Some products given for review, some purchased by me. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
I have wanted so many of the Anastasia Beverly Hills palettes, but decided on the Tamanna palette because of the rich colors.. and that blue! I had such a saga getting it, though. But I'm glad I finally did!
Today's my final post for March's "Inspired By Fashion" NCC theme, and I'm doing chevrons again.. ha! no, just kidding. I'm actually dedicating this post to my favorite accessories, a ring and necklace my husband gave me that are nerdy and fun, and have my heart.
Today's Sunday Stamping challenge was a choice, and mine was to let my 'Alter Ego' take a crack at stamping and do something that I wouldn't normally do. I didn't go too crazy, but this definitely isn't something I reach for that often!
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!
Some products provided for review, some purchased by me. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
One of my little goals for my blog this year is to practice more with makeup, and incorporate more makeup looks. Yesterday, I pulled out my Eddie Funkhouser Hyperreal Color Palette Girls On Film, and built a look around that.
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
Having been around this worldy block a few times, my skin isn't as pristine as it once was. I have some stretch marks and scars that I was tired of seeing, so when I got the opportunity to try out Body Merry's Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream, I figured it was worth a try.
Product provided for review. All opinions are my own.
Hello, Fireflies!
Have you heard about MDSun? The founder of MDSun, Dr. George Sun, is a plastic surgeon who specializes in biochemical research. He created his pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical lines to give his clients the best products to either maintain their plastic surgery results, or to give the best non-surgical results. I had the pleasure of trying two of their most popular products: the Super Hydration B Serum, and the Intensive Eye Gel.
Did I like them? I'll give you a hint - I did one an homage nail art that is one of my most recent favorites!
Today's Adventures in Stamping challenge is to stamp over a yellow. I found this yellow jelly, L'Oreal Tweet Me, in my stash. I'm showing it to you here in two coats over white.
I did originally have it by itself, but I was going on 5 coats and still had VNL, and it didn't dry before it got all messed up. I never would have been able to stamp on it. Unfortunately, the beautiful orange shimmer doesn't show up as much over the white as it did on its own. It pops more over the white, though.
I finally got to try some of MoYou London's stamping plates. They are pretty cool, with even the sleeve having nice artwork on it. I love that they have a sturdy and safe plastic backing, too.
I chose four different stamps from the Pro Collection 04 plate, and stamped with Cult Nails Nevermore.
Even though this yellow is bright and happy, to me, this stamped manicure reads like a sad poem. The flowers blowing away, the lone bird, the writing smeared by tears..
I didn't intend for it to be sad, but I probably was affected by the sad news of the passing of Robin Williams, whose comedy I grew up on. RIP.
Bottle shot: L'Oreal Tweet Me, Revlon Spirit, and Cult Nails Nevermore.
I was a little surprised to see my mood so reflected in my nail art. Have you ever done realized after the fact that your mood affected whatever project you had been working on?
Here in Florida, it's rained and/or stormed almost every day for over a month. I spend most of my time in the A/C, but even though I'm not out in the weather, it's still starting to affect me!
So, today's look is a subtle neutral one in greys and berry colors, in homage to these grey Florida days.
I've been experimenting with a look I saw Wayne Goss do in a video for mature eyes. It's a much older video of him, but I think the techniques are classic.
Here's a close-up of my eyes. I used the Coastal Scents Revealed palette and my now HG gel liner, NARS Black Valley. That stuff stays where you put it.
Here's what I used on the whole look: Mally Primed and Poreless, and Mally Face Defender. Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow in Pravana, Cover FX Setting Powder (as a bronzer), Nars Black Valley, L'Oreal HIP Shine Struck liquid lipcolor in Arresting, IT Cosmetics brow pencil, Rimmel ScandalEyes Retro Glam Mascara, and a blend of IT Cosmetics CC Cream in medium, and CoverGirl True Blend 1/410 to lighten it up a tad.
I'm having no luck with the Mally Face Defender. It's supposed to be a 'no powder' look, but I find that it looks cakier on me than if I used regular powder. Those of you who are successful with it, what foundation are you using? What's your secret?
To go with the look, I used a grey polish from Dance Legend's Smoky collection, called Grey Britain 1025.
It has a smooth texture, but a grey pebbled look to it, like ashes scattered amongst the grey. It's quite pretty and unique!
What do you think of my greyed look? What are your favorite greys to use?
Jellies. People love 'em or hate 'em, or only want them on their PB&J, not their nails. I found a way to do a 'syrup' type-ombre with L'Oreal Berry Nice, a royal purple jelly polish. Here's one coat:
So thin! But watch what happens when I apply more layers - each one starting a little farther away from the nail bed. Instant gradient!
Topcoat helps smooth out the lines. It's not so obvious when you're not in macro-mode, anyway.
For fun, I decided to see what would happen with a layer of The Shift Me, an iridescent topcoat from L'Oreal. Pink and blue!
The gradient isn't as strong, but how fun that it changed all the colors, yet you can still tell that there is a royal purple in there.
This is definitely an easy nail art! No special tools - and if you don't have a jelly polish, mix a few drops of any regular creme polish in with some clear polish, and make your own!
It's Friday! What are you doing this weekend? A little while ago, a friend dropped some community theatre tickets in my lap, so we got dolled up and went out!
I was wearing this gorgeous shimmery brown polish from Koco called Insta-Glam.
And, because when you go to the theatre, you should be dripping in jewels, I wore my real (simulated) crushed opal nail polish from Profound Glassworks! It's so subtle, though. I really wish the opals had more oomph.
I was actually leaving the house, so painting *both* hands was in order.
I wore some other jewels, too. I don't normally wear these bib-style necklaces, but I love this. Found it on clearance at Target.
I have been experimenting more with my makeup, and figured - what better time to go for a dramatic eye than when I'm going to the theatre? If anyone understands bold makeup, it's them! I used my ELF brow kit (still learning!) and L'Oreal Color Riche Eyeshadow palette in 211 Blue Haute Couture, and Rimmel Scandal Eyes Mascara.
My primer and foundation were my new go-to products from Cover FX - the matte primer and the BB Gel. I think I used my Hourglass Mood Finishing powder that night, too.
The playhouse was right on the Intercoastal waterway, by the bridge. I love where I live.
My Cover FX primer and BB Gel held up admirably in the Florida heat. Hubby could have maybe used some powder for his shiny head, though!
Usually, I wear a bold lip when I want to feel glam, but this time, I went for bold eyes. What is your go-to for feeling instantly glam?
I'm sorry I missed last week's "With Bling" challenge. I added a little bling to this one, hope you like it!
This challenge is 'Lilac", and while I'm a little fuzzy on all the different permutations of purple, this polish from L'Oreal is called, "Lacey Lilac," so I'm pretty sure I'm in the ballpark.
I was feeling a 50's retro-vibe with this dotticure! Like I should be wearing a poodle skirt and going to a sock hop.
Let's take the cute factor up a notch. Bows!
Tiny iridescent glittery bows, and one GIANT Blingy bow. Is there anything more girly?
Bottle shot: L'Oreal Lacey Lilac, and Revlon Spirit.
Aside from the giant bow, I would totally wear this. How do you feel about ultra-girly nail art?
When I started preparing for this challenge, I starting thinking about nail art like mortar boards and diplomas. Then, I realized I had the *perfect* nail art to show you. A few weeks ago, one of my friends graduated with her Masters' degree, and the day before the big ceremony, she had a little party. I did a few manis for the graduate and her friends and family, and in return, I got to eat some of the best grilled chicken I'd ever had.
None of the girls had experienced stamped nails before, so most of them were eager to try it! Their reactions were priceless - like I had just done some wand-waving magic over their nails!
The graduate, Chelsea, loves purple, so she chose Sinful Colors
Enchanted as her base, and Essie No Place Like Chrome for the stamp.
Our friend, Carolyn. wanted seahorses over a glittery blue base, so I used Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue By! with OPI In True Stefani Fashion for most of the nails.
Again, I used Essie No Place Like Chrome for the stamp. Sea horsies!
The Mother-of-the-Graduate had a gorgeous floral blouse with blues and purples, so I painted her nails with Sally Hansen Salon Trouble Maker, a soft blue-toned violet, and dabbed some L'Oreal The Shift Me, a pink iridescent color-changing topcoat over it. POP Beauty purple glitter went over everything. So festive!
Last, but not least, was the Graduate's sister. She wanted a gradient, but I forgot my sponges, so I did a dabbing gradient of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Jumping Jade (which is really more teal to me, than jade..) over Sinful Colors Nice Stems, a light blue. I used Milani White On The Spot to stamp some simple flowers.
It felt great to give my friend a very unique and special graduation present! We all had a great time chatting and doing nails, and I'm going to miss her now that she's graduated!
Ok, so technically, there are only 4 challenges per month for the NCC. I usually do my NCC challenges on Wednesdays, and there are 5 Wednesdays this month.. so, before I knew it, I had done a 5th Movie/Music/TV mani.
Yep, I'm *that* guy.
So, for your enjoyment, I present my 5th challenge for April, based on a song that was used in a movie.
A blank slate, with Revlon Spirit.
Flames..hmm.. 'the heat' stamped with Cheeky 52 and Nabi Red, with a bit of Julep Kyla dabbed on.
A little sparkle from L'Oreal The True Diamond - 'the light'... 'the light, the heat'.
And a little dude holding a boom box. If I could draw, he'd be wearing a trench coat.
And, finally, the eyes! "In your eyes, the light, the heat; your eyes, I am complete. In your eyes, I see the doorway to a thousand churches..."
Yeah, I wasn't even going to try drawing a thousand churches.
Here's basically the whole movie, Say Anything, set to the awesomeness that is Peter Gabriel's, "In Your Eyes," the song that broke every girl's heart watching this movie.
"I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen."
Bottle shot: Revlon Spirit, Nabi Red, Julep Kyla, L'Oreal The True Diamond, and a Sharpie.
'Put googly eyes on your nails," my husband said. "Put googly eyes on and it'll be like that movie. It'll be fun," he said.
