Nail Art: Bumble Bees

Wearing that yellow polish made me think of, well, Tweety bird, but I figured baby steps with the nail art. So I went with the other thing yellow makes me think of - bees!

I googled the term for a few ideas and found a cute tutorial that I used at Swatch and Learn - Bees Nails.

I added some freehanded bumble bees with my Migi Art Pen in Black and a few Milani rhinestones.

I'm trying to work on my nail art skillz so bear with me as I try some stuff that looks like a six year old drew on them. Oh, and my thumb is smudged from the topcoat. Oops. I'm impatient, what can I say?

Swatch: L'Oreal Tweet Me

I went to go see The Hunger Games yesterday - it was awesome! Now I really need to read the books. Although that likely won't happen until after I move in June. My hubby and I then went out for sushi and I tried fried green tea ice cream for the first time! I mean, really, how can you take ice cream and make it worse for you? Deep fry it, of course!

On a side note, when I was at the store the other day, I was looking at nail polish (surprise, I know!) and I saw a fun shimmery yellow nail polish on display. Yellow isn't normally my thing, but I don't have many (now that is surprising) and so I thought, why not?

Here's a quick look at the colors in their new Trend Setter Collection ...

Thank you Google! Image from www.makeupandbeautyblog.com

L'Oreal Colour Riche Trend Setter Tweet Me bright yellow that has a drop of orange with orange shimmer.

Gorgeous polish. If the formula wasn't so wonky.

So this manicure has a long history. I started with three coats. But it was an uneven, streaky mess.... So I added a fourth coat and top coat, determined to show you guys this polish is pretty but totally high maintenance. Today I woke up and just couldn't take pictures... So I added a fifth coat. And top coat. And this is what you see...

L'Oreal Tweet Me, five coats, Seche Vite top coat

L'Oreal Tweet Me, five coats, Seche Vite top coat

L'Oreal Tweet Me, five coats, Seche Vite top coat

L'Oreal Tweet Me, five coats, Seche Vite top coat

L'Oreal Tweet Me, five coats, Seche Vite top coat

It's a nice bright polish, and it makes my white hands look like they have some color, but you can still see a visible nail line, streaks, bald spots ... Sigh. I've heard about yellows having bad formulas, but sheesh! I'm so sad. I was trying to deal but dude, this is redonkulous.

On a happy note, I got TONS of compliments on this at work. Most people said it looked nice on my skin tone and others liked it imply because it's bright and spring-y. I didn't realize yellow would be such a crowd pleaser.

Other than a formula from hell, dry time was OK, and it lasted five days before I got a big chip - which is a death sentence for this polish since you can't fix it easily. I have another polish from the same line (VIP status and Grecian Goddess), and I'm hoping the wonky formula is because this is a yellow and not the formula of all their polishes!

Maybe it needs "underwear?" What is the preferred underwear for yellow? White? An opaque nude or pink? Or just a foundation base coat (like butter LONDON's)?

Nail Art: Hubby's Nails

I think my husband gets jealous with all the time I spend on my nails. I do sit with him and I grunt in response every now and then, but that wasn't enough apparently.

He wanted me to do some art work on his nails ...

He wanted one character, then two, then three ... Then six. I googled the characters and then used my Milani Nail Art Polish in Black.

I know they're not perfect, but it's my first try. Heh. He really likes them. He even wanted a clear coat so he can wear them out. Rock on Mr. Kaki!

Of course, he's taking a day or two off because he does construction and has a war wound. Poor baby. He's whiney when he's hurt.

What do you think about my husband with nail art? Or men with nail polish in general?

Week 13: Ruffian Mani

I'm back with Week 13 of the 52 Week Challenge! This week is a Ruffian, which isn't too complicated, but I put a lot of work into picking color combinations. If you follow me on twitter, I posted a pic of a nail wheel with some combinations ... I went through about 12 color combinations and this was the winner!

Ruffian Manicure

I used OPI Pros & Bronze and Orly Stone Cold. I'm not that happy with it, I need a guide of some sort to get that edge smooth, freehanding was not my friend today. Bah!

P.S. Take a look at The Polish Well's Upcoming 2012 Collection post - awesome collection of upcoming polish collections! If you don't already follow The Polish Well - you are missing out!!

Haul + Mail

I got some packages in the mail recently - my Zoya polishes from their recent promo and a few polishes I ordered and I went shopping yesterday looking for the new Wet N Wild glitter polishes which I didn't find (anyone know when those are to be released?) and I grabbed some other polishes I really didn't need, but it feels so strange to walk out of a store without at least ONE polish ... Right? Or am I the only one? Please don't say I'm the only one...

First up we have Jessica's Iridescent Eye from the Peacock Queen Collection that I purchased from Ninja Polish for $6/bottle. It was cheaper than buying from any other e-tailer and shipping was quick. It's a Chanel Peridot dupe (see Scrangie's comparison).

Jessica Iridescent

Next up is my Zoya order from their recent promo (Buy 3, Get 3 Free). I seem to really like purple ...

Faye - Mimi - Savita - Dannii - Phoebe - Jules

Wait, Zoya Faye looks kinda familiar to a polish I recently bought ...

Dangit! I always do that. They aren't dupes, but definitely in the same neighborhood. Blah. I seem to have a weakness for this color. Oh well. They're both pretty...

And my drugstore haul! I wasn't too bad. I did have a giftcard to CVS so I used that, so I was nice!

My only Essie ... Nothing really caught my eye in their display, but this one was sitting by itself by the cash register, and when I picked it up, it had the prettiest shimmer! So soft and feminine. I tried to capture the shimmer, but the photo is pretty washed out.

Essie Peek-A-Boo

A single Maybelline that looked pretty - apparently coral is in this season. So I thought I'd fall victim to a trend!

Maybelline Tulip Tango

Some Milani from the new Beach themed spring collection... Sorry for the blurry photo, I didn't realize it until I loaded the pictures, and I'm too lazy to go back and get another one. =)

Beach Front - Sail Away

Some Sally Hansen VitaSurge products, one to strengthen my nails and one cuticle gel. I hadn't heard of these until I saw Sarah @ Chalkboard Nails cuticle care post and I thought it was interesting that it dried clear and matte, so it can be used before clicking pictures for swatches! They were BOGO, so I grabbed two different products!

Sinful Colors new Sheer Shimmer Collection. They remind me of Cinderella with the beautiful shimmer ...

Sweet Dreams - Flutter - Morning Star

And some Spoiled polishes that caught my eye. I actually had like ten of these in my hands, but I put a lot of them back because I had similar polishes or I knew I'd never actually wear them.

Cougar Attack - Shrimp on the Barbie - Club Rat

And here are my dilemma products! I have been grabbing Revlon Whimsical and Sinful Colors Cinderella whenever I see them, and I'm up to EIGHT Revlon Whimsical and SEVEN Sinful Colors Cinderella. I'm not sure if I should do a short blog sale or do a giveaway ... What do you guys think?

Whew! Lots of new polishes! And I'm not sure what to do with all those Whimsicals and Cinderellas ...

Sinful Colors Cinderella

Cinderell-y, Cinderell-y
Night and day it's Cinderell-y

I love that song. I like the chubby mouse, he reminds me of me! =) So I know you've probably heard of this polish, and you've probably seen it a bazillion times, and you're probably tired of seeing it. But what's one more right?

Sinful Colors Cinderella is a gorgeous light blue with golden pink shimmer - just like her dress! I tried to get some good shots showing the shimmer ...

It goes on a little sheer, but three coats gave good opacity. Maybe a little visible nail line, but not that you can see from an arm's length away. Dry time was the usual for Sinful Colors, so not bad. It lasted for five days before I got bored and started messing with it, so it gets a double thumbs up in my book for longevity!

Sinful Colors Cinderella, three coats

Sinful Colors Cinderella, three coats

Sinful Colors Cinderella, three coats

Hope you guys like! These are new swatches (after cleaning out the vault) so I've changed a few things and tried to improve the pictures/swatching. Any comments/suggestions? I appreciate any and all feedback. Just be nice! =)

Milani 3D Holographic Nail Polish in 3D, Cyberspace, & Hi-Res

Wee! Last of my swatches from the vault. I'm throwing the rest of my Milani 3D Holographic swatches into this post!

Hope you guys enjoy all these pictures of sparkly goodness!

You can see the entire collection swatches here!

Milani 3D is a beautiful yellow gold scattered holo that is gorgeous!! Just look ...

Milani 3D

Milani 3D

Milani 3D

Milani 3D

Milani Cyberspace is a great light blue scattered holo...

Milani Cyberspace 

Milani Cyberspace  

Milani Cyberspace 

Milani Cyberspace 

Milani Cyberspace 

Milani Hi-Res is a gorgeous (I know I say that a lot, but I totally mean it) light purple scattered holo ... Just beautiful!!

Milani Hi-Res

Milani Hi-Res

Milani Hi-Res

Milani Hi-Res

Milani Hi-Res

Milani Hi-Res

Milani Hi-Res

You can get the entire set in my 600 follower giveaway!

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow Swatches + Review

I spotted a display of new eyeshadows - L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows. I snatched up two of them. Of course, they're neutral colors. I'm such a monotonous girl. I really need to spice up my eyeshadow life...

These eyeshadows come in a little pan with a screw top lid and a small plastic piece that acts to pat down the eyeshadow so it doesn't crumble or fall apart. The consistency feels slightly... squishy. Have you tried the Buxom Stay There Eyeshadows? They're almost spongy. Great color pay off, minimal fall out, and good staying power.

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow Amber Rush, swatched on bare skin

L'Oreal Infallible Amber Rush is a frosted golden pink. 

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe, swatched on bare skin

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe is a burnished taupe with a frosty sheen that almost leans green in the light. I like this one more out of the two - but I have a weakness for frosty taupes on eyes.


Below look using:
L'Oreal Infallible Bronzed Taupe (eyelid)
Urban Decay X (crease)
Urban Decay Virgin (inner highlight, browbone)
Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara

I didn't include a look with Amber Rush because it was a little too pink for me. It made my eyes look red rimmed and bloodshot. I gave it to someone who liked it (and wore it well) but now I'm realizing I should have done an eye swatch just for kicks. Sorry.

Has anyone used these? I like them. They have good staying power (over UDPP) and they're color stays true all day. The Bronzed Taupe would make a quick sexy smokey eye. And you don't need that much to do your eyes, I think these will last forever!

I use them by rubbing by finger in the pot then slightly patting/rubbing onto my eyelid. They set after about 30 seconds, so you have time to blend before they set, but if you wait too long, they'll sit in whatever way you put them on. I've seen people use a brush, but for me, it was hard to pick up the product. I did see someone use a wet brush to pick up the product, which seems interesting.

Me Gusta:

• Good color selection
• Easy to apply
• Great staying power
• Time to blend before setting
• Good color payoff - don't need much, they'll last forever!
• Perfect for quick looks, busy mornings, or a wash of color

No Me Gusta:

• Some shades (ie Amber Rush) is waaaaay too frosty
• Need to keep plastic topper and lid closed tightly or else they dry out
• Slightly chunky packaging. It's cute, but bulky.

Anyone have any of these? What colors do you like? I'm debating on picking up another but I can't decide which one!

I purchased mine from Walgreen's but they're available everywhere L'Oreal is sold. You can probably pick them up from Ulta during a BOGO event for cheaper!