Month: April 2016
Graffiti Bridge
Now THIS one turned out sooooo much better.
I killed two birds with one stone – Prince + using a new polish. I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and then two coats of Sinful Colors “Stone Cold” for the bridge. For the graffiti, I used Funky Fingers “As If”. Once again, I had no problem getting stars out of the bottle. I got a few for each nail without even trying. Finished with “HK Girl”.
Shhh…don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never seen Graffiti Bridge. Surely, I’m not the only one…
Raspberry Beret
Raspberry Beret turned out kind of weird. I was going for a velvet-y look, which it kind of does? Note to self: Don’t use a matte top coat with a jelly polish.
I started with Zoya Anchor and then two coats of Zoya “Paloma”. I then topped with Zoya Matte Velvet Top Coat and that’s when things got weird. It looked fine at first, but it started to shrink around the edges. I actually got long furrows in my thumb nail – almost like a crackle polish. I also got a weird white residue on my thumb. Does matte top coat go bad?
Yeah, I took this off the very next day.
Getting Funky
I absolutely cannot walk into Five Below without walking out with at least 3 fingernail polishes – it just does not happen. All I was looking for was a bag of poop…
I brought home Funky Fingers “Son of a Nutcracker” – white, pink and green glitter from last year’s Elf Collection (I love pink and green together, Xmas or not); “As If” – black, pink and purple glitter with stars; and “Bottle Rockets” – red, white and blue glitter, perfect for the 4th of July.
They didn’t seem to have any new collections since the last time I was there a few months ago. They better get on the ball or I won’t have anything to buy!
Purple Rain
How could I not honor His Royal Purple Sexiness? Who is gonna make music to fuck to now?
After starting with Julep Oxygen Bonding Base Coat, I painted 2 coats of Julep “Aubrey”, Rosewood Shimmer AKA browny purple. I used Julep “Geo” as an accent on my thumb and ring finger for the rain. Top coat is “HK Girl”.
Thinking about a whole series of Prince tributes…Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret, Diamonds and Pearls…
Sephora Play! 08 – The It Crowd
Oh, hi there Sephora Play! The 8th box is “the It Crowd”, something I’ve never really been a part of…
This month’s box has several products I’m excited to try…Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil (it smells AWESOME); Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment; Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream; NARS Satin Lip Pencil in “Rikugien” (I have one of these from LAST year’s Sephora birthday gift); Sephora Collection Colorful Cheek Ink Blush Gel in “Peony”; and Derek Lam 10 Crosby “2AM Kiss” (it smells like something I’ve smelled before, but I can’t place it.)
If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. This is by far the best subscription box I get every month. Sephora Play is only $10/month. You can sign up at sephora.com/play.
Company Blue
Another 97 cent polish…this one is essie “Strut Your Stuff” – a bright turquoise blue creme.
I decided to mix it up and start with Orly Bonder. The first coat had a few streaks, but two coats were perfect. I’m getting better with cremes – as long as I keep it from pooling around the edges, I’ve been able to avoid the crusties. I topped with “HK Girl”, which dragged a few bald spots. Luckily, they were all on my right hand.
I’d like to see this color with a silver glitter gradient – that would be luxurious.
This blue is the same exact blue as my employer’s logo. I bet I could stick my fingers in a Pantone machine and get a trademark warning…
Long Kiss
Miss me? Been a bit busy, as all of Southeast Texas is now beachfront property. We’re all safe and dry (now) and I can get back my nails.
China Glaze “Long Kiss” is a luscious, shimmery wine. Not bad for 97 cents! I probably have a dozen or so maroon/wine/blood polishes, but I forget them all when I see a new one. I started with Sinful Colors Base Coat and then two clean coats of “Long Kiss”. I could’ve gone with one…but I never go with just one. The consistency is perfect – smooth and even. I got a few bubbles, but they disappeared under “HK Girl”.
I did these Saturday night and they lasted well up until today, with just a few chips on my right thumb. I did my toes, too and they’re still going strong.
April Ipsy Bag – The Dreamers
April’s ipsy glam bag is so dreamy…a rainbow tie-dyed canvas bag, ready for Woodstock…or Coachella, if you’re into that kind of thing. It’s a fitting bag for this month’s theme – “The Dreamers”.
I am loving the products I got this month: tarte LipSurgence Lip Creme in “Wonder”; Skinn Cosmetics Bright Eyes Eye Enhancing Eyeliner (looks like a dupe for Urban Decay’s new nude waterline pencil…I’m still scared to fuck with my waterline); Crown Brush Duo Fiber Blush Brush (I cannot give up my angled Coastal Scents brush – NOPE); pur~lisse Beauty Blue Lotus & White Tea + Seaweed Sheet Mask (2!); and Nomad Cosmetics NOMAD x Marrakesh Intense Eyeshadow in “Desert Sands”.
If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my link.
April Birchbox – Effortlessly Elegant
Yet again, I chose the curated box option this month. “Effortlessly Elegant” is a collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. and includes products to get you ready for Spring.
I chose this box primarily for the Laura Geller Naked Blush -N- Brighten in “Tropic Hues”. For the last three decades, I haven’t really paid attention to blush – but for some reason, 2016 is the year I started freaking out about blush. Weird. Also in this month’s box: Marcelle 3-in-1 Micellular Solution (What the fuck is the deal with Micellular Water?); Dr. Jart+ Liftra Contour Cream; PARLOR by Jeff Chastain Volumizing Lifting Spray (I think a I have a full set now); and Tocca Crema de Mano in “Guilietta” (green apple and tulip – not bad).
If you would like to try Birchbox, click on my referral link – https://www.birchbox.com/invite/5453f – I’ll get 50 points if you join.
Ulta…Note?
Ulta gives out unique coupon codes for their spring 20% off, so I didn’t have a cute name for this post…Instead of one or two big things, I bought a lot of little stuff. I also bought some gifts for another upcoming birthday, so those items are not shown, of course.
I can’t pass up 97 cent polishes, so the first thing I added to my cart were essie “Strut Your Stuff” and China Glaze “Long Kiss”. I then added two Freeman Beauty Masks – “Sweet Tea & Lemon Peel-Away Clay Mask” and “Apple Cider Vinegar 4-in-1 Foaming Clay”. I wanted to try another shade of Makeup Revolution Lip Euphoria, so I got “Aura”. I added another Zoya Remove+ for shits and giggles.
There were so many gifts with purchase last week! I got free Redken pack with Beach Envy Volume Texturizing Shampoo & Conditioner, Beach Envy Wave Aid and 25 Benefits One United Multi-Benefit Treatment (I have a full size of this that I use all the time). I also got a free Ahava pack with Dead Sea Crystal Osmoter Facial Serum (the fuck?), Time to Clear Purifying Mud Mask, Time to Hydrate Essential Day Moisturizer, Dead Sea Water Mineral Body Lotion, and a free tote bag. By far, the best samples were in the free Smashbox bag, which came with all this: Ahava Beauty Before Age Uplift Day and Uplift Night Cream, Parissa Brow Shaper Mini Wax Strips (I don’t have eyebrows, but I have a mustache – wonder if it will work?), pür Correcting Primer, Hampton Sun Sunless Tanning Gel (NO), Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge (me likey), Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue (me no likey), MyChelle Dermaceuticals Refining Sugar Cleanser, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (for real), StriVectin Advanced Retinol Intensive Night Moisturizer, It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, LORAC POREfection Mattifying Face Primer and Benefit Benetint.
Oh ya, also samples of Benefit Dew the Hoola Bronzer and Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation.
Phew…my fingers are TIRED.