A Simple Pink Glitter Mani

February 13, 2013 Basics, Beauty, Nails No comments

Photo 2013-02-12 11.03.04 PM

I’ve been experimenting with a lot of bold nail colors lately, so it was time to give my nails a break. This simple pink glitter mani was just what I needed. It’s a perfect way to make your nails look done without being too bold, and it’s subtly sparkly.

Photo 2013-02-12 11.02.44 PM (1)

Nails Inc.’s Kensington Caviar Base Coat is a pretty pink-hued base coat that can also be used alone for a bit of healthy color, plus it’s supposed to strengthen and nourish the nails. I love using it on its own when I’m in a rush but want my nails to look “polished,” but it’s also a great base for color – it’s slightly thick but it glides over ridges and smooths dents and imperfections in the nails. It’s $10 at Sephora.

Photo 2013-02-12 11.02.44 PM (2)

INM’s Northern Lights Hologram Top Coat provides a fun glitter finish, but it’s also a great fast-drying, chip-free top coat. (This is the same brand behind Out the Door Top Coat, a great quick-dry top coat). It gives just a little sparkle – add another layer to pump it up a bit more. It’s a fun one to keep around so you can paint over a color you’re bored with. I got mine at Sally Beauty for $6.

I applied two coats of Kensington Caviar Base Coat and one coat of Northern Lights Hologram Top Coat, and it dried really quickly. What do you do with your nails when you don’t have time for polish but you want them to look healthy and “done?”

♥ Sam

Ulta.com Haul

February 1, 2013 Beauty No comments

Ulta haul

For a beauty addict, living in the uber-isolated mountains is challenging. So I try to take advantage of online coupons and sales, and Ulta has great ones. I can stock up on drugstore cosmetics, oftentimes buy-one-get-one-half-off, as well as higher-end items. Plus it’s fun to get a beauty package delivered to your door! (And I love that I saved a good chunk of $ on this order)

I’ve got a lot of exciting goodies to try, test and review, so stay tuned!

  • NYX The Curve Liner
  • NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Gold Pink
  • NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Pinky Nude
  • NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Tokyo
  • NYX Color Lip Balm in Obrigado
  • Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lip Gloss in Gleaming Grenadine and Raspberry Reflections
  • L’Oreal Clean Artiste Waterproof and Long Wearing Eye Makeup Remover
  • L’Oreal Voluminous Naturale Mascara
  • Maybelline Volum’Express The Rocket Mascara
  • NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk, Lavender, and Sparkle Nude
  • NYX Retractable Eyeliner in Deep Blue
  • Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow in Inked in Pink
  • Essie Nail Polish in Mint Candy Apple and Going Incognito
  • Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Extreme Wear Nail Color in Bubble Gum Pink
  • L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer in Fair/Light Neutral
  • L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lacquer Lipgloss in Endless Red

♥ Samantha

Review: Laura Mercier Glamour Wardrobe Dual Decker Palette

January 28, 2013 Beauty, Eyes, Face 3 comments

Laura Mercier Palette 2

Laura Mercier’s Glamour Wardrobe Dual Decker Palette was released for Holiday 2012 – it’s limited edition and available only online. Honestly, the whole reason I bought this palette was for the eyeshadow color Peridot (limited edition and only available in this palette, of course). Based on the picture on Sephora.com, it seemed like a really unique dusty mint green, and good greens are so hard to come by. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed with the color payoff. Instead of dusty mint green, it just looked plain dusty when applied to the lid. I tried applying it with a brush, over eyeshadow primer, and even packing it on my finger and transferring it to my lid…any way I applied it I was surprised by the total lack of color. It barely read as a green shade at all.

I tried the other eyeshadow colors and was also disappointed with the lack of pigmentation. Sandstone looks like a pretty pale pink in the pan, but it went on sheer and powdery (again, no sign of pink when applied to the lid). Sable and Cherrywood were also very sheer. The others were just boring, run-of-the-mill eyeshadow colors to me.

Laura Mercier Palette 1

I was interested in the creamy cheek colors for ease of application, especially important for a palette you’ll inevitably take travelling. Again, huge disappointment! Super sheer pigmentation, and practically no trace of product after only a couple of hours. That was the last straw for this $98 palette – straight to my return pile!

Laura Mercier Palette 3

Because I automatically got returner’s guilt (a product of working at Sephora and seeing copious amounts of wasted makeup via returns), I decided not to even try the lip colors. It’s such a shame because I really thought this palette would be a winner and great for travel. It’s compact, I loved the zippered element (since everything felt so tightly packed, like it would be secure in your suitcase), and the brushes were really great, especially for palette brushes. Oh well. Better luck next time, Laura Mercier! I’m rooting for the next one. ;)

♥ Sam

The Best BB Cream, No Lie!

January 18, 2013 Beauty, Face, Skin 2 comments

(I explained the BB Cream phenomenon here, in case you missed it…)

Drumroll please…….. Dr. Jart’s Premium Beauty Balm is my favorite BB cream! Granted, I haven’t had the chance to try all of the BB creams out there (I think a new one comes out every week at least), but this one is still a serious gem.

Not only can this BB cream replace my tinted moisturizer or foundation, it provides moisture, SPF protection, and it primes! If I’m using this instead of foundation and primer, it can cut my getting-ready time by at least ten minutes. That means I can hit snooze if I want!

Dr. Jart’s Premium Beauty Balm is lightweight, but still provides a great amount of coverage (even more coverage than a high-coverage tinted moisturizer like Laura Mercier’s). I’ll use one pump to even everything out, and then another half-pump or so to build up coverage on my cheeks, nose, chin, and to blend into my neck. If I have a breakout or some red patches, I’ll do some extra concealing with a full-coverage concealer. But on good to semi-good skin days, I don’t even need concealer. Then I finish with blush and/or bronzer, highlighter (on a good day), and a setting or mattifying powder. Blush or bronzer is a must with this stuff because the BB cream really evens you out and you need to add color back in, lest you look pasty!

The finish is dewy and fresh without being too wet. I’ve noticed that powder is definitely essential to take down the dewiness in the T-zone, but that’s something you can easily add later as a touch-up. If Dr. Jart’s color is too light for you, pick a pressed or loose foundation powder that matches your skintone and just use that to set the Beauty Balm (Laura Mercier makes a good one, and Sephora offers an affordable option). Tarte also makes a bronzing setting powder that I’ve used over the BB cream for those with skin on the medium side. And remember, you can always add a little foundation over BB creams, since it also acts as a primer.

The first few times I used Dr. Jart’s Beauty Balm I got really dewy in the late afternoon (it also was summer, so hotter and more humid than normal). It was a little wet for my taste. Only later did I realize that this product can replace your regular moisturizer, as long as you’re not super dry. Cutting out the extra moisture made a huge difference! Now that I live in the mountains and it’s winter, I added the moisturizer back in, and it works great. Experiment to figure out what works for your skin.

So, to summarize, here’s what I love about Dr. Jart’s Premium Beauty Balm:

  • Perfect amount of hydration
  • Anti-aging/skincare ingredients (rare for makeup)
  • Smooth texture — it doesn’t ball up or provide patchy coverage, and it’s so buttery soft you can just blend with your fingers
  • Perfecting — it floats over pores and uneven texture, giving the appearance of smoothness
  • Pigment that matches my fair skin (which rarely happens with a one-size-fits-all product) and covers well
  • High-protection mineral sunblock (SPF 45) which provides natural, broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection
  • All the products it combines and replaces (AM moisturizer, facial sunscreen, primer, foundation, tinted moisturizer)
  • The compliments! I get tons of them when I use it.

Do yourself a favor and try this amazing, low-maintenance, all-in-one product! Buy it here at Sephora (it’s $39).

The Basics of Eyelash Curling and e.l.f.’s $1 Lash Curler

December 28, 2012 Basics, Eyes, Pet Peeves No comments

My old eyelash curler just wasn’t curling the way it used to. Even if I replaced the pad, the curling mechanism was a little weaker than when I first bought it. I was going to replace it with a fancy new one from Sephora, which would have cost at least $20, but I spotted e.l.f.’s $1 version at Target. SOLD! I’ll try pretty much anything from e.l.f. at least once…how can you resist when the price point’s so low?

So, how does it curl? Pretty decently, for $1. I love that the handles allow you to get a really good squeeze, without crimping or making a dent in your lashes. The only drawback is that its shape is a little too straight across to reach my outer corner lashes, which need to be curled to be tamed! But don’t let that stop you from giving it try. Everyone’s eye shape is unique, so I think it takes some experimenting to find a curler that best suits that shape. That’s why there are many different lash curlers touted as THE BEST. They really are the best for some people, but they may not work for you.

EVERYONE should use an eyelash curler (unless you’re a freak of nature like my mom, whose lashes are naturally curled). This is such a beauty pet peeve of mine! It drives me nuts to see girls who go to the effort of putting on mascara, but have stick-straight lashes that you can barely see (again, this doesn’t apply to those lucky gals with naturally curly lashes)! Even if you don’t wear mascara, it’s so worth it to curl your lashes. Curling your lashes (before mascara) makes your eyes look wider, i.e. more awake…and who doesn’t need that?! It also makes your lashes look longer because they’re lifted up (giving the illusion of length) instead of disappearing into your lash line. Curling also helps keep your lashes out of your eyes, a problem that is so annoying to me that I sometimes curl my bare lashes before bed, just so they don’t go crazy and poke me.

Tangent aside, I really liked the detailed instructions that were printed on the back of the e.l.f. eyelash curler box. I figured some of you haven’t used an eyelash curler before and maybe are scared to do so, so I thought I would share their helpful, step-by-step instructions.

e.l.f. Essential Mechanical Eyelash Curler box instructions:

1. Start with clean, dry lashes.
2. While your eye makeup should already be in place, you should not have already applied mascara.
3. Looking straight into the mirror, open the eyelash curler and place eyelashes in-between the top and bottom section of the curler. You can leave your eye open, or choose to close it, whichever is most comfortable for you. However, you will get a closer curl by leaving your eye open.
4. Make sure the curler is as close to the base of the lash as possible.
5. Without using a lot of pressure, gently close the curler at the base of the lash. Be as light as possible. Once you feel that you are not pinching any skin, apply more pressure, making sure to keep the pressure firm, but gentle.
6. Hold the curler in the center of lash, and gently apply pressure again, just as you did in the previous step.
7. Repeat with the other eye.
8. Add coat of your favorite mascara.

And even the WARNING on the box is helpful! “Use the eyelash curler before applying mascara to avoid damage to lashes. Always be extra mindful that you release your lashes prior to pulling the curler away.” That last one seems like a no brainer, but I’ve done it before when I was still half asleep…not a good way to start the day!

So there you have it – great, detailed instructions on how to use one of the scariest tools in the makeup aisle. Now there’s no excuse not to use it! You can grab one at Target or on e.l.f.’s website (they always have great online specials).

♥ Samantha

Nailed It! Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish in Bold Sangria

December 18, 2012 Beauty, Nails 4 comments

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About a month ago I bought a bunch of colors from Revlon’s Colorstay nail polish line. I was definitely in the mood for Fall and Winter! I love how we express the season with our nail polish…dark and rich colors for the colder months, pretty pastels for Spring, and bright neons for Summer.

I love Revlon Colorstay nail polish because of its long handle, which gives more control, and the wide and flat brush. I think my biggest nail polish pet peeve is those skinny, flimsy brushes because you have to brush a ton more strokes to cover your nail, which can make polish look uneven and streaky. I love a flat, stiff and wide brush! However, one thing I’ve noticed about these polishes is they apply kinda sheer, so you really need three sheer coats of color to get completely opaque coverage.

This color, Bold Sangria, was super pretty and I think it’s perfect for Winter. It’s vampy and rich, and I love the almost gel-like shine of Revlon’s Colorstay polishes. Of course that only lasts a couple of days, but a refresher of top coat shines it back up. (I used Seche’s Vite Dry Fast Top Coat). What do you think…do you buy certain colors seasonally?

♥ Samantha

So…What’s a BB Cream?

November 29, 2012 Beauty, Face, Skin No comments

Considering all the ads on TV and in magazines for BB creams, I’m sure you’ve heard of them by now. But what are they, exactly? Here’s the breakdown:

  • “BB” stands for “beauty balm” or “blemish balm.”
  • BB creams have been wildly popular in Asia for a while now, and they’ve finally made it to the U.S. market.
  • Many BB creams are all-in-one products that combine multiple steps to create a flawless complexion. Some of them moisturize, protect, prime (by filling in lines and pores), and perfect (with sheer coverage).

So what’s the difference between a BB cream and a tinted moisturizer? Well, it depends on the BB cream. Some BB creams contain more sunscreen than a tinted moisturizer would, plus bonus anti-aging and pore-refining ingredients. And most tinted moisturizers don’t actually “moisturize” that much, but some BB creams do. Basically, some BB creams actually deserve the title, and some don’t. That’s why it’s important to read the ingredients, and be skeptical about BB creams that claim to offer “10 benefits in one,” or other exaggerated claims.

Most BB creams have a shade range that’s limited to light-medium skintones, but some cover a broader spectrum. BB creams that contain physical sunscreens are usually pretty light in color because of the high mineral content, but the good news is that you can still use these as a base layer (primer) under your regular makeup. You can layer a bit of foundation or foundation powder over the cream to avoid looking ashy (and don’t forget your regular blush and bronzer to add some color back in).

More and more brands are coming out with BB creams, so look for newer ones with foundation-like color ranges. Stay tuned for my reviews of specific BB creams, including the best BB cream EVER! How’s that for a teaser? ;)

♥ Sam

And so it begins…

November 28, 2012 Beauty No comments

This blog is one of those things that I’ve been meaning to do for a couple of years now. As a perpetual procrastinator (ie: perfectionist), I’ve finally gotten around to it, even if everything isn’t perfect (sigh). I have a “day job” that keeps me super busy, but I’m still OBSESSED with all things beauty. So it’s time to publish the blog that’s been in my head for the last couple of years. I would love to hear what you think, so please comment and make yourself known. Post suggestions are also welcome. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!

♥ Samantha

First post coming soon!

August 4, 2012 Misc. No comments

Stay tuned for my first post…