Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Good morning everyone!

This afternoon, my husband and I will be off to celebrate Christmas with our family in the Northeast.  And THEN we are off to Dallas for a quick getaway!  Why Dallas, you ask?  Well, my Philadelphia Eagles are playing the Dallas Cowboys and my husband got us ridiculous tickets!  Has anyone been to the Dallas area, and recommend any good eats?  We, uh, LOVE food.  We’ve already got Sonny Bryan’s on the list, but if anyone has any other great places for us to check out let me know.

I hope you all have a happy holiday, whatever you celebrate.  I hope Santa brings you all beautiful nail polish and makeup! He better have gotten me some, too!

Stay beautiful!

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Holiday Nail Art: Christmas Trees!

Hello!

This week I have done a mani using tape to make Christmas trees!  I also did a red/green/silver stripe on white polish for an accent nail, as well as a GLITTER EXPLOSION nail.

Christmas Nails

Tape is one of the easiest things to use for your nails.

Christmas Nails!

Share your Holiday Theme Nails in the Comments!

Stay beautiful!

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December Ipsy Glam Bag

December 2013 “Celebration” Ipsy Glam Bag

After November’s great glam bag, I had high hopes for this bag.  I wasn’t the most thrilled with the products on the inside, but love the makeup pouch it came with.  Can I buy that bigger?!

1. Nicka K New York Nail Color in “Classic Taupe”

I may have to re-take my questionnaire…because I barely wear anything taupe on my nails! Maybe it’ll be a hot color next year, and I’ll already have it.

Full Size: $4.99

2. Be a Bombshell The One Stick in “Girl Crush”

Be a Bombshell The One Stick in “Girl Crush”

This is a color I can definitely get on board with!  I did not like the texture of this product for my lips – made their winter dryness stand out more.  I do love the color, and it’ll work with a nice dark smokey eye.

Full Size: $16

3. Ardell Natural Lash 

I’ve never used fake lashes before, and need a place to wear them. This product is “meh” to me.  These are “reusable” but at $3.99 for the set, I’d just buy new ones!

Full Size: $3.99

4. NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in “Iced Honey”

This lipstick is super creamy, and I love the texture, but I am not thrilled with the color on me.  It’s just okay.  I’ll probably give it to my sister who has a better skin tone to go with this color.  I need pinks!  I need more vibrant!

NYX Extra Creamy Round Lipstick in “Iced Honey”

Full Size: $4

5. POPBeauty Bright Up Your Life in “Smokin’ Hot”

This trio is part of a larger collection featuring 10 shades.  I love these colors for an easy-to-do smokey eye.  It pairs well with my Be a Bombshell The One Stick.  You will absolutely have to layer these colors to get good pigmentation.

POPBeauty Eyeshadow

Full Size: $24

Overall:

Okay products.  I’ll continue to use the POPBeauty Eyeshadow trio, and the Be a Bombshell The One Stick.  The three other samples may just take up a bunch of space in my closet!

What did you think of your December Ipsy Glam Bag?

Stay beautiful!

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Christmas Wish List

It’s my favorite time of year…and time to write out that wish list!

Here are the beauty items on mine:

1. Clarisonic Aria Glowing Collection with Josie Maran

http://www.sephora.com/aria-glowing-collection-with-josie-maran-P383767?skuId=1566249

I just love the color pink, and truly need this little device!

2.  Urban Decay Naked3 Palette

http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/naked3/409.html

I love the rosey hues!  And I’m pretty sure this is on everyone’s list making it hard to find!

3. Tools of the Trade Brush Set – Sephora Collection

http://www.sephora.com/tools-of-the-trade-brush-set-P379559?skuId=1508928

I could use a new brush set, though it’s unnecessary.  I keep my brushes in great shape, but I’d definitely like a new set!

4. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick in “Creme de la Femme” 

http://www.maccosmetics.com/products/spp/shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT168&PRODUCT_ID=PROD310

This color is so pretty.  A must have for me! I don’t know why it’s in my collection because I’ve been eyeing it for awhile!

5. Bath and Body Works Signature Collection Body Lotion in Warm Vanilla Sugar

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21434136&isCrossSell=true&cp=12587013.29024136

Always on my Christmas list.  Just smells like Christmas to me.

What’s on your Christmas wish list? 

Stay beautiful!

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Holiday Nails: Lights and Ornaments with Glitter!

Cherry Blossom Pretty Holiday Nails

I’m sure you’ve seen manis like this floating around on Pinterest!

This mani was super easy!  You will need either a thin brush for the ornaments and string, or a nail art polish that comes with the thin brush (what I used) and a large dotting tool for the ornaments.  I topped it with Starrily “Diamond Dusted” to give it a little sparkle.

Stay beautiful!

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Holiday Nails: French Manicure with Holly Berries

I’m so excited the Christmas season is finally here!  I’ve already done a bunch of shopping (for myself, and family) and we are mostly decorated.  I took some time out of my day yesterday to paint my nails!  I’ve been slacking a bit in this department – just have been busy.

Silver and White French Mani with Holly – Cherry Blossom Pretty (Flash)

Silver and White French Mani with Holly – Cherry Blossom Pretty (No Flash)

I’ll definitely have MORE to come!

Have you done any holiday themed nail art? Share below!

Stay beautiful!

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Review: Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer

Rimmel Lodon Fix & Perfect Primer Pro 002

Whenever I need a new primer, Rimmel London products always seem to be on sale.  Instead of this primer, I went for the Fix & Perfect Pro Primer 002, which doesn’t have that apricot hue.  Once I moved back to the states, and stopped being in the sun so much, the apricot hue just was not working for me any longer.  I needed to switch back to a colorless or white primer.

Packaging:

Tube package.  White, with blue print and cap.  The blue is the most important…when in stores, look for BLUE unless you want the Apricot colored primer!  All of the promises are right there on the front: Smoothes, Resurfaces, Brightens, Mattifies and eliminates shine, and Protects.  That’s a lot for such a little cost. And at just 1 fl oz, you can take this on your carry on if you’re traveling.

Product:

The product is easy to squeeze out of the tube.  It’s not a “runny” product, but it’s not thick.   Creamy, and very easy to work with on the skin.  Let the product work its magic before putting on foundation or any other product! After the product sets, you really can’t feel it on your skin.  It minimized my pores, smoothed, and did help my skin look matte.  I’m not sure about the “brightens” business, all I know is that the primer doesn’t make my skin look oily.  That’s good enough for me!  As someone with that pesky oily skin, anything that helps my face look more matte is a winner in my book.

Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Primer Pro 002

One important thing for me was that I did not feel the need to blot midway through my day.  Since the only new thing I’ve used is the primer, I can only say it’s worked for me.  Compared with 001, this primer is better for me.   It kept my makeup looking better for longer, and most importantly I was less oily throughout my day.  

Since I just started using this product, I’m going to keep at it for a little bit.  

What are your favorite drugstore primers?

Stay beautiful!

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November Ipsy Glam Bag Review

November Ipsy Glam Bag

:wave:

I finally got my first Ipsy Glam Bag in the mail, and I am super excited for it.  Maybe because it’s my first…maybe because I know I’ll be able to use all of these products.  I love a little sparkle, and I love an exciting lip.  I’m definitely hooked.

1. StarLooks Gem Pencil in “Amethyst”

November Ipsy Glam Bag

Love.  It’s a pretty sparkly light purple color, and who doesn’t love purple!?  Okay, we all know I’m obsessed.  I am probably going to use this in a look like right now.  I’ve already got things planned, yes I do.  It’s very smooth.  And it’s a full size sample.  Win.
Full Size: $14

2. bh cosmetics Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow in “Eclipse”

November Ipsy Glam Bag

This is a sample from bh cosmetics Galaxy Chic Baked Eyeshadow palette, which features 18 beautiful shades.  I am oohing and aahing over the photo.  “Eclipse” is a gorgeous purple color, with a lot of glitter.  Definitely an out-on-the-town shadow!  Can’t buy these shades separately, so you have to buy the whole palette.

Full Size: $22.95 (palette on sale right now for $14.95)

3. Pixi Beauty Bronzer in “Subtly Sunburned”

November Ipsy Glam Bag

I use very little bronzer in the fall – I’m more into blush in the winter months.  It’s cute packaging, and will travel well.  Not a lot of shimmer, and will work for a little contouring.  Full size comes with a kabuki brush, and is .36oz – sample I received is .11oz.

Full Size: $18

4. Be A Bombshell Cosmetics Lip Crayon in “Hot Damn”

November Ipsy Glam Bag

I needed a nice red, and this is perfect.  It’s bright, and has a hint of shimmer.  This lip crayon needs some moisture, so wear some chapstick under!  This lip crayon is super buildable, so swipe away for a bright red lip.

Full Size: $14

5. em by Michelle Phan Creamy Color Sheer Lipstick in “Violaceous”

November Ipsy Glam Bag

I was probably most excited to receive this product.  It’s a full size from em by Michelle Phan, who’s living the blogger DREAM.  The packaging looks luxury!  The color goes on sheer with great pigmentation- but you’ll definitely need to build.  And em isn’t lying when it comes to the word “creamy.”  Great product.

Full Size: $16.50

6. Nailtini Lacquer in “Caviar Cocktail”

November Ipsy Glam Bag

It’s a pretty gunmetal color. I’m not super excited about the polish, but I can see myself using it for some nail art. I did a quick glitter gradient.

Full Size: $13

Overall: Definitely pleased with my first Ipsy Glam Bag.  Four full sized products out of six?  I bet the eyeshadow would be full sized if sold separately.  The bag paid for itself with just the polish.  I’m going to keep the subscription, and just HOPE I get more amazing items.

Stay beautiful!

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Swatch: Clinique Chubby Stick in “Voluptuous Violet”

I went to Clinique yesterday mainly for new makeup.  My wonderful Acne Solutions is too dark for my skin now, making me look orange.  I have completely lost the tan I had for almost two years.   I am also back to the lightest shade Clinique offers.  I cannot get any more pale.

I used to have beautiful sun kissed skin!

I digress…

Clinique Chubby Stick in Voluptuous Violet

To help myself get over this fact, I decided to spring for my first Clinique Chubby Stick.  I have a couple of Revlon and CoverGirl dupes, but have never gone for the real thing.  I was looking for a nice fall plum, and found one!

Swatch: Chubby Stick in Voluptuous Violet

“Voluptuous Violet” is a super buildable color.  I was a little scared of the color on the tube, but the color goes on sheer, and you can clearly see the moisture.   The Revlon colors that I own have more of an instant payoff, whereas the Clinique Chubby Stick needs to be built.  I really enjoy the moisture from the Chubby Stick.  On a day like today (seriously cold and dry), my lips will need all the moisture they can get.  This color is very wearable, and it makes me want to explore the Chubby Sticks some more.  With my stocking needing to be filled, I know I’ll see another shade soon. 🙂

What are your favorite shades from the Clinique Chubby Stick line?

Stay beautiful!

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NOTD: “P3” by A Girl Obsessed

A Girl Obsessed: P3

“P3” by A Girl Obsessed is named after the Piping Plover shore bird, and is just gorgeous small orange, white, black, and caramel circle and square glitters.  This glitter is a great fall polish, and for my NOTD I have it over Wet N Wild Megalast Nail Color in “Club Havana” (Orange) and Wet N Wild Fast Dry Nail Color in “Ebony Hates Chris” (Black).

There was no “playing around” with these glitters.  This is just one coat of the glitter, and I didn’t have to move any of them to get the glitters in the position I wanted.  You can get this polish here!

Stay beautiful!

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