Nail Polish Change - Lancôme Very In Love & Sinful Colors In Gilded

Hey There!

So you came back to see what my favorite nail polish of all time (or 2014) was. Well...I'm gonna make you wait...but just for a few paragraphs.

Instead, we are going to talk about what I wore on my toes for the past week. Tee hee. I know, I'm such a tease. On my toes this past week I wore my Lancôme polish in Very In Love. It's a pretty pinky red that compliments my complexion. I topped it off with my Sinful Colors polish in Gilded. Gilded really brought out the pink in the Lancôme polish. I spent a lot of time during the holidays, at folks homes where taking off your shoes was mandatory (or strongly advised). You definitely want your toes to look cute when you are visiting the fam.

The Lancôme polish wears well but again, it was on my tootsies so it usually does. The Sinful Colors polish sealed the deal. I know that I can get another 2 weeks or so of wear from this combo. It seems like it would be a weird combination but I like it. My feet will see this dynamic duo again.

And, for my favorite polishes of the year....

L'Oreal Collection Privée in doutzen's nude and China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Travel in Colour. The China Glaze top coat is NO surprise to anyone. I wore this sucker as a top coat, party nail, whatever I could get it on. I only have the mini size, but I have three of those bad boys. Running out is NOT an option.

The L'Oreal polish might be a surprise. The color is certainly not. I told you that warm light chocolate with a hint of strawberry is so delicious on my hands. I've worn this color many times and then I get ticked off about the chipping and take it off. Yes, the formula sucks moose balls but when the color is this pretty, you deal with it.

I did say that I wouldn't purchase another L'Oreal polish until the formula changes and I haven't. I just can't get with chipping after 24 hours. My plan this year is to find another polish formula with a similar color so that I can retire this one but still have that beautiful color.

And do you see what happens when you add the China Glaze as a tip color? Geeze La-weeze that's pretty! I stared at my own darned hands all day. I didn't need any compliments...I made my own!

So there you have it. My 2 favorite colors of 2014. So pretty and fun. AND, I did decide to do a monthly nail polish round up this year instead of each week. I tried the weekly thing and the pressure was too much! There were so many times when I wanted to wear a polish 2 or 3 times in a row but I didn't feel that I could. Now I can comment on what I wore and if I purchase any during the month, I can save them up for the one time mention. Hopefully that will work.

What I can tell you is that while I have my eye on some new polishes, I want to go back and re-wear some oldies but goodies. I have some Wet n Wild and Sinful Colors that I'd like to wear again and I might have to pull out a spring color on my toes, just to make me feel good. You know how I feel about winter!

Are there any colors that you'd like to try this year? Maybe some new brands that you will look at? I think I may give Zoya another try. They are bringing out some colors that are right up my alley. And, I'd like to try an Indie brand. I kept looking for cute colors last year but nothing made me jump.

Stay tuned. It is a new year!

Sunday Funday - Beauty Hacks Gone Wrong

Hey There!

I decided that you needed a bit of a laugh today. I mean, it wasn't funny when I did it, but it is now.

Do you know what a beauty hack is? It's a beauty secret or trick or shortcut. I'm a big proponent of beauty hacks -- when they work. Or, probably more correctly -- when I do them right.

I found a beauty hack for making BB cream using foundation and moisturizer. I won't tell you which site I used because it really is probably user error. I've been using a Lancôme BB cream (which I love) and before I plop down another $45 for a tube, I decided to try making my own. I mean, it has to be easy right? It's just two ingredients! It's the moisturizer I use everyday plus foundation that works perfectly with my complexion.

Well, I tried this hack and I got -- ashy skin. Apparently you can't just mix 2 random ingredients and always get a perfect new ingredient. It would appear that sometimes you get a mess instead.

I've tried many BB creams (there are too many posts to hyperlink folks) and I didn't like them. It took me several months to settle with the Lancôme BB cream. I know that I don't want to go through that again! So, I guess that means I'll have to keep plopping down the cash for my current BB cream!

Unless one of you wants to loan me $45?

What beauty hack have you tried and did it work? Do you have a BB cream that you currently love? Seriously, can one of you loan me $45?

Spring Favorites

Hey there!

I thought I'd change it up and drop a fun faves post. I originally thought I'd do the sundress weather tag but I didn't really feel like it said anything about me in relation to makeup. I decided to just pull random spring questions from the web. While I like Spring, my favorite time of the year is Summer because it's hot. I live in Atlanta and normally Spring time means that the hot weather is coming soon. Of course this year it's been cooler than normal. Just 3 days ago I had on a coat. A coat people, on April 14 -- in Atlanta.

BTW, I keep saying hot weather because I'm not talking about comfortably warm weather that requires a light sweater in the morning. I'm talking hot weather. You wake up a tad bit sweaty cause the 2 fans on you didn't do the trick overnight and your ac bill triples but you don't care. And, you keep 2 full ice tray's in the freezer at all times because you are going to need an iced drink the second you get out of bed. I like that kind of hot. I really do.

Any who, Spring has sprung -- even if the weather doesn't say so. That means that Summer is around the corner.  So, let's talk about the things I like about spring.

Favorite Spring Candle Scent?

I have been loving my Target Sweet Spun Sugar scented soy candle. It fills the rooms with sweet, cotton candy scented goodness. I know that everyone rants and raves about the Bath & Body Works candles but really, this one is nothing to sneeze at. In my opinion, it's just as good but half the price.

Runner up? Yes, it's a Bath & Body Works scented candle. It's the one in Pink Bubblegum. I buy 3 for $10 mini's and it makes me feel better. But this one, I'd pay full price for a large one. So yummy smelling!

Favorite Spring Bubble Bath?

There are three that I've been loving. I picked up this Philosophy Strawberry Italian Soda bubble bath from Marshalls for $10. It smells like strawberry soda. I mean you can smell the bubbles. Yes, that sounds like crazy talk but you can, you really can.

Bath & Body Works Signature line has some of my favorites. I always have to wait for the special sales when these come out. My favorite of all time is the Signature Vanillas Shower Gel in Lemon. OMG. It is amazing. I'm using this one sparingly because I'm down to my last bottle. Next time it goes on sale you must grab one. You'll love it.

Another Bath & Body Works fave is Orange Ginger in the Aromatherapy line. It's a nice smelling body wash that I only use during the day. I just feel like this one wakes me up and leaves me feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

Top Row: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in Poppy, Rimmel 60 Seconds in Golden Hour & Pulsating, Rimmel Sweetie Crush in Candyfloss Cutie & Violet Swizzle
Bottom Row: Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in Pumped Up Pink, Wet n Wild Megalast in Bite The Bullet & Revlon polishes in Strawberry Electric Spidey Sense & Charismatic

Favorite Spring Nail Polish Colors?

Yes, I know that pulling out 10 is probably over kill but I keep my finger nails and toe nails painted and that takes a lot of polish. Many of these are new (Rimmel 60 seconds in Golden Hour and Pulsating, Rimmel Sweetie Crush in Candyfloss Cutie and Violet Swizzle, Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in Pumped Up Pink, Wet n Wild Megalast in Bite The Bullet and Revlon polishes in Spidey Sense and Charismatic) but I have my old standbys (Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in Poppy and Revlon in Strawberry Electric). If I have to pick a favorite, favorite, it would be the Revlon nails in Strawberry Electric. I probably need to get a backup cause I would be so sad is this one ran out.

Favorite Spring Lip gloss?

You know how I love lip gloss. I have a lot. No, I don't know how many. I can't count that high. But, my favorite 3 are the Lancôme Gloss in Love in Cinema Cinnamon, Revlon Colorburst in Peony and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pinkissimo. These colors are light and beautiful on their own and when you add a liner with them or apply them over a light lipstick you get a BAM! for your lips. They are in my Spring rotation and I'm sure that I'll keep them in the Summer.

Spring Trend I'm Loving

Party accent nails are awesome! They let me get away with fun colors while wearing neutral colors on the other 8. I was like the whole nude lip thing but I think that was winter, not spring. I'm not 100% sure what else is happening but I'm on board with the party nail.

 

These are silver earrings. The lighting isn't the best!

Favorite Spring scarf or accessory?

Earrings. LOL. I know that sounds weird but I love earrings and my favorite type of earrings are hoops. How much do I love hoops? I own about 22 pairs of hoops right now. My favorites are these three. The large ones are fun and funky, the smallest pair are classic and the smooth pair are just awesome. I wear each of these at least once a week.

And there you have it! Those are my Spring Favorites. What are you liking this spring? What things are you avoiding like the plague? What Spring Faves are you willing to spend a lot on and what trend wouldn't  you purchase with a money making coupon?

TAG: What’s My Face Worth

I was reading through my beauty blogs and came across the "What's My Face Worth?" tag. I have to admit, I got a little scared. I don't feel that I wear a lot of makeup or that I spend a lot on it (well, never mind) but I as I saw from others, the cost can add up. I thought it would be interesting to see how much I spend on my everyday face products. It's probably scary!

So, I made a list of what I wore Tuesday morning and priced it out for you. The prices listed are the normal prices at the stores that I purchased them from. It doesn't include coupons or sales or samples and y'all know I like those!

  

Who can start their beautification process without concealer? Not me, that's for sure. I begin everyday with it. Right now I'm using Bare Minerals Concealer in Tan2 ($20). I then pull out my NYX Eye Shadow Base, skintone ($6). I just began using BB cream in the past 30 days but think I'm gonna love it! I am using the Lancôme BB Cream in 6 caramel right now ($45). I don't feel comfortable with just bb cream alone so I do a quick sweep of Bare Minerals Original Foundation ($27).

  

Then I take a sip of coffee or two or I may pick out a pair of earrings and I put on some Maybelline Baby Lips in Grapevine ($3.49) to moisturize my lips and get them ready for lipstick.

  

Just this December I discovered Revlon Photoready Bronzed & Chic bronzer ($7.99) and fell in love. It's the perfect bronze for my skin. I'm currently using my Sonia Kashuk Beauty Blush in 52 Spice ($9.79) This too was a surprise find. Sometimes taking chances works out.

  

I've been testing Milani Brow Fix in 02 ($6.99) and like it. The brow powder is a bit redder than I like but I can blend it and make it work. The highlighter that it's paired with is a great color. It's just enough sparkle and a good color for the brow bone. To complement my fabulous brows (well, I think so) I've been using the Wet n Wild eye trios ($2.99). My faves right now are Knock on Wood and Walking on Eggshells. I also add a swipe of Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick ($3.97) and some Almay Intense i-color Purple Amethyst Eyeliner ($4.99).

  

I've been trying the trick I saw on YouTube to keep my eyeliner in place. When I add my Bare Minerals Well Rested ($18) under my eyes I make sure that I get it close to eyeliner. It's supposed to help minimize oils under your eye. Works so far. I add some Jordana Best Lash mascara ($3.99) on my lashes, fill in my lips with a Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Pencil ($6.29) and add a touch of Revlon Pinkisimo ($7) gloss over that and whaa-la! Perfection.

Well, close, you know.

And the total cost for perfection? $173.49

Not bad considering the many of the products last at least 6 months. Some items last as long as a year so doing some quick math, we're talking about $.63/day.

Now THAT's not bad!

Gift With Purchase

I like makeup. You know that I'm all about a good sale. I love my drugstore makeup and love it even more when there's a coupon and a BOGO. But, I also have a wild side. Surprised?

I occasionally indulge in some fancy makeup too! I go nuts over a good Lancôme lipgloss (I'm currently loving Cinema  Cinnamon). Who doesn't love NARS bronzing powder in Laguna (I use it sparingly!). And, I really like my Estée Lauder eyeshadow trios. I like to play in high end makeup just as much as my drugstore makeup. I just have to save up a little longer to do it.

But, I have a secret! Kinda. I mean, it's not a real secret. Everyone knows about it -- Gift With Purchase!

I NEVER purchase high end makeup unless I'm getting something free! It's how I can test out new things. For instance, I used to love the Lancôme tinted moisturizer and when I saw that they now had a BB cream (Lancôme Bienfait Teinté Beauty Balm Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30), I thought I'd try it out. But that bad boy is a $45 purchase. I can't just go all crazy and spend all my money on one thing! So, I saved my duckies and waited until they had a GWP that included some goodies I could use. Now I have a new Définicls High Definition Mascara (remember Mascara March is coming up!!), Color Design Lipstick in Trendy Mauve, a Bienfait Multi-Vital night cream plus several other goodies. Will I end up purchasing all of the goodies that I get to try? Of course not. I might buy some of the things that I get free, but it is nice to know what I like can be put on my wish list.

How do I find out when good Gift With Purchase deals happen? Sometimes the television commercials will clue you in. You can also find several websites and blog posts dedicated to GWPs. But, remember in my BEE Nice post I mentioned sales associates? That goes for high end stores as well -- get to know your sales folks! Tell them about yourself. Let them know that you work hard but love a good red lippie. They will give you a call when something exciting happens. They'll call you when GWP times come up but they'll also let you know when a special guests will come to town. Many sales associates want to get to know you and help you stretch your dollar. Use your resources, ALL your resources, wisely.

DO I have any more gift with purchase plans? Of course! I'm just not sure what yet. There are a lot of GWPs out there. What's your favorite? What do you have plans to purchase? Have you made friends with the faces behind the counter? Go do it!!