August Manicures

Curious about the polishes I used? They're listed under the cut!

Nail Polish Collection & Swatches - China Glaze

So this is the final post in my collection! Of course I'm sure it'll continue growing...but this is finally done! It's been a long time coming, as I mentioned MONTHS ago that it was something I was meaning to do. As always, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions on posts to do in the future! 

Recent Hauls (with swatches!) - NYX, Wet n Wild, Urban Decay, Coach

Cream eyeshadows in Purple and Pinky Beige, Matte lipstick in Hippie Chic

Coach Poppy rollerball, Shine Killer primer, stay matte but not flat powder

Urban Decay 24/7 concealer

Wet n Wild lipsticks

Holiday Nail Polish Colors! (Bottles and swatches)

I went through my collection and pulled out the ones that reminded me most of the holiday season. I may have missed a few, but I think it's pretty comprehensive. Remember, you can click the photos to view them larger!

L-R: Revlon Matte Suede - Emerald City, Finger Paints Holiday 2010 - Mistletoe Mischief, China Glaze Holiday 2010 - Jolly Holly & Mistletoe Kisses, China Glaze Holiday 2011 - Holly-Day
Middle left is the polishes plain, right is the polishes with opposite-finish topcoats.
Bottom left is with a coat of China Glaze - White Cap.
Bottom right: the first two are with a layer of China Glaze Holiday 2010 - Party Hearty and the second two are with China Glaze Holiday 2011 - Twinkle Lights

L-R: China Glaze Holiday 2011- Poinsettia, Holiday 2010 - Ruby Deer, Sacred Heart , Red Pearl, and Revlon - Frankly Scarlet
Bottom left is all the polishes plain.
Bottom right: Thumb - China Glaze -White Cap, first two fingers - Party Hearty, second two - Twinkle Lights

L-R: Revlon Matte Suede - Powder Puff, China Glaze Holiday 2010 - Mrs. Claus, Sugar Plums, China Glaze Holiday 2011 - Twinkle Lights, China Glaze - White Cap
Bottom left is the polishes plain, Bottom right has the opposite finish topcoat

L-R: Milani - Ruby Jewels, Maybelline - Snow Bunny, Milani 3D Holographic - HD, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear - Celeb City, China Glaze - Fairy Dust
Bottom right - plain, Bottom left - mattified

The polishes I used as topcoats in a few of them
L-R: White Cap, Party Hearty, Twinkle Lights

For the matte topcoat, I used Essie's Matte About You, which I highly recommend.

Playing around

I felt like playing around with my makeup tonight and because I liked how both eyes turned out I thought I'd share them (even if I do look crazy with two different eye looks at once).

I used the NYX HD primer, nude from Wet n Wild I <3 Matte palette, and L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara on both eyes.

The lipstick I used is Milani Rose Hip.

For the pink eye, it's just Makeup Forever #75 eyeshadow, Physician's Formula 2 in 1 eye booster in black on the upper lash line, and Rimmel white eyeliner on the waterline. Since I realized that the Milani lipstick is the same shade as the eyeshadow, I decided to also use the shadow as a blush to do a monochromatic look.

For the other eye, I used the blue and green from the Wet n Wild I <3 Matte palette. I really packed on the blue to get it as intense as possible, but the green was applied with a lighter hand. I used Milani Liquif'eye pencil in Aqua on the waterline. I used the Wet n Wild blush in Pearlescent Pink.

I got the mascara in the mail today from a giveaway L'Oreal had on their Facebook page earlier. This was my first time using it but I think I'm going to like it! Have you tried this mascara? What do you think of it?

Rainbow Eyes : Inspired by Pixiwoo

After watching this video from Pixiwoo this week I knew I was going to have to recreate it for myself! I didn't copy everything exactly - it was more of an inspiration. 

I highlighted the shadows I used because I thought it'd be easier that way.

 NYX Yellow Funk, Jordana Luv2$hop,Wet n Wild Enter A New Realm (red only), generic 88 palette from eBay (mix of three greens), MUFE #92 and #75, Wet n Wild I <3 Matte (blue only)

Products and tools used to create the look.

I first put a layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion and a layer of NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk over the entire lid up to the brows and under the eyes. I used NYX eyeliner in Acid Green under the green area because I thought the green might need a little extra. Then I did all the shadow work, then brows, then lashes.

I used the darker powder in the Tweezerman brow powder duo for my brows.
To get the blue lashes, I used the white primer side of Revlon Lash Fantasy Total Definition mascara, then applied several layers of blue eyeshadow with a sort of flat-topped eyeshadow brush.

Face of the Day - Wet n Wild Matte palette

If there are two things I love most in makeup products, it's bright color and a matte finish, so I was really excited when I heard about the Wet n Wild I <3 Matte palette. I found one right away - it was a bit broken but not too badly and I got it at a discount as a result. For this look, I used all but the two brown shades in the middle of the right side. I also used Wet n Wild blush and lipstick, keeping everything matte.

Face:
L'Oreal True Match compact
NYX Concealer in a jar
Revlon Colorstay powder
Wet n Wild blush - Heather Silk

Eyes:
Palladio primer
Wet n Wild I <3 Matte palette

• Green: lid
• Blue: crease
• Purple: underneath the eyes
• White: inner corner
• Beige: below the brows
• Black: to set liner on upper lash line and water line

Milani Liquif'eye liner - black
Maybelline One by One mascara

Lipstick:
Wet n Wild 905D

Look of the Day: Pink & Purple

Products Used:

Face:

Palladio primer

L’Oreal True Match liquid – C1

NYX concealer in a jar – Fair

L’Oreal True Match powder

Eyes:

Palladio primer

NYX jumbo eye pencil – purple

88 palette – matte lavender, matte dark purple, matte nude

Revlon Colorstay liquid liner – black

Maybelline The Colossal mascara – glam black

Lips:

MAC lipstick – Candy Yum Yum

Bright Pink Lipsticks: Drugstore Comparison with MAC Candy Yum Yum

Today when I stopped in CVS I spotted several lipsticks that were very bright pink in the tube and was wondering how they compared with MAC's Candy Yum Yum (one of my favorites!)

L-R: MAC Candy Yum Yum, Milani Rose Hip, Revlon Super Lustrous Matte - 011 Stormy Pink,  Wet n Wild 511B

Same order as the tubes. Top picture is with flash, bottom is without.
As you can probably tell, none of these are actually dupes for Candy Yum Yum, but the Milani and the Wet n Wild aren't too far off in color. They're both a creme finish whereas the MAC and Revlon are matte. The Revlon is definitely the most disappointing. It was the most expensive of the three I picked up today, and it looked gorgeous in the tube, but it just applies so sheerly! It still has a really nice texture and it is a pretty color, so it would probably be perfect for those who like the idea behind Candy Yum Yum but aren't comfortable wearing really bright lipsticks.
The Wet n Wild is also pretty sheer, but it's also still bright. I was really surprised at how nicely pigmented it was, considering the price.
Of the three, Milani Rose Hip is definitely my favorite. It has a really nice texture and it lasts really well, especially for such an affordable product. The only downside to it, for me, is the smell! It's really strong and I can still smell it once it's on my lips. I can't put my finger on the smell, but it's either fruity or sweet..either way, I am not a fan! I can probably get over it, though, since otherwise the product is great.

Milani Rose Hip

Top 5: Blushes

I have more blushes than these five, but I really only use these on a regular basis. 

Top Row, L-R: Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush - Rose, Physician's Formula Happy Booster Blush - Natural, Milani Mineral Blush - Mai Tai
Bottom Row, L-R: ELF Studio Blush - Pink Passion, ELF Studio Blush - Candid Coral

Same order as above photo. L-R Rose, Natural, Mai Tai, Pink Passion, Candid Coral

I really like all of these and use them often. I've had Candid Coral the longest out of these five, so I've hit pan on it. I really like matte products in general, and blushes are no exception. I love both of the matte blushes I have (Mai Tai and Pink Passion). I think out of these blushes, Mai Tai and Natural are my most reached-for, depending on whether I want shimmer or not! I would recommend all these shades, however - great pigmentation on all of them, and they can all be applied with a light hand or heavier depending on how much color you want to show up on your face.

Top 10: Lipsticks

L-R: MAC - Candy Yum Yum, NYX - Louisiana, NYX - Femme, Covergirl Lip Perfection - Fairytale, Covergirl Lip Perfection - Temptress

L-R: Revlon Matte - Pink Pout, Wet n Wild Matte - 905D, Wet n Wild Matte - 911D, L'Oreal Endless Platinum - Mauve Crystal, L'Oreal Endless - Pink Power

My bare lips, for reference.

MAC - Candy Yum Yum

NYX - Louisiana

NYX - Femme

Covergirl Lip Perfection - Fairytale

Covergirl Lip Perfection - Temptress

Revlon Matte - Pink Pout

Wet n Wild Matte - 905D

Wet n Wild Matte - 911D

L'Oreal Endless Platinum - Mauve Crystal

L'Oreal Endless - Pink Power

Nails of the Day : White and Black Dots

Here are my current nails! The base is 2-3 coats of Sally Hansen "White On" with Claire's matte top coat. 

I did the dots using the pen part of a Claire's two way nail art pen and brush in black. I decided to leave the dots shiny for a bit of texture contrast as well as the color. 

This is the second time I have used the Claire's matte topcoat, and I'm really impressed with it. It mattifies better than the Orly Nails for Males, and it lasts a long time without chipping. I would definitely recommend it. 

I found Essie's Matte About You at my Marshall's this weekend for $3, but I haven't tried it yet, so I can't compare it to the Orly or Claire's versions.