Shakeup Your Makeup

While I was walking around looking at the new displays for fall/winter in CVS, I noticed a couple of colors that looked like good dupes of the Sally Hansen Salon Completes for the Fall.  Don't get me wrong, I love these Sally Hansen Completes, but if I can save a buck or two, I'm game!

First up, Sally Hansen Salon Complete "Shiny Penny" vs Milani's "Bijou Bronze".  The Milani version looks a bit more metallic in real life, but the actual copper color is very much the same across the two.

Next up, Sally Hansen Complete in Anenome of Mine vs Confetti's Purple Reigns and Milani's Cool Vibe.  All three are warm plum cremes.  Comparitaively speaking, I'd say the Confetti is a tinge darker than the Milani version, but they are all extremely similar to the Sally Hansen in the bottle. 

I think those are pretty good dupes, what do you think?

Earlier this week I posted a display, here, of the new nail polish lines that CVS is carrying.  I decided to grab a polish from each line, Confetti and 10 Professional.  Today, let's take a look at the Confetti Long Wearing Nail Color in "Belle of the Ball".  (For another opinion of the Confetti line, take a look at the Recessonista's review here).  Note, she also discovered that Confetti and 10 Professional are actually from the same company!  Interesting... 

Belle of the Ball is a cream, relatively opaque, true lilac shade.  It looks a little cooler in the bottle than it does on, but in all reality, you can't tell a difference in the product in the bottle once applied.  (I mention this because I notice a lot of creme's turn a lot darker once applied and dry, but not so much with this one).  Anyway...moving on....

The brush is a little funky.  I almost think it is too long for the bottle, so as a result, it kind of *scrunches* up at the bottom, and therefore isn't straight.  I might try cutting it a bit shorter to see if that helps.  It didn't really hinder application much, in my experience, but was a bit ackward.

Product consistency is smooth.  It's a bit runny, so I think I could have gone with a 3rd coat on my manicure.  I'm not sure if you can see it in the pictures below, but in some lighting (especially natural light) I can see a little streakiness. 

The product did dry extremely quickly, and seemed to have a built in top coat.  Instead of giving that matte appearance when dry, it did have a nice shine to it.  I didn't add a top coat as a result, but just a fast drying Seche Vite to make sure I didn't ruin my mainicure during the day.  So far, so good on the lasting power as well

All in all, I can't really complain too much about the product - I mean, let's be honest - it's $1.99, and it's hard to find a full size (not Bon Bon at Walmart) polish under $5 that is remotely decent.  I'd be willing to try out a few other shades, and see if I have any different experience, good or bad, with those.  As for the particular color I picked out, Belle of the Ball, I normally don't go towards the bright eclectic shades, but I might have to start now - I am really loving this purple.  It's bright, but not so pastel that it looks more appropriate for spring.  I'd say I'm pretty happy with my $1.99 investment.

I am sure some of you have already seen these (Recessionista posted pics of her purchases yesterday), but for those of us in the Midwest that seem to have a delay in new products, I finally came across the new nail polish lines at CVS: Confetti and 10 Professional Nail Lacquer.  The displays are below, which I believe are going to their everyday displays.

Confetti is quite a versitile collection - colors range from pales and sheers to bold blues, purples and glitters.  I even saw some really nice vampy reds and browns, which I am eyeing for the fall.  I bought a bottle of pale lavender, which I will swatch and post.  The bottles are really cute, and the names are as well.  The price, at $1.99, is also very appealing, so we'll see how the product wears and give a true assessment shortly.

10 Professional Nail Lacquers are a little more "down to earth" in their shades.  These are more typical reds, pinks, beiges, and a few vampy colors.  I bought a really deep taupe/smokey color, which I think will be great for fall as well.  Those pictures are coming shortly...