Archives June 2023

MAC Faerie Whispers collection Foiled shadows from the left: In Your Eyes, feminine Wiles and sweet illusion ($20 each)

What do fairy (or faerie) whispers sound like?

I think it’s safe to assume they aren’t incredibly loud. because of the whispering. Obvs… and I imagine they’re also high pitched and chipper, kind of like a piccolo.

ADVERTISEMENT

A well-played piccolo, because a badly played piccolo is… NUH-UH. trust me, as a former flautist, I know this.

I think that if a MAC Faerie were to flitter along — and this isn’t the first (or second or tenth) time I’ve fantasized about MAC fairies before, LOL! — she’d likely land on your shoulder and softly say into your ear, “Hello! Ooh, I love eyeshadow! would you like to talk about it?”

Clearly, I spent too much of my childhood in an imaginary world…

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

Actually, I’ve also spent most of my adulthood in an imaginary world, LOL!

MAC Faerie Whispers collection Foiled shadows in Fairy Land (left) and Enchanted forest (right), $20 each
MAC Faerie Whispers collection Foiled shadows in joy toy (left) and Faerie Fayre (right), $20 each
MAC Faerie Whispers Collection beauty Powders in Pearl Sunshine (left) and Sparkling rose (right), $22 each
MAC regularly releases a collection shortly after Christmas each year, and this year, that collection is the very spring-like, glowing, ethereal MAC Faerie Whispers.

Most of the time, their post-Christmas collections lean sort of cool in terms of color temps, but this one has a lot of warm tones in it. It arrives December 23 on the MAC website and flutters into stores and counters December 26, where it remains through February 6 next year.

MAC Faerie Whispers collection Powder Blushes in Cheek Pollen (left) and Spellbinder (right), $22 each
MAC Faerie Whispers collection Lipsticks from the left: Lustre Lipstick in Gossamer Wing, Frost Lipstick in A Sprinkle of Magic, Cremesheen Lipstick in Midsummer night and Cremesheen Lipstick in among the Fireflies ($17 each)
This is just a quick overview while I continue testing the products, and I’ll have a more detailed review in a few days.

But my first impressions? Shine. various degrees of it, from subtle sheen to lustrous metallic.

As for the big news, it’s probably the new Foiled Shadows, a completely new formulation. I popped a couple of them on my eyes this morning… Incidentally, I’m wearing two different eye looks right now! One eye is completely purple, and the other one is golden brown, and so today will probably be the day when at least 10 different people knock on my door and I have to answer it this way.

But I digress…

MAC Faerie Whispers collection Cremesheen Glasses from the left: Softly Lit, Calypso Beat, just superb and Enchanter ($20 each)

MAC Faerie Whispers

At first test — ooh! — the Foiled shadows are definitely interesting. They have a very shiny metallic finish, and you know how with some shiny eyeshadows you have to apply them with a wet brush to really notice them shining? Well, these are shiny without the added help, but you can still intensify the shine even more if you use a wet brush, because they’re designed to be worn wet or dry.

I also feel a very subtle cooling effect on my skin, which is kind of… cool! and each of the metallic shadows, if you look closely at the swatches, vary in terms of their metallic-ness. the most metallic one is Magic In Your Eyes, a lovely lilac that reminds me of a shinier, more glittery MAC Satin Taupe.

Then there are the less intensely shiny ones, like Fairy Land, Enchanted Forest, joy toy and Faerie Fayre, which are also warmer toned.

MAC Faerie Whispers collection Foiled shadows from the left: Magic In Your Eyes, feminine Wiles, sweet Illusion, Fairy Land, Enchanted Forest, joy toy and Faerie Fayre
MAC Faerie Whispers collection Lipsticks from the left: Lustre Lipstick in Gossamer Wing, Frost Lipstick in A Sprinkle of Magic, Cremesheen Lipstick in Midsummer night and Cremesheen Lipstick in among the Fireflies
The collection also includes a beauty Powder, an Iridescent pressed Powder and two Powder Blushes, and I’m testing all of those right now, LOL! I’m wearing everything and the kitchen sink (I’ll share picture when I look less OTT).

The cheek products seem quite pigmented, while the lipsticks and glosses seem more glowing and ethereal with different varieties of nudes.

MAC Faerie Whispers collection Cremesheen Glasses from the left: Softly Lit, Calypso Beat, just superb and Enchanter
MAC Faerie Whispers collection Powder Blushes in Cheek Pollen (left) and Spellbinder (right)
MAC Faerie Whispers collection beauty Powder in Pearl Sunshine
MAC Faerie Whispers collection Iridescent pressed Powder in Sparkling Rose
I’ll have a full report soon after putting these whispering faeries through their paces, along with info about the new Velvetease Pencils, Hugs & Kisses collection and Matchmaster shade intelligence Compacts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Stay tuned.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

When I was re-organizing my makeup collection, I realized that I have a fair amount of drugstore products. most of my makeup is from Sephora or Nordstrom, however I’ve always mixed in drugstore buys into my daily makeup routine.  So, I wished to difficulty myself to see if I might do a full deal with of makeup only utilizing my drugstore products.  Turns out, I can!  I really truly like all of the products that I used, so I’ll requirement to make a point to reach for them more often.

Foundation

Two fantastic drugstore foundations: L’oreal true match Lumi pillow as well as L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
L to R: L’Oreal true match Lumi pillow in W8 as well as L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation in 109

These two L’Oreal foundations are amazing!  I utilized the L’Oreal true match Lumi pillow in W8 for this look, as well as I like the light as well as glowy finish.  I had been using this almost daily for a couple of months however set it aside to try some new foundations.  When I used it for this makeup look, I was reminded exactly how great it is!  This is one of my present preferred foundations since it is so light (can be developed as much as medium coverage) as well as has a gorgeous finish.  

ADVERTISEMENT

During the summertime months, I like to go for something more matte.  I discovered L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte last summer, as well as it’s ended up being my preferred matte foundation.  It has a gorgeous finish, as well as it seriously lasts all the time long.  Here’s it in action in my daily expert makeup Tutorial. 

L’Oreal true match Lumi Cushion is offered at Ulta for $17, as well as L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte is likewise at Ulta for $13.

Mascara & Brows

Maybelline Lash Sensational is one of my preferred mascaras, so I was definitely curious about the new Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious full fan impact Mascara.  Luckily, it did not disappoint.  I like exactly how black as well as glossy this formula is, as well as the clean makes it simple to get all of my lashes.  Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious full fan impact Mascara is offered at Target for $7.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

For my brows, I filled in sparse areas with Boots No. 7 gorgeous eyebrow Pencil in Black as well as then utilized Maybelline fantastic Lash Mascara in remove to keep whatever in place.  This remove mascara is a essential in my makeup routine since it truly does the technique as well as it’s so affordable.  Boots No. 7 gorgeous eyebrow Pencil and Maybelline fantastic Lash Mascara are offered at Ulta for $7 each.

Eyeshadow

I have just been loving these Maybelline Eye studio color Tattoo 24HR Concentrated Crayons!  For this makeup look, I utilized Bronze Truffle around my lid, as well as then I utilized Creamy chocolate along the outer corners.

Here are swatches of the gold colors (there are 10 shades in all).

(L to R): Maybelline Eye studio color Tattoo 24HR Concentrated crayons in barely Beige, Gold Rush, Bronze Truffle as well as Creamy Chocolate
The Maybelline Eye studio color Tattoo 24HR Concentrated crayons are offered at Target for $6.

Blush

Well, this isn’t precisely a drugstore buy, however this blush is from H&M, as well as its the Pure velvet cream Blusher in Cameo Brown.  It’s a perfect neutral blush, as well as it’s offered at H&M for $10. 

I’ve tried a few H&M beauty products so far, as well as I like everything.  I’m using the H&M lipstick in In a Nutshell in this photo on Instagram, as well as I’m obsessed!  I chosen up a few products during my last go to to new York in January however haven’t seen them in any type of stores in California yet.  Luckily, mainly whatever is online, however it would be fantastic if they were in more stores.

ADVERTISEMENT

I really don’t own any type of blushes from actual drugstores, so if you have any type of favorites, let me know!

Lipstick

Well, you guys understand I liked the Maybelline vivid Matte liquid lipsticks, so I decided to wear Nude Flush.  In situation you missed it, right here are swatches of the pinks:

L to R: nude Thrill, nude Flesh, Pink Charge, electric Pink as well as Berry Boost

I have more details on drugstore favorites in this post, however I’d like to hear your recommendations!  Let me understand what drugstore products you like in the comments.

using MAC pro Longwear paint Pot in authentic Treasure from the new MAC Philip Treacy collection on my lids
Like Vanessa Williams in 1991, I saved the very best for last. This paint Pot truly is a authentic MAC Philip Treacy treasure.

Like, if you were chasing a rainbow astride a teal pegasus pony with a rainbow mane high up in the quite blue sky surrounded by pink clouds, at the end of the rainbow, you’d discover authentic Treasure…instead of a black cauldron full of gold, although that would likewise be very practical as well as nice.

ADVERTISEMENT

Really, though, this paint Pot is a lot more like a shine top coat, as well as I phone call it that since pigment-wise, it’s really quite sheer.

I developed it up in the swatch below so you might get a much better feel for the color, however when you apply it to skin, what you get is mainly glitter.

You can wear it on top of other eye products, or wear it on bare lids, which is what I did last Sunday (because who doesn’t like to wear a bit shine on a Sunday sometimes?). I used it on my bare lids, added a couple coats of mascara, as well as then went furniture buying as well as beignet eating. It was fun.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

Genuine Treasure is helpful if you need/want to get celebration ready, as well as you don’t have a ton of time between work as well as the shindig.

As a paint Pot, which are among the longest-wearing things in the MAC eye makeup stable, it has a cream formula. You just twist off the bit top as well as apply with either an eyeshadow clean or fingers (for this one, I suggest fingers).

MAC pro Longwear paint Pot in authentic Treasure

Swatch of authentic Treasure on my NC42 skin

Other products I’m using in this look…

MAC Eye shadow in Brule

MAC Eye shadow in Omega

MAC Eye shadow in Brun

MAC Eye shadow in Vanilla Extract

MAC pro Longwear Fluidline in Brassy

MAC pro Longwear Fluidline in Lowlights

Hourglass film Noir Pencil in Eclipse

Eylure structure No. 154 lashes

Sephora vibrant blush in Flirt It Up No 06

Guerlain Terracotta 4 seasons Bronzer in 02 Naturel

MAC Lipstick in No artificial Pas

Diorskin nude Air Serum foundation in Honey

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural in medium Tan

PRICE: $21 (one of 2 paint Pots in the MAC Philip Treacy collection)
AVAILABILITY: part of the new MAC Philip Treacy collection, offered now online, as well as pertaining to MAC counters as well as stores April 2, 2015 with April 30, 2015
MAKEUP as well as appeal blog RATING: A

I believe it’s one of the true gems in the MAC Philip Treacy collection.

In other news…homegirl, I am tired!

But we made it. We made it to the end of the week, as well as you did a fantastic job.

I hope you have an absolutely magnificent Friday, my friend. I’m looking ahead to getting my bangs trimmed a bit later, however I haven’t even been doing my hair lately, so I don’t understand what I’m thinking… It’s most likely mainly an reason to get out of the house.

ADVERTISEMENT

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

MAC Fluidline in Blue Peep
I’m gonna go out on a limb right here as well as presume that MAC Blue Peep Fluidline does not have anything to do with bit Bo Peep (of nursery rhyme fame), however for the record, I am picturing bit Bo Peep going to a MAC counter as well as sitting down as well as telling the MUA, “Put all that ish on me, as well as make it bright!”

And all her sheep would be right next to her…

ADVERTISEMENT

That would be cute.

The day I walk into a Nordstrom as well as see sheep at the MAC counter — that will be a fantastic day.

A super cool, unusual gem, Blue Peep is a bangin’ bright gel liner re-promote in the MAC Is beauty collection, as well as I can’t keep in mind the last time I saw it. I believe it’s one of those pieces MAC doesn’t release extremely often.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

Even though it’s a Fluidline, it doesn’t perform the exact same as all the others. They vary since a few of them have shimmer or glitter, as well as a few of them just adhere a bit much better to the skin than others. Blue Peep is one of those for me that does whatever right.

It’s super smooth as well as pigmented, as well as when I clean it on my skin, I don’t see any type of patchy areas, which occurs sometimes when I utilize a few of the other Fluidlines.

Yes, there’s a sea of turquoise liners out there, it’s true, however I discover that most of them have shimmer or glitter. It’s unusual to discover a flat matte turquoise liner such as this one that doesn’t look dull. Blue Peep is so vibrant as well as intense that you just can’t miss it.

MAC Fluidline in Blue Peep

Blue Peep Fluidline swatch. For reference, I’m an NC42 in MAC.

I mainly utilize it as a straight-up liner on my upper lash lines. I believe it looks truly awesome with a slight kitten flick as well as a gradient with a darker navy or a rich blue at the outer corners.

If you’re feeling this one, you may want to grab a backup, since who understands when we’ll see it again?

Oh, as well as also, added perk — it’s not just a liner. You can likewise utilize it as a base for other eyeshadows (yup, even though it’s turquoise).

It may noise crazy, however this turquoise is extremely useful. I bet it would look gorgeous with any type of other blues (or eco-friendlies or golds) in your collection.

MAC Fluidline in Blue Peep

ADVERTISEMENT

Other products I’m using in this look…

MAC Fluidline in Ivy

MAC Eye shadow in Antiqued buried Treasure (from the MAC Brooke Shields Gravitas Palette)

MAC Eye shadow in costly Pink (permanent)

MAC Eye shadow in Lemon Tart (from the warm Neutral palette)

MAC Fluidline in Waveline (permanent)

MAC false Lashes mascara (permanent)

MAC laid-back Colour in P.S. I like You (from the Mia Moretti collection)

MAC cream Colour Base in summertime Wind (also from Mia Moretti)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Brunette

Anastasia Beverly Hills remove Brow Gel

Diorskin nude Air Serum foundation in Honey

PRICE: $16 (one of 16 pro Longwear Fluidlines in the new MAC Is beauty collection)
AVAILABILITY: part of the new MAC Is beauty collection, offered on the internet March 31, as well as coming to MAC counters as well as stores April 2, 2015 with may 14, 2015
MAKEUP as well as beauty blog RATING: A+

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

assumption who’s already started holiday shopping?

No, not Tabs… He always waits till the last minute.

ADVERTISEMENT

This girl! This woman has already started. since I absolutely decline to be running around at the last minute a la the proverbial headless poultry this year, so I’m trying to get as much as I can done before Thanksgiving.

I started by going to Costco last night as well as choosing up some adorable gift labels as well as wrapping paper, however I’m type of regretting not likewise grabbing a set of holiday gift bags, since exactly how the heck am I expected to wrap this quite Parfait makeup set by Benefit?

It’s so cute! — however likewise type of awkwardly shaped.

Hmm… now that I believe about it, the recyclable tin is most likely adorable sufficient to stand on its own sans gift wrapping. perhaps I’ll just stick a bow on it as well as phone call it a day. Ho-ho-ho, yo!

ADVERTISEMENT

Every year, I like to get one or two “just in case” charm gifts such as this one, which I keep under the tree, just in situation I requirement to get somebody a last-minute present.

The $39 restricted edition set, which is offered now on the internet as well as at benefit counters as well as stores, includes a full-size tube of They’re genuine Mascara, a full-size stay Don’t stray Eyeshadow primer in Light/Medium, a full-size Gimme Brow in Light/Medium as well as a deluxe sample-size (bigger than a common sampler, however smaller than a routine full size) POREfessional deal with primer.

Cute, yah?

I’m wearing Chanel nail Colour in Tenderly with Deborah Lippmann polish in dream Weaver as an accent nail… I’m also holding one of my favorite scents du jour, Aerin beauty Iris Meadow Eau de Parfum (available now at Neiman Marcus stores and online).
Ya all about that accent nail life, babe? You know I am. right now I can’t even fathom the idea of wearing the same color on all 10 claws. It would just seem…wrong.

There are too many cute colors to choose from!

ADVERTISEMENT

So my mani mantra these days has been, “So many polishes, so little time.”

Today’s mani mixes two different finishes and plays with lovely lavender.

The main star of the show is Chanel Tenderly ($27), from the spring 2015 collection. It’s a creamy limited edition lavender with an undercurrent of tenacious tough girl grayish taupe and a faint whisper of traditional springy pastel.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

Yeah, like something a tough-but-tender biker gal might wear on Easter Sunday.

FYI, if you’re going to take on Tenderly, treat her with kid gloves/paws. I sandwiched two coats between my conventional issue base and top coats by Givenchy, thinking that altogether they’d last at least five days, but bah! — two significant chips appeared the very next day.

Don’t even think about doing a full sink of dishes without wearing a pair of gloves.

Heck, just leave the gloves in there, and then maybe your spouse will take care of them. (hint-hint) Or, perhaps that magical housecleaning fairy that you’ve been wishing for and dreaming about for the past 30 years will materialize… You never know.

To tango with the violet tones in Tenderly, I used Deborah Lippmann’s dream Weaver ($18) as an accent nail. It’s a moody, iridescent peacock polish that leaves me weak in the knees. The fine, complex shimmer complements Tenderly’s creamy sweetness nicely, methinks.

Ooh! I love this shade… The first time I saw it flash from forest green to deep teal to dark purple, my heart fluttered, and even though it’s “officially” (air quotes) a winter color from the Deborah’s holiday 2014 collection, it has killer summertime pedi polish painted all over it.

Next time I wear this mani, I’m going to use dream Weaver as the main shade. I also seem to have better luck with Lippmann polishes lasting longer. With a base and top coat, this shade should stay chip-free at least six or seven days.

So, friend, tell me about your mani situation right meow. What are you wearing on your claws?

ADVERTISEMENT

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. happy hump day.

have you hit up the Sephora VIB sale? (It’s ongoing through Nov. 10 for VIB members) When I tried jumping online yesterday morning, I couldn’t get through. I guess the site was overwhelmed, so I ended up driving to the Sephora store down the street here in Novato.

What transpired was probably the least exciting Sephora VIB trip ever recorded in the history of womankind, because all I mostly did was stock up on my staples and the products I use all the time…

ADVERTISEMENT

YSL Touche Eclat in 4.5

NARS pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

Hourglass No. 28 Lip Oil

Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion

Smashbox Photofinish Pore lessening Primer

I also wanted to pick up another bottle of Laura Mercier flawless Fluide foundation in Chai, but they were absolutely and completely out.

HEARTBREAK!

The splurge for the trip was the T3 BodyWaver 1.75″ professional curling Iron, which is created for loose waves and volume, which I like, but I haven’t tried it yet (it gets mixed reviews, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed). I’ll let you know…

ADVERTISEMENT

My hair has hit that point where it refuses to cooperate unless I actually, ya know, do stuff to it.

I’d been saving up for something to reward myself for the Nike half Marathon. whenever I exercise I put a couple dollars away that I can use later on whatever I want — makeup, shoes, cupcakes, pet adoptions. It keeps me motivated.

Doopdadoo, just stocking up on mah staples…
P.S.