NOTD Glitter

NOTD: Zoya's Kimmy from Summer 2011's Sunshine Collection

9:48 AM


Today's NOTD is Zoya Kimmy from Summer 2011's Sunshine Collection.  Kimmy is a bright red-orange jelly base with golden foil glitter. 

A gorgeous summer red if you are looking for something that will really pop!  I love this color as both a mani or a pedi.  The coverage is perfect.  Even though this is what I consider a jelly, I was able to achieve very smooth and even coverage in 2 coats and the glitter just knocks this one out of the park.  Beautiful!

Avon

EOTD: Avon's Glow Eyeliner in Tropical Teal

8:30 AM


Last but not least, Avon's Glow eyeliner in Tropical Teal.  This is the third installlment in the EOTD's using the new eyeliners I swatched last week. 

Tropical Teal is a warm, almost grey/teal with minimal shimmer.  Again, this is creamy, smooth, and very easy to work with.  I like how fine tipped it is, just as the other two are.  This allows you to be very precise in application.

For my look above/below, I used the following:

Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Wet 'n Wild Dancing in the Clouds pallet - gold/taupe shade - inner corner
Wet 'n Wild Vanite Pallet in I'm Baroque - turquoise shade - outer corner/crease
Smashbox Picture Perfect Eyeshadow Quad - ivory shade - highlight
Physician's Formula Gel Eyeliner Trio for Hazel Eyes - black - upper lashline
Avon's Glow eyeliner in Tropical Turquoise - lower lashline
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara


Dupes

NOTD: Revlon Whimsical Nail Polish

9:32 AM


Revlon Whimsical: A pale periwinkle creme with large light blue and light pink hex glitter as well as smaller square glitter in a pale blue.  This is not a fully packed glitter polish, but instead they apply very sparsely to the nails.  This is a Deborah Lippmann dupe of Glitter in the Air, based on the swatch comparison's I've seen online.

Above is 3 coats, with no base coat.  I am actually thinking next time I'm going to use a pale nude or white color underneath to really make the polish stand out.  I found I didn't get quite the opaque coverage that some other swatchers have, so maybe I need to give my bottle a good mixing. 

This is a really pretty shade - very light and springy.  Also, this is a nice way to wear blues or glitter to work if you need to be a bit more conservative. 


Avon

EOTD/FOTD with Avon Glow Eyeliner in Ultra Violet and Laura Geller's Amethyst Skies

8:41 AM


Avon's Glow in Ultra Violet is a bright "blurple" eyeliner with a hint of a satin finish.  Not nearly as shimmery as Desert Gold from yesterday, this color definitely adds a bright pop of color to any look.  I decided to put together an entirely purple look, using Laura Geller's Amethyst Skies pallet for the eyeshadows and then the Ultra Violet on my lower lashline. 

For the look, here is what I used:

Face
Laura Geller Champagne Spackle
Laura Geller's Balance 'n Brighten in Fair
Mally Effortless Airbrush blush in Afterglow
Mally Effortless Airbrush highlighter in Purelight

Eyes
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Laura Geller's Amethyst Skies pallet - light shade inner corner, dark shade crease and outer corner
Laura Geller's Amethyst Skies Pallet - highlighter shade - highlight
Physician's Formula Gel Eyeliner Trio for Hazel Eyes - black - upper lashline
Avon Glow Eyeliner in Ultra Violet - lower lashline
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara - black

Lips
e.l.f. Lipstain in Fashionista




This pencil is a retractable pencil, extremely fine tipped and very smooth and creamy. I didn't experience any dragging, and was able to smooth and blend out towards the outside of my lashline before it set.   A really pretty, bright and summery color, I'd definitely recommend if you are looking to add something to your collection beyond your basic blacks and browns.

Aromaleigh

Reader Request: EOTD/FOTD Using Avon's Summer Glow Eyeliner in Desert Gold

11:00 AM


A few days ago when I posted the swatches of the Avon Glow eyeliners for this summer, one of my readers (Fleurs-de-Lisa) requested an EOTD using the Desert Gold, so here you go!

Like I mentioned in the original post, these liners are surprisingly smooth and easy to use, which is a nice adjustment from some of my other Avon eyeliners I've purchased in the past.  I hope this is a new formulation that will be used moving forward, as I am really pleased with the three I picked up from the Summer Glow collection. 

For the look I used the following:

Face
Laura Geller Champagne Spackle
Laura Geller Real Deal Concealer in Light
Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten - Fair
Avon Satin Deluxe Blush in Pink

Eyes
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Bare Escentuals White Gold Glimmer - inner corner/highlight
Estee Lauder Pure Color Gelee Powder Eyeshadow in Cyber Lilac - outer corner/crease and wet as eyeliner
Avon Summer Glow Eyeliner in Desert Gold - lower lashline
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara - black

Lips
Aromaleigh Color Infusion Botanical Lipstick in Sassy



I love the color combination, but I was in such a hurry the morning I did this look that my blending is terrible!  At least the bottom shot gives you a good look at the Desert Gold eyeliner on.  It is such a beautiful, frosty, white-gold.  It almost has a hint of mint-green in the color as well, just as you move in the light.  If you are looking for a non-brassy gold eyeliner, this would definitely be a nice one to try out! 

Nailpolish

NOTD: Wet 'n Wild Spoiled Collection in Let's Get Sushi!

9:00 AM


I have to say, this is the first time in a long time that I've really liked all the colors for the spring, especially all the corals and tangerines.  CVS had a Buy One 2 Get 1 deal going on Spoiled by Wet 'n Wild so I picked up a couple, including this pretty little color called Let's Get Sushi!

Let's Get Sushi! is a cream coral with the slightest white shimmer.  I actually don't really notice it in the bottle, but when on the nail it's slightly evident in the sunlight.  As opposed to being fluorescent looking, like some of the really bright corals and tangerines, this is a bit more subtle and definitely easy to wear. 

This was the first of the Spoiled collection that I've tried.  The polish itself was thick extremely pigmented.  This is two coats.  The brush is a bit tricky.  Its thick, has an awkward curvature to the end, and honestly I found it really difficult to use.  Because the bristles were a bit cheap, I found that the first application was very streaky and I was really nervous as to how two coats would end up.  Luckily the polish actually filled in the grooves and it ended up nice and smooth.  I just wish they had a better brush to use.  Maybe I'll have better luck with the next polish I try.

Overall, I really like this polish.  The color is beautiful and it wore extremely well.  The polish itself had a great consistency - thick enough to achieve good cover, but it was easy to work with.  I just wish the brush was better. 

Retail is $1.99 when not on sale.  A really good deal in my opinion!

Avon

Swatches: Avon Glow Eyeliners in UltraViolet, Tropical Teal and Desert Gold

9:00 AM


This summer, Avon has a new collection called Glow.  This is a set of nail polishes, lip glosses, and eyeliners.  I picked up three of the eyeliners, all of which are long lasting, self sharpening, and very pigmented.  The three colors I got were Desert Gold, Tropic Teal and Ultra Violet.


These are beautiful shades.  Desert Gold is an almost white gold with lots of iridescent shimmer.  Of the three, this was the least long lasting, but certainly a different color for me.  I don't have any golds in this family.  All of the gold eyeliners I have fall a lot more golden-copper, almost coppery.  As opposed to a white or off white eyeliner, this would be a very nice alternative for the summer.

Tropical Teal and Ultra Violet were certainly the most pigmented of the three.  Even after several washings, the eyeliners didn't come off of my hand.  Tropic Teal is a nice, deep almost evergreen-teal.  There is a slight iridescent shimmer to the teal.  Ultra Violet is a warm purple base with an almost iridescent teal shimmer to it. 

Of the three, Desert Gold is the only one with actual glitter in it.  Tropic Teal and Ultra Violet do not. 



All three are beautiful and definitely remind me of summer.  I love the color of the Desert Gold.  It's different enough to be warranted in my arsenal.  All three are smooth, creamy and easy to apply.  The wear, so far in my testing, has been extremely long lasting.  Retail will be $7 each from www.avon.com.

Have you seen or tried these yet?  What have you thought?

Mally Beauty

Swatches of Mally's Evercolor Eyeshadow in Twilight - From the QVC Beauty Test Tube

9:59 AM


Part of the QVC Beauty Test Tube I just received was a Mally Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick in Twilight, which is one of her best selling products.  I had actually just received one of these eyeshadows in the Mally High Performance Essentials collection I received back in February, but that color was Taupe.  I'll swatch these two side by side so you can see the differences in the color.


The Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick is mean to be a 4-in-1 product, allowing you to simplify your makeup application but also sporting all day wear.  This is a creamy, glide on shadow that includes a special silicone system which seals and lasts all day long.  You have about 30 seconds to smudge and mess with the shadow until it is finally set, so this is definitely something to use quickly.  This can be used as an eyeshadow, a primer, or an eyeliner.


Twilight is a warm almost golden taupe, which will be very clear in the swatch pictures, especially when compared to Taupe side by side.


Here is a side by side of the two pencils - I thought they looked extremely similar when I was looking at just the product itself without swatches.  Once the swatches were done, there is a clear difference. 

If you are looking for a cooler, almost silvery/lavender taupe, then Taupe is the one for you.  If you prefer more golden/champagne taupes, then Twilight is it for you.  Both are beautiful in their own right, but depending on your preference for cooler or warmer shades, there is a difference.

(Flash)

(Natural light)

Both wear extremely well - once set I didn't have any creasing or smudging on my hand or eyes.  This would definitely work well as a primer as well if you are quick with your application.  I will say, though, I really like these on their own.

Do you own any of these Evercolor Eyeshadow Sticks?  What are your thoughts?

These retail on QVC as singles for $25 a piece with several shades to choose from.


bliss

QVC's Beauty Test Tube - a few quick pictures

9:00 AM

Round two of the QVC Beauty Test Tube for me, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of what came inside, with some swatches of the Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick in Twilight and the tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Luster I received in Fever.


This particular set came with the following for me: A 0.5oz tube of StriVectin-SD Intesive Concentrate for Stretch Marks and Wrinkles, a 2.5oz tube of St. Tropez Gradual Tanner, tarte LipSurgence Lip Luster in Fever (red), WEN Cleansing Conditioner in Lavender, a 0.5oz trial Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Moisturizing Gel-Cream, a 2 oz bottle of bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, a 2 oz bottle of Philosophy's Amazing Grace Shower Gel and Mally's Evercolor Shadow Stick in Twilight.


I've been anxious to try some Peter Thomas Roth, so I am excited to give this moisturizing gel a whirl.  Of course, I am a Wen girl, and the Lavender is my stand by, so this is the perfect size for travel.  The tarte LipSurgence look very pretty too, so I am excited about that one as well!

Did you get this recent round of the Beauty Test Tube?  What have you thought so far?

CVS

Spotted: New Milani Eyeliners and Shadow Eyez Eyeshadow Pencils

7:54 AM


The Milani display was reset at my hometown CVS, so I took some pictures of the new products on the display.  I hadn't seen the Milani Shadow Eyez Eyeshadow Pencils yet, but they look promising.  Similar to the NYX Jumbo Pencils, these came in a variety of shades.  These also promise 12 hours of wear, which might be interesting to test out.  The white and and champagne color might work well as a eyeshadow base/primer as well?

Closeups of the different colors below - feel free to click the pictures to enlarge.




I also saw three more shades of the Milani Liquif'eye eyeliners - a green, purple and blue.  I have the black and silver and love them, so next time Milani's on sale, these are going to be on my list!

Bare Escentuals

FOTD: Golds and Browns using Laura Geller and Mally Beauty

11:07 AM


I haven't worn any golds and browns recently, so I decided to play around with one of my Laura Geller eyeshadow pallets from the Lightness of Beauty Collection (I have yet to swatch on here), as well as some of the items from my Mally Beauty High Performance Essentials Kit I swatched the other day. 

For the look, I used the following:

Face:
Laura Geller Champagne Spackle
Laura Geller Balance 'n Brighten in Fair
Mally Effortless Airbrush Blush in Afterglow
Mally Effortless Airbrush Highlighter in Purelight

Eyes:
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Laura Geller's Eye Elements Eyeshadow Quad in Sahara Skies - gold - inner corner
Laura Geller's Eye Elements Eyeshadow Quad in Sahara Skies - plum shade - blended into gold and outer corner/crease
Bare Escentuals White Gold - highlight
Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Gel Eyeliners for Hazel Eyes - black
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara - black

Lips:
Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipstick - Starburst

Below is a closeup of the eyes - these Laura Geller shadows are quite stunning.


I have to say, the Mally liquid lipstick is really nice.  It has a hint of color and sparkle, looks really nice to naturally enhance the lips, and lasts a while without drying out your lips.  I've been playing around with the other items from the kit and so far, I'm really enjoying all of them.  More to come in a further post!


NOTD multi

Easter NOTD: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips in "Not a Peep"

9:47 AM


A quick picture of my Easter NOTD - Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips in "Not a Peep".  An adorable frosty white background with chic little multi-color chicks, I thought this was the cutest pattern out of the group.  This was my first attempt with the Salon Effects Nail Strips, and I have to say, I like them! 

Below is a closeup, just because the pattern is so cute!  So far they have been wearing really well.  I am leaving them on just to test them out and see what the lasting power is. 

What has been your favorite Spring mani lately?

Essie

NOTD: Essie Braziliant

11:00 AM



Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a nice weekend, and if you celebrated, a very Happy Easter!

Tangerine is the color of spring, so I decided to jump in head first with one of the prettiest colors I've seen - Essie's Braziliant, from the Braziliant Collection in Summer 2011.   This is an extremely rich and bright orange polish with a slight shimmer.  The shimmer looks pink in some light, and almost bluish in others.  It's not over the top shimmer, just a slight little pick me up. 

The orange itself is so bright, it looks like it's lit up.  It was very hard to capture on film.

Natural Light

Flash

Beautiful for spring and summer - this one is a keeper!

This is two coats with one coat of top coat.  The consistency is easy to use, just thick enough to achieve a nice layer without being streaky.  This will be a go-to for me this summer, for sure.

Mally Beauty

Mally's 5pc High Performance Essentials - Swatches and Pictures

12:48 PM


If you have been looking to try some of Mally's products, the Mally 5 Piece High Performance Essentials kit is a great way to try out here favorites, and at under $30!  Right now on QVC it is feature priced at $27.86.


The set consists of her mascara (my favorite), the Cancellation Concealer (another favorite of mine) in your choice of shade, the brush to use with the concealer, Mally's Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe, Mally's Evercolor Starlight Liner in Onyx, and her lipgloss in Starburst.


What is it: A must-have essentials kit that is a trial-sized collection with proven bulletproof products. These products are all that you need to create the perfect, professional look that lasts.

Who is it for: Any woman who wants to try Mally's beauty line by using some of her core products that are essential to creating a complete look.

Why is it different: This collection includes trial-sized products to create that flawless, professional look.

How do I use it: Start with the Cancellation Concealer. Use the orange side of the double-ended brush and apply the creamy concealer below the eyes or anywhere you need it. Using your ring finger, gently smoosh the concealer into the skin.

Next, take the fluffy side of the brush and set the concealer with the setting powder.

Use the Evercolor Shadow Stick across the lids and into the crease for a beautiful shadow that will make your eyes pop.

Next, line and define your eyes with the Evercolor Starlight Liner.

Use the Volumizing Mascara to create full and voluminous lashes. Use two coats on the top and one on the bottom.

Lastly, swipe the gorgeous High-Shine Liquid Lipstick all over the lips to create the fullest pout.


First up, the Cancellation Concealer.  I chose the color Fair.  I've actually been using this for several months and love it.  Not only does it blend into the skin very easily, it doesn't settle into lines and I find it actually does cancel out my dark circles!  The setting powder has the slightest shimmer to it to reflect light and brighten the eyes.  Also, using the setting powder makes application of my powder foundation ontop off the concealer a lot easier and less cakey-looking than if I use it (or any other liquid concealer) alone. 


I tend to use my fingers for the application of the concealer, but this brush is very useful when you hit the pan and need to grab the concealer along the side of the pan.  It also helps get the foundation up into the tiny corners around your eyes. 


The other half of the brush is a dense, but fluffy, brush to apply the setting powder ontop of the concealer. 


Up next, the Evercolor Starlight Eyeliner in Onyx.  A truly deep, rich black that actually brightens the whites of your eyes.  I use this on the top and bottom of my lashline, as well as along the waterline without any issues.  I love the fine tip of this particular liner, and it is very smooth and easy to apply without dragging or skipping along the lashline...a definite bonus!  Although this is supposed to be "bullet proof", I tend to see a tiny bit of smudging along my lower lashes by the end of the day, but I'll be honest - I don't think there is a liner that doesn't do that on me!  Compared to most, this definitely lasts and stays put the best.


Up next, my favorite of the collection - the Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe.  Now, if you are looking for something bullet-proof, this is the thing!  The  color is beautiful - a silvery, but warm taupe.  Actually, the only part that is really silvery about it is the shimmer.  The base of the shadow is definitely a warm taupe, but the shimmer comes through as a silver/pewter color, allowing it to work both ways.  The tip of the shadow stick is rounded allowing it to be used easily as an eyeshadow.  Work quickly, though, this stuff sets quickly and doesn't move from there! 

The consistency is very smooth and creamy, so it works really well as an eyeliner along the lower lashline too.  I also found that when I put eyeshadow over the top, blending was very easy and it works extremely well as an eyeshadow base.  There are several other shades of these available on QVC as single eyeshadow sticks for $25 or sets of 2 for $35.  Obviously the sets of 2 are a better price, but there are several other colors available in the singles as compared to the sets of 2. 


Mally always has gorgeous lip glosses, and this is no exception.  Mally's Liquid Lipstick in Starbright is a very thick and creamy consistency, with a slight coral color when on the lips.  There is champagne and pink shimmer running through. 


Mally's Volumizing Mascara ... need I say more?  If so, check out my review here. 


Finally, the swatches of the eyeliner, Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick in Taupe and the Liquid Lipstick in Starburst.  Beautiful, easy to use, and easy to wear colors. 

Have you tried any of these before?  What did you think?

10 Professional

NOTD: 10 Professional Nail Lacquer in "And the Winner Is..." 427

9:34 AM


Today's NOTD: 10 Professional Nail Lacquer in "And the Winner Is..." (#427).  This is a bright tomato red.  This one truly looks like the light switch has been "turned on" for it - the color is quite difficult to capture on film, but I think the last one is about as true to form as I can get.  It's a great way to brighten up any look.  I know, reds are a dime a dozen, but I really like this one!


The consistency on this one was a little thin and runny, but that didn't cause any problems in the final product.  Below is 2 coats with 1 coat of top coat.  The only issue I had with the consistency was this - because of how long the brush is, droplets would run down quicker than a normal polish and I ultimately ended up getting a bit droplet on my nail and into my cuticles.  This required more cleanup than I'm normally used to.  Lasting power is quite good as well - I have been wearing this color for 5 days now and am just starting to experience some tip wear.  Nothing dramatic, just enough that I'm noticing it now.

Swatches below.  Unfortunately these are indoor because it has been cloudy and rainy here the past couple of days. 

Popular Posts

Like us on Facebook