Oh China Glaze Below Deck. When you made your appearance at CosmoProf 2010, we were all excited that you were the answer to the discontinued Channelesque. Well, not me, because Channelesque was before my time, so I really didn't know what the hype was. But then I saw you, and you were a dusty purple creme. And you're also impossible to photograph well, which is why it's taken me so long to properly review you.
For those who are interested in a beautiful comparison of Below Deck and Channelesque, please visit this post by The Swatchaholic.
To me, Below Deck is like Chanel Paradoxal without the shimmer/sparkle. I used a base coat of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Below Deck and a top of Seche Vite. Application went on well.
Here it is in the sun - yep, a pretty dusty purple creme.
This shade picture was actually taken quite some time ago but I couldn't get any of the other pictures to color correct properly, so I just scraped them all.
Finally indoors with the flash - very pretty application.
There you go! This is definitely something that I'll wear again and again. I actually really wanted to play with it with Sea Spray but that's a story for another time...
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Again from the China Glaze Anchors Away collection is Sunset Sail, a "delightful peachy pink high shine creme". I hate labeling this "red" in my labels because it's so not red... but what can I do... ^_^ (Edit: Just add a nude tag, hah)
I used a base coat of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Sunset Sail and a top coat of Seche Vite. I had major issues with the formula and application - thick and goopy. I want to add some thinner for next time because this is a nice neutral nude.
See in the sun? While I like the color, I'm not the biggest fan of this application. See that one bubble on the ring finger? Rawr.
I really loved this in the shade - it's just so seashelly pink... very pretty.
Indoors with the flash - you can totally see it's a nude that goes well with my skin. I just wish it was a better formula!
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Going back to the Anchors Away collection, the China Glaze Spring 2011 releases... today I have Knotty, a micro-particle beige shimmer. I wasn't sure how much I'd like this since it seemed kind of frosty to me. I used a base coat of Seche Natural, 2 coats of Knotty and a top coat of Seche Vite. The formula was pretty nice on this one but the coverage? Well...
So here in the sun, I definitely had some VNL, which I'm not a fan of. Plus, I feel like this color makes my nails look yellowed. :[
Here in the shade, it doesn't really look as bad as it did to me in sun, but I'm still not totally sold. It kind of looks like sand though.
And here's an indoors with flash - back to not being a fan again. I'm sure this would look better over something like white or black. Speaking of, I'm trying to find a white that's an opaque one coater - any suggestions?
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
So a little deviant posting today - skincare!
Ever since Groupon and Living Social have come on the scene, one deal I see constantly is the microdermabrasion treatment, normally offered anywhere from $60-$200 (and that's AFTER the deal pricing!). I really don't know much about microdermabrasion other than hearing it on beauty shows (anyone else remember when ABC's Extreme Makeover was for PEOPLE and not homes?) and sometimes seeing a listing in the newspaper. I live in a relatively small town and the nearest place for skincare services like that are at least an hour north or two hours south of where I'm located.
 |
| Image from SkinCareRx |
When I was given the opportunity to test out the PMD - Personal Microderm System from SkinCareRx, I jumped at the chance. The price for this system is $179 and it ships same business day. The box contains the PMD, 5 discs (2 green for coarse removal and 3 blue for light removal), the power cord, 1 facial cap, 1 body cap and a reusable filter (mine was black not white). Also included was an instructional DVD which was about 8 minutes long and was more helpful to me than reading the included pamphlet. I'm a very visual learner, so it was great to see someone physically sticking this on their face and pulling it across.
Let's be honest, I was super nervous when I got this thing. All I knew is that it was a rotating disc that was going to be grinding at my skin. The actual terms are "smoothing away dead skin cells" (and I had some of them, for real) and this wand also diminishes age spots. I don't have any visible age spots right now (I am only 27), but it's nice to know that I could use this for that purpose later.
I followed the directions (ha, this is rare for me) and washed my face and pulled back my hair. I decided to use the large blue disc as I was just going to try my face. I have fat cheeks so like the DVD showed, I held my skin taunt between my fingers and went from down to up my cheek in vertical lines, never going higher than my cheekbones. On my chin, I went from left to right, and then on my forehead I did vertical lines again. I actually went over my whole face a second time because I wasn't sure I did it right the first time. You have to hold the wand perpendicular to your face so it "suctions" on there. You'll hear it if you don't have enough suction - just like a vacuum cleaner.
After I did this, I washed my face again and smoothed on the M2 Skin Recover Moisturizer ($32.50 for 1.7 fl oz) and M2 Skin Refinish ($44.50 for 1.7 fl oz) samples that were included with my PMD. I only used a pea size amount of both and that well covered over my face. The Moisturizer felt thick without feeling greasy but the Skin Refinish flat out BURNED for a few minutes. It does have both mandelic and malic acid which is why my face was on fire, but it went away pretty fast. I do have sensitive skin and to the best of my knowledge - rosacea. I have seen a dermatologist who was really indecisive and so I never went back. (He's not sure if I had ANYTHING - he just prescribed me $300 shampoo and left the room but that's another story).
I let my face sit for a few hours while I got some work done, and then finally touched to see if I felt a difference. My face did feel softer, so I went to go look. Parts of my cheeks were noticeably white instead of pink (this is awesome) and I have a scar on my left cheek that I felt was fainter (it's from the chicken pox when I was 5).
While this system is a bit expensive for me as a set-up, I already feel that it's definitely worth it. You can buy replacement discs and filters from SkinCareRx or PMD, as well as the moisturizer and skin refinish cream, so this isn't a machine that breaks once and you're out the money completely.
I'm going to keep using my machine until it's time to buy more pads or a new filter and see how much difference it's made. My Mom actually has a Groupon to have a microdermabrasion done this summer, so I'd like to see if her face looks about the same as mine does after hers. Granted, every one is different but half my DNA came from her, so I'm going to do a small (but not scientific!) experiment.
Thanks for letting me share this little skincare posting with you today!
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Alright Mitzi... are you yellow or green? Either way, you're bright, you're matte, and you're the last color in the Zoya modmattes LE collection. This is also a mini bottle but a full size is available. I did not use a base or top color (Zoya actually doesn't recommend it) and this is 3 coats. Formula was nice on this color as well.
This is definitely a green-yellow-lime-lemonish color that I've been told is like OPI's Fiercely Fiona (which I own in a mini bottle). It's quite unique to my collection, especially being a matte.
Here in the shade, I feel like I have lobster red hands.
And finally here inside with a flash, it almost looks tennis ball green - almost neon like. Definitely a neat color!
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Next today is Zoya Lolly, a bold magenta pink creme - very Barbie like. There isn't any hidden shimmer in this one - it's just straight matte. I didn't use a base or top coat and this is 3 coats. This is the mini bottle from the Mini Trio but you can also purchase it as a large bottle.
This is so in your face that it's almost like a matte neon! The formula was nice on this even though I did use 3 coats.
The shade almost has a blue cast over it. :)
And finally a shot indoors with the flash. I'm very happy with this color! It's a great pop of pink.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
Today starts my review on the Zoya modMattes LE collection that came out this year. I got the Mini Trio Sampler which is $15 (or $5 a bottle) or you can purchase the full bottles for $8. The mini bottles contain 0.25 oz of product compared to a full bottle at 0.50 oz (so half the size). Zoya Phoebe is a bright blue matte that has some hidden shimmer in it.
I did not use a base or top coat and this is 2 coats of polish. Like most mattes, this dried fairly quickly.
Here it is in the sun - you can really see how bright of a blue it really is!
Now in the shade - still quite brilliant in color.
Then I decided to add a top coat of Seche Vite.
Check out all that shimmer in there!
The shimmer is much less pronounced in the shade of course, but it does smooth out all my ridges nicely.
Zoya [official website] can be purchased on their website for $8/bottle.
Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration. For more information, please read this post.
This is the last of my Golden Rose purchases - remember I only spent $20 on these beauties total! :) That makes my wallet very happy. Golden Rose Holographic 110 - Purplish Pink. Again, these bottles are smaller but so is the price at only $2.19. Fun times.
I didn't use a base coat or a top coat and this is 3 coats of polish.
Here's one sun picture - you can see a bunch of holo coming across.
So check out this pretty sun picture! I'm very happy.
Boring (but necessary) shade picture.
And finally an indoors with flash. Hello holo. :)
So this ends my little stint of Golden Rose polishes. Overall I've been very happy with them. I did just order the Nfu-Oh Aqua Base, so I'm excited to check it out with my holo polishes. I always prefer a base coat to prevent staining and protect your nails. I've been blogging since December 2009 and only had stained nails once (before I started using a base coat every time).
You can purchase Golden Rose polishes from their website. They offer free shipping for orders over $20 and free samples as well. Sadly, they do not ship internationally. You can like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Are you Royal Wedding'ed out yet? I didn't watch the Royal Wedding and pretty much any information I did get was off Twitter. I was slightly upset that AP sent me a push notification around 5 a.m. telling me that they were officially wed. Thanks AP.
To celebrate the launch of the new film Bridesmaids (in theaters May 13), Urban Decay is coming out with the Bridal Survival Kit Urban Bride Kit, launching today (1 May). I first saw this rumored on the Urban Decay Facebook page, so I'm excited to share the actual information with you.
Urban Bride sells for $42 and includes a travel size:
· Razor Sharp Ultra-Definition Finishing Powder
· Supercurl Curling Mascara
· Lip Junkie Lip Gloss
· All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
· Marshmallow Sparkling Body Powder
PLUS Full-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
Please enjoy the following press release from Urban Decay.
We’ve partnered with Universal Pictures to promote ‘Bridesmaids’ in theatres May 13. Kristen Wiig leads the cast as Annie, a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to matrimony. With so many bride-zillas, it’s a wonder more people don’t run for the hills when asked to participate in the nuptials of someone near and dear. Well, just in case you notice a transformation in your Mrs.-to-be, dodge her s**t list by giving her Urban Bride, a gorgeously packaged, gift-ready box holding Urban Decay’s best-selling beautifiers.
PRODUCT INFO
• Perfect for a bride, bridesmaid, mother-in-law and anyone else who’s making an appearance in the wedding photos, its contents SET THE BAR REALLY HIGH for products designed to WORK OVERTIME. Leave nothing to chance, prime face and eyes for the camera, make lips more luscious and set your look so it lasts until the final guest leaves.
• Wrapped in pearlized white paper and embossed with a foil lace/flowers/dripping chains design motif, the words “Urban Bride” are featured languidly on the lid as a nod to 19th-century romanticism. Open the box to reveal the products in a removable tray graced with lush watercolor roses.
Displaying vibrant sweeps of color, this keepsake box can be used to store anything from makeup and jewelry, to photos and personal mementos.
THE CONTENTS
• Razor Sharp Ultra-Definition Finishing Powder - (3.75 g mini) diffuses lines for a flawless airbrushed look, and the translucent shade suits all skin tones. The photographer and the DJ can flash their brightest lights her way because she’ll still look AMAZING.
• Eyeshadow Primer Potion - (Full Size) ensures her eyeshadow stays vibrant, true and CREASE-FREE throughout the ceremony, pictures, dancing and well-after her garter comes off.
• Supercurl Curling Mascara - boosts, separates and conditions lashes, while its supersculpting polymers hold the curl. Even if she throws a tirade at some point, no one will be able to hate her with those lashes.
• Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in Midnight Cowboy - (Travel Size 3.6 ml) gives her all the shine she wants without any tacky stickiness. This soft, cushiony-textured gloss endures, and the sheer nude sparkle of Midnight Cowboy can be worn alone or over any shade of lipstick.
• All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray - (15 ml spray bottle; perfect for her purse!) is a weightless mist that sets makeup for 16 hours. It utilizes temperature control technology to prevent makeup from melting off when it’s hot and humid outside or from becoming dehydrated when it’s cold and dry.
• Marshmallow Sparkling Lickable Body Powder - (Travel Size 10g) a glistening, edible body powder to highlight her shoulders and décolletage beautifully, as well as treat her other half to a little dessert too!
Urban Bride (SRP $42) is available at ULTA and select Macy’s. Or, online at http://www.sephora.com, http://www.ulta.com, http://www.macys.com, http://www.beauty.com and http://www.urbandecay.com.
It's May Day! My Mom used to explain to me that the first day of May, you'd give flowers to people anonymously (leave them on the doorstep and run off after ringing the doorbell) or let them know you were sending them flowers... it was to finish the kid's song "April Showers bring May Flowers." Anyway, I might go pick up something pretty for my dining room table but first, here are some blogs of note!
First today is Polishology. A recovering nail biter, Jenny has short nails and has a variety of polish brands and colors.
Next is Polish Pig. She has medium to long nails and is able to feature brands that I can't get here in the States.
Finally today is Pretty Perfect Beauty. She has short nails and also has a variety of polish brands and colors. Random tidbit: She knits! (I've been trying to knit for years.)
Enjoy the new reads!
