Archives March 2023

It feels great to be wearing, like, genuine clothes, since before I put on this outfit, I was using pajamas…and running down the street, barefoot, chasing a DHL shipment truck as well as yelling “STOP!” at the top of my lungs.

I was likewise waving a extremely unusual six-foot long tube-like bundle in the air while I was doing this. At practically six months pregnant. Of course.

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Basically, DHL incorrectly provided it this morning, as well as by the time I realized that it wasn’t for me (I signed for it as well as everything), the DHL van was practically a block away!

I freaked out! I ran out the door barefoot in my PJs as well as chased them down…as awkwardly as a rather expecting barefoot lady might run. Luckily, they should have either seen my uncomfortable hobbling or heard my shouts, since they stopped, as well as yes, they were laughing.

I took the event as a indication to modification my clothes when I got home…

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(Oh, as well as I have no concept what the long tube-like bundle was.)

And here’s my outfit! nothing is designated maternity. It’s all just typical clothes.

That’s the Cozystitch sweatshirt gown by loft in Teal night Melange, which I grabbed on sale for 40% off a few weeks ago, so I suggest waiting up until the next sale instead of purchasing it full cost (I am sooo my mother’s daughter). I like it since it’s soft, comfortable as well as has some stretch, so there’s great deals of space to rock a tum.

It likewise is available in two much more shades — Toasty Camel as well as Dark Ruby. I saw both of them in the store, too, as well as they’re likewise extremely cute.

I paired the gown with these suede over-the-knee boots from Sam Edelman that I got last season (for 50% off!) since I like exactly how the shorter hem of the gown looks with the high boots. however if you don’t like over-the-knee boots, I bet black tights as well as black booties would work great, too.

To total the outfit, I added a chambray top (also from loft last spring), a leopard-print J. team belt (which, when upon a time, in shape around my hips), a J. team adventure Quilted Vest as well as a plaid infinity scarf.

I wished to get a bit dressed up today since I satisfied a couple of girlfriends for high tea in San Francisco this afternoon. We went to the Neiman Marcus Rotunda in Union Square (AMAZING views, fun high-tea service with savory sandwiches as well as those small cakes). It was just me, Marisol as well as Arianne from shine Geek, as well as I got to satisfy Arianne’s new baby, Sarah Rose, who’s three months old (and extremely cute).

I had a excellent time, as well as I didn’t have to do any type of much more barefoot running, yay!

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In other news, are you as prepared for Friday as I am?? this week flew by, however it still felt long (yes, I understand that seems weird). I’m plum tuckered out.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

The new Chanel No. 5 L’Eau
L’eau, the places, we’ll go! I’d like to take you to Paris or Hawaii, my friend…but for now, exactly how about Redding, California? That’s where I’m composing you from today.

Confession: I like me some Chanel, however I’m not truly a Chanel No. 5 kind of girl. I’ve used it many times throughout the years in the really hopes that I’d autumn in like with it since of its storied history as well as iconic past and, you know, since it’s Chanel, however it always felt like a pair of shoes that never rather in shape me as completely as I’d like. Scent is such a personal thing, as well as No. 5 always seemed a bit as well serious for me.

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I keep in mind going to Filipino celebrations when I was young as well as being required to hug aunties that I didn’t know, as well as they would always be using Chanel No. 5, as well as noisy jewelry, as well as they always had huge hair, as well as when I hugged them, it would tickle my nose (the huge hair as well as Chanel No. 5).

No. 5 L’Eau is a new version coming to Chanel counters this autumn — a reimagining of the scent — that will sit together with the original, as well as I like it.

With L’Eau, you definitely get the sense that you’re using No. 5, however it’s noticeably different. It still brings many of the original’s exact same notes, like may rose, however in a lighter elixir that seems more delicate and, attempt I say, more fun.

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Lemon, mandarin as well as orange stand front as well as center. To my nose, L’Eau seems airier than the original No. 5 as well as almost weightless, like a clean of tulle against naked skin.

Look for it this autumn at Chanel counters. The 3.4-oz. bottle shown right here is $132.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday, babes. It will be a hot one right here in Redding, as it always is this time around of year (over 110 degrees!), so my huge plan for the day will include discovering the coolest area in an air conditioned room.

I inspected in with Tabs this morning over Skype, as well as he as well as his preferred petsitter haven’t thrown any type of ragers yet. Let’s hope they don’t.

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What do you have going on this weekend?

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

This is not news to anyone, however Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is crazy.

To be specific: crazy cool, crazy passionate, as well as crazy aspirational.

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OCC is one of the most notable brands pushing the limits of color as well as expression all while being 100% vegan as well as cruelty-free. And you’ve most likely heard of or seen the Lip Tars. now repackaged in a common lipgloss tube, they’ve been made even more practical for…whenever you want eco-friendly lips!

For Spring/Summer 2016, OCC has taken the concept of the ubiquitous bright lip as well as mixed it with a psychedelic palette. This is the Magnetic fields Colour Collection ($16 each), as well as there are 3 new solid colors plus 3 new iridescent metallics that can be mixed or utilized individually.

Wearing Artifact OCC Lip Tar
OCC Lip Tar Magnetic Fields: Magnolia, Lily, Wasabi, Artifact, Rime, Indrid
The repackaged OCC Lip Tar, now with a lipgloss wand

Swatches (L-R) Magnolia, Lily, Wasabi, Artifact, Rime, Indrid
The new shades

Magnolia – warm blush pink

Lily – true lavender

Wasabi – opaque bright chartreuse

Artifact – Bronze with metallic copper pearl

Rime – pale turquoise with gold shimmer

Indrid – Opalescent grey with pink duochrome

Lip swatches

OCC Lip Tar in Magnolia
OCC Lip Tar in Lily
OCC Lip Tar in Wasabi
OCC Lip Tar in Artifact
OCC Lip Tar in Rime
OCC Lip Tar in Indrid
With a formula of mainly oils as well as pure pigment, one dip into one of the tubes is all you requirement to totally cover your lips with full coverage. These are on the thicker side, as well as my lips feel comfortably moisturized when I wear them.

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They’re moderately long-lasting as well. The thicker formula sticks around, however the glossy structure likewise means that they will transfer onto cups as well as teeth if you aren’t careful.

My favorites ended up being all 3 of these metallics, all of which are forgiving on the lips as well as look truly special, as well as it assists that I can quickly get full protection from them from extremely bit of the product.

The solid opaque colors are trickier to pull off, being SO glossy as well as SO opaque. Wasabi was the one “womp-womp” shade that did provide me the exact same protection level as the rest, however it fell into my lip lines, unfortunately.

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If you can see yourself rocking these shades, you can pick them up for $16 each for a restricted time at Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.

Hope you enjoyed reading! I’ll see you guys in the next,

Anna

MAC Sheertone Shimmer blush in Springsheen ($22)
Neat as well as new to Me

Unlike my Unsung Heroes series, which features long-term collection products I’ve understood as well as liked a long time, the Neat as well as new to Me series showcases long-term collection products that slipped under my radar for a while, however then I found them! — as well as now I believe they’re neat as well as new to me.

I affectionately refer to MAC Sheertone Shimmer blush in Springsheen as “strobing for lazy people.” (Like me!)

It’s a gorgeous pinkish coral color with golden pearl, as well as I can’t be the only person who likewise likes the name. I keep hearing the words “Bruce Springsheen,” as well as then I photo the bit compact with small arms as well as legs playing a guitar…

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Anyway! It illuminates the apples of my cheeks with a quite pinkish coral while the golden pearl in it makes my cheekbones softly glow.

MAC Sheertone blush in (Bruce?) Springsheen

Swatch of MAC Springsheen blush on my NC42 skin

I’m never not trying to find methods to streamline my makeup routine as well as get out the door quicker, as well as that’s one of the reasons I like Springsheen, which isn’t new, however I only just recently found it in the MAC long-term line.

My routine with it? — BB cream, powder, as well as then a couple layers of Springsheen on my cheeks. No requirement to wear a separate highlighter since Springsheen’s built-in pearl quite much works the exact same way. then I’ll do my lashes, brows as well as lips, either with a lipstick, or with a gloss with a hint of gold in it like MAC Nymphette, huge infant or great Buzz.

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Wearing MAC Springsheen blush on my cheeks

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The very first time I swiped (Bruce) Springsheen on the back of my hand I thought, “Ooh, NARS Orgasm!” since it does look a bit like that, however I believe it’s a lot more elegant. The golden pearl bits are finer as well as not as “in your face,” as well as I likewise just like the method Springsheen feels. I believe it’s softer as well as smoother than Orgasm, as well as likewise much easier to blend, methinks.

PRICE: $22
AVAILABILITY: A member of the MAC long-term line as well as offered now on the internet as well as at MAC counters
MAKEUP as well as appeal blog RATING: A

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

A few pieces from the MAC restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton collection
Generally, I like to shoot with my big, frightening camera, since there’s something about being a little woman bring a big, frightening camera. nobody ever concerns you. Like, I might go anywhere keeping that big, frightening camera, as well as nobody messes with me. It’s true. It’s absolutely true.

But there are times when I don’t want to bring a big, frightening camera with me, as well as that’s when I bring my bit Sony point-and-shoot.

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I like this glorious camera as well as bring this poor boy with me everywhere…
The Sony DSC-RX100 is one of my preferred cameras of all time. I’ve shot with several, as well as this is my ride-or-die. It’s small, sturdy as well as portable. Mine is the very first generation design from four years ago, so it’s been with rather a lot. There are newer designs with more bells as well as whistles on them (here’s the brand new version), however I’m still extremely happy with this one.

I can take it anywhere, so if I requirement to go incognito, it’ll in shape it in the palm of my hand. as well as it takes excellent photos — almost as excellent as my big, frightening camera — as well as that’s since it has a 1-inch sensor, which in non-photography talk means that it lets in more light as well as captures more detail than the little sensor on an iPhone.

MBB fun Fact: I utilize it for all of the swatches on the blog since it’s simple to handle, as well as I like the method it captures color.

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Anyway, I’m speaking about this right now in a longwinded method since of the new MAC point ‘N’ Shoot Eye shadow X 4 combination from the restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton collection.

It has four cool-toned mattes, which I would normally be ecstatic about, however they seem kinda patchy as well as sheer…

MAC restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton
Available on the internet October 27, 2016
Available in-store November 3 with December 15, 2016
#MACLimitedEdition

Point ‘N’ Shoot Eye shadow X 4 ($32) — genuine fantasy (Matte), difficult Currency (Matte), prominent (Satin), point ‘N’ Shoot (Matte)

Retro Matte liquid Lipcolour ($21 each) — High Heels, Chateau M, Self Portrait

MAC studio nail Lacquer ($13 each) — Monte Carlo (Creme), phone call Time (Creme), Berlin (Creme)

Liquid Eye liner in Boot Black ($21)

Upward Lash in Upward Black ($23)

MAC restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton vintage Matte liquid Lipcolours from the left: Self Portrait, High Heels an dChateau M ($21 each)
MAC restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton point ‘N’ Shoot Eye shadow X 4 ($32)

Point ‘N’ Shoot Eye shadow X 4
MAC restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton vintage Matte liquid Lipcolours from the left: Self Portrait, High Heels as well as Chateau M

MAC restricted edition photos by Helmut Newton “…celebrates the erotically charged as well as elegant work of legendary photographer, Helmut Newton. A routine contributor to vogue as well as Vanity Fair, Newton is understood for his precise, attractive as well as empowering photography of women. This limited-edition color collection captures the photographer’s provocative, exquisite taste, dressing wine-stained lips in sultry rogue while darkening eyes in the black as well as white shades of his signature aesthetic. Nails are lacquered in colors influenced by Monte Carlo as well as Berlin, two of his homes. A choice of Newton’s most iconic photos adorns the bespoke packaging — his work stays as unique as well as prominent as ever.”

And MAC senior Vice President/Creative director James Gager says, “I have always greatly admired Helmut Newton’s work — the precision as well as beauty of his images, in addition to the stamina as well as elegance of the women that he photographed. It is an honor to be able to produce a makeup collection that captures his provocative vision in a MAC way.”

–MAC PR

I’m stoked about the three vintage Matte liquid Lipcolours in the release since you can’t truly go wrong with the vintage Mattes. They’re always opaque, intensely pigmented, simple to put on, as well as you can see ’em from across a room.

The collection likewise has three re-promoted nail polishes as well as a Boot Black liquid liner as well as Upward Lash mascara in Upward Black.

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It’s a little collection, however anything photography associated always, always grabs my attention.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

double WearStay-in-Place EyeShadow Base, $21
What is Deep Dive? I’m pleased you asked! It’s a new series in which I’m evaluating a bunch of Estée Lauder double wear products from their permanent collection. Let’s find out what’s good! ?

I’ve been deep diving…metaphorically, into the world of Estée Lauder double wear as of late (in a nutshell, it’s soooo good!), so, in today’s episode of “The Previous Life and Times of Karen’s numerous Failed Dates,” we explore the two seconds during which I dated a wanna-be Olympic diver.

He was beautiful, tan, book-smart and drove an old Mustang, but I knew it would never go anywhere because whenever I’d tell a joke he’d just sit there and blink slowly… like crazy slow. and it would go on for, like, a minute.

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It was so awkward! ?

At first I wondered if he had a awful case of dry eyes, but then I realized that he just didn’t get my sense of humor. I dunno… maybe I’d just assumed he got all of those abdominal muscles from laughing? Needless to say, it was over before it ever started, because in the immortal words of Hall and Oats, I can’t opt for that. (No can do.)

OH, MY GAWD, KAREN, get TO YOUR POINT. OK, OK! I’ve always liked Estée Lauder makeup, but it’s only been recently that I really started to love and appreciate the brand thanks to all things double Wear, because everything I’ve tried so far has been magic.

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I’m an NC42 for reference.

What I’m into these days (in addition to double wear Light, which is the sh*t), is the eye primer, double wear Stay-in-Place EyeShadow Base ($21). It’s a satiny beige cream primer for powder shadows (imagine a creamier, silkier version of a MAC paint Pot).

It’s made for all skin types, but I think it’s especially great for lids with fine line action because it doesn’t look thick or heavy at all. Eyeshadow looks like it’s bear-hugging my lids (so there aren’t any certainly visible powder grains sitting on the surface of the skin).

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I typically wear eyeliner and one or two eyeshadows — easy stuff, no intense blending — so I can’t say how this primer holds up to three transition shades in the crease, or how it fares during a long night out at the club. If that’s what you’re into, then try MAC Prep + primer 24-Hour extend Base instead. What I can say is that this primer is a solid everyday eyeshadow primer, and it’s extra kind to fine lines. and even on hot days when I’m perspiring, I still get a full day of wear. I’m into it!

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

From the left: four of 30 Estée Lauder Pure love Lipsticks ($22 each) in Shock & Awe, Blase Buff, radical chic and Raw Sugar
I can’t be the only person out there whose first thought when they saw these funky angled bullets was to use them as a whistle…

Wearing and holding radical Chic
I just can’t be!

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For the record, you can apply the Estée Lauder Pure love Lipsticks ($22 each) straight from the bullets, then rub your lips together to step the lipstick around, but the color concentrates in the middle and feathers out unevenly to where it ends up looking like you were trying to recreate something editorial, chic and Vogue-like but didn’t quite get there…

The angled idea does work well, especially for getting into the corners and around the edges of your lips, but it’s a tad awkward to wield at first.

Four of 30 shades from the top in Blase Buff, Raw Sugar, radical chic and Shock & Awe
The line launched this spring in a whole mess of pretty inexpensive $22 colors and finishes — 30 total — with some striking brights, like Shock & Awe, an opaque semi-matte bright red that completely covers my lips in a single swipe.

I’m feelin’ it.

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The four I’ve tried feel fab, creamy and comfortable. They also smell and taste like brown sugar (YUM!). I like ’em, even if it takes a minute or two to master the funky bullet!

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

** THE GIVEAWAY IS closed **
This giveaway is closed, and the winner has been contacted (CONGRATULATIONS, BONNIE CLYNE!!!), but check back next Saturday for another giveaway.

Good morning, glory! rise and shine. I hope you slept well. I need to admit…I tossed and turned a lot last night, and I’m not sure why. It was probably one part baby girl doing her baby girl things, and one part Jessica Jones, which I marathon’d on Netflix last night.

It’s that new marvel comics series starring Krysten Ritter and Carrie-Ann Moss who, coincidence of all coincidences, I bumped into getting cheese in Vancouver, British Columbia, a few years ago.

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Yup, El Hub and I were there just checking out for one of my birthdays, and there she was, Carrie-Ann, Trinity herself from the Matrix movies, ordering cheese at a big deli and toting around two babies in strollers.

I didn’t want to interrupt her, so I didn’t say anything, but now I wish I had said “hi!” (Just like that — like a crazy person.)

I like the show so far, but it’s kind of intense… I mean, you know me with sci-fi and comic book stuff, so I like it, but enjoying it before bed was probably NOT one of my all-time best overall lifetime ideas, haha.

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How are things out your way? What are you up to this weekend? Doing anything fun?

One (1) Sephora eGift card consisting of $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter by leaving a comment below.

Open to U.S. and international readers.

You need to be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).

Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:

Have you ever gone on a retreat with your coworkers? how was it?

A makeup policy that you think must NOT be broken?

Snowboard or surfboard?

What time did you get up this morning?

Who’s the most optimistic person you know?

Do you have any current skincare dilemmas?

One entry per person.

You need to use a valid email address to win.

The giveaway ends on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Zodiac ($21)
Here’s a quick way to take nighttime smoky eyes from “glam” to “Glam! Bam! thank you, ma’am!”

Just do this: add glitter.

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Yup! I know, right? What a huge shocker… After you finish doing your smoky eye, if you feel like full-on hot dayum drama, get a glitter eyeshadow, and pop that ish on your lids.

The $21 urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows are great for this.

Before urban Decay Zodiac

And after!

The Moondust shadows come in a pan and include much more glitter than pigment, so you don’t get a ton of eyeshadow-y color with them, but you do get a lot of glittery sparkle.

Using them to turn a smoky eye into a smokin’ hot smoky eye is as easy as 1, 2, 3…

Grab a glitter shadow that’ll choose your smoky eye. here I’m wearing a blue and teal smoky eye, so I’m using glittery turquoise urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow in Zodiac.

Load a flat eyeshadow brush with your glitter, then spritz it with a makeup mist or setting spray (something like MAC Fix+ will work great) to wet the brush head. I’m using Avene Thermal spring Water (just because it was close by at the time).

Carefully pat — not swipe — the glitter on your lids in the area around your lash line. try to avoid dragging it up into the crease, because we want to keep the glitter concentrated on our lids.

Sparkle by urban Decay Zodiac…

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If that’s not enough drama for you (I completely understand), finish with false lashes! I’m wearing the beauty salon ideal Demi Wispies.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

Baby, I love you!
The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on makeup and charm blog features some of our all-time favorite permanent collection products.

Oh, lawd, when I see very dramatic lashes now at Ulta or Sephora I always think, “Those would make me look completely insane.”

Mind you, I’ve rocked big, real-deal false lashes numerous times before, and they’re fun, and some are much more comfortable than others are, but at this stage in my life, after having not worn falsies very often for months, I feel like the big, flashy falsies make me look nuts, and that’s where these Ardell baby Demi Wispies come in.

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Girl, these are SO GOOD! and they’re only $5.

Wearing the Ardell baby Demi Wispies

They’re like Ardell’s much more well-known and incredible Demi Wispies (OH! I used to wear those all the time.) and have a similar shape, where the lashes are longer and flare out on the side corners, but the baby Wispies have markedly shorter lashes overall.

They marvelously merge with my real lashes when I wear them and look darned near natural. I’ve seen people pause when they see my eyes, like they’re wondering, “Hmm… Is she wearing false lashes?” and I’d rather keep people wondering. It’s funner than when they can tell best off the bat.

Love these!
I wore a pair for the first time last week with the urban Decay Afterdark Palette, and they were just the best amount of lash for that look.

LOVE ‘EM.

Next time I find them on sale, you better believe #makeuphoarder mode will kick in.

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Normally priced, though, they’re still a good deal. I know they’re available at Sally charm supply for about $5 each.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen