Category Make-up

Peep the bronze on my upper lash lines (it’s glitter eyeshadow!)
I can’t even… I am SO delighted it’s Friday, my friend. I don’t know, but this week was draining. even though it was just a lot more of the same, really, the whole sameness of it all is wearing on me. I know you’re probably in a similar boat, or you’re an essential worker out there doing your best, or you’re unemployed because of this. Whatever the case may be, I’m sorry this is happening to you. To all of us. These are strange, unsettling days indeed. ?

But what can we do, other than our best every day to get through it? and none of us knows the “best” or the “right” way to deal with something like this. we all have different needs and responsibilities, different situations. I want you to know I’m with you, and I support you. You’re doing your best, just like I am too. ??

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With that, here’s a little something makeup-related, because why not right? For this look I used a glitter eyeshadow as my liner (the bronze glitter from the MAC Selena La Reina palette).

Such a helpful hack!

Another day, another 10 minute makeup look
You just load an angled eyeliner brush (I like the NARS #47) with your glitter shadow of choice, spray the brush head with setting spray, and, because fallout isn’t fun, tap it to unload any excess powder bits, and then run the brush along your lash lines.

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The result?

The same shiny effect you get from a shimmery liquid eyeliner, except that’s it’s much easier to do because you don’t have to deal with wet liner spreading all over your lids or getting up into your crease.

And you know I like easy, especially lately.

Makeup worn in this look

BASE: MAC Prep + Prime natural radiance and MAC studio fix Soft Matte Stick in NC42

EYES: MAC Selena La Reina eyeshadow palette (matte medium brown in crease, glittery bronze on the upper lash line), Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara (lashes), MAC cool Jazz Technakohl liner (upper water line)

CHEEKS: MAC Pinch Me Blush

LIPS: MAC Selena La Reina Lip Pencil in Entre a Mi Mundo, MAC love Nectar Lipglass

By the way, there are lots of setting sprays that work well with this trick. I’ve used MAC Fix+, urban Decay All Nighter; the ones by make up For ever and Shiseido are also great. In a pinch, even water will do.

If you plan to do this to a pan of glitter, I suggest designating one area of your pan to be the place where you *always* dip the wet brush head; otherwise, if you’re grabbing from all over the place, you can turn the top layer of your shadow into a hard, clumpy mess.

For the life of me, I haven’t been able to take a normal photo today, because my coworkers have been ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS.

Never alone
Did you notice the mystery hand in the lower corner?

Not for one second!
I’ve been making a self-quarantine playlist and have been playing Billy Idol’s dancing With Myself like nobody’s business, but I’m very thankful that, throughout this period of isolation, I haven’t really been by myself. thank you for stopping by and keeping in touch.

When I was a kid and this played on MTV, I’d change the channel because it afraid me.

You’re welcome to join The Girl’s Club! So far, it’s just me, Rosie and the CoyCoy. lifetime membership!

Wanna join The girls Club?
If you’re going to join us, just know that you’ll be required to either play hopscotch, ride bikes or jump rope. standard girls Club stuff, ya know.

Last weekend, I jumped rope for the first time in…I don’t even know how long, and OH, MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS, I’m still recovering. My body hella hurts, dude!

I’ve been teaching Connor how to jump rope (this is what she gets in her classes at “mom home school,” ha ha), and for some demented reason, I thought it might be kinda fun to take up jumping rope as my new form of cardio…

Wow, that was a questionable idea.

I’ve named my jump rope “Bob.”
I jumped for three minutes straight (well, I tried to, at least), rested for a minute, then repeated the cycle. I did this seven times. I figured, hey, I’m not in horrible shape. I can jump rope for a total of 24 minutes, right? Piece. Of. Cake.

Nope! Apparently, one doesn’t need much rope jumping to hobble themselves for an entire week. The next day, I could barely walk. who knew?!

Can you remember the last time you jumped rope? If you can, did you do a double under?! (Yes, it’s a thing.)

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! ?

like it.
This is one of those deal with products that you have to be in a specific phase as well as mindset to appreciate. keeping that said, if full protection is your jam, keep on walkin’ miss Lady. However, if you’re searching for a concealer that doesn’t look heavy as well as stays out of fine lines, add hourglass Veil Retouching fluid to your wishlist ASAP!

For skin that appears like skin

It’s a semi-sheer liquid concealer with a doe foot applicator, as well as it’s offered in six shades in the hourglass long-term collection. considering that it’s hourglass (which indicates pricey), it’s not precisely budget, so a tube is $36. You do get a formula that’s complimentary of a great deal of things, including…

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Parabens

Fragrance

Gluten

Sulfates

Nanoparticles

Phthalates

Synthetic Dyes

GMOs

Animal testing

I’m trying to minimize the amount of products with phthalates in my makeup collection (here’s why), which is one of the primary reasons why I utilize it. I likewise like exactly how it’s a beast at covering stuff while still looking natural.

I wear the shade Sand beneath my eyes, around my nose as well as at the corners of my mouth (I’m an NC42 in MAC, by the way). often I set it with a bit MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural Powder, as well as often I don’t. Either way, my skin appears like genuine skin, which is my aesthetic nowadays considering that I have extremely bit tolerance for anything opaque or heavy.

Have you ever tried YSL’s popular Touche Eclat? This product is similar, however so much much easier to blend, as well as I believe it looks a lot more natural. It’s worth your time to swatch during your next hourglass counter visit. I normally restock at Sephora, however Ulta brings the line, too.

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Some a lot more thoughts on hobbies

Well, we’re three months into 2022, as well as I’m still in quest of new hobbies.

I’ve kept up reading solely for pleasure, as well as wow! It’s amazing exactly how reading just a few minutes for fun can modification exactly how you feel. I discover myself craving books now. Like, I physically feel off if I avoid my reading-for-fun time. It makes me happy, so I’m going to keep it up.

Oh! I tried something new last week. I chosen up a puzzle at a regional bookstore in town, Copperfield’s, as well as took pleasure in it so much. There’s something extremely meditative about searching for pieces. Connor assisted me when she was in the mood, too.

I can’t wait to do one more one, although I do desire there was some kind of library-like service with puzzles. I can see myself getting into it, however the last thing I requirement is a lot more stuff in my house, ya know?

Last thing. I’ve been cooking my method with a cookbook!

A bit backstory: I utilized to like baking as well as cooking, however last year, it bummed me out.

For a lot of of 2021, I hated — like full-on despised — making food. I was stoked at very first to be at house as well as cook when whatever shut down in 2020, however after a while I started feeling like I handled a full-time kitchen area task without realizing it. Last year, I was totally over it, as well as I’d get upset whenever I had to cook, particularly at dinner (I phone call it “dinner rage”).

Anyway, I just recently started cooking new dishes, as well as it’s assisted me to feel less rage-y. LOL. Here’s a couple things I made of “The simple Filipino Cookbook” by Roline Casper.

Beef Picadillo (Giniliang Na Baka) with ground beef, tomato sauce as well as raisins
Easy Sauteed Shrimp (Ginisang Hipon) with shrimp, bok choy as well as seasame oil.

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Happy Friday to you, as well as I hope you had a fantastic week!

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

how to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are provided below.

This or That: The Back-to-School appeal Edition

First day of school: do you plan your outfit ahead of time, or wing it at the last minute?

Bold lips on the first day: yes or no?

If you said yes to bold lips, which would you rather wear: red or pink?

Do you start off the school year with a absolutely new hairstyle, or do you keep the one you currently have?

For picture day, do you wear your hair up or down?

For picture day, do you wear your glasses, or do you take them off?

What’s a lot more crucial for your daily mid-morning touchup: powder or lipgloss?

What’s a lot more crucial for a daily afternoon touchup: hairspray or dry shampoo?

Pick one: Caboodle or makeup bag?

On the first day of school, would you rather wear a new pair of shoes that you haven’t broken in or a comfortable pair of very well-worn shoes you love?

Perfume or fragrance on the first day: yes or no?

Paint your nails for your first day: yes or no?

First day of school: do you plan your outfit ahead of time, or wing it at the last minute?

I’d plan it ahead of time. In fact, I’d plan out every outfit for each day of the whole week!

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Bold lips on the first day: yes or no?

I’ve absolutely done it before, so my answer is yes.

If you said yes to bold lips, which would you rather wear: red or pink?

Red, but with stipulations. It would have to be matte to minimize the probability of it smearing all over my teeth and face.

Do you start off the school year with a absolutely new hairstyle, or do you keep the one you currently have?

Keep the one I have. I’d save the dramatic change for the middle of the year to maximize the impact, ha!

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For picture day, do you wear your hair up or down?

Down, no doubt! wearing it up just seems like an invitation for something to go extremely wrong. I absolutely know my mane, and even if I cemented every stray hair into place with an updo, something would find a way to spring out.

For picture day, do you wear your glasses, or do you take them off?

I could go either way, but eh…I’d probably take ’em off so my winged liner could be recorded for posterity.

What’s a lot more crucial for your daily mid-morning touchup: powder or lipgloss?

Lipgloss.

What’s a lot more crucial for a daily afternoon touchup: hairspray or dry shampoo?

Hit those flat roots with some dry shampoo, baby!

Pick one: Caboodle or makeup bag?

Caboodle. Vintage. Pink and mint green.

On the first day of school, would you rather wear a new pair of shoes that you haven’t broken in or a comfortable pair of very well-worn shoes you love?

Back in the day, I would’ve suffered for terrific shoes.

Perfume or fragrance on the first day: yes or no?

Sure, why not?

Paint your nails for your first day: yes or no?

Definitely, yes, and survey says it would be a last-minute mani completed ideal before bed the night before.

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. Howdy, neighbor. I’ve got back-to-school on my mind ideal now because Connor’s first day of kindergarten is tomorrow, and I’m already feeling all the feels.

Seems like her first day of preschool was just yesterday. Her little pigtails…

missing this thug a great deal today!
Lately, I’ve been listening to podcasts about monetary literacy, as well as consequently, I’ve been believing about exactly how people handle their beauty budgets.

I checked out in an article just recently that states on average, women spend $313 a month as well as guy spend $244 on beauty products. I’m not truly surprised at those amounts, though, seeing exactly how it’s simple to go there if you’re buying at locations like Sephora.

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Anywho, I’m trying to be more purposeful with the beauty products I buy, as well as so I’m taking stock of my costs habits. I’ve noticed that I tend to do one of three things:

1. Restock, then pick up extras

When I run out of something, I’ll go in to Sephora or Target for a restock, as well as while I’m there, I’ll usually pick up a few additional things that weren’t originally on my listing since YOLO.

2. stress shopping

If I’ve had a rough day, I’ll buy beauty products that usually aren’t on my wishlist for some immediate gratification.

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3. Sale shopping

OH, GOSH. This is my Achilles’ Heel. If I can get a lot of products on sale, I have no issue splurging, even if it’s for things that I technically don’t need.

I’m believing about producing a set beauty budget plan per month, however you know… There’s something about those unscripted beauty buys when I requirement a pick me up. Sigh.

I’m curious to understand exactly how you handle your beauty budget.

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Like, do you prefer to buy makeup only when you run out of something? Or do you have a set monthly budget plan for beauty products, as well as you pick up whatever you’re fancying at the moment? Or are you the type of person who purchases products on a whim? let me understand in the comments.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

This week’s mantra. Repeat it as numerous times as necessary!

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, as opposed to its name, an actual poll, like with bit clicky buttons. It’s just a listing of five much 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. On a scale of one (minimal) to 10 (maxed out), exactly how feisty are you feeling today?

I’m a solid 5.8 on the feisty scale.

2. pick one: orange creamsicle or a vanilla ice cream popsicle dipped in chocolate?

Orange creamsicle, as well as make that two please. One for me as well as one for me! I just like those things.

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3. An instrument that talks to your soul?

Oh, for sure the cello. I can’t play it (YET), however one of these days I’m gonna make that dream a reality.

4. Pizza with or without crushed red pepper?

WITHOUT. difficult pass on the red pepper!

5. Swimming at night: are you in, or are you out?

Depends. Totes indeed if it’s in a heated pool as well as we’ve got lots of towels as well as warm drinks on standby for when we get out. as for night swimming in the ocean, ya know, as much as I like the ocean, I’m not in like with the concept of swimming in the ocean at night (too numerous jellyfish!), so I’ll state no to that. It just seems like the beginning of an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that I would choose not to star in.

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6. Are you into grilling/barbecuing?

Sooooo in like with eating grilled food, however I’m not really into standing at the grill, as outside terminate makes me nervous!

7. Elevator or stairs?

Stairs, baby! Race you to the top.

8. A charm product you completed recently?

I just completed a big bottle of CeraVe deal with wash, so, note to self: gotta stop by Ulta to get a fresh bottle.

9. What’s your hair style today?

It’s on the unruly side today, so I have it up in a untidy bun. It’s getting as well long, as well as I requirement to get it cut ASAP.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

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

1. On a scale of one (minimal) to 10 (maxed out), exactly how feisty are you feeling today?
2. pick one: orange creamsicle or a vanilla ice cream popsicle dipped in chocolate?
3. An instrument that talks to your soul?
4. Pizza with or without crushed red pepper?
5. Swimming at night: are you in, or are you out?
6. Are you into grilling/barbecuing?
7. Elevator or stairs?
8. A charm product you completed recently?
9. How’s your hair today?

P.P.S. It’s a gorgeous day, as well as you as well as I are going to make the most of it. I just understand it. sending a huge squeeze-y hug your way.

1. My So Called Life on Hulu

Oh, Angela Chase as well as all her teen drama!

I utilized to like this show back in the day, as well as what’s fascinating to me now, enjoying it as a full-blown adult, is the parents… DANG. They look *really* young! I keep in mind enjoying this show as a teen/young adult as well as the parents looking, like, you know, routine parents — the people who would send you to your space as well as ground you if you got as well sassy.

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And oh, the ’90s fashion. All the high-waisted denim as well as the floral dresses! It makes me desire I would’ve saved a lot more of my ’90s wardrobe.

I like to picture where Angela, Rickie as well as Rayanne ended up in life… maybe they Zoomed together during quarantine? LOL!

2. Chanel Ultra Le Teint Ultrawear All-Day comfort perfect surface Foundation

Well, this foundation from Chanel is just lovely! It’s a full-coverage, soft matte foundation that feels comfy as well as lasts all day. I like exactly how natural it looks on my skin, exactly how it doesn’t feel heavy as well as exactly how quickly it blends. It’s likewise offered in 30 shades.

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A full-coverage matte foundation that lasts all day
3. The soundtrack to Kipo as well as the Age of the Wonderbeasts

So, I’ve really never enjoyed a full episode of this animated show, only bits as well as pieces since it’s always on at our house. El hub as well as Connor are consumed with it! The parts I’ve seen are humorous as well as extremely clever, so ultimately I’ll enjoy it, however for now I’m all about the music. The soundtrack is truly good. Catchy as well as absolutely dance-able, as well as full of tunes I desire were on the radio, however for unknown reasons are not.

4. universal thread Sleeveless knit Dress

I just got this $20 gown from Target in black, as well as I’m ecstatic to wear it to the pool as well as the beach when the weather condition gets warmer. very first of all, 20 bucks! Second, it’s 100% cotton, as well as the cotton feels good, too. It’s soft, fairly thick, as well as it skims the body nicely.

5. The front tuck as well as the half tuck

While we’re on the subject of clothes, I’ve been using my button-up (button-down?) tee shirts such as this lately, as well as all I have to state is why didn’t I find this sooner?

I feel like I absolutely look taller as well as leaner when I wear my tee shirts this way. let the front tuck as well as half tuck modification your life, babe!

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Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Bite Beauty’s new $25 Upswing extreme Longwear liquid eyeliner is quite good!
This product does not bite.

There, I stated it. ?

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Bite’s new $25 matte black liquid liner has flower power. (Side note: I just threw up a double-peace sign.) By flower power, I don’t indicate in the “Let’s come together as well as like one another, man!” way. I’m referring to enthusiasm fruit flowers.

It’s the not-so-secret component in this “clean” (air quotes) formula to stop smudging, transferring as well as flaking.

Also, keep in mind when “carbon black” was the most popular thing in eyeliner as well as mascara? So lots of products boasted about being “carbon black.” Well, this liner is really carbon black-free (I’m honestly not sure if that’s a great or poor thing).

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The liner has a long wand with a flexible, thin brush, which broke my heart a bit when I very first saw it since I normally do much better with pen-style liners. For whatever reason, they’re just much easier for me to hold as well as much easier to execute a wing or a infant kitten flick with. just a personal preference.

I’m fine utilizing this wand along the lash line, as well as I can draw thin, exact lines with it there, however when I get out to the wing with it, I’m a mess. I can ultimately get there, however it needs cleaning up the edges with a Q-tip as well as some makeup cleaner to get a chiseled edge I like. So there’s that.

The liner itself is truly beautiful, though. It’s a deep, dark true black without any type of blue or red undertones, as well as each layer is intensely pigmented.

The formula likewise glides as well as dries in about a minute, which is great as well as quick, so it doesn’t transfer up into my lids when I blink.

I haven’t used it for a full 12-hour period yet, however I have used it from soon after dawn till dusk, as well as it does just fine. No flaking or fading in that time.

If you’re great with a wand applicator as well as trying to find a “clean” product in the $25 range, put it on your listing of possibilities to try.

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FYI, sincere Beauty’s liquid liner is comparable. It likewise has a wand with a versatile tip, a likewise rich black color without any type of odd undertones, as well as it’s $9.99. That said, the appeal Beauty one is a smidgen darker as well as smoother, IMO, as well as consequently a bit much easier to use, however both are rather good.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

just a little meow time!
Hiya, friend! good morning to you! In random-but-pertinent-to-this-blog news…everyone at our house is currently obsessed with mandarin oranges, but only the kind with the leaves attached.

Yes, this is really breaking news.

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I don’t know why, but I think the ones with the leaves attached to them are juicier and sweeter than the ones without. I can’t get enough of ’em! Today I have grand plans to sit around, snack on mandarins, read books and drink tea. I like to call this “high-intensity relaxation.”

Today’s reading

If you happen to know someone who wants to smell like their favorite pub, now you know what scent to purchase them for their next birthday.

Fuchsia is currently having a moment.

Here’s a dermatologist’s walkthrough of the spring skin care swaps you need to do best meow.

7 trendy ways to reinvent your hair this summer (side note: I love the square bob cut.)

Here’s your chance to own a lock of George Washington’s hair.

How to keep your active cat out of trouble!

10-minute makeup!

Well, now I want to drink tea!

Today’s vibe

A stunning cover of one of my favorite songs

I love everything about this house, especially the floors!

It’s going to be 70-something degrees today, and I’m so thrilled about it! I can’t even! It’s shaping up to be the warmest weekend of the year so far. I’m thinking either a picnic, a hike, Marin French Cheese, or maybe Bon Tempe Lake.

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What are you up to? Is the weather good there? I hope it’s good enough to go outside for a bit!

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

delighted Friday, friend!
Even though I didn’t have any video meetings for work today, I painted my face anyway! I’ve been trying to do a lot more things just for me that make me feel good, and this warm, glowing look with a few MAC classics (Woodwinked, Saddle and Honey Lust Eyeshadows, along with Teddy liner, of course), did just that.

It made staring at the same spreadsheet for six hours a little a lot more bearable. Really!

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Scorch eyeliner is by urban Decay; everything else is MAC
By the way, I’ve started doing this thing lately where I wear a darker liner on my water lines (in this case, MAC Teddy) with a coordinating liner in a lighter tone on my lash lines (Urban Decay Scorch). I like how it creates a subtle gradient! try it sometime with a couple of your favorite liners.

I hope you’re having a terrific Friday so far!

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Loving this vibe
Fun fact: makeup artist Laura Mercier spent her formative years in France. (Maybe that’s why it’s so simple to photo myself using her makeup while getting coffee as well as croissants?!)

If we were going to satisfy at a cafe today for a socially distanced woman date (I WANT!), I’d wear this Laura Mercier makeup look, as well as I’d get an iced latte as well as a ordinary croissant. What would you order?

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Incidentally, my preferred coffee drink as of late is an iced latte with a single shot from Marin Coffee Roasters.
Laura Mercier is one those lines I keep coming back to, over as well as over as well as over again. My like affair with all things LM began before I started MBB (so, we’re speaking prehistoric time).

In teen romance terms, we’ve been going steady…for a great 14 years now (here’s infant Karen mixing as well as using Laura Mercier foundation). I understand I can count on the makeup, as well as whenever I wear it, I truly feel like myself.

I just recently restocked on a few oldies however goodies (and a few new-to-me things as well)…

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Caviar volume Mascara: legendary curl, lift as well as volume. SO great for wimpy lashes that requirement great deals of help.

Eye fundamentals in Wheat: A lovely satiny matte cream shadow that you can wear alone as a lid base or as a primer. fun truth — this utilized to be called “Basic Color.”

Caviar Stick Eye Colour in cobblestone as well as Moonlight: Cocoa is my preferred in this line of cream shadows, as well as these two are new to me. Cobblestone, I LOVE. It’s a mid-toned matte brown as well as adds just the right touch of light meaning to lids. as well as Moonlight is a shimmery taupe… I like it, however don’t like it since it’s a bit as well frosty for my taste.

Inner Eye Definer in stormy Grey: I hope LM never discontinues this gunmetal gray liner, which I’ve been using as well as loving for 10 years, at least.

Cheek color in Ginger: The shade increased is my jam, however I such as this sheer matte peachy nude too.

Tinted Moisturizer: OLD SCHOOL, BABY! lightweight feel with just a hint of tint to even whatever out. I mixed Wheat with Tan as well as set it with Laura’s iconic loose setting powder in this look.

Vanille Gourmande Eau Gourmande: Did you understand Laura Mercier makes some beautifully wearable scents too? this has notes of vanilla, vanilla orchid, vanilla liqueur, bourbon vanilla as well as vanilla musk, mixed with heliotrope, lily, sandalwood as well as amber.

Current faves!

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Do you have any type of Laura Mercier loves? I desire we might chat about them over croissants in genuine life!

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen