Just a quick peek at five of the nine new Estée Lauder Pure Color Stay-On Shadows ($24 each) that come out next month. 🙂
Estée Lauder’s New Pure Color Stay-On Shadow Paints
The New bareMinerals Remix Collection and Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer: Club Kids, We’re Pressing Fast-Forward to Summer
Heck, YES! I’d love to go clubbing with you. Are you serious?? Because I’m totally down. We could even wear the new club-themed bareMinerals Remix collection.
But wait — I can only go if we leave the house by 9 and get home by 11:30, midnight at the latest, because that’s when my pumpkin turns back into a carriage.
I love to dance, but I do not need to be shaking my 30-something-year-old groove thing past midnight. Seriously, I don’t.
On second thought, we should leave the club by 11, because I want to be in bed, under the covers, with my mouthguard on (dude, I totally grind my teeth; it sucks!) by midnight.
LOL! Don’t laugh. 🙂 Last time I checked, there wasn’t a rule that says we can’t go out early and come home by midnight. It’s like clubbing 2.0, the remix. You get all the fun of clubbing while being fully functional the next day. Win, win!
Okay, now that we’re done making fun of my tired @ss, let’s get to the good stuff, the new bareMinerals spring Remix collection, which arrives next month (in the middle of winter).
12 Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win a Neutrogena Winter Skin Rx Gift Basket (a $127 Value)!
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Nicole Hunn! Congratulations, Nicole Hunn! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
One of my favorite holiday memories is from a trip El Hub and I took to visit his family on Oahu. It was a couple days after Christmas at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the largest open-air shopping center in the world. Weather-wise, it was a typical December day in Hawai’i Nei, sunny, about 80 degrees with light trade winds, and the mall was packed!
I remember how lots of the local kids (and some of the adults) were all bundled up for winter. There were kids in hoodies, thick sweaters, ski hats (the kind with the flaps that go over your ears) and some even wearing Uggs.
LOL! I guess wherever you are, even in the tropics, winter will find you.
Heck, it always finds me, as do winter skin trubs. Even with our mild seasonal swings out here in the Bay Area, I still wrestle with winter skin challenges every year, like breakouts, dry skin, flaky skin — the whole shebang.
If your face needs some babying this winter, you’ll definitely want to enter today’s Neutrogena gift basket giveaway. The basket is brimming with products to soothe and repair fussy winter skin.
Yup, it’s day 8 of 12 Days of Giveaways on Makeup and Beauty Blog (NOTE: click here and scroll down the page to enter any other ongoing giveaways). 🙂
One (1) Neutrogena Holiday Survival Kit gift basket valued at $127 and filled with the following goodies:
- One (1) Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Kit ($19.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Night ($20.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum ($20.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream ($20.99)
- One (1 Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser ($8.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Facial Treatment ($10.49)
- One (1) $25 American Express Gift Card ($25)
- 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 struggle with seasonal skin changes in winter? What’s your favorite heavy duty moisturizer? Is there a cleanser you’re loving at the moment? When was the last time you got a haircut? What are you doing this weekend? Do you prefer colorful or clear/white Christmas lights on your tree? What’s your warmest pair of socks? How often do you wear primer? — 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 $127 Neutrogena Winter Skin Rx Gift Basket! http://bit.ly/Yyw0fQ
- The deadline to enter is Monday, December 24, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (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 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. There are two other ongoing giveaways you may want to enter while you’re here (if you haven’t already). Just click the following links, and they’ll take you right to ’em. 🙂
- Two Ways to Win a Glitterball Gia Cosmetics From Kate Spade — Closes Saturday, 12/22/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
- Two Ways to Win a Neutrogena Holiday Survival Kit Gift Basket (an $81 Value) — Closes Sunday, 12/23/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Nicole Hunn! Congratulations, Nicole Hunn! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
12 Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win a Neutrogena Holiday Survival Kit Gift Basket (an $81 Value)!
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Brooke! Congratulations, Brooke! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
The holidays were so much easier when I was a kid. Back then I had a totally different kind of to-do list…
- Gorge on candy canes, other sweets
- Sleep in every day over break
- Find “Santa’s” secret cache of presents in the house
- Pretend to be surprised about said presents on Christmas morning
Every year, to find the presents we knew were hidden somewhere in the house, my little brother and I systematically moved through all of the rooms and closets like trained Army rangers. Sometimes, we’d even reverse engineer the presents that were already under the tree, delicately removing the tiny strips of tape and unfolding the corners of the wrapping paper until we could confirm the contents, and then we’d return everything to its pristine condition without leaving behind so much as a trace (we were never caught).
Gosh, I miss that! Adults always tell kids to enjoy it while it lasts, but it usually falls on deaf ears…
Nowadays, the holidays are a high-traffic, high-stress whirlwind of errands and activities. I try to have as much fun as I can (and consume as many candy canes and TJ’s Dark Chocolate Stars as humanly possible), but still. When did we get so busy over the holidays?
If this is also a busy time for you, you’ll definitely want to enter today’s giveaway for a Holiday Survival Kit from Neutrogena.
Yup, it’s day 7 of 12 Days of Giveaways on Makeup and Beauty Blog (NOTE: click here and scroll down the page to enter any other ongoing giveaways). 🙂
One (1) Neutrogena Holiday Survival Kit gift basket (valued at $81) filled with the following:
- One (1) Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara ($7.49)
- One (1) Neutrogena Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 ($12.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment ($5.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena Shine Control Pressed Powder ($11.99)
- One (1) Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes ($7.49)
- One (1) Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer SPF 35 ($9.99)
- One (1) $25 American Express Gift Card ($25)
Holiday stress and your skin
“Holiday stress always raises our cortisol (or ‘stress hormone’) levels. We often neglect our usual skincare routines during this busy time and indulge in high-glycemic index foods which can increase stress-related skin breakouts. Keeping your skin clean is key. If you are strapped for time and acne-prone, try Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes. They remove make-up and daily build-up and won’t aggravate acne-prone skin.”
— Dr. Erin Gilbert, Dermatologist and Skin Expert
- 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 was the first Neutrogena product you can remember using? When was the last time you purchased a drugstore beauty product (and what did you get?)? Do you remember the make and model of the first car you ever drove? Do you have a powder in your purse right now? How long does it take you to get ready before a night on the town? How are your holidays coming along so far? What are you wearing on your cheeks? Do you prefer shimmery or matte bronzers? — 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 an $80 Neutrogena Holiday Survival Kit Gift Basket! http://bit.ly/UdIENs
- The deadline to enter is Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. (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 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. While you’re here, take a moment to enter these other ongoing giveaways (if you haven’t already). You can’t win unless you try.
- Two Ways to Win a bareMinerals Light Show Palette for Your Eyes, Lips and Face [6 WINNERS] — Closes Friday, 12/21/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
- Two Ways to Win a Sweetshoppe Stripe Small Natalie Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade — Closes Friday, 12/21/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
- Two Ways to Win a Glitterball Gia Cosmetics From Kate Spade — Closes Saturday, 12/22/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Good luck! 🙂
WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Brooke! Congratulations, Brooke! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂
Chanel’s Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Raffinement
I’ve got a crush on Chanel’s new Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eye Shadow in Raffinement ($59) from the new Printemps Précieux de Chanel spring collection.
Soup and Shrimp
It’s all I’ve been wanting to eat lately. Weird.
Do you ever go through food phases?
I Can’t Get Enough of Estée Lauder’s New $20 Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Insatiable
She probably doesn’t remember this, but I have this memory of my friend Jen and I sitting at a bookstore one day looking at wedding magazines. We were in our early 20s at the time and had absolutely no husbandly prospects in sight.
You know those phases you go through where you’re like, “All boys suck”?! Well, we were both in one of those phases, but you know how it goes. One minute you’re reading Cat Fancy, but then you catch a glimpse of a gorgeous dress on the cover of a glossy wedding magazine, and all of a sudden you’re like Fox Mulder from the X-Files, and you really, REALLY want to believe.
So we sat there for hours, flipping through pics (“I like that dress,” “Pretty flowers!” “Do you think you might like a big train?”), until at one point in the conversation, we decided that bridesmaids’ dresses in periwinkle — kind of like the color of Estée Lauder’s new $20 Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Insatiable that I’m completely and totally mad about — were the way to go.
Of course, wouldn’t ya know it? — years later, both of us ended up with completely different bridesmaids’ dresses at our weddings. No periwinkle at all.
Jen went with bronze, and I chose a chocolate brown.
But if I had gone with periwinkle dresses, I hope they would have been as pretty as Insatiable.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting spectacular the first time I saw Insatiable in its bottle…
Then I applied a layer on one nail. And it was ON!
The only polish in the new Pretty Naughty spring collection, it’s a creamy deep violet gray, wonderfully moody, like the bad boys you know you should stay away from but can’t, or the color of angry storm clouds…
Gawd, I love this color.
Who Wants to Get Pretty Naughty at Work? I Do, With the New Estee Lauder Pretty Naughty Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette
Before I dive into V.I.M.R.I. (Very Important Makeup-Related Information) — aka why you should make room in your work purse for the new $48 Estée Lauder Pure Five Color EyeShadow Palette in Pretty Naughty — first, a question.
Do you ever mess around with song lyrics to make weird cover songs about your pet?
Anyone? Bueller?
El Hub and I have been doing it lately with the words to Bell Biv DeVoe’s Poison…
One of us will start by singing, “Tabs drivin’ me out of my mind, that’s why it’s hard for me to find…” and then the other person jumps in, “Can’t get Tabs out of my head. Miss Tabs, kiss Tabs, love Tabs (wrong move you’re dead). My cat is poison… POISON!!”
I know. Waaaaay too cat obsessed. 🙂
So let’s talk palettes instead! You might be thinking, “Heck, no. I don’t do pastels,” but hear me out.
I’m not always into pastels, either. Sometimes I think they’re just too light and chalky for my tan skin, but the smooth pastels in the Pretty Naughty palette are surprisingly intense, and they should show up well on light and dark skin tones.
Sweet.
This limited edition quint comes with three pastel shades (a matte sky blue, a shimmery soft pink and a shimmery violet) and two neutrals (a shimmery taupe and a glittery charcoal), and if you’re looking for, like, a palette you can wear to work, but you also want to have a little fun with color — not necessarily a hot pants/disco glitter/rhinestones on a Wednesday morning kind of fun, but more like a long Friday lunch break to look at shoes we can’t afford at Neimans — Pretty Naughty is the palette you’ll want in your makeup bag this spring.
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