Month: August 2023
Don’t Go In There. It’s Haunted AF.
I took a brief break from thermals with Dam Nail Polish “Don’t Go In There. It’s Haunted AF.” from July’s Polish Pickup. It’s a blue/green shifting polish with a pink/gold shimmer.
This is two coats of “Don’t Go In There. It’s Haunted AF.” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and topped with Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”.
The polish was originally part of the September 2022 Polish Pickup – Scary Vibes. It’s inspired by a spooky haunted house, guarded by pumpkins. I have never seen one, but I guarantee you I would not go in there.
The Toxic Bitch
Fancy Gloss “The Toxic Bitch” is THE most amazing thermal nail polish I’ve ever seen. It’s a tri-thermal – ranging from dark teal to bright green to chartreuse. It’s from June 2020 (Cocktails and Mocktails) and it based on a blue curacao (DUH) drink called “The Toxic Bitch”. I will drink ANYTHING blue, so I’m dying to try it. (It pretty much sounds like Electric Lemonade with tequila.)
I also figured out a better way to get thermal pictures. Instead of rubbing an ice cube on my fingers, I dunked my whole hand in ice water to get the coldest shade (dark teal in this case) and took pictures as my fingers warmed up (the fade from teal to green to chartreuse).
This is two coats of “The Toxic Bitch” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and under Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”. The polish lasted phenomenally AND wasn’t a pain in the ass to get off – win/win. I need to try it again when my nails are longer!
August 2023 Ipsy Icon Box – Vanessa Hudgens
This quarter’s Icon Box is fronted by Miss High School Musical herself, Vanessa Hudgens. Vanessa Hudgens is a REAL star, not just an influencer or brand owner. How on earth does she have time to curate a beauty box in between movies and albums? Is it because of the actors’ strike?
The item I was most excited to try out was Il Makiage Color Boss Master Eyeshadow Palette in “Hundo P”. The brand is nearly ubiquitous for their magical color matching foundation…which I haven’t tried. I was somewhat disappointed by the eye shadow. It’s got a weird creamy texture that I haven’t mastered quite yet. That being said, it blends amazingly well. Once I get the hang of it, I suspect my disappointment will turn to joy.
The three products I chose were Keys Soulcare Golden Cleanser (you know I love washing my face…I keeping picking Keys Soulcare items, eventually I’ll have the whole line); Goldfaden MD Facial Detox Clarify + Clear Mask (you know I love a good clay mask – I just used the last of the Dew of Gods Mask); and Earth Harbor Naturals Azure Regenerative Neck Creme (I don’t remember what the choices were, but I guess this was the best one – have not tried it yet).
A few of the products I will NEVER use: Iconic London Lip and Cheek Cream Trio (ugh, remember creme rouge in the 80s?) and Wander Beauty Skyliner Automatic Gel Eyeliner Duo in “Jet Black” and “Tan Lines” (ugh, no more eye liner, please).
The last two products will get some use. I’ve been using the Volition Beauty Neroli Complete Crème before bed. It’s not as good as their Yaupon Moisturizer, but not bad. I haven’t tried the Joanna Vargas Skin Care Magic Serum – I’ll try it after I finish off the JLO Glow.
This month’s box was worth $418…not bad!
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $13/month and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $43/quarterly. If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
In Sprite of It All
I know, I know…my nails are not NEARLY long enough to properly show off thermal nail polishes. Well, not long enough without help from a little ice. That’s right, I rubbed an ice cube across my nails in the second picture to show off the color change. It’s not nearly as amazingly beautiful in pictures, as in real life.
Anyway, the polish is Crystal Knockout “In Sprite of It All”, from July’s Polish Pickup. The polish is inspired by Spryte, from the Zelda cartoon. There is most definitely a fairy quality to the polish, although I was drawn to it because the swatch shots reminded me of an amethyst geode.
This is two coats of “In Sprite of It All” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and topped with Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber, then Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Island Petals”.
Polish Pickup July 2023 – REWIND
I absolutely LOVE that every July, Polish Pickup does a “REWIND” month that allows folks to have a chance to buy polishes that they may have missed out on from past months. Of course, the selection is dependent on what products the makers make available – I kind of went nuts on thermal polishes…
Crystal Knockout “In Sprite of It All” ($12.50) is a sparkly thermal polish. It’s from October 2022 – Sidekicks, and is inspired by Sprite from Legend of Zelda. I have never played it or watched any of the cartoons, so I’ll take their word for it. I just bought it because it reminds me of my birthstone, amethyst.
Dam Nail Polish “Don’t Go in There, it’s Haunted AF” ($13) is NOT a thermal polish. It’s from September 2022 – Scary Vibes, and is inspired by a haunted house with pumpkin guards (I cannot even visualize that, but whatever).
Fancy Gloss “The Toxic Bitch” ($13) is a TRI-THERMAL and is from June 2020 – Cocktails and Mocktails. I’ve seen the swatches and I am VERY excited to try it…there’s a surprise in this polish and I don’t want to ruin it!
Swamp Gloss “Whoa” ($13.50) is yet another thermal polish. It’s from April 2021 – The Nineties, and is inspired by the one and only Keanu Reeves. I mean…who else could “Whoa” be referring to? (If anyone says Joey Lawrence, I will SLAP them.)
Oh, and I got Vapid Wax “It’s Like RAYYYYEEEEAAAYYYYNNNN” ($5) – I love the scent of petrichor and rain in general, so this is going right into my bathroom warmer. This one was from March 2019 – Album Covers.
I went so crazy in July that I held myself back from even LOOKING at the August Polish Pickup last week…Not sure if I’ll purchase in September, but I already KNOW I am going to load up on spooky October polishes.
Tropic Like It’s Hot
I was surprised to get so many compliments on a nail polish that made my fingers look like highlighters.
I got China Glaze “Tropic Like It’s Hot” in a National Nail Polish Day Gift with Purchase. I now know why it was free – the brush was funky and the polish was streaky as fuck. It was from the Summer 2021 Havana Nights Collection, so it’s a few years old.
This is two coats of “Tropic Like It’s Hot” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Top Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
Reno Wedding Nails
…OH, not MY wedding. I got married in Vegas, like…twenty years ago. My niece got married in Reno last weekend. I was wearing a Barbie pink dress, so I thought pink nails would be too matchy-matchy, so I went for a rose gold type thing.
I started with Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and two coats of Sally Hansen Color Therapy “Burnished Bronze”. I used a little bit of Funky Fingers “Supernova” on the tips for extra gold and pink glitter. A quick layer of Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and I finished with Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
I would’ve liked a better blend with the base of “Supernova” and “Burnished Bronze”, but I didn’t have time to start over. You git what you git and you don’t have a fit.
Barbie Ulta Haul
Even though I know the quality is gonna be bargain basement, I went ahead and ordered the NYX Limited Edition Barbie The Movie Collection Vault PR Kit ($90). The set includes BARBIE Mini Palette in “It’s a BARBIE PARTY!”; BARBIE Mini Palette in “Turn Up the KEN-ERGY!”; BARBIE Jumbo Eye Pencil Kit; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Dreamhouse Pink”; BARBIE Smooth Whip in “Perfect Day Pink”; BARBIE Mini Cheek Palette; BARBIE Butter Lip Gloss; BARBIE Jumbo Lash; and a BARBIE Flip Phone Mirror.
As I suspected the quality is mid…but it’s Barbie, so I don’t care. The eyeshadows and blush are fine, but the lipsticks are shit and smear all over everything. Lily wants the little flip phone mirror, so I’ll probabaly just let her have it, as well as the lashes. This set is a far cry from Colourpop’s Malibu Barbie Set, but it’s not total trash. I’m glad I ordered this when I did – it’s out of stock and I doubt it’s coming back.
There was a lot of other Barbie stuff for sale – hair ties, OPI Nail Polish, CHI dryers and straighteners…but the only other thing I got was Barbie x Moon Bubble Mint Whitening Toothpaste ($12.99). It’s kind of disappointing for a $13 toothpaste. It tastes like the Barbie and Spongebob toothpaste I used to buy for my kids when they were toddlers.
Oh, I also bought some stuff I had been saving in my cart. I got a Milani Green Goddess Transforming Lip Balm ($9.99) because I was hoping for a dupe of my beloved Frog Prince Lipstick…it’s not exact, but it’s decently close! The Tony Moly Tako Pore Blackhead Scrub Stick ($12.50) works really well. I don’t know HOW is scrubs out my nose pores, but it does.
I also got a free sample pack with my purchase that included Mugler Alien (I fucking hate this scent and give it away the first chance I get); Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune; Prada Ocean Luna Rossa; La Roche-Posay Vitamin C Serum (my daughter showed me THAT TikTok and now I cannot help but think of roach pussy every time I see this brand); Tanologist Face + Body Drops (will be given to a child); KylieSkin Hydrating Face Mask (low key scared to try it); and Avene Solaire UV Sunscreen Fluid. This is one of the shittiest sample packs I’ve gotten in ages – like they are trying to get rid of nasty shit. At least I got to use a $5 off $25 coupon…
$366 to Diamond in 2024. (I got my hair did a few weeks ago – even though I used $175 in Ulta Points, I still spent $90 or so.)
Wooaaaaaah Pigeon on a Chair
Okay, last polish from June’s Polish Pickup…because July’s will be in my mailbox today or tomorrow!
This is Danglefoot Nail Polish “Wooaaaaaah Pigeon on a Chair”. I haven’t personally heard this particular misheard Bon Jovi lyric, but maybe it’s from across the pond? Danglefoot is a UK indie brand, so I never would’ve gotten my hands on it without Polish Pickup.
I am always attracted to turquoise/red combos, so this turquoise polish with red/black flakies and and an orange/pink shimmer was MADE for me.
This is two coats of “Wooaaaaaah Pigeon on a Chair” over Vibrant Scents Base Coat in “Island Petals” and topped with Vibrant Scents Top Coat in “Vibrant Petals”. I think it would look SMASHING with a matte top coat.