Month: August 2024
I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo
I promise…I did NOT know this in advance…but Dave Grohl’s favorite color is green (at least according to some meme I saw on the internet.) That’s why Pinnacle Polish “I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo” was the perfect choice for attending a Foo Fighters concert in Portland a few weekends ago. I admit it, age has caught up with me and I wore earplugs through the whole concert and it was still plenty loud. Sorry, not sorry.
For some reason, I had assumed this polish was textured from the promotional shots…but it’s a scattered holographic polish. It had fantastic staying power and barely chipped.
This is two coats of “I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“.
August 2024 Ipsy Icon Box – Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
Oh. That girl from the lip sync show and her husband (I think he is a singer?) put their name on this quarter’s ipsy Icon Box. Cool cool.
I’m being a little sarcastic…of course, I know who Chrissy Teigen is. I don’t hate her or anything – she just exists in a realm so outside of my interests, that I don’t really have much to say about her – negative or positive.
That being said, this quarter’s Icon Box is pretty weird. The product choices were pretty lame. I picked Make Up Forever HD Skin Twist & Light 24HR Luminous Finishing Powder in “Light” ($45) and it was SO complicated to figure out how to use. I finally realized that twisting the bottom will fill up the middle reservoir with the powder. The powder seems to be a mix of skintone, pink and purple powder, so it makes my skin kind of…fairy-like and glowy? I haven’t even tried the other two product choices – Too Faced Better Than Sex Volumizing Mascara ($29) and Moon Oral Care Kendall Jenner Rose Mint Teeth Whitening Pen ($24.99). I know I have a strict anti-Kardashian/Jenner rule, but maybe I can sell it on Poshmark?
I have tried several of the other box items: Femmue Brilliant Cleansing Gel ($32 and a BITCH to rinse clean from my face); GXVE Beauty Most Def Clean Instant Definition Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in “4 – Neutral Medium Brown” ($24 and an intriguing blade-like pencil – I really like this for my brows); Il Makiage Color Boss Master Eyeshadow Palette ($61 – REALLY – and I haven’t tried it yet); Lithe Beauty Everyday Brush Set ($48 and the last thing I need is more makeup brushes, but I didn’t have a choice); and MZ Skin Calming Moisturizer ($130 – I’m using at night and WHAT THE FUCK is up with the price?).
Supposedly, this is $394 worth of weird ass products. The only one I’d buy again is the $24 Gwen Stefani Brow Pencil…Here’s to hoping the next quarter is better.
I subscribe to the basic ipsy bag for $14/month (recently increased from $13/month) and Icon Box (formerly Glam Bag X) for an extra $60/quarterly (recently increased from $43/quarterly). If you’d like to try Ipsy – click here. I’ll earn 250 points if you sign up through my referral link.
You Will Respect My Authoritahhh!
I bet you thought THIS polish would be the first one I’d try…because it’s South Park related!
Lilypad Lacquer “You Will Respect My Authoritahhh!” is inspired by Officer Cartman and his memorable catchphrase. This royal blue polish with gold iridescent flakies is reminiscent of his mirrored shades and blue uniform. It’s a GORGEOUS polish in person – this picture doesn’t do it justice.
This is two coats of “You Will Respect My Authoritahhh!” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Champagne Toast“. (I used up “Raspberry Pop” – I am so sad, I loved the scent, but this one isn’t bad.)
Rosewater
Is it pink or is it blue?
Yes.
I picked up By Dany Vianna “Rosewater” during July’s Rewind PPU, but it was originally from April 2023 – Flower Power. (That month must have been gorgeous!) To me, the light pink glitters look like rose petals floating in a sundrenched fountain. The light picks up a bluish gold sheen like a reflection in the water. I appreciate details like this in a polish. THIS is why I spend $14 on indie nail polish. Sally Hansen could NEVER.
This is two coats of “Rosewater” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Raspberry Pop“.
Did it surprise you that this is the first one I tried?
Polish Pickup July 2024 – Rewind
Somehow, I missed June’s Polish Pickup…I was traveling and it just slipped my mind. So that’s my excuse for going fucking HAM in July. 10 polishes…FUCK YEAH!
Starting from the top left and going clockwise:
Beaux Rêves Lacquer “Blooming Azalea” ($12) was originally from January 2024 – Deadly Plants. It’s inspired by azaleas and is a magnetic polish. I’m unlikely to magnetize it though.
Atomic Polish “Sour Apple Rings” ($13.50) was from May 2023 – Junk Food. It appears fairly self explanatory.
Cuticula “Never Sleep Again” ($13) was from September 2022 – Scary Vibes. Helloooo Freddy Krueger!
Limitless Top Coat by Cuticula in “Champagne Toast” ($10) was from April 2023 – Flower Power.
Pinnacle Polish “I Made a Promise, Mr. Frodo” ($13) was from October 2022 – Sidekicks. It was inspired by ass-kicking Samwise Gamgee.
By Dany Vianna “Rosewater” ($14) was another from April 2023 – Flower Power. It’s inspired by…rosewater.
Jior Couture “The Tea On The Manatee” ($13.75) was from way back in October 2021 – Monsters & Mythical Creatures. This thermal polish is inspired by the idea that sailors often mistook manatees for mermaids.
Crystal Knockout “25 Fly” ($12.50) was from October 2023 – 90’s Grunge and inspired by Veruca Salt’s “American Thighs” album.
Lilypad Lacquer “You will respect my authoritahhh!” ($14) was from February 2022 – 90’s TV and inspired by Officer Cartman.
Last, but not least…Sweet Heart Polish “You Betta Recognize” ($13) was from February 2024 – Wild Animals and inspired by the red Veiltail Betta fish.
I bet you’ll never guess which one I picked to try first…
Squidward
I’d rather have Squidward’s Nose…
…you’ve heard that song, right? Right? RIGHT!
I’ve been a bit obsessed with shades of aquamarine like this over the past few years…hell, my living room is about this shade. I even got a “Handsome Squidward” figurine to match. I am IN LOVE with Nailtopia “Squidward”. It’s such a good quality polish – it self-levels and doesn’t stain. I wish it was a bit cheaper, but there are always sales to be had and coupons to be used.
This is two coats of “Squidward” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
Well, Fuck You TOO Fed Ex
I was shocked that my poor Ulta order made it through this abuse from Fed Ex…UPS would NEVER.
Really, the main product I was worried about was the L’Oreal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation In A Powder in “20 Ivory” ($12.74 – 25% off), but I spy no cracks. I would’ve been SO MAD!
I also decided to try Derma E Psorzema Scalp Relief Shampoo and Conditioner ($9.75 each – 25% off) to tackle the heartbreak of psoriasis. It has tee tree oil and tingles. [My late mother LOVED tingly shampoo, especially Nioxin – I feel like she would’ve LIVED for this product.]
I’d been fairly indifferent to the endless Disney Collection from Nailtopia, but I literally screamed when I saw Nailtopia’s Spongebob Squarepants 25th Anniversary collection – and on sale for 30% off. I controlled myself and only picked up “Squidward” and “Golden Pineapple”. Oh, and throw in a new Eco Tools Exfoliating EcoPouf Loofah ($2.99) and Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser with Aloe Vera ($14.99) for good measure.
I lucked into three different gifts with purchase! The Free 11 Piece Back To School sampler with $50 purchase came with Matrix Food for Soft Shampoo & Conditioner (deluxe bottles!); Redken One United Multi-Benefit Treatment; Lancome Lipstick (some random pink color); another Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser with Aloe Vera (going in my travel bag NOW); it Cosmetics Superhero Elastic Stretch Mascara in “Super Black”; NYX Vivid Rich Mechanical Eyeliner in “Always Onyx”; L’Oreal Revitalift Derm Intensives Plumping Serum (hello, travel bag); Maybelline The Falsies Surreal Mascara; La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50; and CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser. That’s a DAMN GOOD freebie bag! I also got a Kiehl’s Free Set For School Gift #3 with $50 purchase that came with Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution; Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser; and Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Soft Cream. Last, but not least, there was the Free 13 Piece Mystery Sampler with $60 Ulta Beauty Rewards Credit Card purchase that came with OUAI Leave In Conditioner; Sunday Riley C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil; Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm; Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Primer (ugh, I just got rid of like…10 of these); Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer (travel bag); Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum; Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum (travel bag – LOVE this stuff); it Cosmetics Confidence in an Eye Cream; La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (travel bag); Vichy Liftactiv Supreme H.A. Serum; Lancome Cils Booster XL Mascara Base; L’Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream; and e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. I’ve got a lot of trips coming up and I’m set on samples for my travel bag!
I got my hairs did yesterday and my son and his girlfriend have been using my Ulta account, so only $164 to Diamond in 2025.
Vampire Blood Halloween Drop
Look, I KNOW I am running out of room in my shower for Shower Gel…but I had two free products (up to $16.95 each) expiring in August and I got an email about a sneak preview Halloween Drop (with FREE SHIPPING) and you know the rest.
Ever since getting those “Vampire Blood” candles and lotion from the Winter Semi-Annual Sale, I’ve been wanting more of the scent. I sprung for two Shower Gels, a Body Lotion, Hand Soap (Gel AND Foaming), as well as Car Fragrance Refills. I liked a lot of the scent accessories, but they can all wait for clearance…except the bejeweled Car Fragrance Holder ($11.95) – I couldn’t risk it being sold out next winter. My only regret is that I thought I had added a mini “Vampire Blood” Fine Fragrance Mist to my cart and I did not…sigh.
I snagged a few leftovers from the Summer Semi-Annual – “Calypso Clementine” for me and “Bridgerton Diamond of the Season” for a special someone.
I need to step away from my GMAIL…
Go Ahead and Bite Me
Sinful Colors “Bite Me” is totally different than Sinful Colors “Bite”…and I used the post title on the wrong polish…
How long has this polish been chilling in a cabinet? Only since 2020, not too bad. This polish was not at all what I expected. I was expecting a cold red crème with just a few black glitters, but I ended up with a warm red with gold shimmer and a fuck-ton of black glitter. It reminds me of a smear of dried period blood. Gross.
My only complaint about the polish is the fact that it pulls away from the tip of the nail. Other than that, it’s fantastic.
This is two coats of “Bite” over Glisten & Glow Ridge Filling Base Coat and under Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and Glisten & Glow Top Coat.
Cosmic Illusion
See, this is the type of result I was expecting from “Little King Trash Mouth”! I wanted to see a dramatic transition from black to white and this polish BRINGS IT.
The polish BRINGING IT is Colores de Carol “Cosmic Illusion” from May’s Polish Pickup – It Came from Outer Space. For my first use, I wanted to see how many glitters came out of the bottle naturally…because THIS polish came with a little bag of extra round glitters, so I could create my own solar system. How fun!
This is two coats of “Cosmic Illusion” over Cuticula Mic Drop Base Coat in “Melt Down” and under Glisten & Glow Glitter Grabber and then Cuticula Limitless Top Coat in “Raspberry Pop”.