Archives April 2023

I’m trying something a bit different today — a different type of blog publish — something other than a makeup review, because, guuurl…my @ss is tired. third trimester is no joke.

A few weeks back my good friend Jen as well as I were texting back as well as forth, as well as she was like, “I dislike to break this to ya, however the third trimester is really, truly hard.”

ADVERTISEMENT

And she was not kidding. as well as it’s not just difficult because, ya know, the achy hips as well as lower back, the shortness of breath, or exactly how it feels like the last leg of a long, drawn-out race (like running three marathons back to back), however it’s just… I didn’t expect being this tired. I’m truly worn out — like, ridiculously tired.

I’m so tired, as a matter of fact, that I believe I’m going to take a nap. A extremely long, charming nap.

But first, can we chat?

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

So…last night I started reading a new book.

Well, it’s new for me, however I believe it’s been on shelves for a while. It’s called The bit book of Skin Care: Korean appeal tricks for Healthy, radiant Skin, as well as it’s by a lady named Charlotte Cho (she has a website, Soko Glam, where she offers Korean appeal products, as well as she’s likewise an esthetician).

The book is about Charlotte’s life, her experiences as well as the Korean skin care process. Charlotte was increased in southern California, however she later transferred to Seoul, Korea, for work (she’s Korean, by the way).

I don’t understand if you’re extremely familiar with Korean skin care products, however they’ve grown rather prominent right here lately in the U.S. (one of my preferred Korean skin care brands is AmorePacific).

The book goes into the process, the approach as well as likewise listings a few of Charlotte’s preferred Korean skin care products, all of which she tests on her website. as well as then there’s likewise some fascinating bits as well as insights into what it’s like to online in Seoul.

It’s been quite fascinating so far, as well as there’s excellent stuff such as this adorable illustrated 10-step (YES, 10 STEP) Korean skin care infographic…

The process kinda speaks to me, since I understand exactly how I am with makeup — I tend to make things a bit a lot more challenging than they requirement to be (Ooh! only 10 steps!? Let’s do this!) — however these days, with as worn out as I’ve been, I’d rather just laundry my face, put on some sunscreen, as well as phone call it a day, LOL!

Anywho, I flipped with the book last night before bed, as well as I believe it may have even assisted me sleep! I slept nearly all the method with the night, as well as say thanks to goodness for that since I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I felt excellent today, however I haven’t truly been feeling that psychologically excellent lately…so I went to the physician earlier this afternoon.

The doctor, actually, was a therapist, as well as I believe I’m going to see her on a regular basis every so often. I don’t understand if it’s just since I’m a naturally moody, innovative person, however I feel like I might utilize some additional one-on-one support.

So, I’m going to be doing that, as well as not just with the end of my pregnancy. I believe I’ll be keeping it up long term…

I’m looking ahead to just speaking to somebody new about things as well as perhaps even discover some new methods to frame the conversation in my head, if that makes any type of sense. So that’s what I did this afternoon, as well as it’s likewise why I’m currently not using any type of makeup. None. Nada. Zip.

Because after I got up this morning, I had things to do, so I started doing them before I put on my makeup. then I had to dash out of the house!

Actually, I haven’t used any type of makeup in — wait on it — two days!

But when I do lastly put on makeup again, I’m looking ahead to trying this new foundation by Giorgio Armani called Maestro Glow. It’s a serum foundation — thin formula, includes a dropper, that type of thing — with a dewy finish.

Giorgio Armani already has a foundation in their long-term line called Maestro combination Makeup, however this Maestro is different. It has a likewise thin consistency, however a lot more of a glow, as well as it likewise has broad-spectrum SPF 30 (I can’t keep in mind if the original Maestro does too).

I’m truly looking ahead to costs a lot more time with the texture, since I played with it a bit last weekend. I put some on my face, as well as it was so incredibly lightweight that it felt like nothing at all — just precisely like bare skin. I don’t understand if it’s going to have sufficient protection for me since it’s likewise incredibly sheer, however we’ll figure it out. I believe it’ll most likely be a great foundation for summer, when I don’t want to wear heavy makeup on my face. It’s $64 (!) as well as comes out next month with a new primer (also $64).

Um…the only actual (quote) “makeup” (unquote) I’m using today is the No. 28 Lip Oil by hourglass — the best, most comfortable, most moisturizing lip oil understood to womankind (at least this woman). The only thing is the price… It’s $42, so if you ever feel like using a extremely expensive lip balm, and/or you requirement something ridiculously hydrating, it’s excellent (maybe for the next Sephora VIB sale). I wear everything the time with a nude pencil. I’ll line my lips with the pencil, fill them in, then pop this on top as well as yay! — a mega moisturized nude lip.

ADVERTISEMENT

I hope things are going well on your end. I believe I’m gonna go take that nap now… infant woman just kicked me, by the way, so I assumption she wants me to tell you “Hi.” talk to you soon.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

before this cold absolutely took me out last weekend and put me on the train to Sniffles-ville (achoo!), I squeezed in one fun afternoon with my in-laws while they were visiting. We drove up to the Napa county town of Yountville in white wine country to have dinner at one of my mom-in-law’s favorite places to eat. It was for her birthday, so it was kind of a special treat. The place is called Bistro Jeanty, and they serve fancy French comfort food (pricey but delicious). She’s all about their beef stew.

We had some time before our reservation, so we walked around Yountville a bit, and that’s when I bumped into these interesting pumpkins and this substantial zucchini.

ADVERTISEMENT

No, seriously, the thing was half my size!

Because it was about 100 degrees that day, I got a very sour, lemony Italian tonic water from the deli in the Napa style store. I, of course, loved it (pregnancy does funny things to your taste buds, I swear), but El Hub said it was just about the absolute worst thing he’d ever tasted…

Right across the street from the Napa style style is a place called Bouchon Bakery, which I always try to check out when we go to Yountville because I love their macarons.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

There’s nearly always a line out the door, but because this was a slow Thursday afternoon, I walked ideal in and straight to the maracons. I got four — pistachio, hazelnut, fig and salted caramel, my favorite macaron flavor in the world.

Honestly, I don’t even know why I bother with the others. I must just cut the B.S. next time and get an entire box of the salted caramels.

After I got my cookies, it was time for dinner! My father-in-law and I bought the scallops with pasta, while El Hub and my mom-in-law got the beef stew…

Not shown: the enormous amount of bread and butter we also had.

All and all, it was a terrific afternoon!

ADVERTISEMENT

And now, of course, I’m craving a lot more of those macarons…

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Novato is a sleepy bit town. There’s Napa north of us, Oakland to the east across the Bay, as well as San Francisco to the south, however Novato itself isn’t a hotbed of enjoyment as well as activity (unless you count the big raging star celebrations thrown by Tabs).

Sometimes, though, interesting things do occur here…like we just got a Nordstrom Rack.

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s only been open a couple weeks, however I’ve already gone twice, as well as I’ve discovered a valuable. Basically, if you walk there trying to find something specific, like a white scoop-neck tee, great luck to you. may the gods be with you! since the store need to be a quarter of a mile long. It’s HUGE, as well as you absolutely have to be in the mood for a treasure hunt.

They likewise have quite great appeal section, which, thankfully, is a lot more contained than the garments as well as shoe areas, as well as you can go browse the shelves in a affordable amount of time. It’s all extremely neat as well as tidy.

They bring a mix of drugstore (weird!) as well as high-end products, too, which I’m presuming will modification often, however when I was there last Friday, I saw some body care from Neutrogena as well as Burt’s Bees, as well as I likewise saw a makeup screen for NYX.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

In general, they don’t bring whatever from a line, however it seemed like a great amount of stuff as well as much better than normal prices. Like, I saw a bottle of Neutrogena Ultra gentle everyday Cleanser for $7.97, as well as I believe it’s usually $10 at Ulta.

I freaked out a bit when I saw this Bliss screen (I looove Bliss lotions). I discovered this massive tube of Grapefruit+ Aloe Body Butter marked down to $16.97 from $49! What a steal.

And I likewise identified some Sephora makeup regulars from metropolitan Decay, as well Faced, Lancôme, YSL, Caudalie, Smashbox as well as Bobbi Brown, among others, as well as whatever was discounted between $5-10 off the routine price.

Some of the products from older collections were marked down even more, like metropolitan Decay’s Alice with the Looking Glass Collection, which was on sale for $29.97 instead of the original $60.

They likewise bring fragrances, too!

It’s absolutely gonna be a location I regular for makeup as well as appeal discounts, however I don’t understand about going in there for clothes… There were as well lots of racks. It was waaay as well much stimulus for me.

ADVERTISEMENT

Have you ever been to a Nordstrom Rack? exactly how do you feel about huge outlet stores like that? Do you get into buying treasure hunt-style, or do you like going to stores that are hyper organized?

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

Hello, sweet friend…
Hello, sweet friend. happy Thursday to ya. I hope things are going well on your end of the keyboard.

I know that I’ve been kind of MIA this week, but it’s just… I’m going through some things.

ADVERTISEMENT

I wish I could say that I’ve been playing hooky and having exciting adventures, but truth be told, it hasn’t been like that. It’s just that I’m turning 40 in June, and I’m going through… I don’t think it’s a crisis, but it’s definitely something.

I woke up yesterday morning and realized — holy crap! — my 30s are over. Like, totally and officially over.

It seems like just yesterday I was celebrating my thirtieth. (We went to a drag queen karaoke bar! You know how I roll. *snaps*). now it’s 10 years later, just like that. I’m emotionally very tender right now…

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

It’s a bunch of different things, like not having children, and babe, seriously…I don’t know what’s going on with me. It’s like, I can’t even look at babies right now without getting teary.

For the longest time, I wasn’t sure if I was meant to be a mom, and I didn’t really think about it much. I just kept myself busy working on different projects like people do, but now I really, really, really want to have a child.

But I waited so long…

I feel like such a fool. I let my prime childbearing years pass me by, and now whenever El Hub and I even start to talk about it, I get super emotional. It’s deep, intense and real.

Aaaand, that’s just part of it. I’m also tired of living in disarray. My office is a cluttered mess, and my house needs attention.

If you saw my office — and I don’t want to share a picture of it because there’s nothing cute about it — you’d be amazed that I actually manage to get anything done.

I’m also tired of hearing myself talk about decorating my space and making our condo a home but not actually doing anything about it, you know? It’s like I wake up, start working, and the next thing you know, it’s evening and I’m exhausted, and the last thing I want to do is clean the bathroom or contemplate an end table. I throw myself into whatever I’m doing and the hours pass.

Anyway, if you made it this far down, thank you for lending me your ear and letting me ramble. sometimes just talking about it makes me feel better.

Even though I’ve written millions of words on this blog, I still hold a lot in, even from my husband (and my cat). I’m the kind of person who tries to work things out on her own, even when she shouldn’t/can’t, but I’m trying to get better about being more open and allowing others to help. It’s not a bad thing to need help.

I think I need to take a few days to get my sh*t together. I still plan to post, because I also need to talk, but the posts will probably be a little different. Shorter, and maybe more random…

ADVERTISEMENT

Thank you again for listening, my friend. I hope you’re having a good week so far. talk to you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte in Commanding
I was having a tough morning today, and by the time I sat down to get ready for the day, I needed a serious pick-me-up.

I remembered that one of my favorite professors in school shared her secret to getting over her nerves and insecurities.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lipstick.

She says that everyone has a power color, and hers is pink. Whenever she has to speak in front of large crowds or finds herself in a situation where she may be nervous, she wears hot pink lipstick.

She says it gives her an edge, a decent dose of sass, and reminds her to be herself, because you can’t cower down when you’re wearing a bold lip. You have to own it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

So, today I wore a fur coat and a bold lip, because I can.

My power color changes, but today I went with the Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte sculpting Lipstick in Commanding ($30), because on these particularly rough days, I need a bullet.

Like, a lipstick bullet.

Liquid lipstick and glosses don’t hold the same figurative power for me as a classic bullet.

Also, the packaging. how can you feel down when you’re holding lipstick made from actual goddess magic in your hands? It’s simple yet substantial with an engraved lid and navy casing with gold accents.

They also close magnetically, which is so satisfying.

Putting this lipstick on even feels like a power move.

Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte packaging
Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte in Neon Azalea, Volatile, Commanding, and Shameless Violet
My lips are always moderately dry, so prepping them is crucial for me. When adequately conditioned, these lipsticks glide on evenly and last between 3-4 hours (with no lipliner!), even through light eating and drinking. 

The formula is smooth and richly pigmented. It’s hard to mess up application with these guys. They have a subtle vanilla scent, too, which doesn’t last, and therefore doesn’t bother me.

Left to right: Commanding, Shameless Violet, Neon Azalea, and Volatile. In hand: Neon Azalea and Shameless Violet

Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte sculpting Lipstick in Commanding

Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte sculpting Lipstick in Shameless Violet
Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte sculpting Lipstick in Neon Azalea
Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte sculpting Lipstick in Volatile

ADVERTISEMENT

Aside from loving these lipsticks for lifting my spirits, which they do, I also love the shape of the bullet. They have the typical slant, but not the point, so they really are quite lovely for lip sculpting. The shape fits the contours of my Cupid’s bow perfectly without making the peaks too sharp. 

Sometimes I like to buff out the edges with a lip brush or a cotton bud for a softer, lived-in look.

Estée Lauder Pure color Envy Matte sculpting Lipstick (L) bullet comparison
When you’re having “one of those days,” do you ever turn to beauty products? What are your go-to’s?

You’re coming on vacay with me, Milk Makeup!
How awesome would it be if when you went to Sephora to inspect out Milk makeup Sunshine Skin Tint, they handed you a milkshake just for showing up?

I would discover that extremely motivating, LOL! As if I requirement additional motivation to inspect out makeup…

ADVERTISEMENT

Anyway, I’ve been believing about this trip I took once. I brought a tube of tinted moisturizer with me, however it exploded around whatever in my bag since the top came loose.

That most likely wouldn’t have occurred with Milk makeup Sunshine Skin Tint.

Milk makeup Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30 in Honey ($42 as well as offered in eight shades)
It has a pen clicker at the bottom. When you click it, the foundation comes up with the tube as well as out the roller sphere applicator on the other end.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

You utilize the roller sphere to spread the tint around your face, then blend it in with your fingers.

It’s fun as well as cool. Plus, it’s extremely unlikely to leak foundation around your stuff.

Milk makeup is an American cruelty-free brand that’s been on the makeup scene about a year or two. As far as I know, their products don’t include any type of actual milk, though. Unless you count coconut milk. The “milk” in the name refers to the elegant Milk picture studios, which they’re affiliated with.

Wearing Honey as well as medium Tan mixed together

Their advertising skews quite young — teens as well as millennials — if you go by the designs on the website, however even if you’re a woman or gent of a specific age, don’t let that stop you from trying Sunshine Skin Tint SPF 30. I’m in my 40s as well as like it!

The brilliant thing about Sunshine Skin Tint to me is exactly how it looks on my skin. I put it on, blend it out, as well as I promise — I can’t see it at all. overall no-makeup makeup. The surface is somewhat shiny, however it doesn’t look oily, as well as I like the method my skin looks, fine lines, pores as well as all.

Because it’s a skin tint, yes, it isn’t full coverage, so don’t expect it to hide everything. however it hides just sufficient to appease me on many days. I’d state the protection is similar to Neutrogena’s Skin Tint (which I likewise love, by the way), however it has a dewier finish.

Sunshine Skin Tint makes for ideal “vacation skin” — dewy, even-toned skin that doesn’t look like it’s using a makeup mask.

This shade, Honey, is a tad as well light for me at the moment (for ref, I’m typically an NC42 in MAC)
Sephora currently brings the line in all eight shades — fair (fair with pink undertones), Light (light with yellow undertones), Sand (light to medium with peach undertones), medium (medium with neutral undertones), Honey (medium with warm undertones), medium Tan (medium to tan with golden undertones), Tan (tan with golden undertones) as well as Deep (deep with warm undertones).

I’m a MAC NC42. My skin is quite tan with golden undertones, as well as I’m somewhere between the shades Honey as well as medium Tan. Honey by itself is a bit as well light, as well as the medium Tan shade is a touch as well dark, so I’m mixing the two…which I understand is excessively high-maintenance, however that’s exactly how I roll when it concerns deal with products. permanently cocktail-ing my own colors!

FYI, I’ve heard that these foundations can oxidize on some peeps, however I haven’t had that issue. Both Honey as well as medium Tan stay quite true on my combo skin, which, by the way, is oily on my forehead as well as nose, however dry all over else.

Mental preparation

The flight to Oahu next week will be the Coywolf’s very first time flying, as well as I’m truly hoping that the altitude won’t bother her bit infant ears (El Hub had quite major ear issues when he was a kid). I’m planning to provide her a bottle during takeoff as well as landing, as well as to bring some new toys. I’m likewise packing my phone with a few episodes of Sesame Street, which she loves, to ideally provide her something to distract herself with if she gets uncomfortable.

ADVERTISEMENT

Have you ever flown with a young child before? any type of suggestions? What was it like?

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

“Why, yes! I am using a sequined shell bra top… You like?”
In Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, which I extremely suggest for anybody, however particularly tweens as well as teens, the primary character is an daily woman navigating her method with adolescence as well as puberty. In one part of the story she contemplates stuffing her bra with cotton spheres before going to a party.

Even though I checked out the book about a bazillion times in my early teens, it never occurred to me method back then to really stuff my bra. I just believed it was something they only did in books, as well as not in, like, genuine life.

ADVERTISEMENT

That’s exactly how clueless I was as a kid. We didn’t have the Interwebs or the Googles back then!

And now that I believe back about it, I hated having to wear my very first bra. It wasn’t one of those things about growing up that I looked ahead to, since I was a bit of a tomboy back then, as well as my mother as well as I never had that “your body is going with ch-ch-changes” conversation.

The only reason I started using that very first bra was since my finest friend’s mother discussed something to my mother about me/it. I believe my mother was in overall denial about the truth that I was visibly going with puberty, however she still dug deep as well as ultimately took me to go bra buying at the mall.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

So we got one, as well as it felt annoyingly oppressive. I hated using it, as well as the believed of stuffing it never crossed my mind…

Until I hit my 20s as well as 30s, when I did utilize those poultry cutlets bra inserts from time to time with tops as well as gowns that I felt might benefit from a bit of a boost.

So yes, I have stuffed my bra.

I understand that for numerous women, this subject is a sensitive one that takes on a different implying since of breast cancer. My mother-in-law is a breast cancer survivor, as well as we’ve talked numerous times about specialty bras.

ADVERTISEMENT

In whatever methods as well as nevertheless it applies to you, have you ever stuffed your bra before? The comments right here are a risk-free location (I strictly enforce that).

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Vegas, baby!

Famous last words. but we’re not actually gonna get in the automobile and drive nine hours to Vegas, no! We’re gonna teleport and get there instantaneously with the new $45 Stardust by vegas Nay kit from too faced and glam Instagram makeup artist mega star @vegas_nay, also known as Naomi Giannopoulos.

ADVERTISEMENT

I don’t know if you follow her yet on Instagram, but you should! She does stunning makeup, and I learn a lot from her feed in terms of getting ideas for doing big glamorous makeup. and that theme — big glamorous makeup — and the makeup she likes to do and feature, translates into the Stardust by vegas Nay kit.

You get a ton of stuff with it for $45, including a palette of 12 powder eyeshadows in shimmer and matte shades.

You also get a deluxe-sized better Than Sex Mascara, a shadow insurance Primer, a cute, little loose glitter pigment AND, because it’s valuable to get roadmaps sometimes, there are also these little cards with valuable pictorials, so you get steps to follow for six different looks. They’re very handy.

Stardust by vegas Nay is a stunning kit for big glam looks, and I think it’s also a good value.

It’s available now online for $45 and coming September 6 to Ulta stores.

Check out the video at the top for more details and a closer look.

Products mentioned

Too faced Stardust by vegas Nay ($45)

ADVERTISEMENT

As always, thank you for watching!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

two pops o’ color!
One of the quickest, many colorful ways I know to dress up a standard-issue white tee ensemble is by incorporating twin pops o’ color like a bright lip and a colorful necklace.

When the two pops complement each other, like the hot pinks in the new MAC Giambattista Valli Lipstick in Tats and the Kristin Perry Showered in Neon Necklace, this trick is both quick and easy.

ADVERTISEMENT

But the complementary color thing isn’t an unbreakable rule, or any kind of guideline for that matter. The thing is just to have two focal points. As long as you have that down, you ought to be good.

I call this “The White Tee Trick” because, apparently, everything in my life needs an ONICL (Official name involving capital Letters).

MAC Giambattista Valli Lipstick in Tats

Kristin Perry Showered in Neon necklace ($38)

By the way, the MAC Giambattista Valli collection stomps down the catwalk into MAC stores, the MAC site and counters tomorrow, July 9 (available through August 6).

ADVERTISEMENT

I have a feeling this one might sell out rapidly because of the bright colors and beautiful packaging, so if you’re interested, you might want to ride that pony sooner than later.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

everyone in our family takes turns watching Connor Claire, even her big brother Tabs!

Although, to be honest, sometimes he’s not too thrilled when I ask him to babysit…

ADVERTISEMENT

I guess he’s got places to go and people to see? Whatevs.

Because he’s all about multitasking, Tabs takes his responsibility as an opportunity to teach his protégé everything he knows about kitty super modeling. Currently, they’re working on a patented Tabs pose called “the distant disinterested stare.”

ADVERTISEMENT

She’s getting pretty good at it!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen