rvsol – Page 16 – The foundation of beautiful skin

Saturday Surfing, September 28, 2019

Posted on November 10, 2022 by rvsol

YES!
Happy Caturday, my friend. You understand that all is well in the world when you walk into a HomeGoods as well as see a plethora of feline woman mugs ?? on the shelves near the money registers.

(This is an important signal.)

One might develop an entire collection of kitty-themed mugs based solely on quick jaunts to HomeGoods. (Ha ha ha, is there even such a thing? I’m lucky if I get out of there in half an hour.)

I like the chonky kittehs on the “Catfinated” mug as well as the wonderful Siamese posing betwixt the flowers, especially.

Today, I’m enjoying my morning brew from my reliable XXL kitty teacup, which was likewise a HomeGoods find, as well as catching up on my reading.

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Dear coffee, I like you.
I’m smack-dab in the middle of reading Maida Heatter’s brand new book of excellent Cookies (FEELING THIS SO HARD) as well as The contemporary Cook’s Year, by Anna Jones (eh, kinda boring). I’m likewise listening to an audiobook of Michelle Obama’s autobiography, Becoming.

So many books, so bit time.

By the way, for all my fellow chocolate-chip cookie fanatics, according to Maida Heatter, the key to making the perfect chocolate-chip cookie is doubling the vanilla, as well as utilizing chocolate bars cut into pieces, instead of chips. Then, pop the batter in the fridge.

Who wishes to make these cookies with me??

Before we start, here’s this weekend’s reading, as well as yay! — there were great deals of feline stories in the news!

Good news! Your feline may not totally dislike you. A new research study by animal habits researchers suggests that cats may bond to their people, just like dogs as well as infants do.

You understand you’re a crazy feline woman dude when your feline is the very best “man” at your wedding.

Meet Dr. Leon, an attorney who likewise just so occurs to be a cat! His duties include welcoming guests to the office, and, being cute. Oh, as well as you understand he’s official since he has a name badge. ?‍?

Estimates suggest that more than half of the indoor cats in the U.S. are overweight. While some kitties can self-regulate their food, most indoor cats requirement assist keeping the pounds off.

Kitties always discover their method house — even luxurious toy kitties! satisfy Plurna the cat, who went missing for 14 years however was just recently found.

The finest makeup, hair as well as nails from Paris fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020, according to Allure.

Artificial skin is a thing.

Apparently, infant pink nail polish is back. (Um…am I the only one available who didn’t understand it left?)

Will somebody please explain to me why these Barbies look like Kardashians…

Happy fall, y’all!

Doing this ASAP.

I’ve been watching time administration vids all week long.

Note to self…

I’m all about the 10-minute makeup life.

Have a wonderful weekend! ?

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, makeup and beauty blog Mascot, Vol. 553

Posted on November 6, 2022 by rvsol

I’m sitting here with a cup of green tea ? in my hand and trying to figure out how to start this post, so I’ll start with some things that I know to be true.

Tomorrow (Monday) will mark one week since Tabs took his final runway walk.

I can’t say that I’m anywhere near feeling like my usual self again, but each day I hurt a little less.

Today I put on mascara for the first time in weeks.

And blush.

And concealer. (I would like to think Tabs would be proud.)

I may even paint my nails tonight. Chanel, of course — in honor of my husky ball of love.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there — cat moms, dog moms, bird moms, snake moms, gerbil moms, little monster moms and moms to humans.

I debated whether I should change the title of this post and the entire series from “Sundays With Tabs” to “Sundays Without Tabs,” but for now I’m going to keep it “Sundays With Tabs,” because, in his own way, he’s still with me.

I know this day isn’t easy for everyone. Some people have lost their mom, or don’t have the best relationship with their mom, or want to be a mom but can’t, and if that’s the case for you, please know that there’s someone on the other end of the keyboard — granted, someone with a broken heart — who has love for you.

I’ll be seeing you soon.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Are the things That Make You feel like the very best version of You?

Posted on November 2, 2022 by rvsol

note to self
What are the things that make you feel like the very best version of you?

I was believing about this today, since one of my goals this week is to do the things that serve me in a positive way, as well as I started by doing my hair this morning.

It’s fantastic what getting my mop out of a untidy bun does for my mood. Fun-buns are easy, as well as simple can be gloriously good, however often Fun-buns make me feel disheveled, so when I take the time as well as make the effort to style my hair, I feel much better as well as a lot more capable.

Other things that assist me…

Going to bed early (this one’s a difficulty for me since all I wanna do at the end of the day is veg out on my couch.)

Cutting down on screen time, particularly mindless scrolling before bed. If I leave the phone alone for at least an hour before I go to sleep, I autumn asleep so much faster, as well as my next day is so much better.

Eating great deals of fresh vegetables (I have so much a lot more energy when I do this, so yay for leafy greens!)

Being militant about time administration as well as keeping track of time (otherwise, every task will take two times longer than it needs to)

Stretching for at least 10 minutes every day

Putting on a bit bit of makeup. At the extremely least, blush, bronzer, mascara as well as lippie!

Also, trying to assist other people always makes me feel like the very best version of myself, as well as when I radiate happiness as well as light, it comes ideal back. ?

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What are the things that make you feel like the very best version of you? Volunteering? Drinking sufficient water (it makes a significant difference, doesn’t it?)? curling your lashes? going to the beach?

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

Have You cut Hair (Yours or somebody Else’s) during Quarantine?

Posted on October 31, 2022 by rvsol

Chop!
Not yet! however El Hub just got some Wahl clippers from Costco as well as has been going on as well as on about exactly how they’re allegedly goof-proof, as well as exactly how I should totally trim his hair for him, as well as I’ll do just fine…

To that I state “ruh-roh!” ? There are many hair-associated tasks I do relatively well… Hello, I’ve waxed my own woman bits (too much info?!). however none of my at-home barbering attempts have gone anyplace good.

I’ll let you understand if I inadvertently (or perhaps subconsciously) carve a feline deal with on the side of his head. ?

How about you? have you cut any type of hair in quarantine yet?

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

Have You ever had an at-home Hair dye Mishap?

Posted on October 30, 2022 by rvsol

speak to me about hair, babe!
At the time, I probably wouldn’t have described any of my attempts at dyeing my hair at home as “mishaps,” but looking back…every single time I dyed my hair in college could have, in fact, been characterized as a enormous mishap. LOL!

Nothing ever looked quite ideal when I did it myself. Not then, not now. diy at-home hair dyeing is just not my forte (which is one of the reasons I’m growing out my gray).

I think the worst occurrence was the time I did my own highlights and wound up with chunky, streaky orange tiger stripes. ? Of course, I didn’t know any better at the time and thought I was the ish… thank goodness this was before social media was a thing, because I would have been #hashtagging things like #chunkyhighlightsftw and #DIYtigerstripes.

I really hope your answer to this question is “no,” but just in case it isn’t, speak to me. ? have you ever had an at-home hair dye mishap. If so, what happened?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Chanel, You’re Rockin’ My world at the Moment!

Posted on October 28, 2022 by rvsol

A little Chanel never hurt anyone.
Heya, friend. I’m sitting here at my desk with a rumbly tumbly because I’m waiting on an air conditioning specialist to stop by for an estimate. (Side note: phase one of operation Casa tiny Remodel is officially underway.) two things I’ve learned so far about home remodels and home repair projects:

Anything that can break, will break, and surprise! — everything breaks at the same time.

Waiting on the people who can fix those broken things wreaks havoc on your lunch plans, because when someone says, “I’ll be there between 10 a.m. and noon,” that’s code for “I’ll ring your doorbell at 12:15.”

Anyway, yeah, I’m waiting on someone ideal now, and I’m hungry, but I don’t want to start making food because then I’ll have to eat it really fast, or wait and have it get cold, or awkwardly shovel a frozen breakfast burrito down my gullet in front of a stranger…

This is probably a good time to distract myself with one of my favorite things in the whole large world: mascara.

I’ll gleefully try each and every new mascara that promises lusciously long lashes, but the one I’ve been loving lately is dimensions de Chanel Mascara.

I got hooked on it last spring when Chanel introduced the shade Nero Metallo, a smoldering deep onyx (take a breath, it’s still available!).

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Oh, hey there lashes!
The bristle brush wand stretches the stubbiest strands up toward the sky, and one coat coaxes my skinny, straight lashes into a captivating curved fringe that could pass for a pair of falsies. and yes, it does all this without flakes, clumps, smudges or smears.

As for removal, an oil-based makeup remover takes it off in a snap.

I’ve been wearing it daily for a while (you may have noticed), and I can’t get enough.

I also can’t get enough of products that can be used for a lot more than just one thing, because why not have an eyeshadow that doubles as an eyeliner? — which is exactly what you get with the Chanel Stylo Ombre et Contours. (I’m on a Chanel kick, as you can see.)

Twist-up cream shadows have been around forever, but it’s rare to find one that’s blend-adble enough to play with on your lids, and long-wearing enough to stay put on the waterline.

I’m all about Contour Graphique, a fully pigmented navy blue for tight lining the upper lash line. It’s limited edition (the good stuff always is, it seems), but there are lots of other colors to fall in love with, like Vague, metallic Flash and Pure Flesh, the newest colors.

OK, that’s all. now I gotta get a breakfast burrito in this tum ASAP!

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Peachy golden brown Cheeks and Eyes With a ’90s-Style Lip #throwbackthursday

Posted on October 16, 2022 by rvsol

#throwbackthursday to this ’90s lip look
A photo popped up in my feed a few days ago of a pal wearing a classic ’90s lip with an unblended dark outer edge, a light lipstick, and lots and lots of gloss in the center.

I was moved!

I wore the heck out of this lip look when I was in college, and apparently you can depend on muscle memory to kick in when you attempt to do old favorite makeup looks, because it all came back to me like *that*.

What you’ll need

To do this type of ’90s lip look, get hold of the following…

A dark matte lip liner (I’m wearing two shades of brown).

An opaque matte lipstick substantially lighter than your lip liner, because you’re going for contrast here. I chose a matte beige.

A very shiny gloss, either clear, or in a shade that compliments your lipstick.

Step-by-step: the ’90s girl unblended lip look!

Apply a layer or two of your lipstick first. I just did it directly from the tube.

Line the outermost portion of your lips with the liner. Be sure to sharpen the idea beforehand for a crisp edge.

Dot the gloss on the center of your bottom lip. I like to swipe a little first on the back of my hand, and then I dab the gloss on with a finger to avoid touching the doe-foot applicator directly to the lipstick. That way I can keep the lipstick from mixing into the gloss and changing the color.

DO NOT rub your lips together or blend the liner with a lip brush, or do anything that will minimize the definition of the edge. This is totes key!

If you do a beige-brown lip like the one I’m wearing here, peachy golden brown colors work well on the cheeks and eyes.

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Makeup worn in this look

Lips: MAC Cork and Hover lip liners (Cork on the outermost edge with Hover on the inner portion), MAC Honey love Lipstick, MAC C-Thru Lipglass

Base: MAC Strobe cream in Peachlite, MAC next to nothing in medium Dark, MAC Matchmaster Concealer in 5

Eyes: MAC Teddy liner (buffed all over lids as base and worn as liner on lash and waterlines), MAC Amber Lights eyeshadow, MAC Beaming blush extra dimension Skinfinish (inner corner), MAC give Me sun bronzer, Laura Mercier Caviar Mascara

Cheeks: MAC give Me sun bronzer, MAC Hushed Tone blush, MAC Beaming blush extra dimension Skinfinish

Social media is weird, man.

Have you seen the thing going ’round social media where people post their senior high school photo to support the seniors graduating in 2020? Now, how is posting one’s own senior portrait meant to cheer up a senior in high school who’s missing prom and graduation? I dunno. That said, I’ve been enjoying seeing everyone’s throwbacks, especially all the makeup and hair. It’s terrific for inspiration!

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Saturday Surfing, Oct. 3, 2020

Posted on October 11, 2022 by rvsol

pleased Caturday, my friend! I hope you have a sweet treat on your breakfast plate this morning (sprinkle cake perhaps?). I have grand designs on a slice of lemon meringue pie (sans meringue), my second one ever, because the gluten-free one I made last night did NOT turn out hella wackadoo (unlike the first one). If I may say so myself, it’s actually pretty good! ?

Now, this does not apply to the one I made before the one last night.

That one was downright terrible…

It was my first crack at lemon meringue, so I’m not stressing it, but it was borderline comical how bad it turned out.

The custard was runny. The meringue was overbeaten. and I somehow missed adding the half cup of butter the recipe called for (whoops!).

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When Connor and I took the first bite and I said, “Oh, dear. We have to throw this out,” Connor said, “It’s OK, mama. This was just a practice pie. You just have to keep practicing so you can get better and better.”

AWWW!

In addition to even more “practicing pie” this weekend, I intend to reunite with Tom Ford African Violet (pictured at the top), otherwise known as “my favorite fall purple.” I looked it up today to see if it was still available, and — le sigh! — it appears to have been discontinued.

If you’re searching for something similar, FYI, Essie Flowerista is a good option.

Onto today’s charm reading!

Dear Astronauts on the international space station who will be doing charm blogger stuff with Estée Lauder products in zero gravity…do any of you need some suggestions from a 10+ year charm blogging veteran? because if you do, I’m here for you, and I can be ready to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon heavy faster than you can say, “skin care serum in the stars.” ?‍??

RIP Lillian Brown. She was the makeup artist who covered the dark circles, matted down the shiny spots and concealed blemishes on nine us presidents. She also painted the faces of numerous first ladies as well.

Speaking of charm and politics colliding…

Meet Pakistani American Kirin Bhatty, a Hollywood makeup artist who’s worked with a diverse lineup of on-screen talent, including Awkwafina in crazy rich Asians and The Farewell, and Frieda Pinto on Slumdog Millionaire.

How to avoid common mistakes when doing your makeup if you have dark skin, according to makeup artist Scott Osbourne.

Stuff on sale up to 50% off at Ulta…

A full makeup breakdown of J. Lo’s newest look through Mary Philips.

I am low-key obsessed with Frédéric Malle.

Is modern skin care worth the price?

For your fun fact file: the Air force is allowing servicemen to grow out their hair a little bit more.

Love this!

Vibing with this today.

This is my favorite Kate Bush song.

What the heck is going on here?

Fascinating!

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

What Are Your new Year’s Eve Traditions?

Posted on October 9, 2022 by rvsol

before things went absolutely bonkers beneath a cloud of powdered sugar and flour at the bakery right before Christmas, there was a brief lull, during which my coworkers and I talked about our new Year’s Eve traditions — ya know, things our families do to ring in the new Year.

One tradition that seems to be shared by many families is that of cleaning the house to make it spic and span (or as close to it as possible) before January 1.

Now…I used to do this religiously every December 31. I’d get the floors so clean you could eat off them, but I let that one go a few years ago (around the time Connor Claire arrived)… I’m thinking about doing as much as I can today, though. I want to maximize my luck as we start a new decade. (Side note: When you have a small child, you live in a state of high-functioning exhaustion, always.)

Anyway, I’m going to do as much as I can before the new year starts.

One thing I like to do — which I carried over from my parents — happens right at the stroke of midnight, when we jump up and down and shout “Happy new Year!” repeatedly. then we open the front door to welcome all of the good luck into our house and our lives. and you do this while holding your cat, of course, so she doesn’t escape into the night!

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At my parents’ house, my mom also does these things, which I don’t know if they’re exclusive to her family or if they’re more of a Filipino thing, but she’ll put 13 coins underneath the welcome mat at the front door for good luck.

They’re usually pennies…but I don’t know if they specifically have to be pennies, or if you can mix and match your change, because my mom is a self-proclaimed cheapskate, and she’s not about to be putting silver dollars or quarters under the mat, LOL! So, yeah, she puts 13 pennies under the mat and leaves them there all year long, then replaces them with fresh coins every new Year’s Eve.

And she’ll also hang a bunch of grapes (13 to be exact!) in the middle of the front door jamb, where they’ll hang all year long. Again, she does this for good luck.

My coworker, who’s also Filipino, said that her family, in addition to opening up the front door and doing the thing with the grapes, would bang pots and pans to scare any evil sprits away at midnight. They’d also throw coins up the staircase (not sure why).

Oh, and food! growing up, my mom would make this savory rice soup called arroz caldo. It wasn’t my favorite thing to eat because my mom always made it extra gingery, and I reeeeally don’t like ginger (I only like it in sweet baked goods), so I’d sit there and suffer through a few bites while everybody else devoured it.

How about you? What are your new Year’s Eve traditions?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

When It pertains to Makeup, Do You believe You get What You Pay For?

Posted on October 2, 2022 by rvsol

Does budget imply poor quality?
I think there’s just so much good makeup out there, so there isn’t a hard and fast policy to assessing quality at different price levels. I also absolutely don’t feel that expensive automatically indicates better (see this affordable drugstore cream shadow and this $8 eyeliner). Whichever the case, drugstore or high end, I think you’ve gotta dig to find the gems.

But oh! — there’s lots of treasure out there, and I like uncovering makeup gems at any price point…although I do have to admit that I flinch at the thought of paying $$$$ for a mascara nowadays, even if it’s bomb.

(Skin care, though? That’s another story… ?)

I know that some folks eschew drugstore makeup for different reasons, like having been burned before by budget products that didn’t live up to the hype. I have a friend who only wears MAC because everything she’s ever tried from a drugstore makes her break out. everyone is different, and everyone has different needs, likes, budgets and different access, depending on where they live and their closest makeup counters.

What about you? Do you think you get what you pay for when it pertains to makeup? and do you think there’s a difference between “cheap” and budget?

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. RIP, Uncle Karl. Tabs has lost a mentor and the world has lost an icon.