Matte Is The New Black With Tarte Tartlette Palette

Hello, Fireflies!

I don't always follow the beauty 'rules' but I'm not mad about mattes being in vogue again, especially since us older ladies aren't supposed to wear too much of the shiny and glittery on our sagging eyelids.  Well, tomorrow's another day, but for today, I'm going matte with the amazing Tarte Tartlette palette!

Lady In (Cherry Smoke) Red

Hello, Fireflies!

I have a red, vampy look today, from my nails, to my makeup!

Let's start with the nails, shall we?  This blackened red is the kind of glowing color I fall for every time. I love how the shimmer makes Revlon Divine look like glowing embers!

I paired Revlon Divine with OPI Today I Accomplished Zero to punch up the glowing aspect.  These two polishes are peas in a pod. Polishes in a pod?

Bottle shot:  Revlon Divine, and OPI Today I Accomplished Zero.

I wore those nails with a red and black dress, so I decided to carry the red and black theme to my makeup.

I really love the Smashbox Cherry Smoke palette I used to create this look.  The reds are completely wearable, and don't make me look like I've been crying.

 Boys totally make passes at women who wear glasses.

What I used:  Hourglass Ambient Lighting blush and powder palettes, Smashbox Cherry Smoke palette, Ageless Derma Powder Foundation in Cool Beige, Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment, Cover FX Anti-Age Smoothing Eye Primer, and Cover FX Blemish Treatment Primer,  Cover FX Powder in Medium (used as bronzer), Physicians Formula 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner and Serum in Ultra Black, Rimmel Scandal Eyes Retro Glam mascara, Stila Brighten & Correct concealer, Ellis Faas lipstick in Ellis Red, and Too Faced Bulletproof Brows in Brunette.

How do you wear red?

Movie Date!

Hello, Fireflies!

I love movies, but I'm old.  And when I say that I'm old, I mean I am the stereotypical old person who gets mad at children running in the aisles, I get grumpy when people are using their cell phones in any capacity, and I don't like to share my space with a lot of noisy people.

So, when the new X-men movie opened, and hubby and I went to an early matinee and had very little company, I was *thrilled*.  But it also meant that I had to get ready in a hurry!

But I HAD to do X-men nails! Totally quick and dirty.  Even the one Wolverine face didn't stamp fully, but it kinda looks like he's cackling evilly, so it's okay.  I used Zoya Pippa, OPI Over and Over A-Gwen, and Finger Paints Black Expressionism with Fab Ur Nails Fun 11 plate for the stamping.

Hubby wore a Marvel-themed t-shirt, which earned him knowing nods from the other geeks in the audience.  I showed my nails to the girl selling tickets.  She acted impressed, but I don't think she really got it, ya know?  

Bottle shot:  Zoya Pippa, OPI Over and Over A-Gwen, and Finger Paints Black Expressionism.

 I thought I'd also show you the makeup look I did for our date.  I've been sporting the Cover FX SPF 30 primer and BB Gel, of course.  Still loving the light coverage and satin finish.  I think I have on my Jordana Color Tint Blush Stick in Coral Touch, and my Hourglass Ambient Dim Light finishing powder, too.

Boy, howdy, am I having trouble taking good pictures of my makeup.  It's harder than it looks! I'm either too yellow or too washed out.  

I did my eyes with the Stila 10-pan eyeshadow palette with 14k (bright gold shimmer) on my inner lid, copper (copper shimmer) on the outer lid, and jade (shimmery jade green) in the crease.  I've been practicing with my ELF brow kit, and I also tried a little cat eye with my new fave liquid liner - Physicians Formula. 

Hubby got me into the X-Men franchise, oh, 20 years ago? and Wolverine has always been my fave, so I was glad to wear him on my nails!  Did you ever do a theme mani, makeup, or fashion for a movie?

Also shared on The Nail Files and the Nail Files Pinterest Board. Click through for more nail art!

Review: March Birchbox

Hello, Fireflies!

I really enjoy getting sub boxes, even if I don't use everything, there's usually something new to try.  This month's Birchbox wasn't my fave, but there were a few fun things in it.

First of all, check out the chocolate! That's the only picture, because then I ate it.  Being a good wife, and knowing my husband likes cherry flavor, I even shared it with him.  We both really liked it! Om nom nom.

Living in Florida, I should always use sunscreen, but I don't.  I hate the way it smells.  Supergoop doesn't smell like sunscreen!

This lotion from Gilchrist & Soames was a little 'huh?' moment for me.  I've never, ever, have I ever, seen a lotion in a package like this one.  It's actually thin enough to kind of pour out of the jar - but then, put it in a squeeze or pump package, so I don't have to wait for it.  Remember that old Heinz ketchup advertisement song? "An..ti..ci..pation... it's making me wait.."   Yeah, not for my lotion, okay?

I love Stila, and I love lippies.  Can't get enough.  This is a great spring color.  I love that it came with a little pin in the tip to prevent accidental product spillage - though if you've ever used a Stila lippie, you know it takes about half-a-bajillion clicks of the pen to get the product to start, so I think they worried for naught.

I would have liked more of this product to really test it.  This little squeeze packet of Agave Healing Oil was only enough for a one-time use on my hair, and not really even enough to say if it really works.  It is really sticky! 

These tea samples look interesting, and I'm looking forward to trying them.  I like tea, but really only drink it when I'm sick or it's cold.  I admit, mostly I drink tea for the honey.

If you'd like to try Birchbox, I have a REFERRAL LINK if you want to give me some points.  I hope they're not like airline points with blackout dates.

Stay tuned, Fireflies! My #NailArtForNubs post goes live at 9am Eastern.