Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Sinful Colors-Nirvana

Hello there friends.  Just wanted to pop in and show you all what's currently on my nails.  This is Sinful Colors Nirvana.
This is a dusty gray.  I picked this up from Walgreens during the 99 cent sale.  I like this all by itself- no glitter (surprised?).  I just think it makes a statement all by itself.  

Been wearing this for two days so excuse the tip wear but no chipping yet!  One coat of Seche Vite layered over the top of course.  

Always,

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

OOTD

Hey friends.  I have been taking pictures of the outfits that I have been putting together in an effort to try and share them with you.

It's been somewhat of a struggle, trying to put together a professional wardrobe when all I wore for the last three years of school were sweats and sneakers. lol.  Hey gimme a break- they were fashionable sweats, PINK from Victoria's Secret sweats were all the rage. Anyways, I have a couple of trousers that I accumulated over the last year or two because I had practicums that I needed to dress up for.  Pairing these with cardigans and blouses were all I really needed to do in order to create a look.  

But then I got bored...SO I pulled out some of my favorite summer dresses, accessorized them with statement necklaces, thick tights and booties to winterize them a bit and I am in LOVE.  Take a look:
 Black Blazer, cuffed with 3/4 sleeves-thrifted
Fuchsia racer back dress-TJ Maxx
Black ribbed tights-KMart (not pictured)
Black men's wear inspired booties-amiclubwear.com
Turquoise owl necklace-gift from sis-in-law who thrifted it

A couple of simple accessories can really make an outfit-don't you think?  

Anyways, look forward to a couple more of these OOTD posts.  I have some more pictures in my folder that I need to upload and draft for you all.  

Love always,

Monday, November 28, 2011

Maybelline- ColorSensational Lipstains Swatches & Review

Hey dolls.  I picked these up from Wags when they got marked down to clearance.
Swatches:  Cranberry Crush & Blushing
 On lips: Blushing
As you can see, these are not as pigmented as I would like.  They do leave an awesome berry stained lip, but the color seeps into cracks and emphasizes lines.  Nobody wants bleeding lips.  Ick.  

Glad that I didn't pay full price for these and not planning on picking up anymore.  Did any of you pick these up as well?


Love,

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Orly-Ruby

Hello friends.  I hope that you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  I know that I am all turkey'd out.  :)

Anyways, I was cleaning out my closet the other day and stumbled across my old nail polish stash.  This stash consisted of only a handful of polishes, because I reserved them only for pedicures- I always had acrylics on my fingers.  Among this stash was my one and only Orly polish, the one that was gifted to me for free by my manicurist.  (Who was great by the way, but he sadly moved away!)

This is Orly's Ruby, a vampy, true blood red with a jelly-like finish.
I look at higher end polishes all of the time but the price tag is what gets me. lol. Maybe one day I will get over it.  *crosses fingers*

Always,

NYX Blushes- Mocha & Pinched

Hello dolls. NYX blushes are somewhat of a new-found favorite of mine.  I picked up these two blushes over the summer from Ulta and sadly, they haven't gotten any lovin' yet. I've hit pan on my current Elf blush in Tickled Pink and am about halfway done with it, so I went foraging in my stash for a new color.  I pulled out Mocha because it looks more wearable for these cold and long winter months. 

Pinched, I initially bought because it was a rumored dupe for Nars Orgasm.  I had bought Orgasm a while ago and was using it on a daily basis, but put it back in my storage because I didn't want to use it all up (especially because of the hefty price tag!)  I haven't swatched them side by side yet, but I do plan on it in an upcoming post. 
NYX blush in Mocha:
NYX blush in Pinched:
 Swatches: Mocha & Pinched
Are there any colors that you would recommend from this line? 

Love,

Friday, November 25, 2011

Revlon-Creme Brulee

Hey dolls.  This is Revlon's Creme Brulee.  This was sitting in the untried box for a while, so I thought I would show it some love.
Yet, I'm kind of disappointed with it.  Too frosty for my liking even though I would have never guessed it from just looking at the bottle.  I thought it would be a great nude color, but it's just too grandma-ish for me.
What do you think?

Love,

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Wet 'n Wild- Color Icon Blushes Swatches & Review

Happy Halloween everyone!  I hope that you are having a great time with your loved ones, where ever you may be! 

Today, I'm showing you my collection of Wet 'n Wild ColorIcon blushes.  I bought these four from the Kmart buy one get one free deals this last summer.  But they are still very affordable blushes at just $2.99 each.  These blushes are also part of the permanent collection, so you should be able to find them at any drugstore that carries Wet 'n Wild products.
WnW ColorIcon blushes in Pearlescent Pink & Heather Silk
 WnW ColorIcon blushes in Mellow Wine & Berry Shimmer
These come in a well packaged case, secured with stickers on the bottom and the side.  I've always appreciated that.  The clear top and clearly displayed color are nice for when I need to find a particular color fast.  I also like how there is a nice amount of product- .14 oz.
 WnW ColorIcon blush in Pearlescent Pink:
 WnW ColorIcon blush in Heather Silk:
 WnW ColorIcon blush in Mellow Wine
 WnW ColorIcon blush in Berry Shimmer:
 Brush included:
There is a nice range also, from matte finishes to shimmery finishes.  Pearlescent Pink  & Berry Shimmer both have shimmer whereas Heather Silk and Mellow Wine are matte.  The blush that is included is nice, but I prefer an actual blush brush to blend these colors out.  Because the blushes are so soft, it will create a bit of fall out, so be sure to tap, tap, tap those brushes out before you apply to your skin.

Overall though, these blushes are very soft and so pigmented.  I swatched them over my hand for you all to see the range of colors that are available.
 Swatches from left to right:  Pearlescent Pink, Heather Silk, Mellow Wine & Berry Shimmer
These blushes are so affordable and come in a nice range of colors and finishes-something not all drugstore blushes take into account.  I would recommend these drugstore blushes first before all others because of the quality and price.  Would you agree?

Happy Thanksgiving!
 

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sinful Colors-Timbleberry

Hey dolls. Just showing you what's currently on my nails:
This is Sinful Colors Timbleberry.  Added some nail stickers to spice up this mani.  I had some peeling though as soon as I layered on one coat of Seche Vite.  :/

This is such a gorgeous color though.  I plan on putting it on my toes soon just to make me happy and remind me of summer days.
Love,

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

L'Oreal Project Runway Audacious Amazon's Pout-Dupe & Comparisons

Hey dolls.  I finally took some time to rummage around my lipstick stash and find some possible dupes to Project Runway's Audacious Amazon's Pout.  See my previous swatches and review on this lipstick here.

Anyways, here are the four other colors that I pulled out to compare.
Left to Right:  L'Oreal Project Runway lipstick in Audacious Amazon's Pout, CG Lip Perfection Eternal, Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Love that Pink, CG Lip Perfection Eternal in Spellbound, Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Fuchsia
 Swatches:  Audacious Amazon, Eternal, Love that Pink, Spellbound & Fuchsia
 As you can see, there is not real exact dupe with these colors.  I thought for sure that CoverGirl's Eternal might be close, but it is a tad too dark.  Revlon's Love that Pink I pulled out just because-I knew it wouldn't be a match.  CoverGirl's Spellbound has more blue undertones, but still one of my favorite colors to wear.  Surprisingly, the closest color to Audacious Amazon was my Revlon's ColorBurst color in Fuchsia.  
Swatches:  L'Oreal Audacious Amazon & Revlon Fuchsia
As you can see, Revlon's Fuchsia has a tad bit more blue in it, but still a very close contender for Audacious Amazon. In fact, I would mix CoverGirl's Eternal and Revlon's Fuchsia on my lips to perfect the color and get an even closer match to Audacious Amazon.  These Project Runway items were hot items this summer and were limited edition, so if you didn't get a chance to pick up any, check out the dupes to kill those lemmings.  Hope this helps!

Love,

Monday, November 21, 2011

Elf Cream Liners- Swatches & Review

Hey dolls.  I picked up these cream liners from Elf because I had heard so many good things about them.  I am a cream liner virgin believe it or not.  I have been using liquid liners for just about forever, and never thought that I would ever switch it up.
The cardboard packaging is a little bulky for such a small square product.  I think that is one of Elf's big downfalls-the outside packaging can be so deceiving sometimes.  

Anyways, this is what you get once you open up the package.  One mini eye liner and the cream liner.  I bought black and coffee for myself because these are the two colors that I use the most.
Elf Cream liner in black:
Elf cream liner in coffee:
I thought that these might be extremely messy and a pain to apply because they were creams, but I was kind of wrong.  I am happy to report that these are a cinch to apply and swatch.  I love how pigmented they are as well.  Very intense color payoff.  
Sideview:
Swatches: Black & Coffee
These cream liners apply wet but dry to a nice consistency.  They certainly don't budge or flake very easy.  I took my pointer finger and rubbed vigorously against the swatches I just laid down.  Here is what happened:
The black wore off a little bit, but the brown shade stayed put.  I am seriously rethinking my liquid liners now.  eek.  lol. The only thing that I am not a fan of is the brush liner that was included in the box.  I am sure that I have a brush laying around somewhere that I can use though.   

Will I repurchase? Yes.  I would also love to try different colors from this line as well.  This is definitely a great alternative to liquid liners.  I think they might have made a convert out of me. :)

Always,