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

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s that time of year again. It’s time to bust out the stretchy pants (‘cause I can’t say no to that second helping of mashed potatoes, yo). It’s time to display gourds of various shapes and sizes around the house. It’s also time for makeup junkies across the land to revel in the realm of “Where’d My Paycheck Go?” because of all the limited edition holiday sets that makeup companies roll out during this time.

There are palettes, gift sets and perfumes galore. Can’t decide on what to get for the makeup lover in your life? Don’t worry, girl, I got your back. For the next two weeks I’ll be featuring several drool-worthy palettes, limited edition sets and perfumes in Makeup and Beauty Blog’s Holiday Wishlist 2007. And shhhh…I promise not to tell if you get a lil’ something for yourself.

Smile for the Camera, Pretty! Clinique Happy Pefume Custom Photo Bottle Rules

Five things that make me happy:

1. Getting enough sleep.
2. Warm chocolate chip cookies.
3. Having a good writing day when I feel like PURE GENIUS pours forth from my fingertips.
4. The scent of fresh cut flower stems.
5. Clinique’s Happy Perfume Custom Photo Bottle

Hello, awesomeness. Clinique’s got an online service this year where they take your favorite picture and replicate it on a huge bottle of their citrus-y and youthful scent, Happy. Here’s the skinny on how it works.

Find a picture that means something special to you or to the person you are going to give the gift to. I used this picture from my wedding:

I wanted a photo that brought up good memories and feelings. And I figured that the orange rose would accent the orange “happy” font on the front of the bottle. You don’t really have to worry about matching the font, but I’m a design freakazoid, so I wanted something that would be in harmony with the overall package.

Another pic with a most excellent orange accent

Log onto the clinique Web site to start your customization process!

You then follow a series of easy-to-follow instructions. When you’re done, you get your personalized bottle in 10 business days. Each is $52.00.

Voila!

Perfume is a really personal gift so I’d buy this for a friend who I knew liked citrus scents. Can’t decide which picture to use? Here are a few cute ideas:

– You and your friend during a special event, like a wedding or vacation you took together.
– A favorite pet or cartoon character.
– Something that reflects your friend’s personal interest or hobbies. Say she’s saving for a trip to France – submit a picture of the Eiffel Tower.
– A picture of her favorite hot guy, heh heh heh!

Never you mind the 20 foot of rope homeboy is carrying

Just make sure that the picture is in jpg format, less than 4.0 MB and be 800 pixels on the shortest side.

If you’re planning on getting hitched then this would be a fantastic bridesmaids gift! Put a picture of you and your ‘maids on a bottle and give it as a thank you gift on your big day.

Clinique Holiday Looks 2007 – Touches of Golden Elixer

Clinique’s two color sets for Holiday 2007 are inspired by their perfumes, Aromatics Elixer and Happy.

The first theme, “Touches of Golden Elixer,” has warm golden and bronze tones. It’s elegant and regal, and reminds me of a golden Greek goddess surrounded by men peeling her grapes and fanning her with feathers.

I like the:

Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Almond Blossom, $29.50. This tawny and nude highlighter is almost too pretty to use. Use it to on cheeks, nose, chin and forehead to get a heavenly glow.

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Allspice, $25.00. If you collect the Colour Surge Quads then be sure to snatch this up because it’s a limited edition. You get four warm tones that easily mix and match to create the perfect golden look. Some hard core MAC Pigment lovers may find these shadows too sheer, but I actually really like the buildable color and creamy texture. A very beginner-friendly palette!

Brush–On Cream Liner in Bronze, $14.50. I can’t get enough of gel liners! This limited edition shimmery-bronze is a versatile color you can use for work-friendly day or dramatic night looks.

Colour Surge Lipstick, $14.00. A bronze lippie with lots of intense color. The lazy beast in me likes this because I can just slap it on and go.

Get this set for your mom or your favorite aunt! She’ll love it.

Happy & Bright – Perfect for Your Baby Sister!

The second look, Happy & Bright, is young, festive and fresh. The cool-toned colors are fun and perfect for a party!

Get big sis points with:

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Pink Truffle (Limited Edition), $25.00
Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony, $29.50
Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glace, $14.00
Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Camisole, $17.50

So last night I decided to get a little extra boost before my nightly gym weight workout by drinking a cup of coffee at 5. Um, bad idea. I usually don’t drink coffee after 1:00; otherwise I can’t fall asleep. Here’s what I learned last night before I drifted off into dreamland at 4:00 a.m.

1. Weird people go to Safeway late at night on a Friday. Granted I was there, too, which technically would make me weird as well, but hey. If you can’t beat them…

2. There are a lot of blogs out there. There are a lot of crazy people out there. There are a lot of crazy people with blogs. These blogs get really funny at about 2:45 a.m.

3. It’s not a good idea to put on a purifying clay mask at 3:30. Should you perchance fall asleep at 4:00, then you’ll get all kinds of crap on your pillowcase. Not good.

Anyway, I’m going to spend the rest of the day in chill mode. Hope your Saturday has been relaxing and fun so far!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Curiositease, Part Deux!

I hate to be your pusher but you know you love it, you need it, you want it… okay get your mind out of the gutter, dirty birdy. I’m talking about the MAC Curiositease Holiday 2007 collection, which drops on November 15. If you’ve got some holiday shopping to do, then put the Softsparkle Eye Pencils, Warm Pigments and Glitter and Cool Pigments and Glitter sets on your list!

A Fab Gift For Your Teenager or Your Fave Party Girl

Got a teenage daughter, a girlfriend who loves to hit the clubs or a fellow makeup junkie that can’t get enough sparkle? These sets are great gifts for the glitter girl in your life!

If you really want the rad mom o’ the year award spring for *both* the warm and cool Pigment and Glitter sets. Each $29.50 set contains five jars of Pigment and Glitter. Don’t be put off by the small jars, because there is plenty of product here (a lil’ bit of pigment goes a long way). Buy both sets and your lucky girl will get a good amount of product, 10 colors to work with, and two pretty keepsake containers to store them in.

Still rocking it out at the club? You need your wing-woman to look as cute as you, so give your best clubbing buddy the Softsparkle Eye Pencils ($29.50), which are perfect for your late nights on the town together. The five pencils are all wrapped up in cute Curiositease packaging. Just put a bow on top and then give that bad boy to her!

MAC Curiositease 5 Softsparkle Eye Pencils – $29.50

MAC Curiositease 5 Warm Pigments and Glitter

MAC Curiositease 5 Cool Pigments and Glitter

I Don’t Shop at Wet Seal Anymore, Yo

I like these sets but don’t love them as much as the Curiositease Lipglass and Lustreglass sets. My biggest issue is that it’s too sparkle motion for my 32-year old ass. I’m bitter, I don’t wear midriff-bearing shirts and I have not purchased anything from Wet Seal since the 90s. Glitter in large doses does not speak to my soul. (I’m just kidding about the bitter part. Kind of.)

Anyway, if you’re thinking about purchasing one of the sets for yourself then I’d recommend the Cool Pigment and Glitter set. The colors were the most exciting and vibrant, especially Forest Green and Naval Blue.

Today is a WONDERFUL FRIDAY! It’s my first day off in two weeks, no joke. I spent the day writing, relaxing, and I even had the chance to go to yoga class, hooray! I really do hope that on this gorgeous afternoon you get the chance to go out, soak up some sun and work what your momma gave you.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Okay, ladies (and gents). Here’s the first of several upcoming posts featuring MAC Holiday 2007. Are you ready for this jelly?

The two-minute skinny on MAC’s Curiositease Limited Edition lip collections for Holiday 2007:

If you’re looking to *ahem* economize, then skip the Plushglass set. The Plushglasses are lip plumpers, which means tingly, which means OUCH! I don’t wear plumpers because I haven’t got time for the pain, and I haven’t got room for the pain. Plus, the Plushglasses are much more sheer than the Lipglasses and Lustreglasses, and it takes more work to get a good pop of color.

If given the choice of only one set I’d go with the 5 Warm over the 5 Cool Lipglass and Lustreglass set. The warm colors are easier to wear by themselves, and both the Lipglasses and Lustreglass formulations have fab color payoff. (Plus, they don’t sting my lips like bees, oy!) The only difference between the two is that the Lustreglasses feel slightly thinner to me and have a brush, not a doe foot applicator. I especially hearted Bada Boom and Pink Grapefruit in this set! Trust me. Your lips will heart them too.

Each is $29.50 USD and they drop on November 15th. Mark your calendars!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 Plushglass – $29.50

5 Cool Lipglass and Lustreglass – $29.50

5 Warm Lipglass and Lustreglass – $29.50

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

It seems that celeb perfumes, like Barney or Paris Hilton, divide people into two distinct camps: either you LOVE THEM or you HATE THEM.

I used to be in the HATE THEM category but after sampling and actually liking Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet Perfume a few weeks ago, I realized that hating all celeb scents purely on principal was terribly unfair. A good scent is a good scent, and I can’t hate on one just because it’s being hocked by B-list singers or actors.

Maybe I’ll find at least one more celeb perfume that doesn’t make me want to throw up, I thought.

And sweet jeebus, did I find one – Britney Spears’ Midnight Fantasy. LOLOLOLZ!

Laugh all you want, ya’ll…I know I did when I first picked up the cheesy purple bottle, which is BeDazzled within an inch of it’s life.

I expected eau de Cheetoes/Red Bull/bad weave to be thrust into the air when I spritzed it on my wrist. Lo and behold, instead came out a really pretty fruit scent. It might be a touch too sweet for some, but on me I pick up notes of blackberries, vanilla and cherries. Yum!

It’s a fun, flirty, youthful smell. I’d wear it on date night or the weekends but not to work because it can a lil’ bit too Wet Seal/Forever 21/Limited Too if administered in too heavy a doseage.

One 5.5 oz bottle of Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy is $55.00, available on the macys.com Web site.

YOU MUST CHOOSE: The Britney Spears Edition

I must confess
That my lonliness
Is killing me now
Don’t you know I still believe?
–Britney Spears

So yeah, her personal life is a mess, and the girl can’t comb that dirty birdy weave to save her life but I gotta come clean. I’m on TEAM BRITNEY. I’ll even fess up to attending one of her concerts, and damnit, it was good!

A few weeks ago you were introducted to one of my fave time wasters, YOU MUST CHOOSE. Can you handle the Britney Spears edition?

The 10th circle of hell opens up…and it doesn’t lead into my closet! Instead, you are forced to work in close proximity as a personal assistant to either Britney Spears (who just shaved her head, is foaming at the mouth and is wielding a very large umbrella) or Rachel Ray (who speaks to you with excessive perkiness and ONLY in code – EVOO! YUM-O! – before you’ve had your morning coffee). And yes, you are on call for twenty four hours a day. YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Britney finally decides to get help, and unfortunately it’s not the mental kind. Instead, she has you choose a weave/wig to wear to court (she’s gotta get those babies back, yo!) to make her look like a model citizen. Blonde? Brunette? Black? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

You have the power to re-write history. You can either erase Kevin Federline from Britney Spears’ life OR Bobby Brown from Whitney’s life (remember “I Will Always Love You?” girlfriend KILLED that song!). Who would you save? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

You get the chance to be a backup dancer in any Britney Video that your lovin’ heart desires. Which one would you star in? YOU MUST CHOOSE!

Aren’t you glad Monday is over? I am. This week should be better work-wise for me so I’ll be back to postings in the mornings once more, whew!

Have a good night…I hope you dream of Manolos.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Taking it Back to the Old School

Sometimes it’s fun to visit your roots. I’m feeling nostalgic today, so here’s a compilation of a few classic Makeup and Beauty Blog posts.

Work those high heels at the club with these Tips for Making High Heels Comfortable.

Got lash envy? Here are a few MAC tips and tricks for perfect lashes.

A little self-promotion never hurts.

It’s time to start Christmas shopping. Pick up a few gifts for your family, then pick up a few MAC Favorites from Allure Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards for your bad self.

Remember MAC Sheer Mystery Powder?

Ha! I actually brought a tube of Rimmel After Dark Lipglass to the club last night.

The Beauty Blog Network Hotties are in the House

But wait! There’s more beauty to be had with the best o’ the week from The Beauty Blog Network!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic – Christine Tries out Sara Happ’s Lip Scrub
A Touch of Blusher – Foundation Face-Off: Chanel & SUQQU
All Lacquered Up – Check out Essie’s Winter Collection Before It Hits Stores
Beauty and Fashion Tech – Beauty and Fashion Tech Looks at the New MAC Holiday Collection and Provides Swatches
Beauty and Personality Grooming – Facial scrubs for dry skin
Elke Von Freudenberg – Elke finally (gulp) loves pink lipstick
Etailers Mall, The Blog – Sarah features the Deadly Kiss Choker from After Dark Jewelry.
Makeup Moxie – Customized Clinique Happy Photo Bottles
Musings of a Muse – MAC Formal Black 2006 vs MAC Antiquitease 2007 with Photos and Comparisons
Mystical Beauty’s Musings – The Body Perfumery Gloss Me! Hair Serum Review
Savvy Skin – Laser Hair Removal – Worth Another Chance?
Temptalia - Antiquitease: Royal Assets & Heirlooms Review & Swatches
The Life of A Ladybug - Toya’s ode to Kevyn Aucoin
Makeup Loves Me – Lancome’s Color Fever Gloss in Volcanic Pink
And just in case you missed it (oh no you didn’t) my post from earlier in the week covering Makeup Trends from LA Fashion Week and Tips from Smashbox Makeup Artist Lori Taylor.

Booty Short Stress

I report with a touch of sadness that last night’s pole dance class did not happen. Our instructor never showed up (BOO) so all of my booty short stress was all for naught. We ended up going to get suishi and then to a club called Suede. For the record, it’s hard to dance with cat ears on.

Club cuties

How was your Saturday night? Did you go to any pre-Halloween parties? ‘Twas a fun night but now I’m exhasuted. I think I’m gonna chill out for the rest of the day.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

I went to the Bliss Spa at the W Hotel in San Francisco to get a pedicure yesterday, and all I have to say is the place effing rules.

I briefly thought about keeping it as a secret and not blogging about it, but then I’d be doing all women with jacked-up feet in the SF Bay Area a serious disservice.

Here’s the “after” picture of my feet post-Hot Milk and Almond Pedicure, the most popular pedicure on the Bliss spa menu. I almost put up the “before” pic of my feet, but decided to spare humanity the horror.

Where to begin? First of all, the entire place is pretty, comfy and very modern chic. The white and blue surroundings set a hip, yet relaxed tone.

But it’s when you sit your bum down in the nail chair when the real fun begins.

First they bring you snacks: cheese and crackers and even brownies if ya want. Note to file: I like any place that brings me queso.

Second, they’ve got TV’s positioned on the wall right above the nail-tech’s head, so you can watch any episode of Sex and the City that you want. You just pop on some headphones and then bam, you’re hanging with Carrie and the girls.

Can I just say I really appreciate this touch? Believe it or not, beauty blogging requires plenty o’ networking and socializing, so I spend a lot of time in person or on the phone with industry people. And although I love the social aspect of the business, I also appreciate having downtime to myself.

So when I go get my nails done or my hair did, I view the time as “my” time. I don’t want to have to make small talk about god knows what. I lurve that I can just put on the headphones at the Bliss spa and just enjoy the experience of having my toes done without having to interact. To be able to just sit and not feel “on” is the ultimate form of relaxation for me.

Save Your Feet, Save the World

The pedicure treatment was fantastic. It lasts an hour, and includes a hot foot soak in steamed whole milk with moisturizing almond oil; an exfoliating scrub on your lower legs and feet; and a super mega session with a foot cheese grater thingy. It’s described on the Web site as “a fierce diamond-sided flexible fiberglass callus fighter,” and it’s no joke. The nail tech removed what looked like a half a pound of grated Parmesan from my feet.

After all of this soaking, buffing and scrubbing, the end result was a pair of feet smoother than a politician trying to get elected to office.

The nail tech did a great job with the dark, vampy shade I picked out. The final result looked deep and dark, shiny (she used a Seche Vite topcoat, my personal fave) and very pretty.

The color selection on hand at the spa consists of Essie polishes, which tend to be a bit more conservative in color, so if you’re a crazy color polish person then bring your own.

If you forget to bring flip flops they give you a temporary pair. Don’t plan on hoofing it anywhere far though, because the bottoms are kind of thin. If you bring your own flip-flops the staff gives you a cute lil’ bag to store your shoes in.

They do spa parties here, too. I’m going to force my friend J-Money to go in the name of “research” for her bachlorette party festivities. I also think that I’m going to go here by myself often, as a treat after a long day of meetings or shopping in downtown SF. I can’t wait to go back!

The Bliss Spa San Francisco is located on the fourth floor of the W Hotel at Third and Howard. They are open 7 days a week from 9am-9pm. Call (415) 281-0990 to book an appointment.

Tonight I’m heading to the City with some girlfriends. We’re taking a pole dancing class together, oy. Although the pole dancing class doesn’t really have me stressed out (I’ve got good upper body strength), I’m pretty stressed about having to wear BOOTY SHORTS to class. Allegedly they help one’s thighs grip the pole. Umm… for me booty shorts were 20 pounds and 10 years ago. Ugh.

Afterwards we’re doing a girl’s night out with dinner and drinks, and then dancing. Most of the clubs in SF will be doing a Halloween-themed night so we’re going to dress up in cute costumes before we go out. I’ve got some cat ears, which is costume enough for me!

I hope you’re having a fantastic weekend so far and that you’ve got fun plans for tonight.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: makeupandbeautyblog.com

Twenty-four hours. One beauty blogger. Three random acts of beauty.

Random Act of Beauty: October 24, 2007, 11:37 a.m.
I go to a local Punjabi Burrito joint hungrier than a hippo, and I find out after I order my food that they only take cash. I’m short $1.50 and the walk to the atm seems farther than a trek through the Sahara. Plus my stomach is rumbling like crazy.

I dig through the cusions and crevices of my car and I find nickels, dimes and pennies. When I add them all up, I find that I have exactly one dollar and fifty cents. Yes!

Random Act of Beauty: October 24, 2007, 5:35 p.m.
I finally find sunblock that doesn’t leave my neck feeling sticky, Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protection SPF 55 for Face & Body, at my local Macy’s Shiseido counter.

That’s it on the right in the funny shaped bottle. The formula is a thin liquid that spreads easily and absorbs quickly. It has a nice smell and the finish is matte, so my neck doesn’t feel sticky and gross after application.

On the left is the Face version. It’s incredibly moisturizing and so far hasn’t broken me out.

Before I leave the counter with these goodies the nice Shiseido lady hooks it up! In addition to the gift-with-purchase, she gives me a generous handful of extra samples. Yes!

October 24, 2007, 8:50 p.m.
I finally get enough time to sit my bum down to watch the newest episode of I Love NY 2. I admire one contestant, Buddha, and can’t help but think of El Hub.

Smile? Check. Muscles? Check.

Spaghetti strap tank top?

I thank the stars above that El Hub has the good enough sense to not sport this fashion faux pas. Yes!

And while I’m at it, I also thank jeebus I’m not on a reality TV show looking for love amongst closet psychos, like The Entertainer. Yes!

Any random acts of beauty happen to you lately? Please say yes!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Source: talkingmakeup.com

This season MAC Cosmetics Kids Helping Kids program brings to us greeting cards, gift cards, and wrapping paper designed by MAC’s young artists.  Everything you need for seasonal greeting!

Proceeds from sales of MAC Holiday Kids Helping Kids collection will go to MAC AIDS Fund to help support pediatric AIDS organizations around the world.  Available at all MAC locations from November 15.  Cost: $6-$10.