Zoya Winner!

Congratulations Rebecca! I have a trio of Zoya polishes for you! Email me with your info and I'll get that out soon!!

Rebecca has an awesome blog at Polish Etc. and here is a peek at her latest post. I just found her and she's got some awesome stuff. Go check it out!

Polish Etc. Fourth of July Mani

Milani Runway Eyes Summer 2012 Eye Shadows - Swatches & Review

I don't have graduation nails for you. Actually (this is so awful I can't believe I'm admitting it to you!) I didn't do my nails at all. AT ALL. I had on China Glaze Fast Track on my nails and I just didn't have time to do anything with them before the ceremony. Blah. I'm such a failure. Although I did fix my hair and makeup and I got many compliments on looking beautiful. One person even said I looked like a doll. Yay. Best compliment ever.

Anyway today I have some pretties for you so you won't be mad at me coming here empty handed! =P

I have the three new Milani Runway Eyes Sumer 2012 Eye Shadows in Peaches & Cream, Antigua, and Golden Touch. I actually got these in a giveaway Milani had going on Twitter. I saw a friend who tweeted a message and I retweeted, and then a few hours later, I won! Craziness.

A luxurious, silky-smooth powder eyeshadow baked on terracotta tiles.  The glitter overspray temporarily adds sparkle to this pearl finish eyeshadow. The innovative shade of the curved applicator was designed for a quick and easy application. --Milani.com

Milani Peaches & Cream is a gorgeous light pink shade with a golden sheen. This was the most pigmented shade of the bunch. Really pretty.

Milani Antigua is a gorgeous dusty dark brown-green with golden and wine sparkle. Very pretty, almost a duochrome depending on how much gold is reflecting. Very interesting color. This is one you could do a wash on your lids and it would reflect back different colors.

Milani Golden Touch is a gorgeous off white, golden shade. Gorgeous as a highlight or inner eye color.

One thing I wanted to point out because I noticed it will all of these and I've seen it with all their baked shadows. Glitter overspray. Boo. Trickery. No bueno.

Me Gusta:

• Gorgeous shades
• Blends easily
• Lovely gold sheen
• Straightforward packaging, doesn't clutter

No Me Gusta:

• Glitter overspray - deceiving
• Not very pigmented/bright
• Applicator sucks, throw it out

Verdict: I like these. Multiple uses, great shadows, love the golden sheen.

Milani Runway Eyeshadow is available wherever Milani is sold and these retail for $6.99/0.07oz.

Product(s) in this post were received in a giveaway by Milani Cosmetics on Twitter.

It's So Easy Summer Fun Nail Art Contest

Join in on the Summer Fun Nail Art Contest

Los Angeles, Calif. (June 2012) – Take a dive into the world of nail art with It’s So Easy® and the Summer Fun Nail Art contest. Beginning on Sunday, July 1^st, nail art fanatics throughout the United States are invited to enter their nail creations to win cash or gift cards.

         

The prizes are as follows:

                   1^st: $1,000

                   2^nd: $500

                   3^rd: $250

                  

Twenty congratulations prizes will also be awarded, offering $25 gift cards to shop at Sally Beauty®, the largest source of professional beauty products in the world.

The Summer Fun Nail Art contest ends on Tuesday, July 31^st.

For more information about the contest and to enter, visit the NEW It’s So Easy® website at www.itssoeasynails.com.

About It’s So Easy®

It’s So Easy® provides the highest quality nail art products for nail art applications. The line includes loose glitters, cracked ice flakes, sealer and dryer, rhinestones, brushes, and more. It’s So Easy® products are available now at Sally Beauty®. To find a store near you, visit www.sallybeauty.com.

Like It’s So Easy® on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ItsSoEasyNailArt

Follow It’s So Easy® on Instagram:

@ItsSoEasyNails

Follow It’s So Easy® on Pinterest:

www.pinterest.com/ItSoEasyNails

Follow It’s So Easy® on Twitter:

www.Twitter.com/ItsSoEasyNails

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Glosses - Swatches & Review

Today is my last day at work. Tomorrow is my last official day, but it's Saturday, so ... Yeah. Graduation ceremony is tonight. I still haven't decided what to wear on my nails (MUCH more important than my actual outfit) but I'll share it with you tomorrow!

Anyway ...

Urban Decay is pretty much known for awesome makeup that is outside the box. Gorgeous, intensely pigmented eyeshadows and eyeliners are in the forefront, along with awesome, rocker chic packaging. Awhile back they came out with Stardust Sparkling Lip Glosses, and I bought all three, because, well, I have a sickness.

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss, per Urban Decay, is ...

Inspired by twinkling stars, our radiant formula wraps lips in sophisticated (never scratchy) sparkle. Lip conditioners and a minty taste up the ante.

Our Stardust Shadow has attracted a pretty obsessive fan base, so we decided to launch this arresting gloss for all you sparkle fanatics. Teeny glints of sparkle reflect light, and the result is a deep, dynamic car paint effect: a sophisticated, lustrous shine that makes lips look fuller. The multifaceted shades work every day, but can amp up your nighttime looks as well. It’s twinkling sparkle without the look (or scratchiness) of teenage glitter.

This formula is thicker than your average gloss, but doesn’t feel that way. Cushiony, but not sticky, Stardust has staying power and nourishes, too: Jojoba Oil conditions lips, Vitamin E improves moisture retention, and a vanilla-mint flavor keeps things interesting for your makeout partner. The clear, rectangular tube shows off color and sparkle – it’s like a slice of outer space in a tube – and you won’t be able to keep your hands off the soft-touch black cap. Pull this out of your bag, and you’ll captivate the room.

Umm, I dunno about captivating a room when you pull out your lip gloss, but they are pretty. 

Urban Decay Stardust Lip Gloss: Andromeda, Glitter Rock, Space Cowboy

Standard short brush applicator. Very sweet smell with mint, almost like a sweet spearmint.

And some lip swatches.

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss in Andromeda

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss Andromeda is a gorgeous light pink gloss with multi-colored glitter. Very pretty, makes your lips look very wet but doesn't give much color at all. I had thought this would be my favorite because of the duochrome you see in the tube, but alas, it didn't translate at all to the lips. Kinda meh about it.

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss in Glitter Rock

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss in Glitter Rock is a beautiful light pink lipgloss with light pink glitter. Very pretty and feminine. Adds a touch of pink to your lips and lots of sparkle.

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss in Space Cowboy

Urban Decay Stardust Sparkling Lip Gloss in Space Cowboy is a gorgeous neutral gloss with a pink duochrome. In the tube, it looks lovely and intense, but it doesn't translate on to the lips much. The gloss itself hardly has any color, and the pink glitter stands out in certain lights and looks out of place. Bah. 

Here is a picture of the tube of Andromeda ... Can you see how I was so looking forward to this? I was hoping to get all that pink and gold and bronze and a wee it of purple on my lips. Bah again.

These remind me of the Stardust eye shadows (OMG I get it now!) where they are mainly there for glitter and not much else. Sigh. I wish I had made that connection before just now and saved my money. They're nice, but I was hoping for something more pigmented. I use products like these during the day when I just need something to reapply so my lips don't get dry.

Me Gusta:

• Lightweight, not heavy or goopy
• Lasts for a few hours before needing to reapply
• Glitter is not gritty at all, very grown up and smooth
• Pretty colors
• Nice smell, and tasty!

No Me Gusta:

• Limited color selection
• Sticky! Bah.
• Glosses are much prettier in the tubes

Verdict: Pretty cool. They'll get used, but they won't be something I reach for specifically or often.

These retail for $19/each and are available where Urban Decay is sold.

e.l.f. Essential 4-Piece Nail Polish Set - Swatches & Review

I graduate in TWO days. Yusssssss. So excited. I asked ya'll on Twitter if I should do some press on nails for the night or do my own nails. And it was an overwhelming DO MY OWN NAILS. Haha. I should have known. Having press ons or acrylics is taboo on the nail blog-o-sphere! =P

Anywho...

I previously put up a haul/review post on an e.l.f. purchase I made , and I mentioned the 4 piece polish set, but I decided those needed a post of their own! So here we are!

e.l.f. Essential 4-Piece Nail Polish Set includes four orange/pink/coral shades that are definitely IN this season! I bet these would make a killer gradient on the nail, especially the first and third polishes!

Fun names, not as exciting/silly as OPI but at least they're not just numbered.

Brush is standard, not amazing, but good at doing what it's supposed to do. No troubles with strange/bad brushes.

Some skittle swatches. (Say that three times fast, I dare ya!)

All four polishes are cremes and required three coats for full opacity. Flirty Fuchsia is the only one with a visible nail line (in the picture anyway) but in real life, they're all opaque at three.

e.l.f. Coral Dream. Light coral (leaning pink) shade you've seen in a previous picture here. So this picture, I'm sure you're thinking, why the heck is there a line almost in the center of the nail and it turns pink on the other side? I really have no idea. ALL of the pictures of this one did it. I don't remember it looking like that in real life. Sorry guys! No good answer for you! =/

e.l.f. Flirty Fuchsia. Beautiful medium pink, almost a little dusty. Antique pink. Anyway, pretty, good coverage. Flattering color for work or play.

e.l.f. Party Peach. Great bright peach. I'd almost call it more orange than peach, but whatever. Fun color, definitely in season right now.

e.l.f. Smokin Hot. Beautiful deep red-orange. Very classy but enough orange in it to be trendy.

Me Gusta:

• Great price
• Good pigmentation, opaque at two to three coats
• Applied well, good formula

No Me Gusta:

• Chipped in less than one day, even with base and top coat
• Limited color selection overall for e.l.f. polishes

Verdict: Good deal for fun colors at a great price. 

You can buy these at e.l.f. where they retail at $5 for 4 polishes (each 10mL or .34oz).

Week 22: Splatter Mani

Catch up post! Today I have the Splatter Mani for Week 22 of the 52 Week Challenge. I was a little hesitant about this one since it's the first I've done, but I finally scrounged up enough straws from random vendors I felt I could get it done.

Week 22: Splatter Mani

I used some new colors I purchased during a local beauty store sale, and I'm glad I did. Its much easier to use new colors in nail art or in mani's like this. I think I'm going to pull a Chalkboard Nails move and show colors through nail art or manicures. My swatches suck and you can find much better ones through google. I'm still learning my niche in this blogging world ...

Week 22: Splatter Mani

Polishes Used (in order of use):
1. Orly Decades of Dysfunction (base)
2. Sally Hansen Complete Manicure Loves Me Not
3. Orly Steel My Heart
4. Wet n Wild Fastdry Buffy the Violet Slayer
5. Orly You're Blushing
6. Orly Love Each Other


Words to the Wise:

1. Use a medium sized straw to get the best polish splatter, too small and you won't have much polish to blow, large straw and it'll spray everywhere.
2. Cover a MUCH larger area to work on than you think you need. Then cover more. This polish will blow EVERYWHERE.
3. No rules. If you want more of a certain color but you've already used it, who cares, go back and add it again. I did. (Can you see a difference in one of the nails between the two pictures? Which do you like better?)
4. Cover your skin to help in clean up. You can use tape, liquid bandaid (I tried it, not bad, but expensive considering it wasn't better than the other two methods), or vaseline. Vaseline is my favorite because it protects, it's easy to wipe away, and it moisturizes while you work! It will, however, warm up to your skin temp and start spreading out, so don't take too long to work. Tape, however, is quicker since you don't have to keep wiping and cleaning and washing to get it off your skin.
5. Apply the skin protection after your basecoat color. Apply a quick dry top coat after to help speed things along. Don't worry about clean up yet because you'll just have to do it again.
6. Quick, hard blows work best rather than longer, slower ones. (Bwahaha)
7. If your polish isn't spraying well, considering dipping your straw in acetone and then your drop of polish to thin it a bit.
8. Make sure you keep track of what end of the straw you're putting polish on and what end you're mouth is touching. Don't get mixed up!
9. You can go back as many times as you need to get the coverage you want. If you find yourself needing to go back two or three times with the same color (I did, not a big deal) don't drop a ton of polish on your dish because it will dry out quickly. Keep adding a drop here and there as needed so you don't waste polish.

If you have any questions let me know. This was totally fun and I'm already planning on doing it again.

Any recommendations or suggestions for myself and everyone out there?

Essence Products Review

Hiya peeps! I have a few Essence goodies to share with you today! I don't have access to this brand where I live (except for nail polish through Ulta) so I was excited to receive this package! =)

Essence Wanna Be My Sunshine is a fantastic lemon yellow shimmer that leans green. Ya'll have seen it here already, but here are the swatch pictures.

How about an ultra close up macro shot? See the pretty shimmer? It's the same color as the polish but it's noticeable up close in the light.

With flash. See how the edges turn a little green. It's mostly lemon yellow but there is a touch of green in it!

I really liked this polish (as I do all my Essence polishes - thanks Theodora!) and it had decent wear time. 1-2 days before it started chipping. I love the color selection of these and this was the best yellow I've used! Honestly.

Essence Quattro eyeshadow in 01 XOXO is a lovely quad of four silver/purple shades. Very nice to have color coordinating eyeshadows if you're going for a monochromatic look. It includes a silvery white, silver, lilac, and black. All colors have a shimmer to them, and the lighter colors appear more frosted.

Without flash...

With flash...

The silver one gave me the most trouble in terms of color. Even a heavy swatch didn't give me much color, but the silvery white and lilac were awesome. The black I bet would be best to give a touch of depth to the crease or wet as a liner. Good wear time, but I always wear them over primer, so I can't attest to wear time on its own. Yet! =P

Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadow in 02 Glammy Goes To... is a gorgeous shimmery taupe cream eyeshadow. It comes in a pretty tub with fun labeling (I'm such a sucker for cute packaging)

With flash ....

Gorgeous shimmery taupe and ya'll know I LOVE my taupe eye shadows. I'm not so much a fan of cream shadows because my lids are so oily, but this one fared well over the course of the day (with primer!). I do like this, and it makes for a great quick smokey eye with some smudged black liner (or brown if you want to go lighter) or a great quick eye for work or going out!

Hopefully I'll get an Eye of the Day up soon using these so you can see them in action! 

Products provided for review.

Sephora Moonshadow Baked Palette - In The Nude Swatches + Review

One of my very bestest friends bought this palette for me for a Christmas present. She knows me so well, and it's crazy that I had wanted to buy it for myself and had decided to pass, and then I get it wrapped up with a pretty (and glittery!) bow.

According to Sephora.com, they call it "A palette with a range of ten baked eye shadows in nude colors, each with a super sparkly finish ... each delivers a cosmic amount of diamond dust shimmer."

Top Row, Indoor Light

Top Row, Sunlight

Bottom Row, Indoor Light

Bottom Row, Sunlight

The top row seems to be more sheer and lighter colors, while the bottom row is more pigmented with darker colors.They are very soft and do have a fair amount of fall out, but I've found that using a concealer brush (or something similar with dense, slightly stiff bristles) packs color well on the lid. The palette will get covered in shadow dust regardless of how careful you are though. Too bad.

Overall, great palette. I've been enjoying it and it's been my go to palette since swatching it. I definitely appreciate the spectrum of colors and pigmentation.

I am really bad about taking pictures of looks I've done, but I've included a few that I've done with the set. Sorry about the changes in lighting, they were taken in different parts of the house/yard.

  

*also used Milani Shadow Eyez in Aquatic Style

I really like this palette and I'm enjoying using it. The shadows don't seem to be going down very quickly, so I imagine it lasting a fair amount of time.

This is available at Sephora for $30, and they also have two other versions: In The Heat and In The Dark which look interesting.