Influenster Holiday VoxBox 2012

    (sorry about the crappy photo - I used my cellphone camera because boyfriend still has the DSLR!)

Hey guys!

I received the Influenster Holiday VoxBox 2012 to try out these new products! Here is what I received:

-Quakers Real Medleys Oatmeal ($1.79 USD per cup)
-NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine ($2.49 USD)
-KISS Nail Dress ($6.99 USD)
-Goody Quiksyle Paddle Brush ($11.99 USD)
-Sole Society coupon (Use the code INFLUENSTER25 to receive $25 off your first purchase. Expires 1/31/13)

I was also supposed to receive a EBOOST sample but it did not come in my box. I guess it is not meant to be for me to try it out because in my Beauty Bloggers VoxBox my sample came already opened!

I will be doing individual reviews on the items I have received in the coming days so keep an eye out for that!

Review: NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact

Hey guys!

This will be the final review from the Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox 2012. I received the NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows.

Product Information:
"Straight from the city that never sleeps, NYC New York Color offers products with uptown style at down-to-earth prices, from $.99 - $4.99. The energy, style, and color of New York City shines through the wide range of shades, textures and innovative products. NYC always delivers the most on-trend products & shades hot off the runway!

NYC New York Color's all-in-one compact gives you everything you need for a complete eye look: primer, illuminator, applicator and complementing shadows. With four vibrant colors designed for your eye color, you can create a look as individual as you are!"

My swatches suck!

The highlighter shadow (farthest to the left) is my favorite from this compact and I have been using this as my main inner corner highlight ever since I received this.
The second and third shadows (all over lid and crease/contour) are a bit too powdery for my liking.
You can see that the darkest shadow (2nd crease/contour and shade farthest to the right in both photos above) is the least opaque out of all the shades.

The primer is okay but I wouldn't use it if I am going to be wearing eyeshadow for more than a few hours.

The illuminator (swatched above) is a bit too sparkly for my liking but if you are into that this can be used as a cheek highlight or inner corner highlight.

I have definitely been liking this compact and for the price you cannot go wrong!

Don't forget to enter my OPI 007 Skyfall mini nail polish set giveaway :)


*I received this compact in the Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox 2012.

November 2012 Ipsy (MyGlam) Bag

Hey guys!

I recently signed up for Ipsy (formerly MyGlam), a monthly sample subscription. For $10 a month, you are sent a few beauty samples and a makeup pouch. I have been wanting to subscribe for a while but was a bit iffy after reading reviews and comments on their Facebook page. However, after hearing that the October bag had shown improvement, I decided to subscribe and try it out. 

I am definitely pleased with the samples I got and I will be continuing my subscription for now. Along with the items below, I also received a coupon for $20 off a JustFab.com purchase and have been receiving coupons for %'s off in my email. 

Here are the samples I received:

Name: Nailtini Nail Laquer in Millionaire

Size: .5 fl oz.

Value: $13

-The value of this nail polish alone covers the cost of the entire November Ipsy Bag!

Name: theBalm Meet Matt(e) matte eyeshadow in Matt Batali

Size: .03 oz

Value: estimated $5

-This eyeshadow is actually part of a palette sold by theBalm. The full palette costs $34.50 for 6 eyeshadows. 

Name: bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Dare Devil

Size: .07 fl oz.

Value: estimated $9 (Full size costs $18)

-The color in the photo above is pretty accurate. It is a wine colored gloss. 

Name: Benefit they're Real! beyond mascara
Size: .1 oz.
Value: estimated $8 (Full size .3oz costs $23)
-I have heard so many great things about this mascara so I can't wait to test it out!

Name: Starlet Intense Eyeliner in Black
Size: .05 oz
Value: $11
-This eyeliner is super black and pretty creamy.


I received around $46 worth of product in this bag for just $10. What a great deal!!
Sign up for your Ipsy bag at Ipsy.com. November bags have already shipped so if you sign up now, you will be starting from the December bag.

A Little Sparkle

Hey guys!

The manicure above was done using 2 coats of a polish by Bettina in #138. Then, I painted on the design with a olive colored magnetic polish by a no name brand. On top of that I used Revlon Gold Coin to add a little sparkle!

Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox 2012

Hey guys!

Today, I have a review on the Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox 2012. If you are not familiar with Influenster, it is a program similiar to a subscription box with samples and full sized products. The difference is that it is absolutely free and you are chosen to receive one mainly based on demographics and how big of an influence you have in social media and in real life. 

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream with coconut & silk extracts (1.5 fl oz sample - 4 oz bottle retails for $6.00) - I have been using this hair cream since I received this box and I have to say that I have been loving it! Almost any beauty product with coconut in it is a win for me and this product smells amazing. The scent is not overwhelming either. I run a bit of the product through my hair after I wash it and I let it air try. My hair can be super frizzy and this has been taming it a bit more than the other products I have used in the past.

Goody Simple Styles: Spin Pin (Google Affiliate Ad) (Retail Value: $7.29) - I have to be honest here. I have not even attempted to try out these pins yet. Mainly because I am afraid that I will do it wrong and get it stuck in my hair. The instructions on the back of the packaging seem simple enough though. These seem great for if you are in a rush but want to but your hair in a neat bun. 

Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit (Retail Value: $5.99) - This kit comes with one pair of eyelashes (the item number is 56732 KPLS01 if anyone is wondering), a lash applicator and clear lash glue. These lashes are 100% human hair. If anypne has tried these, let me know in the comments below!

NYC New York Color IndividualEyes Custom Compact (Retail Value: $4.99) - This is my absolute favorite thing in this entire box! This compact (0156-08 Dark Shadows) comes with two crease colors, one all over lid color, a highlighter, a illuminator and a eyeshadow primer. The highlighter and illuminator are amazing! They brighten up the eyes and make any makeup look stand out. The shadows are very pigmented and the primer is not bad at all. The price is definitely a steal for this eyeshadow compact. 

I may do a more in depth review on this compact so keep an eye out for that!

Bath & Body Works Mini Candle in Cider Lane (Retail Value: $3.50) - This candle is perfect for the fall months! The description reads, "As sweet as the trip to the local apple orchard each year, a delicious fall blend of mulled cider, warm caramel and sweet cinnamon". The description is pretty accurate on this one. These mini candles do not give too much of a scent throw when lit in a big room but these are perfect for bathrooms and smaller rooms in your home.

The box also came with a coupon for a $10 3-wick candle from Bath and Body Works, which I did not get a chance to use before it expired.

EBOOST (Retail Value: $28 for a box of 20 powders) - EBOOST claims to be a daily health booster. I have not tried this because my packet came with a hole in it. Has anyone tried this before? What do you think?

Influenster is currently invite only. If you would like to receive an invite, I have 5 invites to give away. Leave a comment below with your email and I will email you an invite on a first come basis. 

Pink Lemonade

Hey!!

Even though I am pretty much over the whole crackle phase, I really like this manicure! It reminds me of pink lemonade :)

Here is the breakdown:

Base Color: OPI Banana Bandanna

Layered over base color: NK Instinct

Layered over second color: Sally Hansen Fuchsia Shock crackle polish (75% off right now at CVS!)

Let me know what you guys think :)

Now I am going to go attempt to organize my makeup. Wish me luck!

Valentine's Day Mani feat. Milani Jewel FX in Red

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, whether you are celebrating it or not! I hope you all enjoy your days!

I finally got around to painting my nails last night :) They are super short so I haven't really been in the mood to do anything with them :(  I went to CVS yesterday and saw this new Milani Jewel FX in Red. I have been drooling over it on the Milani website for weeks, so as soon as I saw it I picked it up and ran to the register!

As a base I used that cute little nail polish shaped as a boot (look down there!). It is from a brand called Midie and it is in the shade #314. Then I stamped some hearts using China Glaze Icicle. On the accent nail, I used Milani Jewel FX in Red. 

Honestly, I will probably be covering over all the other nails with the Milani polish haha. I love it so much!

Spotted Watermelon

Today's manicure features China Glaze Watermelon Rind with Unforgettable Moments Precious Metal "konaded" on top.

There is definitely a few bald spots on my ring finger nail and some smudging from not letting Watermelon Rind dry completely before konading. I was a little too impatient! 

I just wanted to let you guys know that I will be hosting a giveaway on my blog very soon. I will be posting about it next week! If you are not already subscribed, click the "Follow" button over on the right hand side of this page so you can know when to enter!

Other than that, I have a few other exciting posts coming up in the near future so keep an eye out for those. Hope you all are enjoying your week!

This Could Be...

...my favorite!

Two coats of China Glaze For Audrey, Omega Labs Nail Art Striper Brush in Burgundy Wine, LA Colors Nail Art Brush in White, and Wet n Wild Party of Five.

Possibly one of my most favorite designs I have ever done!

Knotty Wine

Hey all.

Above is a manicure using China Glaze Knotty and Omega Labs Nail Art Striper Brush in Burgundy Wine, that were sent to me from NaildeRoyale.com, which I mentioned here. I also L.A Colors Nail Art Brush in White on the accent nail.

China Glaze Knotty is a tan colored nail polish with scattered holographic flecks throughout the polish. If I remember correctly, I used three coats of this polish for full opacity.

I absolutely love love love the brush on the Omega Labs Nail Art Striper Brush in Burgundy Wine. It is super thin, which allows for a better use of this polish. The formula is also very nice compared to the thickness of the L.A Colors Nail Art Brushes. I highly recommend this Omega Labs polish!

There are noticeable nicks on this manicure and I have a pretty bad cut by my cuticle on my ring finger, which I tried to cover up as best as I could in these pictures!

Red, White and Blue!

Happy (early) 4th of July! The above manicure was done using Maybelline Eternal Red, China Glaze Secret Peri-Wink-Le and a LA Colors Nail Art Deco polish in White.

Now, I have to admit - this manicure is all kinds of crazy! The thumb nail and the pinky nail are completely different designs. The pinky nail didn't even turn out to be much of a design anyway because I was rushing to leave my house and did a couple sloppy lines on that nail!

Get this! Like I said, I was in a rush to leave my house. Check out my right hand:

LMAO!

Simple, Quick, Easy!

Two coats of Zoya Katy. Accent nail done using L.A Colors white and silver nail art polishes. Simple, quick and easy nail design!

Guest Nails: Bianca

The above picture is a design I did on my cousin Bianca's nails for a wedding she attended this weekend.

I am not sure of the name of the base color because it was a color that she brought along but I believe the brand is NK. I then applied the design with a white and a silver nail art polish by L.A Colors, plus a clear rhinestone on the ring finger and the index finger. Bianca then added Milani Hi-Res between the white and the silver with a nail art brush!

Leopard Print..well...almost

This was my first attempt at a leopard print manicure. Well, my second. My first was sometime last year when I first started getting into nail polish and nail art, but that manicure ended up looking like cow spots instead! Don't ask -_- LOL

I applied 2-3 coats of Cover Girl Sand Dune. I then used Milani Brown-a-licious and Unforgettable Moments Precious Metal to create the leopard print.

Midnight Blue

Two coats of NK Midnight Blue. Design on accent nail done with Revlon Gold Coin and Revlon Copper Penny.

Oh, my poor blog. I have been avoiding you. Why, you ask? I have been working out everyday! (There will be another post on this soon!) I am just too exhausted to come home and write a post. Plus, I have no inspiration ;( That will change though, I am sure!

For all of you that read my blog on a regular basis, I really do appreciate your support and I promise I will make it up to you, soon!

Haul? Gifts? IDK!

*Since Blogger was being a jerk off and deleted everyone's posts and comments the other day, I have to re-post this and try and remember what I wrote!*

Can I call this a haul if these were given to me by someone? IDK! These polishes were generously passed on to me by a family friend. I was very surprised to get these because 1) I barely know her, 2) I haven't seen her in years and 3) I HIGHLY doubt she knows about my nail polish obsession! It warms my heart to know that some people can be so generous and I am so thankful to have these!

 From left to right: Jordana Garlic Growth Base Coat, Sweet Orange, Soft Pink, Silky Purple, Good Luck Charm, Orange Gleam

 From left to right: Red Gem, Midnight Blue, Instinct

From left to right: Maybelline Sparkling Champagne, Cover Girl Cherry Slick, Miss Kiss Superstar

Zoya Valerie

This is Zoya Valerie. Isn't she a beaut? She applies beautifully as well! Zoya Valerie is opaque in one coat but I applied two to make me feel comfortable LOL. I wish I could capture the deep purple shimmer with orange under tones a little better (like I said I am working on it!). For the accent nail I applied a simple design with Jennifer "Gold" with a nail art brush.

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Tis' the Season! feat. American Apparel Peacock

American Apparel Peacock is an awesome navy/dark teal colored polish. This is my first American Apparel nail polish and I must say I LOVE the brush. It's amazing! This applies ok. I found the polish to be slightly thick in the bottle but not bad when applying, if that makes any sense! 

For the stripes, I used Milani 3D. I have mentioned this polish a few times on this blog and have used it in previous posts. I adore this gold holo!

For the bow on the accent nail I used Lori Anne Metallic Red. I have never heard of this brand, it is just something I had in my stash. If any one knows more about these nail polishes I would love to know. The formula is thin but not as sheer as I expected it to be for having such a thin formula. The brush for this polish is awesome as well. As a little highlight for the bow I used Jordana White Pearl, which is a frosty white polish!

The stripes and bow were done using a dotting tool. Not perfect, but *oh well* =]

OPI Banana Bandanna w/ Vintage Flower Pattern

OPI Banana Bandanna. This is three coats of this creamy, pastel yellow polish. As with all yellows, there is still a visible nail line but I don't mind it with this polish! It is a beautiful color and I cannot stop looking at my nails. =] It is actually a bit more like banana yellow than what is showing up in the picture though.

On the accent nail I did a vintage looking flower pattern. I used N.Y.C 122A (hate that there is no name for these polishes, unless I am wrong and I am just missing the label?) for the darker flower color which is actually a orange shimmer in the bottle but looks much darker when applied. The brighter flower were done with Maybelline Wet Shine in Juicy Tomato, which is a bright red orange. For the stems I used China Glaze Zombie Zest! And of course I used my handy dotting tools to create this simple look.