Karen

Sephora’s $16 Flashy Eyeliner Set

December 9th, 2012 by Karen 12 Comments

I really wanted to love this affordable limited edition holiday kit, with its five 0.028-ounce pencil liners in brown, blue, deep black, violet and gray (so creamy, so pigmented!), but none of the liners stick to my water lines at all.

Not one iota.

On my lash lines, I can eek out about six hours from them, but that’s only as long as I don’t rub my eyes (which I have a bad habit of doing).

PRICE: $16
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-

Bobbi Brown’s New Travel Skincare Luxuries Kit

December 9th, 2012 by Karen 11 Comments

A new travel exclusive kit filled with Bobbi Brown goodies to combat the drying effects of long flights. That way, you can arrive at your destination looking fresh and well-rested.

The kit includes a 0.5-ounce jar of Bobbi’s Extra Eye Repair Cream, a 0.24-ounce jar of Extra Soothing Balm, a 0.5-ounce jar of Extra Repair Moisturizing Balm with SPF 25, a 0.5-ounce tube of Crystal Lip Gloss and an eye mask.

Seriously, this stuff does not mess around! The creams and balms feel thick, super-hydrating and rich, rich, rich!

Gals/guys with seriously dry skin will probably love it.

PRICE: TBD (I’ll let you know when I have an ETA)
AVAILABILITY: Coming soon exclusively to Bobbi Brown travel retail locations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Saturday Is Beauty Day: Products on My Radar This Weekend From Deborah Lippmann, Oribe, Jimmy Choo, Clarins, Lush, Clarins and Skinceuticals

December 8th, 2012 by Karen 12 Comments

Just a quick look at some of the newest things to enter my beauty universe…

The Deborah Lippmann Sugar Plum Fantasy Trio

I like giving myself at-home manis on the weekends, but I’m having a hard time making a decision. I know I want to wear one of the three glittery plums in Deborah Lippmann’s new limited edition holiday trio, but which one…?

So sparkly!

PRICE:Â $42 for three full-size bottles
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now exclusively at Bloomingdales stores and online at bloomingdales.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A- (why is glitter such a pain to remove?)

The Oribe Ultra Gentle Collection

An indulgent three-piece kit for all hair types, with products to clean, moisturize and condition.

The kit comes with an 8.5-ounce bottle of Oribe’s Ultra Gentle Shampoo, a 6.8-ounce bottle of Ultra Gentle Conditioner and a travel-sized 1.7-ounce tiny tub of their Masque for Beautiful Color.

oribe ultra gentle collection masque — The Oribe Masque for Beautiful Color

The shampoo, conditioner and hair masque untangle my knots and leave my mane soft and lightly scented (like freshly peeled oranges).

I like. 🙂

PRICE:Â $63 (youch!)
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now at select salons and oribe.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ (it’s pricey)

Lush Holiday Soaps

Lush’s fun, limited edition soaps always turn my post-workout showers into festivals of bubbles and yummy holiday scents!

PRICE:Â $7.85-$8.95 for 100g
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now at Lush stores and lush.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

Jimmy Choo Intense Parfum

Official fragrance notes: tiger orchid, candied oranges, toffee chypre, sandalwood and patchouli.

When I wear this amped-up version of Jimmy’s original Jimmy Choo fragrance, I feel like I’m strutting down the street on the prowl, meow!

The fragrance from even one spritz lingers for a full 24 hours, so a little of this one goes a loooong way. Good thing I like the scent. 🙂

PRICE:Â $150 for a 1.3-ounce bottle (!)
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and nordstrom.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A (a fragrant indulgence)

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Masque

A moisturizing masque to quench thirsty skin. My combo dry/oily skin loves this stuff, and I feel like my face looks more radiant and rested when I use it.

PRICE:Â $52
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now at Blue Mercury, many spas and dermstore.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A+ (it’s expensive, but I’m seriously addicted)

Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum

Clarins says this lightweight face serum helps promote a lifted look by “encouraging the elimination of excess fatty deposits and fluids” with ingredients like caffeine and oat sugars.

Sounds good? I guess? I love the scent (I’m getting some lily-of-the-valley) and how smooth my skin feels when I use it, but it’s awfully expensive, and I don’t feel like I’m seeing the look-lifting results yet. Maybe I just need to use it longer…

PRICE:Â $70
AVAILABILITY:Â Available now exclusively at Macy’s Clarins counters and clarinsusa.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-

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

December 8th, 2012 by Karen 466 Comments

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

Why, yes! That’s me reading like a real, live grownup at my new dining room table. 🙂

And it only took three years! (But I keep reminding myself that three years is better than never.)

The table was delivered yesterday, so I’m still breaking it in…which is very important work, I’ll have you know. Lots of coffee, tea and reading to be done and consumed.

Perfect time to catch up on my Entertainment Weekly subscription and start a new book on the Kindle (Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn).

I’m also taking BECCA’s new Radiant Skin Satin Foundation out for another spin ($42)…

beca radiant skin satin finish foundation — The makings of a nice morning

It’s a medium-coverage liquid foundation with a mostly matte finish and the faintest whisper of shine, and it’s available in 18 shades, from a fair ivory-beige called Porcelain to a deep neutral brown called Cacao.

I’ve been wearing it in Bamboo, a tan, yellowish beige, which sits in right about the middle of the shade range, for the past few days.

“This sophisticated silicone emulsion contains sebum-absorbing properties that provide a perfectly natural look and even complexion all day. The soft, smooth texture glides on seamlessly, reducing imperfections with buildable coverage that easily blends over the skin for a radiant finish.

The formula contains Ejitsu Rose, which helps to improve elasticity and radiance while providing anti-inflammatory properties; mineral pigments that help color stay true on the skin; and vitamin E to enhance moisture retention while protecting against pollution and free-radical damage.”

— sephora.com

So far I’m into it. It’s certainly lightweight and comfortable, so I feel like my skin can still breathe, and I like how well it evens things out without looking like I’m wearing a ton of makeup.

Seems to be a good foundation for days like today when I just want to chill out, if you know what I mean. It’s available now at Sephora stores and online at sephora.com and beccacosmetics.com.

And speaking of Sephora! 🙂 Tabs would like me to remind you of two things today — 1) that Sephora is one of his favorite places in the whole wide world, and 2) that if you win this week’s $50 eGift card, he’d do a much better job of modeling your new makeup treasures than Marmalade would.

Yeah, I dunno what that business is about… I try to stay out of the cat politicking that goes on around the house.

This week’s Sephora eGift card giveaway starts in three, two, one…

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

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 go-to foundation for a natural look and why do you love it? Do your pets get along with each other? What are you reading at the moment? Coffee or tea? Describe your favorite room in your home. Are you wearing sweats right now? — 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/11XdPAn

The deadline to enter is Sunday, December 9, 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 Isana! Congratulations, Isana! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

BECCA’s Shiny, Lightweight Ultimate Colour Glosses Live Where Lipgloss and Hazelnuts Collide

December 7th, 2012 by Karen 22 Comments

becca ultimate colour gloss — Becca Ultimate Colour Glosses from top to bottom: Fallen Angel, Autumn Punch and Berry Twist ($24 each)

Oh, hello there, lips. What’s that you say? You’re tired of the same-o, same-o fruit punch/vanilla/brown sugar lipgloss flavors and cloying fruit scents?

Lucky for you, BECCA’s outrageously hydrating $24 Ultimate Colour Glosses are here to shake things up in a nutty, new delicious way.

One word: Nutella.

First, I should note that I’m currently ravenous, and my tummy’s rumbling like crazy. I don’t think there’s an official Nutella collaboration involved here, but I swear, my nose and tastebuds detect something very hazel-nutty when I wear these…

But like the memory of a dream early in the morning, it quickly fades, until it’s gone within a minute.

Depending on which side of the Nutella-covered fence you’re on, you may or may not think these are great.

Personally, I would have liked to see the flavor and scent last longer, but then again, I used to keep a spoon and a jar of Nutella in my purse for “emergencies.”

These shiny, non-sticky glosses are also pigmented, and they come in 10 shades, from soft nudes like Fallen Angel, to deep, juicy hues like Berry Twist, so there’s something here to satisfy almost every pout.

BECCA even added vitamin E and emollients to the formula (but left out the parabens) to lavish lips with moisture and shine…

becca ultimate colour gloss swatches — From the left: Fallen Angel, Autumn Punch and Berry Twist

becca ultimate colour gloss fallen angel — Fallen Angel

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I’ve Got Designs on the Soft Brushes in the New $38 Five-Piece Sephora Collection IZAK Brush Set

December 7th, 2012 by Karen 14 Comments

Since the world’s first beauty fanatic triumphantly shouted, “Eureka!” while thrusting her makeup brush into the air, faces and makeup bags everywhere have been plagued by boring brushes and stiff bristles.

For (what seemed like) millennia, brushes with boring black handles and scratchy bristles bothered beauty lovers, who dreamed of living life more colorfully, and comfortably, with brushes like the ones in the new $38 five-piece Sephora IZAK Brush Set.

Not only are the foundation, powder, eyeshadow, brow and liner brushes in this new limited edition holiday set super soft, they’re also quite sassy.

And the source of that sass? New York-based French illustrator Izak Zenou, who’s worked with some of the biggest names in beauty and fashion, including Chanel, Henri Bendel and Laura Mercier.

I love his illustrations and the work he’s done here. The black, white and hot pink brushes in the set, and the illustrated gal gracing the accompanying zippered pouch, are so glam yet oddly approachable…

The illustrated girl on the front looks like she’d be fun to hang out with — chic and totally down to earth. I bet she wouldn’t judge me if I showed up to our lunch date with two-tone matte lips and cat fur stuck to my suede ankle boots.

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2013 Pantone Color of the Year: 17-5641 Emerald

December 7th, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

essie-turquoise-caicos-occchlorophyll-cg-2 — From the left: Essie Turquoise & Caicos, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Chlorophyll and China Glaze Four Leaf Clover

The Zella Galaxy Fleece Hoodie Is Out of This World

December 7th, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

Generally, I won’t consider interstellar travel when shopping for sweatshirts and other winter wear (like I will for a killer pair of shoes), but I’d rocket to the farthest reaches of the galaxy for the $58 Zella Galaxy Fleece Hoodie. I like it that much.

From Zella, Nordstrom’s in-house line of “slightly more affordable than Lululemon” workout clothes, the Galaxy zips up in the front, has a drawstring hood, and comes in six colors and sizes ranging from X-small to X-large.

Now, I don’t usually get this fired up about hoodies, but the Galaxy is RAD! Even Tabs, who’s infamous for his fashion snobbery, is obsessed with it, and not only because the black and gray patterned one conceals his fur (it could be covered in tabby fur, and I wouldn’t even know).

SIDE NOTE: you know you’ve reached a higher level of cat lady consciousness when your wardrobe decisions start revolving around your pet.

It’s just so totally toasty. It’s made of fleece, but like, SUPER fleece, SUPER fleece, she’s super fleece-ay, oww! (Temptations, sing!)

Sorry! Musical moment…

Whenever I leave the Galaxy on the bed, Tabs wrap himself up in it, kitty burrito style, and refuses to get out.

So it doubles as a cat bed, which is also cool.

And beyond being one of the warmest, coziest pieces in my wardrobe, it’s riddled with attentive details. Things like…

Thumb holes in the cuffs to keep your paws warm and your fingers free (like fingerless gloves). So great when I’m out and about and need to use my phone’s touchscreen.
Fully zipped up, the Galaxy Hoodie goes all the way up to just below my chin, so it keeps the chill out and fully covers my neck.
I love the sleek design and curved seams on the front. I think it looks more stylish than the average sweatshirt.
The front pockets are deep! — deep enough for my phone, keys, lipgloss and a small bag of cat treats.

Best of all, even though it’s made of pretty thick material, it doesn’t feel heavy or bulky. I can comfortably wear it beneath my favorite jackets without feeling squished or constricted.

If you want a really fitted look, from my experience, Zella’s clothes tend to run big, so if you’re gutsy enough to order online without trying it on, you might want to grab a size smaller than you’d normally wear.

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