Archives 2023

Ruby Princess
It’s funny to me when all ’90s makeup gets lumped together into a single category. Like, for lips it’s the ’90s matte lip look, as well as trust your homegirl when she states that everybody did not wear matte lips throughout the entire decade of the ’90s.

(Well, a great deal of people did, however not everyone.)

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You likewise had different sub-eras, like the late ’90s — circa 1997-1998 — when everybody (at least everybody I understood who used makeup) used dark, unblended lip liner, frosty silver lipstick as well as remove lipgloss.

Then you had 1999, 2000 as well as 2001, when it was all about glossy, frosty lips, which reminds me…remember when everybody as well as their mom was bring a tube MAC Oystergirl?

Yeah, you understand what’s up.

I’m getting that ’99 vibe so difficult from these non-sticky MAC Grand illusion glossy liquid Lip Colour lipglosses, which are $21 each as well as hella pigmented.

Goldieloxxed (this shade reminds me an amped up MAC Nymphette)
It’s just Candy!
Spoil Yourself
Dance All Night
Ah, they’re taking me back…especially It’s just Candy! It reminds me of my early 20s when I rocked MAC Lychee Luxe to da club.

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Da club… Oh, my gosh, I feel so ridiculous stating that. Like, when do you get to that point where you just noise silly utilizing slang? It doesn’t occur overnight… It’s a sluggish shed kinda thing, ha ha ha.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

Sparklin’ on this spectacular Saturday!
Happy last Caturday of 2018, babe! As I type this, I’m delighted to report that I’m using the very first appeal product my deal with has touched considering that Christmas Eve. (It’s hourglass Lip Oil, in situation you’re wondering.) I’m lastly getting over the most recent of three back-to-back colds, as well as this last one kicked my butt so difficult that I haven’t even desired so shower (and you understand exactly how I feel about showering).

Fingers as well as toes crossed that I make it at least a week without coming down with something new!

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I hope you’ve been able to stay healthy as well as fairly snot-free lately, since not only is a stuffy nose hella annoying; it likewise gets in the method of great stuff, like using glitter.

Which reminds me…

MAC has a new shine collection out called shine Tripper (that’s a few of the pieces up at the top), as well as I’m 100% looking ahead to using a few of it this weekend, since we’re celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday! ? My bro as well as I are taking her out for a health club day in Napa today, as well as tomorrow we’re all having lunch in the city. It’s a par-tay weekend, woo-hoo!

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On that glittering note, right here are some stories that caught my eye this week…

Talk about multitasking appeal products! This Swedish lip balm was established for the armed forces in the ’50s as well as can be utilized to remedy chapped lips, oil weapons, stop frostbite, cook with, as well as radiate your boots.

Wow!

This home in Texas is occupied by cats.

Just cats!

Well, human volunteers stop by to care for them, however the cats online there full time. The home is officially a feline rescue adoption center as well as was set up by a feline enthusiast who utilizes the area as a way-station for hard-to-place kitties.

Super cool!

Nest Fragrances, the brand understood for their house scents as well as perfumes, will be rolling out a 32-piece lineup of body care with lotions, mists, washes, lip balms as well as wipes at Ulta in January.

Just in situation you were intending to see a whole lot of cats (and a few dogs) using hand-knitted hats…

Now that lots of makeup lines have broadened their shade variety (thank you, Fenty effect), women who struggled mightily to discover the ideal foundation for their skin tone lastly have a lot more options, however what about discovering the ideal skin care products? a number of skin care brands are now catering to “women of color,” targeting worries like hyperpigmentation as well as wrinkles, which effect people of different skin tones as well as types in different ways.

Road trip, anyone? right here are 11 of the very best feline cafes in the U.S.

Drunk Elephant, skin care darling o’ the moment, just released a retinol cream.

Fun truth about Wende Zomnir, the co-founder of metropolitan Decay: Her very first task was at an Elizabeth Arden counter in a department store in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.

Could biodegradable packaging be on the horizon for Chanel?

Ruh-roh. If you’re a a fan of the brand Julep, you may want to begin stocking up on your must-haves since the brand just laid off workers as well as is shuttering their brick-and-mortar stores.

This former programmer now runs a makeup business that makes products utilized in marvel motion pictures as well as The walking Dead.

Remember the shine bomb/fart spray video made by the NASA engineer to get back at bundle thieves? parts of the story were fake.

Exercise patterns throughout the decades

Did you ever grow anything in the garden of your mind?

All I have to state is who DIDN’T have A CRUSH ON KEANU?

A online version of one of my preferred ’90s dance songs…

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So exactly how are you costs the last weekend of 2018? Whatever you’re doing, I hope you’re doing well, friend.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tint ($26 each)
When your lips gleam like a glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut, you’re doing it right! ?

The new NARS Oil-Infused Lip Tints blaze bright neon in their tubes, however they look practically remove on lips. There’s just a wink of coy color, as well as thanks to the bunch of fruity moisturizing elements they contain, my dry lip flake circumstance is currently MIA.

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The formula feels like a cross between a gloss as well as a balm, as well as these somehow handle to not glide around the outline of my lips, which, as a chronic lip-rubber, I appreciate.

One swipe across my lower lip, as well as one more swipe across my upper lip, as well as then a quick smack-smack-smack, as well as my lips have that healthy, shiny sheen typically reserved for teens just getting outta bed.

I especially like exactly how sheer the brights are (the increased is a bit as well timid on my pigmented lips), as well as I believe their delicateness makes them work well with a larger range of looks than a full-tilt, high-pigment gloss.

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INGREDIENTS:
HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE · DIISOSTEARYL MALATE · BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER · ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER · SILICA DIMETHYL SILYLATE · SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL · RUBUSIDAEUS (RASPBERRY) SEED OIL · PUNICA GRANATUM flower EXTRACT · GLYCERIN · TOCOPHEROL · HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL · ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) leaf EXTRACT · POLYETHYLENE · MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE · POLYGLYCERYL-10 PENTAOLEATE · BUTYLENE/ETHYLENE/STYRENE COPOLYMER · flavor (AROMA) · SILICA · GLYCERYL DIISOSTEARATE · TRIISOSTEARIN · TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE · TIN OXIDE · ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE · POLYSILICONE-2 · BHT · PHENOXYETHANOL · [+/- (MAY CONTAIN): MICA · TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) · IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) · RED 27 (CI 45410) · RED 33 (CI 17200) · RED 28 (CI 45410) · CARMINE (CI 75470)]

They’re $26 each, restricted edition, as well as you can discover ’em at Sephora.

Disco Infernal (by the way, I’m using the NARS desired small Eyeshadow combination on my eyes).
High Security
Primal Instinct
What’s bumping in my headphones at the moment?

Sometimes when I get house from the fitness center I like to sit in my vehicle in the garage for a few minutes as well as listen to music, because, I dunno…I’m alone, nobody’s asking me any type of questions, as well as I can just chair dance in total as well as overall privacy simmer with my thoughts.

Last night, I was listening to a regional hip-hop station (106.1 KMEL, which I’ve been listening to because I was in middle school, OMG!) when this tune started playing.

I had a moment, man! For roughly four minutes, my Mazda temporarily transformed into Club Karen, total with booty shaking as well as arm waving — the whole set as well as caboodle.

Of course, this tune played in the middle of a mix, so I had to reverse engineer it to discover the artist (Ari Lennox). I discovered her by Googling a phrase from the song: “break me off gitchy gitchy ya ya.”

Seriously, the Internets are amazing!

Also, this Erykah Badu song, Bag Lady…UGH. modification YOUR LIFE. exactly how did I miss this? Apparently, it’s 10 years old.

Anyway, don’t listen to it unless you’re prepared to analyze your life with a microscope as well as leave behind whatever crap you requirement to totally free yourself from.

Whatever’s in those bags, lady, ya gotta let it go, since if you don’t you’re gonna miss your bus!

I unintentionally stumbled on the next artist — H.E.R. (which means having whatever Revealed) — when I discovered an acoustic piano performance she did for her mom, which turned me into a crying mess…

So mysterious! She’s understood for hiding her deal with to a degree. She uses big dark sun glasses when she performs, as well as whenever you see her on camera, you never see a full photo of her visage.

Girl’s got some major pipes.

OK, so about that acoustic piano performance by H.E.R. that made be blubber like a baby? It’s a cover of this tune by artist Donny Hathaway…

But wait, there’s more. Donny Hatahaway’s version is likewise a cover, as the tune was very first recorded by Leon Russell.

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I know, so numerous layers!

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

note the tabby in the sink…
1. Senita Athletics workout wear

I took this photo last night from “That ’70s Bathroom,” which is my nickname for our guest bathroom, since whatever in it is directly outta the ’70s.

Note the charming sports bra as well as shorts.

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Well…at least I believe they’re cute.

They’re from Senita Athletics, which I discovered out about from Abbey, who suggested that I look into them in the comments on a publish where I pointed out that I was trying to find a new pair of workout shorts for my HIIT class.

I’m using them here. They’re the Swift Shorts 2 in the Bahamas print. I’m likewise using the matching Sarah sports Bra as well as the partner muscle mass Tee.

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I love, like Senita’s clothes as well as their prices, which are method much better than Lululemon as well as Zella.

I’ve washed these products a lot of times (mind you, I’ve only had them about a month), put them in the dryer on low, as well as they haven’t faded, unraveled or stretched out. I believe they’ll hold up well.

And, finest thing ever, they have pockets everywhere. There’s a pocket on the back of the bra, hidden pockets in the shorts — seriously, there are SO lots of POCKETS. It’s glorious.

2. Tarte blush as well as glow blush & Highlighter in increased Gold

Tarte blush as well as glow in increased Gold ($30)
One side of this split pan blush/highlighter combo from Tarte’s autumn collection is a sheer matte rosy brown, as well as the other side is a increased gold shimmer. The powders aren’t as pigmented as the powders in the Amazonian Clay Blushes, however I’m absolutely fine with that, since there are days when I just want a bit bit of cheek color.

Also, the highlighter is seductively subtle.

Tarte blush as well as glow in increased Gold: swatches
It opts for any type of as well as all nude pinkish brown lippies I’ve tried. inspect it out with hourglass woman Lip Stylo in Believer.

3. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under-Eye Concealer Pot

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under-Eye concealing Pot ($28 each, offered in six shades at Ulta)
Rock my world, why don’t you, It Cosmetics?! They released this new potted under-eye concealer in their autumn collection, as well as it’s ridiculously good.

Bye Bye Under-Eye Concealer Pot is 1) full coverage, 2) it doesn’t clear up into my fine lines, as well as 3) it lasts all the time long.

It is available in six shades, all with peachy undertones, to right as well as hide dark circles.

From the top: Light, Medium, medium Tan, Tan, Deep as well as warm Deep
It’s extremely similar to MAC’s great Matchmaster Concealer, which has been my jam all summer.

4. The great Place

My buddy Gloria pointed out this show on Facebook, as well as I started enjoying it last weekend.

It’s HILARIOUS. say thanks to you for the rec, Gloria!

Veronica Mars, a.k.a. Kristen Bell (who is completely cast in the role), plays a woman who passes away as well as gets sent to “Heaven,” or something kind of like it. They just phone call it “The great Place.”

It’s a build created to be like the best neighborhood. When you show up there, you get a soulmate, your dream house… There are frozen yogurt shops on every corner. It’s dope!

Of course, things go awry when Kristen Bell’s character shows up there…

Every time I enjoy the show, I laugh out loud! It’s truly silly (but smart). inspect it out. It’s streaming on Netflix ideal now.

5. Avocado egg salad toast

YUMMY!
Oh, my gosh, this egg salad toast is… Why am I always speaking about egg salad??

It’s so good, though! This is the current version I’m hooked on. just finely chop or mush the following, as well as mix whatever together in a bowl.

You’ll need…

2 hard-boiled eggs
1 avocado
1 little Persian cucumber (you can substitute celery or any type of other crunchy vegetable that you like)
1-2 eco-friendly onions
1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard (I like the kind with the bit grains)
A dash of salt as well as pepper

Spread the mix on a piece of toast, then top with chopped tomato. as well as then take a photo “for the ‘Gram,” because, you know, unless you publish it on Instagram, it never happened…

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Just had it for lunch once again today. YUM!

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

The new benefit Dandelion Twinkle nude-pink powder highlighter and luminizer
Has benefit been hanging out with hourglass lately?? because their new pink highlighter completely looks like it belongs in the hourglass Ambient Powder collection. It has a domed pan, a buttery/velvety texture, and I think it looks exactly like an Ambient Powder on my skin.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star…
It’s called Dandelion Twinkle, and it’s $29 and available now.

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This pearl is fine!

Dandelion Twinkle has Ambient-esque fine pearl that softly glows. It’s subtle, which is kind of unexpected to see from Benefit, because they like the bells and whistles, ya know? (But in some cases their products can go OTT IMO with the frost and glitter.)

I think Dandelion Twinkle is a good surprise.

I’m wearing benefit Dandelion Twinkle on my upper cheekbones, on my temples and down the bridge of my nose

It’s incredible for light and medium skin tones

Because Dandelion Twinkle is a light pink highlighter with cool-toned white pearl, I think it’ll sing sonnets on lighter and medium skin tones.

I bet you could also make it work on darker skin tones, too, but the thing is…your highlight might end up looking kind of stark, especially on deeper skin tones if you pile it on. If I put on a little too much or don’t blend it well, my highlights look stripy.

Packaging for benefit Dandelion Twinkle
The final verdict

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I like it. It’s a stunning highlighter. very soft, very subtle, and probably best for lasses with light or medium skin tone. If you’re interested, it’s at benefit counters, boutiques and online best meow.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

The new NARS liquid Blushes
Here, let me get in there and give you a quick shoulder rub for a second, because I really wouldn’t want you to pull a muscle doing the snake as you celebrate when I tell you that the new NARS liquid Blushes are permanent. YAY!

They’re also going to be on counters sooner than I thought. They’ll be available starting may 12th at Sephora stores, NARS boutiques and online. Again, YAY!

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OK, remember the NARS Orgasm liquid blush I talked about from the Orgasm Collection earlier today? It’s actually one of the four liquid Blushes coming out may 12th.

That’s, like, one sleep away!

They’re $30 each, completely new to the NARS fam (as in they’ve never been seen before), and you get a 0.5 oz. glass bottle with a pump.

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What’s it like to use one?

Slippery like a silicone primer, these super concentrated liquid blushes have a consistency comparable to a runny lotion. You can wear them under or on top of powder blushes.

Orgasm
You’ll only need one or two drops for your cheeks, and I just use my fingers to blend them in. The liquid spreads and stretches out evenly over the skin.

They’re sooo easy to use and kinda fun, too.

Four shades based on NARS powder blushes in the permanent line

Coincidentally, all of them are shades I happen to love and have been obsessed with for years. Weird! It’s like NARS had a direct conduit into my brain or something…

Anyway, other than golden peachy pink Orgasm, there’s golden apricot Luster, golden coral Torrid and dusty rose Dolce Vita.

Dolce Vita is the closest one to its counterpart color

It’s also the darkest of the four. I think it’s the closest one to its powder counterpart. It looks like someone took the back of a spoon to a pan, crushed the powder, mixed in some liquid, and poured that into a bottle.

Dolce Vita
Less shimmer, more satin with Orgasm, luster and Torrid

As for the liquid blush versions of Orgasm, luster and Torrid, they’re much less shimmery than their powder blush versions, making them more like satins that occasionally glimmer with micro-glitter here and there. like a base color with very little pearl.

Luster
I think all three look lovely when worn by themselves. They create a natural, dewy cheek effect with colors that last a full day on my dry cheeks.

Torrid
But the real fun starts when you layer these three shades with their counterpart powder blushes. It amplifies the base colors a bit more, so you see more of the coral, peach, apricot or rose.

Dolce Vita
Torrid
Lustre
The verdict

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Buckets and barrels of love ? for this line! My hope is that NARS releases more shades in the future. The lovely colors layer well and don’t fade. Oh, and don’t worry — the bottle seems bigger than it looks because a little goes a long, looong way. I’m pretty sure you’ll like these, and you may even love them. highly recommended!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Yes, you are.

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, in contrast to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of five a lot 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. Today I’m grateful for _____ (fill in the blank).

So lots of things, including…

Coffee (always coffee)

Having gotten a great night’s sleep

My wonderful as well as supportive husband

Clear, crisp autumn days

The roofing over my head as well as the food in my tummy

Mechanical pencils (random, however they’re type of fabulous!)

2. An post of garments you wear all the time?

Well, a good friend of my just recently provided me a pair of Athleta workout tights that no longer in shape her, as well as let me tell you — my world has been ROCKED. If I might online in those pants 24/7, I absolutely would.

3. Burrito or taco?

Tacos, baby!

4. What are you using on your lips today?

MAC Smoked Almond lipstick, which has been my neutral jam for the past couple weeks.

5. exactly how are your brows these days?

They were my nemesis throughout October, since I sorta failed to remember about them, to which they responded by growing wild as well as unchecked, however I trimmed the unruly bits last week, so balance has been brought back to the land when again… So they’re doing fine as well as cooperating with me for once. LOL!

You. Are. Magical.

There’s been a great deal of talk of warm white light lately at our house.

So much talk about it that I’ve started walking around the home bathed in it.

Wait — let me take a step back…

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First things first, great morning! delighted Monday, my friend.

OK, so the warm white light thing. Basically, Connor just recently moved from her crib to a huge woman bed, as well as she’s at that stage where the newness has just used off, so at bedtime lately she pulls out all the stops to get us to let her sleep with us in our bed, or just to delay us turning off her bedroom light.

One thing we do whenever she feels afraid about something, after we try to talk with it logically (which doesn’t always work), is what we phone call “mommy magic” as well as she phone calls “Coco magic.”

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The magic includes surrounding yourself with an imaginary beam of warm white light. This warm white light surrounds you with protection, with like as well as with anything as well as whatever you requirement at that moment to feel safe as well as safe.

So, whenever any individual in our home needs a bit TLC, we tell them to take out your magic, as well as surround yourself with your warm white light. As silly as it sounds, it kinda works! It works for Connor, as well as I’ve been doing it for myself, as well (I know, I know!), as well as for some reason, it just feels good.

Anyway, if you feel a bit afraid or anxious at some point today, keep in mind that you are magical. Anytime you requirement it, you can surround yourself with the special warm white light. You are loved, you are protected, as well as you are safe.

On that note, I’m off. I have a coffee date in a few (today’s my day off from the bakery…so of program I’m gonna hang out in one more bakery, HA HA HA!), which leads me to today’s perk question: croissant or scone??

Have a terrific day.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

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Karen

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

1. Today I’m grateful for _____ (fill in the blank).
2. An post of garments you wear all the time?
3. Burrito or taco?
4. What are you using on your lips today?
5. exactly how are your brows these days?

Today I wore this summer time look to run a couple errands and drop off Coywolf at her first day of summer fun/school. I used lots of Chanel, with a mix of new and old faves, because I love the way they manage color. They use juuuust enough, so you don’t go from zero to rodeo clown in a hummingbird heartbeat.

Swatches and details on the crucial products down below.

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Key items

Base: All I’m wearing is a 50/50 mix of It Cosmetics CC+ illumination and Oil-Free Matte tinted Moisturizers (the shade I wear is Tan), which I applied with my fingers on top of Aveeno baby Sunscreen. No setting powder, no concealer.

I like the way this base looks and feels, especially when it’s hot out, because I get medium coverage with minimal product. My pores feel like they can still breathe, and the makeup stays put no matter how much I sweat. Of course, you could choose either illumination (which works wonders as an under-eye concealer, by the way) or Matte, but I like to mix the two because HI, MY name IS KAREN, and I like TO COMPLICATE THINGS.

If mixing doesn’t sound appealing to you, then I recommend going for the Matte, but still adding one or two drops of your favorite liquid highlighter (MAC’s Strobe cream is the best for mixing into foundations, IMHO).

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Eyeshadow: The Chanel Les Beiges natural Eyes palette is SO GOOD. The eyeshadows have the smooth glide of gel-powder hybrids, and you can blend any combo of the colors with just few windshield wiper swipes. If you love the Chantecaille cream shadows in pots (which are fantastic but very $$$), these Chanel shadows have a similarly creamy consistency and light-as-air appearance. You won’t find any of them, even the shimmers, settling into fine lines.

Brows: quick brows! This was my first time trying It Cosmetics Brow Power Micro universal Defining eyebrow Pencil in universal Taupe, and I’m LOVING it. There’s a incredibly skinny twist-up pencil on one end to draw exact lines, and a stiff brow spoolie on the other. I did these brows in a minute, and it was completely non-stressful because the pencil deposits a good amount of color, but yet it’s mellow enough to not look extreme or blocky.

Cheeks and Lips: I love how Chanel’s cream blushes blend ideal into your foundation without lifting it up or moving it around. I also like how they never look obvious. The blush I’m wearing here is an older one that looks like it isn’t around anymore (No. 25), but there are lots of other creams available on the Chanel site.

The lip combo is Rouge allure Ink (Chanel’s lightweight liquid lipstick) in Amoreux, topped with Rouge Coco Gloss in 172 (semi-sticky but long-lasting).

More pics!

Everything I’m wearing in this look

It Cosmetics tinted moisturizers (Matte and illumination mixed together) in Tan

It Cosmetics Brow Power Micro in universal Taupe

Chanel cream blush No. 25

Chanel Les Beiges healthy sheer Powder in No. 40 (worn as bronzer)

Chanel Les Beiges natural Eyeshadow Collection

Chanel dimensions De Chanel Mascara (excellent for epic lash length and lift)

Chanel Eyeshadow-Liner-Kohl in Contour Graphique (a dark navy that’s best if you like a darker liner but don’t want the harshness of black)

Clinique pretty easy Liner

Chanel liquid lipstick in Amoureux topped with Chanel Gloss in 172

Chanel Les Beiges healthy glow Powder in No. 40

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I think this is a real life everyday makeup look. I don’t know if this kind of makeup bores you to tears, but I could spend all day talking about wearable stuff. If, however, you’re all about big glam (false lashes, lots of shimmery and colorful eyeshadow, etc.), I feel you. I love that too.

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen