Sunday, August 28, 2011

China Glaze Happy Go Lucky nail polish

Happy Go Lucky is from the China Glaze Up and Away Collection from Spring of 2010. 



This pic comes from the archives.  I haven't worn it in a really long time but since I had the picture saved I figured I would post about it while it's still technically summer and everyone is still wearing bright manis and pedis.

This was a great color on my skintone.  It really pops and screams spring/summer.  It's very bright and not a subtle color but not too loud or tacky either.  I remember getting several compliments when I wore it.




The formula, on the other hand was not the greatest.  It was very thick and goopy. But considering the price point of China Glaze I guess I can't complain... much. Meh. I purchased it at a discount.  If you can get past the goopy (or maybe I received a bad bottle) then it's a great Spring/Summer color to have in your collection.  Plus, you can always use thinner if you get a really thick bottle too.  I have Seche Restore but have only used it on my Seche Vite so far.  I haven't been brave enough to test it on polishes.  I think I'm afraid that I may ruin them.  I need to get over that.

I'm not usually one to stick to "seasons" on nail colors, but I don't think I would reach for this one at all in the Fall/Winter.  It's much to bright.  But never say never.  Who knows.  If you already own this color pull it out now before summer is officially over. 

China Glaze nail polish can be found in Ulta stores for $6.50.  Can also be found at select online etailers at a discount.  Online is probably your best bet to find this color since it's from a past collection.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary Eye Shadow Palette --Initial thoughts

These are just initial thoughts because I don't yet own the palette.  But after swatching it today, I'm going back to get it.

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So for today's escapade I found myself in Ulta.  I was there to use my Ulta Rewards coupon when I spotted the Urban Decay Anniversary display again.  I'd seen it two times before but resisted.  I don't know what drew me to try it this time because I own all of the UD Book of Shadows, the Naked Palette and the Ammo Palette.  Plus I really don't need 15 new shadows all at once.  I don't even wear eye shadow everyday.

But somehow I found myself hovering over the tester and the next thing I knew I was swatching the back of my hand.  As always the texture of these shadows were perfect.  They glided on my hand with no effort and were deeply pigmented with the slightest swipe.



15 year Anniversary Collection features 15 new shadows


At first I only swatched a few, but then I went back and had to try out the rest.  At that point I was trying to justify in my head if I really needed them.



Quick in store swatches with no base

I swatched all but the black because I figured it was just black.  These photos were taken in my car from my cell phone just to give you guys an idea.  Very pigmented and no base was used.  I could have used a heavier hand but was just swatching lightly. 







For those of you who have never used Urban Decay shadows, they rarely disappoint in the formula department.  Velvety and smooth and oh so pigmented!  The downside can be that a large majority of them are shimmer/shiny.  What comes with shimmer shadows?  Fallout.

In this particular palette it appears that all of their shadows have some type of sparkle, sheen or frost.  The only color that is a matte is the black, which I did not swatch

All of my swatches are in random order.  I was just trying to fit them on my hand.  I'm going to cave and get this palette before it's too late even though I already own 2.1 million shadows.   Let me know if you would like to see a full review later

This palette was released back in July as a Limited Edition. Retails for $55 in select stores. 



Monday, August 22, 2011

Dior Saint-Tropez Nail Polish #401



**First off I must apologize for my pics.  They are not the greatest. I'm new to this blogging thing so I need to figure out how to take better pics or buy a new camera eventually.  But please bear with me for now :) **
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Initially I purchased this color due to hype. It was not a must have for me but I caved because I kept reading so much about the much anticipated release. I normally cannot wear light shades of green/mint because of the yellow undertones in my skin.  It just never works (Essie Mint Candy Apple, Chanel Nouvelle Vague...both fails for me). But I am pleased to say that this color is gorgeous both in the bottle and on me too!  (If I do say so myself)






Dior Saint-Tropez  (One Coat)
 Saint-Tropez was released as a limited edition online for $21 and reportedly sold out immediately.  It was also available in select Dior boutiques where I was able to find mine before it sold out.

Color:  It pulls more blue than green on me and I was very pleased.  I planned to only wear this shade for a day or two, as I am working through my untrieds and trying to get through summer brights so I can begin to pull out my vamps.  I'm normally not a seasonal polish person because I wear what I like, whenever.  However, I am currently living in a sea of untried polishes so it just makes sense to pull out as many brights as I can while its still summer.

Formula:  The color is great but the formula really disappointed me.  It was extremely thick and difficult to apply.  So thick, that I had to take extra care not to go over the same area twice because it would have made a thick mess.  I only did one coat for this reason.  There were a few spots that were thinner than others on my nail but I just wanted it to be over and didn't bother with a second coat. 

This is not the first Dior that had a thick formula that I did not appreciate.  All of their polishes are not like this, I guess it just depends on the color.  I would like to use thinner because I love the color so much, but I don't want to ruin it as its not a cheapy polish.  Let me know if any of you have had luck thinning a Dior

I wore this for about 5 days before it began to show major wear.  I didn't wrap my tips with color as I usually do because I was trying to hurry though the mani.  I had some minor tip wear immediately due to the top coat I used (Seche Vite) but that was to be expected.



Brush:  The brush is huge, the same shape and width of the Sally Hansen Complete manicure brush. I don't really like it, because I have smaller nail beds.  But over all its not bad.  Two swipes and I'm done.  The curve of the brush fits nicely when you are trying to get close the the cuticles.  I don't like cleanup afterwards so I'm always trying to get my cuticle edge as perfect as I can



China Glaze For Audrey/ Dior St. Tropez/Milani Dressmaker/ Essie Turquoise and Caicos

Comparison:  This color does not look like anything that I own in the bottle.  I pulled out a few colors to compare (some tried and untried). All the others have more green and not the unique blue/green combo that makes St. Tropez so original.  If I had to pick one I'd say its closest to China Glaze For Audrey but its not a dupe at all.

Despite my difficulty with the formula I do recommend that you pick one up if you can still find it.  It's a unique color and I enjoyed wearing it. 

Was available on www.dior.com for $21usd but is now sold out.  But maybe they will bring it back at some point?  Hopefully. 

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Intro

This has been a really long time coming.  I've thought about starting a blog many times over the past few years but it just never seemed like the right time. Well, here I am!  I plan to use this blog to post reviews and opinions about the latest beauty products that I've acquired.  I will try to keep it versatile and discuss makeup, nail polish, beauty products, shoes and handbags because those are the things that I enjoy buying the most.

I will also use this blog to post a heads up on the latest sales and deals so please stay tuned for that as well.  I love a good deal!

Welcome and thanks for stopping by!