Swatches, Gets, and Reviews

Hello again readers~

Today I was able to finally go off to South County this month to score some really amazing nail polish, and deals at Sally Beauty Supply~

While there, I picked up Orly in Gumdrop, Orly in Wild Wisteria, Finger Paints in Motley, and Finger Paints in Flecked. Since the Orly sale was (basically) buy 2, get 1 free, my sister got a nail polish too and I swatched it.

Orly in Haute Red. I do like this color. It goes with my skin tone nicely (hard to do for red). It was a little sheer, and took two coats to have full coverage. It was a bit runny, but not too hard to work with. Though I like the color, it did stain my skin a bit when I removed it.

Orly Gumdrop. I have been wanting this polish for a while now, since I've seen so many swatches of it. It's a wonderful mint color! It was thick, and I had to apply two coats for an even coverage, but the color payoff is well worth it.

Another wishlist shade. Wild Wisteria is a GORGEOUS dark, blue-violet shade. Finally, a shade fitting for the colder months! The application went so smoothly, and applied in only one coat! I do apologize for the mess-ups, I can't get my hands to stop shaking sometimes. :(

And the swatches of the two Finger Paints flakies I bought! Motley is a blue-violet and green flakie combo. (my new favorite!) Flecked is a blue and green duo-chrome flakie that is just beautiful! I'm incredibly pleased with the Finger Paints flakies, since it's easier to control just the amount of flakie you want on your nails! The formula was brilliant as well, not too thick, and not too runny.

Sarah needed to go to K-Mart, and since I wanted to pick up a few things for my friend in Singapore, I looked for things for myself.

I picked up the E.L.F. Studio Corrective Concealer palette, E.L.F. Studio Pigment Eyeshadow in Innocent Ivory, and E.L.F. Essential Bronzing Brush.

I was hoping to use this as a powder for 'boundary lines' for my eye makeup, but was pleased to see that it has a pearlecent effect to it (the picture does not do it justice at all). Since I got it for only 1.80, it made it an even better deal.

Now onto the reviews:

E.L.F. Studio Corrective Concealer palette Review

The palette comes in the signature black matte plastic container, that resembles NARS. It has a peek-a-boo window to see the four shades, and a small mirror and brush on the inside. There are four shades: The nude and beige shades (first and last) are used to conceal in problematic areas. The green omits redness, and the lilac brightens dull, yellow tones on the face. The price tag? 3 dollars.

Pros:
- 4 different shades to conceal problem areas
- The concealers feel creamy
- The mirror makes it easy for on-the-go touch-ups

Cons:
- Though creamy, it's not very pigmented, so in order to conceal anything, you really need to build up, and even then it isn't guaranteed.
- The brush that comes with it, is complete rubbish. It doesn't pick up any of the product at all.

Overall: 1/5
I give it that point, because the packaging is just wonderful. Though it doesn't make up for the brush, the product, and the final effect. I wouldn't re-purchase this product, and I wouldn't suggest it either.

Thanks for reading~

NOTD, Gets, and Times with Anita

Hello again readers~

Okay, it has been a while hasn't it? I was going to do this post Monday, though since Anita left that day I didn't feel like it. Tuesday I wasn't up for blogging, and the past two days I was hanging out with my friend Kirsti, so today is the day~

First off here's the swatch of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Blue Streak. It is a turquoise blue color, with a metallic-like finish. It's a beautiful color, but I don't think it suited me at all. It dried so fast!

Two weeks ago, this was my manicure. Essie Shrine of the Times over Essie Over the Edge. It was a little disappointing. Over the Edge is a metallic dark smokey grey color with dark and silver shimmer. When Shrine of the Times is layered over black, it glows vibrantly with red, orange, yellow, and green. When it was layered over, Over the Edge, it was almost always a fiery red color.

The only time it was easy to see the yellow and green effects, was if the nails were pointed down.

NOTD

This past week, I have been wearing Wet n Wild Craze in Nocturnal. I was incredibly pleased with this color, a wonderful dark navy blue creme. It was a little hard to work with, since it moved a bit, and I had to work a bit to get the color you see, but it was worth it.

Now onto the times with Ani~

I was so happy to see her, it has been so long! And as soon as she got here, I got ready and we were off~ We went all over the place to go to Asian markets and shops, and though we didn't buy too much, it was so much fun!

And since I wanted to check out the sale at Hot Topic, we went to the mall. Though I didn't find anything there, we popped into Forever 21 for a bit (and she got the most ADORABLE sweater ever!) and I got myself a cleansing mask, new nose strips (that work SO much better than the chocolate ones), star earrings, and a new nail polish.

We had so much fun, and ate at my grandmothers house for dinner, and goofed off together. I miss her so much, but it shouldn't be too much longer till we can see each other again~

Now for a bit of a sad post...

My dog Pippy (Humphrey) had a sort of a stroke... it was so upsetting, because he already has a mild form of dementia and gets confused sometimes, but all day yesterday he was wobbling on his feet, and falling over, and he refused to go outside, and peed all over the place and it was just so sad... Luckily the vet said that his lungs and heart are great for an older dog, and he could simply snap back to normal and if he stopped eating/drinking/going to the bathroom that it would be a bad side...

Good news though, after he slept a lot yesterday, he got up and walked around and only stumbled once, and ate and drank a lot which is great! And last night he only got up once to go to the bathroom. And today, he's walking like normal (though he still hops a bit, but that's from his arthritis in his hips) and he was eating a lot, begging for food, running around, and didn't stumble or fall once! I'm hoping that means he's already snapped back, though I'll have to watch over him for a while longer to make sure.


Thanks for reading~

Yesterday's Gets

Hello again readers~

Yesterday I had a wonderful day, I was able to meet up with my friend that I haven't seen in almost FOUR years! It was way too long, and I hope we don't have to go as long without meeting up to talk again. There was just so much to talk about!

Though on the way home, I finally managed to go to CVS and pick up some things that were on sale~ Yuna posted on her blog about the sale, and I have been wanting to go check it out, and haven't had much time.

I got all of this for 10 dollars! I was so giddy~ I bought Physicians Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 powder foundation in Translucent Light, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Blue Streak, and Wet n Wild palettes in Lust and Pride.

The swatches of Lust. Really, I'm not in love with this palette, but the bottom two shades are amazing. They are the real reason I bought this palette. The two top colors are too light for me, but the top right shade is perfect for a brow bone highlighter.

Swatches of Pride. I actually love this palette. Not so much for the matte shades, since they are really weak in my opinion. They could be much more pigmented, but the shimmers of the palette are beautiful. Rich, soft, and pigmented.

After I got home, my sister went with me to Walmart since I wanted to get some Hard Candy cosmetics.

Hard Candy baked eyeshadow in Asteroid, and Glitter Cream Eyeshadow in Liar.

Swatches of Liar, and Asteroid (dry and wet). Liar is BEAUTIFUL. It's one of my new favorite eyeshadow shades. It's a black base, with gold glitter. It looks so beautiful. As for Asteroid (really most baked shadows) when it was applied dry, it was really weak. A dust of blue, with blue glitter. Nothing to write home about, but when it's applied wet, it really shines through. A dark navy base, with blue shimmer and glitter makes this shadow extraordinary.

I will be sure to do reviews on Liar~

Thanks for reading~

December's Top 5

Hello again readers, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!~

I was really hoping to get this done before 2012, but since I only had two minutes, and I had to get downstairs, I had no time.

DECEMBER'S TOP 5:

Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer:
This is great for winter. Not only does it leave my skin feeling soft, it helps with acne, works as a primer, and mixed with foundation, creates a beautiful alabaster tone. So many uses in this one product.

Essie Nail Polish in Shine of the Times:
I love this nail polish! It's my first flakie polish, and it looks amazing over colored nail polishes (especially black!). Absolutely gorgeous and like fire on my nails.

Wet n Wild I ♥ Matte Palette:
I didn't love this palette at first, but it grew on me. I can do anything from a smokey eye, to simply highlighting my eyebrow bone, and a bit of wild makeup looks too.

Softlips Chap Stick in Cucumber:
A must have for winter, especially since I'm one that bites their lips. It helps my lips feel so soft, supple, and juicy. It smells nice and works well.

Skin Milk Body Lotion:
The soft vanilla scent is wonderful, and not too overwhelming. It leaves my skin feeling so incredibly soft and silky.

Thanks for reading~

Aussie Hair Product Reviews

Hello again readers~

Today I'm reviewing four Aussie products that I have been using.

Aussome Volume Gel Spray, Catch the Wave Mousse, Hi Hold + Hi Shine Hair Spray, and 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner

I generally like Aussie products because they smell amazing, and they aren't that expensive at all, though I thought I would review them so you can see what I really think about the products I own.

Hi Hold + Hi Shine Hair Spray

PROS:
- Holds hairstyle in place all day
- Holds even in humidity (but not in rain!)

CONS:
- If too much product is put in one place, it can become crunchy
- It's easy to go overboard since the product comes out so smoothly

OVERALL: 4/5
I don't like when it ends up getting crusty, but for keeping hair in place all day, it works wonders.

Aussome Volume Gel Spray

PROS:
- It gives me the right amount of volume so my hair doesn't fall flat

CONS:
- Since it is a gel, you have to be really careful since it's sticky when it's wet

OVERALL: 3/5
I do like this product, my hair has a lot of volume farther down, but not around the roots. This product gives my hair the right amount of volume so it's easier to create an edgy look. I do not like how sticky this can be though, which reflects my rating.


Catch the Wave Mousse

PROS:
- Instant gratification. Run it through damp hair, and you can instantly see the piecy affect
- Makes hair look wavy, as if you just walked out of the beach.

CONS:
- It does make hair a bit crunchy, but is easily dealt with if you blow dry it, or if you simply run fingers through your hair

OVERALL: 4/5
I love this! My hair is wavy on it's own, but the waves always end up uneven. With this, I can control how my waves look, and it just makes my natural waves look even better. All you have to do is put it in your hair, style it like scrunching hair in your palms, and it looks amazing.


3 Minute Miracle Conditioner

PROS:
- It's easy to use, just put enough conditioner to cover your hair, like regular conditioner and leave it in
- Leaves hair smelling great, soft, luxurious, and really healthy
- Also gives hair a shine
- The effects last for a long while (my hair is still soft and it has been two weeks!)
- Perfect for those who use hair dryers, curling irons, curlers, or straightening irons constantly.

CONS:
- None!

OVERALL: 5/5
This product did exactly what it claimed to do, and it really is a 'miracle'. This lasts a long time, and for the price, it's amazing. It's a must have for me, since I straighten my hair often.

Thanks for reading~

November's Top 5

Hello again readers~

It's that time of the month again: November's Top 5!

Mint Teddy Bear Sweater:
I got it from my grandmother and I love it! It fits, it's cute, it's one of my favorite colors, and it just looks so cute on! It's something that I'm going to be wearing often in the winter.

Jordana's Eyeliner in Black:
An eyeliner I always go back to. Goes on smooth, it's soft to apply, makes smudged looks amazing, and a great go-to for tight-lining!

Love and Beauty Lipstick in Coral Pink:
Perfect for my skin tone. Not too dark, and not frosty either. Compliments it well.

Little Twin Stars Charm:
I got this when I went shopping with Anita last, and she has the pink one. Makes me really happy when I see it, or hear the bell jingle, because I instantly think of her.

Wet n Wild Baked Eyeshadow Palettes:
I know I have said this before, but I love baked eyeshadows! They are amazingly pigmented, go on amazingly, last all day, look beautiful, and last in the pan for a really long time!

Thanks for reading~

Christmas at Silver Dollar City~

Hello again readers~

When we went to Branson, it was really nice. We went straight to Silver Dollar City, and it was raining! It was so cold, I was wearing my two jackets, plus my heavy coat! It was really miserable. :( We went to see 'A Christmas Carol' at the Opera House theater in the park, and it was lucky timing, because as soon as we got out, we were dried off, and it wasn't raining anymore! It was still really cold though, and of course the rest of the night went wonderfully so fun times were had!

This was taken after we got out, while we were waiting for the Christmas parade. It was an 'accident shot' but those are always my favorites.

Then we have Sarah kissing on another figure! Always a new one every time we come down, it's really funny. :)

And then me posing, because this reindeer was just FABULOUS~

We went afterwards to do our tradition of icing cookies! These cookies though are SO sugar packed, that I can usually only eat one, and Sarah takes a bite out of hers and never eats the rest. I end up eating both of them myself. ^^;;

Sarah put green icing on my nose! Haha She was nice enough to wipe it off for me since I couldn't get it all myself.

The tree that stands closes to the entrance of the park! It's so tall, and it changes colors! The only thing I regret about this trip, is that it was too cold for iced beverages, and that we weren't able to see the light show for the tree. :(

And a few of the trees that were decorated for the Christmas season in the park~

Thanks for reading!

ーレベッカ