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just a really quick idea to eke out every last drop from those free cream and liquid sample packets you get from beauty counters.

I wish I’d discovered this sooner, but better late than never.

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Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. So…I played a little hooky today. sort of. I just had to get out of the office because Tabs was driving me absolutely crazy, so I went to the mall, had a late lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, got a pair of shoes, enjoyed some dogs and people…and ran into a friend who was also playing hooky. (What’s up, Bernadette!?)

It’s been a minute considering that the last time I used a Deborah Lippmann polish, as well as I failed to remember exactly how strong these people are!

On this a lot of merriest of days, I’m showcasing a deep reddish brown with a cool-toned multi-colored accent nail by means of Deborah Lippmann’s two-piece dance music Duet set ($19, however it’s on sale ideal now at Sephora for $12).

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I very first used both the shine as well as the creamy darker shade in this duo about a week ago, as well as they lasted five days before two small chips appeared on my ideal paw/claw…but I liked the whole ensemble so much that I resurrected it with an additional coat of each last night.

Meowy Christmas!

How’s about you? Are you using a Christmas mani today?

Single women (left), as well as shine as well as Be Gay (right)

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.

What’s the essential to getting “brows on fleek”?
Brow gel, since it does a bit of everything! I utilize it to wrangle brow hairs into place, plump up the sparse areas as well as to map out the locations I requirement to fill. And, depending upon what color the brow gel is, you can utilize it for different things. Like, I’ll utilize a tinted brow gel to rapidly add volume, color as well as shape to my brows, or I’ll utilize an untinted one to soften exactly how things look after I utilize a pencil or brow powder — you know, to assist whatever up there look much more natural.

My profession guidance is to…
Follow your passion, since if you have to spend the bulk of your waking hours doing something to pay the bills, it may also be something you really delight in as well as believe in.

That’s not to say, “Never take a task just for the paycheck!” since you gotta do what you gotta do. I’ve had numerous tasks that tired me to tears, that I absolutely didn’t delight in as well as wasn’t invested in, however I do believe that if you’re dissatisfied in your career, you owe it to yourself to keep looking.

My preferred album is __________ since _________.
Madonna’s Immaculate Collection, since I can listen to it over as well as over again; I never get exhausted of that album… Plus, I understand all the words to every song!

Also, it’s great road trip music.

What goes into making “The supreme Peanut Butter as well as Jelly Sandwich”?
For me, it’s Jiff or Skippy brand creamy peanut butter (because I ain’t got time for that crunchy business), marmalade (or, alternately, raspberry jam) as well as two pieces of soft, fresh honey whole wheat bread from Rustic Bakery in Novato.

What makeup do you have in your handbag best now?
Let’s see… disposing out my handbag to check…

Apparently, I feel compelled to bring 10 nude lipsticks as well as glosses with me. WHY?!

I see NARS Lipgloss in immediate Crash, Buxom Lipgloss in Ava, metropolitan Decay naked Lipgloss in Liar, NARS Lipgloss in Chihuahua, metropolitan Decay naked Skin Concealer in medium Dark, Guerlain Kiss Kiss Lipstick in Pinky Groove, MAC Eli Goulding Lipstick in only You, metropolitan Decay Gwen Stefani Lip Pencil in Ex-Girlfriend as well as metropolitan Decay Brow Pencil in Neutral Brown.

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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. What’s the essential to getting “brows on fleek”?
2. My profession guidance is to…
3. My preferred album is __________ since _________.
4. What goes into making “The supreme Peanut Butter as well as Jelly Sandwich”?
5. What makeup do you have in your handbag best now?

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In other news, THE very BOWL! Did you watch? Understandably, since of the kitty connection, Tabs was pulling for the Panthers, however he was likewise pleased to see Denver as well as Mr. Peyton Manning win.

He as well as Peyton train together in some cases during the off season. As one of the game’s all-time finest tabby tight ends, Tabs has extremely great paws. He can catch just about anything thrown his way…

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How ’bout the Kitten Bowl? I recorded it on Tivo, as well as I’m gonna view it at lunch. No spoilers please! Don’t tell me who wins.

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Ten-hut! 14 of 22 lipsticks in the upcoming MAC The Matte Lip collection ($16 each, coming to the MAC website starting may 28, as well as to MAC stores as well as counters June 11)
Many of the matte lipsticks in the new MAC The Matte Lip collection are new, however daaaaaang! — a few of the shades sure do look like they jumped out of my hot tub time machine circa 1994.

Like dark brown Antique Velvet? I’m quite sure I used something just like it…to every Friday night home celebration I ever went to.

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And just in situation you’re wondering…yes, I was that person at the celebration who was standing uncomfortably in the corner as well as nursing the exact same bottle of Zima the entire evening. #datingmyself

All of the $16 lipsticks in the new 22-piece MAC The Matte Lip collection are matte (obvs), with about half of them having MAC’s Matte finish, as well as the other half their vintage Matte finish, however they aren’t all new. A handful of them are currently offered in the long-term line as well as are being re-promoted right here with the introduce (like Ruby Woo, All terminated Up, flat Out Fabulous, velvet Teddy, Kinda Sexy, Please Me, Heroine as well as Pink Pigeon).

But most of the 22 shades are new, which is extremely exciting! Also, technically, this isn’t a MAC collection in the traditional restricted edition sense, as all of the colors are either in the long-term line now, or being added to it.

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You may still see some familiar names among the batch of new colors as well, though, like Whirl as well as Stone. Both are currently in MAC’s Lip Pencil line, so if you’re a fan of either one, voila! now there are matching matte lipstick shades.

Matchy-matchy!

The MAC Mattes vs. the vintage Mattes

Both of the matte completes represented in the collection are flat, meaning that they radiate extremely little, or not at all, on the lips, however the completes aren’t the same. The vintage Mattes are more intensely matte than their routine Matte counterparts — extremely flat — as well as they’re almost like using a matte lip pencil.

I believe the vintage Mattes likewise feels drier as well as thinner than the routine Mattes do, which feel a bit “wet” as well as dense/thick to me.

Oh! — as well as when I wear the vintage Mattes, I feel like my vertical lip lines are front as well as center, more so than when I wear the routine Mattes.

As for the colors themselves, what if you decline to accept your inner ’90s brown lipstick-loving babe? Does that mean you absolutely won’t such as this collection?

No, not necessarily… You don’t have to look like you lived as well as liked in the age that provided birth to floral spaghetti-strap gowns as well as infant tees to discover something to like in MAC The Matte Lip. In addition to the old-school shades, the release likewise includes some extremely fashion-forward colors, like deep royal blue Matte Royal, in addition to some wonderful pinks like Please Me, as well as a number of bold, brash brights like purple Heroine as well as bluish red Ruby Woo.

Here are pics as well as swatches of 14 of the 22 shades…

Babe, I’m matte about you!
From the left: Dangerous, runway Hit, steady Going, Matte Royal, Instigator, Antique velvet as well as Stone

Studded Kiss, Persistence, Whirl, naturally Transformed, guy like Mystery, D for risk as well as Pink Pigeon

It’s all about dat prep life

Yeah…both of these matte completes can be a bit difficult to wear since they like to draw interest to every bit flake, crack, vertical lip line as well as imperfection.

At least that’s the situation for me as well as my textured (code word for “flaky”) lips, so I believe it definitely assists to lay the groundwork the night before by exfoliating, as well as then packing up on lip balm before bed.

Then, very first thing in the morning after you laundry your face, slather even more lip balm on your lips…and drink 10 gallons of water.

OK, perhaps not 10 gallons. That would be as well much.

But do drink some additional water. I understand it seems crazy, however I swear that it assists cut down on the flakes.

When I do both of these things either on a regular basis or at least the night before, these mattes are easier to pull off, as well as my lips look as well as feel smoother.

Drink lots of water, overdo it with balm, as well as when you wear these mattes, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous lips as well as a killer wear time, since since these aren’t as creamy as other finishes, they last. Seriously, I can eat meals — MEALS, plural — with these mattes on my lips, as well as they will not budge. I’m speaking six or seven hours, easily.

MAC The Matte Lip swatches from the left: Dangerous, runway Hit, steady Going, Matte Royal, Instigator, Antique velvet as well as Stone
MAC The Matte Lip swatches from the left: Studded Kiss, Persistence, Whirl, naturally Transformed, guy like Mystery, D for risk as well as Pink Pigeon
I’d state go for one of the routine Mattes if you want something more comfortable as well as easier to wear.

Look for these on the MAC website starting may 28, as well as at MAC stores as well as counters June 11.

(The) MAC The Matte Lip collection includes…

Lipstick in Ruby Woo — a vivid blueish red with a vintage Matte finish

All terminated Up — a bright fuchsia with a vintage Matte finish

Flat Out wonderful — a bright plum with a vintage Matte finish

Dangerous — an orangey red with a vintage Matte finish

Runway hit — a light nude with a vintage Matte finish

Steady Going — a light pink with a vintage Matte finish

Matte royal — a deep blue with a Matte finish

Instigator — a deep blackened plum with a Matte finish

Antique velvet — an intense brown with a Matte finish

Stone — a soft grayish taupe-brown with a Matte finish

Studded Kiss — a dark oxblood red with a Matte finish

Persistence — a peachy cinnamon with a Matte finish

Velvet Teddy — a deep beige with a Matte finish

Whirl — a filthy increased with a Matte finish

Naturally transformed — a soft golden beige with a Matte finish

Kinda attractive — a neutral pinkish increased with a Matte finish

Please Me — a soft rosy pink with a Matte finish

Tropic Tonic — a full power coral with a Matte finish

Heroine — a bright purple with a Matte finish

Men like secret — a lavender violet with a Matte finish

D for risk — a brick red with a Matte finish

Pink Pigeon — a bright clean pink with a Matte finish

Hey, shorty, it’s yo’ birthday!

Obviously, this is my dream birthday cake. via Byrdie woman custom Cakes
My birthday is right around the corner now (June 9), as well as I’m still feeling type of funny about it…

Not funny “ha-ha” but, well…more like “funny since I’m not sure what to make of it.” I have mixed feelings.

I mean, I’m happy to be making it to 40 at all, since some people don’t, as well as part of me wishes to do it up! — however then one more part of me just wishes to crawl under the covers as well as hide.

I’m sure the day will come as well as go, as well as whatever will be fine, however I feel like there’s a great deal of weight connected to 40.

Hmm… I’m most likely overthinking it.

Yeah, probably.

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Anyway! When’s your birthday? any type of other Geminis out there?

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

There must be a video in this post, however if you can’t see it, you can click right here to enjoy it on YouTube.

We’re generally on the cusp of December, so from right here on out it’s all holidays, all the time, as well as that absolutely indicates a lot more holiday makeup.

This purple smoky eye may look a lot more challenging than it truly is, however you can absolutely manage it. If you can blend even just a wee bit, you can comply with together with this tutorial, which shows exactly how to do the eyes, skin tone makeup as well as cheeks. as well as there are likewise four different concepts for lip combos.

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If you like your makeup on the economical side, you’ll absolutely want to press play, considering that nearly all of the makeup I utilized in this video is from Boots No7. lots of of the products are less than $10 each.

Oh, as well as if you haven’t already, don’t fail to remember to go into the Boots No7 anti-aging serum giveaway.

Products pointed out in the video

No7 Hydrating Mineral Water Spray ($9.99)

No7 lovely Skin Day cream for Dry/Very dry Skin ($14.99)

No7 lovely Skin rich Hydrating Eye cream ($15.99)

No7 picture repair wrinkle Filler as well as primer ($19.99)

No7 double action tinted moisturizer in medium ($13.99)

No7 lift & Illuminate foundation in Deep Honey ($15.99)

No7 Skin Illuminator Highlighter ($9.99)

No7 Stippling clean ($9.99)

No7 Radiant glow Concealer ($13.99)

No7 Lash & Brow Perfector ($9.99)

No7 lovely eyebrow Pencil in brown ($6.99)

No7 stay best shade as well as define in Deep Purple ($9.99)

No7 stay best Trio Eye shadow combination in new romance ($8.99)

No7 stay best Smoothing Eye shadow in Iridescent Purple ($7.99)

No7 Shimmer combination ($14.99)

No7 Soft Damson Mineral perfection Blusher ($9.99)

No7 precision Lip Pencil in nude ($8.99)

No7 High radiate Lip Crayon in Daydreamer ($9.99)

No7 stay best Lipstick in Bare ($9.99)

No7 wetness Drench in Sugar Plum ($9.99)

No7 precision Lips Pencil in Raspberry ($8.99)

No7 stay best Lipstick in Raspberry ($9.99)

No7 radiate & Tint in Seduce ($9.99)

I hope you such as this tutorial, as well as if you end up trying the look, please identify me on Instagram (my manage is @karenmbb), or send me a pic, since I’d loooooove to see you work it!

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As always, say thanks to you for watching.

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

The makeup and charm blog Monday Poll for March 9, 2015
You might be wondering, “So what in tarnation is this Monday Poll thing anyway!?”

Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s much more of a continuously evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers 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, and I hope you delight in reading mine.

How do you feel about black lipstick?
I think it can look really freaking cool if it’s done in a certain way. I mean, it’s makeup, so you can do anything you want and wear black lipstick however you feel, you know, but for me, I like it when it’s just that strong black lip, and everything else is kept minimal. maybe lots of lashes, a filled in brow and just very minimal skin.

I think it can be very chic, but it has to have the best elements to choose it, and you kind of have to be dressed to suit the black lip, too, because if you’re wearing a black lip and a pink polo shirt, it can be pretty jarring.

Clothing-wise, I’d probably mirror the same aesthetic as the makeup, with very clean lines, something like a black easy shift, or like a black tank top and skinny black jeans.

Do you know any men who wear makeup?
I know a few makeup artists who wear tinted moisturizer and concealer and brow gel and stuff, but in my everyday life, I can’t say that… Oh! — of course I know men who wear makeup! Yes, I follow a few of them on Instagram. They do their thing, and I like that.

Crimped hair: yes or no?
Having leftover visions of bad crimped hair from the late ’80s and early ’90s, buuut I think if you do it in moderation, like a little bit of crimping here and there, it can add some textural interest to the hair.

What’s the first thing you do when you get home?
Let’s see…I open the door, and Tabs is typically at the door, and I say, “What up, play-uh!?” and then I give him pets, because if I don’t pet him best away, he throws a fit. then I take off my shoes, set my purse down and take off my jacket. then I sit at the base of the stairs and pet Tabs some more, because he’s kind of a diva that way.

Are people amazed when they find out you’re into makeup?
Sometimes they are. It really depends on what makeup I’m wearing. If I’m wearing full-on ba-bam! eyes, lips, cheeks, highlight and bronzer that day, then people aren’t surprised, but when I’m typically out and about, like at the grocery store or the dentist, many of the time I’m wearing a toned down version of full makeup.

I guess many of the time when I do meet strangers and they don’t know what I do, they’re kind of like, “Oh, that’s interesting…” and then they ask for recommendations. Usually.

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Your turn. just copy and paste the following questions into a comment with your answers. I look forward to reading ’em!

1. how do you feel about black lipstick?
2. Do you know any men who wear makeup?
3. crimped hair: yes or no?
4. What’s the first thing you do when you get home?
5. Are people amazed when they find out you’re into makeup?

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Today might be a three-cup-of-tea day for me… I’m so sleepy best now!

Daylight savings Time and all…

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Hopefully it’s been a good Monday for you so far. What did you do this weekend?

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen

hello as well as happy Friday, my friend! Here, have a Pink Power Smoothie.

It’s a great day — no, a fantastic day — for an open thread, where we’ll talk about anything — makeup, cats, skincare, food (although I don’t understand exactly how much assist I’ll be in that department), blogging, photography, pineapples, what have you… It’s like coffee talk, except we’ll have smoothies.

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Warm up those fingers, as well as I’ll satisfy you in the comments! The open thread starts right meow…

How to Make a Pink Power Smoothie

Adapted from Oh She Glows

Incidentally, I feel prepared to handle the freakin’ world when I have one of these poor boys for breakfast, as well as it holds me over till lunch. My version leaves out the coconut oil…because that was just a bit as well rich for my tum, however even without it, it’s still filling.

Ingredients:

1 cup water or coconut water
1/2 medium avocado (pit removed)
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 small/medium lightly steamed beet, ends trimmed as well as diced
1 lemon, juiced
1 tsp of honey (or to taste)

Directions:

Wash as well as lightly heavy steam the beet (you might leave the beet raw, however my blender can’t handle that ish), then chop, chop, chop it!

Place in a blender as well as blend on high up until smooooove.

Add more honey if you like.

Slurp everything up, YUM!

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Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. TGIF!

using metropolitan Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in walk of pity on my waterline, layered with Heartless below the waterline as well as in the inner corner of my eye
From day one, I have been in like with the metropolitan Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils.

The outrageous color choice (last time I counted, there were upwards of 40 shades!), the “glide-on” texture, the creamy as well as blendable formula as well as that long lasting surface have consistently made the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils my #1 go-to’s where liner is concerned.

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And since metropolitan Decay is metropolitan Decay as well as remarkable when it pertains to keepin’ things fresh as well as releasing new as well as interesting products, they’ve introduced some absolutely incredible eye pencils with their summertime 2016 collection. A new formula created with your waterline in mind — rather logically named 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil — as well as a fierce shade in the traditional range, Heartless, both of which are offered for $20 each.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencils

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencils in walk of pity as well as Heartless
The 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil mirrors the traditional formula in that it’s additional smooth, simple to apply as well as lasts…well 24/7. however these infants are waterproof, which is a function that isn’t only magnificent on the waterline, however likewise during the hot summertime months when my makeup has a tendency to melt a bit.

The formula is offered in a number of brand-spankin’ new shades — legend (a traditional black), mood (a deep slate grey), Rail (a rich espresso brown), push (a sensational true navy), street (a peacock teal) as well as walk of pity (a nude; shown here).

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Brightening nudes are maybe what I partner a lot of with waterline eye pencils, as these are the shades I tend to favor myself. I’m a working mommy who doesn’t get sufficient sleep (!), so I’m all about anything that brightens my eyes.

You may be wondering if the water resistant insurance claim is legit. Well, your response is YES. It’s allergy season for me, as well as walk of pity hangs around even during my so absolutely NOT glam sneezing attacks as well as runny eyes.

As for Heartless 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, what can I state however *insert heart eye emoji here!*

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If as well dealt with La Crème color Drenched Lipstick in Unicorn Tears had a sassy eyeliner cousin, then Heartless would absolutely be that cousin. Although metropolitan Decay explains the shade as “a light frosted pink,” there are guaranteed yet subtle lavender as well as blue undertones to the shimmer. They don’t show up as much as I’d like them to for a winged liner color, so I’ve been enjoying this a lot more as a brightening alternate to walk of pity along my waterline as well as lower lash line. since it’s a pinkish lavender, it truly wakes me up as well as makes my eyes pop!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencils (Left to Right): walk of pity Waterline Eye Pencil as well as Heartless
So, you’re that stating you’ve never tried any type of of metropolitan Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils?? I’m going to have to ask you to look me in the eyeliner as well as state that, since the summertime 2016 releases are as extraordinary as the others. metropolitan Decay understands what they’re doing when it pertains to your feline flicks, thick wings as well as waterlines!

What’s your preferred shade in the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil range?

You know what they say: “Ear cuffs are the new studs!”

Wait — is that what they say? Maybe? I hope so.

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I’m going through a non-dangly earrings phase, and these extra sparkly Dainty Crystal Spike Ear Cuffs ($28) by Kristin Perry have been a perfect alternative to everyday studs.

This one is just a single cuff for the left ear only, which I like. Makes me feel like a warrior princess or something, and I think a pair of them might be a little too matchy-matchy.

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I usually wear it with one of my cat studs on my other ear because…well, I’m a crazy cat lady like that.

P.S. Oh, my gosh. I’m viewing beaches for the first time, and I may or may not be a little teary at the moment.

I don’t know what took me so long to watch it. It’s really good!

I can haz symmetry?? because I don’t haz it naturally.

I’ve read somewhere that it’s actually very common to have asymmetrical features, like in my case, one side of my lips is slightly thinner than the other, so when I do my lips, I cheat a little to make that side look just as full as the other.

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I notice asymmetry a little much more when I wear darker colors than when I wear nudes and neutrals, and I think it’s much more apparent in pics than it is in real life.

For example, when I wear darker lip looks, with like dark wines, reds, browns and purples, I’ll start by lining my lips first with a nude lip pencil. I’ll sort of sketch out the shape, following my natural lip line on the fuller side of my lips, and then I’ll slightly overdraw the other side, the side that’s not as full, to make both sides match.

Then, I’ll trace over that nude lip line with a darker lip pencil that matches the dark color that I plan to wear.

It’s like starting with a light sketch when you’re doing a drawing. The nude lip pencil makes it simpler to see where I’m planning to choose the darker liner, which I then layer on top — like tracing over a light sketch with a darker pen.

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I think it also helps to smile when I do my lip liner, even though it feels a little silly sometimes, especially when I see myself smiling like a goofball in the mirror, but I’m serious! — I think it stretches the skin and makes it simpler to follow the natural lip lines.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen