tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-161391652009-07-03T14:00:24.819-04:00a little obsessed with makeup.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.comBlogger1389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-66415011980400687222009-07-03T14:00:00.000-04:002009-07-03T14:00:24.826-04:00

If you loved the look of the Urban Decay Get Baked palette but are looking for something a bit more subtle and subdued, check out the Laura Mercier Eye Mosaic in Mediterranean Sea.I spotted this quad compact yesterday and seriously considered taking it home (I already have WAY too many champagne, teal and dark blue shadows to justify it, but still, it was close).Mediterranean Sea packs four

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-75420681647733665892009-07-03T08:00:00.000-04:002009-07-03T08:00:46.188-04:00

Last holiday season I raved about a new lip gloss from Bare Escentuals; it was the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Ruby. Rather than cook up a whole new batch of flowery adjectives to tell you about it, here's what I wrote last time:"It's a gorgeous ruby shade, red with the edge taken off, all the juicy saturation of a berry but with none of the severe brightness. Whatever you want to call it,

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-30583521375267008462009-07-02T10:48:00.002-04:002009-07-02T10:59:49.212-04:00

Hi friends! Wanted to let you know I haven't disappeared - I've been having MAJOR computer issues all week so haven't been able to post. In fact, this entry is coming to you from my Blackberry! As soon as things are up and running again, I'll be back to regular posting. Have a great holiday weekend!

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-30030882236790592322009-06-30T14:00:00.000-04:002009-06-30T18:31:33.720-04:00

Like Laura Geller, Darphin is a brand I've known of for quite some time, but never got around to trying. My introduction to the line was the Age-Defying Lip Balm, which combats dryness and the appearance of vertical lip lines thanks to a blend of peptides, rosemary and sunflower oils, kokum and mango butter, and argan oil.At $40, it is by far the most expensive lip balm I've ever used. I'm not

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-6956554006797727882009-06-25T12:00:00.000-04:002009-06-25T12:20:42.808-04:00

What you see at left is the effect of the Hawaiian sun on my hair.Just a couple of weeks of playing outside kept my highlights fresh, turning the blondest pieces even blonder, and making me look like I just stepped out of the salon, even though the highlights were already almost two months old. It brought out depth and layers in the highlights that I hadn't seen since they were truly fresh (my

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-87946745635254086112009-06-24T08:00:00.000-04:002009-06-24T08:19:29.362-04:00

Friends, I am on SUCH an Urban Decay kick lately! (Check out this recent post, and this one, and this one.)My latest obsession is the Get Baked Palette ($28). First off, the palette itself is adorable, with a brown floral, '60s mod cover and an aqua interior.Inside you'll find four shimmer-packed shadows, a fabulous 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, and a mini Primer Potion in Sin.The shadows work really

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-83440178639070382252009-06-23T14:00:00.001-04:002009-06-23T14:00:16.537-04:00

A while back I wrote a post on the best lip products to help you achieve that gorgeous "clear red" lip - sheer and light, but juicy and saturated. Well, it's time to add another product to the list: MAC See Thru Lip Color in Secret Crush.See Thru Lip Color is a gel-based stain that goes on sheer and builds easily for more depth of color. Unlike many other stains, it's not drying at all.Secret

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-2200131131740466932009-06-23T08:00:00.000-04:002009-06-23T08:00:34.777-04:00

One of my favorite quick fixes for pale, dry legs is Michael Kors Leg Shine (in fact, I think this marks the fourth time I've written about it!). This solid, shimmery bronze stick allows for hands-free application, and adds just a touch of sheer color and shine to legs.And of course, it's scented with the delicious sandy tuberose goodness of Michael Kors. On hot summer nights, that's all the

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-16164234266283494732009-06-22T14:00:00.001-04:002009-06-22T14:03:21.377-04:00

I've been familiar with the Laura Geller line for quite some time, but never really had the chance to play with any of the products (other than on my Sephora missions). I finally took the plunge with Balance-n-Brighten, a baked powder created to even out your skin tone.Balance-n-Brighten comes in two shades, Fair and Medium. Fair is swirled with soft tan, beige and ivory, while the Medium is

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-22899116492335933592009-06-22T11:42:00.003-04:002009-06-22T12:24:04.007-04:00

Find out which new MAC polish is perfect for creating a luxe Palm Beach mani...with a few caveats. A long-lost LORAC blush/bronzer emerges from the depths of the beauty closet! Nine ways to get smooth, shimmery skin this summer. Check out MAC's latest collection, Style Warrior. Skinsheens are BACK! Estee Lauder releases three limited-edition Pleasures flankers for the summer. Eight truly awesome

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-65437505730201257332009-06-22T08:00:00.001-04:002009-06-22T08:01:01.730-04:00

In the spirit of my past Summer Essentials posts (check out this one and this one), here are a few of my must-haves from my recent Hawaiian escapades. It's such a laid-back place, so I packed light and focused on multi-tasking products, with a few standouts thrown in for some extra pop.1. Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Masque ($26) Can't go anywhere without my favorite hair product! This proved

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-80358804775883664322009-06-19T14:00:00.004-04:002009-06-19T14:12:54.962-04:00

Last year we talked about an upcoming drug from Allergan that promised to stimulate eyelash growth, giving you "longer, fuller darker" lashes, but with some pretty scary potential side effects. At the time, 80% of you said you'd skip it.Well, that product - called Latisse - is now on the market, and I'm sure that by now you've seen the commercial with Brooke Shields, posted above.The results look

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-5778827785704533502009-06-19T08:11:00.000-04:002009-06-19T09:39:55.734-04:00

Earlier this week I was at a half-day meeting that thankfully ended with cocktails (woo!). But standing around with a glass of wine for two hours KILLED my feet, friends. My penchant for towering heels had taken its toll in the worst way. Damn you, Christian Louboutin.Having departed the cocktail party, I realized I wouldn't even be able to make it out of the building without collapsing from the

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-71511723295071514772009-06-18T14:00:00.001-04:002009-06-18T15:09:14.626-04:00

There's nothing like a great pink lippie to add a fresh pop of color to your summer look! I have a major soft spot for pink glosses; in fact, as I was going through my collection to write this post, it was difficult to narrow it down to 12. Check out my favorite pink lip glosses below, ranging from cotton candy to deep raspberry, in shimmer, cream, and plumping versions. What are your favorite

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-13532119927715769182009-06-18T08:00:00.001-04:002009-06-18T08:57:06.089-04:00

I know I've mentioned this before, so forgive the ranting, but I have a problem with lip pencils.My slightly asymmetrical mouth and "soft" lip line pretty much demand the use of a pencil when I'm trying to achieve a polished, finished lip look, so I know I'm stuck with 'em. But, most of the shades marketed as "nude" or "natural" are nothing of the sort on my lips; they just end up looking orange

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-28296069273210518052009-06-17T14:00:00.000-04:002009-06-17T14:00:02.501-04:00

Wallet feeling the strain these days? Check out some of my favorite drugstore beauty bargains, most for $10 and under:1. Vaseline Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil ($7.49) is an amazing body moisturizer, and smells deliciously of cocoa butter and almond. In the winter, it's perfect for combating super dry skin, and for hot summer nights, it adds a rather fetching sheen to legs and shoulders.2

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-50625392647234200082009-06-17T08:00:00.000-04:002009-06-17T08:00:01.794-04:00

This summer, Estee Lauder deconstructs the iconic Pleasures and introduces three splashes built around various notes of the original. Baie Rose Peony, Sandalwood Amber and Jasmine Violet come in massive 8.1 oz splash/spray bottles (think Marc Jacobs splash), as well as utterly cute floral box packaging.I've been test-driving Jasmine Violet ($52) and have been pretty impressed with the staying

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-86934060079944036232009-06-16T14:00:00.000-04:002009-06-16T14:00:01.045-04:00

Whoa. MAC Style Warrior is quite the comprehensive collection, isn't it? We've already talked about a couple of items in this collection (Solar Riche bronzer and Peaceable nail lacquer), so let's take a look at the rest of the goodies up for grabs in this limited edition collection. Click the image above to enlarge and get a better look at everything.The five eyeshadows range from neutral to

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-32136912075091500002009-06-16T08:00:00.001-04:002009-06-16T08:00:00.758-04:00

Looking for some pixie dust in your life? Now that summer is upon us, top up that tan with a little nighttime shimmer. Check out these nine standout products in varying formulations, shimmer levels, scents, and price points. I've focused on neutral/colorless shimmers for this piece, but if you're on the hunt for a body bronzer, look no further than this post from last summer, with all the deets

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-53325883784449984712009-06-15T14:00:00.000-04:002009-06-15T14:00:01.326-04:00

As you might imagine, I have quite the stash of beauty stuff. And more often than I'd like, things get lost, buried, accidentally tossed, given away...you get the idea.I thought I had long lost this excellent blush/bronzer duo from LORAC, but on a cleaning binge two weekends ago, lo and behold...there it was, stuck in the very back of a drawer. Score!I bought this Blush/Bronzer Duo in Hot Flash

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-21993342742608861722009-06-15T08:00:00.001-04:002009-06-15T08:00:01.155-04:00

Rock a retro Palm Beach vacation look this summer with this nail polish from MAC. Peaceable is a pearly, frosty pale golden beige, and is best paired with a tan, a bikini with fierce gold hardware (like this one), and a ridiculous beach caftan (like this one).Just watch it, though, ok? Because this particular polish, if styled incorrectly, puts you in serious danger of looking too much like a

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-20557904652331634982009-06-14T10:24:00.004-04:002009-06-14T11:04:24.841-04:00

What a week! It feels so good to be back, friends.Check out the slightly cryptic comeback post, and then find out what's been going on with me the last couple of months.Fill your shower with that expensive spa smell, thanks to this fab body scrub from Erno Laszlo.Find out which bronzer earns my "safe for pale people" seal of approval.Check out this week's Steals and Deals, including big savings

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-13316398407324667202009-06-13T09:22:00.006-04:002009-06-14T01:21:03.296-04:00

MAC's Naked Honey collection is on counters this month, and while it's a small collection, I'm really loving the wearable, shimmery shades and the sweetly scented body goodies.All three Lipglasses (She's a Star, Queen Bee, Buzz) are easily wearable and look like a summer sunset. Love! My pick is the sheer pale gold She's a Star, perfect for layering over other colors for a shiny pop of gold, or

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-62516349103626414022009-06-12T14:30:00.000-04:002009-06-12T14:45:54.102-04:00

We've talked many times about how Urban Decay Primer Potion is a life-changing, amazing, must-have product. I mean come on, the elimination of eyeshadow creasing and migration is MAJOR, no?But the packaging of this little miracle is a royal pain. Think your tube is empty? Not so! (Check out this post for the background.)I was getting a little tired of scraping the extra UDPP from the stupid

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16139165.post-21257790919377201162009-06-12T08:00:00.000-04:002009-06-12T08:00:02.612-04:00

Friends, something new has entered the pantheon of Scents Men Love. Remember the cop-attracting Marc Jacobs Cucumber? Or the one from Bond No. 9 that drew comments from strangers...during a date?Well, now there's a new entry in this special little category. Meet Summer by Kenzo Dry Oil.I blogged about wanting it a few months ago during Kenzo's Friends & Family event, and I was NOT disappointed,

Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13999656111129307130noreply@blogger.com0