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Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Makeup

Rhode Sold to E.L.F. Cosmetics 1 Billion

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

Rhode Sold to E.L.F. Cosmetics 1 Billion

E.L.F. Cosmetics is turning into the new Estee Lauder and Lancome with purchases of beauty brands left and right. Currently, E.L.F Cosmetics owns Keys Soulcare, Well People and NATURIUM and will be adding one major player to their portfolio this month to the tune of 1 billion dollars.

That’s right, E.L.F. Cosmetics is purchasing Haily Bieber’s skincare brand for 1 billion dollars. E.L.F. made the official announcement yesterday and just days before there was news that Rhode was coming to Sephora shortly. This is E.L.F.’s biggest investment to date. The deal is comprised of $800 million in cash and stock with an addtional $200 million payout based on Rhode’s performance over the next three years. The deal will close in the second quarter or could happen as soon as later this year. E.L.F.’s stocks soared after the announcement and are up 11% today.

Rhode in it’s infancy but in three years time they are doing $212 million in net sales. They may not seem a lot but keep in mind Rhode’s catalog is very, very small. They have around nine to ten products most of which are skincare. I imagine they’ll expand further into color cosmetics once this deal is inked.

“From day one, my vision for rhode has been to make essential skin care and hybrid makeup you can use every day,” said Bieber. “Just three years into this journey, our partnership with e.l.f. Beauty marks an incredible opportunity to elevate and accelerate our ability to reach more of our community with even more innovative products and widen our distribution globally.”

I happen to be a very big fan of Rhode and I’ll readily admit this news makes me nervous. Formulas change, prices change, a lot changes when someone like E.L.F. steps in. I imagine Hailey will stay out with the brand for a while but at some point she’ll step down and the brand will likely head into a completely different direction. Speaking of price changes E.L.F. is set to raise their prices soon so stock up on your favs while you can.

How do we feel about Rhode Beauty being sold to E.L.F. Cosmetics? Share your thoughts!

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Makeup

Listen,, Zoomers and Alphas Get Off My Pinterest You’re Making Me Feel Old

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

Listen,, Zoomers and Alphas Get Off My Pinterest You’re Making Me Feel Old

I was creeping all over Maxky’s Tiktoks about a week or so ago. Like you know, weird stalking the comments type stuff (don’t even sit and judge because you know the comments are where all the insanity happens). And someone said and I quote, “Too bad he’s too old”. Now wait one damn minute that boy is 30. If he’s old WTF am I? I’m not an auntie anymore, not even grandma, apparently I’ve graduated to great grandmother according to Generation Z and A.

But what’s REALLY sending me is my comments on Pinterest lately. You may or may not know but I keep a little album of beauty bytes over on Pinterest. I’ve posted new beauty a plenty but also, I tend to post really older stuff as well. I think people appreciate seeing some of the older items that launched several years ago like Maybelline Color Tattoos and other old drugstore beauty launches as well as old MAC Color stories from the days MAC was doing so many great launches.

But the comments are so not it….! I literally got all these kids on there asking, “Is this real?” “That’s not real right?” “Is this AI?” Am I THAT OLD that people don’t remember certain beauty launches? One of the most popular posts is the old Sol de Janeiro Lip Balms. DUDE…! DUDE….! Those balms aren’t even that OLD a release. Sol de Janeiro launched those Brazilian Kiss Tinted Cupuaçu Lip Butters launched around 2020 or something. And of course, we all know the ten years old love their Sol de Janeiro so, they are losing their mind that Sol de Janeiro had lip balms. BUT ALSO, they are not believing they were real and AI somehow created an image of them.

And it’s not even Pinterest. I see a lot of this across social media lately. I feel at least twenty years older than I actually am after reading some of the comments. What makes you feel old in the beauty industry? Do share!

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Makeup

E.L.F. Cosmetics Price Increase Set for August 1st

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

E.L.F. Cosmetics Price Increase Set for August 1st

In 2022, E.L.F. raised their prices with fair warning to their customers. It was a nice gesture on their part to take to social media (as well as via e-mail) and say hey, listen, grab your favs now because prices are going up. Well, here we are again. E.L.C. Cosmetics broke the news yesterday that prices are going up again as of August 1st.

Starting August 1st prices will be raised by $1. 75% of the current offerings are still $10 and under however, in a post on Instagram they shared that inflation and tariffs were hitting them hard but they were doing their best to keep quality high and prices as affordable as they can be. They also shared they’ll be keeping an eye on the tariff situation which to me means very little as once prices go up it’s rare they go back down.

E.L.F. joins a number of other brands who have increased prices as of lately due to the new tariff policy. Even Walmart announced that their prices would be adjusted depending the tariff rate increased. E.L.F. also announced news that they’d be purchasing Rhode for 1 Billion this week and I’m unsure if also, announcing price changes after such a big deal was shared is the way to go. But who am I to say?

This is our new normal in the beauty world. Not to mention paying more for less as well as formulas changing and not for the better. E.L.F. still remains a fairly affordable brand but we can only agree it’s not longer the dollar brand we grew up with. Long gone are the days where you could buy blush, eyeshadow, and more for a mere buck from E.L.F. I’m sure we’ll all miss those days.

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Facecare

How Do You Do Your Eyeliner?

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson
How Do You Do Your Eyeliner?
Meow-za!

You’re probably gonna laugh with how haphazard I am with makeup these days, but it’s the best I can do with the time I have, so here it is: I use a twist-up, long wearing gel pencil (MAC Colour Excess) and draw a messy line on my upper lash line with no concern about the precision at all, LOL! If it’s too thick, then I smudge it out. If it’s too thin, then I figure the makeup goddesses wanted it to look that way, so I go with it. I don’t even bother trying to line my waterline, either. I usually layer eyeshadow on top of it anyway, so I’m not overly concerned. Seriously, THAT’S IT!

How about you? How do are you doing your liner these days?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Facecare

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 880

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 880

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. When was the last time you spent a good amount of time outside?

Yesterday morning. Connor had a sleepover with a friend the night before, and the girls wanted to play outside, so we all hung out in the circle. The girls played and did art projects; I walked Marnie and threw her ball for her about a billion times, LOL!

2. Do you sleep on your back, your tummy or your side?

Usually my back. If my sinuses are stuffed up (hello allergy season), then it’s my side.

3. What’s something beautiful about today?

Well, I get to spend it with the people I love the most – Connor, El Hub, Marnie and Rosie.

4. What’s one pair of shoes you wear a lot?

I have a beat up pair of white Converse platforms that frankly, I need to replace. They’re comfortable and go with everything, though, so I keep wearing them.

5. What’s something you hope to accomplish this week?

I really want to support Connor as much as I can this week. She’s finally ready to move up from the junior dance team, and her auditions for the serious competitive team are on Tuesday and Wednesday. So, we’re going to bed early every night, eating lots of healthy foods and hyping each other up for a great week ahead.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. When was the last time you spent a good amount of time outside?
2. Do you sleep on your back, your tummy or your side?
3. What’s something beautiful about today?
4. What’s one pair of shoes you wear a lot?
5. What’s something you hope to accomplish this week?

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Facecare

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 862

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC always celebrates Memorial Day, a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Despite his differences of opinion over some of the country’s policies and his disdain for some of its leaders over the years, Tabs strongly believed in the greatness of the United States. He actually had the U.S. Constitution memorized and would frequently cite portions of it.

One of his favorite quotes is from the preamble:

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

But he felt it was the First Amendment that defined America. Without it, America would cease to exist. As Tabs always said, the promise of American democracy depends on our freedom to criticize it.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Whatever you’re doing this Memorial Day, have a good one.

Cheers!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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Beauty

Why SPF Ratings Aren’t Telling You the Whole Story About Sunscreen – FutureDerm

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

Each summer, pharmacies and other retail stores fill their shelves with sunscreen brands who promise: SPF 30, SPF 50, even SPF 100+. Many shoppers reach for the highest number, assuming it offers the best protection. But SPF ratings are only part of the picture — and generally speaking, they give us a false sense of security.

Here’s why SPF isn’t the gold standard we think it is — and what actually matters when protecting your skin from the sun.

What SPF Actually Means (and What It Doesn’t)

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and it’s a measure of how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the kind that cause sunburn. A common myth is that SPF 30 is twice as protective as SPF 15. In reality, the increase is incremental:

  • SPF 15 blocks about 93% of UVB rays
  • SPF 30 blocks about 97%
  • SPF 50 blocks about 98%
  • SPF 100 blocks about 99%

That last leap — from SPF 50 to 100 — gives just 1% more UVB protection, yet many consumers believe it offers dramatically more defense. Meanwhile, SPF tells you nothing about UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to aging and skin cancer.

The UVA Problem

UVA rays don’t cause sunburn, but they’re no less harmful. They contribute to:

  • Premature aging (wrinkles, sagging skin)
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Skin cancer (yes, including melanoma)

The trouble is, SPF doesn’t measure UVA protection at all. That means a high-SPF sunscreen will likely still leave your skin vulnerable to long-term damage.

In Europe and Australia, regulations require broad-spectrum protection and often mandate a UVA protection rating. In the U.S., “broad spectrum” is required for marketing, but the UVA bar is relatively low — and rarely is it disclosed clearly for consumers to understand.

The Illusion of Invincibility

High SPF gives many people the illusion that they’re fully protected and don’t need to reapply often. In truth:

  • No sunscreen, no matter how high the SPF, lasts all day.
  • Sweating, swimming, and simply living your life breaks down protection.
  • Most people apply less than half the recommended amount of sunscreen.

So even if you’re using SPF 100, you may only be getting the effect of SPF 30 (or less) in real-world use.

Why SPF Ratings Aren’t Telling You the Whole Story About Sunscreen – FutureDerm

What Should You Look For Instead?

When choosing sunscreen, skip the SPF arms race and focus on these factors:

 Broad-spectrum protection – Look for products that clearly state UVA coverage and  meet EU standards.

Ingredients that offer stable UVA protection, such as Zinc oxide (mineral, excellent UVA and UVB protection)

Products which indicate Water resistance – Especially important for outdoor activities.

Choose a product that you feel comfortable using.  The best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use regularly. A non-greasy, invisible formula can make all the difference.

Remember to reapply.  Regardless of what SPF you start with, you need to reapply every 2 hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.

The Bottom Line

SPF ratings may be useful, but are incomplete at best. They measure only UVB protection, not UVA, and they don’t reflect how real people apply (or forget to reapply) sunscreen. High SPF can create a false sense of security, leading people to overexpose their skin.

The better approach is to choose a balanced sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB, feels good on your skin, and fits your lifestyle. Remember: sunscreen is just one part of sun protection. Hats, sunglasses, and shade all matter.

So the next time you’re shopping for sunscreen, ignore the SPF 100 hype, and think about the full spectrum of sun safety.

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Facecare

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 879

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson
Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 879
Travel down the road and back again…

So…what is the Monday Poll?

Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007).

1. What did you have for breakfast?

Protein smoothie with whey protein powder, greek yogurt, unsweetened almond milk and fruit (apples and strawberries). It’s easy, doesn’t require turning on the stove and it keeps me full for hours.

2. How did you do your hair today?

I’m wearing it down, with soft, barely there waves. Kinda boring but it’s practical for me because it takes about five minutes to style. Plus wearing it down helps with the migraines (I get bad ones).

3. What’s your favorite summer month?

June. It’s the end of the school year, and you feel like the whole summer is ahead of you! It’s also warm but not too hot yet. Oh, and it’s my birthday month, too. Yay, to all my cray-cray geminis!

4. What’s one thing you wear every day?

Um, besides the bare necessities like underwear and a bra? LOL! Well, my wedding and engagement rings, for one. Sunscreen. My bad cattitude… just kidding. 🙂

5. What’s your favorite hot weather drink?

An Arnold Palmer, which I didn’t discover until my 40s! It’s a drink with half ice tea, half lemonade. I like it with ice. YUM!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.

1. What did you have for breakfast?
2. How did you do your hair today?
3. What’s your favorite summer month?
4. What’s one thing you wear every day?
5. What’s your favorite hot weather drink?

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Makeup

My Lipgloss Doesn’t Have Enough SPF in It! No Problem I Got You!

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

My Lipgloss Doesn’t Have Enough SPF in It! No Problem I Got You!

Wakey, wakey! It’s Monday! Time to rise, shine, and be productive! Today we should probably discuss the lack of SPF in lip products or the fact we don’t have a lot of SPF lip products. It’s like we think about it a lot but our lips are just as vulnerable as the skin on our faces when it comes to being out in the sun. Exposure to the sun can increase premature aging that’s why protecting them is super important.

I always find SPF in lip balms, glosses, and lipsticks lacking. We either get a really dose of SPF 15, we don’t get it at all, or we get a formula that’s waxy and uncomfortable to wear. Prequel Lip Visor Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA++++ is a new lip balm that not only seals in moisture and hydrates but also, protects the delicate skin of your lips with a SPF 30. This apparently has the consistency of a gloss and adds shine and even color if you purchase the rose shade. But does it taste like SPF? I totally know what you mean! I always find lips products with SPF have a funky flavor but this is flavored with mint for a refreshing scent and flavor.

I haven’t tried it yet but it was making the rounds on Tiktok and I got curious enough to purchase a tube. I’ll let you know what I think! But if you’ve been searching for an lip product with a high level of SPF maybe Prequel Lip Visor Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 PA++++ will fit the bill!

How do you protect your lips?

Where to buy

Prequel

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Facecare

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 861

by Emily Johnson
written by Emily Johnson

Crisis between colleagues!

Today, a special meeting of the Board of Directors of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC was called to review a most disturbing matter — the repeated and inexplicable disappearance of Chief Feline Officer Rosie’s crunchies.

At various times over the past few weeks, Rosie’s food bowl, which had been previously full, has become empty, and as you can imagine, this caused quite a corporate kerfuffle.

The results of an internal investigation were inconclusive, but Rosie thinks she knows who’s doing it…

Since the official investigation was inconclusive, the board hasn’t taken any action, but Rosie’s suspicions have created a lot of tension…

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 861

Unfortunately for Marnie, she has a lengthy record of snack theft, so her history isn’t doing her any favors.

Plus, she was captured on security footage early this morning in the vicinity of Rosie’s food bowl. When asked about it by the company investigator, Marnie lawyered up…

I just hope this gets resolved soon because it’s been bad for morale in the office. 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

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