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Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 224

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Tabs for Covercat Cheekers Blush

A RELAXING TIME: PART 2
by Tabs the Cat

Tabs sat motionless in the shed, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness as the ringing in his ears from the once noisy generator subsided.

Soon, thanks to the sparse moonlight coming in through the one tiny window in the room, he could clearly make out shapes — the chair, his Louis Vuitton luggage and Chanel overnight bag, the generator, electric heater, the hole in the ice and the small wooden workman’s desk — and then details, like the lovely Chanel double C logo, the elegant Louis Vuitton pattern and a familiar-looking tool on top of the desk…

Can opener, he thought. That’s what his assistant called them. He never figured out how to make it work, but he knew that it could produce gravy. His assistant did it all the time.

Knowing it was here, he felt a tinge of relief. Maybe he could figure out how to use it if he had to. If his assistant could use it, it couldn’t be that hard.

Carefully, he walked over to the edge of the hole in the ice and peered down. Water gently lapped against the sides, but its depths were impenetrable, even to his efficient kitty eyes.

“Meow!” he called. Siri! Then he made his way around to the other side of the hole and tried again, louder this time. “Meow!!” Siri!!

No answer… Was she ignoring him, or somehow unable to reply?

“Mrf!” he huffed. Probably the former. These days, it’s just so hard to find good help.

It occurred to Tabs that he wouldn’t be in this situation had his assistant back at the office done her job. She was in charge of travel arrangements, after all, so this was entirely her fault.

“Mmrrrwww…” he grumbled. He was going to give her an earful when he got —

Tabs whipped around and focussed his senses intensely on the door. He heard something outside, something shuffling on the ice. His ears rotated on his head like tiny radar dishes trying to triangulate the source of the sound.

There! He heard it again. Something skilled in the art of espionage. It was close. Right behind the door, and it was big. Tabs could tell. Much bigger than a cat.

Then, the smell. Instinctively, Tabs arched his back to appear larger, triggered his claws and hissed loudly at the door.

Dog!

— TO BE CONTINUED —

If you enjoyed this little tale and would like to see Tabs continue the story, let him know in the comments. 🙂 And now, here are some pics from Tabs’ ever-growing kitty modeling portfolio.

Tabs for Elizabeth Arden Pikake Purr Perfume

Tabs for ELF Duo Eyeshadow Cream in Archer
[Continue reading…]

New Year’s Eve Looks in 5, 10 and 15 Minutes

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Ahh… Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas — done, done and done. We’re almost through another holiday season, babe, and from here on out, as Tabs loves to say, it’s all gravy.

Next up, New Year’s. Do you have any plans yet? More specifically, do you have any New Year’s makeup plans? 🙂

None yet for me. I mean, none that I know of, but El Hub might be planning something special behind the scenes, and I hope that he is (hint, hint!), because I’m in the mood to get gussied up.

I like taking my sweet time with my makeup on New Year’s Eve, just buffing and blending for hours. That’s my idea of a perfect start to a perfect New Year’s night, but sometimes, like when your demanding, diva kitty employer sends you on a last-minute Petco run for feather toys and catnip at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 31, things don’t always work out. You see, diva kitties can throw even the best laid beauty plans completely out the window.

Luckily for us, there are lots of ways to pull together a last-minute New Year’s Eve look when you don’t have all night to get ready.

Whether you’ll be chilling at home, watching the ball drop on TV, or braving the elements and the rowdy crowds with your crew, you can still look pretty and primped with these 5-minute, 10-minute and 15-minute New Year’s Eve looks.

A casual 5-minute makeup look

Plan to ring in the new year with a comfy, cozy group at home? Expect impromptu camera phone pics, and be ready for them with this easy, natural-looking 5-minute makeup look.

  1. For this look, I started by using my fingers to work a sheer tinted moisturizer, Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream ($22.99), all over my face to even out my skin tone. Then, on the areas where I needed a bit more coverage, I dotted and blended concealer.
  2. Next, for a natural-looking matte finish, I dusted powder lightly on my oily areas to cut down on shine. Here, I used COVERGIRL + Olay Pressed powder in Medium ($11.99) on my forehead and nose.
  3. Then, for a healthy hint of a glow, I blended a pink blush (COVERGIRL Cheekers Blush in Golden Pink, $3.99), on the apples of my cheeks.
  4. To open up my eyes, I filled in my brows, curled my lashes and coated them with a tinted mascara. COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara in Blue Black ($7.99) adds a little color without going over the top.
  5. To complete the look, I slicked a moisturizing, peachy pink lip balm on my lips.
From the left: Olay Total Effects Tone Correcting CC Cream, COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara in Blue Black, COVERGIRL + Olay Pressed Powder in Medium and COVERGIRL Cheekers Blush in Golden Pink

A casual 10-minute makeup look

Got a few more minutes to get ready? If you have 10, then you can spend one or two on your skin, incorporate a little more color, and do a quick hairstyle to embrace 2013 in more polished, yet casual style.

  1. The winter winds strip every ounce of moisture from my skin and leave me with dry patches, so I started this look by prepping my face first with moisturizer, which also makes blending my foundation easier. One to try: Olay Age Defying Instant Hydration Day Cream ($12.99). It absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel like a heavy wool blanket on my face.
  2. A medium-coverage foundation like COVERGIRL + Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation Base ($16.99) helps even out my skin tone. I applied the Golden Tan shade all over my face with my fingers and, so that the finish didn’t look too “done,” gently blended everything together by going over it all with a skunk brush. Then, to set the foundation and bring down the shine, I dusted powder on my oily areas.
  3. To kick up the color content a little more, I applied a shimmery golden bronze eyeshadow on my lids (COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers in Golden Sunrise, $2.99), a nude blush (COVERGIRL Cheekers Blush in Soft Sable, $3.99) on my cheeks and a nude lipstick (COVERGIRL Outlast All Day Lipcolor in Forever Fawn, $8.49) on my lips.
  4. To finish the look, I filled in my brows, curled my lashes and added three coats of COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara in Very Black ($7.99).
  5. With the couple extra minutes I had left, I ended with a quick hairstyle. I gathered my mop into a low ponytail, sprayed a small amount of hairspray (in this case, Pantene Pro-V Stylers Shaping Extra Hold Hairspray, $5.99) on my fingers, and then used them to guide my bangs and tame flyaway and stray hairs on the top and sides of my head.
Clockwise from the bottle of hairspray: Pantene Stylers Anti-Humidity Hairspray Maximum Hold, COVERGIRL Outlast All Day Lipcolor in Forever Fawn, COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers in Golden Sunrise, COVERGIRL Cheekers Blush in Soft Sable, COVERGIRL LashBlast 24HR Mascara in Very Black, COVERGIRL + Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation Base in Golden Tan, Olay Age Defying Instant Hydration Day Cream

A casual 15-minute makeup look

Got a few more minutes to play? If you do, you could start with the 10-minute look above, and incorporate a few extra touches in step 3 to take casual to the next level.
[Continue reading…]

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

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

A Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway
two ways to win a $50 eCard from sephora

I can totally picture my little tabby Jedi fighting alongside Yoda against the Separatist droid forces… 🙂

So how’s it going this morning? Are you coming down from the whir of the holidays? I’m still kind of in that buzzing mode. I have to run to the mall a little later today, and I’m wondering what the crowds are gonna be like. I hope they aren’t too out of control.

Oh, guess what I’ve been doing lately? About a week ago I started re-watching the entire series run of The Hills on Netflix. I’m almost finished with season three, when everything pretty much revolves around the Spencer/Heidi/LC/Audrina/Lo maelstrom of melodrama.

I get so sad watching Heidi get caught up in everything and how she’s totally manipulated by Spencer… Like El Hub always says, “That guy really needs to get his @ss kicked.”

Anywho, I hope you have a good weekend. Here’s a Sephora eGift card giveaway to move things along. 🙂

What folks are saying…

“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)

“Hi Karen. Thank you so much, I’m so excited, I’ve never won anything before. My name is Hana … I just turned 25 (today is my birthday!) Yay! Thank you.”
-Hana

Win a $50 gift card from Sephora

  • 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, what’s your favorite one of the Star Wars movies? Do you take your pets to get groomed? Do you curl your lashes, or are they naturally curly? Do you like oatmeal? Have you been exercising over the holidays? Do you have a favorite chair? Did you give any beauty gifts this year? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a $50 eGift Card from Sephora! http://bit.ly/Vo8krE

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, December 30, 2012 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 Felicia Russell! Congratulations, Felicia! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

A Highlight in the New Printemps Précieux de Chanel Spring 2013 Collection: The Limited Edition Chanel Poudre Signée de Chanel Illuminating Powder

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Chanel Poudre Signée de Chanel
Wearing Chanel Poudre Signée de Chanel Highlighting Powder ($68), from the new Printemps Précieux de Chanel Spring 2013 Collection

A few things I firmly believe that all women should have:

  1. Access to funny movies after a long, hard day (some of my favorites: Clueless, Blue Crush and The Wedding Singer)
  2. A friend or family member who will always pick up the phone, even in the middle of the night, when you just need someone to talk to
  3. At least one piece of makeup so breathtakingly beautiful that it comforts you every time you see it, and for this, might I suggest the new Poudre Signée de Chanel Illuminating Powder?

I know there are far, far less expensive comforting treats out there than a $68 highlighter, but let me tell ya, when I’m feeling extra agitated/orange alert/ready to shank strangers at the drop of a hat, there’s just something to be said for Chanel.

With Chanel’s seasonal collections, they typically release one really expensive signature piece, and it’s the piece that many collectors and die-hards look forward to the most.

Sometimes, I think these extra extravagances are way too overpriced, or just kind of “meh,” but in the case of this warm peachy beige powder, Coco and crew did us a solid.

Check out the design on that pan… I mean, really!? It’s like a work of art! See the camilla flowers (Mademoiselle’s favorite!) and the tiny little makeup tubes??

I love those little details…

Once you get over the heartbreak of disrupting the design for the first time, you’ll feel better about using this rare gem, and before you know it, you won’t even want to leave the house without the soft luminosity its satiny finish gives to your skin. 🙂

chanel poudre signee de chanel
Chanel Poudre Signée de Chanel Highlighting Powder ($68)

Chanel Poudre Signee de Chanel swatch final
[Continue reading…]

Wearing the New Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Frivole Is More Satisfying Than a Box of Animal Crackers

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chanel frivole
Wearing the new Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Frivole ($43) from the Printemps Précieux de Chanel Spring 2013 Collection

Oh, the sweet, sweet joy of the animal cookie/cracker…

I know it’s so 37-going-on-13, but I derive great pleasure from biting off their heads. 🙂

It’s just so satisfying!

Sometimes I’ll start by nibbling off their toes, tails or tums, but it never feels quite as right as a swift beheading.

Um…hold on a second while I add that to my list of “Sentences that inadvertently make me sound like a serial killer.”

You know what else is really satisfying? Chanel’s new Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Frivole ($43) from their spring collection.

My goodness, lovie! Wearing it has been almost as satisfying as the feeling I felt when I finished decapitating an entire tin of shortbread scottie dog cookies!

It’s the only blush in the new 22-piece Printemps Précieux de Chanel Spring 2013 Collection, and granted, it is expensive, but if you’re 1) already tanned, 2) tan easily, or 3) love bronzer so much that if you were down to your last pan, b*tches would have to pry it out of your cold, dead hands before you’d ever give it up, you’ll love how this looks on your cheeks.

chanel joues contraste frivole
Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Frivole ($43)

[Continue reading…]

Two Ways to Win a Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 Value)!

by 355 Comments

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

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever box front

Er, no. I’m pretty sure the name of the prize in today’s giveaway, Benefit’s Sexiest Nudes Ever, was NOT inspired by Magic Mike, the groundbreaking film starring Academy Award shoe-in Channing Tatum… 🙂

But snaps to you, girl, for making the connection, LOL!

I was really surprised by this eyeshadow kit (a Sephora exclusive) and its cool-toned smokey shades.

In all, it comes with six products — four Longwearing Powder Shadows in Milk It (a pearly off-white), Raincheck (a demi-matte mauve), Pause for Applause (a matte purplish pink) and Blingo (a metallic silver); and two Creaseless Creams in Bikini-Tini (a shimmery golden peach) and Holy Smokes (a shimmery bluish gray).

I hope you’ll love these colors as much as I do, and because I think you will, I’m giving one of the kits away today!

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever closeup

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever overhead

Benefit World Famous Neutrals Eyenessas Sexiest Nudes Ever box back

  • 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, do you remember the name of the first purple eyeshadow you ever wore? Do you like cream and sugar in your coffee? What’s one word that describes the way your hair looks right when you get out of bed in the morning? How often do you wear smokey eyes? When was the last time you had a salad? What’s your least favorite household chore? How long does it take you to decide what to wear? — you get the idea.
  • Second, you can enter by following me on twitter Twitter @karenmbb and retweeting (RT) the following message:
    • Follow @karenmbb and RT to Win a Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 value)! http://bit.ly/Vl9CjZ

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 11:59PM (PST).
  • 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 internationally and in the United States 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).
  • 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

P.S. TGIF! 🙂 Wait! — don’t go yet. Have you already entered these two other giveaways? The first one is for one of my favorite accessories of the year, the Zella Gathered Tote (I LOVE that thing).

  1. Two Ways to Win a Zella Gathered Tote (a $68 Value)! — Closes Friday, 12/28/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
  2. Two Ways to Win a Benefit Most Glamorous Nudes Ever Eyeshadow Kit (a $30 Value)! — Closes Saturday, 12/29/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST

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

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