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FEATURED - Sunday, December 16th 2007

Chanel Inimitable: Possibly The Best Mascara

Chanel sets a new standard in mascara with a formula that does it all.   A sophisticated formula and unique brush design combine to lengthen, plump and curl, delivering lush, long-wearing color so precisely that each lash, even the finest, is perfectly defined and separated.

Who doesn't want long, full, volumputous lashes right?  Is there such a product that can really deliver such powerful results?  I honestly don't think there is any product out there that is a miracle worker, that would be way too easy!  But, we can get pretty darn close to that.  Chanel, leader in the fashion and beauty industry, has yet another phenonominal product. 

Drum Roll please ... Introuducing Steph's pick for the best mascara, Chanel Inimitable Multi-Dimensionnel mascara, retailing $27.50.  The price is a little steep for a mascara, but it is well worth it.  This is my absolute favorite.  I have personally tried them all: Dior Show, Dior Blackout, Benefit Bad Gal, Fiberwig, Kiss Me, Lancome Definicils, Bobbi Brown.  Hands down it beats them all out.  And we cannot expect any less from Chanel. 

Now, I'm going to tell you why I love this stuff so much.  Not, only does it lengthen, seperate, and volumize, it's so easy to wash off!  For all the contact wearers out there, you will absolutely love this product.  It doesn't clump or make your eyelashes feel stiff and brittle.   To add even more length and protection to your eyelashes use Clinque lash building primer before applying mascara.  Tip: if you have thin and short lashes, try applying Cetaphil Moisturizing Creme on your entire face focusing mainly on your eyes and lashes every night, you will see a noticeable difference.  Give it at least 2-3 for results.

My Second macara pick, for more of a friendlier budget,  Maybelline Great Lash.  This mascara has been used for many years in the beauty and fashion industry.

FEATURED - Monday, July 21st 2008

Loreal linked to Lead: Is it really worth it

Back in 2007, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, found some cosmetics (including Loreal, Dior, and Covergirl) contained lead in some lipsticks.  Though the lead content levels might not be drastically high -  the possibility is definitely there.  Lead is defined as a potent neurotoxin and linked to numerous other health and reproductive problems—and it doesn't belong in lipstick.

July 17, 2008 ABC News

Cosmetics giant L'Oreal USA sold products overseas containing potentially carcinogenic chemicals, falsely advertised products containing animal-derived ingredients as "100 percent vegan," and failed to comply with regulatory laws, according to a lawsuit filed by the company's former regulatory affairs director.

Jerome Chevallier claims he was fired after he complained to his superiors about allegedly unlawful activities. He says the company sold Maybelline products in South America that contain carcinogenic chemicals, and that company management deleted formulae -- for products allegedly containing illegal levels of a preservative -- from internal computers, to avoid scrutiny from company regulators.

None of the products were being sold in the United States, and the chemicals allegedly used by L'Oreal USA are not banned in this country. Chevallier, formerly head of regulatory affairs for the U.S. branch of the French company, and his lawyer declined to comment or elaborate on the claims made in the lawsuit.   *** 

Chevallier's lawsuit claims that L'Oreal sold Maybelline products in South America containing dibutyl phthalate, "a material banned in those countries for its carcinogenicity and risks to reproduction."

Though the chemical is legal in the United States, it has been banned in Europe, and L'Oreal publicly said in 2005 that it would stop using it.  The lawsuit also claims that L'Oreal ignored its own policies by selling products in Europe that contain a refrigerant; sold deodorant containing "banned" Triclosan, an anti-microbial agent, despite public statements that it would no longer use the chemical; and falsely advertised its PureOlogy brand as "100 percent vegan," even though the products under that name contained animal-derived ingredients.

Chevallier also claims that products sold in Europe apparently contained unlawful levels of a preservative known as Kathon CG, but that the formulae for the products were removed from the company computer system. Kathon CG, often used in shampoo, has been linked to dermatitis when used at high levels.

Though the Food and Drug Administration prohibits marketing cosmetics that contain poisonous substances, it does not approve cosmetics before they are sold and cannot, by itself, order a recall, according to the FDA Web site.

While there's no way to test your lipsticks for lead (not even the urban legend), here are just a few lipsticks that tested positive for lead last year: L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” – 0.65 ppm, L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine” – 0.58 ppm, Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm and Dior Addict “Positive Red” – 0.21 ppm.

FEATURED - Saturday, February 14th 2009

My Hello Kitty Mani: Hot Pink Polka Dots

Happy Valentines day everyone!  Hope your having a fabulous day on this Saturday.  Today I'm posting my Hello Kitty manicure that I sported last Thursday for the MAC event.

I'm really impressed how the hot pink polka dots on black turned out.  It was a big hit at the party and fit in perfectly with the whole HK girly theme.

Pictured above is MAC's Hello Kitty bracelet available online.    

What I used: Two coats of Wet n Wild black creme nail polish sealed with SV fast dry topcoat and two applications of SH nail art pen in Hot pink sealed with an additional topcoat.  

I was totally going to do a Valentines day post with the Maybelline and Nicole hearts, but my patience ran thin dealing with the little critters.  One word, P - A - I - N in the you know what!

Have a great night ya'll, be safe!

FEATURED - Thursday, March 5th 2009

Going Green: Green Nail Pic Spam Part One

This is a great image of the actual color representation.  For Audrey's unique shade can be rather difficult to capture digitally. 

Happy Thursday!  Today is the first little segment of my "Go Green" theme this March at Steph's Closet.  Since I have so many greens to show you, I'll be breaking my posts into four seperate parts and featuring each part once a week.  

I wanted to start off with a french mani, because you guys know how much I love those funky colors.  

What I used:  Two coats of China Glaze For Audrey and two coats of my favorite Sally Hansen Nail art pens for the white tips.  The color combination just look stunning and only can image how hot this would look on those tootsies!

China Glaze, For Audrey a tiffany colored green - blue. 

Claire's, Blue for you is a seafoam green with fine shimmer.  Very pretty and feminine for spring.

 

Nars, Mash is a gorgeous deep olive bronze with gold shimmer.  A stunning color, espically for summer.  Looks fab on olive and darker skin tones.

Max Factor, Momentum Moss is dollar store gem, a olive gray metallic with shimmer.

Claire's, Green Confetti is a light green jelly glitter with subtle holographic effects.

Have you guys been in Claire's lately?  They have some pretty spectacular shades for spring.  I have a whole segment planned for those too!

Sally Hansen's, Jumpin Jade screams riches and luxury.  A deep, rich green that's seriously gorgeous!  A great drug store pick.

Maybelline's, Jade Flash is a green with blue undertones, but still falls in the green category.

And here's the two I posted a few days ago.

Icing, Awkward is a mid tone green with gold and subtle blue shimmer.  A great alternative to OPI's, Rainforest.

LA Flairs Girl, Green is a deep green with blue undertones. 

I'll be adding more to this post later this evening!  Have a great one!

FEATURED - Thursday, April 2nd 2009

Matte Nail Polish: Bringin Sexy Back

 

Matte Nail Polish, a grungy nail trend from the 90's, is regaining it's popularity this year. From brands like Man Glaze to Knockout Cosmetics, it's bringing sexy back - slowly but surely!

Trends come and go, as I always like to say. And, lets hope this one is here for a little while because I'm totally digging it. Come on, ya know your inner punk rock is screaming to come out!

Most of us probably won't fancy matte textures. Let's face it - their different and we've been using a shiny topcoat for years now. Just to think of a flat topcoat is inconceivable! But do give em' a fair shot, they may suprise you all in all.  

Today I'm posting some of my favorite matte nail polishes to kick off this new trend.

Man Glaze Death Tar (pictured above) - black with rainbow shimmer.

Man Glaze Fuggen Ugly - Steel gray with rainbow shimmer.

Knock Out Calamine - soft calamine pink (yes just like the lotion) flatte matte.

Covergirl Mattalic's are a different kind of matte from the others I own. A mix between a matte and metallic - pretty easy. Each color is loaded with silver metallic shimmer. 

Covergirl Triple Platinum Mattalic - silver with silver glitter.

Covergirl Bronze Mattalic - orangey bronze matte with silver glitter.

Covergirl Blue Steel Mattalic - sky blue with silver glitter.

Covergirl Mattalic Pink Zinc - pink rose with silver glitter.

For my weekly nail polish giveaway this month, I'll be giving away three shades of Covergirl Mattalic. Make sure your a Steph's Closet subscriber, you don't wanna miss out.

Maybelline's matte polishes are ultimate meaning of sexy. I hold these close to my heart because their beyond extraordinary. The best out of the best!

I'm not going to lie, these are pretty hard to find - but not impossible. Check out ebay, dollar stores, big lots and any other discount stores in your area.

Maybelline Olive Matte - golden olive green with rainbow shimmer.

Maybelline Grape Matte - a plummy grape with rainbow shimmer.

Turn all your polishes into mattes with Maybelline Mattte Maker - yellowish clear topcoat that takes the shine from your mani.  Knockout Cosmetics and Orly also makes a topcoat that would serve the same purpose.

What do you guys think of Matte nail polishes? Love them or hate them?

FEATURED - Monday, May 4th 2009

New Nail Colors from Maybelline Express Finish

Happy Monday! Hopefully your having a wonderful day. Today is yet another gloomy and rainy day here in the tri state. But, I'm not going to let that stop me from swatching some new colors from Maybelline.

Sunset Prisms (pic above), is a new shade in the Express Finish Line that's really pretty. More toned down than Color Club's Tangerine Scream, described as a orange with iridescent green shimmer. You shouldn't have any problems finding this one, it should be in the standard display.

These next two are limited edition colors that should have a seperate makeup display in stores now.

Coral Radiance is much prettier in person. Described as a rose pink with a pinch of coral and gold/silver shimmer. It's definitely more pink than coral. A nice universal color for anyone.   

Pot of Gold is really cool. Described as a clear base with gold glitter and "sequin like" designs. At first, I wasn't sure how'd these apply due to the torturious application of the Valentine hearts, but they surely pulled through.

Pot of Gold applied fairly well with two coats, so you don't need a toothpick or anything to move them around. The finished result, a smooth even surface that wasn't bumpy or gritty. I really loved how the different lighting catches the glitter and sequins at angles!

These colors should be available now. If your interested, make sure you keep an eye out because we all know how LE's are. Have a great day!

FEATURED - Wednesday, May 27th 2009

Nail Polish of the Day: Maybelline Purple Party

Happy Wednesday! Hope you guys had a great memorial day weekend. Since it's been raining for the last several days, I've spent most of the weekend finishing up painting.

Purple Party, a dollar tree gem I picked up a while ago, described as a gorgeous magenta pink - purple jelly loaded down with silver and pink shimmer. This one applied pretty sheer, but it's definitely worth the four coat application.

Here's some more eye candy for ya. These are my past NOTD's from the weekend that I neglected to post.

When it comes to sheer's, I run away as far as possible...but I just can't help staying away from this one. Satin Sheets, a sheer white loaded down with gold/pink shimmer.

 

Allure's June issue (pg 131) inspired this classic vampy shade from Chanel. Vamp, a dark blood red with shimmer. Have a wonderful day!

FEATURED - Sunday, June 28th 2009

Nail Polish of the Day: Maybelline Shooting Stars

Happy Sunday! Hope you guys are having a wonderful weekend. Maybelline's Shooting Stars was my NOTD this past Friday that I neglected to post. sorry for that.

Described as a holographic glitter in a clear base that I picked up at my favorite Dollar Tree. Check out some more dollar tree gems below.

Jean Jacket is so much prettier in real life. Described as a denim blue with gorgeous pink and gold shimmer.  

Blue Chill, a blue gray with pink and blue micro shimmer. Very unique and different.

I'm spending the day catching up on some swatches, so you should see some new posts soon. Have a wonderful Sunday!

FEATURED - Monday, June 29th 2009

Maybelline Express Finish Flash of Gold

This Summer, Maybelline introduces nine juicy colors to the Express Finish Line called, The Flash of Gold collection. Each limited editon color is a semi sheer texture that has flecks of gold shimmer in each bottle.

Today I'm bringing you six out of the nine shades from Maybelline. Each color is a gorgeous jelly like texture that has gold flecks and some matching shimmer.

The only downfall to these beauties, they are pretty sheer compared to China Glaze's Summer Days collection.

Most colors needed a good three coats or more to obtain bottle color, with the exception of the reds, which only needed around two.

Check out all the swatches below.

Aqua Electric, one of my favorites, described as an Aqua blue with flecks of gold and blue.

Magenta Shock, a light magenta pinkish purple. This one applied pretty sheer, you'll need four coats for bottle color.

Fuchsia Fire, a light pink with flecks of gold. A much lighter version of China Glaze's Strawberry Fields.

I'll be giving away one bottle of Fuchsia Fire to one of my lucky subscribers this week.

Fiery, a reddish orange with flecks of gold.

 Manadrin Heat, a coral with flecks of gold.

Blazing Berry, a berry pink with flecks of gold.

Maybelline's Flash of Gold collection is now available for a limited time only and retails around $3.99/each. Have a wonderful Monday!

FEATURED - Saturday, July 4th 2009

Nail Polish of the day: My 4th of July Mani

Happy Independence day everyone! Today marks the Fourth of July in the US, a celebration commemorating the adopotion of the Declaration of Indpepence on July 4th, 1776 declaring independence from Great Britain! Ok, enough with the history lesson Steph, on to Nails!!

When I think of the fourth of July, of course I think about food, good company and beer (lol), foremost fireworks and explosions come to mind...So, I wanted to create something blingy for that extra sparkle.

Update: To make a long story short, I wasn't satisfied with my first 4th of July nail design and this is my second finished design. I like it so much better! 

Check out my supplies below: 

What I used: Claire's Liberty (red), Maybelline's Twinkle, Twinkle (blue), Art Deco (glitter) and Sally's dotting tool.

Hope ya'll are having a wonderful 4th of July. It's actually raining here, but we have plans for tomorrow too!

What's everyone's mani for today? Check out some of my blogger gals: All Lacquered Up, Scrangie, The NailPhile, CasualLavish.

FEATURED - Friday, July 24th 2009

FAQ: Is there any dupes for Starry Starry Night

Q: I love Essie's discontinued Starry Starry Nights but can't find this color anywhere! Is there any close dupes or possible alternatives for this gorgeous shade?

A: Starry Starry Night is one of Essie's highly sought after colors and I have some bad news addicts, the answer is No!

The unique blue jelly-ness of Starry Starry night makes it next to impossible to find an exact dupe. However, I went digging through my closet and found two close alternatives that you might find lurking at your favorite Dollar Tree. But I warn ya, it's just as hard to track these down.

Check out my findings below.       

 Here's what I came up with. Naturistics being the closest dupe to Starry Starry Night.

Crystal Blue is really gorgeous and perhaps one of Essie's biggest contenders. A true navy blue jelly loaded with the same blue and silver glitter as Starry Starry Night. The navy blue base is just a tad bit darker compared to Essie's.   

Here's our pride and glory Starry Starry Night. The blue jelly base is really hard to describe. It's not your standard navy blue base, more muted and brighter at the same rate. 

Maybelline's Twinkle Twinkle should be the easiest alternative to find at your Dollar Tree or Ebay. An opaque navy blue with silver glitter.

Another alternative that I didn't include in my post, Sephora's Blue Sapphire. It's more of a royal blue with chunkier glitter that's super easy to find at Sephora.

Have a wonderful day!

FEATURED - Tuesday, August 4th 2009

LA Girls Flare: New Nail Polish Colors

It's a dreary, rainy Tuesday and hopefully your day is fabulous as ever! And if it's not, maybe these new L.A. Girls Flare nail polishes will cheer you up a bit!

Recap: L.A. Girls Flare is a nail polish brand you can find at Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 usually located in your mall. Personally, I prefer going to F21 because the retail cost is half the price from Urban Outfitters.

Most shades are full of life, loaded with opaque color and no true applications issues. The brush is small and thin like Essie's, but I don't mind - my petite nail beds love them!

Check em' out! 

 

Nostalgia, a mustard creme. Yellows are on fire this summer, so it don't suprise me that this unique color pulls me in. A bit more yellow than OPI's the it color. 

 

Celestial is a dose of foilstastic heaven...A light purplish silver that's definitely unique in my collection.

Magnetism, a great mid tone blue that's along the lines of Sephora's Blue Grotto and Misa's On the Edge.

It's Glitter time!! Fame, a purple, blue and pink glitter in a clear base. Pretty much the same version as L.A. Girl Rock Star in Overdose.

We have another L.A. Girl Rockstar look alike to Supernova. Rockstar is a semi sheer, gray jelly with holographic silver confetti.

Sunset, a peachy orange with flashes green shimmer. A lighter version than Maybelline's Sunset Prisms, love those peaches!

Eureka, a gold glitter in a clear base.

Spicy Salmon is actually really pretty! The subtle pink and gold shimmer isn't to noticeable in this Salmon orange, but still a great color!

Ravishing, rose colored pink glitter in a clear base.

You can find these in store at Urban Outfitters, Forever21 and online at Cherry Culture. Have a great day!

FEATURED - Tuesday, December 8th 2009

Blogiversary: Steph's Closet Turns Two

Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday to Me, Happy Birthday dear Steph's Closet, Happy Birthday to Me! From good friends and true, From old friends to new, May good luck go with you and happiness too! 

Today, Steph's Closet turns two!

It's been an amazing journey beyond my wildest dreams and it's all thanks to you all - my readers, friends and sponsors. Without you, I couldn't make this happen! A huge Thank You!

To get this party started and to show my appreciation, I've asked some Sponsors to contribute to make this an awesome birthday experience. 

Instead of having one massive giveaway, I'm hosting a 30 day giveaway to give everyone a chance to win. Starting on Tuesday, December 15th I'll be randomly choosing one winner from Twitter, YouTube and/or my Subscribers on Steph's Closet. Check out all the deets.

Rules and Restrictions

1. Each day, starting Tuesday, December 15th a winner will be randomly selected from my followers on Twitter, YouTube Channel or Steph's Closet Subscribers. Make sure you're following me or subscribed to my channels. Also to increase your chances, comment on this post.

2. The Giveaway is open to all US and International readers.

3. I will be contacting all winners via email. Please make sure all email addresses are updated and current. If I don't get a response within 2-3 days, I will be forced to pick another name, Sorry!

While I'm still getting a handle on the prizes, here's a small preview: Fortune Teller, Glad to be Green, Opulent Cloud, Massini Glitters, Molten Metal, Dorothy Who, C-C-Courage, Snowman Polishes and much more! The first giveaway will be picked from my twitter followers and will win a bottle of Opulent Cloud.

In other News...I've been undergoing a new site design with Steph's Closet tech guru, Scott (my hubby). We've hit some minor road blocks along the way, but should be up and running with a new layout in a month or two. Regular posting should resume next week.

Did you know Steph's Closet has a Photo Gallery? We build a gallery back in Sept of 08' and just added a feed for the section. Make sure you check it out. I plan to upload all my nail pics over the next 6 months. 

Full Disclosure: All prizes provided by Steph's Closet, China Glaze, Barielle, Nubar, and Color Club.

A huge thanks to China Glaze, Barielle, Color Club and Nubar.

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