Friday, 4 November 2016

For an Easy, Elegant Eyeliner Look, Use an Eyeshadow and an Angled Brush Instead of a Pencil

angled brush eyeliner

I spent an inordinate amount of time this week in stinky workout pants and t-shirts covered in baby food. Or, I dunno…sometimes it’s been my food, to be honest.

No reason in particular. It’s just been one of those weeks.

But, ya know, at least I’ve had elegant eye makeup. πŸ™‚ I’ve been doing this thing where I use eyeshadow and an angled brush instead of pencil liner to line my upper lash lines, and I’ve been doing it because I haven’t been sleeping well, which means Dark Circle City.

When my dark circles are darker than usual, I’ll skip lining my lower lash lines, even though I usually love a little smoke or even a pop of color down there, because man! — when I look tired, if I add anything to that lower lash line area, it just looks worse.

But I will line my upper lash line, and I like doing it with an angled brush and an eyeshadow for a few different reasons.

First, because I love that slightly diffused look, which is easier for me to do with an eyeshadow and a brush than a pencil eyeliner all by itself.

Second, and I don’t know if this is just me, but there’s a process when I use a pencil. It isn’t just grab and go. Most of the time, the one I want to use is dull from the day before, so I have to sharpen it.

Then, I have to really carefully draw a thin line along my upper lash lines with it, because I like those nice, thin liner lines. But then I have to diffuse the edges of the lines with a brush, so…it still involves using a brush, even when I’m using a pencil.

Instead, with an angled brush and an eyeshadow, all I have to do is dip my brush into the shadow, give it a spritz with MAC Fix+, and sort of tap it along my lash lines.

It’s easier to get the kind of look I usually like, and I think it’s even faster than using a pencil.

Plus, you know, with makeup, it’s all about the fine details, like the subtlety of your gradients and the values and colors moving from dark to light, and I think that when you have gradients in subtle places, like in the edge along your lash line, it can really make your overall look more elegant.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!!!!!!


The post, “For an Easy, Elegant Eyeliner Look, Use an Eyeshadow and an Angled Brush Instead of a Pencil,” 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/easy-elegant-eyeliner-look-use-eyeshadow-angled-brush-instead-pencil/
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Thursday, 3 November 2016

MAC Introduces New Shades of MAC Strobe Cream in the MAC In the Spotlight Collection

Before there was strobing, there was MAC Strobe Cream, and EEK! — now it’s available in five different shades.

Yeah, and they’re in the permanent line, so if you happen to fall in love with one of them (ahem, “Peachlite!”), no worries. They’re here to stay.

Also, no worries — the original Strobe Cream is still in the lineup. It just has a new name: Pinklite.

If you’ve been reading MBB long, you probably know that I’ve been loving and wearing Strobe Cream for years.

mac strobe cream

The new MAC Strobe Cream shades ($33 each)!

Basically, it’s an opalescent highlighter/pearly highlighting lotion, but please don’t let that scare you, even if the thought of wearing shimmer all over your face sounds terrifying…

It does to me, right? — because, hello, pores. But Strobe Cream is subtle.

Of course, if you feel like going the BA-BLING highlighting route, the new In the Spotlight collection also includes four new Extra Dimension Skinfinish highlighters.

mac extra dimension skinfinish beaming blush

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Beaming Blush

The MAC In the Spotlight collection

Available online now and coming to stores November 10

Strobe Creams in Pinklite (pink pearls), Peachlite (peach pearls), Silverlite (silver pearls), Redlite (red pearls), Goldlight (gold pearls) — $33 each; permanent

Extra Dimension Skinfinishes in Show Gold (peach that breaks pink), Double-Gleam (beige that breaks silver), Beaming Blush (pink that breaks gold) and Soft Frost (white that breaks violet) — also $33 each; permanent

127 Split Fibre Face Brush ($35), 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush ($35) — permanent

Both the Strobe Creams and the Extra Dimension Skinfinishes are $33 each, and they’re available online now (and coming to MAC counters and stores November 10).

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “MAC Introduces New Shades of MAC Strobe Cream in the MAC In the Spotlight Collection,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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Your Favorite Indie/Costume Jewelry Lines?

Ann Taylor necklace

I got this necklace at Ann Taylor last year, and I wear it all the time.

Ann Taylor, babe. Ann. Taylor. She’s my BFF when it comes to costume jewelry.

That’s really the only kind of jewelry I wear on a daily basis — costume jewelry. I mean, I have my wedding and engagement rings, but everything else — earrings, necklaces, bracelets — it’s almost entirely costume, because I know myself. I gotta be careful. I lose the good stuff, and I don’t want to be stressed out worrying, “OMG! I can’t do it! I can’t lose these earrings!!!”

I have costume pieces from super bargain level like Forever 21 to pricier costume pieces from indie lines and brands like Kate Spade and Ann Taylor, but Ann Taylor is my current favorite. The pieces are well made and last. Seriously, I’ve banged ’em up, but they still look new.

Ann’s style is classic and conservative (for costume), but not boring to me at all, and she always adds an extra flourish of some kind to keep things looking modern.

loft lace shorts

Here’s another Ann Taylor necklace I wear all the time…

The prices are great for what you get. Ann Taylor’s necklaces, and really all of their jewelry, is a little pricey…but it’s not as expensive as Kate Spade, for instance. They may charge $100 for an intricate, fancy necklace, but here’s the thing: You don’t have to pay full price. I get all of my Ann Taylor jewelry, like this layered pearl necklace, during their kick-@ss 50% off sales.

And this necklace goes with everything from a casual white t-shirt to a fancy black dress. I love it! I pounced when I saw it on sale for 50% off.

So, yeah. It’s Ann Taylor for me. How about you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. How’s your Thursday coming along? I had to help my family with something yesterday, so I was offline more than usual. What did I miss?


The post, “Your Favorite Indie/Costume Jewelry Lines?,” 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/your-favorite-indie-costume-jewelry-line/
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Wednesday, 2 November 2016

ConnorClaire.com Product Spotlight: Mascara Hearts Me Tee

makeup-hearts-me

Whenever I leave the house wearing makeup but without mascara, it never looks quite right. This is going to sound so clichΓ©, but I feel naked without it! It’s like I don’t have pants on. It’s that serious.

It’s like a next-level co-dependency thing. If I were to ever forget to bring mascara with me on a trip, the first thing I’d do is a) freak out, then b) drop everything and run to the nearest makeup counter or drugstore.

That’s why I usually roll with multiple tubes.

You know… Just in case.

Plus, they do different things. I have one mascara for straight-up curl and length (Urban Decay Cannonball), one for curl and separation (NARS Audacious), one for intense volume (L’Oreal Feline Noir), and ANOTHER mascara that I use solely for my lower lash lines (It Cosmetics Tightline).

And sometimes I like to wear them in combos, like, I’ll apply one layer on top of the other, or I’ll use one just for the tips…

OK, I know how this sounds (LOL!), but I won’t make excuses for it. I heart mascara, and mascara hearts me! πŸ’–

Our love is unconditional… Mascara is always there for me, and it’s dependable. I know that it’ll make me look perkier and more awake, just like kelly green and the Mascara Hearts Me Tee.


I think the heathering gives it a vintage look, and I really love how this shirt drapes. It isn’t one of those super tight shirts, so if I can’t resist that extra slice of pizza, hey, this shirt is forgiving like that.

mascara-hearts-me-2

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “ConnorClaire.com Product Spotlight: Mascara Hearts Me Tee,” 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/connor-claire-store/connorclaire-product-spotlight-mascara-hearts-me-tee/
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Tuesday, 1 November 2016

3 Tips for Easier On-the-Go Makeup

Forever putting on makeup in the car!

Forever putting on makeup in the car!

Babe, first of all, let me point out the obvious. I’m sure you already know this, but I feel like I should say it nevertheless.

By “on the go,” I’m referring to putting on makeup in the car AS A PASSENGER. Or, on public transportation, again, as a passenger. I mean, if you’re driving the BART train, please do not be putting on your makeup. I repeat, if you’re driving the BART train, a car or any other vehicle, do not put on your makeup.

Not a good idea. Stay safe.

As for putting on makeup as a passenger in a car/on a bus/on a train, it happens to me all the time, because I’m always running late! But over the years I’ve figured out ways to sort of maximize my car time.

1. Bring makeup wipes

Some companies sell portable packs or travel packs that are small enough to fit in a purse (baby wipes will also work in a pinch), but since I usually buy my makeup wipes in bulk (yes, I go through that many of them), I just stick a few in a Ziploc and put that in my purse.

El Hub, bless his heart, thinks that he’s a great driver, but he’s actually not (sorry, babe, but it’s true). The car will be swerving and stopping and starting and turning and doing all kinds of stuff. Inevitably, I’ll end up with a smudge here or there.

It’s easy to clean up any messes along the way with makeup wipes. Plus, you can also use them to quickly clean a makeup brush and, at the end of your process, clean your fingertips and hands if you use them to pat down your foundation or concealer (that’s what I do).

Which brings me to tip #2…

2. Don’t even attempt to do mascara or liner in the car

Just wait ’til you get to your destination, and apply there.

When I think of all the potholes on Highway 880, I can’t even deal. I won’t even attempt to put on mascara or liner in the car anymore, because what’s the point? It’s a surefire mess. Plus, chances are that nobody will notice that you aren’t wearing mascara or liner when you arrive wherever you’re going unless they’re looking really, really, really closely…in which case they’re freaks!

Whenever you get where you’re going, just head to the loo and touch up there.

On that note, if you are going to do liner, even at your destination, keep it simple. Resist the urge to bust out the cat liner. It’s just too stressful.

3. Keep it simple

I’m not about to do a cut crease in the car. It’s just too hard, and I’m not that talented. I stick to one shadow. One shadow, one brush, buff it out, and there you go. It doesn’t have to be difficult.

All this talk about cars…

My first car was a red ’95 Honda Civic named Murry…whom I had for approximately three hours before I crashed him!

Yes, I crashed my very first car on the very first day I had it. It was a classic Karen move.

OK, yeah, so…it was the day I picked up the car in Union City. That afternoon my parents and I drove the two hours up to where I was starting school at Davis. We took two cars. I drove the Honda, and Mom and Dad drove a truck loaded with my stuff.

So we get to Davis, they say bye, lots of kisses, and they drive back home. Me being the genius that I am, I immediately take the car to go visit my stupid-@ss boyfriend in Vallejo — my boyfriend that my parents don’t know about.

I crash the car in Vallejo, and I have to call my parents from my boyfriend’s house. They’re like, “What the $#@$ are you doing in Vallejo?! OMG, there’s a boy there?!”

They had to drive all the way to Vallejo to help me with the car… It was just awful.

What was your first car? And please tell me that your story is better than mine.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “3 Tips for Easier On-the-Go Makeup,” 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/3-tips-easier-go-makeup/
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What Eyeshadow/Eyeliner Do You Wear the Most?

chanel 88 noir intense

I love you so hard, Chanel 88 Noir Intense!

I was talking on the phone yesterday to a friend who happens to be a Chanel-o-phile like I am, and we both went full-on crazy when got on the topic of Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense.

OK, it’s just a black twist-up liner — seemingly boring, right? — but babe, IT IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST BLACK EYELINER EVER.

I wear it almost every day and have for months, ever since I figured out that, basically, it’s the sh*t.

I have ventured out, though. I’ve tried different liners over that time because, you know, it’s just black liner, and there are so many black liners out there, but I keep coming back to Noir Intense.

I come to it because it 1) because it stays on my water line, and 2) because it glides like a silky gel liner but doesn’t dry out my water lines like one.

Like a gel liner, it feels super soft and smooth, but, unlike a gel liner, it doesn’t grip my water line with such preternatural force that it dries them out a little.

I know that sounds odd, but I can’t always wear gel liner. Noir Intense is more like a traditional eyeliner pencil, but it glides along like a gel.

It also lasts all day long. It doesn’t do that weird thing that some black eyeliners do where they start out just fine on your water line but begin to break apart and disappear within an hour.

chanel waterproof eyeliner 3

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in 88 Noir Intense

Oh, and it also doesn’t smudge, either. You know how some black liners are already smudging on your upper and lower lash lines two seconds after you apply them, and before you can say, “Dammit!” they’re already transferring up into your crease?

Noir Intense doesn’t do that.

The Stylo Yeux formula, by the way, is waterproof, but I wouldn’t swim the English Channel wearing one and expect to crawl out of the surf with perfect liner on the other side. I have, however, cried many a tear with my 88 Noir Intense, and it still looks great.

It’s easy to remove as well. I don’t need a special hardcore waterproof eye makeup remover. Makeup removing oil works just fine (I like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil).

As for that other 88…

1988! I was in seventh grade. That was the year of the terrible triangle haircut.

I saw a picture of Belinda Carlisle somewhere with this really cute bob, and I got it into my head that my thick, wavy hair would look exactly like Belinda Carlisle’s effortless bob…

So my mom, who’s never been too big into hair and makeup, took me to the hairdresser and basically said, “Do whatever you want.” She told me, “Tell her what you want,” and then told the hairdresser, “She wants a haircut.”

I remember the hairdresser specifically saying, “Are you sure you want to cut all of this lovely wavy hair?”

“Cut it off,” I said. “I wanna look like Belinda Carlisle.”

Instead, I had poofy triangle head for most of seventh grade… πŸ™‚

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “What Eyeshadow/Eyeliner Do You Wear the Most?,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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The Sleek, Be Modern and b. unique With the lilah b. Holiday Set

lilah b unique holiday set

It’s like a choose your own beauty adventure!

Can you remember the last time you loved every single item in a holiday makeup set?

I can’t. There’s always that one wonky eyeshadow I’ll never wear or a gloss I’m just not into. There’s always that one thing, right?

Over at lilah b., they’re doing things a little differently. It’s kind of like those fast food restaurant menus where you pick two items, or in this case, where you pick three…

OK, hear me out. πŸ™‚

You hop onto their website, and pick three items from their permanent line. The kit istself is limited edition, but the products are perm.

You pick your first item, then your second, then your third, and if you want to get two eyeshadow quads and a powder foundation, that’s cool. Or, if you wanna get three brushes or three lip and cheek duos, that’s cool, too. The price adjusts accordingly.

Speaking of that, lilah b. is a luxury line. That’s how they brand themselves, and everything is on the more expensive side. The eyeshadow quads, for example, are $58 each, while the lip and cheek duos are $46.

But with the b. unique Holiday Set, you also get this really cute vegan clutch that makes me wish I had a fancy party to go to, just so I could carry it around with me and worry about people spilling red wine on it.

The kit seems very true to lilah b.’s aesthetic to me. Their tagline is “With less, you are more,” which means…you know, they aren’t all about piling on the makeup. They’re more about enhancing your natural beauty by adding a little color here and there.

Then, with your three items and your purse, you’re off to the ball, Cinderella! πŸ™‚ If you’re a Bobbi girl, take a look at the line.

lilah b unique holiday set

b. fabulous Palette Perfection Eye Quad

lilah b unique holiday set

lilah b unique holiday set

How cute is this clutch?

lilah b unique holiday set swatches

Swatches of the b. fabulous Eye Quad and b. memorable Lip & Cheek Duo

lilah b unique holiday set

lilah b unique holiday set

From the items here and from my earlier experience with lilah b. makeup, their products aren’t the longest-wearing. That is, these aren’t the kinds of eyeshadows that will have punchy pigments from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. These will slowly disappear throughout the day, so by the time you get to the end of an eight-hour shift, you’re hardly wearing any makeup.

I do wish the makeup lasted a little longer on its own, because I find myself having to do things like extra layering with them, always using them with primer, and putting powders on top of the cheek colors.

But despite that, the powders feel fantastically soft and are easy to blend. I like how they fade and diffuse when I’m blending them, so that I don’t end up with any harsh lines, particularly when I wear the eyeshadows and cheek colors.

Halloween

It was fun! — but the mall idea turned out to be a bust. We walked a half circuit, but only one or two of the stores were giving out candy. Northgate Mall, get your act together, people!

We hopped in the car, drove to a nearby neighborhood and busted out the umbrellas (because it was raining). I held Connor monkey in my arms, and we just walked up and down a couple streets to do a little trick-or-treating.

Yes, I did get a few mini Snickers and Twix. πŸ™‚

I hope you had a good time.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “The Sleek, Be Modern and b. unique With the lilah b. Holiday Set,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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