Archives November 2022

SMOKAYYYY
Smoky lids-4-life! I’ve got mad like for smoky eyes. They’re my all-time preferred eye look to wear (and there are limitless methods to wear them)…which is why I had to go as well as tell the world about it on a shirt.

Dark as well as dramatic? CHECK. Black sooty smoke? CHECK. glossy as well as gray with a touch of taupe? AFFIRMATIVE. Burnished brown as well as blown out? YOU understand IT.

Basically, I will take ALL. THE. SMOKY. EYES.

If you like them as much as I do, peep the new Smoky Tee in the store. It’s offered in sizes S to 2XL.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

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things change, however my like for neutrals always stays the same. ?
I state this every December, however where did the year go?? has it truly been a year? I worked as a legal assistant at a legislation firm in my 20s, as well as one of the lawyers stated something I still remember. He stated that time moves quicker as you get older, as well as I didn’t comprehend it at the time, however I absolutely get it now. Nowadays, it feels like I go from task to task to task up until I pass out. then I get up as well as do everything over again. then I look up as well as it’s December, as well as one more year has passed!

Anyway, my life (and my makeup) altered in rather a few methods this year…

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The greatest modification occurred in the spring, when my wonderful kid Tabs crossed over to the rainbow bridge.

I’ve lastly gotten to where I can believe about him without feeling a sharp pain in my heart… There’s still sadness, however it’s somewhat much easier to bear. I really, truly miss that thug, as well as I still have days when I truly desire I might hold him as well as odor the fur on his “delicious stomach meat” just one a lot more time, however it’s getting better.

We took out our Christmas designs last weekend, as well as I discovered his Christmas stocking as well as got a bit teary… I’m going to hang it up as well as put in a can gravy for Christmas so his spirit will understand that his people still like him as well as believe about him during the holidays.

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(That may be the craziest feline woman thing I’ve ever written.)

I hope he’s okay with quite woman Rosie — who moved in with us in October — sharing our space. She’s a sweet, dainty torbie woman who suddenly pranced into our lives last October. It’s a different type of like than I had for Tabs, for sure, yet it makes my heart feel a bit fuller understanding that our house is a risk-free location for one more abandoned kitty that would’ve otherwise stayed a stray.

Another huge modification that likewise occurred just recently — I started working part time as a baker at a bakery. It’s a odd pivot for somebody who’s been composing about makeup steadily daily for the last 13 years (!), I know, however when the chance opened up, I got the exact same tingly feeling that I had when I started MBB. It’s a move, my gut tells me, that will cause lots of great things (both figuratively as well as literally).

This autumn Connor likewise started going to preschool five days a week, from Monday with Friday (she’s going to be four in March; can you believe it?). I miss her like crazy — some days it’s so intense that I physically ache, which most likely seems nutty, however it’s true — however she’s flourishing in school, as well as it felt like the ideal time for the both of us to begin learning, bit by little, exactly how to spread our wings on our own.

So this has been the most time I’ve had to myself in five years, as well as it’s been a (welcome) shock to the system.

OK, makeup wise, I still like me some neutrals. That hasn’t changed, ha ha! as well as it most likely won’t, either. What has changed, though, is that I’ve quite much stopped using false lashes (thanks, Lash Boost!). I likewise seldom do looks that include challenging blending these days. I mean, I’ll still go full glam on occasion, like when every other full moon, however a lot of days I’m doing a a lot more pared-down style, which takes me 10 minutes. 15 max. as well as I’m fine with that.

That’s where I am in this season of life, however who knows? perhaps someday I’ll get back to doing everyday incredibly intense looks with shading as well as lashes as well as all the steps. I do still like the artistry of it all.

How about you? exactly how has your life as well as your makeup altered in 2019?

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Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Today’s 10-minute makeup
A few things:

It’s Saturday morning, as well as I’m using the exact same pajamas I put on Thursday night.

My head feels like it’s being squished in a vice (yes, I’m still a walking germ factory).

I haven’t washed my hair in three (four?) days.

But thanks to the healing power of makeup, I can pretend I briefly look like I’m a somewhat working adult, LOL!

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This 10-minute makeup look was 1) to assist myself feel better, as well as 2) for Sheena (yay for the Bay, girl, woo-hoo!), who liked the NUDESTIX intense Lip + Cheek Pencil in Purity publish earlier this week however wished to see me utilize a darker color from the line.

This time I utilized warm red Stiletto, as well as I utilized it as both a blush as well as a sheer lip color. as well as then I likewise did a smudgy, bronze-y black feline eye.

Everything I utilized is listed below, as well as if you have any type of questions, you understand where to discover me (hints: it includes Netflix, a laptop as well as my couch).

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When you’re trying to not look like you’re a walking germ factory…
Oh, this? I always look such as this when I have a 101-degree fever…
One note about the skin. I utilized a extremely sheer liquid skin tint to even whatever out just a touch, then boosted the protection on my cheeks with a loose foundation. This is a extremely great shortcut I like to do when I’m pressed for time/have extremely bit patience.

Also, since I went into this look planning to only spend 10 minutes on it, as well as since the pencil was an opaque bright red, I opted for the sheer lip discolor since I figured I’d be able to fudge the edge of the lip line (which I did).

After I was done with the look as well as snapped pictures, I went full out for five more minutes by lining as well as filling out my lips for the red lip in the pic below…

If you have an additional five minutes, then line as well as fill in your lips with the red pencil, as well as add a bit bit of eyeliner as well as mascara to the lower lash lines
BAM!

I likewise added more liner on the lower lash as well as water lines, MOAR mascara (because why the heck not?) as well as mixed the bronzer into the blush a bit more thoroughly.

I feel such as this is a quite polished sufficient work look, yeah? Or, a look to perhaps just sit on the couch as well as watch the season 4 finale of The excellent British baking Show?

I’m just saying.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

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P.S. happy Caturday, friend. hope you’re staying warm as well as having a excellent weekend so far. I’m just mainly chilling out since I still don’t feel fantastic. I don’t understand if this is that flu they’re speaking about (I did get a flu shot this year) or just a cold, however if it is just a cold, it’s the worst chilly I’ve had in a while.

I believe it’s getting a bit better, though. My deal with still hurts from sinus pressure, however I can walk around without moaning like a zombie now, as well as I desperately want to bake something today…so that’s progress. ?‍?

P.P.S.

Products used in this look

Neutrogena Hydro boost Hydrating Tint in Honey as well as natural beige — I’m somewhere between the two, so I dot a bit of both shades around my face, then blend them together with a beautyblender.

Sweat Cosmetics Mineral foundation SPF 30 in shade 200 — This is the exact same loose foundation as Sweat’s to-go clean applicator…but in a jar.

MAC Matchmaster Concealer in shade 4 — Still crabby ? that this is being discontinued…

NARS Light Reflecting setting Powder — the very best under-eye concealer setting powder ever, IMO

Hourglass Arch Brow Shaping Gel in remove — This just introduced this week. It has a softer hold, similar to the MAC remove brow gel.

Hourglass Arch Brow shaping Pencil in Dark Brunette — extremely pigmented, needs the lightest of touches

Chanel Stylo Yeux in horizon — For the tight line

NUDESTIX Magnetic Eye color in night — For the smudgy feline eye liner

MAC Eyeshadow in Mulch — Buffed out the edges of the feline eye liner with this bronzed brown.

Tom Ford full screen Mascara — Lashes

NUDESTIX intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil in Stiletto — blush as well as lipstick

Hourglass Ambient illumination Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light — Cheeks, as well as in the crease

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start.

1. Fictional character you’d like to hang with?

The former English major in me feels like I should write down any number of British literature heroines…but honestly, all I wanna do is hang with Elle Woods. We could go to the nail salon, do the bend and snap, talk about the election in 2020. It would be a hoot! I’d look forward to her advice on whether I should keep growing out my grays. I feel like she’d give me an honest answer.

2. how much is your significant other into skin care?

I’m pretty sure he washes his face with Herbal Essences Shampoo, SO YOU tell ME.

3. What’s on your lips right now?

Hahaha, nothing but Bliss wax, since I’m de-fuzzing the ‘stash.

4. Your favorite Disney princess?

I guess Belle from beauty and the Beast, because she loves to read. Sometimes, though, I wonder if she had Stockholm syndrome…

5. describe your dream jeans.

Dark wash, high-wasted, with just a little stretch to allow for cake, but not so much stretch that I’m pulling up my pants every time I stand up or sit down. The length would hit just above the ankle, and I wouldn’t have to hem them, because — hello, dream jeans!

The “Purr-maid”

When cats and mermaids collide…
Drawing on the sidewalk with chalk is tons of fun! — especially when you receive a special request from a three-year old to draw a “kitty cat mermaid,” otherwise known as a Purr-maid.

There’s poetry in the fleeting beauty of chalk drawing, methinks…

Anyway, that’s not even the biggest cat-related news I have. yesterday while Connor and I were drawing outside, we were visited by a gorgeous orange and white boy name of Milo.

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Milo kindly supervised the art direction of our drawings, and then when he was done with that, he invited himself inside and patrolled our kitchen.

I ran into my neighbor later in the day, and she mentioned that Milo hung out at her house, too. Apparently, he’s a cat about town!

Hope you have a wonderful Monday and a fantastic week. Do you have any plans for July 4th?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

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Karen

P.S. question time! here they are to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. talk to you soon.

1. Fictional character you’d like to hang with?
2. how much is your significant other into skin care?
3. What’s on your lips right now?
4. Your favorite Disney princess?
5. describe your dream jeans.

Mantra for the week

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of five more or less random concerns I’ve been publishing on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I like reading your answers, as well as it assists me get my week off to a great start.

1. Is it as well early to put up Christmas decorations?

Man…it utilized to make me truly crabby to see Christmas designs up at stores as well as stuff as well as on homes before Halloween, however now I’m type of like, “Eh, let ’em live.” It’ll be Thanksgiving in actually (OK, figuratively) the blink of the eye, so if somebody wishes to put up their Vegas-style lights already, I’m not gonna hate. It makes my world brighter, so I’m great with it. I will, however, be waiting up until the week before Thanksgiving to put up my Christmas designs around the house.

2. Skin care or hair care?

Homie, don’t make me choose! — however seeing as exactly how I usually put my hair up as well as back since it’s part of my gown code at the bakery, I’ll pick skin care… I’ve been all about moisturizing potions lately.

3. hot chocolate or hot tea?

Mmm… seeing as exactly how I discuss my wonderful tooth often, you may believe I’d lean more toward hot chocolate, however I really prefer hot tea.

Basically, I’m picky about my hot chocolate. I don’t like when it doesn’t taste chocolaty as well as all you can taste is sugar, as well as I likewise don’t like when there isn’t any type of milk in it, so you don’t get that feeling of milk finish your tongue (I know, such a weirdo). likewise not my fave: when the marshmallows are as well big, or when there are as well many marshmallows… point is, I’m truly picky about my hot chocolate, as well as I’m less picky about tea (just please leave the bag in there for at least five minutes).

4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?

The finest thing? being able to make decisions for myself (good or poor ones) as well as understand that they’re 100% my decisions, since there wasn’t a great deal of that happening in my household growing up (Asian tiger parents as well as all).

And the worst thing? UGH, when you discover yourself in a circumstance where all of your choices are sh*tty, LOL! So like you have to pick between the least sh*tty option… That sucks! Oh, as well as paying bills, of course. Oh, as well as understanding that you have to “adult” for the rest of your life since there’s no turning back!

5. Are you the type of person who needs a listing when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?

Girl, please. provide me a list; otherwise, I’ll throw all kind of nonsense into my cart as well as promptly fail to remember to buy all of the important things.

Sing it loud

Heya! Monday is the very best day… Yes, I just sang that out loud, I hope you know, as well as I’m doing it since I’m trying to psych myself as much as have a excellent week.

You gotta do what you gotta do, right?

Also, after the fires as well as power outages last week…this week has to be better! Heck, I’m just happy to be in my home once again as well as able to turn on the lights… It’s the bit things, really.

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How are you doing this morning? Did you turn all your clocks back?

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

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P.S. right here are the concerns to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. talk to ya soon.

1. Is it as well early to put up Christmas decorations?
2. Skin care or hair care?
3. hot chocolate or hot tea?
4. What’s the best/worst thing about “adulting”?
5. Are you the type of person who needs a listing when you go grocery shopping, or do you like to wing it when you get there?

P.P.S. In situation somebody hasn’t told you lately, you’re take on as well as you’re tough.

current foundation crush!
Why isn’t this foundation a cult classic yet? It’s a total ? gem.

Shiseido Synchro Skin foundation ($45) is a medium-coverage marvel of oil-free liquid foundation fabulousness for all skin types, and its thin consistency reminds me of more satiny Dior Diorskin nude Air, which I was totally obsessed with a few years ago and still ? (pretty pricey though).

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Because Synchro Skin has a livelier, less matte finish than Diorskin nude Air, I think it looks even more natural, and I also think even better at mellowing out my pores and fine lines. So, if you’re a lady who has lived through countless quests and adventures and has the experience lines to prove it, this could totally work for you (although peeps of all ages can wear it).

It sits closely to the skin, too. sometimes I forget I’m wearing it. and even though the coverage is medium, it’s robust enough to disguise a lot.

In this pic below, I’m wearing the foundation without powder or concealer…

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What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an often underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but frequently rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.

Wearing Shiseido Synchro Skin lasting liquid foundation broad Spectrum SPF 20 in golden 5 by itself (no setting powder). The lipstick is urban Decay Spellbound.

Regarding the coverage, as long as you don’t mind layering, you can easily build it up to full. Either way, medium or full coverage, it doesn’t look or feel like you’re wearing makeup at all. To apply it, I usually use fingers (just be sure to shake the glass bottle before you press the pump applicator), but a beautyblender or a foundation brush works just as well.

However I work it, it’s always easy to apply — no hoops to jump through or other tomfoolery.

There are 11 shades in three different undertones (Neutral, golden and Rose), and I wear golden 5, which is a spot-on match for me (broken record time, but I’m an NC42 in MAC).

Do I wish there were more colors? Definitely. The darker colors could definitely use more ? because the selection’s significantly limited (Golden 5 is the second darkest), but if you can find a shade that works for you, I think you’ll fall in love.

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Highly recommended for all skin types and all ages — especially if you want natural-looking skin and DON’T want full-beat glam foundation.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Desperately seeking Persistent polish is a series where I wear a nail polish for seven days and take before and after pics to file the condition of my paws over the course of the week!

At one point over the seven days I wore Smith & Cult Analog Fog on my paws, the weather took a decidedly dark, cold turn…

It started to look like fall.

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We closed the windows and contemplated turning on the heater.

Also, I started baking stuff in my oven again. I cranked out three lasagnas (one was even gluten-free, what-what!), two banana blueberry oatmeal bakes, a gluten-free pizza from Costco, and two batches of oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies. Really, Smith & Cult ought to have named this polish “When It’s Cold, Bake Your @ss Off” instead.

Taking everything I did into account, and considering how much time I spent blending, chopping and whisking while wearing this polish, my manicure held up well. It was still shiny and relatively chip-free after five days, with just a few dings around the suggestions of my fingers.

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It jumped the shark after I made the third lasagna and washed the dishes without gloves, which was probably, um…not the greatest idea. That’s when I really started to see pieces of polish chipping at the base of a couple of my nails (granted, they weren’t big chips).

Like I did for my last seven-day nail experiment, I wore two coats of the polish atop a base of Smith & Cult Basis of Everything, and with above it all as a top coat on top. point being to isolate the polish to try to figure out how it holds up to real life.

Also like last time, I didn’t revitalize the top coat whatsoever over the course of the seven days, but I think if I had, like if I’d refreshed it on day three or four, I could’ve made this mani last at least one or two much more days.

I think Analog Fog did great, all lasagnas considered! Plus, the color is gorge! It’s one of those mysterious, elusive purples… Ooh-la-la! It’s a cream, so there’s no shift or pearl or anything like that, but in some cases it looks like a pinkish purple. other times, it looks like a straight-up plum.

I’ll certainly be wearing it again. ?

4 out of 5 hearts.

Smith & Cult Analog Fog: Day 1

Smith & Cult Analog Fog: Day 7

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Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

P.S.

Pizza!
Earlier this summer the drugstore nail polish brand SinfulColors unveiled a line of polishes that look and smell like snacks — doughnuts, cheese puffs, pizza, chocolate cake and tacos.

OK, sure, scented nail polish isn’t revolutionary, but dang! — props for creativity!

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That said, as much as I like Taco Tuesdays and Cheetos, I *cannot* handle my nails smelling like a crispy beef taco with sour cream (because I’m assuming guac is extra). Or pepperoni nails? BARF! I give the savory scents a hard pass.

And the sweet scents, too, despite my sweet tooth. I just can’t take my fingertips smelling like a glazed doughnut. ?

How about you? how do you feel about snack scented nail polishes? To what degree would it depend on the snack?

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! ?

I like this so much that I scrubed off the composing on the package!
What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an frequently underrated makeup morsel, a long-term collection product that scoots under the radar screen of numerous makeup enthusiasts however on a regular basis rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features a few of my favorites.

OK…I don’t understand exactly how you feel about liquid eyeliner in general, however this is the very best black liquid eyeliner in the understood universe, IMO, as well as yes, I believe it’s just as great as the Tom Ford pen.

(Yup, *that* $58 Tom Ford Liner.)

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It’s the Clinique quite simple liquid eyeliner Pen, as well as it’s a relatively bargain $22. It does so numerous of the things that the Tom Ford liner does, as well as does them just as well. It’s a deep, dark black; it draws very skinny lines; dries quickly; it’s really, truly simple to use.

It’s got one of those long, versatile felt tips, so if you want to draw an ultra-fine line on your upper lash line or a accurate feline flick in the outer corner, you can quickly do it, even if you’re all thumbs, half-asleep or in a hurry.

Normally, I’d never dream of applying liquid liner when I’m in a rush, however it’s completely doable with this one. There’s something kinda wonderful about it as well as extremely user-friendly…which is most likely why they phone call it the quite simple liquid eyeliner Pen, ha!

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When you try to make kissy faces as well as look uncomfortable however choose to just choose it anyway. (That’s the liner on my upper lash lines, by the way.)
One of my preferred things about it is the ~20-second drying time, which doesn’t noise like a great deal of time, however it’s just sufficient to either 1) let the line dry on its own, or, 2) as well as this is what I like to do, I get a smudge clean as well as feather out the edge of the line to make it look mixed as well as smooth.

And after that 20 seconds, you can blink, roll your eyes or whatever, as well as your liner won’t transfer up onto your lids! when this stuff is dry, it’s smudge-proof as well as budge-proof.

But that’s not all! You can likewise discover it quite much anywhere. I like that I can just pop into the Novato Sephora as well as get one if I “need to,” or that I can stop by a Clinique counter at Macy’s or Nordstrom.

I ought to most likely get a new one soon since mine is looking very…well-loved, ha ha ha!

This is the surface after it dries. Sorry for my sloppy lines… I just drank a ton of coffee as well as was hella shaky, LOL.
I’m kinda kicking myself for not choosing up an additional one during the last VIB sale, however hey, there’s always one more sale around the corner, right?

Oh! — I can’t believe I haven’t discussed this yet. practically forgot! The surface on this liner? It’s different than most. It’s not as shiny as Tom Ford’s, however it’s not like a matte gel liner either, like MAC Blacktrack. It’s somewhere between the two, which likewise makes it simple to wear with numerous different looks.

It’s great stuff… No, excellent stuff. I’m all for flexibility.

Oh! — I just keep remembering things. This liner likewise laundries off extremely quickly with a makeup remover. You don’t have to sit there for hella days, scrubbing your life away.

OK, I believe that’s the end. Yeah. That truly is the end!

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Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

P.S.

I feel so lucky to have been able to work with one of the most renowned figures in feline fashion history. Tabs was a fiercely stylish feline who cared just as much about his coat as he cared about his accessories.

He was likewise the very first feline to make inexpensive fashion-forward feline felt merchandise for the masses, thanks to his big distribution offer with Target. He was a legend in the feline fashion community. He truly was.

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His beautiful Glistening Gourd Pumpkin travel backpack is still the bestselling feline accessory of all time.

And his Wicked Whiskers Wizarding Hat is still a preferred among kittens.

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Tabs brought confidence, cattitude as well as swagger to whatever he touched.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen