Karen

The New NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

February 19th, 2013 by Karen 17 Comments

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Pictures Big

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Pictures Closeup — The new NARS Radiant Creamy Concealers ($28 each, available in 10 shades), coming February 20 to NARS flagship boutiques and online

I’m testing this today!

The shades, from lightest to darkest, according to the official PR:

Chantilly: True ivory for fairest complexions
Vanilla: Tiny cast of pink for the fair complexion
Honey: Warm peach tone for light to medium complexions
Ginger: Golden Undertone for medium complexions
Biscuit: Medium dark natural balance of pink and yellow undertones
Caramel: Medium dark yellow and golden undertones
Amande: Medium Dark with golden Undertones
Cafe: Dark shade with warm red undertones
Cacao: Dark shade with deep gold-brown undertones

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Pictures Wands — From the left: Chantilly, Vanilla, Honey, Custard, Ginger, Biscuit, Caramel, Amande, Cafe and Cacao

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Pictures Small — From the left: Chantilly, Vanilla, Honey, Custard, Ginger, Biscuit, Caramel, Amande, Cafe and Cacao

A Desert Rose Is Blooming on Bare Cheeks This Spring: Palladio Herbal Mosaic Powder in Desert Rose

February 18th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Palladio Desert Rose Herbal Mosaic Powder Pictures, Swatches, Review — Wearing Palladio’s $8 Herbal Mosaic Powder in Desert Rose on my cheeks; available now online and at Ulta and Sally Beauty Supply stores

Imagine strolling into a Santa Fe art gallery one sunny afternoon and finding a makeup mosaic for $8.

Yup, Palladio’s Herbal Mosaic Powder in Desert Rose is a little like that.

The pan has a mosaic pattern with five complementing powders you can wear individually, or swirled together, as a bronzer, blush, eyeshadow or highlighter.

Since the individual strips of color aren’t all that wide (the entire pan fits in my palm), I usually mix all of the shades together, and apply them to my cheeks with a fluffy blush brush.

On my NC 42 skin, a single layer delivers a rosy, peachy flush with golden pearl. Pretty! — especially for weekends or for casual makeup looks… Which reminds me, worn as a blush on bare skin or atop tinted moisturizer, I think Desert Rose looks a heck of a lot more expensive than $8. Shoot, it looks downright high end.

[Continue reading…]

Unsung Heroes: Hourglass Visionaire Duo in Exhibition

February 18th, 2013 by Karen 47 Comments

Hourgless Visionaire Duo in Exhibition — Wearing the Hourglass Visionaire Duo in Exhibition ($38) on my eyes; available now online, and at Hourglass counters and Sephora

I’m beginning to realize that despite falling in love with a new purple eye shadow single/duo/quad/palette approximately every 6.14 seconds (a side effect of undiagnosed makeup deficit disorder), I could probably function for days, weeks or maybe even months wearing the Hourglass Visionaire Duo in Exhibition.

It’s easily one of my favorite purple duos of all time, and I always feel at least a little better when I get it on my lids.

One side is a shimmery mauve, like a lighter, shinier MAC Shale; the other, a shimmery eggplant with subtle magenta undertones (I notice them more when I apply with a wet brush), which I think give the shade more depth.

Both sides are packed with pigment — enough to please even the most discriminating mulberry mavens, and perhaps hard-core MAC-aholics, too.

The silky, almost creamy rose petal formula makes it easy to build beautiful gradients, and best of the all, the powders completely refuse fallout, creasing and fading.

Wondering how close Exhibition comes to the NARS 413 BLKR duo?

Hmm… I’d say close, but they’re not exactly dupes. The Exhibition shades appear a little brighter and shinier to me, with a corresponding chipper effect on my mood.

I still heart 413 to bits, but I think of it as having a harder edge and more tough-girl zeal.

Hourglass Exhibition Visionaire Duo Picture NARS 213 BLKR — Hourglass Exhibition on the left and NARS 413 BLKR on the right

Hourglass Exhibition Visionaire Duo Swatch — Hourglass Exhibition

[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 259

February 18th, 2013 by Karen 85 Comments

021813-monday-poll — This is Charlize, one of the neighborhood cats I bumped into yesterday…

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”

Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

What’s one eyeshadow you’ve been loving lately?
NARS Cyprus. I rediscovered it last weekend, and now I’m thinking, “Where’ve you been all my life?”.

Can you walk and text at the same time?
Nope. Come to think of it, I can barely text under any circumstances, LOL!

Smokey or cat eyes?
Yes, please. 🙂 Cat eyes all day, and smokey eyes all night.

What’s your signature dance move?
The Snake! — although I also do a mean Sprinkler.

Two words: plaid pants?
Sure, if they’re pink.

A place where you spent a lot of time as a kid?
The front yard. I was always playing outside.

Have you ever made a toast at a wedding?
Not yet (but I want to)!

When was the last time you visited a desert?
Hmm… I think it was Las Vegas in 2009 for Blog World.

It’s been a hot minute! (Get it? Hot minute?)

If you had to have one or the other, would you rather have a bad haircut or a bad eyebrow wax?
I couldn’t deal with the brows, so I’ll take the bad haircut, and hide it under hats and up-do’s.

What’s something you’d like to do before you die?
Ride a horse.

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

Le List

1. What’s one eyeshadow you’ve been loving lately?
2. Can you walk and text at the same time?
3. Smokey or cat eyes?
4. What’s your signature dance move?
5. Two words: plaid pants?
6. A place where you spent a lot of time as a kid?
7. Have you ever made a toast at a wedding?
8. When was the last time you visited a desert?
9. A bad haircut or a bad eyebrow wax?
10. What’s something you’d like to do before you die?

To my fellow Americans, happy Presidents Day! 🙂

Got any plans? El Hub has the day off from work, so we might zip down to the mall for a late lunch at Cheesecake Factory this afternoon. Other than that, though, Tabs is keeping me on a short leash (as he often does).

Hope your week gets off to a great start.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Neighborhood Cats: Orangey

February 18th, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

Orangey, a friendly orange tabby with a cute pink nose who lives across the street.

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 231

February 17th, 2013 by Karen 11 Comments

A RELAXING TIME: PART 7

by Tabs the Cat

The first of the werewolves came into view, a long-legged black one the color of the crows Tabs policed from his favorite window at home in Novato.

Slowly, Tabs crouched down low at the edge of the roof until his chin was resting on the rain gutter.

The werewolf was stalking, sniffing, its head close to the ground like a metal detector. It was in the driveway now exactly where Tabs and the gray cat had gone through. Tabs expected the wolf to pick up their scent.

It was a bright night with the full moon, and it occurred to Tabs that he was probably easy to spot where he was with the moonlight behind him, but he stayed frozen like an Egyptian statue, not daring to move a muscle.

The only thing he did do was slowly close his eyes until they were just barely open and breath steadily. Cats were good at things like this. Hiding in plain sight. But Tabs imagined that werewolves were also good at hunting.

The second one entered the driveway. This one Tabs recognized from the wooden shed back on the frozen lake, and it was huge! Bigger than the black one by half, with mottled brown and gray fur and thick, broad shoulders.

The black werewolf seemed to bow reverently and made a whining noise as the larger one approached.

Tabs couldn’t believe just how big the bigger werewolf was. Keeping perfectly still with his eyes open barely a fraction of an inch, Tabs compared the creature to the nearby pickup truck, and wagered they were almost the same size.

Or maybe that was just the terror talking…

Tabs remained motionless while the two werewolves inspected the area, following their snouts. As they exhaled, their hot breath was visible in the frigid air.

They circled the pickup truck in opposite directions, checking carefully behind the tires.

Whew! Tabs thought. Good thing I didn’t hide there.

The werewolves must have picked up the scent because they remained quiet and moved stealthily, and they were focussing a lot of attention in this area.

Minutes passed. It was so cold up there on the roof that Tabs started shivering. He desperately wanted to hop up and start moving to warm his bones, but there was no way he was about to do that.

He would just have to deal with the cold. It wouldn’t be the first time…

He thought back to all of those long, cold nights he spent fending for himself and battling for scraps on the mean streets of Mill Valley in his kitten hood. Those were some cold nights, too.

Feezing, and feeling somewhat secure that the wolves would not find him, and even if they did, would not be able to reach him on the roof, Tabs allowed his mind to wander.

He thought about his makeup collection, his coveted online kitty modeling portfolio, gravy, his favorite hill at home and his assistant…

She was actually pretty nice, he concluded, even when she got on his last nerve.

Somewhere off in the woods, a branch cracked. It wasn’t a natural sound. Tabs heard it, and the werewolves heard it, too. Both of them appeared in the driveway from wherever they’d been searching and looked in that direction, standing tall on all fours, with their heads erect and their ears perked.

“Mrrrrrrowww!” came a distant voice. Help me! Please help!

Tabs felt his heart drop. It was the gray cat.

— TO BE CONTINUED —

To follow our story from the beginning…

A RELAXING TIME: PART 1

A RELAXING TIME: PART 2

A RELAXING TIME: PART 3

A RELAXING TIME: PART 4

A RELAXING TIME: PART 5

A RELAXING TIME: PART 6

[Continue reading…]

Craving This for Breakfast

February 17th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

It’s the salmon jook at Samovar Tea Lounge in SF. So good!

Two Ways to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora!

February 16th, 2013 by Karen 454 Comments

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is kimpcole! Congratulations, Candee! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Have I told you about Tabs’ new favorite way to wake me up?

He jumps on the bed, walks across my chest and stands perpendicular to my throat with his tummy draped across my neck.

He waits for a moment or two like that, and then, PLOP! — lays down and starts purring like a Mack truck until my eyes open.

Imagine a furry, 20-pound infinity scarf holding you hostage in bed, and basically, you get my mornings for the past week. 🙂

No Tabby alarm clock today, though. When I woke up, all I found was the postcard above on El Hub’s pillow with a note telling me to take the day off.

Whatever you’re up to today, I hope it’s fun.

And before you head out on your adventures, don’t forget to enter this weekend’s Sephora eCard giveaway.

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen!!! Wow, that news definitely gets a hoo ray ray and an elephant!!! (I’ve maybe been watching too much Boardwalk Empire.) Thank you so much!!!”
-Shana

“What a lovely surprise it was to see your announcement (after completing one of many exams/papers/projects I have this crazy week)! The eCard will definitely ease expenses for this broke, beauty-obsessed college student. Thank you, Karen and Tabs!!”
-Katie

“Thanks so much, Karen. Just in case you were wondering what I got with it, I decided to go with the Clarisonic Mia–I’ve been wanting it for years now, but have never purchased it because of the price. Your eCard helped me finally buy it! I look forward to using it. Thanks again!”
-Jane

“Shut the front door! OMG Karen, you have made my day. 🙂 I’m sick in bed with the flu and this has just cheered me up immensely!!!!!!!! BTW, I’m the one that sent you that pic of my pug in a wig a few weeks back LOL! Thanks again, honestly, I’m beyond giddy right now.”
-Angel

“Thank you SO much Karen! OMG! Wishes really do come true! I can’t believe I won! You have no idea how much this will help me through the holidays. I’ve been an avid fan of your blog for the past two years. Your witty and creative entries, informative makeup information, and beautiful photos have kept me hooked. I look forward to more of it. Goodness, you’ve
seriously just made my week and it’s only Tuesday night!”
-Zharlynne

“Oh my goodness! Thank you so much Karen (and Tabs, of course)! I really appreciate this! I’d been eyeing the Anastasia brow pencil in Strawburn to match my red hair!”
-Chelsea (and Jiji the kitten and Quincy the bunny)

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).

There are two ways to enter, and you can do both of them for two chances to win. First, you can enter by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post, a comment about anything at all, like, how would you rate your cooking skills? What’s the most challenging thing for you when it comes to eye makeup application? What’s one thing you love about your life right now? What’s your favorite Pop Tart flavor? How many lip glosses do you have in your purse at the moment? How often do you wear eyeliner? What nail polish do you have on your toes right now? What does your dream hairstyle look like?– you get the idea.
Second, you can enter by following me on Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
- Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/XEknOA

The deadline to enter is Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 11:59PM (PT).
Entrants must enter using a valid email address and/or Twitter account to win.
A maximum of two (2) entries per person — one within the comments at the bottom of this post, and a second entry via Twitter addressed to me @karenmbb.
Contest is open to individuals of any country who have reached the age of majority according to their local laws (18 in the United States with these exceptions: Alabama and Nebraska, 19; Mississippi, 21).
Sephora eGift Certificates can only be redeemed online and are not valid in stores or available for purchase or redemption in Canada. International winners may opt to substitute the Sephora eGift card prize for $50 sent directly to their email address by PayPal instead.
Tabs and I (heretofore referred to as “T-Money and K-Dawg”) will select one (1) winner at random from the entries either left in the comments at the bottom of this blog post or addressed to @karenmbb on Twitter.
The winner will be announced here within 48 hours of the deadline.
Void where prohibited by law.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is kimpcole! Congratulations, Candee! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂