Mini CVS Deal Haul

Today I was able to use my CVS coupon...it was only $2 though so I didn't get to go crazy like I was hoping! At least I was able to get 2 things since the Rimmel Lash Maxx mascara was 75% off which is nuts, it was originally almost $10 and ended up being about $2.75. Hopefully the other one is still there tomorrow, I really want to pick it up since this is actually pretty good stuff! That one had a busted up brush though, so I am hoping nobody is desperate enough to buy it.

I also got a Milani blush in Sweet Rose which is the only one they had there...if I see any of the other colors I might pick at least one more up since it's really pigmented and not TOO bad of a price at $6.50. Sweet Rose is a nice dusty rose color with a matte finish, it's good for a more natural understated look. I prefer something darker and/or more shimmery so I would really like to try another color if I can find it.

Comparison, one eye "naked" one with the mascara.

Another comparison :).

NOTD: Zoya Adina

I recently got a couple colors from Zoya's BOGO on their summer line, Mira for my mom and Breezi for myself. However instead of getting those, I got somebody else's order for Adina in the mail. I talked to Danielle over Zoya's live chat and she told me I could keep Adina and they'd send me my correct order as well. Since Adina was on my short list (only 3 on it) of Zoya polishes I wanted to get, I am definitely happy about this turn of events. Sure, I have to wait a bit longer for the polishes I ordered, but I also ended up getting a free polish and saving $8+shipping!!

Anyhow, I know Adina has been reviewed/swatched to death by now...but it can't hurt to have one more...right? I don't have enough duotones in my collection, and this one is a classic so it's perfect!

Indoors, mix of natural and fluorescent lighting.

NOTD: Orly Sapphire Silk + Essence Movie Star

I've been wanting to use Orly Sapphire Silk again for a while, it's a very pretty color. I didn't want to do anything too fancy since I overdid it on my last manicure a little bit. I wanted to try something a bit different for the accent nail this time though, so I used Essence Movie Star which is just a gray creme...but a surprisingly nice one.

My only complaint is that the bottle is so tiny, but with the price I guess I can see why. The brush is very good, usually mini bottles' brushes are mini and stiff as well but not the case here. The formula was also very good. I will definitely get more colors by Essence next time I go to Ulta (which is the only place I've seen that brand). I also like that there isn't a stark contrast between the 2 colors. Most of the time when I do the accent nail it's really obvious, but this is a nice way to have a little fun, but not TOO much fun haha.

This is the manicure I used my new Poshe top coat on...so far so good, as you can see it has a high shine and all that.

In indirect sunlight. The colors are more accurate here.

In direct sunlight.

Poshe Quick Dry Top Coat

My bottle of Seche Vite is still 1/3 full, but I could barely get what was in there. Frustrated, I decided to try Poshe's quick dry top coat since it got many reviews comparing it's bottle favorably versus Seche's. After using it I definitely agree, I like the brush much more and it nearly reaches the bottom (which will cause it to avoid my issue with Seche's bottle) and for application it seemed softer and wider.

Now I just have to test it's wear etc. as I'd seen some reviews saying it peeled/chipped easily, and since i'd never had that issue with Seche Vite I'd have to go back to it if it proves true. So far so good though, but I haven't even had it on for 12 hours yet, so...I hope it continues like this! Also the drying time is on par with Seche Vite, so no complaints there. I think as long as it doesn't peel or chip and has the same wear as Seche Vite then I'll keep buying it instead from here on out.

Coach Flower Multi Dangle Key Ring

I've been wanting a Coach key ring for a long long time but was wary of spending $40 on a one, I had an extra $55 so aside from OPI Do You Think I'm Tex-y I bought one (finally) and a very nice key ring it is!

I can't really choose my favorite thing about it, I love the signature print on it (I don't really like paying that much for a key chain that nobody'll know is Coach...) and the pretty spring colors, although I like them year round. Only one rhinestone so I don't have to worry too much about it falling off, which is a concern for me because I am a weirdo like that. Although I'd hope that it's on there pretty good considering the price.

I also like the little Coach tag and the little blue flower is very cute too! I think it's fun that all the non-signature print petals are all different designs, and all of them are different colors.

OPI "Do You Think I'm Tex-y" Sorbet

I was interested in trying a "Sorbet" (which is essentially just a jelly but renamed...) from OPI's Texas collection after seeing some swatches. Not feeling the other colors I decided to go for Do You Think I'm Tex-y, which I'd describe as a strawberry red in artificial light and fuchsia in natural light, it's very pretty and I don't usually wear red...this might even be my first/only! My only beef with it is that although my nails are very short I still get VNL after 4 coats...and any imperfections left from my last manicure (in this case a bit of blue I missed when removing my old polish) are starkly viewable...

I wouldn't say I'd never wear this polish again, it IS very pretty and I like the jelly effect a lot (aside from the VNL) so I am sure come summer this will make it into the rotation since it feels very "fresh" and "juicy" in a way that makes me understand why OPI decided to call it "Sorbet" but I don't think I'll be buying more in the future unless it's a need-to-have color like teal or sea-foam green. Or maybe if they made it a bit more pigmented/opaque.

Because I didn't do an accent nail and I can't leave well enough alone (didn't want it to look weird since I don't really have any other jellies) I decided to try a little splash of sparklies (from Essence) and use my silver LA Colors Art Deco polish to make a little line....it doesn't look bad but I'm not in love with it, oh well...I'll just redo my nails tonight!

Also it was rather late, and the formula of the sorbet was a bit runny so don't mind my paint job, I didn't have the patience to leave a gap between my cuticle and the polish this time.

The bottle.

In direct artificial light.

In natural light.

NOTD: Essie Coat Azure & Maybelline Denim

After my super busy 80's/early 90's nails I decided to do a palate cleanser in my favorite nail color--blue. This time I kept the accent nail (of course...it's like I HAVE to do it...) but just made it a darker shade of blue in a similar finish (shimmer).

Sorry it's really messy, I wasn't able to do it until like midnight last night and by then my patience was really dropping off and I was getting pretty sleepy as well. Thank goodness for Seche Vite, without it I wouldn't have had time to do my nails! Not too shabby either, since I did 3 coats of both colors.

I've worn Essie Coat Azure before, but only as an accent. It's a really lovely color so I've been wanting to wear it as the main color for a while. I love the dusty blue shade and the subtle silvery shimmer that adds some good dimension to it. I'll get cremes if I really love the colors, but I really prefer something a little more fun like a shimmer since it's still pretty chill, but also a little more fun and pretty than a creme. When I wear a creme 1/2 the time I have an urge to add a shatter/flakie/glitter to it even if I like it how it is, just because it's so stark.

Maybelline Denim is actually not it's whole name, there is another word but I forgot it. I got this one on clearance at Target for a couple bucks and it was the nicest clearance color there so I figured 'why not?'. It is actually a really pretty navy blue shimmer that is a surprisingly deep color. The shimmer is a similar blue so it's pretty subtle but when the light hits it you can really see the depth.

In direct bathroom light.

Flash to show the shimmer.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potions

On Friday I was at Sephora browsing their Urban Decay section since I was curious how similar Sin was in the Eyeshadow Primer Potion and the regular Eyeshadow...swatching them both on my arm I found out that they were indeed identical and thus silly for me to buy the eyeshadow. The only difference is that the primer was harder to get off (not very hard though).

Anyways, the SA asked me if I'd known about the primer in Greed. Somehow I hadn't heard of it so I swatched it on my arm and instantly fell in love. I already am a HUGE fan of Sin since it's what's on my lids 90% of the time (mostly alone instead of eyeshadow) and I didn't think it'd be possible to love another product as much but I think I love Greed even MORE. It's such a pretty shimmery gold~. I haven't used it as a primer yet, but as a shadow it's divine...I've never had a decent gold shadow which makes this even better. I just love it....I'll let the swatches speak for themselves though.

Not in direct artificial light.

L: Greed, R: Sin

In direct artificial light.

L: Greed, R: Sin

I think that Sin (which is described as champagne) is best for a more natural but still pretty shimmer, but Greed ("24k" gold) is a much glitzier color and not as natural looking...but it's not overbearing either and a perfectly good daytime color. I love it.

NOTD: 80's/Early 90's Crackle

This isn't exactly my most original manicure ever, but I have been dieing to try it since I saw Scrangie do it on her blog. The accent nail however was my idea. Originally I was just going to do it plain, but realized that the black crackle would tie it together more and really go well with it. I chose that color combo because I wanted to do something showing the neon aspect of that era, but as I hate/don't own neon polish I chose something that captures the electric feel. And the polish IS from a neon collection, so it's close enough for me!

Here is what I used:

Accent nail - Color Club Ultra Violet (luminous purple with a bright blue flash) + OPI Black Shatter.

All other nails - Essie French Affair + China Glaze Crushed Candy + China Glaze Cracked Concrete.

I just have to say I love this manicure! Retro is awesome!!

Mascara, My New Friend + St. Patrick's Day NOTD

So I just started wearing mascara a few days ago, specifically Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion which I like a lot so far. I like the brush a lot! I got it in blackened brown this time, which is nice, but I think I'd like to get it in black next time for a more dramatic look.

Here is what it looks like on, with Urban Decay Sin on the lids (I know it's technically a primer but I got it to use as a brightening shadow) and Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Bourbon on the water line...I was careful to not get any sparkles there.

I feel like when I wear the mascara with a brightening eye shadow I don't really need an eyeliner on top, it pops enough. I don't really like eyeliner (other than on the water line) anyways because it's a B**** to get it just right...I always make it too thick etc. etc. Mascara is much easier to get looking right.

I only use the liner on the water line really because I don't like putting mascara on my bottom lashes...it looks nice but it's just kind of fiddly. I think I'd do it only when going out or something. It only takes a second to put the liner on, and if it rubs off it is no big deal...although I used 24/7 in hopes of it not rubbing off so easily since usually it either rubs or melts off nearly right away!

Last but not least I have my St. Patrick's Day NOTD...I know it's not until tomorrow but I am going to remove it tomorrow night so I decided to have it on at least a day ahead of time so it's not a complete waste. I used a makeup sponge for the gold, I started out trying to make the tips gold, but I messed up so I covered it up with a bit of a gradient. I think this would have come out better if my nails were longer, or if I did the gradient a bit shorter...I'll have to try again though, since it's a fun and pretty easy look. Practice makes perfect :).

I don't know what it is about when I do my nails, but 1/2 the time I end up liking the polish I used on the accent nail better and regret not doing it on all the other nails and having what I did on the other fingers on the accent nail instead...

Gold is Orly Glitz, green is Zoya Shawn and the accent finger is Orly Royal Velvet.