Karen

Sonia Kashuk’s Crown Jewels Set Keeps Rebellious Heads of Hair From Raising Hell

November 15th, 2012 by Karen 18 Comments

sonia kashuk crown jewels hair set — Wearing the new limited edition Sonia Kashuk Crown Jewels Hair Set ($9.99), available now at Target

For morning hair mayhem — those cracks of dawn when your hair is staging a rebellion, and you don’t even have the hair-withal to attempt the faux bob — there’s always Sonia Kashuk’s new $9.99 Crown Jewels Hair Set.

Yes, once again, Sonia ventures into The Land of Hair Accessories to bring us something great.

Truth be told, though, I’m a little confused by this item’s name. I’m not sure why it’s called a set, since it’s just a single black- and gold-beaded elastic headband…and it lacks any visible jewels.

But I digress…

More importantly, I like it! Like Sonia’s Haute Hair Sets last fall, this headband looks tough girl approved. It has an edginess that I like, despite the elegant beading, which keeps it from looking too cutesy.

As for the elastic? Holla! Comfy as can be (and it doesn’t squeeze my brain).

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Breaking Dawn

November 15th, 2012 by Karen 19 Comments

I saw a deer on the hill this morning! He let me get pretty close to him, too.

Chanel Notorious

November 15th, 2012 by Karen 25 Comments

Believe it or not, this grayish taupe is a contour powder for your face. For reals!

Chanel Ombre Contraste Sculpting Veil for Eyes and Cheeks in Notorious, $43. Available now at select Chanel counters.

The Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collection Delights Eyes With Three Layers of Long-Lasting Liner

November 14th, 2012 by Karen 29 Comments

Like tiramisu, onions and intricate and nefarious plots, there are many layers to the pencil liners in the new $36 Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collection.

Three, to be exact. 🙂

That’s the number of layers MUFE suggests you apply along your water lines with each of the six silky smooth, waterproof liners that come with the set.

(Oh, they also work pretty well on lash lines, in case you were wondering.)

Just slick on a layer, wait for it dry (takes about a minute), and repeat two more times.

When I follow MUFE’s suggestion and apply three layers, these liners last 6-8 hours on my water lines, sans smudging, and they resist water every step of the way.

That’s not bad.

When I wear ’em on my lash lines, I feel like I can get away with fewer layers; one or two does the trick.

Like the All Eyes On You set we looked at earlier today, this one’s also a good value. Buying the two full-size liners separately would cost $36, but with the set, you also get four additional travel-sized colors for the same price.

MUFE was kind to include a nice mix of practical and fun colors here, and the kit even has a couple of MUFE shades I’ve previously worn down to stubs.

The shimmery, pearly peach, codenamed #23L Champagne, works almost as well as caffeine. When I wear it on my lower water lines, I don’t look half as tired, LOL! And on days when I just want a little soft definition, #21L Metallic Grey hits the spot.

make up for ever aqua eyes collection swatches — From the left: #0L Mat Black, #2L Pearly Brown, #21L Metallic Grey, #23L Champagne, #6L Black Purple and #12L Turquoise

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All Eyes on You? No Sweat, With Make Up For Ever’s $59 Five-Piece All Eyes On You Set

November 14th, 2012 by Karen 47 Comments

In one direction, I see cat butt…

In the other, I see a kick-@ss holiday makeup set — in this case, the new $59 five-piece Make Up For Ever All Eyes On You, which caught my attention when it screamed, “stellar value!”

It’s one of the new makeup sets now available at Sephora (doesn’t it seem like there’s a new one every other day?).

Four of the five pieces in the set are discounted and full-size. Purchased separately, the shimmery pinkish beige Aqua Cream #16, the two Aqua Eyes liners in #0L Mat Black and #21L Dark Gray and the tube of jet black Smoky Lash mascara would cost $82, so $59 represents a pretty good savings there.

And the cherry on top? — the fifth piece, a souped-up, sample-sized HD Microfinish Powder. That, and the surprisingly useful “Get The Look” tutorials on the back of the box, take this already good set to the next level.

make up for ever all eyes on you product — Clockwise from the white jar at the top: HD Microfinish Powder, Aqua Cream #16 Pink Beige, Aqua Eyes #21L Dark Grey, Aqua Eyes #0L Mat Black and Smoky Lash Mascara

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I Spy a Sheer Finish and Plenty of Glitter in the New Lightweight and Moisturizing Guerlain Shine Automatique Lipsticks in Lou-Ling and Altoum

November 14th, 2012 by Karen 27 Comments

Guerlain Shine Automatique Lipstick in Lou-Ling — Wearing the new Guerlain Shine Automatique Hydrating Lip Shine Lipstick in Lou-Ling

Three things I realized this morning while shuffling on the treadmill…

1. You know you’re watching too much late-night television when most of the products on your Christmas list have a red label with the words, “As Seen on TV,” on the packaging.

2. You know you’re a cat lady when you’re watching Days of Our Lives (remember when Marlena was possessed?!), and you swear that instead of Bo calling Hope by her nickname, “Fancy Face,” you hear him say, “Fancy Feast.”

“I love you, Fancy Feast…”

LOL!

3. You know you’ve seen too many spy films when the first thought you have after seeing the new $35 Guerlain Shine Automatique Hydrating Lip Shine Lipsticks in Lou-Ling and Altoum is, “Wow! These lipsticks could double as weapons…or remote controls for tricked-out cars that can fly.”

Yeah.

Both are from Guerlain’s new limited edition Liu holiday collection, and NOT the secret Q branch of MI6, despite appearances.

The Guerlain Shine Automatique Hydrating Lip Shines are some of the most espionage-appropriate lipsticks around. Caught behind enemy lines without your travel makeup kit? Surrounded by covert agents closing in on your location? No problem. Just slide the little button up on the side of the gilded tube with you thumb, and the lipstick bullet pops up from the top.

BAM! — instant beauty switchblade.

Take that, forces of evil. 🙂

And these don’t just have practical, good-looking tubes. I also love how they look and feel on my perennially parched lips — sheer and shiny, with glitter to spare, and a featherweight, moisturizing formula.