Category Make-up

Eau Thermale Avene cold cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar ($10)
I don’t know about you, but when it pertains to skin cleansers, I like mine liquid, but it doesn’t matter if they’re gels, foams, etc. I’m not extra picky, but I just like to put some on a washcloth or rub them into my face with my hands. As far as cleansing bars are concerned, I normally steer clear.

But then I tried the Eau Thermale Avene cold cream Ultra-Rich Cleansing Bar…

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“Combining the ultra-rich, softening properties of cold cream with the soothing, anti-irritating properties of Avene thermal spring water, this ultra-rich cleansing bar gently cleanses and nourishes the most sensitive skin. Its well-tolerated new formula respects the skin’s natural pH and supplies a rich, smooth and lightly fragranced lather. Skin is soft and supple again, its comfort is restored.”

– From the packaging

Eau Thermale Avene cold cream Ultra rich Cleansing Bar ($10)
Let me be clear — this is not soap, and it’s not drying at all.

Ingredients:
sodium cocoyl isethionate, stearic acid, sodium laurate, sodium stearate, paraffin, sodium myristate, water, fragrance, peg-45 palm kernel glycerides, avene thermal spring water, beeswax, bht, c20-40 pareth-10, cetyl alcohol, cetyl phosphate, glyceryl stearate, methylparaben, mineral oil, sodium hydroxide, titatium dioxide, triethanolamine

It’s a deeply moisturizing soap-free cleansing bar that leaves a protecting film (but no greasy or sticky residue) and maintains your skin’s natural pH.

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For my temperamental skin, the white beeswax and mineral oil are just the ticket. The bar creates a magnificently rich, creamy lather with a terrific powdery scent when I rub it into my face and body in the shower.

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For the record, it doesn’t come with the soap holder in the picture above, but I recommend one for your shower/bath because things can get a little messy without some sort of container, which is one of the downside of using a bar. pieces of this one tend to crumble off over time once it gets wet.

Have you tried any Avene products before? and how do you feel about products that come in bar form?

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.

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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…

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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.

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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.  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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…

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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.

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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

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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

Now, if you’re me, your very first reaction to discovering out about the new MAC Brooke candy collection may have been, “Who the heck is Brooke Candy?” (I had to Google her.) I gotta hand it to MAC, since complying with their restricted edition partnerships has been a great education in cutting-edge pop culture. My playlists are ever-expanding with new artists as well as performers.

I still have to listen to a few of Brooke’s beats, however she seems kinda edgy…kinda raunchy, however raunchy can be hella entertaining often (i.e. Lil’ Kim).

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The new three-piece restricted edition MAC Brooke candy tiny release shows up solely on the MAC web site August 27, as well as considering that there are only three products, there’s not a great deal to it — just two lipsticks as well as a liquid eye liner.

The lipsticks have an fascinating formula called Amplified Cream, which is a bit creamier as well as shinier than the routine Amplifieds, which I love, however the liquid eye liner, Boot Black, hmm… Of all the MAC liquid liner options, it’s my least favorite. Sucks that I can never get a crisp line with it, as well as it makes me feel like a 3-year-old trying to do liquid liner, or like liquid liner was put on this earth to abuse me (“Liquid liner is your enemy, not your friend!”).

But I digress…

Let’s begin the video!

MAC Brooke candy packaging…

From the left: Which Witch, Mind manage as well as Boot Black

Products Mentioned

Amplified Creme Lipstick in Mind Control, a bright cherry red ($17)

Amplified Creme Lipstick in Which Witch, a deep plum ($17)

Liquid Eye liner in Boot Black, an intense black ($21)

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As always, say thanks to ya bunches for watching.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

I looked outside my window this morning as well as noticed that the oak trees on my street have their leaves again! When you look up, all you see is green. It’s gorgeous!

So, I wished to wear eco-friendly today.

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It is possible to wear color as well as still surface your makeup in 15 minutes or less

You know, I likewise wished to attempt a 15-minute look that wasn’t 100% neutrals.

It’s easier to do quickie makeup with smoky browns as well as beige (which you understand I love), however sometimes I like to difficulty myself (but not as well much), so I paired a eco-friendly lid with a purple lower lash line, pink cheeks as well as pink lips today.

It reminds me that you CAN wear color while doing speedy makeup. It IS possible. You just have to be cautious exactly how you go about it, as well as I believe that it likewise assists to focus on either your eyes or your lips.

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Pick one — eyes or lips

If you go with bright lips, you get a great deal of bang for your buck. With a bright red, coral, purple, pink or something else, you can dial back whatever else, as well as don’t have to try as difficult with your eyes as well as your skin, etc.

And when you’re in a major rush, bright lips are usually easier to do than bright eyes. There’s more space for error, as well as you don’t have to concern as much about perfect symmetry.

I mean, do you want to be moving like a makeup maniac at 100 miles per hour for your 15 minutes, or would you rather take a leisurely lip stroll?

I’m just sayin’.

Wearing hourglass Ambient illumination blush in Radiant Magenta on my cheeks as well as Bite beauty Lip liner in 008 topped with MAC satisfied Plushglass on my lips

Sheer shadows are easier than super pigmented ones

That said, it isn’t impossible to do a vibrant eye look in 15 minutes, as well as when you are going to do one, I believe that sheerer shadows are easier than super pigmented ones, since pigmented eyeshadows got NO CHILL.

I’m using a sheer eye tint by Clinique in this look called Chubby Stick shadow Eye Tint in Mighty Moss. It’s likewise a cream, which means no fallout, YAY!

I layered it on top of one of my preferred MAC liners, Minted, which I sloppily whooshed along my upper lash line. then I smudged a purple Chubby Stick Tint called Portly Plum along my lower lash lines as well as mixed it out.

So, yeah! quick doesn’t have to mean neutral. You CAN get some color up in the mix.

Look for double-duty products

If you’ve been reading makeup as well as beauty blog for a while (shout-out to all my 10-year MBB buddies), you understand I like products that do double duty, like highlighters that you can wear on your upper cheekbones or as an inner corner highlight, or powder eyeshadows that you can utilize to fill in your brows or line your lash lines.

Here I’m using NARS sun laundry Bronzer in Laguna as a bronzer on my cheeks, as well as I’m likewise utilizing it in the crease as a shift color.

Sheer deal with products help, too!

Which brings me back to the whole sheer thing. since Laguna sun laundry is a sheer bronzer, I didn’t have to spend a great deal of time blending out edges.

And the foundation I’m using is likewise sheer. It’s MAC next to nothing deal with Colour Foundation, which doesn’t have a great deal of coverage, however sometimes when you’re pressed for time as well as don’t have half an hour to spend on blending, a bit protection is enough.

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I’m curious, when you do quickie vibrant makeup, are you more likely to go with a vibrant eye or a vibrant lip?

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

1. Alanis Morissette’s Jagged bit Pill

I checked out a extremely fascinating story the other day in this week’s home entertainment regular about Alanis Morissette’s Jagged bit Pill. The album turns 20 years old this year (GULP!). Can you believe that…? It seems like I was just listening to it yesterday in my college dorm while doing o-chem as well as considering the implying of life… LOL!

So the short article had some interviews with people who were included in making the album, like Alanis, of course, who was 20 at the time, as well as her composing partner Glen Ballard. They had a extremely organic composing style, apparently. at times they’d compose an entire tune a day, as well as they completed with the whole album in weeks.

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I hadn’t listened to the album in years, so I put it on the other day, as well as ya understand what? It holds up truly well! My preferred tune utilized to be One Hand in My Pocket, as well as it still is…

I’ve been singing it to infant woman a great deal this week.

2. Living proof ideal Hair Day dry Shampoo ($22)

At the danger of sounding completely as well as totally gross, I haven’t washed my hair because Sunday night.

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It’s Thursday afternoon now, sooo… Yeah. I’m trying to see if I can make it to Saturday. Which will be five days.

Why am I so thrilled about this?

Well, Living proof ideal Hair Day dry Shampoo. stuff is quite great.

My long hair is a pain in the booty to style, so I’ll typically laundry it on something like a Sunday night, then curl it the complying with morning. then I’ll try to see exactly how long I can go before washing it again, since I just dewnt like to offer with the drama.

Dry shampoo truly help. With a great one such as this one from Living Proof, my roots don’t get as well oily or stinky throughout the week.

The one I’d been utilizing is from Klorane, as well as I still believe it’s extremely good, however I believe ideal hair is even better. Like, “change your life” better!

So, about dry shampoos, after I’ve utilized one for a few days in a row, the powder, which is what they’re made of, starts to develop up at the roots, as well as I can feel it stacking up as well as sitting there… typically after three days or so, I’ll get to the point where I just can’t stand it anymore.

Living proof is expected to have some newfangled dry shampoo technology, as well as the method I comprehend it, you’re expected to brush the fine powder spray with your hair, as well as when you do this, it kind of whisks away the oil, dirt as well as funk, to “clean” (air quotes) your hair. There’s likewise a fresh, light time-release fragrance that I like.

I purchased it on a whim at Sephora a few weeks back as well as have been utilizing it a great deal since. It works great! directly up, this is the cleanest as well as freshest my hair has ever felt while utilizing a dry shampoo, so homegirl is already making plans, yo! When the next VIB sale hits, I’m gonna stockpile.

3. This month’s cooking Light magazine

I’ve discussed this a few times, however after infant woman set up shop in my tum, I wasn’t truly feeling the cooking bug (feeling a bug??). Anyway, it was the first-trimester food aversion thing, however I’m just about totally over it now, so I’ve started cooking again, yay!

I mean, El Hub — that man? He did his finest to keep us fed while I didn’t want to cook, however as much as I like him, one can only eat so numerous grilled cheese sandwiches…

Now that I’m starting to cook again, I’m believing that it’s one of those perishable skills that you begin to lose if you don’t use. My good friend provided me this month’s cooking Light magazine, as well as it’s been extremely helpful, ’cause seriously, it’s like I completely failed to remember exactly how to cook anything that isn’t toast or pasta.

My OB/GYN has me eating a much more different diet plan than I typically do with the prime goal of “growing that baby!” so she has me eating meat once again (I’m typically a pescatarian, however fish still tastes a bit funny to me), as well as the mag has a lot of simple beef as well as poultry recipes, like a 20-minute fast Shepherd’s Pie (no, it’s not just for fast shepherds, haha) I made a few nights ago.

It was tasty, albeit under-seasoned, as well as that’s one thing I’ve noticed about cooking Light. They tend to go simple on the salt as well as spices.

4. RMS charm nail Polish

Vegan makeup line RMS charm just came out with a new nail polish line ($15 each as well as offered in 10 shades), as well as the ones I’ve tried are great! They’re vegan, cruelty-free as well as 5-free (no parabens, DPB, toluene, camphor, xylene or formaldehyde).

I’ve been using two coats of creamy orange curious with pearly gold Solar as an accent nail, together with a base coat (no top coat since I forgot, whoops!), as wellas after four days, there are just a couple of incredibly small chips at the ends, which is quite great for me. I believe try try one of the darker shades next.

5. Soap & Glory Smoothie star Deep wetness Body Milk ($12)

This stuff smells like a vanilla shake, it’s hella moisturizing, as well as a significant 16.2-ounce bottle is just $12.

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The only drawback is that after I’m done moisturizing with it, I want a vanilla shake. LOL!

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

warm bronze eye shadow with a pop of blue
My social media feeds have been blowing up with cute photos and snapchats of really cool, trendy people at music festivals, so I made a decision I would (try to) channel my inner amazing person and came up with this makeup look I’d wear if I were to go to said festivals.

I love this look so much! I can’t wait to wear it this summer. I think it makes a substantial impact, but it’s absolutely easy to do. and you can customize it if you want to. You could switch out the bronze-y shades for taupes and the blues for some lavender.

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Mmm, that would be gorgeous!

I’m using the too faced Semi sweet chocolate Bar Palette and the Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral palette in Aquamarine Dream.

Yes, I know the too faced palette has a blue shade in it, but I’ve been dying to try out the Pixi palette. The colors make my heart pitter patter.

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The too faced Semi sweet chocolate Bar Palette, $49
Pixi Mesmerizing Mineral palette in Aquamarine Dream, $12
I wanted a really warm crease, so I put “peanut butter” (an nearly orange matte brown) from the too faced palette in the crease and just above it. By using a really soft, fluffy brush and taking your sweet time blending, you’ll get that diffused look we all goal for.

Too faced “peanut butter” in the crease

Using a MAC 217 brush or something similar, blend “truffled” (a dark, warm matte brown) onto the outer half of the lid and through the outer V.

Too faced “Truffled” in the outer V
To add just a little bit o’ shimma, take “frosting” (a dark shimmery brown/bronze), and pat it over top of where you just put “truffled”, and blend the edges so everything blends together nicely. I’m leaving the first half of the lid blank because that’s where some of the blue is going to be.

Too faced “Frosting” placed over top “truffled”
To darken up the lower lash line, using a pencil brush, place a generous amount of “peanut butter” 3/4 of the way across the lower lash line, and join it up with the shadows on the upper lid.

“Peanut butter” on the lower lash line
Now with the same pencil brush, put “frosting” on the outer 1/3 of the lower lash line.

“Frosting” on the outer part of the lower lash line
I’ve learned a useful lesson when it pertains to using bright eye shadows; you need a white base if you want the colors to show up halfway decent. My favorite to us is the NYX White Eye shadow Base. using a small pencil brush, pat the white base in the inner corner and inner part of the lower lash line, and then blend it up onto the first part of the lid.

NYX White Eye shadow Base
Place the NYX White Eye shadow Base in the inner corner
Now the fun part! switching over to the Pixi palette, I’m putting the fourth shade, which is a mid-toned matte blue, on the inner 1/3 of my lower lash line.

Mid-toned matte blue from the Pixi palette on the lower lash line
Then using the top shade (a light shimmery blue) from the Pixi palette, slather that stuff in the inner corner, and blend into the other blue color. I took a clean blending brush and blended out the blue so it looks great and diffused.

Use the light blue shade to put in the inner corner
Next, add some winged liner. If you want, head over to my blog and this post here, easy Winged eyeliner In 4 easy Steps!

Add some black winged eyeliner

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To pull everything together, put on some killer fake lashes and some lower lash mascara!

The finished look
Doesn’t this look just make you so ecstatic for warmer weather!? Ah, I can’t wait for sandals, dresses, and playing outside.

What do you think? would you rock this look to a music festival?

You may be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t precisely a poll. It’s much more of a continuously evolving (devolving?), somewhat random listing of concerns I’ve been putting out to visitors every Monday morning for the past seven years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always delighted in reading your answers in the comments, as well as I hope you delight in reading mine.

Do you like to plan your makeup looks beforehand, or do you just wing it?
A bit of both. When I have a celebration or something to go to as well as an attire already chosen out, I’ll typically have an concept for the makeup I want to wear with it, so I’ll do a bit planning…

Or if I understand that I want to try a new look or take a new combination out for a test run, I’ll plan around doing it on a specific day, as well as I’ll just have a general concept of my game plan.

But on an average, random weekday when I don’t truly have anything going on, I’ll wing it.

Wide-legged trouser pants: a do or a don’t?
Even though I’ve had skinny denim virtually plastered on my lower half for many years now, I believe wide-legged pants are very cute, so yeah, I believe they’re a do, particularly if you have adorable shoes that peek out the front.

But the thing is, you’ve gotta have a hem that falls juuuuuuust right; otherwise, it can look a bit weird. as well as yes, I understand this from personal experience…

Girl, I might compose VOLUMES about all of my fashion synthetic pas!

When you text, do you utilize punctuation?
Most of the time yes I figure why would you avoid it it’s even much more confusing if you leave it out as well as if you’re going to take the time to text somebody something you may also add a few commas as well as a period or two so the person you’re texting doesn’t have to checked out the exact same sentence over as well as over once again up until they can comprehend what you’re trying to state although I do have to admit there are moments when speed trumps clearness like when you’re sending one-liners to your sibling or correcting a error so I’ll avoid a period right here as well as there please don’t tell the grammar authorities

LOL!

How old were you when you found that Santa isn’t real?
Aw, mom! Why you gotta be a celebration pooper?

My mother told me when I was quite young. I believe I should have been in kindergarten…or perhaps it was very first grade.

Whenever it was, I was young, however because I was likewise stubborn, I absolutely refused to accept Mom’s blasphemy, so when she told me, I told her that she was making the whole thing up as well as that I was still going to believe in Santa anyway. So I composed him letters as well as left out a plate of cookies as well as a glass of milk every Christmas Eve up until I was in the fourth grade.

At that point, I assumption I accepted it/figured it out…

What’s a makeup tool in your arsenal that you currently requirement to replace?
There are a couple currently on Ye Olde desire List, like a lash curler (the Shu Uemura curler I’ve had for ages lastly sailed off into the sunset) as well as a Beautyblender, because, WAH! — I lost the black one I just recently bought.

I suspect that Tabs had something to finish with the disappearance…

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Your turn. just copy as well as paste the complying with concerns into a comment with your answers. I look ahead to reading ’em!

1. Do you like to plan your makeup looks beforehand, or do you just wing it?
2. Wide-legged trouser pants: a do or a don’t?
3. When you text, do you utilize punctuation?
4. exactly how old were you when you found that Santa isn’t real?
5. What’s a makeup tool in your arsenal that you currently requirement to replace?

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Great Caesar’s ghost, I can’t even believe it’s December 14th already! I still have so much Christmas-sy stuff to do, however I’ve been hella distracted lately.

I just have to keep reminding myself to take one step each time (baby steps!). I’m in one of those phases where the sheer size of my to-do listing is totally overwhelming me. When I get like this, I essentially have to accept that there’s no method I’m gonna surface everything, however that kind of frees me to focus on one task at a time.

Hopefully. LOL! We’ll see exactly how it goes.

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You have a excellent day today, my friend. I hope to see you in the comments.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen