Karen

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

August 31st, 2013 by Karen 424 Comments

Yikes! I’m glad I didn’t have a nightmare last night. I thought I might because of the movie El Hub and I went to see, You’re Next.

Um, scary? Thank goodness I watched an episode of New Girl when we got home afterward. It helped to refill my head with happy thoughts before bed.

In other news, how’s it going today? Happy Saturday to ya.

I haven’t been up long. I stayed in bed for a few minutes after waking to pet Tabs and listen to the sound of silence outside…until I could no longer resist the idea of a hot cup of coffee, which I’m making now.

Got another great giveaway for you this weekend for a $50 eGift card to Sephora. Tabs is very happy with his modeling spread at the top. He felt the photographer really did a good job capturing his soulful eyes. 🙂

Good luck, and have a wonderful day, babe. Maybe I’ll see you on Twitter or Facebook today.

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 color are your favorite pair of shoes? What did you have for dinner last night? Is one brow different than the other? Have you ever purchased a skincare product you had to return because of the way it smelled? What’s one of the best bargains in beauty today? Do you like any lip plumping products? — you get the picture.
You can enter in up to seven ways to boost your chances of winning.
The giveaway ends on Monday, September 2, 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

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…You’re Not Half as Shiny as These Three New Clarins Graphic Expression Fall 2013 Collection Joli Rouge Lipsticks

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

Clarins Spicy Cinnamon Joli Rouge — Now that’s a Spicy Cinnamon! — A Clarins Joli Rouge Lipstick in Spicy Cinnamon ($26), one of three new shades for fall.

Those matte lippies have such sass! — always seducing makeup lovers with their fabulously flat finishes.

Recent intel gathered from credible sources indicates that 1) I’ve been watching a ton of 24 lately, and 2) matte lip products have been quietly taking over ~~the world!~~ makeup bags one tube at a time.

The conspiracy runs deep, too. You can’t trust anyone…

Uh…sorry about that. Random Jack Bauer moment. They really should put a warning label before that show. “Too many back-to-back episodes may result in product paranoia.”

Hmm, where were we?

Oh, yeah! So, I’ve been diggin’ the flat finishes coming out for fall, but that doesn’t mean I love luminous lipsticks like the three new fall Joli Rouge Lipsticks from the Clarins Graphic Expression collection any less. They reflect so much light that I can practically read by ’em in the dark!

Well, not really, but medium-weight, full-coverage rosy Pink Camellia, orangey brown Spicy Cinnamon and plummy Royal Plum do almost look like glosses on my lips.

Clarins Joli Rouge Fall 2013 Lipsticks from the left Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum — Fom the left Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum

Clarins Joli Rouge Fall 2013 swatches from the left Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum — From the left: Pink Camellia, Spicy Cinnamon and Royal Plum

Clarins Pink Camellia Joli Rouge — Pink Camellia

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Like Gatorade for Your Lips, New Mega Moisturizing Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colours in Pinky Beige and Spiced Berry

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Wearing the new Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Spiced Berry ($9.99, available now at Target)

Mark my words! Come hell or high water! I AM GOING TO TARGET TO BUY THAT CAT LADY SWEATER TODAY!!

I’ve had it on my to-do list for… Heck, I don’t know how long it’s been on there. At least a week. El Hub’s car has been in the shop, so he’s been taking my Mazda to work, which has left me at home with Tabs.

Not that I mind (except for the sweater).

But I’m mobile again. Got my car back, so I can run a few errands this afternoon. Tabs needs gravy (Seriously, he really does. There isn’t a can left in the house.), and I need that sweater from Target.

When I’m there, I’m gonna swing by the Sonia Kashuk section to see if they have her Satin Luxe Lip Colours with SPF 16.

Babe, have you tried these before? I’m kicking myself for not getting on the train sooner because they’re kind of the sh*z. I’ve been wearing the two newest shades in the fall collection, Spiced Berry and Pinky Beige, off and on for the past couple of weeks and lovin’ it.

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Pinky Beige and Spiced Berry — See the colors at the bottom of the tubes? Makes it so easy to find whichever shade I’m looking for.

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colour SPF 16

Oh, yeah. And they’re less than 10 bucks ($9.99 to be exact). The buttery, featherweight formula feels almost exactly like a $22 MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick to me, and they’re super duper smooth, so there’s none of that annoying business where the color settles into the lines on my lips.

More to love

They’re unscented and unflavored.
Contain SPF 16.
Last from 2-3 hours, which isn’t bad for something this lightweight.
And each tube has that see-through part, which makes it easy to find the shade I’m looking for at a glance.

OK, but are they worthy of a precious permanent place in your purse?

I think so…but my definition of “permanent” is more like long-term temporary. 🙂

If they do deserve that kind of love, it’s on account of how moisturizing they are — like we’re in the desert, and our Jeep Wrangler just stalled off-road 20 miles from the nearest service station, and then you apply one of these, and it’s like a giant bottle of Gatorade for your lips.

Yeah, that moisturizing.

If your pout gets crazy dry and flaky like mine does, or if you travel a lot by plane (can’t stand that recycled air!) or live somewhere with very low humidity, I think you’ll appreciate it.

Plus, the colors are totally on point for fall.

Pinky Beige

Pinky Beige just might be the perfect creamy nude. Not too cool nor warm, it’s medium coverage and massively low maintenance. You could probably pair it with any color smokey eyes — black, gray, bronze, green, blue — no problem at all. Hands down, it’s one of the most flexible, affordable lip colors you could add to your makeup bag this fall.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Spiced Berry

Spiced Berry’s shimmery finish caught my eye immediately. It’s got good glitter, ya know? Not that cheer champ stuff, but the kind of glitter that goes great with sleek black dresses, patent pumps and dainty gold jewelry.

If you like vampy lip looks or think you might like them but have yet to give ’em a try, Spiced Berry could be a good place to start.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Swatches (for reference, I’m an NC42)

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Pinky Beige Swatch — Pinky Beige

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Color in Spiced Berry Swatch — Spiced Berry

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Le Metier de Beaute, and Some Much Needed Meow Time

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 6 Comments

Le Metier Beaute Kaleidoscope Face Kit in Flawless

Got a hot date this weekend with these pieces from Le Metier de Beaute, and truth be told I CAN’T WAIT! Tabs has be working me to the bone lately (it’s busy season in the kitty modeling world), and I desperately need some meow time.

What are your plans for the long weekend? I hope they involve makeup. 🙂

Le Metier de Beaute True Color Eye Shadow in Alexandrite — True Color Eye Shadow in Alexandrite, $30

Le Metier de Beaute True Color Eye Shadow in Midnight — True Color Eye Shadow in Midnight, $30

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme Lip Glosses in Cafe Creme and Papaya Creme — Lip Creme Lip Glosses in Cafe Creme and Papaya Creme

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Papaya Creme — Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Papaya Creme, $36

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Cafe Creme — Le Lip Creme Lip Gloss in Cafe Creme, $36

Le Metier de Beaute Fiji Lipstick — Color Core Moisture Stain lipstick in Fiji ($32)

Need Some Help Deciding on an Essie Fall 2013 Mani/Pedi Combo

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

I’m trying to decide what to paint my toes/paws/claws. Which of the Essie Fall 2013 colors do you think I should go with? 🙂

You can find all six shades now for $8 each at salons, beauty stores and online.

Essie The Lace Is On — The Lace Is On, a jewel-toned pearlescent fuchsia

Essie Vested Interest — Vested Interest, a cool grey teal

Essie Twin Sweater Set — Twin Sweater Set, a vibrant crimson red

Essie Afterschool Boy Blazer — Afterschool Boy Blazer, a deep midnight blue

Essie Cashmere Bathrobe — Cashmere Bathrobe, a flannel gray

Ask MBB: How Do You Get Eyeliner To Last Longer on Oily Lids?

August 30th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

“I haven’t been able to find a khol pencil that lasts more than 2 hours on me. 🙁 I have super oily lids and I really want to use this kind of look at the office (blaaack color in my upper and lower lash line pleaseee). Even if I put an eye shadow over, it smudges. Which one would you recommend? I’m desperate.”

— Karina

Hi Karina,

Never fear! Ideas: we haz ’em. 🙂 There’s a lot you can do to hopefully help your eyeliner last longer, like…

1. It’s primetime, baby!

Have you given primer a try? An eye makeup primer — even if you don’t plan to apply shadow — can really keep everything in its place. My favorite is the one by NARS in the white tube, NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

It’s colorless, so it won’t mess with the color of your eyeliner, and it’ll keep your black liner black. It might even make it appear more intense! — because Pro-Prime has that effect on eye makeup.

Here’s a trick, though: make sure it’s completely dry before you apply your liner. Then, whatever you apply on top of it will be caught in Thor’s supernatural embrace (meaning it will not move).

Also with NARS Pro-Prime, you can even apply it to your brows or under your eyes to help your brow products or concealer last longer.

2. Let’s set in the shadow

I know you mentioned that you set your liner with shadow, but if you haven’t already, give it another try after using a primer. Sandwich ’em — your primer, liner and powder. That should help extend your wear time even more.

With black liner, sometimes I’ll team it up with MAC Carbon applied with a 266 Angled brush. I like the 266 for this because of how thin it is. I feel like I can get very precise with it and make my lines as skinny or as chunky as I want.

3. We’re gellin’!

I’m with you — I love the look of khol liner, but gels are great, too, and they’re incredibly long-wearing. My fave for a while has been MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack.

Yeah…gel liners require a brush, at least for me, but they’re pretty easy to apply once you get the hang of it. I like the Sonia Kashuk Bent Liner Brush, and Laura Mercier’s Flat Eyeliner Brush is great, too.

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Shall We MAC Indulge?

August 29th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Just some MAC Eye Shadow eye candy, and the Fluidlines, Cremeblend Blushes, Lipsticks and Lipglasses from the new MAC Indulge collection.

The are also six nail polishes, a mascara and a couple of brushes in the release, all available now, indulging in their glorious beauty, online and at counters. 🙂

MAC Gilty Morsel — Gilty Morsel Eye Shadow, a glittery light gold with a Lustre finish

MAC Sex & the Oyster — Sex & the Oyster Eye Shadow, a mid-tone greyed blue green with a Veluxe Pearl finish

MAC Three Ring Yellow — Three Ring Yellow Eye Shadow, a bright sulfer green yellow with a Veluxe Pearl finish

MAC Divine Decadence — Divine Decadence Eye Shadow, a soft bronze with a Veluxe Pearl finish

MAC Deep Cravings — Deep Cravings Eye Shadow, a dark shimmery grey with a Veluxe Pearl finish

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The New Tom Ford Beauty Lipsticks in Crimson Noir, Bruised Plum, Sable Smoke and Vanilla Suede Lavish Lips in Luxury This Fall

August 29th, 2013 by Karen 24 Comments

Tom Ford Crimson Noir — Wearing Tom Ford’s new Crimson Noir Lipstick ($49), one of four new shades available for fall 2013

“Do you have any idea haw many cans of gravy that is?!”

— What Tabs says (inside voice) every time we talk about Tom Ford Lipsticks being almost $50 each.

The price is completely redonk, but as far as spendy splurges go, at least Tom Ford Beauty’s new $49 lippies make you feel like a million bucks.

Tom’s Lipsticks are like cooking a meal on Le Creuset pans and serving it on fine china. Or like looking into your dream closet and trying to decide between the Louis or Chanel bag…right after you grab the Choos.

This fall, Tom’s shades have that “You have arrived” vibe. The two nudes and two bolds make me feel grand — like I finally got that corner office I always wanted here at Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC. 🙂

The shades are re-promoted colors in the new fall 2013 line.

Tom Ford Crimson Noir Lipstick — Crimson Noir Lipstick

Of these four, Crimson Noir is my favorite, but not by far. All it takes to brighten my look is a single layer of this intense red with its supernaturally smooth, satiny finish. It’s one of those reds guaranteed to turns heads.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Tom Ford Sable Smoke Lipstick — Sable Smoke Lipstick

Sable Smoke, the peachy beige, runs a close second. When you have pigmented lips like I do, light beige shades like Sable Smoke are often hard to pull off, but Tom got this one totally right. Smooth, opaque and just plain elegant, it’s a red carpet color and already a new resident of my purse.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Tom Ford Bruised Plum Lipstick — Bruised Plum Lipstick

Bruised Plum, to me the most dramatic color of the bunch, should flat-out sing on light and dark skin tones. Like Sable Smoke, Crimson Noir and Ryan Gosling, it’s smoooooove. Would love to see this on a very pale princess and a dark damsel. I bet it would look really hot. I love it! — I just wish it were a little more unique. MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Tom Ford Vanilla Suede Lipstick — Vanilla Suede Lipstick

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