K8 Loves K9

There are few things I adore more than the right shoes or a fabulous new lipstick, but three of them are my weiner dogs, Harvey, Pretzel, and Sammi.  

Sure, they always give unconditional love and affection (no matter what I'm wearing), but they also sport their own fashionable outfits. 

And of course, a puppy kiss trumps perfectly applied lip gloss every time...

From Lips to (Finger) Tips

Since the "smoky eye" continues to elude me (okay, it's not that hard, but I can't have it fighting with my crazy hair styles), I've been focusing on the bright "pop of lip" lately and decided that "popsicle yumminess" is what I wanted.  So I hit my favorite Nars counter (the BEST line for bold-but-wearable colors) and said, "Give me a 'juicy berry' lip please!"  Within five minutes, I was sporting the perfect red pout without overpowering the rest of my face (which is saying a LOT since I was in workout clothes).  So I promptly purchased the Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in "Norma" to be paired with the Velvet Lip Pencil in "Cruella" (which also looks great with Gold Digger gloss).  My Nars expert also introduced me to their Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base which works GENIUS-LY on lips before using any bright pencils or glosses - no migration at all!!  And of course, it's a great eyeshadow base as well - a true multitasker that, unlike our recent contractor, actually CAN do more than it promises.

Nars Pro Prime Eyeshadow Base

Magic K8 Ball Says: 8 (Gotta Have It!)

If you've been following my recent FB posts, you'll see all the crazy colors I've been trying with nail polish.  I used to be pretty basic with my bright reds or nude-y neutrals, but lately, things are literally getting out of hand with the crazy nail trends!  While I don't support all of them (it takes a special personality to sport certain "designs"), I've had fun testing out some unusual colors and even techniques - it's also a great diversion to mindless snacking since it's really hard to reach into a bag of chips with wet nails.  Here's one of my latest crazy tests - blue polish with white "stippling" (applied with a basic cosmetics sponge).  I wrestled with it's level of "professionalism" for over an hour, but that clearly wasn't an issue since the other hand in the photo is a colleague, and Nordstrom decided to post this on their FB page so customers could see what the "beauty gals" are actually wearing in the office.

 

Self-tanners used to be on my White Whale list (ironic since that's how I sometimes feel without one), but I've found several over the years that seem to work well, including Clinique and Clarins.  But I've recently fallen in love with Glow Pads by Dr. Gross (yep, that's his real name) - they're basically little towelettes that give you a great glow overnight.  But the best part is, they exfoliate TOO, so they're another hard-working multitasker!  One (body) towelette covers your whole body pretty easily, although I still rub it in a bit more with my hands, and am careful around feet, hands, and elbows because it really works, i.e. gives serious color by the next day.  They also come in a face version, and although I've been skeptical about face tanners, this one truly adds just the right amount of "glowiness."  Best of all, you can try them both in a little "starter kit," so get to glowing!

 Dr. Gross Glow Pad Set 

Magic K8 Ball Says: 6 (Signs Point to Yes)

Pure Joy

Ah, the magic of the camera phone.  Every now and then, it actually captures a moment exactly the way it feels, which is why I had to share this ridiculous photo of me clearly having fun, and more importantly, wearing fabulous lipstick - it's Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in "Happy Days" (yes, indeed!) with a touch of Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage.

So next time someone wants to snap your photo at a dance club at an hour way past your normal bed time, laugh, grin, smirk, smile, whatever you like - just let them snap it. No, the lighting won't be flattering, and the angle is all wrong, but true, blissful, unfiltered happiness can't be staged.  And if nothing else, you can be sure it's 100% genuine.

A K8 ITM: Eye Can Appreciate

A very recent ITM (InTheMinute)... I'm pretty sure I put my contacts in the wrong eyes and spent 1/2 a morning switching them back and forth, covering one eye, and then the other ("better A or B?"), and essentially cursing my awful vision that cannot yet be corrected by Lasik (my prescription hasn't stayed stable for more than 12 months straight). ITM #1: I tried on fun new glasses frames and decided I will soon splurge on cool new specs for those moments of contact-frustration when it's just easier to pluck them out! ITM #2: Thanks to my unusual eye color, I can get away with minimal eye makeup and just tons of black mascara and a bright lip. I suppose if I have to be a "four eyes," at least they're pretty cool.

A K8 Revelation: InTheMinute

I'm a big fan of reveling in "the present."  People don't do that often enough, so I make a point to really recognize when something is great as I'm experiencing it. Consequently, I've come up with my own new moniker of ITM or "In the Minute" to describe these lovely realizations of wonderment.  I've never liked the phrase "...in the moment'" because it's usually used as a guilt-ridden defense of an action that typically involves lying or cheating, eg. "...I never would've bought the bright orange lipstick, but I was 'caught up in the moment!'" or "...kissing him was just a result of being 'swept away in the moment!'"  Poor 'moments' - these hopeless pleas give them a bad name.  Hence my preference for "minute."  And did you ever notice how those "moments" always last way more than 60 seconds (maybe it's the guilt-laden regret that typically follows)?  

Conversely, the "minute" I'm referring to really is taking advantage of something...fun.  It's a trade-off of something mundane or obligatory (say...working out, cleaning your toilet, buying groceries), for something more whimsical and instantly gratifying, like having a glass of champagne at 2pm, reading a trashy book in the sun, writing in your journal, or mixing vintage with designer, aka what I like to call the "Anthropologie Catalog Effect" - come on, you know you've envied that lifestyle - why not live it, even if just a little bit.  And whatever it is, you should never feel guilty about it.

So next time you can't get motivated to work out, don't give it a second thought.  Instead, be In The Minute and paint your nails neon pink, take a mid-afternoon nap, or watch an old episode of SATC because those minutes really WILL be gone in 60 seconds.  And as one wise woman said, "Life is short. Buy the shoes."  Amen, sister!

(Stay tuned for future ITM postings because making excuses is so much easier when I have "validation" from my friends).

Call Me Ahab

I've finally done it.  It's taken me years of searching, hunting, coming very close, being fooled, and even feeling that I had succeeded in finding my "white whale" of beauty, and I can now confidently say...I have captured it.  As many of you  know, I have forever hunted for the elusive undereye concealer that actually covers without getting cakey.  Many claim to do just that, and I can honestly tell you that 99% of them fail.  Ironically, I actually purchased my new-found gem several years ago, tried it, and RETURNED it because it was too thick.  Little did I know that it simply requires a good beauty advisor to show you the RIGHT way to use it (God love those cosmetic geniuses!  Mine is J.R. at the Kiehl's counter in the downtown Seattle Nordstrom, and not only does he shop every counter with me, but he tells me exactly what he likes and doesn't like for me.  I highly recommend enlisting him ASAP).

I know the suspense is killing you, so I will tell you that my re-discovered find is Cle de Peau Concealer.  It comes in a stick form that I'm pretty sure will last me 3 - 5 years since it only requires a small amount under each eye (which helps since it's pricey at $70...and worth every penny).  The real trick is warming it up a bit on your fingers and then just tapping it on - no brush required (a God-send for those of us who travel; not to mention, it makes a great eye shadow base too).  It works even better over a light undereye cream - I prefer Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Repair Eye Serum since it has slight light reflectors. Together, they make the perfect pair! 

I typically apply my  concealer before the rest of "my face" so it can "set" a bit.  When I'm done with the rest of my face, I go back and tap out any creases (usually minor, if any) under my eyes, and I swear, you won't see another crease all day!  Best of all, if you need a touch-up later, just brush on some YSL Touche Eclat*, and it layers beautifully! 

At long last, I can rest easy (and will now look it).  Ishmael would be so proud.
Now if I could just track down that blasted chupacabra of skin care (eye makeup remover + cleanser that doesn't require water) - let the hunt begin...


Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer
Magic K8 Ball Says: 7 (Signs Point to  Yes!)


* Touche Eclat is another fave, but with circles as dark as mine, unfortunately, it's best for layering vs full coverage (and in case you're wondering, the "drugstore"  versions of Touche Eclat don't even come close - do not waste your time or $).

Life Isn't Hair...Or Is It?

Did you know that moving is considered among the top four traumatic events a person can experience? (I imagine death, birth, and tucking your dress into your stockings are the other three).  We've all dealt with the dreaded packing, address changing, driver's license renewing, house hunting, mani/pedi place finding, and overall sense of starting a whole new life.  But no one ever talks about the worry, trepidation, and ultimate fear...of finding a new hair stylist.  Not only do you feel like you're cheating on your old stylist (as opposed to a stylist "break up"...possibly #5 on the trauma list), but it's a daunting task that can't be put off very long before you start looking like Carol Brady with her flippy mullet.

Fortunately, I have two salons within walking distance of my place, so I poked my head into each one to ask if they can truly cut short hair - sounds easy, but it's not.  Just think, if you have long hair and she cuts an extra inch off, no biggie.  When you have a pixie cut, an extra inch = one buzz away from a Top Gun flat top.  Happily, both shops were confident about short hair, so I made my decision based on price.  I know - not the best way to decide on something so significant, but seriously, my style requires a cut every 4 - 5 weeks, as well as a LOT of products, so anything over $50 just seems silly.  So The Red Chair salon won because haircuts are only $35!  (I haven't paid that little since I went to Supercuts back before I knew the importance of a good stylist and a flattering cut).  As my new stylist, Monica, put it, "Yes, we're the best kept secret in Seattle."  And she's right - she asked me questions and "got to know my hair" before shampooing.  Needless to say, Monica did a great job (even though it feels super short to me right now, which just means I get to be more creative with product...how I love a good texturizing wax).  

Friday...("before")

...Saturday ("after")

I've already received several compliments, despite the fact that the untrained eye (aka person with long hair who feels naked after just cutting a few split ends) likely can't tell much of a difference between my "before" and "after," but that's a typical side effect of a short style and the sign of a good stylist (however, definitely NOT a good sign of an effective personal trainer).  You be the judge...

Red Chair Salon, Seattle 
Magic K8 Ball Says: 6 (Signs Point to Yes)