Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

watch mad max beyond thunderdome in divx Today I got all science fair on my MAC Fresh Green Mix Eye Shadow Duo, swirling the two shades together and working with a combination of wet and dry brushes to create this look.

Get up in Fresh Green’s Mix

For this look, I thought it would help to prime my lids with a color close to my natural skin tone. I chose MAC Paint Pot in Layin’ Low.

The final color I wanted was a combination of both shades in the Fresh Green Mix duo, so I mixed them together with Sonia Kashuk’s Large Eye Shadow Brush.

Then, I swiped the brush against the back of my hand to unload some excess shadow before using it to apply the new color to my lid area and just into the crease.

With a bottle of MAC Fix+ to make the shadow color more radiant, I wet a MAC 239 brush and swirled it around in the pan to load it with shadow. I applied the color to the area closest to my lash line. I wanted the green to look like it’s fading as it travels from the lash line up into the crease.

Next, I added MAC Alum, a shade of grey, into the crease using a MAC 217 — a soft, fluffy blending brush fabulous for both applying and blending color.

• download black sheep online

Following MAC Alum, I dusted the pink from Dior’s Earth Tones palette onto the brow bone to contrast with the grey.

I don’t always get enough sleep and didn’t last night, so I added MAC Vex in the inner corners of my eyes. It’s a good brightener. If you don’t already own it, then hustle your booty to the MAC counter ASAP. It’s a super pretty shade and seems to change colors in the light, flashing from pink to grey to green.

To further define my eyes, I lined the lower lash line with a grey pencil liner, in this case MAC Dig It Eye Kohl.

I wrapped it up with two coats of shadow and was out the door!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

More Holiday Wish List 2007 – Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Perfume

It’s been months since I’ve gone surfing and I miss being in the ocean. Just looking at the blue packaging and bottle for Elizabeth Arden’s Mediterranean perfume makes me feel like I’m in Hawaii, sitting on my board and waiting for the next wave to come and carry me away.

Aside from the beautiful bottle and packaging, the best part about this perfume is that the scent isn’t too heavy or cloying. Mediterranean is described on the Elizabeth Arden Web site as a “radiant woody floral.” Imagine a hybrid between the best parts of Fresh’s Lemon Sugar perfume and Covet.

When I spray it on I get an initial burst that’s lemony and white floral. It then dries down to a light, black tea scent. On me Mediterranean smells gender neutral and not overly feminine or sweet.

If you have a girlfriend, sister or mom who likes perfumes that aren’t too sweet then she’ll love this. It would also be a great gift for a friend who loves beachy scents but doesn’t like strong “tropical” notes like pikake or tuberose.

The 1.7 fl oz bottle you see in the pic above is $47.50, but for the holidays Elizabeth Arden’s got a special set that includes the 1.7 fl oz Eau de Parfum Spray, Body Lotion and a wee Eau de Parfum replica for $52.00. Don’t you love the extra goodies in gifts sets? I sure do.

A Holiday 2007 Face of the Day with Clinique’s “Happy & Bright” Makeup

Here’s a face of the day I did with Clinique’s Holiday 2007 “Happy & Bright” makeup. What do you think?

I used the pink shade farthest on the left all over the lid, then the peach shade to highlight the browbone and inner eye. I put the lighter brown shade in the crease and used the darker brown on the far right to line the top and bottom. Then I finished it off with two coats of BECCA The Ultimate Mascara in Black.

On the cheeks I used the lightest touch of MAC’s Dollymix blush with Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony layered on top.

I finished the look off with Raspberry Glace Different Lipstick and Camisole Full Potential Lipglass on the lips.

I really love these colors. They are buildable and pretty much mistake proof. My next Clinique Holiday 2007 mission: use the Pink Truffle quad to create a gentle smoky eye!

Weekend Reading Just For You

Your weekend isn’t over yet! Here’s the latest beauty buzz from The Beauty Blog Network.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic – Christine Explains how Antioxidants Work
A Touch of Blusher – All About Japanese Cosmetics
All Lacquered Up - All Lacquered Up Reviews OPI’s Holiday in Hollywood Dazzling Darks & Neutrals
Beauty and Fashion Tech – Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Homemade rich nail cream
Etailers Mall – The Blog – PlumSmoke
Face Candy – Bridal Beauty
Makeup Moxie’s Beauty Blog - Makeup Moxie Reviews Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
Musings of a Muse - The Muse’s First Look at the Sephora 2007 Catalog
Mystical Beauty’s Musings – How do you feel about your makeup talking to you?
Savvy Skin - Skimpy Thinning Eyebrows
SugarShock – Fragrance Notes: Factory Girl
Temptalia - MAC Curiositease Review, Swatches, and Photos!
Makeup Loves Me - Refreshing Facial at Fresh

And oooh girl, I know you didn’t miss Makeup and Beauty Blog’s MAC Holiday 2007 Curiositease Lip Sets: What to buy, What to pass up!

A Few More Random Thangs Currently Up in My Grill

Because the world is constantly moving toward randomness…here are few tidbits that have crossed my radar in the last few days.

In definance to all the laws of the universe, somehow Christian Bale came SECOND PLACE to Wentworth Miller in Entertainment Weekly’s Ultimate Hottie Poll, BOO!

That’s okay, I’ll comfort you, Chris

I saw this kid dancing on “The Soup” and I laughed for about 10 minutes straight. I kept rewinding and laughing, rewinding and laughing. He’s my hero.

Not that I need any more TV in my life, but Torchwood on BBC is FANTASTIC. Tivo it, yo!


What’s My Motivation?

Today I was in an infinitely better mood then yesterday because last night I slept twelve hours. No joke. Every moment of sleep was like manna from the heavens. Ahhhh!

In between working it out at the gym and watching the Colts and Patriots game (that Tom Brady is HAWT!) I thought of all the stuff I have to get done this week that I just don’t want to do.

“Hmmm,” I thought, “What’s the ultimate form of motivation? What’s gonna make me want to go the extra mile to get all this craptacular crapola done?”

The answer? C to the H to the A to the N to the E to the L.

The reward for finishing my first project…

And the second…

And the third…

The moral of this story? A little Chanel bribery goes a long, long way.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Trick or Treat! This year I’m the short, brown, non-alcoholic version of AMY WINEHOUSE.

Here’s what I used to get the look:

Eyes:
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (LOTS AND LOTS OF IT!)
MAC Plushlash in Plushblack
MAC Shadow in Woodwinked all over lid
MAC Concrete in brows
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

Cheeks:
MAC Mocha blush
MAC Dollymix blush

Lips:
MAC Cremestick liner in Red Enriched
MAC Lipstick in Dubonnet

Hair:
Garnier Fructis Full Control Hairspray
Streekers Instant Liquid Hairclolor in Yellow

I haven’t done big hair in about 15 years so I hope that this massive bird’s nest on top of my head stays put for the rest of the day.

What did you dress up as? Whatever it is I hope it’s cute!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. I gotta give some blog love to my husband (aka El Hub), who, in an ironic twist of fate, is at the dentist having his first cavities drilled today! Be strong, baby!

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I was rifling around my makeup today and found a long lost friend, Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil in Jungle Green.

This beautiful emerald eyeliner is soft, glides easily, has all-day lasting power and gives a shimmery pop of color. And it’s only $2.99 at Walgreens, hello! If you’re feelin’ the itch to try a jewel-toned green liner this is the perfect way to test the waters without having to spend a lot of money.

In addition to Rimmel Jungle Green I used the following on the eye:

- MAC Groundwork Paintpot all over the lid
- MAC Soft Brown Matte Shadow in the crease and on bottom lashline
- LORAC Jade eyeshadow from lashline and just barely into the crease
- MAC Plushlash Mascara in Plushblack

On the cheeks:

- MAC Emote Blush
- MAC Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder

On the lips:

- MAC Cremestick Liner in Beurre
- MAC Lipglass in Magestic

… HOLY FREAKING CRAP! Did you feel the earthquake?

I hope you are intact!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Face of the Day with Mac Matte2, aka When Purple Doesn’t Reign

Try as I might, I can’t seem to get it together when it comes to MAC’s Matte2 shadows. I’ve tried to do a full on matte eye a few times but it’s just too hard for me in terms of blending. Plus, I need a lil’ sparkle and some shine, ya know?

Here’s one of the attempts with three Matte2 colors:

Fig. 1 – eggplant purple
Copperplate – muted mid-tone grey
Poison Pen – deep mid-tone purple with grey

Although I originally wanted to do an all matte eye, I ended up using Next to Nothing (from the Smoke Signals palette) on the browbone to offset the dark colors.

I also used:

MAC Bare Canvas paint as a lid primer
MAC technakohl liner
MAC Plushlash in Plushblack

On my lips that’s MAC Mattene in Composure and on the cheeks is MAC Emote blush.

The colors were really hard to blend, and I had to really put that 217 into overdrive to avoid having stark lines of definition. I also had to work fast too, because once the Bare Canvas paint dried blending was virtually impossible.

And did I mention that I felt too purple to function?

I dunno how I feel about this. I guess next time around I’ll try it with a lighter hand, which I think will make me feel less, um, purple.

Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog…

You know that you need tough love some times. And that I’m here to give it to ya!

Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog,

I think my boyfriend is wearing my eyeliner.

I noticed a few weeks ago that I seemed to be going through my favorite eyeliner (MAC’s Technakohl in Graphblack!) really fast. I mean, I wear it every day, so I’m not surprised when it runs out. But lately it seems like I go through it so quickly. And one morning when I reached for it in my makeup kit, I noticed that the cap was off, which is something I never, ever do.

That night during dinner I mentioned it to my boyfriend, and told him that I thought there was a ghost or something in the house messing with my eye liner. He made a weird face and said that it was probably nothing and that I forgot to put the cap back on. Well, in between bites of pasta I looked closely at his lashline…and it seemed to look thicker, and bit more defined. That’s when it hit me: he’s using my eyeliner!

What should I do? Should I confront him about this? Should I just let it go? Help!

Sincerely,

Confused in California

Dear Confused,

It’s not the end of the world. Think about it: there are plenty of boys out there who work the lined eye with plenty of success.

Pete Wentz does Cleopatra liner

Prince does the cat eye

Jared Leto does a light smokey grey on the outer 2/3rds

However, if it really makes you uncomfortable, you might want to have a little discussion with him.

Here are a few approaches I’d think about taking if I was in your shoes.

Bait and Switch: Let the boy keep wearing liner…just don’t let it be your expensive eyeliner

I would hide my precious Technakohl away and replace it with a Prestige or Wet n’ Wild liner from the drugstore. I did this a few years ago when El Hub kept using my pricey Bumble & Bumble Gentle shampoo in the shower. He had no clue that it cost an arm and a leg, so I just replaced it with some Suave and he was none the wiser.

Full on Frontal: Ask him straight up why he’s wearing your eyeliner…but be mentally prepared for a potentially shocking conversation

This direct tactic is the one I’d be most likely to take in this situation, but I wouldn’t go into the convo without preparing myself thoroughly. First, I’d make myself a mental list of all the potential answers that El Hub could eventually give me:

“Honey, why are your wearing my eyeliner?”

Potential answer #1
“Because I want to be a rock star like Prince, so I’m quitting my job to start a band!”

Potential answer #2
“Because I’ve discovered that I like wearing makeup. By the way, those stretched out panties you’ve been complaining about? It’s not cause you’ve lost weight. It’s cause I wear them when you’re at hip hop class!”

You get the picture.

Next, I’d brainstorm all of the possible ways I’d react to these answers.

Would this exercise help me in the end? I don’t know for sure. However, I do know that going through the possible scenarios would get me thinking about how to handle each possible situation with compassion, dignity and grace. I would also hope that the exercise would prepare me for *anything* he threw my way. And should shit hit the fan, I would hopefully be mentally prepared enough to not lose my cool and be an understanding and open-minded partner during the conversation.

Make Him Up, 101: If he’s determined to wear the liner, make sure that it at least looks good

So if the boy is hell bent on wearing liner, then the least you can do is to make sure it looks good. I’d perhaps give my guy a lesson on blending and brushes, plus a fresh pot of his own MAC Fluildline in Blacktrack.

Good luck, and keep on trucking.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Yay or Nay? – Celeb Perfums

The thought of most celeb perfumes makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little. I mean, let’s get real. If my net worth was a jillion dollars I wouldn’t be buying a $14.00 fragrance with my name on it if was kept in a locked glass cabinet at Walgreens.

Plus, I think it’s a touch presumptuous to think that the masses would want to go around smelling like you. If we really got a true whiff of Britney, chances are she wouldn’t emit the scent of “Loquat Fruit and Tonka Crystals.”

So when I got this wee bottle of Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Covet” I was more than prepared to haterade all over it, but a mix of curiosity and masochism drove me to place a few drops on my wrist. I waited and waited and waited for the eau de self-centered celebrity to kick in … but then was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked how it smelled. In fact, it actually smells pretty good – like lemons, your boyfriend’s sweater and baby powder brewed together in a cauldron for a really long time.

I am happy to declare that I don’t hate this! What’s your take on celeb perfumes? Got any guilty pleasures?

Product Review – Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water

I’ve been on a makeup remover kick lately. I’m looking to feed my inner beast of laziness, so my mission is to find a product that that:

- removes long-wearing eye makeup easily
- doesn’t require an extra rinse of water
- smells good
- doesn’t dry out my skin

When I found Darphin, a French skin care line, I thought that I found pay dirt with their makeup remover for sensitive skin. Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water is a no-rinse formula that I apply with a soft cotton ball or pad, and it removes almost all of my makeup and doesn’t require an extra rinse of water. It doesn’t leave my face feeling taught or dry, and has a wonderful light, floral smell that is divine.

The downside? It’s pricey – $50.00 for a 6.7 fl oz bottle (I know, I know!) Also, while this removes most makeup it won’t remove long-wear products, like MAC Liquidlast liner.

It’s a wonderful, luxurious splurge though. Christmas is around the corner, so it might be a nice stocking stuffer for the makeup junkie in your life who has everything.

Face of the Day – A Light Purple Eye with the Nixie Eye Palette

A few weeks ago I posted pics of a beautiful shadow palette from Nix’ie Cosmetics. Here’s a FOTD I did with two of the shadows from that palette:




On the eyes I used these two colors from the palette.

And for the rest –
Makeup Forever Lift Concealer as shadow primer on lids
MAC Concrete and 266 brush for brows
MAC Plush Lash Mascara in Plushblack
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer

Cheeks –
MAC Mocha Blush
MAC Emote Blush

Lips –
MAC Pink Treat Cremestick Liner
MAC Brew Lipstick
MAC Style It Up Lipglass

Face –
Laura Mercier Oil-free foundation
MAC Invisible Set Powder

This colors in this palette have varying levels of color payoff. It was especially evident when I tried it with different shadow bases. I tried MAC Paint, MAC Paint pot and liquid concealer. The concealer grabbed the shadows best and gave the most color payoff and ease of blendability.

I like the colors in this palette for either a sheer wash of color or as a pop of color to line the upper and lower lash line. I’ve been reaching for it often, especially on my 10-minute makeup days.

How was your weekend? I barely spent time inside the house because it was so beautiful outside. It pains me to know that rainy and gloomy weather is right around the corner.

El hub and I went into the city on Saturday night for the opening night of Litquake, a yearly literary festival held in San Francisco. The evening was a tribute to San Francisco author Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City and The Night Listener. Several of his closest friends, including actress Laura Linney and Judd and Pam (ha!) from the Real World San Francisco, were there to read from his works and tell stories about him.

Anyway, enjoy your Monday! Another week – and another chance to make a new start, right?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Dear Justin Timberlake,

Thank you so much for your lovely concert last night! I, along with the gazillion screaming teenage girls and gay men, really appreciate you being there to showcase your musical and dancing talents. And imagine my surprise when you gave props to the bloggers who figured out why you canceled your original September 12th performance date! Honey, let this be a lesson to you…next time before you get your swerve on at the VMAs you better eat lots bread before the Grey Goose gets your boy feeling loose.

By the way, I saw you waving to me up there in the nosebleed section 211 seat 39 as you sang “Senorita.” As you were staring into my eyes, did you notice my attempt at becoming one with MAC Brun shadow, a dark brown that previously scared the beejebus out of me? I paired it with:

MAC Next to Nothing (Smoke Signals Quad) as a wash
MAC Shroom on browbone
MAC Brun on outer third of the lid and bottom lashline
MAC Vex on inner lid
MAC Technakohl liner in Graphblack on top lashline
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline on inner lashline
MAC Concrete in brows
MAC Select Moisturecover concealer under eyes
Tarte 4-in-1 mascara
And
MAC Mocha and Blushbaby on cheeks

And did you notice that I was also wearing

MAC Barely Lit Lipstick
MAC Soft & Slow Lipglass

on my lips as I sang back to you? I hope so.

While I loved your performance, I have to point out something that everyone at that show was thinking. During the frenzy of the “Sexy/Back” finale, the crowds’ collective hormonal state dictated that you take your shirt off, but alas – you didn’t. Why, Justin, why?

Me and my girl Chris anxiously awaiting Justin Man Candy

Honestly, we would’ve probably been happy even if you just walked around in that white tank top you were sporting underneath that sweat-soaked button down shirt, but noooooo.

I hope you know that we all paid good money to see you and truly expected to get our perv on in a socially acceptable setting. Even a few minutes of semi-nudity would’ve made the night one for the history books.

Nonetheless, my girls and I still had lots of fun. And thanks again for the offer to take us backstage to feed us chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, but we had a long drive home. Next time.

Take care!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Here’s a Face of the Day that I did with Lola Laptop’s Color to Go in “Joy.” I’m a sucker for packaging, and I love how sleek and sophisticated this looks.

What I liked about it
- Cute packaging
- Captive Eyeshadow is a beautiful, highly pigmented bronze.
- Gloss has a great texture and is not sticky
- Huge mirror in compact
- Unusual color combo

What I didn’t like about it
- Lots of large chunky glitter in the gold enchant shadow (too disco for me)
- No lip brush

So I never wear pinks on my eyes but this palette helped to push me out of my regular makeup comfort zone, which I appreciate. Here’s what I used:

- Enchant on the brow bone
- Captive on lid
- Charm on outer third of lid
- Cherish on lash line

On my lips I first applied a layer of Allure, which looks dark in the pan but is actually very sheer. I popped a thin layer of Entice on top.

I have to admit, it took me a while to figure this palette out. These shadow colors are shades that I’m not normally immediately drawn to, but after some practice (and lots of blending) I liked the result of the eye very much. I felt like I had to use a lot of color to get it to show up, but that may just be because I have darker skin.

If you are lighter then I suspect you’ll have an easier time with this. Oh, and while it’s not quite my style, if you like big flashy glitter gold glitter than you’ll love the highlight color, Cherish.

The Lola Laptop Color to Go Palette is $36.00.

Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

I’m exhausted, ya’ll. The last two days have really taken a lot out of me. I think I’m crashing from the adrenaline rush, plus I’ve had very little sleep and too much coffee.

I’m glad it’s Friday because today is my day off and I’m looking forward to digging into more of the Lola Holiday/Fall loot today. Perhaps I’ll even pop by the movies to catch the new Resident Evil flick, too.

Hope your Friday so far has been fun and that wherever you are that your feeling rested, happy and loved. Oh, and I also hope your brows look good, too! =)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Bonjour! Today is part three of our Tarte Fall 2007 reviews, so we travel to Paris via Tarte’s Prêt-a-Porter Palette, a dual personality palette with shadows, cream blushes, and lipsticks for two different smoky eye looks. The other day we took a look at the green smoky eye from the I Love NY side, so today we’ll check out a gray/purple smoky eye from the Paris, Mon Amour side.

Oui, oui, grab your croissant

Product: Tarte’s Ready-to-Wear/ Prêt-a-Porter Palette – Paris, Mon Amour side
Use: to create a gray/purple smoky eye look, comes with coordinating blush and lipstick
Price: $44.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+!

I followed the instructions in the “How to Get the Look” booklet that comes with the palette, and used:

Tarte products:
- deep purple shadow from the upper lash line into the crease
- gray-purple over lid and up into crease
- pale pink on brow bone
- deep purple on lower lash line applied with wet eyeliner brush
- coral rose cream blush on cheeks
- burgundy rose lipstick on lips

This look also includes:
- two coats of L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black
- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation, Translucent Powder and Secret Brightening Powder
- MAC Concrete in brows
- MAC Bare Canvas Paint as shadow base

What I liked about it

I lurves this smoky look. Usually I have a hard time with purples because I end up looking like a post-fight street thug, and when I started applying these shadows I initially thought it was not going to end well. There was purple, purple, everywhere and it was not a pretty sight. But after ditching the palette brushes and working quickly before the MAC Paint dried I ended up very pleased with the results.

Just for the hell of it on one eye I tried using the palettes’ small brushes (an eyeliner brush and shadow brush) to apply the shadows, which is what the booklet tells you to do, and let me tell ya it was so not crackin’. The shadows are sheer and the eyeliner brush is tiny so it took forever to apply it and to blend. It took forever to get the purple dark enough. The brush was fine for wetting and applying the purple shadow on the bottom lash line, though. And while the eye shadow brush was alright for applying color onto the brow bone it really wasn’t working in my crease because it was too big, so I ended up using my MAC 217 to get the gray-purple into the crease.

Sidenote: MAC lovers, I had a minor epiphany when doing the other eye. When working with MAC Paint it pays to apply shadows quickly before the paint dries. It makes blending easier.

The burgundy rose lipsticks also blend together well and have a slight sheen that’s very pretty. The coral rose cream blush has a little bit of sparkle to it but it’s subtle. I plan on pairing this with Nars Torrid, a coral blush with shimmer, in the future. I think it’s going to look crazy good.

What I didn’t like about it

Obvs there was the palette brush issue, but that’s minor if you own your own brushes. Another small point is the shadows are set close to the cream blush, so I have to be aware of which way I’m stroking my brush so I don’t get deep purple shadow all over blush.

The final word

This palette rocks. It has a few minor flaws: blah brushes, and no eye primer base to grab the shadows. Usually when I get palettes there’s one or two colors I can’t wear but everything in here works for me. You really do get a lot for your money in terms of usability. If you’re a makeup addict-in-training who already has a few basics brushes and a cream base or two then check it out, and get ready to explore the lovely world of green and purple smoky eyes.

Last night I went to dance class for the first time in a month and I’m hurting. My hip hop teacher, Jackie, busted out a song from a new R&B artist Ray Lavender, and it’s called “Donkey Kong.” HA HA HA! The lyrics are kind of lame – “she got that donkey kong bouncing in that blouse.” Um, what? Still, the beat is sick and I can’t stop dancing to it. The song hasn’t been officially released yet so there isn’t a video, but you can hear it via this youtube clip. I warn you though – once you hear it you won’t be able to get it out of your head.

Have a great day, and get some dancing in, even if it’s just in your kitchen while you’re making dinner.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Tarte’s Health Couture 2007 fall collection continues to move me. While the ready-to-wear/prêt-a-porter palette appeals to the makeup addict in me, easy-to-use products like Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty really speak to my inner lazy bum.

Face of the Day with Tarte Products

Because there are some days when I barely have enough time to brush my teeth, I like to have makeup around that doesn’t take a lot of time to apply that still allows me to look put together. In this Face of the Day below, I’m barely wearing anything:

Tarte products:
- Cheek Stain in Natural Beauty on cheeks
- Lashes curled with Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler, and then followed with 4-in-1 Mascara
- Inside Out lipstick in Sweet Dreams

This lazy bum makeup look also includes:
- MAC Concrete shadow in brows
- Laura Mercier Translucent setting powder over entire face
- MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer mixed with MAC Fast Response Eye cream
- Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder underneath eyes

It looks natural, doesn’t feel heavy and took less than ten minutes. Viva la lazy, ya’ll.

What to bring home, and what to pass up

So what’s worth bringing home this fall from Tarte’s Health Couture 2007 releases? Don’t miss out on the Cheek Stain and the Inside Out Lipsticks!

No Skill Required – Natural Beauty Cheek Stain

- Easy to work with (no brush required)
- Highly pigmented color

What I liked about it
This “no skill required” gel is what put Tarte on the makeup map, and has won awards from magazines like InStyle, Cosmo and Self. Natural Beauty indeed gives a natural looking flush! This red–toned blush has a dewy look on cheeks and has no glitter. I apply just a lil’ bit of it with my fingers and I look like I was just at the gym working on my fitness. Good consistency (not to thick or oily) and smell (oranges) too.

What I didn’t like about it
Although I like the color, I have to be a careful with the amount that I put on. The color is bright and has a lot of pigment for a gel blush, so if I accidentally put too much on I look like a crazy old lady who can’t lay off the rouge. Also, I wish the staying power was longer. I have oily skin, and after a few hours the blush seems to slide right off.

The final word
A lovely color that would be good for ladies or makeup loving gents who want an easy, natural cheek look. Apply sparingly or risk Bozo the Clown mega-status.

Inside Out Lipsticks are Easy and Pretty, but Skip the Juice

Product: Inside Out Vitamin Infused Lipstick Powered by BORBA nutraceuticals
Use: As a matte lipstick. The BORBA powdered drink is supposed to clarify your skin.
Price: $22.00 for a tube and a package of BORBA Skin Balance Aqua-less Crystalline
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B

- Semi-matte finish, highly pigmented colors
- Easy to apply
- Sweet Dreams shade is a dusty pink-rose, Zen is plum-berry
- Powdered BORBA nutraceutical drink tasted “interesting”
- Cute packaging

What I liked about it
At first glance, I though that the clear center in this lipstick would give it a sheer look. The colors, like the natural beauty gel blush, are also highly pigmented. Both colors have a semi-matte texture, and are easy to apply. I didn’t use a lip brush and just slapped a layer on directly from the tube with very little effort, yet the look was still relaxed but refined.

What I didn’t like about it
The accompanying pack of “Skin Balance Aqua-less Crystalline” by BORBA is a clarifying pomegranate antioxiant powder drink that’s supposed to help control blemishes, surface oil and detoxify skin. Control blemishes? Sign me up.

I’ve got a hyper-sensitive sense of smell, and this drink smelled really “grassy” to me. It made my tummy churn. It’s got zero calories, which I suppose is good, and it tasted like a mystery drink with no distinct fruit flavor or sugar. I can’t say if it helped clear my skin. I’ll just stick to drinking obscene amounts of water, which has always helped me to keep the zits away.

… okay, so it didn’t really taste like chicken, but it definitely tasted weird

The final word
I won’t be downing any BORBA powdered drinks anytime soon, but I’ll definitely be toting this lipstick on my days when I don’t want to put in a lot of makeup effort. Sweet Dreams was my favorite natural-looking color out of the two.

4-in-1 Lashes Equals 4 Coats of Mascara for makeupandbeautyblog.com

Product: Rejuvelash Lash Sxhilarating set; includes Rejuvelash Declumping Lash Exhilarator; Lights, camera, lashes! 4-in-1 Mascara; Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler
Use: To curl and define lashes
Price: $40.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: C+/B-

- lash curler with unique “ergonomic” design
- 4-in-1 mascara builds and thickens easily
- Rejvelash declumping very high gloss

What I liked about it
If you already have thick and abundant lashes then you’ll dig 4-in-1 mascara because it gives lash emphasis without looking too over-the-top, and holds a lash curl well. Rejuvelash is an interesting product that comes with this set. It’s a clear gloss that you put on later on in the day to revive your lashes. I liked that it was glossy and de-clumped my late-day lashes.

What I didn’t like about it
I really wanted to fall in love with this curler, just ‘cause it has those cute “ergonomic” purple handles. However, I felt like the width of the lash curl area should be slightly bigger because it kept pinching me. Ouch! I compared it to my MAC curler, which is slightly longer by just a touch, but that little bit of room prevents me from getting pinched lashes.

After Four Coats of 4-in-1

Even on my minimal makeup days I like my lashes to look big and flashy, and I had to use a lot of the 4-in-1 to get them to the thickness and length that I like. I used four coats in this picture, lol. That said, even though it built up nicely I wish I didn’t have to put in so much effort to get there.

The final word
Natural lash beauties will like 4-in-1 mascara. I will stick to my MAC curler, but if you’ve always hated having to put your fingers through the looks of your mascara curler, then Tarte’s version is worth at least a try. Rejuvelash is a neat gloss that busy makeup lovers will like to give late day lashes an instant lift.

BAH! It’s Monday. I’m still recovering from the weekend. I stayed up late last night to watch Transformers (more than meets the eye) and it totally brought me back to my childhood days at the babysitters, when there were no girls to play with and I was stuck hanging with a bunch of roughneck boys who always made me be Bumblebee and never ever, let me be Optimus Prime. BOO! I’m not bitter. Anyway, watcha doing this tonight? I’m looking forward to watching The Hills and getting my haterade on via Spencer Pratt (ultimate BLAH) and Justinbobby (semi-BLAH.)

Have a kickin’ day and I hope it goes by fast!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen