Marshalls and Why You Should Know What Nail Polish You Own

Hey There!

I ended up going to Marshalls twice yesterday. I went once to just do a walk through and see what I don't own, didn't know I needed but now that I've seen it, I can't live without it.  I was doing good but then I got to the nail polish area. My Marshalls has a pretty nice nail polish area. It's right by the cash register so it's not messy and full of open and dropped polishes (probably because the cashiers can see what's going on). I took a peekie poo into the bins and low and behold, they had some Sally Hansen Insta-dri polishes that I really wanted to take home.

Except I was sure if I already owned them or not.

They were colors that I liked so it was possible that I already had them. But the names didn't ring any bells so I just wasn't sure.

Yes, I could have taken a gamble, purchased them, and if I owned them, bring them back. But, I wasn't sure when I was coming back and I hate the hassle of returning stuff.

So I left them in the store.

And then I thought about them all day. I didn't own them. I checked twice just to make sure and nope! I didn't own the colors that I had drooled over earlier.

So, on my way to a festival with some friends, I stopped back by and picked up the colors that I truly wanted.

I picked up Rush Hour (350), Enchantment (250) and Berry Magical (260). They are all shades of purple. They were only $1.99 and they can range from $2.99 - $4.99 in store. I like the Insta-dri line. I don't know how instantly they dry because I use my Insta-dri top coat over all polishes -- it's magical. The thing that I love about Sally Hansen polishes that they have a ton of colors to choose from. And they are different colors! You know how some polishes have lots of colors but they are the same colors with different names? In my experience Sally Hansen polishes aren't like that. They are different shades. Some are close to others but just a slight difference in hue.

Anywhosie, back to my 3 new nail polishes. Rush Hour is a pale mauve-y, lilac. It's warm and oddly makes me think of sweaters. Enchantment is a pinky lavender and is the perfect winter pink. It just yells cool weather but still pink and pretty. Berry Magical is a bam! dark berry. It's that deep, vampy berry purple that is perfect for fall -- think October 31 -- spoiler!

All of these are nice shades for fall and I'm ready to wear them. On the nail swatch, they are opaque in 2 coats (Enchantment is almost opaque in 1 coat). And, because they are Sally Hansen, I really am not worried about the formula. Out of all of my Sally's I can't think of 1 that I don't like the formula on (I'm sure if you force me to, I can find one).

Do you peruse your nail polish aisle at Marshalls (T.J. Maxx, Ross, etc.)? How often do you tempt the fates and purchase without truly knowing if you already own it?

Quickie Review - e.l.f. Brush Shampoo

Hey There!

One of the most dreaded jobs in the makeup world is cleaning your makeup brushes. I have purchased more of the same types of brushes so that I don't have to wash them as often. But, as the world goes round, dirty brushes must get washed (or you will just have to trashed them all and start over).

And because I haven't trashed them all and started over, I have to find the quickest, most efficient way possible to clean them. Everyone is purchasing special mitts and drying racks and solutions that will make cleaning your makeup brushes, easier, faster, with less effort and more delicately (so you don't ruin your brushes).

I haven't found anything easier, faster, with less effort and more delicately (is that grammatically correct? I'm feeling that it isn't) but I have found something that I like and, at a price point that I can deal with.

I picked up the e.l.f. Brush Shampoo ($2.69) a few weeks ago (haul link here) and have been trying it out. I didn't save a ton of money because it was only $3 to begin with. That is a really nice price point. The reason that I had to grab it at Marshalls was because my Target and Walmart are normally out of it. I really wanted to try it because lately I've been using my Purity Made Simple by Philosophy to clean my makeup brushes and that's just not fiscally sound.

So I tried out this little bottle of goodness and I really like it! It reminds me of baby shampoo in consistency but the smell reminds me of baby laundry detergent. You know, if you've ever used Dreft to clean baby's clothes...that's the smell. If you haven't, take a whiff next time you're in the store.

The brush shampoo works well. You don't have to use a lot and I noticed with my kabuki brush, I only had to wash and rinse twice. Normally I have to wash and rinse three or four times. That in itself is a time saver!

It seems to be really gentle on my brushes and they feel soft afterwards. While I haven't given it a long term test run, I feel pretty confident that I'll like using this and it will be worth buying it again.

Want a review after I've put it on the road and pushed the gas pedal to the floor? Stay tuned for my empties posts. I'm sure you'll see it and hear about it there!

Preview - Illamasqua Nail Polish

Hey there!

I said that I wouldn't order from Hautelook again because it takes forever to get the items that you purchase. And, the last 2 purchases I made weren't the best products. But when I said I wouldn't do it again...

...I lied.

About a month ago, Hautelook had Illamasqua nail polish on their Mani Mondays. I grabbed the deal. There was NO way I was going to miss out on this high end polish for only $7.50 each. The normal price is $23 plus international shipping. That means I'd never have one of these babies without Hautelook.

I find a lot of nail polish at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls but never an Illamasqua polish. Some of my favorite YouTube gals love their Illamasqua polishes. That's why when Harem, Stance and Raindrops appeared on the Hautelook website, I pounced.

So, in order, I purchased Harem, Stance and Raindrops. Harem was one that is mentioned on YouTube a lot. Stance looked pretty and Raindrops looked amazing! Upon application (onto my nail wheel) Harem and Stance needed 3 coats and Raindrops needed 2.

I haven't worn these lovelies on my fingers yet (too many polishes in rotation but it's coming!) but I'm excited to have them. Keep an eye out and I'll tell you all about them!

Butter London's Lolly

Hey there!

I have discovered sooo many new nail polish brands at stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and Ross. Almost all of my Essie, OPI, and China Glaze polishes came from these stores. I find the most gorgeous colors. I can buy whole sets for half or even a third of the full price. I go to those stores first and dig through to find gems. I have found goodies thirty miles or more from home just stopping at a random Marshalls. I love finding a $2.00 bottle of Essie...you know, the same one that I never would have picked up at $8.50. 

In all my years of searching, I have struck gold a lot but I had yet to find a Butter London polish that I liked. I've seen Butter London polishes but not ones that I wanted to put on my finger or toe nails. 

Until now. 

Do you see the magic? Do you understand the joy I felt when I found this bottle of Lolly? I squealed in the store (sales ladies should really get use to this squeal and then dance thing that I do). I put that sucker in my shopping cart and guarded it like it was a newborn child. I'm sure you understand. 

I waited for a week to use this.  I knew that I was going to take my time with this one. And, I knew that it would be my special pop of color for my toes. Yes, I knew that my tootsies would enjoy this luxury. 

If a good Butter London sale pops up, sure I might buy a few to try them out but this is my starter color. I'm going to try this out and see if I like Butter London.

So where my next $60 goes is all up to you Lolly!

Quickie Review - H2O Softening Mint Foot Rub

Hey There!

I take foot care seriously (when it's time to whip out the sandals). For years I used Aveda's foot care relief. I loved the peppermint smell and the way it healed my feet after just a few days. My only problem is that it has gotten sooooo expensive. 4.2 fl oz is $24. I really love this but man! That price is just too much for a foot cream. I was certain that I could find something that was equal for a better price. I was bound and determined to find a new foot cream.

Hold on to your seats girlies! I found one!! One of my YouTube lovelies talked about the H2O hand and nail scrub and how fantabulous it was for your hand and nails. So, I went to T.J. Maxx in search of it. I did find that hand and nail scrub but I also found the mint foot rub by H2O.

I didn't get excited right away because I've tried many foot creams this year and after a week or two, was just very disappointed. I didn't want to jump the gun and fall in love only to get heartbroken (or foot broken in this case) again.

I waited this time. I wore it for several weeks before trusting it. We've been dating for almost two months now AND I've purchased a backup one!

Yep, H2O's Targeted Care Softening Mint Foot Rub has reached favorite status. It's not holy grail yet (we've only been dating for two months!) but it's a constant companion. I don't have jacked up feet but because hate shoes and go barefoot a lot, I feel that I always need to moisturize my feet more than normal. This does the trick!

I do have to put it on and then not walk on the floor for about 5 - 10 minutes. But, that gives me an excuse to yell for the kiddo to do stuff for me. The wait does case problems because I always feel the need to wash my hands immediately. You don't want to rub your eye with this stuff on your hands. TRUST me. Learn from my mistakes people! Other than those 2 things, there aren't any downsides!

And, the best thing -- T.J. Maxx has this at $1.99 for 2 oz! That's an 80% savings! You gotta be crazy to pass this up! Full price at Kohl's is $4.00! I give this a 9 outta 10 minty stars. You will certainly be seeing this in some empties blogs.

What are you using? Do you love it? Are you going to marry it?

It's A Haul Y'all! - Dollar Tree, Marshall's, Big Lots & Ross

Hey there!

It's been a while since I posted an honest to goodness, random haul. I spent Saturday morning in the streets and the result is a trunk full o'goodies!

BATH AND COSMETICS - I made a point of stopping into my local Dollar Tree because one of my YouTube Gals, Frugal, Fun & Fabulous (if you aren't watching her, you are making poor life choices) recommended the Daily Defense Body Wash with Argon Oil. I'm excited to try it because it does smell really good. She also found some really cute tote bags and I found the one that you see as a background in all the pictures. Isn't that cute as a button?! Yes it is! I also got my e.l.f. Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara. I actually use both sides to set my brows after I use my Anastasia Brow Wiz.

From Big Lots I picked up 2 fragrances that I thought might be delicate enough for me to try (and if not, they're only $1). I got the Touch Heart (their impression of Coach Love by Coach) and Stunner (their impression of Bombshell by Victoria's Secret). At first sniff Touch Heart might work, Stunner may be a bit much for me.  I'll let you know.

Marshalls gifted me with a Body Shop Vineyard Peach Shower Gel (by gifted I mean I purchased). I've had a raspberry shower gel from them and loved it. This one was $3.99, well worth a trip to my house. I also picked up a Revive Makeup Blending Applicator. I've never used a sponge for my face and I wanted to see if this would do anything magical. I'll report back.

FOOD - It shouldn't surprise you that food is a part of my haul. Big Lots had this Winter Wonderland Gingerbread Man coffee. It was decent. I have to brew it on 6 oz (the smallest size) in order to get decent flavor from it. Either Ross or Marshalls (can't remember) had these two Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Blends for $3.99. I love cooking with oil blends and I don't have this flavor. I figure I'll be able to add this to salad dressings or other raw foods.

HOME "STUFF" - And second to last, is my home haul. I had to pick up some command strips to hang a picture. I saw a cute grocery list and pen set at Marshalls and the Dollar Tree had some Glade solid air fresheners in Pure Vanilla Joy. I don't normally use solid air fresheners but you can't very well light a candle at work and get away with it (well, I can't). I picked up 2 in case I liked it. If I don't, I can always use it outside in the storage closet.

And my favorite buy of them all are my London pajamas! I don't know if I've ever mentioned it but I'm British (in my head). Seriously, I am an Anglophile. I have several items all over my house with Union Jacks, a double decker bus, and several pictures all representing my love of England. Those closest to me know that an authentic piece of Cadbury's chocolate and some ribena (though not at the same time) win me over every time. So, while roaming the aisles of Ross Department Store I came across these pjs, I didn't look at the price, just the size (but was happy that they were only $16.99). And as I write this post, I'm sitting oh so cozy in my freshly laundered, brand new pjs.

What did you pick up this weekend? Was it a deal or a splurge?

Lorac Couture Shine Liquid Lipstick

I've use Hautelook for my cosmetic finds a few times but I must admit, I think I do better at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Nordstrom Rack and good old internet sales. About 5 months ago I purchased 2 Lorac Couture Shine Liquid Lipsticks ($22 original price) for $7 apiece. When you added S&H, it was about $21.55 total. Not really a bad price but not the best of course. And, while the price wasn't so bad, it took forever to get my merchandise. I got one liquid lipstick in about 3 weeks and the other one took almost 6 weeks!

I purchased Iconic Legendaire and Sheer Luxe, both of them very pretty colors. Iconic Legendaire is a beautiful pinkish copper and Sheer Luxe is the perfect wine color.  These liquid lipsticks are thick but not sticky. Even though it's a thick gloss, I always apply it minimally, creating a sheerer gloss. It smells nice too.

Because these are liquid lipsticks, I didn't have to top this over anything. I use lip balm, lip liner (for a nice base) and then top with the liquid lipsticks. It lasts for several hours with even wear.

I have to admit that I don't like the brush though. I don't like lipstick brushes anyway. I prefer a wand over a brush. On top of it being a brush, it's a short brush. I lose a significant amount of control over how much color I apply and how I apply it. That means I have to dip into the product more or run the brush over my lips more.

Again, the color is great but the application of the color isn't the best. Because of that, I don't reach for these very often.

That being said, I probably wouldn't buy them again (which, since I think they've been discontinued shouldn't be a problem). They resemble many glosses that I have in my collection and at the $22 tag, they aren't anything special. If I could get them at $7 and found a super fabulous color, then maybe. But, as is, I'll pass.

Do you have some of these in your collection? How often do you wear them?