Archives December 2022

As if I needed another reason to like my regional library. beyond the truth that, you know, you can inspect out 50 books in one fell swoop — which is craziness to me! — they have a gratitude wall with, like, Post-Its and pencils, and you compose what you’re grateful for and pop it on the wall. Of course, being the list-loving makeup enthusiast that I am, I had to add my own special flava and provide a shout-out to concealer, hello!

Because among all of the things I’m grateful for — the usual: family, health, a roof over my head, a churlish tabby cat — concealer has been saving my life lately.

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I’ve been tossing and turning at night. It’s true! part of the reason, though, and this is my own fault, is that I’ve been staying up late to read.

Not because I checked out 50 books at once, no, but I did inspect out Cocoa Beach, the latest book by Beatriz Williams (she’s a historical fiction writer who’s written a number of books I’ve enjoyed, including A Hundred Summers, The trick Life of Violet grant and Along the infinite Sea). Of course, as usual, I started reading it method past my bedtime and couldn’t put it down.

I’m eternally grateful for books. and for lists. and I’m grateful for things like the Gratitude wall at the library.

What are you grateful for today?

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Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!!!!

using new Tom Ford shade as well as Illuminate Cheeks cream blush in Scintillate ($80)
I like to wear shades (as in sunglasses).

Connor Claire likewise likes to throw shade, which is adorable now, however it may not be in 12 years.

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Over it
Now, neither of these types develops of shade have anything to do with the two new shade as well as Illuminate Cheeks cream blushes in the new Tom Ford spring 2017 color collection, however that’s OK.

They’re lovely (albeit incredibly expensively).

Tom Ford shade as well as Illuminate Cheeks cream blush in Scintillate ($80)
The Tom Ford 2017 spring collection is offered now, as well as my gawd! — can we just take a moment to appreciate the drop-dead gorgeousness of this makeup?

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The Tom Ford spring 2017 visuals are BANANAS!
The collection includes two cream blush duos as well as six lip duos that are all about shade as well as illumination, as in highlighting as well as contouring — playing with lighter shades to catch the light as well as darker shades for shading. with strategically utilizing complementary colors to shade as well as highlight the cheeks as well as lips, it produces balance.

Tom Ford shade as well as Illuminate Cheeks in Sublimate ($80)

I hope you’re sitting down now…because they’re $80.

Yeah, I never get over that shock.

And they’re likewise purposefully sheer…so if you’re all about that #pigmentedlife, you may also go grab a coffee at Starbucks, as well as I’ll satisfy you back right here in a few.

Tom Ford shade as well as Illuminate Cheeks in Scintillate (top) as well as Sublimate (bottom)
If, however, you’re awesome with them being sheer, as well as you’re awesome with creams that are simple to blend, there’s some great stuff happening here.

First, they look really, truly natural, as well as I’m all about my cheeks looking natural these days. If you like using makeup, however you don’t like to look like you’re using a great deal of blush on your cheeks, these are fantastic.

There’s a dewiness to them that makes skin look like it’s been pampered at a expensive medical spa where they utilize mysterious French skin care that you can’t pronounce, as well as serve small cucumber sandwiches on costly China. Skin looks fresh as well as un-fussy.

Scintillate is a peach contouring blush with the peachy pink pearl highlighter, as well as Sublimate is a rosy pink blush with a pinkish beige highlighter.

Tom Ford shade as well as Illuminate Cheeks in Sublimate ($80)
I believe that both of them benefit from a layer of makeup primer used beneath them, in addition to an extra layer of blush and/or highlighter on top, particularly if you plan to have a long day, since they otherwise fade over the program of an eight-hour day, at least on my combination dry/oily skin. Without additional help, they get to where I can’t see them on my cheeks at all.

Of course, I likewise have to state once again that they’re sheer, so they never truly look like a ton of makeup in the very first place.

The secrets right here are that you have to be okay with them being sheer, as well as you have to truly like the look of natural, barely-cheek color.

The closest thing I can compare them to right now is Kjaer Weis cream Blush, which I likewise like (it likewise lasts longer than TF’s, so that’s something to believe about).

I believe these would look remarkable layered under other Tom Ford powder blushes for additional dimension, however they’re most likely finest for die-hard Tom Ford-ies. If you just want a cream blush that looks natural as well as truly lasts, you may want to peep Kjaer Weis instead.

Not to so state that these aren’t ridiculously quite — they are. They just don’t last extremely long.

Cute workout tanks

When I went to Old Navy the other day, I had plans to try on their High Waisted Rockstar jeans, however I was thwarted by this adorable workout tank!

I like the one that says, “She who Dares.” The open back shows off your sports bra, like if you’re using a adorable one with great deals of straps or a bright pop of color. added bonus: it assists keep you cool.

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I’m pleased I didn’t grab it in the store, though, since it’s on sale on the internet right now for $12. Woo-hoo!

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

Meow, gorgeous. I just wanted to give you my deepest thanks for treating me like such a superstar over the years. You always made me feel lucky and special.

Have a spectacular week. Please be kind to yourself and to others, don’t sweat the small stuff, keep your eye on the prize, and be fabulous.

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I’ll see you.

Much love, always,

Tabs

If all my food appeared like this! ?
If every meal was a work of art garnished with edible flowers, I strongly believe that road rage would end as we understand it, as well as every Web comment on every news website in the world would be exceptionally civil as well as polite from now on.

I mean…LOOK AT THAT TOAST. It’s like fine art. exactly how can you not revel in its beauty? just looking at it makes me happier…

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That’s ricotta cheese, as well as those are strawberries, pistachios, honey, as well as what Creekside Bakery in Novato (which is where I got it the other day) phone calls “edible flora.”

I’m not sure what type of flowers these are… If you know, don’t be shy. Hook a wanna-be horticulturalist up!

I’m gonna make this for breakfast as soon as I discover some tasty edible ? flowers… Not today, though. This morning I’m getting down with Eggo waffles with peanut butter as well as raisins on top (breakfast of champions).

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Whatcha having for breakfast this morning? Please understand that I won’t judge you if you inhale your food while reading this week’s Saturday Surfing stories. I get up a ravenous beast ? every morning, as well as the beast proceeds to rampage with my life up until it gets some food in its tummy.

Did you understand that these remove lipstick caps were a thing? I didn’t, however I assumption you can buy them to replace your opaque standard-issue opaque caps, as well as they are available in different sizes to in shape different brands.

Yes, there’s a MAC one. ? MIND BLOWN!!

Wishing I’d believed of this, since I’ve most likely spent three years over the program of my life opening as well as closing lipstick caps to discover the right color if I add up all the time I’ve spent.

Like, it’s a mascara wand. exactly how high tech can it be…? Well, apparently, Chanel’s latest wand for the new volume Révolution de Chanel Mascara seems quite fancy.

First of all, it’s the very first mascara wand made by a 3D printer. To prevent clumping, the clean has a honeycomb structure designed to slowly siphon out the mascara, so it doesn’t all rush out at once.

If you’re looking for a task in the indie beauty biz, here’s a story about exactly how beauty entrepreneurs hire people for their companies.

Even though the number of women running for U.S. home seats as well as specify governorships in the upcoming 2018 midterm elections has surpassed previous years, the media still insists on critiquing what they’re wearing…

“In politics, it’s still true that unless men’s attire are out of the normal — wrinkled, stained, or downright unusual — their clothing isn’t generally subject to critique. Chintan Desai, who is running for Congress in Arkansas, summed it up well when he composed to me: ‘I have never, not once, been asked about or had my wardrobe commented on while on the campaign trail.’

“The catch for women is that even when they do show up dressed professionally, they’re still privy to scrutiny. Oscar de la Renta famously criticized Michelle Obama’s cardigan when she satisfied with Queen Elizabeth II, in spite of the truth that her attire was completely ‘in code.’”

— racked.com

YO. ever since I moved my feet into the Land of practical flat mom Shoes, my footwear options haven’t been terribly interesting, however day-um, these summertime sandals with the toes painted on them are as well hideous, even for me.

I’m truly like Carisa Janes, the CEO of hourglass Cosmetics. I interviewed her once, as well as she was extremely cool.
Here’s exactly how she quadrupled sales by spinning a $1 million packaging stop working into a huge success.

Don’t stomp your bit last season Prada shoes at me, honey, as well as dust off ye olde bend as well as snap, since Reese Witherspoon is coming back for lawfully Blonde 3.

YES! ?

Truth? I’m ambivalent about lawfully Blonde 2, however I’ve watched the very first one more times than I can count. I luuuuuurves it.

And whilst we’re lawfully Blonde-ing, this story exposes eight behind-the-scenes tricks from the movie. Like, did you understand that it was supposed to be set at Stanford in Palo Alto, as well as that the final graduation scene (which was filmed in England since Reese was filming something else there at the time) was a last-minute change, so it wasn’t the original ending?

So many fun facts!

Agreed.

A look at beauty behind prison bars

When a household muumuu comes full circle…

Oh, as well as if you occur to have any type of other innovative toast topping suggestions, please let me know, since I cannot eat one more piece of avocado toast. I just CAN’T DO IT.

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(Well…yes I can, however you understand what I mean.)

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

The eight new shades of MAC Powder Kiss Lipsticks, $19 each
Ain’t no party like a lip flake party ’cause a lip flake party don’t stop!

Whoa, Nelly! So I tried the new MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick colors today. They join the 16 shades that are already in the permanent line, and despite the crossing of lots of fingers and toes that my lip flakes wouldn’t crash this swatch soiree, alas…they did.

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Lip flakes —> party crashers!

It’s entirely my fault, to be fair, because I haven’t been drinking enough water, and whenever that happens, I can pretty much kiss (ha ha) any chance of smooth lip swatches g’bye.

The MAC Powder Kisses, which are a relatively new formula in the MAC fam, feel lighter than air. The Powder Kisses themselves were added to the permanent line in the fall of 2018, and if your lips are in best shape (as in no flakes), they’re kind of amaze-balls. They’re incredibly comfy and ever-so-slightly moisturizing, and it’s easy to forget I’m wearing them.

And the velvet matte finish? Gorgeous! — a la hottie 1940’s pin-up girl.

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From this new batch of colors, I’d steer clear of the pinks (Reverence and sexy but Sweet), because they’re patchy ideal out of the gate, and I end up having to do a lot of patting and layering and babying to get them to look smooth…

Instead, choose one of brighter or deeper colors, which are less likely to clear up into fine lines or draw attention to any flakes. I like Sultry step (the bright rosy brown); Werk, Werk, Werk (the amazing toned red); and velvet Punch (a bright, amazing fuchsia) the best as they’re the most pigmented of the bunch.

One layer, and I’m good.

Which one do you like best?
Yellow-toned pink MAC Sexy, but Sweet
MAC Ripened, a grayish lavender

MAC P for Potent, a mid-toned purple

MAC velvet Punch, a bright, cool-toned fuchsia

MAC Sultry Move, a bright rosy brown
Cool red MAC Werk, Werk, Werk
MAC stay Curious, a muted pinky red
MAC Reverence, a soft, yellow pink
The Powder Kiss Lipsticks are $19 each, last about two hours on my lips, and taste and smell like classic MAC vanilla.

Mmm…

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By the by, did you catch the special matte packaging? great touch, right?

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

When your appeal decisions are motivated by insects damaging you at night…
This may look like your standard-issue “Oh, there’s a two-for-one body splash sale at Victoria’s Secret, so lemme go hook that up” kind of haul.

Totally not.

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Instead of being motivated by a good deal (which is my normal motivation for spur-of-the-moment appeal buys), this purchase was brought on by tiny monsters.

Specifically, flying insects.

Specifically, insects that buzz around your house and sink their proboscis into your unsuspecting flesh in the middle of the night. I’ve been getting devoured by what I think are mosquitoes…

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THANK GOD. and I say that because for a while there I thought they might be bed bugs. but now I’m pretty sure they’re mosquitoes.

I think it’s because the contractors who replaced our furnace, water heater and AC left the front door open the whole day they were here. Consequently, a gaggle of mosquitoes came into my house, and they’ve been biting me at night.

I’ve got bites around my ankles, on my feet (Fun fact: Mosquitoes love the scent of feet.), on my back, my tummy, on the backs of my shoulders… I’ve been very itchy, and it hasn’t been fun.

A few days ago, I started using a real-deal mosquito repellent consisting of picaridin at night, and it keeps them away for 14 hours. It’s helped a ton — no new bites! — but in the process of researching how to make yourself less appealing/more disgusting to the little monsters, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of information about two Victoria’s secret scents that allegedly repel bugs.

People talk about this stuff as if it’s manna from heaven as far as keeping bugs away, and fisherman and deep-sea researchers go on and on about it. It’s Victoria’s secret Amber Romance, and it’s meant to be the bee’s knees at keeping gnats, mosquitoes and other flying insects away. even the dudes on the Louisiana state Baseball team vow by it!

They had only two bottles left in the store that day…so I got both. They’re normally $16 a pop, but they were two for $18 on sale.

I also grabbed a roller ball of Victoria’s secret Bombshell perfume, which, according to a scientific study, is nearly as good as DEET at repelling mosquitoes. It doesn’t seem to have the same cult following as Amber Romance, though.

Really, I think the bug repellent I’ve been using does the heavy lifting, but if the perfumes are also helping, I’m all for that. I spritz the body mist on myself, or dab some perfume, every couple hours during the day, or whenever I’m feeling anxious about bugs flying around me, and I haven’t seen a new bite in the last few days.

Funny thing is, I actually like the scents! I was a little hesitant to try something new from Victoria’s secret because it’s been ages considering that I’ve sniffed anything in there and felt moved, but both of these smell delightful, and they’re easy to wear.

Amber romance smells like warm vanilla, sandalwood and amber to me, with a pinch of tart cherry. and Bombshell, which is apparently VS’s bestselling fragrance, also has big vanilla notes, but it’s lighter and a lot more floral (I detect peony). I think it’s nearly like a tropical fruit smoothie with pineapple and passion fruit (no coconut though). I don’t feel suffocated by either scent, and both of them last a few hours.

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So…bugs. Mosquitoes. how do you deal with them? Do you ever wear insect repellent at night (or during the day)?

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Hiya, friend! have you had breakfast yet? Some Saturdays I’m all about making a huge breakfast with eggs, pancakes, bacon — the whole set as well as caboodle — however in some cases I’m like “Naaah…” LOL!

Sometimes I requirement the rest much more than the breakfast, ya know? So I’m just gonna chill on the couch with my cup of coffee, this episode of The fantastic British baking show Masterclass (Paul Hollywood is making baguettes!) as well as this tasty RX chocolate Sea Salt protein Bar.

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Perhaps a grapefruit will be peeled as well as eaten… possibly not. We’ll see.

My buddy Alis introduced me to these bars, as well as they’re SO good. She’s a hectic hairdresser as well as works long days, so she’s always searching for quick healthy snacks that she can eat at the salon.

I believe she provided me one of these bars while my roots were processing, haha!

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Anyway, this tastes like a brownie (and who doesn’t want brownies for breakfast?!), as well as they’re made with an amazingly easy listing of ingredients. this has dates, egg whites, almonds, cashews, chocolate, cocoa, “natural flavors” (eh, ya know, they want to keep their trick recipe) as well as sea salt.

The chocolate Sea Salt one is my preferred flavor (Connor likes them too).

What have you been having for breakfast lately? Do you have a routine? Cereal? Oatmeal? A cheesy omelet?

In other news…

This man really does quite well! You go, Bob Herzog! (Facebook)

Scientists ?? are having fun with Amazon reviews. They’re leaving evaluations on daily home products as well as charm products like nail polish as well as dental floss, as well as explaining exactly how they utilize the products in actual scientific experiments.
Like, remove nail polish is utilized to apply pieces of brain to glass slides (no way!) as well as likewise is available in useful during types collection. (Apparently, so does dental floss, in situation you were wondering.)

Makeup artist Linda Cantello, a.k.a. THE creator OF THE SMOKY EYE, breaks down the history of the look as well as exactly how it developed in the ’90s with Tom Ford during his Gucci days.
According to Linda, if it takes you longer than two minutes to do, you’re doing it wrong. She suggests mapping out the shape with a black pencil, as well as then building it out with a liquid eyeshadow.

Cat ladies, this is completely a thing —> wedding event pics ??? with your cat.

You wear your wedding event dress, your feline hangs out with you (hopefully he or she is NOT as well thinking about clawing at your gown!), as well as a professional photographer captures the moment for prosperity.

Sadly, I satisfied Tabs after I got married, however if he had been around, I would’ve done this in a heartbeat! Heck, El Hub most likely would’ve made him his finest man.

I mean, there’s NO method my entire makeup collection might in shape into this $14 acrylic organizer from Amazon, however I’m still fascinated by it. It gets four-and-a-half stars with practically 2,000 reviews, so it’s gotta be somewhat good, yeah?

How did NASA’s very first woman astronauts in the late-1970s deal with things like menstruation as well as collecting urine samples in zero gravity when it had never been done before? concerning restroom hygiene during spaceflight, Smithsonian area shuttle curator Valerie Neal states that, “They tried producing some kind of form-fitted plastic gadgets that you might tuck in close that would serve as a funnel, connected to a hose as well as plastic bag, however that was as well messy.” two women in the program were mothers, as well as they brought up the concept of adult-sized disposable diapers, which weren’t easily offered at the time.
That’s NASA — as well as mom! — ingenuity for ya.

Oh, as well as if you requirement me today, I’ll be right here trying to eliminate the remnants of this chocolate Sea Salt bar from my molars. They’re tasty however crazy sticky!

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Have a fantastic weekend.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

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QUICK EYESHADOW suggestion FOR HOODED LIDS: Looking directly into the mirror when you’re applying your eyeshadow, instead of holding your mirror at an angle, assists you tell exactly how far as much as take the shadow on the hooded part of your eye — however don’t stop there! If you likewise turn your head from side to side, delegated best as well as back, you can keep inspecting the outer corner of the hood to tell exactly how far out to take that eyeshadow, too.

Your friendly community charm addict,

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Karen

FYI, Salt-N-Pepa’s here.
It has been four months considering that the last time I dyed my hair, and I believe that I’ve reached the point when nearly everyone who grows out their grays says that they want to attack something. Or someone. In other words, the point when it gets really hard.

Last week I came *this* close to booking a last-minute color appointment. multiple times.

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The greatest challenge has been figuring out what to do about my hairline, because I have a lot of gray there, and the hairs are ever-so-slightly coarser, and as a result a lot more unruly, than the darker hairs.

Back when I was dying my hair and would find an errant gray shooting for the stars and striking out on its own, I’d just pluck it…but now I’m like, “What’s the point? It’s just gonna grow back anyway.”

Now, though, those errant hairs are also four INCHES LONG. Honestly, it’s just so comical. I spend half the time laughing at myself and the other half wrangling the grays into place (a.k.a. getting my hair to look like I’m not being electrocuted). I wonder if I’m ever gonna feel good about my hair again…

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Oh, and last night I barely averted hair disaster after enjoying a couple YouTube tutorials on how to cut your own bangs. I was standing in my shower room with the scissors against my bangs, all set to CHOP-CHOP-CHOP. It was all happening in slow motion, too. Thankfully, I had just enough sense left to stop before it was too late. Slowly, I set down the scissors and backed away from the mirror.

MAH HAIR. IT’S DRIVING ME CRAZY.

On the bright side, I really like not having to dye my hair anymore. That part is liberating, but the growing out part is mostly just a pain in the @ass.

They have a mind of their own!
Here’s something weird: depending on which way I part the front of my hair, I either see a ton of gray or very little. Like, if I pull my hair back into a ponytail, I can really see the salt and pepper coming through. same if I do a deep side part. but if I part my hair down the middle, or just slightly off center, I barely see any.

Lighting also makes a big difference. In some pics I take with a flash, I can barely see any gray, but pics in full sunlight? HELLO, gray HAIR.

Wide fabric headbands that come in different patterns and colors have been helpful. When I just can’t deal anymore, I’ll put my hair in a ponytail, and put on a headband and some hoop earrings.

Also, I have yet to figure out what to make with my hair when I want to dress up a little. I’m opting for El Hub to a work party tomorrow, and I think the headband/hoops combo will be a little too casual, so I might do a big messy chunky braid? Or maybe put on a jaunty cap…?

Hey, it works for Tabs.

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Sigh! Well, I’m already four months in. now can I make it to six? Time will tell… I want to make it to at least six months.

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen