Tuesday, December 29, 2009

NOTW: Winter Shimmer

You know I couldn't go to Julep and NOT get a mani! Along with the Gingerbread PDQ Pedicure, I got my manicure on as well. I love how they incorporated glitter top coats for their winter season colors. Just makes everything fun and festive! I think I'll be doing glitters for a lil bit longer. :)

Red is it this season. Out of all of the holiday colors Julep had to offer, I was drawn to their shimmery red Marilyn. The odd one out is a shimmery white Kate.

The glitters I had applied on top was Gold Shimmer from Creative Nail Design over Marilyn and a loud silver calles Sex Symbol from Color club over Kate.

Up close.



I love getting my nails done. They look so perfect! I'm still trying to have a more steady hand when I do my at-home manicures.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone has been enjoying time off and spent it with their families. :) I've been enjoying my time eating, eating and eating some more. As well as drinking...tipped a few too many Crown shots on Christmas Day, but hey, it was a celebration. I'll try to have at least a couple posts this week before NYE! Be safe and enjoy the last few days of '09. :)

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Julep Gingerbread PDQ Pedicure

I finally made it to Julep to get a pedi done. A month after my last one. Too long!! I went with my fave Fall color Maggie and even picked up a bottle. :) although they forgot to give me
my member discount. :/ I'll have to note that the next time I head in. Well, the Gingerbread Lotion they have out now is reminiscent of the Pumpkin Spice with just a lil bit more clove. Loved it! I went to the DT Seattle location which is over on 5th Avenue, right across from the theater. Definitely a walk-to location since parking can be a pain. Amy was my vernniseur for my treatment who I would definitely recommend. :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhizzle

Monday, December 21, 2009

NOTW: Golden Delight

So much for NOT acquiring new product. Last weekend's trip to Old Navy trip yielded in a new nail polish. I don't have a gold shade like this and had to get it. Plus it was 50% off and I could swang a buck seventy-five. :)

Products used:
-1x coat OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
-2x coats Old Navy Tip Toe Nailpolish in Gold Rush
-2x coats Winmax Nail French on the left hand ring finger
-2x coats China Glaze Golden Enchantment Nail Polish as top coat

Swatch of Gold Rush


Two weeks in a row that the odd one out has been Winmax Nail French. I see this as a month long trend for my at-home manis. I do need to schedule a mani/pedi at Julep soon. They have a Gingerbread PDQ Manicure and Pedicure going on right now! :)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Sephora Freebies - Kat Von D

I really wanted the Kat Von D Sephora tote because it looked cool. Well, it isn't that great of quality, but it looks cool! Haha! Spend $25 and get the tote. LoL!

And I finally redeemed my points for the Kat Von D palette for 500 points. Yay! The last 500 point items weren't that great and thought this was the best trade-in they have had in awhile.

The compact has a cute design and a mirror on the lid. I am partial to the 2 middle pearl shadows - groupie & confessional. The 2 glitter shadows - believer and motorhead would need a base for the shadows to stick to. They have a bit of a grainier texture due to the glitter.


Swatches: confessional, believer, groupie & believer. I love how groupie has a bit of a blue inference. Can't wait to do an EOTD with this palette!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

FOTD: Smokey Pinks

I've really been stuck on my MAC Smokey Eyes Palette from how many years ago. I can't recollect which color story this was from but I do know it was one of the holiday sets. You can always find these 3 types of palette from MAC during the holiday season: smokey eye, cool and warm palettes. The past few years they have looked fairly similar and I've passed on buying them. I can't believe that this season has come and I haven't even thought about picking anything up. #1 because I need to stick to my rule of no buying until all the year's prod has been used & reviewed and #2 I'm b.o.b'n right now and need to not spend excessively. This has really been hard, but I need to really get it together.

In Vegas on the way to head out for a bite, Jolibee's *drool* and walk the strip.



Products used-

Face:
-MAC Studio Fix in C4
-NARS Blush in Deep Throat

Eyes:
-UDPP Sin
-MAC Eyeshadow in Vex to highlight
-MAC Eyeshadow in Malt in the crease
-MAC Eyeshadow in Satin Taupe in deep-v & contour
-MAC Power Kohl Liner in Orpheus on lower lashline
-Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara 2x coats on the top lashes
-Anastasia Brunette Brow Powder (used light powder) & set with Brow Gel

Lips:
- Tokidoki for Smashbox Lipgloss in Drammatica (not pictured)



Subtle, but defined. I dunno why I have been stuck on this combination of Malt, Vex and Satin Taupe, but it works and I've been doing this for the past few weeks now. What I like about this Smokey Eye palette is that there are varying shades and you're not stuck with either a charcoal or black shadow to work with.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

NOTW: Dark & Light

Yes I do love my festive holiday colors. but sometimes you can make the dark colors festive. I did just that by using Orly Twilight as my topcoat to add some stars to my nightsky.

Products used:
-1x coat OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
-2x coats MAC Nightfall Nail Lacquer
-2x coats Winmax Nail French on the left hand ring finger (odd one out is back!)
-2x coats Orly Twilight Nail Polish as top coat

My natural nails are weak, even with calcium and I rely on a nail strengthener to help keep my nails from bending/breaking/peeling. The OPI strenthener does help, but doesn't completely prevent these issues. I keep my nails short now, but I kind of miss my hooker acrylics at times. Especially while watching The Jersey Shore. All dem broads have talons! Maybe my next long vacation I'll get some gel nails put on so I don't have to worry about the manicure chipping. Is there a better acrylic nail manicure that I should know about?

I have had MAC Nightfall for a couple of years and love it more now than when I first bought it. I have a more steady hand using dark hues and can better achieve 2-3 thin coats that are a bit neater. The Winmax Nail French was one of my buck fitty Daiso finds that I love! I bought it initially to do a french mani, but I like it more as an all over nail color and it is perfect for the odd one out.

I was surprised how well this mani held up during the week. I only applied another coat of Twilight 2 days after and it remained relatively chip free for the entire week. The trouble spots are always where my nails are peeling. :\

Monday, December 14, 2009

Eyeko Pretty Eyes 5 in 1 Eyeshadow Cake

Guess what else I had been sitting on? My palette from Eyeko like over a year ago. Geeze. Really, I am doing better about blogging about prod that is sent to me. Sorry gals!

This palette reminds me of the Pop Beauty Eye Cake I reviewed back in September. Great to have 5 shadows in one tin that is easily portable.


Sugary sweet! This would be great for the spring or even an icy wintery look. I love having just a bit of shimmer in during all seasons, but this would be especially pretty paired up with a strong, red lip that I heart during December.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Mary Kate & Ashley Eye Glam - Eyeshadow Trios

This brand has now been discontinued at Wal-Mart and replaced by Hard Candy. I thought I would FINALLY review these. Sheesh. I'm finding prod all over that I've acquired througout the year that I haven't touched. smh I need to get through all of this before buying new stuff. Hmmm...I've heard that before. :\

Ms. B got the same trios. I picked up Passionate on the left and Luxurious on the right. I was really drawn to Passionate with the peach, gray and burgandy. Luxurious was a 'safe' choice with brown neutrals.


Passionate swatches


Luxurious swatches


These were about $3.00 each, but the quality wasn't that great. :\ These would need a base along with a primer. I would use either a MAC Shadestick or Paint Pot so the shadows have something to stick to.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Sally Beauty Nail Haul - Glittery Nailpolish Tops

China Glaze Golden Enchantment & Orly Twilight

Orly on left and China Glaze on right.

Holiday nails include lots of sparkle! I don't normally use sparkle nail polish except for the holidays or special occasions. Like I've said in previous posts, my candy kid days are over. When I glitterified EVERYTHING. These 2 are pretty subtle, especially the Orly Twilight. China Glaze's Golden Enchatment has a chunkier glitter and would probably require a couple coats to achieve a look I like. At $5 a pop, these are great additions to my collection.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

NOTW: Chi You Under The Mistletoe


Happy Holidays! I love reds anytime of year, but especially this time of year. CHI Chi You Under The Mistletoe is a pretty, pearly red that brings me some holiday cheer. :)

Products used:

1x coat OPI Natural Nail Strengthener
1x coat Orly Bonder Base Coat
2x coats CHI
1x coat Orly Top Coat

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Lashes

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Lashes & Runway Collection Nails;
I had recently been contacted to review Revlon's Fantasy Lengths Lashes and this is what I received! 4 pairs of lashes and also a set of nails in a hot design called Minx. I noticed that 2 sets of lashes had adhesive already on the lashes while the other 2 had a separate tube of adhesive to apply the lashes. I decided to bring the 'Intensifying' lashes that were pre-glued, with me to Vegas.

Intesifying What's cool about this set is that you get adhesive on the lash and also an extra strip to use. Well, in my case, I ended up only using these once because I partied a bit too hard.

Ready to hit up Tao! Ready to go! Rollin' like big shots in the '93 Accord Wagon that we VALETED everywhere we went. Haha! It was a quick trip down to the 702 with my gfs, but we weren't short on the memories for sure!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

POT(P)W: Las Vegas Nails!

Pedi of the (post) week! While in Vegas 2 weeks ago, I had to cheat on Julep and get a mani/pedi. It wasn't a terrible experience, but you just notice things that DON'T happen at Julep as opposed to your run of the mill strip mall nail joint. "I wonder how many times that file has been used on how many different customers?" Hmmm? Most of you are familiar with Anjelah Johnson and I really had a 'Beautifl Nai-yuh experience.

I got hustled. "You like design? I make nice fo you?" "Ummm, ok." "Ok, $6 extra ok? Ok." Well, they didn't charge me, but it was still pricey. I should just gone to the spa in the hotel and spend a little bit more for a more luxurious experience. Hahaha! You see those 3 star rhinestones? Those were gone by the morning. I either left them a) in Tao b) in the bed or c) in the '93 Accord station wagon. :D

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

NOT(P)W: Julep Maggie - Revisited

I wanted to show some pics of how gorgeous Maggie is on! I really need to head to Julep and pick up a bottle!


I really thought this may be a bit ghetto, but I was wrong. Loves!