberally on any spots and hyperpigmentation, and blend it out using a big buffing brush, so that it kind of spreads the concealer all over like a foundation, while still being concentrated in the areas where I need the most coverage. In a time crunch, a good full-coverage liquid concealer like NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer can serve as a foundation, spot concealer and under-eye concealer, all in one. I like to think of it as a one-stop shop for all of my complexion perfecting needs.

What’s your favorite beauty tool?

Hands down, my Shu Uemura eyelash curler. My lashes are nothing without them, regardless of what mascara I use.

What’s the best beauty advice you ever received?

Makeup comes off. For this reason, I don’t really care if in 30 years I look back and think I looked ridiculous with neon pink lips or glitter on my cheeks. To me, makeup is a form of self-expression that requires little to no commitment. â€¨

What’s your skincare routine?

In the morning, I just wash my face with the Pai Camellia & Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser and moisturize with Embryolisse.

At night, I remove my makeup with Shu Uemura Fresh Cleansing Oil (it takes off waterproof mascara like nobody’s business!) and cleanse with Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm. Then, I followup with a chemical exfoliant like DDF Glycolic Toning Complex and a hydrating serum (I love Vichy’s Aqualia Thermal Serum) before topping it all off again with a healthy dose of Embryolisse.

Once a week, I’ll use my Clarisonic with some Cetaphil cleanser and maybe throw on a mask or two.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

Surprisingly, nothing I can think of off the top of my head! Makes me feel like I need to venture out more.

Do you have a trademark look (hair/styling/makeup)?

Not really. I’m not particularly attached to my hair, and I’ve had it short, long, and every length in between, one day loving it and the next day hating it. I’m pretty boring when it comes to hair — I usually wear it straight, down and unstyled….due to laziness, not preference!

As for my makeup, it really all depends on how much time I have. If I’m not running against the clock, I like wearing winged liner and making sure my lower lash line is defined with some shadow or soft liner. I just think it makes my eyes stand out more. There are, however, three things that are non-negotiable: 1) under-eye concealer, 2) blush, and 3) something on my lips, although it doesn’t necessarily have to be the three specific products pictured below.

Are there any beauty decisions you’ve made that you look back on and ask yourself, “why?!”

For my 8th grade Awards Night, my best friend and I wore turquoise eyeshadow with matching turquoise loose glitter patted on top…from lash line to eyebrow. Let me just tell you, there is no amount of blending in the whole world that could’ve made that not look cray cray. But, you know what? We had fun and loved how we looked that night. Though I don’t regret it necessarily, I wish I could’ve told my 13-year-old self that loose glitter is not eye safe!

Oh, the horror.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

For makeup: Sephora. If I’m buying products from a luxury brand not available at Sephora, I’d rather just buy online. I hate makeup counters. Too much pressure. For clothes: H&M and Nordstrom Rack. For anything and everything: Target.

Do You Ever Save Makeup or Beauty Products for Specific Occasions?

September 3rd, 2013 by Karen 24 Comments

Yup, I totally do. I’ve been holding on to a fresh tube of MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick (a coral with an Amplified Creme finish) so that I could wear it in Las Vegas.

You know, just a thing to do. Sometimes it make events more fun. 🙂

I also save certain perfumes for big events, like I waited years — no kidding, actually years — to wear Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue on my wedding day. I tried it on at Sephora, but I waited until my wedding day to wear it.

Do you ever do stuff like that? Save makeup or a perfume or something for a certain occasion? Inquiring minds want to know…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Choose Your Own Adventure: The MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks in Action

September 3rd, 2013 by Karen 22 Comments

Action!

That is, here are pics of the new MAC Retro Matte Lipsticks in action.

These seem to look their best on super smooth lips without any flakes. In my case, that probably means exfoliating and using a heavy-duty lip moisturizer the night before to prep my pout.

Keep a lookout for these eight Retro Mattes this week at MAC counters, stores and online at maccosmetics.com.

In other news, I’m here in Las Vegas! Got in around noon, had a quick lunch at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, which is where the conference is (Photoshop World), and now I’m just getting gussied up for dinner.

Some of the world’s greatest photographers are here to teach classes on Photoshop, photography and lighting at the conference this week, and I’m going to document and share as much of it as I can. If you have any interest in photography as a hobby, or for blogging or your job, be sure to check in. I’ll do my best to get some really good tips.

Now…action! 🙂

MAC Flat Out Fabulous Retro Matte Lipstick — Flat Out Fabulous — a bright plummy matte

MAC Relentlessly Red Retro Matte Lipstick — Relentlessly Red — a bright pinkish coral matte

MAC Steady Going Retro Matte Lipstick — Steady Going — a light pink matte

MAC All Fired Up Retro Matte Lipstick — All Fired Up — a bright fuchsia matte

MAC Ruby Woo Retro Matte Lipstick — Ruby Woo — a vivid bluish red matte

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Makeup Heroes: OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) Lip Tars

September 3rd, 2013 by Karen 8 Comments

Guest blogger Celia San Miguel wearing OCC Lip Tar in Anime

About the Author
The following guest post was written by Celia San Miguel of sickathanaverage.com. You can also find Celia on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

The word “tar” might not conjure up beautiful imagery, but don’t let that dissuade you from checking out Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ range of oh-so-sexy Lip Tar shades ($18 each). Introduced in Fall 2008, OCC Makeup’s Lip Tar coats lips with super-saturated, astoundingly opaque pigments with a satin-y finish. The formula, meanwhile, incorporates several beneficial botanical ingredients — chiefly hemp oil, which is rife with nourishing and softening omega fatty acids; peppermint oil, which has a cooling effect and also boasts antimicrobial properties; and antioxidant-rich vitamin E, which protects lips from free radical damage and prevents premature skin aging.

Swatches of some of my favorite Lip Tars: Anime, Lovecraft and Electric Grandma

Each 100% vegan lip color is packaged inside a tiny, pocket-sized tube that, although small, will last surprisingly long given that you’ll only need a bead-sized amount for each application. Ideally, you should use a lip brush when applying the Lip Tar shade of your choice since the color saturation is almost mind-blowingly high, and you’ll want to be precise when smoothing the color onto your pout (and that goes double if you choose an ultra-bright shade like Beta, Anime, or Demure).

There is literally no product on the market that compares to OCC’s Lip Tars in terms of consistency, texture, color payoff, or longevity. Each Lip Tar shade packs a mighty punch in the opacity department, balking at the notion of wimpy sheer hues and instead embracing a bold, flamboyant, adventurous and bodacious approach to color. Pigment saturation aside, I find the Lip Tars to have a delightful texture — they’re not sticky or tacky like some glosses nor do they have the clump-prone creaminess of a lipstick; instead, they have an almost oil-like feel, though their consistency is by no means runny or watery.

[Continue reading…]