Archives April 2023

Do you dare enter now for your chance to win a $50 e-gift card to Sephora…?
Shoot.

I just realized that I missed out on a totally free bear claw…

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The last time I went to Panera Bread they said I’d earned one through their membership thingy program, but I had to use it by the ninth. I didn’t want it then because I was there for lunch, and it was noon. now I’m too late…

See, there’s an essential life lesson there. never look a gift bear claw in the mouth. No matter what time it is, no matter if you want it or not, don’t wait. You take that bear claw, and you eat that bear claw, you hear me?

LOL!

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In other news, pleased caturday! rise and shine, buddy o’ mine. I hope you got a good night’s sleep. I slept pretty well, considering the scary film I viewed last night. (A sci-fi horror thriller called The device on Netflix. Brace yourself for the opening scene. That’s all I’m saying.)

Purr usual, I haven’t figured out what I’m doing yet today… I know that we certainly need some groceries (we’re down to carrots, soy milk and instant decaf coffee, blech!), so probably Trader Joe’s best away. After that, we’ll see.

Good luck in the giveaway, babe, and have a fantastic day. speak with you soon.

One (1) Sephora eGift card including $50 sent to the winner by email (international readers, you may opt to receive $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Open to U.S. and international readers.

You should be 18 or older to enter (or otherwise an adult based on your local laws).

Your comment can be about anything at all, but here are some ideas if you’re stuck:

What’s your favorite Asian makeup brand?

Has anybody ever sketched or painted a picture of you?

Raw cookie dough: yea or nay?

Does your cat have a cute meow?

Are you currently pleased with the state of your brows?

Do you have a crush on anybody at school or work?

You can enter in up to seven ways to increase your chances of winning.

The giveaway ends on Monday, September 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

Full terms and conditions are available in the widget.

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Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipglass as well as Lipstick (coming September 1 to the MAC site as well as to stores as well as counters September 8)
Hot damn, Viva Glam! Ariana Grande is back with two new Viva Glams — a $17 matte Lipstick as well as a $16 Lipglass — as well as I believe they’re so freakin’ gorge…

I’m figuratively shaking in my Timberland boots.

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MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipglass as well as Lipstick
I can’t keep in mind the last time I was this thrilled about a Viva Glam. I’ve always been down to support the cause, which I believe is awesomesauce, since MAC donates all of the proceeds from the Viva Glam releases to assist kids as well as households impacted by HIV as well as AIDS, however I believe the past few Viva Glam rounds have been… Well, let’s just state that they’ve been on the artsy side.

Deep great pink matte MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick
I believe these two, though, are straight-up pretty. I like them even much more than Ariana’s very first Viva Glam back in January. They’re brighter, however I believe they’re likewise much more wearable as well as fun.

Neutral nude pink MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipglass

Doesn’t the lipstick look like candy? Or like the color of a Popsicle? Technically, it’s a great pink, however I believe it looks kinda purple on me.

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It’s just so smooth as well as pigmented… like IT.

Wearing MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick as well as Lipglass together
The Lipglass reminds me of MAC Spite as well as made me go “Ooh!” the very first time I ba-doomped it on my lips. On its own, it’s a completely wearable daily neutral, however it’s absolute perfection layered on top of the lipstick.

MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande 2 Lipstick (left) as well as Lipglass (right)
Both will be offered starting September 1 on the MAC website, as well as then in stores as well as counters September 8 with February 1, 2017.

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What’s your preferred Viva Glam of all time? Inquiring minds want to know.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Plant-powered skin care!
There’s a bounty of botanical-based skin care products at area NK meow, as well as right here are five of my favorites at the moment.

1. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOxidant safeguard + repair work moisturizer ($65)

This rich, mega-moisturizing anti-aging moisturizer has an oil-soluble version of vitamin C called tetrahexydecyl ascorbate (or THD ascorbate) that some researchers believe can penetrate skin much better than old-fashioned vitamin C.

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Vitamin C is notoriously fickle/unstable, however tetrahexydecyl ascorbate is steady as well as less irritating than other develops of vitamin C, making it appropriate for peeps with sensitive skin, too.

Hurry, get the C.E.O.!
I just started utilizing this, as well as my skin, which has been drier than usual, laps it up. together with THD ascorbate, it includes an exfoliating botanical extract called lime seed pearl, typically understood as “finger lime.” It’s a plant, native to Australia, as well as it include numerous small capsules of lime juice. They look like caviar.

2. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E Micro-Dissolve Cleansing Oil ($38)

This cleansing oil likewise has lime pearl, in addition to THD ascorbate, white willow bark, turmeric as well as evening primrose. It makes quick work of my foundation, concealer, lipstick as well as blush, however it makes me tear up when it touches my water lines, so I have to get something else to eliminate my eyeshadow, mascara as well as liner.

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White willow bark includes salicin, which is the precursor to aspirin.

3. Kat Burki PH+ Enzyme Essence ($100)

This lightweight pH-balancing serum includes vitamin C, as well as it smells like the freshest, many tasty eco-friendly smoothie!

Truthfully, the scent is a huge reason why I started utilizing it.

It’s developed to brighten skin, balance its pH, avoid breakouts as well as stimulate cell turnover. You utilize it after cleansing as well as toning however before applying moisturizer.

I just started utilizing it, so I can’t tell exactly how well it’s working yet, however here’s to high hopes!

Use after cleansing as well as toning however before moisturizing
4. Goldfaden MD sun Visor Ultralight Oil-Free SPF 30 mist ($45)

This lightweight sunscreen includes a combo of physical as well as chemical sunscreen ingredients. It likewise includes antioxidant red tea extract.

You’re expected to mist it on your deal with after moisturizing, however I like to spritz a few sprays into my palm, then pat that on my deal with as well as neck, since I feel like whatever gets covered much better that way.

I like that I can’t feel this sitting on my skin, as well as it isn’t sticky.

I like utilizing it on my neck, especially.

Lightweight as well as takes in f a s t!
5. (MALIN+GOETZ) Grapefruit deal with Cleanser ($34)

This foaming gel cleanser has grapefruit extract to avoid breakouts as well as cleanse skin without stripping it bone dry. It’s developed for all skin types, however it’s expected to work truly well for rosacea-prone peeps.

For all skin types

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I utilize it at night after intensely sweaty sessions at the fitness center or on the treadmill since it truly feels like it gets all the gunk out of my pores.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Maybelline makes one of my current affordable crushes/favorite drugstore products — Maybelline color Sensational The Buffs Lipstick in stormy Sahara, which I’m wearing here
Who says you have to sacrifice your sensibilities and set your budget on fire to find genuinely amazing appeal products? Whoever they are, neglect them. Please. because they have no idea what they’re talking about.

There are lots of marvelous drugstore makeup products out there, and here are five of my current favorites. I use ’em and love ’em a lot.

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Maybelline color Sensational The Buffs ($7.49)

Color Sensational The Buffs Lipstick in Blushing beige (left) and stormy Sahara (right)
Is it possible to own too lots of nude lipsticks? — like, where someone would come over to your house, see your makeup collection and say, “No, no, no! You cannot have that lots of nude lipsticks! I’m sorry, but it’s against the rules, and I’m telling on you…”

A girl can never have too lots of nude lipsticks. Am I right?! Maybelline’s color Sensational The Buffs lipsticks have a smooth, satiny finish and lots of pigment, and they apply fully opaque. Basically, they’re the ish.

They’re available in 10 shades and various nude tones, but my top love is warm peachy beige stormy Sahara. I especially love it with smokey eyes. It’s available now online and at drugstores and Ulta.

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Oh! — and FYI, Ulta is currently using a get one, get one for 50% off deal on these.

L’Oreal true match Lumi healthy luminous foundation ($12.99)

YASSSS, gurl! Magic in a bottle, otherwise known as L’Oreal true match Lumi healthy luminous foundation ($12.99)
I’ve raved about this foundation before, and you know what? I’m going to rave about it again. because it’s the very definition of a drugstore gem.

If you like that dewy skin look, try L’Oreal true match Lumi. I think it’s the best drugstore foundation on the market, hands-down. It’s great. I vow on my tabby’s fluffy thighs… Yes, it’s that serious, boo-boo!

It’s $12.99 and comes in a bunch of shades, and the formula applies effortlessly and looks natural, so you won’t end up with fake-@ss cyborg skin. just real skin that looks a lot more even toned and luminous.

I love this stuff so much that I’m getting another bottle in a darker shade to mix with my current bottle of sun beige and customize my own color. It’s available now online and at drugstores, Target and Ulta (note: it’s currently on sale at Ulta ideal meow for $7.79).

Maybelline Eye studio enduring drama Gel eyeliner in Blackest Black ($9.99)

An intense, rich black gel liner with all-day staying power, Maybelline Eye studio enduring drama Gel eyeliner in Blackest Black is easily one of the best gel liners around. Period. It’s also easy to draw crisp edges with it (FYI, though, you may as well ditch the included brush).

Oh, and it also doubles as an eyeshadow base. I use it all the time under jewel-toned greens and blues to improve the intensity of those colors. available now online and at drugstores, Target and Ulta.

Maybelline fit Me Concealer ($6.99)

Maybelline fit Me Concealer
Creamy Maybelline fit Me Concealer doesn’t look like caked-on plaster because it blends and buffs beautifully.

I’m very picky about my under-eye concealers, and this is the only drugstore one I’ve ever repurchased. because it’s just plain good and affordable. It’s also available in six shades, with a couple that are ideal for darker skin tones, which is great. None of them are too pink or beige, so they’re all pretty neutral. available now online and at drugstores and Ulta (there’s also a get one, get one for 50% off deal now at Ulta).

Rimmel London natural Bronzer in sun Bronze ($4.99)

Rimmel natural Bronzer in sun Bronze
I’ve pointed out Rimmel London natural Bronzer in sun Bronze not too long ago. Basically, it’s a matte golden tan bronzer that blends well, doesn’t look excessively orange, and it’s only $4.99, BAM! In other words, it’s a pan filled with awesome sauce, and it’s available online now and at drugstores and Ulta.

These absolutely aren’t the only drugstore products I like, but they’re the first five that just pertained to mind. and I lurve them all.

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What about your drugstore faves? Anything you think I really need to try? Come on, rock my world!

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Laura Mercier’s secret Brightening Powder
By no implies is Laura Mercier secret Brightening Powder sexy or exciting.

It’s a loose face powder with a single talent, but it’s a talent I quite appreciate.

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It sets under-eye concealer — and it’s not flashy, but it does its job well. If dark under-eye circles are a bane of your existence, as they are mine, secret Brightening Powder is freaking fantastic.

I’m serious! — it belongs on the periodic table of elements. That’s how special I think it is. The light-as-air setting powder has white pigments in it that create a subtle brightening effect and help to cancel out dark shadows.

I’ve been using this stuff with concealer on my dark circles off and on for years, and it never looks caked-on or riddled with creases. It keeps my concealer from scooting around and also increases wear time. ideal for when you’re hardly getting any sleep, and/or you’ve been recently bitten by a zombie, and you’re this close to turning.

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Because, clearly…when one is losing their last vestiges of humanity, dark under-eye circles are still a concern. #priorities

Anywho! I’ve had this one jar for, like, seven years. Yeah…it lasts a long time. It only takes a tiny amount to set your concealer.

The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite permanent collection products from a variety of bodacious charm brands.

To apply, I load a small amount (you don’t want to apply too much; otherwise, it looks obvious) on a fluffy eyeshadow brush like the MAC 217, and layer that directly on top of my under-eye concealer using a patting motion, rather than a swiping motion.

(You don’t want to swipe, lest you can unintentionally swipe away your concealer and end up looking much more tired. No me gusta.)

That’s my paw for scale…
Once applied, secret Brightening locks down your concealer, where it ought to behave for the rest of the day.

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It comes in two shades, too. The first, #1, is for fair and medium skin tones, while #2 is for medium, tan and darker skin tones. A 0.14-ounce jar will set you back $24, and you can find it now at Laura Mercier counters and online.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

one of my favorite things to do on getaway is shop for trinkets and baubles. 

(I am probably not alone in this.)

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That way, back at home, whenever I see or wear said bauble (or in some cases they’re doohickeys), I’m reminded of my time on the trip. 

Today I picked up a couple of cute pieces of jewelry from a elegant shop called The Finery. It’s located in the lower garden district of new Orleans, just off magazine Street, which is a popular shopping area with cafes and lots of antique and clothing stores.  

Incidentally, it’s about two blocks from author Anne Rice’s former new Orleans home…

  
Back to The Finery, they carry jewelry by indie designers, both local and from other parts of the country. The style is sort of modern minimalist, and their pieces are pretty affordable, too. 

I grabbed two things from a local designer named Neko — the small Arc earrings ($24) and the Arc necklace ($32).

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If you like what you see, The Finery is located at 1933 Sophie Wright place in new Orleans. say hi to Nicki, the owner, for me while you’re there. She’s really friendly and easy to talk to, and she’ll give you the 411 on everything the store carries and the indie designers. Also, lots much more pics on her Instagram page. 

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

This packaging makes me so happy!
As part of the NARS summertime 2016 Under Cover collection, NARS released two Dual-Intensity Blushes — sexual material as well as Liberation ($45 each) — as well as they are, in a word, gorgeous! I like exactly how NARS collections are always wearable however never boring.

The NARS Dual-Intensity Blushes have a extremely pigmented, soft formula that can be utilized wet or dry. When utilized dry, they’re softly luminous, however if you utilize them with a dampened brush, the radiate is much more intense.

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These two blush duos are extremely flexible as well as would work for a broad variety of skin tones, as well as I like that both of the colors in each duo can work layered or alone.

NARS double intensity Blushes in Liberation (L) as well as sexual material (R)
Sexual material has a soft peach on the left as well as a medium pink on the right, as well as both shades are so pretty! I believe the left color would be a fantastic daily blush for lighter skin tones as well as a good sheen/highlighter for darker skin tones. The color on the best is even much more universal. The swatches below are with a heavy hand to ensure that you can truly see the color, however these can just as quickly be used lightly for a laundry of shimmery color.

Swatches of NARS sexual material Dual-Intensity Blush
Liberation has a cool-toned infant pink on the left as well as a warm rosy/terracota shade on the right. I believe the shade on the best is extremely distinct as well as provides a beautiful natural flush. On lighter skin tones, it may likewise work as a bronzer. Either way, both shades are very quite as well as wearable.

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Swatches of NARS Liberation Dual-Intensity Blush
NARS Liberation Dual-Intensity Blush

Closeup of NARS sexual material Dual-Intensity Blush
Both of these blush duos are stunning, as well as I see myself reaching for them often. I truly can’t pick a preferred since I believe they’re both gorgeous in their own way, however I’d state that sexual material is most likely much better for lighter tones, as well as Liberation would work much better for darker skin tones.

But to be honest…since these colors are so extremely layerable, I’ll be using both!

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In this photo I’m using the best shade of sexual material dusted over my cheeks, as well as I believe it completely works!

Wearing NARS sexual material Dual-Intensity Blush
These blushes are restricted edition as well as offered now for $45 each.

What do you think? will you be choosing anything up from the NARS Under Cover collection?

wearing the $46 Kat Von D shade + Light Contour Palette, available now exclusively at Sephora
Because, clearly, the most logical thing to do when you’re battling a cold is to flick out your eyeliner and contour your cheeks.

Clearly.

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Sniffle-upagus says what now?!

Sorry, I think the cold meds are getting to me… I feel cuckoo for cocoa puffs ideal now, but at least my cheekbones could slice pizza, thanks to the Kat V D shade + Light Contour Palette.

Admittedly, I didn’t think I was going to like this palette because of that font on the cover…and yes, that did sound crazier than I thought it would.

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I’m not a fan of that lower case “h.”

But relating to the palette, first, I must say that I’m not really big on mega-contouring, and that’s mostly because of the amount of blending. It normally takes a lot of it, and blending seems to be one of those things with very little room for error. When I half-@ss it, I end up looking like I drew all over my face with a Magic Marker.

Not cute.

I’d say that a lot of of the time I’m a “light dusting of golden bronzer” girl, but this palette could change that.

Kat Von D shade + Light Contour Palette
Kat Von D shade + Light Contour Palette
Kat Von D shade + Light Contour palette Swatches
I expected Kat Von D’s shade + Light Contour palette ($46) to be tough to use, and I thought I’d need a few tries. but it only took one.

The fluffy, soft powders [turned out to be] easy to blend. My forearms did NOT get a workout, which in this case was good.

Note the range of marvelous matte (YES!) colors, including lighter mattes that you can use as highlighting powders (a pinkish nude, a yellowy beige and a soft peach) and three darker mattes good for contouring (a cool-toned taupe, a soft neutral brown and a cool-toned grayish brown).

The matte shades can be used to swiftly shape shadows and curves into the skin, and because they aren’t excessively cool (color temp-wise), they don’t appear ashy on my warm-toned skin (and they’re very pore-forgiving).

Now, the largish grains of powder do kick up quite a bit of powder dust when I run a brush across one of the pans, so after I’m done using the palette, I gently tap it over a waste basket to remove the excess.

All in all, I’m diggin’ this palette! I’m still several light years away from being able to do a Kim K contour on a daily basis (too lazy for that ish), but shade + Light makes it easy enough to carve out respectable cheekbones in no time flat.

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Lasts all day, too, without requiring a touchup.

Before applying the Kat Von D shade + Light Contour Palette
And after! That’s NARS Kelly Lipstick on my lips, by the way…
PRICE: $46
AVAILABILITY: available now exclusively at Sephora
MAKEUP and appeal blog RATING: A- (I love this palette, even though using it can get a little messy)

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

My top three, best-of-the-best eyeliners!
Eyeliner has to be my many liked makeup product…or one of them, at least. I have been consumed with winged liner for a really, truly long time now, as well as I’ve tried soooo numerous eyeliners throughout the years in the quest to get the ideal wing. Let’s be honest…so numerous of them just ordinary suck, however these three are amazing.

The reason I like winged liner, as well as just eyeliner in general, is since you can utilize it to truly accentuate your eyes. My eyes are a bit on the little side, so I try to make them pop as much as possible! I even did a tutorial on winged eyeliner in four simple steps over on my blog.

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Eyeliner is one of those things that’s either truly good, or really, truly bad. There isn’t typically much of an in between. typically when I purchase new makeup, if it isn’t very great, I can typically make it work up until I surface it up, however not with eyeliner. To have your liner look good, the liner has to really be good.

I assumption that makes me type of an eyeliner snob! I only utilize the very best of the best, as well as one of these three is always in my makeup bag.

1. Stila stay all the time water resistant liquid Eye liner ($22)

Stila stay all the time liquid Eye liner in Black ($22)
I keep buying Stila stay all the time water resistant liquid Eye liner over as well as over once again since it never stops working me! It has a thin felt suggestion as well as a fine point, so you can quickly get a good sharp wing with it without trying as well hard. By type of laying it on its side, you can drag it as well as rapidly line along your lash line as well. With the opaque black formula, you never have to add a second coat, either, which is so nice! I’ve likewise discovered that if you keep the cap snapped on truly tight, it lasts for months. I dislike it when an eyeliner dries out after just a couple of weeks, however you ought to never have that issue with this one.

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Stila stay all the time liquid Eye liner felt tip
Push lightly to get a very thin line, or apply much more pressure to get a thicker line

2. The Balm Schwing liquid Eye liner ($17)

The Balm Schwing liquid Eye liner in Black ($17)
I’ve tried a lot of stuff from The Balm lately, as well as I’ve liked every single thing, including Schwing liquid Eye liner in Black. I believe what I like so much about it is exactly how pitch black as well as matte it is.

I like the look it provides me, as well as I’ve never tried one more liner that does the exact same thing. Schwing has a felt tip, which is my preferred type of liquid eyeliner tip, however rather than it being like a marker, you dip it into the bottle as well as the product coats the applicator.

In my opinion, it’s a bit harder to utilize than Stila stay all the time liquid Eye liner just since you requirement to wipe off a bit of the excess on the edge of the bottle to have the best amount to get a truly crisp line, however it’s not as well complicated.

Still, if liner isn’t your thing, it may make things a bit much more difficult, however if you’re a liner junkie, you requirement TO try THIS ONE. The opaque matte surface is to die for!

The Balm Schwing’s felt tip
So black as well as matte!
A pretty, dainty wing utilizing Schwing!
3. makeup permanently Aqua XL water resistant Eye Pencil ($21)

Makeup permanently Aqua XL water resistant Eye Pencil in M-10, a matte black ($21)

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As for pencil eye liners, makeup permanently Aqua XL water resistant Eye Pencil in M-10 can’t be beat! I just recently evaluated the entire line and fell in like with these, particularly the black one.

I primarily only ever utilize these on my tightline as well as waterline since they really stay put. It’s so difficult to discover an eyeliner that doesn’t move, particularly when your eyes water as poor as mine do. You likewise don’t have to sit there scraping your eyeball trying to get good color payoff. You get a smooth application in one pass. I like all of the colors they have offered too. You can truly make some fun looks with these!

Makeup permanently Aqua XL water resistant Eye Pencil
Mmm, smooth, buttery color…
My picky eyes have been consumed with all three of these eyeliners, as well as they’ve never failed me! What eyeliner has earned a very first class seat in your makeup bag?

Honestly, because a lot of days, 15 minutes is about all the time I get to put on makeup.

Oh, and I may or may not be wearing a sports bra as my top in this pic. ?

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Eyes

MAC Lilacked pro Longwear Colour waterproof Colour Stick

MAC Eye shadows in Woodwinked and Wedge

Clinique intense Ebony Liner

Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara

Estée edit Iced Kohl

Face

Urban Decay naked Skin One & done in medium Dark

NARS Light Reflecting pressed setting Powder in Translucent Crystal

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in medium Golden

Make Up For ever Ultra HD Concealers in R40 and Y33

Hourglass Ambient lighting blush in Incandescent Electra

Lips

MAC Lipstensity Lipstick in Postmodern

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. tell me about your makeup today. Inquiring minds want to know.