The Maybelline 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Wearing The 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette by Maybelline, just $11.99 and available now at Ulta

I’m totally down with gold, bronze and brown,
The color combo spins me round and round…

OK, that’s the end of that nonsense. My name is Karen, and I cannot rap! Nope. I am terrible at improv lyrical wordsmith-ing.

But hey, girl, haaay, I can do other things…like obsess over outrageously good gold, bronze and brown eye palettes. Yeah, I can totally do that. Been doing it for years, actually.

Here’s one: the new $11.99 Maybelline The 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette.

Maybelline’s The 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette has 12 dazzling colors infused with metallic gold pigments

All 12 of these warm, shimmery shades are right up my alley. For an $11.99 palette, this one’s a divine drugstore darling with bronze, brown, purple and khaki. They’re all nicely pigmented (I’d call them “medium” pigmented, so just shy of full), so they aren’t as sheer as the shadows in some inexpensive palettes; easy to blend; silky soft; and they don’t have a problem with wear time.

This is a great palette for everyday shimmer. I have a palette from theBalm that’s very similar to it but about $20 more expensive.

The powder particles in the more shimmery of the shades are on the larger side, though…which does make those somewhat aging, methinks, but this is still a great all-around palette because of the potent pigments and the price. It’s easily comparable to some of the better drugstore palettes out there now (like the $10 Maybelline Eye Studios, which are bomb-@ss drugstore gems to me).

Swatches of The 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette (I’m a MAC NC42 for ref)

These are also notably easy to blend, and easy to blend is key.

Don’t you love it when you can do an eye look that doesn’t take a ton of elbow grease?

Really, though…who wants a greasy elbow?? (Side note: I nominate the phrase, “greasy elbow,” as One of the Grossest Phrases Ever.)

Happy New Year!!!!

Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve tonight. Be safe. Have fun though, of course. I hope that 2017 is a great year for you, and I hope your wishes come true.

How are you ringing in the new year? Or have you already rung it in where you are? I know that parts of the world are already in 2017 (mind blown!). Tabs, El Hub and I are going to eat all the junk food and probably watch the ball drop on TV. Connor Claire will be fast asleep…

Thank you for being a friend, and I look forward to hanging out with you next year (a.k.a tomorrow).

When the mountain was high, I still believed…

Waiting For That Day

Been listening to a lot of George Michael over the past week…

His music… I listened to so much of it when I was a kid and a teenager. Whenever I’d hear Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go on the radio, I’d run over and turn up the dial (!), because the only way to dance to that song properly is by maxing out the volume, obviously.

I also loved his solo stuff. I had Faith and Listen Without Prejudice on tape, OMG, #datingmyself.

Some of my favorite George Michael songs are ones that weren’t his biggest hits, like Waiting For That Day, which is a great morning song when you’re just waking up and making your coffee.

And there’s the duet he did with Aretha Franklin, Knew You Were Waiting For Me, which was kind of a random pairing, but something about that song makes me so happy.

I knew you were waiting for me…

I also love Battlestations, which is from Wham’s final album (side note: Don’t ask me how I remember so much about Wham when I can’t remember what I had for dinner two days ago). I don’t think it was played on the radio here in the U.S., but it’s on that album and I love it.

Here we go, battle stations

R.I.P., George.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “The Maybelline 24K Nudes Eyeshadow Palette, and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/maybelline-24k-nudes-eyeshadow-palette-happy-new-year/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155219197089

Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighters in 01 and 02

Wearing Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter in 02 on my upper cheekbones and down the bridge of my nose (P.S. Big hair don’t care)

Serious question: How did we survive without highlighter?

Sure, it’s not as essential as oxygen, food, Nutella, Netflix or water, but 10 years ago I didn’t even own a single highlighter, and now I have a drawer filled with them (all of which are necessary, of course).

And that drawer just keeps getting fuller and fuller. The latest additions to it have been the gorgeous Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion powder highlighters, which are $39 each and available now.

Basically, I think they’re epic. They have the same glossy, dewy finish as the MAC Cream Colour Bases, which have a fabulously shiny highlighter finish that stops short of frosty, but they come in a super fine powder formula instead of a cream.

Seriously, run a fingertip across one of the pans, and you can’t even see the grains!

I still love me some MAC CCB (especially Hush; it’s my jam), but I have room in my heart for perfect powder highlighters like these, which have a bit more oomph on my skin than MAC’s creams.

Also, if you love the wet finish that you get with the MAC CCBs (or, really, cream highlighters in general), but, for whatever reason, creams slip right off (it happens with oily skin a lot), these MUFE Pro Fusions might be an option for you because the powder grains really stay put on the skin.

Swatches of the Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighters in 01 (top) and 02 (bottom)

Plus, hi! — that gorgeous, glossy glow…

It may be more accurate to call them opalescent. They shimmer, but the shimmer is a step up from the Hourglass Ambient Powders, and a step down from the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighters, which places them roughly halfway between “Wait, are you even wearing highlighter?” and “Hello, I can see your highlighter from across the Golden Gate Bridge!”

If you’re wondering why you should bother with a mid-level shimmer highlighter like this one, well, they really help with the big pore situation, I’ll tell you that much. No O.T.T. frosty highlighters for this girl. (At least, not until a beauty genius invents a permanent pore-shrinking solution… Somebody get on that, ASAP!)

Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter in 01

Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighter in 02

There are two shades. 01 is a golden pink, which looks like liquid opal on the skin, and 02 is a yellow gold. MUFE says that 01 is for light-to-medium skin tones, while 02 is for medium-to-dark skin tones, but if you happen to fall in love with a shade not made for you, just wear it anyway! The higher contrast will only make it more obvious, and that might be a good thing, especially if you like drama!

Apparently, I’m 18 years old and 5’7″…

I flat-out LOVE (probably a little too much) taking those random quizzes online that tell you, like, what type of cat you’d be if you were a cat (Persian, Siamese or Ragdoll?), or which celebrity is your beauty soulmate, or weather you would get along with Taylor Swift.

I just love ’em, and I think it’s because I spent my teen years in the ’90s, when you could open up a beauty magazine and always find a nonsensical quiz in the back. And they were always super fluffy and nowhere near accurate, but they were fun.

Anywho, a few weeks ago I took this one on Buzzfeed (they have the best random quizzes) titled, “Pick An Outfit, And We’ll Guess Your Exact Age and Height.”

You had to choose from among different items to make your outfit (tee shirt, pants, jewelry, etc.), and I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing, but…

According to Buzzfeed, I dress like I’m 18 years old and 5’7″ (I’m not).

Hmm…

Maybe this is the universe trying to tell me I need to step up my leggings game?!

Here’s the quiz if you want to take it, and if you do take it, you have to tell me what you got.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “Make Up For Ever Pro Light Fusion Highlighters in 01 and 02,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/make-up-for-ever-pro-light-fusion-highlighters-in-01-and-02/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155184060304

Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Nudes Lipstick

Wearing $8 Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Lipstick in 555 Naked Coral

You know you grew up in earthquake country when you see some new nude lipsticks from Maybelline and, instead of thinking something normal like, “Ooh! I can’t wait to wear them with smoky eyes!” you think of your worst earthquake nightmare scenario, which involves being buck naked in the shower and completely covered in soap when the big one hits.

(Another one of my nightmare earthquake scenarios involves being in the middle of getting Lasik surgery when an earthquake hits. Sit on that one for a bit.)

Ah… Another day, another glorious excuse to wear nude lipstick. You know how I roll. And these Color Sensational Inti-Matte Nudes Lipsticks by Maybelline are so much naked lip loveliness.

From top to bottom, swatches of six of the 10 Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Lipsticks: 575 Brown Blush, 565 Almond Rose, 55 Naked Coral, 545 Beige Babe, 535 Purely Nude and 530 Hot Sand

All of them have a warm, golden undertone, and their silky, creamy matte finish reminds me of Chanel… What doesn’t remind me of Chanel is their price. They’re only $7.99 each.

You have to be cool with a somewhat cloying buttercream frosting flavor and scent, which I’m totally OK with most of the time, but sometimes, like when I’m in that part of my cycle and my sense of smell goes into next-level basset hound gear, it makes me nauseous… It’s still not a deal-breaker for me, though, because I love the price, the wear time (I get about four hours), the lightweight formula and how they feel on my lips.

I’m all about Naked Coral (Haha, I can hear you saying, “Of course you are, Karen.” LOL!). It’s a warm pinkish coral that reads as “nude” on my medium tan skin.

OK, so…remember that Trader Joe’s Pecan Pie in a Jar?

Well, I made it last week for Christmas Eve dinner and, sadly, it was not all that.

Thank goodness there was a backup pie from Costco. (Side note: Whose family always has a backup pie? Answer: My family does.)

I mean, the jar pie was incredibly easy to make. I just used one of those pre-made Pilsbury pie crusts, then poured the mix into a bowl, added butter and eggs, poured it all into the pie crust, and stuck it in the oven.

So it was easy, which was good, but it was just pure sweetness without a lot of flavor. I don’t think I’m gonna do it again… I think I’ll just head straight to Costco next year and get one of their bomb-@ss pecan pies, because I think their desserts are generally always good.

Big sigh… It’ll be a whole year before I have another slice of pecan pie. It’s just a holiday treat for me, and I’m OK with that.

What are some holiday desserts and snacks that you only eat this time of year?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. We’re gettin’ close! What are you doing for New Year’s Eve? I’m pretty sure I’ll be watching the ball drop with Tabs.

---

The post, “Maybelline Color Sensational Inti-Matte Nudes Lipstick,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/maybelline-color-sensational-inti-matte-nudes-lipstick/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155170254879

Breathe New Life Into That Decidedly Dark Lipstick by Turning It Into a Stain

Turn your lipstick into a lip stain

Hey! So, let’s talk about lips.

I think every girl and makeup-loving guy has done it at least once — fell in love with a lipstick from afar, or maybe at the counter, but for whatever cruel, unknown reasons, when they got it on for the first time, it just looked…darker than it did on the website or in the store.

I’ve done it so many times! Sometimes it’s a wine shade; sometimes it’s a burgundy or a plum. And I’ll see it at the counter and think, “Suh-weet! You’re comin’ home with mama.”

Then I’ll get home, try it on and be like, “Hmm…”

For those times when a dark lipstick looks more wearable in the store than it does on your lips I.R.L., but you still don’t want to part with it forever, try turning it into a lip stain.

I repeat, you do not have stick it in the back of your lipstick drawer, ignore it, and have it be a sore spot for you every time you see it sitting there collecting dust.

All you have to do is apply it the way you normally would — either straight from the tube or with a brush — and for applying darker lipsticks, I think it always helps to have a lip brush around, especially for drawing clean outer edges, but it doesn’t matter in this case because we’re going to be turning what’s on our lips into a stain.

Next, after you’ve applied your layer of this unfortunately dark lipstick, blot most of it away with a tissue.

Now, even out whatever remains on your lips with a finger, leaving a beautiful stain behind that still has an echo of the color you fell in love with at the counter. But it won’t be as dark.

The Mini Team: Rouge Cream & Shine Lipstick Set by Sephora

One of the reasons I love lip stains is because they don’t need as much babying as dark, opaque lips do. Basically, you’re taking a high-maintenance dark plum, dark burgundy, dark wine or whatever, and making it easier to wear. Plus, in its stain form, you won’t have to worry about it migrating beyond your natural lip lines, since you’ve removed most of it.

In the pic at the top, I’m wearing a plum shade from The $22 Mini Team: Rouge Cream & Shine Lipstick Set by Sephora as a stain.

Now go forth and have fun with those dark lip colors! Sometimes it’s just easier to wear them as a stain.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “Breathe New Life Into That Decidedly Dark Lipstick by Turning It Into a Stain,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/makeup-tipshow-to/breathe-new-life-decidedly-dark-lipstick-turning-stain/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155131949424

Two Reasons to Try Wearing White Eyeliner Along Your Waterline

You’ve gotta try white eyeliner on your waterlines, babe!

When I started wearing white eyeliner along my waterline a few years ago, every single time I’d do it I’d sing that song from Aladdin…

“A whole new worrrrrrrrrld!”

Every. Single. Time.

Because it felt that way!

It was one of those little makeup things that rocked my world, and here are a couple reasons why:

1. Your eyes will look BIGGER and brighter

Making my eyes look as big and bright as possible are among my makeup modus operandi, and wearing white liner along the waterline helps. From a few feet away, the liner looks a little like an extension of the sclera (the whites of the eyes), which makes your eyes look bigger.

Also, if you happen to have a very red or dark waterline (I do when I’m sleep deprived), the white liner hides the red, potentially disguising your exhaustion…

2. Your black liner will look sharper and more precise

When you pair white liner along your waterline with black cat liner, the contrast makes your black liner look sharper, crisper and more precise.

*BONUS* A few product recs

Swatches of Estée edit Iced, MAC Fascinating and Make Up For Ever M-16

Lots of brands have white eyeliners. Some are more opaque than others, creamier and longer wearing, but the one I love the most is The Edgiest Kohl Shadowsticks in Iced by The Estée Edit ($22). I think it’s the best all-around white pencil out there because it’s creamy, comfy, opaque and fairly long lasting.

I also like MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl ($17), which is also very opaque, creamy and comfortable, but it doesn’t last as long for me as Iced.

If wear time is the main thing you want, the longest lasting one I’ve ever found is Make Up For Ever Aqua XL in M-16 (which I found via the splurge-worthy $250 Artistic Pencil holiday collection).

The oh-so splurge-worthy Make Up For Ever Artistic Pencil Collection ($250 for 20 full-size liners, available on the MUFE website and at Make Up For Ever Boutiques)

M-16 takes a few layers to reach full opacity, but it lasts all freaking day. It’s a touch drier than Iced and Fascinating (unsurprising considering that it’s a long-wearing waterproof pencil), but I don’t find it uncomfortable.

Urban Decay also makes one called Yeyo ($20), but eh…it’s not one of my favorites. I have to wear too many layers to even see it, and it doesn’t last long at all on my waterlines.

*BONUS #2* A tip

When you wear white liner on your waterline, line your waterline with your white pencil before following up with mascara on your lower lashes (assuming you’re wearing mascara at all), because if you start by applying a coat of mascara first and followup with your white waterline liner after, you run the risk of getting white liner on the roots of your lashes and mixed in with your mascara.

It’s a tiny detail, but if you’re a stickler for tiny details, it’s something to think about.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “Two Reasons to Try Wearing White Eyeliner Along Your Waterline,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/makeup-tipshow-to/wear-white-eyeliner-along-your-waterline-make-eyes-look-bigger/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155092944199

How Important Is Color Correcting to You?

Mix and match your primers!

I don’t really have many areas that I feel would benefit from me doing a separate color-correcting step. The main area for me is under my eyes, so it depends on the person. It’s not something I do every day, just because I’m usually going for the natural look these days and I don’t want to be puttin’ on layer upon layer of makeup, so I’d say that it’s moderately important to me.

Sometimes when my dark circles are particularly dark, I will color correct them first with a peach/orange primer, then set it with powder, and then I’ll top it with a concealer in a shade that’s closer to my natural skin tone. I’ll do this because my dark circles are a purplish blue, and if I just go directly on top of them with a yellow-based concealer, they can look grayish (especially in pics).

But the orange corrector cancels out the blue, so that when I put my concealer on top, it looks natural.

There are other kinds of color-correcting products, too, and they can make a huge difference. In one of the free Sephora Beauty Classes I went to (you should totally go!), the model was very fair-skinned and had red spots on her cheeks, so the teacher used a green corrector to cancel out the red before she applied foundation and concealer on top.

It looked amazing. I couldn’t even tell there’d been any red on the model’s skin at all.

Here’s a rundown of my current skin care/skin prep/makeup process, except that my current concealer regimen has changed a little. Now I use either Sephora Future Gel Serum Concealer by itself if I don’t do any separate color correcting (the shade I use already has a subtle peachy tone), or Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Concealer if I feel like going the extra mile and doing more robust color correcting, because of the two shades that I use, one has an orange tint for correcting my purplish blue dark circles.

I set whichever one I use with NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. And here are some additional tips on how I use color correcting primers in general.

For me, it’s mostly a step I’ll do when I’m doing a full-on makeup look. It’s not something I do every day, but I’m curious. Is color correcting part of your regular makeup routine, or is it a once-in-a-while thing for you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “How Important Is Color Correcting to You?,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/important-color-correcting/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155079469384

Product Shout-Out: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder

This is only my favorite MAC powder of all time. No big deal, LOL. I’ve worn it for years, have loved it for years, and I’ll hopefully continue to love it as long as they keep making it.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan ($33)

I don’t like it when powders look powdery, and this doesn’t. It’s better for natural-looking skin than opaque full-coverage makeup, so if that’s what you’re into (the natural look), I think you’ll like it.

Wearing MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan with Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum

In other news, is anybody else craving a salad and a green juice this afternoon?? My body is not-so-subtly telling me that I ate too much junk food over the past few days.

I ate more butter last weekend than I had in the previous six months! — and every bite was glorious.

Well, every bite except for the ones of that Trader Joe’s Pecan Pie in a Jar… That ended up being quite disappointing, for the record. WAY too sweet.

Oh, well. Thankfully, there was a backup pie from Costco, which was bomb!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “Product Shout-Out: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Powder,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-mineralize-skinfinish-natural-powder/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155042920579

What Do You Think About Bobbi Brown Leaving Bobbi Brown?

It’s so weird to utter that sentence.

I was shocked when I heard the news. I don’t know a ton about why she left or what she’s doing next, but I’m sure that whatever it is, it’s going to be amazing, because Bobbi does amazing things.

I interviewed her over the phone a few years ago, and I’ll never forget what she said about the importance of diet to good skin.

I’m hoping that the brand maintains her aesthetic for the line because I’ve always liked Bobbi Brown, and I like that kind of makeup style, that idea of accentuating your features, rather than drawing attention to the makeup. That’s always appealed to me on some level and, as I get older, it appeals to me even more.

I hope the brand stays true to her vision.

OMG! — and I hope that nothing happens to her Art Sticks — the ones that look like vibrant, chubby crayons. They last a long time and never make my lips feel dry.

Or her long-wearing potted cream shadows. Those are AMAZING. You pat a bit on your lids, smudge it out, and you’re freaking done. That’s it. They also work well as bases for other eyeshadows.

What are your favorites from Bobbi Brown? And what do you think about her stepping down? Did it shock you as much as it shocked me?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

---

The post, “What Do You Think About Bobbi Brown Leaving Bobbi Brown?,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/bobbi-brown-3/think-bobbi-brown-leaving-bobbi-brown/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/155030389179

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 455

All I plan to wear today: Kjer Weis Cream Blush in Sun Touched, Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealers in 12 and 10, and NARS Audacious Mascara

So..what is the Monday Poll?

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past NINE (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

1. What was the last TV show you marathoned?

It was The OA on Netflix. I marathoned the whole first season in like two days.

It’s kind of kookie crazy, really weird, creative sci-fi show, and there are just so many concepts and things in it that I’ve never seen before…

Let’s just say that modern dance may be able to save the world. It’s possible. That’s all I’m saying.

2. What are you doing today?

Hopefully, recovering. I need to recover from the last two days, so I want to sit on my couch, play on my phone, and watch a couple of movies.

There are a few chores I want to do, cleaning up and stuff, but I intend to fritter most of the day away. I could use the downtime.

3. Who is the sexiest tabby you know?

Oh, you know the answer to this. Do I even have to say it?

4. Favorite George Michael song (RIP, George)?

Freedom, because every time I left a job I didn’t like, or got out of a sh*tty relationship, I would blast that song and walk down the streets of suburbia pretending that I was Naomi Campbell in that video.

George Michael was part of the soundtrack of my youth.

5. Did you get any makeup for Christmas?

I got zip in terms of makeup for Christmas, but that could be because I have makeup literally coming out of my pockets.

I might stop by the Chanel counter this week because I need to get a couple of “staples” (“staples,” she said in quotes), like 88 Noir Intense. I’m running low. And, while I’m there, perhaps something else will accidentally fall into my hot little hands.

Did you cook anything yesterday?

If you did, how did it turn out? I made Coq au Vin, and somebody said, “The chicken is purple.”

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy and paste…

1. What was the last TV show you marathoned?
2. What are you doing today?
3. Who is the sexiest tabby you know?
4. Favorite George Michael song (RIP, George)?
5. Did you get any makeup for Christmas?

---

The post, “Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 455,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/makeup-beauty-blog-monday-poll-vol-455/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/154988381259

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 429

The gifts have been unwrapped, the guests have all gone home, and the house is finally quiet. Now I’m sitting here admiring the tree with my favorite gentleman tabby while sipping a cup of tea and listening to the crackling of the Netflix yule log on TV.

It was a good Christmas for Tabs. He seemed relieved when we left him in command of the house yesterday afternoon while we went to visit my parents in the East Bay. Honestly, I think he cherished the alone time, because when we got back home this morning and he saw that we brought back Connor, Tabs had a familiar look on his face that said, “Oh, I see you brought her back… Great.”

I think he hopes that we’ll come back one day, and he’ll be an only child again, even though I keep explaining to him that she’s a permanent member of our family. “She’s your younger sister, Tabs,” I tell him, but he isn’t quite convinced.

He’s been very nice to her lately, though. I think it’s because he’s feeling the Christmas spirit.

It was another successful Christmas. 1) The tree remained standing (i.e. Tabs didn’t knock it over, again), and 2) I don’t think he drank the dirty water from the base of the tree. Or, he did drink the dirty water from the base of the tree, but he was better about hiding it.

Tabs hopes that you and your fur babies had a sweet Christmas. We’ll see you on the morrow, friend. Tonight, Tabs is going to fall asleep with a tummy filled with gravy, just as it should be on Christmas.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,

Karen and Tabs

---

The post, “Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 429,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/sundays-tabs-cat-makeup-beauty-blog-mascot-vol-429/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/154965611529

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone! ⛪

Sending you a huge, heartfelt hug. I hope you’re having a joyous holiday right now. I can hardly believe that another year is coming to a close and we’re celebrating another Christmas together. I think this is our tenth!

You guys…this was a big year in my corner of the world, and you were my sisters from another mister. Honestly…I didn’t know sh*t! I had no idea what I was doing during Ms. Connor Claire’s big debut and the months right after it (still don’t).

Like the Fisher Price Rocking Chair?? Would have never known about it if it weren’t for you. I would have been crawling around in the dark in tears the entire nine months without your help. The eight weeks before Connor was born and the three months after were some of the most exciting and terrifying of my life, and I thank my lucky stars for you, because I would have been… I’m gettin’ teary… I would have been a freaking mess.

All of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Like Tatiana — you virtually held my hand and reassured me that, yes, it was gonna be hard, but things would be alright. And my friend snoopysteph from Chicago, who I met years ago through the blog, she’s a mom of two, and she checked up on me every few weeks to see how things were going during my pregnancy. I’d say, “I’m fine,” but then I’d usually start crying.

So many of you…

Thank you, Jen, Adia, Anna, Marcella, Carolina, Jessica and Nicole — thank you, girls, for your kindness, your company and your brilliant beauty posts after Connor was born. I hope you got something helpful and rewarding out of the internship, and I hope we stay in touch.

My beauty priorities have changed over the past year. I mean, I still appreciate eyes on fleek, multiple colors in the crease and blending that just knocks your socks off, but it’s just that…baby’s gotta eat every three hours. I don’t have as much time as I used to, and I’m in a minimalist makeup phase now. I’ll still do a smoky eye, but maybe it’s not a 15-step smoky eye. Maybe it’s a three-step smoky eye now.

That’s one of the things I love about makeup: it evolves, and we evolve with it. Like…not to get too deep on you.

As I sit here, I cannot believe I’ve done this (blogging) for 10 years. Honestly, I don’t know if I’m gonna be doing it for 10 more, but we’ll see what happens. I just want you to know that over the next year and the years after, I hope that we’re friends, that we stay in touch, and that we get to talk to each other, whether it be every day, like I do with some of you, or maybe once a week or once a month. I hope that I get to be one of the lucky people who gets to hear about the good things that happen to you. Thank you for being a part of my life.

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas from the bottom of my painted heart, and have an amazing 2017. This is going to be our year to shine.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addicts,

Karen, Connor Claire and Tabs

---

The post, “Merry Christmas,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/just-for-fun/merry-christmas-4/
Alt Source: Startifacts Nose Hair Trimmer

from
http://startifacts.tumblr.com/post/154935700084