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A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

Karen

Get Red, Haute and Naughty: The Super Saturated Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer Red Hautes Collection Gets Nails Ready for Anything

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estee lauder pure red hautes
The Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer Pure Red Hautes Collection, available now at counters and esteelauder.com

A valuable lesson learned from the Estée Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer Pure Red Hautes Collection and Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones: prepare, prepare, prepare.

Before Indy went looking for the Holy Grail, homeboy researched his cargo pants off! — filling his mind (and his man purse…so forward thinking!) with every bit of knowledge he needed for his quest.

You don’t just go running off, willy-nilly, looking for the Holy Grail based on the secondhand rumors of a friend of a friend of a friend, you know? You gotta prepare, and you gotta prepare the right way.

Proper preparation is also important when it comes to Estée Lauder’s Pure Red Hautes Collection, but not in the “let’s go chasing after ancient relics” sense. More in the “now I’ve got a perfect shade of red polish for every occasion, yay!” way.

Thanks to Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux, if you’re on the market for red tips and toes, the collection’s five $20 crimson polishes have you covered.

With each one, Tom tried to channel red’s sophisticated, romantic side, while coaxing out their propensity for naughtiness and play. 🙂

estee lauder pure red hautes
From the left: Beautiful Liar, Fallen Agnel, Le Smoking, Love Bite and Pure Red

estee lauder pure red hautes beautiful liar
Beautiful Liar

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We’ll Always Have Paris: The Sparkling Lancôme Petit Tresor Holiday Collection

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lancome moonlight rose closeup
Lancôme Blush Highlighter in Moonlight Rose ($42) from the Petit Tresor Holiday 2013 collection

It’s December 18, barely a week before Christmas, and I have so much holiday shopping left to do that all I can do at this point is succumb to procrastination’s warm, snuggly embrace — to wrap myself up in it like a living, breathing procrastination burrito (with extra guac on the side, haha!).

I’m behind. Way behind. Which, of course, means that the only logical thing left to do now is watch Casablanca for the umpteenth time and put on a few pieces from the Lancôme Holiday Petit Tresor collection. 🙂

The 19-piece Parisian-inspired collection’s gold, taupe, bronze and garnet makeup and nail polishes glided onto cosmetics counters and lancome-usa.com last month.

I don’t know where you are with your holiday shopping (I sincerely hope you’re further along than I am), but what do you say we do a little more procrastinating this afternoon, and check out a few pieces from the collection?

The Color Design 5-Pan Palette in Sapphire Fling ($49)

lancome sapphire fling
Color Design 5-Pan Palette in Sapphire Fling ($49)

I like the way this five-pan palette of taupe, gray, peach, blue and black powder eye products (four eyeshadows and one liner) sparkles on my lids.

lancome sapphire fling

One of three quints in the collection, Sapphire Fling is “my rockstar quint,” because the products take on that lived-in, distressed look as the day goes on (like they’ve been out partying on Hollywood Boulevard all night long).

I like it — the whole rocker chic vibe — but if you’re averse to any creasing or fading, you’ll probably want to carry it with you for touchups throughout the day.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

The Blush Highlighter in Moonlight Rose ($42)

lancome moonlight rose
Blush Highlighter in Moonlight Rose ($42)

A shimmery, yet subtle, peachy pink blush and highlighter in a gorgeous pan with rose detailing. This long-wearing cheek product lasts a good 12-14 hours on me and lovingly steers clear of my pores.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- ($42 seems like a lot)
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12 Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win a Birds Over Arches Davie Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade (a $60 Value)!

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

kate spade birds over arches davie
A Different Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway each day for 12 days, sponsored by Neutrogena

Help your makeup soar to new heights of cuteness with the prize in today’s 12 Days of Giveaways installment, the Birds Over Arches Davie Cosmetics Case, by Kate Spade.

There’s a lot to love about this bag — the eye-catching arches that comprise the pattern (but watch out for vertigo!), the seagull silhouettes, the classic combination of blue on white. Stowed inside this case, your lipsticks, glosses and compacts would feel like first-class passengers on a trans-continental flight.

More deets…

  • Printed, coated poplin with matching trim
  • Zip-top closure
  • 14-karat light gold-plated hardware
  • Wipeable, durable nylon lining
  • Kate Spade New York signature
  • 3.4”h x 6.5”w x 3”d

Stretch those wings of yours, and flex those typing fingers, because it’s day four of 12 Days of Giveaways on Makeup and Beauty Blog (NOTE: click here and scroll down the page to enter any other ongoing giveaways). 🙂

kate spade birds over arches davie

kate spade birds over arches davie

  • One (1) Birds Over Arches Cosmetics Case from Kate Spade valued at $60.

  • 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, have you ever had a pet bird? Do you prefer shower gels or bar soaps? Do you have a nickname? Is your house decorated for the holidays? How long does it take you to do your hair in the morning? Do you ever wear pajamas in public? What are you wearing on your nails? Do you prefer sticky or non-sticky glosses? — 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 Birds Over Arches Davie Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade! http://bit.ly/VOUNGa

  • The deadline to enter is Thursday, December 20, 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 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 minute to enter these other ongoing giveaways (if you haven’t already). Seriously, I bet it wouldn’t take you more than a minute to enter them both.

  1. Two Ways to Win an Abstract Signature Bow Small Natalie Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade — Closes Wednesday, 12/19/12 at 11:59 p.m. PST
  2. Two Ways to Win a Signature Gia Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade — Closes Tuesday, 12/18/12, at 11:59 p.m. PST

Good luck! 🙂

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

Estée Lauder’s Pretty Naughty Collection

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estee lauder pretty naughty collection for spring 2013

estee lauder pretty naughty collection for spring 2013

Pretty overload! I’m super stoked about the new Estée Lauder Pretty Naughty spring 2013 collection and its pretty adorable presentation.

Here’s a peek at four of the nine pieces from the limited edition release, which arrives early next month/year.

estee lauder pretty naughty collection for spring 2013

The Estée Lauder Pretty Naughty Collection

EYES:
Pure Color Five Color EyeShadow Palette in Pretty Naughty ($48)
Pure Color Intense Kajal EyeLiner Duo in Black/Blue ($23)
Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black (repromote, $25)

FACE:
Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée Blush in Tease ($40)

LIPS:
NEW Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in Naked ($25)
NEW Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in Rock Candy ($25)
NEW Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in Rebel ($25)
NEW Pure Color Sheer Matte Lipstick in Demure ($25)

NAILS:
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Insatiable ($20)

All Aboard the Chanel No. 5 Trolley! 5 Fun Facts About Chanel No. 5, and a Giant 10.7-Ounce Bar of No. 5 Bath Soap

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All aboard the Chanel No. 5 Trolley, bound for San Francisco’s Union Square!

Toot, toot! Now boarding the Chanel No. 5 Trolley. 🙂

Chanel created the Trolley as an art installation of sorts, filled it with stories and lore about the iconic No. 5 fragrance, parked it in front of Macy’s in San Francisco’s Union Square last weekend and opened it to the public for free…

Come on! Let’s check it out. I booked a ticket and saved you a seat.

Our destination today? The world of Chanel No. 5…

What’s that, you ask? Can you take a picture with the male models before we board? Of course! By all means.

[SNAP!]

Um…just so you know, you’re grinning like a Cheshire cat in that picture. 🙂

Oh, hai!

Unfortunately, Brad Pitt couldn’t make it today, so we’ll be on our own. It would have been neat to bend his ear about No. 5, but apparently he’s on location filming a Chanel commercial with Tabs…

The trolley from the front
Picture Mr. Pitt behind the wheel…

Feel free to move about the trolley, and check out the different exhibits and Chanel-esque details…
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12 Days of Giveaways: Two Ways to Win an Abstract Signature Bow Small Natalie Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade (an $88 Value)!

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

A Different Makeup and Beauty Blog giveaway each day for 12 days, sponsored by Neutrogena

You know the old saying, “Have Kate Spade makeup bag, will travel.” 🙂

I love this case! First, there’s the handle, which is easy to grasp, so you can quickly bolt between adventures while toting around your beauty treasures. Then there’s the roomy interior, which is spacious enough to accommodate all of your makeup must-haves and then some.

Yup, whether you’re looking for a cute case to accompany you on trips, or just have a soft spot for cute bags, it’s the $88 Kate Spade Abstract Signature Bow Small Natalie for the win!

More deets…

  • Abstract bow printed on coated cotton twill with patent cowhide trim and a zip-around closure
  • 14-karat light gold plated hardware
  • Wipeable, durable nylon lining
  • Gold printed Kate Spade New York signature
  • 4.7″h x 7.2″w x 5.3″d

I hope you’re ready…because it’s time for day three of 12 Days of Giveaways on Makeup and Beauty Blog. 🙂

  • One (1) Abstract Signature Bow Small Natalie Cosmetics Case from Kate Spade valued at $88.

  • 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, when was the last time you wore a bow in your hair? Do you have a signature makeup look? Is there anything you’d like to do before the end of the year? What does your Christmas stocking look like? How long does it take you to put on makeup in the morning? Do you ever wear perfume to bed? How are you with painting your own nails? What shoes did you wear today? — 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 an Abstract Signature Bow Small Natalie Cosmetics Case From Kate Spade! http://bit.ly/VMmyic

  • The deadline to enter is Wednesday, December 19, 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 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. Assuming you’re reading this before midnight on Tuesday, December 17, 2012, you still have time to enter the Kate Spade Signature Gia giveaway!

I’m just sayin’… 😉

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

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 250

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the makeup and beauty blog monday poll

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.

  1. Mood:
    Happy and mellow.

  2. What are you passionate about?
    Cats, makeup and blogging (obvs). And sleeping (LOL! It’s true though), movies, books, shoes and self-improvement.

  3. Do you have a favorite museum?
    The Musée d’Orsay in Paris. I’ve only been there once, and I’ve been plotting a return trip ever since. I love me some Impressionists. Oh, and the lightning in there is ah-may-zing! I could spend days there just marveling at how the light falls on the paintings and sculptures.

  4. What’s at the top of your gift wishlist this year?
    Nordstrom gift cards, because my plan is it save up a few of them for a Burberry trench coat. It’s part of my new, updated wardrobe plan for 2013.

    If it looks like something Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston might wear, then I’m going for it.

  5. Do you ever host dinner parties?
    Nope. But I could see myself wanting to if I had more time to practice cooking. I think it would be fun!

  6. One of your favorite holiday memories?
    The time Tabs knocked down our tree, kitty-ninja style.

    A couple years ago, I was sitting in the living room with my back to the tree when I heard a crash! I whipped around, and there it was, the tree, lying on its side, and I heard a scampering sound moving off into the distance…

    Tabs!

    To this day, I have no idea exactly how he did it. Was he trying to climb it or intentionally push it over? The world may never know…

    I can joke about it now, but I was furious at the time.

  7. I’m a chronic_________.
    Over-packer, but I’m working on it.

  8. What makes you go “arrrggh”?
    • Traffic on 880 South freeway when I’m driving home to see my parents
    • Paper cuts
    • When people handle money and then touch my food (on second thought, that’s more “ewww”)
    • When someone repeatedly kicks the back of my chair
    • When I don’t have time to exercise but really, really want to
  9. What’s one of the best things you accomplished this year?
    Hmm… Nothing too huge. Maybe painting my dining room and finally deciding on a table.

    It only took three years! — but I really like how they turned out.

  10. Weekly goals:
    To remember to take breaks throughout the day, to wrap a few presents, and to get my hair cut on Friday (FINALLY).

G’morning, sweets. 🙂

I hope your Monday got off to a swell start, but if it didn’t and you could use some cheering up, perhaps this link from reader Hafsa can help: 29 Guilty Faces of Cats in Christmas Trees.

Guilty!

Haha! I know, I know… I better laugh now because I won’t be laughing when Tabs unleashes his wrath on my poor tree…

I finally got some lights and ornaments on it last weekend (only on the upper branches, though, to keep things out of Tabs’ reach).

Every time I enter the room, I half expect to find the tree ripped to shreds.

Come to think of it, I should probably check on it… While I run downstairs, you fill out the Monday Poll. I’ll be right back. 🙂

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

Le List

1. Mood:
2. What are you passionate about?
3. Do you have a favorite museum?
4. What’s at the top of your gift wishlist this year?
5. Do you ever host dinner parties?
6. One of your favorite holiday memories?
7. I’m a chronic_________.
8. What makes you go “arrrggh”?
9. What’s one of the best things you accomplished this year?
10. Weekly goals:

Have a wonderful week. I will if you do. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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