All the guy lined up in a row
Meet Matt(e) Hughes.

He’s attractive, feels great on the lips, smells like thin Mint cookies (LITERALLY, to the tee!), as well as sticks around even when you sloppily pound down a huge huge Mac as well as fries!

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Let’s neglect the truth that I just made two food references in the very first sentence of this publish as well as get to understand Matt(e) a bit better…

The Balm has come out with these $17 satisfy Matt(e) Hughes long enduring liquid Lipstick, as well as I’m a big fan. They’re very comfortable as well as don’t feel drying at all, which is so unusual when it pertains to matte lip products. The formula really reminds me a bit of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cremes.

When used they’re rather liquid-y as well as can even bleed a little, so I would utilize them with a lip liner to stop that.

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Compared to matte liquid lipsticks from brands like Anastasia as well as Colourpop before, these are rather different. While those formulas stay full-on GLUED to your lips, which some people like, however some people likewise hate, these can be quickly eliminated as well as don’t feel so…claustrophobic. In turn, that does indicate that they aren’t rather as bulletproof of a few of the other liquid lipsticks out there.

Once they dry down to their matte finish, though, they do stay put.

Here’s the kiss test…

Kiss test utilizing “Adoring”
As you can see, they aren’t totally budge-proof, however they are long wearing! (Side note: Why couldn’t I make kiss marks that looked that adorable as well as not like the squid tentacle prints I made when I was hectic sending nearly every kid in my 5th grade class a “Do you like me? inspect indeed or no” note?)

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I like the color choice too. There’s mainly whatever you need, aside from potentially a purple, however I don’t believe a great deal of people will truly miss that though.

Commited
Charming

Doting
Honest
Chivalrous
Sentimental
Dedicated
Sincere
Trustworthy
Devoted
Loyal
Adoring
Basically, I’ve got a gigantic crush on Matt(e) Hughes. Don’t tell my husband!

Which of these is your favorite?

The new NARS pro brush Collection
I don’t even know where to start with the NARS pro brush Collection. The face brush is $95… I mean, I can’t. I just can’t. almost $100 for a single brush is craziness to me. I thought a $38 Chanel eye brush was stressful!

I received these brushes as press samples, so I didn’t purchase them on my own. because if I had, I would be the type of person who drives to Petco to buy Tabby’s gravy in a tricked-out Mercedes with those automatic side mirrors that collapse down like Transformers.

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I am not that person… I drive a six-year-old Mazda.

If I were that type of person, though, I would consider getting one, or maybe two, of the uber-luxe, shockingly soft brushes in this collection. (Note: I was so shocked by how soft these were that I couldn’t keep it to myself. I had to have El Hub try them.)

Would I get all eight, though? No, not unless Tabs scores a big kitty modeling contract.

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Again, the #1 Finisher powder brush is $95. the most “affordable” brush (air quotes) in the collection is a small angled eye brush called the #8 small Sculptor, and it’s still $45.

There are eight brushes in all, most of them face brushes, with a couple of eye brushes in there as well.

The NARS pro brush Collection breakdown

#1 The Finisher ($95) — A large and fluffy brush optimal for buffing and blending powder formulas.

#2 The Brightener ($95) — A large, teardrop-shaped brush that specializes in highlighting and all-over blending with a weightless touch.

#3 The Intensifier ($85) — A medium-sized brush designed for creating defined cheek looks.

#4 The Sculptor ($85) — A medium-sized, angled brush optimal for sculpting, diffusing and dispersing fluid formulas.

#5 The small Brightener ($55) — A small, teardrop-shaped brush with a weightless touch, optimal for highlighting eyes and other small areas on the face, like the bridge of the nose, Cupid’s bow and cheekbones.

#6 The small Intensifier ($55) — A small, domed-shaped brush optimal for targeted contouring on the nose, in the crease, and on other small areas of the face.

#7 The flat Intensifier ($55) — A small, flat makeup brush optimal for focused effects on the eyes and brows with powder formulas, and also for eyeshadow artistry, defining brows and setting under-eye concealer.

#8 The small Sculptor ($45) — A small angled makeup brush optimal for adding dimension — with liquid and cream formulas — to small areas around the eyes and lips.

— Paraphrased from NARS PR

From the top: NARS #1 The Finisher ($95), #2 The brightener ($95), #3 The Intensifier ($85) and #4 The Sculptor ($85)
According to NARS, the brushes are made in Japan and bound by hand. They’re certainly fancy-looking, right? and the brush heads feel supernaturally soft, which I’d expect for brushes in this price range. I don’t feel a trace of scratchiness. None. These are like rolling around naked on fancy silk sheets. So luxurious!

When I hold the handles in my paw, they also feel sturdy and perfectly balanced. Neither too heavy, nor too light. They feel like they could be heirloom pieces you could pass down from one generation of makeup lover to the next.

What? Am I the only one who’d do that? I’d totally do that!

NARS #5 The small Brightener ($55), #6 The small Intensifier ($55), #7 The flat Intensifier ($55) and #8 The small Sculptor ($45)

Are there other good makeup brushes out there that cost less? Yes, there are. I think with these, you’re mostly paying for the ultra-soft bristles, the fact that they’re handmade, and the NARS logo on the handles.

Sooo soft!
If you decide to get one, I really like the super soft #5 small Brightener brush (the pointy highlighter brush). I think it’s the most versatile. You could use it as a precision highlighting brush, a brush to apply setting powder under your eyes, or as a face powder brush to do specific spot placement (like down the sides of the nose). Plus, at $55, it’s practically a steal compared to the other brushes in the set.

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If you want to feel these up in person, they’re available now at NARS boutiques and the NARS website.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Paul & Joe Lipstick A (025) from the new $100 Paul & Joe makeup Collection A
Believe it or not, I do NOT own a bejeweled pimp cup.

Shocker, I know.

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But if I did, I would raise it high as well as proudly to Paul & Joe for providing us 20 years of feline woman cosmetics catnip.

That’s 20 years of CCL domination, y’all!

The $100 Paul & Joe Beaute makeup Collection A
To celebrate this meow-worthy occasion, the purveyors of kitty makeup purr-fection curated the Paul & Joe Beaute makeup Collection A (a $100 set).

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It’s a restricted edition box containing their bestselling makeup products…but I’m most excited about the carry it includes since it FOLDS into A feline HEAD.

I mean, I just CAN’T EVEN. WITH THE EARS!?

The kitty tote!?
It’s big, too, as well as has more than sufficient space for all type of feline woman shinanigans as well as those tubes of Paul & Joe lipstick with the feline heads that you just can’t bear to utilize since they’re so darned cute.

The kitty tote, unfolded
Oh, as well as yeah, there’s likewise makeup in the collection, like a powder blush (a light coral pink with a silver sheen), a cream lipstick (a creamy, semi-sheer pink) as well as a pressed powder compact (a light beige powder as well as a shimmery beige highlighter).

Everything is full size and, since we’re speaking about Paul & Joe here, adorable.

Paul & Joe deal with color A in cheerful Tulip (39) from the Paul & Joe makeup Collection A
But are they, ya know, good?

Yes, I believe so. quite good. keep in mind, though, that Paul & Joe is geared toward the laid-back makeup enthusiast — at least that’s always been my understanding — so if you’re a stickler for the finer technical elements of expert makeup performance, then these products may not online as much as those expectations.

Take the blush, for instance. I like exactly how sheer as well as natural it looks on my cheeks, particularly in natural light as well as in pics, however when I wear it as well as see myself in flourescent lighting, I believe my pores look kinda big… perhaps because of the sheen (it might be a touch finer), however then again, I might likewise just chill-the-eff out. Like, if I didn’t understand anything about blush, I’d most likely just believe it looked quite as well as I’d like it.

The bag…

Inside the bag… There’s likewise a coin purse!
Paul & Joe pressed Compact Duo A (001) from the new makeup Collection A
Paul & Joe pressed Compact Duo A (001) from the new makeup Collection A
Paul & Joe pressed Compact Duo A (001) from the new makeup Collection A
Wearing deal with color A in cheerful Tulip, Lipstick A as well as the highlighter from the pressed Compact Duo
Same goes for the lipstick. It’s a lovely color as well as feels smooth as well as comfy, as well as I like exactly how I can just ba-boomp-ba-boomp it on without any type of drama, however some may have problems with the truth that it isn’t totally opaque (although I like that it’s sheer).

So, yeah. If you’re hawd koa as well as you never leave the home without contouring the back of your neck (OMG, indeed this is a totally thing; I saw it on Instagram!), baking as well as strobing, you might most likely invest those exact same 100 tacos into something else as well as be happier.

But if you go ga-ga over things like adorable feline totes as well as just want fun products to utilize in your minimalist makeup routine, these would be SO much fun.

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Paul & Joe makeup Collection A is offered on the internet meow (you understand I had to go there) at beautyhabit.com.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

It’s like a select your own beauty adventure!
Can you keep in mind the last time you liked every single product in a holiday makeup set?

I can’t. There’s always that a person wonky eyeshadow I’ll never wear or a gloss I’m just not into. There’s always that a person thing, right?

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Over at lilah b., they’re doing things a bit differently. It’s type of like those quick food restaurant menus where you pick two items, or in this case, where you pick three…

OK, hear me out.

You hop onto their website, as well as pick three products from their long-term line. The set istself is restricted edition, however the products are perm.

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You pick your very first item, then your second, then your third, as well as if you want to get two eyeshadow quads as well as a powder foundation, that’s cool. Or, if you wanna get three brushes or three lip as well as cheek duos, that’s cool, too. The cost adjusts accordingly.

Speaking of that, lilah b. is a high-end line. That’s exactly how they brand themselves, as well as whatever is on the more costly side. The eyeshadow quads, for example, are $58 each, while the lip as well as cheek duos are $46.

But with the b. unique holiday Set, you likewise get this truly adorable vegan clutch that makes me desire I had a elegant celebration to go to, just so I might bring it around with me as well as concern about people spilling red wine on it.

The set seems extremely true to lilah b.’s aesthetic to me. Their tagline is “With less, you are more,” which means…you know, they aren’t all about stacking on the makeup. They’re more about improving your natural beauty by adding a bit color right here as well as there.

Then, with your three products as well as your purse, you’re off to the ball, Cinderella! If you’re a Bobbi girl, take a look at the line.

b. wonderful combination perfection Eye Quad

How adorable is this clutch?

Swatches of the b. wonderful Eye Quad as well as b. unforgettable Lip & Cheek Duo

From the products right here as well as from my earlier experience with lilah b. makeup, their products aren’t the longest-wearing. That is, these aren’t the type of eyeshadows that will have punchy pigments from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. These will slowly vanish throughout the day, so by the time you get to the end of an eight-hour shift, you’re barely using any type of makeup.

I do desire the makeup lasted a bit longer on its own, since I discover myself having to do things like additional layering with them, always utilizing them with primer, as well as putting powders on top of the cheek colors.

But in spite of that, the powders feel fantastically soft as well as are simple to blend. I like exactly how they fade as well as diffuse when I’m blending them, to ensure that I don’t end up with any type of harsh lines, especially when I wear the eyeshadows as well as cheek colors.

Halloween

It was fun! — however the shopping center concept [turned out to be] a bust. We walked a half circuit, however only one or two of the stores were providing out candy. Northgate Mall, get your act together, people!

We hopped in the car, drove to a close-by community as well as busted out the umbrellas (because it was raining). I held Connor monkey in my arms, as well as we just walked up as well as down a couple streets to do a bit trick-or-treating.

Yes, I did get a few mini Snickers as well as Twix.

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I hope you had a great time.

Your friendly community beauty addict,

Karen

My biggest makeup/beauty achievement was lastly getting back into makeup after not being extremely thinking about it throughout most of 2016, as well as also, with that, figuring out that I might do my makeup in a fairly short amount of time (it is possible!).

Because prior to last year, I’d always had it in my head that in order to do gorgeous makeup — as well as I understand that gorgeous is a subjective term — however in order to do amazing brows, eyes, base makeup as well as lips, it had to be this complicated, time-consuming process that needed two hours at a minimum, since that’s exactly how long it always took me.

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But early last year I checked out something by Sir John (@sirjohnofficial), who’s one of my makeup heroes. He does these understated, elegantly natural however simultaneously glam looks that strike my mind, as well as he stated that one of the things that assisted his occupation early on was the truth that he was quick as well as might get makeup on the designs extremely quickly.

So, basically, every time I put on makeup last year, I provided myself 15-20 min max to do whatever the look was, whether it was something fundamental to go to the library for story time, or glam with lashes as well as everything. I provided myself 20 minutes, as well as that was my cutoff.

I discovered that I still have a great deal to learn, however now I can do a great deal of makeup in 20 minutes. much more than I might before.

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A few things truly helped. The very first thing, as well as I believe it’s the biggest thing, is that I discovered to look for chances to integrate products, as well as to view products perhaps in a method that you don’t usually see them traditionally utilized in YouTube videos, where it’s all step by step, where you do foundation first, then you do concealer, then powder, as well as you put whatever around your face.

So now when I want to wear heavier coverage, sometimes I’ll mix my concealer into my foundation to save myself a step, instead of applying them both separately.

Also, I discovered that bronzer is surprisingly flexible. I discovered that I can just utilize bronzer on my cheeks to warm up my skin, add some structure, even though I’m not a huge contouring person, as well as then I can avoid the blush. Bronzer goes a long way, as well as I likewise embraced utilizing bronzer as a crease color, which I understand I’ve talked about before, as well as MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in provide Me Sun! is my present fave as well as has been for a long time. They have a satin finish, so they show some light as well as don’t look flat, which likewise means that you don’t have to spend permanently as well as a day blending them, as well as they don’t look super powdery or heavy. Plus, a pan will last you FOREVER. I’ve had my pan of provide Me Sun! for years, as well as I’ve barely put a dent in it.

Hourglass likewise makes one called hourglass Ambient illumination Bronzer in Radiant Light that’s a small bit shinier than the MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes, so when I want to look additional glow-y as well as healthy, that’s the bronzer I use.

Also in the time-saving vein, however with a great deal of complex looks, gradients are a huge offer — the shifts from one color into the next, light to dark, that type of thing. A great deal of the time, you’ll see them done utilizing a multi-step process, with great deals of private eyeshadows seamlessly mixed into each other. One thing I discovered last year as well as do all the time now is that you can utilize the exact same black pencil that you tightline with, as well as run it along the top of your lash line… I only do it halfway, from the outer corner to the midpoint. I’ll do a thin line — not as well much, since if I do as well much, it’s as well much to contend with. then I’ll smudge the edges with a brush. Then, I’ll take a cream shadow or a creamy pencil in a different color — something lighter, like a taupe, gold or bronze — as well as do a thick line all the method across the top lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner, so it’s layered on top of that black. then I’ll blend whatever together with my finger, as well as I’ll have that look of that gradient without a great deal of challenging doohickery.

Note: If you aren’t a neutrals person, you can likewise do this with colors. Like, you might do a darker purple for your liners, as well as then a lighter purple for your cream, so black doesn’t have to be in the picture. It’s more about the idea of utilizing a darker liner with a lighter, creamier pencil or eyeshadow.

What are you biggest appeal goals for 2018?

I’m still nowhere close to being Sir John, however I would like to be able to do my own level of glam looks in theexact same amount of time he can do his.

Oh, gosh, I’ve tried it a few times… I can’t do it yet, however that doesn’t mean I can’t get there. I want to be able to do the looks he does on stars as well as posts on Instagram, however I want to do them on myself in 20 minutes, haha.

I don’t understand if that’s possible. That’s a superhuman amount of time, however perhaps 30 minutes? I want to be able to do appears like that in 30 minutes (!). That’s one of my goals for 2018.

I likewise want to discover exactly how to do some different hairstyles, instead of always falling back on the exact same beachy waves, like perhaps more things with braids… That’s all I have on that a person so far.

Oh, as well as this one’s so minor, however I’ve never been able to work it out. I’d like to figure out exactly how to apply private false lashes (it’s truly hard!), since I prefer the look. I believe it looks more natural than doing a full strip. I’ve attempted it before (and I failed, LOL!). I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong, so that’s one of the things I want to figure out.

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How about you? What was your biggest makeup/beauty achievement of 2017, as well as what are your biggest appeal goals for 2018?

Your friendly community appeal addict,

Karen

All four shades from the collection on my nails… new trend? No.
I feel the requirement to talk about some nail polish today, so let’s talk about this adorable collection, Essie resort 2016.

If you understood me a couple of years ago, you most likely would have understood about my outrageous polish addiction. Like, the addiction was real. I had a shelf covered with hundreds — yes, hundreds — of bottles.

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I’ve because downsized to my present nail polish collection, however those were the days… I would paint my nails a different color practically everyday of the week, not even kidding. I even got truly great at design, however alas, infants came as well as time got short, as well as sleep ended up being much more important.

The Essie resort 2016 Collection
I am so, so ashamed to admit that I’ve only painted my nails perhaps when over the last six months (!). That is just ree-dic as well as so unlike me, so when my finest good friend texted me the other day to go get my nails finished with her, I jumped at the chance.

I likewise did something truly different — I got acrylics! — as well as had them do the almond shape. I’ve always admired almond shaped nails however never believed to try them myself. Turns out, I like them! There’s just something so feminine about long nails, although I am having the hardest time typing this post. You win some, you lose some, I guess.

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In honor of my new nails, I’m using the new Essie resort Collection for 2016.

All of these colors are so up my alley. I’ve never, ever been one to timid away from bright colors. In fact, they’re what I gravitate toward, as well as these are gorgeous! as well as really quite unique!

Normally when I get new nail polish colors the ones I choose to get aren’t as well special compared to the polishes I already have, however a few of these are distinct as well as unlike anything I own.

From delegated right: Taj-Ma-Haul, Dehli Dance, Going Guru, Nama-Stay The Night

These all have a cream finish, implying that there’s no shimmer in them, which makes them even much more ideal for summer, as well as they’re offered now for $8.50 apiece.

Let’s review the particular colors now as well as exactly how they apply!

Going Guru

Going Guru
Going Guru is one of those distinct shades I was speaking about. There are lots of minty eco-friendlies out there, however this isn’t one of them. It’s much more of a pastel green, much more yellow-y than blue, as well as I like it. It’s very fresh as well as different, however the formula is a bit iffy on this one. It’s quite sheer as well as takes at least three coats for an opaque finish, however it’s nothing that can’t be worked around.

Taj-Ma-Haul

Taj-Ma-Haul
Unique shade #2 right here — Taj-Ma-Haul is a truly great soft terracotta orange. It’s something so different as well as would look remarkable on anyone. It’s bright as well as fun without being as well crazy, ya know? The formula’s likewise great. two coats as well as you are covered.

Dehli Dance

Dehli Dance

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Dehli dance is a creamy bubblegum pink. in some cases I see blue undertones in it, however other times I practically see a bit of coral. I believe this would look remarkable on toes with a adorable pair of sandals! The formula is common as well. It just takes two coats!

Nama-Stay The Night

Nama-Stay The Night
Okay, I like this so much! Nama-Stay The night is just so amazing. It reminds me of Popsicles for some reason… who understands why. It’s the most beautiful mid-toned cream blue, not to mention that it applies opaquely in one swipe. You might completely get away with utilizing one coat, however I typically utilize two for great measure.

I can’t choose which color is my favorite! Also, sneaky peaky of my bathroom!
I am so pleased with every single color in this release. They will be well loved. Which color is your favorite, as well as what have you been using lately on your nails?

urban Decay naked Illuminated Trio (coming soon for holiday 2016)
Emerging like a bedazzled butterfly from a mirrored chrysalis, a highlight SO sparkly and SO shiny that it borders on metallic has been one of the hottest makeup trends over the past couple of years. If you’re a fiend for mirror-like shines, you might want to get the new urban Decay naked Illuminated Trio on your cheekbones, ASAP.

Urban Decay naked Illuminated Trio
With three new shades of UD’s hella shiny highlighting powder, this limited edition $36 holiday set, coming soon for holiday 2016, is all about the bling.

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First, there’s Pyrite, a golden champagne…

Next, Oasis, a cool-toned taupe with silver glitter.

Finally, Twilight, a shimmery, iridescent pink.

All three shades have a highly reflective finish, and they’re also pretty easy to blend on top of either bare skin or makeup.

The urban Decay naked Illuminated Trio: swatches
I’ve worn urban Decay’s naked Illuminating powders before, and I like how striking they can look, particularly when you’re standing next to a bright light source (like a cam flash), and I can find ways to make them work for me, even with my current big pore situation…but it takes some finagling, and I’m at a point where I don’t really have the patience hop through too lots of hoops.

How did I get here? lack of sleep mainly, LOL!

Honestly, at least for now…I want easy highlights, and I want subtle highlights, so please me a pan of hourglass Ambient lighting Powder in Radiant Light before you go. thank you!

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Your friendly neighborhood appeal addict,

Karen

P.S.

It’s been a minute considering that I’ve used this much color! It felt SO great though. I was influenced by a photo I saw of design Ruby increased on metropolitan Decay’s web site using purple winged liner with matching sparkly purple lips.

So I took the concept as well as ran with it. I’m using a great deal of metropolitan Decay in this look, including their Afterdark Eyeshadow Palette.

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The metropolitan Decay Afterdark Palette

Products in the mix

Eyes: MAC Minted Eye Kohl (as an eyeshadow base on my lids), metropolitan Decay Afterdark combination (a mix of Lounge as well as fringe on my lids, Scene on the inner crease, change in the inner corner as well as Druggie smuged along the lower lash line), metropolitan Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in packed (inner part of upper as well as lower lash line), metropolitan Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Vice (winged liner as well as outer part of lower lash line), MAC Technakohl liner in Take the Plunge (water lines), metropolitan Decay Cannonball Mascara (lashes), MAC Brun Eyeshadow as well as benefit prepared set brows (brows), Ardell infant Demi Wispies (false lashes)

Cheeks: hourglass Ambient illumination Bronzer in Radiant Bronze Light (cheekbones), Tom Ford sheer Highlighting Duo in shows Gilt (highlight)

Face: metropolitan Decay Rehab makeup Prep hot Springs Hydrating Gel (primer), Sephora bright Future Gel Serum Concealer in Pecan Pie (worn as a foundation on my cheeks, around my nose as well as mouth, center of forehead, chin as well as jaw), Sephora bright Future Gel Serum in Eclair (underneath eyes), NARS Light Reflecting pressed setting Powder (to set my under-eye concealer), MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural in medium golden (on my forehead, the sides of my nose, as well as around my mouth as well as chin)

Lips: metropolitan Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Vice (all over lips) as well as MAC Lipstick in Heroine (center of lips)

How ’bout you? What makeup did you wear today?

Your friendly community appeal addict,

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Karen

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P.S. For the record, I don’t usually wear this much makeup on a Wednesday, however I was feeling adventurous!

P.P.S. except for a quick walk, though, I quite much only used this around the house, haha.

Sometimes, you know, when I see my tabby, and I see that his eyes are a little cloudier than they once were, or I notice that he’s been sleeping upstairs the entire afternoon, or he groans a little when I pick him up and give him a hug, it occurs to me that nature is cruel.

Because with as much as we love our pets, and with how purely and unconditionally they love us back, it seems like a cruel twist of fate, doesn’t it? — that they don’t live as long as we do?

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Tabs is getting up there in years. We think he’s between 11-12 now. He’s still a world-renowned kitty supermodel, but the signs of aging have appeared. It seemed like all of a sudden one day his eyes weren’t as bright as they used to be, and he started napping (and turning down more kitty modeling jobs) more than he used to.

He still plays like a boss, of course, and has his spunky kitten moments, but they don’t happen quite as much as they used to.

I notice now when I think he’s having a really good day, and he’s been having them a lot lately.

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I think it’s because of a couple of things (but I’m not sure). First, we’ve been doing more high intensity play sessions together. Also, he’s been getting a can of wet food, with some water added for extra gravy, every single night for a few months.

I mean, we’ve always played together. A lot. and he’s always gotten wet food, but they used to be more in spurts. Some days we’d play a full hour, but then not play as much the next day. and with his wet food, some days he’d get two cans of the good stuff (his favorite wet food is ZiwiPeak Venison & Fish, but it’s imported and pricey), but then maybe just one can of Sheba Turkey Pâté the next day. and he’s generally always supplemented his diet throughout the day with crunchies.

Now, though, I’m noticing that he’ll basically wait all day long without filling up on his dry food just save up his appetite for his gravy dinner, and whether it’s that or the extra play sessions or the holiday spirit or something else, he seems more like his younger kitten self.

Basically, he’s having a really good December. He’s purring more, playing more, cleaning more, meowing more, and his fur seems more luxurious, too.

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I hope he has a wonderful Christmas, because he’s a wonderful cat.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

MOAR CORALS! From the left, MAC Lipsticks in Nippon, Koi Coral, shy Girl, Ravishing and hot Tahiti
Did you really think I could stop at five?? GIRL, YOU SO CRAZY!

It’s completely normal for a MAC coral enthusiast to have at least 10 lipstick options in rotation at any given moment…

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Right…?

UGH, keep telling yourself that, Karen. Seriously, I’m only one or two tubes away from an intervention.

YES! These corals (like these from earlier today) are in the MAC permanent line. one of them, Ravishing, is an old fave I’ve been wearing for years, but the other four are pretty new to my personal coral kingdom, like Koi Coral, a creamy, marvelously moisturizing peachy nude coral Cremesheen that happens to share part of its name (albeit with a different spelling) with one of Connor Claire’s nicknames (“Coywolf,” which in some cases gets shortened to “Coy”).

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I think of her whenever I wear it.

Mmm, I’m tasting that signature MAC vanilla flavor on my lips best now. It tastes like coming home, and it feels like everything is best again with the world…

Anyway! Diversion much, Karen?

Also in this batch — shy Girl, and oh, my gosh! So nice. It’s a creamy, dreamy peachy beige coral I just recently found through MAC Fruity Juicy.

I mean, it’s been around a while, but I forgot it was in the permanent collection. It practically functions as a nude.

Nippon is another peachy coral, but it’s less beige than shy Girl. like Koi Coral, it’s also a Cremesheen, so it’s creamy and mega moisturizing. It’s like a drink of water for dry lips.

1. Ravishing

Ravishing
2. Koi Coral

Koi Coral

3. Nippon

Nippon
4. shy Girl

Shy Girl
5. hot Tahiti

Hot Tahiti
And then there’s hot Tahiti! It’s a reddish coral with MAC’s Glaze finish, a finish that I feel doesn’t get the love it deserves.

The Amplifieds, Mattes and Cremesheens get heaps of adoration, but I hardly ever see the Glazes getting their props. I think they should, because they’re just as moisturizing and creamy as the Cremesheens. They might not be as pigmented, but with darker colors like hot Tahiti, that can be a good thing, ’cause you don’t have to be as precise.

I also like that they look “worn in” when you apply them. remember when I was talking about the Milk makeup Lip colors the other day and said that they look like you’ve been wearing them for hours best after you apply them? The MAC Glazes are like that, too, except their finish is creamy instead of matte.

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Anyway, just a few much more corals for your consideration! and don’t forget that the MAC Lips Lips Lips promotion is still going (ends June 25th). You get a totally free full-sized lipstick with any two lip product purchases.

Your friendly neighborhood charm addict,

Karen