Halloween Nails!

Posted on October 15, 2011 by Danielle

It’s the halfway point in October to Halloween. People are raking leaves, picking apples and starting to layer on warmer clothes. Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Halloween isn’t my favorite holiday; Christmas and Thanksgiving trump Halloween any way you slice it (for me at least). But, that doesn’t mean I don’t like to get festive for the occasion.

I tweeted about these polishes the other day and thought it would be very helpful to see what they look like….so I did a little swatching. :) All three of these shades were from China Glaze’s Halloween collection from last year. I wasn’t particularly fond of any of the ones released this year, regardless of brand, so I’m happy to be able to get more use out of these.

China Glaze Mummy May I

 

China Glaze Mummy May I (shade)

For some reason I was inclined to take shade photos of these three polishes, so sorry for the nail spam! Anyway, Mummy May I (adore the name) is a blackened purple jelly like base with plenty of purple glitter/shimmer. I call it glitter/shimmer because it’s not a chunky as most glitters nor is it as fine as most shimmer. It’s…Glimmer. ;) A nice shade, perfect for a Halloween party. This was two coats.

China Glaze Zombie Zest

 

China Glaze Zombie Zest (shade)

 

China Glaze Zombie Zest (indirect daylight)

Zombie Zest is the love or hate shade of this group (there always is one). It’s an odd green color. Again, it has a jelly like base that is green-gold and almost…putrid? looking. Well, it is supposed to represent zombies soo… :) I always love the oddball shades and so, again, no surprises here that I *really* like this shade. Plus the way it sparkles in the sunlight…it’s like Edward Cullen, the undead. Plus, I got this shade to show off to the boy. The Walking Dead is one of his favorite shows and I wanted to one-up him in the zombie department. Verdict? I win.

China Glaze Ick-a-body

 

China Glaze Ick-a-body (shade)

And the one that says Halloween the most…Ick-a-body. I love the name because it harkens to fabled character Ichabod Crane from Washington Irving’s short story. I loved the Disney version of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” growing up. And, so you can enjoy a little of Ichabod Crane…

 

And, since we are talking of childhood Halloween memories…. this one was a favorite…

 

Happy Saturday! :)

Posted in China Glaze, Nail Polish | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Birchbox: October 2011 edition

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Danielle

You know, I seem to get the oddball Birchbox lately. The one from August was like that too. I see a preview of the box and then mine is practically 100% different. I’m not sure how that happens, but it’s left me feeling pretty grateful because I end up with a box I like better than what I thought I was going to get.

Birchbox October 2011

What I got:

  • Anastasia Hydrafull gloss in Bellini (color is gorg! Never tried an Anastasia gloss before, and this didn’t disappoint)
  • The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Cedar Shampoo (generous package, will get at least three washes from it)
  • Clark’s Botanicals Intense Radiance Mask ( I have never heard of this brand, but love discovering new ones)
  • Amika Oil Treatment for hair (has argan and obliphica, and smells better than any other oil I have tried, also super generous amount will last months)
  • Laura Geller Spackle primer in Bronze (I actually have another sample of this but it’s almost gone. Now, I can continue to use it when the other when is finished. Also, this is the only product I saw in other posts and videos that is in mine so far).

Based on the sizes I received I am really pleased as punch about this month’s box. Yeah, I am a little disappointed that we still haven’t received another full size item in awhile and that they didn’t tie in a Halloween theme. Though, Halloween isn’t everyone’s cup of tea so I can imagine it would have frustrated people who dislike the holiday. Plus, no perfume samples :) ! It’s not that I mind trying new perfume because that’s usually how I end up finding one I like (by pure accident from a sample) …it’s just I have a whole bag of samples and really *really* don’t need more right now. So every month I don’t get one is a good month for me :)

Also, I threw on the gloss yesterday and did a quick FOTD picture:

Anastasia Gloss in Bellini

Product Breakdown-

Face:

  • Chanel Perfection Lumiere in 30 Beige (loving this!)
  • Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Roller
  • MAC Cream Colour Base in Seaside (cheekbones)
  • Tarte Clay Blush Exposed
  • Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze (contour/bronzer)
  • MAC MSFN Medium Plus mixed with Tarte powder to set

Eyes:

  • Chanel Illusion d’ Ombre in Emerveille (all over lid, tear duct)
  • MAC Creamy Bisque (tear duct, highlight)
  • MAC Moleskin (half of lid and crease to blend)
  • MAC Keep Your Cool Pro Longwear Shadow (outer V, Crease)
  • MAC Mystery (liner)
  • Maybelline Falsies Mascara

Lips:

  • Anastasia Hydrafull gloss in Bellini

Are you subscribed to Birchbox or something like it? Do you feel like a sample program is worth the monthly fee? So far I have been a little let down some months but mostly I like the service…though it could use some tweaking.

Posted in Birchbox, FOTD | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Top 5 Tuesday: Worth the Hype!

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Danielle

We all know how it feels when we hear about a product endlessly, ad nauseum, ad infinitum. We finally break down and buy the product. And our first reaction is, “WTF, this is what they’ve been banging on about?!” Complete disappointment. I have experienced it as much as any of you have, I am sure. But, there are products that I hear about over and over that are so totally worth it. That’s what this Top 5 Tuesday is all about. I heard about them, I dragged my feet, I gave in and fell in love.

(Side note, Top 5 Tuesdays aren’t going to be every Tuesday anymore. It was too much for me to have to do one every single week. I am aiming for once or twice a month now) :)

Worth the hype, y'all!

 

Skindinavia No More Shine Spray

I purchased this this past July and have used it almost every single day since. I spritz a little before moisturizing and a little when I am completely done with my makeup. It really, really enhances the longevity of my makeup AND significantly reduces the midday shine on my T-zone. It’s so refreshing and smells that way too. Absolutely worth the hype I heard about it before trying it.

I hear that Urban Decay’s setting sprays are also made by Skindinavia, just repackaged for Urban Decay. I don’t know whether the formula’s are exactly spot on or not, so I can’t say for sure that that’s the case. In any event, I bought this from DermStore and can’t recommend them enough. They ship fast (and free!) and my experience with their customer service is that they are second to none. I am not getting paid to say that and I bought this with my own money. I just think you should know about stores that conduct themselves very professionally :)

MAC 109 Brush

I dragged my feet about this one because of the price. Would I find it useful enough to warrant the cost? Would it be soft? Yes, and yes! Since ordering this a few weeks ago it’s the only thing I use for bronzer/contour. It is extremely good at that. The best I have tried for that purpose for sure. It’s soft and so far hasn’t shed a single hair when I use it (like, *ahem* most of my Sigma brushes).  If you are looking to splurge on a brush and you really like bronzer or contouring your face I’d say this is your best bet.

Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow Rose Gold and Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed

I am sure most of you have heard the Pixiwoo sisters carry on about the Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow Rose Gold cream highlighter, for good reason too. It’s my favorite highlighter to date. I prefer creams over powders because no matter how finely milled the powder, it still NEVER looks as seamless with the skin as cream highlighters do, at least in my opinion they don’t. I can’t remember when I bought this, but I think it was in April or May of this year. I can’t sing the praises of this product enough. It looks SO glowy and SO natural. Definitely worth it ladies!

The Tarte blushes we have been over before. Several times. Just do a search on my blog. It will yield several posts. I bought my first one in Feb. this year not having heard any hype about them but quickly fell in love. Many others have felt the same way I did which is why you hear about them all the time now. Exposed just happens to be a shade I am loving at the moment. The formula is excellent and lasts so long on my skin.

Inglot Eyeshadows!

I waited a long time after hearing about these shadows before finally caving in. My lovely friend DelytefulSpeaks sent me some in our swap this past summer and then I ordered more after trying them. They are smooth, pigmented as all get out and have a truly gorgeous shade selection. As a side note, I HATE ordering from their website. I hope my nearest Macy’s get Inglot in stores (yes, it’s coming to Macy’s!) so I can visit and play with the brand in person. The numbering system is confusing at best and I loathe it. But, it’s worth putting up with for what you get.

Shades shown here:

  • Top Palette: L-R: 395 Pearl, 420 Pearl, 434 Pearl, 444 Pearl, 338 Matte
  • Bottom Palette: L-R: 393 Pearl, 360 Matte, 487 DS, 419 Pearl, 414 Pearl

I will be doing swatches of my Inlgot products in the future. But I thought I’d share a few of them with you along with swatches of the blush and Jemma Kidd Rose Gold.

Swatches L-R: Inglot 338 Matte, 414 Pearl, 393 Pearl, 420 Pearl, Tarte Exposed, Jemma Kidd Rose Gold

Have any other recommendations for me? What have you bought off of the “hype” of something and fallen in love with? What are your favorite Inglot shadows?

Posted in Inglot, Jemma Kidd, MAC, Skindinavia, Tarte, Top 5 Tuesday | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Update! China Glaze Let It Snow- New Pictures!

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Danielle

Hi ladies! I wanted to put up sort of an “update” post to the one I did the other day. I didn’t have adequate time to do direct sunlight photos for the new China Glaze Let It Snow polishes I purchased (see original post here) so I wanted to do some more swatches when I got the chance. Enjoy! ;)

China Glaze Blue Year's Eve

 

China Glaze Winter Berry

 

China Glaze Glittering Garland

 

China Glaze Tinsel Town

 

China Glaze Snow Globe

*Side Note: On it’s own it seems that the opalescent effect at certain angles “yellows” parts of the nails. Not sure why.

China Glaze Twinkle Lights

  •  Thumb- 1 coat of Twinkle Lights
  • Index- 3 Coats of Twinkle Lights
  • Middle- 1 coat of China Glaze Winter Berry and 2 coats of Twinkle Lights
  • Ring- 1 coat of China Glaze Holly Day and 2 coats of Twinkle Lights
  • Pinkie- 1 coat of China Glaze Midnight Kisses (Holiday 2010) and two coats of Twinkle Lights

I personally like it best of Midnight Kisses, though it works great on it’s own as well.

 

 

Posted in China Glaze, Nail Polish | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

I am a…Lipstick Bandit!

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Danielle

Yes. Lipstick Bandits, unite! I was invited to the Lipstick Bandits by lovelies Rae from theNotice and Arianne from Glitter Geek and haven’t looked back since.

Sultry, mysterious and futuristic describes this Lipstick Bandit. I am a shape-shifter and shadow dweller and I loathe the boring lips of yesterday….

You Don't Know Me.

 

You Can't Catch Me.

 

Am I Here?

 

Or There?

 

I Am Everywhere. And Nowhere.

*Note: My lipstick in this picture looks more purple than it is. The close up of my lipstick and next picture are much more accurate representations of the color. ;)

Look Out.

Are You Ready?

Product Breakdown:

Face:

  • Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude + Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Medium
  • Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder in Bronze*

(yes, I did not use blush or concealer for this look. I used extra foundation for concealer for a better, more flawless match)

Eyes:

  • Sephora 12 Hour Jumbo Liner in Glitter Black
  • Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick in Platinum*
  • MAC Feline Kohl
  • Ardell Lashes #118 Black*

Lips:

  • MAC Impassioned+MAC Play Time+ MAC Girl About Town (I mixed the three together to create a custom lip color)

I definitely suggest checking out the other Lipstick Bandit posts here:

…if you dare! ;)

*Items marked with a ‘*’ were provided for review purposes only*
Posted in FOTD, Just For Fun, Lipstick | Tagged , , | 33 Comments