Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

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

MAC Unsung Heroes: Ample Pink Plushglass

by 29 Comments

mac ample pink plushglass

Wait. Stop! Before we drive out to Modesto to roam the streets looking for Jeremy Renner’s family home — and hell yes, gurl! I totally agree that this is a perfectly sane idea — I need to check my purse.

Keys? Check.

Phone?

Phone…?

Okay, where’s my phone? It has to be here somewhere… I need it just in case the boss calls me.

Yes! There it is.

Now, where’s that tingly, creamy pink gloss I like to keep in my purse? MAC Plushglass in Ample Pink ($19.50)?

Hmm… I think I may have left it in my other bag. Hold up. Let me go check. I’ll be right back.

What’s that? Yes, I am aware that there are no fewer than 10 other glosses in my purse, but none of them are Ample Pink. And hello, we’re talking about Jeremy Renner here.

mac ample pink plushglass

A semi-sheer pinkish mauve, Ample Pink is like a cross between a subdued MAC Spite and a tube of MAC Viva Glam V without the glitter, and I can’t believe we haven’t talked about it before.

I feel like I’m always pimping it out to friends who love my-lips-but-better looks, especially the ones who prefer cooler-toned pinks without a ton of shimmer.

I love the way it looks with smokey eyes… Not overpowering at all.

mac ample pink plushglass swatch
[Continue reading…]

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 234

by 37 Comments

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:
    I feel good. I’m really looking forward to getting out of dodge later this week and driving up to Tahoe with El Hub for the weekend. Even though I see the guy every day, it’s not the same as getting away with him for a chunk of time, just the two of us (no tabby).
  2. Wide-leg pants or skinnies?
    Hmm… I feel like I look a little taller in wide-leg pants when the cut is right and I’m wearing heels (nevermind that I actually am a little taller when I’m wearing heels, haha).

    But the skinnies, I like that I can wear them with boots, flats, Chucks/Vans or heels. They work with just about everything.

    So I guess the skinnies then, since they’re a little more versatile, and you know how I am about versatility!

  3. What’s your least favorite fronzen treat?
    Orange sherbet, BLECH! I also don’t do orange Push-Up pops. They make me gag…
  4. Is there anything about yourself you’re currently working to change/improve?
    Is there ever! At the top of the list: forgiveness. I have a hard time letting things go when someone does me wrong. I can carry a grudge…well, I can carry a grudge forever.

    I’m trying to get better at letting things go, which doesn’t necessarily mean that things become all puppies (kitties) and rainbows, but I do believe that life is too short to hold grudges. What’s the point, right?

  5. When did you start driving?
    Later than most of my friends. I think I was 19 or 20. I didn’t drive in high school because whenever I even broached the subject, my dad would go on 20-minute tirade about how he and my mom took the bus everywhere when they first moved to America, and how driving was “a privilege! Not a right!”

    So I got my first car when I was in college. It was a red ’95 Honda Civic that I loved to pieces, and it’s actually still running! My parents have it. I swear, that little trooper will be zipping up and down 880 long after the zombie apocalypse arrives, I kid you not.

  6. If you were going to record a song with a featured guest artist, who would your featured artist be?
    If we’re talking living or not, I’m going with Biggie.

    If we’re just talking living, well, I dunno. Maybe the Biebs? But more to just be able to tell him how much I love those cardboard cutouts of him I keep seeing at Macy’s (those things crack me up!) and to chat with him about fragrances.

  7. How do you like your heels? Low, medium or high?
    How about somewhere in the middle between medium and high? I’ve been trying to wear more low-heeled shoes though. I know they’re supposed to be better for me in the long run, but man! — I’m just so short.
  8. Sometimes I wonder…
    …who wrote the book of love! 🙂 Why growing up can be so painful. If when Tabs stares at me, he’s staring with love or disdain. Where I’ll be in five, 10 and 15 years. If I’ll ever write that young adult novel I’ve been thinking about writing…
  9. What do ya say we blow off our responsibilities today and do something fun instead? Where should we go, what should we do?
    How about window shopping? We could meet in the city at Union Square, hit up all the shops, try on some shoes, and then afterewards, I’ll drive us out to Cole Valley to get some ice cream at The Ice Cream Bar.

    Who’s with me?

  10. Weekly goals:
    To show Tabs extra, extra attention this week (even though he has a petsitter, he always freaks out when I’m not around), to find a few prospective places to eat and fun things to do in Tahoe, and to write like a maniac!

G’morning, sweets. 🙂 Wait — not a word about last night’s True Blood please. I fell asleep reading before I could watch it.

I started a new book last night called Delirium, by Lauren Oliver. It’s another young adult one. I’m hoping it’ll tide me over until the second book in the Enclave series (Outpost) comes out on September 4 (I’m counting down the seconds!).

I hope you’re having a good morning so far. Tabs keeps nudging me to take him for his morning walk, so while I go entertain my neighbors by walking my cat on a leash, why don’t you take a second to fill out the Monday Poll?

Be right back.

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



1. Mood:
2. Wide-leg pants or skinnies?
3. What’s your least favorite fronzen treat?
4. Is there anything about yourself you’re currently working to change/improve?
5. When did you start driving?
6. If you were going to record a song with a featured guest artist, who would your featured artist be?
7. How do you like your heels? Low, medium or high?
8. Sometimes I wonder…
9. Let’s blow off school/work and do something fun. Where should we go and what should we do?
10. Weekly goals:

I can’t believe we’re almost through August already. What was the most exciting thing you did this month?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 206

by 15 Comments

Tabs for the Sonia Kashuk Studded Collar

I’m so fired up right now!

Get this: I’m checking my email this afternoon and bam! — it practically jumps at me off the screen. A message from my boss, Tabs (tabs@partywithtabs.com), with the subject, “Need you to work next Friday.”

Excuse me…?

No way. I submitted my vacation request form two weeks ago for a trip to Tahoe El Hub and I have been planning for months. We were going to leave next Friday, just for a couple days. Tabs knew all about it, too. We even talked about it at work the other day.

Gah! I’m so angry right now my hands are shaking.

I can’t believe it… Everything I do for that cat, and it’s never enough.

I’ll tell you this much, if he thinks I’m canceling my trip at this point, he’s got another thing coming. Not this time. Not gonna happen.

Anyway, there were also a few pictures attached to that email from Tabs, some stuff he wanted me to add to his kitty modeling portfolio. Have you seen these yet? 🙂

Tabs for Givenchy Party Animal Fragrance

Tabs for MAC Gravyseeker
[Continue reading…]

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

by 475 Comments

  • WINNER: The giveaway is closed now, and the winner is Tiffany! Congratulations, Tiffany! 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
Win a $50 eGift card from Sephora
A circus cat entertaining patrons in front of a Sephora store in Paris

I can’t believe it took him five years to tell me!

Five years I’ve been making his gravy, arranging his travel, rubbing his tum, and now, only NOW do I find out that Tabs worked for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas before we met?

Apparently, it’s something only the cats and humans in his “inner circle” know about… What am I, chopped liver?

I only found out this morning as I was finalizing the details of his Vegas trip at the end of October and saw a note on his calendar that read, “gst apprnce at Cirque” [guest appearance at Cirque] and asked him about it.

“What’s this thing about Cirque?”

“Mrrrow…”

“What?! You performed with Cirque du Soleil? Why haven’t you mentioned it before?”

“Meow…”

“What does that even mean, ‘need to know basis’? I’m your assistant, Tabs. I need to know about things that pertain to your career. That is, if you want me to do a good job.”

On the October trip, he’ll be giving a private Cirque show for his fans before hosting a fancy party for VIPS/celebs/famous cats at the MGM Grand.

Beyond making the travel arrangements, I’m also supposed to coordinate the security detail, which is gonna be a b*tch. Seriously, if you thought Prince Harry was a party animal, you’ve never partied with Tabs.

You know, sometimes this job is a bear. Pet assisting for a world-renowned plus-size kitty supermodel sure is tough, but you know what’s easy? Entering to win today’s $50 Sephora eCard giveaway. 🙂

What folks are saying…

“Hi Karen. Oh my goodness! I can’t believe I won! :O Thank you so much! You, Tabs, and your blog are amazing! Thank you for keeping me updated on all things beauty and more importantly, for keeping me entertained! Keep doing your thing! Thank you again.”
-Jacqueline

“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

“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)

“Never before have I been so pleased to check my email right before bed!!! Thank you so, so much! I truly enjoy your blog and check it almost daily! Thanks again! This made my night!”
-Melissa, Edmond, OK

“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, if you were to run away and join the circus, what would you do there (tightrope walker, lion tamer, trapeze, etc.)? How do you feel about teal eyeshadow? Do you prefer sticky or non-sticky lipglosses and why? What’s the last meal you prepared from scratch? What’s one makeup/beauty product you’ve already used this morning? — 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/PPVsHC

  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, August 26, 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 Tiffany! Congratulations, Tiffany! If you entered but didn’t win this time around, keep trying, and click here to enter any ongoing giveaways before you jet. 🙂

Copyright © 2025 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.