Does Oily Skin Need Ultra Hydration? #ValentiaUltraPlumpingHydrationMask

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If you've been here a while, you've seen my love of masks develop from 'eh? what's a mask?' to 'OMG. Can you SEE my skin? I feel amazing!"  And, you might even have noticed a trend - clay, clay, clay, maybe an oxygen mask here and there - but mostly masks designed to pull all the oil and debris from my pores.  I'd never even though about a hydration mask.  Wouldn't it make my oily skin a total grease ball? Would it be wet and (ugh) moist (shudder) and tacky?

Can't Wait For (Stamping) Spring!

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is, "I can't wait for Spring!"  For me, Spring immediately brings up thoughts of flowers and showers.  So, I created a colorful field of flowers for my nailart today.

I wanted to play with my OPI Color Paints, and I knew they'd look better over a silver polish, but I didn't buy the one that came with the set.  Well, when I tried ordering Cosmic With A Twist, Macy's sent me OPI By The Light Of The Moon, instead.  It's a silver foil with silver glitters, so that works for me.  It got completely covered up by the paints anyway - you can't even tell there's glitter under there. 

I dabbed on the different Color Paints (Primarily Yellow, Chromatic Orange, Magenta Muse, Indigo Motif, and Purple Perspective), and then stamped with UC 7-02 and Finger Paints Paper Mache.

Does it look like a colorful field of wildflowers?  Try squinting and tilting your head a little.  Now?  I knew you could see it, too.

Are you thinking Spring yet?

OCC Sunset Gradient

Hello, Fireflies!

When you look at a sunset, do you see nail polish colors?  Me, neither.. but when I look at some nail art, sometimes, I see sunsets!

Beautiful, Soft, Synthetic Brushes #beautywidgets

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I remember the days when the only tool I knew about for putting on my makeup was the little sponge applicator that came with my shadows.  In fact, when the sponge fell apart, I would toss the shadow, because, well, how else were you supposed to put it on?  Foundation was only applied with fingers - starting a long dislike for foundation that has only recently changed.  I didn't know anything about brushes until a few years ago. Now, I can't get enough of them.  I've tried brushes from under a dollar, to some pretty expensive ones, and price isn't always an indicator of quality.  I recently tried this set from Beauty Widgets that is very reasonable, and that I really love!

Pink Plastic Pull-Off

Hello, Fireflies!

One of my favorite (and easiest) ways to create nail art is by layering polishes over some tape or vinyls and then revealing a colorful pattern when the tape comes off.  For today's post, I've pulled some nail art from the vault that pairs a few pink polishes with some plastic!

To Thine Own Self

Hello, Fireflies!

It's time for the last nailart for February's Typography challenge.  Instead of stamping, I try a little handwriting and introspection.

I Got The Blues #ColourPop #ItCosmetics

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm not exactly sure why I'm so drawn to blue makeup and nail polish, but I am - like a magpie to shiny!  I have a makeup look and nail art to show you today incorporating some amazing cobalt blues!

The Purple Primer for Pimples #michaeltoddusa

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Having oily, aging skin is the weirdest combination.  I don't have a lot of wrinkles, but I'm still getting pimples like a teenager.  A lot of the products for clear skin are designed for teens who have young, resilient skin, and can be too harsh for me.  But, every once in a while, I come across a product that seems *made* for my particular skin issues, like Michael Todd Mattifying Gel Corrector!

So Mod Stamping

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's Sunday Stamping challenge is to stamp over a white base.  I found that I couldn't resist doing a Mod Black & White design!

Saturday Swatches - Glitter Edition

Hello, Fireflies!

Sometimes, I just put on a polish, and I like it just the way it is!  No nail art necessary.  I want to share a few of those with you today.

When You Need One Moisturizer To Do It All! #asanabeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

When I packed for a trip to see my family, the Asana Beauty Synergy EX Retinol Hyaluronic Collagen Moisturizer was the only moisturizer I packed.  It had to do double-duty as both morning and evening moisturizer, and occasionally, a hand moisturizer, too.  How did it hold up under the stress of travel?

Lost For Words

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm trying to catch up on this lost week of posts, and today's post is the third in the NCC Typography challenge!  I have found this one to be extra-challenging, because I have the worst time stamping words on my tiny nails.  Sometimes, the words are too big, and sometimes, I can't get a clear image.

Words are hard.

Pixelated Pretty #Japonesque

Forlan BB Cream and Billion Dollar Brow are Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love palettes.  So many color choices! But, there's nothing new under the sun, right?  What could make me excited about yet another palette?

I Can See Clia Now, The Puffies Are Gone... #cliabeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

How do you know when you're using a product that works for you?  Does it hold up under extreme conditions, or give you a certain glow?  For me, sometimes the best litmus test for a product is to see how it works while I'm traveling.  Over the next week, I'm planning on some reviews of products I took on a recent trip to see my family.  One of my favorites was this Clia All-In-One Eye Gel!

Sweet Candy Valentines #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's nailart is so sweet, it'll give you a toothache! 

Moody Valentine #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's nailart still features lots of hearts, but on a darker, moodier background.  Almost Anti-Valentine's Day, but not quite!

Hearts and Chains #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Chain, chain, chain.. chain of fools..

OZ Naturals Retinol #OZNaturals

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I remember when you could only get Retinol products via prescription.  The ones you can get over the counter are less potent, but they work well over time, and are more gentle.

All You Need Is Love #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Today, I'm combining hearts and words for a Valentine's message! 

Valentine Birthday

Hello, Fireflies!

Happy birthday to me!  Getting older and more fabulous! I'm 44 today, though there is still a 12-year old boy in my head that thinks poop jokes are funny.  I didn't have time to create a bday nailart this year, so I went back in the vault for a fun look with pink and glitter - perfect for a Valentine's Birthday!

Anaiti For Celebrity Skin #AnaitiCSerum

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

No one will ever mistake me for being a celebrity (though I always get told that I look like someone people know..) But a good skincare regimen is essential for having radiant skin, and with Anaiti Luminous Serum for Celebrity Skin, I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Demille!

Hearts and Lace #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Is it still Sunday Stamping, if I post on a Monday?  I really like this stamping nailart, and hope you do, too!

Chain Of Hearts #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Time for some more nailart today!  It's a little bit of failed double-stamping, and some cute heart recovery.

Heading Pimples Off at the Pass #Eclipse_Blemish_Solution

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Oily skin has meant for me that pimples weren't just a part of puberty.  I still deal with them, and it gets frustrating!  Spot treating an already erupted pimple means days of redness, and crusty areas that are hard to cover with concealer.  So, I've been trying to head the pimples off at the pass with Eclipse Blemish Solution.

Straighten With A Brush! #ApalusHairStraightener

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's Gadget Time here on the blog.  As the daughter of the Gadget Queen, I do love a good tool.  And, as one with curly hair, I love a good straightener.  This one is unlike any I've used before, because it's a brush!

Valentine's Day Blog Hop Giveaway!

It's a GIVEAWAY!

I Love You Beary Much #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

Today's post is a combination of the NCC challenge, with a little Valentine's Day thrown in.  The new challenge for this month is, "Typography" which I have interpreted as a nailart with words on it.  So, here's a few words, and a little love!

14 Days of Valentines - Handpainted Hearts #14DaysofValentines

Hello, Fireflies!

I admit, I think Valentines' Day is a Hallmark holiday.  We should be showing the people we love how we care for them all year long.  Still, 14 days is better than 1 day of Valentines!

Fight the 12 Signs of Aging with Science #StriVectin

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I review a lot of different kinds of skincare, from drugstore, to Amazon, to high-end.  There are great products at every level, for every skintype.  Some luxury products are worth it because of how they make you feel, and some are worth it for the results they give you.

14 Days of Valentines - Holo Hearts #‎14DaysofValentines‬

Hello, Fireflies!

I've joined a few other bloggers for a challenge that is bringing out the romantic girl in me.  I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve (and on my nails!) for the next two weeks to bring you (up to) 14 days of Valentines!

Jaylie Anti-Aging #JaylieHA

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Have you gotten on the Hyaluronic Acid bandwagon yet?  This is one ingredient I never want my skincare to be without again.  This serum from Jaylie has it, and a few other ingredients that make it a contender in the fight against older-looking skin.