Swatch: Nicole by OPI Gumdrops Candy Is Dandy

Steering away from my neon madness (have I lost my mind?!), I finally painted my nails a different color! I honestly couldn't wait to the Nicole by OPI polish out once I had purchased it.

I was beyond excited to find out that CVS and Harmons had the Gumdrops collection out, because I swear the stores around me just don't get collections. Or they get them five months later then they stay in the stores for five months. There are other collections!

Gumdrops is Nicole by OPIs answer to texture polishes. I actually think the name if appropriate because the finish makes it appear as a gum drop.

Candy is Dandy

The first one that I got from the collection is Candy is Dandy. It's a cross between a barbie pink and a baby pink; with tiny bits of glitter, as well as hexagon glitters.

Directions: Apply base and two coats of color. Do not use top coat.

Honestly, I applied a top coat over this when I swatched it on my nail wheel and it didn't do anything. It didn't change the texture, nor did it smooth it out. Then again, I only applied one top coat.

Application: Easy, but this one (as far as I know) is on the sheer side. Two coats and I can still see the free edge of my nails. I would definitely say, a third coat could be applied, or possible a thicker second coat.

Vivid camera setting

Tried to get the camera to un-focus on the nails to show the glitz.

Overall Verdict: I love the fact that there is glitter mixed in, although it's suppose to dry to a matte finish, it STILL looks shiny and sparkly due to that little added touch. Definitely plan on getting a few others from the collection :D

Price: Varies, I purchased this for $6.94, but the price can go up to $8.00.

Availability: Anywhere that Nicole by OPI is sold.

Haul Ahoy!: Could a day be anymore Purrfect?

This is a small haul from yesterday (Friday), I normally prefer not to do posts about hauls, but I was definitely excited about this one! I just couldn't resist. So, this will be a quick post.

Two I purchased at Target, and the other two from Harmons.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Gel Shadow in Fierce and Tangy ($2.97 - Target)
Color Club Girl About Town in East Austin ($4.29 - Harmons)
Nicole by OPI Gumdrops in Candy is Dandy ($6.94 - Harmons)
Katy Perry Purr Perfume ($8.84 - Target)

The Katy Perry perfume was a major find for me, it was at one of the Clearance end caps on a back aisle. So if you're looking for that perfume, in particular, definitely check out any of the end caps Target has.

Manicure: Sparkling Splatters

I'm back with another manicure post! I'm beginning to think I'm going a little over board with the splattering ;x I actually find it fun though, even if it is entirely messy. I do think that I'm doing something wrong, the polish doesn't always want to splatter. Takes a few goes, and a lot of frustration as well.

Ruby Wing Groupie and Electric Firefly

 Either way, I love the final result, although I was iffy on the ring finger. Most wanted to know if the manicure glowed in the dark because of the neons (have I mentioned that I'm obsessed with them STILL?).

I did use a white polish as a base under Electric Firefly, which makes the color show up so much easier than layering. 

The splattering is easy (although frustrating!), I just used a couple of straws and kept replenishing Groupie on the tin foil due to it's ability to try fairly quick. Yes, I used tin foil this time instead of styrofoam!

For the ring finger, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, then just winged it with the tape. I went from the corner of the free edge nail, down to just above the cuticle on both sides of the nail, then painted Groupie over Electric Firefly. Two coats would have made this better, but it was late. Gah! I felt that it was still missing something, so I added a rhinestone to the point of Groupie. Then sealed everything with a top coat. This is the first time in a few years that I actually used rhinestones!

And that's that!

Review: Sally Girl Eye Shadow Connecting Compacts

I'm sure many of you have heard of Sally Girl, if not this is a cosmetic brand that is from the Sally Beauty Supply chain. They have mini glosses, mini polishes, baked eye shadows, and more. But this post is focusing on three of the eye shadows that come from the Sally Girl Connecting Compacts.

I've actually had a couple of these before, and never quite thought much of them. I had them years ago back, I think when Sally Beauty introduced Sally Girl. At the time, they were chalky and hardly pigmented. Seldom hits, mostly misses. But after revisiting these eye shadows, I feel that a review was very much needed!

So, without further ado, on to the review!

Favorites: June 2013

Tada! June Favorites! Better late than never right? I apologize for the lack of posts recently, the past week has been a bit much to absorb, a lot of sadness, a lot of confusion and mostly me going "what the heck is going on?!".

With that said and a simple intro, so I'm just going to jump right into my favorites :D

Urban Decay Naked Basics [review]

The long-awaited, multipurpose MATTE companion to Naked is the palette everyone needs in their beauty arsenal. With six versatile and extremely wearable Naked shades, it has everything you need for the perfect neutral matte eye—including four totally new and exclusive shades. It all comes in a sleek compact embossed with a pretty, metallic NAKED on the front that has a slight sheen and suede-like feel that begs to be touched. Best of all, the slim design is perfect for travel, so you’ll never have to be without these must-have shades. 

This has been my go to palette for the entire month of June just about besides another eyeshadow that's on here. I've used it to the point that I have put a dent into Faint! I absolutely love this palette.

Wet n Wild Coverall Cream Foundation in Fair [review]

Glides on weightlessly for sheer-to-medium coverage that’s never heavy, chalky, or dull. Evens out flaws with a silky, semi-matte finish that let’s your skin’s natural luminescence shine through. Contains SPF 15 for the ultimate in anti-aging treatment.

Made it once again into my favorites, seriously love, love, love this foundation! This is actually my second one :o!

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Fair [review]

Maracuja creaseless concealer offers long-lasting, full coverage in a rich, creamy texture with pure, skin-soothing, and anti-aging ingredients. This velvety concealer is also ideal for masking discoloration and imperfections such as acne/blemishes, redness, scars, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles. This nutrient-rich, blendable, liquid concealer brightens and restores skin’s natural luster, leaving you with a flawless complexion.

Once I warmed up to this concealer, I love using it when I have the extra time and am not in a rush. This is one concealer that doesn't give me much trouble, only when applying because it likes to shift a tad when I'm patting it in.

Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara [review]

Make an IMPACT! This revolutionary mascara formula provides EXTREME volume and length with a silicon complex that provides elasticity and flexibility. Proven to enhance the natural lash up to 8X, this all-in-one formula is enriched with Kernel Oil to permeate and condition each lash to promote healthy, strong hairs while adding color and shine.

This has been, just about, the only mascara that I used during June, especially during the work week. No smudges, no budging, no raccoon eyes. All a plus for me!

Milani Eye Shadow Primer [review]

Intensifies and extends the wear of any shadow, over 8 hour wear. A lightweight invisible finish works on all skin tones. The primer helps provide a seamless canvas for eyeshadow application and minimizes creasing throughout the day.   Makes any cream or powder eyeshadow long-wearing!

I used this through the entire month of June! Normally I'd reach for something else, but this was what I constantly reached for in order to keep my eye shadow fresh looking.

M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Club [rediscovered]

This is an eye shadow that I had for about 2 years, and during the end of May, I picked it back up again. To be honest, I don't even know why I never bothered with this one in the first place. IT IS AMAZING! When I wasn't using Urban Decay Naked Basics, I used Club, with and without a dark base. It's absolutely stunning either way. Plus I always get compliments when wearing it. Plus, plus, plus!

Ruby Wing Summer Collection in Groupie [review]

If you love the beach even though your life doesn't always feel like a day at one, and celebrate life and everything it has to offer – there's now a nail polish that celebrates you.   Ruby Wing is every free-spirit's dream: color changing nail polish that transforms in sunlight.   Our color changing technology lets you switch your style from day to night, indoors to outdoors.   Each one of our shades dramatically change in direct sunlight and then back again once inside.

This is probably, just about, the only nail polish color I wore during June. Save for nail art, I constantly went for this one simply because it's a neon pink that doesn't go matte when dried!


Non-Beauty Related Favorite of the Month

Ignore the finger prints! I need to get a shield still.

My Nook HD+! I got this on sale during Father's Day and I take it with me EVERYWHERE. On Saturdays when I'm at work, I have my music blaring out of this instead of my MP3 player (yeah, I don't have a fancy iPod). I love, love, love this. I'm always playing some type of game on it, plus reading, Yes, reading. I read xD Although I do prefer my Kindle over the Nook when it comes to the reading aspect, which is why I love the fact that you can download the Kindle app and have access still to that account :D

Press Release: Milani Coming Up Roses Powder Blush

This collection will be available during the month of August (or sooner depending on the retailer) at select CVS, Walgreens, Meijer and Fred Meyer stores. It will also be available on www.milanicosmetics.com.

Review: J.Cat Beauty The Big Eye Pencils

Yes! I'm back with the review that was originally intended for Sunday. There were a lot of emotions yesterday at work, but I'm doing okay, one day at a time.

Anyway! I was very fortunate enough to receive some products from J.Cat Beauty. Of course, I didn't actually want to open anything because of neatly package everything was! Haha. But I finally did.

First up to the review table are The Big Eye Pencils. I actually featured two of these in my Despicable Me 2 Minion Inspired Pictorial.

On to the review!

Manicure: Summer Electric Splatter with Ruby Wing

This isn't the original post I intended to do for today, however after receiving devastating news, I can't bring myself to write a full review. I believe I mentioned in a post a while ago back, about my dear friend and co-worker who was battling cancer, today I received news that she lost her battle. I've been pretty much numb all day, I don't know what will happen tomorrow when my other co-workers are told.

So, I'm just going to do a quick post with the manicure that I just did. It's the first time I attempted to do a splatter accent nail. 

I first placed scotch tape around the nail (like you'd do if you were water marbling), to help with the clean up.

 

I used a large straw that I cut into three sections (being I used three different colors). It's a simple method, but for some reason doing the right hand proved to be more difficult then the left. I just ended up with globs on the right ring finger.

I honestly like the end result with this.

FYI, don't use Styrofoam plates with the nail polish, it will eat right through it and onto the counter!

 

Colors Used from Ruby Wing: (l to r): Groupie, Summer Love, Electric Firefly, Green Peace.

Review: Urban Decay Naked Basics

Yes, I'm late to the party with this one, and I'm sure everyone has seen plenty of review for Urban Decay Naked Basics, but I'm still doing one!

I won this from an instagram giveaway that nuclear_beauty held (thank you so very much again!), I was beyond estatic when I got it in the mail, along with the other prizes that will have their own reviews.

So without me rambling on further, on to the review!

Press Release: Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray

B6 VITAMIN-INFUSED
COMPLEXION PREP SPRAY

Calm a multitude of sins with each spritz.

THE SKINNY: Just when our high-tech Makeup Setting Sprays were getting a little lonely on the shelf, our product development team had the brilliant idea to create an antioxidant-rich prep spray. In an exclusive partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, Urban Decay launches B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray. This scientifically advanced formula contains the FIRST stabilized form of vitamin B6, which absorbs oil, minimizes pores and reduces redness. Spritz it on any time of day to hydrate, prep and soften your skin with vitamins and antioxidants. Use it in the morning to prep and “wake up” your skin, during the day to refresh your skin (without messing up your makeup), or at night before your treatment. Versatile enough for people of all ages and skin types (MEN included!), this energizing formula is great for your skin AND it feels amazing. And the more you use it, the better the results!

THE PROOF: In an 8-week clinical study of B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray:

• Over 81% of participants had a measurable reduction in oil and surface shine.
• Over 78% had more radiant skin with less redness and fewer blemishes.
• A majority of participants had a measurable improvement in pore size.
• Over 72% had a measurable improvement in their skin’s overall appearance. 

HYPE: This stuff is ADDICTIVE! It’s been making the rounds in our office, and even the people who don’t really “get it” at first wind up loving it. But the real test was when we brought some to Tim, our CEO. Ever the skeptic, he thought we were nuts—but once he tried it, he LOVED it. That’s when we knew we had a huge hit on our hands.

NICE PACKAGE: B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray comes in a sleek, soft-touch bottle (dark purple, of course) with a bright neon-green sprayer. Like our setting sprays, it emits a calibrated, microfine mist that goes on so light, you’ll hardly feel it.
BREAK IT DOWN: This nourishing spray is loaded with ingredients that are good for your skin. Vitamin B6 helps normalize overactive cell-signaling proteins (called cytokines) to help control sebum production, vitamin E provides antioxidants, and willow bark (rich in natural salicylic acid) aids cell turnover. And it’s oil- and paraben-free.

B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray (SRP $33) is available from Sephora, ULTA and select
Macy’s stores. Or, online at sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, beauty.com and urbandecay.com.

Disclaimer: Taken directly from Urban Decay's press release. Photos courtesy of Urban Decay. I do not claim ownership of anything that is written above.

Swatch: Half Charming, Half Alarming from Nicole by OPI

 

 Freshly put out onto the shelves at my local Walgreens, was the holy grail that is the Tink Collection from Nicole by OPI.  Can I just tell you all that when I discovered that Nicole by OPI was coming out with a Tink line, I literally squealed while I was at work. Whoops! Yes, I was THAT excited.

So upon coming across the display that hadn't been touched (at least it didn't look it), I went back and forth (this seems to be a reoccurring thing with me), trying to decide which to purchase first. Sadly, the other colors reminded me of other polishes that I have, I'll most likely go back and purchase them anyway though!

The one that I picked first was.... Drum Roll! Half Charming, Half Alarming!

Best way to describe this color is that it's alarming! Haha, not really. Definitely in the warm family, but I'm on the fence as to whether to say this is a terracotta colors or a tomato red color. It isn't quite red, but not orange either, it's definitely a mix of the two. Terracotta Tomato perhaps? It's a color that I don't recall having, not to mention it gives you a very polished look.

Formula: This is where I fall into the iffy area. I love Nicole by OPI polishes, but I'm not sure what happened with mine. Perhaps it was because of the heat? This is a sheer formula, I want to say it's jelly, but not jelly. It was also being a bit of a fuss-pot with applications, occassionally doubling over an area would cause balding to occur, or drag marks (maybe the brush is a mini car). It dries down to a semi-matte finish. Well actually, the first layer was matte, the second layer had minor gloss to it. Easy-peasy clean up though.

In the swatches below, I only used 3 coats. I definitely could have done a 4th coat to get it fully opaque, as I still see some of the white tip of my nails.

Psst, ignore the dryness below, I forgot the cuticle oil ;x

Camera setting set to Vivid

Camera setting set to Natural

Review: Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer

I hope everyone had a fantastic July 4th if you're in the states! I spent mine at work ;x Which is fine, I did see fireworks on the way home though.

So! While I had been at Walgreens a while ago (maybe 2 weeks or so ago?), I saw that they had got in new products from Rimmel London. Other Walgreens had full displays of various new products, mine however, did not, or they're hiding it in the backroom. They did have the display out for the Show Off Lip Lacquers.
Many have been waiting for these Lip Lacquers to come over state side from the U.K.

What I would love to know is, why did Rimmel change the name from Apocalips to Show Off though. I honestly prefer the name Apocalips. That's just me though.

Anyway, on to the review!

Pictorial: Ba-na-na! ... Papple? Despicable Me Minions Inspired

The original plan (when Despicable Me came out) had been that my co-workers and myself were all going to go, but I wasn't able to make it, so I went with my Mom to see it so I wouldn't be left out of the discussion. They didn't get to see it! ;x But I absolutely loved the movie, especially the minions! Not to mention Agnes (I will have a pictorial for her and her unicorn!). So, when the countdown began for Despicable Me 2 started, I wanted to do a pictorial the day before the release.

The eye inspired look is pretty much simple, seeing as the minions are yellow, with blue overalls, and goggles. I tried to incorporate the silver/grey in for the goggles, but I wanted it to be subtle, seeing as the yellow dominates, not to mention the vibrant blue that I used.

I wanted to use products that were easily accessible to anyone, not to mention there are an array of alternatives out there.

Step 1. Prime the eye. I used Milani's Eyeshadow Primer.

Step 2. I used two different eye pencils that are from J.Cat Beauty called The Big Eye Pencil. The white is called Marshmallow and the sky blue is called Mint Cookie. I used Mint Cookie, and lined my upper lash line, trying to keep it thin towards the inner corner, and thickened it towards the outer corner. Using my Real Techniques Deailer brush, I loaded it with Mint Cookie and carefully went along my lower lash line avoiding the inner corner area.

Then taking Marshmallow, I (again) used my Real Techniques Detailer Brush, loaded it up with the color, and applied it that way instead of using the pencil directly. This gives more control being I didn't want to wash out Mint Cookie. If a bit of the white pencil got onto Mint Cookie, I carefully went back over the color with the pencil, using the tip as much as I could.

Step 3. Taking a very vibrant blue from City Color Special Effect Bright Eye Colors Palette (Color Flash), I loaded my Real Techniques Accent Brush up, and gently patted the color onto Mint Cookie. I did a few swipes of this to make sure it was vibrant enough.

Step 4. Using the same City Color palette from above, I used the yellow in that palette. I loaded it onto my (I think) Tech Studio Smudge brush (I purchased it at Target ages ago) and gently patted it onto the rest of the eye lid, avoiding the blue and the inner corner. This color was not brought down to the lower lash line. I also used the yellow from Wet n Wild Bright Idea palette (LE I believe), not pictured. I only did this to make sure the yellow was intense against the blue.

Step 5/6. For the white I used the same palette as above, plus the same smudge brush and placed the white into the inner corner, blending it into the yellow, then into the blue on the lower lash line. Next to the white is the silver/grey that I used to represent the goggles. I used my e.l.f. Contour Brush (studio line), and using windshield wiper motions, just went back and for in the crease. This comes across as a very sheer grey, so it took a few times to get the color to build up.

Step 7/8. I lined my eyes using Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar. Honestly, an electric blue would work better on the lower lash line, I didn't have one on hand though. For mascara I used Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara, two coats to the top and a very light coat to the bottom.

And you're done!

Products Used

• Milani Eyeshadow Primer
• J.Cat Beauty The Big Eye Pencil in Marshmallow
• J.Cat Beauty The Big Eye Pencil in Mint Cookie
• Color Flash eyeshadow palette from City Color
• Wet n Wild Bright Idea Trio Palette
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar
• Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara

 If anyone else has a Despicable Me Inspired look (nails included!) 

feel free to post a link in the comments.

When I do my Agnes pictorial I will include the links!