Author: rvsol

great morning as well as TGIF! additional TGIF, right? ? So…you understand your world has taken an unforeseen turn when you select to wear a wrinkled tee shirt as well as low-key bronzed J Lo.-inspired skin to go get your blood drawn at the healthcare facility as well as it’s like you’re about to walk the red carpet at the satisfied Gala.

All is well, by the way. I just had my annual checkup to make sure everything’s working correctly, as well as it is (*knock on wood*).

ADVERTISEMENT

So yeah, I was using this look under my mask when I went to the lab, as well as I felt happier as well as a lot more outgoing than I have in ages. I cracked jokes with the lab tech who drew like 10 vials of blood from my arm (it was really three, however who’s counting?), as well as I a lot more than enthusiastically told everybody I ran into to “HAVE A excellent rest OF YOUR DAY!”

There’s absolutely something to be stated for pushing yourself to do the things you understand make you feel better, even when you aren’t truly feeling it at first!

By the way, the blush/bronzer as well as eyeshadow are all from the exact same palette, a multi-use powder combination called the Pixi summertime glow Palette. I like it when my eye makeup ties into my blush/bronzer, as well as this combination is one of those no-brainers that enables you to pair colors without having to ponder colorimetry as well as trichromatic theory…

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

And the lipstick is sincere appeal Happiness, likewise understood as “Karen’s summertime 2020 Jam,” since it’s a chameleon! With the fuchsia top in these pics it looks a lot more like a great pink, however when I wear it with coral clothes it looks warmer as well as a lot more like a pinkish coral.

If you don’t have this liquid lippie in your makeup bag, you requirement it ASAP. So, so good.

Makeup used in this look

EYES: Pixi summertime glow Palette, Pixi big Lash Mascara, Pixi Eyeshadow Stick in Matte Cocoa, Pixi limitless shade Stick in Copper Glaze, sincere appeal liquid Liner, metropolitan Decay Brow Blade in Dark Drapes, MAC remove Brow Set

CHEEKS: Pixi summertime glow Palette

LIPS: sincere appeal liquid Lipstick in Happiness

SKIN: very first aid appeal tinted moisturizer in Tan

ADVERTISEMENT

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

P.S. have A excellent rest OF YOUR DAY! ?

Smooch!
Anybody else out there really miss wearing lipstick when they’re out and about? I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately, with fall — which typically implies the return of dark, vampy lips — just around the corner. in some cases I still wear lipstick ? around the house…and sometime I’ll rock a thin layer of liquid matte lipstick underneath my mask (which seems to transfer the least).

Anywho, it’s time for another round of This or That!

ADVERTISEMENT

How to play

Pick one or the other for each of the questions below, and copy/paste your answers in the comments. Can’t wait to see your picks! Mine are noted below. ?

Copy and paste

Matte or cream finish?

Coral or rose?

Sheer or pigmented?

Blended or unblended lip liner?

Overdrawn or not?

Orangey reds or bluish reds?

Brown or pastel?

Lip brush or straight from the tube?

Matte or cream finish?

I love both, but I’ll choose matte because I like how it photographs.

Coral or rose?

Coral, 100%.

Sheer or pigmented?

Pigmented, please. I like the flexibility.

Blended or unblended lip liner?

Unblended. I know, I know…but I’ve been feeling ’90s makeup lately, and I think the unblended lip looks cool.

Overdrawn or not?

Not, although I have done the whole overdrawn lip liner thing before; it’s just one of those phases you need to work through, LOL!

Orangey reds or bluish reds?

YARGH. This is hard. I guess orangey reds!

Brown or pastel shades?

Brown.

Lip brush or straight from the tube?

ADVERTISEMENT

Straight from the tube, baby.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen ?

Hiking the trail to see the waterfall at the Indian Valley open space preserve is one of my favorite things to do this time of year!
Hi, and delighted Caturday, sweet girl! I read somewhere recently that you must spend at least one day a month outside. In nature. and you know what? Today is that day for me. There’s a trail here in Novato that leads to a small waterfall, and despite TLC’s fervent admonitions, I’m going to chase it. ?

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to.

It’s time for Saturday Surfing… ?

ADVERTISEMENT

If you’d like to level-up your CCL status, may I suggest crafting your favorite feline’s very own got throne? ?

Go ahead, adopt that third cat (otherwise known as “the gateway cat”), because science says that being a cat lady is good for your health!

The best rendition of Van Gough’s Starry night I’ve ever seen. (Side note: It may or may not involve multiple curvaceous orange tabbies.)

Be on the lookout for the Opte, a handheld inkjet printer for your face, which prints tiny amounts of pigment on your face to cover every dark spot — freckles, scars and hyperpigmentation, and even the ones you can’t see (Blue LED lights help the cam locate tiny dark spots the human eye might miss). It launches this summer for a amazing $600.

Speaking of gadgets, L’Oréal has a smart device that creates custom-made formulas for lipstick, foundation and skin care.

Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of Spanx, on learning to redefine what failure means

You cannot look away.

Years ago Marc did my makeup, and he’s still one of my fave artists!

Pretty sure this is what went down when Tabs rolled up into kitty heaven.

Have a terrific weekend. I hope yours is off to a terrific start. ?

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

Unsolicited life tip: When you unknowingly grow a Machiavellian mustache on your upper lip, it’s most likely time to put some makeup on again.

So right here we go!

ADVERTISEMENT

OK, raise your hand ?‍ (which I’m presuming has been vigorously washed with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds) if you tend to go matchy-matchy with your clothes when you wear vibrant makeup. since I absolutely DO. You understand that woman using orange eyeshadow as well as orange lipstick as well as an orange shirt? Yup. So me!

A surprisingly resilient combination

I would never believe to wear this blue eye makeup with a eco-friendly tee shirt (am I the only one?), however when I saw the blue shadow as well as eco-friendly attire on Meghan Markle recently, I was like, “YES. rock those jewel tones together, Meg!”

I believe the blue shadow as well as eco-friendly garments pairing is surprisingly springy, particularly if you wear it on a rainy day, which I did. When it’s wet as well as chilly as well as whatever outside is stone chilly gray, the blue combo sticks out even more.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

ADVERTISEMENT

Also, yeah, I understand there’s a great deal of eyeshadow swatches up in the mix. While I’m normally one for keeping eye makeup streamlined, particularly for the past few months with the new task at the bakery as well as all, this time around around I went ham on mixing as well as blending ALL THE EYESHADOWS. try your hand at custom-made mixing your own shades sometime. mixing as well as matching is so, so fun.

Key makeup used in this look

EYES: It Cosmetics naturally quite combination (a mix of awesome as well as warm browns in the crease, as well as the navy shade on the lid), Kevyn Aucoin ElectroPop combination (blue/green shades on lid), Maybelline Tattoo studio Gel liner in Striking Navy as well as MAC Coffee liner (waterline as well as lower waterline), Laura Mercier Caviar volume Mascara (lashes)

Cheeks: NARS Amour (blush), hourglass Radiant Bronze Light (bronzer)

Lips: Nudestix Cheek/Lip Pencil in Mystic, MAC Boldly Bare lip liner, MAC Beaux Lipglass

Base: Estée Lauder double wear foundation in Honey Bronze mixed with MAC Strobe cream in Pinklight, Estée Lauder 24HR Concealer in medium Deep Warm

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

A lot of people thought Tabs was just this sweet, good-looking, easygoing cat, the proprietor of Novato’s largest cat cafe and an award-winning kitty modeling superstar.

And he was! He was all those things, but he was also a grizzly bear when it pertained to some things, like driving. simply put, he was NOT a good automobile cat. He hated being in the passenger seat. He hated being chauffeured anywhere.

ADVERTISEMENT

What he wanted was to be behind the wheel (because he was a control freak)…

He inspected all of his automobiles like a pilot inspects their plane. He checked the brakes, changed the oil and made sure every automobile in his collection was always in tip-top shape.

It didn’t just love to pose and travel, garden and eat gravy. He also loved life in the fast lane.

Most importantly, he liked being in control of his own destiny. He always wanted to be behind the wheel, and it bothered whenever he had to be a passenger, even if it was in the backseat of a limo.

ADVERTISEMENT

He was a mover and a shaker, and a big deal maker. A real devil-may-care cat. ?

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

MWHAHAHAHAHA
Never have I seen a truer statement than the one emblazoned on this tin I saw at CVS the other day.

Twenty-five black hair ties just waiting to get lost.
Don’t worry; they’ll disappear before you know it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Props to the person who thought of this, because you and I both know that it’s only a matter of time before those ties disappear into that household wormhole that swallows all of the black hair ties in the world and sends them to their mysterious final destination.

Where do they all go?

Until the scientific community figures it out, I will continue to work under the assumption that they go to the cosmic playground in the sky where angel kitties swat at them for hours on end.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

I’ve actually got a black tie in my hair best now because I’m typing and painting my nails. ’cause that’s how I roll. Paint, type, paint, type…

Oh, noooo. Is that a nick on my thumbnail?

Wait — it’s not. WHEW! *wipes sweat off brow.*

As I was saying, I’m multitasking, even though I’m running the risk of inadvertently denting a freshly painted paw.

Faster, pussycat

I recently figured out a way to speed up the process even more, because, frankly, who has the time? Why fritter away 30 minutes of your life waiting for paint to dry when you could be doing things like squats or enjoying a Keanu Reeves film (I know I’ve been talking about him a lot lately, but can you blame a girl?).

Also, I think I finally nailed (ha ha ha) the “speed mani” thanks to these few products. I’m completely done in 15 minutes. FOR REALS. everything dries very quickly, and the mani lasts a long time. I’m talking zero-to-very-few chips for a full week.

It’s all about that base

It starts with Sally Hansen No much more stains Spray-On Base Coat, which is also fun to use.

Doesn’t it look like a travel perfume bottle?

You just spray the clear base coat on bare nails (one or two spritzes per nail), and the thin protective layer dries in less than a minute. You don’t have to be very accurate about it (it’s like you’re spraying hairspray on the suggestions of your fingers). just spray, spray, spray, and ya done!

T-minus 300 seconds

On top of that, I add a couple layers of a nude shade from the Essie Gel Couture line, and it doesn’t seem to matter which color I wear — tan, pink, peach, taupe. Whichever direction I choose to go, the end result looks so-fresh-so-clean, even after a week.

Duuuuude! I’m also all about the brush. It’s broader and flatter that a common nail polish brush, so I can paint from base to suggestion in even, smooth strokes.

Today’s/this week’s mani uses a creamy warm peach called Spool Me Over.

Um…or is it pink? Peachy pink? I can’t really tell, but I like that about it. (Of course the gemini in me would love nail polishes with two seemingly distinct personalities!)

Two coats in five minutes, tops.

A fantastic top coat

The final, and probably many vital, part of “le speed mani” involves Essie Gel Couture Platinum grade Finish.

FYI, I’ve seen the packaging both with the silver band around the base of the cap, and without, and apparently they’re both the same product, just with different caps.

Anyway, this is the shiniest, sturdiest top coat I’ve tried.

Yes, I know those are combating words… Hoop earrings are off, so let’s go. LOL!

One coat protects your paws like Seche Vite or the Smith & Cult top coat, but it fully sets in a fraction of the time. I give it a full 10 minutes (better safe than sorry) to fully bake, and after that it’s rock solid…like the bond between the ladies of Claws.

Damn, those girls are ride-or-die. Seriously, you’ve got to get into that show if you aren’t enjoying it already. It’s completely bonkers and completely ridiculous, but you will be sucked in.

I’ve used this as a top coat on non-gel polishes, too, and it delivers equally outstanding longevity.

Bounce, baby, bounce

One last thing before my fresh paint and I peace out: Ciara’s video for Thinkin Bout You. This is my new “happy” tune and the current warmup song on my workout playlist.

I just feel fantastic when it’s playing and I’m bopping and bouncing around to it… The person who did the body makeup in this video needs to text me that magic recipe ASAP (I’m wondering if it’s MAC face and Body?) because every inch of Ciara’s skin looks otherworldly!

Oh, and the scene where she turns on all the fans and sings into a broom deal with as her hair blows back in the wind? Hello, is that my life?? I may or may not have done the same exact thing this morning. ?

ADVERTISEMENT

Enjoy the song, and don’t forget to stop to let that booty pop-pop-pop!

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

ADVERTISEMENT

My baby unicorn dressed up as a baby unicorn this year. ????

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

ADVERTISEMENT

Karen

delighted Saturday, friend. ? good morning. I hope you slept well. Today promises to be a colorful day here thanks to a new box of sidewalk chalk (a present from my brother!). For weeks, Connor and I have been hop-scotching and garage-floor-doodling with the last shards and slivers of sidewalk chalk we had because, apparently, sidewalk chalk, like hand sanitizer, is scarce ’round these parts. There are lots of chalk artists out there. getting a new box felt like finding pirate treasure!

We didn’t even blink when we saw the few broken bits, because you know what they say… You take what you can get when it pertains to sidewalk chalk during a pandemic. ?‍

ADVERTISEMENT

Does wearing makeup interfere with the effectiveness of a mask? According to dermatologist Dr. Carrie L. Kovarik, the answer is no; however, the combo of foundation, lipstick, perspiration, hot breath and friction can irritate your skin.

There’s an “ugly makeup revolution” happening, and yes, it’s a real thing. The term was coined by Berlin-based makeup artist and activist Eszter Magyar, and it refers to makeup that pushes back on the normal Instagram selfie face on social media. “Pearls glued to skin, rimming an eyelid like so lots of warts. Black scribbled words across a red-painted face, screaming at the customer to ‘eat the rich.’ Pollack-like splatters of blue on yellow lips. There’s something dreamlike about them. Some are playful and childlike – Dr Seuss would approve. but others are sinister and menacing, aggressive and slightly brutal. They look like they hurt to wear, and some of them do.”

COOL! ——-> speaking of atypical makeup, this makeup artist paints her ears with tiny scenes. ??‍?

The makeup artist behind HBO’s Euphoria, Kirsten Coleman, hosted a Zoom virtual makeup tutorial yesterday.

Makeup brand e.l.f. is teaming up with Chipotle (as in the build your own burritos)… All I have to say to this is 1) what the hell? and 2), is guac extra? ?

Favorite read of the week ——-> In the Coronavirus Crisis, I Can’t visit My sick mother — So I wear Her Perfume Instead.

The low-down on skin care cult classic Biologique Recherche P50 lotion.

Some dermatologists are unbothered by blue light.

These are the trendy nail shades for summer 2020, according to J. Lo’s manicurist, Tom Bachik.

Maybelline just launched a new line of fast-drying nail polishes.

Base for those who don’t like wearing foundation.

Wait for the trombones!!!

Welcome to my youth.

When I lived in SF, I’d go to this beach all the time.

LOOK AT TERRY’S CRAFT ROOM!

ADVERTISEMENT

How are you doing today? speaking for myself, I see an afternoon nap in my future…

Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

ADVERTISEMENT

Cats & makeup Sweatshirt ??

$42

Shop Now

I don’t understand if squeezing this mop on the top of my head into a bun as well as loosely protecting it with a scrunchie qualifies as a hair “style,” however that’s as great as it gets at the moment. ? I figure, as along as most of the hairs are in the bun, I’m doing OK!

Soon enough, the time will come when I’ll be able to get a trim. up until then, I’m going to refer to my mussed mane as “editorial” as well as tell everybody that it’s untidy on purpose, ha ha ha! ?

ADVERTISEMENT

How about you? What’s your go-to shelter-in-place hairstyle?

ADVERTISEMENT

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF! OMG, TGIFx10!

saving you from the untidy bun, one elastic at a time
Perhaps the very best $3 I ever spent at Ulta! In an attempt to get my mop out of the untidy lockdown scrunchie bun (it’s endangering to ended up being a long-term fixture on my head), I’ve been using a half-up, half-down pony utilizing these black no-snag tiny elastics by Kitsch Pro.

They’re small, thin black plastic hair ties with a flat edge as well as a slick surface that enables you to quickly slip them into your hair to safe ponytails as well as braids. I’ve utilized this type of elastic before, as well as this is the only one that doesn’t pull or break any type of hairs as I’m putting my hair up or down in a ponytail. It won’t step for nothing, as well as you won’t end up with a handful of damaged hairs when you take it out.

ADVERTISEMENT

Granted, they aren’t developed to last… Each elastic is great for perhaps two utilizes at the most, since they come out misshapen as well as useless, which is a bummer… I still like ’em though.

If your hair is on the thinner side, I believe you may like them too. Or, if you online with bit girls, they’d be excellent for small ponytails as well as braids.

ADVERTISEMENT

Available in clear, brown as well as black, as well as a pack of 100 elastics is three bucks!

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen