Essie Shop Til I Drop--The Name is Very Fitting

Greetings!

Anyone that knows me personally knows that I am a shopper, no surprise there, so it is only appropriate that Essie provide a nail color for us to commemorate this pastime.  Insert a beautiful peach color here:

This is the type of peach color I've been on the hunt for a while now and I am finally glad that I've found it!  It is quite sheer so it does take three coats to get it to this color shown, not a huge deal since Essie polishes dry relatively quickly which minimizes the overall drying time. 

I think it's safe to say that this is more of a spring/summer color but YOLO!  So go for it, it's good to break up the monotony of dark fall/winter colors, I won't tell.

What do you think?  Tell me in the comments!

My November 2012 Hit List (Favorites)

Greetings!

I know it's been a while since I last posted a monthly favorites but charge it to my head and not my heart, lol.  This month I bring to you products that I just couldn't get enough of, allow me to introduce you.

This picture was taken with my phone

Pond's Cold Cream- My favorite makeup remover...EVER.  It provides a very cooling feeling once applied to the face, for some it may feel "clammy" but I think it's just it's cooling properties that are at work.  I think this can also be used a moisturizer for those with dry skin.  I personally have never used it this way but I wouldn't recommend it for those of us with oily skin.  This is also considered a very good anti-aging cream from some of my older aunties......take it from me they look YOUNG for their ages.

Inglot Face Primer- This primer allows me to use less foundation and to a degree less oily, it does not claim to be matte face primer but I do find that I get oilier later in the day when I wear this.  It is a silicone based primer.  You have to make sure that you use a tiny bit as using too much will make you feel greasier and it will translate into your makeup.

Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer- This does what it says even on days I don't wear makeup I find my face to be more matte even on a hot 90 degree day!  It doesn't leave a greasy residue and this is much appreciated, thank you Cetaphil.

NYX Eyebrow Shaper- This is basically a wax pencil that makes sure your eyebrows stay in place throughout the door.  Make sure you don't apply too heavily as it will give you that dreaded shiny eyebrow look!    I prefer this on over MAC's eyebrow shaper and you get more bang for your buck at more than half the price.

EOS lip balm- Don't be surprised that this is included in this month's favorites, I love this stuff! 

What were your favorites this past month?  Let me know in the comments! :)

Jessica White Made Me Do It!

Greetings!

I'm an avid magazine reader from Essence to Harper's Bazaar so it is only natural for me to admire the images in the beauty ads that are meant to dig deep in my pockets to purchase the next big item.  This is where Jessica White comes in.  For months I would gawk at the lip color that Jessica White wore in the Maybelline Cosmetics brand for their Color Sensational lipstick line.  I am a huge fan of these lipsticks because not only are they moisturizing they are budget friendly and the colors are plentiful for those of us who appreciate color.

Usually the ads in these magazines will tell you what color the model is wearing and in this case Jessica was wearing Mauve It Up, from there I knew I had to have it.  Three months go buy and I still couldn't find this shade, I figured it would be popular since everyone is on the purple lip trip train nowadays, I get it.  I gave up and figured if I found it, I found it and if I did, I did.  One day strolling along the beauty aisles of Target I found this beauty, almost like a prize won, yeah, I know, it gets like that sometimes.  For reference here's the ad I'm speaking of:

Isn't Jessica White gorgeous!?  Love her!

Now look at the lip color.............

No Flash

With Flash

 I am very aware that cosmetic companies will enhance images for the sake of selling product but I must say that I am a bit disappointed in this shade.  It definitely isn't as opaque as I thought it would be considering the pout I see on Jessica's lip is more of a concentrated color and the actual shade looks to be more sheer in color and this is after heavy and multiple swipes of the lipstick.  It is a beautiful shade but I must say that I was expecting more va-voom!  Overall, I'd recommend this color for a sheer wash of color on the lips but don't expect to have the same pout as Ms.White.

What do you think?  Have you been duped by a cosmetic company before?  Tell me in the comments.

OPI You Don't Know Jacques!

Greetings!

I love it when nail polish companies come up with clever names for their shades, I'm easily amused by this.  I see what you nail companies did there.  Since you all know that I've been wearing lots of dark colors on my nails lately this time it is no different, enter OPI.  This particular shade is matte, however, I chose to apply a top coat because I find that the matte formulas don't last and chip a day into wear but last so much longer when a top coat is applied.  This shade lasted a while on me, two weeks to be exact, now I normally don't let a color sit on my nails for longer than a week but because of the durability of this one I went for it, I was pleasantly surprised.

This color is pretty difficult to describe for me as it seems to take on a different shade in different angles so I made sure to capture that in the following images.  If we're looking at it in the packaging I'd say that it is a flat taupe color, but with flash indoors it looks like a flat grey almost wet cement color, and outdoors it takes on a very dark almost purple grey.  So take what you will with that information, lol.  Overall, the color is lovely and I would totally recommend it with short nails as darker colors always look more chic with short nails.   

Here it is....

So what do you think?  Is this a nail color that's on your radar for the colder months?  Tell me in the comments!

Trade In a Little Black for a Little Brown--Essie Little Brown Dress

Greetings!

For a while now I've been entertaining the idea of getting a dark brown nail polish but each time I went out it either was a forgotten thought or I just didn't care enough to search for it but I knew that when I stumbled across a nail color that matched the description in my mind that I would get it and that's what I did.  So today I bring you Essie-Little Brown Dress, a gorgeous dark brown cream color.  I applied two coats and the dry time was impressive--15 minutes tops!  This is my first Essie nail color and I am giving you all the most shady side eye for not informing me of the greatness in these tiny jars! lol  Oh well, I'm in and I just may go back and get some colors for the fall like I need anymore.

Here's the color:

Essie-Little Brown Dress w/ flash

Essie-Little Brown Dress w/o flash

Excuse the messy application.....lol

You can find this color at your local Ulta for $8 a pop, but since you all know I NEVER pay retail for nail polish I didn't pay that much! :)

Have you tried this color before?  What other colors should I get next?  Tell me in the comments!

Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo--I'm Late to the Party

Greetings!

So lately I've been super lazy when it comes to making a face, usually opting for no eyeshadow or a quick sweep of a color and I'm out the door but lately I've been having the urge to get back into full on color mode.  Here's where I introduce these babies....

Left to Right: Ready, Set, Green; Test My Teal; Fuschia Fever

If you don't remember my first post on Maybelline Color Tattoos click here, since then I think I've gotten all the other colors because they really are easy to use and last on the eyelids!  These three were a part of the limited edition four that came out this season along with the other four that I believe can be found at your local drugstores, these for some reason were listed as only being available in Target, guess where I purchased mine from...Walgreen's!  LOL

The colors I got were Ready, Set, Green, Test My Teal, and Fuschia Fever.....all so pretty.  By the way, don't they already have a lipstick by the name of Fuschia Fever?  I think I have that.....lol

Anyway, here are the swatches.

With a good eye primer on the lid these can serve wonderfully as an eye color that usually last for up to eight hours on me, I don't wear them longer than that so that's all I can judge them by.  They are really smooth and for some it takes a couple of coats for opacity and some not. For example the green and the teal took two coats and the pink just one swipe.  Not a gripe but it should be mentioned.

I really wish that Maybelline would release a black one!

Overall these are awesome and if you can find them in your area, snatch them up, they're about 6 bucks each but make sure to look out for a BOGO sale to get more bang for your buck! :)

Have you tried them before?  Tell me what you think.

Fiery Sunset on the Horizon

Greetings!

The weekend is over but hey, look on the bright side, my nail color! LOL

No, seriously, if you're a lover of pink nail polish then this color is right up your alley.  It's from Maybelline Salon Expert in the color Fiery Sunset, the name doesn't really correlate with the color but I'll roll with it. LOL

It's a creamy pink color, it took me two coats to get this opacity which is pretty average for me.  The brush is fine, not too big, not too small and the wear time was pretty durable, I kept this on for a week and a half with minimal chipping.

So go ahead and get a bottle from your local drugstore, you won't regret it.  Sure, you may have 1312318796894 other pink nail polishes but one more couldn't hurt.  ;)

Do you like?  Tell me in the comments!

Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick Haul

Greetings!

Recently I took the liberty of neglecting my makeup ban (lol), I was good for a month but I immediately got that itch as companies released their holiday collections and others offered their Friends & Family discount so I couldn't resist.  tarte Cosmetics was one of those companies that offered 20% off and I took advantage as I had been anxious to try their new lipstick line.  The lipsticks usually cost $26 a piece but with the discount they came out to $20 each, I'd say that it was a pretty good deal.  To some that is still a little pricey but for the quality of this lipstick and the neat packaging, it is worth it.  Some of you all may be happy to know that tarte prides itself in creating products with pure ingredients minus parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, and a synthetic fragrance.   Here, let tarte tell it:

tarte introduces it’s very first long-wear, clay-infused lipstick. A unique blend of emollient-rich butters (mango, avocado and shea) is encapsulated in this tarte12-hour power™ formula to achieve rich, vivid, and long-wearing color that applies smoothly and won’t fade away.  (Source)

I purchased two shades in Bold and Whimsy and I must say upon first swipe I was thoroughly impressed, smooth color on one swipe, just beautiful.

Cute wrapping paper too!

Also came with a sample size of their eye primer

The design on the outside shows you what color you're getting which I think is pretty cute.  Oh, and the casing is made out of bamboo.  

Bold

Whimsy

Bold on top; Whimsy on bottom

 

At the end of checkout you have the option of choosing a sample size product and I chose the tarte clean slate creaseless eye primer.

I look forward to trying both of these out to test their durability and be sure to let you all know all about it. :)

So tell me, have you tried any of these products?  Tell me in the comments!

Hurricane Sandy

Greetings!

Sandy has been a name synonymous with destruction for the past 24 hours and I am sure plenty of you know why.  For those of you that are unaware, Hurricane Sandy past along the northern part of the east coast of the United States affecting as much as seven states including Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania.  I've gone through many a hurricane and I know how it is.  I am writing this post to send good vibes to all who are affected by the tumultuous storm.  I hope that you all are safe and wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts.

 

Peach Crepe Anyone?

Greetings!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and didn't miss me too much! :) 

This week I thought I'd add some color to my nails since I've been wearing so many dark colors lately.  I used China Glaze in Vintage Crepe and Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Peach Pave.  Really simple and feminine, I like the way it turned out.  What do you think?

You can see that my China Glaze bottle is a mini size, I ordered a pack that came with a full collection, what collection, I don't remember but I'm pretty sure it is not limited edition.  If you can find this color you should snatch it up because it is one of those effortless colors that look super pretty on long or short nails.

I love what the Peach Pave does to the color, adds that glamour that we sometimes need during the week!  :)

So tell me, what are on your nails this week?  Tell me in the comments!

Makeup Ban!

Greetings!

Lately, I've been thinking about all the beauty purchases that I've been accumulating and have yet to use.  Yes, they are products that are lovely, but I don't even know if they're practical because I haven't had the chance to use them yet!  That's a problem.  So here's what I've decided to do.  In order to truly take my time in trying out these new products without jumping to the "next best thing" I'm going to go on a makeup ban, that's right, I won't be making any beauty purchases until November 30, 2012.  Yup, can you tell that I've prepared myself for this already?  LOL

I am a beauty lover and in order to maintain that zest for all things beauty I have got to start using my products more.  I am a firm believer in using all of my beauty products because I want to be able to indulge in them all, call it greedy if you want to.  I'm not in the business of buying products because they look pretty and never to be used again, NO, THANK YOU, MA'AM!  During this time off I'm going to use the items I currently have and my faves will make it to the blog, sounds like a deal?  Great!

For me this decision is difficult if you understand my affinity for the newest tube of lipstick or face primer, I am really going out on a limb to control my appetite for impulsive shopping but I am sure I can do it.  Now, just because I'm going through a "makeup fast" that doesn't mean I won't be blogging, of course I will, so don't be scurred!  LOL

Hopefully, by the end of this I will be able to see how much I have saved by keeping my money in my pocket and out of a beauty company's pockets.  And in the meantime, I'll finally have a chance to use some of the products I've been neglecting.

Have you tried this before?   Want to join in on this "makeup fast" with me?  Follow me on Twitter to join in on the fun!

Gunmetal.....On Your Nails!

Greetings!

Keeping in tune with the weather I figured I'd go with a gray/silver color on my nails this week.  The forecast predicts rain all week on my side of the U.S. and I might as well paint my nails accordingly, lol.  This color is in Gunmetal by, you guessed it, Sally Hansen!  If you don't know by now, please be informed that this line of polishes are my favorite and there's nothing you can do about that! :) 

I also think that this color is great for the fall months.  An edgy color to wear with your "all black everything" days.  Oh, and remember, dark colors look awesome on short nails!  You didn't know?  You betta' ask somebody! 

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Gunmetal in natural light

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Gunmetal w/ flash

Don't mind the glob on the top, lol, there was an accident in my nail polish box. 

Have you tried this color?  Do you like this color?  Tell me in the comments!

Black Opal Flawless Perfecting Concealer Swatch

Greetings!

I hope your weekend was awesome just as much as mine! :) 

Today I come to you with a drugstore concealer that I came across on one of my many unplanned strolls through the beauty aisle of CVS.  Luckily for me I was able to find a gem from Black Opal Cosmetics, one my faves when it comes to drugstore brands.  If you know Black Opal then you know that for those of us with more oily skin it can be a pain to use, especially when it comes to their stick foundations. 

Let's rewind a couple of years ago when I was an avid user of the stick foundation and loved the finish it provided but I had to stop using it because it would break me out on the edge of my jaw--no bueno!  I recently started using it again hoping that that breakout from years past was a reaction to something else in my routine at that time--not true, it's official, their stick foundation does not work for me. :(  

Fast forward to a few weeks and I was intrigued to see the concealer.  Although, I haven't tried it yet for a look I will be soon as my normal everyday concealer is almost out and I'll need an alternative.  Rest assured that I will come back and report to you with a full review on its performance. And if I don't remind me on Twitter :)  For now, just take a look. 

I purchased the shade in Mahogany which seems like a pretty good much when I need to cover any blemishes and my dark circles.  The texture is uber creamy which makes for easy application.  As you can tell the packaging resembles a lipstick tube, I quite like that because that means I don't have to dig my fingers for any product.  I'm looking at you MAC Studio Finish Concealer!

Let's cross our fingers and hope that this doesn't break me out!  By the way, have you tried this before?  Did you like it?  Tell me in the comments!