Makeup and Beauty Blog: Makeup Reviews, Beauty Tips and Drugstore Beauty Finds

San Francisco Fashion Week gets closer and closer! We’ve been checking out runway looks from the MAC Web site for the past few days, and here’s yet another batch of beauties, the Photoshaped series!

I think this is just stunning. I like makeup that looks natural but has a little kick to it. And there’s just no way one can hate on gold shadow. (Is that even possible?) I love the nude lips in all of these pics, too - totaly reminds me of something Angelina Jolie would rock.

Yeah, Sunday! Don’t you love sleeping in?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and smile today!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Rise and shine Morning Glory!

I know you’re tired because you had a good ole’ time last night at the club (was that you dancing in the cage?) or at the sideshow ghost riding your whip or whatever your bad self does on Friday nights! But now it’s time to wake up, pour yourself a cup of coffee and get to this week’s round up of the best beauty blogs around from the Beauty Blog Network.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic reviews Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara.

A Touch of Blusher gives the lowdown with the Fall 2007 Makeup Trend Report.

All Lacquered Up swatches the OPI Russian collection just for you.

Beauty and Fashion Tech checks out Everyday Minerals.

Beauty and Personality Grooming breaks the cycle of dry hair with these DIY conditioners

Elke Von Freudenberg gives tips on how to be a bronze goddess.

The Mineral Makeup Blog shows off her beautiful Eye of the Night.

Will gamble for MAC! I’m visiting Lake Tahoe right now and at this very moment hopefully winning some cash so I can buy myself some Fix+, MAC Wipes, Other Worldly Blush and Viva Glam Lipglass. Who am I fooling? I’m really hoping that right now I’m winning enough to also liberate myself from the chains of earthly monetary concerns, aka, TAKING HOME THE JACKPOT. You gotta pay to play, baby. Or so they say. *sigh*

My friend Bernadette and I were talking the other day about obsessing over lashes, so I hope that on this Saturday your lashes are full and curled to perfection. Have a good one!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

FOUR MORE DAYS! Can you handle it?

A few days ago I got an invite to a SF Fashion week kick off dinner hosted by the key MAC makeup artists. I’m excited, but a little nervous because it’s been a while since I’ve been in a social situation where I really don’t know anyone around me. I’ve been leading a somewhat solitary day-to-day existence as of late because I’m always writing or working on a computer, so my small talk skills need a little brushing up. I know it sounds dorky but I actually did research on this! Honestly, I’d be a hot mess if it weren’t for the Internets!

Here are a few tips on the art of small talk from an article I found on the CNN Web site.

1. As you prepare for a function, come up with three things to talk about as well as four generic questions that will get others talking. If you’ve met the host before, try to remember things about her, such as her passion for a sport or a charity you’re both involved in.

2. Be the first to say “Hello.” If you’re not sure the other person will remember you, offer your name to ease the pressure. For example, “Charles Bartlett? Lynn Schmidt — good to see you again.” Smile first and always shake hands when you meet someone.

3. Take your time during introductions. Make an extra effort to remember names and use them frequently.

4. Get the other person talking by leading with a common ground statement regarding the event or location and then asking a related open-ended question. For example, “Attendance looks higher than last year, how long have you been coming to these conventions?” You can also ask them about their trip in or how they know the host.

5. Stay focused on your conversational partner by actively listening and giving feedback. Maintain eye contact. Never glance around the room while they are talking to you.

6. Listen more than you talk.

7. Have something interesting to contribute. Keeping abreast of current events and culture will provide you with great conversation builders, leading with “What do you think of …?” “Have you heard …?” “What is your take on …?” Stay away from negative or controversial topics, and refrain from long-winded stories or giving a lot of detail in casual conversation.

8. If there are people you especially want to meet, one of the best ways to approach them is to be introduced by someone they respect. Ask a mutual friend to do the honors.

9. If someone hands you a business card, accept it as a gift. Hold it in both hands and take a moment to read what is written on it. When you’re done, put it away in a shirt pocket, purse or wallet to show it is valued.

10. Watch your body language. People who look ill at ease make others uncomfortable. Act confident and comfortable, even when you’re not.

11. Before entering into a conversation that’s already in progress, observe and listen. You don’t want to squash the dynamics with an unsuited or ill-timed remark.

12. Have a few exit lines ready so that you can both gracefully move on. For example, “I need to check in with a client over there,” “I skipped lunch today, so I need to visit the buffet,” or you can offer to refresh their drink.

When should you exit a conversation? According to Susan RoAne, author and speaker known as the “Mingling Maven,” your objective in all encounters should be to make a good impression and leave people wanting more. To do that, she advises: “Be bright. Be brief. Be gone.”

What should I put on my list of three things to talk about? Perhaps the elusive creature known as the outer-v?

I guess if all else fails I can always bring up Michael Jackson’s scary abuse of blush.

Five days till I go backstage with MAC at San Francisco Fashion week! Sometime today I’m going to plan my interview questions and plan out what the hell I’m going to wear. While I’m tempted to rock the high heels all night long, I fear that I will have to go with practical (yet stylish) shoes and clothing so that I can take pictures without having to worry about my dress flying open or my boobs hanging out.

Have you visited the MAC site lately (silly me, I know better than to ask that question of a MAC-acholic!)? Anyway, to help get you excited for SF Fashion Week, here’s another in a series of backstage looks they are currently featuring on the Web site. This is Future Graphic!

What do you think of the black-lined eyes? For some weird reason I love’em. I would love to see these looks on sci-fi hottie Mila Jovovich or Kate Bekinsale during her vampire days in the movie Underworld. I’m not crazy about that orange-ish lip, but I guess it would look really stand out on the runway.

WOO HOO! FRIDAY! El Hub and I leave for Tahoe at the crack o’ dawn today, so please send us safe travel (and no traffic!) vibes. I hope that you’re day is going well so far, and that your night is even better. Kiss a hottie!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen