Karen

En Root to Second Day Hair, I Ran Into theBalm’s New Detour A-Head Dry Shampoo

March 13th, 2013 by Karen 38 Comments

theBalm En Root Dry Shampoo — Using the new $19 theBalm En Root Detour A-Head Dry Shampoo

This is how I feel when I don’t fuss with my hair in the morning:

The joy stems from the extra 20 minutes of sleep it saves me, I kid you not!

And, truth be told, I think my mane just looks better after a day or two between washes (or um…three or four).

But then there’s the whole greasy roots thing, which is why I’m never too far from a bottle of dry shampoo. Rocking my world these days is En Root Detour A-Head Dry Shampoo ($19) by theBalm. Yes, theBalm, as in the makeup line.

They just launched a line of hair care products that includes shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

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Important Questions For You

March 13th, 2013 by Karen 25 Comments

Day old cold pizza: yes or no?

If yes: with or without ranch?

Hello, breakfast…

So Many Men, So Little Time

March 13th, 2013 by Karen 10 Comments

A closeup of theBalm’s cheeky pan of Cabana Boy Shadow/Blush ($21), available now online.

When Lashes Take a Dark Turn: The Carbon Pigments in MAC’s Remixed Extended Play Gigablack Lash Mascara Blast Beyond Black, Relieve Beauty Lovers’ Fears of Tarantula Fringe

March 12th, 2013 by Karen 26 Comments

Wearing two coats of the new MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash ($16) mascara, available now at MAC counters, stores and online

Currently holding one of the top spots on my List of Silly Fears, right under 1) the inevitable zombie apocalypse, and 2) dressing like a cougar in a too-tight teenage girl’s dress?

Tarantula lashes.

You know what I’m talking about. The tipping point after which long, lush lashes venture into predatory hairy spider legs territory.

To be honest, mascara and I have totally gone there many times (accidentally, of course). Sometimes it happens when I get a little too enthusiastic with the layering…

If you’re as bothered by the idea as I am, let the new MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash mascara ($16 and available in a single shade called Intense Black) allay your fears.

Gigablack is the latest incarnation of MAC Extended Play (the “Blanche Deveraux” mascara from last spring), and the latest addition to MAC’s permanent mascara line.

It’s similar to the original Extended Play in how well it separates and lengthens lashes while ensuring that they still look natural — but not too natural, if you know what I mean.

No hairy spider leg-like lashes here. 🙂

Wearing two or three coats, my lashes look long, smooth and dark, yet still feel soft and light, and they remain that way for 15-16 hours (!) without flaking or smudging.

So, what’s the big diff between this new version and its predecessors? Two words: carbon pigments. MAC added ’em to the formula to make the black color more intense.

But that’s not the only thing…

MAC Extended Play Gigablack Lash before and after — No mascara on the left and with two coats of Gigablack on the right

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EstÃ©e Lauder’s Mad Men Collection Rich, Rich Lipstick in Pinkadelic Gives You More

March 12th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Estee lauder Mad Men Collection Rich Rich Lipstick in Pinkadelic — EstÃ©e Lauder Mad Men Collection Rich, Rich Lipstick in Pinkadelic ($30), available now at counters and online

More.

More!

That’s exactly what EstÃ©e Lauder’s new Mad Men Collection Rich, Rich Lipstick in Pinkadelic gives you.

More! — as in the actual quantity of product, because each tube contains 0.13 ounces — almost twice as much as the tiny 0.07-ounce tube of Cherry released with last year’s Mad Men Collection.

Cherry was meant to hearken back to the smaller vintage lipstick tubes of yesteryear, but Mad Men fans must have wanted more. Fortunately, EL obliged. Limited edition Pinkadelic contains the same amount of product as the twist-up lipsticks in EstÃ©e Lauder’s permanent line.

Estee Lauder Pinkadelic with Cherry — Pinkadelic beside Cherry Lipstick for scale

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What’s Your Current Nail Polish Routine?

March 12th, 2013 by Karen 44 Comments

time-to-paint-the-paws — Time to paint the paws!

I was just sitting down to paint my paws when I got to thinking about lacquer-loving ladies (and gents) and our various nail polish routines.

My friend Jen, for instance. She likes to regularly treat herself to nail salon visits, whereas a college friend of mine used to just plop a huge drop of polish on each nail, spread it around with the brush, and that was that.

I usually do my nails at home because 1) I like to change colors every few days, 2) I find it relaxing, and 3) I’m very particular about my nails, so I don’t visit nail salons too often.

First, I paint my right paw, then my left. Then I like to follow up with an extra coat or two to enhance whichever colors I’m using. If I’m feeling ambitious or have some extra time, I’ll start with a base coat and finish with a top coat, but it depends… I don’t always go that extra mile (again, because I like to change my polish often).

How about you? What’s your current nail polish routine? Do you prefer at-home manis or nail salons? And do you like to go all out with multiple layers, ombre effects, neon nail art or stickers, or do you tend to stick to a single coat?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Hello and happy Tuesday, friend! 🙂 You know what I realized last night after watching Pretty in Pink for the ga-jillionth time?

That movie has an excellent soundtrack! When I woke up this morning, If You Leave was humming in my head…

In other news, it’s supposed to be another warm one here in the Bay Area today, so if Tabs sees fit to allow me to take a break, I think I’m going to head over to an outdoor mall for some window shopping and vitamin D.

Have a great one today.