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

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients: Staying Beautiful Inside and Out!

This is a picture of my friend, Mary Anne. She’s a breast cancer survivor and the coolest dentist I know.

We met a few years ago at UC Davis (GO AGS), where she had the annoying habit of getting good grades in organic chemistry!

It seemed like our lives were destined to follow a certain track: finish school, get great job, find kick-ass boy, etc.; so when she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year it was really shocking. It felt like it was only yesterday when we were at her house at 2:00 in the morning “studying,” aka pigging out and watching Jerry Springer.

Next thing I know we’re kickin’ it at the chemotherapy ward and making jokes about the IV she’s toting around.

Yet despite this difficult and emotional year, I’ve watched my friend handle this challenge with grace and positivity.

One of the many challenges for Mary Anne was navigating the world of makeup and beauty as a cancer patient. How do you deal with losing your eyebrows? What do you when you feel a hot flash coming on? These are just a few makeup/beauty issues that she had to deal with.

So without further ado, here are a few great tips that she’s learned this past year on how to stay beautiful both inside and out.

And if you have a friend or a relative who has breast cancer or was recently diagnosed please forward this post to her. Let’s make someone feel hopeful today!

Makeup and Beauty Tips for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors from the Lovely Mary Anne

Name
Mary Anne

Age and occupation
31 years old (My 31st birthday was very special, it happened to be my last day of radiation!)
Dentist

When were you diagnosed? How did you find out?

During a routine physical exam in October 2006, my primary care physician found a lump on my left breast. Prior to that, I had no idea it existed and never had any symptoms. Nine days later, the pathology report was in. I was in total disbelief when the doctor said “malignant invasive ductal carcinoma.” All I could do was cry.

After feeling the lump for the first time, I thought to myself…”It’s so obvious; I should’ve found it earlier!” I did not do monthly breast exams and thought I was immune to cancer because I was young, strong, and heading to the top of my career. Cancer was NOT on my agenda. Little did I know, it was going to be my only agenda item for this year.

Self-breast exams are recommended every month after our menses. Palpating your breasts in the shower with soap is the perfect time to get to know your breasts. Be sure to lift your arm and check the underarm areas as well.

What are makeup/beauty tips that you’d give to a woman who has breast cancer to stay beautiful on the outside?

Here they are in order of importance! I had to figure most of this stuff on my own, so I thought I should share them all.

- Hydrate daily. Drink plenty of water and moisturize your body including your lips. I like Cetaphil and Eucerin products.

Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, about $11 for 16 oz bottle, at your favorite drugstore

- When you feel tired, your body is telling you something…it’s saying “REST, I’m tired!”

- With clearance from your doctor, EXERCISE! If you are taking steroids to counter the side effects of chemo drugs, don’t be surprised if you find yourself a little plumper.

- Eat healthy but don’t deprive yourself of an occasional treat. Ask your doctor to speak to a nutritionist. Some hospitals offer complimentary consults. If needed, you may also want to consider speaking with a cancer psychologist as well as a social worker to assist with financial aid and participation in cancer programs.

- FLOSS! See your dentist for regular dental care. Post chemo and radiation, I now have xerostomia (dry mouth) and gum recession. Some cancer patients also experience cold/canker sores. I recommend topical fluoride treatments (like Omnii Pharmaceutical’s varnish) and regular cleanings with clearance from your medical physician. Saliva acts as a buffer against the acidic environment that causes tooth decay; so lack of saliva (dry mouth) may result in increased cavities. Speak to your dentist about Biotene (for xerostomia), Periomed (which contains stannous fluoride), Prevention Oncology Rinses (found it in Walgreens, soothing to the tissues), and Colgate’s Orabase (it contains cyanoacrylate, the same stuff in crazy glue, it’s palliative for cold sores). Chew sugar free gum with xylitol. Brush twice a day.

- Before your hair falls out, try a funky, new, bold short haircut to minimize messy floors and clogged drains. It was only two weeks into chemo that my hair started falling out in clumps. A very sweet hairdresser, Jessica, at Thirteen Salon in Walnut Creek, CA shaved my head. It was one of the most liberating things I have ever done.

Halle Berry with a short style

Alyssa Milano with cute, short hair

- Anastasia’s Eyebrow Kit. I was never one to draw in eyebrows. The kit has everything for a beginner…stencils, mascara, the perfect eyebrow brush and colors.

Anastasia Five Piece Brow Kit, $65.00, anastasia.net or Sephora

- Find pretty nail polish. Chemo drugs such as Adriamycin and Cytoxin will turn your nails black. I prefer darker colors like OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark and Mrs. O’Leary’s BBQ.

OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark, $7.50 at Amazon.com

- Treat yourself to a nice scarf. I found a classy large scarf at H&M for $8!

- Try NARS bronzer and blush. Apply a little bit to give yourself a healthy glow. It works!

Nars Orgasm Blush and Laguna Bronzer duo, $36 at Sephora

- Attend “Look Good, Feel Better,” a seminar held by the American Cancer Society free of charge for cancer patients. They give $200-$400 worth of brand name cosmetics to each attendee. They also give free wig and make-up tips. Call your local society for more information.

- Carry hand sanitizer wherever you go.

- When a hotflash comes on, just imagine that you’re in a sauna and think peaceful thoughts. Get a meditation CD.

What beauty tips would you give to a woman who has breast cancer to stay beautiful and positive emotionally?

- Pray. Meditate. Yoga. Walk.

- This really helps…Whenever I was feeling down, I started to count my blessings. I thought of all the things I am thankful for i.e. mom, dad, sisters, brothers, nephew, relatives, friends, advances in health care, food on the table, plumbing, clean water, chocolate.

- Remember, life is worth every minute. You can choose your thoughts. Keep a positive attitude and if there is any time to erase negativity in your life, it’s NOW. Choose to LOVE LIFE and never lose HOPE. Plus, when your kids see you love life and do good for others, they will be happier and will contribute more to this beautiful world in their lifetimes. As you go through this challenge, you will be amazed by your strength, courage, and stamina. You will also be amazed by the resilience of your body.

download celestine prophecy the online

- Growing up, I have always believed that there are virtues that no one can ever take away from me like integrity…same goes for your HOPE, FAITH, and your ability to LOVE.

- Forgive. Forgive. Forgive. Truly Forgive.

- SMILE, it doesn’t cost you anything.

- Dance, it doesn’t cost you anything.

- It’s okay to cry. It can be very cleansing. Lean on your family and friends for support.

- Take a picture of your baldness. I wish I did.

- Do something good for yourself everyday.

- Meet other cancer patients and survivors. Make friends at the infusion center. Might as well make your 3-5 hour infusions pleasant.

Welcome to the sisterhood, sista! When you are done, you will come out with GRACE, SERENITY, and POWER! This is where true beauty is found…in your heart and soul. There are people who are fighting for you and who want you to win this battle!

What are you looking forward to most in the next year?

I’m looking forward to enjoying family, friendships, life, more rigorous workouts, learning how to cook gourmet meals, travel, and mission trips. I’m looking forward to practicing dentistry again. I love my patients. Oh and, taking a picture with the kitty on this website.

More Fab Breast Cancer Awareness Products

It’s not too early to start thinking about stocking stuffers for Christmas! One gift I plan on getting all the women in my life is In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove, which you can purchase at Bath & Body Works for $9.00.

This reusable glove reduces friction by 50% and increases sensitivity, so your fingers can glide smoothy across the breast during your monthly breast self-exam. This kit also includes complete exam intsructions, a monthly reminder calendar, and a pretty travel satchel for your glove.

I just tried this glove during my last breast self-exam and it really does make it easier. I now keep the kit in my bathroom and just check off date on the calendar so I can keep track of my exam dates. Every woman on my Christmas list is getting one of these!

Another great stocking stuffer is tarte’s inside out lipstick in the shade Sweet Dreams, which I reviewed a few weeks ago.

October is a great month to pick up this pretty dusty-pink rose lippie, because 20% of the retail sales will go to Young Survival Coalition, youngsurvival.org. You can purchase Sweet Dreams inside-out lipstick at Sephora stores nationwide.

Ladies, please do a monthly breast self exam and encourage the women in your life to do the same!

Hugs to you and to all the breast cancer survivors fighting to stay healthy.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Damn ye, makeup gods.

Why did you have to make me fall in love with the Chanel Garden Party quad?

I mean, despite the fact that it’s got:
- Sexy sleek black packaging
- Finely milled shadows
- Sophisticated shimmer that creates a soft-focus lens effect
- Buildable color that’s highly pigmented and incredibly user friendly
- Two gorgeous green shadows that are to die for

…it still frickin’ costs an arm and a leg! That’s fifty-five big ones, sans tax. Holy effin’ crap, Batman!

I’ve been dying to get the Garden Party shadow quad for a few weeks now, so yesterday’s national artist event at my local Macy’s was the perfect excuse to go.

The makeover included:

Skincare

Le Lait Cleanser, Nourishing cleansing milk for face and eyes
Activateur Hydration, Gentle Hydrating Lotion
Beaute Initiale, Energizing Multi-Protection Concentrate (this is a serum)
Beaute Initiale, Energizing Multi-Protection Eye Cream SPF 15
Beaute Initiale, Energizing Multi-Protection Fluid Healthy Glow SPF

Makeup

Face –
Medium Deep Pro Lumiere Concealer ($38.00)
Soft Honey Teint Innocence Foundation ($42.50)

Eyes -
Garden Party Quad ($55.00)
Soft Brown Precision Brow Definer ($28.00)

Cheeks –
Orchid Rose Jouse Contraste Powder Blush ($40.00)

Lips –
Nude Le Cray Levres Precision Lip Definer ($28.00)
Equinox Glossimer Gloss ($25.00)

Standout Products that I Might Come Back to Purchase

As far as I can tell all of the skincare used in the session was very gentle, non-perfumey, and didn’t break me out. I may someday purchase the cleansing milk and the serum, which were the stand-out products because they felt very moisturizing.

In addition to the Garden Party quad, I liked the Teint Innocence foundation, which is a light, liquid foundation that has a soft glow to it. I usually don’t like glowy foundations, but this one was very understated and natural. I ended up getting a few samples because I didn’t want to drop the $42.50 for it without seeing the results in natural light.

I also liked the Equinox Glossimer lip gloss, however not enough to spend $25.00 on it. I will put this on my Christmas wish list. Dear Santa, I’ve been a *very good blogger* this year!

The Final Eye Look

The “doe in the headlights” face was because I was doing makeup math equations in my head, which roughly sounded a lil something like, “if x = hours worked times one chanel palette aww hell I WANT WANT WANT WANT IT ALL! BUT SHOULD I BUY BUY BUY IT ALL?”

What I Liked About Garden Party Quad

I’m crazy about the colors and the textures of the shadows. This is definitely very sophisticated and grown-up shimmer. I’m naturally not a bright color, over-the-top shadow kinda girl, and the Chanel shadows offer a level of color that fits my comfort level to a tee. The final look is something that I’d wear out to several situations, including parties, business meetings, or even for a nice dinner out with the parents and El Hub.

Things I Didn’t Like About Garden Party Quad

Obvs there was the price, because fifty-five bones can buy me a shizzload of Prestige Pencils at Walgreens. Another thing is that like most shadows I’ve tried, I can’t wear the dark green color on my waterline. You’ll see in the final look that my lower waterline is rimmed with it; less than an hour later I had to take it all off because my eyes were watery. I don’t think that it’s exlusive to the Chanel line though, because most shadows have that effect on me.

Chanel Garden Party Quad – Is it for You?

New to makeup? Then seriously, don’t buy this. It’ll just set the bar and you’ll forever be disappointed by everything else. Plus, it ain’t cheap. If you’re going to be experimenting and really playing with the colors then you don’t want to have feel like you’ve got to ration your shadow usage.

If I was a makeup newbie then I’d start with mid-to-lower priced stuff and move onto Chanel after I 1.) paid off my 4Runner or 2.) got a sugar daddy or 3.) had an adequate arsenal of brushes and decent blending skills.

I’ve used three colors in the palette so far: both lighter and darker green and the peach on the upper right hand side. When I swatched the greens on the back of my hand a few weeks ago I wasn’t sure if the colors were going to work, but after one of the lovely Chanel makeup artists, Laurie, started blending them on the lid I knew it was going to be heavenly.

She started by using Pro Lumiere Medium Deep Concealer as the lid primer, which is concealer “pen” with a brush tip applicator. She added one layer of the peach shadow all over the lid, and then worked the darker green from the lash line to the crease, feathering the color upward.

Chanel National Media Artist John Fussell jumped in, adding and blending colors. He finished the look by adding the lighter green in the center of the eye. To make the color really pop, he used his fingertip apply a concentrated spot of light green shadow close to the lash line. He then tapped a brush to gently blend the light green into the rest of the eye.

The Final Word

It’s official. I’m in love with Chanel shadows. And this is now my makeup cross to bear.


Rad New Makeup Tricks, Courtesy John Fussell

John was a lot of fun to work with. He works red carpet events in Hollywood and gave me the dish on some of his celeb clientele. Apparently, he Rene Zellweger is his homegirl and he recently talked her out of wearing mink lashes on the red carpet. SMART MAN!

He also gave me a few new makeup tricks to add to my arsenal:

1. To create dimension in blush, use two different brushes. John used one large, fluffy brush to place the color on apple of cheek, but instead of brushing the color from the apple upward into the hairline, he used downward brush strokes. He then used the same brush to apply blush on top of forehead and on chin and around the nose – places where you’d naturally get color when you’re feverish or have a cold.

He then had me smile and used a thin, tapered brush (similar to MAC’s 224 crease brush) to add a concentrated pop of color on bottom of the apple of the cheek. Using two brushes to create different concentrations of color adds contrast and contour.

2. When using pencil to define lips, think of your lips in terms of four points and really work the color into the corners of the lips to give them definition. You can make your lips a “blank canvas” by applying a layer of foundation. He then used a lip brush to apply Soft Honey Teint Innocence Foundation on the lips. He finished by using a lip brush to apply Nude Equinox gloss in a downward, not side to side, motion. Go with the grain of your lip, not against!

3. Your finger is your strongest brush. He demonstrated this when he dipped his finger into the light green to place concentrated color onto the center of the lid. He then blended it in by tapping, not rubbing the color into place. Adding a pop of color to the center is an easy way to take your eye makeup from day into night.

What’s in Store for Chanel Spring 2008 – You Heard First on Makeup and Beauty Blog!

John gave me the inside scoop on what colors to expect for spring. Sapphire blue is going to be the it color, especially for the eyes. Remember the denim shades that Chanel did a few years ago? Apparently these shappire tones will be completely different. Also expect to see touches of bronze. HOT!

Makeup Event Etiquette

I love going to makeover events because it gives me an excuse to try and learn about new lines. Plus, I always learn a makeup trick or two while I’m there.

If you’re new to attending makeup events the general rule is that if you get a makeover you should buy at least one product. Know that when you sit down in that chair it will be very tempting to purchase everything the makeup artist uses to get the look. This feeling happens to me every time I go to one of these things.

What helps me is to have one specific product in mind when I get there because otherwise I end up spending more than I expect to. I have to set a budget for myself. I have fun being a makeup junkie but I also have fun watching the money pile up. (Sorry, I just got the new Kanye West CD and couldn’t help but quote from his song, The Good Life.) If I really want something that’s beyond my list then I get a sample or I tell myself that if I’m still thinking about it in two weeks I can come back and buy it.

Girl Gone Wild: Obscene, Unrated and Uncensored Moments of CHANEL LUST

Oh how I want this bag!

But unfortch this is more my price range. Quilted black patent makeup bags from Murval, $24.00.

It’s winter and I needed a new black, casual jacket that covered my bum. The Chanel-esque quilting on this Guess coat won me over. Plus, it’s warm and was on sale!

Rabid Chanel lust takes over Makeup and Beauty Blog. Will she be able to stop the obsession before it’s too late?

Stay tuned…

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

When they first arrived they were not met with a happy welcome.

Of course the first step was denial. Never mind that whenever I ran or cartwheeled or climbed trees they were always bouncing every which way. I was 11. I was a tomboy. My agenda involved riding bikes, playing baseball: I absolutely had no plans to grow up, acquire boobs or wear bras in the near future.

But then there they were. And one day, when my best friend and I were running around her yard pretending to be Olympic track stars, her mom noticed that I was sprinting in the most peculiar way. Without thinking, I cradled my arms underneath my bosoms to prevent the No-These-Aren’t-Boobs from bouncing around as I ran sans arms for the Gold.

Her mom made a quick jaunt to our house and gently mentioned to my mother that I might want to get something to rein those suckers in. And although in my mind tomboys didn’t need no stinking bras and I was determined to live in my life of boob-denial, my mom sat me down that evening and declared, “YOU WILL BE GETTING A BRA THIS WEEKEND.”

And so I went to bed that night in tears.

Even though I was just 11, I knew that my life was changing, and that from now on, things would be different because I was growing up. That frightened me most of all.

While the relationship between my breasts began with a rocky start, I can say now that I appreciate them. They’ve helped me score numerous free beers. Oh, and my husband claims they were really “easy on the eyes” on our first date.

But in all seriousness, I thank the powers-that-be every day that the boobs been healthy thus far. Within the past few years I’ve had a few friends who’ve been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. These amazing women are survivors, and are my heroes.

So, in honor of these wonderful ladies I’ll be doing several posts this month dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Several of my favorite beauty lines are selling special products with proceeds that go to different Breast Cancer organizations. If you’re planning on buying a lipstick or a blush this October, please think about purchasing something that supports the cause. It’s a small step, but you can still make a difference. See – makeup can be a powerful thing!

Product: Limited Edition of Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. Check out the cute Clinique and Pink Ribbon cell phone charms!
Use: As a moisturizing facial lotion
Price: $35.00 for a 6.7 fl. oz pump-top bottle
Who this benefits: $10 per Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding the most innovative clinical and genetic research at leading medical centers worldwide. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

Product: Prescriptives’ Limited Edition Pink Ahead Colorscope Eye Color
Use: A shadow trio to highlight, define and contour eyes – wear each shade alone or blend them together to create your own customized look.
Price: $17.50
Who this benefits: Purchasing a product from this collection helps Prescriptives donate $40,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Product: Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights and Smashbox Face & Body Brush #19
Use: Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights is a powder highlighter that gives skin a natural-rosy hue. Apply with Face & Body Brush #19 to your face or décolleté.
Price: $59.00
Who this benefits:A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the set will go directly to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, a grassroots advocacy group dedicated to finding a cure.

Product: Splendid and Estee Lauder’s Limited-Edition Pink Camouflage Tank Top
Use: To cover your bosoms and to raise awareness that early detection saves lives!
Price: $42.00
Who this benefits: Splendid will donate 25% of the proceeds from the sale of each tank top to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

I hope you get the chance to hug the women you love on this wonderful Wednesday.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Here’s a pic of my travel makeup:

Ziplocs aren’t sexy, I know.

I go on trips a few times a year, and at the airport I always see at least one cute girl hauling a sleek, heavy-looking train case full of makeup to her gate – and I’m always glad it’s not me.

While I like the thought of having access to all of my makeup while I’m on vacation, I don’t want to have to carry it around from plane to train to car to boat to rickshaw to … well, you get the picture. Basically I don’t want to haul around more than I have to. And I also don’t want to risk breaking or losing blushes, eye shadows and other products while I’m in transit.

I have a hard time making decisions when it comes to packing, so to make my life easier, I keep a “travel makeup list” on my computer. I print it out whenever I take a trip before I leave. That way, I can just go through my makeup and take out what I need right away instead of pondering if I should take the Sable or the Cork eye shadow for a half hour, which is what I’d do if left to my own devices. I also keep the list in the suitcase when I’m traveling, because I lose things easily and the list helps me to keep track of my makeup!

Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Travel Makeup List!

Face
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
Shiseido Blotting Papers
(I own foundation primer but don’t consider it a necessity, so I leave it at home)

Cheeks
Neutrogena blush in Soft Suede
MAC blush in Blushbaby
NARS blush in Amour
These blushes are my “fool proof” blushes. I can use them in a hurry, the colors look good if I get tan, and I can build them up nicely if I go out at night.

Eyes
If I’m going to a museum or sightseeing I’ll wear the following for daytime:
MAC Ricepaper – highlight
MAC Soba – crease or on lid
MAC Concrete – brows
MAC Fluidline in Graphic Brown
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer
Diorshow Mascara

If I’m going out at night I’ll use the same daytime makeup except I’ll add:
MAC Club – on lid
MAC Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz

If I’m going to the beach/surfing/hiking I’ll minimize it to:
MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer
MAC Concrete – brows
Diorshow waterproof mascara

Lips
For day:
MAC Viva Glam 5 Lipstick
NARS Dolce Vita
MAC Lipglass in Fashion Pack
I can pair all of these with MAC subculture liner

I bring brushes, and lots of them. They aren’t heavy and I like to have brush options. I put all my brushes and eyelash curler in a clear, large, Ziploc bag so that I don’t have to spend time digging for the brush I need. And at the end of the trip I can just throw the crusty bag away.

I also keep the rest of my makeup in large Ziploc bags. I know it ain’t sexy or cute but this minimizes the time I spend digging for stuff. Plus, I don’t like to spend a lot of money on cute cosmetics bags that just get dirty anyway.

Yesterday I stopped by Longs to look for some eye makeup remover. I’ve been trying to use up the last of my crappy reformulated Sephora FACE eye makeup remover and I cannot take it anymore. I ended up picking up a few goodies: Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Reover, Garnier Nutri-Pure Wet Cleansing Towelettes (man! these smell GOOD!) and Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock. I can’t wait to review these, I hope they pass vigorous Makeup and Beauty Blog product testing!

T-minus two and a half weeks until I’m surfing again. Oahu readers – know of any good beginner spots besides Waikiki? Hit me up!

It’s Wednesday, woo hoo! Hang in there with me, ya’ll. We’re almost there.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Product: MAC Eye Brush – 266 Small Angle Brush
Use: For application of eye shadow, liquid liner and other eye products.
Price: $18.50
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+

Behold, beauty obsessed readers – the MAC 266 brush! Bow down before it! Worship it for its magical ability to create eyebrows out of thin air! SHHHHH – speak only of it in hushed tones – for it is the 266 and your new favorite brush.

Okay, okay, so maybe you’re not about to start chanting “266! 266! 266!” But after you try this brush you may not be able to live without it.

The 266 is a multiple-use eye brush with a stiff, angled brush head. The MAC website says this brush is for creating sharp, precise lines.

This brush is one of my workhorse brushes, and I’ve used my long-handled 266 every day since I purchased it in December 2003. Why? I fill in my brows every day! I use the 266 to fill in and define my brows with MAC’s Eye Shadow in Concrete. I have several friends that use the 266 for their brows as well. While most of them use different shades of powdered MAC eye shadows, one of my friends uses it with her favorite brow-filler, Benefit’s Brow Zing, a wax-based product.

The beauty of the 266 is its versatility. Not only is it great for filling in brows, but it’s also a good for application of lots of other products, too!

Here are a few ways that I use the 266:

1. Fill and define my brows with MAC’s Concrete Eye Shadow
2. Create a soft line around eyes with dry eye shadow
3. Wet brush head and then line eyes with “wet” shadow
4. Line eyes with MAC’s Fluidline’s Liner for a dramatic look
5. Line eyes with MAC paints for a smoky look

I’ve affectionately referred to the 266 as the one brush that I’d absolutely have to have if I was stuck on a deserted island. Granted, it’s probably not doing to do me good if I was *really* stuck Gilligan’s Isle-style, but in my deserted island dream I’d also have a shower with hot water and unlimited access to Haagen Daz’s coffee ice cream, so having the 266 with me isn’t that much of a stretch.

Pros:
Wow, where should I start? Easy to use. A multi-tasking brush. Sturdy. Picks up a lot of color. Excellent for brows and lining.

Cons:
I can’t really think of any cons, except that the price might be steep if you are on a really tight budget. Also, it can pick up a lot of color if you use too heavy of a hand, so if you aren’t careful you can end up with super-dark brows. (If you accidentally do this you can always use a lash comb to brush through it a few times to tone it down.)

After talking all of that smack about dominating the baby shower games I am sad to report I only won ONE game! However, my friend Christine – who was sitting next to me during the entire game playing segment – managed to snag three prizes. I think she absorbed my game-winning mojo, like how Peter Petrelli or Sylar absorbs powers in the tv show “Heroes.”

Yesterday I ended up going to the mall to pick up some Mother’s Day gifts for the mammas in my life. It’s right around the corner, ya’ll, so you better hop to it and get your moms a gift. I stopped by a few stores, including Bath & Body Works, which is having a really great sale right now – 3 hand soaps for 10 bucks and 5 products for 25 bucks (from their lotion/body cream/bath gels, etc.) If you like their stuff then you should check it out and stock up.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I know it’s not really makeup or beauty related but I just had to share my friend Christine’s new Kate Spade Adrienne wallet.

It’s super cute in person, and will fit all of your credit cards and perhaps even a lip liner or two!

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE MAC brushes. I can’t get enough of them, and I always find a reason to justify getting just one more brush. And just ’cause I can, here’s the list of all of the MAC brushes I’m jonesing for!

So … what’s on your brush lust list?

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I’m getting so much mileage from the Barbie Loves MAC Seminar I went to a few weeks ago. I finally rifled through the technique folder they gave us and found some cool “tips and tricks” pages. Here are the best tips from the page for brushes:

Try applying skincare with brushes for a luxurious experience.
The 190 brush works well for applying masks and moisturizers.
The 194 brush words well with eye cream.
The 180 brush works well to lather shave cream on the face or body.

When dipping brushes into pressed powder products, like eye shadows, do not “mash” the brush into the pan. This causes breakage of the fibers. It’s better for the brush and more effective to either swipe from side to side or run the brush around in a circle to gather powder.

Try using two brushes for some of those tricky applications, like smoky eyes. Use one brush to pick up and apply the color and the other brush to blend.

When applying makeup, try holding the brush further away from the hair bundle, almost like holding chopsticks. This allows for greater control in application. Not to mention, with the hands out of the way, greater visibility!

Brushes for personal use should be cleaned about once a week. For emollient-based product on the brush use cleanse off oil to emulsify and then brush cleanser to clean and condition.

If after makeup application you find it necessary to throw your brushes in the bag before cleaning, be sure to store the brushes used for liquid or cream products separately from the ones used for powder products to avoid the cream dirtying other brushes. If using the same bag for both, try wrapping the brushes for cream products in plastic wrap or a tissue before tossing in the bag.

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Product: MAC 182 Buffer Brush
Use: For application of loose powder, pressed powder and pigment
Price: $45.00
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B+

I know, I know – $45 for one stinkin’ brush? For $45 dollars at the MAC counter you can get 3 eye shadows, or 3 Lipglasses or even 15 pencil sharpeners! If you wear powder every day, then consider investing in this brush. Save your pennies, wait until you get a gift card, or even ask a friend who is a MAC artist buy one for you and then pay her/him back, because this brush will become a staple in your collection.

I was lucky enough to get the 182 Buffer Brush as a Christmas gift from my beautiful and talented sister-in-law, who is a MAC makeup artist. The brush has a short, fat handle and a full dome made out of goat hair bristles.

And who knew that goat hair could feel so soft? The 182 bristles feel silky and dense, and when you apply product the brush feels like velvet on your skin. You can use this brush to apply loose powder, pressed powder and pigments, and I’ve found it to be pretty much a fool-proof brush. Even if I mistakenly overload it with powder, as long as I dilute the powder (by either tapping the brush or blowing off the excess) the 182 gives smooth, even application.

I use the 182 Buffer Brush with MAC Select Sheer Loose Powder in NC 30, MAC Couture Sheer Mystery Pressed Powder in Dark and MAC Blot Pressed Powder in Medium Dark.

If I use Select Sheer Loose Powder, I open up the powder jar, tap some powder onto the lid, gently dip the 182 brush into the powder on the lid, and either tap brush handle on the side of the powder jar or blow on the brush to dilute excess powder.

If I use it with Couture Sheer Mystery Pressed Powder or Blot Pressed Powder, I gently swirl the 182 in the compact, and then tap the handle or blow off the excess powder.

I like powder to look light and sheer, so I use a light touch as I apply the powdered 182 brush to my face in a circular, buffing motion.

If it weren’t for the steep price I’d give this brush an A. Plus, if you keep your brushes in a brush roll, you may have to store the 182 in a separate cosmetic case when you travel because of the short handle.