
We hung out in Japantown in SF last Saturday.




by Karen 14 Comments







We hung out in Japantown in SF last Saturday.




by Karen 15 Comments

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. 🙂


by Karen 18 Comments

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?

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.

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

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)
[Continue reading…]
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. 🙂

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…
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). 🙂


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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.
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. 🙂
by Karen 22 Comments




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.

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)
by Karen 11 Comments






I tried to get Tabs to do a holiday modeling session today, and he was NOT having it.



by Karen 31 Comments

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

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. 🙂

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…


Feel free to move about the trolley, and check out the different exhibits and Chanel-esque details…
[Continue reading…]
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. 🙂

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

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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. 🙂
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