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FEATURED - Monday, January 7th 2008

MAC Cosmetics Authentics Review and Swatches

The Above is an actual picture of the MAC Authentics Face Palette that I took this morning (I felt like being creative today)!  At first, I really wasn't thrilled about this collection.  I only ordered this because I was given a Macy's gift card for Christmas.  I have to say, I am pretty excited I did.

The very first thing that caught my eye on this palette was the blush color.  It is a very peachy to deep coral color that will look gorgeous for Spring and Summer.  So, I am quite pleased with the blush.  Blackberry is one of MAC's standard eye shadow colors.  A purplish-brownish color, perfect for crease lines.  The Moss Spot is a gorgeous moss greenish-yellow shadow that looks beautiful with green eyes espically.  Total Bliss is my favorite out of the bunch.  It is a light neutral beige with pink reflects, which is great for a highlighter also.  I am pleased with all the eye shadow colors.  Although, I don't think I would wear them all together at once.  But, don't knock it until you tried it, right?  So, I will be trying the look soon.  Another reason I like this palette so much is, you can toss it in your purse, pocket, back-pack,  and have a blush, eyeshadow (s), highlighter, and 213 SE brush.  It is perfect for those stay overs and for quick, on-the-go touch-ups.

I used two different kinds of bases on these eye shadow swatches.  The top set is used with MAC Paint in Sublime Nature, which is more of a matte based texture.  The Bottom set is used with MAC Paint Pot, Bare Study, a shimmery paint.  Overall, I think the matte paint had more color payoff and a slight shimmer to it, which was perfect.

On the Blush, I did not use any base underneath.  I absolutely love this peach coral color.  It looks great on darker skin tones as well as lighter skin tones.  Remember, this is an exclusive, limited edition palette, and only available at Macy's and other fine federated department stores.  This is not available at any of the MAC Stores or online.  If you are somewhat on the fence about this, I would go ahead and purchase it.   You can't go wrong with this face palette.  Your getting: 1 Blush, 3 eyeshadows, compact mirror, 213 MAC eye brush, all for $34.00.  Would you buy this palette?

Wednesday, January 9th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: A Mei Makeup Collection

A Taiwanese pop sensation, the yin-yang of her personality are celebrated in this iconic signature colour collection. Bold for her rocker side. Low-key and neutral for those soft pop moods. This is A Mei, in all her shades - up close and personal.

A Mei: 3 Neutral Eyes (LE). Three shades of Eye Shadow in a black compact featuring the traditional needlework pattern of A Mei’s native Taiwan embroidered onto a plaque insert. Each colourwave in the collection has its own colour signature: Blue/Fuchsia for Bold, Red/Yellow for Neutral.  Limited Edition.  US $30.00.

A Mei: 3 Bold Eyes (LE).  Three shades of Eye Shadow in a black compact featuring the traditional needlework pattern of A Mei’s native Taiwan embroidered onto a plaque insert. Each colourwave in the collection has its own colour signature: Blue/Fuchsia for Bold, Red/Yellow for Neutral.  Limited Edition.  US $30.00.

MAC For A Mei Lipstick.  MAC Lipstick featuring the traditional needlework pattern of A Mei’s native Taiwan screened onto the case.  Two colors available: Siss, A Muted golden beige (satin), and Ruby Woo, A Vivid blush red (matte).  Ruby Woo is pictured.  I just checked the MAC site and Siss lipstick has already SOLD OUT!  Be sure you grab these quick!

MAC For a Mei Lipglass (LE).  Limited Edition Lipglass featuring the traditional needlework pattern of A Mei's native Taiwan screened onto the cap.  Two colors available: She's A Star, A Lustre-shined light neutral gold (Frost), and Love Rules,  A Fuchsia with white sparkle pearl (Frost).  US $14.00.  Love Rules is pictured.

MAC, you are killing me and my bank account, literally!  The, A Mei Collection, is now available online.  Not only did the A Mei Collection release today, So, did the N Color Collection!  My Wallet just can't take this abuse!  But, I just can't say NO!  Really, there should be a some kind of AAA classes for MAC, because I know there's alot of us out there!

This morning, at 5am to be precise, I was writing an article for my blog, and I saw the MAC Cosmetics email pop up.  It went down hill from that point on!  I knew MAC would be releasing these two collections about the same time.  I ordered the entire, A Mei Collection, as soon as I received my email.  The MAC Sales Associate told me last week that this was limited production collection which basically means, it will sell out super fast.  Siss, A Muted golden beige (satin) lipstick (not pictured), has already SOLD OUT online in a matter hours!  If your a MAC lover, you know never to wait until the last minute on these limited edition collections!   And, I am so glad I snatched these up! Their has been countless times I've debated on something and ended up missing out on it, because I waited to long.  And, I forbid to pay those outrageous prices on Ebay.

One thing I'm really excited to see is the eye shadow palettes (even though most are standard MAC colors), and the Siss lipstick that sold out in a matter of hours online.  "Blue and nudes are definitely the "IT' color for Spring/Summer 2008.  

Check out my review and photo swatches for MAC A Mei Collection.

Monday, January 28th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Slimshines Relaunch

MAC Cosmetics introduces the relaunch of Slimshine.  Product Description: A new Lipstick combining creamy emolliency with a unique sheer colour pay-off. Provides the shine and moisturizing comfort of a gloss but with a smooth, non-sticky finish. Distinctive on and off. Comes packaged in its own stylish extra-long lipstick case.  Release is expected February 7th, 2008.  Cost USD $14.00 each. 

If Slimshines sound familiar, well they are.  These were introduced last year and were quite a hit!  If you love lipstick but, you feel it's too dry, then Slimshines are for you!  I had a chance to try them last year, and I absolutely loved them!  I love lip gloss but, feel it's too sheer sometimes, and lipstick is just too dry, so this is perfect for me.  The only BAD thing about these lipstick wonders is, they go really, really FAST!  And at, $14 bucks a pop, not sure if it's really worth it.  But, I still will be picking up one or two at least.

7 Brand new colors are being released along with 13 repromoted ones from the original release date, for a total of 20.  See all colors below.

Assertive Warm brown with golden pearl (Matte).

Grenadier Deep blue-red coral (Cream).

Intimidate Creamy plum (Cream).

Missy Pastel coral (Cream).

Rock Out Clear blue with gold pearl (Cream).

Think Tan Deep brown with gold pearl (Matte).

Voile Canary yellow with gold pearl (Matte).

Repromotes:  Bare, Cocoamour, Funshine, Gaily, Long Stem Rose, Lovey Dover, Most Wanted, Mousse, Pleasing, Prudeaux, Urgent!

 Check out MAC Slimshine product swatches.

{Source via: Specktra}

FEATURED - Wednesday, January 30th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Fafi Collection Color Story

These pictures clearly speak for themselves!  WOW, was my first expression when seeing these product photos back in December of 2007.   There is always one or two collections that will be a huge hit, and this is going to be one of them!  I'd never thought any collection could top Barbie loves MAC, but, I may be wrong!  So many things I'm looking forward to seeing in these collection.  Paint Pots, Blush, Eye Shadow Palette's, Nail Polish, Lipstick, Lipglass, Fafi Doll's (not pictured but, will sell out super duper fast), and the cosmetics bags.  Which, pretty much sums up the whole collection!  Last year, around the same time as Barbie love MAC was released, the Barbie Dolls sold-out instantly, and were going for $400+ on ebay. 

Fafi, a french Graffiti and Fine Art Graphic Artist, who is known for her images of sexy and liberated girls.  Her drawling and graffiti's are absolutely amazing!  If you've never seen any of her Drawling's or Graffiti's, click here to check them out.

Now, on to business!  This rare, limited edition collection, officially releases on February 13th, 2008.  Be sure to keep up-to-date on the Fafi Collection in your area, by signing up on the MAC website.  Check out the amazing color story below, that leaves me drooling at my desk.

Lipstick
Fun ‘n’ Sexy Blue pink with blue pearl (G)
Not so Innocent Sheer tan with pink and peach pearl (G)
Utterly Frivolous Rosy coral with pink pearl (L)
High Top Grey purple with blue pearl (G)
Flash-n-Dash Intense tangerine red with pink pearl (G)
Strawbaby Coral rose with rainbow pearl (L)

Lipglass
Cult Face Blue mid-tone pink with white pearl (F)
Sugar Trance Creamy soft pink with white and rainbow pearl (F)
Squeeze It Brassy plum (F)
Totally It Sheer bright pink with intense pink pearl (F)

Eye Shadow  Quad's (x4)  Fafi Eyes 1
Howzat Deep grey with silver sparkle (S)
Hey Neutral tan with pearl (VP)
Pink Venus Washed pink (L)
Vanilla Soft pale-peachy-ivory flecked with shimmer (V)

Fafi Eyes 2
Bold as Gold Yellow gold with gold pearl (L)
You’re Fresh Pale green with silver sparkle (L)
Shockwave Intense orange with silver sparkle (V)
Prankster Muted dark blue (S)

Paint Pot
Nice Vice Dirty purple with purple pearl (F)
Girl Friendly Creamy grey pink (C)
Layin’ Low Creamy beige (C)
Cash Flow Green gold with gold pearl (F)
Perky Cream coral with white pearl (S)
Rollickin’ Aqua blue green with white pearl (F)

Fluidline
Blacktrack Solid flat black

Eye Kohl
Smolder Intense black
Fascinating Snake-eyes matte white

Zoom Lash
Zoomblack Rich black

Powder Blush
Hipness Intense coral with soft white pearl
Fashion Frenzy Mid-tone blue pink

Iridescent Pressed Powder
Sassed-up Soft coral pink with gold sparkle
Verve-acaious Intense yellow gold with gold pearl
Belightful Gilded peach bronze

Nail Lacquer
Girls Will Be Girls Pink with coral pearl
Boom! Rich eggplant with purple pearl

Brushes
210 Precise Eye Liner.
129SH Powder/Blush (with decorated pouch).
208 Angled Brow Brush.
182 Buffer Large Brush.

Bags
Rectangle M.A.C/Small/Clearly Fafi
Rectangle M.A.C/Mini/Clearly Fafi

Fafi Dolls
Fafinette

{Source via: Specktra}

Saturday, February 2nd 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Upcoming Collection Dates

An MAC ADDICT Ultimate Resource for 2008 

Slimshine - 2/7/08 (Int'l March 2008) Permanate MAC Line
Don’t speak. Lips are in danger of all manner of delicious indiscretion. Seductive in colour, shine and staying power. Seven new Slimshine Lipstick shades and 13 bring-back shades invite colourful, ultra-glossy conversations. People will talk.  

Check out the review and photo swatches for MAC's Slimshines Collection.

Mineralize Foundation - (LE) The release date keeps changing
Making headlines with our lightest mineral infusion yet! This unique loose powder foundation brushes on to adhere smoothly to the skin. Provides a radiant natural matte finish with medium-buildable coverage, and SPF 15 for everyday sun protection.

Fafi - 2/14/08 (Int'l March 2008) (LE)
A trendy collection inspired by the French Graphic Artist, Fafi. 

Check out MAC's for Fafi product photos, review & swatches part 1 and review & swatches part 2. 

Strobe - 3/6/08 limited edition
This collection includes: Strobe Liquid, Strobe Cream, Strobe Lip Conditioner, and 4 different shades of Tinted Lip Conditioners.

Check out the review and photo swatches for MAC's Strobe collection.  

Viva Glam VI - 3/6/08
Introducing a Special Edition VG VI Lipglass and new spokesperson into our mix - Fergie! A radical spirit, Fergie burst onto pop culture as female lead in the Black Eyed Peas. She joins Eve and Dita von Teese in speaking out on behalf of VIVA GLAM VI.

Check out review and photo swatches for the new Viva Glam VI Lipglass. 

Beauty Powder Blush - 3/13/08 (Int'l April 2008) (LE)
A micronized powder blush with a subtle pearlize pigment, 8 new shades and 2 re-promoted makeup brushes.

Check out review, swatches and product photos for MAC's newest Beauty Powder Blush. 

Heatherette - 3/20/08 (Int'l April 2008) (LE)
24-Hour Party People know what time it is when N.Y.'s counter-culture couturiers create a paint-by-numbers world of drama with two glittering looks. Choose from Good Girl for day, Bad Girl for night...or be the superstar you are and flip it!

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for MAC's Heatherette Collection.

Euristocrats - 4/1/08 European Stores only 

Naked Paris - Sheer pink brown with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (lustre)

Rue D' Bois - Sheer mid tone pink with multi dimensional pearlized pigments (lustre)

Patisserie - Sheer creamy neutral pink (lustre)

Barcelona Red - Frosty deep coral (frost)

Costa Chic - Frosty light coral (frost) ***A LUST have for coral lovers***

Milan mode - Sheer deep pink with multi dimensional pearlized pigments (lustre)

Going Dutch - Frosty mid tone pink (frost)

Saint Germain - Pastel pink (amplified creme)

London Life - Sheer deep berry with multidimensional pearlized pigments (lustre)

Ramblas Red - Blue red (amplified creme)

Cockney - Sheer yellow red with multi dimensional pearlized pigments (lustre)

Neon Orange - Bright clean orange (Amplified Creme) (PRO Store)

Show Orchid - Vivid hot pink (Amplified Creme) (PRO Store)

Full Fuchsia - Bright clean warm pink (Amplified Creme) (PRO Store)

Fast Play - Medium neutral pink with plum-brown undertones (Amplified Creme) (Repromote)

Bombshell - Soft bright rosy-pink with golden shimmer (Frost) (Repromote)

Check out Specktra's fabulous swatches for this colorful lipstick collection.

Dress Camp - 4/17/08 (Int'l April 2008) extremely rare and "very limited"
Super hot Asia exclusive collection.  This collection will not be available at MAC stores only online.

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for Asia's Dress Camp.

Dazzleglass - 5/1/08 (Int'l May 2008) (LE)
Electro-pearl atoms blast their light as Lipglass gets the dazzle treatment. High-shine + large particle quartz and opal crystal captured in a great new formula with light-reflecting, crystalline iridescence. To be this dazzling: that's power!

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for MAC's new glitter lipgloss.

Naughty Nauticals - 5/1/08 (Int'l May 2008) (LE) 3-part release
Sailors, ahoy! In her fleet of pinks, corals, reds, and the deepest navy Nail Lacquer seen this side of Marseilles, she's uniformly chic, and cruising for romance. In style and desire, she's poised for perfection. Go overboard!  

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for this Naughty collection. 

Stowaways Quad - 5/1/08 Part of the Naughty Nauticals Collection and only available at Nordstrom.

Skinsheen - 5/1/08 (LE) (Int'l June 2008)
Legs...Bronzed to distraction. Seductive and cruise-worthy. A sprayable lightweight gel that unlike your fancy, never drifts. Brushes lightly and flawlessly over the skin. For the ultimate secret application and smoothest sheen, try the 179 Body Buffer Brush.     

Neo Sci-Fi - 5/29/08 (Int'l June 2008) (LE) 3-part release
Spinning glamour into another orbit: our magnetic field of hot fluorescents, modern buffs, beiges and flesh tones are destined to test the laws of your style gravity. With these supersonic shades and neon orange compacts, go shock the galaxy! 

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for the Neo Sci Fi Collection. 

Future Earth - 5/29/08 (Int'l June 2008) (LE)
Lava-licious! The power of Volcanic Ash brought into one dynamic all-black element, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. Mineral-rich. Cleanses, exfoliates, makes skin look radiant. Its glowing compliment: new Prep + Prime Microfine Lip Refinisher.

Check out the reviews, swatches and product photos for the Volcanice Mask and Lippie.  

Solar Field - 5/29/08 (Int'l June 2008) (LE)
Alternate sun power. Glamour beams across the universe via new Solar Bits: free-formed clusters of rich pigment and pearl. Its full-volt complement: skin made provocatively golden through Bronzing Powder in Solar Riche and Refined Golden

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for the Solar Field Collection.  

Tendertones - 5/29/08 (Int'l June 2008) (LE)
Sexier on the lips than balm. Silkier than gloss. More protective than naked. A lipcolour that combines soft shine, easy glide, and double-smooth satin finish with an everyday sun protective formula. To treat your lips...Love 'em tender.

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for this cult lip balm.  Check out Loreal's HiP Jelly Balm - is an excellent alternative that's actually better than MAC.

Summer Trend Bags - 5/29/08 (Int'l June 2008) (LE)
Shine-blasted. Shockingly fluorescent. Our easygoing Softsac goes patently neon in three tote-along sizes: mini, small and medium. Utterly functional and fun. The best complement to the M·A·C Neo Sci-Fi collection. Available in three buzzed-up colours. 

Cool Heat - 6/12/08 (Int'l July 2008) (LE)
Some looks are too hot for summer to handle but not Cool Heat. Sweltering corals, chill-out blues, complemented by Turquatic and its warm new sister shade, Turquatic Heat, create this season's coolest - and steamiest - beauty paradox.

Check out the review, swatches and product photos for this energetic collection. 

New View - 7/08
Natural and Shimmer. The split personality of powder to sheerly and subtly perfect skin with dimensionality and mineralized starshine. These Mineralize Skinfinish duos are state-of-the-art simplicity, high-resolution finish. 

Sonic Chic - 7/08
Mineralize Blush to break the style barrier: Screamingly chic, but soft, sheer, lightweight. Enhance cheekbones, create planes and contours with the 181 Buffer Brush for flawless blending. The fastest route to perfection yet is Ultra-Sonic.

Check out the Review and Photo Swatches. 

Electroflash - 7/08
Mineralize Eye Shadow in nine new duos with unblinking courage, and convincing new combinations. Add Lipglass and Lipsticks with quantum physics energy, in companion colours and electro-lustres. Electricity is our most precious resource...everybody, electrified!

Check out the Review and Photo Swatches. 

Colour Forms - 7/18/08 (Int'l August 2008) (LE) Nordstrom Exclusive

Lustre Twins - 7/31
Nine new shades of Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour featuring an exclusive sheer pigment top coat, with three Nail Lacquers. Separate if you must, but these Lustre Twins shouldn't live without each other. Codependent couture colour and shine starts here! 

Starflash - 7/31
Hollywood's new Power Couple. Our 12 new limited-edition Starflash shadows, combined with Kohl Power Eye Pencil. Shades for a smooth, creamy, cushioned life. Provides the double-wattage impact that will take you to the new stylesphere!

Check out the photo swatches and review. 

Cult of Cherry - 8/21 The new forbidden fruit. Deep, dark, dramatic. Lips ripened with juicy cerises and intoxicating kirsches while eyes smoulder in luscious spiced chocolate. With its sense of way-to-go dark, this is how we separate the bitter from the sweet...Fall drama just got more delicious. 

Check out the photo swatches, review, lip looks using cult of cherry lipstick colors, nail polish swatches and my makeup haul.  

Overrich - 8/21 Fall for luscious. Eight pigments that keep you de-lovely and delicious as ever. Oxidized, rich-metal hues are a cakewalk to apply, for eyes, face and all the sweet spots...These Overrich pigments satisfy an appetite for glamour.  

Check out the photo swatches, review and my makeup haul.

Suite Array - 9/25 Check-in to the double-delight luxury of our new Eye Shadow Suite. Eight shadow duos in unexpectedly fresh and frivolous colours paired with one of our new Pearlglide Eye Liners will provide you with all the accoutrements of day and night bedroom eyes.

Check out the review and photo swatches. 

Gold Fever - 9/25

MAC for Ungaro - 9/25 Dreamy, softly impressionistic, reverential...To celebrate his exciting debut, It-Designer, Esteban Cortazar, celebrity makeup artist, Sharon Dowsett, and M·A·C come together backstage to create a colour collection in the spirit of today's Ungaro.

Check out the review and photo swatches. 

Red She Said - 10/16 The retro-starlet allure of Hollywood glamour, with a modern twist. A season where lips connive, then confess in shades of provocative holiday reds. Party season and passions flare! "Red" She Said, and no one could resist her.

Check out the review and photo swatches.

Wednesday, February 6th 2008

OPI India Collection: Review and Swatches

OPI India Collection for Spring/Summer 2008 has officially launched today.  I had a chance to get a sneak peek at this collection, and pick up a couple of bottles.  First off, I really love India inspired collections.  This collection has a little bit to offer for any appetite.  Neutrals: Soft Grey and Opal colors.  Dark: A gorgeous blue that no-one should overlook, and a deep burgandy with red shimmer.  Metallics: Sheer Gold and Bronze perfect for summer. Brights: A beautiful fuschia magenta (pictured on model), Bright Pink .     

If you haven't been locked up and living as a hermit, then you know by now,, that blue is the "IT" color for Spring/Summer 2008.  Most nail collections this season have featured some kind of blue shade.  Chanel Blue Satin, is one of my personal favorite nail colors this season, but, something was just missing.  As much as I love Blue Satin, it's just too darn dark without putting a topcoat of Azur.  Don't get me wrong, I still love the color and will continue to wear it.  But, it was hyped up so much, that I already had high expectations and the vision in my head didn't match up with actual color.  Maybe if the formulation wasn't as thick, it would have an potential of being a 10.

 

Charmed by a Snake.  A bronzed color that is perfect for any anybody.  This is a great color and much approiate for warm and cool tones.  This is definitely tied with MoonSoon or Later as my second favorites.  "Bronzed" and "Goldened" are one of the color trends for this summer, which brings me to the next color.

 

Curry Up Don't Be Late.  A sheer gold color with yellow undertones. I think this color is more appealing to the warm tone crowd.  A Metallic Yellowish-Gold is a tricky color to pull off.  But, I'm really liking yellow this spring/summer.  If your feet get really tan in the summer, this is a must for pedi's!  Check out the OPI India Collection Promo Ad, featuring this color.  I'll be honest, I love this color but, it was really hard to paint my nails.  It's very sheer, and I certainly needed 3 heavy coats to cover completely.  But, it's defintely worth the hassle, the color payoff is a gorgeous metallic yellow-gold.

Lunch at Delhi.  Described as a soft coral shade with pink-undertones.  I honestly don't see the pink undertones in this one.  It defitnely has more reddish undertones which makes it dark coral color which is really pretty.  Coral is going to be an "IT" color this spring/summer 2008. 

I'm Ind-ia Mood for Love.  Described as a Fushia-Magenta color.  A Magenta Fushia creme color that is a must have for pedi's this summer!  Take a look at the model in the picture above.  She is wearing this color.  How cute would that be on your toes, white flip-flops, and a toe ring.

 

Yoga-Ta Get This Blue.  So true to the name.  Yoga-Ta Get this Blue!  What are you waiting for!  WOW!  This color is exactly what Chanel Blue Satin lacked and is amazing.  It is exactly the blue I have been looking for.  If you love the blue nail polish trend, well, this is going to be your holy grail color.  So, what makes this blue different from all the hundreds out there?  Well, OPI for one, secondly the beautiful aqua and blue shimmer that makes this perfect!  And, one more thing, it LOOKS blue! Unlike Blue Satin and many others, where it looks black-ish in different lighting.  Russian Navy fans, get ready, your going to love this color!  Same type of texture, instead of the purple-ish pink shimmers, it's aqua and blue.  This is my favorite color of this collection, and think it's going to be a HUGE hit.

 

MoonSoon or Later.  I absolutely LOVE this color!  Described as a bright reddish-organish color.  I think this is one of the colors that most people will overlook.  And, if you love orangey-red's, this defintely shouldn't be overlooked!  It's not as bright and orangey as you might think.  Described as a creamy tomato red.  At first, I honestly overlooked this color.  Two days later, I saw this color and messed with it a little bit, and ended up loving it and purchasing it.  If your attracted to reds as I am, you'll love this!  This color is my second favorite, right under the blue.  Coral and Oranges are going to be a Hot color this summer!

Moon over Mumbai.  Descirbed as a gray shade.  I was really hoping I would like this color.  I'm honestly seeing more pink in this shade.  I would describe it as a very light pink shimmer with gray undertones.  It is a very pretty shade, but, I was hoping for more gray.  Essie's, Body Language is by far the best gray color I have seen this spring.  This color is much like Essie's 2008 Spring Collection.

Keys to my Karma.  Described as a rich tomato red color.  Honestly, I see this color being more like a cherry red opposed to a rich tomato red, which I have plenty of similar colors.

Elphantastic Pink.  Described as a bold carnation pink.  Much talk was going on about this color.  So, I was really looking forward to it.  But, I was quite disappionted.  My skin tone is warm and this color stands out like a sore thumb.  It's just too bright for me.  This color may look more appealing on cooler skin tones.

Here are some other colors I didn't get, but, would be more appealing for me in the fall.  Spring and Summer is almost here so, I'm ready for some colors.  Royal Rajah Ruby, a burgandy with reddish shimmer.  If the shimmer were light pink, this would be an huge it color.  This is more of a burgandy-blackish color.  Black Cherry Chutney, a dark black cherry red.  

Below are some photo swatches I took from my salon.  

The first picture was taken with a flash, the second without a flash. 

Overall, I really liked this collection.  Yoga-ta get this Blue!  Go get this stuff now!  That was the best color hands down.  Followed by Curry up Don't Be Late, Charmed by a Snake, and MoonerSooner or Later.  

What do you think of this collection?  Are you planning to purchase any colors?

Check out the ultimate summer accessory featuring two colors from the OPI India Collection.

Tuesday, February 12th 2008

OPI India Collection: More Product Photos

This is one of my favorite OPI India Collection promo ad's.  That color on her toes look amazing!  Model above is wearing Curry Up Don't Be Late.  Described as a sheer gold color with yellow undertones. I think this color is more appealing to the warmer tone crowd.   Warm toned or not, I love this color!

 

FEATURED - Wednesday, February 27th 2008

MAC Cosmetics Fafi: Review and Swatches Part Two

Eye Shadow Quads. I purchased both of these eye shadow quads.  I honestly, did not expect to like Quad 2, but, that ended up being my favorite.

Quad 1.  Vanilla, a white color witha a velvet finish, that is good for highlighting.  Hey Neutral, a shimmery tan color, that is very pretty nude color.  Pink Venus, bright pink frosted color, that has great color payoff and texture.  Howzat, a dark gray-ish black color, good for crease lines.  

Quad 2.  Bold as Gold, a gorgeous shade of shimmery yellow-gold.  I really loved this color, perfect amout of shimmer that isn't over powering.  Shockwave, more of a shimmery tangerine color, that isn't as bright as it looks.  You're Fresh, as it looks green in the quad, it's quite sheer.  More of a greenish-yellowish shimmer.  Prankster, it may look navy blue, but, comes out more dark blue-blackish.

If you tend to play it safe, I would go for the Quad 1. If you are daring enough, I would definitely recommend purchasing Quad 2.  The colors may look funky, but, appear more sheerer than they actually look.

Paint Pots.  I absolutely love MAC's paint pots.  I purchased Cash Flow, and Perky.  I am planning to pick up Rollickin soon.  My favorite by far is Perky.

Perky, a coral-peach shimmer color, that is truely gorgeous, and the color pay-off is great.  This is a must have base for Quad 2.  Cash Flow, a goldish-brownish color, that is great with browns and neutral colors.  Rollickin, a tealish shimmery color, that looks great espically paired up with Parrot eyeshadow.  Nice Vice, a purplish brownish color, that was way too dark and purplish for my skintone (NC25).  Layin Low, a creamy flat brown beige color.  Girl Friendly, a very flat pink color.

 

 

Powder Blushes.   The powder blushes were something I didn't even look at twice until I saw in person.  They may appear "very bright" in their Fafi cases, but, that is not the case whatsoever.  The blushes have very  "build-able color".  I initially only purchased Hipness but, later purchased Fashion Frenzy.  It's really hard to choose between the two, because they are both equally beautiful.  

Fashion Frenzy, a medium cool pink matte color that is very buildable.  Just be careful with the blush brush, you can easily get outta control  with the blushes, which might reflect the brightness of the color.  Fashion Frenzy looks great with Quad 1, Sexy n Fun lipstick paired up with Totally It lipglass.  Hipness, a warm peach matte color with a small hint of pink.  Hipness looks great with Quad 2, Strawbaby lipstick, paired up with Sugar Trance lipglass.

Iridescent Mineralized Powders.  These powders are just gorgeous, and by far the best out of the Fafi collection.  If you love to sparkle and shine, then these powders are for you.  Unfortanetly, I could not get a good picture to justify the beauties of these powders with them being so sheer.  I purchased Verve-vacious, more of a golden bronzed color. 

Verve-vacious, a goldish bronzed powder with several pigmented gold flecks.  This is gorgeous, and can be used as a bronzing powder for summer also.  Sassed-Up, a soft golden peach-pinkish color.  I believe this color will be more appealing for everyone and the most popular.  Sassed-up is another one I would like to purchase, only if my bank account wasn't depleted by Fafi!  Belightful, a cooler brownish powder with gold specks.  Verve-vacious and Belightful were very similar in colors.  I opt for Verve-vacious because it's more becoming, and it's a limited edition color.

Nail Lacquer.  I purchased both of these colors, because I'm a nail polish freak!  However, I do think Girls will be Girl is more appealing than Boom.  Girls Will Be Girls, a pink with a specks of gold that makes it somewhat coral-ish.  The coral color is not very noticable to the naked eye.  If you prefer the sheerness, you will only need two coats.  However, In the picture above, I had to use 3 coats to cover my nail completely.  Boom, a burgandy color with specks of pink shimmer.  This metallic like color is very pretty, and looks great on nails.

Overall, Fafi is truely a great collection.  It offers alot of bright pink/corals, girly colors that are going to be "it" colors for spring/summer 2008.  Definite stand out items: Strawbaby and Fun n Sexy Lipstick, Sugar Trance and Totally It lipglass, Perky Paint Pot, and Sassed-Up mineralized powder.  The only items that are sold out nationwide is Fun n Sexy and Strawbaby lipstick.  But, they may still be available at your local MAC Store.

Tuesday, March 18th 2008

China Glaze Ecollection: Review and Swatches

Suprisingly, Unplugged was my favorite color of China Glaze Ecollection.  A beautiful brown rust color with red and gold shimmer making this color stunning.

Shower Together a bright turquoise blue color that is my second favorite out of the ecollection.  Many hollywood celebs have been sporting around this color.  This color is comparable to China Glazes popular, Aqua Baby.

Solar Power, a bright taxi cab color that represents the sun but, don't be afraid of this color!  Believe it or not, this color is going to be the "it" color geared towards summer.  Rescue Beauty Lounge also has a beautiful yellow color that I will be swatching soon.  I was really hesitant about this color at first, but, ended up like it.  Solar Power will look great on those pedi's.

 

Tree Hugger, a Granny Smith Apple shimmer color, that is perfect for spring.  I really like this color, it also reminds me of an sour apple blow pop.

Hybrid, a light brown shimmer that is very comparable to OPI Charmed by a snake.  This is a nice neutral color, that most will find appealing.

Recycle, a dark gray creme shade that's my first. Gray nail polishes are on the hot radar right now, so I think alot of us will really like this color. 

Overall, I really liked this collection and the fact that the colors are based around the envirnoment is and A+ in my book.  The fact is, our Environment is in Crisis and we need to be aware of this critical problem.  What have you done to change the envirnoment?

I laughed when my husband handed my 20 cloth re-usable bags at Walmart to replace the plastic ones.  But, the fact is, he is the one laughing at me.  If everyone just makes the littlest change, it could make the biggest difference.

I would love to hear if anyone has done anything different to save the envirnoment.

FEATURED - Saturday, March 22nd 2008

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Steph's Spring Picks

Rescue Beauty Lounge features two of my favorite nail color picks for spring 2008!  What better way to celebrate spring with two eco-friendly colors.  I love rescue beauty lounge's formula and all the beautiful array of bold colors they offer.  The only drawback, they are $18.00 USD, just as much as Chanel or any name brand nail polish. But, it's defintely worth the money for the beautiful bold colors you wont find anywhere else!  These two shades I predict will be smoking hot colors for this Spring and Summer 2008.

Here's a little history if you are new to the Rescue Beauty Lounge name.  Several lab technicians quit their job before Ji was satisfied with the polish that would bare the Rescue name.  The result is a long-wearing polish created with resin and high molecular polymers to improve flexibility, durablitily and high shine.  What you won't find- harmful and drying Touluene, Formaldhyde or DBP. 

I know alot of ya'll probably think I'm crazy for picking these bold colors, that most of us won't even wear!  But, they are HOT colors and anyone, any-age can wear them!  Come on break out of that shell, I know your in there!  Be daring!  Next time you go get a pedicure, manicure, or even do your own nails, try someting daring!  Have fun, summer's almost here!  Whoohoo!

Recycle, described as a deep blackish emerald green creme that is about 97% identical to the coveted, Nars Zulu, that was sold-out instantly at Sephora.  I actually prefer Rescues's Recycle over Nars Zulu polsh.  This is probably my favorite color of 2008 so far.  The blue/green trend is right up my alley.

Yellow Fever, described as a bright lemon yellow creme color, that just brightens my day like the beautiful sun!  I just get happy looking at this beautiful yellow color.  Rihanna, has been seen sporting around this "trendy" yellow nail color.  Yellow is going to be an hot color this summer. Green Bay Packers fans these are must have colors for next football season!  These colors rock together, espically for those packers fans!

Check out some nail polish comparisons below.

China Glaze Solar Power, is more of a toned down mustard yellow color, with noticable shimmer.  This is a new color from China Glaze's ecollection, for spring 2008.

Rescue Beauty Lounge Yellow Fever, is more of a bright yellow color (like the sun) with hardly noticeable shimmers.  This is a new color from the Spring collection

My favorite is Yellow Fever.  It's a very bright and bold yellow color that looks great on darker skin tones.  I think yellow is going to be a harder color to pull off, for some.  But, I love bright bold colors, and I think anyone can pull it off, espically paired up with the right outfit.

China Glaze Tree Hugger, is described as a granny smith apple color with noticeable shimmer.  This is a new color from China Glaze' ecollection, for spring 2008.

Rescue Beauty Recycle, described as a emerald green creme polish.  This color is very similar to the infamous, Nars Zulu.

I love green, and I love both of these nail polishes.  Think Green for spring!  Going green is an continuing trend this season, and what better way to start off with eco-friendly nail colors!

Love Rescue Beauty Lounge?

Check out Ji Baek's new book, Rescue your nails or the new lavendar nail polish trend that's becoming the next it color for summer.

FEATURED - Sunday, March 23rd 2008

Make Up For Ever: Flash Color Review

What is it?  A Complete coverage, special effect cream color for your face, eyes, lips, and cheeks.

What does it do?  A must-have for any professional makeup artist, these thick creamy colors flawlessly cover the skin and can be easily shaded together to obtain a wide variety of effects, depending on the quantity applied. Use to create special effects with color like decorative designs on the face or body. They can also be used for face painting on children. Retail cost $17.00 USD.

I was first introduced to the Make Up For Ever brand last year, when I purchased a very sticky lip gloss, that I absolutely hated.  What do they always say about first impressions?  They mean everything!  Well, my first impression on this professional makeup brand, was not so good, and I never looked back until now!

I was at my local Sephora, and the beautiful stunning colors caught my eye immediately.  So, I decided to give them another chance!  And, boy was missing out.  Not, only did I discover how beautiful the Aqua Eyes eyeliner was, but, the Flash Color hit the jackpot.

Flash Color is a new product from the Make Up For Ever line, and is available at Sephora.  It can basically be used as anything!  Face, lips, eyes and cheeks!  It's so versatile, and you know me, I'm all about versatile beauty products.  The color pay-off is absolutely fabulous, and the fact they stay on forever, blows my mind away.  I'll give you an example of how powerful the staying power is.  I had to scrub and scrub to get the swatches off my arm.

Here are the colors that are available now at Sephora.

 

Just look at the color selection, it is amazing!  I'm all about color, so if you love color, this product is definitely for you.  As far as a eyeshadow creme base, this blows Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Paint Pots out of the water completely, as far as color creme bases.  Unfortunately, my Sephora didn't have all the colors that I could swatch, but, was able to come out with a few.  Check out the photo swatches below.

 

The colors I picked up are Coral 2, Gold 4 and Copper 19.  Sephora didn't have any other colors I wanted, thank goodness!  Because, I would of came outta there bankrupt, literally.  Coral 2 is a very beautiful color that most of us will find appealing.  Gold and Copper are the perfect colors for summer, espically if you love the gold and bronzed look.  I really wanted to get a green color but, these were flying off the shelves.

All in all, there is two lessons I've learned from my experience.  Lessons that you should follow throughout purchasing beauty products and in life generally speaking.  Firstly, don't judge "products or people" by their first impression, because you could be missing out big time.  I've sure you've heard the ole saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover", well listen to it!  It's not an old folks tale for nothing!   Secondly (not a lesson really), these are an amazing product and I can't wait to stock up on more colors!

FEATURED - Tuesday, March 25th 2008

OPI India Collection: Ultimate Summer Accessory

Accessorize this season with OPI's newest collection, India.  If you love color, this is your season to shine and steal the spotlight.  Bold, Beautiful color is truely the "IT" this season and is featured on all the Fashion Runways!

OPI India nail lacquers are the ultimate accessory this season!  India's collection offers a little bit for everyone.  Neutral-to-Darks-to-Brights, they have it all!  I really liked OPI's India colllection this year.  From candy hued dreses in pink, light blue, to all out bright splashes of red's, orange, and yellow.

I knew this collection had many nail capablities, but, wow, this looks smokin!  I would never attempt to do this myself, because I am not patient or steady but, my manicurist on the other hand would give it a shot.  Check out a close up picture below. 

The two colors you will need from the India Collection is, Charmed by a Snake and Royal Rajah Ruby.  But, the directions may seem easier said than done.  This is something I may put my manicurist up to the challange.

If anyone attempts this, please let me know.  I would love to see pictures!

FEATURED - Friday, April 11th 2008

Trend Alert: Turquoise Blue Nail Polish

Turquoise blue nail polish is on the rise for the spring and summer.  This is not a "new nail polish trend", infact it's coming from the "blue color family".  Blues have been making a huge come back since the Fall of 2007.  I expect the Blue family to be around for quite some time.  Blue is becoming the new Black! 

Rihanna pictured here is rocking a turquoise blue nail polish at her Charity "Believe", in New York on April 9, 2008.  One thing I love about Rihanna, she's not afraid to wear bold daring colors!  In fact, she was the first seen sporting Yellow (Rescue Beauty Lounge, Yellow Fever $19) and Orange colors, that are also making huge comebacks this season. But, she wasn't the first wearing this bold, daring color.  Whitney Port, from the reality show, The Hills, was also seen wearing this color.

Love this color?  Try, China Glaze Shower Together $3.99, a personal favorite of mine or Creative Nail Design in Hot Pop Blue, $10.00. 

Be on the lookout this summer for some hot aqua blue nail colors to debut in beauty collections.  M.A.C Cosmetics is releasing a "hot aqua blue" in their Neo Sci-Fi collection, along with an orange and yellow that debuts on May 29th.

{Photo via: Wireimage}

FEATURED - Wednesday, May 21st 2008

Neo Sci Fi: Swatches, Review, and Product Photos

 

Overall, the Neo Sci Fi is everything I expected.  I think this collection offers a little bit for everyone.  Most shades are very wearable and neutral toned, which many of us will find appealing.  However, there is quite a bit of repromotes in this collection.  But, this may be a good thing, espically if you didn't have chance to grab these in previous collections.  If the color swatches didn't grab your attention, well be prepared, the packaging is sure to "wake" up your day!

It don't take a brain scientist to figure out summer collections are all about the traditional Sun Godess.  So, if you think your seeing deja vu here, you probably are!  The color shades range in Golds, Bronze, Peach, and Browns.  And, I think Sci Fi will be more popular with warmer skin tones.  I really had fun playing with all the colors and chatting it up with the MA's today.  Espically, about the nail polishes.

So, do you notice what's missing in this collection?  Pinks!  The fact that there's not many pink color shades in this collection really tickles my fancy.  I know, I know.... A girl cannot have enough pinks, right?  Well, Pink "RULEZ" in my makeup collection, so, this is definitely a move in the right direction.

Of course, I didn't leave the MAC store empty handed. Take a sneak peek at my haulin pictures.  Some items I picked up were: Sci Fi Delity, Astral, Pink Grapefruit, and Supreme.  For the complete run-down, check out my haul.

Check out all the photo swatches below.

 

Neo Sci Fi Lipsticks  Astral - A mid-tone warm brown lustre with red and gold pigments. The red pearlized pigments are barely noticeable, and the gold shimmer makes this really pretty. Sci Fi Delity - A burnt red frost with gold pigments. As soon as I swatched this, I knew this was love at first site.  It's a perfect color that isn't to bold that everyone can rock. Electro - A very very bright neon orange.  As much as I love to look at gawk at this color, I need to get back to reality.  Because, I know electo would just sit their all lonley with her other sisters.  She has tons of sisters! Pleasureseeker - A sheer creamy peach glaze.  I really wanted to love this color (it was on my haulin list), but, sadly, it was extremely sheer.  My lips are fairly pigmented, so, it took about 5 applications to get good color.  Sunsonic - A light beige gold frost.  So, before you go, uggh... This is suprisingly, a very gorgeous color when paired up MAC's lipglass.  I felt like I was in one of those "Got Milk" advetisments.  umm, yeah, it was basically like a white frosted ring around my lips.  I think ya'll can image what that resembled!  However, I topped off with supreme lipglass = an oh so dreamy choclate creation.

Electro....your so electrifying....

 

Lipglass Naked Space  - is a nude peach with gold shimmer.  Naked Space is fairly light but,  a nice color, espically if your into nude colored glosses. Soft & Slow - is a mid-tone creamy plum with gold shimmer.  A nice pink that has good color pay-off. Pink Grapefruit - is a "must have" beautiful orange with gold pearl.  The swatches do not lie, it's absolultey amazing.  I plan on picking up a back-up this week.  Supreme - a rich milk choclate bronze with white pearl.  This is another color that just popped out to me, it's so rich.  It's also my first brown lipglass purchase.

 

I'm hypnotized by Pink Grapefruit...

Eyeshadows Magenetic Fields - is a brown black with silver pearl.  The color is much more brownish than black.  It's a great darker brown, espically for crease lines. Evening Aura -  is a frosty golden peach velux pearl.  Evening Aura was one of my favorite eyeshadows.  A very beautiful peach golden color for a softer look. Femme Fi - A frosty golden creme pearl velux.  A great highlighting that has awesome color pay-off. Time & Space - A rich copper brown that is highly pigmented.  The color pay-off is beyond excellent.  Expensive Pink - a pink with gold duochrome.  Although this is a permanent color, it is stunning.  I've owned this color for quite sometime and is one of my all-time fav's.

I know there's been alot of confusion about Expensive Pink.  This is a MAC permanent color.  So, don't let the bright orange packaging throw you off.  It's only being promoted with the orange packaging through the Neo Sci Fi collection.  However, the black packaging is available in their regular stock.

Some more pics below....

Powder Blush X-Rocks - A shimmery dirty mauve with great color pay-off and pigmentation. Spaced Out - A shimmery peach with good color pay-off.

I have a fancy with powder blushes, so this was a must have for me.  Spaced Out wasn't as highly pigmented compared to X-Rocks.  But, I may be back to my MAC store to pick up X-Rocks because it was just as gorgeous.

Cremestick Lip Liner 80% - is a Deep cocoa brown Beurre - is a dirted plum Summerfruit - a pale coral

Nail polishes are my major weaknesses.  I literally own about every color in the rainbow.  So, these color were a no brainer for me.  Check out the Neo Sci Fi photo swatches. 

Nail Polish Metalist - A soft light sand shimmer.  I think more of us will flock to this color because it's the safe route.  I passed on this color because it was boring and not unique.  In fact, it reminds me alot of Chanel Antilope and Dior's new summer one.  Plasma Blu - is an bright turquoise shimmer.   This is a pretty bright turquoise that will look fab on toes. Neon 8 - is a coral orange shimmer.  Neon 8 is my favorite color out of the four colors.  The color isn't as bright as you think.  And, is a great orange shade. Phosphor - a bright taxi cab yellow frost.

Check out MAC's Solar Field Review, Swatches, and Product Photos.

FEATURED - Wednesday, April 23rd 2008

MAC Dress Camp: Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC released The Dress camp collection early and very unexpectantly, and while this collection was literally selling out under my nose, I was out enjoying the gorgeous weather here in KY.  If it wasn't for Temptalia's google alert, I would of missed out on this completely!  So, a huge shout out to you girl!  The only thing I missed out on was too fab lipstick, which was a total bummer, because it's a really fab color.  Check out the photo swatches below.

Dress Camp Lipglass.  She Gold, described as a sheer yellow-gold with gold shimmer.  This color is very pretty, and the best out of the collection.  I prefer She Gold worn alone, it brings out the natural color in your lips and makes them shine like She Gold.  Fashion, described as a bright-midtone pink with white pearl frost.  The color isn't as bright as the described.  The white pearl frost tones it down quite a bit which makes it a lighter pink.  Check out the Dress Camp Palette swatches below.

Dress Camp Face X4 Palette.  One thing I love about MAC's limited edition face palette's is their so convenient, espically for over night stays or touch-ups.  DressCamp Pink Powder (a blue mid-tone pink with white pearlized pigments).  The Dress Camp pink powder is a light pink with shimmer and it's my favorite color out of the palette.  It can be used as a beauty powder blush or an eye shadow.  Sunny Girl (a pretty yellow gold), Golden Gold (a deep golden bronze), Trend (a light Neutral tan with gold pearlized pigments, perfect for highlighting).

Overall, I really loved MAC's Dress Camp collection.  And, not just for the hot packaging, ok maybe a little!  Bright Pinks, gold's, bronze, all colors that are right up my alley.  My favorites out of the collection, She Gold lipglass and Dress Camp Pink beauty powder.

FEATURED - Thursday, April 24th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Naughty Nauticals Color Story

Get ready to set sail to MAC Cosmetics for the Naughty Nauticals Collection, set to release on May 1st.  Get your haulin list ready and your checkbook!  Check out the color story and promo images.

Lipstick

• Buoy-o-buoy - Sheer light pink with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (glaze)
• Party Mate - Creamy neutral pink brown (lustre)
• Ahoy, There - Sheer midtone pink (lustre)
• Port Red - Yellow red with gold pearlized pigments (frost)

Lustreglass

• Hey Sailor - Blue plum pink with white pearlized particles (lustre)
• Ensign - Peachy pink with white and gold pearlized pigments (lustre)
• Love Knot - Sheer pink with blue and white duochrome (lustre)
• Bateaux - Neutral brown peach with white frost (lustre)

Eyeshadow

• Shore Leave - Pale frosty cream (veluxe pearl)
• Illegal Cargo - Mid-tone frosty greyed plum (frost)
• Submarine - Mid-tone frosty clear blue (frost)
• Meet the Fleet - Matte midnight blue (matte)
• Pandamonium - Frosty gunmetal with whtie pearlized pigments (lustre)

Pigment

• Lark About - Sheer frosty white blue (frost)
• Mutiny - Sky blue with gold pearlized pigments (frost)
• Lovely Lily - Lilac with red pearlized pigments (frost)
• Bell-bottom Blue - Frosty blue with white pearlized pigments (frost)

Technakohl

• Smoothblue - Ocean blue wtih frost
• Greyprint - Rich pewter grey with frost

Pro Lash

• Coal Black - Black Mascara

Nail Lacquer

• Shirelle - Classic red (cream)
• Naughty Nautical - Dark royal blue (frost)

Check out the review, swatches, and product photos for this Naughty Nautical collection.

FEATURED - Friday, April 25th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Cool Heat Collection For Summer

MAC introduces Cool Heat Collection for Summer 2008.  This collection should be arriving at stores and online around June 12, 2008 and International July 2008.  Check out the Product Images and Color Story Below.

Perfumes (Creations): $22.50 USD

• Turquatic Crisp and energizing! A splash of clear, sparkling mineral water brought to a chill through an infusion of fresh lotus leaves and Corsican cedrat, then finished with a warm blend of anemone, orris and blue cedar. (Repromote)
  
• Turquatic Heat - Turquatic heat is a warm, floral, woody fragrance, with a sultry modern sensuality. Inspired by the original turquatic scent, this new edition delivers a unique and strong personality, delivered thru a contrasting heated sweetness. (LE)

Eye Shadows: $14.00 USD

• Solar White - Frosted muted white-gold ((Frost) (LE)
• Warming Trend - Frosty light taupe (Veluxe Pearl) (LE)
• Warm Chill - Frosty seafoam green with gold pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Gulf Stream - Frosty mid-tone blue-green with green pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Cool Heat - Frosty teal with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Climate Blue- Midtone violet-blue with pink pearlized pigments (Velvet) (LE)
• Blue Flame - Metallic navy-blue (Veluxe Pearl) (LE)

Slimshines: $14.00  USD

• Tropic Glow - Blue-pink with silver pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• By Degrees - Neutral brown-pink (Frost) (LE)
• Gentle Summer - Light clean yellow-pink with white pearlized pigments (Frost) (New perm shade)
• High 90s - Pink-orange (Frost) (LE)
• Swelter - Sheer red (Frost) (LE)

Cool Heat offers some stunning eyeshadow colors in this collection.  Lust haves for me are Warm Chill (a seafoam green),  Cool Heat (Frosty Teal), and Golf Stream (blue green frost).

{Source: Specktra}

FEATURED - Saturday, April 26th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Neo Sci Fi Color Story

MAC Cosmetics introduces Neo Sci Fi for Summer 2008.  This future earth collection is due to release May 29, 2008 and International June 2008.  Check out the promo pictures and color story below.

Lipsticks: $14.00 USD

• Sci-Fi-Delity - (Frost) Burnt red with golden pearl (LE)
• Pleasureseeker - (Glaze) Creamy peach colour (LE)
• Astral - (Lustre) Mid-tone brown with red pearl (LE)
• Electro - (Lustre) Brilliant orange (LE)
• Sunsonic - (Frost) Gold with white pearl (LE)

Lipglass: $14.00 USD

• Supreme - (Frost) Bronze brown with white pearl (LE)
• Naked Space - (Frost) Frosted creamy natural peach (LE)
• Pink Grapefruit - (Frost) Pink-orange with gold pearl (LE) (Repromote)
• Soft and Slow - (Cream) Pale beige with gold pearl (LE) (Repromote)

Cremestick Lip Liner $14.00 USD

• Beurre - Dirtied plum (Repromote)
• 80% - Deep, deep cocoa (Repromote)
• Summerfruit - Pale coral (Repromote)

Eye Shadows: $14.00 USD

• Magnetic Fields - (Lustre) (LE)
• Femme Fi - (Veluxe Pearl) (LE)
• Evening Aura - (Veluxe Pearl) (LE)
• Time and Space - (Frost) (LE)
• Expensive Pink - Pink with gold duochrome (Veluxe Pearl) (Repromote)

Sheertone Shimmer Blush: $17.50 USD

• Space Out
• X-Rocks

Mascara: $11.00 USD

• Plushblack - A mascara formulated to instantly plump up lashes for extreme voluptuous effect. Volumizing, lengthening, curling, lifting. (Repromote)

Nail Lacquers: $10.00 USD

• Metalist - (Frost) Copper with white pearl
• Plasma Blu - (Frost) Turquoise with white pearl
• Neon 8 - (Frost) Brilliant orange with orange pearl
• Phosphor - (Frost) Buzzing bright yellow

This collection has my name all over it!  Neo Sci Fi features more warmer colors in this collection.  I can't wait to see the actual colors in person.  I'm loving everything, including the hot trendy nail polish colors!  Get your haulin list ready for May 29, and your checkbook!

{Source: Specktra}

FEATURED - Friday, May 2nd 2008

Drugstore Haul: Milani, Max Factor, Lashblast

I try to stay far-away from drugstores because they can really do some major damage!  But, it was time for a visit, because there are many things I've been wanting to test and review.  So, I will be doing seperate blog entries on each product to elaborate a little more.

1.  Covergirl Lashblast - The buzz has been going around the on beauty radar about this wonder mascara.  So, it's on the top of my list to review.

2.  Nicole by OPI - I'm sure you've been seeing alot of this brand lately.  So, I've been a little curious about the formula, and staying power.  But, I'm sure it will be quality espically, if it's backed by OPI.  Plus, their free off the big 3, which is a huge plus.  I picked up the color: Nicole's Fav, a tangerine orange shimmer that is perfect for summer.  I will be posting swatches soon.

3.  Milani - Fashion Runway Eyes and color brillant eye pencils.  My Milani purchase was the hightlight of my haul.  The Fashion runways shadows come in 6 different color combinations.  I went to 4 different drugstores looking for the yellow and green combination but, everywhere was completely sold-out!  Milani also carries a Blue/Teal color combination, sold-out, just my luck!  And, I just happend to get lucky with the eyeliners, and picked up three (kelly green, teal, and violet purple).

4.  MAX Factor Vivid Impact Eyeshadow Duo -  The green and blue wand recently was seen in the Carmen Electra ad for MAX Factor.   The emerald green and blue wand was so hard to find.  The green is a fab color.  And, I was quite impressed how long the shadow stayed on without any base. 

5. Neutrogena Sunscreen - Don't forget that sunscreen!  My favorite brand is Neutrogena Ultra sheer.  It's so light, gentle, and blocks UVA/UVB rays!

I will be reviewing each product seperately.  Stay tuned for the review and swatches.

FEATURED - Friday, May 2nd 2008

OPI Summer Sneak Peek: Mod About Brights

This season, OPI goes modern with Mod About Brights, the newest selection of shades in the Brights by OPI line.

Mod About Brights captures the fun and edginess of the mod “invasion” of the Sixties, but with a bright twist that makes these colors exciting and current for 2008. And with fashion right now being all about strong color and vivid, graphic prints, these are the shades that look up-to-the-minute on fingertips and toes.

If you love color, you’ll be Mod About Brights!  Check out the colors below.

OPI adds six new colors spicy colors to the Brights Collection.  Mod about Brights collection is now available at Ball Beauty and should be available at salons and approved OPI retailers.  Don't just all of these colors just look scrumptious for summer?  Blue, Green, Yellow and Orange; OPI is right on track with the nail polish trends!

 

FEATURED - Wednesday, May 7th 2008

Chanel: Limited Edition Color Art Nail Colors

This May, Chanel is opening its second Los Angeles trendy North Robertson Boulevard. Located adjacent to the famed Ivy restaurant, the new 5,395-square-foot, Peter Marino-designed store marks the birth of the company's new design concept.

Peter Philips, Chanel Makeup's new global creative director, marked the grand opening by designing four limited-edition nail colors. The collection of graphic, pop-art shades was inspired by the hipster-cool spirit of Robertson Boulevard and boast such whimsical names as Melrose, Rodeo Drive, LA Sunrise, and LA Sunset. While the product will initially be available only in-store, Chanel.com will stock the polishes starting in July.

The four limited edition polish colors retail for $25.00 each.  The polishes will only be available online at Chanel.com or at the Robertson Blvd stores in Los Angeles.

L.A. Sunrise - A bright yellow sunshine color that's bound to make you smile Melrose - A fun, hot pink color perfect for those pedicured toes Rodeo Drive - A hot puple lilac color that is slowly becoming the new "it" color L.A. Sunset - A spicy tomato red color perfect to spice your night

This collection is VERY rare and limited quantities.  Click here for email notifications for the release of Robertson Blvd Collection.

Check out some more pics of this highly anticipated collection.

{Source: FWD}

FEATURED - Tuesday, May 13th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Sonic Chic Collection for Summer

MAC Cosmetics introduces Sonic Chic collection in June/July 2008.   A collection of lightweight mineralized blushes that's great for defining and conturinging cheek bones.  The blushes consists of pinks, golds, and browns.  Check out the product info and color story below.

Sonic Chic collection consists of 9 new mineralized blushes.

Dainty - A Yellow pink with gold pearl Warm Soul - A Mid tone beige with gold Nuance - A Mid tone peach with gold pearl Gentle - A Raspberry with gold pearl Gleeful- A Deep dirty blue pink with gold pearl Merrily -  Dirty burned red with gold pearl Love Thing - Dirty burgundy with gold pearl Love Joy - Mid tone brown with gold pearl Pleasantry - Intense mid tone blue pink with gold pearl

The Sonic Chic collection should be available at the end of June.  Stay tuned for more information.

a big thanks to Kiss and Makeup for this great info!

FEATURED - Tuesday, May 13th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Starflash Collection

MAC Cosmetics introduces the Starflash Collection for late summer.  A collection which includes a selection of Hollywood eyeshadows for that luxury tinsetown chic. They're creamy and jet milled for uber glamour and available in 12 colorful shades.  Check out the product photos and color story below.

12 new glamourus eyeshadows are introduced in this colleciton along with the Power Kohl Repromotes from the Storm Signals Collection.

Eyeshadows

Dreammaker - Frosty Yellow Gold Grand Entrance - Frosty Neutral Pink Beige Bold & Brazen - Frosty Light Copper Sunset B - Frosty Midtone Pink Lotusland- Pink Lavender with Gold Pearl Talent Pool - Blue Green with Gold Pearl Mink & Sable - Olive Green Smoke & Diamonds - Frosty Dirty Taupe Go - Frosted Bronze Glamour Check - Reddish Brown Top Hat - Dirty Indigo Star by Night - Midtone Blue

Kohl Power Eyeliners (Repromotes)

Raven - Black with Red Pearl Orpheus - Black with Gold Pearl Mystery - Black with Green Pearl Feline -  Intense Black

For one, I am just thrilled about the Kohl Power Eyeliners.  MAC has the best eyeliners hands down.  I just wish they would come out with more colors!  This collection should hit MAC stores end of July/August.  Stay tuned for more information.

a big thanks to Kiss and Makeup for this great info!

FEATURED - Tuesday, May 13th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: New View Collection

MAC introduces New View collection.  A split personality of a powder with superfine seracite and a talc base to sheerly and subtly perfect the skin with dimensionality and mineralized starshine. Unlike most powders which are pressed into metal pans, the Mineralize Skinfinish is moulded onto round terracotta tiles and baked for 24 hours. The powder is made up of two parts, a natural portion for a matte finish and shimmer portion for buffed up highlights and overall face polish.

Light Medium/Natural & Shimmer - Pale Golden Beige/Warm Yellow Beige Medium/Natural & Shimmer - Soft creamy Beige/Light Peachy Pink  Medium Dark/Natural & Shimmer - Caramel/Light Tan Deep Natural & Shimmer - Deep Caramel/Mid tone Yellow Gold Deep Dark/Natural & Shimmer - Rich Golden Bronze/Deep Copper Bronze

The new view collection includes 5 shades of powder and one application brush.  This collection should hit MAC stores end of July/August.  Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. 

a big thanks to Kiss and Makeup for this great info!

FEATURED - Wednesday, May 21st 2008

MAC Solar Field: Review, Swatches, Product Images

 

Overall, the Solar Field Collection was very, hmm.... interesting!  Solar bits, was a little (alot) tricky to start off with.  The good ole saying "practice makes perfect" certainly applies to MAC's solar bits.  As I was swatching these little bits, I was overtaken by the beauty of the pigmentation and shimmer.  But, good looks are always deceiving as they say.  I had the pigments all over the place (shirt, face, hands, floor, everywhere) at my MAC store.  Just swatching these four colors took time.  The bits are fully pigmented and very chunky in a ball like form.  But, delivers quite the knock-out when the application is perfected.  I haven't had a chance to mess with them personally, but, I highly recommend using mixing medium or they'll be everywhere.

Bronzing Powder Refined Golden - is a light golden peach color.  This color was fairly sheer, and didn't have "as much" color pay-off.  This shade would be ideal for fair skin complexions. Solar Riche -  a mid-tone deep bronze orange color.  Solar Riche has much more pigmentation compared to Refined Golden.  This color is more ideal for darker skin tones, or can be used as a blush.

Check out some more pics below....

Solar Bits  Black Ore - is described as a rich black with gold pearl.  Initially, I was completely pulled in and dramatized by this color.  But, after dealing with the mess, I wanted a color that I could get some good use out of.  So, I passed on it for now, but, just for now.  The gold pigmentation is so rich that gives almost an dark olive green appearance.  Sunpower - is a light metallic tan with gold shimmer.  Bronzescape - is yellow brown with gold pearl.  It's a rich copper brown that has excellent color pay-off. Scatterrays - decribed as a soft metallic peach with gold pearl.

Bronzescape was the only color I purchased today.  Because, I knew that these highly condensed clusters of pigments wasn't going to be so user-friendly.  I highly recommend purchasing a neutral color that you can multi-task or until you can perfect the application.  Scatterrays and Sunpower were very similar in color due to the gold pigmentation.  Sunpower is more gold and Scatterrays has more of a white color pay-off. 

Check out MAC's Neo Sci Fi Review, Swatches, and Product Photo's.

FEATURED - Thursday, May 29th 2008

MAC Colour Form: Color Story, Promo Images

Nordstrom introduces MAC Colour Form as their Anniversary collection this year.  This collection will be available on July 18th, 2008.  Only available at Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com.  Check out all the promo images below courtesy of Bjooti.net.

Eyeshadow Palettes:

5 Warm Eyes (LE) $38.00 USD Fertile - blackened brown (S) Chillproof - Frosty creamy white (F) Tancentic - Frosty beige pink (VP) Rolled Gold - Frosty golden olive (L) Rustic - Frosted copper red (VP) 213 SE Application Brush

5 Cool Eyes (LE) $38.00 USD Radial Pink - Frosty white pink (V) Brown Border - Frosty plum(VP) Spot Colour - Mid-tone blue purple w/ white pearlized pigments (L) Blue Spill - Mid-tone cornflower blue w/ gold pearlized pigments (F) Slate- Smoke grey (S) 213 SE Application Brush

Lip Palettes:

Cool Lips (LE) $22.50 USD Miss Rose Lipstick - Creamy mid-tone blue pink (L) Cassis Royale Lipstick - Sheer mid-tone plum (L) Virginity Lipglass - Sheer mid-tone pink w/ pink pearlized pigments 316 SE Application Brush

Warm Lips (LE) $22.50 USD Fresh and Fun - Creamy neutral coral (F) Oh Garnet - Creamy mid-tone red (A) (Repromote) Flash of Flesh - Sheer peach pink w/ multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Repromote) 316 SE Application Brush

Neutral Lips (LE) $22.50 USD Altered Beige - Creamy yellow beige (L) Square Root - Mid-tone burnt bronze (F) Lunar - Sheer creamy yellow beige w/ white pearlized pigments 316 SE Application Brush

Brush Sets:

Red Nylon Bag - 5 Basic Brush Set  (LE) $49.50 USD 129 SE 190 SE 224 SE 242 SE 266 SE

Green Nylon Bag - 5 Advanced Brush Set (LE) $49.50 USD 187 SE 168 SE 212 SE 219 SE 275 SE

Purple Nylon Bag - 5 Advanced Brush Set (LE) $49.50 USD 187 SE 168 SE 212 SE 219 SE 275 SE

 

Lipsticks (LE) $14.00 USD Naked to the Core - Creamy soft neutral pink outer w/ sheer beige pearlized core (L) Pop Circle - Creamy bright blue pink outer w/ sheer pale pink pearlized core (L) Inner Hue - Creamy mid-tone coral outter w/ sheer golden peach pearlized core (L) Rose Go Round - Creamy burgundy outer w/ sheer golden pink pearlized core (L)

 

Richmetal Hightlighers (LE) $16.50 Female - Frosty pale pink w/ green gold pearlized pigments Deep Deposit - Frosty deep blackened burgundy Quick Flash - Frosty warm gold Rose Bullion - Frosty mid-tone pink w/ gold pearlized pigments Dark Influence - Frosty purple w/ pink pearlized pigments Positive Charge - Frosty copper w/ gold pearlized pigments

 

Pigments (LE) $19.50 Royal Flush - Frosty mid-tone red Gilded Green - Frosty mid-tone green w/ gold pearlized pigments Tea Time - Bronzed brown w/ multi-dimensional pearlized pigments Jardin Aires - Tan w/ gold pearlized pigments (Repromote) Circa Plum - Frosty mid-tone lavender Steel Blue - Rich deep turquoise greenblue w/ small pearlized pigments (PRO item)

Colour Form Powder:

Sun Centered (LE) $24.50 Coral w/ gold pearlized pigments Mid-tone bronze Soft wheat w/ gold & silver pearlized pigments Soft peach w/ white pearlized pigments

Play Around Pink (LE) $24.50 Intense blue mid-tone pink w/pearlized pigments Plum Soft pink w/ pink & white pearlized pigments Light pink

{Info: Specktra}

FEATURED - Thursday, June 5th 2008

Essie Summer: The Neon Collection

Essie's headline: 'Never be afraid of color", love it!  Espically, never be afraid of these gorgeous colors.  Essie introduces four new hot colors just in time for summer.  This limited edition collection features four neon shades: Shorty Pants (a vibrant yellow sunshine), Short Shorts (a hot pink), Bermuda Shorts (a vibrant neon purple) and Mini Shorts (vibrant orange).  This collection should be available now or sometime this week.

Man, Essie is on a roll.  Both of their summer collections has me drooling all over the place.  These four new colors remind me of Chanel's Robertson Blvd collection but, essie's has more vibrant colors and is alot cheaper. whoot whoot! Go Essie!

I should have some swatches next week.  Stay tuned.

FEATURED - Friday, June 6th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Neo Sci Fi Nail Polish Swatches

MAC introduced four new nail polish colors with the release of Neo Sci Fi collection. Phosphur, Plasma Blu, Neon 8 and Metalist.  Pictured above (from Left to Right): Phosphur, Plasma Blu and Neon 8.  I decided against Metalist because it's a neutral sand colored shade.  I felt it was blah and kinda boring because I'm all about the color baby. However, Metalist would be a nice color if you tend to stay on the safe side.  The color reminded me of Chanel's Antilope and Dior's new one.

The new colors are all frosts.  And, MAC makes the best frost textures around (the MA's will also agree). My favorites are Plasma Blu (hello blue, no-brainer for me), Neon 8 and Phosphur.  These colors are definitely bold and daring and are right on track for trendy colors this summer.  Check out some photo swatches below.

Plasma Blu is described as a bright turquoise blue shade with turq. blue shimmer.  This color has a tendency to look tealish-blue in certain lighting.  Some more pictures below.

Plasma blu is pretty unique. The only thing I have close to this color would be an teal green polish.  I will post comparisons later next week.

Phosphor is described as a bumble bee yellow with golden frost.  My husband liked this color over Plasma Blu? Can you beleive that?!  But, I'm just not sure I'm so coo-coo over it yet.  This is a very mysterious color and unlike anything I own.  In some lights it tends to look like a golden mustard color.  Phosphor may take some time to win my heart over.  But, I'm sure it won't take that much time.

Phosphor is a FAB pedicure color.  Coordinate this with your beach apparel = instant eye candy!

I had a chance to sport around Neon 8 all this weekend.  And, I just love it!  Described as a coral-strawberry color, that is just fabulous.   It  is an universal color that anyone can wear.  This is truely a must have and is my favorite color out of the bunch.  Check out the candid shot below.

The consistency of the polishes are pretty much the same.  Two coats with thicker applications and three coats for lighter applications.  All my swatches are done with three light coats.  Originally, when I swatched the colors at the MAC store, plasma blu and phosphor stained my nails.  So, make sure you use a base coat on your nails.  I always recommend using a base coat on all nail polish applications.  I had no problems with staining using a base coat.

Have a great weekend ya'll!  Keep cool and safe!

xoxo

FEATURED - Monday, June 9th 2008

CVS Drugstore Haul: Sally Hansen, Cover Girl

Boy, is it hot here in the Southeastern region.  At 8 am it's already 90 degrees!  A simple visit to my local CVS pharmacy to pick up some shaving creme turned into a full-force makeup haul.  Those damn drugstores always get ya!  The display for Sally Hansens Lacquer Shine was rather empty.  These lovely summer shades were flying off the shelves by the minute.  The four colors I picked up: Flair, Flash, Spark and Glow.  Some other color shades that were sold out: coral, pink, and red.  Check out the photo swatches below.

Glow is described as an granny smith apple green shade with yellow-green shimmer.  Flair is an violet purple shade with navy blue shimmer.  Flair was my favorite color out of the four I picked up.  Flash is described as a turquoise blue color with turquoise blue shimmer.  Flash is very comparable to MAC's Plasma Blu.  The only difference I noticed is MAC's has more of a frosty texture.  Last but not least, Spark.  A navy blue with purple and pink shimmer.  This is the first color that even comes close to OPI Russian Navy.  Spark is almost an 100% duplicate.  The only true difference is OPI Russian Navy has more shimmer to it.  But, other than that, it's a great alternative.

This is the first time I've tried Sally Hansen's Lacquer Shine formula.  Although, I can't review the staying power until I actually wear the polish a few times.  The application was very smooth and easy to apply with vibrant color pay-off and dimmensional shine.  I used two coats on my photo swatches. I don't think there would be a need for three coats because the color pay-off is divine. 

I wanted to get some swatches up real fast for ya'll to see.  Later this week I will be posting swatches individually along with photo comparisions.

I've been debating these two eyeshadow colors for awhile now.  And, I finally picked them up today.   Check out the photo swatches below.

Covergirl Kaboom Kelly - described as a kelly green shade with fairly good color pay-off.  Covergirl Gold Sizzle - is a gold shimmer with not-so-good pigmentation.  I had to literally scrub with my finger to get good pigmentation.  And, last but not least, Milani Color Brillance eyeliner pencils.  Hands down, Milani has the BEST pencils out there with outstanding color pay-off.

FEATURED - Tuesday, June 10th 2008

MAC Tendertones: Review, Photo Swatches

I've had MAC's Tendertones swatches for quite sometime now.  I apologize for my laziness.  But these lovely lippies are extremely sheer which, makes them difficult to judge the actual color pay-off.   I used a small amount on all my photos swatches because the color wouldn't be accurate swatching a huge chunk.

Bottom line on MAC's tendertones, they are extremely sheer.  If you don't fancy sheer lip balm (like myself), don't waste your money.  Even the "darker colors" appear sheer.  After swatching tendertones, I was still undecided.  But, since I missed out last year, I decided to pick up Pucker.

Tendertones are perfect for the beach, pool or anyplace you don't need heavy lip coverage and still packs in 12 SPF.  Pucker, Hot N Saucy, Deep Sigh and Sweet & Nice were the shades that had good color pay-off (still sheer though).  The slight watermelon pink color and the yummy strawberry kiwi scent in Pucker is what attracted me to this color.  It's a nice hint of pink.  I also liked Tread Gently - a yellowish with gold shimmer that would look great after a day at the beach. Check out the photo swatches below.

And a little bit more...

 

MAC's next collection is Cool Heat.  Stay tuned for the Cool Heat photo swatches and review!

FEATURED - Thursday, June 12th 2008

Nail Polish of the Day: Nicole Blue Lace

Nicole by OPI's Blue Lace - an aqua blue shimmer with yellow-green undertones makes this color oh-so fabulous.  A perfect color to go with MAC's gorgeous Cool Heat eyeshadows.  Now, I know ya'll may be thinking, MAC's Plasma Blu.  But, nope.  There are some noticable differences between the two.  What you can't see in the pictures is the yellowish undertones that gives this color green appeal!  And, I love green envy!  Plasma Blu has clearly no greenish or yellow undertones and is much more frosty.

Blue Lace is most defintely an cameleon kind of color.  She's had a chance to show off at the MAC store and at Applebee's for dinner with my Seafoam Green tube top.  I had to actually hold my nails against my top just to make sure it was still blue.  I loved how the seafoam green top reflected off my nails and gave blue lace a huge boast of green. 

This was my first bottle of the "Nicole by OPI" brand.  Being an polish by OPI, I had no doubts.  The application applied smoothly and only two coats were needed.  Nail polish makes me so happy when only two coats are needed.  I absolutely dread applying more than two coats of polish because I can't sit still.  My morning was so busy, I didn't have a chance to apply a topcoat.  And, I'm happy to report - no chipping yet!

    

Blue Lace matches perfectly with the blue-green eyeshadows from the Cool Heat collection.  If MAC featured a Nail Lacquer in this collection, Blue Lace would be her!

FEATURED - Thursday, June 19th 2008

Covergirl Tropical Fusion Quad: Review, Swatches

Covergirl may be a little late jumping on the bright makeup bandwagon, but, at least it's a start.  A few days ago, I blogged about Covergirls new promo ad for their summer makeup collection.  As predicted, I caved and purchased this tropical colored quad ($5.99) at CVS yesterday.

I debated purchasing this quad the entire time I was in CVS.  Mostly due to my recent purchase of covergirls eye enchancers in Gold Sizzle.  Being the very last on the entire display I wasn't going to pass this up.  Yeah, I'm weak at the knees when it comes to vibrant colors and makeup.

Overall, I was impressed more so with the tropical quad compared to the individual shades.  The teal and blue shimmery shades had fairly good color pay-off and was quite pretty.  I had high hopes for the orange shade because I really wanted it to work.  But, the pigmentation just wasn't there at all.  It was hardly noticeable on my NC30 skin.  You could substitue MAC's Fab & Flashy or another orange you prefer.  The yellowish/lime shade was a different nature than the other colors.  It was between a matte and satin texture that I really didn't care for and had ok color pay-off. 

The teal and blue shades are the highlight of the tropical fusion quad.  Very pretty and shimmery with good color pay-off all around.  See some more swatches below.

This is an big improvement from the standard neutral colored shades covergirl offers.  If they focus a little more on the pigmentation issues then we have a keeper.

UPDATE 6/26/08: After using this quad serveral times, I'm happy to report the teal and blue shades have fantastic color pay-off and those two colors alone are worth the purchase.

Love this Quad?  Click here for a chance to win it this month!

FEATURED - Sunday, June 29th 2008

Yellow Nail Polish Comparisons

The summer is heating up and what better way to start off with some bright sunshiney colors.  Here's just a few yellow nail polish comparisons.  Although, yellow may not suit everyone, it's an fun color to sport around this season.

China Glaze, Solar Power ($3.99) - is a taxi cab color with gold shimmer.  This color is a great alternative to Rescue Beauty Lounge's, Yellow fever.  Espically, those looking for a friendlier budget.

Rescue Beauty Lounge, Yellow Fever ($18) - is a vibrant yellow shade with subtle shimmer.  Everything is perfect about this yellow.  The amount of shimmer is hardly recognizable giving the appeal of a cream texture.  But yet, satisfying our deeper shimmer needs.  Yellow Fever - is a brighter, virbant yellow compared to Solar Power - more of a toned down yellow with noticeable golden shimmer.

MAC, Phosphor ($10) - is a golden yellow frost which, was introduced in the Neo, Sci, Fi collection.  It's very unique and much different from Yellow Fever and Solar Power - leaning more towards a pretty golden color.

Check out the photo swatches below. 

Solar Power may not be as bright and vibrant as Yellow Fever but, is a great alternative for $3.99.

Yellow shades are on the rise big time this summer.  Chanel will be releasing a yellow color in the robertson blvd collection set to launch online in july which, I can't wait for.  Hope everyone's having  fabulous Sunday.

FEATURED - Monday, June 30th 2008

Nail Polish of the Day: NYX Jungle

Happy Monday!  Hope ya'll had a great weekend.  It's been mostly cloudy and fairly chilly in the eastern region.  Can you believe this crazy weather?!  Anyway, today's nail polish is NYX in Jungle - an aqua blue color base with green and gold shimmer.  This is my second nail polish purchase from NYX and I'm overly impressed.  The color applied like a charm with three light coats and the drying time was perfect  - not fast drying, yet not slow.  Add additional coats and you'll see the green and gold shimmer shine through.  In the sunlight, you'll notice the gold shimmer gives the color more of an yellow undertone.

Another great color is the new version of Las Vegas which, was one of my first purchases from NYX.  This gorgeous forest green with shimmer is a must have color espically, if you love Nar's Zulu or deep green shades.

Two coats is a light aqua blue with green and gold shimmer.

 Three coats is more of an blue with noticeable green shimmer.

Four coats totally rock this color.  I'll be the first to admit, applying that many layers of nail poliish is such a drag.  But, the color difference from each application is huge.  The color is described as a deep kelly green with gold shimmer that is really pretty and the blue is hardly noticeable.    

So, I have alot going on this week.  Today was pretty exciting when I received my shipment of new Chanel nail polishes - Gold Fiction and Kalediscope (drool)!  Both are gorgeous colors, espically Kaledicscope - a pewter metallic with green undertones.  I'll be posting those in a couple of days.  Also this month - Chanel is releasing the Robertson Blvd collection - an highly anticipated collection of pink, orange, yellow and purple nail polishes (whohoo)!  Girls - you don't want to miss out on that collection, the colors are hot!

FEATURED - Monday, July 7th 2008

Essie Summer Neon Collection: Swatches

Essie introduces the neon collection for summer.  Four very vibrant and electrifiying shades that's sure to get you noticed a mile away!  Essie wasn't kidding when they named this collection Neons.  In fact, some of these shades are so bright they look fluorescent.

Shorty Pants - a bright yellow cream.  This was my favorite out of the collection because it wasn't nearly as bright as the others.  It's more of a toned down color espically compared to my other yellow polishes. 

Bermuda Shorts - A vibrant purple cream that is my second favorite.  A good pedicure color that would look great on toes.  Another color that is practical and not to bright.

Mini Shorts - A orange creme that is almost "turn off the lights too bright" along with Short Shorts - a definte fluorescent pink that was too electryfying for my skin tone.  Short Shorts was the brightest shade out of the four following Mini Shorts.

  

Two coats were applied with no problems drying to a matte finish.  A top coat is recommended if you want that shiny finish.  My swatch don't justify the brightness of Short Shorts making it impossible to get an accurate picture.  

I would love to compare this collection to Chanel's Robertson Blvd but, the only color that may come close is Shorty Pants.  The other colors are completey off and too bright to compare.

Overall, Shorty Shorts and Bermuda Shorts were two of my favorites out of the collection.  The other two shades seemed to clash with my skin tone which leaves me undecided.  But, I'm going to give them a fair shot.  The neons are fun and summery shades to sport around at the beach or pool.

Have a good monday ya'll!

FEATURED - Saturday, July 12th 2008

Covergirl Tropical Fusion Eyeshadow Dupes

A few weeks ago, I blogged about Covergirl's new tropical fusion eyeshadow. I've had several requests for this colorful palette and I know why!  Not to make matters worse but, I'm going to give ya'll a few more reasons why you need to grab this.

I was instantly drawn into the beautiful green shade as I'm TOTALLY fixated with green this year and last. It may be the combination of my green eyes or the impossiblty of getting ahold of in Nars Zulu nail polish. How's that saying go - we always want the impossible.. Not only impossible but, extremely limited. Hard to find + Rarity = Cha ching!

On to the good stuff. Last night was the first time I had a chance to play with my Cool Heat shadows from Mac. Big suprise but, I fell in love with Gulf Stream.  Something was oh so familiar about this gorgeous green.  That's because it's an exact dupe of the covergirls Tropical Fusion green shade. The only true difference is mac's version is a tad frostier.  Check out the swatches below.

Your not only getting Gulf Stream but, Submarine too.  Two MAC eye shadows at $36.00 + Tropical Fusion Quad $4.99 = $31.00 savings.  The blue isn't a 100 percent dupe like Gulf Stream but, it's pretty darn close.  Submarine is a tad on the navy side and frostier.

Fab and Flashy is a tangerine shade compared to covergirls orange/coral.  Covergirls version is really pretty but no pigmentation and staying power along with the yellow shade.  The yellow texture was just plain awful.  A matte that is chalky and has no pigmentation at all.  Eyepopping is a gorgeous bumble bee colored shade that looks gorgeous with greens.  It's classified more as an lime green, but appears more yellow on my NC30.  Although eyepopping is a limited edition it's still available on ebay and resonably priced too.  Just make sure it's a trusted MAC seller.

FEATURED - Monday, July 14th 2008

Pedicure of the Day: Chanel LA Sunset

The next couple weeks I'll be mixing it up with Pedicure of the Day posts.  I wanted to give my nails a break because the constant yellow stain is driving me nuts and summer colors are about the toes espically these four hot colors!  Not many beauty bloggers post POTD (pedicures of the day).  I'm assuming it's the same fear  - Aren't all feet ugly?!  At least that's how I feel.  Suprisingly, I do have serveral requests for POTD's. 

Chanel finally released the "Hello, like summer's over" Robertson Blvd Collection last week online.  I would love to rebel against them for draggin this out but, that isn't happenin.  The four shades are equally pretty in a sophisicated and classy way.  Very practical, everyday colors you can wear in the corporate atmosphere espically for summer.     

LA Sunset is described as an Melon orange glossy creme that applied flawlessly with two coats.  The price tag may be controversial setting you back 25 buckaroos but, take these factors into consideration: Chanel, Limited Edition, Exclusive to Chanel.com and Robertson store in LA only, and Created by new director, Peter Phillips.

Before the Robertson Collection was officially released online, Heidi or Elodie were two shades that looked familiar judging by the swatches online.  I pulled out all my possible dupes and no luck.  All these shades above were completely off making this a unique color in my collection.

FEATURED - Tuesday, July 15th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Lustre Twins Collection

I'm seriously backed up on all my upcoming MAC Collection releases.  Here are the prelimanries details of the new Lustre Twins collection according to our friends at Specktra.

Pro Longwear Lustres - A two-step application of lightweight colour + mirror-finished top coat. Apply the colour. Let it dry. Apply the top coat! Provides sheer to medium coverage with a rich, lustrous, moisturizing finish. Longwearing, comfortable on the lips. Won’t shift, transfer, feather or smudge. $20.00 USD

• Coco Lust /Sweet Sexy - Deep red brown/copper brown with gold pearlized pigments
• Red Flame / Orange Flicker - Intense bright yellow red/bright yellow red with gold pearlized pigments
• Red Reflection / Mirror - Deep berry magenta with pearlized pigments/clear with white pearlized pigments
• Pink Air / White Top - Light pink with pearlized pigments/clear white with red and pink pearlized pigments
• Ripe and Ready / Soft and Lush - Bright pink coral with gold pearlized/yellow pink with gold pearlized pigments
• Gypsy Rose / Shimmer it - Berry red with gold pearlized pigments/white gold with multi-coloured pearlized pigments
• Custom Rose / Pink Virtue - Berry plum with pearlized pigments/light blue pink with silver pearlized pigments
• Boss brown / Slave to Pink - Chocolate bronze with pearlized pigments/champagne neutral with pearlized pigments
• Alta Moda / Hip Love - Deep blackened red/deep plum with red pearlized pigments

Nail Lacquer - $11.00 USD

• $$$$$ Yes - Metallic silver foil (frost)(Repromote from Heatherette) 
• Perplexing - Deep blue purple (frost)(New and PERM)
• Firehouse - Bright chrome red (frost)(New and PERM)

This collection should be available at MAC stores on July 31, 2008.  I'll defintely be passing on this release.  If your not familiar Pro Longwear Lustres, the lipstick combo dries out your lips to the extreme and two of the nail polishes will be perm.

{Source: Specktra}

FEATURED - Tuesday, July 15th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Cult of Cherry Collection

I've had the color information for months now.  It was one of those releases that just got lost in translation because their are so many upcoming MAC collections!  Check out the color and product information below.

Available at MAC stores August 21st

Eyeshadow Quad: Spiced Chocolate $36.00 USD (LE)

• Nanogold - Sheer yellow beige with pink pearl (Lustre) (Repromote from N Collection)
• Brash - Frosty reddish copper (Veluxe Pearl)
• Spiced Chocolate - Deep reddish brown (Matte)
• Sweet Chestnut - Frosted cranberry (Frost)

Eyeshadow Quad: Tempting Quad $36.00 USD (LE)

• Next to Nothing - Next to Nothing - Cream white with pink pearl (Frost) (Repromote from Smoke Signals)
• Sharp - Frosty bright yellow-green (Satin)
• Dark Edge - Dirty chocolate brown (Matte) (Repromote from N Collection) 
• Tempting - Sinfully rich coco (Lustre) (Repromote)

Eyeshadow Quad: Shadowy Lady Quad $36.00 USD (LE)

• Light Fall - Light Pink (Satin)
• Smudged Violet - Frosty blackened lavender with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost)
• Deep Truth - Dark blue (Frost) (Repromote)
• Shadowy Lady - Darkly veiled plum (Matte) (Repromote)

Lipsticks: $14.00 USD

• Creme Cerise - Sheer yellow taupe (Lustre) (LE)
• Lightly Ripe - Sheer mid-tone pink (Lustre) (LE)
• Russian Red - Intense bluish-red (Matte) (Repromote)
• O - Intense purplish-red with metallic golden shimmer (Frost) (Repromote)
• So Scarlet - Grape burgundy (Amplified Creme) (LE)

Lipglass: $14.00 USD

• Cherry Blossom - Sheer light pink with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Rich & Ripe - Mid-tone pinkish red with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Cult of Cherry - Red with red pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Liquor - Neutral brownish mauve with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost)(LE)
• Jampacked - Sheer grape with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)

Mattenes: $14.50 USD

• Rapturous - Deep berry red (LE) (Repromote from Mattene)
• Kirsch - Blackened cranberry (Mattene) (LE)
• Chock-ful - Blackened brown (Mattene) (LE)
• Bing - Blackened eggplant (Mattene) (LE)

Nail Lacquer: $11.00 USD

• Silverstruck - Frosted greyed taupe with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (Frost)(LE)
• Illegal Purple - Creamy blackened eggplant (Cream) (LE).

Blush: $17.50 USD

• Plum du Bois - Frosted deep pink bronze with gold pearlized pigments (Frost) (LE)
• Blooming - Frosted deep peach (Frost) (LE).

Mascara: - $12.00 USD

• Zoomblack - Rich Black (Permanent)

The eyeshadow quads look amazing only if the colors weren't repromotes.  The Tempting quad has three repromotes (are you kidding me) along with a gorgeous new yellow shade that's in between Eyepopping and Going Bananas.  This kinda frustrates me knowing I have one, two and even three shades of each quad.

Check out the Cult of Cherry invitation for the launch party held on August 12th.  Craving cherries? take a peek at the photo swatches, review, lip looks using cult of cherry lipstick colors, nail polish swatches and my makeup haul.

{Source: Kiss and Makeup, Specktra}

FEATURED - Tuesday, July 15th 2008

MAC Cult of Cherry: Launch Party August 12th

MAC's gorgeous Cult of Cherry invitation arrived today in the mail and has me craving cherries.  The launch party will held on August 12th by invitation only served with Godiva choclates and champagne.  Yummy!  However, the collection don't officially release until August 21st.  I have a feeling MAC will be releasing this collection early on the August 14.  But, this is not confirmed just my assumption.  I'm sure more details will be surfacing soon.

Check out some pics below. 

The Front.

The back.

Ooh, look at that yellow eyeshadow (Sharp) -  Love it!  My only complaint is the numerous repromote colors in the eye shadow quads!  Please get some new colors MAC!

Check out the review and photo swatches for Cult of Cherry.

FEATURED - Wednesday, July 16th 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Suite Array Collection

The Suite Array collection introduces a new eye shadow suite with pearl glide liners.  Check out all the color information below.  All preliminary information and pictures courtsey of Specktra and Ernie1881.

The Suite Array collection should be available on Sept 25th.

Eye shadow Suites - $16.00 USD

• Blue Zone - Deep grey/green with silver pearlized pigments/Light ice blue with silver pearlized pigments.
• Ocean 2 - Mid-tone blue with silver pearlized pigments/Light blue with silver pearlized pigments.
• Smoke & Ash - Black with silver pearlized pigments/Mid-tone grey silver with pearlized pigments.
• Counterparts - Deep forest with gold pearlized pigments/Mid-tone orange with gold pearlized pigments.
• Rose Suites - Intense blue pink/Light yellow with silver pearlized pigments
• Shallow v. Deep - Bluish green with gold pearlized pigments/Mint with silver pearlized pigments.
• Sweet Liason - Pale yellow with gold pearlized pigments/Deep brown with gold pearlized pigments.
• Team Violets - Dark burgundy with burgundy pearlized pigments/Mid-tone violet with gold pearlized pigments.

Pearlglide Liners - $14.50 USD

• Wolf - Deep grey with gold glitter
• Rave - Deep purple with purple glitter
• Fly-by-Blu - Light blue with blue glitter
• Black Russian - Black with navy blue glitter
• Miss Fortune - Eggplant with light pink glitter
• Bankroll - Rich green with bright green sparkle
• Spare Change - Mid-tone brown with copper glitter
• Molasses - Brown with mid-tone brown glitter

Thanks to Ernie1881 for this sneak peak.  To check out more pictures from this collection, click here.

FEATURED - Friday, July 18th 2008

Rescue Beauty Lounge: Pre Fall Colors

Rescue Beauty Lounge introduces three super chic colors for pre-fall.  Three new pastel underwater hues are inspired by Sponge Bob Square Pants.  Bikini Bottom - a watery blue, Starfish Patrick - a wisp of peachy coral and Square Pants a pineapple translucent yellow. 

Just to clarify these new colors are late summer shades rather than pre-fall.  The fall colors should be arriving within the next month or so.  All the colors look amazing with one exception, their defined as "pastel translucent " shades which may mean sheer coverage.  Starfish Patrick is a must have and will probably have the most pay-off!  Click here to pre-order these shades.

FEATURED - Tuesday, July 22nd 2008

Pedi of the Day: Chanel Rodeo Drive

My pedi of the day is the beautiful, Rodeo Drive from Chanel's Robertson Blvd Collection and is my favorite shade out of the collection.  A very pretty lilac purple color with subtle silver shimmer makes this color quite unique in my nail polish collection.

There's been quite a few mixed reviews regarding the new Robertson Blvd collection - some bad, and some good.  Overall, most of the polishes applied flawlessly for me with two easy coats.  The yellow shade was the only color I had application problems but, every yellow shade is difficult in my opinion.  I'll be elborating a little more when LA Sunrise is featured as my pedi.

Check out some comparisons below.

I don't own many lilac purple colors because this shade is quite new to the fashion industry and was just introduced last year.  The most obvious comparisons are Chanel Rodeo Drive and Rescue Beauty Lounge's Purple Haze which are completely different in their own way.  Purple Haze is navy blue based violet/purple compared to a true lilac purple.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day! 

FEATURED - Wednesday, July 23rd 2008

MAC Cosmetics: Manish Arora Collection

MAC introduces a collection inspired by the Indian Designer, Manish Arora due to release on October 9th.  The Manish Collection features "must-have" gorgeous indian inspried casing combined with the bold pops of color.  Check out the color information below.

Manish Aurora is a exclusive limited collection much like Dress Camp (as far as sell-out's not collaborations) and will only be available at MAC Pro NY, MAC Pro North Robertson, MAC Soho, maccosmetics.com.

Eye Palette x 6 - $38.00 USD

• Nylon - Pale gold with icy metallic shimmer (Frost) (Permanent Shade)
• Going Bananas - Soft lemon yellow (Frost) (LE Repromote from C-Shock)
• Playful - Bright clean pink (satin) (LE - Repromote from Barbie Love MAC)
• Bitter - Vivid bright golden green flecked with shimmer (Velvet) (Permanent Shade)
• Electric Eel - Vivid bright blue flecked with shimmer (Satin) Permanent Shade)
• Deep Truth - Very real truthful dark blue (Frost) (Permanent Shade)

Lipsticks - $14.00 USD

• Girl About Town - Fabulous fuchsia (Amplified Creme) (Permanent)
• Kiss Manish - Frosty mid-tone burnt red (Frost) LE

Lipglass - $14.00 USD

• Pink Manish - Frosted fuchisa (Frost) LE
• Shine Manish - Frosty bright orange with multi-dimensional pearlized pigments (frost) LE

Blush - $18.00 USD

• Devil - Bright iridescent coral orange (Satin) (Permanent Pro)
• Pink Swoon - Clearly pink (Sheertone) (Permanent)

Now, you guys know this is going to sell out extremely fast, right?  The disappiontment - most of the colors are all repromotes but, that's ok because the gorgeous jewel themed packaging certainly makes up for it.  Foremost, I'm thrilled about the re-release of the gorgeous going bananas in the Eye Palette and the two limited editon lip glasses.  Check out the promo pictures below.

FEATURED - Sunday, July 27th 2008

Pedi of the Day: Chanel LA Sunrise

Today's pedi of the day is LA Sunrise - a soft yellow color with subtle silver shimmer.  The pale lemon shade is absolutely gorgeous and unlike any yellow in my collection.  However, the application was extremely streaky and difficult to accomplish a polished manicured look.  You may need some crazy pills dealing with yellow polishes because they share one thing in common - the formula is a nightmare!  But, don't fret there's hope - call your manicurist!

Rescue Beauty Lounge and China Glaze are two brands of yellow that applies perfectly for me.  Check out some yellow comparisons below. 

LA Sunrise is more toned down compared to my other yellow polishes which, makes her unique.  Essie's shorty pants and Zoya's Creamy are much brighter than Chanel's but, can pass as dupes within themselves.  Shorty Pants applies thicker than Creamy but, the finished results are pretty much the same.

UPDATE: I love love love this color, it's so fab ya'll!

FEATURED - Wednesday, August 13th 2008

MAC Cult of Cherry: Review and Swatches

Tonight at the Cult of Cherry launch party godiva chocolate martinis and yummy hors d'oeuvres were served by the sexy and stylish Cult of Cherry chic all decked out in cherries.  The store was packed and extremely hot as they only let about 40 people in at a time - that's alot considering how little the stores usually are.  The hot flashes were starting to come on and I couldn't wait to get the heck outta there.

Overall, Cult of Cherry is a great selection of color to choose for Fall - from dark vampy colors to reds and pinks.  It's a great variety for every appetite.  The lipstick and lipglasses impressed me the most - espically, the Mattene colors.  The shades are dark, vampy and have fabulous color payoff - exactly what I'm looking for this fall season.  Jampacked lipglass is drop dead gorgeous and will appeal on any skintone, seriously.  I saw this shade on fair, medium and dark skin - truely beautiful ya'll.

Check out some swatches below. 

The Mattenes's are in a slimline case much like the slimshines but are semi-matte texture.  Some of us probably won't like the textrues - just because they don't glide on easily like MAC's lipsticks.  But, don't let that hold you back because the colors are fab and looks hot paired up with MAC's lipglasses.

So Scarlet - a must have dark wine shade and Creme Cerise - yellow beige neutral shade are the two stand-out colors in this collection.  Lightly Ripe is also a pretty pink color if you looking to tone it down a bit.

Cult of Cherry - a sparkling red with amazing color pay-off along with Jampacked a deep grape gloss that leans more on the dark magenta side are both must have colors. 

Blooming was hardly faint on my NC-35 and Plum De Bois is a beautiful brownish plum that would appeal even on lighter skin tones.  The color is very buildable and not to dark.

As much as I wanted to resist the yellowish lime shade of Sharp - I couldn't.  The color has excellent pay-off and just looked amazing with the other shades in the quad.  Sharp looks espically fabulous on ladies of color.

The bad news - there's two repromotes in this quad and thank goodness it's not Satin Taupe.   I know some of you are torn on wether to purchase this quad for the yellow shade.  So, here's my advice on the situation.  If you own overgrown or bitten you might want to think about passing on this one because their close.  Personally, I don't own those two shades which, is one of the reasons this came home with me. 

Spiced Choclate quad is suprising beautiful with excellent pay-off.  I didn't expect to bring this home with me.  In fact, me and my friend Tracy both picked this one up.  Very gorgeous - the orange frosty shade reminded me alot of Firespot from the Moonbathe collection.

Shadowy Lady quad was the only one that didn't interest me.  When I was swatching this quad at the Launch party with my girlfriend Tracy - she automatically picked up on how boring the colors were.  And she's not a crazed MAC fan like myself.    

Illegal Purple is a glossy black cherry shade verses a purple eggplant as described on the color story, which, was a little disappionting.  It's very pretty and the application applied flawlessly but, it's just your standard black cherry creme polish.  Now, on to Silverstruck, a gorgeous multi-dimensional grey taupe frost that is so very "WOW" unique.  I'll be posting a seperate swatches for the nail polishes.

So, there it is!  What do you guys think of Cult of Cherry - Any takers?  I'll be posting my haul pictures soon.

FEATURED - Friday, August 15th 2008

MAC Haul: Cult of Cherry, Overrich Collection

Happy Friday Everyone!  It's about 80 degrees, sunny and just a beautiful start to the weekend.   Although, I don't look forward to weekends anymore like the good ole days.  Ahh, my younger days - fearless, fun and crazy.  Hopefully you guys aren't sick of all my cult of cherry posts - it's just a great collection!

So, the launch party was crazy packed when I was checking out and the MA screwed up my order and didn't catch it until the morning after.  There's some items missing and others unexpected.  Check out all my haulin pictures below.

Spiced Chocolate and Tempting Eyeshadow Quad's.  The only quad I planned on getting was Tempting - so, what does that tell ya!

The two stars of the lipsticks: So Scarlet - deep red wine and Creme Cerise - a yellow taupe that may have the appeal of a peachy neutral on some skintones.

Bing is a deep purple shade that's quite dark but spiced up with Cult of Cherry lipglass looks smashing.  I'll be posting some lip looks in the next day.  Rapturous was a shade I didn't order initially, but, ended up liking anyway.  It's more of a cherry red shade compared to So Scarlet.

So Scarlet is my favorite lip product out of the collection - the pink, purple and gold glitter makes this fab.

My favorite color and definitley a must have product from the lipglass collection.  This baby spices up all the mattenes from dark and vampy to va-va volumptous!  A bold red shade means: sexy, confident, powerful - that's exactly what this collection is.  Jampacked is another great color following Rich & Ripe.  Those are the two shades my MA didn't include.  I plan on picking up two back-ups of Cult of Cherry - it's such an universal color. 

 Plum De Bois is the must lust from the blushes.  A gorgeous plum with gold flecks that has buildable color - it's not as dark as it looks.

All the Overrich pigments are excellent.  Antique Green and Vintage Gold were two stand out colors for me.  Since most of the shades are going to be permnament pro colors - I can stock up one by one.

 

Want more creme of the crop?  Check out the photo swatches, review, lip looks using cult of cherry lipstick colors and nail polish swatches.

FEATURED - Tuesday, August 26th 2008

Milani Goes Pop Art in six Gorgeous Ways

Don't ask me why Milani decided to introduce these gorgeous metallic shades so late in the game.  Just when you thought Fall was here - Milani pulls a little rabbit out of their hat.  infact, six new limited edition rabbits!  woot, woot!  But hey, better late than never!  Plus it's never too late to sport around pop color.

I'm not certain if there's a collection name, but, all six new shades are named after "art/design".  So, I'm just callin them Pop Art.  Shimmers, shimmers and more shimmers -  that's all you'll see in this new collection.   So much shimmer they can be classifed as metallic-like.

The best way to capture shimmers is with the sun and that's not happenin today.  The dark clouds have been hanging around for last couple days and isn't budging.  I would assume alot of us are having this nasty weather (my heart goes out to anyone in extreme circumstances).  But, in the next couple day's, I'll be replacing my swatches with regular ones. 

Check out the photo swatches below. 

Red Canvas - cherry red shade with gold and red shimmer.  Good color pay-off, two coats will you give good coverage.  No application problems.

                                          

Pink Abstract - a hot pink drenched in pink and silver shimmer.  Two coats will give you good coverage and three will make you shine.  No application problems.

 

Art Deco Blue - a royal blue metallic shade with aqua shimmer.  Two coats will give you good coverage and color pay-off.

 

Purple Pop Art - is going to be my next pedi shade which, I'll be posting tomorrow.  A magenta pink-purple with blue and pink shimmer.  Two coats will give you good cover but three is recommended for the bottle color.

 

Green Impressions - a granny smith apple green loaded with green and gold shimmers.   One particular thing I like - the conjuction of green and gold shimmers gives the appearence of multi-dimensonel under certain lighting.  The bad news - they are fairly sheer and require four coats or more to achieve bottle color.

 

Modern Yellow reminds me of China Glaze in Solar power with one minor expection.  It's completely drenched in gold and yellow shimmer - very gorgeous!  Just like Green Impresssions, the application required four coats to achieve bottle color.

 

Honestly, I liked every shade in this collection.  Very suitable for most people - if you love shimmer polishes.  Who doesn't like to shine with every color in the rainbow!  Hope your having a wonderful day!

FEATURED - Saturday, August 30th 2008

Prefall collection: spongebob to the rescue

It's officially pre-fall and Rescue Beauty Lounge introduces three fun and chic shades this season.   This new collection is inspired from Marc Jacob's love for Spongebob.  Starfish Patrick - a creamy coral shade, Square Pants - a pale lemon shade with subtle shimmer and Bikini Bottom - a watery baby blue creme that top's my favorite.

What a genius idea - prefall shades!  So, it's not an official season - it should be.  From the end of summer to the beginning of fall - what colors to wear?  Isn't that the worst?  Well, these colors are perfect.  Not to dark and not to bright.  End the season right, girlfiriend!

Spongebob who?  Honestly, if it wasn't for my neices of nephews - I would have no knowledge of the popular childrens tv show.   So, regardless of the inspiration - these colors totally rock.  Take confidence in Ja Baek and the RBL team because they never let us down.  The formula is true perfection along with the brush.

Check out the swatches below. 

Starfish Patrick looks more brighter and vibrant pictured above.  But, in real life, it's more toned down.

Square Pants is a great color.  It's a soft, pale yellow that's pefect for any ocassion.  Very chic and feminine.

Candid shot of Square Pants.

Bikini Bottom - my favorite shade out of the collection.  A watery baby blue creme that looks stunning on your nails and feet.  Oh boy, I can't wait to use this shade for my next pedi.

The Spongebob collection is now available at Rescue Beauty Lounge and retail for $18.00/each.

Want more RBL?  Check out their "must have" Fall 08 Collection.

FEATURED - Saturday, September 6th 2008

New Fall Shades: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear

Here's some new fall shades from Sally Hansen's Xtreme Wear line that I've had for a couple of weeks now.  More and more, I've been turning to Sally Hansen's bold, beautiful, fall-alistic colors.  

It's a horse of a different color (if you don't know this saying, shame on you)!  Emerald City - Don't this so remind you of Wizard of Oz?!  Infact, the name "emerald city" might have a little too much in common with the 1939 classic film.  A true emerald green shimmer perfect for green lovers.  

Gunmetal - a gorgeous blue/gray gunmetal shimmer.  It's more on the blue side - very pretty.

Mellow Yellow - a yellow - lime with green shimmer.  This color is "different".  A color that I wouldn't usually go for.  But, after wearing for a few days, it grew on me.

All these shades should be available now at most stores retailing an average $2.69 - great shades and cheap too!

FEATURED - Tuesday, December 2nd 2008

Coming Soon: China Glaze Romantique for Spring

For Spring 2009, China Glaze introduces the Romantique Collection.  A sensual collection of twelve metallic chrome textures due to set release in the beginning of Janurary 2009.

The Romantique collection is split into two seperate releases just like the Rodeo Diva collection.  Warm palette consists of yellow, browns, and oranges while the cool palette consists of greens, blues, and purples.

Check out some sneak peek swatches from the ladies at E-polish and All Lacquered Up.

FEATURED - Thursday, August 20th 2009

OPI Fall Matte collection: Review, Swatches

This Fall, OPI introduces the Matte collection, a release of six current OPI shades available in a non glossy, matte finish. Each bottle is included with an instruction tag that states the following:

• Matte by OPI does not wear as long as original OPI Nail Lacquer.
• Do not use base coat, top coat, drying products, or hand lotion when wearing matte.
• Do an all Matte nail. Or do a Matte nail with matching Glossy tip.

Before we get to the details, let's discuss what this means. It's time to toss that rule book out the window because skipping a base coat would be a bad idea. You don't want your nails super stained. If you can hunt down a no shine base coat, that would be best. I've had better luck using a ridge filler for my base.

As far as hand lotion, just be sure to wipe your nails off with a tissue or cotton pad to avoid that shiny, satin finish.

Application is the challenging part. Every matte polish I've tested is super fast drying, which may create problems for the habitual coater. The good news, OPI's wide brush makes it easier to accomplish three brush strokes. Anymore than that, you'll notice streak lines in your application.

Ready for some swatches guys?

Alpine Snow, a white chalky flatte matte. This reminds me of a winter snowy morning when the snow is intensely bright to look at.  

As much as Gargantuan Grape looks minty green in my swatches, it's not. It's a tad bit more yellow based and has that chalky texture.

La-Pazatively Hot is true to the name! A gorgeous hot pink matte with shimmer that's one of my faves from the collection.

 You Don't Know Jacques, a mushroom brown taupe chalky matte.

Lincoln Park after Dark, a vampy blackish purple matte. 

As much as I'd wish Russian Navy was a shimmer like the original, I still love it. A flatte navy blue  matte.

The matte collection is now available at Professional Salons and online at the E-tailers. Have a wonderful night!

FEATURED - Thursday, January 8th 2009

Nail Polish of the Day: Sally Hansen Lightening

Happy Thursday everyone!  Today, I wanted to start off with a bright electrifiying color such as Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri nail polish in Lightening.

Described as yellow creme that's just a tad lighter than Rescue Beauty's Yellow fever minus the sublte shimmer of RBL's.

A month ago, when I reviewed the Insta-Dri polishes, I was uncertain how the wide tapered brush was going to pan out.  But, after testing these babies out, I ended up really liking them.

The brush fit perfectly in my nail area and allowed me to achieve the two and three coat swipe that the Insta-Dri's are intended for. 

Check out one more swatch below.

The Insta-Dri polishes are now available at stores and retails for $4.99/ea.  Hope your having a fabulous day!

FEATURED - Monday, January 19th 2009

Nail Polish of the Day: CNY Summer in the City

Happy MLK Day Ya'll! Today the UPS came a knockin with sweet little package from Carolyn New York.  And, I was most excited to try out Summer in the City because of two reasons.

First off, there was no online swatches of this perfect pastel yellow shade.  Secondly, I've been totally obsessed with yellow ever since the debut of Yellow Fever by Rescue Beauty Lounge.  So, I had to see it!

Boy oh Boy, is this a beauty!  Infact, Summer in the City is creeping up to be one of my favorite yellows.  A light yellow pastel creme that has white undertones and is fairly opaque.  The white base is what makes Summer in the City so unique compared to all the other contenders.

Check out more pics below. 

 Pic taken outside in Natural Light. 

Summer in the City is truely unique.  The closest competitior I own is Square Pants.  As you can see their still way off.

The application was perfect for a yellow.  No streaking and you could possibly get away with two thick coats.  With cremes, I find it much easier to apply heavier coats.

Summer in the City retails for $7.99 and is available at Carolyn New York.

FEATURED - Wednesday, February 11th 2009

Spring 09 Collection: Sephora by OPI Swatches

Spring is in the air and Sephora introduces six new vibrant OPI shades to kick off the season just right.  Sephora's OPI Digital Diva is a varitey of pinks and orange for Spring and pops of coral and yellow as we enter the summer season.

Overall, this is a nice collection of Spring and Summer polishes especially if your looking for bolts of color to add to your Spring wardrobe. Most shades applied within two or three coats with no true application problems. 

Check out the swatches below.

 

  

IM Beauty is a bright soft buttercup yellow creme that was a little finicky when applying, but no huge application problems.  This is the only color out of the collection that I had to apply thicker to avoid any streaking issues.

IM Beauty is the perfect shade of yellow that's not too bold nor to bland.   

Hi Def - a rich vibrant tangerine creme.

Lost without my GPS is one shade darker than I'm wired with added red undertones.  Described as a coral red ceam.

 Access 24/7 is a juicy magneta pink creme.

Techno Girl is a pink barbie creme.

 I'm Wired is described as a true coral creme with subtle red undertones.

Sephora by OPI's Digital Diva collection is now available only at Sephora and retails for $9.00 each.

Want more Sephora by OPI? Check out the Summer 09', Mermaid in the Shade Collection. 

FEATURED - Wednesday, March 4th 2009

Shades by Barielle Sugar Rush Collection

Get your sugar fix on this summer with Shades by Barielle.  The Sugar Rush collection introduces six new vibrant shades sure to please your sweet tooth cravings.

Talkin' about sweet nail candy!  A selection of scrumptious shades that look so good, you'd wish they were edible.

After seeing the first installment of Summer collections from China Glaze, Barielle had some high expections to live up to.  And, I'm happy to report they totally nailed it.

Everything about summer rocks.  Bright, bold pops of color, color and more color!  Most of the shades applied perfectly in two coats with the exception of Lemondrops and Cotton Candy.

Must have's: (wow, this is hard because I loved them all) Sweet Addiction, Lemondrops (if your a yellow lover), Swizzle Stick, Decadance.

What I loved about this collection - No Reds!

Check out all the swatches below.  

Lemondrops is a bright yellow creme that's perfect for tootsies in the summertime.  A close comparison is Rescue Beauty Lounge's, Yellow Fever minus the shimmer.

Decadance is a shimmery turquoise blue that's gorgeous.

Stop the press - who's that?!  Sweet Addicition totally rocks my world you guys.  Described as a unique slice of minty green goodness.   This shade is spectacular and looks even better on.  Can't wait to sport Sweet Addiction on my toes with a tan.  Totally Hot!

Check out the close comparison below. 

 

The comparison may look like close to a dupe, but I assure you both are quite different and equally beautiful.

 Grape Escape is a vibrant Barney purple creme.  Can't say no to purple!

Cotton Candy is just as you would imagine.  A semi sheer pink with hot pink shimmer. 

Swizzle Stick is a soft baby blue creme that's not as vibrant as pictured above.  For some reason, I just couldn't capture the actual color representation.

The Sugar Rush collection is now available online at Barielle and/or CVS which retails for $7.99.  Barielle usually runs online specials for buy 2 nail polishes, get one free ($16 for 3).

Note: I have yet to see any Barielle's at my local CVS's and believe me I've been to several.        

Here's a little slideshow of my picture swatches from Barielle's Sugar Rush collection.

FEATURED - Saturday, March 21st 2009

Nail Art: Jin Soon Choi Recreations

A couple weeks ago, I posted some interesting nail art designs by Jin Soon Choi that I stumbled across in the Teen Vogue's March issue.

Most of these designs were super easy and didn't require any special nail art tools except a dotting tool for the polka dots (which aren't shown).

Check out some pics below.

This was one of my least favoirte designs at first, but ended up loving it.  There's something about a neon base that makes both orange and black pop against my skin.

What you'll need (any brand): Neon yellow, Opaque french white, Halloween Orange creme and Black creme.

How to: Start with any yellow neon base color. Most neons I've seen are matte and pretty sheer. Tip: use a white opaque color (such as a french white) before applying the neon base. You'll have better color pay-off and you'll avoid numerous applications.

When the base is completely dry, take your orange creme polish and make some creative brush stroke swipes on the neon. It's pretty easy - just dab and swirl you brush creatively. Once dry, repeat the same steps but with the black polish. Finish with a fast dry topcoat and go.

This design was super easy using Sally Hanen's nail art pen in white. You could also try a navy blue background that would look fab.

What you'll need: Black Opaque creme polish (my fave is Wet n Wild) and SH nail art pen in white.

How to: Start with a black basecoat. Once dry, seal with a fast dry topcoat. Make sure your base and topcoat is completely dry before you start with SH's nail art pens. Then draw vertically and horizontal lines on your nails. Seal with a topcoat and go.

Another super easy design. On this one, you can use basically any nail polish colors. Just make sure both colors are pretty opaque.

What you'll need: Any two colors really.

How to: Apply the first color about 2/3 on the nail (one or two coats). You want to make sure you make steady straight lines. Once dry, apply the other color to 1/3 of nail. Finish wiht a topcoat and go.

I'll be posting a few more designs in the next few days. What do you guys think? Easy enough?

FEATURED - Wednesday, April 1st 2009

Spring Nail Colors from Nina Ultra Pro

Happy Hump Day Ya'll! Today I'm bringing you some flirty spring colors from Nina Ulta Pro ($3.99). You can find Nina Ultra Pro at Sally Beauty Supply stores or online. Most colors were opaque in only two coats with the exception of Mermaid.

Sweet Nothings (pictured above) - a blue based muted pink lavendar creme with no shimmer. Not your typical pink or purple. Very pretty.

In a Tiff - one of my favorites, is an opaque tiffany blue loaded down with white micro shimmer that's gorgeous. Love!

Tangerine Dream - an opaque tangerine coral orange creme with no shimmer.

I only wished Mermaid had the opaqeness that the others did. A sheer lime green loaded with bright minty green micro shimmer. 

You can find Nina Ultra Pro nail polish at Sally Beauty Supply stores that retail around $3.99/ea. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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 - Friday, April 10th 2009

Summer Collection: China Glaze Kicks Part II

Now that you've seen some of the shimmers from Part I, Today I'm bringing you the cremes and a few left overs.

Like I was saying in Part I, this is a great collection - espically for the not so daring. However, I would have loved for China Glaze to replace some of the pinks and oranges with a bright summer color such as yellow.

I think they went a little overboad with some colors resembling each other like: How Street it is and Style Wars. But, nonetheless a fab collection.

Most colors applied perfectly and only required an average of two coats with the exception of Style Wars. I found the oranges to be a tad bit on the sheer side.

And, here they are - check em out!

B-Girlz - more toned down from It's Poppin, a soft pink with pink shimmer.

 

Oh How Street It Is - burnt orange creme jelly.

 It's Poppin - a hot pink raspberry with pink shimmer. 

 Sneaker Head - a muted red creme.

 

Laced Up - a bubblegum pink creme.

 Style Wars - sheer orange jelly creme.

Just to show how close How Street It Is and Style Wars is, here's a swatch comparison.

China Glaze Kicks collection is available at Head2Toe, Transdesign, 8ty8 or any beauty salons that carries the brand.

FEATURED - Friday, April 10th 2009

MAC Colour Ready Collection: Swatches, Review

Get increased mileage from makeup! A start-to-finish collection that revs up Prep + Prime: three new products plus the essential colour palette. Everything you need to be picture perfect.

Introducing the Colour Ready collection from MAC. A fairly small release that our pocket books will be thanking us. I really love these small collections. If you want to splurge on the whole thing, it's not going to cost ya an arm and a leg.

Overall, a nice collection, but I see alot of us passing. With most products being permanent items, you don't have to stock up right away. One of the standout products, the lipsticks - smooth, creamy and packed with tons of color.

I didn't get to fully test Prep & Prime filler, but noticed a huge difference when testing a small area on my hand. My skin was extremely smooth & even with the filler.

Here's some swatches below.

Eyeshadows. Bitter, a yellow green and White Frost, a frosty white, both took several swipes to get good a color pay off.

Lipsticks. Show Orchid, vivid hot pink creme, and Impassioned a fuschia red that are very pretty and packed with tons of color.

MAC's Colour Ready collection is available online and at MAC stores. 

FEATURED - Saturday, April 11th 2009

Claires Neon Holos: Nail Polish Swatches

Hope your having a wonderful Saturday. Summer is slowly creeping around the corner and you guys know what that means, Bright Neon Colors! Yep, the brights are back and I have tons of eye catching shades to show you.

To kick off this festive summer trend, I wanted to start with my favorites from Clarie's. One thing I love about Claire's Neons, well two things: Each shade has a holographic glitter effect and most colors aren't as bright as your typical neons, for example: Color Club's Electro Candy, which I'll be previewing next week.

Each shade is infused with a mild holographic glitter effect and dries to a semi gritty matte finish. Now, it's not as gritty as a full fledged glitter nail polish. I don't think you should have any worries with that.

Jen Jen (above) - a yellow green (lime) with holographic glitter. Jen Jen and Lime Shine were the ones that took a four coat application to achieve the bottle color.

 Lime Shine - a bright neon green with holographic glitter.

Juluis - a bright neon orange with holographic glitter.

Yel - one of my faves, a little bit more green than the actual swatch, aqua blue with holographic glitter.

 Pink Rose - a light pink rose with holographic glitter.

Meg Peg - one of my faves, gorgeous magenta purple with holographic glitter

 

Flame - bright reddish coral with holographic glitter.

LuLu Belle - a bright hot pink neon with holographic glitter.

The brighter neon colors for the brave: Lime Shine, Juluis, Lulu Belle, and the not so bright for anyone: Flame (kinda bright but not overly), Meg Peg, Pink Rose, Yel and Jen Jen.

These are available at Claries and retail for $3.50/ea. What your guys take on Neons? I'll wear anything, of course! Have a wonderful Saturday!

FEATURED - Saturday, May 16th 2009

Spring 09: Sally Hansen Tracy Reese Collection

This Spring, Sally Hansen collaborates with fashion designer, Tracy Reese for the six season in a row with seven fabulous shades.

Each limited edition color is inspired from Tracy Reese's Spring fashion show held back in Sept 08'.

Overall, what a fabulous Spring collaboration from Tracy Reese and Sally Hansen and a big two thumbs up! Every color has excellent pigmentation and requires around two or three coats.

Check out all the swatches.

 

Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon? The best way to describe Forsythia is a little slice of Honey Mustard heaven. More cool toned than most yellows I own, yet very peculiar at the same rate.  

 

 

Honeydew is a gorgeous mermaid teal shimmer. Click here for your chance to win this shade.

Tassel is a gorgeous gold metallic with a pinch of bronze that looks so much prettier on, and the application was a breeze.

Nasturtium - a perfect spring and summer coral orange creme.

Azalea is a medium pink toned creme.

Night Hydrangea, is truely the gem of the collection, a blueish purple with shimmer. Click here for your chance to win this shade. 

Beet Satin, a beet berry red creme. The Tracy Reese collection is now available at stores and retails around $5.99/ea.

FEATURED - Tuesday, April 14th 2009

Sephora by OPI Summer: Mermaid in the Shade

This Summer is all about the blues, and Sephora introduces six limited edition shades to the Mermaid in the shade collection. A mixture of grays, blue and teals that takes you back to the lazy days at the beach.

Before I get to the official review, all my swatches were taken in two different types of lighting: direct and indirect sunlight.

The application. Most shades I found to be rather sheer and required a minimum of three thick coats or four to achieve bottle color. Other than being mostly sheer, no visible formula problems and a nice collection for any blue lover.

And, here they are!

Water Baby - a semi sheer, mix between white and light gray with fine silver and turquoise blue shimmer. The texture isn't quite a metallic nor a shimmer.

Lagoon a Beach - a semi sheer, light powder blue base with silver and turquoise blue shimmer.

Underwater Fantasy - a semi sheer, light cornflower blue with silver and turquoise blue shimmer.

Just a Fairy Tail - a sheer silver blue base with silver and turquoise blue shimmer that's really pretty. After three thick coats or more, you'll notice Fairy Tail takes on a blue silver foil effect.

Suprisingly, this was one of my favorites. I just love that foil look. 

 

Blue Grotto - is actual only a two coater (ignore my swatch) and the only creme of the bunch. A mixture between a navy blue and royal that applied perfectly in two coats.

We have a few close comparisons to Blue Grotto: OPI's Dating a Royal, China Glaze's Bermuda Breakaway and Misa On the Edge.  Misa's Living on the edge being the closest dupe.

There's always a shade you have high expectations for, and this was it. Mermaid to Order, a blue green frosty metallic with shimmer and yellow undertones.

I was seriously bummed when I found out that Mermaid to Order was a metallic frosty shade. Don't get me wrong, it's a gorgeous shade, but I had my heart set on a blinged out shimmer. And, if you've been reading my blog, you know me and metallics are on a non-speaking basis right now.

The closest comparison I have to Mermaid to order is China Glaze's, Adore from the Romantiques collection. Not exact dupes, China Glaze's is much more blue and Sephora's is more green with yellow undertones.

As far as the application, yes, you can slight stroke lines but it's not as bad as other metallics.

The Mermaid in the Shade collection is now available at Sephora for a limited time only and retails for $9.00/ea.

FEATURED - Monday, April 20th 2009

Summer Neons: Color Club Electro Candy

This Summer, Color Club introduces High definition electrifying neon colors sure to grab your attention.

Electro Candy is the newest collection of high-quality lacquers in heart-racing high-voltage shades with hints of shimmer.

Lately, Color Club has really been impressing me! First it was the fabulous holographic colors from Femme Fatale and Catwalk Queen spring collections.  Now, a spin on their neons with a hint shimmer that I'm totally digging.

Sure, neons aren't for everyone, but they sure are fun for summer and make excellent pedicure colors for those tootsies!

First, for the Disclaimer: Neons never photograph properly and are about five times brighter than my actual swatches. Most colors needed three coats and dried to a satin matte texture. I skipped Color Club's vivid topcoat because it wasn't a fast drying formula.

On to the swatches.

Volts of Light - neon yellow with bright green shimmer. 

What a Shock - neon green with bright blue shimmer. 

Electro Candy - neon pink with bright green shimmer. 

Tangerine Dream - neon orange with bright green shimmer. 

Ultra Violet - violet purple with bright green shimmer. 

Pure Energy - turquoise blue with bright blue shimmer.

The Electro Candy collection is now available at Head2Toe and Transdesign and retails for $2.99/ea.

FEATURED - Wednesday, April 22nd 2009

Essie Summer 09: Neon Collection Swatches

Have fun, rock out and play with color on toes and tips.  Essie brings color intensity back with the Neon Collection – a new crop of bright shades that pop!

Along with North Folk this summer,  Essie introduces four electrifying shades to the Neon collection sure to grab your attention.

Turn off the lights indeed - You'll surely get noticed with Essies new intense neons that glow. With four new colors from pinks, purple and shockingly yellow.

Like most neon colors, Essie's dries to a matte finish and you'll need a topcoat if you want that shiny look.  Most colors applied in three coats, with the exception of Funky Limelight and no true application problems.

All my swatches were captured in direct sunlight and just a reminder, neons never capture true to life. Here's some other swatches from Scrangie and The Nailphile to give you an idea where the colors fall.

Here they are!

Funky Limelight - an intense glowing yellow neon that is uber bright. My swatches don't justify the intensity of this baby.

This was the only problem child of the bunch, in which I did apply one coat of white underneath. My application was a tad on the streaky side and required a total of four coats including the white.

TIP: I had better luck applying a base, such as any opaque white nail polish to avoid the excessive coat-age. Otherwise, you'll be coating Funky Limelight in the 5 range.

Flirty Fuchsia - hot neon pink that's darker than Punchy Pink.

Perky Purple - a neon purple that's a close match to Essie's Bermuda Shorts. In real life, Perky Purple is much more purple. Very Pretty!

 

Punchy Pink - is a lighter pink version of Flirty Fuchsia and ranks as my favorite from the neon collection.

A great color all around, not too dull or shocking bright like Funky Limelight. I'm not usually big on pinks, but this pops with my skintone. Love! 

The essie Neon Color Collection is a limited-edition collection, available beginning May 2009 at www.essie.com and fine spas, salons and beauty stores nationwide. SRP $9.00 USD.

FEATURED - Tuesday, May 5th 2009

Pedi of the Day: CNY Summer in the City

Hope your having a fabulous Tuesday! Today's pedicure of the day is a perfect spring color that the lovely Karla Sugar helped me pick out on Twitter.

Carolyn's Summer in the City is described as a pastel yellow creme that applied fairly well with three coats and looks fab on toes. Although, you could probably get by with two thicker coats.

You know with my nail art obsession in high gear, I just couldn't resist adding some cute lil teal polka dots. The polka dots really pop on this pastel yellow, Love!

Check out one more swatch below, 

Polka Dots are so fun and easy! Hope you have a fabulous day!

FEATURED - Saturday, May 9th 2009

Limited Edition Mini Sets From Icing by Claires

Hope your having a wonderful Saturday afternoon. It actually turned out to be a beautiful day here in Kentucky ya'll.  Today I'm bringing you another fabulous limited edition set from Icing that had me at "green glitter," hello.

Each set comes with five miniature nail polish bottles that retails for $10.99/set. The glitters are pretty spectacular, I'm just bummed that these are Limited Edition and not available in full sized bottles. Oh, how can you do this to us Icing?!

Oddly, every single glitter set that was stocked, didn't have a sticker at the bottom with the name?? Hmm, so that must mean their extra special!

On to the swatches.

Green Glitter is the one held repsonsible for my impulsive buy, a bright (not neon) grass green with sliver glitter. A bit semi sheer that needed four coats for bottle color. Very pretty.

Purple Glitter is a gorgeous deep purple with blue undertones and silver glitter. Great coverage in two coats.

Green and Purple glitter together. Two of my favorites.

Black Glitter is a rich black with silver glitter that had great coverage in two coats.

Red Glitter is a cherry red with silver glitter. Two coats for bottle coverage.

Ms. Red and Black. 

White Glitter is a clearish base with white and blue chunkier glitter compared to the others. Three coats on each nail.

The Neon set was kinda my pity buy for the Buy one, get on half off deal. Most of these colors are available in full sized bottles, if you only wanted one or two. On all my neon swatches I used, one coat of white polish as a base and one without.

Neon Yellow always seems to be the problem child of neons, regardless of the brand. And, using a french white as a base cuts out half of my application time. Anymore, I amost always use a white base for yellow and green neons.

The next three really didn't need a white base coat, the color pigmentation was pretty good. 

Orange and Purple Neon that had good coverage.

Pink Neon that also had good coverage. Have a great weekend!

FEATURED - Friday, May 29th 2009

OPI Jumps on the Matte Bandwagon this Fall

“OPI Matte is cutting edge for nails in terms of sophistication and style,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive vice president and artistic director. “An all-matte nail is fresh, confident, and very fashion runway, and OPI Matte is meant for those moments when you want to make a major fashion statement.OPI Matte does not wear as long as original OPI Nail Lacquer – but its impact is long remembered!”

I'm sure most of you already heard about OPI's newest matte collection slated this Fall. To my undertstanding, OPI is releasing six duo shades, available in two finishes: matte and glossy - take your pick!  All six shades are standard OPI colors that are readily available, not new ones.

Alpine Snow - french white creme, You don't know Jacques - mushrooom taupey creme, Russian Navy - Navy blue shimmer, La Paz-itively Hot - hot pink creme, Lincolon Park after Dark - midnight purple and Gargantuan Grape - greenish yellow lime.

The Matte collection will be available beginning July 1st. In the meantime, here's a few examples that I added a matte topcoat, just to give us an idea.

Note: these are not actual OPI matte shades. Just recreations using a matte topcoat. In most cases, Matte shades usually aren't the same as topcoats.

Check out the swatches. 

The Matte collection will be available starting July 1st. Check out the official swatches and review. 

FEATURED - Friday, June 5th 2009

Nail Polish of the Day: Pure Ice Kiss me Here

Happy Friday! Hope your having a fabulous afternoon. It's just gorgeous outside - makes for a perfect end to the week. Have ya'll checked out Walmart's new Pure Ice nail polish colors lately? Well, they have some pretty spectacular new colors, and Kiss Me Here being one of them.

Described as a medium gray creme that applied fairly well with two coats. A close dupe to China Glaze's Recycle and Carolyn New York's Hangin on the Stoop, the only difference being Kiss me Here may be just a pinch darker.

Some other drool worthy new colors from Walmart: Excuse Me - Buttery frosty yellow, No Means No - purple with blue and pink shimmer, an excellent alternative for MAC's Violet Fire, French Kiss - Superman blue creme, Cheatin - clear base with blue, pink and purple glitter, Beware - clear base with silver glitter, Strapless - clear base with turquoise glitter, Don't you Wish - clear base with rainbow colored glitter.

Pure Ice nail polishes are available at Walmart and retail around $1.85/ea. Have a great weekend! So, fess up - who loves Pure Ice? I do, I do!

FEATURED - Sunday, June 7th 2009

Pedi of the Day: Teal with Yellow Polka Dots

Happy Sunday! Hope your having a fabulous weekend so far. Monday and Tuesday I'm jetting off camping with some close friends, and wanted something to coordinate with my bathing suit for the next couple of days. And wouldn't you know it - Polka Dots. Yes, I'm obsessively addicted to polka dot nail art and don't care who knows it. I just luv them!

Why do I love polka dots so much? It's super easy, super cute, and never goes out of style. And, perhaps one of the easiest types of nail art out there. As long as you can dot with your non dominant hand (which you can), your golden.

The Supplies:

What I used: L.A. Girls Flare in Tropical for base color (or any teal cream), acrylic paint (or yellow nail polish), Dotting Tool (or a toothpick using the end) and fast dry topcoat.

Why do I use Acrylic paint vs Nail Polish? Actually, I use both. But there's a couple reasons why I prefer paint over polish. Acrylic paint wipes off super easy if you make any errors, whereas nail polish don't. Acrylic paint also has a thicker consistency than nail polish that makes dotting more precise and easy.

The only true drawback with Acrylic paint - since the paint is a thicker consistency, the surface may be bumpy or uneven and you may need an additional topcoat. No biggie, just make sure you use a fast dry topcoat.

Update: Some of you may have noticed my posts are lacking this week, that's because I'm giving my nails a breather and should resume mid next week. Click here to see what's to come!  

Have a fabulous Sunday!

FEATURED - Friday, June 12th 2009

Summer LE Brights: Sally Hansen Insta Dri

This Summer, Sally Hansen introduces a new limited edition collection of brights to the Insta Dri nail polish line.

With a variety of eight colorful shades to choose from, ranging from yellow, green, blue, orange and pinks. Most textures being all cremes with the exception of one shimmer, Instant Iris.

I've blogged a few times about the Insta Dri line and I've really grown to love them. The tapered one coater brush is a little awkward at first and may take some time to get used to.

Check out all the swatches below.

Lickety - Split Lime, a lime green creme.

Lemon Dash - a bright sunny yellow creme. As far as the application, just like any yellow creme. You'll need three coats to even it all out, although I only used two in my swatch above.

The burning question: are these dupes? Well, pretty much. It's really hard to tell a differece in general. Lemon Dash may be slightly lighter, but brighter at the same rate. If you already own Lightening, I don't really see a need for Lemon Dash.

For some reason, Brisk Blue turned out ultra bright in my swatches. A fabulous sky blue creme. I really loved this one.  

Instant Iris, is way more pink than it looks in the bottle. A fuchsia pink with flashes of blue and pink shimmer.

Orange You Fast, a deep orange with reddish undertones.

These next three pinks are all related, and not very far off from each other color wise.

Rapidly Rosy, a mid tone pink rosy creme.

Coral Rush, a bright coral pink that is just a tad darker than Rapidly Rosy.

Flyin Fuchsia, is a bright hot pink creme. For some reason, my swatch went MIA. I'll be posting this one in the next couple days.

The brights collection is now available for a limited time only and retails around $4.99/ea. Have a wonderful Friday!

FEATURED - Wednesday, June 17th 2009

New Nail Colors: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear

Happy Hump Day! Hope your having a wonderful Wednesday afternoon! Today I'm bringing you eight lovely colors from Sally Hansen's Xtreme wear line that I picked up.

In Sally Hansen's new display, you'll find around twenty or so Xtreme wear shades marked with a pewter chrome cap. Some colors are new, and others are previous or current shades.

Where can I find these? Check your nearest Walgreens. Since these are brand spankin new, displays may not hit for another week or so.

And, on to the swatches. 

 

Mellow Yellow, a light yellow creme that applied like most normal yellow's. Much lighter than Lightening and Lemon Dash. 

Green with Envy, a lime green creme. A lighter version of Lickety Split Lime from the Insta Dri line. A great alternative at half the cost. 

Sun Kissed, a vibrant orange creme. 

Blue me Away, bright sky blue creme. A deeper version of Brisk Blue that's not as bright. Another great alternative for half the price.  

Ivy League is really gorgeous. An apple green with gold shimmer. 

Rockstar Pink is a fabulous multi pink glitter. Red, Pink, Purple, Blue glitter in a clear base.

 Strobe Light, pink and silver holographic glitter in a clear base.

Shooting Star, very light blue base with green, pink, blue pastel glitter. 

Here's an example of the glitters with a black base underneath.

And a few more colors that I just added:

Just Added Celeb City, a foiltastic opaque silver that has great coverage, even with one coat.  

Just Added VIP Pink, a sheer light pink jelly with pink and silver shimmer.

Just Added Ocean View, a gorgeous ocean blue with shimmer.  

Just Added Red Carpet, an opaque red loaded with red glitter. 

Sally Hansen Xtreme wear should be available this week and retails around $2.99/ea. Have a fabulous day!

FEATURED - Saturday, June 20th 2009

New Nail Polish Colors: L.A. Girl Flare Swatches

I love me some L.A Girl Flare nail polishes! Here's just a few new colors from L.A. Girl Flare. Some brand spankin new colors, and some older ones that's been around for a while.

One of their newest colors, Rapture. Glitter plus holo equals winner, ding ding ding! Now what gal doesn't love these two combinations! Described as a silverish, platinum gold holo in a clear base.

 

 

 Nirvana, not your standard sky blue creme. A mix between teal and sky blue. Loves it!

Another new shade from L.A. Girl, Sea Grass. A gorgeous sea green creme that applied perfectly in two applications. This looks similar to the shade Lauren Conrad was sporting in a episode of The Hills a couple weeks ago. We all know how much she loves Urban Outfitters, so it's a good possibility. 

When I first laid my eyes on Sea Grass, I thought it was going to be a close dupe to another one of my favorite colors, Tropical. But, it's defintitely more green when compared in the swatch above.

Sunny, a bright pastel yellow creme.

Hype, a mid tone barbie pink creme.

Spunky is much more purple in real life. For some reason, this didn't capture true to life. A magenta purple creme.

Love L.A. Girl? Check out some more L.A. Girl Flare swatches. You can find L.A. Girl Flare polishes at Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, and Cherry Culture.

FEATURED - Sunday, July 5th 2009

Loreal Pro Blooming Brights Collection

This Summer, Loreal Pro introduces a release of six, limited edition pop art colors called, The Blooming Brights collection.

Each shade is packed with loads of color, and most of my swatches were done with a minimum of two coats, excluding Yellow Buzz.

Overall, this is a fabulous collection for summer. What more can you ask for: color, opaqueness and a perfect application with Loreal's flat brush.

Some of my favorites: Purple Pop, Yellow Buzz and Shocking Green. Check out all the swatches below.

Purple Pop, a gorgeous purple creme. 

Yellow Buzz, is a fabulous yellow creme. Not quite OPI  "It" color nor RBL's Yellow fever. A mix inbetween.

Sizzling Tangerine, a tangerine orange creme.

These next shades are all shimmer based.

Rockin' Pink, a coral pink with very subtle shimmer. 

Shocking Green, wow what a great color! Suprisingly, it is shocking to the fact I love it. Described as an apple green with gold and green shimmer. 

Electric Blue, a shimmering mid tone blue.

The Blooming Brights collection is available for a limited time only and retails for $4.99/ea. Have a great Sunday!

FEATURED - Wednesday, July 8th 2009

Sally Hansen HD High Definition Nail Color

Sally Hansen introduces a new nail polish line this summer called HD, High Definition nail color. Each shade has a patented formula with real liquid crystals for multi-dimensional color and iridescent shine.

So what's all this mean? High voltage, electrifying color delivered right to your fingertips. A vivid, and glowing appeal with each shade.

The Review: I've been testing these babies for over a month now, mostly due to my mixed feelings. At first, I'd tell you there's nothing special nor unique. Now, let's just say their definitely growing on me, in a good way, of course. The High voltage glowing effect certainly makes this line stand out from the rest.

The Formula. It's not your average metallic nor shimmer...A mix between both. Each color applied somewhat sheer, with good color payoff. All my swatches were used with two coats.

Check em' out.

Lite, vibrant golden yellow with shimmer. 

Hi-Def, apple green with shimmer. 

Three D, reddish coral with shimmer. 

BLU, vibrant blue with shimmer. 

Cyber, a gorgeous purple with blue and pink shimmer.  

Pixel Pretty, turquoise blue with shimmer.

Sally Hansen's HD Nail color collection is now available and retails for $5.99/ea.

FEATURED - Monday, August 3rd 2009

OPI Summer 09: Sunbelievable Collection

Happy Monday! I have one last Summer collection to bring ya'll before I get into the Fall goodies.

OPI's Sunbeleiveable collection is a small release of four summertastic colors ranging from coral, yellow, pink and blue.

The application: I found most colors to be semi sheer with a jelly consistency. You'll need a minimum of three coats or more. My swatches were done with three, with the exception of one. Let's get down to business, shall we?

Check out the swatches. 

I'm his Coral Friend is a semi sheer coral jelly that's similar to her sister, Modern Girl.

 

Sea I told You, a gorgeous aquamarine with blue micro-glitter that's really stunning. A little different than Sephora's Skinny Jeans, which is a bit more teal. Must have for any blue lover!

 

If the Fushcia Fits, your standard hot pink shimmer. Not so much unique, but certainly pretty!

 I love Banana Bandanna! The application may be somewhat streaky, but definitely worth the hassle of this soft, buttercup color. So pretty!

OPI's Sunbelieveable collection is now available at Professional Salons and E-tailers. Hope you have an awesome 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 - Sunday, August 16th 2009

NOTD: RBL Yellow Fever Matte, OPI Ink

Happy Sunday! Hope y'all are having a fantastic weekend! Today I'm bringing you a few Nail polish of the day swatches to make up for my absence this past week. Let's start with the gorgeous OPI Ink.

Ink was my favorite color released in the Summer 07 Night Brights collection. It's a gorgeous mixture between blue and puple with pink shimmer that's really fabulous! If your a blue and purple fanatic, Ink is a must have.

On Saturday, I met up with two lovely bloggers from the Ohio Region, Michelle from All Lacquered Up, Sarah from Pretty in Dayton and sported this sunny color. We had a great time chatting and shopping at the Fashion Place in Cleveland, OH.

It's been a while since I've pulled out my Rescue Beauty Lounge polishes and I forgot how fabulous the quality is! The horse of all nail polishes that's superior, really?! And I just couldn't resist adding a matte coat to Yellow Fever. Totally loved this mattified!

Surprise! One more pedi swatch to end the day. This was really simple and quick using Sally Hansen's nail art pen and my dotting tool.

How was everyone's weekend? Have a great night!

FEATURED - Monday, August 17th 2009

New Nail Polish Colors from Sinful

Have you guys seen Sinful's new nail polish colors? You can imagine my excitement when I stumbled upon these new glitters at Walgreens for $.99/ea (Bogo Sale)! You can't beat that!

The only issues I have with Sinful's formula, most colors apply fairly sheer. On all my swatches, I used a minimum of three "thick" coats or more. if you don't mind sheers, go for it girlfriend. Heck at $.99, it's totally worth it - stock up!

Check out the swatches. 

HD Nails, a mid tone green with shimmer that applied fairly sheer.

Side Note: My nail tips are extremely white, so it might take a little more than average to cover completely.  

I Love You, a sheer purple jelly with purple and pink shimmer that's really pretty. It's a bit more puple compared to her sister, Daddy's Girl. 

Nail Junkie, a sheer blue jelly with chunky green, blue and gold glitter. My swatches look turquoise blue, but it's actually more of a mermaid blue. 

Call you Later, is chartreuse mixture in a clear base of chunky gold and green glitter.

Frenzy, a clear base with pink, blue and purple glitter. 

All About You, a clear base with copperish gold and red glitter.  

I miss you, a sheer magenta jelly with silver chunky glitter and a slight holographic appeal.

It's no secret I'm a black nail polish fanatic, So it don't suprise me that Secret Admirer is one my favorites. An opaque black loaded with silver fine glitter. 

 

Queen of Beauty, chunky silver glitter in a clear base. A great topper for black, blue or any darker shade.

UFO is a sheer orange jelly filled with gold and chunky glitter. This makes a great topper over orange nail polish (see pinky).

Every Walgreens I visit, Let's Meet is always out of stock by popular demand. A sheer mustard yellow with gold shimmer.

See you Soon, a blackened blue with shimmer.

Aside from Social Ladder being sheer, I really like this unusal color. A white that has an overlay of pink iridescent and green shimmer. The best news, you'll get more bang for your buck with this Chanel Intermezzo knock-off. Dupes? No, Social Ladder is much prettier.

The new colors can be found in the regular display with Sinful's core line at Walgreens. Each shade retails around $1.99/ea. Make sure you keep an eye out for sales like Buy One, Get One for the best deals!

FEATURED - Wednesday, September 30th 2009

Victoria's Secret Pink Me Up Polish and Bling

Product: Victoria's Secret Pink me up, Nail Polish & Bling .29 oz

Price: $7.00/ea or 3/$15

Steph's Rating:

Buy it: Victoria's Secret, VS Stores

When I stopped in Victoria's Secret last week, the SA grabbed me and directed me straight towards Pink's new line of color cosmetics called, Pink Me Up. I was instantly drawn in to the juicy hues of Nail Polish! While most products in this collection appeared a little "girl-ish" for my taste, I was excited to test out two sassy nail colors from the line. Let's get to the deets, shall we?

Each bottle is packaged with crystal and nail bling located in the upper cap. It's a flip top that's easily accessible and can be refillable with any brand of nail art deco.

Check out an example below.  

Will I ever use the crystals? Probably not, but don't quote me. If you love nail bling, the bottles can come in handy to store the tiny rascals when you're traveling.

The colors I tested were opaque, and applied smooth like butta with no true formula issues.

Check out the swatches below.  

Wow is a bright sunny yellow creme. Like most yellows, you'll need three full coats to even out.

Yes is much prettier in person. It's a deep, navy blue with blue and green micro shimmer.

Overall, A little pricey for .29 oz, but if you take advantage of 3/$15 it breaks down to $5.00/pop. Nice formula, brush and application.

What do you guys think? Yah or Nah?

FEATURED - Friday, October 2nd 2009

Hard Candy Just Nails: Swatches, Review

Collection: Hard Candy Just Nails, Nail Color 0.35 oz

Price: $5.00/ea

Steph's Rating:

Buy it: Walmart Stores

Now that you've seen a preview of Hard Candy's new makeup line, are you ready for some yummy eye confection? If you're not familiar with the brand, Hard Candy was founded in the mid 90's, best known for their sky blue and pastel colored nail polishes. They've recently teamed up with the largest retailer in the world, Walmart to bring you cost effective, higher-end cosmetics.

Just Nails is a range of 16 new nail colors. Each shade is included with an oversized plastic ring, similar to older bottles. And the formula is just as wonderful as I remember. Although some of us might find the opaque colors are bit more thicker than usual, but no big deal. Just apply in thin coats.

Let's get to swatches! 

 

Mr. Wrong is anything but wrong, it's a bad-to-the-bone amazing shade that you have to see in person! A smokey purple with silver and gold glitter! Just fabulous!

Click here to check out a comparison swatch of smokey purples. 

Envy is a gorgeous, deep blackened green shimmer.

Sweet P is a yellow green pea colored glitter.

 Date Night is a pink glitter in a clear base.

Hot Pants is a sheer pink jelly with large hexagon shaped glitter. It makes a great topper over any nail polish.

Break Up is a clear glitter with smaller hexagon shaped glitter that shifts different colors depending on the lighting and base color. Another great topper over any nail polish. 

Oh, yeah Frenzy is uber hot! An opaque sky blue creme that's a classic Hard Candy color.

Splendid is a soft buttery yellow.

 

Lava is a red orange loaded with an insane amount of glitter. Similar to Mr. Wrong's texture.

   

Mr. Right is an opaque Navy Blue with shimmer. 

Sugar Daddy is pretty spectacular when used as a topper. It's similar to CND's Colour and Effects line. A sparkly sugar topping that coordinates with any nail polish. Check out one more example below.

Don't you just love the gold over green? Hard Candy's Evny would also look super hot!

Hypnotic is another candy topper similar to Sugar Daddy. A sheer pink loaded with gold, pink and subtle purple glitter. 

Overall, great collection! Price is right and budget friendly. The application and formula is right on. A variety of 16 colors ranging from shimmers, glitters and cremes. Readily available at most Walmarts.

Make sure you bookmark this page; I'll be adding more Hard Candy nail swatches soon. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!