April, 2011

Are you in Dallas?

As a result of hanging around makeup counters all the time, I sometimes hear about upcoming sale-and/or-event news.

So I got to thinking: if you live in the Dallas area, would you like me to email you when I hear of something really good?

If you'd like to be added to the local-events newsletter, email me (editor

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Chanel Summer

Chanel, Summer, 2011, swatches, Collection Les Fleurs d'Ete de Chanel, Sari Dore, Gardenia, Pink Peony, Pensee, Aurore, Morning Rose, Beige Petale, Mimosa, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

Chanel's summer collection is on counters at last. It's called Collection Les Fleurs d'Ete de Chanel, and I'll be curious to know if it does evoke "summer flowers" for you.

Most Chanel collections begin with an eyeshadow quad. This summer's is Lilium ($57), featuring a shimmery peony pink, a low-shimmer rich emerald/forest green, a low-shimmer apple green

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Thank you, Wienerin!

Wienerin, April 2011, KarlaSugar

I am so honored that Austrian magazine Wienerin chose to include me in their April issue — thank you, Wienerin!

I don't speak German, but here's the interview in English:

When exactly did you start blogging (2008?) and why?
I have a good friend who lives in another state. She loves Armani, but doesn’t have easy

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MAC Primed to Perfection

MAC, Prep and Prime, Highlighter, Light Boost, Bright Forecast, Radiant Rose, swatches, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

There's not a lot to show from the Primed to Perfection collection. The collection introduces the new Prep + Prime Vibrancy Eye ($30), a quick-fix-plus-long-term solution for tired, puffy eyes. It's supposed to add luminosity and moisture, plus reduce undereye circles over time — but it's not particularly swatchable.

There are also three shades of the new

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MAC Bronze Everyday

MAC, Bronze Everyday, swatches, Refined Golden, Golden, Bronze, Matte Bronze, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

Two smaller collections released concurrently with Quite Cute: Bronze Everyday and Primed for Perfection.

Bronze Everyday introduces a few new items (and reintroduces a few others), but most interesting: nearly all these products are being permanently added to the line.

To start with, MAC is debuting two Mineralize Skinfinish Natural bronzers ($27): dusty, yellow-peach brown Give

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Guest Swatcher: Chanel Rose Tourbillon

Chanel, Rose Tourbillon

Very special thanks to roving reporter glossedup, who picked up Chanel Joues Contraste blush 65 Rose Tourbillon (an Asian exclusive) on her travels and very graciously sent in swatches.

She says:

Rose Tourbillion is a glowy, cool, saturated, medium-to-deep raspberry-pink with no discernible shimmer on the cheek. I use a stippling (skunk) brush, and I get "dolly"

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MAC Quite Cute

MAC, Quite Cute, blush, swatches, Miss Behave, Giggly, Sakura, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

After following MAC's collections for a few years, certain patterns begin to emerge. Quite Cute is one of MAC's latest offerings, nominally inspired by Japanese Harajuku culture. But the pastel palette reminds me of 2009's spring launch: Sugarsweet.What's your take? Does the collection feel fresh?

By far the cutest pieces are the three mineralized blushes. $23

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Estee Lauder Sea Star Bronzing Blush

Estee Lauder, Bronze Goddess Soleil, Summer 2011, Sea Star Bronzing Blush, swatches, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

Readers, from the moment I posted about Estee Lauder's Bronze Goddess summer collection, I've been feeling guilty about not swatching the two shades of the Sea Star Bronzing Blush separately. So I went back for another photo:

As I mentioned in my last post, the blush's peachy sand and pink starfish design

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Estee Lauder Wild Blue

Estee Lauder, Wild Blue

Last week I swatched Estee Lauder's new nail polishes, including the eight limited edition shades that are exclusive to Nordstrom. Well, I couldn't resist Wild Blue, and I have been getting SO much attention wearing it.

I also (rather hilariously) discovered it's almost exactly the same color as the Nordstrom handicapped exit button. (Indoor, evening

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Dior Addict Lipsticks (on paper)

Dior, addict, swatches, 750 Rock

More swatches are always better (and different kinds of swatches can be especially helpful). So very special thanks to Kristina for swatching the available-at-Macy's shades of Dior's new Addict lipsticks on paper towels, then scanning them. Swatching on white can really help you see a shade's undertones, and I think it's a great supplement to arm swatches. Kristina also provided this

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Dior Translation Guide

Dior Addict, shade correlation guide

A few readers have asked how Dior's new Addict lipsticks compare to the previous incarnations of Addict (swatches, part 1, part 2, and part 3) and Addict High Shine.

Luckily, my good friend Kristina was able to track down Dior's guide to shade translation — allowing me to share it with you.

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Awesome Bobbi Brown News

Bobbi Brown, Friends and Family

Sweet sale news, folks! Bobbi Brown is having a Friends and Family Event! Because you are a friend (member of the Bobbi family, really), take 20% off your purchase at BobbiBrownCosmetics.com, valid April 11-13, no code required! Shipping over $65 is always free.

And if this event wasn't happy enough, Bobbi Brown is also donating $10,000

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Dior Addict Lipstick

Dior, Addict, swatches, 214 Tulle, 222 Beige Casual, 253 Basic, 260 Rose Deshabille, 322 Beige Perfection, 333 Nude, 343 Miss Dior, 353 Blush, 445 Createur, 454 Parisian Chic, 465 Singuliere, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

Talk about spring cleaning: Dior is really shaking up its lipstick display. Gone are the Addict High Shine lipsticks and the existing Dior Addict lipsticks. (I've even heard a rumor that Creme de Gloss and DiorKiss lipglosses are also out.) In their place is a reformulated Dior Addict, in an entirely new set of shades.

I guess I

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Makeover at the Armani Counter

Karla Sugar, Armani, Rhona Samuels

This past weekend I had the immense pleasure of watching the brilliant Rhona Samuels work her magic. Rhona is one of Armani's national artists, and — as you would expect, she is unbelievably talented.

I'm happy just to watch Rhona work with other customers (I learn something new every time) — but when she finished with

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Guerlain Rouge Automatique

Guerlain, Rouge Automatique, swatches, Les Roses, 160 Bal de Mai, 161 Cherry Blossom, 162 Bloom of Rose, 163 Rose Bengale, 164 Chamade, 165 Champs Elysees, 166 Shalimar, 167 Guet-Apens, 168 L'Heure Bleue, KarlaSugar, Karla Sugar

Readers, I am very excited to discuss with you Guerlain's newest lipstick: Rouge Automatique.

Any conversation about Rouge Automatique has to start with the packaging. The tube is a "one-hand" open. Instead of a removable cap, the top of the tube has a trap door, which — at the push of a lever — swings open and

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