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

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)…

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. 🙂