The foundation of beautiful skin

Sonia Kashuk’s trendy Defining Contour Stick, a Near-Dupe for the NARS Cappadoce Matte Multiple, saves dollars While Defining Cheekbones

Posted on June 29, 2023 by rvsol

The new $10.99 Sonia Kashuk trendy Defining Stick
Ring-a-ling! Ring-a-ling!

I’ll get it! That’s the noise of the NARS dupe alert.

In this case, it’s chiming for Sonia Kashuk’s new $10.99 trendy Defining Contour Stick, a near dupe of my cherished (but much much more expensive) $39 NARS Cappadoce Matte Multiple.

The Sonia Kashuk trendy Defining Stick ($10.99)
Both baked golden brown cream sticks have a matte surface (here are swatches of NARS Cappadoce), as well as both of them can rapidly sculpt cheekbones that would rival Johnny Depp’s circa the O.G. 21 jump street era.

Both of them are likewise simple to blend on bare skin or atop foundation — most likely because of exactly how lightweight as well as thin they are, which is great, since it keeps my skin from feeling like it’s suffocating under an inch of plaster.

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Where the two differ, many obviously, is cost ($10.99 versus $39), however likewise in the shape of the tip. The Multiple’s is huskier, larger as well as flatter, as well as it covers much more surface area while sitting flush against the skin, whereas the suggestion on Sonia’s trendy Defining Stick has a somewhat smaller (but still husky), rounded, much more accurate suggestion that seems to in shape the area under my cheekbones a bit better.

Sonia’s trendy Defining Stick on bare skin (just under-eye concealer, brow filler, mascara as well as gloss)

Sonia’s likewise has somewhat grayish taupe undertones, which I believe may provide it a little advantage when it concerns shaping out the hollows of the cheekbones, where the subtle gray much more carefully imitates the appearance of genuine shadows. When taking a look at it strictly as a contouring product, I believe Sonia’s Chick Defining Stick makes a extremely compelling situation for being much better than a NARS Multiple.

With a MAC Lipglass for scale
But, if you’re searching for a cream product able to do much more than just contouring, Cappadoce may be worth the additional booty. It’s a much more buttery golden brown and, consequently, most likely a bit much better for adding some toasty warmth to your face, neck, shoulders, arms as well as anywhere else.

Cappadoce likewise lasts a tad longer on my combination skin — about 6-7 hours — than Sonia’s trendy Defining Stick, which I discover myself touching up after 4-5.

Really, though, I believe both of these contouring products are champs. One is just a great deal less costly than the other.

PRICE: $10.99
AVAILABILITY: offered now on the internet (currently unavailable online) as well as at Target stores
MAKEUP as well as charm blog RATING: B+

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

Squeeze Every Last drop Out of Those free makeup and Skin care sample Packets With This little idea

Posted on June 28, 2023 by rvsol

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.

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!?)

This Year’s Christmas Mani: The dance music Duet by Deborah Lippmann

Posted on June 23, 2023 by rvsol

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).

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)

New AERIN Waterlily sun and Iris Meadow Eau de Parfum: file These two Fragrances Under “BFF holiday gift Ideas”

Posted on June 23, 2023 by rvsol

I like both of these new Eau De Parfums by AERIN because neither one smells like it ought to have sparkly hot pink glitter floating around inside the bottle or like it would be part of a three-piece set that includes a My little pony and a sheet of rainbow stickers.

Iris Meadow and Waterlily sun do not smell like something Britney Spears might’ve sprayed on the backs of her knees while running around barefoot at a gas station in 2007. (Still lovin’ ya Brit-Brit! keep on keepin’ on, girl.)

Basically, if you like scents that smell like something someone who completely has her sh*t together and always remembers to change the cat litter would wear (scents that don’t evoke notes of cupcakes or unicorns), give these two new scents a sniff. Both have “best pal holiday gift potential” written all over ’em.

Waterlily sun has notes of waterlily (well…yeah), Sicilian bergamot, jasmine and musk, while Iris Meadow has notes of Mandarin, blackcurrant, iris, jasmine and cedar. Both are dewy and woodsy and fresh, and $110 for a 50-ml. bottle of Eau de Parfum. give them a sniff one of these days you pass by an AERIN counter. They’re also available online.

P.S. What do you think about AERIN’s makeup? I think they’re a good brand for subtle pretty… Expensive, though.

New for fall, their rose Lip Balm ($30), AERIN Weekday palette ($70), amazing Gel eyeliner in vital Black ($28) and Lipgloss Gloss in Weekday ($30), all new, all available now at AERIN counters and online.

Makeup as well as charm blog Monday Poll, Vol. 360

Posted on June 17, 2023 by rvsol

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.

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…

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

Next Time You have a Wedding, Prom or other huge event To go to as well as have a great deal of Crap To in shape into a Teeny, small Purse, keep This makeup suggestion in Mind

Posted on June 17, 2023 by rvsol

My Emmys accessories: Whiting & Davis Gold fit together grasp (which in shape whatever I needed during the show), cuff is by Erickson Beamon, earrings by Alexis Bittar @alexisbittar @whitingdavis @ericksonbeamon
Why are dainty, diminutive clutches so darned prominent at elegant celebrations as well as events?

I mean, they’re type of inconvenient. since they’re so tiny, they don’t take any type of thunder from the gowns (always a great thing), so I assumption that’s most likely the reason, however dang if they aren’t completely impractical.

Carrying the Whiting & Davis Gold fit together Clutch, on loan from @dove for the Emmys
In my hotel space on Monday, as I rushed to get prepared as well as struggled to capture whatever I wanted/needed to bring with me to the show into the spritely Whiting & Davis Gold fit together Clutch, I started to panic a little.

The grasp was just as well small.

I’d organized to do a heavier full-coverage look for my foundation as well as powder as well as touch it up at night with a powder compact, rather than just with blotting papers (I felt like the powder would do a much better task keeping whatever intact).

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But between my phone, keys, one lipstick, a lip liner, gloss and, um…a cardboard cutout of my cat, there was no space left in the clutch! — which was incidentally smaller than my size 7 shoes.

The shoes were bigger than the clutch, man!

As usual, I was hurrying. I had to go. It was the last minute, literally. then I got an idea.

I grabbed one of the little plastic bags I brought with me in my carry-on to store the chargers as well as cable televisions for my gadgets which, I know, may noise a bit obsessive/compulsive, however I do it to keep them from getting tangled up.

Next, I packed a few cotton pads with powder from the compact as well as dropped them into the now-empty plastic bag. then I closed it up as well as squeezed it into the clutch.

Et voila! sufficient powder for the night.

Touching up in the ladies’ room…
Now, if I hadn’t had a plastic bag with me, I might have done this with a paper towel, or perhaps even some toilet paper (cue desperation), however the bag made it simpler as well as less messy.

Same concept would likewise work with blush as well as highlighter, or truly any type of powdered makeup. just be cautious to pat (and not swipe) when you apply them, lest you wipe out your look, as well as don’t fail to remember to blend out those edges with your fingers.

Next time you have a wedding, prom or other huge event to go to as well as have a great deal of crap to in shape into a teeny, small purse, keep this suggestion in mind (and a plastic bag on hand)!

Your friendly community charm addict,

Karen

MAC The Matte Lip Collection: many of These Lipsticks Are Stars, however They Don’t radiate like Them

Posted on June 14, 2023 by rvsol

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.

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.

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

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

Purple Smoky holiday makeup Tutorial With Boots No7 [SPONSORED] #MyBestSkin

Posted on June 13, 2023 by rvsol

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.

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

7 methods to Win a $50 eGift Card From Sephora! (Ends Monday)

Posted on June 11, 2023 by rvsol

They say, “It works a great deal of your hip flexors,” when you lease a kayak. “Down here, around here.” however they don’t truly tell you about your arms, your back, your shoulders, your thighs, your butt or your fingers (from holding the paddle).

Yeah…little sore this morning, LOL!

That’s what four hours in a kayak will do to you when you’re no longer the, uh…springiest of chickens.

But it was worth it. I had a blast.

In other news, OMG! kitties hasn’t been as well kind to me yet. I lost one more $2 last night (it’s a cent slot), which is much better than losing more than that, I guess. I’m going to provide it one last try today… I’m not the biggest gambler in the world, so I mainly stay with cent slots. I believe the grand prize mega jackpot on OMG! kitties is something like 4000 pennies…but I’d prefer a kitten jackpot.

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Have a excellent weekend, whatever you’re up to, as well as great luck in the giveaway. Tabs has been texting me off as well as on throughout the trip. He as well as his petsitter played Dungeons & Dragons last night. Tabs is a ninth level paladin named Chevalier… I assumption he fought some hell hounds.

One (1) Sephora eGift card containing $50 sent to the champion by email (international readers, you may opt to get $50 sent by PayPal instead).

Enter utilizing the Rafflecopter widget below.

Open to U.S. as well as worldwide readers.

You must be 18 or older to go into (or otherwise an adult based on your regional laws).

Your comment can be about anything at all, however right here are some concepts if you’re stuck:

What’s your preferred melon (water, honeydew, cantaloupe, etc.)?

Have you ever had wallpaper in a room? What did it look like?

Have you ever lost any type of makeup on vacation?

What’s the very best water resistant mascara?

Have you ever tried stand-up paddling?

Who makes the sturdiest nail polish?

You can go into in as much as seven methods to boost your possibilities of winning.

The giveaway ends on Monday, August 11, 2014 at 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

Full terms as well as conditions are offered in the widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

What foundation have You Been Wearing, as well as Are You delighted With It?

Posted on June 11, 2023 by rvsol

GURL, if somebody took away my bottle of Laura Mercier’s perfect Fluide Foundation, I would go full-on walking Dead Ricksanity on that @ss, improv shiv as well as ALL. It is the business. It’s been my can’t-live-without-it foundation for months.

It’s my go-to foundation for pics since it covers whatever as well as mellows out my pores (cue blessed makeup angels harmoniously singing). I likewise get hold of it whenever I’m in the mood for a matte surface (can even avoid powder).

Lightweight? Yup. Comfortable? Uh-huh. Doesn’t break me out? Yes, yes, YES! as well as it is available in a ton of shades. I wear the one called Chai, as in “Oh, CHAI!” or, “I’ll have a venti pumpkin soy chai latte please, hold the foam.”

I’m still a MAC deal with & Body fan/fiend 4-Life, however I like having one more holy grail foundation I can turn to. often I’ll even layer both of them, applying MAC deal with & Body around my deal with with my fingers, then blending perfect Fluide on my cheeks, nose as well as around my chin (where I like to have a lot more coverage) with a appeal Blender — which absolutely assists with perfect Fluide, by the way, which can look incredibly matte. The BB makes it look truly natural.

What foundation have you been wearing, as well as are you delighted with it? tell me all about it!

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen