Bringing Back the ’90s With MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm

You just might need a MAC Tendertalk Balm

These MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms 100% sent me on a trip down memory lane. They’re meant to react to your natural pH level to give you a perfect lip tint. Now all I need is a mood ring and I’m set!

Please tell me I’m not the only one totally reminiscing about those Hypercolor T-shirts that changed color with your body heat!! Lightweight but super hydrating, the Tendertalks are available now in five sheer shades at Nordstrom for $20 each.

So moisturizing…

Candy Wrapped, Play With Me, Pretty Me Up, Side Dish and Teddy Pink adjust and intensify ever-so slightly after being applied to give you a very natural flush, but to me the best thing about them is how incredibly moisturizing and shiny they are without feeling heavy or sticky at all. They also work great as bases under liquid lipsticks because they provide lots of slip but don’t affect the wear time or the look of matte liquid lipsticks.

Available in five sheer shades

Swatches of the MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms (L to R) in Candy Wrapped, Pretty Me Up, Teddy Pink, Side Dish and Play With Me

Right when I apply these on my lips they’re extremely sheer, but with some generous layering and a little patience, the color gradually becomes more visible. I’d say it takes about two minutes for them to change to the colors you see in the pictures below.

Wearing sheer pink MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm in Candy Wrapper

Wearing sheer peach MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm in Pretty Me Up

Sheer bright pink MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm in Teddy Pink

Sheer plum MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm

Sheer red MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm in Play With Me

I’ve tried similar products in the past, like the Acure Lip Glosses and Palladio Lip Balms, which are nice, but I have to say that these MAC Tendertalk balms are the most comfortable and easy to wear of them all. They’re straight-up lip balms, but with a little glam, thanks to their sheer colors and sleek chrome tubes (they also have a light vanilla scent).

They’re perfect for wearing on weekends or to go to the gym when you want some shine but can’t be bothered with a sticky lipgloss, and they all show on my pigmented lips except for the very sheer Candy Wrapper.

I love how heavy and luxe these look and feel.

The sheer wash of color + shine reminds me of the Lancome Juicy Shakers I recently reviewed, with the main difference being that the Juicy Shakers have a definite glossy look and feel, while the MAC Tendertalks have more of a sheen.  Also, since the Tendertalks are more solid, they last longer on my lips. 

Both are moisturizing and come in their own sleek packaging (although the Juicy Shakers win on that front for me), so it’s really just a matter of preference in choosing between the two.

I actually took these photos toward the end of a long workweek, so my makeup is pretty simple, and here’s what I’m wearing:

NARS Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Annapurna mixed with Dior Diorskin Nude BB Creme in 004 (I’m in between shades and also trying to finish these tubes so that I can buy something new with a clear conscience!) // Amaretto blush topped with Champagne Pop + Prosecco Pop from the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette (also mentioned in this post) // Chaney Stylo Eyeshadow in Laurier Rose // Dior Diorshow Lash Extension Effect Volume Mascara in 088 (mentioned in this post here) // Glossier Boy Brow in Black (also used in this tutorial).

What do you like to keep nearby to give your lips a little somethin’-somethin’?

Adia Goss

Adia is a lawyer by day and a beauty blogger by night. She believes that makeup should be fun and simple, but she also likes multi-step skincare routines (she’s complicated!). Adia loves the sight of a brand new highlighter, and she’s constantly looking for the perfect concealer. Follow her beauty adventures at Adia Adores (formerly beautyluxelife) and on Instagram.

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The post, “Bringing Back the ’90s With MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm,” 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-tendertalk-lip-balm-review/
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Thowin’ Baby Shade

I don’t know what I did in this lifetime or a past life, but somewhere along the way I got lucky because Connor Claire is a pretty happy baby.

Well, most of the time… I’d say like 83.5% of the time… Maybe 87. She’s easygoing, quick to smile and a joy to be around. It’s easy to snap pictures of her smiling or looking thoughtful because those are her usual states of being.

But sometimes in pics she looks like she’s throwing SO MUCH SHADE. It totally cracks me up!

It’s like when you’re just about to leave the office, and you’ve turned off your computer and swung your bag over your shoulder, and you feel like this inside…

But then your boss shows up out of nowhere and says, “If you could do this one last thing for me, that would be great…”

So much baby shade, HAHA! Yeah, I’m pretty sure I made this face on the daily when I was a legal assistant.

Oh, and this is the face she gave me when I made her promise to never star on a reality TV dating show.

The reason for this request was because I’ve recently started watching The Bachelorette.

Yeah, apparently I’m one of the last people on earth who had never seen it before. It’s streaming on Hulu right now, and I put it on one day while I was feeding Connor.

Holy freakin’ crap! It cracks me up, but in an unintentionally funny sort of way. I know it’s been on for years and tons of people love it, and I can TOTALLY see why it’s addictive, but are these dudes for real?! Because they really seem like they’re trying to “make a connection with Jojo.”

Do people actually get married and stay married after meeting each other on this show?? I guess it’s not technically impossible that you could find someone to marry on a reality show… I guess…

Dearest Connor Claire,

Please note that as of June 2016, the official transcript states you promised your mother that you would refrain from ever starring in a reality TV dating show.

Thank you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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The post, “Thowin’ Baby Shade,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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My Office Approved FOTD for Fearless Job Hunting!

My fearless job hunting face of the day

Hey, everyone! I know I haven’t mentioned it often, but at this current time, I don’t have a full-time job. As such, I apply to a LOT of jobs, and I try to go on as many interviews as I can, when I’m lucky enough to get one.

It turns out I was, in fact, lucky enough this week! It was yesterday, and I spent a lot of time last weekend planning what I would wear, how I would handle the interview, and my favorite part: my makeup.

I wanted to show you guys the neutral look I wore and the products I used to achieve it.

From top left to right: Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Makeup ($32), Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30 ($65), Milani Blush in luminoso ($8.49), E.L.F. Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Peals($4), European Wax Center’s Brow Powder Duo ($22), Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette ($36), NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray ($8), E.L.F. Eyeshadow Primer ($2), Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light($6.99) and Sephora Full Action Mascara ($12)

The interview was for an office coordinator position at the same school I attended for my graduate studies. I’ve worked in a few offices, and those are the kinds of positions I’ve been looking into lately for full-time work.

When I interview, I like to wear things that make me feel comfortable, because, well…I’m normally a nervous wreck when it comes to interviews. I still haven’t mastered them. Sometimes I shake worse than when I’m at the dentist’s office, and that’s a LOT of shaking.

So for this look I started with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin.

Then I applied a good layer of Murad Invisiblur Primer (I reviewed it here). It gives me a good starting point for Clinique Oil Free Stay Matte Makeup.

Clinique Oil Free Stay Matte Makeup in Linen

After dabbing Clinique Stay Matte Makeup in Linen all over my face with a beautyblender, I end up with light-to-medium coverage all over.

I still had a few visible spots that needed more coverage, and I also have a stress zit that’s threatening to pop out on the lower righthand corner of my nose. You can’t see it in this picture, but every time I smile or frown, it hurts!

So I hit the rest of my trouble spots with super blendable and easy to use Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light. This includes my chin, the corners of my nose, and in certain spots around the corners of my mouth.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light, perfect for covering light blemishes!

Once I was done with my initial base, I moved onto blush and highlight. Nicole gave some love to Milani Luminoso Blush in her Unsung Heroes post, and everything she had to say about it convinced me that I needed it too.

It gives a perfect peachy pink flush that isn’t too overpowering. I also added a bit of a highlight using E.L.F. Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls on the high points of my cheeks, my nose, and around my brows.

Next, and I know that this can seem a bit backward, but sometimes I do things a bit backward when it comes to my makeup. After my face was done, I moved onto my eyes.

I recently got the Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette

The $36 Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette was my first “high end” palette purchase, and I love it so far!

I wear neutral eyes most of the time, and the shades in this palette are all really versatile and easy to wear from day to night. (Karen did a full review of the palette here.)

I went with a daytime look using Heaven/Cashmere Bunny/Sexpresso.

After applying E.L.F. Eyeshadow Primer, I blended Heaven (a cream matte) all over my lid and into my brow bone. Then I picked up Cashmere Bunny (a taupe matte) and blended that into my crease.

I noticed that my lines were a bit harsh after this step, so I grabbed a blending brush (like this one from E.L.F.) and sorted that out real quick.

That’s a bit better!

Finally, I took Sexpresso (a deep brown matte) and packed it into my lash line as my liner. I blended it out a little, sort of like how Jen does in this post.

My last steps were to add a coat of Sephora Full Action Mascara in Black, which I got as a sample, and fill in my brows. Sephora Full Action Mascara gives full, soft lashes without being irritating.

The brow powder is one I’ve had for a while that I got from European Wax Center when a friend of mine worked there. I prefer using powders in the summer because I’m more apt to sweat off a cream.

I also put a balm on my lips with the intention of prepping them for a lipstick, but I was so nervous and late by the time I got uptown (it takes a little over an hour to get there from where I live in Brooklyn) that I went into the interview with bare lips.

Overall, I think the interview went well, and I feel good about it. And even if I don’t get the job, it was good practice, and good makeup practice as well!

I also snapped a picture of my makeup at the end of the day for comparison:

End of the day for comparison

This was after my 45-minute interview, two hours of commuting, and also having to deal with a very humid day in NYC. I did get a little mascara transfer, but that’s about it. I made a note to pick up some blotting sheets, though! My glasses were sliding down my nose all day.

I hope you liked this FOTD! Do you have any tried and true interviewing tips? What are some of your favorite looks as far as makeup and outfits go for when you’re job hunting? Let me know in the comments!

Marcella Yakalis

Marcella Yakalis is a freelance writer living and working in Brooklyn, New York, with two cats, one snake, and one very patient boyfriend. She writes about family, relationships, and oppressive retail culture. She can also be found on Twitter and Instagram.

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The post, “My Office Approved FOTD for Fearless Job Hunting!,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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When Was the Last Time You Went All-Out at a Beauty Sale, and What Did You Buy?

Well…this just happened

It’s not easy to carry around 15 bottles of Bath & Body Works lotion…

OK, 14 bottles of lotion and one bottle of body wash.

But it’s not easy to walk around the mall and drink your boba tea while you’re hauling around all that stuff. I can tell you that much!

The last time I went all-out at a beauty sale was last Sunday when these lotions happened. See, I’d gone to the mall to get a boba tea at the food court, but then I accidentally wandered into the Bath & Body Works thinking I’d quickly sniff a couple candles, wash my hands at their sink, put on some hand sanitizer and be on my merry way, but alas…that’s not what went down, because B&BW is having an amazing sale right now.

Some of their scents (lotions, body washes and sprays) are 50-75% off. I got most of the lotions in that gigantic picture at the top for $3 each (normally they’re $12.50!), so it’s a really good deal.

I asked one of the sales associates, and she said that the sale is ongoing through July 3.

Anywho, I started out getting a couple of lotions for myself (Tiki Mango Mai Tai and Aloha Waterfall Orchid) and a bottle of body wash for El Hub…but then I texted my mom and was like, “Hey, girl! Do you want me to get you a bottle of lotion at Bath & Body Works? They’re on sale for three bucks each!” and she was like, “I want 12! And your dad wants one.” LOL!

It’s because they’re planning to take a trip to the Philippines this fall, and if you’re Filipino, I’m sure you know this, but when you go back home to the islands, there’s a cultural thing where you fill a couple of big cardboard boxes, which are called a balikbayan boxes, with things like snack foods, clothing, beauty products, toys, etc. and bring with it with you to give to your relatives back home.

So my mom and dad are filling up their boxes right now, and the lotions will be for my mom’s sisters. Plus, she just got really excited over the $3 sale. She’s a lady who loves a good deal.

How about you? When was the last time you went all-out at a beauty sale, and what did you buy?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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The post, “When Was the Last Time You Went All-Out at a Beauty Sale, and What Did You Buy?,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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Mist Me, Please, With the TOCCA Hair Fragrance Collection

I can imagine seeing these bottles laid out on a vanity in Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, all nestled amongst the feathers and powders and potions and other opulent things…

Every time I spray one of these TOCCA Capelli Profumatis fragrances, also known as the scents in the TOCCA Hair Fragrance Collection, which is available now exclusively at Anthropologie, into my hair, I can’t stop sniffing my strands!

I’m an unapologetic TOCCA super fan, and these hair mists are just as lovely and fresh as the other fragrances I love in the line.

You mist them on your hair for scent, obvs, but they’re also supposed to moisturize and add a subtle shine, too, which comes courtesy of coconut oil.

There are five $36 scents in the collection, all of which are inspired by fragrances in the TOCCA line, but they aren’t exact replicas, as TOCCA pulls on some of the notes to bring them to the forefront.

I think these versions smell a little lighter and a little fresher than the original TOCCA fragrances on which they’re based.

I can’t get enough of three of the five. Those are Liliana, which has notes of peach muguet; Collette (which is my FAVORITE, favorite, ahh!), which has notes of vanillla and sandalwood; and Stella, which has notes of Italian blood orange (which is different, ya know, than California blood orange…).

There’s also Cleopatra (grapefruit and cucumber) and Florence (bergamot and gardenia), but I haven’t smelled those two yet. I’m hoping and guessing they’re also lovely.

Official fragrance notes

• Florence: an alluring combination of bergamot, crushed violet petals and blond wood (floral)
• Cleopatra: rich amber patchouli blends royally with vanilla musk and hints of tuberose and grapefruit (spice)
• Colette: a lush mix of bergamot, citrus, juniper and pink peppercorn mingle with florals, musk and woods (fresh)
• Liliana: neroli, gardenia and faint peach (fresh)
• Stella: a flirtatious combination of sheer musk, white freesia, blood orange and spicy lily (fresh)

— anthropologie.com

I bet these would make great gifts for a girlfriend’s birthday or… Oh, I gotta remember this! — for Mother’s Day next year. Or maybe this Christmas, but I’m not always sure about giving perfumes as a present because they’re so personal, and because an entire bottle of perfume seems like such a huge commitment on the receiver’s end, ya know?

But a hair scent, I dunno… For some reason, that seems more like an accessory. Plus, TOCCA’s scents have been pretty universally pleasing, in my experience. I’ve never run into a girl who doesn’t like TOCCA.

Wait a second. I need a mist of Stella in my hair…

AHH! Too good. Now I’ll be able to grab a chunk of my ponytail and smell it throughout the day because these scents linger, but they aren’t overpowering, not like I’m sitting at my computer and just smelling gobs of scent in my hair.

One last thought: if you’re on the prowl (dating) right now, I think these would be perfect for date night.

Picture your date leaning in and getting a whiff before that first kiss… ‘Tis the stuff of romance novels right there!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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The post, “Mist Me, Please, With the TOCCA Hair Fragrance Collection,” 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/tocca-capelli-profumati-hair-fragrance-collection/
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Conquering My Fear of the Buxom Full-On Lip Creams

Well…they sure do look good, right?

Full Disclosure: I’ve been afraid to try the Buxom Full-On Lip Cream for ages.

I heard them described as “plumping” and “tingling” and was like, “Oooh, girl. No.” Like, I was seriously nervous about trying these glosses! But because I take my job as a beauty blogger very seriously, I finally took the plunge.

There are 15 shades in all, $20 each (available now at Ulta), and I have five of them here — Peach Daiquiri, Pink Champagne, Grape Groove, Sangria and Berry Bramble.

First up is Peach Daiquiri, which is very sheer with just a hint of a peachy undertone. On my bare lips, it’s not particularly groundbreaking, BUT I do think it would look nice over a nude lipstick to give it a little life.

Wearing Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Peach Daiquiri

Pink Champagne is another very light gloss that would probably work better over a lipstick than on its own, at least for me. 

Both Peach Daiquiri and Pink Champagne are kind of high maintenance, though, in that lines form and the color clumps a little when I press my lips together.

Wearing Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Pink Champagne

So I think the light shades are honestly kind of underwhelming, but the darker shades are great, like Grape Groove, which has a light purple tint that adds just enough color to the face without being too bold.

Wearing Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Grape Groove

And then there’s Sangria. I think it’s a really pretty red gloss, and if a straight-up matte red lipstick is too much for you, go for a gloss! And this one’s so summery.

Wearing Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Sangria

Lastly, there’s Berry Bramble, which is probably the one I’ll reach for the most out of the shades here. It’s more pigmented than Grape Groove but a bit lower key than Sangria.

It’s just such a flattering gloss, and I think it’s a great example of the Buxom Full-On Lip Creams at their best. The color applies smoothly and lasts pretty well for a gloss.

Wearing Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Berry Bramble

After trying these out, I fully admit that my fears were a little bit…overblown. There is a small tingly feeling when I wear them, but it fades after a couple minutes. There’s also a cotton candy smell that I LOVE, but it’s not too overpowering. 

I will say that these are a tad sticky, although that seems to also help them last a bit longer than some glosses do on my lips.

I think these glosses are right in the middle of the lipgloss spectrum. They aren’t totally sheer, but they aren’t fully opaque (like the Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints or Anastasia Beverly Hills Lipglosses) either.

Trying the Buxom Full-On Lip Creams!

In case you’re curious, here’s the info on the rest of my makeup:

NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint in Malaga (reviewed in this post) // Tom Ford Cream Eyeshadow in Sphinx // MAC Extra Dimension Eyeshadow in Rich Core // Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette (sold out online) // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown // Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.

Have you tried these Buxom glosses? Which shades are your favorites?

Adia Goss

Adia is a lawyer by day and a beauty blogger by night. She believes that makeup should be fun and simple, but she also likes multi-step skincare routines (she’s complicated!). Adia loves the sight of a brand new highlighter, and she’s constantly looking for the perfect concealer. Follow her beauty adventures at Adia Adores (formerly beautyluxelife) and on Instagram.

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The post, “Conquering My Fear of the Buxom Full-On Lip Creams,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 429

You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

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 eight (!) 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. Pick a lip color for today. Now tell me, what is it?
   Watermelon pink, because it feels like a summery watermelon pink kind of day.
2. Something that recently made you laugh?
   So I went to Target last night to get some emergency bread, olive oil, Toll House Dark Chocolate Chips and a box of La Croix Blueberry and Cucumber Mineral Water and saw a little girl, who looked about four, dancing and singing in the bread aisle next to her mom.

   She sang in her cute little girl voice, “Watch me whip. Now watch me, nae nae! Watch me whip. Now watch me, nae nae!”

   Ohmigosh, it was too funny.

3. Have you ever done a juice cleanse?
   Oh, hell no, girl. I like food way too much. Plus, I get really crabby when I’m hungry.

   Like really, REALLY crabby.

   Poor El Hub would probably end up screaming and running down the street to get away from me if I ever did a juice cleanse, LOL!

4. What’s your recipe for creativity?
   I do my best brainstorming when I have long blocks of time to just let my mind wander. Doing something kind of rhythmic, like walking or jogging, or going through a physical routine I know well, like taking a shower, also helps.

   I don’t know why, but moving around really gets those creative connections going.

   Oh, and being relaxed. If I’m fussy or stressed out, I can’t do anything creative.

5. Heaven contains…
   Among other things, fluffy tabby kittens with chubby paws, an endless supply of chocolate, stretchy pants, my favorite pillow and all of my favorite lipsticks.

Your turn. Just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. Pick a lip color for today. Now tell me, what is it?
2. Something that recently made you laugh?
3. Have you ever done a juice cleanse?
4. What’s your recipe for creativity?
5. Heaven contains…

Hey, cutie pie, happy Monday! I’m sitting here at my desk taking deep breaths, relaxing my shoulders and getting in the mood to work. Babylove and Tabs are also here with me, one cooing and chatting up a storm, and the other quietly cat-napping.

Connor’s in a good mood, so I’m in a good mood, and I hope you’re in a good mood, too.

Have a wonderful Monday, sweets, and try to stay positive. Great things can happen when you do.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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The post, “Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 429,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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